Of Witches...

by Steve Stred, Miranda Crites (Foreword/Illustrations)

Of Witches… the newest collection by dark fiction author Steve Stred brings together eight stories all revolving around one of history’s great curiosities – the witch.

Steve Stred will once again take you into the deepest, darkest places.

Accompanied by fifteen stunning photographs/illustrations, as well as an amazing foreword from Miranda Crites, this collection is sure to quench your crone thirst.

Within this collection you’ll find tales about;
-A watery reunion
-A story shared in a bar
-Letters left after a family member dies
-A chance encounter while camping
-Three sisters who live on the outskirts of town
-The events that follow the loss of a loved one
-Strange occurrences at a property
-A teenager starting to work at the family business

Of Witches… is sure to become both a Halloween classic as well as a collection classic.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Witches, Fantasy, Fiction

190 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 2020

About the author

An award-winning author, Steve Stred lives in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with his wife and son.

Known for his novels, ‘Mastodon,’ ‘Churn the Soil,’ and his series ‘Father of Lies’ where he joined a cult on the dark web for four years, his work has been described as haunting, bleak and is frequently set in the woods near where he grew up. He’s been fortunate to appear in numerous anthologies with some truly amazing authors.

His novel ‘Mastodon’ will be translated into Czech and Italian over the next few years.

His novel 'Churn the Soil' won the Best Horror Novel award in the 2024 Indieverse Awards.

His novel 'Mastodon' and his novella' Sacrament' were both nominated for Splatterpunk Awards.

He is represented by Kodie Van Dusen at The Rights Factory and Alec Frankel at Independent Artist Group.

Outside of writing, Steve received his Bachelor Degree in Kinesiology from the University of the Fraser Valley in 2008, and became a Certified Canadian Pedorthist in 2013.

Reviews

[Kim Napolitano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think there is any book that Steve Stred puts out that I don’t love! This collection of stories about Witches is the grown up fairy tale versions, evil hags, magic and spells, revenge and love! I do have to say The Witch was my favorite story along with part 2 The Tree, I’ll remember this story for awhile. Applause to Miranda Crites, excellent forward and artwork!! I can not recommend this collection more! Grab a copy, enjoy the fall season and kick off the horror celebration with Of Witches!

[Chris Berko · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good collection of stories where the most memorable one for me is because of its emotional impact rather than being scary. I liked every story in here and with all collections some were better than others, but unlike most collections there wasn't a bad one, no true stinkers. Okay, I really dug the first story about the dad and his son and I won't say much more other than it's been a few weeks since I first read it and I'm still thinking about it. It's not too long, and i can't exactly pinpoint what it is but that story hit me. Another thing I liked about these are the explanations at the end of each story as to what his inspirations and ideas were. I would probably read more short stories if more authors did this, I liked the glimpse behind the scenes feel those gave.

[Kiera ☠ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 (rounded up for GoodReads)

I picked this book up this evening not realizing that I would devour it in one night. Every story in this collection is incredible. I love a good folk lore, which story and ‘Of Witches…’ is an exemplary example of such. It’s been a while since I’ve read short stories from Steve, I forgot how great he is with them. One of them immediately stood out to me as something that would make for an incredible concept for a film. In a few short pages he’s able to create such a viscerally terrifying experience, over and over again.

There are a few stories in here that are longer than the rest and they are rich in lore and atmosphere. Reminiscent of ‘A Window In the Ground’ and ‘The Stone Door’, Stred’s talent really shines in the witchy worlds he creates. This is really peak “comfy horror” that you don’t want to miss. I’m mad it took me this long to get to it.

