Hearing, sight, touch, smell, and taste: Our impressions of the world are formed by our five senses, and so too are our fears, our imaginations, and our captivation in reading fiction stories that embrace these senses.

Whether hearing the song of infernal caverns, tasting the erotic kiss of treachery, or smelling the lush fragrance of a fiend, enclosed within this anthology are fifteen horror and dark fantasy tales that will quicken the beat of fear, sweeten the flavor of wonder, sharpen the spike of thrills, and otherwise brighten the marvel of storytelling that is found resonant!

Editor Eric J. Guignard and psychologist Jessica Bayliss, PhD also include companion discourse throughout, offering academic and literary insight as well as psychological commentary examining the physiology of our senses, why each of our senses are engaged by dark fiction stories, and how it all inspires writers to continually churn out ideas in uncommon and invigorating ways.

Featuring stunning interior illustrations by Nils Bross, and including fiction short stories by such world-renowned authors as John Farris, Ramsey Campbell, Poppy Z. Brite, Darrell Schweitzer, and Richard Christian Matheson, amongst others.

Intended for readers, writers, and students alike, explore THE FIVE SENSES OF HORROR!

For over four decades, Steve Rasnic Tem has been an acclaimed author of horror, weird, and sentimental fiction. Hailed by Publishers Weekly as "A perfect balance between the bizarre and the straight-forward" and Library Journal as "One of the most distinctive voices in imaginative literature," Steve Rasnic Tem has been read and cherished the world over for his affecting, genre-crossing tales.

Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to his work, the first in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover--or learn more of--the rich voice of Steve Rasnic Tem, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich.

Included within these pages are:

- Six short stories, one written exclusively for this book

- Author interview

- Complete bibliography

- Academic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (former humanities chair and professor of the year, Seton Hill University)

- ... and more!

Enter this doorway to the vast and fantastic: Get to know Steve Rasnic Tem.

Table of Contents includes:

Darkness exists everywhere, and in no place greater than those where spirits and curses still reside. Tread not lightly on ancient lands that have been discovered by this collection of intrepid authors.

In DARK TALES OF LOST CIVILIZATIONS, you will unearth an anthology of twenty-five previously unpublished horror and speculative fiction stories, relating to aspects of civilizations that are crumbling, forgotten, rediscovered, or perhaps merely spoken about in great and fearful whispers.

What is it that lures explorers to distant lands where none have returned? Where is Genghis Khan buried? What happened to Atlantis? Who will displace mankind on Earth? What laments have the Witches of Oz?

Answers to these mysteries and other tales are presented within this critically acclaimed anthology by the following authors.

“Introduction” by Eric J. Guignard“Angel of Destruction” by Cynthia D. Witherspoon“The Door Beyond the Water” by David Tallerman“To Run a Stick Through a Fish” by Mark Lee Pearson“Quivira” by Jackson Kuhl“Directions” by Michael G. Cornelius“Quetzalcoatl's Conquistador” by Jamie Lackey“Königreich der Sorge (Kingdom of Sorrow)” by C. Deskin Rink“Gestures of Faith” by Fadzlishah Johanabas“Bare Bones” by Curtis James McConnell“British Guiana, 1853” by Folly Blaine“The Nightmare Orchestra” by Chelsea Armstrong“The Funeral Procession” by Jay R. Thurston“Requiem” by Jason Andrew“Gilgamesh and the by Mountain” by Bruce L. Priddy“Buried Treasure” by Rob Rosen“The Small, Black God” by Caw Miller“In Eden” by Cherstin Holtzman“We Are Not the Favored Children” by Matthew Borgard“Rebirth in Dreams” by A.J. French“Whale of a Time” by Gitte Christensen“Sins of our Fathers” by Wendra Chambers“The Talisman of Hatra” by Andrew S. Williams“Sumeria to the Stars” by Jonathan Vos Post“The Tall Grass” by Joe R. Lansdale“The Island Trovar” by JC Hemphill

(with interior illustration by Ron Perovich)

Death. Who has not considered their own mortality and wondered at what awaits, once our frail human shell expires? What occurs after the heart stops beating, after the last breath is drawn, after life as we know it terminates?

