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

“Blame” selected for Brave New Weird: The Best New Weird Horror, Vol. 1

I am beyond thrilled to announce that my techno-horror story Blame has been selected by Tenebrous Press for their anthology, Brave New Weird: The Best New Weird Horror, Vol. 1.

We define New Weird Horror as a Horror subgenre focused on progress, creatively capturing themes and questions that bleed into fiction straight from the modern reader’s life and future. It acts as a challenge to break new ground in terms of form and content and to engage with the unknown.

This collection features 22 stories selected from over 700 submissions of previously-published works from the past year. The final Table of Contents is a who’s-who of incredible talent—I’m so honored to be listed among such amazing writers and friends.

by Warren Benedetto

“Die On Your Feet” published by Havok Magazine

My short horror story Die On Your Feet has been published as part of Havok’s Thriller Thursday series. It’s only free to read for the next 24 hours, so catch it while you can.

The story is about a group of survivors huddling close to the ground to avoid whatever is lurking in the fog just overhead. It’s an allegory about what happens to people who deny the reality of their situation, despite all the evidence telling them they are wrong.

Content warning(s): mild gore

“It ain’t real,” Grady insisted. “Think! Have you ever actually seen one of the things up there?”

“No, but I’ve seen what it does to people.”

by Warren Benedetto

Listen to “Scrapple” on the NoSleep Podcast

My microfiction horror story Scrapple is featured as the cold open on this week’s episode of The NoSleep Podcast. The story starts at 2:07. Listen for free on your favorite podcast app.

Content warning(s): domestic violence (implied)

by Warren Benedetto

“What It Feels Like to Die” published in Martian Magazine

My sci-fi drabble What It Feels Like to Die has been published in Issue 7 of Martian: The Magazine of Science Fiction Drabbles. When you wake up in a Rejuvenator, you don’t remember anything about how you died … even if someone killed you.

“Mama?” Madelyn asked. “What does it feel like to die?”

“It’s like falling asleep. Except when you fall asleep, you wake up in the same place. When you die, you wake up in a Rejuvenator.”

by Warren Benedetto

“Blame” selected for the Brave New Weird shortlist

My techno-horror story Blame has been shortlisted for the upcoming Brave New Weird anthology by Tenebrous Press, a collection of the best new weird horror stories of 2022. With over 700 stories submitted—all of which have already been published—it’s an honor to be included in this shortlist with so many other incredible authors and stories. The final table of contents will be announced on December 1st.

by Warren Benedetto

Two stories published in The Literary Hatchet

Two of my favorite horror stories, They Say Crows Can Remember Faces and Something’s Wrong With Mom, have been published by The Literary Hatchet. The entire issue is free to download for the next month, so grab a copy while you can.

  • They Say Crows Can Remember Faces is the story of a what happens when a bully picks on the wrong girl, who may or may not be a witch.
  • Something’s Wrong With Mom is the story of two young boys who wake up to discover that their mother is on the ceiling. Again.
by Warren Benedetto

“The Man Who Ate the Road” published in Haven Spec Magazine

My weird horror story The Man Who Ate the Road has been published in Haven Spec Magazine. When a woman tries to return home after visiting her abusive father, she discovers that the road is closed … but just for her.

It wasn’t until I had already steered onto the narrow shoulder and rolled to a stop that I began to realize how risky it was for me to pull over. I was a woman driving by myself down a deserted highway in the middle of the night, in the middle of the woods, in the middle of nowhere. I was completely and utterly alone.

by Warren Benedetto

“Breathtaking” accepted into the Monstorm charity anthology

My historical horror story Breathtaking has been accepted into Monstorm, a charity anthology of weather-related horror by Madness Heart Press. Proceeds from sales of the book will go to people affected by Hurricane Ian.

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.”