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Unearthed
Two stories from Richard Chizmar
Manuscripts found in a dark corner of his office, from a time long forgotten - the Eighties. Revived at the hand of two horror masters, these stories are a slice of the past brought into the present.
The Sculptor
With Ray Garton
An artist in a dry spell awakes to find fresh stone in his home calling to be carved. Inspiration arrives, but at what cost?
Roses and Raindrops
With Brian Keene
A delivery to the old house on the edge of town haunts a man with horror and possibility.
Composed in the '80's, nearly lost to time, these two stories are now. . .
. . . UNEARTHED
Manuscripts found in a dark corner of his office, from a time long forgotten - the Eighties. Revived at the hand of two horror masters, these stories are a slice of the past brought into the present.
The Sculptor
With Ray Garton
An artist in a dry spell awakes to find fresh stone in his home calling to be carved. Inspiration arrives, but at what cost?
Roses and Raindrops
With Brian Keene
A delivery to the old house on the edge of town haunts a man with horror and possibility.
Composed in the '80's, nearly lost to time, these two stories are now. . .
. . . UNEARTHED
- GenresShort StoriesHorror
48 pages, Paperback
Published July 23, 2016
7 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Richard Chizmar
252 books3,445 followersRichard Chizmar is a New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Amazon, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author.
He is the co-author (with Stephen King) of the bestselling novella, Gwendy’s Button Box and the founder/publisher of Cemetery Dance magazine and the Cemetery Dance Publications book imprint. He has edited more than 35 anthologies and his short fiction has appeared in dozens of publications, including multiple editions of Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and The Year’s 25 Finest Crime and Mystery Stories. He has won two World Fantasy awards, four International Horror Guild awards, and the HWA’s Board of Trustee’s award.
Chizmar (in collaboration with Johnathon Schaech) has also written screenplays and teleplays for United Artists, Sony Screen Gems, Lions Gate, Showtime, NBC, and many other companies. He has adapted the works of many bestselling authors including Stephen King, Peter Straub, and Bentley Little.
Chizmar is also the creator/writer of the online website, Stephen King Revisited. His fourth short story collection, The Long Way Home, was published in 2019. With Brian Freeman, Chizmar is co-editor of the acclaimed Dark Screams horror anthology series published by Random House imprint, Hydra.
His latest book, The Girl on the Porch, was released in hardcover by Subterranean Press, and Widow’s Point, a chilling novella about a haunted lighthouse written with his son, Billy Chizmar, was recently adapted into a feature film.
Chizmar’s work has been translated into more than fifteen languages throughout the world, and he has appeared at numerous conferences as a writing instructor, guest speaker, panelist, and guest of honor.
He is the co-author (with Stephen King) of the bestselling novella, Gwendy’s Button Box and the founder/publisher of Cemetery Dance magazine and the Cemetery Dance Publications book imprint. He has edited more than 35 anthologies and his short fiction has appeared in dozens of publications, including multiple editions of Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and The Year’s 25 Finest Crime and Mystery Stories. He has won two World Fantasy awards, four International Horror Guild awards, and the HWA’s Board of Trustee’s award.
Chizmar (in collaboration with Johnathon Schaech) has also written screenplays and teleplays for United Artists, Sony Screen Gems, Lions Gate, Showtime, NBC, and many other companies. He has adapted the works of many bestselling authors including Stephen King, Peter Straub, and Bentley Little.
Chizmar is also the creator/writer of the online website, Stephen King Revisited. His fourth short story collection, The Long Way Home, was published in 2019. With Brian Freeman, Chizmar is co-editor of the acclaimed Dark Screams horror anthology series published by Random House imprint, Hydra.
His latest book, The Girl on the Porch, was released in hardcover by Subterranean Press, and Widow’s Point, a chilling novella about a haunted lighthouse written with his son, Billy Chizmar, was recently adapted into a feature film.
