The digital has transformed the path to literary success dramatically. Before, aspiring authors had to rely solely on query letters and literary agents to break into the publishing world. Today, platforms like Reddit have become unexpected launchpads for creative careers. It proves that a viral post can translate into real-world success. The story of Marcus Kliewer exemplifies this modern phenomenon. He is a Vancouver writer who turned a spine-chilling Reddit post into a bestselling novel and boosted his career as a horror author.

The Birth of a Viral Horror Story

Marcus Kliewer's journey began in 2020, during the uncertainty of the global pandemic. Like countless others, the 31-year-old found himself with unexpected time on his hands when his work as a stop-motion animator dried up. Rather than viewing this as a setback, Kliewer channeled his creative energy into writing. He touched a childhood memory that had haunted him for two decades.

The inspiration struck from a family trip when Kliewer was around nine years old. His family had pulled over in White Rock, a beach community south of Vancouver, to look at a house his parents had owned before he was born. What should have been a simple moment of nostalgia turned unsettling. The current homeowner approached them with an unexpected question: “Did you ever notice anything weird about the place?”

It wasn't just the question itself that left an impression on young Kliewer. It was the reluctance in the man's eyes and the embarrassment that seemed to accompany his inquiry. The homeowner proceeded to share disturbing ghost stories about the property. Unlike the enthusiastic ghost tales typically shared by adults, this man seemed shaken by his experiences. This encounter planted a seed that would eventually blossom into Kliewer's debut novel.

Why r/nosleep?

Instead of following the traditional publishing route of submitting his story to literary magazines or horror anthologies, Kliewer made an unconventional choice. He posted his work on r/nosleep, a Reddit community dedicated to horror stories where “everything is true here, even if it's not.” At the time, the Subreddit boasted approximately 14 million readers, a massive built-in audience for any aspiring writer.

Kliewer's decision was strategic and deeply personal. The anonymity of Reddit offered a unique freedom that traditional publishing couldn't provide. There was no pressure of attaching his real name to experimental work, no lengthy waiting periods for editorial responses, and most importantly, there was immediate feedback from an engaged community of horror enthusiasts.

This instant engagement proved invaluable. The story resonated deeply with r/nosleep's community. The viral post earned the distinction of being voted the Subreddit's scariest story of the year. But the recognition didn't stop with upvotes and comments. It caught the attention of someone who could change Kliewer's life entirely.

From Viral Post to Hollywood Deal

Los Angeles-based producer and manager Scott Glassgold discovered Kliewer's work on Reddit and immediately recognized its cinematic potential. What started as a single-part story on the platform evolved into a four-part series that more closely resembled the structure of what would eventually become the published novel.

The timeline of events that followed defies conventional publishing understanding. In July 2021, Glassgold successfully sold the film rights to “We Used to Live Here” to Netflix. But here's where Kliewer's story becomes truly extraordinary: the book rights were sold after the film rights, as part of a three-book deal, before even a single complete novel had been written.

This reversed trajectory, film deal before book deal, demonstrates how the entertainment industry is mining social media platforms for fresh, audience-tested content. Kliewer's viral post on Reddit essentially served as market research.

The Novel: A Uniquely Terrifying Experience

Published in June 2024, “We Used to Live Here” is described as a uniquely horrific mashup that defies simple categorization. The novel follows Eve and her partner Charlie, a queer couple who are house-flippers, as they move into an old house in isolated, rural Oregon. When a family appears at their door claiming to have once lived there and asking for a quick tour, Eve's life rapidly descends into a nightmare.

The book blends multiple horror subgenres: home invasion thriller, haunted house tale, cosmic horror epic, and puzzle box mystery. All of this comes together into a cohesive and unsettling narrative. Kliewer's background in stop-motion animation proved instrumental in developing his writing discipline. The meticulous, frame-by-frame focus required in animation translates to the patience and attention to detail necessary for crafting compelling fiction.

Building on Success: The Caretaker and Beyond

Kliewer's success story continues to evolve. His second novel, “The Caretaker,” is set to release on April 21, 2026, as the inaugural release from 12:01 Books, an imprint of Atria Books at Simon and Schuster. The film rights have already been sold to Universal Studios, with Sydney Sweeney, one of Hollywood's most sought-after young actresses, attached to star and produce alongside Platinum Dunes and 1201 Films.

“The Caretaker” follows a young woman who accepts a caretaking position through a Craigslist ad, only to discover consequences far more dangerous than she imagined. Set in the same universe as “We Used to Live Here,” the novel explores themes of grief, mental health, and the struggle to find self-worth during crisis, all filtered through supernatural horror.

Kliewer describes writing the book as “a strangely cathartic and therapeutic process,” hoping it will resonate with readers as much as it frightens them. He's even included Easter eggs for attentive readers and a mysterious Morse code message, adding layers of engagement that reward his most dedicated fans.

The Real Horror: Losing Your Saved Content

Kliewer's story highlights an important reality for content creators and avid readers alike: the digital landscape is ephemeral. The original one-part version of “We Used to Live Here” is no longer available on Reddit. It's been lost to the ever-changing nature of internet content. Comments get deleted, threads disappear, accounts get banned, and entire communities can vanish overnight.

This unsteadiness extends beyond just creators: it affects anyone who saves and curates content online. If you're someone who saves insightful Reddit posts, viral posts, brilliant comments, or threads that inspire you, you're at risk of losing that knowledge when content is removed or deleted.

Protect Your Digital Discoveries with Dewey

Just as Marcus Kliewer preserved his story by expanding and publishing it, you can protect the valuable content you discover on Reddit. Dewey offers a solution for managing your Reddit saved posts, ensuring that the insights, stories, and discussions that matter to you remain accessible forever.

Why Choose Dewey?

Never Lose Content Again: Threads get deleted, comments disappear, and accounts get banned. Dewey automatically backs up your saved Reddit posts, creating a personal archive that remains intact even when the original content vanishes from the platform.

Actually Find What You Saved: Reddit's default save feature is useful until you try to locate something specific among hundreds or thousands of saved items. Dewey provides powerful search functionality that lets you filter by Subreddit, keyword, username, or tag, helping you find that insightful comment or inspiring story in seconds.

Organize Your Knowledge: Tag your favorite threads, sort by Subreddit, and create a personalized organization system that makes sense for you. Transform your saved content from a chaotic pile into a curated library of knowledge.

Export Your Archive: With Dewey, you maintain full control over your data. Export your saved posts whenever you want, ensuring your digital discoveries remain truly yours.

Trusted by Over 45,000 Curators: Join thousands of users who've already discovered the peace of mind that comes with knowing their Reddit saves are protected and searchable.

The Future of Discovery

Marcus Kliewer's journey from an anonymous Reddit viral post to published author with multiple film deals represents more than just one person's success story. It exemplifies how digital platforms have democratized creative opportunities. 

But his story also serves as a reminder. The content that inspires us, educates us, or simply entertains us online is vulnerable. What if they can't be turned into a book like “We Used to Live Here”? They can disappear without warning.

Whether you're an aspiring creator drawing inspiration from others' work, a researcher collecting valuable insights, or simply someone who appreciates saving interesting content for later, you need a reliable system to preserve what matters to you.

Take Control of Your Reddit Experience Today

Don't let another brilliant viral post, insightful comment, or intriguing horror story slip through your fingers. 

Start using Dewey today and transform your Reddit saved posts into a searchable, organized, and permanent archive. Sync multiple accounts, protect your discoveries from deletion, and never again waste time scrolling through hundreds of saves to find what you need.

Your next great inspiration might be hiding in your Reddit saves right now. Make sure it's still there when you need it.