Category Archives: Must Read Books

Wicked Shadow Press: “Drop Dead Gorgeous” – DAMSELS OF DOOM!

It’s that time again. Wicked Shadow Press time. And I’m in one of their hauntingly beautiful (or should I say hideously ominous?) anthologies about supernatural women! That’s right, ghost girls! This time to a two-volume series in paperback and epub formats. Drop Dead Gorgeous: Damsels of Doom. So remember that. Damsels of Doom. My tale is brand new and inspired by Japanese folklore (Japan’s infamous suicide forest) and the video game series, Fatal Frame. There’s a lot of great stories in these two books, but if you decide to just check out the one I’m in (pictures and links down below), be sure to read: “The Bite of the Cherry Blossom.” You’re in for a tasty treat, I promise. Cheers.

Drop Dead Gorgeous: Damsels of Doom Anthology

Published by Wicked Shadow Press

Featuring Dagstine story: “The Bite of the Cherry Blossom”

Where to order this spooky tome (click links, be redirected):


Paperback: https://www.lulu.com/shop/rasiika-sen-and-parth-sarathi-chakraborty/drop-dead-gorgeous-damsels-of-doom/paperback/product-e7w272k.html

ePub: https://www.lulu.com/shop/rasiika-sen-and-parth-sarathi-chakraborty/drop-dead-gorgeous-damsels-of-doom/ebook/product-e7w27vn.html

Wicked Shadow Press on Social Media:


Like WSP on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/wickedshadowpress

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Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos”

Stygian Lepus, Edition #26. Summer 2025 – NEW MAGAZINES!

For my next new short story, I’m appearing once again in Stygian Lepus. What started out as a subscriber-based webzine two-three years ago is now a beautifully illustrated (big-and-tall!) print magazine with a Kindle version next to it. But I recommend the print. This would be the second time I’ve appeared in Stygian Lepus. I come this time with a horror tale of unspeakable cannibalism and ritual. The hungry sort of rituals that only happens in small towns with the creepiest characters, and only on one day of the week when the sun goes down. Tuesdays. But what kind of feeding takes place in the town of Canaan Hollow? Why Tuesdays, and what does it mean for the residents there? Find out in my new, extreme horror story: “The Hungriest Tuesday.” Now. In Stygian Lepus #26. All links below.

Stygian Lepus Magazine, Edition #26 – Summer 2025

Available in Big-and-Tall Print, Kindle (ebook), or in a Webzine format.

Featuring new Dagstine story: “The Hungriest Tuesday”

Stygian Lepus Main Homepage/Back Issues (click link, be redirected):

https://www.stygianlepus.com

THE NAMES OF THE AUTHORS AND THEIR WORKS:

In Sections by Dee Allen

Sin Eater – Part Three by Paul W. La Bella

Get In! by Steve Calvert

Memories Saved by Allen Cash

The Hungriest Tuesday by Lawrence Dagstine

Blood Ties by Malina Douglas

Howl by Albert N. Katz

How Beautiful Things Disappear – Part One by Euan Lim

The Animals of Inkwhich Inn by Steven McClain

Department of Murderous Vixens by Don Money

Dear Raven, by Nick Romeo

Not All Who Wander by Damir Salkovic

Bullshit, Inc by Jeremy Stelzner

One More Drink by Meta Paige Taylor

The Hinge That Shouldn’t Have Moved by Fendy S. Tulodo

ORDER ON AMAZON/SAMPLE (click preview, be redirected):

Also, previous issues/covers featuring Lawrence Dagstine. Worth checking out.

Note: the print version drops on June 29th 2025 on Amazon.

Other New Entries: “Magazines”

Wicked Shadow Press: “Flash of the Dead – RELOADED!”

For my next anthology appearance it’s a flash fiction piece. A cyberpunk vampire tale. Something I’ve never done before, melding the two tropes. And it comes to Wicked Shadow Press’s latest offering, which has become somewhat of an annual thing (perhaps even celebratory): ‘Flash of the Dead – Reloaded!‘ I’ve been in about three or four of these Flash of the Dead-themed horror books the past four years. The tales are not half that bad. Wicked Shadow Press produces very beautiful books, books that have actually assisted me in nabbing other writing-related opportunities I wouldn’t normally get at my age (freelance stuff, non-genre related). People in India read them. Yes, India loves their horror just like we do here in the States. Flash fiction are bite-sized stories. They usually run between 500 to 1500 words in length, and they are considered quick reads. You can digest them in the time it takes you to get from one location to the next, say, on your daily commute to work. Anyway, without further ado, my 1400-word cyberpunk vampire tale: “The Lurker Code.”

