Wicked Words: A Collection of Spooky Stories by Members of Wicked Wordsmiths of the West

INTRODUCTION
by Jon C. Cook
What scares you?
Is it Ghosts? Zombies? The Unknown? The Dark? Maybe it's a combination of things. Whether we like to admit our fears or not, there is something that scares us and sometimes we don't even know what it is ourselves until it is right there in front of us.
Why do we tell stories intended to scare us? Is it to comfort ourselves in the knowledge that “this could never happen”? Maybe we like to be scared because to fear is to be reminded that you are alive … for now. Whatever the reason, fright and suspense are ingrained within us so deeply that we simply cannot resist knowing what is behind that locked door, or lurking in that dark forest, or creeping just out of sight.
With Wicked Words, Wicked Wordsmiths of The West introduce themselves along with an exploration of the fears and terrors we all possess. Each story within represents an attempt to tap into the horrors around us, be they real or imagined … be they before our eyes, or inside our hearts.
Read these wicked words if you dare, but understand that as you do, you may be inching ever closer to that one thing that terrifies you. The question is this: Once you know, can you ever hide that fear away again?
Enjoy...

Story Contents Reckless by Stacy Lucas
The Dollhouse by Marsha A. Blevins
Grandmother’s Attic by Olivia Ferguson
The Man between the Books by Jon C. Cook
The Rules by Nikki Gladwell
Midwest Mills by Jake Atkinson
Waiting by Rebecca Barray
Flesh and Blood by Julianne Tillis
Nothing by M. J. Ferguson
Hell Hole by Brent McGuffin
Apology Not Accepted by Rebecca Barray
Perfect Gentleman by Tobi Doyle
Daddy’s Girl by M. J. Ferguson
I’m Not Crazy by Rebecca Barray
Dead Letters by Doyle MacBrayne
Resurrected by Stacy Lucas
What Isn’t Seen by Jake Atkinson
Lessons by Jon C. Cook
History Repeats by Olivia Ferguson
Blanket by Marsha A. Blevins
Shadows by Brent McGuffin
Hunted by Sarah Davis
**ALL proceeds go directly to Wicked Wordsmiths of the West, a nonprofit organization in Huntington, WV, dedicated to promoting an interest in writing and furthering the skills of local writers.**

In November of 2012, an assortment of local writers from around theHuntington, West Virginia region started holding impromptu gatherings at a local library to participate in National Novel Writing Month. Afterthirty days and hundreds of thousands of words, the group decided thattheir camaraderie shouldn't be limited to one month of the year, thusforming Wicked Wordsmiths of the West, a group dedicated to promoting an interest in writing and furthering the skills of local writers. Theydecided to meet monthly to exchange ideas and participate in stimulating discussions pertaining to their craft. While seeking new outlets forpublication, the suggestion for this collaborative anthology wasmade,and the Wordsmiths seized the opportunity. To find out more aboutthis organization and where their writings will take them next, followthem on Facebook (facebook.com/wickedwordsmiths).