Metal Lunchbox Publishing
Metal Lunchbox Publishing is an American publisher specializing in graphic novels, science fiction, fantasy, illustrated chapter books and young adult books.
Our Story
SF (Sam) Varney started Metal Lunchbox Publishing in 2009 to publish Karate Dottie and the Treacherous Treehouse. He went on to publish novels from other authors such as Future Vision, An Unremarkable Girl, Avenging Her Father, Risking a Life and Blood Moon from Ellen Parry Lewis and Pinesport Divide and Pinesport Divide: Behind the Gates from Charles Matthews. We are creatives first who also happen to publish books.
Meet the Creators
We love creating engaging stories.
SF (Sam) Varney
Publisher
SF Varney is a writer, artist, and publisher of Metal Lunchbox and creator of Karate Dottie. He is the proud father of six amazing boys and currently resides with his family and a squirrel-hating Miniature Schnauzer in Maryland near Washington, DC. He graduated with an AA in Art from Pensacola State College and a BA in Digital Arts and Sciences from the University of Florida.
Ellen Parry Lewis
Senior Editor
Ellen Parry Lewis is the author of eight novels and one nonfiction book published by Metal Lunchbox. She is also the editor for two short story collections. She released her first interactive book, Messages from Ben, in 2025. Though Ellen now spends the majority of her time writing novels and teaching writing at her alma mater, Rowan University, she has also spent time as a freelance reporter. Her articles have been published in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Curious Parents Magazine, Plain Dealer, News Report, and other outlets. Ellen has an MA in Writing and a BA in Journalism, both from Rowan University. Ellen lives in New Jersey with her husband, daughter, son, and a super fluffy golden Labrador.
Charles Matthews
Author
Charles Matthews is the author of the thrilling Pinesport Divide series and contributed to the Night Light anthology. His work in the bio-tech industry often serves as inspiration for his novels. Charles lives in Maryland with his family.
Virginia Parrish
Author
Virginia Parrish grew up near Philadelphia and spent most of her life in South Jersey. At the age of eight, she discovered Nancy Drew, and thus began a lifelong addiction to mystery and suspense stories. A graduate of Rutgers University, she taught both English and French in New Jersey public schools. She has previously published the murder mystery novel, Fatality File, which is available on Amazon. The second book in that series, No Coverage, came out in 2018. Several of her poems have also appeared in literary journals. Virginia no longer lives in New Jersey, but she remains a loyal Philadelphia Eagles fan and misses WaWa every single day.
Sammi Caramela
Author
Sammi Caramela is the author of the YA novel Some Place Like Home, the poetry collection Mourning Moon, and a freelance writer living in New Jersey. When she isn’t scribbling poetry or drafting another manuscript, she’s reading books of various genres, practicing yoga with her little black cat, or creating lasting memories with her favorite people. You can connect with her on her website,sammicaramela.com, or on social media at @sammicaramela.
Photo by Julie Rosillo Photography
Jolene Wightman
Author
Jolene Wightman is a lifelong devotee of all things horror. Although Horror on Holiday: Thirteen Tales of Terror is her first publication, her unofficial start in the world of spooky writing came in the form of pen-pal letters sent to the ghost residing in the abandoned mansion next to her childhood home. She lives in beautiful central Pennsylvania with her dog, Harmon, and her bunnies, Puff and Pippa. Though she is a social worker by day, Jolene is also a prominent member of a local horror movie club and plays the banjolele in a small folk group.
Sam Varney
Author
Sam Varney (1935-2025) was a product of the Appalachia Mountains. Born in the rich coalfields of southern West Virginia and raised in nearby Virginia, he always had an active interest in the history of the mountains. He was educated in the public schools of Buchanan County, Virginia, and attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree. He later pursued postgraduate work at Troy State University in Alabama.
Born in 1935, and just after the Depression years, his early life and surroundings allowed him to witness the passing of the traditions and folkways of his parents and grandparents and the beginning of the modern era. His interest in preserving the mountain history of the past led him to write a series of articles devoted to the lore and legend of the hills that surrounded him. The articles were published from 1972 to 1981 in The Virginia Mountaineer, a weekly publication in Grundy, Virginia, and are now available in collected book form.
Sam Varney authored five books about the Appalachian lifestyle, including A Walk Through the Past, Murder at the Breaks, When Roads Were Dirt, Jawbone, and Appalachian Lore and Legend (Murder and Mayhem).
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