You know those friends who are always sending you book recommendations with 13 exclamation points? That’s exactly how The Creepy Book Club was born. 

Ashley and Emily, two lifelong best friends, started their now-thriving thriller book community because of one perfectly creepy read during COVID.

It all began with Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris, a chilling thriller that brought both of them out of a reading slump. They were hooked, and they knew they couldn’t be the only ones craving connection over a good, creepy book.

From Facebook Group to Full-Blown Community

Like a lot of things born during the pandemic, The Creepy Book Club started online with just a humble little Facebook group of people hopping on Zoom to talk books. That small but mighty circle was the seed that grew into something so much bigger.

They hosted their very first retreat when the club was still tiny, with just five women total, including Ashley and Emily! 

No formal agenda. No big business plan. Just a group of readers who wanted to meet in person and hang out. 

They brought some branded sunglasses and bookmarks as thank-you gifts, and that was about it. It wasn’t even a business yet.

But when they posted photos from that first retreat on social media, people started asking how they could be part of the next one. And just like that, the Creepy Book Club found its people.

From Five Friends to 250+ Thriller Fans

Fast forward a few years, and these once-informal retreats have grown into full-scale events. The fifth retreat is happening this February in Scottsdale, and it’s no small feat. We’re talking 250 attendees, multiple bestselling authors, and full-blown event planning with a team.

Actually, that part was a bit of a panic moment. Ashley and Emily suddenly realized they’d booked five big-name authors for Scottsdale and sold hundreds of tickets… and they were still doing everything themselves. That’s when a friend connected them with Lauren, a former event planner who now runs all retreat logistics like a total boss. And thank goodness for her, because things got real, real fast.

How They Grew the Book Club So Fast 

Ashley and Emily didn’t set out to build a business. They just wanted to talk about books they loved. But the magic happened when other people started craving the same kind of connection, especially women in their 40s and beyond who were looking for friendships built around a shared love of thrillers.

The Creepy Book Club has grown thanks to a deeply loyal community. Members bring their friends, post about their book boxes, and share their excitement for retreats and calls. It’s multigenerational now, too — think mother-daughter duos and even 80-something-year-olds showing up with just as much fangirl energy.

If you think this whole operation is run by a big team, think again. Ashley is the heart and voice of the community on social media, while Emily is the backend mastermind. For years, Emily literally packed and shipped book boxes out of her garage. They designed the boxes, built the website themselves, and negotiated every contract from scratch.

They now have a shipping manager (bless her), but the two of them still wear a lot of hats.

Even now, Ashley and Emily are incredibly intentional about monetizing the business in ways that serve their members first. The retreats, for example, barely break even. Most of the profit goes right back into making the experience amazing.

Connecting Authors and Readers

One of the coolest parts of the club? The author chats. It started accidentally.

Lucinda Berry wanted to attend a retreat as a guest, and the women were like, “Um, you have to come as an author.”

Since then, many of the authors they feature join their Zoom calls to talk directly with the community. And yes, most of those invites are good old-fashioned Instagram DMs or cold emails. As Ashley says, “The worst they can do is say no.”

And sometimes, something magical happens. 

Like me, a Creepy Club member being mentored by Megan Collins after connecting through a Creepy Book Club call. I’m now writing my own thriller. 

It’s the exact kind of connection Ashley and Emily dreamed of creating.

Making It Sustainable (Without Losing the Fun)

Turning your hobby into a business is a tricky dance. But Ashley and Emily are clear on one thing: it still has to be fun.

Their 24-year friendship helps. They know each other so well that they can sense when the other one is having an off day, or when it’s time to put the phone on Do Not Disturb. That kind of trust makes running a business together not just possible, but joyful.

And when retreat weekend rolls around? It’s pure magic. Last year, they sat in a wine bar after the event and just wept in the best way. One member even said it felt like the Eras Tour for book lovers. That’s the kind of energy they aim for.

Let’s Talk True Crime…

As if running a book club and retreat weren’t enough, they’ve also added a true crime podcast into the mix. It started as a bonus for Patreon members but quickly found a wider audience, especially after they covered the still-unsolved Kyron Horman case.

Emily, with her Ph.D. in psychology, brings thoughtful analysis to each episode, and Ashley keeps things grounded and relatable. While some listeners (and even Ashley herself!) find true crime a little nerve-wracking, the community eats it up.

Want to Start Your Own Bookish Business?

Their biggest advice? Don’t be afraid to ask. Whether it’s inviting an author, reaching out to a potential partner, or even asking your community for support, just go for it. The worst they can do is say no.

Also, connect with others in the space. There’s so much room for more bookish businesses, and lifting each other up makes everyone better.