Write Like Hell: Dark Fantasy & Horror Anthology Vol. 1

Write Like Hell #1

by Mitchell Lüthi, Scott Miller, Justin Probyn

Write Like Hell is the first horror and dark fantasy anthology released by Sentinel Creatives. Adapted from the zine released under the same name, Write Like Hell features stories from Scott Miller, Justin Probyn and Mitchell Luthi.

Between these pages, you'll find a feast of fiction for you to sink your teeth into. This release see the debuts of not one but two writers.
Scott Miller's Panopticon is as unsettling as it is well-crafted. Pessimistic horror at its finest, this is a must read for fans of Connolly and Ligotti.
Justin Probyn's debut, Void Born, blends gritty sci-fi, gore and cosmic-horror into one seamless festival of the obscene.


Write Like Hell includes:

Dregmere - Mitchell Luthi

Panopticon - Scott Miller

Void Born - Justin Probyn

Genres: Horror, Short Stories

100 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 9, 2019

About the author

The Pilgrim Illustrated Limited Edition Kickstarter is launching in September 2024! Check it out here: https://t.ly/xsNeh

The limited edition includes 12 full-page illustrations by artist Tyrone Le Roux, 9 character illustrations by Filipe Pagliuso, full-colour book ends by Alicja Tereszczenko, an illustrated slipcase by Anthony Ventura, custom interior design, medieval chapter drop caps, metallic rose gold on the front, spine, and rear, gold-edged pages, and a ribbon bookmark.

Mitchell Lüthi is a writer and producer based in Cape Town, South Africa. He has written a number of scripts, short stories, and radio plays. "Pilgrim" is his first full-length novel.

In addition to his writing, Lüthi produces and scores the Sentinel Creatives Podcast. With a passion for storytelling, Lüthi has established himself as a versatile writer who can create compelling narratives across various genres.

His short story, "The Bone Fields", received an honorable mention in the 2020 L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Competition. The story is available in the Write Like Hell: Kaiju anthology.

Reviews

[Gregory Popov · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been closely following Mitchell Lüthi, and Sentinel Creatives more generally, ever since I stumbled upon the thrilling short story "The Black Hussars." Since then, I've gone back and read their back-catalog to date, and the quality of their output is superb. I wouldn't be caught sleeping on a new release. Which brings me to "Write Like Hell," an anthology / vintage zine featuring short-form horror stories from a number of authors. Notably, Mitchell Lüthi, Justin Probyn, and Scott Miller. Together, their output runs the gamut from Victorian Gothic ("Dregmere") and the cosmic horror pioneered by the likes of Lovecraft ("Void Born") to the pessimistic horror of the modern age ("Panopticon"). In short, there's something for every horror enthusiast here, and the stories are as well-written and spine-chilling as they are brief. The rest of the zine is filled with horror-themed miscellany that celebrates and subverts the genre: a challenging crossword that'll test both your knowledge of horror literature and film, a movie review of "Midsommar," reports of strange and unseemly happenings, and much, much more. Zines like these you simply don't come across anymore, and I commend them for the time and effort required to pull something like this off. Bravo!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little conflicted when first I saw this - horror not quite being my cup of tea - but, in the end, I'm glad I picked this up.

WLH is made up of four short horror stories, featuring stories by Mitchell Luthi, Justin Probyn and Scott Miller. All three authors approach the theme from very different angles, and there is a healthy dose of variety within these pages. Gothic, cosmic, pessimistic, and more gothic. I'll take it.

[R.A. Goli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Write like hell is more a classic horror zine rather than an anthology. Quick easy read. Really enjoyed the Gothic tale, ‘Dregmere’ though I felt it could have been longer. I was transported to that castle and wasn’t ready to leave. Panopticon was well written and I was interested in finding out what would happen to the MC, though I was a bit confused by the ending. I really liked Void Born, a sci-fi horror story. It was gruesome and full of tension. There was also a movie review of Ari Aster’s, Midsommer, and some nice illustrations spattered throughout.

