Tales Vol. 1: In the Wake of the King
A pocket-sized collection of horror fiction exploring fading memories and occult dread.
This compilation serves as a unified volume for Shawn M. Tomlinson’s horror fiction, released through Lulu.com in December 2015. The book functions as part of a larger project to gather the author's works into cohesive editions. The opening section establishes a tone of urgent desperation, featuring a narrator who claims to have used specific words to clear their mind. As the narrative progresses, the written text disappears from the pages, mirroring the loss of memory. This structural choice emphasizes the ephemeral nature of the horror presented within. The stories rely on the tradition of found footage or discovered manuscripts, where the act of recording is itself a dangerous endeavor. Tomlinson utilizes this framework to create a sense of immediacy and impending loss. The collection does not offer extensive background on the little man or the King mentioned in the title. Instead, it focuses on the visceral experience of forgetting. This approach distinguishes the work from traditional ghost stories that rely on clear antagonists.
Published by Lulu.com in December 2015, this volume reflects the independent publishing trend of the mid-2010s. It sits within the tradition of American horror fiction that emphasizes psychological decay and cosmic dread. The pocketbook format aligns with the desire for accessible, portable collections of genre literature.
📝 Description: Tales Vol. 1: In the Wake of the King
💎 Our verdict on Tales Vol. 1: In the Wake of the King
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Readers who appreciate the eerie silence of forgotten memories and the visceral experience of mental erosion will find this collection deeply engaging. It suits those who enjoy compact volumes that prioritize atmospheric dread over detailed world-building or clear antagonists. The book offers a unique structural choice where the text itself disappears, mirroring the loss of memory and emphasizing the ephemeral nature of the horror. It is ideal for fans of occult rituals and cosmic horror who value the tension between reality and fading perception. Those seeking lighthearted supernatural comedy or modern paranormal romance will likely find the tone too intense and unresolved.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Tomlinson’s collection succeeds in creating a profound sense of impending loss through its innovative framing device. By allowing the physical manuscript to lose its ink as memories fade, the book embodies the very terror it describes. This approach distinguishes it from traditional ghost stories that rely on clear antagonists, instead focusing on the internal experience of unraveling. The work is best suited for readers who enjoy classic gothic horror and psychological dread. It offers a visceral, immediate experience rather than extensive background or resolution. While those seeking detailed world-building might find the focus on internal experience less satisfying, fans of unreliable narrators and cosmic horror will appreciate the atmospheric depth and the dangerous nature of the recording process itself.