Chizmar’s work has been translated into more than fifteen languages throughout the world, and he has appeared at numerous conferences as a writing instructor, guest speaker, panelist, and guest of honor.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 24, 2025
This duology of old, Unearthed stories from the heyday of popular horror—for which Chizmar provides a delightful introductory tribute in this chapbook—is similar to what he did with Stephen King in Gwendy’s Button Box, but in reverse. He recruited two genre titans—the late Ray Garton, and Brian Keene—to resurrect and round out these buried tales.
Garton’s contribution is of a self-pitying, has-been sculptor called, well, The Sculptor (which I would have called The Muse, but I don’t need to get into my pretentious title gripes again).
(I feel attacked).
One night, a slab of granite mysteriously appears in depressive, washed-up artist Alex’s studio. He begins chiseling away as if possessed, slowly revealing a demonic entity who demands sacrifice. It is not difficult to predict how the story progresses. A thematic musing (there it is!) involves tacitly endorsing and embodying one’s parental upbringing, (The three words he remembered most clearly from his childhood were not “I love you.” Instead, they were a cold and dismissive: “Not my problem.”) Further subtext I drew from this is the question of responsibility on the part of the artist for what they put into the world. Horror is no stranger to controversy in terms of accusations that it could ‘influence’ criminal behavior. The notion of a malevolent or haunted work of art is common within the genre as well.
For Brian Keene’s part, Roses and Raindrops (which sounds like a Glam Metal ballad), is a brutal, shorter story in which a child is found mutilated after every rainstorm, a single red rose pedal left behind with their corpses. While the mystery of what is behind these painful, pediatric slayings is revealed, it is not resolved. The aging, bitter witness to this revelation is driven mad, but rather than seeking justice, he finds himself wishing to indulge and imbibe.
I really like what Chizmar chose to do with these stories, handing them off to get fresh takes from other talents. It’s a brilliant way to build camaraderie within the community and the results, in this case, are gratifying. It’s always fun to imagine what one creative would do with another’s idea or outline. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of this approach.
Garton’s contribution is of a self-pitying, has-been sculptor called, well, The Sculptor (which I would have called The Muse, but I don’t need to get into my pretentious title gripes again).
“He was quickly, systematically stripped of the skills that allowed him to create and the inspiration that brought those skills to life. He was suddenly a novice once again, all of his experience vanished as if it had never been, replaced by feelings of self-doubt and a sense of crippling inadequacy.”
(I feel attacked).
One night, a slab of granite mysteriously appears in depressive, washed-up artist Alex’s studio. He begins chiseling away as if possessed, slowly revealing a demonic entity who demands sacrifice. It is not difficult to predict how the story progresses. A thematic musing (there it is!) involves tacitly endorsing and embodying one’s parental upbringing, (The three words he remembered most clearly from his childhood were not “I love you.” Instead, they were a cold and dismissive: “Not my problem.”) Further subtext I drew from this is the question of responsibility on the part of the artist for what they put into the world. Horror is no stranger to controversy in terms of accusations that it could ‘influence’ criminal behavior. The notion of a malevolent or haunted work of art is common within the genre as well.
For Brian Keene’s part, Roses and Raindrops (which sounds like a Glam Metal ballad), is a brutal, shorter story in which a child is found mutilated after every rainstorm, a single red rose pedal left behind with their corpses. While the mystery of what is behind these painful, pediatric slayings is revealed, it is not resolved. The aging, bitter witness to this revelation is driven mad, but rather than seeking justice, he finds himself wishing to indulge and imbibe.
I really like what Chizmar chose to do with these stories, handing them off to get fresh takes from other talents. It’s a brilliant way to build camaraderie within the community and the results, in this case, are gratifying. It’s always fun to imagine what one creative would do with another’s idea or outline. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of this approach.
Want to read
June 14, 2017This copy of the chapbook "Unearthed" is signed by Richard Chizmar.
January 7, 2025
That was a fun collaborative read. Two short story offerings originally written by Chizmar during the 1980s. But reworked with the help of Chizmar’s fellow horror authors and friends. Perfect reading before lights out on a cold winter night.
