It was all in the name of science. Now someone has to clean up the mess.

Stan Armstrong dedicated his entire life to science. Branded as a maverick and a risk-taker by his colleagues, his unorthodox experiments and outlandish theories of time and space resulted in loss of funding and ultimately, his termination from tenure at the university where he’d spent his entire career.

Stan’s insatiable quest to explore extreme hypotheses and to prove the unproven were matched only by his neurotic lust to peel back the mysterious layers of time and space to expose the hidden secrets of the universe. Determined to continue his work at all costs, he uproots the life he once knew, liquidates his assets and builds his own lab on a desolate twenty-four-acre rural property in Devil’s Gulch, Utah, no longer bound by government regulation or the prying eyes of small-minded administrators.

Whether born from his profound love for science, or his enormous ego, Stan unintentionally unleashes something sinister in Devil’s Gulch—something that was never meant to walk this Earth.

Sinister Smile Press presents Devil’s Gulch, a horror novel written by Claire Brown, Matthew A. Clarke, T.M. Morgan, Chris Wilkerson, Chisto Healy, Kayla Krantz, Jon Miller, T.M. Brown, Mark Young, Bridgett Nelson, R.E. Sargent and Steven Pajak.

Your worst nightmares come true.

Razor-sharp teeth. Vicious claws. The soul-piercing eyes that stare you down right before it pounces. What will you do when it’s you against a purveyor of pure evil? You think it’s just a dream? Think again. These nightmare creatures have transcended the pages of the books they were written into, they’ve ripped their way from the silver screen, and now they are coming for you. There is nowhere to hide—they will find you. But the question remains. Do you have what it takes to conquer the beast or will you let it destroy you?

The Better Off Dead series delves into the farthest corners of your mind, where your deepest, darkest fears lurk. These masters of horror will haunt your dreams and stalk your nightmares, taking you to the edge of sanity before pushing you to the brink of madness!

With stories by Scotty Milder, Elana Gomel, Hannah O'Doom, Scott Harper, Bridgett Nelson, Brian Asman, Sandra Stephens, Henry Herz, R.E. Sargent, Red Lagoe, Frank Beghin, Kevin M. Folliard, Steven Pajak, Matthew R. Davis. Foreword by Bram Stoker nominated author Jeff Strand.

★Nominated for Best Anthology for the 2021 Splatterpunk awards★

Go ahead, run. Hide, even. No matter. There’s no place you can go that she won’t find you.

A woman scorned. The sanctity of her sanctuary threatened. The betrayal of trust…even loyalty. Don’t ever tell her not to take it personally, because that’s exactly what it is. Personal. Your first blunder was mistaking her kindness for weakness. Your second was betraying her. The third? Underestimating her. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Take the plunge into these tales of deadly women who will stop at nothing until vengeance is theirs.

The Better Off Dead series delves into the farthest corners of your mind, where your deepest, darkest fears lurk. These masters of horror will haunt your dreams and stalk your nightmares, taking you to the edge of sanity before pushing you to the brink of madness!

With stories by Steven Pajak, Cara Fox, Chris Contreras Bahnsen, Scotty Milder, J.H. Moncrieff, Scott Harper, Bridgett Nelson, Spencer Richard, Mark Young, Claire Brown, Nikkolas James, Lee Rozelle, Natalie Sierra, R.E. Sargent, Red Lagoe and Renee M.P.T. Kray.

Foreword by award winning author J.H. Moncrieff.

Don’t go in the water. It’s dark. It’s deep. It’s scary as hell.

There is no better keeper of secrets than the menacing, murky depths of the ocean. Unfathomable creatures, mysterious disappearances, abandoned ships, deadly pirates. Even experienced seamen are susceptible to the horrors that lay hidden far below the surface. It’s all a game of chance. Be in the wrong place at the wrong time and you’ll become something’s meal. The dark deep is ominous and unforgiving and it has no conscience. Do you dare tempt fate?

The Better Off Dead series delves into the farthest corners of your mind, where your deepest, darkest fears lurk. These masters of horror will haunt your dreams and stalk your nightmares, taking you to the edge of sanity before pushing you to the brink of madness!

Contains stories by John S. Aissis, Marco Etheridge, Scott Harper, Andrew Hughes, Constantine E. Kiousis, Scotty Milder, S.R. Miller, G. Nicholas Miranda, Bridgett Nelson, David Rider, Steven Streeter, and Mike Sullivan.

Foreword by Splatterpunk Award Winning Author, Ronald Kelly.

Beware of the night, for it shows no mercy.

Anxieties run rampant as the last sprinklings of light twinkle out on the inky horizon. The shadows dance their choreography in the damp, dusky air. Night is taking over, and it knows how to keep a dark and deadly secret, for it allows no witnesses. And that screaming you hear nearby? Watch out, because you might be next.

The Sinister Supernatural Stories series brings you delicious horror that focuses on elements of the supernatural. Pull up a chair and dig in, but never after dark—everyone knows bad things always happen after dark.

Contains stories by Nick Roberts, Matthew R. Davis, Alexandr Bond, Scott Harper, R.E. Sargent, Richard Clive, Renee M.P.T. Kray, Warren Benedetto, Daniel O’Connor, Steven Pajak, Curtis A. Bass, David Rider, Gary Robbe, and Scotty Milder.

Sometimes, the dead do come back.  Sometimes, they crave your flesh...and sometimes, they desire your very soul, but they aren’t the only thing you have to fear.

You don’t believe in what you can’t see, yet something is there, watching, waiting. You can feel its unholy intentions deep down in the marrow of your bones. You don’t know where it came from, but you know with every fiber of your being that it is not from this earth, and as you feel its gaze searing through your skin, you know the end just might be near.

It took its last breath, you watched the dirt being shoveled onto its coffin, yet there it is, standing before you, staring you down like you’re its next meal. It’s vicious and it’s evil and even though you know—you’re absolutely positive—that the abomination before you should be dead, somehow it’s not, and its ungodly eyes are focused on you.

The Otherworldly and Undead are out there and they are coming for you. When you run—and oh, will you run—you don’t need to be the fastest…you only need to be faster than the person beside you—at least until there is no one else left. Join us for the most terrifying stories of Otherworldly and Undead beings as they stalk and torment the living, feeding off their souls and their flesh before recruiting them to eternal damnation.

The Better Off Dead series delves into the farthest corners of your mind, where your deepest, darkest fears lurk. These masters of horror will haunt your dreams and stalk your nightmares, taking you to the edge of sanity before pushing you to the brink of madness!

Contains stories by Renee M.P.T. Kray, Jeremy Megargee, Scotty Milder, Steven Pajak, Barry Charman, Red Lagoe, Richard Clive, David A. Anthony, Kristal Stittle, Scott Harper, R.E. Sargent, LP Hernandez, and Bridgett Nelson.

Foreword by New York Times Bestselling Author Richard Chizmar.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

That noise in the dead of night. The shadow that slips by almost unnoticed. The fear that pulverizes your sense of reasoning and pushes you deep down under seven layers of covers. There is no escaping it, and when the dark forces of the universe come after you, the world will know exactly what you are made of. Will you run? Will you fight? Maybe you’ll join forces with the darkness that rips through your quiet little life. Everyone’s dying to find out.  

The Better Off Dead series delves into the farthest corners of your mind, where your deepest, darkest fears lurk. These masters of horror will haunt your dreams and stalk your nightmares, taking you to the edge of sanity before pushing you to the brink of madness!

With stories by R.E. Sargent, Steven Pajak, Jane Alvey Harris, Red Lagoe, Kayla Krantz, RJ Roles, Peter Rocha, Mike Duke, Cassandra Angler, Matthew A Clarke, Gerald Dean Rice, Alan Derosby and L.K. Pinaire.

Insanity has me by the throat. I wish it’d squeeze a little harder.

They call me crazy, but who are they to judge? I’m not crazy. They are. I’ve tried to reason with them, but they won’t listen. Yet. One day, they will hear me, and one day, they’ll be sorry.

This is no way to live, being locked up like an animal. And I’m surrounded by lunatics. The scary girl in the corner who hears voices, the burly bald guy who lashes out with violent tendencies, the quiet redhead who lights fires, or the Rob Zombie look-alike that is rumored to have murdered his entire family. Is this real or one sick and twisted nightmare I can’t wake up from?

Institutionalized is the latest anthology from the creators of The Better Off Dead series. This installment brings you stories of the mentally unbalanced, the damaged and disturbed, and the criminally insane. Some are locked up. Some are not. We recommend you sleep with one eye open.

With stories by Richard Chizmar, Ronald Kelly, R.E. Sargent, Steven Pajak, Rebecca Rowland, Mike Duke, Scott Harper, Jill Girardi, Richard Clive, Jeremy Megargee, Janine Pipe, LP Hernandez, Scotty Milder, Renee M.P.T. Kray, Brandon Scott, and David Rider.

Sometimes, Karma’s a Bitch!

Don’t deny it. Your mind has dwelled for hours on the things you would do if your name was Karma. Malevolence towards those that wronged you festers and there is no relief—until now. Plunge headfirst into these sinister tales where karma finally takes control and vengeance is a dish that is best served hot.

The Better Off Dead series delves into the farthest corners of your mind, where your deepest, darkest fears lurk. These masters of horror will haunt your dreams and stalk your nightmares, taking you to the edge of sanity before pushing you to the brink of madness!

Contains stories by Red Lagoe, Steven Pajak, Jane Alvey Harris, Kayla Krantz, RJ Roles, Eleanor Merry, Peter Rocha, Charlotte Munro, Chris Wilkerson, and R.E. Sargent.

Thirty-nine terrifying stories that will keep you up all night and make you want to call in sick to work!

This amazing collection contains all stories from Volumes 1-3 of If I Die Before I Wake: The Better Off Dead Series. Enjoy stories of karma, fear, supernatural horror, deadly women and retribution.

The Better Off Dead series delves into the farthest corners of your mind, where your deepest, darkest fears lurk. These masters of horror will haunt your dreams and stalk your nightmares, taking you to the edge of sanity before pushing you to the brink of madness!

Contains stories by Cassandra Angler, Chris Contreras Bahnsen, Claire Brown, Matthew A. Clarke, Alan Derosby, Mike Duke, Cara Fox, Scott Harper, Jane Alvey Harris, Nikkolas James, Kayla Krantz, Renee M.P.T. Kray, Red Lagoe, Eleanor Merry, Scotty Milder, J.H. Moncrieff, Charlotte Munro, Bridgett Nelson, Steven Pajak, L.K. Pinaire, Gerald Dean Rice, Spencer Richard, Peter Rocha, RJ Roles, Lee Rozelle, R.E. Sargent, Natalie Sierra, Chris Wilkerson, and Mark Young.

The blade slashes then plunges deep into trembling flesh…then the bodies hit the floor.

They stalk their prey from deep in the menacing shadows, poised and ready to strike at the penultimate moment. Their victims unexpectant, unaware, until they wake in dark rooms, dank basements, or on chilly floors stained with the rotting blood of other hapless victims. The stench fills their nostrils and permeates their pores, the bile rising up in their burning throats. They scream and try to escape, but all attempts are futile. Fear dances like spiders down their spines as they hear ominous footsteps approaching—their eyes spread wide in horror as they realize the end is near.

Let the Bodies Hit the Floor is the latest series from Sinister Smile Press, the creators of The Better Off Dead series. These volumes bring you the very best in horror/slasher/stalker/serial killer crime fiction. The more vicious and bloodier, the better. So, put on your pee-pee pants, because you’re in for one hell of a dark, sinister journey.

A Pile of Bodies, A Pile of Heads – Let the Bodies Hit the Floor, Volume 1

Contains stories by Mike Marcus, David Rider, Brian Asman, Bridgett Nelson, Dev Jarrett, K. Mason, Sam Rebelein, Jonathan Rae Rivera, Nick Roberts, R.A. Clarke, Jen Ellwyn, and Ali Seay.

Revenge and redemption are dishes best served cold...
Even the best of us have a darkness inside, lurking beneath the surface, ready to be exposed like raw nerve endings. Most days, we hide the darkness well. But sometimes, on those dark days, when all that we fear comes for us, the repressed darkness spills into the world, and only revenge will satiate. On those long nights when sleep evades, your mind churns, reminding you of your dirty deeds of the past. We must all make amends on judgement day and hope for redemption. Dark Days is a superb collection of six previously published novellas of revenge and redemption from Steven Pajak that will expose the inner darkness within and the moral choices that may lead to redemption for the damned.

A Second Chance
Convicted of manslaughter, Thomas Donavan is released from prison and determined to make his life count. He finds hope and an unlikely friendship with Donny, the old man who runs Second Chance, a halfway house for parolees. Thomas' dream is to keep his head down, do his time, and finally make a better life for himself. Unfortunately for Thomas, his past comes back to haunt him in a horrific showdown with someone who feels Thomas needs to pay the ultimate price for his sin.

At The Core Lies Darkness
After a devastating diagnosis, Nick Sawyer learns he has only two months to live. Nick’s search for answers leads him to St. Michael’s church and Father Thomas May, who tells Nick to have faith and look to God for answers. Though his faith in church and God has waned, Nick is desperate to live, and prays for a miracle. During the night, Nick is visited by Raphael, the angel of healing, who grants his prayer. But everything has a price and miracles are no exception. In this dark tale of life and death, Nick must decide if living is worth sacrificing his soul.

Ghosts of the Past
Thirty years after his parents died in a car crash and his sister mysteriously disappeared, Richard Bower spots a woman in a restaurant he believes is his sister. He confronts her, but she denies knowing him at all. However, a note left behind –written in his sister's script and signed with her childhood nickname—proves otherwise. Desperate to find his sister in hopes of learning answers that can unlock his mysterious past, Richard enlists the help of all his contacts as attorney to find her. Each clue leads him one step closer to revealing his shrouded past but also one step closer to danger.

The Mortality of Morris Meridian
World War II Veteran Morris Meridian has lived a long, distinguished life — as a soldier, loving father, and doting husband — but he won't live through the night. As he lays dying, he finds himself face-to-face with an ageless man from his past, who forces Morris to recall haunting memories and a terrifying offer he might not be able to refuse.

Murder, Inc
Davina is good at biding her time, waiting for the right moment to help desperate women find salvation from their abusive partners. Davina knows how it feels to be beaten and abused. She is part of Murder, Inc., a group founded by survivors of domestic abuse, who use their network and skills to help other women escape from bad situations. The price for their salvation: pay it forward one day and help others in their time of need. But Davina’s motives for helping free women from the bonds of their abusers may have a much darker intention.

The Long December
Nora Cooper, accomplished scholar, prestigious college preparatory school administrator, and devoted wife and mother, falls into deep despair after she is unceremoniously fired.