PseudoPod

PseudoPod https://pseudopod.org The Sound of Horror Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:30:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://pseudopod.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/cropped-PseudoPod-chip-32x32.png PseudoPod https://pseudopod.org 32 32 PseudoPod 1023: Grandifolia https://pseudopod.org/2026/04/03/pseudopod-1023-grandifolia/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:32:39 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12667 W: Emotional control, intimate partner abuse ‘Grandifolia’ is a PseudoPod original The first time I do everything the way I’m supposed to. I wait for the new moon and walk into the woods at midnight. I carry a jar of pig’s blood and wear a wreath of nettles, ignoring as best I can the stinging on my scalp. I tread silently, carefully, one bare foot settling deep into the dirt…

]]> PseudoPod 1022: All the Good You Did Not Do https://pseudopod.org/2026/03/27/pseudopod-1022-all-the-good-you-did-not-do/ Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:25:41 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12640 ‘All the Good You Did Not Do’ originally appeared in Apex magazine in November of 2023 C/W: reference to PTSD, depression When the doors slide open, the screams escape. Saul is summoned from his security podium by the researchers’ howls, and he slides in his formal uniform shoes until he finds them caged in an elevator open to the atrium-style lobby.

]]> PseudoPod 1021: Bad Doors https://pseudopod.org/2026/03/20/pseudopod-1021-bad-doors/ Fri, 20 Mar 2026 11:27:49 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12635 ‘Bad Doors’ was originally published in Uncanny Magazine in 2023, and was a finalist for the Nebula Award for Best Short Story. C/W: pandemic, family and animal disappearance/death The country was at just over ten thousand deaths the morning that the door appeared. On Kosmo’s phone NPR was interviewing a doctor with a nasal voice about the need for social…

]]> PseudoPod 1020: Walking Tour of Scarborough in Nuclear Winter https://pseudopod.org/2026/03/13/pseudopod-1020-walking-tour-of-scarborough-in-nuclear-winter/ Fri, 13 Mar 2026 04:01:37 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12627 PseudoPod 1020: Walking Tour of Scarborough in Nuclear Winter is a PseudoPod original. Rogue One final scene 30 Days Of Night trailer From the author: “All of the landmarks in this story are real places in Scarborough, where my mother grew up and where I spent many childhood summers dining on crisps and 99 Flakes, and drinking fizzy drinks and orange squash in a rented chalet with…

]]> PseudoPod 1019: Superstition https://pseudopod.org/2026/03/06/pseudopod-1019-superstition/ Fri, 06 Mar 2026 14:44:41 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12625 ‘Superstition’ was first published in the anthology 120 Murders: Dark Fiction Inspired by the Alternative Era Remote Viewing Clerks 1 Donnie Darko The Destructors Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand by Primitive Radio Gods The strangest gig I ever had was fetish destruction. In July of 1995 I answered an ad in a newspaper asking for…

]]> PseudoPod 1018: The Polyamorous Heart of Death https://pseudopod.org/2026/02/27/pseudopod-1018-the-polyamorous-heart-of-death/ Fri, 27 Feb 2026 05:01:41 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12620 ‘The Polyamorous Heart of Death’ first appeared in the anthology And One Day We Will Die: Strange Stories Inspired by the Music of Neutral Milk Hotel CW: 2nd person PoV, transphobia, implied necrophilia The Neutral Milk Hotel The music track that inspired this particular story: HOLLAND, 1945 Which is from the album, In The Aeroplane Over The Sea M.

]]> PseudoPod 1017: In the Hands of a Different God https://pseudopod.org/2026/02/20/pseudopod-1017-in-the-hands-of-a-different-god/ Fri, 20 Feb 2026 05:01:59 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12616 PseudoPod 1017: In the Hands of a Different God is a PseudoPod original. C/W for body horror, child abuse/neglect, implied homophobia Jim Kristofic novels Coyote Stranger The Sundown Killers Why Miitaries Must Destroy Cities To Save Them (Add your own air quotes as appropriate) Destroying a Quote’s History In Order To Save It Hank Green: Chemo is Weird…

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]]> PseudoPod 1016: Flash on the Borderlands LXXVI (76): Illume the Kingdom of the Drowned https://pseudopod.org/2026/02/13/pseudopod-1016-flash-on-the-borderlands-lxxvi-76-illume-the-kingdom-of-the-drowned/ Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:54:24 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12603 “Left by the Tide” first appeared in Weird Tales, March 1929 “Sirens Chasing Sirens” first appeared in The Gateway Review back in 2018 “Dread and Faith” was originally published in February 2025 in Blood Lust from Black Hare Press Far from the frenzy Of the frantic world above Two beneath the blue Could even fall in love Links: From the author of ‘Sirens Chasing…