4 ⭐️s
4 ⭐️s
August 7, 2016
Review of UNEARTHED
by Richard Chizmar, Brian Keene, Ray Garton
This title collects two stories written quite some time back by the illustrious Richard Chizmar, author, editor, anthologist, and publisher. As he explains in an introduction, when he serendipitously came upon these two stories, he asked two masters of the horror genre to rework them with him.
"The Sculptor" is a collaboration by Mr. Chizmar and Ray Garton, and relates the tribulations of the eponymous artiste, a man who first gains recognition, then loses his motivation or perhaps his talent. When an unforeseen "impossible" event occurs, both motivation and talent are immediately, immensely, reawakened. As always happens when we "deal with the devil," there are drastic and tragic consequences. [Note: although there are Faustian tones here, the Sculptor doesn't seek out such a contract outright; rather the events are thrust upon him, sadly.]
"Roses and Raindrops"--I loved this story!--is narrated by a senior citizen living alone near the community of Aberdeen, Virginia. A prosperous and thriving community without crime, depressed economy, or any of the other plagues of modern society, Aberdeen is a great place to work and live; just not a great place to raise kids. The denouement is ravishingly horrifying, and the ending is, if possible, even better. This story is by Mr. Chizmar and Brian Keene.
by Richard Chizmar, Brian Keene, Ray Garton
This title collects two stories written quite some time back by the illustrious Richard Chizmar, author, editor, anthologist, and publisher. As he explains in an introduction, when he serendipitously came upon these two stories, he asked two masters of the horror genre to rework them with him.
"The Sculptor" is a collaboration by Mr. Chizmar and Ray Garton, and relates the tribulations of the eponymous artiste, a man who first gains recognition, then loses his motivation or perhaps his talent. When an unforeseen "impossible" event occurs, both motivation and talent are immediately, immensely, reawakened. As always happens when we "deal with the devil," there are drastic and tragic consequences. [Note: although there are Faustian tones here, the Sculptor doesn't seek out such a contract outright; rather the events are thrust upon him, sadly.]
"Roses and Raindrops"--I loved this story!--is narrated by a senior citizen living alone near the community of Aberdeen, Virginia. A prosperous and thriving community without crime, depressed economy, or any of the other plagues of modern society, Aberdeen is a great place to work and live; just not a great place to raise kids. The denouement is ravishingly horrifying, and the ending is, if possible, even better. This story is by Mr. Chizmar and Brian Keene.
October 13, 2018
An excellent and fun short read. Chizmar has done something rather unique with these two tales and I think it was genius. I gobbled these tales up and was hungry for more... These authors are all so talented and I won't lie, it helps and adds more to this collection, if you know their work and are already a fan. Though, you'll enjoy these short stories no matter what.
May 2, 2021
Two great stories co-written by Richard Chizmer, Brian Keene and Ray Garton.
July 5, 2024
2024#10: Unearthed by Richard Chizmar, with Ray Garton and Brian Keene.
1. The Sculptor (with Ray Garton)
A creatively struggling sculptor finds that someone has left a huge block of granite inside his apartment. It awakens his creativity as well as something evil.
Chizmar and Garton deliver a great and gripping horror tale. Nice twist in the end, too.
2. Roses and Raindrops (with Brian Keene)
A serial killer is loose, with a penchant for kidnapping and mutilating children. It also happens to strike during the rainy season. The main character has a delivery to a particular cabin in the middle of nowhere. Could it be...
The nice thing about this story is that it doesn't spoon-feed you regarding the true nature of the killer. You get to figure it out on your own. One thing is certain, though, that we all can become what we truly fear and loathe.
P. S. I know which sections were written by Keene, especially the parts discussing libertarian politics.
RIP Ray Garton (1962-2024)
A pioneer of the Extreme Horror Genre!
1. The Sculptor (with Ray Garton)
A creatively struggling sculptor finds that someone has left a huge block of granite inside his apartment. It awakens his creativity as well as something evil.
