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.
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):
I’m pleased to announce I have a short story of generational horror (along with parenting gone mad!), in the latest anthology from Farthest Star Publishing. This would be my third time published by Farthest Star (they’re the publisher of my novella, The Paraplegic). The name of the book is Acid and Ultra Violence. Fourteen authors are featured. The theme of the book is “violent objects” and “violent people” in science fiction and horror. Those two genres. Hence the title, Ultra Violence. It is edited by D. A. D’Amico. And it is available in paperback and Amazon Kindle formats. I’ll copy and paste all the usual pictures and links down below, any necessary details. The name of my story is, “The One to Keep.” And it’s a new tale.
Acid and Ultra Violence Anthology – Edited by D. A. D’Amico
Published by Farthest Star Publishing
Featuring Dagstine story:“The One to Keep”
***Sample it out now on Amazon Kindle***
DESCRIPTION FROM AMAZON:Welcome to fourteen stories where nothing is what it seems, and every answer unlocks darker questions. Step through shattered futures, cursed realms, and surreal battlegrounds crafted by both seasoned and emerging writers. These tales don’t just shock—they invite you to cry, scream, and bleed with the characters. And to enjoy a good helping of… Acid and Ultra Violence.
These stories don’t comfort. They hurl you into worlds where rage sparks revolutions, grief becomes a weapon, and nothing—whether futuristic, arcane, or infernal—survives untouched. Heroes are forged from trauma, villains born from love, and survival demands a brutal price. Every tale hits hard, burns deep, and leaves its mark—and nothing returns unchanged.
Some highlights…
In a brutal future where body parts are currency, arrogance and desperation clash in a high stakes game of chance. Tech-enhanced Polimi triumphs over the desperate Carmuia, winning a horrific payment of flesh. But Polimi’s victory is cut short… leaving her with only the cruel, ironic sting of absolute loss.
In a world ruled by monsters, a desperate hunter carries a horrific secret bargain. Driven by this desperate promise, she is compelled to lure others into an alien trap. But when her own family becomes part of the creatures’ cruel game, Jill must make an agonizing final choice that will determine the fate of them all.
In a kingdom of chains, a captive witch is forced on a quest for the mythical Pin of Light. Surrounded by deceit and ancient wards, Ja’ala must navigate a spoiled Prince’s arrogance, unforgiving terrain, and dark, evil magic as she prepares to pay the ultimate price of the artifact—a price that may be higher than she could ever imagine.
A scavenging crew risks everything to breach a colossal, ancient starship trapped near a black hole. But the ancient vessel’s opulent halls quickly become a prison of cold terror. Isolated and surrounded by betrayal, the crew begins to turn on itself, unaware of the ship’s deepest secret—a terrifying reality that warps the very nature of time.
Stories:
“Gray Rock Method” by Lauren C. Teffeau “Crossing the Line” by Andrew Akers “Mr. Mongo’s Fanciful Elixir” by Glenn Dungan “The Curator” by Elese Mathis “The Widow and the Rain” by Paul Martz “Just 35 Percent” by Adam Stone “The Pin of Light” by Dean N. D’Amico “Skin in the Game” by C. J. Erick “The One to Keep” by Lawrence Dagstine “Obliterating The Olive” by Shane Porteous “When the Music Stops” by C.J. Taylor “Black Segments” by John Leahy “The Fold” by Jeremy Zentner “Vector Victoria” by D. A. D’Amico
Edited by: D. A. D’Amico
Other New Entries:“Books & Anthos” and “Digital Credits”
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”
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”
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):
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):
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):
I’m pleased to announce that my latest chapbook Small Favors (a horror story of revenge set in the 1980s) has been released by Farthest Star Publishing. Farthest Star is also the publisher of my vampire tale about a paralyzed man, The Paraplegic. The Paraplegic was released in 2024 to some pretty good sales numbers in its debut weeks. I’m hoping Small Favors does just as well. Farthest Star puts out a lot of these digest-sized chapbooks which are primarily novelettes and novellas, or what is considered quick reads. Meaning, you can finish them in one day. Not only that, they are available in a cool, collectible looking print format reminiscent of the kind of fare you’d find in 1990’s Forbidden Planet, or maybe at a small comic con vendor table. Or get them on your mobile phone or Kindle. So you’re in luck if you prefer digital, because you can read them on your daily commute. Anyway, without further ado, my latest title, Small Favors. All pics and ordering info will be below. Cheers.