]]> PseudoPod 1015: What Haunts the Newbuild? https://pseudopod.org/2026/02/06/pseudopod-1015-what-haunts-the-newbuild/ Fri, 06 Feb 2026 05:01:48 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12580 PseudoPod 1015: What Haunts the Newbuild? is a PseudoPod original. When the Night Comes Out If the dead who loved her haunt an old home’s bones, what haunts the newbuild? What makes her creak and moan? Every house is a violence—and a weathered house knows this better than most—but if the trees that once stood on her land form an old home’s dead-spirit frame…

]]> PseudoPod 1014: Faith, Hope and Charity https://pseudopod.org/2026/01/31/pseudopod-1014-faith-hope-and-charity/ Sat, 31 Jan 2026 21:22:17 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12575 ‘Faith, Hope and Charity’ was first published in Hearst’s International Combined with Cosmopolitan, April 1930. C/W strong violence, racist language Here’s a link to the Archive.org of the original text: https://archive.org/details/sim_cosmopolitan_1930-04_88_4/page/40/mode/2up Jim Kristofic novels: Coyote Stranger, The Sundown Killers 1892 Homestead Strike The…

]]> PseudoPod 1013: The End Of The Story https://pseudopod.org/2026/01/23/pseudopod-1013-the-end-of-the-story/ Fri, 23 Jan 2026 23:43:54 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12568 “The End Of The Story” was originally published in Weird Tales, vol. 15, no. 5 (May 1930). Link: Weird Tales original text Original layout from Weird Tales The Emperor of Dreams documentary Best collection of Smith’s poetry The following narrative was found among the papers of Christophe Morand, a young law-student of Tours, after his unaccountable disappearance during a…

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]]> PseudoPod 1012: The Book https://pseudopod.org/2026/01/16/pseudopod-1012-the-book/ Fri, 16 Jan 2026 05:01:41 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12559 “The Book” was first published in 1930 in The London Mercury and later collected in The Weird (Tor Books, 2012) CW: harm to child/animal, reference to suicide On a foggy night in November, Mr. Corbett, having guessed the murderer by the third chapter of his detective story, arose in disappointment from his bed and went downstairs in search of something more…

]]> PseudoPod 1011: Tailpiece and The Second Awakening of a Magician https://pseudopod.org/2026/01/09/pseudopod-1011-tailpiece-and-the-second-awakening-of-a-magician/ Sat, 10 Jan 2026 03:14:28 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12545 “Tailpiece” first appeared in More Ruthless Rhymes, 1930, and “The Second Awakening of a Magician” first appeared in The London Mercury, November 1930 C/W: fire My son Augustus, in the street, one day, Was feeling quite exceptionally merry. A stranger asked him: ‘Can you tell me, pray, The quickest way to Brompton Cemetery ?’ ‘The quickest way?

]]> PseudoPod 1010: A Rose For Emily https://pseudopod.org/2026/01/02/pseudopod-1010-a-rose-for-emily/ Fri, 02 Jan 2026 05:01:25 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12534 “A Rose For Emily” was first published in The Forum, April 30, 1930 C/W for racial slurs [n-word], mental illness, misogyny, homophobia and Spoiler poisoning [collapse] I When Miss Emily Grierson died, our whole town went to her funeral: the men through a sort of respectful affection for a fallen monument, the women mostly out of curiosity to…

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]]> PseudoPod 1009: Christmas Eve at Beach House https://pseudopod.org/2025/12/26/pseudopod-1009-christmas-eve-at-beach-house/ Fri, 26 Dec 2025 05:01:19 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12529 ‘Christmas Eve at Beach House’ was first published in Routledge’s Christmas Annual, 1870. C/W murder, intimate partner violence To support us during our year-end campaign, go to https://escapeartists.net/support-ea The Oldhammer Fiction Podcast Eliza Lynn Linton Dr. Frizzle on Bluesky It seemed as if the Mackenzies were under a spell, and that none of…

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]]> PseudoPod 1008: Cyanide Constellations https://pseudopod.org/2025/12/19/pseudopod-1008-cyanide-constellations/ Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:01:01 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12520 “Cyanide Constellations” was published in the collection Cyanide Constellations and Other Stories by Sara Tantlinger in October 2025. C/W: Suicide, 2nd person PoV To support us during our year-end campaign, go to https://escapeartists.net/support-ea Author’s note: This story ended up being the title piece for my debut fiction collection…