[Miranda Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing that I need to say about Steve Stred’s latest collection, Of Witches…, is that I wasn’t sure how to go about writing a review for this book at first because my name is on the front cover too. I wrote the foreword, and there are fifteen pieces of my artwork inside. I guess I can say the book is like a Trick-or-Treat bag. We go out on Halloween night to collect treats. Steve’s stories are the prized chocolate bars in the treat bag. You see those golden wrappers? During the night, we’ve collected temporary tattoos. They’re not the main goal of the night, but they get in the bag, and they complement the candy, the bag in its entirety, and get enjoyed. (I hope. Ha ha.)
But I’m here to review Steve’s stories, the candy.
It felt important to me that I should mention that.
Now, with that little bit out of the way, let me tell you why I knew I was going to love this book before I ever opened my kindle:
1. It’s by Steve Stred.
2. It’s about witches.
Was I wrong? I absolutely was not wrong.
I first started reading Steve’s work in 2018. I was instantly a fan of his work, but the man just keeps getting better and better.
I’m only going to touch briefly on each story because we don’t need an entire summary; only a snippet should do the trick.
1. In Waves
There’s nothing like a day at the beach… Sadness, love, and loss.
2. A Cave, In the Woods
Siblings speak with an old drunk in a bar for their podcast. Things don’t go as planned. Do they ever?
3. Grandma’s Letters
Tommy’s grandmother dies, but what he inherits is simultaneously more and less than what he imagined. Brutal.
4. Three Words
During a camping trip, a couple discovers something much scarier than a wild animal in the woods. Something wicked is out there…
5. The Witch
The Witch was the single story that I’d already read as it was previously published. I enjoyed this story about the sisters just as much as the first time I read it. This is one of my favorites by Steve.
6. The Tree (The Witch Part 2)
I was more than happy to see that Steve had revisited The Witch! I was extremely pleased how this story turned out, even though the ending is a heart-squeezer. Beautiful. I guess I asked for it.
7. Won’t You Open the Door?
Another brutal story that stems from loss and is quite creepy.
8. The Assistant
Young Kyle wants to start working at the family business, which happens to be a funeral home, but exploring some noises in the night reveals a seemingly impossible situation.

I fell in love with witches when I was a small child. Local folklore, movies and cartoons, Halloween costumes, books, those things always intrigued me. When I found out Steve was putting together Of Witches…, I couldn’t have been happier!
Know that this cauldron is filled to the brim and bubbling over with tales gone wrong of people camping, exploring, or trying to live or work peacefully.
There’s revenge, karma, and flat-out sadness.
I especially enjoy the camping/cabin/outdoor themes of Steve’s stories. I spend a lot of time in these settings, so it enhances the experience for me.
Steve’s biography doesn’t say that he “writes dark, bleak horror fiction” for no reason.
You don’t want to miss this especially since it’s “witch season.” Just kidding! It’s witch season all year! If you like witchy tales, I think this will help satiate your appetite; I know it did mine.
Excellent collection! I love these stories!

[Candace Nola · Rating 4 out of 5]

What’s not to like?  It’s witches. Steve Stred has created a nice blend of witch stories, most short and deeply disturbing, all within just a few pages. The stories all set in a variety of time periods and locations, only lending further credence to Stred’s range as an author. The characters become quickly relatable and believable, expertly done within a few sentences. Most of these, I did not see the disturbing turn of events that lie hidden just around the corner and I applaud Steve for being able to pen so many short stories without making them slightly predictable. The choice of artwork that was used helps to deepen the atmosphere and tone of the overall collection as well as enhancing each reading experience.  This a solid collection, well worth a read and including in your yearly October read list.

4 dark stars.

[julianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of eight short stories from Steve Stred. This is the fouth book by Stred I've read this month, and it won't be the last. I don't think he's capable of writing anything I don't like and from my limited interactions with him on Instagram he's a thoroughly nice guy.

Of Witches, is exactly what it says on the cover, stories of witches! All deeply disturbing in their own way but thoroughly enjoyable. We go from sea-witches to old hags in this roller coaster ride, and three of the stories are from the same world.

The one I would like to say I liked best was The Assistant - there's something about a funeral home that creeps me out. Grandma's Letters also deserves a special honourable mention.

All in all, a fantastic colletion.

Now, onto the next!

