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Anecdotes in Ashes
An adorable baby grows up to be a curiously toothy child ... an intimate look at the horrors of enduring the ghostly affection of a dead spouse, night after night ... a man discovers the terrible secret to eternal life ...
Anecdotes in Ashes is a short stroll through the side streets and alleyways of your nightmares, featuring the dark microfiction of the writing collective known as The Assembly, and original illustrations by artist Slade Adams. Get comfortable, turn down the lights, and prepare to have the protective shell of your comfort zone chipped away, one anecdote at a time.
Anecdotes in Ashes is a short stroll through the side streets and alleyways of your nightmares, featuring the dark microfiction of the writing collective known as The Assembly, and original illustrations by artist Slade Adams. Get comfortable, turn down the lights, and prepare to have the protective shell of your comfort zone chipped away, one anecdote at a time.
65 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2013
18 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
T.W. Grim
16Ìýbooks45ÌýfollowersT.W. Grim is a horror novelist from Southwestern Ontario. He is the author of 99 Brief Scenes From the End of the World, Tripping Over Twilight, When the Stars Fall and The Promises We Make in December.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 17, 2013
Brainycat's 5 "B"s:
blood: 4
boobs: 1
bombs: 0
bondage: 1
blasphemy: 3
: FAIL
: FAIL
: FAIL
A very short collection of even shorter stories. Most of them were really good; the weakest pieces in the collection I'd still consider to be decent writing. I'm not too familiar with this "microshort" format, this was essentially my first introduction. I liked it a lot. While the collection is only 53 pages in my reader, it was the right length. Too many of these shorts and it would feel like a chore to plow through them all. I didn't count how many stories are in here, but I'd wager there's 50-60 stories total in the collection.
The problem with the format, however, is that it's so short there's only so many ways to create the 'A-Ha! Gotcha!" moment. Usually with the last sentence that reframes the earlier paragraphs in a new light. Given that I'm pretty sick and twisted anyway, I'm usually reframing everything I read and watch all day long so there weren't a lot of shocks or suprises for me in the stories. Also, IIRC all the stories are set in contemporary western society. It would be an interesting excercise for the authors to use some of their scant words to try to evoke some different settings.
I still enjoyed reading this though. It's like popcorn and jelly beans for the horror fan - tiny little nuggets of demented goodness in easy to digest chunks. The collection is divided into four groups, roughly analagous to major subgenres in horror: "Encounters in the Dark", "Sinister Shadows on a Sunny Day", "Madmen Amongst Us" and "The Beast Inside". I felt the first section had the most interesting stories, as the microshort format lends itself to leaving much to the readers imagination while the other three genres covered such familiar ground it was hard to feel any surprises or insights.
This is a great little book that I recommend to anyone interested in horror. Because it's so short and the stories even shorter, this would probably be a good introduction to the genre for someone looking for a survey of the typical tropes and techniques - a Horror Types and Tropes Primer, if you will. I am looking forward to more collections from this group.
blood: 4
boobs: 1
bombs: 0
bondage: 1
blasphemy: 3
: FAIL
: FAIL
: FAIL
A very short collection of even shorter stories. Most of them were really good; the weakest pieces in the collection I'd still consider to be decent writing. I'm not too familiar with this "microshort" format, this was essentially my first introduction. I liked it a lot. While the collection is only 53 pages in my reader, it was the right length. Too many of these shorts and it would feel like a chore to plow through them all. I didn't count how many stories are in here, but I'd wager there's 50-60 stories total in the collection.
The problem with the format, however, is that it's so short there's only so many ways to create the 'A-Ha! Gotcha!" moment. Usually with the last sentence that reframes the earlier paragraphs in a new light. Given that I'm pretty sick and twisted anyway, I'm usually reframing everything I read and watch all day long so there weren't a lot of shocks or suprises for me in the stories. Also, IIRC all the stories are set in contemporary western society. It would be an interesting excercise for the authors to use some of their scant words to try to evoke some different settings.
