Independent publisher Starrk Raving Group is set to launch a new app giving readers access to previously unpublished novellas by a range of authors writing in crime fiction, sci-fi, horror and more. Bookxy will be available for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets in December. Once you’ve got it installed you can purchase books for $2.99.

Three of the titles available include White Hot Pistol by hardboiled author Eric Beetner, as well as Art Kills by Eric Van Lustbader and The Anti-Gravity Steal by Gary Phillips. Other authors whose works are promised include Stephen Hunter and Harley Jane Kozak. According to the publisher, it has signed 35 writers who’ll all be contributing novellas of between 70 and 120 pages in length. Bookxy will also be available as a subscription service – for $32.40 you’ll receive a novella monthly introducing you to a new writer and saving you $0.29 per book.

Unusually for ebook-only releases, the publisher is putting a lot of effort into the cover illustrations, as you can see below. You’ll find Bookxy here on Google Play, if you have an Android device.

Eric Beetner’s novella with cover illustration by Marc Sasso.

Bob Wynne created the cover for Art Kills.

Looks more sci-fi than cri-fi, but has a nice cover by Adam Shaw.