Retailer Spotlight: Raven’s End Books (Winnipeg, MB)
- Holly Rhiannon
- Sep 12
- 4 min read
At The Stygian Society, we love shining a light on the independent bookstores that make our work possible. This first spotlight is particularly meaningful to me because it brings things full circle.
I was born in Winnipeg and lived there until 2015, so it feels fitting to begin this series with a store from my hometown. Raven’s End Books has also been part of one of our most ambitious launches to date: Matt Poll’s Dark Flock, which we brought to audiences through a cross-country series of events in Calgary (Owl’s Nest Books), Winnipeg (Raven’s End), and Montreal (Bird Bar).
It feels right to begin this series with Raven’s End, a store that embodies the spirit of community and creativity that drives The Stygian Society.
– Holly Rhiannon, CEO, The Stygian Society
About Raven’s End Books
Owner Chelsea McKee-Trenchard turned her retirement dream into reality when she opened Raven’s End, a bookstore dedicated to horror and its many haunting branches. Inspired by her lifelong passion for the genre and frustrated by the lack of access to many horror titles through traditional bookstores, Chelsea set out to create a space where the overlooked and unusual could thrive.
Today, Raven’s End offers a carefully curated collection of horror and mystery, from big names to hidden gems, while serving as a welcoming hub for readers of all tastes.
Q&A with Chelsea McKee-Trenchard
What inspired you to open an independent bookstore?
I was going through a big transition in my life in which I realized that I wasn’t happy or fulfilled at my corporate gig. I realized I wanted to create community through books and, unfortunately, once I realized that, nothing else would do. I have always enjoyed scary books and murder mysteries and was consistently frustrated when I’d hear about a cool new book that I couldn’t get through the library or traditional retail. I didn’t want to buy books through Amazon so I’d just not get the book.
When I was talking about my new professional direction with my sister-in-law, the idea came to us to create the space we always wanted to find. Initially, my sister-in-law and I had been talking about starting the bookstore together but she decided it wasn’t for her.
How would you describe your shop’s personality or curatorial approach?
My goal with the store is for everyone to find exactly what they need. We strive to have a wide array of different horror novels from many different voices. While we definitely have the more well-known horror books, we also work to have the weird niche ones that other bookstores don’t carry.
More importantly, we want to be a welcoming space for everyone. There’s already a weird stigma with horror and those who love it and we don’t want to add to the discomfort. If someone comes in asking for the goriest of gore or smut, we’re not going to give them the stink eye.
What kind of books or publishers are you most excited to support right now?
I’m loving supporting the indie publishers like Teneborous Press and Short Wave plus the self-published authors like David Sodergren and Adam Nevill. I love the feeling of connecting these less-mainstream authors and publishers with new readers. They don’t often get shelf space at other bookstores so this is the area where I feel like I’m making a difference.
What role do indie bookstores play in today’s literary and cultural landscape?
I have said from day one that indie bookstores are where readers have the biggest impact. At larger booksellers, the publishers and marketing campaigns determine which books get ordered. But at indies, it’s determined on what interests the public. If a reader asks about a new splatterpunk author or want the new Laird Barron book, we listen and we order. Indie bookstores aren’t telling readers what the important books are to read, they’re being told.
Can you share a recent discovery or recommendation; a book that surprised or moved you?
This is a really hard one to answer. In the past year, I’ve had a few books that have moved me.
The Haar by David Sodergren: The characters are well-developed and it’s definitely a multi-layered horror story. It feels weird to fit it in just that small niche as there’s so many other elements at play in the story. It’s beautiful and will definitely stay with you.
When We Talk to the Dead by Ian Chorao: This one isn’t out for a couple of months but I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy. It is a great story blending classic slasher tropes, family secrets, and some new elements. I love a good tragedy and this one definitely ranks up there for me.
Anything by Nat Cassidy: He is one of the strongest voices in the horror genre right now. I think it’s because he creates novel ideas (no pun intended) and pairs it with strong emotional gut punches.
The Lamb by Lucy Rose: Just so I don’t feel like my suggestions are too dude-heavy, I have to recommend this debut novel. It is done from a child’s perspective (not annoyingly so) and follows her small cannibalistic family as they navigate a new romantic partner entering the picture. It was phenomenal.
Visit Raven’s End Books
If you’re in Winnipeg or planning a trip, Raven’s End is a must-visit destination for horror fans and curious readers alike. You’ll find not only the classics and bestsellers, but also rare and unconventional titles you won’t see elsewhere.
📍 1859 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3J 0G8
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