Does our spirit remain on Earth while the mortal body rots? Do remnants of our soul transcend to a celestial Heaven or sink to Hell's torment? Are we offered choices in an individualized afterlife? Can we die again in the hereafter? Is life merely a cosmic joke, or is it an experiment for something greater?

Included within this critically acclaimed anthology are answers to these queries alongside tales and suppositions relating from traditional ghosts to the afterlife of e-coli. Explore the afterworld of an Australian cowboy. Discover what the white light really means to the recently departed. Consider the impact of modern, or future, technology on the dead. Follow the karmic path of reincarnation. Travel from the 999th level of Fengdu's Hell to the gates of Robot Heaven.

Enclosed are thirty-four all-new dark and speculative fiction stories, individually illustrated by Audra Phillips, and exploring the possibilities "after death."

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Introduction by Eric J. Guignard

Someone to Remember by Andrew S. Williams

Boy, 7 by Alvaro Rodriguez

Sea of Trees by Edward M. Erdelac

The Last Moments Before Bed by Steve Rasnic Tem

The Resurrection Policy by Lisa Morton

High Places by John M. Floyd

Circling the Stones at Fulcrum's Low by Kelda Crich

I Will Remain by David Steffen Tree of Life by Aaron J. French

The Reckless Alternative by Sanford Allen & Josh Rountree

The Thousandth Hell by Brad C. Hodson

Mall Rats by James S. Dorr

Afterword by Ray Cluley

Like a Bat out of Hell by Jonathan Shipley

The Overlander by Jacob Edwards

Forever by John Palisano

My Father Knew Douglas MacArthur by Bentley Little

Robot Heaven by Jamie Lackey

Beyond the Veil by Robert B. Marcus, Jr.

Prisoner of Peace by David Tallerman

A Feast of Meat and Mead by Christine Morgan

Be Quiet At The Back by William Meikle

Cages by Peter Giglio

Hammerhead by Simon Clark

Marvel at the Face of Forever by Kelly Dunn

The Unfinished Lunch by Trevor Denyer

I Was The Walrus by Steve Cameron

The Devil's Backbone by Larry Hodges

The Death of E. Coli by Benjamin Kane Ethridge

Final Testament of a Weapons Engineer by Emily C. Skaftun

Acclimation Package by Joe McKinney

Hellevator by Josh Strnad

In and Out the Window by Allan Izen With Max Barry in the Nearer Precincts by John Langan

Every nation of the globe has unique tales to tell, whispers that settle in through the land, creatures or superstitions that enliven the night, but rarely do readers get to experience such a diversity of these voices in one place as in A World of Horror, the latest anthology book created by award-winning editor Eric J. Guignard, and beautifully illustrated by artist Steve Lines.

Enclosed within its pages are twenty-two all-new dark and speculative fiction stories written by authors from around the world that explore the myths and monsters, fables and fears of their homelands.

Encounter the haunting things that stalk those radioactive forests outside Chernobyl in Ukraine; sample the curious dishes one may eat in Canada; beware the veldt monster that mirrors yourself in Uganda; or simply battle mountain trolls alongside Alfred Nobel in Sweden. These stories and more are found within A World of Horror: Enter and discover, truly, there’s no place on the planet devoid of frights, thrills, and wondrous imagination!

