Blue Dasher Press Announces the Publication of Wren Valentino’s New Horror Short Story, Make It 'til Dawn

Blue Dasher Press is thrilled to announce the release of Make It 'til Dawn, a new short horror story by bestselling author Wren Valentino. This unique tale seamlessly blends horror, comedy, and romance into a single thrilling plot, offering readers an unforgettable experience filled with chills, laughs, and heartwarming moments.

At the heart of Make It 'til Dawn is the growing romance between two college-aged men, an element rarely explored in the horror genre. When Andrew accepts a dare to spend the night in an abandoned house to prove his bravery, Charles, a handsome parapsychology student, joins him—both intrigued by the supernatural folklore surrounding the house and eager to finally ask Andrew out. However, as the night unfolds, the two young men realize they’re not alone. Paranormal forces within the house, known to locals as Ghost Toast, are determined to prevent them from seeing the morning light.

“I wanted to write a horror story that not only delivers spine-tingling moments but also challenges the genre’s conventions,” says Wren Valentino. “Horror and romance don’t have to be separate entities, and I thought it was time to showcase a love story between two young men in a setting where they are rarely seen. Make It 'til Dawn is as much about finding courage—both in the face of supernatural terror and in confessing one’s feelings—as it is about surviving the night.”

Available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited edition, Make It 'til Dawn is perfect for readers who love stories that break the mold while delivering all the thrills and heart-stopping moments of classic horror. If you’re looking for a fresh take on the genre with a dash of romance and humor, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Get your copy today and see if Andrew and Charles can make it ‘til dawn!

Welcome

Hello. Thank you for stopping by. We're happy you're here

We are Blue Dasher Press. We are a small, indie press based in Sacramento. We publish stage plays, novels, short stories, and collections of poetry exclusively by writer Wren Valentino, who co-founded the company with us in July of 2017. 

To date, we have published more than seventy of Wren's plays. Five of these scripts have been adapted into films. 

All of our stage plays are available to purchase at a pay-what-you-want rate in our digital store.  

If you're an actor, we encourage you to check out the Monologues section, especially if you're looking for a contemporary audition piece.

Interested in performing one of our plays? Visit the Producing Our Plays section where you will find more information about the simple three-step process for requesting free production rights. 

All of our plays can be produced royalty-free. There is never a cost to produce one of our scripts. We believe theatre is for everyone.

To learn more about our novels and short stories, the Fiction section includes information about them.

Similarly, the Poetry section is devoted to our collections of poetry. 

Don't forget to check out our Giveaways page where you can find information on when the Kindle Unlimited editions of our books and short stories are available free every month. 

You can find us on Facebook and on Instagram at bluedasherpress.

Please reach out to us at anytime with questions via our contact form. We will be happy to help you. 

Again, thank you for being here!

Blue Dasher Press Announces the Release of Accidents Never Happen by Bestselling Author Wren Valentino

Blue Dasher Press is proud to announce the highly anticipated release of Accidents Never Happen, the latest novel by bestselling author Wren Valentino. With his trademark blend of raw emotion and taut suspense, Valentino delivers a gripping story of unexpected connections, complicated desires, and the haunting consequences of choices made in the heat of the moment.

Accidents Never Happen introduces us to Albert, a Puerto Rican amateur cruiserweight whose marriage has become a shell of what it once was. His wife can't even stand the sight of him, and he’s left to navigate the loneliness and turmoil of a fractured relationship. Enter Joey, a college sophomore who is dealing with the traumatic loss of his parents—an event that he feels responsible for, after he allegedly bled the brakes of their car, sending them off a cliff.

When Albert and Joey’s broken worlds collide beneath the shadow of a train track on a street in Chicago, a fierce and undeniable attraction simmers between them. Their desire is immediate and powerful, but when they give in to it, the consequences are catastrophic. A simple moment of passion triggers a chain reaction that spirals into murder, tragedy, and a series of events neither man could have ever imagined.

In a world where desire often defies the rules of identity, Valentino’s novel captures the complexities of human longing and the unpredictable paths it can lead us down.

“I wanted to explore how desire sometimes knows no gender, no boundaries—how it can exist in the most unlikely of places, between people who, on paper, couldn’t be more different,” says Wren Valentino in a statement about the writing process. “It’s a force that can be both redemptive and destructive, and Accidents Never Happen is a meditation on how those moments of desire can set off a chain of events that change everything.”

The novel is a haunting and thought-provoking tale of love, loss, and the way fate can twist and turn with the smallest of decisions. With vivid characters and a plot that is as relentless as it is unpredictable, Accidents Never Happen is a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction that pushes the boundaries of desire, identity, and consequence.

