Two separate anthologies – 26 tales of horror! Both will be released on Tuesday, August 26th in ebook and print formats. My story Ritter House, will be part of the State of Horror – Illinois anthology put together by Charon Coin Press and edited by Jerry Benns.

State of Horror: Illinois

In the depth of winter the field lay barren and cold. The remnants of the recent harvest push through the layers of wind-driven snow. Fields are divided by highways and county roads leading to small towns and solitary farms. Hard to imagine this cold, barren place is alive during the summer. Summertime finds the farms full of life as the vast expanses of cultivated fields come alive with towering stalks of corn. At that time of year the heat, oppressive and heavy, rules this domain and is in stark contrast to the harsh desolation of winter.

Driving North on one of the many interstate highways, one would leave the rolling hills near the Kentucky border behind and travel into the river plains of the Midwest. Traversing through the area, small towns dot the landscape with their little houses, fenced yards and front porches, along with streets laid out in perfect grids. The small towns and fields seem to transform as the car moves farther north along the highway skirting the expanse of larger cities that pop up throughout the state. Then arriving at the final destination of the third most populated US city, Chicago, the essence of Illinois is felt with every mile.

Leave the safety of your world behind and travel the highways to the darker side of Illinois. Let your imagination run wild as you weave a tale of unspeakable horror.

TABLE OF CONTENTS  “ “ “ “ “ “

Acknowledgement

Introduction – Jerry E. Benns

Out Come the Wolves – Claire C. Riley

Ritter House – A. Lopez, Jr.

Chicago Mike – Della West

The Ghosts of Morse – Julianne Snow

Drowning in the Hazel – Eli Constant

In Chicago, The Dish Is So Deep, No One Can Hear You Scream – Frank J. Edler

Chicago Blues – Stuart Conover

My Porcelain Monster – Eric I. Dean  115

Piasa Remains – Herika R. Raymer

Vishnu Springs – DJ Tyrer

Dying Days: Great Mistakes – Armand Rosamilia

What‘s Eating the Mob – P. David Puffinburger

Seek No Longer the Beloved – Jay Seate

Author Biographies

State of Horror: New Jersey

The wind blows off the Atlantic and the sun beats down on the lotion lathered beach goers while the waves rumble and crash on the shore. Who would have guessed that these beaches once inspired a story that would resonate with moviegoers for decades afterwards. In 1916, a string of vicious shark attacks horrified New Jersey for twelve days, leaving communities shocked and running for the safety of dry land. Later, author Peter Benchley took inspiration from the headlines and penned Jaws, moving the location to New York’s Long Island, but the core of the fear was derived from the Jersey Shores.

The state of New Jersey, bordered by New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, is rich with history as it was one of the original 13 colonies settled, and played a huge part as the country began to take shape. The topology of the state lends a unique opportunity for setting a story, with the northern hills at the base of the Appalachian Mountains and the southern coastal plains. New Jersey is one of the most densely populated areas in the country, however, in a matter of hours, you can leave the cities behind and discover winding roads bordered by green foliage, or get lost in small towns that borders the Atlantic Ocean. The possibilities are endless to weave a modern or historical horror story using the vast settings of New Jersey.

The Pine Barrens of New Jersey holds the legend of the New Jersey Devil, the thirteenth child of Mrs. Leeds, said to be cursed upon birth by his mother and terrifying the countryside for centuries to come. In the original release of State of Horror: New Jersey, authors Scott M. Goriscak, Diane Arrelle, Christian Jensen, and T. Fox Dunham wrote their own twist on the New Jersey legend. Each story by these authors building upon the core legend of the devil, which has been inspiring the imaginations of generations. The upcoming re-release of the State of Horror Anthology will contain the updated versions of these stories and many more chilling tales inspired by the settings of the New Jersey landscape.

Look for these titles and more in 2014 from Charon Coin Press.