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How to Exit Your Body: And Other Strange Tales
This significantly revised and expanded collection brings together strange and creepy tales from Reddit's nosleep master, Christopher Maxim.
How does one exit their body? Could there be over 24 hours in a day? What if there was a hotline you could call in the middle of a nightmare? Find the answers to these strange questions and others.
This book is guaranteed to horrify you in the best way possible. Open it up, turn the page, and take a journey to a world consumed with mystery and madness.
The eBook edition now includes the entire hit novella Parallel Duality!
How does one exit their body? Could there be over 24 hours in a day? What if there was a hotline you could call in the middle of a nightmare? Find the answers to these strange questions and others.
This book is guaranteed to horrify you in the best way possible. Open it up, turn the page, and take a journey to a world consumed with mystery and madness.
The eBook edition now includes the entire hit novella Parallel Duality!
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2018
96 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 28, 2019
This was a nice surprise!
Very much enjoyed this collection of short stories each story was unique and very well written I’m going have to read more of this author’s work. Five Stars I highly recommend this very short book.
Very much enjoyed this collection of short stories each story was unique and very well written I’m going have to read more of this author’s work. Five Stars I highly recommend this very short book.
January 2, 2024
Really eerie and fun!
There is an element of Steven King's Dark Tower series. The reader will find similar... things popping up in several of the stories. There is nothing else to connect them otherwise. The stories are all eerie save one. One was more sad and tragic than eerie, but it does have echoes in another story. Enjoy, fellow readers.
There is an element of Steven King's Dark Tower series. The reader will find similar... things popping up in several of the stories. There is nothing else to connect them otherwise. The stories are all eerie save one. One was more sad and tragic than eerie, but it does have echoes in another story. Enjoy, fellow readers.
July 22, 2018
How To Exit Your Body and Other Strange Tales by Christopher Maxim has a forward by ‘Creeps McPasta (anyone think this might be a pen name)? It explains how the tales came about; the seven here are presented as some of the best by author Maxim. There is no single thread or type of weirdness; they are more like a collection of responses to writer prompts or late-night visits of the muse.
How To Exit Your Body ----- For people who have problems sleeping, have vivid dreams, or have had experiences with sleep paralysis; this is a scary story almost to the point of realism. As a bonus, readers get an instruction manual in how to have out-of-body-experiences. But you must follow all the instructions. Don’t go near the water.
I Discovered The Meaning of Life ----- Readers who have fallen for internet scams will love this story.
A Diner Open 25 Hours a Day -----Given that there are only twenty-four hours in a day on this plane of reality, the twenty-fifth hour must be on … At any rate, this story will encourage you to pack your lunch for a trip rather than rely on roadside stops.
My Wife Won’t Stop Sleep Talking----- As long as it is confined to “Sleeptalking…”
The Axe Man’s Lullaby ------ There is a question here about why a man would pull his son out of school and move with him into the woods near a creek. Maybe he couldn’t stand to live in the same house where he had lived with his wife and son. After her death in a car accident, he needed the solace of the woods and the water of the creek. Or maybe there was another reason.
Never Use Cheat Codes on a Ouija Board-----Here is another story where our hero decided not to follow instructions. When the Ouija Board itself tells you to stop; it is a good time to change your behavior.
For overall weirdness and good writing, I gave this five Amazon stars. It sells for USD 0.99 but is free through Kindle Unlimited.
How To Exit Your Body ----- For people who have problems sleeping, have vivid dreams, or have had experiences with sleep paralysis; this is a scary story almost to the point of realism. As a bonus, readers get an instruction manual in how to have out-of-body-experiences. But you must follow all the instructions. Don’t go near the water.
I Discovered The Meaning of Life ----- Readers who have fallen for internet scams will love this story.
A Diner Open 25 Hours a Day -----Given that there are only twenty-four hours in a day on this plane of reality, the twenty-fifth hour must be on … At any rate, this story will encourage you to pack your lunch for a trip rather than rely on roadside stops.
My Wife Won’t Stop Sleep Talking----- As long as it is confined to “Sleeptalking…”
The Axe Man’s Lullaby ------ There is a question here about why a man would pull his son out of school and move with him into the woods near a creek. Maybe he couldn’t stand to live in the same house where he had lived with his wife and son. After her death in a car accident, he needed the solace of the woods and the water of the creek. Or maybe there was another reason.
Never Use Cheat Codes on a Ouija Board-----Here is another story where our hero decided not to follow instructions. When the Ouija Board itself tells you to stop; it is a good time to change your behavior.
For overall weirdness and good writing, I gave this five Amazon stars. It sells for USD 0.99 but is free through Kindle Unlimited.
May 20, 2018
This is not my usual reading genre, nor am I a great reader of short stories. But I picked this one up having been intrigued by the titles. In fact I remember in my youth reading about the ability to leave one's body and I tried it. The instructions were in a book by a writer calling himself Lobsang Rampa - a phony Tibetan monk -who it turns out lived down the road from me in Plympton, near Plymouth UK. The book is called The Third Eye and explains Astral projection or Out of Body experiences. I never got farther than lying on my bed willing me legs to lift off.
Anyhoo, back to the book. Great stories and great ideas and as I was wizzed through the Chinese countryside at 350kph they helped the time whizz by (It was grey and rainy outside - nothing to see) all too quickly. Will be looking out for more by this author.
And staying away from the water...
And the Ouija board...
And lifts...
Anyhoo, back to the book. Great stories and great ideas and as I was wizzed through the Chinese countryside at 350kph they helped the time whizz by (It was grey and rainy outside - nothing to see) all too quickly. Will be looking out for more by this author.
And staying away from the water...
And the Ouija board...
And lifts...
November 27, 2018
This e-book was gifted to me in return for a review. I'm glad it was. I've never read horror, and I enjoyed this.
Mr Maxim is imaginative, clever and a natural writer. The stories are written in the style we use on the internet: friendly, personable, short. He does draw you in. I was relieved to find that the horror is not too scary. It's mainly visions of bodies being pulled apart. Perhaps Christopher was a Tibetan priest conducting sky burials in a past life.
I have given it four, rather than five stars because the next book will be better. This one would benefit from a professional edit. There are stock phrases, like 'If you know what I mean' that a good editor will take out.
I appreciate this strong introduction to creepypastas.
If you know and love creepypastas, you will enjoy this book. If you don't, consider this as an introduction.
Mr Maxim is imaginative, clever and a natural writer. The stories are written in the style we use on the internet: friendly, personable, short. He does draw you in. I was relieved to find that the horror is not too scary. It's mainly visions of bodies being pulled apart. Perhaps Christopher was a Tibetan priest conducting sky burials in a past life.
I have given it four, rather than five stars because the next book will be better. This one would benefit from a professional edit. There are stock phrases, like 'If you know what I mean' that a good editor will take out.
I appreciate this strong introduction to creepypastas.
If you know and love creepypastas, you will enjoy this book. If you don't, consider this as an introduction.
May 20, 2018
Read an ARC copy of this book, thanks to Chris for it, and here's what I think about the stories featured in this book.
I read through every story featured in this story collection written by Christopher Maxim, finding new favorites from his work (my old favorite being "I Received A Mysterious Package"), including his stories like "A Diner Open 25 Hours A Day" (which is now my #1 favorite from him), "The Axe Man's Lullaby", and "Elevator Code", which all three of those stories are collected here in this book. There are other stories on here that are guaranteed to either creep you out or feel emotional, very beautifully crafted and well written! You won't be disappointed in this book, even though it's short, it's well worth the few hours it took me to read this entire book!
Definitely the best stories from one of the best NoSleep/creepypasta writers!
I read through every story featured in this story collection written by Christopher Maxim, finding new favorites from his work (my old favorite being "I Received A Mysterious Package"), including his stories like "A Diner Open 25 Hours A Day" (which is now my #1 favorite from him), "The Axe Man's Lullaby", and "Elevator Code", which all three of those stories are collected here in this book. There are other stories on here that are guaranteed to either creep you out or feel emotional, very beautifully crafted and well written! You won't be disappointed in this book, even though it's short, it's well worth the few hours it took me to read this entire book!
Definitely the best stories from one of the best NoSleep/creepypasta writers!
