Evergreen Awards is proud to recognize Derrick Smith as the Best Horror Author in Pittsburgh of 2025 for his groundbreaking debut collection, All Monsters Are Human: An Unsettling Collection of Horror Stories. Derrick Smith has redefined the horror genre by blending psychological depth with paranormal investigation, creating a collection that challenges conventional horror while exploring the darkest corners of the human psyche.

A Unique Approach to Horror: Exploring the Monsters Within

When most think of horror, images of supernatural creatures or ghostly apparitions come to mind. But in All Monsters Are Human, Derrick Smith goes beyond the typical horror tropes, focusing instead on the real monsters we face every day, those that reside within ourselves. Smith’s philosophy behind the collection is clear: true horror doesn’t come from things that go bump in the night; it comes from the psychological forces that shape human behavior, guilt, fear, and rage.

“I don’t write to scare people,” says Smith. “I write to make them feel the weight of what scares them.” This deep, introspective approach sets Smith apart from other horror writers. His stories aren’t just about ghostly encounters; they are an exploration of the human condition, using the supernatural to shed light on the internal struggles we all face.

Blending Paranormal Investigation with Psychological Horror

As the founder of Iron City Paranormal, Derrick Smith brings his extensive experience investigating real haunted locations into his writing, offering an authenticity that makes his horror stories feel grounded in reality. His work with Iron City Paranormal gives him a unique understanding of how the supernatural intersects with the emotional and psychological experiences of individuals. This perspective elevates his fiction, making it not just about scares but about confronting the raw, uncomfortable emotions that haunt us.

His stories delve into the fear people experience when confronted by the unknown, whether it’s a haunted house, a mysterious figure, or the darkness within their own minds. For Smith, the real horror is not just in encountering the supernatural, but in confronting the psychological turmoil that often drives people to seek out such eerie experiences.

The Stories of All Monsters Are Human: Fear Meets Redemption

In All Monsters Are Human, the characters’ battles with external supernatural forces are intertwined with their internal emotional and psychological conflicts. Smith’s writing explores themes like obsession, guilt, and past trauma, drawing readers into stories where the monsters are not what they seem. The horror is not merely supernatural; it’s psychological, and it forces readers to confront the deep, often painful emotions that lurk beneath the surface of everyday life.

Smith’s stories don’t just seek to terrorize the reader; they aim to provoke thought, challenge perceptions, and spark introspection. The horror in his tales is not for shock value, it’s about the transformation of his characters, and by extension, the transformation of the reader. As he puts it, “The real horror is the way we process fear and the emotions that drive us.”

What Makes Derrick Smith Stand Out in Horror Fiction

Derrick Smith’s work stands out in the horror genre because he doesn’t rely on gimmicks or traditional supernatural devices. Instead, he uses the genre as a lens through which to explore the darker sides of human nature. His deep understanding of both paranormal investigation and psychological exploration allows him to craft stories that are not only unsettling but profoundly emotional.

In every tale, Smith provides more than just entertainment; he challenges his readers to think critically about their own fears, the monsters they might be hiding from, and the internal struggles they often choose to ignore. His dedication to authenticity and emotional depth sets him apart from many in the horror genre.

A New Voice in Horror

All Monsters Are Human is only the beginning for Derrick Smith. As he continues to expand his reputation both as an author and a paranormal investigator, his voice is becoming one of the most unique and exciting in horror fiction. His focus on psychological horror, rooted in real-world experiences, positions him as an innovator in the genre, someone who is redefining what it means to truly frighten a reader.

For those seeking more than just jump scares and creepy imagery, All Monsters Are Human offers a fresh, thought-provoking take on what it means to fear, to confront one’s demons, and to explore the dark recesses of the human mind.

About Derrick Smith

Derrick Smith is a Pittsburgh-based author and paranormal investigator, as well as the founder of Iron City Paranormal. His debut collection, All Monsters Are Human: An Unsettling Collection of Horror Stories, blends his experiences as a paranormal investigator with his passion for psychological horror. Smith’s work focuses on the darker aspects of the human condition, exploring fear, trauma, and the emotional scars that haunt us all.

To learn more about Derrick Smith and grab your copy of All Monsters Are Human, visit Amazon or visit the official Iron City Paranormal website at ironcityparanormal.org.