Chizmar and Garton deliver a great and gripping horror tale. Nice twist in the end, too.
2. Roses and Raindrops (with Brian Keene)
A serial killer is loose, with a penchant for kidnapping and mutilating children. It also happens to strike during the rainy season. The main character has a delivery to a particular cabin in the middle of nowhere. Could it be...
The nice thing about this story is that it doesn't spoon-feed you regarding the true nature of the killer. You get to figure it out on your own. One thing is certain, though, that we all can become what we truly fear and loathe.
P. S. I know which sections were written by Keene, especially the parts discussing libertarian politics.
RIP Ray Garton (1962-2024)
A pioneer of the Extreme Horror Genre!
June 12, 2017
Only Richard Chizmar has the "street-cred" to team up with some giants in the horror industry. You've (hopefully) read my review of Gwendy's Button Box (written with Stephen King, well I found this jewel on my Kindle and see that he teamed up with Brian Keane and Ray Garton for two stories in this collection.
Richard chose two stories from his past and had both authors put their creative touch on them; resulting in an entertaining read.
I've said before that Richard is a masterful storyteller - creating believable characters and realistic situations that everyone can relate to.
The first story is "The Sculptor". A story about a man who, after much hard work, became a master of his craft; earning more than enough to take some time off to work on personal statues. But, like all artists, his muse left him and he finds himself struggling between the desire to create, but without the inspiration. Until one night, after passing out drunk he awakens to a strange sound coming from his studio. He discovers his muse, but at a frightening cost.
The second story is "Roses and Raindrops". This was downright disturbing. It takes place in a small town in Virginia with a dark secret. Right after a rainstorm, a child is found mutilated - body parts missing and the only clue are blood red rose petals left at the disappearance scene and in the child's mouth. One man discovers the secret but, for his own reasons, never tells.
While these two were quick reads, they will stay with you well beyond the time it took to read them.
Richard chose two stories from his past and had both authors put their creative touch on them; resulting in an entertaining read.
I've said before that Richard is a masterful storyteller - creating believable characters and realistic situations that everyone can relate to.
The first story is "The Sculptor". A story about a man who, after much hard work, became a master of his craft; earning more than enough to take some time off to work on personal statues. But, like all artists, his muse left him and he finds himself struggling between the desire to create, but without the inspiration. Until one night, after passing out drunk he awakens to a strange sound coming from his studio. He discovers his muse, but at a frightening cost.
The second story is "Roses and Raindrops". This was downright disturbing. It takes place in a small town in Virginia with a dark secret. Right after a rainstorm, a child is found mutilated - body parts missing and the only clue are blood red rose petals left at the disappearance scene and in the child's mouth. One man discovers the secret but, for his own reasons, never tells.
While these two were quick reads, they will stay with you well beyond the time it took to read them.
June 4, 2018
Two reworked stories originally by Richard Chizmar
As he explains in his forward, Mr. Chizmar uncovered some old stories he had written that were never published, then decided to ask to horror writer colleagues to rewrite two of them. The Garton rewrite of “The Sculptor” turned out somewhat better than the trifle called “Roses and Raindrops,” but both are moderately entertaining. Each story also ends somewhat unsatisfyingly.
As he explains in his forward, Mr. Chizmar uncovered some old stories he had written that were never published, then decided to ask to horror writer colleagues to rewrite two of them. The Garton rewrite of “The Sculptor” turned out somewhat better than the trifle called “Roses and Raindrops,” but both are moderately entertaining. Each story also ends somewhat unsatisfyingly.
August 8, 2016
I enjoyed both stories in this book but I preferred the Garton/Chizmar collaboration more because it was longer. The Keene/Chizmar story was good too but pretty short. The book is 45 pages but part of this is taken up by Chizmar's explanation of how the book came about. If you are a fan of the authors work I'd definitely suggest reading it. If you just stumbled across it I'd recommend starting with one of their longer works first.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews