In this collection, the author explores the horrific, the grotesque, the perverse and the downright bizarre in ten short stories. Each tale features an introduction providing insight into the creative process of one of the hottest writers in modern horror.
Something is very wrong with the creatures of the deep. Their bodies encrusted with strange barnacles, the shells opening and closing like clicking, winking eyes. Black tentacles flail out of them, scooping the meat from their prey. The host, be it a whale or a shark or a dolphin or a tuna...or a human, become mad once infested, the only thing on their mind... tearing any living thing apart, feed the parasite. Stuck in the middle of a sea of nightmares, surrounded by massive, murderous beasts, with their insane uncle just as much of a threat, two brothers and their friends fight to survive before the hungry sea tears them apart.
Kip struggles with severe acne that leaves him covered in painful, inflamed sores, leading to his isolation at school where he is cruelly nicknamed "Toad." The story explores themes of bullying, self-acceptance, and the challenges of adolescence as Kip navigates his painful reality and seeks to find his place among peers.
There's a new genre rising from the underground. Its name: BIZARRO. For years, readers have been asking for a category of fiction dedicated to the weird, crazy, cult side of storytelling that has become a staple in the film industry (with directors such as David Lynch, Takashi Miike, Tim Burton, and Lloyd Kaufman) but has been largely ignored in the literary world, until now. The Bizarro Starter Kit features short novels and story collections by ten of the leading authors in the bizarro genre: Brian Allen Carr, Violet LeVoit, David W. Barbee, Shane McKenzie, J. David Osborne, Kirsten Alene, Robert Devereaux, Douglas Hackle, Eric Hendrixson, and Nick Antosca.
Exploring themes of self-acceptance and societal beauty standards, the narrative follows Natasha's struggle with her self-image and desire for love. Feeling like an outcast due to her weight, she resorts to wearing a porcelain face-mask to boost her confidence. The story delves into her emotional journey as she navigates feelings of inadequacy and the longing for connection in a world that often prioritizes superficial beauty.
In a realm where royal families imprison their firstborn daughters to attract heroic knights, Prince Francis and his witty companion Gavin, a pig, seek to abolish this cruel tradition. They advocate for the P.E.T.P. movement, aiming to rescue Pretty, the most elusive princess. However, their adventure reveals that Pretty is far from ordinary. This tale blends humor and absurdity, featuring flamboyant princes, outrageous antics, and a cast of quirky creatures, making it a unique and irreverent twist on classic fairy tales.
Shane McKenzie emerges as a formidable voice in contemporary horror literature, characterized by his unyielding and skilled storytelling. His work promises to push boundaries and redefine the genre, showcasing a blend of toughness and talent that sets him apart from his peers.
Be careful where you masturbate... Grady learns this the hard way when he rubs one out in the bathroom and ends up knocking up his toilet. When the swollen latrine gives birth, Grady finds himself saddled with a toilet baby-a half-human half-porcelain monstrosity that yearns to be loved. But being a new father isn't easy when your child is a toilet girl that feeds on human excrement and must be kept a secret from the rest of society. Grady soon learns he isn't the only one with this problem. There's a hidden community of toilet people where fathers can live with their toilet children in peace. Unfortunately, their tranquil isolation cannot last forever. Kids will be kids and the toilet children are eager and curious to learn about the world and experiences that were always kept from them - no matter how dangerous they may be. From the same deviant mind that brought you PUS JUNKIES and MUERTE CON CARNE comes a comedy about family and love born from the toilet bowl.
Sie schämen sich für ihre Tochter. Darum haben sie Natasha seit ihrer Kindheit eingesperrt. Doch endlich gelingt ihr die Flucht. Natasha hat nur einen Wunsch: So wie jeder andere Mensch möchte auch sie geliebt werden. Aber wer verliebt sich schon in eine entstellte Monstrosität? Natasha sucht ihren Prinzen – egal, wie viel Blut das kosten wird … Ein bizarres, brutales Horrordrama, wie man es von Shane McKenzie (Muerte con Carne) erwartet. Bentley Little: »Unerbittlich, extrem, hart, talentiert. Shane McKenzie steht an der Spitze der jungen Horrorautoren.« Jack Ketchum: »Shane, wie kannst du nachts bloß schlafen?«
Felix und Marta wollen in einer kleinen Grenzstadt einen Dokumentarfilm über illegale mexikanische Einwanderer drehen. Als Marta spurlos verschwindet, erkennt Felix, dass im Niemandsland zwischen den USA und Mexiko der perfekte Ort für jede Art von Verbrechen liegt. Er begreift, dass es viel Schlimmeres als korrupte Cops oder Drogenbanden gibt. Etwa die Familie, die Flüchtlinge zum Fressen gern hat. Shane McKenzie, einer der einfallsreichsten neue Autoren des Horrorgenres, schrieb das Texas Chain Saw Massacre der Latinos.
