Doll Ballet Dances to Circus of Dead

So okay, okay, but you get the idea. Such was the call: The circus has come to town, and it’s dying to meet you…

Wicked Shadow Press invites authors to join our grandest, darkest show yet. Submit your original horror fiction to “Circus of the Dead”, to be edited by special guest editor Chad Anctil. (Tentative release: May 2025). The final date of submission is March 14, 2025.

We’re seeking stories that pull back the carnival canvas to unveil the horrors lurking beneath the sawdust and sequins. Whether your tale features murderous clowns, cursed carnival rides, supernatural sideshows or ancient circuses that never die, we want your most spine-tingling circus horror stories! Let your imagination skirt the realm where cotton candy turns to cobwebs and every innocent laughter and hearty applause echo with a bloodcurdling scream.

And you know the drill, including that while reprints might be accepted, such would be rare. But what was I to do? It happened I did have a reprint in the file, originally published in a book on CD ROM (this was quite a bit back, from Lone Wolf Publishing in 2004, and, yes, you ordered the thing and received a disk — such is the history of this writing game), CARNIVAL, which seemed like it might be just right. The story, “Ballet of the Dolls,” of a “dancing chickens” act at an if not strictly supernatural sideshow, pretty much the next best thing.

So, yes, you know the drill (and I DID think the story would be perfect for it), away the tale went at the beginning of March and, now on the very first day of April, came the reply: We hope this message finds you happy and healthy! We are extremely pleased to reach out to you today with some great news. We are delighted to inform you that your story “Ballet of the Dolls” has been accepted for inclusion in “Circus of the Dead”, edited by guest editor Chad Anctil.