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Attic Clowns #1
Attic Clowns: Volume One
This creepy collection features four twisted tales by Bram Stoker Award nominee Jeremy C. Shipp.
The stories include:
Giggles
Princess
Don’t Laugh
The Glass Box
The stories include:
Giggles
Princess
Don’t Laugh
The Glass Box
36 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2012
9 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy C. Shipp
63 books889 followersJeremy C. Shipp is the Bram Stoker and Shirley Jackson Award-nominated author of The Atrocities, Bedfellow, and Cursed. Their shorter tales have appeared in over 60 publications, including Cemetery Dance, Dark Moon Digest and Apex Magazine. Jeremy lives in Southern California in a moderately haunted Farmhouse. Their online home is jeremycshipp.com.
“Jeremy C. Shipp’s boldness, daring, originality, and sheer smarts make them one of the most vital younger writers who have colonized horror literature in the past decade. Shipp’s modernist clarity, plus their willingness to risk damn near everything, put them up at the head of the pack with the very best.” ―Peter Straub
“Shipp’s clear, insistent voice pulls you down into the rabbit hole and doesn’t let go.” ―Jack Ketchum
“I’m convinced Jeremy Shipp is a little bit crazy, in the best possible way. This is one of those books that alters your brain in a way similar to Philip K. Dick.” —Jeff VanderMeer
“Jeremy C. Shipp’s boldness, daring, originality, and sheer smarts make them one of the most vital younger writers who have colonized horror literature in the past decade. Shipp’s modernist clarity, plus their willingness to risk damn near everything, put them up at the head of the pack with the very best.” ―Peter Straub
“Shipp’s clear, insistent voice pulls you down into the rabbit hole and doesn’t let go.” ―Jack Ketchum
“I’m convinced Jeremy Shipp is a little bit crazy, in the best possible way. This is one of those books that alters your brain in a way similar to Philip K. Dick.” —Jeff VanderMeer
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 21, 2021
Please, Stop Clowning!
Yes... I admit it. I’m one of those people who hate clowns. I remember my first time at the circus. I was six. I enjoyed everything except the clowns. Even then, there was something so creepy about them. My brother loved them.
As I got older, and discovered that I loved horror stories and horror movies, clowns were just something l avoided. They were too scary.
Now I’m older. And braver. So I read about scary clowns, I must confess, I don’t watch clowny movies, though.
This book has four clown 🤡 stories. The first one, Giggles, is by far the best one and my favorite. The next story, called Princess, may not have had an ending. As far as I know. I didn’t see one. The story was very short. About three pages?
Anyway, I can’t remember the names of the last two stories, but I do remember that I enjoyed reading them. So, they must have been good.
So, I would say, a very good collection. Just not perfect.
Yes... I admit it. I’m one of those people who hate clowns. I remember my first time at the circus. I was six. I enjoyed everything except the clowns. Even then, there was something so creepy about them. My brother loved them.
As I got older, and discovered that I loved horror stories and horror movies, clowns were just something l avoided. They were too scary.
Now I’m older. And braver. So I read about scary clowns, I must confess, I don’t watch clowny movies, though.
This book has four clown 🤡 stories. The first one, Giggles, is by far the best one and my favorite. The next story, called Princess, may not have had an ending. As far as I know. I didn’t see one. The story was very short. About three pages?
Anyway, I can’t remember the names of the last two stories, but I do remember that I enjoyed reading them. So, they must have been good.
So, I would say, a very good collection. Just not perfect.
November 29, 2025
Clowns...
This is several stories set in different places but involving clowns or beings that look like clowns.
Some of the stories I enjoyed but others didn't really make sense or were just kind of eh. So overall going with 3 stars.
The stories I liked were interesting but the other stories really lower the rating.
This is several stories set in different places but involving clowns or beings that look like clowns.
Some of the stories I enjoyed but others didn't really make sense or were just kind of eh. So overall going with 3 stars.
The stories I liked were interesting but the other stories really lower the rating.
February 25, 2012
I knew what I was getting into when I picked up this book to read and review. I have coulrophobia-fear of clowns. Maybe it started when I first read Stephen King’s “It,” or not till I watched the movie. Or maybe it began as a small child on an untimely visit to Ringling Bros. Circus. At any rate, I have it, it’s bad, and here I am on a Friday night reading “Attic Clowns.”
Vol. 1 comprises four stories, but I didn’t have to wait until the end of the volume to get scared. On the first page, my heart leaped out of my throat, spider-shivers ran up my spine, and I wished I had left on more lights. Now that is scary.
There is not one foot put amiss in this collection, not one misstep. Everything here is just-perfect. And very, tremendously, frightening. Do not miss this if you have any love for Horror at all, or fine writing, or being scared out of your last several wits. Get this-then get the next volume, and the next, and the next.
Vol. 1 comprises four stories, but I didn’t have to wait until the end of the volume to get scared. On the first page, my heart leaped out of my throat, spider-shivers ran up my spine, and I wished I had left on more lights. Now that is scary.
