#All Hallow's Read

[cmweller]

Reminder that I have a free short story coming out this October.

I wonder if I can get fellow authors @faireladypenumbra or @thebibliosphere to do me the favour of a boost.

[internutter]

Reminder that I have a short story I'm releasing for free this October as part of All Hallow's Read.

I can only hope that a fellow indie author like @drchucktingle might give it a boost so audiences know its coming soon.

[bespectacledbookworm]

In case you're not familiar with All Hallow's Read, it's a Halloween tradition started by Neil Gaiman where you can give out books and candy. I always make it a point to buy "scary" books for the kids because let's face it, kid and young adult horror is a great way to get kids to read! And that's why I do this. I need the reading apprehnsion of the youth to RISE!!!

Also I love continuing the cycle of childhood trauma I received from my middle and high school reading lists. (looking at you bridge, fern, and remnants...

[bespectacledbookworm]

It's such a small thing, but this is why I do All Hallow's Read. These kids are so excited to get a free book! Even the ones who aren't, hey-- they got a free book. And when their phone dies, or they're just bored, or see their favorite creator talking about booktok, they have a book. It will be somewhere in their room, and if not on halloween night, then someday soon, they will pick it up and start to read. And that's where their journey to reading comprehension, learning empathy, learning nuance and reading into subtext, thinking for their damn selves and just learning in general and cultivating that thirst for knowledge, that's where it starts! Even if it's just a comic book, as long as it gets them interested, I know I've done my best to combat the scourges of low quality schools, internet attention spans, and a system that does what it can to quell the masses.

"Absolutely no one comes to save us but us."

Ismatu Gwendolyn, "you've been traumatized into hating reading (and it makes you easier to oppress)", from Threadings, on Substack [ID'd]

[sebastianravkin]

More October book recommendations

(art by Jason Hoffman/Thrillist)

As All Hallow's Read approaches, here are some more spooky book recommendations that I have read and enjoyed from Cosmopolitan's list of best all time horror books:

1. Jackal, by Erin E. Adams (2023)

Liz is returning to her hometown of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to attend her best friend's wedding. As a Black woman, she's less than thrilled at the prospect of spending time in the majority-white town, but decides to go and support her friend anyway. Things get scary when her best friend's daughter Caroline goes missing at the wedding. Liz realizes Caroline isn't the first Black girl to go missing in Johnstown and must find Caroline before she meets a truly horrifying fate.

2. Manhunt, by Gretchen Felker-Martin (2022)

If you like your horror with a dystopian twist, you'll be super into this novel. It follows a group of trans men and women fighting for survival in the wake of a plague that turns people with a certain amount of testosterone into feral monsters. The group traverses a post-apocalyptic New England landscape battling murderous TERFs, rich idiots, and all sorts of bizarre situations.

3. The Last House on Needless Street, by Catriona Ward (2022)

This tense novel centers on the residents at a boarded-up house on the edge of the woods: a teenage girl who isn't allowed outside, a man who drinks alone in front of the TV, and a house-cat who loves napping and reading the Bible. When a new neighbor moves in, secrets start to reveal themselves.

4. Mexican Gothic, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (2021)

This tense, gothic-inspired book follows Noemí Taboada as she goes to rescue her cousin from a mysterious doom. Noemí arrives at her cousin's house in the Mexican countryside and finds herself unearthing stories of violence and madness.

5. The Changeling, by Victor Lavalle (2018)

If you like your horror with a healthy dose of fantasy, you'll be into this book. It follows Apollo Kagwa, a new father who has been experiencing strange recurring dreams just like the ones he had as a kid. His wife, Emma, is struggling with postpartum depression, which pushes her to commit a horrifying act and then vanish. Apollo has no choice but to go on a fantastical quest to find a wife and child who are nothing like he'd imagined.

[esthers-wine]

There is magic in the night, when pumpkins glow by moonlight.

[divinationsanctuary19]

🎴 "Pick Your Fate" Halloween Card Game 🎴

1 2 3

4 5 6

Pick a card, any card… then scroll down to uncover the mystery of your Halloween fate. Are you ready to see what awaits you in the shadows?

Don't forget to check my services🎃

Card 1: The Black Cat 🐈‍⬛

“A shadow crosses your path as the moon rises… The Black Cat brings luck, but beware: not all who offer kindness come with pure intentions.”