Flash of the Dead RELOADED! – published by Wicked Shadow Press

Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty

Featuring Dagstine flash piece: “The Lurker Code”

Where to order Flash of the Dead Reloaded (click links, be redirected):

Paperback version: https://www.lulu.com/shop/parth-sarathi-chakraborty/flash-of-the-dead-reloaded/paperback/product-dy6zwzj.html

ePub version: https://www.lulu.com/shop/parth-sarathi-chakraborty/flash-of-the-dead-reloaded/ebook/product-nv9z8mr.html

Like WSP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wickedshadowpress

Follow WSP on Instagram: https://instagram.com/wickedshadowpress

Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos”

MAGAZINES: “Mobius Blvd No. #19, May 2025” – Hobb’s End Press

Pleased to announce I have a scifi tale in the current issue of Hobb’s End Press’s genre magazine, Mobius Blvd. They put out a couple of these science fiction, fantasy, horror publications. Other magazines include Black Sheep and Dark Horses, and it’s edited by Wayne Kyle Spitzer, who I also believe is an artist. I can be found in the May 2025 edition. Mobius Blvd #No. 19. I’ll copy-paste all info from Amazon, put it down below. Such as cover pics, ordering links, stuff like that. And author lineup. If you like off-world tales about dinosaurs, be sure to check out my story: “Dinotopia.” There is a Kindle version and print version.

Mobius Blvd, May 2025 Issue – Hobb’s End Press

Edited and published by Dark Horses and Wayne Kyle Spitzer

Featuring Dagstine scifi tale: “Dinotopia”

MOBIUS BLVD MAY 2025 AUTHOR LINE-UP (in order):

QUINTESSENTIAL GRANDMA
Olaf Baumann

MANDIBLE MUSICKE
Ryan Lee

WE TEND THE STAIN
J. Boyett

DINOTOPIA
Lawrence Dagstine

CRASH DIVE
Wayne Kyle Spitzer

POLAROID
Anthony Ferguson

TENTACLE PENS
Robert Pettus

THE BLACK ZIGGURAT
Damir Salkovic

VANITY
Marvin Reif

RULES MUST BE OBEYED
Mary Jo Rabe

SAMPLE ON AMAZON (click below):

About Mobius Blvd:

There is a byway between reality and dream. A transit we call Möbius Blvd …

Inspired by the enigmatic Möbius strip, a mathematical construct that defies conventional notions of linearity and infinity, Möbius Blvd has no beginning or end but exists in a place where reality and dream have fused … coalesced … merged. With each turn of the page, you’ll encounter a unique blend of horror, fantasy, and science-fiction—fiction that will challenge your perceptions and leave you in awe of the infinite possibilities that exist within the written word.

Indeed, Möbius Blvd is far more than a magazine; it’s an experience. It’s an exploration of the infinite, a passage through dimensions where the only constant is storytelling at its most daring, a kaleidoscope of wonder and terror. Join us on this winding, never-ending journey of speculative fiction that will keep you entranced from the first twist to the last loop. Open your mind to the limitless worlds of Möbius Blvd … and discover that the boundary between fiction and reality is as thin as a strip of paper with a twist.

Other New Entries: “Magazines”

HORROR ANTHOLOGIES: “Circus of the Dead” – Edited by Chad Anctil

For my next horror anthology it’s another new one, this time guest edited by Chad Anctil (who I’ve shared TOCs with in the past, such as the popular animal fiction book To The Dogs). Wicked Shadow Press is the indie publisher putting it out. And it’s themed around “circuses” and “carnivals.” Circus of the Dead! The book features a plethora of great names: from Bram Stoker nominee James Dorr to Jacek Wilkos, Andrew Kurtz, Joshua Vise, Lawrence Miles, Lynn White. If you’re in the short story field, you’ll obviously recognize some of these names from other literary productions. My story is a western featuring undead horses, and every tale ties in with the Big Top in some shape or form. Read Circus of the Dead now, and read my brand new story: “Dead Pegasuses.” Pics and ordering links will be down below.

