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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.

“From Below” selected for the ParSec In Print anthology

My eco-horror short story From Below has been selected for the ParSec In Print anthology by PS Publishing, a curated collection of stories chosen from ParSec’s digital editions to appear in print.

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.

You can also hear the audio production of From Below on the Horror Hill podcast.

“They Say Crows Can Remember Faces” accepted into the “A Coven of Witches” anthology

My short horror story They Say Crows Can Remember Faces has been accepted into the A Coven of Witches anthology by West Avenue Publishing. When a bully kills one of Ava’s favorite crows, he quickly learns that some birds never forget a face.

The stone hit Ava in the back of the head. She stumbled and fell, spilling her schoolbooks out of her arms and onto the dirt road in front of her. Gravel dug into her palms as she threw out her hands to break her fall. Her knees skidded painfully across the ground.

“Have a nice trip!” a boy’s voice called out from behind her, to a chorus of laughter. “See you next fall!”

“Unarmed” published in The Start anthology

My dystopian political thriller Unarmed has been published in The Start anthology by Rebellion Lit. 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.

“Coherence” accepted by Amazing Stories

My sci-fi story Coherence has been accepted by Amazing Stories. Set in the same Syntech universe as Override, Set For Life, and A Free Man, Coherence tells the story of a synthetic assigned to replace an elderly widow’s deceased husband, and what happens when it refuses to replicate the bitter resentments of a loveless marriage.

I’m this way because Sam was this way, and because this is how Rose expects me to be.

“Breathtaking” accepted into the Wild Weather anthology

My historical horror story Breathtaking has been accepted into the Wild Weather anthology by Smoking Pen Press (final title TBD).

Set in 1930s Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl, Breathtaking tells the story of a young girl and her brother who see a mysterious woman in white screaming outside their house during a dust storm.

Banshee,” I whispered, mouthing the words as I read. “A spirit in the form of a wailing woman who appears to members of a family as a sign that …” I trailed off. I felt my stomach tighten. Icicles formed down the center of my spine. “That one of them is about to die.”

“A Thing of Beauty” accepted into Beautiful Darkness: Volume Two

My body horror story A Thing of Beauty has been accepted into the Beautiful Darkness: Volume Two anthology by Dragon Soul Press. It’s a story about a fleshcrafter who learns that revenge can be a beautiful thing.

You can also listen to the full-cast audio production on The Storyteller Series podcast.

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. 

Listen to “Molehills” on Chilling Tales For Dark Nights

The audio production of my weird horror story Molehills has been released by Chilling Tales For Dark Nights. It’s a longer version of my story The Man Who Ate The Road, originally published in Haven Spec.

When a woman tries to return home after visiting her abusive father, she discovers that the road is closed … but just for her.

Content warning: child abuse (implied)

My story is the first in the episode, starting around the 3:50 mark.