Random House Worlds Announces Official Prequel Novel for “The Magnus Archives” Horror Podcast
Random House Worlds Announces Official Prequel Novel for “The Magnus Archives” novel”” Horror Podcast.In a massive expansion of one of the world’s most successful horror franchises, Random House Worlds has officially partnered with Rusty Quill to publish original novels set in the universe of The Magnus Archives novel. According to MediaXTrand, the first installment, titled FROM THE LIBRARY OF JURGEN LEITNER, is scheduled for release on October 27, 2026. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for the podcast, which has surpassed 300 million downloads and earned over 30 awards since its 2016 debut.
The magnus archives novel is co-authored by the podcast’s creator, Jonathan Sims, and multi-award-winning author Premee Mohamed. The story dives deep into the lore of the infamous and perilous private library belonging to the enigmatic collector Jurgen Leitner—a cornerstone of the podcast’s supernatural mythology. Fans will finally get an inside look at the institution where eldritch books are researched and guarded at a fatal cost.
Parallel Horrors: A Look Inside the Leitner Library
The narrative follows two employees from different eras whose stories unfold in parallel within the library’s eerie aisles. Caught in a web spun long before their arrival, they must uncover the library’s secrets before they are consumed by the eldritch forces within. MediaXTrand notes that this project bridges the gap between audio fiction and high-end speculative literature, leveraging Jonathan Sims’ intricate world-building and Premee Mohamed’s Nebula and World Fantasy award-winning expertise.
| Project Detail | Information |
| Title | FROM THE LIBRARY OF JURGEN LEITNER |
| Authors | Jonathan Sims & Premee Mohamed |
| Publisher | Random House Worlds |
| Release Date | October 27, 2026 |
| Format | Prequel Novel (Eldritch Horror) |
| Availability | Pre-order open globally |
The Creative Minds Behind the Eldritch Lore
Jonathan Sims, the primary voice and writer of The Magnus Archives novel , brings his experience from acclaimed novels like Thirteen Storeys and his voice work in the hit game Slay the Princess. Co-author Premee Mohamed, an Indo-Caribbean scientist and author, adds a layer of celebrated speculative fiction depth, having recently served as the Edmonton Public Library writer-in-residence.
MediaXTrand understands that this is only the beginning of a multi-book deal, with additional titles set in The Magnus Archives noveluniverse expected to be announced by Random House Worlds in the coming months. For a global fanbase that has waited years for official long-form prose, this announcement signals a new chapter in the “Magnus” legacy, promising to bring the podcast’s signature “deeply unsettling” tone to bookshelves everywhere.