There is not one foot put amiss in this collection, not one misstep. Everything here is just-perfect. And very, tremendously, frightening. Do not miss this if you have any love for Horror at all, or fine writing, or being scared out of your last several wits. Get this-then get the next volume, and the next, and the next.
February 10, 2022
The whole concept of Scary Clowns has become faded and cliche over the years, but there is nothing stale or repetitive about this collection of four short stories focusing around clowns in attics. A weird specific subgenre, sure, but Jeremy Shipp is a weird kinda guy. The first and last stories in the collection are my personal favorites; Giggles, about a supernatural golem-type clown that needs to be entertained, and The Glass Box, which gives a glimpse into a world where clowns are holy men tasked with humbling their citizens. Princess and Don't Laugh are a bit more abstract and a bit shorter, but still good reads as well. Shipp's work has a Bizarro feel to it, but the bizarreness in his work always feels grounded in reality (to an extent), which makes it all that much creepier. If you love clowns, check it out. If you hate clowns, check it out. If you are a clown, get out of my attic.
May 28, 2012
Four short stories that may or may not feature attics and clowns. Bizarre, disturbing and very readable, you may look at clowns in a new light after reading this one... as well as attics...
The first story, "Giggles" takes the traditional scary clown and says, hey, isn't it possible for there to be something more to the scary clown than first meets the eye? Well, it turns out there is in this well written and fun piece. The clown in the attic described is just ridiculously scary anyway, but Jeremy somehow ups the ante...
The second story is very short, what if you tried to get to Heaven but only get halfway there? And by halfway there, I mean to the attic. And in the attic some kind of temptress offers you a night you'll never forget? There is a moment where you path diverges and you must choose, one or the other...
The third story takes the clown in an attic, and says, you know what? What if the attic was your head, and the clown was a metaphor for how you feel about yourself? That would be trippy eh? Yes, yes it would be. And is. Trippy in a bad way.
My favourite was the last story, The Glass Box, which really sheds light on the human condition of being a scary evil clown.
Overall a great little book, I'll be picking up the other volumes for sure. You should too, if you like your horror a little bit on the quirky side, with elements of traditional shit scary clown faces thrown in for good measure.
The first story, "Giggles" takes the traditional scary clown and says, hey, isn't it possible for there to be something more to the scary clown than first meets the eye? Well, it turns out there is in this well written and fun piece. The clown in the attic described is just ridiculously scary anyway, but Jeremy somehow ups the ante...
The second story is very short, what if you tried to get to Heaven but only get halfway there? And by halfway there, I mean to the attic. And in the attic some kind of temptress offers you a night you'll never forget? There is a moment where you path diverges and you must choose, one or the other...
The third story takes the clown in an attic, and says, you know what? What if the attic was your head, and the clown was a metaphor for how you feel about yourself? That would be trippy eh? Yes, yes it would be. And is. Trippy in a bad way.
My favourite was the last story, The Glass Box, which really sheds light on the human condition of being a scary evil clown.
Overall a great little book, I'll be picking up the other volumes for sure. You should too, if you like your horror a little bit on the quirky side, with elements of traditional shit scary clown faces thrown in for good measure.
September 5, 2012
A short collection of 4 clown tales that take the usual image of the (un)funny terrors, and turns them on their head. Each story has a central theme that links the clowns, they all live in the attic of a chosen house and are appointed or linked to the owners of that house. For the rest however, the stories are very different.
Each one is an odd and truly new experience. The first story, Giggles is the longest of the four, and in my opinion the best. It is the extra length it has that creates a much fuller tale. Don't get me wrong however, for the other three, especially The Glass Box are haunting, and chilling.
Normally when reading horror, we know what to expect, darkness, jumps, scares and kills. What Jeremy C. Shipp has created with Attic clowns is something else. Something haunting and utterly bizzarre. I can honestly say I have never read anything written in such a manner, yet I enjoyed it immensely.
I certainly intend to pick up the rest of the attic clown series.
Each one is an odd and truly new experience. The first story, Giggles is the longest of the four, and in my opinion the best. It is the extra length it has that creates a much fuller tale. Don't get me wrong however, for the other three, especially The Glass Box are haunting, and chilling.
Normally when reading horror, we know what to expect, darkness, jumps, scares and kills. What Jeremy C. Shipp has created with Attic clowns is something else. Something haunting and utterly bizzarre. I can honestly say I have never read anything written in such a manner, yet I enjoyed it immensely.
I certainly intend to pick up the rest of the attic clown series.
April 16, 2013
ATTIC CLOWNS has some very naughty and evil clowns! These are not your average clowns from a child’s birthday party… nooooo sir, they are twisted and demented!
In the books first story GIGGLES: Giggles is an evil clown that has been entertained by humans for many generations. If he isn’t entertained, the world will pay with heavy consequences…..
