The credits have rolled, but the lights are still off. Something is lurking on the other side of the screen. There are dark secrets, starving monsters, and haunted survivors who refuse to be left on the cutting room floor. But that’s okay, right? After all, everybody loves the movies....
Here are twenty-three terrifying tales, dark reflections of the silver screen from both sides of the camera. James Dean gets a second chance at life—and death. The Wicked Witch is out of Oz, and she's made some very unlucky friends. When God decides reality needs an editor, what—and who—gets cut? These award-winning, bestselling authors will take you to the darkest depths of the theater and beyond.
Industry Reviews
On The Cutting Room
A Kirkus Excellent Horror Read for October
“This themed anthology revolves around the idea that the separation between what is real and what we see on film is not as clear as we'd like to think it is. What if, for example, the Wicked Witch of the West didn't stay in Oz? What if James Dean got a second chance at life? These are just some of the weird-but-cool ideas explored in this tempting volume of stories from renowned editor Ellen Datlow, who collects 23 scary tales by the likes of Peter Straub, Genevieve Valentine, Robert Shearman, Laird Barron and more.”
—Kirkus
A Publishers Weekly Book of the Week
STARRED REVIEW “Superstar editor Datlow makes no missteps in this reprint collection of dark tales involving movies and moviemaking. The one original piece, Stephen Graham Jones’s “Tenderizer,” is a haunting exploration of tragedy on both a personal and national level. A.C. Wise’s “Final Girl Theory,” about a cult film that’s an “infection, whispered from mouth to mouth in the dark,” is disturbing and gory without fetishizing its horrors. Kim Newman’s brilliant “Illimitable Dominion” tells an alternate history of Edgar Allen Poe, Roger Corman, and American International Pictures that’s particularly suited to film buffs who will probably spot the (initially) subtle changes to the time line. Film critic and author Genevieve Valentine provides both an entertaining story (“She Drives the Men to Crimes of Passion!”) and an enlightening introduction, while even Douglas E. Winter’s “Bright Lights, Big Zombie”—the literary target of which has long faded—still holds up reasonably well. Strong stories by Gary McMahon and Gary A. Braunbeck, as well as poems by Lucy A. Snyder and Daphne Gottlieb, are also worth noting, but really, the entire volume is outstanding.”
—Publishers Weekly
“This collection of 23 stories should appeal to fans of horror and SF primarily, though noir and hard-boiled-mystery readers should feel welcome too.... Definitely worth checking out.”
—Booklist
“Horror stories about the cinema in some capacity. There was no way I wouldn't like this book, regardless of whether I was a horror and film buff or not. Datlow's pretty much the master of the anthology, and it shows here.”
—LitReactor's favorite reads of 2014
“It's pretty much a given that an Ellen Datlow anthology will at least be good, if not great... 'The Cutting Room' is no exception.”
—Bookshots
“Horror cinephiles and bibliophiles will have extra cause to rejoice this Halloween: The Cutting Room, a literary anthology, is an October treat.”
—Diabolique
“When Datlow’s name is on the cover, however, you know the collection will contain the highest quality writing and arranging.... The Cutting Room is a major success.”
—Ensuing Chapters
“I personally feel that short fiction is the ideal format for horror and dark fantasy literature and the theme of film/film-making is absolutely brilliant and Datlow collects a very nice assortment. This collection is highly recommended.”
—Looking for a Good Book
“The Cutting Room is a ton of fun....”
—LitReactor
Praise for Ellen Datlow
“The field’s leading anthologist.”
—Washington Post on The Best Horror of The Year, Volume 6
On Lovecraft's Monsters
“There’s no need to have previously read Lovecraft’s work to enjoy Lovecraft’s Monsters, but the collection will surely leave you with the desire to acquaint or reacquaint you with HPL canon.”
—Rue Morgue
“The result is a delightful array of little pieces that range in mood and subject. Unholy sacrifice, forbidden love, a private dick on the trail of a murderer—there’s something there for everyone.”
—The Jaded Consumer
“Editor Ellen Datlow has put together an anthology that will rock your liquid fantasies. Tachyon Publications has produced an excellent themed anthology. Lovecraft enthusiasts will plunge into the volume and be happily immersed in the content.”
—Diabolique Magazine
“Where else, in one anthology, can a reader jump from roman noir werewolves to steampunk tanks in the Amazon to tales of forbidden love on the Innsmouth shore to Pinkerton agents in the Wild West?... Fortunately, we have Ellen Datlow to lead the way.”
—Hellnotes
“Each story is a dark wonder and the volume itself is absolutely gorgeous, sumptuously illustrated throughout with steampunky-baroque original art by World Fantasy Award-winning artist John Coulthart.”
—The Tomb of Dark Delights
“...an entirely enjoyable read... for Mythos devotees I would highly recommend picking it up”
—Seattle Geekly
“Datlow brings together some of the top SF/F and horror writers working today and has them play in Lovecraft’s bizarre world. And that’s a delight.”
—January Magazine
“Lovecraft’s Monsters will appeal to fans of Lovecraft’s work, particularly his Mythos stories, and to readers of dark fiction everywhere. Datlow is an experienced and keen editor of dark fiction and has assembled a truly impressive list of stories.”
—LitReactor
On Hauntings
"This diverse 25-story anthology is a superb sampling of some of the most significant short horror works published between 1985 and 2005. Editor extraordinaire Datlow (Poe) includes classic stories from horror icons."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"With her keen eye for craftsmanship, prolific anthologist Datlow always delivers first-class entertainment, whether her genre-at-hand is sf, fantasy, or, in this case, horror."
—Booklist
"Anytime you sample a collection edited by veteran anthologist Ellen Datlow (Snow White, Blood Red; Teeth; Supernatural Noir), you know that you are in for a treat."
—Shroud Magazine
"Datlow once again proves herself as a master editor.... Highly recommended."
—Arkham Digest
On Darkness: Two Decades of Modern Horror
"Make sure you are in a safe place before you open it up."
—New York Journal of Books
"An anthology to be cherished and an invaluable reference for horror aficionados."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Darkness promises to please both longtime fans and readers who have no clue what 'splatterpunk' was supposed to mean."
—San Francisco Chronicle
"Eclectic...a complete overview of some of the best horror stories published in the last twenty years."
—SF Site
On The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror
"As the line between fantasy and horror blurs, this combined presentation of their exemplars will give readers of both genres much to enjoy, and may even broaden a few horizons."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Bring out the bone china—a critically acclaimed fantasy/horror annual celebrates its 20th anniversary in grand style.... Worth a space on any bookshelf."
—Kirkus
“...an excellent anthology of horror stories.... I highly recommend it!”
—Black Gate
