The Omens Call

Edited by Julie Hiner & Daniel Willcocks

horror anthology, short stories

October 1, 2021

"The short stories are the perfect length for a quick read to get you enticed and then leave you haunted."

Unravel their message. Translate their meaning. Your life may just depend on it…

The world has its messengers, its harbingers of bad tidings. Some call them premonitions, others call them superstitions, all we know for certain is that in the cracks between the layers of our reality the truth is known. Warnings come in a strange array of mediums; from circling ravens, to withering crops, to nightmarish late-night visitors, and it is up to us to hear the messages they bear on their tongues…

In this horror anthology, eleven talented authors explore the prophetic nature of dark omens. Featuring tales of demonic possession, prophetic storms, nocturnal insect clouds, small-town cover-ups, and breaking skies, “The Omens Call” will open your eyes to the primal languages that humans dare not speak.

Dare you heed the omen’s call?

Contributing Authors

Warren Benedetto

“Everything As It Was"

Warren Benedetto crafts chilling short fiction found in various anthologies and publications. Holding degrees in Evolutionary Biology and Film/TV Writing, he’s also Director of Global Product Strategy at PlayStation. He created StayFocusd and shares at www.warrenbenedetto.com and @warrenbenedetto on Twitter.

R.A. Busby

"Nails"

R.A. Busby, an award-winning educator and writer, explores the desert with her dog, mining its oddities for her tales. As a Horror Writers Association member, Busby’s chilling works include “Street View” and “Bits” in various anthologies, and her story “Baby” is forthcoming in the Good Southern Witches Anthology.

Kevin Doyle

“Knock One Down"

Kevin R. Doyle, a high-school teacher and fiction writer, pens crime thrillers like “The Group” and the Sam Quinton private eye series. His horror novel, “The Litter,” showcases his diverse talent. Based in central Missouri, he also teaches English and speech in central Missouri.

Julie Hiner

“Room Thirteen”

Julie Hiner is a heavy metal horror author. She spent her childhood lost in books and listening to the metal gods of the 80s. Her published works include an 80s metal murder series and two novellas. She has also co-curated a horror anthology and several of her short stories have appeared in horror collections.

David Ivey

“The Lamb of Stull"

Ex-musician David Ivey left touring to settle down, raising three kids with love in Atlanta. Writing fulfills his creative passion, balancing family life. His debut novel is set to release in late 2021.

Lee Cross James

“Morton Cottage"

Leeroy Cross James is a horror writer from Cheshire, UK. His short stories have been published in anthologies and adapted by horror narrators on podcasts and YouTube Channels. Leeroy’s non-fiction work includes articles for Horrified Magazine and Horror Oasis. 

Zoltán Komor

“The Human Stork”

Zoltán Komor was born in June 14, 1986. He lives in Nyíregyháza, Hungary. He writes surreal short stories and published in several literary magazines and anthologies. In 2020 his short story titled “Mall-Head” won The Monolith Prize in Hungary.

Chris Moss

“Meltham's Children"

Award-winning author and professional archaeologist, Chris Moss, spends his days wandering the bush tracking down old ruins. Inspired by his travels, his stories explore men and women caught up in the demands of their own history. 

Lena NG

“The Split Through the Sky”

Lena Ng roams the dimensions of Toronto, Ontario, and is a monster-hunting member of the Horror Writers Association. She has curiosities published in close to sixty tomes including Amazing Stories and the anthology We Shall Be Monsters, which was a finalist for the 2019 Prix Aurora Award.  

Mary Rajotte

“The Mourning Veil”

Mary Rajotte pens nightmarish tales of folk horror and paranormal suspense. Her work has been published in works from the Library of Horror Press, the Great Lakes Horror Company and Burial Day Books. Mary is a member of the Horror Writers Association and was the recipient of the 2018 HWA Scholarship. 

Daniel Willcocks

“Juniper's Spring”

Daniel Willcocks is an international bestselling author and award-winning podcaster of dark fiction. He is one quarter of digital story studio, Hawk & Cleaver; co-founder of iTunes-busting fiction podcast, ‘The Other Stories’;’ CEO of horror imprint, Devil’s Rock Publishing; and author coach, founder and host of the ‘Activated Authors’ podcast.

REVIEWS

“If you are a fan of horror stories, this is one of the most well-written ones I have ever read.”

“This story absolutely blew me away.”

“Daniel Willcocks creates a world you don’t want to leave!”

“the prose is so beautiful, the tension masterfully woven throughout. It’s fast-paced, character-driven, breathtakingly gripping and always leaves you wanting more.”

“When you hear non-stop page turner, after awhile you’re like okay, blah blah blah. But DAMN! This was AWESOME!”

“a refreshing reimagining of evil which sets this apart from many other apocalyptic stories.”

“I was on the edge of my seat. I read this in one sitting.”

“Fun, explosive and full of malevolent mystery.”

“Fast-paced, suspenseful, gory.”

“A dark and brooding atmosphere with dangers around every corner keeps you on the edge of your seat.”