In PRINCESS: The Princess is a virgin & a whore at the same time who goes around spreading mystical STD’s.
In DON’T LAUGH: A Raven flies off with someone’s penis… OUCH!!
In THE GLASS BOX: The evil nature of a psychotic clown comes out to play in the most cruelest of ways.
My favorite story in this collection was GIGGLES. It was a dark evil clown tale with a high climax!
In the books first story GIGGLES: Giggles is an evil clown that has been entertained by humans for many generations. If he isn’t entertained, the world will pay with heavy consequences…..
In PRINCESS: The Princess is a virgin & a whore at the same time who goes around spreading mystical STD’s.
In DON’T LAUGH: A Raven flies off with someone’s penis… OUCH!!
In THE GLASS BOX: The evil nature of a psychotic clown comes out to play in the most cruelest of ways.
My favorite story in this collection was GIGGLES. It was a dark evil clown tale with a high climax!
June 6, 2012
Jeremy Shipp is one of those authors who must let themselves get lost in a story. Just letting go completely, diving into an impossible fantasy world, and allowing his imagination to take over.
Attic Clowns in an odd, creepy, and unique cluster of stories. Twisted and weird are words that keep popping into my mind. I'd love to read what he does with longer plots. Actually - I'm afraid to. Bravo.
Attic Clowns in an odd, creepy, and unique cluster of stories. Twisted and weird are words that keep popping into my mind. I'd love to read what he does with longer plots. Actually - I'm afraid to. Bravo.
May 24, 2012
Scared of clowns? You will be ;D You'll never look at them the same again.
This book has four short stories, each one a small dose of twisted, freaky fun.
For me, the first story, Giggles, and the last The Glass Box were the stand-outs but every one's a winner.
There are further volumes in this series and I'm off to get them right now. Thankfully I don't have to go in the attic for them................
This book has four short stories, each one a small dose of twisted, freaky fun.
For me, the first story, Giggles, and the last The Glass Box were the stand-outs but every one's a winner.
There are further volumes in this series and I'm off to get them right now. Thankfully I don't have to go in the attic for them................
June 1, 2012
I first read about this author on social media, knowing nothing about him. So I took a chance, read the book, and was astounded at how much I enjoyed it. I'm not the typical fan of this genre, and that's what is so amazing to me. The writing is excellent, with a quirky, funny, unusual style that made me want more. It's actually hard to describe. You just know it when you see it. I'd recommend this author to anyone without thinking twice.
February 6, 2014
This, and the others in the series, have been in my TBR pile for a long time. They just kept getting bumped because, well, that's how TBR piles work, right?
Anyway, this is a collection of four short pieces. All are bizarre to some degree or other. One is so far off the charts, I'm not even sure it holds any meaning. Others are more "straight" and have more of a plot. All of them were entertaining, though.
Anyway, this is a collection of four short pieces. All are bizarre to some degree or other. One is so far off the charts, I'm not even sure it holds any meaning. Others are more "straight" and have more of a plot. All of them were entertaining, though.
April 22, 2012
These are all short stories, 4 in all, that deal with clowns. There were really only a couple of them that made sense to me. The first short story, Giggles, grabs your attention quickly. That was the only one that did that. And it is my philosophy with short stories that if you are not grabbed by the first paragraph, the story is lost. Giggles was the best of the eight.
March 28, 2012
Another great short story collection of Attic Clowns by Mr. Shipp! His bizarre quality of telling stories is very unique and engaging! Prepare to be strapped down in the chair and enjoy the literary ride!
July 13, 2012
I liked the first story in this collection ("Giggles") but the stories got weirder as I read on. Overall, I enjoy the author's style and appreciate the perverse, speculative nature of the stories; I just wish they were longer so the worlds in which they're set could be better explored.
December 17, 2012
Very, very peculiar. This is a collection of four short stories, and it's a little hard to characterize. As you may have guessed the unifying theme is clowns in attics. And if you've ever been freaked out by a clown, these stories won't help.
December 30, 2012
This book was creepy and I really enjoyed reading it. The idea of clowns in the attic, just brilliant. The first story was by far the one I thought worked the best and the ones after were good, but I don't think they compared to the first on the level of interesting.
April 5, 2012
Awesome!
July 4, 2012
A few horror stories that feature clowns and attics. Go figger. Not too bad; mind candy on a day too hot to do anything else. Decently written and imaginative.
Read
August 14, 2012I didn't realize every story would be about clowns.
November 2, 2012
Interesting and odd.
May 10, 2013
Jeremy is an awesome guy and an extremely talented author; never ceases to amaze me. You should check out "Attic Clowns" (NOT for the feint of heart)!
December 28, 2014
Great read
5 stars
Interesting and different. Somehow clowns are not too scary in this book. All short stories are different but tied together. Good book.
5 stars
Interesting and different. Somehow clowns are not too scary in this book. All short stories are different but tied together. Good book.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews