

Len Handeland - Multi-award-winning fiction writer.
My books are centered around horror.
The themes are Vampires, Paranormal activity, Serial killers, Supernatural suspense, Murder crime dramas.
My third book is my only nonfiction book based on my 27 years of tenure in my former career in the hair industry.




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About Len Handeland
Len Handeland is a multi-award-winning author. Over the years, his creativity took him from attending FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in Manhattan to hair. He studied fashion illustration, then, years later, a long and successful 27-year career in the hair industry as a sought-after hairstylist, hair colorist, and salon owner. Len owned a salon in San Francisco's Union Square for nine years and two salons in Sonoma, Wine Country, for eight years; now fully retired from hair, Len became a full-time writer in the spring of 2021.
Len specializes in fiction, specifically horror, vampire, paranormal, supernatural, serial killer, and crime drama novels. His books have won several awards, including The Spring 2022 Booksfest, Literary Titan, and Firebird awards. Len has enjoyed writing since middle school.
To further enhance and improve his writing, Len has taken many creative writing classes and, in 2017, attended The San Francisco International Writer's Conference, which inspired him to write his first book, "The Darkest Gift," based on his love of vampires. He credits the late Anne Rice as the author who inspired him the most to write his dark vampire story. His first book earned him 5-star reviews from readers and professional book reviewers. His first novel became a finalist in the American Book Fest contest in the fall of 2021.
In the spring of 2022, Len's novel "The Darkest Gift" was awarded first place in the Bookfest 2022 awards in the category of Fiction/Horror. In addition, Len's book and author interview were featured in the fall literature issue of "DeMode" magazine, with Len's book named one of the ten must-read books of 2021. With the completion of Len's second novel, which recently won the Literary Titan Award, "Requiem for Miriam," he's just finished writing his third book ("Tales from the Chair"), which is a collection of sordid tales, gossip, and advice to both hair professionals and those that see someone professionally for their hair. It is based on Len's 27 years in the hair industry. The book was released in mid-July.
Len recently released his fourth novel, "Transplanted Evil," a supernatural thriller set in Boston involving teenage suicide, demonic possession, Satanic worship, and paranormal activity. Len started writing his fifth novel, the sequel to his first book , "The Darkest Gift," called "Dark Passages." He hopes to have it released by the spring of 2024.
His first novel, The Darkest Gift, is currently being considered by HBO, Apple TV, Playtone, and Paramount-Plus for adaptation into either a television miniseries or a major motion picture. Stay tuned!
When Len isn't writing, his hobbies include hiking, biking, playing billiards, and vegetarian cooking. He has trained in various forms of martial arts for over twenty years and has also appeared on stage in several plays in Sonoma's Community Theater. In addition, Len is a singer who has performed at numerous wineries in the North Bay and Rotary events.
The writer lives full-time in Palm Springs
with his husband, Byron Hancock, and their two cats and siblings (Felix and Felicia.)
Book trailers (below)
Len handeland - Author of "The Darkest Gift and "Requiem for Miriam" and "Tales from the Chair"


"Requiem for Miriam"
"The Darkest Gift"


Transplanted Evil
My fourth novel, “Transplanted Evil,” is a supernatural suspense novel. Some might even describe it as a psychological horror novel.
Meet Elizabeth Bennington. A shy young girl raised in privilege with a distant and uncaring father and a doting and overly protective mother outside of Boston in the neighboring town of Charlestown. Yet, despite coming from wealth, Elizabeth was born with a congenital heart condition, leading to bullying at school, hopelessness, and a failed suicide attempt rescued by her parents. She is sent to Bourneville psychiatric hospital, where she undergoes transformative therapy sessions, dramatically improving her outlook on life. She is released after a year. But Elizabeth has a secret: she can see into the future and is haunted by recurring nightmares foreshadowing unspeakable acts of murder involving a mysterious young man with hair the color of a raven splattered with blood. Marty Bowles attends school with Elizabeth and is madly in love with her, almost obsessed with her. Marty’s propensity for violence at school, his depraved lust for killing stray animals, and his involvement with the black arts, including demonic worship, conjuring a demon named Kashgar, and possession, directly threaten her. Could Marty be the mysterious young man in her nightmares who will stop at nothing to gain her love and unite them with his sinister plan?

Tales from the Chair
My third book, "Tales from the Chair," is my only nonfiction.
Tales from the Chair is the story of my experiences over the past twenty-seven years in a career known for creativity, artistry, and self-expression, a profession known as the hair industry. A job where I was surrounded by equally talented hair professionals who sometimes were entirely off the wall. It's the story of my interactions with some former coworkers and clients that were positive and meaningful and some downright contentious. While some of these individuals endeared themselves, I barely tolerated others. To some former clients, I was not only their hair guru but their therapist as well. This is the story of my humble beginnings, struggles, failures, and triumphs of being a sought-after hairstylist, colorist, best friend to some, and Bay Area hair salon owner. Welcome to the beautiful, wacky world of hair!


Requiem for Miriam
Award-winning novel (Literary Titan award) "Requiem for Miriam" is a story about love, deception, anger, and the dark side some humans possess. Set in Manhattan, Westchester County, New Orleans, and Mexico in the 1980s, it's the story of a man, Sidney Friedlander, trapped in a loveless marriage to a woman he no longer loves. He's desperate to feel love and passion in his otherwise dull existence. Sidney's search leads him to a stunning woman who reignites the passion deep within his soul. Their plot to kill his troublesome wife is sinister and diabolical. His wife's spirit vows revenge and will not rest until he is brought to justice! This novel will surely satisfy those readers looking for suspense, intrigue, mystery, and paranormal activity!

The Darkest Gift
Award-winning novel (Bookfest first place), “The Darkest Gift,” is the story of Jack Devereaux, who struggles with his sexual identity and meets elegant yet incredibly mysterious Laurent Richelieu. Jack thinks his stroke of bad luck with men and women has ended, or is it the beginning of a nightmare?
The two begin their courtship—during that time, Jack encounters many horrifying experiences involving vampirism, paranormal experiences, and possible reincarnation, making him question his sanity. The more time Jack spends with his mysterious European love interest, Laurent, the more revealed about the dark secret awaiting Jack. Are they destined to be together? —does Laurent honestly care for Jack? Or is a more sinister plot involved with two other vampires from Laurent’s past, Stefan and Fabien? Can the help of a self-described Voodoo High Priestess, “Queen Raphaella,” alter Jack’s predestined future, or is his fate already sealed? The story covers many periods. From 18th century Paris to the later part of 20th century New Orleans and Haiti, where vampires roam and feast on the blood of innocent mortals, spirits appear, physical and spiritual love survives all odds, and good engages evil in an unwinnable battle. This novel is currently being considered for an adaptation of a mini-series or major motion picture by HBO, Apple TV, and Paramount-Plus.




Edgar Allan Poe

“Yes, I now feel that it was then on that evening of sweet dreams, that the very first dawn of human love Burst upon the icy night of my spirit. Since that. I have never seen nor heard your name without a shiver half of delight, half of anxiety"
Edgar Allan Poe