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SCREAM

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What happens when you ignore your nightmares? Are they just bad dreams or are they trying to warn you? Who can say, but Jules doesn't have the luxury of ignoring them anymore. There's something ancient and ineffable on the loose, and it's not going to go quietly...

What started out as a class assignment has turned into something far more sinister and now Jules is faced with the living incarnation of their recurring nightmares. When an ancient cult holds its ceremony at the nearby docks, it seems like the perfect thing to investigate for their journalism class, but it turns out to be anything but.

For fans of cosmic horror, first person POV, and Lovecraftian tropes.

26 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 24, 2025

1 person is currently reading
15 people want to read

About the author

Matthew Salinas

38 books52 followers

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5 stars
14 (58%)
4 stars
7 (29%)
3 stars
2 (8%)
2 stars
1 (4%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Peter Topside.
Author 6 books1,466 followers
January 3, 2026
Very brief, much like this review will be. Standard cultish horror with a pretty darn good payoff. I loved how Matthew Salinas blurred the lines between reality and those nightmarish visions. I found myself unable to orient myself a few times, which just added to the fun here. It could have benefitted from being a bit longer, but not by much, however, the way it is here was still an enjoyable horror experience.
Profile Image for Ali  O.
788 reviews44 followers
June 24, 2025
SCREAM by Matthew Salinas
🌟🌟🌟🌟 (3.5 rounded up)
This is an entertaining short lovecraftian style horror story. I really enjoyed the premise and direction of the storyline. The thing I struggled a bit with was that I was confused with certain parts of the story and it wasn’t as fluid as I would hope for.
Overall though I enjoyed it! It’s creepy, dark and had some shockers that I didn’t see coming!

Jules is an aspiring journalist and wants to do what they can to pass their class at school. When their professor asks them to go to an out of classroom event for an assignment they jump at the chance!
This story has cults, evil entities and nightmares!
Screaming only makes things worse!

Thanks to Matthew Salinas for a copy of this exciting book!! I really enjoy his storytelling!

*This book is out now! Check it out for a fun and fast read!!*
Profile Image for Bambi Ortiz.
120 reviews19 followers
July 2, 2025
Absolutely terrifying and intense!

This story and the creature came straight from the pits of hell because that's exactly where I felt like I was trapped.

I, for one, would love to see this creature come to life in art form!

Another amazing story by Matthew Salinas, who never fails to keep you on the edge of your seat!
Profile Image for Ameriah Rain.
51 reviews5 followers
July 3, 2025
Amazing little creatire horror

What happens when a college student, Jules needs to pass his journalism class to graduate?

His professor offered him an opportunity to pass for sure as long as he checks out a lead about a cult.

When Jules does so, he has to not only fight for whether his reality is in a dream state but he also has to contend with whatever creature came from the depths of hell.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for BrooklynBookworm.
666 reviews11 followers
October 28, 2025
Not really for me

Jules is a college journalism student that accepts an unusual assignment to investigate a mysterious ritual held by an ancient cult at the docks. Now what begins as a lead for a class project quickly leads to something way more sinister. Jules has these recurring nightmares that mesh into reality and what was once a bad dream, becomes a living nightmare. Told in first person narration, Scream is a horror-fiction story that contains a malevolent entity that stalks both mind and body.

Scream is a really short horror novella perfect for people who enjoy stories relating to cults. It had a lot of promise with nightmares becoming real and dread of an unnamed cult. It’s also fast paced with a few points that really hit that “horror” vibe. However, because of the pacing, it felt under done. I felt like the characters were a bit underdeveloped as well. While the horror elements can be quite vivid at times, it tends to lean more on atmospheric flair. Sometimes I did get a bit confused with the nightmare and the reality blend. Overall, if you’re looking for a quick, horror novella and you love everything cult related, than this is right up your alley. I’d say for me… it’s a 2.5 star read.
Profile Image for Amanda.
36 reviews4 followers
June 30, 2025
Scream by Matthew Salinas

Available now!

Once again, Matthew Salinas delivers another banger! If you enjoyed the cosmic horror vibes and style of As It Stands and Something Truly Dreadful, then “Scream” will be right up your alley as you face horrors beyond your comprehension.

