The participating authors of this anthology are here to tell us about The Fear Driver, horror in various subgenres.
Read on for details...
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Horror (various subgenres)
Date Published: September 23, 2025
Bite-sized horror stories are brought to you by twenty-five authors. From
creepy crawlies to the seemingly normal pets. From hideous monsters lurking in
the dark to charismatic people showing their true colors.
Each tale is precisely 100 words and leaves a long-lasting chilling
effect. Some will make you question the security of the world around you, and
what's more terrifying than that?
Featuring drabbles by the following authors: Bernardo Villela, K.J.
Watson, David J. Vowell, Joshua Ginsberg, A.L. Smith, Petina Strohmer, Zari
Hunt, Paul Burgess, Diana Parrilla, Angel Zapata, Vanessa Bane, Marc Sorondo,
Jacek Wilkos, Arvee Fantilagan, Jodie Francis, Alex Azar, Andreas Flögel,
Jade Kalb, Andrew Buckner, Ken Whitson, Jãnis Bogužs, Andrea Tillmanns,
C.L. Hart, S.F.J. Painter, Monica Wenzel, Dragan Ivanović, and J.E. Feldman.
Excerpt
One Moonlit Night
Copyright 2025 by C. L. Hart
As fourteen-year-old Nevil Teodoro climbed down the trellis near his bedroom
window, a blood-curdling scream pierced the darkness, startling him so badly
that he nearly fell. Juan Soto, the head groundskeeper, ran up from the
gardens, his clothes covered in mud and his face pale as the moon.
“What’s goin’ on, Ese?” Nevil asked as he finished his
descent. “You look like you seen a ghost!”
“Get back in the house, Chico, and call Mama Cecilia.”
“You trippin’, Juan Solo? You want me to call una bruja vieja and
not la policia?”
“Ain’t no policia can stop a moon vampire!”
About the Author
C. L. Hart is an editor who writes or a writer who edits. She primarily pens
dark fantasy (often Lovecraftian) and sweet romance. She resides in a tiny
town on the Northeastern Colorado plains with her adult son, her cat daughter,
and her cat grandson. When not editing, writing, or rehabilitating eldritch
horrors, she enjoys coloring, crafts, and cooking things that she hopes will
be palatable to someone besides the eldritch horrors.
Journey with unlikely heroes thrust into extraordinary
circumstances—a mundane worker transported to a realm of danger and destiny, a
mighty king confronting the terrible price of power, a battle-hardened
mercenary facing the ghosts of his past, a loyal emissary venturing into enemy
territory with nothing but faith, two companions racing against time to prevent
an ancient evil’s return, and a lone holy warrior seeking divine aid against a
darkness that threatens all creation.
These tales explore the moments that define us: when fear
must yield to courage, when ordinary souls rise to extraordinary challenges,
and when the darkness seems insurmountable, but the flame of hope refuses to
die.
From master storytellers Michael Magistro, James Andrews,
W.E. Wertenberger, Rob D. Smith, Jack Finn, JP Wilder, and Chris Mason comes an
anthology that will transport you to lands where magic and monsters reign, and
where heroes are forged in the fires of adversity.
Step beyond the threshold of safety, and discover what lies
beyond . . . the Cursed Edge.
The Savage Rat Lord by Michael Magistro:
A young fast-food worker falls into another world and finds his true
calling in a desperate village.
Denmýr by James Andrew:
A powerful warrior king faces dark truths about his family’s bloody
legacy and his ancestral sword.
The Many Mouths of the Endless Night by W.E.
Wertenberger & Rob D. Smith:
A mercenary
confronts childhood guilt in a city where rat-controlling street urchins stalk
the night.
The Last Emissary by Jack Finn:
A desperate kingdom sends its final messenger to a usurper’s court in
a last attempt to end a brutal war.
The Black Altar by JP Wilder:
Two companions discover a dark artifact tied to an ancient cult
seeking to open a forbidden gateway.
Heroes Never Die by Chris Mason:
A lone paladin, survivor of a sacred order, embarks on a quest to
reclaim divine power against cosmic horror.
Michael
Magistro is a Clovis, California-based author with deep
roots in the vibrant Bay Area. When not managing regional operations for a
Fortune 150 company, Michael channels his passion into crafting compelling
narratives that explore themes of redemption, legacy, rebirth, and the enduring
search for hope in the darkest of times. Outside of his professional and
creative pursuits, he enjoys powerlifting, devouring a wide range of media, and
cherishing moments with his family.
