Not As It Seems: A Gothic Anthology

by Courtney Umphress

Escape into the dark, mysterious world of gothic literature, where nothing is as it seems.

The unnerving short stories in this gothic anthology keep true intentions hidden and reality in check behind the seemingly normal perspective of the narrator. The characters take the reader to haunted seaside manors, mysterious towns, and grand homes shrouded in secrets as they explore the deceitful nature of the mind and how their pasts affect their futures.

Featured stories and authors "Of Sound Mind" by Caroline Baccene"Sleep Sound and Wake Nane" by Rosie Beech"The Owl and the Shrew" by Sarah Bjork"Wretched Children" by L.M. Copeland"Ultraviolet Night" by Jesse Ramon Ferreras"The Widow of Winthrop House" by Sarah Kennedy Keys"Duskwood Hollow" by Cora Laine"The Woman in the Window" by Edmund McKenzie"A Killer Dream" by yesenia monique"Everyone's Polite, But No One is Nice" by Derek Moreland"Manor of Memories" by Elizabeth Faye Moxen"Marin" by Katherine Rea"The Lady of the House" by Constance Renfrow"The Hollowing" by Grace Silva-Ortiz"The Birthday Party" by Elizabeth Torres"Remember Us" by Meranda Tuttle"The Stroke of a Pen" by Roxanne Werner
Though these stories span genres, including thriller, horror, and fantasy—both historical and contemporary—they all ask the same Must you confront the horrors lurking in the shadows, or have they been a part of you all along?

404 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 2, 2025

Reviews

[Jesse Ferreras · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Disclaimer: I am one of the writers published in this book. My review excludes my story, “Ultraviolet Night.”)

Gothic is haunting. It’s the spirits that drag you back into the small town you always wanted to leave. It’s the scratches inside the walls of an aging home. It’s the laughs of children you can’t see, the sting of a trauma passed down through generations.

And as this anthology shows, it’s the kind of story where you’re never sure you can trust the one telling it.

“Not As It Seems: A Gothic Anthology” is not just an excellent read, it’s an experience of grief, guilt, death, delusion and much more.

You’ll read the emotional stories of two sisters in an old home, a calligrapher who takes on a mysterious client and a Southern Gothic reminiscent of “The Reformatory.”

The anthology will have you alternating between chills, tears and sighs as its authors invite you into the darkest corners of their minds

This is a perfect book to read by the fire as Halloween approaches.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of spooky, gothic vibes, the anthology Not As It Seems truly delivered! I enjoyed every story, captivated by the wide range of subject matter. The collection spans historical to contemporary settings, featuring everything from vampires to mental health crises. The unreliable narrator theme shines through in each tale, with clever twists and surprises that kept me fully engaged.
One favorite remains The Owl and the Shrew, which I loved from an advance read and still holds a special place. Equally fascinating, The Widow of Winthrop House kept me guessing until the moment of revelation, followed by a twist ending that was incredibly satisfying.

Of Sound Mind offered a unique gothic flavor, diving into psychological depths that unsettled me most with its disturbing conclusion. Honestly, it’s tough to pick favorites when every story is so compelling.

The variety of themes, genres, and tropes woven by these authors is impressive; no two stories feel alike, but each held my attention from start to finish. I highly recommend Not As It Seems to anyone craving gothic thrills with clever twists!

[Alessandra Coco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not as It Seems is a gothic anthology featuring seventeen talented authors who deliver stories united by one key thread: the element of surprise. In this collection, every seemingly ordinary setting hides untold secrets, sinister undercurrents, and darkly satisfying twists.
The anthology spans a range of genres — from realism to fantasy — and takes readers through haunted mansions, shadowed morgues, Victorian London streets, and even courts of princes and vampires. The diversity of settings and tones keeps the reading experience fresh and unpredictable.
Several protagonists stood out to me as particularly compelling — and sometimes delightfully unexpected — such as the scribe in The Stroke of a Pen, the forensic pathologist in Sleep Sound and Wake Nane and the trophy wife in The Lady of the House.
Those who enjoy realism will appreciate the sharp characterization of the journalist and tech ocean conservation mogul in Marin, while fans of the supernatural will be drawn to the clairvoyant in A Killer Dream. Readers craving traditional gothic atmospheres will find Wretched Children and The Widow of Winthrop House especially satisfying.
One thoughtful touch is that trigger warnings are clearly listed at the start of the book, allowing readers to approach each story with confidence and set their own pace.
Finally, a special note for the striking cover art, professional editing, and overall polished presentation — qualities that elevate the book and make it an even greater pleasure to read.

[J.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this anthology of new gothic fiction with the theme of unreliable narrators because I’ve been working on a gothic story of my own and wanted to study how contemporary authors are reinterpreting the genre. What I found was a vibrant, unnerving, and thought-provoking collection that balances mystery, dread, and imagination in fresh ways.

One of the anthology’s greatest strengths is its variety. The stories span a wide range of subgenres, from historical gothic tales with echoes of the classics to modern narratives that transplant gothic unease into today’s world. That breadth kept me engaged and underscored just how flexible (and still haunting) the gothic can be in new hands.

