Horror Fiction Recs
So this is an ever-growing rec list for horror stories that have generally not been published officially - either they've been featured on podcasts or they're from forums like r/NoSleep and r/LetsNotMeet. I started this list for my own benefit because I consume so much of this stuff that it's getting really hard to keep track of the stories I liked, but I figured I'd share this so others could get some use out of it too.
My tastes trend pretty hard towards unexplainable creatures, freaky stuff in the woods and/or small towns, and subtle, creeping strangeness. I'm not big on lovecraftian monsters, giant world eating horrors, or gratuitous violence, so you won't find much of that here. I love CK Walker and the NoSleep Podcast so there's definitely a bias in that direction but there are a few lesser known gems in here that might be new to some people.
Everything in this list is well worth reading and/or listening to, but I've ⭐'d my all time favourites.
The Deer Gods by Andrew Harmon
—
Infected Town Case Files by vainercupid
—
The Kids In Cold Creek by R.F. Krupa
—
⭐ My Dog Was Lost by chewingskin
The isolation and increasing subtle weirdness, the bond between the hunter and his dog. Just beautifully written too.
Read | Listen: nosleep ($$) or youtube (free)
—
The Oddkids by Sarah Piper
—
Penpal by 1000vultures
I think it's probably unnecessary to rec this one because if you're a horror fan on the internet you've probably heard of Penpal, but for anyone who hasn't: please read this, it's fantastic.
—
⭐ Rocking Horse Creek by CK Walker
I love stories where childhood innocence or stupidity leads to something completely abominable. This one hits like a gut punch and will stick with me for a long, long time.
—
⭐ Search And Rescue Series by R. Brauer
This has pretty much everything I love - creepy forests, unexplainable disappearances, and a heavy influence from Missing 411.
Read | Listen: part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, the stairs ($$)
—
The Smiling Man by blue_tidal
—
Soft White Damn Series by M.J. Pack
Read (part 1 only) | Listen (scroll down in the post for links to all parts of the story)
—
⭐ sounds by Soren Narnia
The combination of Soren's understated narration and sound design makes this a perfect listen for a dark, wintery night.
Read | Listen
—
Tommy Taffy by Elias Witherow
This is a bit of an outlier from what I usually like, but it's written so effectively that it's stayed with me for months after reading. Be aware that this has some pretty graphic content, so read with caution.
Read | Listen (imo the narration in this is hit and miss but it's the version that says it was done with permission by the author)
—
Rocking A Ranch by CK Walker
Read | Listen: nosleep ($$)
—
The Things Cassie Saw by Charlotte Ledville
Read | Listen: nosleep ($$)
—
The House In The Field by Elias Witherow
Read | Listen: nosleep
—
I Am The Other One by Rob Costello
Read | Listen