I really enjoyed this! It makes me wonder if the phrase “all good dogs go to heaven” exists in your universe. Would the hyper-intelligent dog dismiss the phrase? It could be argued that they receive their ticket to the afterlife for loyal service to their humans. Having the ability to think could jeopardize that agreement, as he could see the benefit of disloyalty. Ultimately earned the same reward for showing loyalty in the face of the greatest temptation.
I also enjoyed how you handled the sophistication of readers. In centuries before, the audience was not as hip to story tropes, but now media is everywhere and the majority have encountered a Faustian tale, so they know what’s coming. You did a great job of undercutting that expectation and transforming the trope.
I’m excited to explore your offerings. If you have a suggestion I would appreciate it… you seem prolific.
As far as recommendations go, that depends on what you like. My only other dog-related piece is “Fourth of July Terror” about the effect of fireworks on our canine friends.
I haven’t written much horror in the past, but when I started on Substack, I got involved with the Macabre Monday group, so I tried my hand a little. Most of the standalone horror is early in my posts. “Mayhem at MIskatonic” is the most popular one. As the name suggests, it’s Lovecraftian horror. “Blood Moon” is about a woman trying to cure her werewolf boyfriend—with mixed results. “Super Moon” (really more dark fantasy than horror) is about a girl who is unhappy being the girlfriend of the most popular guy in school but can’t figure out why. “Rock and Roll Heaven” is about a musician who kills to get a hit song. It’s more traditional horror. There are others as well.
Then there are the serials (links for which are in the menu bar on my substack). The earliest episode is at the bottom in each case, The one labeled Menippus series (“Love in the Underworld” is the actual title) is about a man who can’t stop loving a supernatural creature even after she’s eaten him. The characters and settings are drawn from Greek mythology.
Speaking of mythology, the Gilgamesh series is a somewhat modernized version of the Epic of Gilgamesh, with some additions based on other Sumerian literature. It’s more like fantasy than horror. Think a bit of Tolkien’s Silmarillion (if it had been set in the ancient Middle East).
The “North of Midnight” series is a novella connected to my Spell Weaver series. Chronologically, it falls between books six and seven, but it’s designed to be read as a standalone. A woman becomes entangled in the mysterious goings-on in a small town near Santa Barbara. She has to face vampires, Formorians, an ancient death god—and her own past. Dark fantasy.
“The Haunting of Guaritori Diolco” is a serialization of one of my upcoming novels. It’s actually book 2, but detail is provided to allow people who haven’t read 1 to get into it. It’s set in a world in which technology has failed and only magic works. Guaritori (Garth) and some other survivors of the Catastrophe (as the end of technology is called) go to Egypt seeking new allies. Instead, they find themselves attacked by a pack of ghouls and then at the mercy of ancient beings whose magic is more powerful than their own. Contemporary fantasy with a nod to Egyptian and other mythologies. Unlike the preceding serials, this one isn’t finished yet.
On October 7, another serial, “Madisonville Murder,” debuts. It’s connected to my Soul Salvager series but designed to be standalone as well. A young man with too much experience dealing with—and escaping from—Satan decides to investigate the suicide of a high school girl that he now believes is probably a demonically inspired murder. Dark fantasy.
On the subject of recommendations, I’d also recommend Macabre Monday, which, among other things, aggregates horror stories from participating authors. It’s definitely a good place to find horror.
I write about a fictional dog named Cerberus. Not that one- she only has one head (but an excellent brain) and smells much nicer than Hell.
Ah, I’ll have to check that out right now.
I really enjoyed this! It makes me wonder if the phrase “all good dogs go to heaven” exists in your universe. Would the hyper-intelligent dog dismiss the phrase? It could be argued that they receive their ticket to the afterlife for loyal service to their humans. Having the ability to think could jeopardize that agreement, as he could see the benefit of disloyalty. Ultimately earned the same reward for showing loyalty in the face of the greatest temptation.
I also enjoyed how you handled the sophistication of readers. In centuries before, the audience was not as hip to story tropes, but now media is everywhere and the majority have encountered a Faustian tale, so they know what’s coming. You did a great job of undercutting that expectation and transforming the trope.
I’m excited to explore your offerings. If you have a suggestion I would appreciate it… you seem prolific.
Thanks!
As far as recommendations go, that depends on what you like. My only other dog-related piece is “Fourth of July Terror” about the effect of fireworks on our canine friends.
I haven’t written much horror in the past, but when I started on Substack, I got involved with the Macabre Monday group, so I tried my hand a little. Most of the standalone horror is early in my posts. “Mayhem at MIskatonic” is the most popular one. As the name suggests, it’s Lovecraftian horror. “Blood Moon” is about a woman trying to cure her werewolf boyfriend—with mixed results. “Super Moon” (really more dark fantasy than horror) is about a girl who is unhappy being the girlfriend of the most popular guy in school but can’t figure out why. “Rock and Roll Heaven” is about a musician who kills to get a hit song. It’s more traditional horror. There are others as well.
Then there are the serials (links for which are in the menu bar on my substack). The earliest episode is at the bottom in each case, The one labeled Menippus series (“Love in the Underworld” is the actual title) is about a man who can’t stop loving a supernatural creature even after she’s eaten him. The characters and settings are drawn from Greek mythology.
Speaking of mythology, the Gilgamesh series is a somewhat modernized version of the Epic of Gilgamesh, with some additions based on other Sumerian literature. It’s more like fantasy than horror. Think a bit of Tolkien’s Silmarillion (if it had been set in the ancient Middle East).
The “North of Midnight” series is a novella connected to my Spell Weaver series. Chronologically, it falls between books six and seven, but it’s designed to be read as a standalone. A woman becomes entangled in the mysterious goings-on in a small town near Santa Barbara. She has to face vampires, Formorians, an ancient death god—and her own past. Dark fantasy.
“The Haunting of Guaritori Diolco” is a serialization of one of my upcoming novels. It’s actually book 2, but detail is provided to allow people who haven’t read 1 to get into it. It’s set in a world in which technology has failed and only magic works. Guaritori (Garth) and some other survivors of the Catastrophe (as the end of technology is called) go to Egypt seeking new allies. Instead, they find themselves attacked by a pack of ghouls and then at the mercy of ancient beings whose magic is more powerful than their own. Contemporary fantasy with a nod to Egyptian and other mythologies. Unlike the preceding serials, this one isn’t finished yet.
On October 7, another serial, “Madisonville Murder,” debuts. It’s connected to my Soul Salvager series but designed to be standalone as well. A young man with too much experience dealing with—and escaping from—Satan decides to investigate the suicide of a high school girl that he now believes is probably a demonically inspired murder. Dark fantasy.
On the subject of recommendations, I’d also recommend Macabre Monday, which, among other things, aggregates horror stories from participating authors. It’s definitely a good place to find horror.
WOW! Thank you for your very considered response! I'm glad I subbed, it seems like you're work is right up my alley.
I’ll listen for Morse code the next time my husky is doing weird pawing motions…
Loved this! And hello to a fellow talking dog writer! 👋 😁
Nice to meet you. That’s my only talking dog endeavor so far, but who knows what the future may hold?