James
Andrews is a full time artist and designer living in
the Northeastern United States. This is the first step in his journey as an
author and he has many more stories to tell. When he's not sculpting dragons,
drawing comics, or writing, he spends all the rest of his time with his golden
retriever and his cat.
W.E.
Wertenberger is a writer of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Crime
fiction. He grew up in Northern Ohio and currently lives and works in Kentucky.
His most recent work has appeared in Savage Realms Monthly and Cirsova
Magazine.
Rob
D. Smith wanted to weave tales as soon as he plucked
his first Fantastic Four comic book off the grocery store spinner rack. He
honed his imagination with scribbled drawings in notebooks creating intricate
stories where he learned that his imagination was far greater than his art
skills. Words became his way of exploring the weird worlds in his mind. Since
then, he has had wide success in the crime, horror, fantasy, and weird fiction
genres.
Jack
Finn is a folk horror author and member of the
Horror Writers Association. He lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and
two clever dogs. His debut novel, The Seven Deaths of Prince Vlad (Anuci Press,
2024), explores dark and thrilling themes. In 2025, Jack’s werewolf
duology—Prey Upon the Lambs (April) and The Desolation of Hunters
(September)—will be released by Anuci Press, along with They Come When You Are
Asleep, an anthology of his short stories (Velox Books). His work has appeared
in notable horror collections, including Doors of Darkness, Horroscope 4,
Twelve Months of Horror, and more.
JP
Wilder also known as JP Vile, is a versatile author
and academic specializing in fantasy, science fiction, and pulp genres. Best
known for his Crusader series and Hunter Caine Pulp Stories, Wilder delves into
themes of war, honor, betrayal, and redemption through action-packed
storytelling. He has contributed essays and introductions to the Edge Weaver
Classics series, covering iconic works like A Princess of Mars and 20,000
Leagues Under the Sea. Wilder also explores historical mysteries and survival
strategies in his academic works. Holding an MBA and an MFA in Creative
Writing, he enriches his narratives with profound historical depth.
Chris
Mason is a fantasy and sci fi writer hailing from
Jackson, Mississippi. He is the author of The Stars Fell (Science Fiction), as
well as The Dark Rider (Dark Fantasy). A fan of epic storytelling centered
around good versus evil, he can usually be found gaming on his couch with his
cats, Quincy and Rocky, or traveling in search of new inspiration.
Welcome to Celtic Knot Winery, where the lush vineyards are ripe with secrets, and love is as rich and complex as the finest vintage.
In Love, Lies, and Celtic Knots, four intertwined romance stories unfold against the enchanting backdrop of rolling hills and grapevines. Each tale weaves its own unique tapestry of passion, betrayal, and heartwarming redemption, proving that amidst the beauty of the vineyard, anything is possible.
Pour a glass and lose yourself in Love, Lies, and Celtic Knots, where every story uncorks a new journey of the heart. Amidst secrets and seduction, these tales remind us that love is the most intoxicating wine of all.
“He’s here.” Brennen says in a panic, his face draining of color. “I’ll go greet him.”
“That’s my cue to leave.” Sophie waves to us as she leaves through the fermentation room door.
“Wait…” I frown up at Brennen. “Shouldn’t Sophie be here for this? She is the winemaker after all.”
Brennen scoffs. “No. Sophia refuses to be part of this because she didn’t make the wine. I think her exact words were that she wouldn’t serve this swill to pigs.”
I roll my eyes – that sounds exactly like Sophie. The girl is great and all, but she is the epitome of an elitist wine snob. But that is why we hired her.
As the actual winery owner, Brennen has taken the reins of our family business and spent years trying to fix what our father did to our family name, not to mention creating a rift between my two brothers with me playing referee.
As the attorney for both, I’m able to keep one business separate from the other — Brennen’s winery and Ryan’s conglomerate. If Brennen ever found out that I was working for Ryan too, he’d disown me just like he has Ryan. Fortunately, he doesn’t know. Thank god for client confidentiality laws.
“He’s been crazy all morning,” Isabella says under her breath.
We can hear as Brennen and the critic enter the front doors, “Here we go.” I say out loud.
I stand beside Brennen, offering a professional smile as the critic approaches. But the moment Mr. Dawson looks up, his eyes meet mine, and the color drains from my face.
No. It can’t be.
No.
No.
No.
