My Ninth Anthology Publication – HORRORific Tales Volume 2 by HORRORific Publishing

I’m delighted to share that my young adult folk horror short story, “Where Lava Flows,” is officially out in HORRORific Tales Volume 2: Cryptids by HORRORific Publishing.

Since I’m also featured in volume one, which I wrote all about here, it’s such an honor to be included in the second anthology. You can grab your copy from Amazon.

Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone

When I saw the submission call for this anthology, I didn’t think I would write a story. The book’s theme is cryptids, and I have never been a huge fan of monsters. My interests in horror lean more toward the supernatural. Still, since I have a story in the first volume, I really wanted to try for a spot in this one, too. So, I decided to step outside my comfort zone and give the submission call my best shot.

I did a lot of research on different cryptids to choose which one I wanted to do. Since writing a story with a monster was new for me, I wanted to find a creature that interested me. I started by looking at cryptids from the ocean and ones believed to live in wintery settings. None of these jumped out at me, though. So, I gave some thought to another kind of creature I would feel motivated to include in a story. I have always been fascinated by volcanoes, so I did another search, and voilà!

I found the legend of Cherufe steeped in Chilean folklore.

Right away, I had a solid idea for a young adult folk horror story.

A Peek Into “Where Lava Flows”

I love to describe “Where Lava Flows” as The Hunger Games meets “The Lottery” with folklore. The story is a reimagining of the Cherufe legend. If you know me, you know I love reimaginings.

In folkloric Chile, a young maiden must be sacrificed to Cherufe in his volcano on the Sacrificial Solstice each year to keep the monster from causing eruptions and earthquakes. Mailyn and her little sister, Katalina, are among the maidens who may be chosen as the sacrifice. By the magma trench surrounding the volcano, the sisters and other girls drink from a magical basin. When Cherufe’s chosen sacrifice drinks, the water changes to magma and burns the maiden’s lips. Mailyn and Katalina pray they’ll both make it through the ceremony unclaimed by the monster, but for them, luck isn’t written in the stars.

I had the most fun writing this story. It stays true to the legend while offering a fresh twist. Definitely grab a copy of the anthology if you’re curious how this dark tale unfolds.

Opening My Author Copy of HORRORific Tales Volume 2

The anthology was published on March 31, and Colin sent me an author copy, which arrived a few weeks later. I hope you enjoy watching me open the book.

I’m so grateful to be featured in another HORRORific Tales anthology.

I can’t thank Colin enough for giving “Where Lava Flows” a home in the anthology and for sending me an author copy. The book is now on my shelf beside volume one. I’m looking forward to writing more horror stories soon.