Penpal is a 2012 self-published horror/thriller novel and the debut novel of the American author Dathan Auerbach. The work was first published in paperback on July 11, 2012 through 1000Vultures and is based on a series of popular creepypasta stories that Auerbach posted to Reddit. The book follows an unnamed protagonist that finds himself the focus of an obsessed stalker who tracks him throughout his childhood. Film rights to Penpal were optioned by producer Rich Middlemas in 2012.