Gordon Grice's Blog, page 4

Hamlet's Fretful Porpentine by William Shakespeare - A Mini-Macabre

In older times Europeans believed the porcupine, also knownas the porkespick, porkespyne, iron pig, or porpentine, could shoot its quillsat enemies. An adventurer named John Nieuhoff, writing about 1744, claimed thatthe species found on Java “can by contracting themselves cast [their quills]forth with such strength that they can kill man or beast.”

None of that is true, though the sharp quills will detachwhen lodged in the mouth or hand of an attacker. They are formidable animalsthat sometimes succeed in warding off lions and tigers. Shakespeare’scontemporary Marlowe writes of “the quills of porcupines,/As black as jet, andhard as iron or steel.”

Shakespeare’s simile from Hamlet portrays the animal’s threatdisplay. It erects the quills in defense, which, as a bonus, makes the rodentlook larger and may intimidate an attacker without violence.

 These antiqueillustrations show a couple of different species.

 

New in Stupefying Stories 26--Gordon Grice's "Stone"

What happens when the giants wake? Wild horror from Gordon Grice in Stupefying Stories 26. 

The Apparition by John Donne - A Mini-Macabre

Jealousy beyond the grave. Join me weekly on Youtube for more Mini-Macabres. 

The Vampire by Ossenfelder - A Mini Macabre

"Der Vampyre" by German poet Heinrich August Ossenfelder. A new translation into English by Gordon Grice. "Der Vampyre," first published in 1748, is arguably the first appearance of a vampire in creative literature.

Mrs. Packer Invades Zone 3

. . .The first thingMelanie saw from the living room doorway was Mrs. Packer’s face. She stoodoutside the window, smiling in with childish glee. It took Melanie a moment tosee just what was happening. Mrs. Packer’s hand had broken through thewindow screen—had she punched through? And the hand, cut bloody,had hold of Isaac somehow. 

A tale of terror from Gordon Grice--FREE in Zone 3.  

If Gold Runs Red — Gordon Grice

Reading of my story "If Gold Runs Red" from Metaphorosis Magazine.

Tales from the Dark Side

 

In the September-October issue of Oklahoma Today, I go under cover of the night to bring you "Tales from the Dark Side." What are those animals doing in the dark? You'll be shocked! With art by the amazing Laura Rosenfelt. 

Hymns in the Dark

 

It's here! One morning the sun forgets to rise. What can Joe and Sarah do to survive? And is it really their fault? Gordon Grice's "Hymns in the Dark" is only one of 31 creepy tales in Horror Library Volume 8. 

Fresh Horror Sprouting Soon!

 

Horror Library Vol. 8 arrives July 25! Featuring Gordon Grice's tale of a couple facing the darkest day of their lives. Order here. 

Do You Dare to Go . . . .All the Way Through?

 

One friend is drifting intomadness. The other’s wallowing in grief. What will they find when they go . . .All the Way Through? A new tale of seances and psychic terror by Gordon Grice. The Spring/Summer 2023 issue of Concho RiverReview features this and other stories, alongside poems, essays, and book reviews. 

Order directly from Concho River Review at

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