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Since this is launch week for The Midnight Vault you’ll have to forgive the numerous notes and posts about it. Can you blame us? We’ll resume semi-normal programming next week.
In Situ
A few photos from people who have picked up the paperback. When you get your copy, send a photo. We’d love to see it.
The Foreword
The Midnight Vault is a special project for a few reasons, not least of which is diving into the shadowy world of The Twilight Zone-esque stories with some new friends. But writing the foreword also gave me a moment to pause and consider the authors, movies, comics and music that shaped me. Oh, if only every project tugged at that thread.
Here is the foreword in-full:
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I’ve always been drawn to stories of the fantastic—the bigger and more extraordinary, the better. I come by it honestly, thanks to my mom. She loves a good thriller, a sappy drama, but more than anything, she loves tales that hint at unseen forces, shadowy figures, or things that go bump in the night.
That love of stories has been with me for as long as I can remember, shaping not just what I enjoyed but where I spent my time. In those days, I lived in the Hades of Arizona, where the searing heat made indoor activities a necessity. The dollar cinema, the library, and the local comic book store became my sanctuaries—cool retreats filled with endless adventures.
I pored over the eerie visions of Ray Bradbury and the dark imaginings of Clive Barker, while the pages of X-Men and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles introduced me to worlds of heroes and misfits. On-screen, the wild, shoestring genius of Roger Corman and John Carpenter showed me that imagination mattered more than budget, while Steven Lisberger’s Tron pushed the boundaries of what science fiction could look like. Meanwhile, Robotech and Blade Runner revealed sci-fi’s power to tell sprawling, deeply human stories about war, identity, and survival.
While other kids played football, my friends and I dreamt of battling the Empire and facing off against Darth Vader. These stories weren’t just entertainment—they shaped how I saw the world, sparking ideas, questions, and a hunger for more. The more fantastic the tale, the more I wanted to devour every one I could find.
But these imaginative stories weren’t just something I sought out on my own—they were part of our routine, woven into Saturday mornings with my mom as our tradition. With laundry piled high and ready to fold, we’d gather to watch sci-fi and monster movies on The World Beyond, airing on local station KPHO. From robotic gunslingers in Westworld to the creeping paranoia of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, these films opened the door to stories that thrilled, unsettled, and lingered long after the credits rolled.
And then, there was The Twilight Zone.
Rod Serling’s groundbreaking series wasn’t just about monsters or time travel—it was about people. It dared to ask, What if? What if the world wasn’t as it seemed? What if the choices we make determine our fate? What if the greatest horror wasn’t the unknown, but something inside us all along?
Serling wrapped these questions in morality plays disguised as fantasy, horror, or science fiction. His stories weren’t just twists for shock value; they revealed something deeper about human nature. They could be cautionary tales, mirrors reflecting our best and worst selves, or questions with no easy answers.
That influence never left me.
And that’s the spirit of The Midnight Vault.
Within these pages, you’ll encounter Anthony Fetterman, whose unsettling discoveries about his loved ones unravel his grip on reality (A Six-Part Death). Or you’ll explore the mysterious pages of The HALCYONIUM, a book that reshapes the lives of its readers in chilling ways. In Blink Twice If You Can Hear Me, a maestro confronts a surreal crisis, while in Soma’s Reflection, a young woman navigates a future where self-obsession becomes a dangerous journey of transformation and addiction.
These writers may not yet be household names, but their talents are undeniable. They craft tales that challenge and entertain, using the strange and the extraordinary to hold a mirror to our world. Flip to any page, and you’ll find a story that will transport you—one that might make you question your assumptions, reflect on life, or simply marvel at the possibilities.
Welcome to The Midnight Vault. The hour is late, the door is open, and the stories are calling. Will you enter?
The Acknowledgments
It’s in my nature (and a good practice, I think) to give thanks to the people who’ve helped us along the way. Obviously, the writers who created amazing stories and our creative director
who brought the paperback to life are among them. But, in the acknowledgements of the book we called out a few others:Thanks to the fiction community, heroes of the written word in an age where storytelling continues to evolve and inspire. Your creativity fuels the imagination of readers around the globe.
To Sean Thomas McDonnell, for being a stellar wordsmith and great partner in putting these crazy people together.
To Nolan Green, for composing an inspired, evocative soundtrack.
To John Ward, for walking this path with us.
To S.E. Reid of Talebones and Erica Drayton of Top In Fiction—your championing and support of all writers have been incredible.
A heartfelt thank you to The Rod Serling Foundation for preserving the legacy of visionary storytelling.
Special thanks to the : Chris Best, Hamish McKenzie, and Mills Baker for fostering a platform that champions writers.
What’s Next?
Putting the book together got me thinking about the future of my own writing. I love short stories and flash fiction. Heck, lately I’ve enjoyed longer ones, too, that twist and turn as I explore new (to me) topics. That format will always be part of my DNA. And I’ll never stop publishing short works here at Tiny Worlds.
Still, bigger works are snapping at the edges of my lengthening shadow—stories that ask for more time, more space, more breath. That said, I’m not talking about hiding away to create some opus (egad!) nor am I afraid of a little failure along the way.
So, starting April 1st1 I’ll be releasing my work-in-progress novel…
Pop fresh batteries into your Walkman and join twelve-year-old George Perez on the Yucatán coast, where ancient whispers and Mayan folklore blur the lines between myth and reality. As the familiar shifts, George finds himself chasing the past, hoping to unlock his future.
I hope you’ll stick around for it.
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Yes, I see the irony in this date.
That is a gorgeous cover!
It sounds like quite a collection. Anything with Rod Serling's influence is worth a look. Nice post.