]]> PseudoPod 1007: The Children of the Event https://pseudopod.org/2025/12/12/pseudopod-1007-the-children-of-the-event/ Fri, 12 Dec 2025 05:01:25 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12509 “The Children of the Event” was first published in the collection ‘Portraits of Decay’ by Carson Winter, published by Salt Heart Press in June 2025. To support us during our year-end campaign, go to escapeartists.net/support-ea Notes from the author: As long as I can remember, I’ve been a Godzilla fan. My fate was set at the age of six, when me and a neighborhood boy rented…

]]> PseudoPod 1006: Give A Dog A Bone https://pseudopod.org/2025/12/05/pseudopod-1006-give-a-dog-a-bone/ Fri, 05 Dec 2025 05:01:43 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12506 PseudoPod 1006: Give A Dog A Bone is a PseudoPod original. From author: “Give A Dog A Bone” is the third story in the series of tales following the exploits of a married couple of werewolves whose relationship is under some unusual stresses. Both of the previous stories, “Licking Roadkill” and “Last Supper” also appeared at PseudoPod, and were inspired by a real-life conversation I had…

]]> PseudoPod 1005: Do It https://pseudopod.org/2025/12/01/pseudopod-1005-do-it/ Tue, 02 Dec 2025 03:21:47 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12498 “Do It” was first published in the anthology ‘120 Murders: Dark Fiction Inspired by the Alternative Era’ C/W: gun violence, knife violence Note from author: The pizza joint in the story is based on a locally (local to me) famous spot in Boston’s South Shore. Having been raised on the North Shore I take umbrage at this city having ‘shore’ anywhere near it in geographic…

]]> PseudoPod 1004: Madame Painte: For Sale https://pseudopod.org/2025/11/21/pseudopod-1004-madame-painte-for-sale/ Fri, 21 Nov 2025 05:01:03 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12477 “Madame Painte: For Sale” was first published in Behold! Oddities, Curiosities and Undefinable Wonders, edited by Doug Murano (Crystal Lake 2017), and then in the Word Horde collection ‘Lost in the Dark and Other Excursions’, in August 2025. C/W: 2nd person POV “This?” the man behind the counter says. “Why, this is Madame Painte.” The figure is short…

]]> PseudoPod 1003: House Traveler https://pseudopod.org/2025/11/14/pseudopod-1003-house-traveler/ Fri, 14 Nov 2025 21:03:22 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12465 “House Traveler” originally appeared in Bourbon Penn #34, Dec. 2024 and is reprinted in Thomas Ha’s debut collection, “Uncertain Sons and Other Stories” C/W: alludes to alcoholism The five of us were gathered on the floor of one of the last houses, trying to decide which of the group would be the one to go outside. Sitting around an electric camping lantern…

]]> PseudoPod 1002: The Squatters https://pseudopod.org/2025/11/07/pseudopod-1002-the-squatters/ Fri, 07 Nov 2025 05:01:14 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12452 “The Squatters” originally appeared in the 2025 Anthology, Silk and Sinew C/W for mass graves, genocide The government begins excavating the bones in late February to coincide with the events planned to commemorate the massacre. It is meant to gesture that they truly do intend to follow through on their promise of “truth and reconciliation” and with the upcoming…

]]> PseudoPod 1001: A Coven of Cats Under the Light of the Moon and The Halloween Parade https://pseudopod.org/2025/10/31/pseudopod-1001-a-coven-of-cats-under-the-light-of-the-moon-and-the-halloween-parade/ Fri, 31 Oct 2025 04:01:07 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12429 PseudoPod 1001: A Coven of Cats Under the Light of the Moon and The Halloween Parade is a PseudoPod original. C/W: implied animal harm (Coven) On this night, we escaped from our homes—we darted through the open doors, we leaped over the privacy fences, we fled under-bush to converge on this place. Some of us have traveled many miles, our paw-pads scraped raw…

]]> PseudoPod 1000: Novel of the White Powder https://pseudopod.org/2025/10/30/pseudopod-1000-novel-of-the-white-powder/ Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:01:30 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12425 “Novel of the White Powder” first appeared in The Three Impostors in 1895. C/W: drug abuse, delusions The Angels of Mons: The Bowmen and Other Legends of the War by Arthur Machen The Angel of Mons Jess Nevins on The Novel of The White Powder White Lines by Grandmaster Flash Godzilla Minus One My name is Leicester; my father, Major-General Wyn Leicester…

