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”
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:
Great news. You can now not only read Lawrence Dagstine stories, but you can listen to them too. From a bonafide narrator and production team. It is a pleasure to announce that one of my horror stories has been adapted to podcast format and is being narrated for Halloween 2025 over at: The Creepy Podcast. This would be my very first podcast credit. I have another one out there with a similar podcaster/publisher (that’s looking like 2026). According to their website, Creepy Podcast is: “Helmed by the enigmatic owner, Jon Grilz, whose deep, resonant tone sends shivers down the spine, this eerie audio experience features a cast of talented storytellers, each with their own distinct vocal delivery that heightens the sense of the macabre.” I’ll leave all direct links below. Be sure to give it a listen. Halloween only comes once a year. Oh, and Creepy Podcast is ALL over. On places like Apple, GooglePlay, even Stitcher and Spotify. Listen to my short story: “The Children of the Barn”
Creepy Podcast – produced by Jon Grilz
Listen on Creepy Pod, Apple, GooglePlay, Stitcher, Spotify, etc.
Featuring Dagstine narrated short story:“The Children of the Barn”
(along with another tale, “Starved”)
CREEPY PODCAST MAIN WEBSITE – (click link, 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:
I’m pleased to say I’m back in Dark Horses Magazine, Wayne Spitzer’s long running Amazon Kindle and print periodical of genre fiction. This would be my second outing in Dark Horses, this time No. #43, the August 2025 Issue. I’m also back with a popular Japanese-inspired horror story, The Bite of the Cherry Blossom. And leading the Table of Contents this time around to boot. It’s a beautiful cover. The author line-up can be found below. Hobb’s End Press puts together a few of these monthly speculative fiction publications, including Black Sheep and Mobius Blvd. So if you missed Bite of the Cherry Blossom before, now’s your last chance to sink your teeth into this eerie tale about Japan’s suicide forest.
Dark Horses Magazine #43, August 2025 Issue
Published by Hobb’s End Press – Edited by Wayne Spitzer
Featuring Dagstine story:“The Bite of the Cherry Blossom”
Get it on Amazon Kindle or in print format.
Go directly to the Dark Horses website below, be redirected.
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):
I have a novelette out in the recently released anthology from Critical Blast Publishing, Gods and Services NewLocation. 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):
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):
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.
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):
I have a flash fiction piece in the latest seasonal/Halloween-themed anthology from Wicked Shadow Press. And the book features well over 60-plus authors, with short works ranging from 500 to 1500 words in length; my short is exactly 1000 words. And that’s what flash fiction pretty much is. It’s a very quick snippet of writing, a very short and concise piece of literature, something maybe to consume when in a doctor’s office, or on a daily commute, or when falling asleep in bed. Flash of the Dead Halloween 2024 is actually a sequel of sorts to the original (and successful) Flash of the Dead Anthology from back in 2022. I had a story in that entry as well, called Saving the Dead. This time, however, for Halloweeen 2024, my miniature tale is called, “Angel Hunter.”
FLASH OF THE DEAD Halloween ’24 – Flash Fiction Anthology
Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty & Rasiika Sen
Published by Wicked Shadow Press
Featuring Dagstine flash piece:“Angel Hunter”
Flash of the Dead Halloween ’24 Ordering Links and WSP Socials:
Pleased to announce I have a horror story about zombie children (a theme I’m known for writing since 2005) in the latest Wicked Shadow Press anthology for adult and young adult alike. Well, maybe teenager and up. It’s part of a two-book title series, and I’m in the first volume: ‘Children of the Dead – Lost Lullabies.’ What a beautiful cover spread. Wicked Shadow Press books are available through Lulu here in the US, but they are available all over India. There are some familiar short fiction names if you look at the back cover. It even has a tale by Tom Moran! If you’re from the 2000s like me, you’ll remember Tom Moran from Black Ink Horror. Generally speaking, fans of Stephen King’s Pet Semetary will feel right at home with this thick book. It’s got everything youthful and scary but the kitchen sink. I’ll post all pictures and links to ordering pages, with relevant social media info down below. And also in the Books & Anthos section of this website.
Oh, and it’s illustrated throughout. Like a scary children’s book. Beautiful art too.
Children of the Dead – The Lost Lullabies
Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty & Rasiika Sen of Wicked Shadow Press
Featuring Lawrence Dagstine and many other talented names
Ordering Info and Wicked Shadow Press Socials HERE (click links below):
I am pleased to announce I have a queer horror story in the latest LGBTQIA+ anthology, Spectral Spectrum, by the fine people at Wicked Shadow Press in India (they distribute all over the country). This book is really beautiful, well put together, formatted and designed with a specific goal in mind. And it really achieves that goal. The cover is absolutely breathtaking. If you’re a fan of edgy, “Bury your Gay” type fiction, this is definitely a must read. My story takes place right here, in my hometown, down in the East Village NYC. Some times when you’re a loner, and you go to that pick-up spot to wash your worries away, you meet somebody you’d like to take home with you. But you should be careful, you never know the past history of the person you’re trying to click with. Read my gay horror tale, “Heart of Cement” in… Spectral Spectrum.
