Suddenly February happened! This month caught me off guard, so I’m as surprised as anyone else to have a new story out in the wild.
By The Witchroot, By The Dawn is part of “Soft Ceremonies” from Filthy Loot, an anthology that re-imagines straight to video style horror stories as A24 releases.
What does this mean? Well, I very respectfully and affectionately admit I’m not always sure what editor Ira Rat wants, but we’ve worked together a few times and the results always seem to be pretty awesome. This time, I took his prompt quite literally.
Beginning with a secret VHS tape, a young boy views what his parents keep hidden. He’s interrupted by his younger brother, who he’s mad at but feels compelled to protect from–from what? It’s not a sex tape, not exactly. Somehow it’s much worse.
Soon, the murders start.
This highly condensed slasher story spans decades and mixes the gory kills of an eighties practical effects gross-out film with the pretentiousness and lingering ambivalence of the worst/best A24 offering. It’s also about addiction, guilt, and family.
Other authors in the book include Charlene Elsby, Jon Steffens, and Sam Richard.
“Soft Ceremonies” is out now from Filthy Loot.
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Invaginies is an invasion, it is a perception that is bodily and transcendent creating holes, paths, or pockets of alternate truth—and not always voluntary—enlightenment.
Horrorsong 