I have a brand new horror and dark romance story (usually referred to as ‘Horror-Mance’ these days) in the Fall 2026 issue of the semi-professional speculative fiction magazine, Tales from the Crosstimbers. Edited by Max Griffin on a quarterly basis, it is available online in print and ebook formats. You can get it on Amazon Kindle. Every issue features ten authors. Just like in my last website entry (Frost Zone Stories, Book #4), we’re visiting NYC again for horror depicted in the 1970s. A little bit of the historical, a little bit of the weird, and a whole lot of the nostalgic. What happens when a middle-aged man meets a woman with a mysterious past in a renowned bookstore? What happens when they begin to date seriously, engage in a love affair where immortality is offered openhandedly? Will this man accept her gift? Or will he turn it down at a cost without realizing it? Find out in my story: “The Woman Who Offered Immortality.” As always, any pictures and links we’ll be below. In the coming year you will see a lot more ‘Horror-Mance’ coming from me, as dark romance (or other romantasy) seem to be selling quite well these days in the world of literature.
Tales from the Crosstimbers – Fall 2026 Issue
Featuring new Dagstine story:“The Woman Who Offered Immortality”
Other New Entries:“Magazines” and “Digital Credits”
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Hello, readers. I’m pleased to announce the release of my sixth lengthy novelette and novella these past few years. This time I’m back with the same publisher as Small Favors and The Paraplegic. Farthest Star Publishing. And boy, do they put out a lot of these fun little books that range between 10,000 and 20,000 words in length. What they call their Quick Reads Selections (aka Longer Stories). The kind of genre literature you could read on a single commute to work, in bed before you call it a night, take with you camping, or just take to the beach with you. The Farthest Star collection is basically sci-fi and horror that is meant to be read in one day, one sitting. They release these small singular titles in a cozy “chapbook format.” Like you’d find at vendor tables at small cons. The Paraplegic and Small Favors received an excellent reception, making it into the TOP 200 for Classic Horror on Amazon when they debuted. Can we strike lightning thrice? This time I’m taking you to a very spooky place with a somewhat ancient past. Set in my hometown, during the Great Depression. A novella about a mysterious Monster Hospital. And the little darling creatures that exist there, just waiting to take a bite out of you! Introducing my next novella, for 2026: “The New York Monster Hospital.” Links and pics shall be below, so just scroll down. It is available in print and Kindle formats. The best of both worlds.
Farthest Star Publishing presents…
The New York Monster Hospital by Lawrence Dagstine
Edited by Donald D’Amico
SAMPLE THE NOVELLA OR BUY IT ON AMAZON KINDLE:
ALSO BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MY PREVIOUS TWO CHAPBOOKS
FROM FARTHEST STAR PUBLISHING: “The Paraplegic” & “Small Favors”
Farthest Star Main Website – (click link, be redirected):
Other New Entries:“Books & Anthos” and “Digital Credits”
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Hello. I am back in a three-volume anthology series, from the wonderful book producers of spine-tingling terror themselves, Wicked Shadow Press. This time with a reprint from 2006 (yes, twenty years ago!). And it’s a zombie story. A kid’s zombie story. Something I am known the past two decades for writing. The name of the anthology is, ‘Small Town Shadows.’ The theme this time is horror set in small locales, densely populated cities, or areas. There are two other books in this series, entitled: ‘Small Town Secrets’ and ‘Small Town Silhouettes.’ A lot of authors contributed to these. I’m in Shadows, remember that. Book covers and clickable links will be below, as always. Just scroll down. A lot of times these books are illustrated throughout. So sit back, relax, and read my tale: “Thursday’sChildren.” The theme is something that, twenty years ago, for the time period, nobody had ever touched upon too much in mainstream literature.
Wicked Shadow Press presents…
SMALL TOWN SHADOWS Horror Anthology
Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty& Rasiika Sen
Featuring old school Dagstine reprint:“Thursday’s Children”
I must confess, it’s weird seeing one of your very first zombie stories from twenty years ago fully illustrated. A lot of love went into the making of this book. It looks really good. I have PDFs on hand if anybody wants a review copy. All the authors’ tales are illustrated.
Other New Entries:“Books & Anthos”
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I have a themed flash fiction piece in the latest horror anthology from Wicked Shadow Press. This time it’s geographical. Flash about horrors set in and around Egypt, and only Egypt. It could be a short about Mummies, the Pyramids of Giza, Undiscovered Tombs, the Pharaohs, Ancient Gods or Curses, and the like. My story is about two tourists (a couple), who find themselves caught in a storm that terrorizes Cairo once every hundred years. A sandstorm like no other. And with it, come mysterious flying monkeys. Hungry monkeys! The name of my tale is: “Sandstorm of the Han-Saba.” Lot of authors here. Available in the United States and India. I’ll leave clickable links below, so be sure and scroll down. Oh yeah, and there’s a color and B&W version.
Wicked Shadow Press presents…
Flash of the Dead Egypt – Egyptian Horror Flash Anthology
Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty
Featuring Dagstine short:“Sandstorm of the Han-Saba”
LINKS BELOW FOR ORDERING THE BOOK – (click, be redirected):
Happy New Year. I’m back with horror stories in some new anthologies. This time with a novelette, and published by the fine folks at Campfire Publishing. The name of the book is: After Dark, Volume #2. This is the second book in a series, and much of it is filled with novelettes and short novellas. There is quite the stable of literary talent here. My tale falls under the “historical vampire” category. It takes place in a POW camp in 1960s Vietnam. I’d been sitting on it for a while, but thanks to the editorial filter of publisher Aaron Crocker, it’s ready to see the light of day. It’s a big book, with stories running the gamut of 7500 to 20,000 words in length. Read Campfire Publishing’s latest anthology, After Dark, Volume #2. And my new story for 2026: “The Code of Conduct.” I’ll provide book pics and clickable links below. There’s also a Hugo/Nebula nominee in here, and a Star Trek writer.
