Surreal South '11

Anthology of Short Fiction

by Laura Benedict

Press 53

April 6, 2012

ISBN-10: 1935708465

ISBN-13: 9781935708469

Available in: e-Book, Trade Size (reprint)

Surreal South '11
by Laura Benedict

This is the third and, in our humble opinion, the best, densest, and most exciting edition of the Surreal South anthology series. When we began this series, with the original Surreal South in 2007 (we did not know then, though we hoped, that it would be followed by Surreal South ’09 and now this third volume), we wished to put together a book that in some sense bridged the gap between work that is perceived as ’literary’ and work that is perceived as ’genre.’ The first category is, as we take it, defined primarily by the excellence of its execution and the loftiness of its ambition. The second category is demarcated by its accessibility (indeed, its addictive quality) and its concentration on plot and pacing. This volume of profoundly weird stories is, we believe, an almost-perfect nexus of the literary and the genre. The stories it contains offer brilliant prose and unabashed plots. They are highly intelligent and compulsively readable. And they all celebrate ghosts and monsters. We really like ghosts and monsters. We’re betting that you do too.

Originally published November 2011 in trade paperback.



Laura Benedict's Bio

Laura Benedict is the Edgar- and ITW Thriller Award- nominated author of eight novels of mystery and suspense, including The Stranger Inside (Publishers Weekly starred review), and the Bliss House gothic novels and stories. Her latest book is a compilation of her short fiction, When I Make Love to the Bug Man: Collected Stories. Her stories have appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Strand Magazine, and in numerous anthologies. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, she lives in Southern Illinois with her family.