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Shallow Waters
Shallow Waters Vol. 8
Take a Deep Breath and Dive Beneath the Surface of Shallow Waters—Where Nothing Stays Buried.
With 20 Dark Fiction & Horror tales diving beneath the surface of life, death, and the mystery that lies beneath.
Shallow Waters is the official monthly flash fiction challenge hosted by the multiple award-winning Crystal Lake Publishing (including the HWA’s Specialty Press Award). Every month a new challenge is issued online and via our newsletter. The best submissions are then posted on Crystal Lake’s Patreon page (an exclusive behind the scenes community of readers and authors), where patrons read daily entries and vote for the winner every month.
What you’ll find in these Shallow Waters anthologies include the winners as well as the most popular of our finalists. Stay tuned for more volumes in this series, or find Crystal Lake Publishing on Patreon to enter or vote on future challenges.
Volume 8 includes:
Introduction by Joe Mynhardt
Prior to Slaughter by AJ Franks (winner)
A Quick Trip to the Liquor Store by Denver Grenell
The Boohag by Linda J. Marshall
Monsters by Justin Boote
Mr. Giggles by Nikki R. Leigh
Natural Selection by Mark Allan Gunnells
The Riverfront by Jay Bechtol (winner)
Allie’s New Crayon by Red Lagoe (winner)
Roadside Believer by Ben Norris
Heart’s Break by Jonathan Winn
Dance Faster, Carmelita by Sunni Ellis
Hello by Karen Bayly
#Camping by Lee Smart
Gone Fission by Amanda Hard
Reaching Out by Jeremy Megargee (winner)
Double Feature by Denver Grenell
Preparation by Claire Brown
A Cunning Plan by R. B. Wood
Wifely Duties by D.C. Phillips
All We Endure by Grant Longstaff (winner)
Come Dive Beneath the Surface!
With 20 Dark Fiction & Horror tales diving beneath the surface of life, death, and the mystery that lies beneath.
Shallow Waters is the official monthly flash fiction challenge hosted by the multiple award-winning Crystal Lake Publishing (including the HWA’s Specialty Press Award). Every month a new challenge is issued online and via our newsletter. The best submissions are then posted on Crystal Lake’s Patreon page (an exclusive behind the scenes community of readers and authors), where patrons read daily entries and vote for the winner every month.
What you’ll find in these Shallow Waters anthologies include the winners as well as the most popular of our finalists. Stay tuned for more volumes in this series, or find Crystal Lake Publishing on Patreon to enter or vote on future challenges.
Volume 8 includes:
Introduction by Joe Mynhardt
Prior to Slaughter by AJ Franks (winner)
A Quick Trip to the Liquor Store by Denver Grenell
The Boohag by Linda J. Marshall
Monsters by Justin Boote
Mr. Giggles by Nikki R. Leigh
Natural Selection by Mark Allan Gunnells
The Riverfront by Jay Bechtol (winner)
Allie’s New Crayon by Red Lagoe (winner)
Roadside Believer by Ben Norris
Heart’s Break by Jonathan Winn
Dance Faster, Carmelita by Sunni Ellis
Hello by Karen Bayly
#Camping by Lee Smart
Gone Fission by Amanda Hard
Reaching Out by Jeremy Megargee (winner)
Double Feature by Denver Grenell
Preparation by Claire Brown
A Cunning Plan by R. B. Wood
Wifely Duties by D.C. Phillips
All We Endure by Grant Longstaff (winner)
Come Dive Beneath the Surface!
- GenresShort StoriesHorror
76 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2021
About the author
Monique Snyman
28 books137 followersMonique Snyman’s mind is a confusing bedlam of glitter and death, where candy-coated gore is found in abundance and homicidal unicorns thrive. Sorting out the mess in her head is particularly irksome before she’s ingested a specific amount of coffee, which is equal to half the recommended intake of water for humans per day. When she’s not playing referee to her imaginary friends or trying to overdose on caffeine, she’s doing something with words—be it writing, reading, or editing.
Monique Snyman lives in Pretoria, South Africa, with her husband and an adorable Chihuahua. She’s the author of the Bram Stoker Award® nominated novels, THE NIGHT WEAVER and THE BONE CARVER, and the upcoming South African horror series, DARK COUNTRY.