Small Favors by Lawrence Dagstine
The latest chapbook release from Farthest Star Publishing
READ SAMPLE OR BUY NOW ON AMAZON (Kindle or print chapbook format):
My next story is also a newbie. And while the anthology it is being featured in is holiday oriented (one of Christmas-themed horror)… My short story could best be described as dark, dystopic science fiction. It is a tale of warning. With DeepSeek and humanoid robots a reality, the future if we are not careful. A tale of man versus machine. A tale of one prisoner explaining Christmas and yuletide blessings to his captor. A tale of human versus AI. Or, just perhaps, if we are not careful, what AGI might become. There are a lot of great holiday stories in this book. The layout and presentation from Wicked Shadow Press is nothing short of excellent, and these books are hot in India. Prepare yourself for my brand new story of what generative AI might evolve into in a few decades: “For my Enemy on Christmas.” Ordering details at the bottom.
Merry Creepsmas – The Green Book(Xmas themed Horror)
Published by Wicked Shadow Press – Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty
Featuring new Dagstine story:“For my Enemy on Christmas”
ORDER BOTH VOLUMES (I’m in the Green Book/Edition):
THE GREEN BOOK (availability in USA – click below):
Pleased to announce I have a story in the latest horror-themed offering from the fine folks at Wicked Shadow Press. This one is an “animal” and “pet”-themed anthology of thrills and chills. Think rabid werewolves, dogs, cats, lions, tigers and bears (oh my!). Or even paranormal pets such as ghosts, poltergeists, and imps. Anything goes so long as it fits somewhere into the theme. Hence the very clever title, PETTING BOO! Zoological Anthology of Horror. I’m sharing a TOC with some talented names again too such as Don Money, Joshua Vise, J. Rocky Colavito, Chad Anctil, and Lavern Spencer McCarthy. Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty, available in India and the United States. I’ll put all pictures and links in their usual places. It’s a beauty of a cover. And I’ll be seeing you on the next one.
PETTING BOO! An Anthology of Zoological Horror
Published by Wicked Shadow Press – Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty
Where to order in the United States or India (click links below):
In “Petting Boo!”, thirty-six stories prowl the razor’s edge between wildlife and the wyrd. This isn’t your standard ghost story collection—it’s a zoological nightmare where every growl might be a spectral warning and every wicked shadow could conceal something that was never truly alive.
The tales featured in this anthology, from a troupe of worldwide authors consisting of both emerging and seasoned storytellers, reimagine supernatural horror through claws, fangs, and fur. Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty and published by Wicked Shadow Press, “Petting Boo!” transforms the animal kingdom into a twilight realm where the living and dead play a terrifying game of predator and prey.
I have a reprint in the next one (all for a great cause). It’s big. It’s got a stellar lineup of short story writers. Good God, it’s close to 600 pages in length. It’s available for your Amazon Kindle or in a thick juicy paperback. The book is for a wonderful cause, and is put out by Kasey Hill and the fine folks at Dark Moon Rising Publications. It’s called The Devil’s Playground, and it’s a charity anthology for drug addiction. All proceeds go out to help people who are addicted to drugs, or who have lost loved ones to overdoses. This one really hits home too. My story is actually themed around addiction (and vampires). What an ensemble: Rhys Hughes, Lindsey Goddard, Suzie Lockhart, John Claude Smith, J. Rocky Colavito (who I’ve shared multiple TOCs with in the past). Over 60 authors. A lot of love went into making this. If you’re a fan of big beautiful horror books and good causes this one is a no-brainer. I’ll leave all the pics and details down below.
