First Strike

by Eman Shumail, Nicky O’Connell (Artist), Matsubara K. (Artist)

A precision strike of literature and art, this inaugural volume from The 300 Project delivers twenty-six stories that hit their target with brutal efficiency. From the shattered remnants of suburban dreams to the hungry dark that lurks behind closed doors, each piece is a calculated assault on complacency. Complemented by four visual artists who translate the impossible into striking imagery, First Strike is a curated collection of the weird, the fallen, the horrific, and the bold. These are not gentle explorations but targeted strikes—each story a perfectly calibrated projectile of narrative designed to penetrate, unsettle, and resonate long after the final page. Contributing Authors & Artists:
Abbey Lee Goscinski
Eman Shumail
Andrei Romanov
Isabel Fontes
Chaimae Belahrache
David Hughes
Leigh A. Schmidt
Nico Vergara
JED
E.P. Lande
Pat Saunders
John Sloan
Edward Michael Supranowicz (Visual Art)
Kenneth M. Kapp
John Dennis
Alexandra Henry
Kamran Connelly
Matt P. Marinovich
Clay Anderson
Nicky O’Connell (Visual Art)
Niles Reddick
Aodh Alexander
Chris Corlew
Apurba Karmakar
Adele Evershed
T. Morrow
Matsubara K. (Visual Art)
Paul Wiklanski
Richard Hurst
Atlas Wilder

Genres: Short Stories, Horror

135 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2026

Reviews

[Cherry May · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Strike by Hollowpoint Press is a thrilling collection of horror short stories. Horror anthologies are among my favorite kinds of books, and this collection reminded me exactly why I enjoy them so much. As with most anthologies, some stories stood out more than others, but the collection as a whole was varied, entertaining, and consistently engaging. I enjoyed moving from one unsettling story to the next and discovering the different voices, ideas, and forms of horror included throughout the book.