The Deep

by A.R. Ward (Editor)

Ghost ships, giant squid, alluring sirens… For this volume of one hundred word stories, we challenged our authors to wade into the horrors of THE DEEP. From placid lakes hiding deadly secrets, to creatures lurking beneath the ocean waves, prepare to face your watery fears with these tiny-yet-terrifying tales.



Abi Marie Palmer, Adrian David, Alex Shenstone, Alexis DuBon, Alice Mae Jameson, Anastasia Garcia, Andrew McDonald, April Yates, Ashley Hawk, Belicia Rhea, Blaise Langlois, Blen Mesfin, Brandon Applegate, Brianna Malotke, Brooke Percy, C. A. Chesse, C.J. Dotson, Caitlin Marceau, Caity Scott, Cara Mast, Carla Eliot, Caytlyn Brooke, Clarabelle Miray Fields, Clay F. Johnson, Clint White, Cody Mower, Collin Yeoh, Cristina Dos Santos, Dale Parnell, E.C. Hanson, Elizabeth Eckstein, Emerian Rich, Emma E. Murray, Emma K. Leadley, Emma Kathryn, Eric Fomley, Fliss Zakaszewska, Fusako Ohki, Georgia Cook, Gus Wood, Hazel Ragaire, Helen M. Merrick, Ian A. Bain, Isaac Menuza, J.A. McCready, J.C. Robinson, James Dick, Jameson Grey, Joe Haward, Josh Sippie, K.J. Watson, K.L. Lord, K.M. Bennett, Kathryn Bea, Katie Young, Kristin Cleaveland, Kyle McHugh, Laura Keating, Laura Shenton, L.W. Blackwood, Mackenzie Hurlbert, Marc Sorondo, Maria Ann Green, Marisca Pichette, Melissa Rose Rogers, Micah Castle, Mike Murphy, Nico Bell, Nikki R. Leigh, Patrick Barb, Philine Schiller, Renata Pavrey, Richard Martin, Russell Nichols, S. J. Wilkes, Sean Reardon, Stephen Johnson, Steve Neal, T.L. Spezia, Thomas E. Staples, Toshiya Kamei, Vivian Kasley, Waverly X Night, Wren Andrea, Yukari Kousaka, Yuki Fuwa

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Fiction, Anthologies

143 pages, Paperback

First published July 9, 2021

Reviews

[Thomas E. Staples · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I have a story in this book, but, there's 99 other stories in here that aren't mine, and they're really quite good.

This is my first 100 word horror read from any publisher, and having the entire thing themed -- some more vaguely than others -- around watery horror was bound to be a hit with me.

Some are gross, many are weird, and a handful are even quite humorous, too.

My top 3 stories, because why not, are:

Sushi
Widow's Walk
The Woman in the Lake

I feel that tiny list doesn't do justice to how many great ones are in here, so, like with any book, you should always check it out for yourself if it's your bag.

I look forward to reading future anthologies from this publisher, as well as the ones that came before it.

[Lydian Faust · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 tentacles

These microbites of marine horror feature everything from sirens to krakens to waterlogged corpses. The poetry outshone most of the stories for me, my fave being by Renata Pavrey. A few of the more original/standout microfic pieces were those by Nico Bell, Patrick Barb, and Thomas E. Staples. 3 out of 5 tentacles from me!

[Emma E. Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these 100 word nightmares! My story is included in this collection (96: Decompression) but I truly enjoyed all of the other 99 creepy tales too.

[Ian Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Microfiction can be magic bottled into tiny jars waited to be consumed. Others may find it unsatisfying for it's mere taste of content. For me, this collection added a dropper to the jar and allowed me to dispense the tales at my own risk.

It was enjoyable to traverse a variety of different styles and content, all within the same book. For those who are hesitant of the unknown depths of the ocean (or the bathtub), this is the book for you. Ghost Orchid is doing the world a great service by making this, and the other Hundred Word Horror collections, available to the masses. I hope they continue crafting great things!

[S.J. Wilkes]

I am in this book so I won't star it, but I found the other entries to be really great. This is a fun book playing with watery horror and thalassophobia; it was an exciting project to participate in because of my own thalassophobia, something I long had trouble articulating to people until I saw it being discussed online and learned, oh, other people experience this? (I guess it's obvious in hindsight.) It's a good read.

[Alice Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of short and sweet stories. I enjoyed the variety of topics - it doesn't just contain the things that immediately spring to mind when you think of water-based horror, but branches out to more inventive takes on the theme as well. Some of the stories have much more impact than you'd think possible from only 100 words!

[Marisca Pichette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharp, cold, and incisive. Beautiful pieces!!

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5*. I enjoyed a few of these but I have to admit the format was not really my thing, the stories were really too short to have a real impact on me.

[oh-deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was beautiful, evocative and super creepy. The ocean is a mesmerising thing and I love reading fiction about it! I don't have any favourites to list because there were a 100 stories in this collection and I loved the majority of them. I would definitely recommend picking this up. I'm thoroughly enjoying the drabble adventure I've started - this is my fifth drabble collection and I look forward to many more!

[MattWiz19 · Rating 4 out of 5]

These authors did an amazing job setting a compelling scene in just 100 words. Really makes you think!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was fun and unique, with some real gems standing out with the tight word constraints. will definitely be reading more of these!

[Dale Parnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant collection of imaginative drabbles that I'm thrilled to be included in!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some stories were better than others, but it was still a fun little anthology

[Jacek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very succinct horror anthology, with a number of unique and terrifying stories.

[Sally the Salamander · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second Ghost Orchid Press anthology I've read. Snappy, digestible stories all revolving around common ocean/water themes. Having read two of Ghost Orchid's anthologies now, I can say that it seems to be a trend with this press that the stories in these anthologies vary pretty widely in quality, and authors will appear multiple times within a single anthology. This would have been a 4 star review, but somewhere between a fourth or a third of the stories revolved around mermaids or sirens, which I felt really restricted the content of this anthology.

I like the themed microfiction format and I hope this press will attract more talent.

[Myles · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
The Deep is my first dive (I'll see myself out) into microfiction and I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I did. Some of these authors really pack a haunting and chilling tale into just 100 words and it's very impressive. A lot more hits than misses in this collection and I'm excited to read the other three collections.

[Venetia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short little read. Took me a while though! I began reading this before the Greek Ship Tragedy and the Titan explosion. Even spookier