Stories Around the Fire: The Magic of Sharing Dark Tales During the Holidays

“I would define, in brief, the poetry of words as the rhythmical creation of Beauty in the form of Truth.” — Edgar Allan Poe
There’s something undeniably magical about the holiday season. The crackle of a fire, the soft glow of twinkling lights, and the way time seems to slow down just enough for us to share stories—whether they’re told aloud, read from a beloved book, or written down in secret while everyone else sleeps.
But here’s the thing: not every story told during the holidays has to be merry and bright. Some of the most captivating tales ever told—A Christmas Carol, for example—are drenched in shadows, wrapped in ghostly whispers, and steeped in uncomfortable truths. Because the holidays, as cosy and joyful as they are, have always been a time for reflection… and sometimes, reflection means facing the darkness within ourselves.
When I was writing Dark Matter, I found myself thinking about those darker holiday stories—the ones that unsettle you just a little, the ones that linger after the fire has died down and the cocoa’s gone cold. There’s a certain intimacy to sharing those kinds of tales around the holidays. They remind us that light and darkness exist together—that one cannot exist without the other.
Take Beris, for example, our flickering little shadow guide in Dark Matter. If he were to show up at a holiday gathering (and let’s be honest, he’d absolutely sneak in to steal some mince pies), he’d be the one spinning a tale that starts with a joke and ends with a question that makes you stare into the fire a little longer than you meant to.
Or Joshua Carpenter, who carries the weight of impossible knowledge on his young shoulders. Would he be able to relax by the fire, surrounded by warmth and laughter? Or would he sit at the edge of the circle, hearing whispers in the shadows, knowing that peace is fleeting, and the darkness is always watching?
The truth is, we tell ourselves stories during the holidays for the same reason we do during the darkest parts of the year: to feel connected. To remind ourselves that we’re not alone. To find courage in the face of uncertainty.
Dark Matter is a story about shadows, secrets, and the fragile threads that hold us together across impossible distances. It’s not a traditional holiday tale, but in its own way, it captures something essential about this time of year: the importance of facing what scares us, holding onto hope, and finding light even in the deepest darkness.
So this holiday season, as you gather with friends and family, remember that there’s room for all kinds of stories—light and dark, cosy and chilling, sweet and unsettling. Maybe you’ll share one of your own. Or maybe you’ll listen a little closer when someone else starts to speak.
From my writing desk to wherever you are in the world, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a joyous holiday season. May your fires burn bright, your cocoa be rich, and your stories—whether whispered in the dark or spoken aloud—linger long after the night is over.
And if you’re ready to step into a story that doesn’t shy away from the shadows, join the Dark Matter newsletter today. You’ll get exclusive content, early access, a pre-release discount, and maybe even a few whispers from Beris himself. Sign up here.
Here’s to a season of stories, light and dark alike. Merry Christmas! 🎄✨