[Zen Ghost Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved Steve's writing. He has a way of bringing you to cold and bleak places, but you want to go deeper and deeper into the story anyway. I knew that would be the case from the first story in this book, In Waves. There are a lot of different witches to explore in this book, from shape-shifting crones to seductive sea nymphs, and they are all just as fun. I loved how three of the stories were from the same world he had created, so it was fun to see them all tied in together.

Miranda Crites adds to the magic with her own blend of witchcraft, photos and illustrations perfect to please anyone looking to brew up some Halloween fun.

I had too much fun with this book, getting me in the mood for the witching season.

[Jim Coniglio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always excited when a new book arrives from author Steve Stred. I have know Steve for a few years now and have been lucky enough to read all of his work, even was able to Beta read a few. It is always a thrill to watch a author grow and to see their work change from book to book. Steve has done just that. Every book just keeps getting better and better. Whether it be a period tale of cannibalism, a families trial in the woods, a boy and his wagon or even a very extreme tale of cults and devils, Steve pushes the boundaries and always gives the readers something new.

That leads us to his newest offering, OF WITCHES..... This is an 8 story collection of stories all based around, you guessed it, witches. Six of the stories are brand new for this collection and 2 have been previously published.

Lets take a look at the stories one by one....(as always spoiler free)

IN WAVES

One man waits day after day on the beach with his son waiting for his true love to return. This is a tale of love, loss and the power of the sea.

A CAVE, IN THE WOODS

The tale told by a drunken man in a bar. Could it's horrifying secrets be true, and will the listeners of the tale be able to survive it's grisly end.

This story leans a little more towards the authors' more graphic and gore style.

GRANDMA'S LETTERS

Tommy's Grandmother has died and all she has left him is a brown box full of letters. Alone in his room he discovers a secret hidden within the letters and a strange message. Could Grandma have plans for Tommy? Even from the grave!

THREE WORDS

A camping trip for a young couple turns into a nightmare as they encounter a mysterious hag in the woods. It all comes down to the whispering of three words.

THE WITCH

This story was originally published in LEFT HAND PATH: 13 MORE TALES OF BLACK MAGICK back in 2018. This tale was one of the first stories I had ever read from Steve and I am excited to see it reprinted here again for new readers. This is the longest of the stories in the book and it does not disappoint.

The story centers on 3 witches that live in the forest outside of small rustic town. They keep to themselves and the town folk leave them alone. That is until on of the itches falls in love with a bard from the town that triggers consequences that will that will change the lives of all involved.

The author has crafted a perfect period piece story reminiscent of the classic fairy tales. There is so much character building done within this tale. these may be old haggard witches, but we also see another side of them, that which we do not expect.

This tale has all the horror and death you would expect, but in the end this is a story of family and the strong bonds of trust and love created just on the other side of the darkness.

THE TREE (THE WITCH PART 2)

This short tale is a direct continuation of the above story. We learn more about the fate of the Bard, the Witches and more following the events that transpired at the conclusion of THE WITCH. A fitting and beautifully melancholy end this story.

WON'T YOU OPEN THE DOOR

This story takes place in the same "world" as THE WITCH and was originally published in THE HORROR COLLECTION: SILVER EDITION.

To me this story almost plays out like a murder mystery. Young Ezekiel and his friend Oliver set off on a journey to return to the property where his brother was murdered by a witch. The trials they endure on the journey are hard, but will not prepare them for what they find at the end of their endeavor.

THE ASSISTANT

Kyle always wanted to be included in the family business. Even when that business was dealing with the dead. What should have a been a routine job turns into a night of horror as Kyle is faced with a task for a woman who should be dead, and is more than she appears.



As an added bonus there are 15 beautiful photographs/illustrations thru-out the book done by Miranda Crites that really help set the creepy and dark tone of the book.



This is a great collection that will thrill old and new readers alike. The author shows us that there is so much more to the lore of Witches than poison apples and gingerbread houses.

