Scary Snippets: Halloween Edition
Copyright © 2019 by Suicide House Publishing
Edited by: N.M. Brown
Cover design by: Kyle Harrison
First Edition: October 2019
A delightful collection of new urban legends, thematically
based around Halloween customs and history. The word length of these short
stories is just right, each story is easy to read at one sitting, but unlike flash
fiction collections that restrict writers to a strict one hundred words, the
five hundred word limit allows the writers to use imagery to make the tales
more ornate and provides scope for some rudimentary character development.
While there are some straight out murder stories, and trick
or treating activities, I was pleased to note that my fellow authors had primarily
concentrated on evoking the magic that is associated with Halloween. This is
more than just a monster collection, it might best be described as a set of
modern fairy-tales, of course more after the grim styling of the Brothers Grimm
than the sugary sweet tones of illustrated children’s editions.
Outstanding tales (other than my own “All Hallows’ Eve”)
include: “Pumpkin Spice” by Joel Hunt
which has an interesting take upon repentance, and “Past the Lantern” by Micah
Castle which gives an excellent glimpse of a fantasy alternative. “The Cypress
Queen” by Tor-Anders Ulven, represents a good example of myth creation and “A
Day Late For Halloween” by Radar DeBoard, evokes a shiver from the past. “Dr.
White” by Jay Levy incorporates a horrific twist, “Just in Time” By Dean M.
King evokes a sense of Celtic mystery, and “A Bug in Amber Alert” By Angelique
Fawns offers an interesting piece of characterisation. “Crossing the Stream” by
Vonnie Winslow Crist weaves the authentic enchantment of folk-lore, and "From
the Rooftop" by Brendan Wilhelm makes the most of communication technology as
narrative device.
Overall, this collection offers variety, and an awareness of
the cultural clashes and mishmashes underlying our modern Halloween
celebration. Although it is unrepentant horror, a few tales also reveal a
sneaking sympathy for the outcast and underdog.
Holidays of the Dead by Greg Beatty
The Haunted House by Kyle Harrison
The Package by Dan McKeithan
True Halloween Experience by Mama Creep
The Pumpkins by Alanna Robertson-Webb
Just Another Friday Night by Andra Dill
Paper Mache Man by Valerie Puri
Through the Veil by Michelle River
Soul Bar by Kevin J. Kennedy
Fetid Field by N.M. Brown
Past the Lantern by Micah Castle
Dead Halloween by Thomas Sturgeon
Binge-Watch by Kyle Harrison
Classic Horror Night at the Angel by Charlotte O’Farrell
Sweet Tooth by Dan McKeithan
The Old Shoe Tree by AJ Horvath
Silent Scream by James Dorr
The Hallowed Place by Micah Castle
Rorrim by Alanna Robertson-Webb
Trick or Trepidation by Thomas Baker
Trick or Treat Street by Tor-Anders Ulven
Dig Deeper by Kim Plasket
The Victorian Mirror by Donna Cuttress
Reverend Hanson by Jay Levy
Repercussions of Destruction by Micah Castle
Looking for Hiriam Wilkes by Vonnie Winslow Crist
Once a Year by Alanna Robertson-Webb
Unusual Jack-o-Lantern by Radar DeBoard
The Corn Maze by Kyle Harrison
They Live Beneath the Stairs by Melody Grace
The Party at Laurel Valley by Eric Nirschel
Better to Eat You With by Amber M. Simpson
First Halloween by Tor-Anders Ulven
Something Happened on Cedar Lane by Matthew A. St. Cyr
Bobbing for Apples by Kyle Harrison
Tricks for Treats by N.M. Brown
A Little Skellington by P. Oxford
Reminder by Stephanie Scissom
Graveyard by Gabriella Balcom
The Cypress Queen by Tor-Anders Ulven
A Day Late For Halloween by Radar DeBoard
Wish It Be True by Michael Borge
The Candy Bandits by T.L. Barrett
Pumpkin Spice by Joel Hunt
Witch’s Dream by Amber Keener
Halloween State of Emergency by James Marie Parker III
The Halloween Shift by Scott McGregor
Festival of Skulls by Alanna Robertson-Webb
Pumpkin Carver by Tor- Anders Ulven
The Perfect Match by N.M. Brown
Freeing the Flames by CJ Carter-Stephenson
The Thing in Our House by J. Askew
Trick or Treat by Ransom Wall
Numen by Trevor Newton
Ripe & Reap by Tim Sturk
Best Costume by Aron Beauregard
Dapper John by Anthony Giordano
The Joy of a Dark Day by Terry Miller
The Souler by Matthew A. St. Cyr
Wish Upon a Paw by Tor-Anders Ulven
Justice at Last by Cindar Harrell
Lost Soul by Drew Starling
Hopping Halloween by Charlotte O’Farrell
Old Mr. Novak by Nicholas Rud
The Hanged Man’s Tree by Ronnie Engler
Every Halloween Night by Matthew A. St. Cyr
The Birdcage by Drew Starling
Halloween Hunting by Alanna Robertson-Webb
Pumpkin Patch by Kyle Harrison
Uninvited by Jillian Bost
The Costume Contest by Scott McGregor
Seams by Sheryl Normandeau
The Red Cloaks by Michelle River
A Romanian Tradition by Della Sullivan
Crack a Smile by DJ Tyrer
Night of the Seed by Matthew A. St. Cyr
The Grim Reaper Passes by Stephanie Levy
In The Attic by Amber M. Simpson
Dessert by Jay Levy
The Last Trick or Treater by Morgan Griffith
Avast Ye Matey; Here Be Spirits by Matthew A. St. Cyr
Angel With Metal Wings By Stephanie Levy
Dr. White by Jay Levy
In The Garden of Repose by Michael Fassbender
Returned by Kim Plasket
Just in Time by Dean M. King
Halloween Make Up by Mama Creep
The Plumber by Jay Levy
A Spooky Party by Olivia Arieti
Decorations by James Marie Parker III
All Hallows Eve Promise by Andra Dill
A Bug in Amber Alert by Angelique Fawns
Take Just One by Charlie Davenport
Crossing the Stream by Vonnie Winslow Crist
Down at the Calvary Tabernacle Autumn Jamboree by Anthony
Giordano
The Last Hallow’s Eve by N.M. Brown
For Henry by W.H. Gilbert
All Hallow’s Eve by Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer
Grandmother Nightmare by Rick McQuiston
Fatted Squash by Vonnie Winslow Crist
From the Rooftop by Brendan Wilhelm
Ella’s Song by Scott Paul Hallam
Kieran’s Costume by Joel Hunt
My Guardian Demon by Carissa Harwood
Black Rot by Mark Jowell
The Standing Man by Corey Lamb
Haunting Immortal by Tim J. Finn
Fomorian Fun by Tim J. Finn
Monster by Kiki Gonglewski
Retribution by Dan McKeithan
Halloween Hunt by Michele Freeman
How to Tell the Scariest Halloween Story Ever by Adrian J.
Johnson
Scarecrow by J.L. Knight
Gutted by Kimberly Rei
Stupid Treaty by Nerisha Kemraj
It Was Only Trick or Treating by C.L. Williams
Jack O’ Lanterns by Dan McKeithan
Pumpkins by Kim Plasket
