About
Meet the Founder
Hi, I’m Paulette Kennedy, founder of Gothic Dreams. As an author and avid reader of gothic horror and suspense, I was inspired to create this subscription box from a place of passion for the gothic genre, as well as a desire to make the world a better place.
Each box is a labor of love—from choosing which authors and books to showcase every quarter, to reaching out to artisans with ethical, sustainable practices to create unique handcrafted items to enhance your reading experience. I hope you’ll enjoy discovering authors who might be new to you, as well as some of your favorites, while knowing you’re also supporting a woman-owned business.
Because giving back is a big part of my personal mission, a percentage of the sale of each box goes to support LGBTQ+ organizations like The Trevor Project and PFLAG.
I also hope that you’ll enjoy becoming part of the Gothic Dreams community, with monthly zoom gatherings where we’ll discuss the books included in your Gothic Dreams boxes.
Thank you so much for being here and helping to make Gothic Dreams a success.
If you “dream in gothic” you’re in the right place!
Happy Haunting,
Gothic Dreams is dedicated to fostering a love of reading, and supporting the efforts of talented authors of gothic fiction and independent artisans.
Words from the Founder
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My mother introduced me to the work of the Brontë sisters at a young age. Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights were her favorite novels. I fell in love with the windswept moors, overcast skies, and romantic yearning depicted in these novels, and from there, my interest only grew. I discovered authors such as Daphne du Maurier, Shirley Jackson, Anne Rice, and Victoria Holt, who all made a profound impact on my career as an author of gothic fiction. I am an avid reader of the gothic genre and my passion for these kinds of stories has never diminished!
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The atmosphere! There’s something so darkly comforting about grand, crumbling Scottish castles, the genteel decay of a Southern gothic mansion, or the noir feel of a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Good Gothic fiction is filled with hidden secrets, forbidden romance, and moments of breathtaking suspense.
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I wanted to share my love of gothic fiction with my readers and invite them to participate in a unique reading adventure. Gothic fiction is a niche genre, and gothic readers are very loyal—and voracious!
I’m also inspired by the plethora of authors who are rediscovering the beauty of gothic fiction and wanted to create a platform to share their work–especially underrepresented authors in the LGBTQ+ community. I’ve always been an “author’s author” in that being supportive of my peers is a driving force behind all that I do. Starting Gothic Dreams is my way of giving back to the writing community and the reading community.
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I’ve always felt that a love of reading is best when shared with others. Building community has been a central aspect of my career identity from the beginning. Gothic Dreams is a perfect extension of my desire to build bridges and uplift marginalized voices. I’m also a passionate advocate for LGBTQ rights, and a portion of the sales for each box will be donated to organizations like The Trevor Project, a nonprofit that offers mental health support for at-risk LGBTQ+ youth.
“Every book included in each Gothic Dreams box has been personally read by me. From cover to cover. I only include books that inspire me and excite me. The kinds of books that make you want to tell a friend after reading them.”
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