🩸 Horror Fiction

The Best Weird Fiction of the Year, Vol. 1

✍️ Michael Kelly
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$20.99
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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A curated anthology of contemporary weird fiction edited by Michael Kelly.

This volume compiles short stories from twenty-five distinct authors, offering a broad survey of modern weird fiction. The selection includes writers like Joanne Anderton and Jason Baltazar, providing a wide range of narrative styles. Contributors such as F.E. Choe and Kay Chronister bring unique perspectives to the supernatural. The book features pieces by Dominique Dickey, Diana Dima, and Hiron Ennes, among others. It also contains works from Richard Gavin, Elliott Gish, and Thomas Ha. The anthology highlights the genre's evolution through voices like Rachael K. Jones and Joe Koch. Readers will find stories by Uchechukwu Nwaka, Kelly Robson, and Nicholas Royle. The collection includes narratives by Kristina Ten, Natalia Theodoridou, and Charlotte Tierney. It also features work from Shaoni C. White, Kaaron Warren, and Zachariah Claypole White. Final entries come from Greg van Eekhout and Mia Xuan.

Key Themes
weird fiction gothic horror supernatural tales
Literary Context

Published in October 2025 by Undertow Publications, this volume captures the state of weird fiction at that time. It reflects the genre's ongoing expansion through diverse contemporary voices.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Joanne Anderton · Kaaron Warren · Greg van Eekhout
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Undertow Publications 📅 2025 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781988964522

📝 Description: The Best Weird Fiction of the Year, Vol. 1

Michael Kelly, an editor known for curating speculative narratives, presents The Best Weird Fiction of the Year, Vol. 1 through Undertow Publications. This collection gathers short stories by a diverse group of contemporary writers including Joanne Anderton, Jason Baltazar, and F. E. Choe. The volume features contributions from authors such as Kay Chronister, Dominique Dickey, and Richard Gavin, alongside others like Elliott Gish and Thomas Ha. It also includes work by Rachael K. Jones, Joe Koch, and Uchechukwu Nwaka. The anthology showcases voices from Kelly Robson, Nicholas Royle, and Kristina Ten, as well as Natalia Theodoridou, Charlotte Tierney, and Shaoni C. White. Further entries come from Kaaron Warren, Zachariah Claypole White, Greg van Eekhout, and Mia Xuan. The book organizes these varied tales into a single volume without explicit chapter divisions in the provided data. It appeals to readers who enjoy unconventional horror and supernatural fiction that defies standard genre boundaries. Those seeking traditional linear plots or conventional ghost stories may find the eclectic mix challenging. The collection reflects current trends in weird fiction by highlighting emerging and established voices in the field. It serves as a snapshot of the genre's diversity in 2025.

💎 Our verdict on The Best Weird Fiction of the Year, Vol. 1

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Michael Kelly curates a compelling anthology that captures the spirit of modern weird fiction through a diverse array of voices. The collection succeeds in presenting a wide range of narrative styles, from psychological unease to supernatural ambiguity, without relying on conventional linear plots. It is best suited for readers who enjoy exploring the edges of horror and speculative fiction, particularly those familiar with authors like Kaaron Warren or Greg van Eekhout. While the eclectic mix may challenge those seeking traditional ghost stories, it offers a rich exploration of contemporary strange tales. The inclusion of writers such as F.E. Choe and Dominique Dickey highlights the genre's vibrant current state.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate unconventional horror and supernatural fiction that defies standard genre boundaries will find this collection particularly rewarding. The volume offers a broad survey of modern weird fiction, showcasing the diversity of the field through twenty-five distinct authors. It appeals to those interested in the evolution of speculative narratives and the unique perspectives brought by both emerging and established writers. By compiling varied tales into a single volume, it serves as an essential introduction to current trends in the genre. Those seeking to understand the eclectic mix of contemporary weird fiction will gain insight into its expanding narrative styles and thematic range.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Michael Kelly curates a compelling anthology that captures the spirit of modern weird fiction through a diverse array of voices. The collection succeeds in presenting a wide range of narrative styles, from psychological unease to supernatural ambiguity, without relying on conventional linear plots. It is best suited for readers who enjoy exploring the edges of horror and speculative fiction, particularly those familiar with authors like Kaaron Warren or Greg van Eekhout. While the eclectic mix may challenge those seeking traditional ghost stories, it offers a rich exploration of contemporary strange tales. The inclusion of writers such as F.E. Choe and Dominique Dickey highlights the genre's vibrant current state.

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