“Crones in Their Larval State” in The Arcanist; “Help” in Tales to Terrify

It’s been a few weeks, but this weekend brings two new stories!

First up, there’s a new flash fic over at The Arcanist, “Crones in Their Larval State,” about witches and daughters and the trouble they bring.

Second, for your listening pleasure, the incredible Emily Strand narrates my short horror story of an odd pet-sitting job and all its complications. Check out “Help” over at Tales to Terrify.

There will be more to come this week, so check back in soon. It’s another busy month and I’m just trying to keep it up!

Coming in 2020, Benny Rose: The Cannibal King

Posted on 2019-10-31 by Hailey Piper Announcement novella

One more Halloween announcement–fitting because October 31st is his day.

Benny Rose, the Cannibal King will be released by Unnerving on January 23rd, 2020. Does his name sound familiar? All the kids of Blackwood, Vermont tell his stories, sing his songs, keep alive the memory of a man who never existed … or did he?

There will be more updates to come as the release date draws closer, but for now feast your eyes on the cover art.

And dread the legend of the Cannibal King.

“Seven Signs He Doesn’t Love You;” “The Umbilical Chord”

Posted on 2019-10-31 by Hailey Piper flash fiction short story

Happy Halloween! Two stories have released today!

First up, I offer relationship tips in The Macabre Museum Issue 1: “Seven Signs He Doesn’t Love You.” Do you really know your man? You need these tips!

Next, the second go at Blood Bath Literary Zine appears in Blood Bath: The Hauntings Issue. “The Umbilical Chord” relates the story of a woman, her daughter, the ghosts of a fractured childhood, and a haunted audio cassette tape.

“We All Scream” in Rigor Morbid: Lest Ye Become

Posted on 2019-10-23 by Hailey Piper short story

I am late! I was away!

On October 20th, Bronzeville Books released Rigor Morbid: Lest Ye Become, an ebook horror anthology with lots of cool stories by cool people. Two of them are mine. One is “The Law of Conservation of Death,” which you can read over at The Bronzeville Bee as a sneak peak for the book.

The other is “We All Scream,” nestled deep in the anthology’s digital pages.

Check it out today!

“Wailing Jill” in Little Girl Lost

Posted on 2019-10-16 by Hailey Piper short story

Up for a ghost story? Learn the tale and stay inside at night. “Wailing Jill” opens a new multi-genre anthology, Little Girl Lost: Thirteen Tales of Youth Disrupted from Mannison Press.

“The Law of Conservation of Death” at The Bronzeville Bee

Posted on 2019-10-13 by Hailey Piper short story

I have a new story up at The Bronzeville Bee: “The Law of Conservation of Death,” about reincarnation and the ghost of a past life you can’t escape.

This story will also open a new horror anthology from Bronzeville Books, Rigor Morbid: Lest Ye Become, coming October 20. Lots of amazing authors in there, and I’ll have a second story, “We All Scream.”

Check out the cover and book trailer!

“Only in the Dark” in Oscurità: A Dark Anthology

Posted on 2019-10-02 by Hailey Piper short story

Happy October! It’s going to be a busy month with many short stories being published, so keep checking in.

First of the Halloween season is Oscurità: A Dark Anthology curated by Edward Ciao. Inside lurk several spooky stories. “Only in the Dark” tells of an ex-alcoholic, the house where she thinks she lives alone, and a bed that appears only when the lights go out.

New interview; “Clara Came to St. Mary’s” in Running Wild Anthology of Stories, Vol 3

Posted on 2019-09-29 by Hailey Piper interview short story

It’s a two-news Sunday!

First, though it’s been out a little bit on the Nook, Running Wild Anthology of Stories, Volume 3 is now out in paperback and on Kindle. Beginning the book is “Clara Came to St. Mary’s,” my 1940s fantasy story about an orphanage run by cruel nuns and the odd girl who appears there.

Second, Demain Publishing, who has just released An Invitation to Darkness as a standalone novelette, interviewed me recently. We talk about the story and characters, writing influences, and things like Bigfoot and Studio Ghibli. Check out the interview here.

An Invitation to Darkness – standalone novelette

Posted on 2019-09-27 by Hailey Piper novelette

It’s release day!

Originally released as part of Serial Magazine’s Valentine’s Day issue, An Invitation to Darkness is now available as a 99c standalone ebook from Demain Publishing.

Immerse yourself in the story of Captain Jamie Thames, who in 1881 meets the love of her life, Elizabeth Leavenworth. But Elizabeth is a haunted woman, as if her home of Leavenworth Manor. It falls on Jamie’s shoulders to peel away one horrifying secret after another to keep the life and love she’s grown fond of.

A Gothic horror romance, An Invitation to Darkness is available now on Amazon.

Mega Mid-September Update

Posted on 2019-09-15 by Hailey Piper interview novelette novella the possession of natalie glasgow

There’s much to address, but that’s because I’ve neglected the site over a busy week, so I have no one to blame but myself. One thing at a time!

First, due to popular demand, my debut novella The Possession of Natalie Glasgow is now available in paperback!

Second, I did an interview over at Planet Scumm. Dinosaurs, robots–it has it all! I’ll soon be adding a page for interviews and articles now that there are a couple of them.

Third, a recommendation. Each year, long-time horror editor Ellen Datlow releases a new entry in her Best Horror of the Year series. Volume 11 collects her best picks of 2018, but she also has an online recommendations. One of those stories is “The Man Upstairs,” published in Five on the Fifth back in November 2018. So check it out; it’s recommended.

Last, Demain Publishing’s Short Sharp Shocks! series is about to get longer. An Invitation to Darkness joins the ranks on September 27 as a standalone novelette. It’s available for pre-order on Amazon.

Hailey Piper