Horror is often a quiet, cumulative thing — stories find readers slowly, sometimes long after publication. That’s why it meant a great deal to see “Giggles in the Glitch” included on the Best of Horror #17 recommendation list.
The story’s inclusion was especially meaningful because it validated something subtle rather than sensational: that experimental, off-kilter clown horror — the kind that leans into unease instead of jump scares — has a place in the wider genre conversation.
This recognition carries particular weight for me because Giggles in the Glitch was not only the first short story I ever had published — it was the first short story I ever submitted. At the time, I had no sense of where my work would land, or whether the strange, uneasy tone I gravitated toward would resonate with anyone beyond myself. Seeing that same story acknowledged later as part of a broader conversation in horror has been both grounding and encouraging.
Giggles in the Glitch, like most short stories, doesn’t explain everything. It lets the wrongness linger. Seeing it recognized alongside so much strong horror work reinforced my belief that there’s room for stories that trust atmosphere, implication, and discomfort over spectacle.
This recommendation came at a moment when I was already circling larger clown-themed projects, and it helped solidify my confidence in continuing down that road. Sometimes a single nod is enough to tell you that the signal is getting through.
Giggles in the Glitch
You can find my story, Giggles in the Glitch, in the Fear of Clowns Anthology from Kangas Kahn Publishing