Note: This article first appeared in my newsletter before publication. Join my newsletter to be the first to read my articles, stories, and answers to questions no one is asking.
Lucky for you, owning a smartphone means you'll never be bored. But scrolling through an endless Facebook feed probably isn’t the best way to kill time while waiting for a dentist appointment or standing in front of the microwave. You've already seen enough pictures of your friend's mom's cat (and mine, for that matter).
Instead, here are four short horror stories that are more fun than Instagram.
How to Cook and Eat the Rich by Sunyi Dean
This story is clever, entertaining, and written in 2nd person point of view (aka YOU, the reader, are the main character). I won't give a summary, and trust me, you don't want me to. It's that good. The best part of all is that you can read it in one sitting.
Lucky Numbers: A Small Town Horror Story by Elliott Dahle
Amazon is terrible at recommending books for me, but Lucky Numbers is the exception. A couple whose marriage is on the rocks discovers an anomaly in the lottery and travels to a small town to exploit it—and hopefully, win. The locals, however, have other plans.
Again, this story is fun, but it also explores breakups from both sides of a relationship, which is something I didn't expect. I still think about the characters and their outcomes weeks after reading it.
If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited it's included, otherwise, it's only $0.99—and well worth the purchase.
Radio Rental by Tenderfoot TV and Audacy
Since you are, in theory, waiting around with your smartphone in hand, it would be wrong if I forgot to suggest a podcast. Radio Rental tells allegedly true and chilling stories, hosted by the amusing Terry Carnation (Rainn Wilson). The first episode describes a terrifying first-hand account of a teenager on his flight with the infamous shoe bomber in 2001.
Radio Rental is available on all major podcast outlets. Here's the first episode on Spotify.
Jerusalem's Lot by Stephen King
Alright, so maybe this story isn't fun, but if you're a fan of backstory and lore, you'll love it. Jerusalem's Lot is the prequel to ’Salem's Lot, Stephen King's premiere vampire novel. In it, letters from Charles Boone in 1850 detail the strange happenings within the Marsten House and the nearby town of Jerusalem's Lot. Of course, back then, it wasn't called the Marsten House.
No free version is floating around online, but you can read it in Stephen King's Night Shift and extended versions of ’Salem's Lot.
Recommend Your Short Horror Stories
Now that you've got a few excellent recommendations, you can finally stop scrolling Twitter (or X, whatever) and go read some horror. Also, if you stumble across any stories you'd like to share along the way, hit reply to this email and let me know. I spend a lot of time reading horror ☺
Updates
Last month, I shared the first chapter of my current work in progress. If you haven't had a chance, read it now.
Now that Barbie has been swallowed by Lila Max's factory, you'll meet my main character, Jordan, in an upcoming newsletter.