Generation

by Nat Cassidy

When expecting a new baby, it's normal to have questions.
What will my baby look like?
What if I'm not ready?
What if it's not human?
What if this is happening all over?
What if this is the end of the world?
When expecting a new baby, it's normal to be scared.

This is the first issue in the From the Cassidy Catacombs series. Each issue features a complete, standalone short story by Nat Cassidy.

The first 100 copies of each issue are hand-signed by the author and include collectable art cards featuring artwork by Caitlin Marceau.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories

20 pages, Paperback

Published May 21, 2024

About the author

NAT CASSIDY is a national bestselling and Bram Stoker Award-nominated author whose acclaimed works include Mary ("One of the Best Horror Novels of All Time" - Audible), Nestlings, and Rest Stop. Esquire described him as one "of the best horror writers of this generation" and among the writers "shaping horror's next golden age." His award-winning plays have been produced across the country, including Off-Broadway and the Kennedy Center. You've also maybe seen Nat guest-starring on shows such as Law & Order: SVU, Blue Bloods, Bull, Quantico, FBI, and many others ... but that's a topic for a different bio. His newest novel, When the Wolf Comes Home, hit shelves in April 2025 and was called "a classic" by Stephen King. He lives in New York City with his wife.

Reviews

[thevampireslibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Generation and The Art Of What You Want

Blessed with two short stories from Nat Cassidy I inhaled these,  my mouth was left dry as the sahara because it was easier to leave it agape in absolute shock than shut it because inevitably these stories would take another unforseen turn and I'd be left, what do the kids say? Shooketh? Nat has the knack (that rolls off the tongue nice dunnit) of writing real gruesome skin crawling scenes that just come out of no where and knock you for six, being a chapbook the heavier themes are only lightly caressed (grief, greed, manipulation, the possible ending of humanity) leaving the reader to draw their own ominous conclusions, perfectly executed with Cassidy's sharp wit and punch to the gut horror these leave you wanting more

[Angyl · Rating 3 out of 5]

an intriguing concept but I wanted more from it

[kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What it’s about:
When expecting a new baby, it's normal to have questions.
What will my baby look like?
What if I'm not ready?
What if it's not human?
What if this is happening all over?
What if this is the end of the world?
When expecting a new baby, it's normal to be scared.

Content Warnings:
Cassidy included - Pregnancy fears and anxieties, birth defects, images of self-harm, and medical trauma.

Thoughts:
This is a short story that is… Shirley Jackson-esque, not in writing style per se but in that it will make you use your noggin. You will travel along this fun, brilliant path and then get to the end and go “wait, what just happened?” The atmosphere is vivid and the emotions palpable. One part of the story felt a little repetitive to me—yes even at 16 pages—but overall, I really liked this one. I would consider it pretty tame horror but there is a vivid scene that could be triggering to those sensitive to the content warnings listed above or sensitive to content alluding to abortion.

Enjoy ✨

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love short stories, but there are few short stories I've loved enough to want a physical copy of (on its own). I bought the signed little paperbacks (zines?) of this and Nat Cassidy's other story. I've decided not to review the other one (I enjoyed it, but don't feel the need to talk about it), but this one...needs something said. It's such a neat story. It's clear cut and the characters kind of do exactly what's expected. It's the reader who's unsure of where they are. I think the gentle horror(ish) that slowly took over the story made this so impactful. It wasn't trying to be gross, it was trying to peel back the layers of a futuristic dilemma. I just appreciated the style and execution so much. I definitely need to read a longer piece of work from Nat at some point.

[Stay Fetters · Rating 4 out of 5]

"They’re monsters, she whispered, aren’t they? We’re talking about monsters."

Having children is terrifying. I don’t have any (except a fur baby but that’s a little different. It changes your mind, body, and life forever. There are always those horrifying thoughts before giving birth and those things have always haunted me.

Pregnancies are supposed to be a joyous occasion but it’s the worst thing that could happen in the future. This short story brings all of those fears to the surface. It was quick to get the horror across and it was highly enjoyable. I liked it!

You can never go wrong with a Cassidy story!

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a horrifying story! The excitement of a new baby, marred by a nightmare come to life. Nat did a great job building the horror with this short story, most of it taking form with what he DIDN'T tell us. Recommended 👍

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does Nat Cassidy never miss?! The concept is horrifying and the images that he created in my mind with this one were so disturbing. I need a full book or series with this one to learn more about this terrifying world.

[Marguerite Turley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pregnancy is always frightening but in this tale it’s downright disturbing!! Such creeping dread, mixed with so much ambiguity made me inhale this story. I just wanted to see in that folder!! Nat has such a way with finding the perfect way to creep me out!

[Jessie-Punkersfictionreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay now I just need a full length novel with illustrations please and thank you! Absolutely terrifying.

[Anna Dupre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassidy capitalizes on fears of the uncertain with this short story. Told from the POV of a doctor, it’s clear to see something isn’t right given the mental state of the couple (patients) she’s about to see. This feeling of “wrongness” only grows into full-blown terror once the truth of the situation is revealed concerning the expecting mother and her husband. If unexpected complications of pregnancy were scary before, Cassidy takes these fears to a whole new level (this story ultimately feels like a play on What to Expect When You’re Expecting because truly the outcome is unexpected). Things are happening on a deeper level as well begging the question, which would you pick in the face of probability, the devil you know or the devil you don’t?

[Brooklyn Attic Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man, I need a longer version of this! Very cool concept!!!

[Shelby Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unsurprisingly, I want a whole novel about this.

[Kirsten Marzonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting one! I wish it was a novel instead of a short story because I’m hungry for more

[Bliss · Rating 1 out of 5]

This didn't really do a whole lot for me.
I bought the first installation of the Catacombs and read this as it came before the real reason I bought it, The Art of What You Want.

I like dystopian to a degree, but the alien-esque vibe takes me out of the story.
This has less to do with Cassidy and his writing and more to do with personal preferences.

If you're a fan of horror that's more realistic and less sci-fi, this story isn't for you.

[Megan Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Nat Cassidy’s writing, I love these chap books, and I love shortwave. These short chap books (happen to be done by some of my favorite authors) are always so incredible, scary, and the perfect bite of horror. Let this post be the one to convince you to buy all the shortwave chap books!

I am hoping Shortwave can talk some of my other favorite others into publishing chap books too.

[Tosh P · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really want to see what’s in that folder.

[Hannah Rush · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good. Honestly I wanted more.

[Jacs Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

aaahhhhh!!!!

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cool concept. Wish it was longer.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This was a powerful sample of cassidy's abilities. The topic, the opint of views, the reactions.

[Ivee Lain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nat just has such a way of writing dialogue. I’d read an entire novelization of this story, but the quick pace of a short story fit this premise perfectly.

[Ann Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

From Nat Cassidy, it was way too short and I was expecting more from him!

[Brittany Rothwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is like a black mirror episode! Loved it!

[Luci Bellinor · Rating 5 out of 5]

9

[Sophie R · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️. What the fuck (complementary)