Here’s a very, very short list of stories I’ve had published that are currently available, in order of when they were first published.
“Civilized Monsters” – Pseudopod
I received a lot of comments about how graphic this story was, which sort of surprised me. I actually tend to think myself a bit squeamish and didn’t think I lingered on any exceedingly gruesome parts here. Could it be that I’m mistaken? Me? Perish the thought. Can’t remember where I got this idea from. If I could go back and touch up some parts here and there I would, but I still like this story, particularly the ending.
“Miss Branson Calling” – Pseudopod
The first story I ever sold that was based on a nightmare. I actually used to work with the lady Miss Branson was based on. An eccentric chain smoking, overall harmless elderly woman who coughed like she had a lagoon in her lungs and had skin that seemed like it might disintegrate at any second. Based on the comments, many of the Pseudopod fans didn’t care much for this one, but I think it’s a solid effort at trying to draw fear from something that’s more melancholy than aggressively terrifying.
“Thanks For Using Forced Honesty Assassinations“ – From the Asylum
Damn shame that From the Asylum is closed, because they housed some excellent stories during the years that they were open. I had been trying to break into their ranks for quite a while before they finally accepted this flash fiction piece. I really like this story, short as it is. I can’t remember where the idea came from, but I love the slight ambiguity of the ending. Which of the people viewed through the window is the soon-to-be-targeted “nuisance”? Is it both of them? Ponder that… ponder it I say!
For what it’s worth, I loved Miss Branson. Maybe it’s because I don’t limit my reading to horror only, or maybe I have a broader view of what horror is.
And, yeah, is sucks about From the Asylum.
Slick blog, Johnny. I’ma bookmark it.
Thanks for the good word, my man. For the site and the story.