]]> PseudoPod 999: Barghest https://pseudopod.org/2025/10/24/pseudopod-999-barghest/ Fri, 24 Oct 2025 04:01:57 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12422 ‘Barghest’ was first published Modern Folklore: A Comma Press Course Anthology, in August 2025 C/W: bullying From the author: “The idea for Barghest came from reading legends surrounding the existence of mythical ‘black dogs.’ These were supernatural, ghostlike, or demonic hellhounds. When I discovered that the legend of one of these creatures, the Barghest…

]]> PseudoPod 998: The Story-Stealer’s Night https://pseudopod.org/2025/10/17/pseudopod-998-the-story-stealers-night/ Fri, 17 Oct 2025 04:01:27 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12417 PseudoPod 998: The Story-Stealer’s Night is a PseudoPod original. C/Ws from author: Body horror, creature horror, brief suicidal ideation, cancer, child abuse, child death and parent death Story-teller, Story-screamer Tell your tales into this night. The words of the poem rush into Durga’s foggy mind with unbidden clarity. She waits quietly at her school gate…

]]> PseudoPod 997: Flash on the Borderlands LXXV: Together is Our Favorite Place to Be https://pseudopod.org/2025/10/10/pseudopod-997-flash-on-the-borderlands-lxxv-together-is-our-favorite-place-to-be/ Fri, 10 Oct 2025 12:41:33 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12410 “The Wind Beneath” originally appeared in Cosmic Horror Monthly “They Still Haven’t Found Stevie” has previously been featured on the No Sleep Podcast “Precious Darlings” originally appeared in Bag of Bones: This is Too Tense C/W: pandemic, mass death; child abduction; second-person PoV, body horror Our family doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.

]]> PseudoPod 996: The Suitable Surroundings and The Resurrection of Chilton Hills https://pseudopod.org/2025/10/03/pseudopod-996-the-suitable-surroundings-and-the-resurrection-of-chilton-hills/ Sat, 04 Oct 2025 03:42:04 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12401 “The Suitable Surroundings” was first published in the San Francisco Examiner, July 14, 1889 “The Resurrection of Chilton Hills” first appeared in Harper’s Monthly Magazine in October 1929. C/W: suicide (The Suitable Surroundings) Ben Phillips’s music ? Painful Reminder ONE midsummer night a farmer’s boy living about ten miles from the city of…

]]> PseudoPod 995: Data Ghost https://pseudopod.org/2025/09/26/pseudopod-995-data-ghost/ Fri, 26 Sep 2025 04:01:08 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12393 “Data Ghost” originally appeared in Storyteller: A Tanith Lee Tribute Anthology When the station stats popped up on the screen, the Interface said, Anomalous. Deni batted at their ear and muttered, “No, no, quit it.” In the second cockpit seat, Winnie threw them a look. “What?” At Deni’s shrug, her brows stayed up, skeptical. “Use your words, Tulip.” “It’s the Interface.”…

]]> PseudoPod 994: The Bride https://pseudopod.org/2025/09/19/pseudopod-994-the-bride/ Fri, 19 Sep 2025 04:01:07 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12388 “The Bride” was originally published in Black Static in 2020 C/W necrophilia, sexual assault, physical assault, control As you drive south, the heat rushes up to greet you like your name is in the guestbook and it has your room prepared. A wet, eager heat, scarlet and citrus, the heat of orange crayons melting under a windshield, a heat that already feels like a…

]]> PseudoPod 993: Home, Laced in Web https://pseudopod.org/2025/09/12/pseudopod-993-home-laced-in-web/ Fri, 12 Sep 2025 19:33:51 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12378 “Home, Laced in Web” was previously published by The Dodge on July 15, 2024 C/W: mutation, body horror, spiders I follow behind Butcher. A lot of nights spent imagining what I’d say to him. But there’s not been much talk on the road. Pretty used to silence anyway. Don’t hate it. Leaves room for possibilities, for what could happen when the right moment comes.

