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Ten-Word Tragedies
Inspired by Frank Turner and his songs—especially that evocative verse from Mittens—the editors were delighted to learn that he really did find that box of postcards in a New York thrift store. Frank was kind enough to send us the box, and from it we chose a series of postcards and forwarded them to the writers in this book. Gaining inspiration from the postcards and their 'ten word tragedies', the contributors wrote an amazingly eclectic selection of tales—moving, funny, horrific, bizarre, and delightful, these are the lives these strangers lead.
328 pages, Hardcover
First published July 15, 2019
4 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Tim Lebbon
294 books1,534 followersI love writing, reading, triathlon, real ale, chocolate, good movies, occasional bad movies, and cake.
I was born in London in 1969, lived in Devon until I was eight, and the next twenty years were spent in Newport. My wife Tracey and I then did a Good Thing and moved back to the country, and we now live in the little village of Goytre in Monmouthshire with our kids Ellie and Daniel. And our dog, Blu, who is the size of a donkey.
I love the countryside ... I do a lot of running and cycling, and live in the best part of the world for that.
I've had loads of books published in the UK, USA, and around the world, including novels, novellas, and collections. I write horror, fantasy, and now thrillers, and I've been writing as a living for over 8 years. I've won quite a few awards for my original fiction, and I've also written tie-in projects for Star Wars, Alien, Hellboy, The Cabin in the Woods, and 30 Days of Night.
A movie's just been made of my short story Pay the Ghost, starring Nicolas Cage and Sarah Wayne Callies. There are other projects in development, too.
I'd love to hear from you!
I was born in London in 1969, lived in Devon until I was eight, and the next twenty years were spent in Newport. My wife Tracey and I then did a Good Thing and moved back to the country, and we now live in the little village of Goytre in Monmouthshire with our kids Ellie and Daniel. And our dog, Blu, who is the size of a donkey.
I love the countryside ... I do a lot of running and cycling, and live in the best part of the world for that.
I've had loads of books published in the UK, USA, and around the world, including novels, novellas, and collections. I write horror, fantasy, and now thrillers, and I've been writing as a living for over 8 years. I've won quite a few awards for my original fiction, and I've also written tie-in projects for Star Wars, Alien, Hellboy, The Cabin in the Woods, and 30 Days of Night.
A movie's just been made of my short story Pay the Ghost, starring Nicolas Cage and Sarah Wayne Callies. There are other projects in development, too.
I'd love to hear from you!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 29, 2019
It’s a little embarrassing to rate a book that I’m in so, I dunno . . . pretend I’m not in it, or something. Lots of great stories in here and well worth the read!
April 15, 2020
I loved this collection of stories from some of my favorite authors. Every story was amazing, but I particularly loved the Paul Tremblay, Josh Malerman, and Kelley Armstrong stories. Highly recommend!
March 8, 2021
I won't go into detail here. Just some quick thoughts and ratings.
I AM HERE by Michael Marshall Smith.
This one is about grief and about memories. I just thought the tone here was wonderful
I don't know how personal this story was to the author but I could feel the emotion quite strong at certain points. Such an enjoyable opening piece.
It made me think about what will happen to all my signed books when I go. I just hope my family sell them wisely, because I know they won't keep them. Sad, when I think about that.
4 stars
LONDON SAFE by Stuart Neville
Begins with similar vibe to the previous story with clearing out boxes after a death.
I was convinced I was going to see a pattern. Safe to say there wasn't. I was just getting into this one when it stopped.
3.5 stars.
THE WAR WITHIN by Kelly Armstrong.
This was such a fun read. The letters going back and forth were so engaging. But why did it end the way it did? I get it. I can use my imagination, but just... Why?
4 stars.
THE NEW BOYFRIEND by Scott Smith
Really nicely written. Strong characterisation in this one, but nothing to excite if I'm being honest. Still an enjoyable read. And I really liked the ending on this one.
3.5 stars.
FROM THE LIVING ROOM OF COTTAGE 6 by Josh Malerman.
The beginning of this one. Wow. "A view lasts all day." Loved how the first paragraph led into that line.
This one got a little twisty and I loved it.
5 stars.
BEAT THE CARD HOME by Stephen Volk.
Ah, this little gem. The first one I read on the recommendation from Rio Youers.
This was pretty much a heavy hitter for me. Tons of sentiment and just great engrossing storytelling.
5 stars.
SHE FORGOT THEM ALL, SHE COULD NOT REMEMBER ANYTHING BUT LONGING by Kelly Braffet.
I couldn't get into the writing style here and I think it threw me out of the story. It all felt a little hurried.
2 stars.
GIVE ME TWO by Michael Koryta.
Pulled me in from the start with a little mystery and I loved the way this one unfolded. Great heartfelt ending, too.
4 stars.
THE LETTER FROM ELSIE by Matt Bechtel
Setting and characters were wonderful here. I loved the feeling of underlying trouble and how things were handled.
4 stars.
I HATE TO LEAVE THIS by Delilah S. Dawson.
This one was brilliant, and fair warning to all the insensitive and selfish men out there. Had me gripped the whole way through.
