Download Now!

Fall '09

Issue

The Fall '09 Issue is here and Halloween is just around the corner.  This time around we didn't strictly focus on Horror, but include a sprinkling of Dark Fantasy and Science Fiction in this issue from Writers Regina Glei, Abra Staffin Wiebe, Deborah Walker, Timothy W. Long, Sharon M. White, Bret Tallman, and our Featured Writer, Jeani Rector.  Each of them are at the top of their game in this issue.

We have tales of Lunatics, Mooncats, a confrontation with the Devil, and more.  Non-Fiction from Mark Lee Pearson, and a review of the collection, Shadows of the Emerald City, edited by JW Schnarr.  Sharon Black says Hey! and we debut our new quarterly Green Watch articles.

We also reveal the winners of our 1st Annual Best of Awards, The SWW's.  Contrats to all the Winners!!!

Dustin Cox, Felicia Autry, Jeremy Martinson, and Amber Chaffee all return with artwork as varied and dynamic are our stories.  Enjoy!

-DLR-

Featured Writer!

Jeani Rector

If Jeani Rector sounds familiar to you, it's because back in our Spring '09 Issue, we reviewed her excellent collection, Around A Dark Corner.  After reading her work, we couldn't wait to get one of her stories in the pages of Strange, Weird, and Wonderful Magazine. 

The Bus Station is a Halloween tale created specifically for the readers of Strange, Weird, and Wonderful Magazine from the simple story prompt: Horror story about a wild Halloween night in a small town bus station.  I'm sure you'll agree after reading The Bus Station, Jeani nailed it!

If you'd like to learn more about Jeani and her upcoming works, read her Interview here.

-DLR-

News for Readers, Writers and Artist

- Anyone Interested in viewing the cover of my upcoming collection from Wild Cat Books, titled "Hell is an Awfully Big City," which was created by one of Strange, Weird, and Wonderful Magazine's most consistent art contributors, Dustin Cox, you can see it here.  I think Dustin did a great job, and I hope you like it too!

- Sharon Black and D. L. Russell are looking for a 3rd member for the Strange, Weird, and Wonderful family.  Specifically, someone who can manage/market the site, the blog, and various other duties, as an equal partner.  Enquire here.

- Every issue, we try to publish one non-fiction article and one environmentally friendly (Green Watch) article.  We are open to any topic as long as it has a futuristic, horror, fantasy, sci fi, or paranormal slant to it.  Articles, Interviews, Conventions, & even Local Events.

Add our Banner & Link to Your Site!

10/6/09

Current Blog Posts

DARREN ROVELL IS AN ASSHOLE (Guest Blogger)

WITHOUT YOUR HEALTH, DO GOOD ROADS MATTER?

Subscription Mailing List

Winter '10 Issue Mailing Date: January 1st 2009

This Mailing List is used for Issue Delivery Only!  You will not be solicited for any additional products or services.  Your information will not be shared with other companies or individuals.

Excerpt from The Bus Station

by Jeani Rector

“Well,” she began, “a few years ago, there was this girl waiting for a bus, just like me. Then wham! Some stranger walks in and blows her away with a shotgun.  Now the dead girl haunts this bus station once a year, every Halloween night.”

“Imagine spending an eternity out in the sticks, stuck here in this Greyhound bus station,” I said.

“You don’t believe me,” Mandy accused.

“Well,” I said, “Tonight is Halloween, and I don’t see any ghosts, do you?  Besides, I’ve heard scarier stories than that one.”

“So tell me a scarier story.”

“How about a guy that travels around the country killing people?”

She scoffed. “You ain’t very original, are ya? I can read that kind of stuff in any newspaper.”

Ignoring that, I looked around the empty bus station. “I have to admit, it’s kind of spooky here. Good thing you have me to protect you from the so-called Halloween ghost.”

“Yeah, but who’s gonna protect me from you?”

I swung my gaze away from the room to study her face.  Did she know?  Of course not.  This was a very trusting girl.  My kind of girl.

She started laughing at her own joke, and I relaxed.  “I’m harmless,” I told her, hoping she would believe me.

Her gaze drifted, and then she turned around to look at the clerk’s cage, still empty.  “I wonder when that clerk is supposed to come back so I can buy my bus ticket.”

“It does seem like a pretty long break, doesn’t it?” I agreed. 

We became quiet as an uncomfortable silence settled between us.  Then Mandy said, “Did you hear that?”

I looked at her.  “What?”

“I don’t know,” she said, “it sounded like something outside the station. Maybe the clerk is coming back.”

The front door burst open, and Mandy screamed with surprise.  A man stepped inside, carrying a shotgun.  Raising the gun, he shouted “Trick or treat!

 Story Prompt Contests

Winter '10 Prompt 15:

In 1000 words or less, write a dark fantasy tale in which the word(s) below appear in the first and last sentence of the story.  The story must be told from the point of view of a four year old girl, who has bad teeth.

"huge dead skunk"

Winter '10 Prompt 14:

In 1000 words or less, write a horror tale based on the picture below.

Winter '10 Prompt 13:

In 1000 words or less, write a sci fi tale based on the picture below.

Fall '09 Prompt 12: CLOSED

In 1000 words or less, write a sci fi tale of a scientist who creates a completely internal mechanical heart, and how it changes the world.

Fall '09 Prompt 11: WINNER!

In 1000 words or less, write a horror story in which the falling leaves of autumn become acidic to human skin.

Fall '09 Prompt 10: WINNER!

In 1000 words or less, write an erotic fantasy about a group of aliens who's species only mates every twenty years.

Summer '09 Prompt 9: WINNER!

In 1000 words or less, write an action packed tale of a futuristic car chase in a crowded American city.

Summer '09 Prompt 8: WINNER!

In 1000 words or less, write a humorous fantasy about an alien being left behind on earth after he gets into an argument with his/her partner/mate on board the ship.

Summer '09 Prompt 7: CLOSED

In 1000 words or less, write a "moment of discovery" sci fi tale of an advance party team from our dying planet, sent to find a new earth.

Spring '09 Prompt 6: WINNER!

In 1000 words or less, write a horrific tale of a man who is constantly paranoid about having a booger hanging from his nose.

Spring '09 Prompt 5: WINNER!

In 1000 words or less, write a fantasy about group of young dragon's rite of passage.

Spring '09 Prompt 4: WINNER!

In 1000 words or less, write a story about a poor farmer who finds an amazing rock while tilling his field after the Spring thaw.

Winter '09 Prompt 3: WINNER!

Using 1000 words or less write about a woman who must tell her family she will soon become a vampire and that they will never see her again.  She gives them all the news during Christmas dinner.

Winter '09 Prompt 2: WINNER!

Using 1000 words or less, write about a man, lost in a snow storm being helped to survive with the assistance of tiny creatures that live in the snow.  When he is rescued, he can't stop talking about his saviors.

Fall '08 Prompt 1:  WINNER!

In the spirit of Halloween & Trick or Treating, the first prompt will require you to write a 1000 word horror story about a young couple returning home with their five year old son after Trick or Treating in the neighborhood.  As they walk up to their front porch, they realize there is a severed head hanging from their doorknob.  The head has two large nails hammered into both ears, connected together by a length of chain.

Submit all prompts to PromptContest@strangeweirdandwonderful.com  The most creative and best written entries will be published in the next  issue and online at www.strangeweirdandwonderful.com  Only one entry per person per prompt.  Stories should be complete, with characterization, style, and setting being our primary consideration....