Elizabeth Massie

"Arithmophobia," n.: The fear of numbers or mathematics. Whether you love mathematics or find it terrifying, this anthology of original tales of terror is sure to send a chill down your spine. With an unlucky thirteen brand new horror stories and a bonus poem in case any readers suffer from triskaidekaphobia, these pages combine the talents of some of the genre's most experienced award-winning practitioners of terror and some of the literary world's most promising new voices. Featuring contributions by Elizabeth Massie, Miguel Fliguer, Mike Slater, Patrick Freivald, Liz Kaufman, Damon Nomad, Sarah Lazarz, Martin Zeigler, Josh Snider, Rivka Crowbourne, Joe Stout, Brian Knight, Wil Forbis, David Lee Summers, and Maxwell I. Gold. These stories tell us of strange and horrifying new geometries, crazed and violent mathematicians, sentient and malevolent numbers, and even some new mathematical twists on some classic monsters. You needn't be a mathematician to experience these new forms of mathematical terror, though students of the discipline might recognize some familiar names and ideas lurking in the shadows. So pull up a chair, dust off your abacus and slide rule, and prepare to experience... Arithmophobia.

With an Introduction by Shirley Jackson Award-winner Gemma Files, this outstanding anthology of all things monstrous includes spine-chilling stories from Bentley Little, Simon Clark, Elizabeth Massie, Tim Waggoner, Sumiko Saulson, plus some of the best emerging horror writers working today." This anthology gives us a chilling glimpse at the dark and dangerous things prowling in the minds of some of today's best horror writers." - JG Faherty, author of Ragman and Songs in the Key of Death"Throughout the pages are creepy tales by up-and-comers who you may have read, plus writers brand new to a horror reader's discerning eye. Embark on a journey to the realm where monsters-familiar or unique-dwell. Highly recommended to horror aficionados obsessed with eldritch fiction-this one's for you " - Nancy Kilpatrick, author of Thrones of Blood Series and the Darker Passions series

It begins when mountain matriarch Granny Mustard decides she wants to live forever, but then is killed. Her slow-witted but equally hardheaded granddaughter Jenkie decides to pick up the ball and run with it, taking Granny's unperfected immortality moonshine recipe, a socially-inept friend named Bink, and dreams of fame and fortune to an abandoned trailer up in Desper Hollow. But slow-witted can't stand against the terrible power Granny initiated. Jenkie's experiments only worsen the troubles with Granny's original recipe, bringing dead critters and a few stray folks back to a state of hungry, vicious, mindless animation. Now a stash of the living dead is locked up in the back of the trailer, a howling herd that has Jenkie terrified. And Armistead, one of the red-eyed living dead, seems way too alert for comfort. Mountain resident Kathy Shaw and Hollywood pitchman Jack Carroll, who is looking for the next hit reality show, find themselves caught up in the growing horror surrounding Desper Hollow. They can't avoid it and must face it head on. So must Armistead, who fights the fog of his ghastly condition to discover the truth of who he really is.

Her family was killed and her home destroyed during the brutal Civil War. Penniless and desperate to find a new life, 18-year-old Katina Monroe flees from Georgia to Chicago, disguised as a boy. In this great city, she finds work as "William," acting in a small theater and dreaming of writing brilliant plays that will someday bring her wealth and fame as a woman in her own name. Yet things take an unexpected turn when she encounters crusading young activist Russell Cosgrove on the street and he persuades "William" to help him create a shelter and school for the impoverished of the neighborhood. Katina is afraid to tell Russell the truth about herself, even as they work together day after day, until her growing love and a jealous twist of fate drive her to, at last, reveal her identity. Together then, with determination and true love, Katina and Russell build a dream of new lives, new hopes, and a new city. But a sudden fire erupts and rages through Chicago, destroying everything in its wake, and the couple finds themselves racing for their lives.

Cascade County, Montana... Middle schoolers Johnel Walker, Tony Walker, and Elliot Green have formed a summer book club. They gather beneath a shady tree twice a week in the Walkers' backyard to read, discuss, and trade the books they've selected. Usually, the club members agree on the chosen books. But when Elliot shows them a crusty, dirt-coated, ancient book he discovered in an abandoned cabin and says it's one they should read next, Johnel and Tony aren't impressed. They want Elliot to put the book back. Yet the book-or what's inside it-has other ideas. It seems there are terrifying, red-eyed ghosts of people from the past anxious to get out of the book and into present day. Elliot, Johnel, and Tony find there is nothing they can do to stop them from emerging. And so, the club members must face the ghosts, figure out what they want, and try to stop the menace. Each Ameri-Scares novel is based on or inspired by an actual historical event, folktale, or legend specific to the state in which the story is set.

Midnight. Some call it the witching hour. Others call it the devil's hour. Here in the graveyard, midnight is a very special time. It is a time when ghostly spirits are at their strongest, when the veil between our world and theirs is at its thinnest. Legend has it, that while most of the world is asleep, the lack of prayers allow the spirits to communicate under the cover of darkness, among the headstones, their whispers rustling in the leaves of the old oak trees. But if you're here in the graveyard, you can tell yourself it's just the wind, that the moonlight is playing tricks on your eyes, that it's only the swirling mist you see. But when you hear the graveyard gate clang shut, the dead have something to say. Here are their stories...