Your Fate: A surge of good fortune is headed your way, but there's a catch — someone close to you may be hiding their true intentions. Be vigilant and trust your intuition; not everyone is who they seem. If you play your cards right, you’ll gain a powerful ally… or perhaps a mysterious admirer.

Card 2: The Haunted House 🏚️

“Old, creaking doors and windows covered in cobwebs… The Haunted House has secrets buried within its walls, and you are about to uncover one.”

Your Fate: Prepare to learn something unexpected. Whether it’s a forgotten memory or a hidden truth, something from the past is resurfacing. This revelation could help you understand something important about yourself or someone close. Embrace the eerie feeling — the unknown holds wisdom for those brave enough to seek it.

🧙‍♀️🧙‍♀️🧙‍♀️🧹🧙‍♀️🧹🧙‍♀️🧙‍♀️🧙‍♀️🧙‍♀️🧙‍♀️🧙‍♀️🧙‍♀️🧹🧹🧹

Card 3: The Witch’s Brew 🧪

“In the dim light of midnight, the cauldron bubbles and brews… The Witch’s Brew promises magic, but remember: every spell comes at a price.”

Your Fate: A bit of magic is stirring in your life. Look for signs — strange coincidences, repeated numbers, or dreams that feel too real. This magic might guide you to something (or someone) special, but stay grounded; not every wish should come true exactly as you hope.

Card 4: The Skull 💀

“Death is not the end, but a doorway to transformation. The Skull heralds change — whether you’re ready or not.”

Your Fate: Something significant in your life is about to change. It could be a relationship, a belief, or even a personal habit that you’ve held for too long. Embrace this transformation; although it may feel unsettling at first, it’s ultimately freeing. Think of it as shedding old skin so something new can emerge.

🕸🕷🕷🕸🕷🕷🕷🕷🕸🕸🕸🕷🕷🕷🕸🕸

Card 5: The Spider’s Web 🕸️

“The Spider spins its web with precision, waiting for the right moment. The past and future are connected, and a familiar face may return…”

Your Fate: Something or someone from your past is making their way back into your life. Whether it’s an old friend, a former flame, or even an opportunity you missed, this encounter will offer closure or spark something new. Trust in the web of fate — sometimes the past holds the key to the future.

Card 6: The Pumpkin Lantern 🎃

“The light within the pumpkin guides the way… a beacon in the darkness, illuminating hidden desires.”

Your Fate: A wish or goal you’ve been working toward is about to manifest. Keep your intentions clear, and make sure this is truly what you desire. The Pumpkin Lantern’s light will guide you to your goal, but only if you’re willing to walk bravely through the shadows. This Halloween, the universe might just grant you a treat.

----------‐--------------------------------------------------

Happy Halloween everyone!

[vbused]

only 327 days until next October

[imaginationshow]

Feel the flutter!

Grim the grin!

Will you help the horrors in?

All Hallow’s Read is @neil-gaiman's tricksy treatsy thingamabob to get more people to discover the exquisite anguish of reading horror stories: smuggle people scary stories along with the Halloween candy!

——————

What story gives you the most chills? Mine must be The Hound by H.P. Lovecraft. Brrh!

Btw, here all my All Hallow’s Read book monsters from previous years!

[tomionefinds]

Spooky/Creepy Fics

h/t to mod @april-17-rose for the graphic!

For Spooky Season (mind the tags on all fics listed below)

Check out our list of Halloween/Samhain themed fics

Apple of My Eye by MrMxLemons

E | One-shot| 18k

Hermione wants to help the boy. The boy who has nothing to offer but an apple. - “I do not ask for much: I only want you to take a bite of my apple. Is that truly such a large favor to request? Have you no heart, Hermione?” She did have a heart, but when her gaze flickered back up to his it stopped in her chest.

Revenant by quinault

E | One-shot | 2k

“Hermione” he whispered into her cool, pale skin, crushing her mouth against his. She tasted exactly how he remembered, like raspberries and mint and something slightly tart, something that made him want to take her into his very pores. The wind picked up, rustling through the grasses of the wood, rushing through the trees. The whole world sighing in recognition. — Submitted for the tomione smut fest 2021. Object prompt: resurrection stone

Damned by Meowmers

M | Complete | 38k

"That's what I like about you," He told her, his fingers pressed against her pulse, "You don't believe in fairytales," His thumb traced the curve of her jaw and she watched his eyes flash red for a single, dream-like moment, "Do you believe in nightmares?" Tomione.