As an aside, perhaps you shouldn’t take up your professor’s suggestion for extra credit and take your chances with the final instead… 😉

Synopsis: “What happens when you ignore your nightmares? Are they just bad dreams or are they trying to warn you? Who can say, but Jules doesn't have the luxury of ignoring them anymore. There's something ancient and ineffable on the loose, an
d it's not going to go quietly...

What started out as a class assignment has turned into something far more sinister and now Jules is faced with the living incarnation of their recurring nightmares. When an ancient cult holds its ceremony at the nearby docks, it seems like the perfect thing to investigate for their journalism class, but it turns out to be anything but.

For fans of cosmic horror, first person POV, and Lovecraftian tropes.”
Profile Image for sugarnsass_reads.
224 reviews10 followers
June 21, 2025
Jules is desperate for a passing grade and gets sucked into a situation that quickly pulls the reader into a descent of madness..or is it? This fast paced short horror read is unsettling and nightmarish. I loved the pacing, tension buildup, and horrifying plot! Whatever you do when nightmares attack, don’t SCREAM!
Profile Image for Rainbeaux Harvest.
238 reviews5 followers
June 26, 2025
I see the author has been digging around in my brain. This is the stuff I think of when I let my mind out on its own.

Jules needs a passing grade for journalism, so they accept the assignment that guarantees a passing grade. What happened that night will change things for EVERYONE.

This was a short, fun read that left me asking wtf...
279 reviews10 followers
August 18, 2025
What happens when you cross cosmic horror with a dash of Nightmare on Elm Street, mixed with Lovecraftian elements? You SCREAM! Matthew has done just that in this short fast paced read. Powerful imagery as Jules must determine what is real or not. Great read, can't wait to check out more of his work.
Profile Image for Daniel Nobles.
126 reviews5 followers
June 19, 2025
Loved this take on lovecraftian horror. What comes of the waking dreams you sometimes have and do they mean more than once thought. Can they foresee what is waiting around the corner and is there more on the other side. A great story for those that enjoy classic styled horror.
Profile Image for Micki-D.
1,361 reviews37 followers
June 21, 2025
Scream is a fast paced take on a lovecraftian horror story. What happens when your nightmares become reality? or are they really nightmare? Jules needs to get a passing grade even if it means putting him self in a dangerous situation.
Profile Image for Maggie Rogers.
369 reviews1 follower
June 27, 2025
4.25 stars. Do you like cosmic horror? Are cults your jam? This is the story for you!

This one is short, so it wastes no time. The pacing is great. The payoff is satisfying. The writing style is engaging. The evil is fun. The ending is perfect. Overall, this is a great way to kill a half hour.
Profile Image for Shannon Reviews.
298 reviews15 followers
August 4, 2025
Another amazing book by Matthew Salinas! This isn’t the typical horror that I read but seeing as it’s by Matthew I had to read it. And I’m soo glad I did cause this is one of his best so far. The creature and cult are stuff from where nightmares are from!
Profile Image for Michelle.
114 reviews29 followers
August 12, 2025
Thank you to Matthew Salinas for this free story in exchange for an honest review.

A Lovecraftian feel with a creature and a cult.

Jules is a journalism student who is approached by his professor to attend an event in exchange for a passing grade. Completely unprepared for what awaits him, he accepts.

Another great story from Matthew Salinas. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Chandra.
116 reviews
August 28, 2025
This short tale by Matthew Salinas takes you into a world where the line between dreams and reality dissolves, revealing a cosmic horror of profound terror!
Fun little story that has you on the edge of your seat and leaves you wanting more!
Profile Image for Antoinette McCormick.
Author 8 books2 followers
June 24, 2025
A great take on Lovecraftian horror that’s well-paced, soaked in creeping dread, and delivers exactly what the genre promises. If you’re craving something unsettling, this is your next read.
Profile Image for BookSplatterBritt.
62 reviews28 followers
August 22, 2025
When an assignment doesn't go as planned. Cults don't mess around. Whatever you do, don't scream, don't make noise. It will get you!
Profile Image for Shanda.
119 reviews4 followers
August 16, 2025
Jules is trying to pass a class and gets offered an assignment to help with a passing grade. As the day of the assignment draws near Jules suffers from horrible nightmares. Only to discover that those nightmares were a warning.
This was a fantastic lovecraftian horror story. Short, fast, gory, and brutal about sums up this story.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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