THE SANTA CON: A HOLIDAY HORRORS SHORT STORY

by Jeremy Fowler

Welcome to Holiday Horrors, a multi-author collection of standalone thriller and horror short stories. In this series, you'll question whether Christmas is about Santa's Sleigh... or Santa's Slay. What Holiday nightmares keep you up at night?

Logan Lackerman arrives at a coastal convention center expecting a quirky, festive training at "Sleigh the Santa Bootcamp." But behind the laughter drills, wig wrangling, and sleigh safety seminars, something feels... off. The instructors are too perfect, the elves unsettlingly vacant, and the holiday spirit increasingly manufactured. With each workshop, Logan senses a darker presence lurking beneath the surface of the convention. And by the time the final jingle bell rings, he'll learn that not all Santas are jolly, and some sleighs are never meant to be ridden.

Make sure you check out all of the Holiday Horrors Collection!

43 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2025

Reviews

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one Santa Con I would not want to attend! This creepy short story was suspenseful from the beginning. This so-called Santa Con didn’t appear to be so jolly as Logan went through these lessons on his journey of becoming Santa. Quick, creepy and fun read, perfect for this holiday season.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I absolutely LOVED this story, it was so festive and fun and creepy! Perfect read for the holiday spirit!

[Laura Welsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars 🌟 rounded up for GoodReads. Another book in the Holiday Horrors Short Story Series.

Imagine a younger 30 year old man joining a Santa Claus convention to help him make some extra over the holiday season. It seems like a great idea when he gets there. Everyone seems nice. There's some hot cocoa at the welcome stand. What could go wrong??

The creepiness began early with a bunch of over committed Santa Claus and elf figures, and some panic of things not going well behind the scenes.

I enjoyed reading this fast-paced story, another great Christmas read if you want something a little different than the warm, cheesy vibes.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Susan Blissett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, thrilling and horrifying Christmas short story about Logan who goes to a Santa convention to learn all the tricks of the trade, but unfortunately, all is not as it seems. I did enjoy this short story and was keen to find out what would happen to Logan; however, I would have enjoyed a little more back story about Logan and the reasons behind what happened at the convention. Overall though, a quick and interesting, festive thriller!
Many thanks to the author for an ARC of this book.

[Alyssa Fujimoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got too excited about this book I forgot to mark it as “reading” on Goodreads until I was on chapter 5 😂

This short story was thrilling! I will never go to a Santa convention if my life depended on it!!! I knew something shady was going on once Logan stepped foot into the convention! This book is a short Christmas thriller that will have you on your toes!! Definitely recommend this book!

I was honored to be an ARC reader, thank you so much!

[Madame Strange · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Santa Con” - Santa Bootcamp is more than belly laughs and hot chocolate.

★★★★★

This story was fast paced and tension filled, making it another great short horror story for the Holidays! I got to enjoy this one as an ARC as part of the “A Holiday Horror Story”. Becoming Santa is not as fun as it sounds.. 👀🎅🏻

[Astera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story got me instantly hooked!
The prologue got me pumped and Logan was instantly making me chuckle.

The Santa Con is a twisted behind the scenes story of a Santa Convention full of evocative imagery and dark humor. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a short read this holiday season.

Thank you Jeremy Fowler for the ARC copy.

Im excited to see what’s next in the Holiday Horrors collection of short stories!

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea of holiday horror shorts. I was excited to read this one and it was entertaining but it wasn't my favorite out of the collection. I really had such high hopes, a boot camp for Santas where things turn deadly? I just don't know why it took Logan so long to be like " you know what.... this $hit is off".

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Santa Con is a delightfully twisted romp through the tinsel-covered underbelly of Christmas cheer. When an ordinary guy signs up for a Santa boot camp convention, he expects cookies, carols, and camaraderie—but instead stumbles into a nightmare of sleigh bells and secrets.
The author’s writing sparkles with wit and dark humor, blending campy horror with chills. It’s a story that winks at the reader even as it sends a shiver down their spine. Equal parts festive and frightening, this quirky Christmas tale proves that sometimes the scariest thing about the holidays isn’t the ghost of Christmas past…

[M Gregs]

This is probably the book farthest from my typical genre that I have ever read, hence the lack of rating. BUT let me tell you what I loved about it:

—Creepy-as-hell setting. Santa is already a creepy dude, but a bunch of people actively wanting to be Santa is just too sus. There’s a real “inmates running the asylum” vibe here, and it definitely worked. I was unsettled the entire time.

—Strong main character. While I, personally, could never imagine attending a Santa convention, I understood why the MC did. I also like that he pegged the creepiness early on even though everyone else was seemingly cool with it.

—Hilarity! There were tons of unexpectedly funny moments throughout that added a nice dose of levity to the very unsettling atmosphere. The chapter titles were my fave.

—The ending! No spoilers, but the ending made an already wild ride even wilder. I have questions!

While horror is usually not my jam, this book struck a nerve, and I’m so grateful to the author for gifting me an advance copy. I can’t wait to read more!

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Santa Con by Jeremy Fowler is a short holiday horror gripping. thrilling, and equally twisted with lots of holiday festivity.

The story begin with a scene that grabs your attention. The we have Logan, who goes to a Santa bootcamp convention. He realizes right away something is off. From the moment he steps into his first class; it was creepy and he felt a darkness looming. There seems to be something more sinister going on. As the convention continues, he realizes, not all Santas are "cut from the same cloth".

This was an immersive read. I was turning pages trying to figure out what was really happening behind the scenes. It literally had me at the edge of my seat. I do wish it was just a bit longer but I was so entertained.