Accidents Never Happen is now available for purchase in a Kindle Unlimited edition.

Seven Stage Plays That Explore the Complexities of Dating

At Blue Dasher Press, we believe in the power of storytelling to illuminate the human experience. Through our collection of stage plays by award-winning playwright Wren Valentino, we invite artists, directors, and theatre companies to explore the theme of dating in all its complexity—its joys, heartbreaks, and unexpected connections. Best of all, our entire catalogue is available as printable PDFs at a pay-what-you-want rate, with no royalties required. This ensures that theatre-makers of all sizes and budgets have the opportunity to bring these compelling narratives to life.

Here are seven stage plays that delve into the triumphs and tribulations of modern romance:

1. Awake
After a night of drinking at a local bar, Justin brings Misty back to his apartment, offering her a place to sleep on his couch. When morning comes, their casual encounter reveals a deeper need for connection. 

2. Before Harmony Sleeps with Jeff
Gilbert is infatuated with Harmony, a young woman he meets in a fast food restaurant. Determined to win her over before she sleeps with her unfaithful boyfriend, Jeff, Gilbert faces the challenge of proving he is the better choice. This one-act play features roles for two men and one woman and contains adult language and subject matter. It has been featured in The Best Men's Stage Monologues.

3. Don't Say Bad Things About Me
Keith and Carla meet at a bar at the request of their best friends, who have recently broken up. Each has been led to dislike the other—despite never having met before. What starts as a conversation about their friends’ failed relationship turns into a humorous and unexpected connection. This short comedic play features roles for one woman and one man and has been featured in The Best Men's Stage Monologues and The Best Women's Stage Monologues.

4. Let's Not Confuse the Situation
Janessa Martin struggles with her decision to give her new boyfriend, Colby Varner, a key to her apartment. As their past relationship wounds resurface, Janessa and Colby must confront their trust issues and fears about commitment.

5. The Seventh of August
Erica’s decade-long relationship has ended without warning. Lloyd’s girlfriend has slept with all of his friends—and two of his relatives. When Erica loses her parking ticket in the underground garage where Lloyd works as a customer service manager, their broken hearts and fractured lives collide in unexpected ways.

6. Sloe Gin Fizz
On a rainy night, two male co-workers, Marco and Christopher, find solace in each other’s company. Marco is trapped in a loveless marriage, while Christopher is reeling from yet another failed relationship. Over the course of one night, they navigate the complexities of love, societal expectations, and emotional vulnerability.

7. Trixie's Last Date with the Boogey Man
Southern belle Trixie Howard is determined to survive a date from hell—literally—in a desperate attempt to avoid being single any longer. This darkly comedic play takes an imaginative and absurd approach to the trials of modern dating.

Each of these plays presents a unique perspective on romance, heartbreak, and human connection, offering rich material for performers and audiences alike. By making these works available without financial barriers, we hope to empower theatre-makers to share meaningful stories with their communities. Whether you are an independent artist, a community theatre, or an educational institution, these plays are ready to be brought to life on your stage.

Explore our full catalogue and download these plays today at Blue Dasher Press. Let’s create theatre that resonates, inspires, and brings people together.

Blue Dasher Press Announces the Release of Wonder Land by Bestselling Author Wren Valentino

We are thrilled to announce the publication of Wonder Land, a gripping and heartfelt young adult supernatural romance novel by bestselling author Wren Valentino. Available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited, this enchanting story is one that blends magic, love, and loss into a narrative that will captivate readers from beginning to end.

After the devastating loss of her mother to cancer, fifteen-year-old Destiny Moore is forced to leave her home in Chicago and start fresh on the mysterious island of Avalon Cove, South Carolina. There, she moves in with her eccentric Uncle Fred and his husband Clark, and finds herself working part-time as a magician’s assistant—a far cry from her former life. As Destiny navigates her grief and attempts to adjust to her new home, she befriends two fellow outsiders, Tasha Gordon and Topher McGentry.

The trio is drawn to Wonder Land, an eerie and enchanting former boarding house owned by the enigmatic Adrianna Marveaux. It’s here that Destiny meets Dominic, and a deep connection is sparked. Meanwhile, Tasha finds herself intrigued by the mysterious Juliet, and Topher's heart is captured by Pablo. As their bonds grow, Destiny uncovers a shocking truth about why she and her friends were all brought to Wonder Land, and faces an impossible decision that will change their lives forever.

