Neal Barrett - Through Darkest America

“Partly the War. Folks say it was more than that, though. That unholy weapons of the time loosed something in the earth. The land just heaved up and cracked in two, and drowned the whole coast in the sea. Forty, fifty miles inland, and a hundred miles wide. No one can say it happened that way——but the city’s down there, that’s a fact.”

Howie could think of nothing to say. Long after the Captain left, he stood and watched the dreary islands until they vanished far astern…

The caravan had been traveling through heavy stands of pine, spruce and fir for some time. On the morning after the sixth day out from New Los Angeles, Ritcher Jones called a halt. Brother Jonas and the others in Howie’s carriage scrambled eagerly to the ground. Howie joined them, wondering what the fuss was all about.

“What are we doing?” he asked. “We ain’t been riding for three hours.”

Jonas looked surprised. “Why, we’re here, boy. This is High Sequoia.”

Howie didn’t like to seem a fool, but he couldn’t see anything but trees.

“Look, over there,” Jonas said.

At first, Howie saw nothing but dense woods. Then, his eye caught something, but rejected it at once. It was clearly a trick of the light; there werent’ any trees that big, not anywhere. There were six or eight together, and he couldn’t sort them out. Then he saw another, and another after that, great, enormous shapes nearly lost in the dusty green light that filtered down from above.

“Great God A’mighty,” Howie cried. “They’re real, ain’t they?”

“Oh, they are, for certain,” Jonas said. “Giant Sequoias, the Lord’s finest creation. This is hallowed ground you’re standing on now. Don’t forget that. There’s nowhere like this in the world. Nowhere but here.”

“I reckon I’ll agree on that,” Howie said…

Neal Barrett Jr.

After The Fall…

America’s Great Dream is over. Centuries ago it was devastated by the ultimate war. The effects still linger. Food is scarce, water even scarcer and human compassion nowhere to be found. Even so, society is slowly rebuilding itself. But is it a society whose thirst for success is built on an enormous, barbaric lie:

…an almost legendary place to most Americans.

The citadel where the government is building a new and better nation from the ashes of the war-ravaged land. Everyone envies the few children who are chosen to be sent to Silver Island to help realize that dream. At least, that’s what Howie Ryder was told when his little sister became one of the Chosen. And that’s what he believed before the soldiers slaughtered his parents. Six years on, Howie has discovered the horrifying truth about Silver Island. And will do anything — anything — to rescue his sister from its grip…

Neal Barrett Jr.

Off to the south you could see ’em—two big Portugees floatin’ high and slow, flat-looking bodies all pearly blue in the sun. They weren’t real hungry, or looking for anything special, just drifting along, trailing their stingers like long rags of rain ’gainst the ground.

Nancy A. Collins

In the urban No Man’ Land known as Deadtown two equally matched vampires bosses are locked in a cold war for dominance: the foppish drug kingpin Lord Sinjon, and the brutal Lord Esher, who traffics in black magic as well as firearms. Things heat up when the punk vampire/vampire-slayer Sonja Blue arrives, and she begins to play the rival factions against each other in order to cleanse Deadtown of its undead inhabitants once and for all.

Nancy A. Collins

Knuckles and Tales is a collection of atmospheric, disturbing, spooky, and downright weird Southern Gothic short stories by award-winning author Nancy A Collins, best known for her edgy novels featuring the punk vampire/vampire slayer Sonja Blue. The original hardback edition of Knuckles and Tales was nominated by both the Horror Writers Association and the International Horror Guild for Best Collection of 2002. The stories on display in Knuckles and Tales range from suspense and psychological horror to dark fantasy and black comedy, with the occasional weird love story thrown in for good measure. Knuckles and Tales features two never before published novelettes in the Seven Devils Cycle: “Junior Teeter And The Bad Shine” and “the Pumpkin Child”, as well as the previously unpublished short story “Big Easy”.

Jack Ketchum

Here’s something from the delightfully warped mind of Jack Ketchum! The Transformed Mouse: A Fable That’s right folks, a fable! One for adults though, adapted from the 2nd century Panchatantra. And unless you’re afraid of the elements, or of mice, there’s nary a scare in it. Just good wacky fun!

Neil Gaiman

In Heaven’s City of Angels before the fall, the first crime has been committed: an Angel has been murdered. While the Angelic Hosts labor to create the universe, one of their number is mysteriously slain by one of their own. Raguel, Angel of Vengeance, is commanded to discover both motive and murderer…

Neil Gaiman

A young princess… her skin as white as snow… her hair as black as coal… her lips as red as blood… an innocent young girl victimized by her evil stepmother.

Or is she?

Neil Gaiman’s “Snow, Glass, Apples” turns the traditional “Snow White” fairytale on its head and tells the story from the point of view of the “wicked” stepmother, who knows the truth about this less-than-innocent girl and attempts to save the kingdom from her unnatural and monstrous stepdaughter.

John Paul Allen

Chastity Bream doesn’t dance anymore. She also can’t walk, speak or think. She’s fed through a tube, turned twice a day and left alone in her bed. That is except for him - the one in her closet, who comes out to tend to her needs. And his.

John Paul Allen

When Professor Sandra Rixx lost her husband in a terrorist bombing, she turned toward her work for salvation. When Richard kept his vow and returned three years later, she learned to mix business with pleasure. Sometimes we can’t help who we love. Sometimes we can’t help what we love.

Monica J. O’Rourke

“Zoey Masterson didn’t know what pain was before, but she’s learning fast. Kidnapped off the Manhattan streets and whisked away from the safe, normal world she once knew, she finds herself the victim of one reprehensible man’s vision. “Somewhere between ecstasy and pain, learn to Suffer the Flesh.”

Monica J. O’Rourke

A “routine” obstetric visit quickly becomes a nightmare for unsuspecting mom-to-be Cassandra. But even worse than the exam itself is what Dr. Windling has in store for her and her unborn child…

Akela Cooper

When her brother is mysteriously killed a young woman returns home to close his affairs. But when she gets an ominous warning from her brother, she has to stay and investigate his death which may have been caused by a malevolent demon masquerading as a cat.

Akela Cooper