Boing Boing

Horror story submission cliches

Strange Horizons has a list of Horror Stories They See Too Much Of to complement their list of science fiction slushpile cliches.

1 Serial killer or vampire stalks and slays victim(s).

i. The tables are turned at the end. (For example, the intended victim turns out to be a vampire or other powerful supernatural creature.)
ii. The serial killer is insane.
iii. The serial killer is under supernatural influence.
iv. The serial killer was abused as a child.

2 Person is insane, and kills a lot of people because of it.

i. The insanity is due to supernatural influence.
ii. The insane person does property damage instead of killing people.

Link

(via Ober Dicta)

Exit mobile version