The Ghastling Series by Rebecca Parfitt, Timothy Granville, Steven Sheil, Christopher Long, Hailey Piper, Carrie Hardman, Tim Jeffreys, Mat Troy, Drew Nicks, Leona Preston, Annie Greene, Ellen Davies, Dan Coxon, Alys Hobbs, David Hartley, Catrin Kean, Ann Wuehler, Verity Holloway, Lucie McKnight Hardy, Damien B. Raphael, Dan Mitchell, Chip Limeburner, Josie Turner, Nia Morais, Lucy Ashe, Barry Charman, Victoria Day, K.M. Hazel, Tom Johnstone, Kristy Kerruish, Bess Lovejoy, Mark Blayney, A.J. Kirby

An anthology of intelligent horror stories and psychological thrillers, arranged like a modern penny dreadful for adults.

Book Six explores the uncanny, the surreal, the dark reaches of the imagination and the space between the ordinary world and the folklore and superstition that hangs around in the peripheries of daily life. In the case of some of these tales, there is almost no difference, both worlds are one and the same.In Carly Holmes' 'Heartwood', a mother with branches for arms and bark for skin struggles to retain this strange affliction and is betrayed by her son in this dark story... moreBook Six explores the uncanny, the surreal, the dark reaches of the imagination and the space between the ordinary world and the folklore and superstition that hangs around in the peripheries of daily life. In the case of some of these tales, there is almost no difference, both worlds are one and the same.In Carly Holmes' 'Heartwood', a mother with branches for arms and bark for skin struggles to retain this strange affliction and is betrayed by her son in this dark story. Phil Jones' 'An Eclipse of Moths', a furniture maker discovers some peculiar fungi grown overnight on a cabinet he's been making, perhaps it's the stifling summer heat that causes their appearance? But then other things arrive... On a family visit to the Philippines, Jill, a young expectant mother, becomes convinced she is being pursued by an Aswang - a witch whose long thin tongue will suck out her fetus in 'Tik-Tik', Neil Gravino's contemporary portrayal of this terrifying Philippine folktale. A family bring their mother home to die in Laura Maria Grierson's story 'At the Stroke'. The grandfather clock, stopped for a long time, suddenly begins to tick, but why? In Gary McCrossan's 'The last Laugh', enter the seedy world of The Golden Nugget, an amusement arcade at the end of Yorkshire's Bridley Pier, where an automated laughing clown is linked to Louis the change operator's disappearance... Bernadette, minding some eerily quiet children, decides to liven things up with a game of hide and seek but in this small terraced house they are nowhere to be found. When eventually they do appear, exactly in the room the game started, everything is altered and she begins to question what she had seen before - and how many children were there, really? In Reggie Chamberlain-King's uncanny story, 'Five or Six Children'. Louise Lloyd's 'The Dark Circle', a young anxious widow steps out to attend a sEance in the hopes of reaching her beloved husband but 'the circle' is less welcoming than she hoped... Robert Davies' story 'The Caller' tells the tale of Marlin James who lives alone on the top of Y Drws. A freezing cold night brings a needy traveller to his door, but should he let her in? Old Sir Edward Culverin lives alone in a run-down stately home, woken by a large cracking noise, driven to find out what could have made such a ghastly sound he finds himself following an old passageway in a mausoleum which leads him down into the hot depths of the earth in Chip Limeburner's tale, 'The Folly'. less

This edition is a very special monster issue in celebration of the Bicentenary of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.In Nigel Jarrett's Spectres of Innocence a son and daughter help their grieving father start afresh after the death of their mother. He moves into an old rectory with a troubled history... moreThis edition is a very special monster issue in celebration of the Bicentenary of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.In Nigel Jarrett's Spectres of Innocence a son and daughter help their grieving father start afresh after the death of their mother. He moves into an old rectory with a troubled history. Unsettling events begin to unravel: who is the woman keeping their father company? And what might be pushing the empty swing on a still summer's day?Ever walked into a building and felt the hairs on the back of your neck prick up? Two travellers rent an old apartment but one becomes convinced it harbours something - a grudge, a dislike, perhaps it wants her out? Or is it just the intense heat closing in around her in Mark Blayney's peculiar tale Straits Eclectic.Catrin Kean spins a yarn of an old woman who lives alone on the old family farm by the sea. She is visited by a couple who want to buy her home. She agrees, but a secret is buried that threatens to rise and spill out if she leaves in Birdcage.Jess Thomas's Don't Stop Playing tells a story of monsters guarding treasure in a cave and a girl whose flute playing seduces them to sleep. Think of the old saying, 'Finders keepers' - but will what you find keep you...?Charlotte Symons, mesmerising tale, The Man Who Gathered Sorrow, the seemingly good deed of a man becomes monstrous - he has no choice but to destroy the thing before it destroys him...In Ewan Hannah's story, The Creature, a notorious and fiendish whisky hunter returns from his journey to Antarctica with bounty - Magnus MacSorley's lost ninth bottle. But beware on opening, this contains more than the warming amber liquid...Kevin O'Connor's Inis Suil a party of teenagers head to an island in what is supposed to be a night of camping, catching up and having fun. But something lurks in the darkness...A grave is dug up and the body of a young girl is exhumed because a farm settlement in America is disturbed by a revenant - a restless corpse. Measures must be taken to rest her soul in Mat Troy's The Connecticut TraditionTina Rath's The Banks of the Roses tells the story of two young lovers who meet at a quarry on a hot summer's day. There is a rumour a murder happened there and something called Jenny Greenteeth will pull you in and drown you if you get too near to the pool. Heed the warning, it is not always hearsay...In Chip Limeburner's story Along the Road set in the time of the Crusades a lone highwayman ambushes a team of horses and their cavalcade. He finds a casket of pristine bones but this is far from treasure - a very sinister loot... less

