Where do we go when we dream?
Since the beginning of time, people have argued the meaning of dreams. Are they symbolic visions that hold great meaning and personal significance? Are they portals into other worlds? Or are they just a series of random events our mind shows us when we fall asleep? Whatever the case, this much is true—the mind can be a scary place to venture, even for a few hours.NEVER WAKE is an anthology of dream horror, bringing you several mind-bending tales of nightmares, hallucinations, and phantasmagoria from some of the hottest talent in horror fiction. But don’t worry—when you (wake up screaming) flip the last page, just remember to tell yourself, “It was only just a story…”
Unless it wasn’t.
Featuring an introduction from Sadie “Mother Horror” Hartmann and stories from: Cynthia Pelayo, Philip Fracassi, Gwendolyn Kiste, Eric LaRocca, Lee Murray, Todd Keisling, Laurel Hightower, and many more!
Buy link: https://getbook.at/NeverWake
An excerpt from the anthology, from Philip Fracassi's story, "Specter."
The book is large, almost like a dictionary. The cover is black leather, and there’s no title. No words at all. There are designs, however, carved into the leather. Intricate, beautiful designs: a pair of large hands holding sand that spills between cupped fingers; a snake eating its own tail; a large, closed eye in the center; stars, moons, planets…
Jenna lifts the cover to reveal a neat inscription written in the center of the first, blank, page.
“It’s beautiful,” Jenna says, part of her wanting to leaf through the book then and there, feel the thick pages within, read the different meanings of dream symbols…
But her friends are already standing, antsy and ready for the cake and ice cream portion of the event. The final meal before the party is officially over and they can go home to daydream about their own childhood birthday parties, the wonderful gifts they’ll hope to receive.
Jenna carefully sets the book back into the sturdy black box, her eyes unable to leave the cover.
“Jenna?” her mother says. “Come on, let’s blow out the candles.”
“Okay,” she replies, and begins to fold the thin tissue paper back over the book’s cover, when she pauses.
The embossed eye in the center—the one she would have sworn was closed only a moment ago—is now open wide. As if watching her.
As if seeing her for the very first time.
Realizing she must have seen it wrong the first time, Jenna dismisses the chill that climbs up her spine at the sight of the open eye. She dutifully covers it with the paper, replaces the cardboard lid, then heads for the kitchen to have cake and ice cream with her friends.
She doesn’t notice Nana watching her as she passes by the table, a rare smile curling the old woman’s lips.
Jenna lifts the cover to reveal a neat inscription written in the center of the first, blank, page.
For Jenna,
When you dream, dream of me.
Nana
But her friends are already standing, antsy and ready for the cake and ice cream portion of the event. The final meal before the party is officially over and they can go home to daydream about their own childhood birthday parties, the wonderful gifts they’ll hope to receive.
Jenna carefully sets the book back into the sturdy black box, her eyes unable to leave the cover.
“Jenna?” her mother says. “Come on, let’s blow out the candles.”
“Okay,” she replies, and begins to fold the thin tissue paper back over the book’s cover, when she pauses.
The embossed eye in the center—the one she would have sworn was closed only a moment ago—is now open wide. As if watching her.
As if seeing her for the very first time.
Realizing she must have seen it wrong the first time, Jenna dismisses the chill that climbs up her spine at the sight of the open eye. She dutifully covers it with the paper, replaces the cardboard lid, then heads for the kitchen to have cake and ice cream with her friends.
She doesn’t notice Nana watching her as she passes by the table, a rare smile curling the old woman’s lips.
Buy link: https://getbook.at/NeverWake
EDITOR BIOS:
Kenneth W. Cain is an author of horror and dark fiction, and a Splatterpunk Award nominated freelance editor. To date, he has had over one hundred short stories and thirteen novels/novellas, as well as a handful each of nonfiction pieces, books for children, and poems released by many great publishers such as Crystal Lake Publishing, JournalStone, and Cemetery Gates Media.
He has also edited eight anthologies, with two more coming in 2023. He lives in Chester County PA with his family and two furbabies, Butterbean and Bodhi. His full publishing history is available on his website at kennethwcain.com
Tim Meyer dwells in a dark cave near the Jersey Shore. He’s the author of more than fifteen novels, including Malignant Summer, Th
He bleeds coffee and IPAs. You can learn more about his books at timmeyerwrites.com
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