Oh, how we love a good horror anthology! A curated collection of spooky writing from multiple different authors is perfect for anyone looking for bite-sized reads or a full binge of stories and/or essays.
I thought I'd compile some of my favorite anthologies (and some I'm looking forward to). Some of these anthologies are already out and ripe for reading while others are due to release this year.
Mine: An Anthology of Body Autonomy Horror (Creature Publishing)
EDITED BY: Roxie Vorhees and Nico Bell
Although it follows a specific theme, this anthology manages to bring a wide variety of stories and poetry that explore bodily autonomy (or the lack thereof). No one piece of writing is like the other, leaving plenty of room for a truly impactful read.
'Bodily transformation. Possession of the body. Forced disembodiment. A baby consumes its mother in utero. Unrealistic postpartum expectations turn deadly. A witch avenges the voiceless. These 16 original horror stories explore the ownership and control-or lack thereof-that we have over our bodies.'
No Trouble At All: An Anthology of Polite Horrors (Cursed Morsels Press)
EDITED BY: Alexis DuBon and Eric Raglin
The premise of this one has already hooked me. How many times have we been put in uncomfortable situations because we feared we weren't being 'polite'? And how many horror characters have we seen being pulled into horrifying situations because of this? There's just so much potential!
'No Trouble at All will feature stories of polite horror. These horrors color our intimate, familial, professional, cultural, and political lives. Those without power are expected to smile and accept injustice for fear of retribution. The powerful dress up ugly realities and make suffering palatable to prevent resistance. Polite horrors come from both sides of the weapon—the wielder and the wounded.'
Brave New Weird - The Best New Weird Horror, Volume One (Tenebrous Press)
EDITED BY: Alex Woodroe
For lovers of weird horror, this is the anthology for you! The below text can promote it better than I ever could.
'The End is Weird.
In the event of cosmic fallout, it is vital that you adhere to the following:
Secure your own persona, and a backup if available. A neighbor’s is acceptable.
Your skin may attempt to abscond. This is normal in these situations. Do not panic.
Ignore all notifications from your mobile devices. They are not to be trusted.
Pay no mind to the details of that photograph. Yes, that one.
Should your body accrue any additional limbs, please keep proper inventory; they will need to be accounted for.
Avoid celebrity advice.
Do not feed the bears.
You will feel dizzy.
You will feel nausea.
Do not panic. This will pass.
Do not panic.
This will not pass.
Step bravely.
Do not panic.'
Dangerous Waters: Deadly Women of the Sea (Brigid’s Gate Press)
EDITED BY: Julia C. Lewis
Looking to combine your love of the deep, dark sea and powerful heroines? This anthology is for you! Hopefully, you don't have plans to go swimming after giving this a read.
'Malevolent mermaids.
Sinister sirens.
Scary selkies.
And other dangerous women of the deep blue sea.
Dangerous waters takes us deep beneath the ocean waves and shows us once more why we need to be cautious about venturing out into the water.'
A Conjuring For All Seasons (Cemetary Gates Media)
EDITED BY: John Brhel
FEATURING: Hailey Piper, Stephanie M. Wytovich, K.P. Kulski, Donyae Coles and Gaby Triana.
This delightful collection features five novelettes from five incredible women in horror. Each story is centered around the theme of witches and witchcraft, making for a very spooky read.
'A Conjuring for All Seasons contains five dark novelettes from five practicing witches. Four seasonally themed tales based around important Wiccan celebrations join a Hoodoo story concerning the dead around All Hallows’.
Les Petites Morts: An Anthology of Dark Fairy Tales & Folklore (Ghost Orchid Press)
EDITED BY: Evelyn Freeling
Fairytales, erotica and horror, what more could you possibly want? XD Le Petites Morts combines these three wonderful things into a darkly beautiful anthology that cannot be missed.
'A darkly seductive illustrated collection of erotic horror short stories inspired by fairy tales, folklore, and mythology, re-interpreted by some of horror's hottest contemporary authors.'
Divergent Terror: At the Crossroads of Queerness and Horror (Off Limits Press)
EDITED BY: Waylon Jordan
For those who like to indulge in nonfiction, this is a great anthology of essays centered around the connection between queerness and the horror genre.
Midnight stretches across the land. Moonlight illuminates a singular crossroads. One path leads to queerness. The other to dark creatures, shadowed corners, and things that go bump in the night.
But here...just here in the center of that crossroads those two worlds collide. This is the home of Divergent Terror.
Those who meet here know that horror and queerness go hand in hand. That is the truth at the center of Divergent Terror, an anthology of personal essays written by authors around the world united in queerness and thrilled by the unknown.
Featuring an introduction by award-winning horror author Aaron Dries, this collection is essential for horror fans, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and anyone else who has paid the price for simply being who they are.'
SLASH-HER: A Woman In Horror Anthology (Kandisha Press)
EDITED BY: Janine Pipe and Jill Girdardi
Have a guilty pleasure for classic slasher horror films? This anthology reinvents the popular subgenre thanks to the help of the powerful stories within.
'Kandisha Press proudly presents SLASH-HER. 21 women from across the world come together to explore the slasher sub-genre. Some embrace the tropes, some rip them to shreds. These powerful tales are provocative, contemporary and need to be told. Featuring own voices, you will discover the pen is mightier than the machete.
Serial killers, revenge, lust and even the supernatural are just some of the elements in SLASH-HER.
These stories are strong. They are bloody and they pack a punch.
Are you ready?'
Twisted Anatomy (Sci-Fi & Scary)
EDITED BY: Grace K., Tracy Robinson, Oliver Clarke and Sam Brunke-Kervin
This anthology is jam-packed with plenty of notable talent and body horror. It also has a perfect mix of science fiction and horror.
'It all started with talk of tentacles from unmentionables... From this gooey start, our body horror charity anthology was born. Within these pages, our authors have come together to delight and disgust with stories about perhaps the most horrifying thing of all: the human body.
Twisted Anatomy contains new stories from some of the best authors in indie horror and science fiction, alongside several new voices guaranteed to suck readers in for years to come.'
LOOKING FOR A COVER DESIGNER, ILLUSTRATOR OR ARTIST FOR YOUR UPCOMING PUBLICATION??
I can help! I've worked with a wide range of publications and authors including Off Limits Press, Cemetery Gates Press, Ghost Orchid Press and more. Here is my portfolio if you'd like to have a look <3