Tails of Terror

In 1977, something is wrong in Black Pines, Colorado. Maybe it starts at Rosco’s Pet Emporium.

The bell above the door jingles as customers step inside under fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. The black-and-white checkered floor stretches between rows of aquariums, stacked cages, heat lamps, and hand-painted sale signs. The air smells like fish water, dry pet food, cigarette smoke, as well as damp and musky newspaper.

Behind the counter stands Rosco himself. A balding, slightly overweight guy, wearing oversized glasses and a patterned shirt with rolled sleeves. He's the kind of man customers barely remember after leaving.

But people who buy pets from Rosco’s Pet Emporium sometimes bring something else home with them.

We are seeking FIFTEEN terrifying short stories.

We want stories that are horrifying, atmospheric, violent, disgusting, suspenseful, and genuinely frightening. The horror does not necessarily need to come from the animal attacking or biting people. We are equally interested in stories where the animal simply begins acting strangely or unnaturally, creating paranoia, dread, obsession, psychological terror, disease, infestation, or the slow realization that something is deeply wrong with the pet brought home from Rosco’s Pet Emporium. Keep it grounded, believable, and terrifying.

We do NOT want comedy, parody, campy wink-at-the-camera horror. Supernatural horror is strongly discouraged. Stories may become as extreme as necessary, but they must remain serious in tone. The fear should feel real.

Stories MUST take place in 1977, involve a pet obtained from Rosco’s Pet Emporium, must be a pet-store animal or plausible exotic pet for the era. No wild-animal stories. No parody names or references to famous evil animals from existing media. Originality matters. Stories may take place inside the pet store, but the store itself cannot be completely destroyed. Stories can take place at any location, but references to Black Pines, Colorado will be edited for consistency.

Multiple submissions are allowed, though only one per author could be chosen. Reprints may be considered if disclosed.

Stories should focus on animals that could realistically be purchased from a 1970s pet store or independent pet shop. Dogs, cats, birds, fish, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, snakes, turtles, lizards, tarantulas, ferrets, rats, mice, and other plausible exotic pets for the era are all acceptable. We are not looking for stories involving wild animals or creatures that would never realistically be sold through a pet store, including lions, sharks, bears, wolves, crocodiles, or similar wildlife.

NO AI Allowed! Submissions generated, co-written, rewritten, or substantially assisted by generative AI tools are not permitted. This includes the use of AI for story generation, plotting, prose writing, scene expansion, stylistic imitation, or large-scale revision.