In Wonder Land, Wren Valentino explores the complex and painful themes of grief and loss through the lens of young love, friendship, and magic. Blending supernatural elements with deep emotional resonance, the novel invites readers to consider how the process of healing from loss can take unexpected forms and lead to profound personal growth.

Wren Valentino shared with us what inspired him to tackle these powerful themes in his latest novel:

“Grief is a universal experience, but it often feels like something we have to carry alone. I wanted to explore how young people—who are just starting to understand their own identities—process such profound loss, and how love can act as both a salve and a catalyst for change. The idea of blending magic and sorrow was particularly compelling to me; what if the mystical could help unlock parts of ourselves we’ve closed off in our pain? What if the impossible, like finding love in the midst of loss, could be a form of healing? That’s what I wanted to explore with Wonder Land—the intersection of magic, sorrow, and love, and how all three can shape our journeys toward understanding and acceptance.”

Wonder Land is now available to read for free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription, allowing fans of magical realism, romance, and stories of self-discovery to dive right in. Whether you’re looking for a book to lose yourself in or a story that will touch your heart, Wonder Land promises to deliver an unforgettable experience.

Get your copy today and start the journey to Avalon Cove—where magic, love, and the search for self intertwine in ways you won’t soon forget.

New Release: Bells and Spells by Wren Valentino—A Magical Halloween Romance

Bestselling author Wren Valentino is back with a spellbinding new short story, Bells and Spells, now available exclusively in a Kindle Unlimited Edition!

When college student Dara Kovach decides to take a gap year as an apartment sitter in Chicago, she expects a quiet break from academic life. What she doesn’t expect is to cross paths with a mysterious black cat named Ichabod on Halloween night—an encounter that will change her destiny forever. Blending magic, romance, and the spirit of the season, Bells and Spells is the perfect read for lovers of autumn enchantment.

“This story was an absolute joy to write,” says Valentino. “I dedicated it to my mother, who loves cats, love stories, and Halloween even more than I do.”

Curl up with a cup of tea, light a candle, and let Bells and Spells whisk you away on a journey of fate, mystery, and heartwarming magic.

📖 Read Bells and Spells now, available exclusively on Kindle Unlimited!

Blue Dasher Press: February Update

As we welcome the month of February, we at Blue Dasher Press would like to take a moment to wish all of our readers a Happy Valentine’s Day! Whether you’re spending the day with a special someone, enjoying time with friends, or embracing the joy of self-love, we hope it’s filled with warmth, kindness, and a great book.

From the world premiere of
I Bet She Has a Party to Go To

February is also Black History Month, a time to honor the rich history, culture, and contributions of Black individuals past and present. At Blue Dasher Press, we are deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging. We are proud to publish stage plays that celebrate Black voices and Black lives, including False Hopes, I Bet She Has a Party to Go To, A Rum Cake for Rita, Sky Lines, and Tagged. These works continue to inspire, challenge, and illuminate the many facets of the Black experience.

This month, we’ve had some exciting new releases! Our latest offerings include:

• Just Forget the World (Short Story) – Grieving over the loss of loved ones, Naomi and Dominic find a deep connection while spending time together in a cemetery.

• Homecomings (Short Play) – In a small-town laundromat, two former high school rivals come face-to-face for the first time in over forty years.

• Love in the Shadows (Novel) – Quintin Pearson, an American magazine staff writer in London, finds himself entangled in a web of intrigue after an ambassador’s assassination. In the darkness, he meets Luca, a mysterious Italian spy, and the two form an undeniable connection as they work to uncover the truth.

We’re also thrilled to announce that our short play I Bet She Has a Party to Go To has been selected for inclusion in The Best 10-Minute Plays of 2025, published by Smith & Kraus and edited by Debbie Lamedman. This powerful play follows three women who, after watching a beautiful, free-spirited woman roller skate through a city park, confront their own resentment and assumptions about her seemingly carefree life.

Looking ahead, we are excited about the upcoming release of the supernatural young adult novel Wonder Land. Following the loss of her mother, fifteen-year-old Destiny Moore moves to Avalon Cove, a mysterious island in South Carolina. There, she forms close bonds with two fellow outsiders and is drawn to the enigmatic world of Wonder Land, a former boarding house with secrets waiting to be uncovered. A story of love, loss, and discovery, Wonder Land will be available exclusively on Kindle Unlimited beginning February 18.

As always, we are grateful for our readers, writers, and the entire Blue Dasher Press community. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to sharing more incredible stories with you in the months ahead!

Happy reading!

The Blue Dasher Press Team