Book 8 is our seasonal edition compiled especially for Hallowe'en & Samhain. In Damien B. Raphael’s story THE SCULPTURE, an artisan suggests that the flesh of a pumpkin is far more forgiving for this type of work than the more traditional turnip – but what exactly has he been commissioned to carve in his dimly-lit studio? Grinning, hand-carved faces light the town in Catrin Kean’s FOGTIME, as children in bedsheets run from door to door swinging rattling buckets... moreBook 8 is our seasonal edition compiled especially for Hallowe'en & Samhain. In Damien B. Raphael’s story THE SCULPTURE, an artisan suggests that the flesh of a pumpkin is far more forgiving for this type of work than the more traditional turnip – but what exactly has he been commissioned to carve in his dimly-lit studio? Grinning, hand-carved faces light the town in Catrin Kean’s FOGTIME, as children in bedsheets run from door to door swinging rattling buckets. Dressing up as someone else – or something else – and demanding treats is another odd custom that we’ve grown to accept as part of the season. This too is traced to the Celts, who were said to leave offerings of food and drink to placate the fairies, witches, demons and unfortunate souls who wandered between this world and the next on Samhain. Perhaps it isn’t just the young trick-or-treaters, then, that make Mammy lock the doors and pull the curtains.In Alys Hobbs’ IN WE COME, it’s adults who roam the streets disguised – a troupe of actors, to be exact, searching for an audience for their folk play. “Make room, for in we come! We’ve come a-mumming, three-two-one!” However, this troupe’s antics seem to go beyond mere performance, and it may not just be money or food that they’re looking for in exchange. The Celts believed that the sun began to grow weak during Samhain, and so bonfires were lit not just in honour of the dead, but also to guide them on their journey – and keep them away from the living. So when Jenny watches a constellation of flickering lights appear on Kristy Kerruish’s THE HILL, she should probably keep a safe distance – but Trevor has been gone for a while, and it’s all mumbo-jumbo anyway...isn’t it? Mr Fanner certainly hopes not, as he walks AMONG OCTOBER’S FIELDS with the derelict Riverbrook Home for Boys in his sights. Callum McKelvie’s story begins with whispers: the tragic fire, all the children gone and mysterious sounds across the fields at night. Mr Fanner is searching for inspiration for his next ghost story, but he may wish that he had looked elsewhere. Leaving the restless bonfires of Samhain behind, let’s instead turn to the quietness of the fireside, where storytelling has long been the preferred form of entertainment. At Halloween, the attention of the fireside storyteller unsurprisingly turns to ghosts and the macabre, and so we felt it was important to include a selection of tales that, if not specifically Halloween-themed, were befitting of this seasonal tradition. So read aloud if you dare the DIARY OF A DEADMAN by N. A. Wilson, follow Mark Sadler into the sweltering woods in THE POACHER’S BALL and enter Florence Vincent’s THE TEMPLE to experience foreboding in a foreign land. Then, we suggest you gather friends around the campfire to share HOW SHADOWS FALL, C. L. Hanlon’s fresh take on the legend of the vanishing hitchhiker. less

Step Right Up And Get Your Tickets at Christopher Long's TERMINUS, a decrepit old bus station that you'll do well to leave. Our first act is a musical one, a catchy little number that you may have heard before. But isn't midnight a little late for buskers? And why does everyone else at the station seem to be whistling the same tune? Family Fun is found in Damien B. Raphael's story RUPERT'S LITTLE BROTHER... moreStep Right Up And Get Your Tickets at Christopher Long's TERMINUS, a decrepit old bus station that you'll do well to leave. Our first act is a musical one, a catchy little number that you may have heard before. But isn't midnight a little late for buskers? And why does everyone else at the station seem to be whistling the same tune? Family Fun is found in Damien B. Raphael's story RUPERT'S LITTLE BROTHER. The Wynfords are stupefied by grief following a recent family tragedy, but one nanny won't let the rumours ruin her chances of working at Weston Manor. Eleanor's heard the talk about Weston, but she won't be going anywhere - especially not because of any silly old ghost stories. And she's already passed the first test of her nerves, having met the strange barefoot boy on the gravel path. See Wild Animals beneath the waves in Dan Mitchell's DRIFT. Under the surface of the water everything changes. Dive down and leave the sounds, stresses and worries of the world above behind. Just watch out for those ghost nets still searching for their catch! Supernatural Illusions abound in Chip Limeburner's A FORK IN THE WOODS, where a ride home through the trees is halted by an otherworldly intervention. Others might shrink from the prospect of riding the road through the woods alone at night, but not Sir Jonathan. It's a path he's often travelled after enjoying Sir Walter's hospitality, and truth be told he relishes the ride through the cool night air. That is, until he is confronted by a portrait of terror, and something glinting among the leaves. For One Night Only see DILYS finally take centre stage. Josie Turner's wardrobe mistress is more comfortable amongst the shadows of the workshops beneath the boards, but this evening she'll threaten to steal the show - much to the distress of an aging actress who isn't used to supporting roles. Stand Spellbound by the mould stain with no odour in Annie Greene's WATER DAMAGE. A feature that's baffled for years - it never gets bigger! What Is It? To find out the truth, you'll need to spend some time alone with this freakish blemish. Just make sure you lock the door... Feel The Magic Up Close in ON THE MOUNTAIN, as Nia Morais takes us on a journey across the arctic-like Ben Macdui, the second highest peak on the island of Great Britain. Taller than Braeriach, wilder than Ben Nevis - the summit of Ben Macdui is said to be haunted by the wraith-like Old Grey Man. But don't let that stop you from following us up there! Hot and Cold Refreshments! Ice cream. Cotton candy. Hotdogs. Popcorn. Or perhaps you'll fancy a spoonful of something sinister from THE PICKLING JAR. Gaynor's been working hard on perfecting her culinary creation in Lucie McKnight Hardy's tale, testing out different recipes and tweaking the ingredients each time. Now it's finally ready to be judged, but do you dare take a taste? less

In Ann Wuehler’s ‘The Little Visitors’ a house on Garwood avenue is visited by trick-or-treaters, nothing out of the ordinary there, right? But look closer, something is very, very wrong. In Christopher Long’s story ‘The Cleanest Cut’ number 10, Chapel Close is unnervingly noisy with rattles and floorboard creaks, but it’s the garden you should be wary of... moreIn Ann Wuehler’s ‘The Little Visitors’ a house on Garwood avenue is visited by trick-or-treaters, nothing out of the ordinary there, right? But look closer, something is very, very wrong. In Christopher Long’s story ‘The Cleanest Cut’ number 10, Chapel Close is unnervingly noisy with rattles and floorboard creaks, but it’s the garden you should be wary of. In Ellen Davies’ ‘Woman Downstairs’ a woman longing for a baby experiences a time-slip – or is it? In Carrie Hardman’s ‘The Missing List’ a community is afflicted by the disappearance of their youngest children. Nobody knows why or who is taking them. Annie Greene’s chill-to-the-bone story, ‘Monster in a Box’ tells of a single woman sending off for a mail-order monster that can be moulded into whatever form she desires. Her creation fulfils more than she could dream of. Dan Coxon’s ‘Ones and Zeros’ tells of a troubled programmer’s arrival at her new home – is the house really moving? Or is it just her imagination? Who are the ten little boys that watch Dafydd outside his window in Alys Hobbs’ ‘Cross the Beck’. Something happened to Amy Shelling and she has returned after ten years away. But how has she changed? Make sure you look at her photograph very carefully, in David Hartley’s story, ‘The Incorcist’. In Verity Holloway’s tale ‘Florabelle’ a photograph stolen from the pocket of a dead girl’s father unfolds a series of unnerving events in this wonderfully atmospheric Christmas ghost story. Catrin Kean’s ‘Sirens’ is a chilling story that tracks the journey of a girl running away from something dreadful. She finds herself at the edge of the sea in a strange hamlet of abandoned and dilapidated houses. But she is not alone. less

The Ghastling’s eleventh issue, released during the COVID-19 lockdown in April 2020, features eight tales designed to transport readers to other nightmarish places and imagined horrors.Includes stories from Timothy Granville, Carrie Hardman, Tim Jeffreys, Christopher Long, Drew Nicks, Hailey Piper, Steven Sheil and Mat Troy.

The Ghastling’s ‘Strange Signs // Ritual Protection Marks’ issue features eight timely stories suffused with signs, symbols, talismans, totems and macabre folkloric traditions.Includes stories from Lucy Ashe, Barry Charman, Victoria Day, K. M. Hazel, Tom Johnstone, Kristy Kerruish, Bess Lovejoy and Damien B. Raphael.