Letter to the Editor
If you think a home invasion is a scary
proposition, imagine you live all alone in a
farmhouse far from anyone else, then one
night during a storm when the lights go out
you get unwelcomed visitors.
The Following is a review of DarkTales: A Collection of Sick Twisted Scary Stories and DarkTales: Volume Two by Ron
Wynn Nashville City Paper
Nashville author Steven R. Zellers originally penned the first volume of DarkTales almost 11 years ago, but he’s now
updated it and penned a second collection.
As the title suggests, these are stories that can shock, stun, frighten or delight, and sometimes manage all those things
within their tightly constructed frameworks. Zellers knows how to manipulate details, but also he varies his approach.
Sometimes things accelerate right from the opening paragraph, and the remaining narrative simply sustains what’s
already been generated. Other times he’ll slowly build the tension, working to a strong conclusion and injecting surprise
elements that nicely wrap the story.
There are 18 entries in the initial volume and 12 more in the sequel. While readers’ choices and preferences will differ
depending on their perspectives and interests, some recommendations from DarkTales include “Tinman,” “Smokey
Mountain Rain,” “Freak,” “Grandma’s Secret” and most interestingly “Writer’s Block.” Anyone who’s ever had a problem
composing a letter or finishing an assignment will find it quite intriguing. His opening story “My Wife” and final entry
“Jewels” are also outstanding.
Prime pieces in DarkTales: Volume Two include “Ice Queen,” “Northern Lights,” “Seven Dates from MySpace” and “Till
Death,” as well as “Halloween” and “Trust.”
Some horror/suspense writers, most notably the late Rod Serling, used the genre as a social message tool. There are
some stories with underlying or implied themes, but overall Zellers is mainly interested in spinning a compelling yarn
rather than examining a particular social ill.
The DarkTales volumes offer fine examples of both striking horror pieces and excellent short story writing. Ron
Wynn Nashville City Paper
Ebook $1.99
Letter to the Editor
No one is going to believe my story. So I’ve decided not to tell anyone. But still I think people
need to know. I wrote this letter, drove west across three states and mailed it to the newspaper.
If you’re reading this I guess they printed it. You will never know who I am. I made sure of that. I
wish it never happened, but it did. I want you to know that I did all I could to stop them. I pray it
was enough.
Letter to the editor.
Anonymous
There are some things in this world that shouldn’t be. There are dark things, evil things. We all
know they’re out there. But we pretend we don’t see them. For the most part they stay in their
world and we stay in ours, but not always.
Last Thursday night a storm came through and the power went out. I live in the country and
the nearest house to mine is almost a mile away. Basically what I’m saying is it was dark. Not
city dark with street lamps and headlights from passing cars, country dark; the kind of dark
where you can’t see your hand in front of your face dark.
I found a candle and lit it. The next few hours were the worst of my life. I’m a grown man. I’ve
lived in the country by myself for a long time.
Usually I’m not scared of anything but that night I was scared....
No one is going to believe my story. So I’ve decided not to tell anyone. But still I think people
need to know. I wrote this letter, drove west across three states and mailed it to the newspaper.
If you’re reading this I guess they printed it. You will never know who I am. I made sure of that. I
wish it never happened, but it did. I want you to know that I did all I could to stop them. I pray it
was enough.
Letter to the editor.
Anonymous
There are some things in this world that shouldn’t be. There are dark things, evil things. We all
know they’re out there. But we pretend we don’t see them. For the most part they stay in their
world and we stay in ours, but not always.
Last Thursday night a storm came through and the power went out. I live in the country and
the nearest house to mine is almost a mile away. Basically what I’m saying is it was dark. Not
city dark with street lamps and headlights from passing cars, country dark; the kind of dark
where you can’t see your hand in front of your face dark.
I found a candle and lit it. The next few hours were the worst of my life. I’m a grown man. I’ve
lived in the country by myself for a long time.
Usually I’m not scared of anything but that night I was scared....