May 17, 2018
I received an advance reader digital copy from the author's website for an honest review. How to Exit your Body: and Other Strange Tales by Christopher Maxim is a fairly quick but fun read. All the stories are different and each one has an interesting concept. Two of my favorites and the strongest stories in this anthology are the title story, How to Exit your Body and Don't Ever Use Cheat Codes on a Oujia Board. A couple of the stories do end pretty abruptly and one has an ending that feels kinda tacked on even though where it had ended previously was fine. The writing is very well done, it's to the point and doesn't dance around with too many frivolous words or veers off track to point out unnecessary things. Each story gives a nice amount of spook and gets you thinking about what had happened to the protagonist in the stories. Overall this was an enjoyable read and if you like creepypasta-esq stories, you'll definitely enjoy this set of short stories.
June 8, 2018
Read this review and more on my blog at [Roxie Writes].
‘How To Exit Your Body: and Other Strange Tales’ by Christopher Maxim
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Finished on May 15, 2018
GIVEN A FREE COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
FREE on Kindle Unlimited | FREE on Kindle | $5.99 in Paperback
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
How does one exit their body? Could there be more than 24 hours in a day? Is it possible to use cheat codes on a ouija board? What is the meaning of life? Find the answers to these questions and more in the chilling collection from popular NoSleep/creepypasta author Christopher Maxim (with a foreword by popular YouTube narrator CreepsMcPasta). This book is guaranteed to horrify you in the best way possible. Open it up, turn the page, and take a journey to a world consumed with mystery in madness.
MY REVIEW:
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
‘How To Exit Your Body: and Other Strange Tales’ is an eclectic and satisfying collection of short horror stories. It includes the stories:
“How To Exit Your Body”
Two friends who can lucid dream use a guidebook to take their nighttime adventures even further with tragic consequences.
-- Lucid dreaming is a fascinating phenomenon, and this story takes an already compelling concept to new levels. It’s well-written and gripping up until the very end.
“I Discovered The Meaning of Life”
Would you buy the meaning of life online for less than a couple cups of coffee? Some people do, and the MC of this story makes a nice little chunk of change from it along with his fair share of hate-mail. When he starts getting letters from “Red”, things get a lot more intense.
-- A lot of us have been taken advantage of by online sellers, so this story is strangely satisfying while still being creepy.
“A Diner Opened 25 Hours A Day”
On his way home from a business trip, this story’s MC makes a fateful decision to stop for a bite to eat at a roadside diner.
-- I loved this story. It has a delightfully spooky atmosphere that ramps up in perfect pace and ends with a bang.
“My Wife Won’t Stop Sleep Talking”
After moving into a new house, a husband’s wife begins behaving strangely including talking in her sleep. The things she says are bone-chilling.
-- My partner sleep talks, so I know how jarring it can be. Thankfully, he typically says funny stuff, not the sort of stuff the wife in this story spouts. Maxim has written yet another little gem of a tale here.
“The Axe Man’s Lullaby”
Sometimes, family secrets are buried for a reason.
-- Every good short horror collection includes a ghost story, and this one hits the spot. It shows just how one’s decisions always have consequences.
“Never Use Cheat Codes on a Ouija Board”
This story’s MC likes to frequent a local occult shop, and there they find a hand-carved, beautiful Ouija board they can’t resist. This particular board not only comes with a planchette, but it comes with cheat codes.
-- Who doesn’t enjoy Ouija board stories? There are a billion of them out there, but this one is different in the best way.
“Elevator Code”
After finding a strange multi-digit elevator code in their hotel room, a convention planner can’t resist using it.
-- This was among my favorite stories in this collection. It packs a big punch and tells a startling tale in a short amount of time.
Maxim does short horror well. Every story in this collection, as short as it is, brings a new and exciting element to the reader. There are no flops but several gems.
‘How To Exit Your Body: and Other Strange Tales’ by Christopher Maxim
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Finished on May 15, 2018
GIVEN A FREE COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
FREE on Kindle Unlimited | FREE on Kindle | $5.99 in Paperback
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
How does one exit their body? Could there be more than 24 hours in a day? Is it possible to use cheat codes on a ouija board? What is the meaning of life? Find the answers to these questions and more in the chilling collection from popular NoSleep/creepypasta author Christopher Maxim (with a foreword by popular YouTube narrator CreepsMcPasta). This book is guaranteed to horrify you in the best way possible. Open it up, turn the page, and take a journey to a world consumed with mystery in madness.
