Some of horror fiction’s most brilliant talents use their websites to give you free short stories, often incredible tales that may be out of print or hard to find. Some of the authors whose sites you should keep an eye on:
Douglas Clegg (The Priest of Blood, Neverland) offers a new short story each month. Currently up is a particularly nasty tale, “Fries With That” that anyone who’s ever hated high school can relate to.
Robert McCammon (Boy’s Life, Speaks the Nightbird) gives you a slew of amazing short fiction on his site, many hard to find. Of the ones to choose from, my favorites are “Something Passed By,” “Nightcrawlers” and the hard-to-find “The Deep End.”
The legendary Joe R. Lansdale (The Drive-In, Two-Bear Mambo) also gives you a new tale each month from his impressive backlist. Right now it’s the chilling “In the Cold Dark Time” but watch for a new tale this Thursday.
Norman Partridge (Slippin’ Into Darkness, Dark Harvest) offers both free fiction and nonfiction on his site. Right now it’s “The Mojave Two-Step” and also ten tips about writing from his must have Mr. Fox collection.
Check back for more links to great free horror short stories on the web. Or post links to some of your favorites in the comments box. Spread the love!
Brilliant post, Matt! I used to read off of McCammon's site all the time and Clegg also used to offer the first half of his book Goat Dance on his site as well (in fact, that's how he hooked me into buying the book, as it left off just as a major story twist occurred).
Thanks for all the additional hints as well!
Doug was one of the first people to offer an entire novel for free -- a decade ago, he serialized his novel "Naomi" in email for free before it was ever published, and he offered his brilliant novella "Purity" for free as a PDF download as well. I really think it's been a huge part of him having such a dedicated fanbase. Oh yeah...that, and he's also a phenomenal writer.
Oh, thank you for the links, especially to McCammon's site! "Night Calls The Green Falcon" is one of my favorite McCammon stories.
Thanks for the note Bruce! McCammon still hasn't put up one of my all-time favorite horror short stories -- "Best Friends," which is in his Night Visions volume (get it used in paperback under the name "Hardshell"). It's pulpy, twisted, sick, and tense, and would make a brilliant horror movie. It's worth buying "Hardshell" for just to read. (Not to mention, "Hardshell" also has brilliant Edward Bryant tales and several of Dean Koontz's strongest short works as well, including the moving "Twilight of the Dawn."
I second that "phenomenal writer" credit to Doug Clegg! I know he is awfully gifted at hooking me into a story. Surprisingly, I have not yet tried his latest venture, the Vampyricon cycle. Have you read it yet? Any word about it?
I loved the Vampyricon. I actually published the first book “The Priest of Blood” under my small press, Shocklines Press, as a signed limited edition before Ace picked it up to republish. I think it’s a brilliant dark fantasy series. Give it a whirl.