On Friday the 13th, a new horror anthology entered the world, bringing light and love…and CLOWNS…okay, maybe not all light and love. But this collection of 15 stories isn’t about the scary clown holding a blood-colored balloon, you know the one right outside your house…RIGHT NOW THE ONE THAT IS COMING TO KILL YOU?
Just kidding!
Maybe…
Anyway, this book focuses on taking the creepy killer out of the clown and give us what clowns fear instead.
In a world filled with menace, dare to paint on a grin.
The world is full of images of scary clowns: packs of grinning figures with knives plaguing towns; pom-pom clad serial killers; loners who like children in the wrong way.
But clowns can be a force for good: it takes a kind heart to put other people’s joy first; keeping children entertained is honest work; what better disguise than one that makes the villains laugh?
What if, rather than being childhood-spoiling serial killers, clowns were the victims or heroes of the story?
When all the children at a party are poisoned, an entertainer’s profession and past both make him a prime suspect.
An anti-corporate prankster discovers his guru might be just as callous as the capitalist world-view he claims to reject.
A clown attempts to redeem the image of his profession by saving a group of teenagers from a serial killer.
And twelve more stories of clowns facing humanity’s baser natures.
And I’m super excited about this one, BECAUSE…
Yes! It’s me! My very own short story FRECKLES was chosen to be a part of this book. I haven’t read all the stories yet…YET, but from what I have read, there is a variety…a bit of gore, mystery, and some danger. Something for everyone.
When I learned of this call for submissions, I went through several ideas before settling on twisting the killer clown trope. The story came together quickly with little frustration, something that doesn’t happen…ever. I’m fond of this tale that tale explores the dark side of people, that part we all have, the part we try to hide, to ignore, the part that doesn’t quite ever stay quiet.
Freckles the Clown has a problem. He’s afraid of the man behind the mask. What does that mean exactly? Go find out, then tell me what you think.
You can find the anthology Bloody Red Nose: 15 Fears of a Clown on…
and Barnes and Noble in paperback and e-book.
Cheers and nightmares,
Kathy