Monique Snyman lives in Pretoria, South Africa, with her husband and an adorable Chihuahua. She’s the author of the Bram Stoker Award® nominated novels, THE NIGHT WEAVER and THE BONE CARVER, and the upcoming South African horror series, DARK COUNTRY.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 7, 2021
2.5/5
The biggest disappointment with this installment is the zombie-infused tales regarding the pandemic. COVID seems to be a common theme with this one, and some of the stories are exciting, but there seems to be too much pandemonium and not enough horror. The best offerings shy away from this rather plain course. My favorites:
“Monsters”-Justin Boote
“Allie’s New Crayon”-Red Lagoe
“Double Feature”-Denver Grennell
The biggest disappointment with this installment is the zombie-infused tales regarding the pandemic. COVID seems to be a common theme with this one, and some of the stories are exciting, but there seems to be too much pandemonium and not enough horror. The best offerings shy away from this rather plain course. My favorites:
“Monsters”-Justin Boote
“Allie’s New Crayon”-Red Lagoe
“Double Feature”-Denver Grennell
August 8, 2022
Some great highlights
I found this particular edition of Shallow Waters a little hit and miss, especially with a handful of pandemic-inspired works that felt somewhat samey. There were some very good stories here too, however, especially Jay Bechtol’s, plus a few others.
As ever, these short reads are well worth a glance. I’ll happily pick up the next edition.
I found this particular edition of Shallow Waters a little hit and miss, especially with a handful of pandemic-inspired works that felt somewhat samey. There were some very good stories here too, however, especially Jay Bechtol’s, plus a few others.
As ever, these short reads are well worth a glance. I’ll happily pick up the next edition.
August 18, 2021
Shallow Waters Vol. 8:
Prior to Slaughterby AJ Franks
Great opening story that takes the current state of the world & puts a sci-fi spin on it. I love a story that can vividly create a whole world in 1000 words or less.
•
The Boohag Linda by J. Marshall
A really nice piece of backwoods / bayou superstition & hard living with a nice line in poetic justice. Hints of Annie Proulx with a bayou twist.
•
Monsters by Justin Boote
Set on a subway at night, this story has hints of Barker’s Midnight Meat Train but is more concerned with examining societies’ desensitisation to violence.
•
Mr. Giggles by Nikki R. Leigh
A lighter dose of horror here with a young girl & her rivalry with an imp who lives in a video game at a dentists office. An odd combination of elements builds to a bittersweet ending.
•
Natural Selection by Mark Allan Gunnells
A touching story of loss set in a plague ridden world with a man returning to his old home in search of a treasured item. Gunnells isn’t trying to scare us as much as make us feel something, which he does.
•
The Riverfront by Jay Bechtol
This is an excellent example of what can be achieved in 1000 words! Through a clever mix of newspaper clippings we get the sordid history of a drive-in theatre over 35 years which builds to a brilliant little twist. I hate to pick favourites, buuuut this is my favourite so far.
•
Allie’s New Crayon by Red Lagoe
A nicely chilling twist on the elf on the shelf Xmas tradition. Here some poetic justice is doled out to a much deserving recipient. The story has a perfect stinger to it as well. Another highlight.
•
Roadside Believer by Ben Norris
How do you write an effective Bigfoot story that barely features Bigfoot? Roadside Believer does just that. A nice sense of place & people permeate this rural tale.
•
Heart’s Break by Jonathan Winn
A tale of rural superstition & mythology with the Heart’s Break tree that supposedly heals a broken heart but may also have a more sinister power. A darkly evocative story.
•
Dance Faster, Carmelita by Sunni Ellis
Corona zombies, warehouse bunkers & drag races populate this wild interpretation of the pandemic theme which pulses to a rockabilly beat & vivid imagery.
•
Hello by Karen Bayly
A grim future scenario following a world war where a Handmaid’s-esque scenario arises & women’s equality is taken away. Amidst this brutal reality, could one word be the start of a revolution? A dark but hopeful tale.
•
#Camping by Lee Smart
A great story about a family devastated by the loss of their piece of land & the lengths they will go to keep it free of ‘interlopers’. Weaves in a sly commentary on social media & actually how your digital trail makes it a lot easier for axe wielding murderers to find out who & where you are.
•
Gone Fission by Amanda Hard
A grim post-apoc story where a lone boy fishes for dinner. The tone is bleak, vividly realised & hints that things are not going to be okay.
•
Reaching Out by Jeremy Megargee
The author takes the monster under the bed trope & skilfully twists it into a profoundly sad story of loss & loneliness. Another highlight.
•
Preparations by Claire Brown
A heartbreaking tale of an ill mother preparing her young daughter for a life without her in a pandemic ravaged world. Gently rips your heart out in 1000 words or so.
•
A Cunning Plan by R. B. Wood
A clever yarn about the discovery of a legend in a particular part of Scotland. Gently humorous with some great regional dialogue.
•
Wifely Duties by D.C. Phillips
Another satisfying slice of rural domestic horror with a much deserving character getting their comeuppance. The trope of a scumbag reaping what they sew never gets tired.