I still enjoyed reading this though. It's like popcorn and jelly beans for the horror fan - tiny little nuggets of demented goodness in easy to digest chunks. The collection is divided into four groups, roughly analagous to major subgenres in horror: "Encounters in the Dark", "Sinister Shadows on a Sunny Day", "Madmen Amongst Us" and "The Beast Inside". I felt the first section had the most interesting stories, as the microshort format lends itself to leaving much to the readers imagination while the other three genres covered such familiar ground it was hard to feel any surprises or insights.
This is a great little book that I recommend to anyone interested in horror. Because it's so short and the stories even shorter, this would probably be a good introduction to the genre for someone looking for a survey of the typical tropes and techniques - a Horror Types and Tropes Primer, if you will. I am looking forward to more collections from this group.
October 30, 2013
Keeping in mind I'm someone who has watched movies such as Martyrs and can watch/read crime scene details while keeping a straight head...
This book was far too disturbing. Basically it felt like the authors wrote these stories merely for shock value. It included things like graphic cannibalism, sexually gratifying murder, pedophila, and extreme perversion all around. Particularly the stories by "B.C Lawson" disturbed me and made me wonder if he is actually a perverted serial killer. And who wants their work of fiction to create that worry...
There were a few stories that stood out from the rest as actually quite well-written. As it's a collection, I can't paint all authors included with the same brush. But I feel it's almost unfortunate for those few authors who have talent and didn't just spew out filth to be included with the rest.
This book was far too disturbing. Basically it felt like the authors wrote these stories merely for shock value. It included things like graphic cannibalism, sexually gratifying murder, pedophila, and extreme perversion all around. Particularly the stories by "B.C Lawson" disturbed me and made me wonder if he is actually a perverted serial killer. And who wants their work of fiction to create that worry...
There were a few stories that stood out from the rest as actually quite well-written. As it's a collection, I can't paint all authors included with the same brush. But I feel it's almost unfortunate for those few authors who have talent and didn't just spew out filth to be included with the rest.
March 15, 2020
Heard about this from a podcast. I liked it.
January 14, 2015
Some stories in this collection -- particularly those by D.G. Collins(IPostAtMidnight) and Kelsey "CaseByCase" Donald -- were incredible; well-written and chilling. Unfortunately, the others were okay at best, and at worst not worth the time spent reading; every cheap, gorey, gratuitous cliche of creepypasta is paraded here to try and pique the reader's interest.
If you're purchasing this (which may well be worth it if you're a fan of alternative horror), it's better to imagine that you're paying for a few stories by two new, upcoming horror authors that you'll be supporting, and a bunch of other ones that you can skip.
If you're purchasing this (which may well be worth it if you're a fan of alternative horror), it's better to imagine that you're paying for a few stories by two new, upcoming horror authors that you'll be supporting, and a bunch of other ones that you can skip.
February 1, 2014
Not a bad collection, the amount of hits were more than duds. Easy one night read with the occasional photo to creep you out.
February 20, 2014
This book was okay, most of the stories were pretty good. A few were super creepy, one was mildly disturbing, and a couple were lame. Basically a collection of creepypasta.
June 17, 2020
I was debating between two and three stars initially, but then I got to the part of the book where one particular author is featured more and their stories dropped the entire collection down to one star. The final verdict is if someone asked me about this book, I would actively steer them away from reading it, basically due to that author.
I adore micro fiction and admire the work that goes into crafting a story where absolutely every word counts. I also generally dig the ShortScaryStories subreddit that spawned this collection so I had high hopes, but these are definitely not the best that group has to offer. Lots of stories that are in no way horror and of the ones that are, a large number are cliches you've probably already seen. There was a grand total of one story I actively liked and to be fair, I really liked it a lot. I will also say, all of the writing was fine and while I did think the collection ran a little long, overall this book is very readable. I wasn't a fan of the art, but maybe others enjoyed it.
There were two authors I notably liked, though the majority of the stories by one I had read before on the aforementioned subreddit. There was one author whose stories I never liked and repeatedly made me wonder what the 'punchline' was. Then there was the one star author. I don't mind gross or disturbing stuff. I don't seek it out, but I don't necessarily avoid it if used well. This author's stories are gratuitously graphic for no reason. It's also not scary at all? Instead that type of thing comes across as a cheap trick because they couldn't think of any genuinely spooky ideas. Like, okay cool, you thought up 'disturbing' things a teenage boy would come up with in an attempt to be edgy. Doesn't make a good story.
I'd say go ahead and read this if a particular author you like wrote stories for this collection, but otherwise save what time you can and skip.
(I clearly had a lot of feelings for such a short book.)
I adore micro fiction and admire the work that goes into crafting a story where absolutely every word counts. I also generally dig the ShortScaryStories subreddit that spawned this collection so I had high hopes, but these are definitely not the best that group has to offer. Lots of stories that are in no way horror and of the ones that are, a large number are cliches you've probably already seen. There was a grand total of one story I actively liked and to be fair, I really liked it a lot. I will also say, all of the writing was fine and while I did think the collection ran a little long, overall this book is very readable. I wasn't a fan of the art, but maybe others enjoyed it.
There were two authors I notably liked, though the majority of the stories by one I had read before on the aforementioned subreddit. There was one author whose stories I never liked and repeatedly made me wonder what the 'punchline' was. Then there was the one star author. I don't mind gross or disturbing stuff. I don't seek it out, but I don't necessarily avoid it if used well. This author's stories are gratuitously graphic for no reason. It's also not scary at all? Instead that type of thing comes across as a cheap trick because they couldn't think of any genuinely spooky ideas. Like, okay cool, you thought up 'disturbing' things a teenage boy would come up with in an attempt to be edgy. Doesn't make a good story.
I'd say go ahead and read this if a particular author you like wrote stories for this collection, but otherwise save what time you can and skip.
(I clearly had a lot of feelings for such a short book.)
August 18, 2019
Short & digestible. Though pretty hit or miss.
Short stories are always hit or miss, so micro-stories are even more likely to be this way. I enjoyed the book but felt like I came out of it with about a handful of stories that I really loved. It was not bad though and I enjoyed reading it. My favorite thing about this book that will make me want to find more like it, is that you can read a few stories quickly while you have a couple of minutes to glance down at your phone.
Short stories are always hit or miss, so micro-stories are even more likely to be this way. I enjoyed the book but felt like I came out of it with about a handful of stories that I really loved. It was not bad though and I enjoyed reading it. My favorite thing about this book that will make me want to find more like it, is that you can read a few stories quickly while you have a couple of minutes to glance down at your phone.
November 20, 2021
Been meaning to read this one for forever. Ever since I heard about itnkn the No Sleep Podcast. Short and sweet, well�.maybe not so sweet.
I didnt realize it was microfiction until I started reading. Some of the tales pack quite a punch in so few words!
I didnt realize it was microfiction until I started reading. Some of the tales pack quite a punch in so few words!
January 17, 2018
The shortest of short stories. Some go for the easy “eewww� but some are more subtle in their horror.
February 7, 2019
Remarkably inconsistent collection of flash fiction. Not worth your time.
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April 19, 2015Anecdotes in Ashes
I was somewhat disappointed in this book in that it was advertised as in horror genre,but I really couldn't find the horror except in a few of the stories. Most of them were almost funny in a wicked sort of way. I'm not saying that the book isn't worth reading by any means, I did enjoy it. It just isn't the kind of book that will keep you up late at night or make you hide under the covers!
I was somewhat disappointed in this book in that it was advertised as in horror genre,but I really couldn't find the horror except in a few of the stories. Most of them were almost funny in a wicked sort of way. I'm not saying that the book isn't worth reading by any means, I did enjoy it. It just isn't the kind of book that will keep you up late at night or make you hide under the covers!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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