Submitted by Ryan Scott
When describing his own novels, Collingwood-based author Benjamin Rempel labels them as “horror with heart”. While aiming to keep his readers turning the pages with a suspenseful narrative, he acknowledges the importance of having characters with whom readers can resonate amongst themes of hope, courage, and family bonds.
The debut novel in his Feral Winter trilogy, Infect, was released by Durham-based Chickenhouse Press in 2024. It introduced readers to the rural town of Barn Wood and to its inhabitants, who have suddenly developed a craving for flesh and blood. A small band of survivors struggle through each night in search of supplies, missing loved ones, and a possible cure for the mysterious illness inflicting their town. Desperation and mounting terror compel the characters – and the reader – to push on to the very last page.
November 2025 saw the release of book two, Mutate, which returns us to Barn Wood. Just when it seemed that the town’s feral folk were finally under control, a smarter, stronger, and more violent breed of terror spawns to force the survivors into another round of blood-soaked carnage. Threat upon twisted threat ratchets up the tension all the way to the end.
However, it’s not quite the end. Rempel is busy with book three, which he promises will be more fast-paced and darker than what’s come before. He also assures readers this will wrap up the series, adding: “Don’t think for a minute that everyone gets a happy ending.” The Feral Winter conclusion hits stores in spring 2027.
As a local author, local readers can expect familiar surroundings from his series. Rempel enjoys noting down “what I pass as I drive around the area”, using the open roads and the lakes and forests of South Georgian Bay as inspiration.
Not a horror addict himself, Rempel loves reading books that have “a good hook, create tension, and have characters I will root for”, all of which he strives to include in his own writing. He’s a fan of crime noir, true crime, neo-westerns, and blue-collar mysteries. These provide fuel for the forbidding sense of violence, isolation, and tautness that drive his novels.
After the trilogy is done, he plans a return to Barn Wood with a standalone novel exploring the town’s horrific secrets from new perspectives in another timeline. Additionally, Rempel will dip his authorial toe into other murky waters as he explores writing crime mysteries and thrillers.
It may be surprising to learn that writing is not Rempel’s full-time vocation. He maintains a whole other career on top of being a busy family man with a love for sports. His advice to aspiring authors is to “prioritize writing”, meaning one needs to forfeit time with other hobbies that might take time away from writing. He also suggests starting small, “by writing short stories and submitting them to magazines and contests. Once a portfolio is built up you can turn your attention to novel writing.” He cautions that writers require a thick skin: “You’ll be told no. A lot.” but urges that if it’s “your passion and your craft is strong”, to keep at it.
For those interested in Benjamin Rempel, visit his website www.benjaminrempel.com, and follow him on Instagram: @benjaminrempel_author. Currently on his spring and summer book tour, he enjoys engaging with readers and will be available to do just that at The Book Hive in Meaford on Saturday, June 13, from 12 p.m. Come meet him and grab signed copies of Infect and Mutate. We are located at 84 Sykes Street N.