MY REVIEW:
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
‘How To Exit Your Body: and Other Strange Tales’ is an eclectic and satisfying collection of short horror stories. It includes the stories:
“How To Exit Your Body”
Two friends who can lucid dream use a guidebook to take their nighttime adventures even further with tragic consequences.
-- Lucid dreaming is a fascinating phenomenon, and this story takes an already compelling concept to new levels. It’s well-written and gripping up until the very end.
“I Discovered The Meaning of Life”
Would you buy the meaning of life online for less than a couple cups of coffee? Some people do, and the MC of this story makes a nice little chunk of change from it along with his fair share of hate-mail. When he starts getting letters from “Red”, things get a lot more intense.
-- A lot of us have been taken advantage of by online sellers, so this story is strangely satisfying while still being creepy.
“A Diner Opened 25 Hours A Day”
On his way home from a business trip, this story’s MC makes a fateful decision to stop for a bite to eat at a roadside diner.
-- I loved this story. It has a delightfully spooky atmosphere that ramps up in perfect pace and ends with a bang.
“My Wife Won’t Stop Sleep Talking”
After moving into a new house, a husband’s wife begins behaving strangely including talking in her sleep. The things she says are bone-chilling.
-- My partner sleep talks, so I know how jarring it can be. Thankfully, he typically says funny stuff, not the sort of stuff the wife in this story spouts. Maxim has written yet another little gem of a tale here.
“The Axe Man’s Lullaby”
Sometimes, family secrets are buried for a reason.
-- Every good short horror collection includes a ghost story, and this one hits the spot. It shows just how one’s decisions always have consequences.
“Never Use Cheat Codes on a Ouija Board”
This story’s MC likes to frequent a local occult shop, and there they find a hand-carved, beautiful Ouija board they can’t resist. This particular board not only comes with a planchette, but it comes with cheat codes.
-- Who doesn’t enjoy Ouija board stories? There are a billion of them out there, but this one is different in the best way.
“Elevator Code”
After finding a strange multi-digit elevator code in their hotel room, a convention planner can’t resist using it.
-- This was among my favorite stories in this collection. It packs a big punch and tells a startling tale in a short amount of time.
Maxim does short horror well. Every story in this collection, as short as it is, brings a new and exciting element to the reader. There are no flops but several gems.
October 4, 2019
It’s October! Time to read some horror stories! And what’s a better way to get into the genre than reading a short story collegtion? I first heard about creepypasta a couple of years ago from my then high school brother. They are modern day urban legends usually narrated on YouTube and quite short too. Since these short stories are narrated this has an effect on the language. It is very straightforward and to the point. No fancy experiments with language to be expected here but the main strengths of creepypasta are the ideas to be found in them. Some of them are genuinely scary but very simple and easy to read at the same time. Maxim‘s collection is not without its flaws though. Many of these stories share a couple of schemas both in terms of narration and plot. They are easy to spot too so this leads to the question whether or not this was done on purpose. All in all nothing extraordinary but very enjoyable! And sometimes that’s exactly what I like to read.
May 26, 2018
Just finished reading the whole thing and I loved it! I've seen your name around the creepy pasta community before, so I knew I was in for a good read. The stories are so compelling that I read it all in one sitting, one after the other. After that I went to admire the artwork a little better, and it's really good, aswell.
The whole book's just marvelous, really. I'm glad to see that your love for writing and the creepy pasta community has lead to the publishing of this book.
Keep up the good work!
The whole book's just marvelous, really. I'm glad to see that your love for writing and the creepy pasta community has lead to the publishing of this book.
Keep up the good work!
April 21, 2020
Captivating stories! I loved the one of the same title: How to Exit Your Body. I had stumbled across it online when I was doing my own little at-home research on sleep paralysis. I thought it was a real story by someone posting on a thread regarding his experimentation with astral projection. Fooled me! I went ahead and got the book to read more. The stories are short, suspenseful and fun, but How to Exit Your Body was my favorite for sure.
May 24, 2018
This is a collection remastered of seven short horror stories. The artwork that accompanied the story is brilliant to be honest. I really like How to Exit Your Body but unfortunately it is a short story. I must accept it haha You need to find Josh for god’s sake!!! Another story I like is the The Axe Man’s Lullaby. It’s a creepy story that doesn’t end very well yuck!
