Al Sarrantonio

Toybox is the first ever collection of stories by horror master Al Sarrantonio, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of more than twenty novels and editor of the landmark horror anthology 999. Toybox itself was nominated for an International Horror Guild Award for best collection. Little Selene was bored. And then came the mysterious Toyman, carrying a very special toybox, filled with wonders and terrors beyond imagination. As Selene peered into the toybox, the stories tumbled out: a quiet little girl whose horrible secret bursts forth at a Halloween party ... a doll made of corn that hides a very nasty surprise ... a depraved celebration for the last vampire ... All of these and many more awaited Selend - and now they wait for you - inside the toybox. Go ahead, open it, if you dare.

After more than 12 years, Corrie Phaeder is returning home to Orangefield, the last place in the world he wants to be. Orangefield is a town of nightmares, where the impossible and horrific happen all too often. This Halloween, something is awaiting Corrie's homecoming

On Mars, in the distant future, the princess Haydn's arranged marriage cannot save her beloved Republic. Her arch-enemy, the warrior-woman Frane, seeks to make herself Queen while Haydn--the legitimate heir-- must flee for her life. A reluctant symbol for those who would restore the monarchy, Haydn is too young and unprepared to assume the throne--but determined to become a great Queen. With a bounty on her head, she will make a perilous journey to the realization that--in order to save her world-- she must sacrifice all that she holds dear.

For untold ages a dark presence has shrouded the small town of Orangefield. In addition to the plentiful pumpkins that gave the town its name. Orangefield is home to the dreaded Lord of Death himself, Samhain. Despite the rumors of his existence, and rare, brief sightings Samhain has long been content to leave the local inhabitants alone. But that is about to change.... When a boy from the town disappears, detective Bill Grant is convinced Samhain is responsible. But even Grant cannot imagine the horrific extent of the Lord of Death's grand scheme. As what may prove to be the last Halloween approaches, the fate of the world will depend on the survival of a small group of people, pawns in a terrifying game of cosmic proportions.

Award-winning writer and editor Al Sarrantonio gathers together twenty-nine original stories from masters of the macabre. From dark fantasy and pure suspense to classic horror tales of vampires and zombies, 999 showcases the extraordinary scope of fantastical fright fiction. The stories in this anthology are a relentless tour de force of fear, which will haunt you, terrify you, and keep the adrenaline rushing all through the night. Amerikanski dead at the Moscow morgue / Kim Newman -- The ruins of contracoeur / Joyce Carol Oates -- The owl and the pussycat / Thomas M. Disch -- The road virus heads north / Stephen King -- Keepsakes and treasures: a love story / Neil Gaiman -- Growing things / T.E.D. Klein -- Good Friday / F. Paul Wilson -- Excerpts from the records of the New Zodiac and the diaries of Henry Watson Fairfax / Chet Williamson -- An exaltation of termagants / Eric Von Lustbader -- Itinerary / Tim Powers -- Catfish gal blues / Nancy A. Collins -- The entertainment / Ramsey Campell -- ICU / Edward Lee -- The shadow, the darkness / Thomas Ligotti -- Rio Grande Gothic / David Morrell -- Des Saucisses, Sans doute / Peter Schneider -- Angie / Ed Gorman -- The ropy thing / Al Sarrantonio -- The tree is my hat / Gene Wolfe -- Styx and bones / Edward Bryant -- Hemophage / Steven Spurill -- The book of irrational numbers / Michael Marshall Smith -- Mad dog summer / Joe R. Lansdale -- The Theater / Bentley Little -- Rehearsals / Thomas F. Monteleone -- Darkness / Dennis L. McKiernan -- Elsewhere / William Peter Blatty