Table of Contents includes:

“Introduction: Diversity in Fiction” by Eric J. Guignard“Mutshidzi” by Mohale Mashigo (South Africa)“One Last Wayang” by L Chan (Singapore)“Things I Do For Love” by Nadia Bulkin (Indonesia)“On a Wooden Plate, On a Winter’s Night” by David Nickle (Canada)“Country Boy” by Billie Sue Mosiman (United States of America)“The Wife Who Didn't Eat” by Thersa Matsuura (Japan)“The Disappeared” by Kristine Ong Muslim (Philippines)“The Secret Life of the Unclaimed” by Suyi Davies Okungbowa (Nigeria)“How Alfred Nobel Got His Mojo” by Johannes Pinter (Sweden)“Sick Cats in Small Spaces” by Kaaron Warren (Australia)“Obibi” by Dilman Dila (Uganda)“The Nightmare” by Rhea Daniel (India)“Chemirocha” by Charlie Human (South Africa)“Honey” by Valya Dudycz Lupescu (Ukraine)“Warning: Flammable, See Back Label” by Marcia Douglas (Jamaica)“Arlecchino” by Carla Negrini (Italy)“The Man at Table Nine” by Ray Cluley (England)“The Mantle of Flesh” by Ashlee Scheuerman (Australia)“The Shadows of Saint Urban” by Claudio Foti (Italy)“Warashi’s Grip” by Yukimi Ogawa (Japan)“The White Monkey” by Carlos Orsi (Brazil)“The West Wind” by David McGroarty (Scotland)

Australian author Kaaron Warren is widely recognized as one of the leading writers today of speculative and dark short fiction. She’s published four novels, multiple novellas, and well over one hundred heart-rending tales of horror, science fiction, and beautiful fantasy, and is the first author ever to simultaneously win all three of Australia’s top speculative fiction writing awards (Ditmar, Shadows, and Aurealis awards for The Grief Hole).

Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to her work, the second in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover—or learn more of—the distinct voice of Kaaron Warren, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich.

Included within these pages are:

• Six short stories, one written exclusively for this book• Author interview• Complete bibliography• Academic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (former humanities chair and professor of the year, Seton Hill University)• … and more!

Enter this doorway to the vast and fantastic: Get to know Kaaron Warren.

Table of Contents includes:

• Introduction by Eric J. Guignard• Kaaron Warren: A Biography• Guarding the Mound (fiction)• Guarding the Mound: A Commentary• Born and Bread (fiction)• Born and Bread: A Commentary• Death's Door Café (fiction)• Death's Door Café: A Commentary• The Wrong Seat (fiction)• The Wrong Seat: A Commentary• Sins of the Ancestors (fiction)• Sins of the Ancestors: A Commentary• Crisis Apparition (fiction)• Crisis Apparition: A Commentary• Why Kaaron Warren Matters by Michael Arnzen, PhD• In Conversation with Kaaron Warren• Tips for Finalizing Your Short Story: An Essay by Kaaron Warren• A Bibliography of English Language Fiction for Kaaron Warren

Praised by literary journals, news outlets, and leading fiction magazines, Nisi Shawl is celebrated as an author whose works are lyrical and philosophical, speculative and far-ranging; “…broad in ambition and deep in accomplishment” (The Seattle Times). Besides nearly three decades of creating fantasy and science fiction, fairy tales, and indigenous stories, Nisi has also been lauded as editor, journalist, reviewer, teacher, speaker, afrofuturist, and proponent and mentor of feminism, African-American fiction, and other pedagogical issues of diversity.

Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to her work, the third in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover—or learn more of—the vibrant voice of Nisi Shawl, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich.

Included within these pages are:

• Six short stories, one written exclusively for this book• Author interview• Complete bibliography• Academic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (former humanities chair and professor of the year, Seton Hill University)• … and more!

Enter this doorway to the vast and fantastic: Get to know Nisi Shawl.