]]> PseudoPod 992: Chattering Spines https://pseudopod.org/2025/09/05/pseudopod-992-chattering-spines/ Fri, 05 Sep 2025 04:01:46 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12353 PseudoPod 992: Chattering Spines is a PseudoPod original. C/W immolation, guns, animal harm From the author: Oh Spines. I wrote this while at a writing conference called Superstars Writing Seminars back in February of 2022 after attending a session run by Kevin Ikenberry. I forget the details of the class (and my notes are AWOL), but I came out of it obsessing over the…

]]> PseudoPod 991: The Hermit Crab God https://pseudopod.org/2025/08/29/pseudopod-991-the-hermit-crab-god/ Fri, 29 Aug 2025 04:01:32 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12343 PseudoPod 991: The Hermit Crab God is a PseudoPod original. C/W: harm to animals, mental illness Notes from the author: I recently spoke with a nature photographer who was very passionate about hermit crabs, and he made me want to not give up. I suppose just because horror is often hopeless doesn’t mean I have to be. Maybe horror can just be a way to get the nihilism out…

]]> PseudoPod 990: Hearts and Half-Measures https://pseudopod.org/2025/08/22/pseudopod-990-hearts-and-half-measures/ Fri, 22 Aug 2025 11:39:44 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12339 PseudoPod 990: Hearts and Half-Measures is a PseudoPod original. C/W: · Transphobia · Body horror · Murder · Gore · Grief · Death of a parent · Cannibalism From the author: The Manananggal (“self-segmenter” – the creature in this story) is a Filipino Aswang (evil spirit) that detaches her torso from her lower half and then takes flight during the night to eat infants.

]]> PseudoPod 989: Dimorphism https://pseudopod.org/2025/08/16/pseudopod-989-dimorphism/ Sat, 16 Aug 2025 15:13:31 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12321 “Dimorphism” first appeared in SEASONS OF SEVERANCE, an anthology-collection hybrid published by Cemetery Gates Media in 2023. “Dimorphism” was later mentioned as a standout in the Summation section of The Best Horror of the Year Vol. 16. The short story features reoccurring characters who appeared throughout the rest of York’s mini collection within SEASONS OF SEVERANCE.

]]> PseudoPod 988: Anthropology 201 https://pseudopod.org/2025/08/11/pseudopod-988-anthropology-201/ Tue, 12 Aug 2025 01:58:56 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12311 PseudoPod 988: Anthropology 201 is a PseudoPod original. C/W: references to mental illness, second-person PoV College is a crucible. You go in a dumb kid, and with luck, you leave a less dumb adult, ready to take your place in the world. It took me a little longer than the standard four years. I had a job throughout, slowing down the matriculation process.

]]> PseudoPod 987: Reflections on Bloody Mary https://pseudopod.org/2025/08/01/pseudopod-987-reflections-on-bloody-mary/ Fri, 01 Aug 2025 04:01:35 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12307 PseudoPod 987: Reflections on Bloody Mary is a PseudoPod original. CW: domestic abuse, coercive control, alcoholism The Pixel Project, https://www.thepixelproject.net, has a list of shelters worldwide “Maaa-reee,” my husband taunts. “Oh, Maaa-reee. Come out now, dear. We need to talk.” Wrong, I think but don’t say. My mother used to say, “A real lady knows when…

]]> PseudoPod 986: The Louder I Call, the Faster It Runs https://pseudopod.org/2025/07/25/pseudopod-986-the-louder-i-call-the-faster-it-runs/ Fri, 25 Jul 2025 04:01:05 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12305 “The Louder I Call, the Faster It Runs” originally appeared in Bourbon Penn, and will appear in Ellen Datlow’s Year’s Best Horror #16 C/W: death by drowning In the predawn dark, Annie found herself in a bed, holding onto another hand beneath the cool weight of the pillow. Floral case, it was the trailer—her trailer—and slowly she came back to herself, to her body…

]]> PseudoPod 985: Think of Me https://pseudopod.org/2025/07/18/pseudopod-985-think-of-me/ Sat, 19 Jul 2025 00:32:15 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12297 “Think of Me” was first published in the anthology DARK RAINBOW: QUEER EROTIC HORROR (Riverdale Ave., 2018) CW: explicit sex, self-harm, transphobia, body horror, S&M kink Strange Darling Sasha and Taylor are fucking and Sasha is thinking about me. She tries to stop, but the harder she tries to push me out of her head, the more space she makes for me there.

]]> PseudoPod 984: Flash on the Borderlands LXXIV: Thy Shields Between Them and the Light https://pseudopod.org/2025/07/11/pseudopod-984-flash-on-the-borderlands-lxxiv-thy-shields-between-them-and-the-light/ Fri, 11 Jul 2025 04:01:06 +0000 https://pseudopod.org/?p=12291 “The Talented Beetle” was first published on the social media platform Bluesky, on 13th April 2025 “My Heart in a Snow Globe” is a PseudoPod Original “Exposed, Every Inch Visible” originally appeared on The Fiction Phial in June 2024 “We Told You of the One Who Lives in the Mound” is a PseudoPod Original. “My Heart in a Snow Globe” – C/W: child death “Exposed…

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