SPECTRAL SPECTRUM – Anthology of Queer/Gay Horror Tales
Published by Wicked Shadow Press – Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty
Featuring Lawrence Dagstine story:“Heart of Cement”
“In the eerie twilight where the boundaries between reality and nightmare blur, Spectral Spectrum emerges as a chilling collection of queer horror stories. Witness love and fear in a dance diabolique as cursed lovers and ghostly encounters, ancient spirits and unspeakable terrors populate this anthology that aims to explore the darkest realms of horror from the lens of myriad LGBTQ+ experiences. Prepare to be captivated and terrified as these stories delve into the depths of identity, desire, and the supernatural.”
AUTHORS FEATURED IN THIS COLLECTION: Aspen Duscha, Dan B. Fierce, Daniel DiQuinzio, Delaney L. Mathew, Fernando E. Silva, J. Rocky Colavito, JB Corso, Jonathan Reddoch, Joshua Vise, Kira Kamiński, L.Pine, LaVern Spencer McCarthy, Lawrence Dagstine, Linda M. Crate, Michael Paige, Natasia Langfelder, N. S. Anthony, Scot Walker, Tom Guilfoyle AND Toshiya Kamei
For the United States/Canada/Europe…ORDER BELOW (click links):
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:
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.
It is with great pleasure to announce that I’ve nabbed my fifth “Zombie-themed fiction” acceptance in the last year, and it goes to the new publishing outfit Red Polka Books. The name of the anthology this time is called QUARANTINE, and it is a book of short stories featuring many different authors from many diverse backgrounds. I am headlining the book (I’m actually the first short story as soon as you open it up). And it is a book centered around deadly viruses, pathogens, and pandemics. Even worse than Covid-19. It will be available in the States on platforms such as Lulu (Amazon later), should you want a print or digital copy for your daily commute to work, and will eventually creep its way into other countries such as the UK and India. My story is based off a deadly pathogen, and military scientists have to actually shut down a school with kids inside. Undead children who have become victim to HOS (a hostile pathogen with a science behind it, and yeah, some goofiness as well). Read my short story in Quarantine today, entitled, “Classroom of the Dead.”
QUARANTINE – Anthology of Modern Pandemic/Horror Tales
Featuring Lawrence Dagstine’s: “Classroom of the Dead”
QUARANTINE – DARK LOCKDOWN TALES for the 21st Century
Edited by Simon Dubois & Rasiika Sen – for RED POLKA BOOKS
Pleased to announce I have a flash fiction piece, along with 52 other authors, in the new Wicked Shadow Press anthology: FLASH OF THE DEAD. All the pieces contained within this book are “micro tales” under 1500 words in length. Also known as the short-short, in story form, that is what flash fiction essentially is. Small, QUICK stories, that you can read on the bus or subway on your daily commute to work, especially when you are getting off in a few stops, or from the comfort of bed while drifting off to sleep. My mini tale is zombie-themed (obviously), and it is called, “Saving the Dead.”
My latest credit comes to the dark and doomed romance anthology series, Soulmate Syndrome! Volumes One and Two. My story, a tale about forbidden love (the kind you cherish but can never have), curses, affliction, and lycantrhropy, can be found in Volume One. The name of the story, “The Romance of Vegada.” Just who and what are the Wolves of Caliente? Why is the love in my story, at its core, unobtainable? Find out in Soulmate Syndrome Volume One, along with dark and doomed and paranormal-style romances by a plethora of other great writers. I’ll provide pictures and ordering info (links) down below or to the right-hand side as always. And I’ll be seeing you on the next one.
SOULMATE SYNDROME Volumes 1 & 2 – (read Lawrence in Volume One up above; ordering info below)
published by WICKED SHADOW PRESS
WICKED SHADOW PRESS ORDERING INFO:
Buy a Paperback copy of SOULMATE SYNDROME VOL. 01 from Lulu.com:
Coming Spring 2023. A new collection, with mostly new stories. Along with some of the best and most obscure tales from the author’s earliest years as a horror writer. Thirteen stories that transcend the meaning of sleeplessness. Each story a nightmarish scenario or circumstance, one after the other, from beginning to end. From Dark Owl Publishing. THE NIGHTMARE CYCLE.
Prepare yourself for a LOT of bad dreams and restlessness.
Lawrence Dagstine: Author 
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