Among the standouts, “Everyone’s Polite, but No One is Nice” made a lasting impression. By centering the destruction of a phone as the key isolating event for its protagonist, it cleverly reframes a gothic trope for our hyper-connected era. I found myself thinking about that choice long after finishing the story.

Overall, this anthology doesn’t just revisit the gothic. It reinvents it with contemporary urgency, offering both devoted fans and new readers plenty to savor.

[Thebiblioholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing collection of short gothic tales from seventeen authors who were all new to me. Each story was beautifully crafted, with unexpected twists, creepy creatures, and an eerie sense of foreboding that lingered long after I finished. I especially loved The Widow of Winthrop House by Sarah Kennedy Keys, The Birthday Party by Elizabeth Torres, and A Killer Dream by Yesenia Monique. This is a perfect pick for gothic lovers-or for readers wanting to dip their toes into the genre. It's also an ideal way to kick off spooky season! I discovered some fantastic authors in this anthology that I'll definitely be checking out again.

[Angela Calabrese · Rating 5 out of 5]

A COLLECTION OF GHOULISH TALES THAT WILL KEEP YOU UP AT NIGHT!

NOT AS IT SEEMS is a diverse assortment of stories perfect for the Halloween season. Be prepared to lurk around graveyards and step into mysterious houses. Get ready to be deceived in more ways than one! From grotesque to unnerving, these tales will force you to turn on a nightlight (or two). I especially enjoyed Roxanne Werner’s THE STROKE OF A PEN. It had a gothic, charming, old-world feel to it and her characters were cleverly crafted. Although the subject matter may seem morbid, Werner manages to give even her most sinister character redeeming qualities. The ending will not disappoint!

[Amy Hepp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vampires, ghosts, skeletons, storms, and more captivate the reader in this rich gothic anthology. All of the stories are full of mystery and intrigue. These seventeen original stories are perfect for the spooky time of year or reading aloud around a campfire in the middle of the woods. My favorites were The Stroke of a Pen, The Birthday Party, and Duskwood Hollow. If you have a friend or family member who loves Halloween, this would be a great gift. Bravo, authors!

[Donna Rossman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each story in this anthology is well written and thought provoking. I found a couple even elicited tears over an unexpected but much welcomed conclusion such as, “The Owl and the Shrew” by Sarah Bjork and “The Stroke of a Pen” by Roxanne Werner. Roxanne Werner’s piece especially returns warmly to my thoughts. There is something for everyone here who enjoys gothic short stories.

[Divya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great Anthology spanning different genres. The stories, although short, are quite entertaining. The stories are fast-paced with a few twists that kept me guessing. My favourite was 'The Stroke of a Pen', which was quite unique ique and unexpected. I did love all the stories in this amazing Anthology.

[Gayle Krause · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not as it Seems is an excellent anthology of well-written, thought-provoking Gothic stories that will promote discussions at book clubs and readers’ groups. A great variety of topics. My favorite is Roxanne Werner’s The Stroke of a Pen, a story with an old-world feel mixed with a modern vibe where the protagonist promptly outwits the villain. Would recommend for readers who like unusual stories.

[Raechel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great spooky read with a ton of variety! With story summaries at the beginning, you can easily find a tale to suit your mood. Read them a couple at a time or binge the whole book! With 17 authors included here, you’ll find something to enjoy!

[Harley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love books that have a bunch of short stories so you can get a taste of different authors this is for you. I did love the concept of this book. I won’t lie some stories kinda lost me but all in all it was cool. Really out of my norm but I suggest it for those of you that enjoy this

[Desi Stowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written anthology, with stories that leave you with more questions than answers.

My favorite is The Owl and The Shrew by Sarah Bjork.

[CONNIEBENNETT26 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not As It Seems :A Gothic Anthology!
Devoured this outstanding definite page turner , that will stay with reader.
Through decisive clarity , descriptions and journeys!

[Kate Ormand · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great pick in the lead up to Halloween. From shadowy mysteries to a touch of the paranormal, I was captivated by this collection of haunting tales.

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5*
I loved so many stories in this book! There was only two that I found boring or confusing.
Fantastic book!

[Roxanne Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Editor Courtney Umphress has done a wonderful job selecting stories you’ll want to curl up with during the ‘BER’ months when days grow shorter and shadows lengthen. She achieves that fine line where all the stories work together and yet each one is different. Without excessive gore or graphic violence, it’s still a spine-chilling collection with twists and turns to surprise.
Seventeen bite-sized tales. No matter what your preference ghosts, vampires, curses you’ll find something to enjoy in this eclectic mix. The eerie settings were characters themselves--creaky old mansions, dank, dark rivers, foggy streets. I found myself rereading the stories to make sure I caught every nuance and trick of the unreliable narrators. Thank you, Courtney Umphress and all the authors for a great read.

[Ellen L. Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each story in this perfectly named anthology, NOT AS IT SEEMS, keeps you guessing.
When you want to enjoy strange and spooky tales with fascinating characters and intriguing plots, reach for this anthology! I particularly enjoyed Werner’s “The Stroke of a Pen” and Keys’s “The Widow of Winthrop House.” The diversity of stories is one of the many strengths of this anthology with its many twists and surprises. Highly recommended!