This a great spooky read with lots of holiday vibes. I totally recommend this to anyone who wants to dive into a book with all the holiday spirit feeling but maintains that sinister dark thriller experience.

So greatful to have read the eARC of this story!

[Ashlee Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had me guessing what would happen next. Logan just wanted to be Santa for a season to get cash, but he didn't guess that being Santa wasn't all it was cracked up to be. The seminar he went to was off. The seminar teachers were a bit on the elusive side. The helper elves? Dazed and confused (and probably something more sinister). I didn't know what to expect and who to expect to do it. The ending was a bit of a twist in itself too! What happened to the new friend? I have questions! This was a great short read, and it was definitely edge-of-your-seat suspense worthy. The only problem I have is that I want to know more about Buddy, and of course the "reindeer". what was the goal of the seminar people? 😭 please make a longer book for this to answer my unanswered questions!

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

​🌟 A Thrilling Treat for the Holiday Season!

🎶​You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why...🎶

This isn't your traditional sleigh ride! 🎅 Father Christmas is making his list and you can bet hes checking it twice, and you'll be on the edge of your seat hoping you've been EXTRA good. 😈

​I am so honored to have been selected as an ARC reader for this title! The author delivers a pulse-pounding, effective short story that makes for a fantastic quick read. My only minor critique is that I would have loved a little more information or background on the MMC to fully connect with him. Regardless, the payoff is worth it—that ending left me completely reeling and desperate for the next chapter! This is a MAJOR page-turner.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Santa Con
This was a fast paced, quick creepy Christmas read. We follow the main character Logan as he attended a conference to perfect being a Christmas Santa. He certainly got a lot more than he bargained for. I would have been nice if the story had started a few days earlier so we could know Logan's personality. The characters were fun and sometimes a bit questionable, which added to the story. I good Christmas read leading into the holidays.

[Nikki B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Santa Con is a short holiday horror. This one was thrilling and twisted with lots of holiday festive vibes.
Logan goes to a Santa bootcamp convention. He realized right away something wasn't right. It was creepy and he felt a darkness looming. As the convention goes on, he realizes, not all Santas are cut from the same cloth.
This one had me at the edge of my seat and wishing it was just a bit longer. A great spooky read with lots of holiday vibes.

[Erica Damon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read! As someone who knows some Santa/Mrs. Claus 'helpers' taking a look behind tehe curtain of a Santa Convention was a cool twist. That everything goes oh so horribly wrong, was a great Christmas nightmare.

Fast paced with a twisted battalion of Santa's and dopey elves... you wont know who to trust with your Christmas wish.

[Stacey Persin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeremy Fowler delivers a creepy take on the festive season, immersing readers into a cheerful Santa Claus convention that takes a sinister turn. The author does a great job of balancing the fun whimsey of the setting with genuinely unsettling horror elements. I quickly finished this tale in a single sitting, making it an ideal choice for a cozy, yet creepy, evening read.

[Leslie Weimmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the twist I saw coming but definitely made the book. Loved the character names Cranky & Fizzy 🤣 wouldn’t want to run into them in a dark alley 😳

Quick read for those looking for a Christmas Thriller. Gave it 4 stars as I’m interested to know what happened to the rest of the crew ? 🤔

No spoilers but highly recommend 🎅

[Briana Stewart Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read many horror books, so I was thrilled to find what I consider to be the perfect story to dip my toes into the genre! Such a festive story that I couldn’t turn away from. Loved the added twist at the end! If only I could give more than five stars for especially the creativity behind the story! Can’t wait to see what future stories come from the brilliant mind of Jeremy Fowler 😊

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome holiday thriller novella! I loved this concept of a Santa Convention. Imagining all the different workshops was so fun, while also trying to figure out what was going to happen to the main character. This is a great contribution to the Holiday Horrors collection!

[Shellyann Paape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short Novella, just when you think a room full of Santa’s is a good thing, the Elves come to show you, your wrong. Atleast you can always count on Buddy the Elf to be your friend, and spread the Holiday cheer and care.

Mr & Mrs Clauses, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

[Scarlet · Rating 5 out of 5]

🦌Arc Review🎄


A great horror novella, I would honestly read a full book about this thrilling tale . Santa Siminars, Checklists, Hypnosis, and Logan. If you want a book that'll keep you on your toes. This short horror novella is for you.

[Sarah Carvell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was comedic and tense at the same time. I could imagine this as a holiday episode of a tv show for sure. It’s like it played out while I was reading. I’d love a longer novel for the backstory of the book camp hosts, and one specifically for Elijah, our own Buddy the Elf.

[Crystal O · Rating 5 out of 5]

One convention that I would not want to be part of! Logan was hoping to make some extra money and when he goes to a convention to learn how to be a better Santa, let's just say it was as jolly as he had hoped.#holidayhorrors

[Kayla Wiklanski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Santa training

Even becoming Santa can be a nightmare in this short story. Strange occurrences happen during training sessions that no others bat an eye at. Creepy helpers and Santas will make you rethink anything jolly.

[Tiffanie Miner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as an ARC. It was great. My favorite in the holiday horrors collection so far

[Nicholle Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this twisted holiday tale! Can’t wait to read more by this author!

[Kandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Santa school may not be what you expect. Very interesting and frightening. Ho ho ho.

[Jessica Kayama · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thought this short story was quirky and was a good holiday read! I would have liked a bit more background on characters or more of a “why” - thank you for allowing me to get an ARC of this!!

[Crystal Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall the book was good and I liked the characters. It was a very fast read but I would’ve like a little bit more story as the ending felt abrupt. Thank you for letting me read this book!!!