Read Me A Nightmare

What is the secret behind the skull of the Peking man?
Plus, how does one become the most famous sci-fi writer in Canadian history?


Robert J. Sawyer is our guest today and he reads his award-winning story, "Peking Man."

Robert J. Sawyer is one of only eight writers — and the only Canadian — to win all three of the world's top Science Fiction awards for best novel of the year: the Hugo, the ...

How do you win Writers of the Future?

Coordinating Judge Judy Lynn Nye answers a selection of questions put together by the Wulf Pack writing group.

ADDED BONUS. Jody Lynn Nye also reads her story "Superstition."
Superstition first appeared in Furry Fantastic an anthology featuring otherworldly animals published in October 2006.
You can also find this story in her collection Cats Triumphant.

This episode originally aired on Read Me A Nightmare 3 years ago! But I am sure many of you missed this magical and fun performance.

Rachel Luttrell is not only an award-winning actor, but also my very best friend. Listen to the story and stay tuned afterward for a conversation about acting, life, and our friendship.

NOW for the story:

Wyatt is having the baddest of all bad days...And when he gets sucked into a magical world,it's a...

Welcome to (drum roll please) episode 50 of Read Me A Nightmare!

Betty might be forgetful lately, but she KNOWS her daughter-in-law would never leave her son. Can she find Angel before it’s too late?

Today, we are featuring a story starring one of my most popular protagonists, Betty, a detective battling dementia. (Based on my fierce mother-in-law, Linda Fawns).

“Losing Angel” continues the tale that first began in Ellery Queen Myste...

What’s that dark spot on the wall?

Ink was written by Akis Linardos and first published in Maul Magazine in September 2022. Sadly, Maul Magazine is defunct. Then I bought the story and reprinted it in my Cursed & Creepy anthology.

Check out Cursed & Creepy

In a cove of a Greek island, Akis was born a sane infant but has since then grown to enter the chaotic world of adults--a choice he deeply regrets. His stories delve both into epic ...

Welcome to Episode 48 of Read Me a Nightmare, I’m Angelique Fawns, your host.  Today I’m sharing a creepy tale featuring a Haunted Circus and a bloodthirsty clown.  

Peggy’s Hungry Haunted Clown first appeared in It Was All A Dream 2: Another Anthology of Bad Horror Tropes Done Right, released this August by Hungry Shadow Press.  

This is a gorgeous anthology with custom art for each story and I share the TOC with some phenomenal wri...

This guy tried to pick up the wrong witch…

Body Count was written by myself and recently published in DreamForge’s Dark Visions magazine, its annual Halloween treat. You can read the story for free here:

https://bit.ly/Body-Count-A-Fawns

Body Count is read by Kelly Pidgeon, one of the best voices in the business. No one does a tough guy character like he does. Kelly is also a member of the band, Boats Against the Current. You can list...

A ghost story at an all-girls boarding school just in time for Halloween…

The Matron of Hawthorne Hall was written by myself, and inspired by my time working at an exclusive boarding school in the countryside outside of London England.  

The story is read by Kristi Stewart, a professional voice actor and frequent performer for this podcast.  

The Matron of Hawthorne Hall is published in the current issue of Max Blood’s Mausoleum HERE.

...

What are those dark shadows in the trees? You may never camp again…PLUS - Building a career with short stories.This episode features a short horror story by Mark Leslie called The Shadow Men, read by himself.

Would you love a print version of this tale and other creepy offerings? Mark Leslie is in the last days of a Kickstarter for his updated and illustrated anniversary collection ONE HAND SCREAMING.

Don’t miss out! KICKSTARTER

Mark ...

Episode 44 - Treats and an Interview with Robert Stahl

Sticky Pumpkin Guts and Unlikely Ghouls…

Read Me a Nightmare presents “Treats”, written and read by Robert Stahl. Stay tuned after this short horror romp for an interview with the author where we talk about the writing process, life as a horror writer, rescue dogs, and the pros and cons of writing long.

Treats was first published in Oct 2019 in Rigor Morbid: Lest Ye Become, and re...

Even Scarecrows love a carnival…

Our episode today features Christopher Henckel and his short story "Remember the Gallscream."

I bought this tale for Book #1 of the HorrorLite Anthologies

CURSED AND CREEPY.

Born in the backwoods of West Virginia, Christopher Henckel is a country boy down to his molecular structure. He now lives in New Zealand with his lovely partner, Annaliese, and two equally lovely daughters, Avery and Coco. His sto...

Jingle, Jingle. Any time of year is a good time for Christmas Horror.

R.J.K. Lee not only reads his own story, "Memo From the Jolly Overlords", but also sticks around for a candid interview. Are you addicted to short stories? Desperately trying to figure out how to make money writing? Yup. Hang out for the chat afterwards.

Memo From the Jolly Overlords was first broadcast on the Weird Christmas Podcast i...

You never know what you might find-- or lose-- in an antique shop.

Our episode today features Shannon Fox and her short story "The Garden Party."
I bought this tale for Book #1 of the HorrorLite Anthologies
CURSED AND CREEPY.
"The Garden Party" was originally published in September 2019 in the anthology Cursed Collectibles. 

If you are interested in learning about a great writing ...

This tomato is spicy!

"Minny and the Mutant Tomato" is an original story written by Angelique Fawns for the anthology Cursed and Creepy.

Minny Brown wants to win the local fair and she’ll do anything to make sure her tomatoes are the biggest on Pelee Island. Including stealing her dad’s ultra-secret growth serum. 

The new formula works too well. A mutant tomato pops up and he's not about to fill a bo...

Not all snakes are reptiles.

"A Cold Slither Killing" first appeared in Heavy Metal Nightmares anthology by Phobica Books March, 2023.

This story is voiced by Kristi Stewart. She is a regular performer for Read Me A Nightmare.

Her career has taken her from the newsroom, as an associate producer, a promotions director in country radio as well as a public relations manager for a not for profit, and, sponsor...

If you go into the woods today...
Beware the Zaggamung.

James Hancock is a writer/screenwriter of comedy, thriller, horror, sci-fi and twisted fairy tales.  A few of his short screenplays have been made into films, and he has been published in print magazines, online, and in anthology books. He lives in England, with his wife and two daughters.  And a bunch of pets he insisted his girls could NOT have.

Zaggamu...

So you're a shark, and you are looking for the best place to hang.
What if there was a Trip Advisor for sea life?

On today's episode, Pete Lead, a fellow author and improv actor presents his own story, "A Review of Bondi Beach, written by Henry the Shark."  

 Pete Lead is a writer, narrator, and facilitator who currently calls New Zealand his home. You can learn more about him at www.petelead.com 

 S...

Who is the ghost you see everyday?
A gothic cautionary tale.

This episode features a flash fiction piece by Amanda Cecelia Lang called "The Woman in the Churchyard".  It was first presented by Manawaker Studio’s Flash Fiction Podcast in June 2020.  Our retelling is brought to life by Karen Shute, one of the biggest horror experts I know, and a regular performer on this podcast. 

Amanda Cecelia Lang ...

Beware! If you enter this bookstore... 
Plus how can you build a career and sustainable income with short stories?

This episode features a short horror story by Mark Leslie called Browsers, read by Eric Bryan Moore. Mark Leslie has published more than 25 books. He has a comedy horror series featuring a Canadian Werewolf, several standalone thrillers and horror novels, a set of paranormal non-fiction books, and guides t...