[Milton Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Write Like Hell” Vol. 1 is something of an anachronism. Its presentation is much like those weird fiction zines of old -- you know the type: the cover is adorned with cheesy artwork, typically depicting some gasping damsel while a shadowy figure looms in the background with evil intent, and its pages are filled pastiche-style with all manner of spooky miscellania -- short stories; eye-witness accounts of spooky phenomena; chilling stories of varied length; and crude depictions of monsters, aliens; and sundry other offerings. In this sense, “Write Like Hell” is instantly recognisable, containing all the beloved hallmarks that made zines, especially of this sort, very popular. However, “Write Like Hell” is a noticeably contemporary and professional offering. This zine is a considerable step-up when compared to previous iterations of its kind: the artwork is understated but effective, and never once feels tropey; and the writing is of a high quality, and runs the historical gamut of horror literature. Lüthi’s "Dregmere" and "Lord Ruthven" respectively are well-crafted bites of Victorian Gothic story-telling, Probyn’s "Void Born" is an action-packed space romp and will have considerable appeal among fans of sci-fi horror, and Miller’s authorial debut, "Panopticon" -- whilst a little flowery and meandering at times -- wears its pessimistic influences proudly on its sleeve, and to chilling effect. While the stories make up the bulk of the content, there’s plenty more content to keep you entertained -- chief of which, a particularly nasty crossword that’ll have me scratching my head until the second volume comes to light. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable release.“Write Like Hell” Vol. 1 is something of an anachronism. Its presentation is much like those weird fiction zines of old -- you know the type: the cover is adorned with cheesy artwork, typically depicting some gasping damsel while a shadowy figure looms in the background with evil intent, and its pages are filled pastiche-style with all manner of spooky miscellania -- short stories; eye-witness accounts of spooky phenomena; chilling stories of varied length; and crude depictions of monsters, aliens; and sundry other offerings. In this sense, “Write Like Hell” is instantly recognisable, containing all the beloved hallmarks that made zines, especially of this sort, very popular. However, “Write Like Hell” is a noticeably contemporary and professional offering. This zine is a considerable step-up when compared to previous iterations of its kind: the artwork is understated but effective, and never once feels tropey; and the writing is of a high quality, and runs the historical gamut of horror literature. Lüthi’s "Dregmere" and "Lord Ruthven" respectively are well-crafted bites of Victorian Gothic story-telling, Probyn’s "Void Born" is an action-packed space romp and will have considerable appeal among fans of sci-fi horror, and Miller’s authorial debut, "Panopticon" -- whilst a little flowery and meandering at times -- wears its pessimistic influences proudly on its sleeve, and to chilling effect. While the stories make up the bulk of the content, there’s plenty more content to keep you entertained -- chief of which, a particularly nasty crossword that’ll have me scratching my head until the second volume comes to light. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable release.

[Pat Eroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this anthology. After reading volume 2 as an ARC, I had to come back and get this book because vol 2 was so good. This one is just as great. Lots of wonderful stories, some not as good but worth reading, and yes, a few a bit weird. Overall, the stories are worth the purchase and the time reading!

[Icy-Cobwebs-Crossing-SpaceTime · Rating 5 out of 5]

WRITE LIKE HELL! is not a traditional short story anthology. Rather it's a more diverse collection, am ezine, showcasing writing frim members of the Sentinel Collective. Included are short stories, a film review, and a nod to Lovecraftian monsters.

[Petra Sando · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't care for any but he first short story and the second was okay, as well. They all were decently written, but the last two didn't make much sense for me, from a story line/arc perspective. Too many unanswered questions, too, unfortunately.

[Gerald Sessions · Rating 3 out of 5]

Six very strange, very dark very twisted tales some more like snippets pulled out of a larger tail that didn’t make any sense and others even though strange did have a point so dark. My favorite of the 6 wasPANOPTICON BY Scott Miller

[Beaulah McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I wish these stories were longer though.

[fred jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bit of a mixed bag, I really enjoyed Dregmere and Void born, struggled with Panoptican, the others were very short but OK
Overall certainly worth reafing

[Nicola Lodge · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first few stories are a bit bland. But about half way through onwards it gets very interesting

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great horror collection to read on a stormy night.

[Tony Ciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting set of stories

[Mystee Pulcine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is always difficult to rate an anthology, especially one with multiple authors. Some of these stories were great, but some were... odd... confusing... irrelevant. It almost felt like some of the stories were tiny bits of incomplete story connected to some grander story that I did not have access too. I hope the next one is better curated.

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely enjoyed ALL of the stories in this set. You simply can’t go wrong with this collection. Every single story is guaranteed to pique your interest and entertain you.

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

[Kendal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy from the author in exchange for a review, but it did not impact my review.

Four wonderfully spooky tales, and just in time for Halloween!
For just 0.99c, it's a steal.

[Angad Oberoi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Liked the first one quite a bit, the other three were really not my cup of tea.