The Devil’s Playground: Horror Charity Anthology for Drug Addiction
Over 60 Authors – Published by Dark Moon Rising Publications
Featuring Lawrence Dagstine reprint:“Geraldine’s Addiction”
Get it on Amazon (click below):
Talk and inspiration regarding THE DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND on YouTube:
Pleased to announce I have an obscure vampire tale in the third entry in the Zombie Works Publications anthology series, Monsterthology 3. Headed and edited by David Montoya and Stephanie J. Bardy, this book visits some original fare in correlation to the Famous Monsters of Filmland. Think waking up to the horror of Bela Lugosi on Saturday Mornings in the 1950s, or Lon Chaney as the Wolfman, or Boris Karloff as Frankenstein’s Monster, and fiction which runs in a similar vein. I was supposed to update my website a while ago, but I’ve just been so busy with editing and the holidays being just around the bend. I will post photos and links down below, and any other relevant info. It is available on Amazon in paperback format or for your Kindle. Some familiar names I share the TOC with this time around include Justin Alcala, Alan Russo, Dawn DeBraal, Liam Hogan, and I believe Gary Every is in it as well. Get your copy today.
MONSTERTHOLOGY 3 – Zombie Works Publications
Published and Edited by David Montoya & Stephanie J. Bardy
Available through Amazon HERE (sample below):
It did reach the TOP 100 in Horror Anthologies in its debut week. Here is some more info, copied and pasted from Amazon…
“Step into the shadows of this chilling anthology where the monsters that terrified generations rise once again. Monsterthology 3 gathers the Legends of Fear—the iconic Universal Monsters you thought you knew—and unleashes them in ways you’ve never imagined. From the eerie depths of Dracula’s curse to the moonlit rampages of the Wolfman, each story reimagines and expands the terrifying legacy of the creatures that defined horror.
In this gripping collection, renowned and emerging authors breathe new life into the classics. The Mummy’s curse is darker, Frankenstein’s creation more twisted, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon surfaces with deadly vengeance. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of the original Universal Monsters or a newcomer to their terror, Monsterthology 3 will chill you to your core.The Monsters are back—and they’re more horrifying than ever!”
I am pleased to announce yet another spooky anthology offering, this time a paranormal tale to the latest Wicked Shadow Press series of anthologies (part of a three volume set), called: Dead Girls Walking. My story is in the second book, the GREEN volume! There is also a purple volume and a red volume in the series, which collects about 100 authors in all. This is a series of paranormal books where the central characters, whether ghost or zombie or vampire or whatever, are women. You really will want to collect them all. My ghost story is one part mystery. If you’re into Amelia Earhart, you might be into this yarn of mine. It’s about a 747 pilot who always sees the spirit of a 1920s classic aviator pilot. But she’s always following his jumbo jet. She’s always staring inside his 747 window. What is she trying to tell him? How far will the 747 pilot go to learn the mystery behind her aviation past? Find out in my story, “GHOST PILOT” …In Dead Girls Walking (the Green Volume).
DEAD GIRLS WALKING – THE GREEN VOLUME
From Wicked Shadow Press – Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty
It’s with great pleasure to announce that I am headlining a very major pirate and horror-themed anthology with a brand new tale which borders on novelette length, and has just the right touch of the Golden Age of Piracy to it (from a historical point of view), and just the right Lovecraftian feel to it (where Cosmic Horror is concerned). But it’s not all about tentacles and eerie and ominous abberations from the deepest corners of the Seven Seas or Hades itself. Presenting, “The Black Beacon Book ofPirates.” Edited by Cameron Trost. Available in the USA, UK, Australia, Amazon, or obtain it from Black Beacon themselves. They have a website, and I will put links, pictures, the table of contents, and any miscellaneous information down below or to the side column. My story, which I first started working on in 2022 and didn’t finish till 2023, is called, “The Mutineer.”
Without giving too much of the story away, The Mutineer is an unsettling tale full of despair, the story of an imprisoned buccanner named Frederick March, who is in service to an evil monarchy and their power-hungry armada. March, who is the Mutineer and witness to everything on this scary voyage, tells his tale of oceanic, cosmic mayhem of how he is sent to the Caribbean to hunt down a Cthulhu-like apparition with great power. This manifestation of ill-omen is known only as The Boatswain. But March soon finds out the merry band of pirates he leads gets a little bit more than they bargained for when they invade the Boatswain’s island habitat and learn he comes from a race of beings and worshippers just like himself. Who will survive? Because you only get one chance. Only one! With the Boatswain… in The Mutineer!
THE BLACK BEACON BOOK OF PIRATES – Edited by Cameron Trost
Personally, I would even go as far as to say The Mutineer is one of my three best horror stories of my life. It’s definitely up there with the likes of Thursday’s Children (which can be found in The Nightmare Cycle), and my tale of vampires and one man’s paralysis, The Paraplegic.
