Christmas and Other Horrors

Ellen Datlow has been editing science fiction, fantasy, and horror short fiction for forty years as fiction editor of OMNI Magazine and SCIFICTION. She currently acquires short stories and novellas for Tor.com. In addition, she has edited about one hundred science fiction, fantasy, and horror anthologies, including the annual The Best Horror of the Year series, The Doll Collection, Mad Hatters and March Hares, Echoes: The Saga Anthology of Ghost Stories, and Final Cuts: New Tales of Hollywood Horror and Other Spectacles.She's won multiple World Fantasy Awards, Locus Awards, Hugo Awards, Bram Stoker Awards, International Horror Guild Awards, Shirley Jackson Awards. Datlow was recipient of the 2007 Karl Edward Wagner Award, given at the British Fantasy Convention for "outstanding contribution to the genre," was honored with the Life Achievement Award by the Horror Writers Association, in acknowledgment of superior achievement over an entire career, and honored with the World Fantasy Life Achievement Award at the 2014 World Fantasy Convention.She lives in New York.

"In the season of lights and frights, Christmas and Other Horrors is an enjoyable read that makes bleak, wintry, chilly nights even more unsettling."Seattle Book Review - 5 stars"A sterling collection... Ellen Datlow has – yet again – pulled in many of the very best writers in the field. I’m sure this is henceforth going to be the default stocking filler for any horror fan in your life." HorrorTree"Datlow, award-winning editor in speculative fiction, comes through once again ... the gut punch of Tananarive Due and Stephen Graham Jones’ stories ... cannot be missed." Booklist Starred Review"New works from some of the horror greats" BookRiot"Certifiably creepy... undeniably diverse spanning oceans and continents ...[to] make the connection between the so-called happiest time of the year and all manner of sinister goings-on seem as natural as gingerbread and eggnog." Rue Morgue"Expertly crafted, adult-in-tone fairy tales set in or around the ‘happiest time of the year’.... It’s redolent with festive atmosphere, but it’s got lots to say that may not always be comforting (as did Dickens, of course), and it offers a varied range of macabre interest, often of a sort you won’t have encountered in Christmas fiction before, and yet all of which fits perfectly into the seasonal mold." -Paul Finch“The perfect snow-covered curveball for the horror fan, traditional story-lover, or just unfestive humbug in your life” Perspective“Together, these authors and their stories comprise a fresh and diverse holiday horror anthology that will have you dread the season in new ways.” Dead ReckoningsPraise for When Things Get Dark"This compilation of stories that make the mundane seem terrifying is chilling and uncanny, offering tropes that will be familiar to readers of Jackson’s work (witchy women, eerie suburbia) but with unique touches that could come only from these individuals authors." - New York Public Library Best Books Other stories are equally memorable, but for me, the outstanding one is Skinder's Veil, a breathtaking blend of fairytale, dream and reality by the incomparable Kelly Link. – The GuardianA joy for Jackson fans, but no Jackson knowledge is needed to enjoy this anthology. A gem in its own right. – SFXThis anthology is the perfect example of how a vision in the right hands can produce amazing results. Every story captures the essence of what it feels like to read Shirley Jackson’s work. – LitReactor best of 2021This is an absolute treat whether you’re a Shirley Jackson nut or not. — Den of Geek best of 2021Perfect to dip in and out of as the nights draw in – Culturefly18 outstanding, atmospheric horror shorts from some of the biggest names in the genre ... Any fan of Jackson’s oeuvre will delight in this anthology. – Publishers Weekly starred reviewIn short, another great anthology assembled by Ellen Datlow. – Horror TreeNo one consistently delivers like Datlow does. – Horror DNAThis anthology is classic horror in its appearance, but in the inside has modern sensitivities with standout prose. Shirley Jackson would’ve been proud – Last SentenceCompiling a short story anthology that caters to a wide audience’s taste is no small feat. Ellen Datlow has done a brilliant job ... Whether you prefer your creepiness level at one or eleven, with a good dose of blood and gore or just with a hint of psychological suspense, you will find a favourite which appeals to your taste in this collection. – Crime Fiction LoverUnsettling, disquieting, even disorienting... This collection is special. Somewhere, Shirley Jackson is peering over those glasses of hers, one eyebrow raised, a sly smile on her lips – Dave Writes and DrawsEven the most voracious of readers is sure to be swept away by the sheer magnitude of talent on display in When Things Get Dark.– PhantastiqaDatlow did it again... every piece was entertaining – Happy Horror WriterIf you are looking for an overview of what the current literary horror world looks like, this is a fantastic example– California Reading[A] successful endeavour that shows just how much of an influence Shirley Jackson had with her writing – Zachary HouleA thrilling encounter with the uncanny courtesy of the some of the best contemporary horror writers. – End of the WordsFrom haunting to eerie to downright terrifying, there is something for every reader – Mandy McHughI thoroughly enjoyed reading this anthology [..] so I have no hesitation in recommending it. – Stephen BaconThese stories really linger in the back of my mind - like they're creating a space of their own in my memory – Girl Who ReadsHands-down, my favorite anthology I’ve ever read. – Quaint and Curious Volumes