Category / Publications

by Warren Benedetto

“From Below” published in Apocalyptales: The End is Nigh

My post-apocalyptic eco-horror story From Below has been published in Apocalyptales: The End is Nigh by Wicked Shadow Press.

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.

The boy from the boat—the one who had spoken to him only minutes earlier—was at the window, pounding on the glass. His face was a mask of pure terror. Panicked, the boy looked over his shoulder, then down at Jeremy. He screamed, his lips forming two words that Jeremy easily understood, even through the thick, soundproof glass.

“Help me!”

by Warren Benedetto

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

My short horror story Things Are Looking Up has been published by 7th-Circle Pyrite. 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

“They Say Crows Can Remember Faces” published in A Coven of Witches

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

Content warning: bullying, animal death, mild gore

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!”

by Warren Benedetto

“One Last Step” published in Dark Matter Magazine

My post-apocalyptic horror story One Last Step has been published in the Halloween Special Edition of Dark Matter Magazine. It’s a story about a little girl stalked by an unseen shadow-thing across a post-apocalyptic landscape.

“Will it hurt?” I watched my father roll the sewing needle between his fingers, its tip glowing orange-red in the heat of the flame. My eyes welled with tears.

“Just a little,” he replied.

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

“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