The Rack : Stories Inspired by Vintage Horror

Step back into the eerie glow of 1980s drugstore horror racks with The Rack , a love letter to the pulpy, spine-chilling paperbacks of yesteryear. Edited by Tom Deady and featuring a foreword by Will Errickson of Paperbacks from Hell fame, this anthology resurrects the campy, visceral thrills of vintage horror. Twenty tales from modern masters like Stephen King, Richard Chizmar, and Mercedes M. Yardley transport readers to fog-cloaked mansions, cursed forests, and small towns teetering on the edge of madness.

From killer dolls to flesh-hungry cicadas, chemical mutants to haunted houses, these stories revel in the grotesque and the uncanny. Stephen King’s The Raft —a chilling standout—anchors the collection, while newcomers like Bridgett Nelson and Errick Nunnally deliver fresh nightmares. Each story crackles with the lurid energy of a weathered paperback cover, blending nostalgia with bold, modern twists.

The anthology’s heart lies in its celebration of horror’s golden age. Contributors channel the spirit of 80s schlock without sacrificing depth, weaving tales that are as thought-provoking as they are terrifying. Fans of Creepshow and Tales from the Crypt will delight in the anthology’s pulpy pacing and dark humor.

With lush, unsettling cover art by Lynne Hansen and a foreword that nostalgically unpacks the era’s iconic “rack” culture, this book is a must-have for horror aficionados. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a newcomer craving classic scares, The Rack promises to keep you up long after the last page—just like those dog-eared paperbacks of old.