Table of Contents includes:

• Introduction by Eric J. Guignard• Nisi Shawl: A Biography• The Beads of Ku (fiction)• The Beads of Ku: A Commentary• Otherwise (fiction)• Otherwise: A Commentary• Just Between Us (fiction)• Just Between Us: A Commentary• At the Huts of Ajala (fiction)• At the Huts of Ajala: A Commentary• Street Worm (fiction)• Street Worm: A Commentary• Conversion Therapy (fiction)• Conversion Therapy: A Commentary• Why Nisi Shawl Matters by Michael Arnzen, PhD• In Conversation with Nisi Shawl• Written On The Water: An Essay by Nisi Shawl• A Bibliography of English Language Fiction for Nisi Shawl

Author of the fantastic and the bizarre, Jeffrey Ford’s work has won awards and acclaim across the globe for his stories of humor, horror, and unconventional beauty. “Powerful and disturbing in the best possible way” (Gawker) and “Intensely engaging” (Publishers Weekly), Ford crosses speculative genres with literary ideals, which has earned him the World Fantasy Award (seven times), the Shirley Jackson Award (four times), the Edgar Allan Poe Award, and France’s vaunted Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire.

Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to his work, the fourth in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover—or learn more of—the extraordinary voice of Jeffrey Ford, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich.

Included within these pages are:

• Six short stories, one written exclusively for this book• Author interview• Complete bibliography• Academic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (former humanities chair and professor of the year, Seton Hill University)• … and more!

Enter this doorway to the vast and fantastic: Get to know Jeffrey Ford.

Table of Contents includes:

• Introduction by Eric J. Guignard• About Jeffrey Ford• A Natural History of Autumn (fiction)• A Natural History of Autumn: A Commentary• Malthusian’s Zombie (fiction)• Malthusian’s Zombie: A Commentary• Boatman’s Holiday (fiction)• Boatman’s Holiday: A Commentary• The Night Whiskey (fiction)• The Night Whiskey: A Commentary• A Night in the Tropics (fiction)• A Night in the Tropics: A Commentary• Incorruptible (fiction)• Incorruptible: A Commentary• Why Jeffrey Ford Matters by Michael Arnzen, PhD• In Conversation with Jeffrey Ford• Scratching the Surface: An Essay by Jeffrey Ford• A Bibliography of English Language Fiction for Jeffrey Ford

Hearing, sight, touch, smell, and taste: Our impressions of the world are formed by our five senses, and so too are our fears, our imaginations, and our captivation in reading fiction stories that embrace these senses.

Whether hearing the song of infernal caverns, tasting the erotic kiss of treachery, or smelling the lush fragrance of a fiend, enclosed within this anthology are fifteen horror and dark fantasy tales that will quicken the beat of fear, sweeten the flavor of wonder, sharpen the spike of thrills, and otherwise brighten the marvel of storytelling that is found resonant!

Editor Eric J. Guignard and psychologist Jessica Bayliss, PhD also include companion discourse throughout, offering academic and literary insight as well as psychological commentary examining the physiology of our senses, why each of our senses are engaged by dark fiction stories, and how it all inspires writers to continually churn out ideas in uncommon and invigorating ways.

Featuring stunning interior illustrations by Nils Bross, and including fiction short stories by such world-renowned authors as John Farris, Ramsey Campbell, Poppy Z. Brite, Darrell Schweitzer, and Richard Christian Matheson, amongst others.

Intended for readers, writers, and students alike, explore THE FIVE SENSES OF HORROR!

For over four decades, Steve Rasnic Tem has been an acclaimed author of horror, weird, and sentimental fiction. Hailed by Publishers Weekly as "A perfect balance between the bizarre and the straight-forward" and Library Journal as "One of the most distinctive voices in imaginative literature," Steve Rasnic Tem has been read and cherished the world over for his affecting, genre-crossing tales.

Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to his work, the first in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover--or learn more of--the rich voice of Steve Rasnic Tem, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich.

Included within these pages are:

- Six short stories, one written exclusively for this book

- Author interview

- Complete bibliography

- Academic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (former humanities chair and professor of the year, Seton Hill University)

- ... and more!

Enter this doorway to the vast and fantastic: Get to know Steve Rasnic Tem.

