Night as a Catalyst: A Horror Anthology
Page 13
We went to the squirrel and we looked at it. I got a stick and started poking it. It jumped right back up, so I hit it with a stick, and the stick stuck into its eye and finally it died. Later that day my parents and I buried it deep into the ground.
Notes on The Haunting of the Squirrel:
The following notes on this story are in the form of an interview:
Daddy: Where did you get the idea for The Haunting of the Squirrel?
Koda: When I saw the squirrel outside; the really nasty looking squirrel.
Daddy: Was it fun writing this story?
Koda: Yes.
Daddy: Do you think you’ll write more in the future?
Koda: Yes.
Daddy: Where did you get the idea for the squirrel to die by making him run out of energy?
Koda: Science!
To see an actual photograph of the squirrel in question and read more history concerning Nekoda’s story, visit this page:
About the Author
Chad lives in Battle Creek, MI. with his wife and children where he works as a medical language specialist. For over two decades, he has been a contributor to several different outlets in the independent music and film scene including articles, reviews, and artwork. Chad loves music, rain, sarcasm, dry humor, and cheese. He has a strong disdain for dishonesty and hard-boiled eggs. He has written for Famous Monsters of Filmland, Rue Morgue and Scream magazine. He is a regular contributor to Horror Novel Reviews, Halloween Forevermore and Heavy Planet. His fictional work can be found in several magazines and anthologies including his own 18-story anthology anthology, NIGHT AS A CATALYST. He has written a collaborative effort with horror author Terry M. West, THE HIM DEEP DOWN. In the summer of 2016 Lutzke released his dark coming-of-age novella OF FOSTER HOMES AND FLIES. Later in 2016, several more releases will be added to Lutzke's body of work, including his PALE WHITE coming-of-age vampire series, CAR NEX: FROM HELL THEY CAME, 47-16, A David Bowie Literary Tribute and AMERICAN DEMON HUNTERS: BATTLE CREEK with J. Thorn. Stay tuned! Chad can be found lurking the internet at the following address: www.chadlutzke.weebly.com
To join Chad Lutzke's reader group for a free book and giveaway announcements, visit
www.chadlutzke.weebly.com
A neglected 12-year-old boy does nothing to report the death of his mother in order to compete in a spelling bee. A tragic coming-of-age tale of horror and drama in the setting of a hot New Orleans summer.
(get a copy here).
Praise for OF FOSTER HOMES AND FLIES
"With "Of Foster Homes and Flies" Lutzke is firing on all cylinders. It's a lean mean emotional machine. Coming-of-age presented in a fresh direction. Bearing tremendous emotional weight and heart. It made me cry. "
-John Boden, author of JEDI SUMMER and DOMINOES
“Disturbing, often gruesome, yet poignant at the same time, Chad Lutzke’s OF FOSTER HOMES AND FLIES is one of the best dark coming-of-age tales I’ve read in years. You’ll laugh (sometimes when you know you shouldn’t), you’ll cry, you’ll find yourself wondering how soon you can read more of this guy’s work. Highly recommended!”
- James Newman, author of MIDNIGHT RAIN, UGLY AS SIN, and ODD MAN OUT
"OF FOSTER HOMES AND FLIES by Chad Lutzke is a lovely addition to the coming of age subgenre. He creates in the character of Denny an authentic young man with passions and foibles, someone easy to relate to and root for. The novella hits all the right notes you expect out of a coming of age tale, while also providing a plot that has originality and surprises."
~Mark Allan Gunnells, author of FLOWERS IN A DUMPSTER and THE SUMMER OF WINTERS
"As heartbreaking as it is horrifying…OF FOSTER HOMES AND FLIES is a clearly written, fine-tuned entry into the canon of Coming of Age/Innocence Lost genre… Southern Gothic in the true sense of the word."
~Barrymore Tebbs, author of A THOUSAND PAPER CRANES and The HAUNTING AT BLACKWOOD HALL
"Of Foster Homes and Flies is the darkest, most disturbing story Chad Lutzke has written. It's also his best..the ultimate one-finger salute to oppression…Highly recommended."
~Dan Padavona, author of the Dark Vanishing series
"…couldn't put it down…absolutely captivating…truly brilliant."
~Bettina Melher, author of THE LIGHT KEEPERS Trilogy