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Be Not Afraid
Horror writer Phil Keeling introduces himself to the world with his first Be Not Afraid. These surreal, macabre, and often darkly humorous tales take the reader from the crumbling streets of ancient Mesopotamia to the cul-de-sacs of the American
- Men chase myths in the salt marshes of the low country, putting their lives at risk for glory and a paycheck.
- A child's curiosity leads to chaos when she finds a wounded angel in her family's cellar.
- A college student befriends an old man that is slowly being consumed by his house.
And 8 more stories of the grim and the esoteric. Be not afraid.
- Men chase myths in the salt marshes of the low country, putting their lives at risk for glory and a paycheck.
- A child's curiosity leads to chaos when she finds a wounded angel in her family's cellar.
- A college student befriends an old man that is slowly being consumed by his house.
And 8 more stories of the grim and the esoteric. Be not afraid.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 20, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
Be Not Afraid is a collection of 12 short stories, and each one was perfectly creepy! I absolutely enjoyed every story. They were all unique and disturbing in their own way, which kept me interested from beginning to end.
The horror level was fairly mild, so I think this would be a great read for anyone who enjoys something spooky without being too scary or intense.
Honestly, I would have loved to read a full length book based on any one of these stories!
Be Not Afraid is a collection of 12 short stories, and each one was perfectly creepy! I absolutely enjoyed every story. They were all unique and disturbing in their own way, which kept me interested from beginning to end.
The horror level was fairly mild, so I think this would be a great read for anyone who enjoys something spooky without being too scary or intense.
Honestly, I would have loved to read a full length book based on any one of these stories!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Summary: A collection of mixed length (but short) horror stories. With different themes in each one, we meet a hungry angel, a baby who isn't quite a baby, killer cockroaches and more...
Review: This was such a wild collection. I started this like what on earth, and then as I read on I was like yeah this makes sense, I likes this. I think the cockroach story was my favourite, I read through that SO fast and wanted more when it ended. The others were so good too, *that* angel story was highly unexpected.
This releases 9th October - this is one the horror readers need to get on the list. I can see it being popular. Thanks so much to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of it!
Review: This was such a wild collection. I started this like what on earth, and then as I read on I was like yeah this makes sense, I likes this. I think the cockroach story was my favourite, I read through that SO fast and wanted more when it ended. The others were so good too, *that* angel story was highly unexpected.
This releases 9th October - this is one the horror readers need to get on the list. I can see it being popular. Thanks so much to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of it!
October 11, 2026
This collection moves through the vast sea of horror with ease. As the reader, you swim from monsters in the marsh to demons in the cellar. Every story feels unique and distinct. Never once will you look around and think to yourself, "have I been here before?"
In terms of style, Keeling definitely has his own flavor. His stories are not focused on trying to instill fear. Instead, every piece aims to entertain and intrigue. Ending a story can be such a difficult feat, and it's easy to be disappointed by the last line, but every single story in this collection ends with a bang.
I think I would have to say my three favorites are "Be Not Afraid," "The Little Things," and Samael Grove, but it's hard to narrow down.
Whether you're someone who yearns for tales of evil or someone simply interested in dipping their toes in the horror genre, this collection is a great choice.
In terms of style, Keeling definitely has his own flavor. His stories are not focused on trying to instill fear. Instead, every piece aims to entertain and intrigue. Ending a story can be such a difficult feat, and it's easy to be disappointed by the last line, but every single story in this collection ends with a bang.
I think I would have to say my three favorites are "Be Not Afraid," "The Little Things," and Samael Grove, but it's hard to narrow down.
Whether you're someone who yearns for tales of evil or someone simply interested in dipping their toes in the horror genre, this collection is a great choice.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A horror anthology of 12 short stories all dealing with different horror elements. Varying in length these short stories explore both supernatural and realistic human components that get under your skin.
I'm a sucker for an anthology.... make a horror anthology and I am completely sold. When @philmakesmonsters reached out to me a few months ago to read an ARC of his horror anthology, I was completely honored. Every single ARC I get to read still feels like a treat to me, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read and review this for an upcoming indie author. Much like all anthologies I have ever read, there are some stories that really stood out to me and others that I didn't get quite as into. Regardless, this is a fantastic group of short scary stories that has something for all horror fans! The pub date for this is tomorrow, 10/9/2026, so add it to your spooky season TBR!
My personal ranking of the 12 stories in this anthology (from favorite to least favorite):
The Elevated Table (5⭐)
Samael Grove (5⭐)
Be Not Afraid (5⭐)
Hellbender (5⭐)
The Little Things (4⭐)
The Changing Room (4⭐)
The Blasphemy in the Box (4⭐)
The Wasps are Coming for Us All (4⭐)
Hamish and the Impossible Flowers (4⭐)
The Medicine Box (3⭐)
The Beguiler of Swarms (3⭐)
Babble (2⭐)
I'm a sucker for an anthology.... make a horror anthology and I am completely sold. When @philmakesmonsters reached out to me a few months ago to read an ARC of his horror anthology, I was completely honored. Every single ARC I get to read still feels like a treat to me, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read and review this for an upcoming indie author. Much like all anthologies I have ever read, there are some stories that really stood out to me and others that I didn't get quite as into. Regardless, this is a fantastic group of short scary stories that has something for all horror fans! The pub date for this is tomorrow, 10/9/2026, so add it to your spooky season TBR!
