Hecate’s Bards

Since ＂telling an anecdote＂ is quite a typical language classroom activity, and since the ＂horror＂ genre is particularly popular among young people, as a language teacher, I have heard hundreds of paranormal tales. As much as I appreciate the appeal of such tales (evidenced by the fact that I am publishing a whole book of them), as a sceptic, I am often surprised at how many of my students have (or at least think they have) a ＂first-person＂ experience of this type to share. Perhaps, however, I shouldn’t be surprised.We know from the very down-to-earth world of physics that the observer cannot be entirely separated from the thing observed. This is also true of the narrator of a story, so as reluctant as I am to believe that that fleeting shadow was the lingering soul of a dead uncle, I definitely believe there is plenty of truth to be found in their tales; if, of course, you know where to look. It is in that spirit (no pun intended) that I invite readers to approach the completely-fictional stories they will find in this book; perhaps you will find some truths in them, about the author and, if you are very lucky, about yourselves. Hecate’s Bards is a collection of 26 original horror stories. Whether you are looking for mere entertainment or a good intellectual challenge, this book should be part of your collection. From strange creatures and creepy buildings to seemingly normal characters and urban settings, they all play their part to guarantee that every story will offer something unique to the reader, both at an emotional and at an intellectual level.