New collection of short fiction horror
Author Joseph Anthony Montecillo celebrated the release of his book, “In The Blood and Other Stories,” a compilation of short fiction horror tales, last month. The event was highlighted by his captivating reading of a gripping story from the collection, a question and answer segment, and a book signing.
Published by the University of the Philippines Press, Montecillo’s book collates 14 of his short stories penned over a decade of writing. It is the first time these stories were published in a single volume.
Included in the collection is the titular story, “In the Blood,” about a mother trying to keep her sons from following in the footsteps of their serial killer father. In “Pressure and Release,” the stress of an Edsa traffic jam finally overwhelms an everyday bus driver. In “The Forgotten Bones,” a man who lives in a cemetery has an unexpected experience between the rows of tombs.
“I’ve been fascinated with horror for as long as I can remember,” said Montecillo. “I hope that this collection makes for an exciting addition to the long tradition of horror here in the Philippines.”
Montecillo made his first professional fiction sale at the age of 12. Since then, he has published over 20 short stories, many of which feature dark or macabre subject matter. Outside of his writing ventures, though, he regularly performs as a stand-up comedian around Metro Manila.
For Montecillo, the connection between the two is natural. “I’m far from the first comedian to work in the horror field,” he said. “Both deal in instant feedback and the goal of leaving an intense and immediate sensation upon the audience. They go hand in hand in a lot of ways, and sometimes that comes across in a few stories in the collection.
Available at the UP Press Store on campus. Online purchases can be made from the official UP Press link in Shopee and Lazada.
