Monstrosity, Humanity

by M.M. Schreier

Monstrosity, Humanity is MM Schreier's debut collection of 25 dark stories that push the boundaries of what it means to be human or monster.

Monsters. Discover an arachnid that revels in the divinity of aesthetic and creation. Follow the tales of bittersweet ghosts, looking for closure and remembrance. Sympathize with an insane eldritch goddess, who wants nothing more than to sleep the eons away.

Humans. It can be said that people are the true monsters, and the characters in this collection are no exception. From murderous intent to uncanny powers, they prove that true darkness can lurk in mankind's heart.

From gothic, psychological, and literary horror, to macabre humor this speculative collection explores the humanity in monsters, and the monstrosity of humans, coming together in that liminal place where the lines between them blur.

Genres: Horror

152 pages, Paperback

Published March 29, 2024

About the author

MM Schreier is a classically trained vocalist who took up writing as therapy for a mid-life crisis. Whether contemporary or speculative fiction, favorite stories are rich in sensory details and weird twists. A firm believer that people are not always exclusively right- or left-brained, in additional to creative pursuits Schreier is on the Leadership Team for a robotics company and tutors maths and science to at-risk youth.

Reviews

[Lisa Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the absolute pleasure of receiving an advance reader copy (ARC) of MM Schreier's debut collection of short stories, "Monstrosity, Humanity" and it was just incredible. Exploring various forms of horror through different mediums (flash fiction, short story, epistolary, etc.), in various forms (eldritch/Lovecraftian, humorous horror, historical fiction/horror, psychological horror, thriller, etc.), and in different settings (from cornfields to a nursing home to the depths of hell) the author flexes writing muscles like few others can. Several of her stories showcase a lyrical writing style that's reminiscent of Poe--ominous and dread-inducing while employing absolutely flawless, mesmerizing prose; while other pieces showcase more of a contemporary style as well as a solid sense of humor with a biting wit.

The opening story, It Tastes of Salt and Terror, is one of my many favorites in the collection, setting the perfect tone and theme and cadence of the anthology. I enjoyed all the stories immensely, but other particular favorites include Chameleon, Cake, Not Quite Finished, Monsters Under the Bed, A Questionable Gift, Antique Photos, The Left Hand Twin, The Tour Guide, and Shadowman.

The beauty of each of the stories in the collection is the feelings they induce while you're reading--each one unique--as well as a staying power that grips you and doesn't let go. So many of these pieces will linger in my mind for a long time. They're the types of stories you can read again and again, if for no other reason than to savor the language and the tremendous craftsmanship of words that builds each piece.

Highly, highly recommend getting yourself a copy ASAP!

[Trek Lunden · Rating 5 out of 5]

MM Schreier’s debut collection of short story horror is the perfect accompaniment to summer winding down and cooler weather settling in. Schreier takes us on a brisk walk through dark adventures with her own twist on the modern monster, making them deadlier and more cunning than ever before. A master of creative description, she guides us through one rich, hair-tingling landscape after another as we follow on the shoulder of her unfortunate characters facing off against the most horrible of foes.

My personal favorite monstrosity is the creature found in ‘It Tastes of Salt and Terror’ found right in the opening story, setting the tone for the delicious treats you’ll find in these expertly crafted tales. And for a taste of morbid humor and wit I recommend the snarky succubus in ‘The Tour Guide’, leading a fresh group of damned souls on a trip through hell.

All-in-all a brilliant collection of horror. For anyone who appreciates dark fiction, this is for you.

[Ikwi Bookreviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeously written short horror

This was a beautiful collection of haunting short stories. MM Schreier's style is gorgeously lyrical, every tale rich with sensory detail. The author deftly creates an atmosphere of creeping dread, and captivates the reader within just a few sentences. The collection explores the timeless themes of loneliness, love, loss, and longing as characters battle their own unreliable minds, eldritch horrors, supernatural forces, and veritable monsters. Several stories imbued with dark humor and one lovely poem provide a little respite from the emotionally heavier fare. Overall, this is an excellent collection that will be enjoyed by lovers of literary fiction and horror alike.

[Shari Heinrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Schreier delivers a terrific collection of short stories and flash fiction that capture all flavors of horror, spanning time and space, living and undead. If you like slash ’em up horror, pieces like “It Tastes of Salt and Terror” and “The Fear Liath” will make you wonder about that nighttime sound outside your window. Love stories where you’re waiting for that proverbial shoe to drop, tension ratcheting up page by page? Hang on for “Lemon Scented Bleach,” “Darla and the Cown,” and “Nine Loves of Madness.” Among my favorites in this collection were “Takeout” and “The Tour Guide” for their wonderful humorous voice, a breath to recover before the next juice, scary tale. This was a book I kept “one more paging” it, even after I’d finished one story. I’d read the opening of the next story, and I had to keep reading.

[Heather Santo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a fan of MM Schreier’s short fiction and devoured this collection of bite size horrors in one sitting. Most noteworthy for me is the story “Monsters Under the Bed, Episode #215 ‘Frozen Fear,’” which is presented in podcast format. Each tale contains a chilling monster, gripping plot, and are sure to keep the reader up at night. In addition, Schreier always brings beautiful imagery and immersive settings, even in her horror. I highly recommend this collection room for horror fans and lovers of lit fic alike!

[Chris Sadhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to whoever told this woman she couldn’t write horror—they created a monster!

This is a masterclass in short fiction—a splendid collection that might just scare the shit out of you or at least compel you to sleep with the lights on to keep the monsters at bay. The only problem then is you’ll be alone with your thoughts, which Schreier suggests could be even worse.

[Myna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled to receive an ARC of this book. I’ve followed the author’s short fiction for several years, always admiring the variety of creatures and the way they are brought to life. This collection doesn’t disappoint. While I enjoy the imaginative array of monsters, the thing I love most is the wide range of writing styles. Some of these pieces center classic horror, while others are laced with wit and humor. My favorite pieces are the ones with lush, lyrical language. Each story draws the reader in with a compelling scenario, evoking chills along with empathy, scares paired with compassion, and the odd comfort of knowing the monsters are safely trapped within the pages. Sometimes you might even find yourself cheering for the monsters. I recommend this collection for anyone who enjoys a scary campfire tale, a little burst of terror, or a fun romp through unexpected worlds.

[Rachael Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author knows her way around a story and can wield words like nobody's business! The plot, pacing, and wordflow in general moved along quite wonderfully with all of the story's found within this well-written debut short story collection. The theme was intriguing off the jump, and the variety of horror stories was satisfying, with some more darkly humorous tales to give a nice breath between. I found the cover was eye catching as well. A few favourite stories of mine include the opening story "It tastes of Salt and Terror," "Monsters Under the Bed," and "Episode #215 ‘Frozen Fear,’” which has a podcast format I quite enjoyed. This collection is worth the read and gets a 4.5 stars (rounded up to 5) from me.

[Lin Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of chilling stories, with a variety of "monsters" (both human and non) told with unusual intelligence and grace. Schreier's precise language and ability to highlight just the right details give the tales a literary quality too often missing from horror. Yet, the intelligence never subtracts from the chills. My favorites, for the record are: It Tastes of Salt and Terror (which, full disclosure, I beta read a ways back); The Vigil; and Darla and the Clown, which scared the tarnation out of me. Highly recommended!