Author / Warren Benedetto

Unknown's avatar

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

“Dragonsbreath” accepted into the Dragon Gems anthology

My modern dark fantasy story Dragonsbreath has been accepted into the Winter 2024 Dragon Gems anthology by Water Dragon Publishing.

It’s the story of a teen forced to wear a fireproof mask to protect himself and others from a power he can’t control.

This story is an odd one for me: a little bit fantasy, a little bit horror, and a little bit (gasp!) romance. 

The woman’s head lurched forward as her SUV slowed to a jarring stop, its bumper only inches from the police car parked sideways across her lane. Half a dozen emergency vehicles crowded the street ahead of her. There were police cars. Fire trucks. An ambulance.

The woman watched with mounting horror as a pair of paramedics lifted a gurney out of the ambulance and began wheeling it up the driveway of a nearby house.

Her house.

by Warren Benedetto

“Firefly” published in Flora Fiction

My short (non-horror) story Firefly has been published by Flora Fiction. 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

“From Below” published in the ParSec in Print anthology

My post-apocalyptic eco-horror From Below has been published in the Parsec In Print anthology by PS Publishing, debuting at Fantasycon in Birmingham on Friday. Originally published in ParSec #5, From Below was chosen to appear in print along with stories by Ramsey Campbell, Steve Rasnic Tem, and many others.

In the flooded remains of Old Manhattan, the wealthy stay dry and well-fed in their penthouses, while everyone else is left to fend for themselves against the unseen horrors lurking just below the surface.

Content warning: cannibalism (implied), gore, suicide
by Warren Benedetto

“Unarmed” published in The Best of MetaStellar Year Two

My dystopian political thriller Unarmed has been published in The Best of MetaStellar Year Two anthology.

It’s a story about a citizen fighting back against a cult-like authoritarian leader, using the only weapon she has at her disposal: herself.

Content warning: gore, self-mutilation, sexual violence (mentioned)

The amputation was the easy part.

by Warren Benedetto

“Firefly” accepted by The Remington Review

My short story Firefly has been accepted by The Remington Review for their Fall 2023 issue. It’s a simple story about a young girl who captures a firefly in the back yard to help cheer up her ailing sister.

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

“Set For Life” accepted by Radon Journal

My dark sci-fi story Set For Life has been accepted by Radon Journal. The story is about a man’s first day on the job picking up bodies for Syntech and the disturbing secret about where they come from. 

Andy loaded the body into the back of the van, then slammed the door.

“Last one,” he called out, knocking on the rear door with his knuckles. The van’s engine started up with a roar. Its tailpipe shuddered, enveloping Andy in a swirl of exhaust. He coughed and waved the noxious fumes away from his face. “Thanks, asshole,” he thought.

by Warren Benedetto

“Set For Life” published in INVASION: The Dark Side of Technology

My dark sci-fi short story Set For Life has been published in INVASION: The Dark Side of Technology by Wicked Shadow Press.

The story is about a man’s first day on the job picking up bodies for Syntech and the disturbing secret about where they come from. It’s also the prequel to my novella Override, and takes place in the same universe as A Free Man and Coherence (coming soon from Amazing Stories.)

Set For Life originally appeared in Dark Matter Magazine 004, who did an amazing audio production of the story as well.