Circus of the Dead – published by Wicked Shadow Press

Guest edited by fiction writer Chad Anctil

Featuring new Dagstine story: “Dead Pegasuses”

Where to order the book (click links, be redirected):

Paperback Version: https://www.lulu.com/shop/chad-anctil/circus-of-the-dead/paperback/product-q6kmed5.html

ePub Version: https://www.lulu.com/shop/chad-anctil/circus-of-the-dead/ebook/product-rmz75jn.html

Follow Wicked Shadow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wickedshadowpress

Follow Wicked Shadow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/wickedshadowpress

Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos”

Critical Blast Publishing: “Gods and Services New Location” – ANTHOLOGIES!

I have a novelette out in the recently released anthology from Critical Blast Publishing, Gods and Services New Location. I’m appearing beside 9 or 10 other authors, with stories on the subject of objects related to mythological gods or deities that you might acquire from a curiosity shop. They could be a good deity, or a bad deity. The presence of these gods could be related to statues, chandeliers, ancient artifacts, books. Hence the title and theme. Imagine walking into an antique dealer and finding an object for your home that once belonged to a god. The book is edited by R.J. Carter, and Critical Blast Publishing does a lot of these themed anthologies. They also do a lot of comics, graphic novels, and some illustrated genre fare and their products can be found at vendor tables at various conventions around the country. The name of my story is The Barn Cupid, and it’s about a possessed Cupid statue. It’s a horror-love story, obviously. It is available in paperback, on Amazon or Barnes & Nobles. I will provide all links and pics below.

GODS AND SERVICES NEW LOCATION

Published by Critical Blast Publishing – Edited by R.J. Carter

Featuring Dagstine story: “The Barn Cupid”

On Amazon (sample it, buy in print paperback):

Or buy it at Barnes & Nobles (click link, be redirected):

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gods-services-r-j-carter/1147212287

ISBN-13: 9781967199914

Critical Blast Publishing Homepage:

https://www.criticalblast.com/content/publishing

Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos”

Books about Genocide: “Genocidal” – An Anthology, by Culture Cult Press

For my next speculative piece it’s another new one, and we’re going into an anthology themed around a very controversial subject. And that’s genocide and The Holocaust. I was inspired to write this story after reading Elie Wiesel’s epic biography, Night. My story is dark science fiction meets horror meets alternate history. It features Adolf Hitler. And robots. These robots are known as The War Machines. Hitler and the robots are main characters in this dramatic tale. Because of the subject matter, a lot of editors didn’t want to read or take a chance on this piece (probably one of my most powerful in a long time; I have another powerful story written in the second person slated for later this year). The name of my story is: “Christmas along the Danube.” It is indeed a holiday story, it is a trigger warning story, there is death, and you can find it right now in the Culture Cult Press anthology, Genocidal. Every piece in Genocidal features some form of subject matter on genocide or the Holocaust. It might be poems, it might be essays or non-fiction, firsthand accounts, or in my case, dark science fiction. Though I suspect any firsthand stuff would have been passed down through the ages. Still, go check out my story, along with the other authors’ contributions. Ordering links will be further down below.

#GENOCIDAL – Published by Culture Cult Press

Featuring Dagstine story: “Christmas along the Danube”

Where to order your copy (click links, be redirected):

Paperback: https://www.lulu.com/shop/j-chakravarti/genocidal/paperback/product-7k6dy4j.html

ePub: https://www.lulu.com/shop/j-chakravarti/genocidal/ebook/product-jewmeq7.html

According to publisher info received, the April 2025 discount code BCORPBOOKS15 may be used for a 15% discount on Lulu on all purchases. 

Culture Cult Press Socials:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CultureCultPress

Instagram: https://instagram.com/culturecultpress

Visit at: https://CultureCult.co.in

Also check out my latest chapbook from Farthest Star Publishing,

SMALL FAVORS by Lawrence Dagstine

I would say if you want to get introduced to my more extreme forms of horror writing in 2025, and you’ve never read a Lawrence Dagstine piece before, then you want to start here: Small Favors, then follow up with Christmas along the Danube in Genocidal, and later this year (say, October) Inherited in the book, No Exit. Those three pieces. Trigger warning for each one.

Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos”