Welcome to Hydra Publications, your home for compelling stories across a spectrum of genres. We’re a proudly independent press nestled in the heart of Kentucky, dedicated to bringing readers everything from crime noir and mystery thrillers to paranormal adventures and enchanting fantasies. With a range of imprints like Enigma House Press and Stardust Romance, we offer a little something for every kind of book lover.
At Hydra, we believe in the power of storytelling to transport and transform. We’re also deeply connected to our local community, participating in regional events and supporting authors both new and established. Whether you’re a reader looking for your next favorite book or a writer seeking a publishing home, Hydra Publications is here to welcome you into our literary family.
To learn more about Hydra, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you would like to join the Hydra Publishing team, please contact Tony@hydrapublications.com
Tony Acree
Publisher
Tony Acree is an award-winning publisher, novelist, screenwriter and radio host. He lives near Louisville, Kentucky with his wife and talented twins.
Dark Harbor Pictures will be producing two streaming shows, one based on his Victor McCain thrillers, and the other on his Samantha Tyler thrillers. In addition, his screenplay, Songs of Bloody Harlan has been optioned for the silver screen by Jamezz Hampton and 1209 Productions. His publishing house, Hydra Publications, won the Jason Sizemore Award for best small press, and Publisher of the Year by the AOF Megafest and Conquering Disabilities w/Film International Film Festival.
His screenplay, The Hand of God, co-written by Sarah Gardiner, won Best Horror Screenplay at The LA Film Awards.
His first solo screenplay, Songs of Bloody Harlan, took Best Long Format Screeplay at the Imadjinn Film Festival.
On Thursday nights at 7 pm EST, he co-hosts Look Back La Grange on Crossroads La Grange Streaming Radio with his co-host James Caffee.
Michael Knost
Lawless Trails Press Publisher
Hydra Publications is proud to announce a new partnership with two-time Bram Stoker Award–winning editor and author Michael Knost, who will serve as publisher of Lawless Trails Press, a new imprint devoted to the Western genre.
Knost brings decades of publishing experience to the role. A respected voice in the horror, science fiction, and fantasy communities, he is a two-time Bram Stoker Award winner for Writers Workshop of Horror and Writers Workshop of Horror 2. He also reached Amazon #1 bestseller status with Writers Workshop of Science Fiction & Fantasy.
KIT ACREE
DIRECTOR OF LITERARY MARKETING
Kit Acree is the Social Media Manager for Hydra Publications and the Director of Literary Marketing for the Stardust Romance imprint. They graduated from the University of Kentucky in May 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in arts administration, which fostered their love for the creative arts. They are committed to a long-term future with Hydra Publications and look forward to furthering their involvement within the company in the future.