My personal ranking of the 12 stories in this anthology (from favorite to least favorite):
The Elevated Table (5⭐)
Samael Grove (5⭐)
Be Not Afraid (5⭐)
Hellbender (5⭐)
The Little Things (4⭐)
The Changing Room (4⭐)
The Blasphemy in the Box (4⭐)
The Wasps are Coming for Us All (4⭐)
Hamish and the Impossible Flowers (4⭐)
The Medicine Box (3⭐)
The Beguiler of Swarms (3⭐)
Babble (2⭐)
October 12, 2026
Phil - let me just say, I’m so glad you reached out about this collection and offered me an ARC, because it was a truly wonderful little book!
I am typically not one to enjoy short story collections all that much. It’s 100% a me thing, because I struggle so much to sit down and read short stories back to back. I like to take breaks between them, you know? Let it all sink in! And this collection really had me excited about going back for more!
Each of the stories was so unique, yet they all felt connected in a way. The writing was phenomenal, and it kept me hooked from start to finish. Every story was a solid 4-5 stars for me, with Samael Grove being my favorite.
Do yourself a favor and read this collection! 4.5/5
I am typically not one to enjoy short story collections all that much. It’s 100% a me thing, because I struggle so much to sit down and read short stories back to back. I like to take breaks between them, you know? Let it all sink in! And this collection really had me excited about going back for more!
Each of the stories was so unique, yet they all felt connected in a way. The writing was phenomenal, and it kept me hooked from start to finish. Every story was a solid 4-5 stars for me, with Samael Grove being my favorite.
Do yourself a favor and read this collection! 4.5/5
September 13, 2026
Great horror short story collection!! Some of these stories will really make you think!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was like catnip. Once I started diving into these stories, especially with an opener like "Babble" I simply couldn't put this down. This includes 12 short stories from Phil Keeling, each unique and creepy for different reasons. Covering an array of horrific themes and ideas, this is definitely one to add to your collection. Phil Keeling is an author I will be on look out for in the future.
Babble: Loved this one... extravagance in the name of worship. That alone scares me.
Hellbender: Stories like this are the reason I am scared of open water!
The Medicine Box: A special delivery that comes with a cost...
Be Not Afraid: A very creepy possession story that is right up my alley.
The Blasphemy in the Box: While this one is among my favorites, the ending boggled my mind. I had to read it twice.
The Wasps are Coming for All of Us: Actually a kind of sweet story, though the idea gives me the creepy-crawlies
The Little Things: This one was bizarre, unsettling, sci-fi goodness... watch where you step.
The Beguiler of Swarms: The yuck factor is high with this one, but it was SO good
Hamish and the Impossible Flowers: This is another of my favorites. Plant horror is so much fun.
Samael Grove: NEVER dare a child to go into a haunted house.
The Changing Room: No explanation needed. This is far out weird horror and I loved it. Changing rooms are actually a very vulnerable place. Are you going to be the same person on the other side?
The Elevated Table: This one messed me up. The real life implications if this were real make me want to vomit. Great entertainment, though!
I highly recommend this horror collection.
Babble: Loved this one... extravagance in the name of worship. That alone scares me.
Hellbender: Stories like this are the reason I am scared of open water!
The Medicine Box: A special delivery that comes with a cost...
Be Not Afraid: A very creepy possession story that is right up my alley.
The Blasphemy in the Box: While this one is among my favorites, the ending boggled my mind. I had to read it twice.
The Wasps are Coming for All of Us: Actually a kind of sweet story, though the idea gives me the creepy-crawlies
The Little Things: This one was bizarre, unsettling, sci-fi goodness... watch where you step.
The Beguiler of Swarms: The yuck factor is high with this one, but it was SO good
Hamish and the Impossible Flowers: This is another of my favorites. Plant horror is so much fun.
Samael Grove: NEVER dare a child to go into a haunted house.
The Changing Room: No explanation needed. This is far out weird horror and I loved it. Changing rooms are actually a very vulnerable place. Are you going to be the same person on the other side?
The Elevated Table: This one messed me up. The real life implications if this were real make me want to vomit. Great entertainment, though!
I highly recommend this horror collection.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My first ARC!
A collection of short stories that were all so twisted and good, I'm thinking of doing a wellness check on Mr. Keeling. While all the stories were attention grabbing, the stories that stuck out to me the most were 'Be not Afraid', 'Samael Grove', and 'The Elevated Table'.
I would absolutely love longer versions of Be not Afraid and Samael Grove, and The Elevated Table is the perfect length and builds creepy tension in a beautiful way.
If you are a fan of all things twisted and horror, then you need to check out 'Be Not Afraid'.
A collection of short stories that were all so twisted and good, I'm thinking of doing a wellness check on Mr. Keeling. While all the stories were attention grabbing, the stories that stuck out to me the most were 'Be not Afraid', 'Samael Grove', and 'The Elevated Table'.
I would absolutely love longer versions of Be not Afraid and Samael Grove, and The Elevated Table is the perfect length and builds creepy tension in a beautiful way.
If you are a fan of all things twisted and horror, then you need to check out 'Be Not Afraid'.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Be Not Afraid is a collection of short horror stories written by Phil Keeling. The collection is organic and feels very intentional, which makes it so easy to go from one story to the next. Despite the title, I was very afraid. Keeling is so talented, creating vivid scenes that progressively increase in tension and horror. My favorite story is Hellbender– it is so scary! I definitely recommend this collection to all horror fans!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m very proud of this collection. These are stories that have spanned decades of my life, and seeing them collected is a real pleasure. Hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews