Dylan Dunbar is ready to bring some scary good stories to light.

The Detroit guitarist for Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils has released a new book of strange and terrifying short stories called Free Candy: A Horror Story Collection.

It’s the first published work for Dunbar, who discovered a love for writing in 2020 upon tackling an addiction to alcohol.

“I’m now more than three years sober and couldn’t have imagined when I started writing how much of a positive impact it would make in my life—or that I’d be publishing,” he said.

Inspired by The Twilight Zone, Black Mirror, Creepshow, and Tales from the Crypt, Free Candy includes eight intriguing short stories exploring everything from classic battles of good and evil to zombie outbreaks. 

Dunbar is celebrating the release of his book on May 9 with a signing at Belle’s Lounge at Valentine Distilling in Ferndale, Michigan. Copies of Free Candy will be available for sale at the event.

The event also features a photo op with Free Candy zombie cover model Dedd Fredd, photo prints and books for sale from Dunbar’s brother J.A. Dunbar, and a live show with Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils.

The live show marks Dunbar’s first performance with the band in nearly a year. In 2023, he received surgery on his fretting hand for a badly crushed ulnar nerve that had resulted in severe neuropathy. 

At the time, Dunbar and wife Westwood had put their music careers on hold to focus on a lengthy healing process. 

Local peers Dana Forrester and James Trunko hosted a benefit show last fall at Detroit’s Cadieux Café to help raise funds for Dunbar’s medical and living expenses related to his hand surgery. 

Dunbar and Westwood also received a grant from MusiCares, the nonprofit arm of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. That’s when Dunbar decided to focus on publishing his written work, which will include a full-length novel and additional stories.

Outside of written work, Dunbar and Westwood are releasing a new album, Mad Man’s World, for Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils on June 16. They’re doing a listening preview of the album at the May 9 event.

Event details:

Free Candy Book Release and Concert

Thursday, May 9 | 7 p.m.

Belle’s Lounge at Valentine Distilling, 161 Vester Ave. in Ferndale, Michigan

Tickets:           

$10 GA in advance / $12 GA at the door

$20 GA with signed paperback copy and digital download

$50 VIP seating, signed paperback, digital download, and reserved copy of Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devil’s Mad Man’s World CD and swag