Demon Lord by WildKitsune

E | Complete | 6k

Hermione gets captured by the Death Eaters and is about to be sacrificed to summon their Demon Lord. Too bad for him that is exactly where she wants to be, they may not survive.

Demonic Stake by WildKitsune

E | Complete | 15k

Hermione makes a bet with one of her students on the first day of class. Now she is dragged into a world of demonic intrigue and the best sex of her life. Will she find a way to free herself, or will she end up as Hell’s newest queen?

Reflection by uleanblue

T | One Shot | 1k

The sound is so faint it almost doesn’t register at first.

The Summoning by LovelyVillain

E | One Shot | 4k

Hermione never meant for this to happen. No one was supposed to get hurt. She was summoning an Angel after all... She forgot to read the fine print.

The Last by Ciule

E | One-Shot | 3k

It was strange being here at 12 Grimmauld Place alone, but nothing was as strange as Hermione Granger wondering if she was losing her precious mind.

The Marked by LittleMulattoKitten

T | One-Shot | 2k

He’d seen her through the Weasley girl’s eyes. He’d seen the mark on her left wrist, recognized it as the twin to his own, and decided in that moment that the Weasley girl was no longer of use to him.

Any Other Verse by disillusionit9

T | Two-shot | 3k

His not-quite corporeal form leaned against the opposite end of her workbench, his neck exposed to the setting sunlight, a streak of red-tinted light across his neck in a violent slash. Hermione was doing her best to ignore the way his breathing filled the space between bubbles in her potions or how the air in the room changed whenever he entered. AU. COMPLETE.

After 3 Am by Nekositting

E | One Shot | 7k

“W-what are you?” Hermione breathed, voice wavering when a low laugh bubbled from the mouth at her neck. Her ears rung with the sound. “The man of your dreams.”

Sleep is the cousin of death by Nekositting

E | One shot | 4k

“Your scent—“ The creature sniffed the air, its eyes closing for a brief moment before its gaze flickered to hers. Hermione could only cringe. Its eyes were hungry, no, famished. “—is absolutely delightful.”

Lucky 7 by seollem

M | Two-shot | 2k

She couldn’t bring them back. All she could do now was survive. (Scream AU)

Don't Check the Closet by LadyUrsa

E | Complete | 23k

After a slew of miserable dates, including being stood up four times in a row, Hermione can't believe her luck when she gets the attention of a man like Tom Riddle. He’s brilliant, gorgeous, and absolutely devoted to her. He’s perfect for her in every way, and her life is so much better with him in it. Everything is perfect with Tom. Completely perfect. Except… Except he knows things he shouldn't. Except there are four missing Quidditch players who stood her up and then vanished. Except Tom has a closet door that’s only sometimes there. Except he lies to her about the door when it’s not. Except Hermione wants to know. What’s in the closet?

[a-corndog-named-schibbs]

The Mummy (1999), Van Helsing, Renfield, and The Shape of Water all succeeded at being worthy remakes/tributes to the Universal Horror franchise because they are all inherently camp

The Mummy (2017) failed that goal because it's too busy trying to be a Tom Cruise movie to be camp

[a-ramblinrose]

“I mean,” said Miss Marple, puckering her brow a little as she counted the stitches in her knitting, “that so many people seem to me not to be either bad or good, but simply, you know, very silly.”

― Agatha Christie, The Thirteen Problems

[idylls-of-the-divine-romance]

The way the Romans thought about Christians is so funny to me cause it's like... well the way I've phrased it is that the Christianoi are Death Cult Hippies basically.

Atheists? Unclear.

Incestuous. They're brothers and sisters but the kiss each other all. the. time. IN PUBLIC!? Imagine what happens at night...

Early on Sunday Mornings and late at nights they rise together to hold "Love Feasts" aka Orgies, Cannibalism (of their god???)

Won't stop talking about torture devices. They have this weird magic ritual called "the Sign of the Cross"

Super into death (initiates must go into Death and come back out alive) and zombies (their god is a zombie? they wish to be zombies?)

Always hanging around cemeteries and tombs. They hold religious worship at gravesites and catacombs, writing on the walls for the dead to pray for them (??). So creepy.