Time will tell.
Oh, the cover art is by the legendary Daniele Serra.
Edited to Add: The Black Beacon Book of Pirates is now available at Books-A-Million.
Pleased to announce I have a new short story of high seas thrills, chills, and undulating terror. A story about a gloomy and ominous siren entitled, “The Songstress.” It’s just one of the tales gracing the pages of Culture Cult (Pulp Cult’s) new horror-themed anthology, MEMENTO MORI: REMEMBER THE DEAD. I’d say the story fits the theme quite well too. I’ve been published with Culture Cult about eight or nine times now, and I find their books get fantastic sales and exposure in India of all places. Since I’ve been with Pulp Cult/Culture Cult, I’ve had a few Hindi or Desi readers/fiction enthusiasts reach out, and appreciate the kind words. I know there are a lot of descriptions for those races in India, so I will just use Hindi and Desi here. The book is edited by Jay Chakravarti. I’ll put pictures, wraparounds, ordering links, all that necessary stuff off to the side or way down below. And I will see you on the next one.
MEMENTO MORI: REMEMBER THE DEAD Anthology
Published by Culture Cult/Pulp Cult Press – Edited by Jay Chakravarti
ORDER DIGITAL OR PRINT VERSIONS (US or INDIA) DIRECTLY BELOW:
Happy Halloween 2023! Chills and thrills, and ghosts and goblins to all horror readers out there. This next anthology from Wicked Shadow Press is holiday-themed, and the very lengthy story I have within its 240+ pages is BRAND NEW. Never to be reprinted in print. There are familiar story writers such as Don Money, Brian Smith, not just myself. There’s even a new young girl making her horror writing debut, which I think is fabulous. HALLOWEENTHOLOGY: Jack O’ Lantern is available for Amazon Kindle or in glossy, beautiful looking paperback. And on Kindle retails at only $3.99, the price of a Starbucks coffee. While most stories might harbor around All Hallow’s Eve, my tale is a devastating one of loss. My story is about Cupid and Love. Unrequited love. A love that you really can’t dismiss. I’ve never written about Cupid before. I will be closing the book out with a story close-to-novelette length. Read, “The Barn Cupid” in Wicked Shadow Press’s new holiday reading extravaganza, HALLOWEENTHOLOGY: Jack O’ Lantern! Links and pics below!
HALLOWEENTHOLOGY JACK O’LANTERN – HALLOWEEN 2023 ANTHOLOGY
from Wicked Shadow Press – Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty
Featuring exclusive Lawrence Dagstine horror story,“The Barn Cupid.”
ALL Links where to purchase in paperback or digital (Amazon box is above):
Buy HALLOWEENTHOLOGY: JACK-O’-LANTERN (the paperback) from Lulu:
It’s the year of the nightmare. First, my story collection from Dark Owl, The Nightmare Cycle. Now, from Wicked Shadow Press, Flashes of Nightmare. And boy do I love the wraparound cover art for this one. Kind of has a Fatal Frame aesthetic to it (if you are familiar with that horror game franchise). I will put ordering links for print and digital versions at the very bottom of this blog post. This isn’t the first time I’ve appeared in Wicked Shadow Press anthologies. They really go all out on their interior layout. I was in their zombie flash anthology, Flash of the Dead and the bestselling crime ebook earlier this year, Murder on her Mind.
I have a brand new micro tale this time around. Micro fiction is what flash fiction is. Stories that are 1,000 to 1,500 words in length. They are compact, quick to read, easy to mentally digest when you are outdoors or chilling in the park or in bed, say on public transportation commuting back and forth. And my story is just that: a tale which falls around 1500 words in length, is politically incorrect in some respects, but is an absolute nightmare that just happens to take place on public transportation. Read my latest offering, “The Bus Ride” in Flashes of Nightmare. A horror book involving bad dreams and circumstances.