[Sonora Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve does it again! A delightful collection of witchy tales.

[Amanda Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish The Assistant would have been a bit longer. It was a really great story and I just wish there was more of it :)

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of Witches, authored by Steve Stred, cover artwork by vergvoktre, forward and inner artwork by Miranda Crites, is one I own. What follows below is my honest review, freely given.

I rated this collection 4.5 stars. “How do you know she’s a witch?” History has shown us that proof was often a suggestion, not a requirement, in wrecking someones life with a charge of witchcraft. I enjoy stories where their power is terrible and swift.

IN WAVES
First read through I thought, “How tragically romantic?” The second time had me feeling more like after that episode of Futurama when you learn Fry’s dog sat on the curb all those years. I kept thinking on how the title could mean different things about the story too: where he is always bound to look towards, where all he loves lies, how his emotions travel in him, changing even, from loneliness to yearning to devotion.

A CAVE, IN THE WOODS
Don’t go looking for trouble, don’t find trouble. My husband’s creed and survival plan for any horror movie type situations he may find himself near. Not in, because he would run, I swear that’s another creed of his. I can’t help but wonder if they could have had a different ending, if Mark had acted more respectfully, but all fangs point to no.

GRANDMA’S LETTERS
Nannie, my maternal gran, threatened to disown anyone she found to have a tattoo, of which I have several. Made holiday meals fun, my mom always trying to get her to look at my ankle (tattooed), citing an injury she was concerned about. But inside she was a big cream puff, full of fierce love. So the yin to this yang.

THREE WORDS
My favorite in this collection. I may have said an expletive or two while reading this, a thing I do when a story is tense, or freaking me out, or you know, both. So a good thing. Can you just imagine being either one of this couple?

THE WITCH
This and The Tree have been the hardest to review for me. They are good, but not my favorites. I loved the more offensive, blood thirsty, re-vengeance is mine sayeth the witch this time around.

THE TREE (THE WITCH 2)
I loved that the author gave us more to the story of The Witch. I missed where he specifies what happens to Rachel. I don’t know if it was implied in some way that I didn’t catch. Justice for Rachel if not, I’m nosy and I need to know.

WON’T YOU OPEN THE DOOR?
No good deed goes unpunished to the 11th power. Debatable, the goodness of the errand, from where you are standing in relation to it, right? There were happenings in this story that chilled the blood for me. Bad idea to read around that magical hour of 0300, but really added to the experience.

THE ASSISTANT
The author note notes the connections to this story and the movie The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016), and as he suggests, if you haven’t seen the movie give it a go! I thought it very unique, and well acted. When looked at together, I would almost say they seem like two paths in a choose your own adventure novel, diverging quickly from the starting point of a funeral home. Another favorite.

[Sarah Budd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Steve Stred's work for many years, starting with Left Hand Path:13 More Tales of Black Magick, a collection of dark tales which I loved straight away.

The next thing I read came from Demain Publishing, The Man Who Knows No Fear. This tale was so different from what I had read of Steve's, it was horror but also surprisingly heart wrenching and tender.
I was hooked! The good news is that Steve Stred is an incredibly prolific writer and it wasn't long until The Window in The Ground was released. This is easily the best thing by Steve that I have read, it has recently made the Preliminary Ballots for the HWA awards for Outstanding Achievement in Long Fiction, a huge achievement.
So when I saw that Steve had dedicated an entire collection to witches and dark magic I had to take a look.

Of Witches does not disappoint. It is illustrated by Miranda Rites which really complements the tone of the stories. Each story is of course about witches but each one is really different.

The first story to the collection, In Waves, is a tale where a father takes his son to the beach for a day to reminisce over his lost love, who may not be all she seems.

The Caves in the Wood, one of my favourite tales in this collection, is about two podcasters in search of a creepy story for their podcast.

Grandma's letters was a lot of fun to read, an unusual take that doesn't go where you think it is going to go. Three Words was truly sinister and has put me off camping for life.