•
All We Endure by Grant Longstaff
A rich, beautifully written story about escaping an abusive relationship & the ghosts of those who might not have been so lucky. A great story to end a really strong anthology on.
Prior to Slaughterby AJ Franks
Great opening story that takes the current state of the world & puts a sci-fi spin on it. I love a story that can vividly create a whole world in 1000 words or less.
•
The Boohag Linda by J. Marshall
A really nice piece of backwoods / bayou superstition & hard living with a nice line in poetic justice. Hints of Annie Proulx with a bayou twist.
•
Monsters by Justin Boote
Set on a subway at night, this story has hints of Barker’s Midnight Meat Train but is more concerned with examining societies’ desensitisation to violence.
•
Mr. Giggles by Nikki R. Leigh
A lighter dose of horror here with a young girl & her rivalry with an imp who lives in a video game at a dentists office. An odd combination of elements builds to a bittersweet ending.
•
Natural Selection by Mark Allan Gunnells
A touching story of loss set in a plague ridden world with a man returning to his old home in search of a treasured item. Gunnells isn’t trying to scare us as much as make us feel something, which he does.
•
The Riverfront by Jay Bechtol
This is an excellent example of what can be achieved in 1000 words! Through a clever mix of newspaper clippings we get the sordid history of a drive-in theatre over 35 years which builds to a brilliant little twist. I hate to pick favourites, buuuut this is my favourite so far.
•
Allie’s New Crayon by Red Lagoe
A nicely chilling twist on the elf on the shelf Xmas tradition. Here some poetic justice is doled out to a much deserving recipient. The story has a perfect stinger to it as well. Another highlight.
•
Roadside Believer by Ben Norris
How do you write an effective Bigfoot story that barely features Bigfoot? Roadside Believer does just that. A nice sense of place & people permeate this rural tale.
•
Heart’s Break by Jonathan Winn
A tale of rural superstition & mythology with the Heart’s Break tree that supposedly heals a broken heart but may also have a more sinister power. A darkly evocative story.
•
Dance Faster, Carmelita by Sunni Ellis
Corona zombies, warehouse bunkers & drag races populate this wild interpretation of the pandemic theme which pulses to a rockabilly beat & vivid imagery.
•
Hello by Karen Bayly
A grim future scenario following a world war where a Handmaid’s-esque scenario arises & women’s equality is taken away. Amidst this brutal reality, could one word be the start of a revolution? A dark but hopeful tale.
•
#Camping by Lee Smart
A great story about a family devastated by the loss of their piece of land & the lengths they will go to keep it free of ‘interlopers’. Weaves in a sly commentary on social media & actually how your digital trail makes it a lot easier for axe wielding murderers to find out who & where you are.
•
Gone Fission by Amanda Hard
A grim post-apoc story where a lone boy fishes for dinner. The tone is bleak, vividly realised & hints that things are not going to be okay.
•
Reaching Out by Jeremy Megargee
The author takes the monster under the bed trope & skilfully twists it into a profoundly sad story of loss & loneliness. Another highlight.
•
Preparations by Claire Brown
A heartbreaking tale of an ill mother preparing her young daughter for a life without her in a pandemic ravaged world. Gently rips your heart out in 1000 words or so.
•
A Cunning Plan by R. B. Wood
A clever yarn about the discovery of a legend in a particular part of Scotland. Gently humorous with some great regional dialogue.
•
Wifely Duties by D.C. Phillips
Another satisfying slice of rural domestic horror with a much deserving character getting their comeuppance. The trope of a scumbag reaping what they sew never gets tired.
•
All We Endure by Grant Longstaff
A rich, beautifully written story about escaping an abusive relationship & the ghosts of those who might not have been so lucky. A great story to end a really strong anthology on.
May 20, 2026
The Best Horror Flash Fiction
As always, the Shallow Waters series provides the best in horror flash fiction! Give it a shot, it's a quick read, but well worth it!
As always, the Shallow Waters series provides the best in horror flash fiction! Give it a shot, it's a quick read, but well worth it!
August 6, 2022
Shallow Water, Deep Fear
This is a solid collection of dark flash fiction. I enjoyed every story and found some new authors to check out. There is quite a variety in subject matter, though quite a few stories deal with viruses but each in a unique way. This book is a sign of our times in little chunks of horror!
This is a solid collection of dark flash fiction. I enjoyed every story and found some new authors to check out. There is quite a variety in subject matter, though quite a few stories deal with viruses but each in a unique way. This book is a sign of our times in little chunks of horror!
August 7, 2021
A strong selection of 20 stories. Every month, Crystal Lake Publishing runs a Shallow Waters flash fiction challenge and the best submissions appear on Crystal Lake’s Patreon page. A community of readers and authors voted these as the best of the best.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews