It feels surreal, but we’re just one week away from the release of my latest book, Short Sharp Shock. This collection of short stories has been a long time in the making, and now, as the final countdown begins, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey that brought me here. From the initial spark of an idea to seeing this collection come to life, it’s been an exciting and challenging process, filled with moments of doubt, excitement, and, of course, a lot of hard work.
This journey began in an unexpected way. For those of you who’ve been following my writing for a while, you may know that I started posting short stories on TikTok. At first, I didn’t know what to expect. But as I shared these quick bursts of horror, I found an incredible community of people who loved a good scare and enjoyed those brief moments of suspense. The feedback I received from viewers—many of whom were drawn to the unexpected twists and eerie atmospheres—really pushed me to explore this genre further. It became clear to me that there was an appetite for suspenseful, twist-filled stories, and it spurred me to dive deeper into crafting something that would both challenge me as a writer and satisfy those readers.
And so, Short Sharp Shock was born. It’s a collection of horror stories that are designed to keep you on the edge of your seat. Every story is different, but they all share common threads—an underlying sense of unease, a building tension, and a punch of shock or surprise that leaves you thinking long after the story ends. Writing this collection was a thrilling challenge, pushing me to explore new ideas, characters, and twists in ways that I hadn’t before. It’s been a unique experience, and I’ve loved every moment of it.
But now, as the release date on December 9th looms ever closer, I can’t help but feel a mix of emotions. There’s a sense of excitement, of course, but there’s also a bit of anxiety. Will readers like it? Will it have the same impact as the stories I shared on TikTok? It’s natural to have those questions, but I also remind myself that this is all part of the process. Writing, creating, and sharing your work involves putting yourself out there, and that’s something I’ve come to embrace. At the end of the day, this collection is about telling the stories that have been rattling around in my mind, and I can only hope that they resonate with you.
The process of preparing for this launch has been a whirlwind. From finalizing edits and formatting to making sure everything is set up for a smooth release, there’s been a lot to juggle. But it’s all been worth it, knowing that Short Sharp Shock will soon be out there for you to read. I’m beyond excited to share this collection with you and to hear what you think about these stories that have been so close to me for so long.
Now, here’s the exciting part—I’m thrilled to announce that the Kindle version of Short Sharp Shock is now available for preorder! If you’re someone who can’t wait to dive into a world of suspense, horror, and shocking twists, you can grab your copy early. The digital version will be ready to go as soon as it’s released on December 9th, and I can’t wait for you to experience the thrill of these stories.
I’m incredibly grateful for all the support I’ve received along the way, from the encouraging comments on my TikTok stories to the amazing readers and fellow writers who’ve helped make this collection a reality. You all played a part in bringing Short Sharp Shock to life, and for that, I can’t thank you enough.
So, mark your calendars—next week is the big day! The countdown is on, and I’m beyond excited for you to join me on this ride. Get ready for stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat, challenge your expectations, and, of course, leave you with a shock or two.
Thanks for being part of this journey, and I can’t wait for you to read Short Sharp Shock!
And as always, I’d love to hear from you—what are you most looking forward to in this collection?
Gareth Ellis - Author 