Fifteen stories from living legends, rising stars, venerable masters and surprising newcomers, exploring our troubled past, our turbulent present, and frightening futures yet to come. Freedom of Screech. It's not for the faint of heart. Chet WilliamsonElizabeth MassieMatt HaywardJessica McHughRichard Christian MathesonJenny OroselJack KetchumGeorgia R. BunsTom MonteleonePatricia Lee MacComberDavid Niall WilsonRobert GuffeyJoseph MulakMichael PiccoNorman Spinrad

Melody Martin is thrilled to be back in Tennessee to spend a week with her best friend, Jamie Snavely, over the winter break. Melody's family had moved to Florida, and though Melody loves her new state, she has missed her friend. Without Melody knowing it, however, Jamie has invited another girl, Gwen Jones, to join them for a sleepover. Melody never liked Gwen because the girl constantly brags and makes up wild stories that can't be true, such as an encounter with the infamous Bell Witch spirit. To make things worse, a sudden blizzard knocks out all the power and phone service to the area. Wyatt Payne, a local teen, is caught out in the blizzard and breaks his ankle. He frantically hobbles through the storm to the Snavely farmhouse in hopes of getting help, all the while being tormented by terrible, unearthly laughter. Now, with Melody, Wyatt, Jamie, Gwen, and Jamie's mother trapped in the dark, cold house, they learn that Gwen's stories of the Bell Witch are not so wild after all. And the dreadful, invisible spirit has come there for a reason. Each Ameri-Scares novel is based on or inspired by an historical event, folktale, legend, or myth unique to that particular state.

Twelve-year-old Gabe Williams and eleven-year-old Isabel Diaz are camping on Brown Mountain with the Outdoor Adventures Camping Club. While there are lots of fun things to do, such as riding four-wheelers, hiking, and tubing, neither Gabe nor Isabel wants to be there. Gabe had wanted to stay home and hang out with his friend. Isabel, whose parents had recently died, just wants to be left alone. One night, camp leader Mike tells the campers about the legend of the mysterious Brown Mountain Lights. The kids think the legend is just a made-up story. Later, in the darkness, Gabe and Isabel each have scary encounters with the lights. Then, when a light takes over Isabel's body and makes her do things she would never do, Gabe knows he must be brave and try to rescue her. And Isabel must learn to trust that others care enough to help her. Each Ameri-Scares novel is based on or inspired by an actual historical event, folktale, or legend specific to the state in which the story is set.

You've seen the BBC 2 series, now read the novel based on the TV show. Don't miss VERSAILLES the most sexy and shocking drama ever written about the king who built the world's most famous palace. Packed with sex, scandal and intrigue, VERSAILLES will keep you up all night. 1667. The civil wars are over and King Louis XIV is on the French throne. To keep the nobles from their plots to overthrow his crown, the King gathers the court at Versailles. He plans to keep them there under his scrutiny by building the greatest palace the world has ever seen. The Palace of Versailles will be an opulent prison where Louis' power is absolute. The nobles have no choice but to play Louis' game of manipulation and treachery. As tensions rise the court becomes a battlefield of tactical liaisons and salacious passions. Versailles is not the paradise it appears to be; instead, it is a labyrinth of treason and secrets, of political schemes and deadly conspiracies. It is a place of passion and death, love and vengeance. The King will take what is rightfully his.

An increasing number of people are leaving their established religions behind. Some embrace atheism or agnosticism. Others, a more "New Age" spiritual pathway. Then there are those who have discovered their own personal God-centered religions that speak deeply yet don't necessarily match up to what they were taught within their houses of worship. These are the un-churched believers. They are out there. We are out here. And our love for God and our understandings of the Divine are as meaningful and beautiful as that of the churched. On the Outside Looking Up is part spiritual memoir, part musings on issues that religions tend to tackle, and part extended hand to un-churched believers to assure them they are not the only ones. Elizabeth Massie shares how the basic truth of God - that He Loves and it is His Will that we also love - is the Light that illuminates every topic and struggle we face and is available to all. On the Outside Looking Up invites un-churched, churched, and non-believers alike to give the word "religion" a break and encourages us to take on the profound task of finding our commonalities and loving one another. Elizabeth Massie is no minister, theology scholar, or spiritual leader. She's an ordinary, wondering-wandering un-churched believer who felt a Tap on her shoulder and decided not to ignore it. She has authored a wide variety of works including the Stoker-winning Sineater, the Scribe Award-winning The Tudors: Thy Will Be Done, the mainstream novel Homegrown, the meditative collection Night Benedictions, and more.

Nothing so commonplace as a werewolf or zombie lurks within these pages. No, on offer here is an altogether more complex assortment of evils and a sampling of humans who battle, retreat, suffer and are changed. Rob Dunbar from his Introduction ...between these covers is a breath of fresh air to those of us who have grown a bit weary of the usual zombies and beasties. Gary Braunbeck Introduction by Robert Dunbarby The Storm by David Morrell Mr. Mumblety-Peg by Tim Curran Terms And Conditions by Violet LeVoit Hate Me Afire by Thomas Sullivan The Mouth by Ray Garton In Hell, An Eye by Gemma Files Morgenstern's Last Act by Bracken Macleod One Last Drop Of Blood To Remember Me By by Matt Moore Fly Away Home by Elizabeth Massie The Hole To China by John Everson She Sits And Smiles by Chet Williamson Carry On, Carrion by Paula D. Ashe One Possible Shape Of Things To Come by Brian Hodge