Author / Warren Benedetto

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Posts by Warren Benedetto

Warren Benedetto writes dark fiction about horrible people, horrible places, and horrible things. He is an award-winning author and a full member of the SFWA. His stories have appeared in publications such as Dark Matter Magazine, The Dread Machine, and Haven Spec; on podcasts such as The NoSleep Podcast, Tales to Terrify, and The Creepy Podcast; and in anthologies from Apex Magazine, Scare Street, Eerie River Publishing, and more. His hobbies include sleeping, hitting snooze, sleeping some more, and naps. For more information, visit www.warrenbenedetto.com and follow @warrenbenedetto on Twitter.
by Warren Benedetto

“A Thing of Beauty” published in Beautiful Darkness 2

My body horror story A Thing of Beauty has been published in Beautiful Darkness 2 by Dragon Soul Press.

Interesting scientific fact: the memories of a traumatic event can persist through a caterpillar’s metamorphosis into a butterfly, despite the near-total liquefaction of its body.

The same goes for people too.

Content warning: sexual assault (implied), bullying, gore

The body hanging from the ceiling began to writhe, straining against the inside of the translucent, teardrop-shaped sac in which it was encased. The sac stretched and distended, pressing outwards in all directions as the figure inside struggled to break free. 

by Warren Benedetto

Listen to “Uncle Pumpkin’s Tongue” on The NoSleep Podcast

The audio production of my horror story Uncle Pumpkin’s Tongue has been released on S20E5 of The NoSleep Podcast. It’s the story of a Halloween carnival ride with a sinister secret. 

The story starts around 19:05.

Content warning: sexual harassment

by Warren Benedetto

“A Perfect Fit” accepted by Shooter Literary Magazine

My short psychological horror story A Perfect Fit has been accepted by Shooter Literary Magazine. It’s the story of a middle-aged woman who will do anything to maintain her youthful appearance.

I was raised in a polite society, after all, that upper crust of Manhattan glitterati that values appearances above all else. The more you hate someone, the harder you smile. My mother taught me that, the flesh on her facelifted cheeks drawn up into a joker’s grin, her white veneers gleaming between her over-lined lips.

by Warren Benedetto

Interview published in Radon Journal

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In addition to publishing my dark sci-fi story Set For Life, Radon Journal dug deep into my background to come up with some great interview questions covering a wide range of topics, from writing to game technology patents to anti-procrastination browser extensions, and more. You can read the interview here.

Warren talks about instrumental horror music playlists, convergence of video game tech and writing, PS5 patents, anti-procrastination browser extensions, the New Jersey to horror pipeline, and film/TV writing.

by Warren Benedetto

“Things Are Looking Up” accepted by 7th-Circle Pyrite

My short horror story Things Are Looking Up has been accepted by 7th Circle Pyrite, a new literary journal celebrating worlds beyond. After a man and his wife are in a fatal car accident, the man decides he will do anything to see his wife one more time.

She’s so close, I can practically touch her. The only thing between us is a few feet of freshly-turned earth.

All I have to do is dig.

by Warren Benedetto

“Firefly” published in The Remington Review

My non-horror short story Firefly has been published in the Fall 2023 issue of The Remington Review. It’s a simple story about a young girl who captures a firefly in the back yard to help cheer up her ailing sister.

Content warning: terminal illness of a child

Missy caught the firefly in mid-air, cupping her hands around it to form a tiny, dark cave. She could feel the insect’s delicate footsteps tickling her skin as it wandered across her palm, searching for a way out.

“Got you!” she whispered, victorious.

by Warren Benedetto

“The Door Is Open” published in Dark Matter Magazine

My sci-fi horror story The Door Is Open has been published in Issue 017 of Dark Matter Magazine. You can read it online for free here.

It’s hard to describe the story without spoiling it, so let’s just say: never open a door that can’t be closed. You never know who—or what—might slip through.

Content warning: miscarriage (mentioned), suicide