Campfire Publishing presents…
AFTER DARK, Volume. #2 – Edited by Aaron Crocker
Featuring new Dagstine novelette:“The Code of Conduct”
Sample it out on Amazon – Available in Kindle AND print formats
Edited to Add: I am pleased to announce that, pre-order wise, After Dark Volume #2 is breaking Amazon Sales numbers. It’s moving up the algorithm in sales. The release date is January 27th for the ebook, February for big-and-thick print if physical media is your thing.
Other New Entries:“Books & Anthos” and “Digital Credits”
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I’m thrilled to announce that I have a stunner of a horror story featured in the new regional-based anthology from Timber Ghost Press, NO EXIT – A Collection of Utah Horror. Every story in this hefty volume either takes place in Utah or is penned by Utah-based authors. The book is one of my top recommendations for 2025. Not just for the quality of the collection, but because it includes the first horror piece I’ve ever had accepted that’s written in second-person POV. I chose this narrative style deliberately, to put you—the reader—directly in the shoes of the protagonist: a cannibalistic girl who has inherited a horrific trait from her deceased father. I’d even go so far as to say this is one of the three best horror stories I’ve ever written—right up there with Thursday’s Children and The Paraplegic. The book promises to deliver endless nightmares and features a talented lineup of short story writers. Timber Ghost Press, though relatively new, is a publisher worth checking out. It’s run by the very talented C.R. Langille. The name of my creepy tale: “Inherited.” Pictures and links below.
NO EXIT – A Collection of Utah Horror
Published by Timber Ghost Press – Edited by C.R. Langille
Featuring new Dagstine story:“Inherited”
TABLE OF CONTENTS/FEATURE AUTHORS:
Timber Ghost Press Main Website – (all links, click, and be redirected):
Edited to Add: I’m pleased to announce that NO EXIT (the paperback) has hit Number One in American Horror. Kudos to everybody who picked up a copy. Much love.
Other New Entries:“Books & Anthos” and “Digital Credits”
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Pleased to announce I have a 4000-word story in this year’s West Mesa Press anthology (inconjunction with Three Cousins Publishing),Lurking in the Gene Pool. This one is just in time for Halloween, and the theme for this year is “supernatural family members” — something I’m good at writing over the years — or anything in relation to such family members. Hence, the title. Lurking in the Gene Pool (genetically). I’m not sure, but there might even be an Audible audiobook and a hardcover coming from Amazon down the road. So it will be available in all presentations, all formats. My story is brand new and a “different” kind of lycanthropy tale. It take place with a backwards family and a visiting grandfather down in Appalachian country. So yes, technically, it’s Appalachian Horror. I’ll leave all pics and ordering info down below. Check out my tale: “Looking for Meteorites.”
Lurking in the Gene Pool Anthology – Edited by Robert Lupton
Published by West Mesa Press(Three Cousins Publishing)
Featuring new Dagstine story:“Looking for Meteorites”
***Available in EBook and Print Paperback formats***
Here are some other West Mesa Press titles (once again, in conjunction with Three Cousins Publishing), I appeared in a few years back. Witch Wizard Warlock features my story “Family Ties.” A witch’s tale. And it’s available at the usual online booksellers: Apple Books, Vivlio, Kobo, Barnes & Nobles, etc.
Other New Entries:“Books & Anthos” and “Digital Credits”
I have a Halloween-themed story about mummies (and housing discrimination related to them) in the latest paperback entry in the Wicked Shadow Press seasonal anthology series, HALLOWEENTHOLOGY 2025 – Bad Pumpkin! Every year Wicked Shadow puts out three beautiful looking tomes in the Halloweenthology franchise, all on the same horrific theme: Halloween. It’s become a tradition. They sell quite well here in the United States and India. This year it’s another three books. I’m in Bad Pumpkin, so remember that. The other books in the series are called “Blood Moon” and “Autumn Falls.” For my story, imagine being a mummy owner, trying to find your own apartment for you and your bandaged-up entourage to live. Imagine getting turned away wherever you tried, housing complex after housing complex, good credit and all. But finally you stumble upon a creepy mortician who rents out one of his apartments. Sometimes, on Halloween, your new landlord may not be who he seems to be. I’ll leave all pics and links below. Be sure to check out my 3800-word tale, “Living Arrangements.”
Halloweenthology 2025 – Bad Pumpkin!
Published by Wicked Shadow Press – Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty
Featuring Dagstine story:“Living Arrangements”
WHERE TO PICK UP “BAD PUMKPIN” – Click Links, Be Redirected:
Pleased to announce I have a new novelette of gothic horror (a period piece) in the latest Wicked Shadow Press anthology, Pocket Full of Posies – Shadow Children! This is children’s horror, so it is themed. Think adolescent monsters. Think kid vampires. Think werewolf cubs. Think zombie teenagers. This anthology is all about horrific minors, and they’re not to be trifled with. There are actually three books in the Pocket Full of Posies series. The other anthologies are “Paper Tombs” and “Silent Cradle.” I’m in Shadow Children, so remember that. My story takes place in a monster hospital with nuns (and there’s more to this hospital than meets the eye). Read my lengthy tale, “The Nursery Floor.” Pictures and links to everything will be down below, as always.
Pocket Full of Posies – Shadow Children Anthology
Published by Wicked Shadow Press – Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty
Featuring Dagstine story:“The Nursery Floor”
Featuring work by Armand Rosamilia, Chad Anctil, Donovan Douglas Thiesson, MORE!
Where to order Pocket Full of Posies Shadow Children
Available in USA and India – Click links, be redirected:
Lawrence Dagstine: Author 
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