The Ballad of Black Tom

The Ballad of Black Tom is an atmospheric historical horror novella which reimagines and reclaims the Lovecraftian Mythos, for fans of Sinners and Lovecraft Country.

‘This ingenious recasting of an H.P. Lovecraft classic is as creepy as it is thought-provoking.’ People

The Sleeping King rests at the bottom of the ocean.
The Sleeping King slumbers on the other side of the door.
The Sleeping King is dead but dreaming.

In New York City, at the height of the Harlem Renaissance, Charles Thomas Tester is a hustler, trading in occult items.

He knows what magic a suit can cast, the invisibility a guitar case can provide, and the glamour written on his skin that attracts the eye of wealthy white folks and their cops.

But what Tom doesn't know is that there is something ancient and hungry that sleeps just on the other side of reality. The more magic he touches, the closer he gets to waking it up.

A tempest that might swallow the world is building in Brooklyn, and Black Tom is trapped in the eye of the storm. Will he live to see it break?

‘Stands on its own as a compelling weird tale of Jazz-age New York City, but its penetrating examination of Lovecraft’s creations and how they reflect racism’s profound influence on our cultural imagination is where it really shines.’ Slate

‘LaValle's novella of sorcery and skullduggery in Jazz Age New York is a magnificent example of what weird fiction can and should do.’ Laird Barron

🥇 WINNER of Shirley Jackson Award 2016 for Best Novella

🥇 WINNER of British Fantasy Award 2017 for Best Novella

🥇 WINNER of This is Horror Award for Novella of the Year 2016

🥈 FINALIST of Hugo Award 2017 for Best Novella

🥈 FINALIST of Locus Award 2017 for Best Novella

🥈 FINALIST of Bram Stoker Award 2016

🥉 NOMINEE of Nebula Award 2016 for Best Novella

🥉 NOMINEE of World Fantasy Award 2017