But Even Cthulhu Can Have His Bad Days

The odds were against it. We consider reprints but generally do not publish them unless they are absolutely exceptional. But we’ve heard that before. And there’s not any pay (well, other than an e-copy of the book), but — remember? — I’m working a policy of getting old stories back into print.

So (sigh) why not?

The call was for original horror stories featuring dark gods, elder beings and forgotten dieties that explore the intersection of humanity and divine malevolence. Give us your fresh takes on cosmic horror and divine terror. We want stories that make readers question their place in the universe and tremble at what might be watching from beyond the veil. The anthology, via Wicked Shadow Press, to be titled WHO LET THE GODS OUT?!

Well — long story short — they didn’t seem to be looking for humor, but that title didn’t exactly speak to staid sobriety either. And I had a tale, “The Reading,” originally published in Spring 2013 in Third Flatiron Publishing’s UNIVERSE HORRIBILIS (as well as a few years later in Dragons Roost Press’s LOLCRAFT, if that gives an idea), starring (guess who?) Cthulhu, so it went out Tuesday February 11.

And exactly a month later, on Tuesday March 11, came the word: We are delighted to inform you that your story “The Reading” has been accepted for inclusion in WHO LET THE GODS OUT?!