Table of Contents includes:

Darkness exists everywhere, and in no place greater than those where spirits and curses still reside. Tread not lightly on ancient lands that have been discovered by this collection of intrepid authors.

In DARK TALES OF LOST CIVILIZATIONS, you will unearth an anthology of twenty-five previously unpublished horror and speculative fiction stories, relating to aspects of civilizations that are crumbling, forgotten, rediscovered, or perhaps merely spoken about in great and fearful whispers.

What is it that lures explorers to distant lands where none have returned? Where is Genghis Khan buried? What happened to Atlantis? Who will displace mankind on Earth? What laments have the Witches of Oz?

Answers to these mysteries and other tales are presented within this critically acclaimed anthology by the following authors.

“Introduction” by Eric J. Guignard“Angel of Destruction” by Cynthia D. Witherspoon“The Door Beyond the Water” by David Tallerman“To Run a Stick Through a Fish” by Mark Lee Pearson“Quivira” by Jackson Kuhl“Directions” by Michael G. Cornelius“Quetzalcoatl's Conquistador” by Jamie Lackey“Königreich der Sorge (Kingdom of Sorrow)” by C. Deskin Rink“Gestures of Faith” by Fadzlishah Johanabas“Bare Bones” by Curtis James McConnell“British Guiana, 1853” by Folly Blaine“The Nightmare Orchestra” by Chelsea Armstrong“The Funeral Procession” by Jay R. Thurston“Requiem” by Jason Andrew“Gilgamesh and the by Mountain” by Bruce L. Priddy“Buried Treasure” by Rob Rosen“The Small, Black God” by Caw Miller“In Eden” by Cherstin Holtzman“We Are Not the Favored Children” by Matthew Borgard“Rebirth in Dreams” by A.J. French“Whale of a Time” by Gitte Christensen“Sins of our Fathers” by Wendra Chambers“The Talisman of Hatra” by Andrew S. Williams“Sumeria to the Stars” by Jonathan Vos Post“The Tall Grass” by Joe R. Lansdale“The Island Trovar” by JC Hemphill

(with interior illustration by Ron Perovich)

Death. Who has not considered their own mortality and wondered at what awaits, once our frail human shell expires? What occurs after the heart stops beating, after the last breath is drawn, after life as we know it terminates?

Does our spirit remain on Earth while the mortal body rots? Do remnants of our soul transcend to a celestial Heaven or sink to Hell's torment? Are we offered choices in an individualized afterlife? Can we die again in the hereafter? Is life merely a cosmic joke, or is it an experiment for something greater?

Included within this critically acclaimed anthology are answers to these queries alongside tales and suppositions relating from traditional ghosts to the afterlife of e-coli. Explore the afterworld of an Australian cowboy. Discover what the white light really means to the recently departed. Consider the impact of modern, or future, technology on the dead. Follow the karmic path of reincarnation. Travel from the 999th level of Fengdu's Hell to the gates of Robot Heaven.

Enclosed are thirty-four all-new dark and speculative fiction stories, individually illustrated by Audra Phillips, and exploring the possibilities "after death."

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Introduction by Eric J. Guignard

Someone to Remember by Andrew S. Williams

Boy, 7 by Alvaro Rodriguez

Sea of Trees by Edward M. Erdelac

The Last Moments Before Bed by Steve Rasnic Tem

The Resurrection Policy by Lisa Morton

High Places by John M. Floyd

Circling the Stones at Fulcrum's Low by Kelda Crich

I Will Remain by David Steffen Tree of Life by Aaron J. French

The Reckless Alternative by Sanford Allen & Josh Rountree

The Thousandth Hell by Brad C. Hodson

Mall Rats by James S. Dorr

Afterword by Ray Cluley

Like a Bat out of Hell by Jonathan Shipley

The Overlander by Jacob Edwards

Forever by John Palisano

My Father Knew Douglas MacArthur by Bentley Little

Robot Heaven by Jamie Lackey

Beyond the Veil by Robert B. Marcus, Jr.

