Hush, Don't Wake the Monster: Women in Horror Anthology

by Azzurra Nox (Editor), Andrea Slye, Andrea Teare

A collection of new and exclusive short stories inspired by and in tribute to, Stephen King. Stephen King is a seminal writer of horror, whose influence transcends the literary sphere, having also taken the cinematic world by storm – and ultimately delivering nightmares to generations for almost five decades. This fourth anthology of the Women in Horror series edited by Azzurra Nox brings together a diverse group of female writers who contribute their personal twist to the works of Stephen King. Featured authors Andrea Teare, Rachel Bolton, Marnie Azzarelli, Lauri Christopher, Kay Hanifen, Hannah Brown, Kristi Petersen Schoonover, L. E. Daniels, Sealey Andrews, Christabel Simpson, Alisha Galvan, Rebecca Rowland, Cheryl Zaidan, Amy Grech, Jane Nightshade, Trish McKee, and Azzurra Nox.

Genres: Short Stories, Horror

284 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 2023

About the author

Born in Catania, Sicily, she has led a nomadic life since birth. She has lived in various European cities and Cuba, and currently resides in the Los Angeles area. Always an avid reader and writer from a young age, she loved entertaining her friends with ghost stories. She loves horror movies, cats, and a good rock show. She dislikes Mondays and chick-flicks. CUT HERE, her debut paranormal urban fantasy was inspired by a nightmare the writer had a few years ago. Some of her favourite authors include Anne Rice, Oscar Wilde, Chuck Palahniuk, and Isabella Santacroce.

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously, so good.

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthology is delicious from start to finish with retellings of King’s stories with female leads. Toxic relationships are resolved. Unique creatures are created to scare you. Classic villains are given a second chance (and sometimes too many chances.)

Rebecca Rowlands “Clawset” puts a woman in a social worker’s office explaining why her wife isn’t fit to be a mother. Kristi Schoonover’s “Let the Rain Settle it” deals with a toxic relationship by raining man-eating eels. Azurra’s “Unconventional Tea Party” uses devastating imagery to recall a childhood massacre. Amy Grech’s “Dead Eye” nails the King voice as a father’s teachings twist his son into a nightmare. In Alisha Galvan’s “As for the Fallen Seed” a young girl seeks out her birth mother to explain why she thirsts for blood. Lauri Christopher’s “Fair Erasures” provides an undergrad with a deal with the devil when an unwanted pregnancy could derail her future. Sealey Andrews “Emily Mine” was one of my favorites in the book with a creepy pet fighting with a newborn over control of mother, with some of the horrifying visuals like in King’s “Cat’s Eye.” Cheryl Zaidan’s “The Girl with the Peculiar Smile” draws on King’s use of strong children leads in a super spooky story with an evil doll. Cristabel Simpson “The Kiss in the Outhouse” creates a twisted part human, part plant creature that needs fed. Rachel Bolton’s “Sharp Teeth” is the delicious story of a girl who wishes for fangs and gets them. Andrea Teare’s “Blue Lake” is an ecological catastrophe turned deadly when bioluminescent creatures attack. Marnie Azzarelli’s “Carrie’s First Day” is delivered in a cool documentary structure with interviews and newspaper articles looking back on the incident. L.E. Daniels’ “Silk” retells the King story “The Mangler” in a New England Silk mill hungry for blood. In the back matter the author notes she drew on her grandmother’s real life job as a moth cocoon boiler. Tricia McKee’s “Finding Toni” is a suspenseful take on Pet Sematary with siblings struggling to survive an abusive home. Kay Hanifen’s “The Hunting Lodge” puts a dysfunctional couple trapped during a blizzard, drawing on the isolation of The Shining. Jane Nightshade’s “The Sorting” builds an ensemble cast of kids like in IT and throws in a supernatural surprise on Halloween night. Hannah Brown’s “First Kiss” gives King’s “Carrie” a chance at love amidst the rubble.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started this a long time ago, never finished all the stories and I guess I never entered it on my list. Onward! 8/21/24

The best part of reading a book of short stories is that you get to sample authors with whom you may not be familiar. Sometimes they can inspire you to seek out other works of theirs. Sometimes you can get a surprise that you weren't expecting. Or you be thrown into a pile of pink and green ooze, or a hole in the factory floor if you really deserve it.

[Lisa Aungst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have specifically read "Finding Toni" as I am a Trisha Ridinger McKee fan. I have been reading all of her romances and decided to try a horror genre story. It did not disappoint.

[Jane Nightshade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleased to have my story The Sorting in this wonderful all-girl anthology that pays tribute to The King of Horror. The hard copy is in a really nice, readable format and the stories are delectably creepy. The Sorting was accepted by another anthology also and I had to choose. I chose this one and feel it was the right one!

[L.E. Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stellar selection inspired stories with Azzurra Nox at the helm. It's such a pleasure to stand with my sisters in horror for such an exceptional anthology. Don't miss this tribute to the master!

[Madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one’s not bad overall. I don’t know if many of these remind me of Stephen King but the writing is really good. I recommend it as a women in horror anthology (though, Strange Girls was better).

[Alicia Khamis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally started reading this because my boss’s wife is one of the authors, and I enjoyed the short stories, despite not being a horror fan.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few decent stories and one or two great ones, but the rest drag them down.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of SK inspired stories