Owner-run bookstores have become frighteningly rare these days, but Chelsea McKee-Trenchard, proprietor at Raven’s End Books: The Horror Bookshop didn’t let that scare her off.

In business in Winnipeg since 2024, she’s established her shop as one of only three bookstores in Canada dedicated to horror. Her clientele are located all over Manitoba and across the country.

McKee-Trenchard has paired up with Brandon-based Black Wheat Brewing to present a pop-up for Westman horror readers who might be challenged to find the scary stories they’re seeking. It gives those readers a chance to find out what’s new and shivery in print and to connect with others who may share similar tastes.

McKee-Trenchard bills Raven’s End Books as “Everything you need for your spooky, cozy read.” That says a lot about what she carries, about how broad the “horror” category really is, and how it could be defined by what the reader is looking for in a scary story.

“Oftentimes when people think of horror, they think gore. And that’s actually a really small part of what horror is. Horror is just anything that makes you uncomfortable,” Mckee-Trenchard says. “I often like to say that horror is more of a spectrum than it is a genre.”

She explains that some genres have very specific expectations. Romance novels must have some sort of love relationship and a happy ending. Thrillers and suspense might involve some sort of crime. Science fiction has to be rooted in science.

“Horror can really go anywhere and it’s so unique to the person. So we have a gamut of things that might not scare some folks but might scare others,” she says.

“I’ll ask: Would you want to be in that situation? If the answer is: no, it’s too scary. Then it’s probably horror for you.”

She points to a scene from the Netflix show Wednesday.

“There was a really great scene where Wednesday is watching Legally Blonde and it was terrifying for her – so horror is unique to each person.”

She’s also an avid reader of horror herself.

“I do love stories that have really great character development and a good sense of dread. A gothic haunted house book is absolutely one of my favorite places to go, so September House or Haunting of Hill House.”

The list of genres within the horror category is long. Subgenres can include psychological, supernatural/paranormal, gothic, body/visceral, folk, romance, survival and even comedic.

“We try to make sure that there’s something for everyone that they come in, and if they’re wanting something that’s a little more exciting, they can ask for it,” she says.

“We have titles that were originally published in the 18th century, and then we also have some of those lesser known ones. There are some items we have and we’re the only place in Canada to carry them,” she says.

Raven’s End Books carries Manitoba authors such as Chadwick Ginther, author of Graveyard Mind, who writes primarily fantasy; A.V. Glenn, author of Bukowski’s Broken Family Band, a musical horror of sorts; and I.D. Russell, author of Cursed Words, who pens books with paranormal/comedic/action elements. Carrying these and other local authors is a reflection of the community aspect of the store. She also sells locally crafted items like jewellery, pins, and bookmarks.

Horror clientele come from a wide range of folks.

“We’ll see people who are bringing their young kids in who just love really spooky ghost stories, so we will get them set up with things like Goosebumps. And then we have older people that love the classics as well. It’s really interesting seeing people get to explore this side of themselves that they’ve felt they had to keep hidden before … but it’s all the same people that you’ll see at any other bookstore.”

She and her staff field questions on recommendations from horror lovers from across the country.

“What we ask is just tell us what the last book you read that you really enjoyed and maybe a couple things that you’re hoping to find, and then we just provide a giant list of options for books that you can order,” she says.

“We also frequently order in non-horror books for folks as well. We also have board games, craft kits, and art pieces.”

McKee-Trenchard welcomes suggestions and requests from Westman readers ahead of the pop-up to provide a bit of the experience of what it’s like to shop in the bookstore.

“It definitely helps when we get notes asking for some of our film critique books, our used books, or some of the latest titles. We always try to bring all the new stuff that has been published since we last were there, but we also want to bring some of the classics that people always gravitate towards as well,” she says.

Expect to find the pop-up just inside the doors at Black Wheat Brewing. McKee-Trenchard will have tables filled with books and other spooky items and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, she’ll take orders onsite for shipping or for pick up in Winnipeg.

The Raven’s End Bookshop Pop-Up is at Black Wheat Brewing, 402 10th Street on April 4 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Questions on titles available to be brought to the pop-up as well as orders are welcome at ravensendbooks.com at info@ravensendbooks.com or 421-570-3736.

» wendyjbking@gmail.com