Description
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A Cauldron of Uncanny Dreams is a multi-award-winning collection of uncanny short stories and poems that dares you to peer into the depths of the night and uncover what lies beyond the veil. Each tale conjures a portal to the macabre and the marvelous, destined to haunt your dreams and ignite your imagination. Designed to be devoured late at night and preferably in solitude, this book is a masterful concoction of fear, suspense, and the utterly unexpected. Take a sip of this strange brew and be prepared to be enthralled, enchanted, and occasionally terrified. From the haunting prose poem “Her Mother’s Eyes” with its jarring twist to the uncanny Victorian tale of “The Governess,” these stories weave a unique tapestry of fear, intrigue, and the supernatural. Join the strange celebration of “Grandma Buford’s Birthday” and brave the haunted corridors of “The Ederescu House” where past horrors refuse to remain buried. Uncover the dark desires of “Billy the Arsonist” and experience the heart-wrenching sorrow of “A Mother’s Grief.” Crafted with meticulous care for those who revel in the eerie echoes of the night, A Cauldron of Uncanny Dreams is a perfect companion for solitary evenings, where every creak and whisper in the darkness takes on a life of its own. Whether you’re a connoisseur of the macabre or a newcomer to the shadows, you will find yourself right at home among these pages. Each story is a unique window into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, the uncanny reigns supreme, and fears becomes terrifyingly real. Critics and readers alike have praised A Cauldron of Uncanny Dreams as a masterful blend of horror and the paranormal, with prose that haunts the pages and stories that linger long after the last word. Described as thrilling, exciting, and at times terrifyingly violent, this collection delivers fourteen journeys into the heart of darkness. A Cauldron of Uncanny Dreams is more than just a book; it is a celebration of the strange, a homage to the uncanny, and a testament to the enduring allure of the night. This collection will challenge your perceptions and dare you to confront what lies in the dark corners of the mind. Don’t just read it before bedtime. Grab a copy now and let it be your gateway to dark dreams and darker nightmares. If you love uncanny or horror stories, then these thirteen short stories are for you:
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Step into the dark where uncanny dreams and nightmares come alive.Genres
- 90-Minute Teen & Young Adult Short Reads
- Fiction > Fantasy > Dark Fantasy
- Fiction > Fantasy > Paranormal & Urban
- Fiction > Horror
- Fiction > Horror > Ghost
- Fiction > Horror > Occult
#DarkFantasy #GhostStory #Horror #Occult #Paranormal
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Excerpts
Book Trailer
Awards
Praise for A Cauldron of Uncanny Dreams
Amy Shannon – Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews
“This collection of innovative thinking (or uncanny dreams) by Firesmith is a remarkable work… The words almost haunted the pages… I loved reading all of the unique stories… This book is a definite recommendation by Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews.” Original review
BooksShelf.com
“Firesmith’s short stories are a literary treasure trove, filled with captivating tales that exemplify his unique creativity. Starting with “Her Mother’s Eyes,” Firesmith’s storytelling had me completely captivated. Each tale offers delightful surprises, underscoring Firesmith’s storytelling prowess. What truly impressed me was Firesmith’s ability to transform innovative concepts into gripping narratives, crafting thought-provoking stories that leave a lasting impression. I wholeheartedly recommend it to fellow readers.” Original review
Author Billy Bob Buttons, The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
“Grim, gritty, and ghoulish! A cleverly told set of shorts, perfect for a dark winter’s night.”
Nancy (The Avid Reader)
“A Cauldron of Uncanny Dreams has many wonderful stories that are sure to whisk you away on a dark eerie night filled with many nightmares after. A Cauldron of Uncanny Dreams is filled with many shocking twists and turns that will leave you gasping and wanting more. It will surprise you in more ways than one. Grab a copy of A Cauldron of Uncanny Dreams along with a bowl of popcorn, your favorite drink, and a cozy blanket for a night filled with nightmares.” Original review
Author Julie Elizabeth Powell
“I was given a review copy of this book and enjoyed all the stories, though The Collector was the creepiest. These horror stories were well-written and toe-curling… and believable, yikes! They were cleverly thought-out, and it was nice to see why they were written.” Amazon UK Review
Author Chantal Bellehumeur
“I enjoyed reading this anthology of eerie short stories, starting with the five sentence flash fiction A Mother’s Eyes. Each story of various lengths was quite unique and mysterious, even when the author was inspired by a legend he once read. I liked how Donald included author notes at the end of each story. That special touch was as much fun to read as the stories that crept in the author’s imagination.” 
B’S Thought Pad and Book Space
“These stories… are a window into an alternative state of being. Definitely a collection for those that enjoy the questions of what lies in the dark corners or just beyond the reach of the headlights on a cold, dark night.” Original review
Ye Olde Bookworm
“A Cauldron of Uncanny Dreams by Donald Firesmith is your classic shouldn’t read before bedtime rush. A fun read, and I look forward to reading more of Firesmith’s work in the future.” Original review
Reviews
Read all 72 reviews. (4.4 Stars)
- Amazon* (40 Reviews, 4.5 Stars) US-29, UK-11, AU-2, CA-1, and IN-0
- Barnes & Noble (1 Review, 5 Stars)
- BookBub (8 Reviews, 8 Ratings, 4.0 Stars)
- Goodreads (59 Reviews, 66 Ratings, 4.4 Stars)
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Quotes from the Book
“Even though the lack of footprints proved I was alone, I couldn’t help feeling that I was being watched from those shadows, that something glared at me with malice and resented my intrusion into its dark domain.” – from “The Haunting of the Ederescu House”
Author’s Commentary
TBD
Anthologies and Reprints
- Madam Kaldunya’s Dolls was republished in Until Dawn: A Supernatural Anthology.
- Billy the Arsonist was republished in Literate-ly Magazine, July-August 2024, Issue 12, pages 68-71.
- Homage to H. P. Lovecraft was republished in Literate-ly Magazine, September-October 2024, Issue 13, pages 79.
Publishing Information
Publisher: Magical Wand Press
Edition: Second edition
Publication Date: 27 April 2023
Pages: 170
Words: 41,610
Size: 5×8
Language: English
Formats
A Cauldron of Uncanny Dreams is available in the following formats:
| Format | Source |
| eBook (.epub) | |
| eBook (.mobi) | |
| eBook (.pdf) | Not Available |
| Paperback | |
| Hardback | Not available |
| Audiobook |  |
Cataloging in Publication (CIP) Data Block
Name: Firesmith, Donald.
Title: A Cauldron of Uncanny Dreams / by Donald Firesmith.
Description: Second edition. | Pittsburgh : Magical Wand Press, 2023.
Summary: A collection of spooky short stories. | Audience: Adult. | Language: English
Identifiers: ISBN: 979-8392526475 ASIN B0C2SM662X (Amazon paperback) | ASIN B0CK54WLL4 (Amazon ebook) | 978-1005671334 (Smashwords ebook) | ASIN B0BCXDPFH4 (Amazon/Audible audiobook)
Subjects: BISAC: FICTION / Occult & Supernatural. | Fiction / Horror. | LCSH: American–Fantasy–Fiction. | American–Paranormal–Fiction. | GSAFD: Horror fiction. | Occult fiction. | Fantasy fiction.
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