Chuck Briggs has written a five-star review of THE BEST OF THE HORROR SOCIETY 2013, which features my short story, “It Has Teeth”:
Some clarification for the uninitiated: This is the best of the Horror Society – not necessarily the Years Best Horror (although I think the anthology would be in the running for such a title.) The Years Best Horror was a legendary series of short story collections issued by DAW and edited, if memory serves, by the great Karl Edward Wagner. “The Horror Society” is a new organization that has reached a remarkable level of distinction in a short period of time. As Scott Gorsiak, the president of the organization claims in his forward, it is “a think tank” for those who contribute to the field of Horror, not limited to one particular discipline, such as writers, but including musicians, directors, make up artists, etc., where artists can network for connections and exchange ideas. This isn’t the Horror Writer’s Association of America, the H.P. Lovecraft Appreciation Society, the Stephen King Wannabe Club, Clive Barker Uber Alles or any other darned group.
There are some very good writers here. Along with the legenary William F. Nolan, the only living writer I know of who can be included along with the likes of Robert Bloch, Richard Matheson and Ray Bradbury. Included too are rising stars Richard Thomas, Weldon Burge, Joe McKinney, Aaron Warwick Dries, Robert S. Wilson, Scott Gorsiak (grin) and editor Carson Buckingham. Twenty-Five Tales of short and not-so-short, high quality and mostly unfamiliar shivers. Authors are included I’ve never heard of, but I chalk that up to personal ignorance on my part. One Hell of a lot of good horror writers have shambled their way into print and eprint over the last few years. It’s enough to make you throw your typewriter against the wall and try writing Harlequin Romances.
This is an excellent collection and terrific way to find out what’s happening on the current, horror scene. Unlike a lot of anthologies, the stories aren’t limited to a particular theme, although they aren’t necessarily original to this collection. You may have encountered a couple of these before. (The William F. Nolan is from 1985 – culled, in fact and appropriately enough, from “The World’s Best Horror” Collection of 1985.)…
Read the rest of the review here, and if you haven’t already read THE BEST OF THE HORROR SOCIETY 2013, here’s what you’re missing:
- Foreword by Scott M. Goriscak
- Introduction by Carson Buckingham
- “Ceremony” by William F. Nolan
- “Tendrils Never Lie” by Kevin A. Ranson
- “The Mask” by Lisamarie Lamb
- “Lemminaid” by Carson Buckingham
- “The Central Coast” by Jason V. Brock
- “White Hell, Wisconsin” by Weldon Burge
- “Victimized” by Richard Thomas
- “Normal is Relative” by Dan Dillard
- “The Procedure” by Doug Lamoreux
- “The Little Church of the Safe Crossing” by Joe McKinney
- “Madeleine” by Julianne Snow
- “It Has Teeth” by Christian A. Larsen
- “Masquerade” by Dave Jeffery
- “Black Bird” by Rose Blackthorn
- “Adjoining Rooms” by Scott M. Goriscak
- “The Inspiration & Horror of George & Hugh” by Nicholas Grabowsky
- “The Clown” by Henry Snider
- “Moving Day” by Mark Onspaugh
- “Ellen” by Lee Pletzers
- “Daddy” by Aaron Warwick Dries
- “Soft Like Her” by Charles Colyott
- “Venus” by L.L. Soares
- “The Luminous Veil” by Ian Rogers
- “Beer and Worms” by T.E. Grau
- “Black Mary” by Mercedes M. Yardley
- “The Boy in the Elevator” by Robert S. Wilson
- “Weird” by Dean M. Drinkel
- “Hotties” by Mort Castle
Christian A. Larsen is the author of LOSING TOUCH, featuring a foreword by New York Times bestselling author Piers Anthony, now available in paperback and ebook formats from Post Mortem Press.