Also in this collection is the The Witch which I loved. It is a tale of three sisters united in witchcraft. They live out their days just outskirt a village where they try to remain unseen after witnessing the tragic demise of their parents. They live in constant fear of their lives keeping themselves away until the younger sister grows curious and decided to visit the village.

I had great fun reading this collection and can't wait to read more by Steve Stred!

[Heather Daughrity · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, I love a good witch story, and for the most part the ones in this collection WERE good. A few gave me that in-the-zone, tuning-out-the-rest-of-the-world feeling, where I was so immersed in the action that it felt like I was really THERE. These stories have moments that will creep you out, make you cringe, and even touch your heart a bit and make you smile.

The stories are good, but I can't with clear conscience tell you that they're great. The premises are great, but many times the writing itself is lacking a certain refinement that all really great works possess, and maybe I'm weird, but that takes away from the story a bit for me.

All in all though, honestly a good read and a fine way to spend a couple of hours during Spooky Season. I'm definitely interested in reading a little more of Steve Stred's work to see what he can do.

[Robert Lambregts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished Of Witches... by Steve Stred and I have gotten to know about this Canadian indie author of bleak horror stories and novels through Tiktok. I decided to start with this collection and that was a nice surprise. These stories are atmospheric and still raw, where published authors ofteh have to polish up their work, I like the rough edges on these stories. I especially liked Grandma's Letters and Won't you open the door?. Both have an ending that I can appreciate, but The Witch and the follow-up story The Tree are very well done as well.
I'm very glad to have been introduced to this author and I'm going to check out his other work. as well. This one is somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars, so I'll make it 4 for support. I hope this author will bet a wider audience so his work will be enjoyed by many others.

[Erin Al-Mehairi · Rating 4 out of 5]

More review to come, but I love anything with witches so I knew I’d have to have this! The stories made the collection an enjoyable, quick read. Since I hadn’t read any of the publications some of the stories were in before, they were all new to me. I really loved the first story and it drew me into the collection. Steve is very creative and has a great mind for storytelling that lets you live the story as you read it. Miranda’s photographs and art were a nice touch as usual but they are not necessarily shown in all their glory well in this digital format for kindle. I think they will be SO much more cool in a print edition and make it a keepsake. This is a nice set of stories and visuals for this autumn season and definitely worth picking it up. My rating is rounded up to 4 from its true 3.5 due to a few issues I had with the content.

[Bianca Rose (Belladonnabooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of 8 witchy stories accompanied by gorgeous illustrations was a fun little read that quenched my witchy thirst.
The story themes range from sea sirens, forest crones and hags seeking revenge. There truly something for everyone.
This is my first experience reading anything by this Stred and it was thoroughly enjoyed.

[Jesse Bollinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was simply amazing! I loved every story and can’t pick a favorite one. Witches our creepy at times and Stred definitely nails that. He’s become an instant buy author for me after this and one of his other books that I read.

[Jennifer Soucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spellbinding!

This is my first time reading Steve Stred's work, but I am definitely a fan now! I love witches and occult stories so this collection called to me right away. I read it during Halloween week which was perfect (I went as a witch again, but this time as a bad witch!).

And there are quite a few nasty witches in this collection, which I'll try not to spoil. For me, this is refreshing. I love stories about good witches, spending much of my adult life dabbling in various pagan religions and practices. But magic (any power, really) can have a dark side, and I enjoy seeing that explored in fiction. Stred did a great job at this, making a variety of interesting witch characters instead of sticking to common tropes and stereotypes. Some of the best witches in this book were morally gray. Even when they lashed out in horrible ways, one could somewhat understand after what they'd suffered.

I recommend all of these stories but my favorites were "The Waves", "The Witch" (a riveting trilogy), and "Won't You Open The Door" (omg this was scary as hell!).

Also, I adored the illustrations by Miranda Crites. What an artist! Her pictures added so much to the rich atmosphere and vivid scenery Stred described in each tale.

