These aren't your mother's fairy tales.

Throughout history parents have told their children stories to help them sleep, to keep them entertained. But we're pretty sure none of those parents had this in mind. These are the fairy tales that will give you and your children nightmares. From the darkest depths of Grimm and Anderson come the immortal mash-ups with the creations of HP Lovecraft.

These stories will scare and delight 'children' of all ages!

• Introduction by Gary A Braunbeck
• “The Pied Piper of Providence” by William Meikle
• “The Three Billy Goats Sothoth” by Peter N Dudar
• “Little Maiden of the Sea” by David Bernard
• “The Great Old One and the Beanstalk” by Armand Rosamilia
• “In the Shade of the Juniper Tree” by JP Hutsell
• “The Horror at Hatchet Point” by Zach Shephard
• “The Most Incredible Thing” by Bracken MacLeod
• “Let Me Come In!” by Simon Yee
• “The Fishman and His Wife” by Inanna Arthen
• “Little Match Mi-Go” by Michael Kamp
• “Follow the Yellow Glyph Road” by Scott T Goudsward
• “Gumdrop Apocalypse” by Pete Rawlik
• “Curiosity” by Winifred Burniston
• “The Ice Queen” by Mae Empson
• “Once Upon a Dream” by Matthew Baugh
• “Cinderella and Her Outer Godfather” by CT Phipps
• “Donkeyskin” by KH Vaughan
• “Sweet Dreams in the Witch-House” by Sean Logan
• “Fee Fi Old One” by Thom Brannan
• “The King on the Golden Mountain” by Morgan Sylvia
• “The Legend of Creepy Hollow” by Don D’Ammassa

Brought to you by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths

So what makes this Lovecraftian Fairy Tales anthology special?

William Meikle: Lovecraft was working on stirring some base emotions in the reader, asking us to reflect on the depth and wonder of the Universe around us. Fairy tales, whether from the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen or from the oral tradition are a similar means of tapping into something old and primal, and a fusion of both gives us added insight into how archetypes and myth might evolve in an age where the most frightening thing is ourselves.

Armand Rosamilia: The mashup of Lovecraft and fairy tales blended together way too easy. It makes you wonder... Reading through these stories you can see how the two parallel and fit nicely together, especially since the base for Cthulhu mythos and fairy tales are so dark and have that underlying gloom to them.

Tell us more about your horror short story.

William Meikle: I have a fascination with the power of music to affect changes in our mental, and physical, picture of how the world works at a basic level. THE PIED PIPER OF PROVIDENCE is one of my explorations of just that. Plus, it was a load of fun exploring how a modern city might respond to an age old menace.

Horror Guide to Massachusetts is a map to geographical locations, real and fictional, utilized in horror tales set in New England. It is hard to say which is more disquieting, terror amidst staid Yankees in a familiar setting or horror in obscure, forgotten corners of the Commonwealth. Both have their uses as weapons in the battle to scare you out of your wits.

ADVANCED PRAISE FOR Horror Guide to Massachusetts

“This is a unique and ingenious way of highlighting Massachusetts towns referenced in horror books, stories, TV and movies. Want to know if your town or region is featured in a published novel or television show? Check out this reference book out by the Brothers Goudsward. With a quick description of settings and their context in each story, this no-frills reference is packed with hundreds of scenes from all aspects of the genre, with indices that allow the reader to zero-in on any locale. I’ve never heard of any other work that has so completely done this, nor have I heard of many of the works mentioned inside. Without this guide, I never would have. Highly recommend it.”

Daniel G. Keohane, Bram Stoker Award nominated author of
Solomon’s Grave and Margaret's Ark

“We need more eccentric guides like this from the Goudsward Brothers! Give them a turn at the steering wheel and you won't be disappointed. From horror flick locations to the horrific Dover Demon's stomping ground, join them on a creepy journey around the Bay State!”

Loren Coleman, Director of the International Cryptozoology Museum, and author of Monsters of Massachusetts and 30 other books

“Horror Guide to Massachusetts is intensely awesome, especially for an antique Lovecraftian such as myself. As edifying as it is entertaining, this wonderful book is not only a guide to those spectral spots, historical or mythical, in Massachusetts, but serves also as a guide to a multitude of horror films, weird fiction, &c. As one who has been haunted by these places of dark hoary history, this book inspires eerie dreams and fond enchanting memories.”

W. H. Pugmire, critically acclaimed prose poet and author

“A well-crafted book full of marvelous details! It's an insightful compilation that's both accurate and entertaining. I'm thrilled to see two of my Massachusetts horror films included here.”

Brinke Stevens, actress, director, producer, writer, legendary Scream Queen

”A ghoulishly delightful tour through the darkest haunted corners of Massachusetts. You'll learn a lot – and find some great new reads in the process! Don't miss it.”

Nate Kenyon, award-winning author of Sparrow Rock, Diablo: The Order, and Day One