Always. Singing. Also some of them speak in weird languages

Despite the constant singing they are very anti-social. Anti-music, anti-theatre, anti-schooling (??), heck, lots of them won't even wear jewelry or perfume or cosmetics!

They keep taking trash (i.e. infants, esp girls and deformed boys, that were left out to die) and raising them as children

Pacifist? Communist?? Anarchist??? Seriously like they won't serve in the military, won't serve in public office (insisting rather to "pray" for the nation to their god. For it's peace or it's fall, who knows?), the part of the cult in Jerusalem lives in common. By refusing to worship the gods they are in defiance against the cultural and political character and the very nature of Rome itself.

Their god is born of... a virgin?? And she consented!? And then their god died... the death of a slave... intentionally!?!?!

Religion of Women and Slaves. Like seriously. They are farrrrr too inclusive. Multi-ethnic, heterogenity, way to much focus on women's roles, disregard for social classes, etc. Also why do so many slaves (the basis of our economy) convert to this religion???

On one hand, obviously, never persecute anyone. Even if they are a dangerous hippie death cult. But also... like my religion sounds like a hippie death cult! I can completely understand. If i was a roman, I'd want these people killed too lol. These people clearly CLEARLY are "the cause of every public disaster, of every affliction with which the people are visited. If the Tiber rises as high as the city walls, if the Nile does not send its waters up over the fields, if the heavens give no rain, if there is an earthquake, if there is famine or pestilence, straightway the cry is, 'Away with the Christians to the lions!"

So... yeah. The Christians were goth and everyone knows the Romans hate Goths lol

[sebastianravkin]

October book recommendations

As All Hallow's Read approaches, here are some spooky book recommendations that I have enjoyed from around the web:

1. Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier (1938)

Daphne du Maurier's ghost-less ghost story about a haunted marriage is on everyone's best scary books list for a reason: Rebecca is utterly chilling. In every scene the unnamed narrator is in the dark, surrounded by fog, or being startled by someone sneaking up on her (in the foggy dark). The literal and psychological miasma grows thicker and thicker as the second Mrs. de Winter explains how she was nearly driven insane at Manderley, her husband's estate where his first wife died under mysterious circumstances.

2. Silver: My Own Tale as Written by Me With a Goodly Amount of Murder, by Edward Chupack (2008)

Edward Chupack started with Long John Silver, the dastardly pirate of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, and spun this rollicking story of terror on the high seas. Silver is deliciously creepy, full of adventure, loads of murder, and an elaborate, well-crafted mystery. Silver the pirate makes no apologies for the lives he ruins on his quest for treasure, and by the end, you'll fear and respect him as much as his crew does. Well, some of his crew.

3. The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman with illustrations by Dave McKean (2008)

Nobody Owens is a perfectly normal boy. Well, he would be perfectly normal if he didn't live in a graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor the world of the dead. There are dangers and adventures for Nobody in the graveyard: the strange and terrible menace of the Sleer; a gravestone entrance to a desert that leads to the city of ghouls; friendship with a witch, and so much more. But it is in the land of the living that real danger lurks, for it is there that the man Jack lives and he has already killed Nobody's family.

4. Grotesque, by Natsuo Kirino, translated by Rebecca Copeland (2007)

Sometimes the worst part of a story isn't its graphic violence but its characters' reactions to it. In Grotesque, prolific Japanese crime writer Natsuo Kirino gets the murders and the mystery out of the way, instead ceding the story to the unnamed female narrator who has connections to the two sex worker victims. The narrator talks about the two dead women from her own, twisted perspective — she hated them; she hated all their classmates at their elite private school; she hated her parents. The power of the narrator's spite, her utter disdain for everyone and everything, is so compelling you might find yourself agreeing with her, and then immediately recoiling in horror at how seductive hatred can be.

5. Zone One, by Colson Whitehead (2011)

With the many iterations of The Walking Dead, Zombieland, Resident Evil, Shawn of the Dead, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies — what more is there to say about humanity's apparently imminent self-destruction? In Colson Whitehead's skilled hands, however, the end of the world is just the beginning. Zone One is as scary and horrible and creepy as you'd expect from a story about a man calling himself Mark Spitz who's just trying to stay alive. It's also quite moving. Whitehead is particularly good at world-building; here, people cling to their last shreds of humanity as they try to reestablish civilization among the ruins of New York City.

[techutones]

[embermint000x]

Happy Halloween!