June 19, 2018
Ok! First off, I LOVED this one! I just wish there was MORE! My only complaint was that I really really wanted more of each story. Christopher, if you wrote a full book for each of these I would buy them and read them in a heart beat!
By the way, thank you so much for the free copy! I really enjoyed reading them!
By the way, thank you so much for the free copy! I really enjoyed reading them!
November 30, 2021
Great variety
It was a good read, I liked the originality of most of them. From this author I would like to see a no holding back, absolutely creepy anthology. It just feels like nothing but better can come from him. He has the voice and talent for it, I'm a new fan who'd recommend this book/author
It was a good read, I liked the originality of most of them. From this author I would like to see a no holding back, absolutely creepy anthology. It just feels like nothing but better can come from him. He has the voice and talent for it, I'm a new fan who'd recommend this book/author
July 14, 2025
The title does describe this book. They are strange tales. That being said, they kept me engrossed and all of a sudden, I'd read the entire book. I was pleasantly surprised by how the author wove facets of each story into other stories, although they were entirely different stories. It was well worth the time to read it.
June 30, 2018
This little book is quite entertaining! The stories are fabulous, and the storytelling is phenomenal! It really feels like the author is talking to me, as though we are sitting at the kitchen table having coffee. I loved all the stories in this book and am eagerly awaiting more!!
February 27, 2022
Okay it started off strong. Then got repetitive to the point where I thought it was leading up to this big reveal with the common last names and recurring characters but then it just kinda went meh. Didnt like the last few stories at all.
September 14, 2023
I DIDNT KNOW MAXIM HAD A BOOK!!!
I have read his stories on the creepypasta website and so I had already read most of these stories but they still impressed me. He has a way with words.
The things Jack goes through, poor soul.
I have read his stories on the creepypasta website and so I had already read most of these stories but they still impressed me. He has a way with words.
The things Jack goes through, poor soul.
May 20, 2018
Very interesting. It is worth reading. Every story offers a mysterious little journey. I liked every single one of them and the Ouija board story is my favorite. Two thumbs up. 😊
June 2, 2018
I loved it! It was a great read and got me into lucid dreaming a little.
June 4, 2018
Great writing. Gets right to the point.
August 2, 2018
A short book of short stories in the horror genre. Well thought out. Better than Jigsaw’s pure gore any day
August 30, 2018
Very cool. Each story is fun and vividly told.
May 16, 2019
The stories were interesting, but it could certainly use some editing. I look forward to reading more work from this author.
November 5, 2020
Neat stories
And well edited enough. That was a fun distraction tonight. Definitely worth a few bucks to read. Glad I picked it up
And well edited enough. That was a fun distraction tonight. Definitely worth a few bucks to read. Glad I picked it up
February 27, 2022
Perfect!
Cuts right to the chase and drags you in! Characters you instantly relate to and topics that get your mind blown! Thank you for these stories!
Cuts right to the chase and drags you in! Characters you instantly relate to and topics that get your mind blown! Thank you for these stories!
September 12, 2018
Full Review
How to Exit Your Body and Other Strange Tales is a solid collection of creepy tales. Most of the stories are simple and straightforward but well-crafted. Fans of horror will certainly enjoy this. I know I'll be checking out more of Maxim's stories online
How to Exit Your Body and Other Strange Tales is a solid collection of creepy tales. Most of the stories are simple and straightforward but well-crafted. Fans of horror will certainly enjoy this. I know I'll be checking out more of Maxim's stories online
November 30, 2020
2.5-3 stars.
Most stories started off engaging enough, but always seemed to fall flat. I didn’t find a single story that stood out as better than the others.
At first I liked that the author reused the same characters (or at least just their names)— but eventually I started to feel that every story was the same with slight differences. It made for a predictable and unexciting read.
Most stories started off engaging enough, but always seemed to fall flat. I didn’t find a single story that stood out as better than the others.
At first I liked that the author reused the same characters (or at least just their names)— but eventually I started to feel that every story was the same with slight differences. It made for a predictable and unexciting read.
June 9, 2018
it was okay. some where good but not great. the rest where tolerable. if you like creepy pasta and need a fee short stories with a bit of creep, give it a shot.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews