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Sidewinder
In this terrifying novella from Tyler Jones, author of
Midas
,
Heavy Oceans
,
Criterium
, and
Burn the Plans
(one of Esquire Magazine's Best Horror Books of 2022), a young musician receives a custom, otherworldly guitar pedal created by a mysterious recluse with an unusual skill.
An exhilarating story that questions whether the true cost of greatness is how much we are willing to bleed.
“Tyler Jones’ stories are a manifesto for how horror can move, disturb, amuse, and devastate...written with such heart and humanity that you close the book feeling refreshed, confident that horror still has much to offer.”
—Esquire Magazine on Burn the Plans
"...smart...thrilling...Tyler Jones has written one for the ages...one of my favorite reads in years."
- Josh Malerman, author of Bird Box and Spin a Black Yarn on Midas
"A grisly tale, an ever-so-slow twisting of a knife. A triumphant piece of fiction."
- Philip Fracassi, author of Boys in the Valley on The Dark Side of the Room
"This is small-town Bradbury with a world-weary mean even the magic here seems perfectly happy to break your bones and drag your face across asphalt."
- Jeremy Robert Johnson, author of The Loop on Criterium
Tyler Jones writes with the lyrical complexity and haunting tenderness of masters like Matheson and Straub while remaining entirely new and inventive. A true visionary of contemporary horror fiction."
—Eric LaRocca, author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke on Almost Ruth
"Gripping, visceral, and supremely unpredictable."
- Nat Cassidy, author of Nestlings on Heavy Oceans
An exhilarating story that questions whether the true cost of greatness is how much we are willing to bleed.
“Tyler Jones’ stories are a manifesto for how horror can move, disturb, amuse, and devastate...written with such heart and humanity that you close the book feeling refreshed, confident that horror still has much to offer.”
—Esquire Magazine on Burn the Plans
"...smart...thrilling...Tyler Jones has written one for the ages...one of my favorite reads in years."
- Josh Malerman, author of Bird Box and Spin a Black Yarn on Midas
"A grisly tale, an ever-so-slow twisting of a knife. A triumphant piece of fiction."
- Philip Fracassi, author of Boys in the Valley on The Dark Side of the Room
"This is small-town Bradbury with a world-weary mean even the magic here seems perfectly happy to break your bones and drag your face across asphalt."
- Jeremy Robert Johnson, author of The Loop on Criterium
Tyler Jones writes with the lyrical complexity and haunting tenderness of masters like Matheson and Straub while remaining entirely new and inventive. A true visionary of contemporary horror fiction."
—Eric LaRocca, author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke on Almost Ruth
"Gripping, visceral, and supremely unpredictable."
- Nat Cassidy, author of Nestlings on Heavy Oceans
100 pages, Paperback
Published February 4, 2025
5 people want to read
About the author
Tyler Jones
23 books195 followersTyler Jones is the author of CRITERIUM, THE DARK SIDE OF THE ROOM, ALMOST RUTH, BURN THE PLANS, TURN UP THE SUN, HEAVY OCEANS, MIDAS, and LONGSIGHT M40.
His upcoming books include:
DEPTH CHARGE (Shortwave Publishing)
NIGHT OF THE GLASS KNIVES (Shortwave Publishing)
GO (Clash Books)
His work has appeared in the anthologies BURNT TONGUES (edited by Chuck Palahniuk), ONE THING WAS CERTAIN, 101 PROOF HORROR, CAMPFIRE MACABRE, PARANORMAL CONTACT and in Dark Moon Digest, Coffin Bell, Aphotic Realm, Cemetery Dance, LitReactor, and The NoSleep Podcast.
He lives in Portland, Oregon.
He is represented by Elizabeth Copps at Copps Literary Agency and Alec Frankel at IAG for Film/TV.
His upcoming books include:
DEPTH CHARGE (Shortwave Publishing)
NIGHT OF THE GLASS KNIVES (Shortwave Publishing)
GO (Clash Books)
His work has appeared in the anthologies BURNT TONGUES (edited by Chuck Palahniuk), ONE THING WAS CERTAIN, 101 PROOF HORROR, CAMPFIRE MACABRE, PARANORMAL CONTACT and in Dark Moon Digest, Coffin Bell, Aphotic Realm, Cemetery Dance, LitReactor, and The NoSleep Podcast.
He lives in Portland, Oregon.
He is represented by Elizabeth Copps at Copps Literary Agency and Alec Frankel at IAG for Film/TV.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 14, 2025
Sidewinder was an amazing little journey through the life long dream turned nightmare of a not so talented guitarist.
The second I thought I knew where this story was going it took a hard turn the other direction. The ending had my jaw on the floor. Amazing short read that I would, and have already, recommended to anyone!
The second I thought I knew where this story was going it took a hard turn the other direction. The ending had my jaw on the floor. Amazing short read that I would, and have already, recommended to anyone!
July 22, 2025
Great, quick read! Tyler Jones always sets you up, then knocks you for a loop! I will never play the guitar again without thinking of this story! Highly recommend!!!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews