Derrick Smith Unveils All Monsters Are Human A Groundbreaking Horror Collection Redefining the Genre
Derrick Smith’s debut horror collection, All Monsters Are Human, challenges the traditional horror genre by exploring psychological fear and the monsters within us, blending real-life paranormal investigation with emotional depth.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 5th Nov 2025 – When we think of horror, images of ghosts, monsters, and ghouls often come to mind. We envision haunted houses, dark alleys, and creatures that lurk in the shadows, waiting to strike. But what if the true monsters aren’t the ones that hide in the darkness? What if the most terrifying creatures are the ones that walk among us every day? Derrick Smith, a Pittsburgh-based horror author and paranormal investigator, seeks to explore this unsettling truth in his debut collection, All Monsters Are Human: An Unsettling Collection of Horror Stories.
Smith, also the co-founder of Iron City Paranormal, blends real-life paranormal investigation with a deeply psychological storytelling approach that challenges our perception of horror. In his collection, the ghosts and monsters aren’t just supernatural entities, they represent the darker, more disturbing sides of the human condition. Smith’s stories aren’t just designed to scare you; they’re meant to make you reflect on the true source of fear: the monsters within ourselves.
The Core Philosophy: Horror as a Mirror
Smith’s unique philosophy behind All Monsters Are Human is that horror doesn’t come from the things we fear in the dark but from the deep recesses of our own minds and emotions. The most terrifying aspects of the stories aren’t the ghouls that haunt the characters, they’re the psychological forces at play, such as guilt, fear, and rage. Smith believes that the scariest monsters are the ones that hide inside us, often manifesting in ways that can be just as dangerous as any physical threat.
“I don’t write to scare people,” says Smith. “I write to make them feel the weight of what scares them.”
It’s a sentiment that sets him apart in the world of horror fiction. While other writers may rely on jump scares and supernatural horror to unsettle their readers, Smith’s stories dig deeper, exploring the human psyche in a way that forces us to confront uncomfortable truths. His writing isn’t just about fear for fear’s sake, it’s about revealing the darker sides of human nature that often go unnoticed in everyday life.
In All Monsters Are Human, Smith takes this exploration a step further, delving into stories where the supernatural is inseparable from the psychological. Characters in his tales are haunted not only by ghosts but by the shadows of their own pasts, emotional scars, and unresolved traumas. As a paranormal investigator, Smith draws on his real-world experiences in haunted locations to infuse his fiction with authenticity. The result is a collection of stories that feels as though they could be ripped straight from the darkest corners of human experience, and perhaps even your own nightmares.
Ross House – Investigation
A Paranormal Investigator’s Lens on Horror
As the co-founder of Iron City Paranormal, Smith’s unique experience investigating real haunted locations deeply influences his writing. His work with Iron City Paranormal gives him a firsthand look at the ways in which the supernatural intersects with the human experience, often revealing more about us than the ghosts we encounter.
Smith’s investigations focus not just on the supernatural but also on the psychological and emotional aspects of the paranormal. What drives people to visit haunted locations? What fears, hopes, and desires do they bring with them? It’s this intimate understanding of the human condition that elevates Smith’s writing from mere horror fiction to a more profound exploration of fear and self.
In his stories, Smith examines the fear that people experience when confronted by the unknown, whether that’s a haunted house, a mysterious figure, or a psychological breakdown. His approach isn’t just about creating scares; it’s about using horror as a tool to expose the raw and often uncomfortable emotions that lie beneath the surface.
“I don’t want my readers to just be scared,” Smith explains. “I want them to feel seen, to understand that what haunts them is part of the human experience. The real horror is the way we process fear and the emotions that drive us.”
The Stories Behind All Monsters Are Human
The stories in All Monsters Are Human blend horror, thriller, and psychological drama, offering unique insights into the human condition. Whether exploring deadly obsessions or hidden killers, the monsters are rarely what they seem. Smith’s writing, shaped by his background in paranormal investigation and psychological exploration, feels grounded in reality, even when the supernatural is present. His characters, deeply flawed and haunted by guilt, rage, or past trauma, face monsters that mirror their internal struggles. The stories go beyond terror, focusing on transformation, redemption, and the complex layers of human emotion. In All Monsters Are Human, the supernatural serves as a backdrop for the psychological conflicts that drive the horror.
What Makes Derrick Smith Stand Out in Horror Fiction?
Derrick Smith, named Best Horror Author in Pittsburgh for 2025 by the Evergreen Awards, stands out for his ability to seamlessly blend psychological horror with real-life paranormal investigation. His unique approach, grounded in authentic experiences, sets his fiction apart, focusing not just on supernatural threats but on raw human emotion and the psychological side of fear. Smith’s work, including his acclaimed debut collection All Monsters Are Human, resonates with readers for its emotional depth and exploration of human trauma. Rather than relying on gimmicks, Smith crafts stories that challenge readers to confront the real monsters within themselves.
A New Voice in Horror
As Smith continues to grow his reputation as both an author and paranormal investigator, All Monsters Are Human marks just the beginning of what promises to be a career defined by authenticity, emotional depth, and a unique perspective on horror. Smith is not just writing to entertain; he’s writing to provoke thought, spark introspection, and challenge readers to face the darker aspects of the human psyche.
For those who are looking for a horror experience that’s more than just a scare, All Monsters Are Human offers a fresh and unsettling perspective on what it means to be human in a world filled with fear.
About Derrick Smith
Derrick Smith is a Pittsburgh-based author, paranormal investigator, and the co-founder of Iron City Paranormal. His debut collection, All Monsters Are Human: An Unsettling Collection of Horror Stories, combines his experiences with paranormal investigation and his passion for exploring the human condition. Smith’s work focuses on psychological horror, examining the internal monsters we all carry within us and how they shape our fears and actions.
Following the success of this debut, Smith has announced that the next volume in the All Monsters Are Human series is slated for release in early 2026, promising an even deeper dive into the psychological and supernatural themes that define his work. You can grab your copy today on Amazon here and discover why Derrick Smith is quickly becoming one of the most exciting voices in horror fiction.
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Company Details
Organization: Iron City Paranormal
Contact Person: Derrick Smith
Website: https://ironcityparanormal.org
Email: Send Email
City: Pittsburgh
State: Pennsylvania
Country: United States
Release Id: 05112536535