5 stars.
HOWARD STURGIS AND THE LETTERS AND THE VAN AND WHAT HE FOUND WHEN HE WENT BACK TO THE HOUSE by Paul Tremblay.
Well that's a title that sums things up. Couldn't quite connect with this one. Felt like I missed something along the way. I will say that the characters were written well, though.
2.5 stars.
THE HOUSE IN MY HEART by Rachel Autumn Deering.
I had a feeling this was headed one way. That it would have an obvious twist to it. It didn't. It had heart. Just like the title says.
For the journey.
3.5 stars.
FORT LAUDERDALE by Rio Youers.
In some way it felt similar to the previous story. Just the emotion it brought out. Enjoyed this one, too.
3.5 stars.
BROKEN FOR YOU by Alyson Noel
This one was just okay for me. It's the least connected story in the collection. I think it's one of those stories some people will love, though.
That's the good thing about collections. Something for everyone.
2.5 stars.
THE LIONS by Keith Buckley.
Not a bad idea this one. Did feel a little forced and a little whimsical, but that's just my taste, I think. I did like how it all came together and I thought the length of this short story was just right.
3 stars.
THE SAME AS THE AIR by Alison Littlewood.
An engaging mystery, and I love little stories within stories that make the overall experience work. This one was quite well thought out.
4 stars.
LOWCOUNTRY TIDINGS by Dan Chaon
This one made me laugh. An absurd, twisty bit of fun. A proper WTF.
Haha.
4 stars.
TAPROOT by M.R.Carey
This one felt really original and had me gripped. Such strong characters here.
Superb.
5 stars.
ROYAL GORGE by Frank Turner.
This one just felt damn cool from the off.
This one read like a conscious stream of thought. A great end to the collection by the man that inspired the book. Cool. Very cool.
5 Stars.
My overall score is a solid 4 stars for this collection. One I recommend you seek out.
Really glad I read this one.
I AM HERE by Michael Marshall Smith.
This one is about grief and about memories. I just thought the tone here was wonderful
I don't know how personal this story was to the author but I could feel the emotion quite strong at certain points. Such an enjoyable opening piece.
It made me think about what will happen to all my signed books when I go. I just hope my family sell them wisely, because I know they won't keep them. Sad, when I think about that.
4 stars
LONDON SAFE by Stuart Neville
Begins with similar vibe to the previous story with clearing out boxes after a death.
I was convinced I was going to see a pattern. Safe to say there wasn't. I was just getting into this one when it stopped.
3.5 stars.
THE WAR WITHIN by Kelly Armstrong.
This was such a fun read. The letters going back and forth were so engaging. But why did it end the way it did? I get it. I can use my imagination, but just... Why?
4 stars.
THE NEW BOYFRIEND by Scott Smith
Really nicely written. Strong characterisation in this one, but nothing to excite if I'm being honest. Still an enjoyable read. And I really liked the ending on this one.
3.5 stars.
FROM THE LIVING ROOM OF COTTAGE 6 by Josh Malerman.
The beginning of this one. Wow. "A view lasts all day." Loved how the first paragraph led into that line.
This one got a little twisty and I loved it.
5 stars.
BEAT THE CARD HOME by Stephen Volk.
Ah, this little gem. The first one I read on the recommendation from Rio Youers.
This was pretty much a heavy hitter for me. Tons of sentiment and just great engrossing storytelling.
5 stars.
SHE FORGOT THEM ALL, SHE COULD NOT REMEMBER ANYTHING BUT LONGING by Kelly Braffet.
I couldn't get into the writing style here and I think it threw me out of the story. It all felt a little hurried.
2 stars.
GIVE ME TWO by Michael Koryta.
Pulled me in from the start with a little mystery and I loved the way this one unfolded. Great heartfelt ending, too.
4 stars.
THE LETTER FROM ELSIE by Matt Bechtel
Setting and characters were wonderful here. I loved the feeling of underlying trouble and how things were handled.
4 stars.
I HATE TO LEAVE THIS by Delilah S. Dawson.
This one was brilliant, and fair warning to all the insensitive and selfish men out there. Had me gripped the whole way through.
5 stars.
HOWARD STURGIS AND THE LETTERS AND THE VAN AND WHAT HE FOUND WHEN HE WENT BACK TO THE HOUSE by Paul Tremblay.
Well that's a title that sums things up. Couldn't quite connect with this one. Felt like I missed something along the way. I will say that the characters were written well, though.
2.5 stars.
THE HOUSE IN MY HEART by Rachel Autumn Deering.
I had a feeling this was headed one way. That it would have an obvious twist to it. It didn't. It had heart. Just like the title says.
For the journey.
3.5 stars.
FORT LAUDERDALE by Rio Youers.
In some way it felt similar to the previous story. Just the emotion it brought out. Enjoyed this one, too.
3.5 stars.
BROKEN FOR YOU by Alyson Noel
This one was just okay for me. It's the least connected story in the collection. I think it's one of those stories some people will love, though.
That's the good thing about collections. Something for everyone.
2.5 stars.
THE LIONS by Keith Buckley.