Prisoner of Peace by David Tallerman

A Feast of Meat and Mead by Christine Morgan

Be Quiet At The Back by William Meikle

Cages by Peter Giglio

Hammerhead by Simon Clark

Marvel at the Face of Forever by Kelly Dunn

The Unfinished Lunch by Trevor Denyer

I Was The Walrus by Steve Cameron

The Devil's Backbone by Larry Hodges

The Death of E. Coli by Benjamin Kane Ethridge

Final Testament of a Weapons Engineer by Emily C. Skaftun

Acclimation Package by Joe McKinney

Hellevator by Josh Strnad

In and Out the Window by Allan Izen With Max Barry in the Nearer Precincts by John Langan

Every nation of the globe has unique tales to tell, whispers that settle in through the land, creatures or superstitions that enliven the night, but rarely do readers get to experience such a diversity of these voices in one place as in A World of Horror, the latest anthology book created by award-winning editor Eric J. Guignard, and beautifully illustrated by artist Steve Lines.

Enclosed within its pages are twenty-two all-new dark and speculative fiction stories written by authors from around the world that explore the myths and monsters, fables and fears of their homelands.

Encounter the haunting things that stalk those radioactive forests outside Chernobyl in Ukraine; sample the curious dishes one may eat in Canada; beware the veldt monster that mirrors yourself in Uganda; or simply battle mountain trolls alongside Alfred Nobel in Sweden. These stories and more are found within A World of Horror: Enter and discover, truly, there’s no place on the planet devoid of frights, thrills, and wondrous imagination!

Table of Contents includes:

“Introduction: Diversity in Fiction” by Eric J. Guignard“Mutshidzi” by Mohale Mashigo (South Africa)“One Last Wayang” by L Chan (Singapore)“Things I Do For Love” by Nadia Bulkin (Indonesia)“On a Wooden Plate, On a Winter’s Night” by David Nickle (Canada)“Country Boy” by Billie Sue Mosiman (United States of America)“The Wife Who Didn't Eat” by Thersa Matsuura (Japan)“The Disappeared” by Kristine Ong Muslim (Philippines)“The Secret Life of the Unclaimed” by Suyi Davies Okungbowa (Nigeria)“How Alfred Nobel Got His Mojo” by Johannes Pinter (Sweden)“Sick Cats in Small Spaces” by Kaaron Warren (Australia)“Obibi” by Dilman Dila (Uganda)“The Nightmare” by Rhea Daniel (India)“Chemirocha” by Charlie Human (South Africa)“Honey” by Valya Dudycz Lupescu (Ukraine)“Warning: Flammable, See Back Label” by Marcia Douglas (Jamaica)“Arlecchino” by Carla Negrini (Italy)“The Man at Table Nine” by Ray Cluley (England)“The Mantle of Flesh” by Ashlee Scheuerman (Australia)“The Shadows of Saint Urban” by Claudio Foti (Italy)“Warashi’s Grip” by Yukimi Ogawa (Japan)“The White Monkey” by Carlos Orsi (Brazil)“The West Wind” by David McGroarty (Scotland)

Australian author Kaaron Warren is widely recognized as one of the leading writers today of speculative and dark short fiction. She’s published four novels, multiple novellas, and well over one hundred heart-rending tales of horror, science fiction, and beautiful fantasy, and is the first author ever to simultaneously win all three of Australia’s top speculative fiction writing awards (Ditmar, Shadows, and Aurealis awards for The Grief Hole).

Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to her work, the second in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover—or learn more of—the distinct voice of Kaaron Warren, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich.

Included within these pages are:

• Six short stories, one written exclusively for this book• Author interview• Complete bibliography• Academic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (former humanities chair and professor of the year, Seton Hill University)• … and more!

Enter this doorway to the vast and fantastic: Get to know Kaaron Warren.

Table of Contents includes:

• Introduction by Eric J. Guignard• Kaaron Warren: A Biography• Guarding the Mound (fiction)• Guarding the Mound: A Commentary• Born and Bread (fiction)• Born and Bread: A Commentary• Death's Door Café (fiction)• Death's Door Café: A Commentary• The Wrong Seat (fiction)• The Wrong Seat: A Commentary• Sins of the Ancestors (fiction)• Sins of the Ancestors: A Commentary• Crisis Apparition (fiction)• Crisis Apparition: A Commentary• Why Kaaron Warren Matters by Michael Arnzen, PhD• In Conversation with Kaaron Warren• Tips for Finalizing Your Short Story: An Essay by Kaaron Warren• A Bibliography of English Language Fiction for Kaaron Warren

Praised by literary journals, news outlets, and leading fiction magazines, Nisi Shawl is celebrated as an author whose works are lyrical and philosophical, speculative and far-ranging; “…broad in ambition and deep in accomplishment” (The Seattle Times). Besides nearly three decades of creating fantasy and science fiction, fairy tales, and indigenous stories, Nisi has also been lauded as editor, journalist, reviewer, teacher, speaker, afrofuturist, and proponent and mentor of feminism, African-American fiction, and other pedagogical issues of diversity.

Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to her work, the third in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover—or learn more of—the vibrant voice of Nisi Shawl, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich.

Included within these pages are:

• Six short stories, one written exclusively for this book• Author interview• Complete bibliography• Academic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (former humanities chair and professor of the year, Seton Hill University)• … and more!

Enter this doorway to the vast and fantastic: Get to know Nisi Shawl.

Table of Contents includes:

• Introduction by Eric J. Guignard• Nisi Shawl: A Biography• The Beads of Ku (fiction)• The Beads of Ku: A Commentary• Otherwise (fiction)• Otherwise: A Commentary• Just Between Us (fiction)• Just Between Us: A Commentary• At the Huts of Ajala (fiction)• At the Huts of Ajala: A Commentary• Street Worm (fiction)• Street Worm: A Commentary• Conversion Therapy (fiction)• Conversion Therapy: A Commentary• Why Nisi Shawl Matters by Michael Arnzen, PhD• In Conversation with Nisi Shawl• Written On The Water: An Essay by Nisi Shawl• A Bibliography of English Language Fiction for Nisi Shawl

Author of the fantastic and the bizarre, Jeffrey Ford’s work has won awards and acclaim across the globe for his stories of humor, horror, and unconventional beauty. “Powerful and disturbing in the best possible way” (Gawker) and “Intensely engaging” (Publishers Weekly), Ford crosses speculative genres with literary ideals, which has earned him the World Fantasy Award (seven times), the Shirley Jackson Award (four times), the Edgar Allan Poe Award, and France’s vaunted Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire.

Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to his work, the fourth in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover—or learn more of—the extraordinary voice of Jeffrey Ford, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich.

Included within these pages are:

• Six short stories, one written exclusively for this book• Author interview• Complete bibliography• Academic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (former humanities chair and professor of the year, Seton Hill University)• … and more!

Enter this doorway to the vast and fantastic: Get to know Jeffrey Ford.

Table of Contents includes:

• Introduction by Eric J. Guignard• About Jeffrey Ford• A Natural History of Autumn (fiction)• A Natural History of Autumn: A Commentary• Malthusian’s Zombie (fiction)• Malthusian’s Zombie: A Commentary• Boatman’s Holiday (fiction)• Boatman’s Holiday: A Commentary• The Night Whiskey (fiction)• The Night Whiskey: A Commentary• A Night in the Tropics (fiction)• A Night in the Tropics: A Commentary• Incorruptible (fiction)• Incorruptible: A Commentary• Why Jeffrey Ford Matters by Michael Arnzen, PhD• In Conversation with Jeffrey Ford• Scratching the Surface: An Essay by Jeffrey Ford• A Bibliography of English Language Fiction for Jeffrey Ford