D. R. Long writes dystopian horror and speculative fiction rooted in survival, trust, and found family. His stories dig into what’s left when the world falls apart—and what people will do to protect the last pieces of it.

From the infected wastelands of Slimbies to the fractured future of A World We Never Knew, his worlds are brutal, lived-in, and just close enough to our own to feel uncomfortable.

On the Page

Long’s work is character-driven and emotionally heavy, balancing tense, cinematic horror with moments of dark humor and quiet connection. He’s less interested in jump scares and more obsessed with the slow, creeping dread of realizing the world—and the people in it—may never go back to “before.”

Off the Page

Long spends most of his time wandering new places, rolling dice in DND adventures with his friends, and hanging out with his dog, Girl. He draws inspiration from the people and places he encounters along the way while exploring ideas for the next world he wants to break open.

Where to Start

New to his work? Start with Slimbies: Girl for a brutal, small-scope survival story—or dive into A World We Never Knew if you want a fractured future, shifting loyalties, and a world already past the point of no return.