Not a bad idea this one. Did feel a little forced and a little whimsical, but that's just my taste, I think. I did like how it all came together and I thought the length of this short story was just right.
3 stars.
THE SAME AS THE AIR by Alison Littlewood.
An engaging mystery, and I love little stories within stories that make the overall experience work. This one was quite well thought out.
4 stars.
LOWCOUNTRY TIDINGS by Dan Chaon
This one made me laugh. An absurd, twisty bit of fun. A proper WTF.
Haha.
4 stars.
TAPROOT by M.R.Carey
This one felt really original and had me gripped. Such strong characters here.
Superb.
5 stars.
ROYAL GORGE by Frank Turner.
This one just felt damn cool from the off.
This one read like a conscious stream of thought. A great end to the collection by the man that inspired the book. Cool. Very cool.
5 Stars.
My overall score is a solid 4 stars for this collection. One I recommend you seek out.
Really glad I read this one.
June 4, 2022
I was nervous that this anthology of short stories, that are all based on one Frank Turner song, would be repetitive and boring after awhile, however I was surprised to find that the song was about postcards and each author got a different post card to write a story about. This provided the book with nineteen stories that ranged in genre and had little to do with each other. I have never rated so many stories within one anthology as five stars, a truly great anthology. I'd recommend to anyone who likes a little bit of everything.
Michael Marshall Smith - I Am Here ⭐⭐⭐
Stuart Neville - London Safe ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kelley Armstrong - The War Within ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scott Smith - The New Boyfriend ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Josh Malerman - From the Living Room of Cottage 6 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Stephen Volk - Beat the Card Home ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kelly Braffet - She Forgot The All, She Could Not Remember Anything But Longing ⭐
Michael Koryta - Give Me Two ⭐⭐
Matt Bechtel - The Letter From Elsie ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Delilah S. Dawson - I Hate to Leave This ⭐⭐⭐
Paul Tremblay - Howard Sturgis and the Letters and the Van and What He Found When He Went Back to His House ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rachel Autumn Deering - The House in My Heart ⭐⭐
Rio Youers - Fort Lauderdale ⭐⭐
Alyson Noel - Broken For You ⭐⭐⭐
Keith Buckley - The Lions ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Alison Littlewood - The Same as the Air ⭐
Dan Chaon - Lowcountry Tidings ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
M.R. Carey - Taproot ⭐
Frank Turner - Royal Gorge ⭐⭐
Michael Marshall Smith - I Am Here ⭐⭐⭐
Stuart Neville - London Safe ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kelley Armstrong - The War Within ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scott Smith - The New Boyfriend ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Josh Malerman - From the Living Room of Cottage 6 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Stephen Volk - Beat the Card Home ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kelly Braffet - She Forgot The All, She Could Not Remember Anything But Longing ⭐
Michael Koryta - Give Me Two ⭐⭐
Matt Bechtel - The Letter From Elsie ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Delilah S. Dawson - I Hate to Leave This ⭐⭐⭐
Paul Tremblay - Howard Sturgis and the Letters and the Van and What He Found When He Went Back to His House ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rachel Autumn Deering - The House in My Heart ⭐⭐
Rio Youers - Fort Lauderdale ⭐⭐
Alyson Noel - Broken For You ⭐⭐⭐
Keith Buckley - The Lions ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Alison Littlewood - The Same as the Air ⭐
Dan Chaon - Lowcountry Tidings ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
M.R. Carey - Taproot ⭐
Frank Turner - Royal Gorge ⭐⭐
partly-read-anthologies
May 17, 2021Only read "The War Within" by Kelley Armstrong
4 stars
This story is told in letters, mostly between a soldier fighting in World War II and a girl back home, the daughter of an honorary uncle of the soldier. The story lets the reader make some assumptions and when the truth behind them is revealed it completely changes the tone of the story as it takes a very dark and sickening turn.
4 stars
This story is told in letters, mostly between a soldier fighting in World War II and a girl back home, the daughter of an honorary uncle of the soldier. The story lets the reader make some assumptions and when the truth behind them is revealed it completely changes the tone of the story as it takes a very dark and sickening turn.
June 15, 2020
A gut punch of stories...
I enjoyed the concept of this anthology. There are some strong detail rich worlds to fall into. There is also a few 'not my cup of tea' stories. Overall an entertaining read for a rainy Sunday afternoon.
I enjoyed the concept of this anthology. There are some strong detail rich worlds to fall into. There is also a few 'not my cup of tea' stories. Overall an entertaining read for a rainy Sunday afternoon.
November 18, 2019
Cool story behind how this anthology came to be, which you can read in the introduction, led to quite a few brilliant stories in this excellent collection. It's got a powerhouse line-up of writers and they don't disappoint. The first story got the book off to a slow start, but don't fret, it soared from there. Not a bad story in the book. My three favorites, (and good enough reason alone to buy this book) were THE NEW BOYFRIEND by Scott Smith, FROM THE LIVING ROOM OF COTTAGE 6 by Josh Malerman, and THE WAR WITHIN by Kelley Armstrong (an author I'd never read before but am eager to check out more soon).
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews