STRANGE NEW MOONS: A NEW PACK IS RUNNING WILD!
Hi everyone (or should I say ‘Awhhoooo!!!’?), I’m Kayleigh, co-editor of a brand new werewolf themed anthology called Strange New Moons. I guess that also makes me co-pack leader…although, don’t get the wrong idea. These are just stories, we’re not werewolves. We’re definitely not werewolves, because werewolves aren’t even re…
SQUIRREL!
….Ahem, sorry, got distracted there for a second. Anyway, what was I saying? Oh yeah, no werewolves here. Especially not Somer Canon.
So now that we’ve got all that straightened out, I’d love to tell you a little about the anthology and what it contains. Our main goal was to release a collection of werewolf stories that were more on the unconventional side. We all know and love a “standard” werewolf story (someone is attacked by a beast – oh no! – and then they grapple with the changes that start to happen to them as they go wolfside). We didn’t want to give you that. We aimed to give you subverted themes, new and twisted lore, and fresh takes on old tropes. So here’s what we have for you!
Vargsangen – by Mary SanGiovanni
A cold mountain, an especially strong mother, and something unexpected lurking outside in the dark (maybe there are scarier things than werewolves roaming around out there…).
Mary SanGiovanni is the award-winning author of over twenty books, including an Alien tie-in and a Wonder Woman story for DC Comics. And yes, if you stab her with silver, her flesh might hiss, but she’s not a werewolf.
Seamus – by Keawe Melina Patrick
Ever wondered what it’s like to be caged by a deranged scientist, trapped in a particular side of your own body? Wonder no more, because you can read it here.
This author is relatively new to the scene because she only just got bitt…er….recently started publishing. Watch this space because she’s awesome.
Agonies of the Flesh – by Ej Sidle
Where do you turn for particular medical procedures if you’re both woman and wolf? A socially relevant and current story thematically.
Ej Sidle is a writer of short fiction, a horror talent, and loves hunting down prey. Wait…scrap that last part. I mean “going out for a nice meal.”
That Time of the Month – by Kayleigh Dobbs
What if every single woman in the world was a werewolf but none of the men were? What are the rules of society, and what happens on the night of the full moon, exactly?
Kayleigh Dobbs (hello, that’s me!) writes short horror and horror/comedy fiction, and runs a horror review site called Happy Goat Horror. Sometimes it’s hard not eating the other goats, on account of being a werewo…on account of…of hearing that goats are delicious. And for no other reason.
It’s All for the Best, Sweetie – by Rose Strickman
There must be a thousand retellings of Little Red Riding Hood but I guarantee you’ve never read one like this.
This author can be found penning tales of horror, scifi, and fantasy, when her claws aren’t too long and she can type. Huh? What? Oh…by that I mean when her nails are nice and manicured. Her normal human nails.
The Pit – by John Durgin
The first rule of Fight Club is…
John Durgin is the co-founder of Livid Comics, a novelist, and particularly fast when running through the woods. On his human legs, obviously.
Expose the Fur Below – by Rebbeca Rowland
If you like a good sandwich, this story might make you squeamish about adding cold cuts to it…
Rebecca Rowland is a Bram Stoker Award, and a Shirley Jackson Award nominee, and a Godless Award winner. She’s very approachable and easy to contact. Unless it’s the night of the full moon. There’s no reason for that or anything, it’s just coincidence that she tends to be unreachable only on that night of the month.
Who Keeps Shitting on the Memorial Fire Tower? – by Somer Canon
What kind of maniac would do such a thing? Two security guards hang back after their shift to find out…and maybe regret it.
Somer Canon is an award winning author and never ever ever leaves her clothes in a neat pile at the edge of the forest and disappears on hours for end, only to return covered in blood. So don’t even worry about it.
Lark – by Amanda Headlee
One of the most emotional and definitely the most unconventional story in the anthology. Is there anything a parent wouldn’t do for their child?
Amanda Headlee is an author, athlete, and lover of ice cream, the latter of which is amazing actually because canines tend to be lactose intolerant. I mean…a lot of people can’t have dairy and….oh look something shiny over there!
March of Night, Scratch of Claw – by Tim Lebbon
Tim Lebbon is an award winning pillar of the horror community, with a couple of his books making it to the screen (most recently, The Silence). He spends his time up mountains and on nature trails in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes swims in open water. As a human, of course.
Blackfish – by Stephen Kozeniewski
Have you ever seen werewolves in space?
Stephen Kozeniewski is an award winning author and also co-pack leader and editor. He runs an indie publishing company called French Press Publishing, which is weird because I didn’t think werewolves liked coffee.
Wait, what?
Bit Part – by Matthew R. Davis
What if werewolves were wolves all month and only human on the night of the full moon? And what if they were more dangerous in human form?
Matthew R. Davis is an award winning author and a musician, and I always wonder if his fur gets in the way when he’s using instruments. I MEAN HIS HUMAN HAIR, HIS LOVELY HUMAN HAIR.
Red in Tooth and Law – by Simon Clark
You’ve seen the end of the world a thousand times in fiction, but have you ever seen a werewolf apocalypse?
Simon Clark is an award winning author that’s been entertaining us for decades, and is a staple of the horror world. We don’t know how he finds the time to write so much when he’s always busy hiding the bodies he shredded during the…er…I mean, busy with other things. Normal human things.
We’d like to think we’ve covered something for everyone with this anthology, and eagerly welcome you, lovely readers, to the wolfpack with open paws!
January 15, 2025
You can hardly swing a dismembered deer carcass these days without hitting a “No vampires, no zombies, and no werewolves” sign on an anthology.
Well, to that we say “Pshaw!” And also, “Awooo!”
Because what readers really don’t like are dull werewolf stories. So, we tasked the horror community with writing the weirdest, wildest, most creative, utterly bonkers tails (ha!) of lycanthropic lunacy possible.
And did they ever deliver! Wait until you read:
- a brutal, boneshattering peek at the kind of “dogfights” the super-wealthy watch to amuse themselves
- a story of two inquisitive city employees trying to find out who (or what!) keeps pooping on a local landmark
- a ride along with a delusional cop trying to prevent the total werewolf apocalypse. Werepocalypse!
Plus werewolf Frankenstein! And werewolves in space! This book is all gore and no bore.
With a lineup running the gamut from brand, spanking new cubs to heavyweight timber alphas, you’d have to be the weakest elk in the herd not to slobber all over…
Featuring:
Somer Canon
Simon Clark
Matthew R. Davis
Kayleigh Dobbs
John Durgin
Amanda Headlee
Stephen Kozeniewski
Tim Lebbon
Keawe Melina Patrick
Rebecca Rowland
Mary SanGiovanni
EJ Sidle
Rose Strickman
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