WICKED SHADOW PRESS presents…
“FLASHES OF NIGHTMARE”
An Anthology of Stories regarding Bad Dreams/Nightmarish Circumstances
And after the release of my new book, The Nightmare Cycle, comes a short story of oceanic terror that will leave you at the edge of your seat. I have a story in the latest Skywatcher Press anthology on Amazon, THE DEPTHS UNLEASHED BOOK #2. I know there is a Kindle version, not sure if a print version is in the works. All links will be down below, and book pics off to the side as usual. Skywatcher Press is well known for their bestselling undead anthologies, and similar fare, such as Pandemic Unleashed and The Dead Unleashed. I’m sharing a TOC with some familiar names too, like Jeff Parsons and Gregory Norris, who you might recognize from short story magazines of the 2000s era. The name of my story is: “The Underwater Menace.”
Remember, I’m in BOOK 2. The one with the horrific fishy and diver staring it down.
THE DEPTHS UNLEASHED VOLUME 2
Anthology of Underwater Horror – Featuring my story:“The Underwater Menace”
ORDER ON AMAZON KINDLE (preview below, be redirected):
So today is here. Today is the day of my third official story collection: THE NIGHTMARE CYCLE, from Dark Owl Publishing. It is available in print and digital formats (Paperback and on Amazon Kindle). And as the year goes on, straight thru 2024, will be available at book fairs, from various literary vendors, horror and comic-themed conventions, the odd novelty or specialty store, or wherever other fine horror books or goods are sold. I will keep you updated on this website. The spooky fun starts in Arizona first and New York second.
A short story collection is a book of tales by one single author, where an anthology is a book of stories usually centered around a theme from not one but many authors, from many different states or countries or diverse backgrounds. The Nightmare Cycle was an idea for a book that came to me one day in a dream (go figure), but is not about being in a dream. It gets its title from every single story being “A Nightmarish Scenario,” one warped tale leading into the next (the theme of cycling and unending), and then the one thereafter. There is no finality. Just horrific circumstance after circumstance. Undulated terror. Beginning, middle, end. Think Rod Serling’s The Night Gallery, but modern day, my take.
THE NIGHTMARE CYCLE by Lawrence Dagstine
From Dark Owl Publishing – NOW AVAILABLE worldwide
You have mostly new stories between the pages, but you have some obscure offerings as well. Tales from my humble beginnings as a horror author. The 2000s era. There are stories like Thursday’s Children. Imagine pitting zombie youth against each other the same way people hold backroom cockfights for money. The Adopted, where werewolf adoption in Southeast Asia is more complex than you think. Human Transfer, a very dark and dystopic tale of population control, and betrayal by the people you thought you knew and trusted most.
There are Dark Owl exclusives, tales which are theirs and theirs only, such as The Thing about Eden. Imagine Mars in the future where life under one dark leadership only becomes concerning, overbearing, and darker with the next. The Acrylic Man, about a painter of spectral portraits who captures his love interests with not just grace but permanence. The Show Must Go On, a story about a sharpshooting djinn and her western travels, but also her wretched past.
You have new offerings such as Princely Homecoming, a unique take on Snow White, who longs for her long dead prince. There is Pet, a tale set during the backdrop of the Nixon era, which puts a twist on just “who” or “what” constitutes man’s best friend. Genetically speaking, of course. There is Our Family Awaits, a witch’s tale unlike any other, about foster care and deep dark secrets. This is one which will have you clutching the blankets. And there is so much more; there’s even a novelette within The Nightmare Cycle’s pages.
AMAZON KINDLE “EBOOK” VERSION:
(Sample a few pages below, or shoot for the paperback version)
Here’s the horror convention calendar for Dark Owl Publishing and The Nightmare Cycle. This calendar will obviously grow. I will be away in July (after the 4th), but I will have my netbook with me, keep in touch via social media. Dark Owl will also have some of their horror wares and anthologies available from a talented stable of other authors as well, so be sure to keep tuning in to this link below:
Oh, by the way, the fabulous cover art was done by Fernando JFL (Giotefeli), who is a professional horror illustrator and death metal artist from South America. He takes a rather retro, vintage approach to his work. If you are looking for an artist, might I recommend him: https://www.instagram.com/giotefeli, and https://giotefeli.tumblr.com/
The book is available first on Amazon, then Terror Trader second (Arizona’s Number One Horror Marketplace). Then it will go to the usual vendors and themed cons, and through the usual distribution channels/networks.
Lawrence Dagstine: Author 
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