In short, if you enjoy stories about witches (especially ones that deviate from the norm) then give this collection a try. And beware, some of these stories will have you sleeping with a light on.

[Matthew Condello · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Of Witches...” is a fascinating, atmospheric mixed bag of short stories about, you guessed it, witches! This is my first time reading this author and I would definitely say he is much more successful with establishing the overall mood and world than he is with the characters. I’m very particular with witches and am probably more critical of this work than most would be, but while most of these stories are good, none were truly great witch stories. Most of the tension that was built up in the darker stories was extinguished by stilted dialogue and awkward character choices. That being said, I really loved that he opens with an unexpectedly lovely and romantic piece setting you up to expect some unique and different witch experiences. The most and memorable and best written story is “Won’t you open the door?” It manages to establish a terrifying base and builds on it all rushing towards a truly unsettling and tragic conclusion. Overall my first outing with Steve Stred’s work was one that makes me want to see more from this author.

[Kelsey de Jong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt so inventive and unpredictable. Terrifying, as expected, but with tidbits of wholesomeness too. I have rarely read witches as written by a man, and was a little nervous going in, but the portrayal was varied and compelling. Terrifying evil witches with twisted intentions, witches who abandon their child, witches who nurture lost children, witches who love and are loved, witches who are nothing but hateful. “The Witch” in particular is an interesting portrayal of female age and power and how men respond to it. The “old hag” disguised as a young woman is always a fascinating trope, speaking to our collective fear of mature women. I think I’d love a whole novel from that world, about the history of those 3 witches.

My only complaint would be having the “behind the scenes” notes immediately after each story. I’d rather stew in my delusion and terror a little longer before having the spell broken and remembering it’s all made up.

[Terry and dog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowsers, what a great collection of witch stories. All very compelling reads, but I think my faves are The Witch, a full tale of love, betrayal, joy, sadness and peace, with barbarity and carnage along the way, and The Assistant, which tickles my love for weird and unexplained things. I think these kinds of stories, witches, folklore, and demons, is where Steve shines so brightly. You can tell he has a passion for this. I loved the little added comments after the story about how the story came about. I recommend this excellent book to anyone looking for a creepy, entrancing way to escape for a bit.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved these stories!

I'm always a sucker for short stories about witches, always having my fingers crossed that the author knows more about them than what they saw in The Wizard of Oz. By that, I mean, writing with a certain sympathy for them. Showing that every witch has a back story that makes them who they are, and that if they suddenly found themselves without magic, they would still be a force to be reckoned with. I truly enjoyed this book so much!!

[K Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of Witches… would be a 5/5 BUT it contains the short story “In Waves” so it’s a 500/5!

Seriously! I’ve reread that first short story 5 times and it’s pretty much perfect in my humble opinion. Who hasn’t sat on a beach romanticizing about a sea hag one or twice?

A Cave, In the Woods is pretty great as well—because fuck them kids!

[CDWB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witches times 8

This is a collection of 8 stories about witches. I found it to be quite interesting. After the story, Steve Stred gives a little bio about how he came up with the idea.
I enjoy this authors books and would highly recommend.

[Nakia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories that kept me hooked

It’s rare that I read a collection of short stories from cover to cover and not find a dud. Stred’s Of Witches started off nice and easy, but by the time I got to The Witch, I was hooked.

[Lil Bookish Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

horrifying and creepy

This book while short was incredible! Such a well researched and morbidly creative set of stories. Reading about how the stories came to fruition was a nice touch. I think I’ve found a new author of interest.

[Bianca Marvel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sucked me in. I read it quickly and devoured every page! I will 100% purchase more books from Steve Stred!

[Karisa Sortor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read a book by Steve that I didn’t like. This one was awesome! I’m starting his father of lies series next :)

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting book. I liked the stories quite a bit. The writing is done well and I love the creepy and gross descriptions

[ThatBookMoth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still find it fascinating how some of Steve Stred’s short stories are interconnected.