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

“Dawn Patrol” published by Written Tales Magazine

My short (non-horror) story Dawn Patrol has been published by Written Tales Magazine. It’s about the sun setting on an old relationship that has run its course.

Scott steered his bike one-handed into the empty parking lot at Salt Creek Beach and coasted toward a row of palm trees inked black against the soft pink sky. He lowered his bike to the ground, then gazed at the water. The ocean was polished glass. Scott sighed. The surf report had promised chest-high swells. Normally, he would have been disappointed at having woken up extra early for nothing. Today, he didn’t care. He was awake anyway. He had never gone to sleep.

by Warren Benedetto

“Things Are Looking Up” accepted by Call Me [When You’re Dead]

My short horror story Things Are Looking Up has been accepted for the Call Me [When You’re Dead] issue of Call Me [Brackets]. 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. Even if he has to dig.

I’ve been in a dark place since the accident.

I know I need to let her go, to accept that I’m never going to see her again, but I can’t. I can’t rest. I can’t lie still. I can’t move on. All I can do is think about her. My wife. My love.

My Lisa.

by Warren Benedetto

“A Perfect Fit” published in The Literary Hatchet #38

My psychological horror story A Perfect Fit has been published in Issue #38 of The Literary Hatchet. This special double issue is available to download for free, or you can pick up a print copy from Amazon.

The story is about a middle-aged woman who will do anything to maintain her youthful appearance. If the movie The Substance resonated with you, you should appreciate this one. It’s not a body horror, but it comes from the same place.

I stepped back to admire Poppy’s frame, noting the slight dimpling of cellulite visible on her hips and the fine vertical lines along the top edge of her upper lip. The ghost of a gray hair peeked out from behind the bangs she had added to hide her creased forehead.

“Poppy! Look at you!” I gushed. “How are you so perfect?”

by Warren Benedetto

“It’s What’s Inside That Counts” accepted by DreamForge Magazine

My modern fantasy story It’s What’s Inside That Counts has been accepted by DreamForge Magazine for publication sometime in 2025. It’s about a young girl who realizes for the first time that there’s a ticking clock inside every living thing.

On the table was a dead pig in a stainless steel tray. I expected the pig to be pink like the ones in the movies, but it wasn’t. Its flesh was a sickly gray color, with a rubbery consistency that reminded me of a popped birthday balloon.

Mrs. Collins held up a scalpel. “Are we ready?”

by Warren Benedetto

“A Perfect Fit” accepted by The Literary Hatchet

My psychological horror story A Perfect Fit has been accepted by The Literary Hatchet by PearTree Press. It’s about a middle-aged woman who will do anything to maintain her youthful appearance.

I stepped back to admire Poppy’s frame, noting the slight dimpling of cellulite visible on her hips and the fine vertical lines along the top edge of her upper lip. The ghost of a gray hair peeked out from behind the bangs she had added to hide her creased forehead.

“Poppy! Look at you!” I gushed. “How are you so perfect?”

by Warren Benedetto

“Final Notice” published by 100-Foot Crow

My dark sci-fi drabble Final Notice has been published by 100-Foot-Crow. It’s about what happens when you forget to make the payments on your self-driving car.

The first time I tried Chauffeur, it felt like magic. I watched in awe as it effortlessly piloted my car through traffic, the driver’s seat empty. Naturally, I signed up. $199 per month. I thought I could afford it.

I was wrong.

by Warren Benedetto

Listen to “Leftovers” on the Lunatics Radio Hour podcast

The audio production of my horror story Leftovers is now available for free from the Lunatics Radio Hour podcast. It’s about an elderly woman living in a rapidly-declining urban neighborhood who subsists on an unconventional recipe from the old world.

Content warning: gore

The story starts around 6:50.