His mouth opens in shock, too, his gaze flicking over me as if trying to process what he’s seeing. My heart stutters in my chest, my pulse thundering in my ears.
It’s him.
The man from last night. The one I left sleeping in that hotel room this morning. The man whose name I never got because we agreed there was no reason for names. But I know every inch of his body. And he knows mine.
Mr. Dawson—the world-renowned wine critic Miles Dawson—is my one-night stand.
The authors of Dragon Flight are here to tell us about their fantasy anthology.
Read on for details...
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Fantasy
Date Published: January 23, 2025
Publisher: Dragon Soul Press
Caution: Dragons ahead.
Prepare to delve into fiery worlds full of dragons. From hatchlings to
ancients. From tame to wild. Many have their own goals, and most want to see
the world reduced to ash. To reshape the world in their own reptilian image.
Others struggle to survive, but heroes rise among them.
Which side will you choose?
Featuring 27 stories by the following authors: Vicki Erwin, Bruce Buchanan,
Demi Michelle Schwartz, Sadie Lielle, Andreas Flögel, Desirae Gracyn, C.L.
Hart, Kristen Argyres, Sandy R. Stuckless, Jessica Lee Minneci, Rae Evans,
S.E. Reed, Larry Hodges, David O'Mahony, Mae Thorn, M.L. Quinn, Racquel
Sims, Sierra Jackson, Daniel DiQuinzio, Ana Cordoba, Gabriella Balcom, D.J.
Elton, Ann Stolinsky, Charles Barouch, Arwyn Sherman, Kiera Kearsey, Binod
Dawadi, and J.E. Feldman.
A Night In the Magical Menagerie
Can creatures with radically different motivations get along?
In this fantastical tale a fox named Tod and a tortoise named Torte are
brought to the Forest Environment of the Magical Menagerie of Celephaïs by
the Outer God Nyarlathotep and his daughter. The friends encounter a
wheelbarrow full of peculiar fruit and several exotic creatures. Will they
enjoy a good life in their new home, or is this strange place as filled with
peril as the one they escaped?
Excerpt
In the Forest Environment of the Magical Menagerie of Celephaïs, a fox and
a tortoise gave one another a puzzled glance as they examined a wheelbarrow
filled with strange yellow fruits.
"Before Nyarlathotep and his daughter left us here last night, they assured
us that King Kuranes' gamekeepers would care for us," the fox said. "I am
not sure the gamekeepers know what they are doing. What are these, and how
is one meant to eat them? They are covered in spines like a hedgehog, and
the green growth on the top poked me in my nose! Come to think of it, Torte,
I'm not sure I trust Nyarlathotep or his daughter. After all, he is the
great Cosmic Trickster, and surely, the apple does not fall far from the
tree."
"This is only a name imparted to him by humans, Tod," Torte said. "Humans
are a peculiar lot. Nyarlathotep was forthright with Captain Sammy, and he
has been forthright with us."
"I defer to your intuition, my friend. You are slow to anger and take the
time to thoroughly assess situations. Very well, rather than postulating
malice on the part of Nyarlathotep, I postulate that he does not know what
my kind eats and nor, apparently, do King Kuranes' gamekeepers."
"Perhaps these were left here for those animals that eat fruit," Torte
said. "I have never before seen the like of them, but they have a pleasant
scent. On the other hand, perhaps they were left here inadvertently. Upon
discovering their mistake, the gamekeepers will return with the correct
foodstuffs."
"If you believe they have a pleasant scent, I will knock one to the ground
for you," Tod offered.
About the Author
C.L. Hart had a stormy start to her life. She was born at 6 A.M. the
morning after Valentine’s Day in 1965 during a raging blizzard.
She has been a fan of horror and weird fiction for as long as she can
remember. She used to read horror comics under the covers with a flashlight
as a child.
She started reading Edgar Allan Poe when she was six years old. In her
early teens, she discovered H.P. Lovecraft. She pretended to lose the copy
of At the Mountains of Madness that she borrowed from the school library and
paid the fine so she could keep the book.
Ms. Hart blames the team at Chaosium Role-Playing Games for renewing and
strengthening her obsession with Lovecraft’s writing. She lives in a small
town on the northeastern plains of Colorado in an appropriately old and
storied house with her son and cats. She enjoys watching the normal people
pass by as she records the happenings in the weird worlds of her
imagination.
C.L. Hart writes poetry and nonfiction as Cara Hartley, and erotica as Lil
DeVille.
