About the Book
What if the Macy’s Parade balloons you watched as a child remind you of who skipped watching as an adult? In this groundbreaking horror anthology, ten ordinary Thanksgiving rituals become portals to terror. When the family photo captures vengeful ancestors demanding perfect conformity… when the cranberry mold “absorbs” those who suggest changing the recipe… when the ceremonial carving knife demands blood to spare your family—these traditions meant to bind us become prisons of the past.
Each story weaponizes a universal ritual with chilling precision: the first-bite prayer that traps you at the table, the family walk that loops you through disastrous Thanksgivings past, the Black Friday plans where changing your route has deadly consequences. Blending psychological dread with dark comedy, these tales transform familiar moments into surreal nightmares—where the only thing more dangerous than breaking tradition is keeping it.
No pilgrims. No politics. Just the quiet horror of realizing your most cherished rituals were never as safe as you believed. Step into the dining room where every tradition hides teeth. Your Thanksgiving will never be the same.
About the Author
Sean Benoit, writing under the pen name S.B. Fates, is a masterful author specializing in the realm of dark fiction. His unique literary style seamlessly weaves together elements of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science fiction, and fantasy, creating stories that not only captivate but also challenge the conventional boundaries of these genres. His works are renowned for their complex narratives, richly developed characters, and the ability to transport readers into worlds where the mysterious and the ordinary intertwine.
In addition to his literary pursuits, Sean harbors a deep passion for drawing and comic books, engaging in these activities as personal hobbies. This artistic inclination, while separate from his writing, enriches his creative perspective and contributes to the depth and imagination evident in his storytelling.
Known as S.B. Fates in the literary world, Sean stands out for his ability to blend a diverse range of elements into his narratives, making him a distinctive voice in the genre of dark fiction. His dedication to exploring and redefining the limits of genre fiction has cemented his status as a notable author in his field.
Qn 1: Can you tell us more about your book What is it about?
Most assume Thanksgiving horror must revisit colonial trauma—but “Harvest of Horrors” finds terror in the traditions we still perform today. It’s about how rituals meant to comfort us become invisible prisons: the suffocating pressure of the “perfect family photo,” the dread of suggesting any change to Great-Grandma’s cranberry mold, or the unspoken rules around Black Friday shopping lists.
I weaponized tensions we all recognize. “Floating Nightmares” (the first story in this book) came from observing how fiercely communities guard parade-watching traditions—even though I’ve never attended one. What if those balloons remembered exactly who skipped watching as a child? “The Mold That Judged Us” twists potluck anxieties into horror: when a relative gasps at your modified recipe, what if that judgment became literal?
But here’s what makes this anthology vital: horror readers need catharsis. While 7 stories explore psychological dread (like being trapped by a “perfect” prayer ritual), 3 deliver hope. “The Walk of Atonement” ends with characters transforming a time-looping walk into healing—not punishment. Beta readers called it “trauma with tenderness,” and that balance is intentional.
I wrote this because after my mom raised my sister and me alone, I saw how traditions can both anchor and strangle us. We clung to rituals when vulnerable—but when they became rigid cages, the real horror wasn’t the sentient balloons or hungry mold. It was realizing we’d been hunting ourselves all along by refusing to adapt.
“Harvest of Horrors” isn’t about destroying traditions. It’s about freeing ourselves to evolve them. The most terrifying question isn’t “What if the balloons hunt me?” It’s “What if I’m the one holding the rope?”
Qn 2: Who do you think would be interested in this book, is it directed at any particular market?
Horror readers have devoured Christmas-themed scares for years, but Thanksgiving horror is a glaring white space—and “Harvest of Horrors” fills it perfectly. This isn’t for readers seeking colonial trauma or “pilgrim horror.” It’s for anyone who’s ever felt the quiet pressure of holiday rituals: the foodie who’s nervous to tweak Great-Grandma’s recipe, the parade enthusiast who’d panic if they missed the balloons, or the pet owner whose dog definitely judges their life choices under the Thanksgiving table.
My core audience is 28-45yo horror fans who love anthologies (think “The Twisted Book of Shadows”) but crave fresh hooks. Dark comedy horror community will flock to stories like “The Mold That Judged Us”—where cranberry mold “absorbs” tradition-breakers with dark humor. But I’ve strategically expanded:
- Parade enthusiasts: “Floating Nightmares” (sentient Macy’s balloons) is tailor-made for Macys fans and parade watchers. I’m betting this becomes my viral hook
- Foodie horror crossover: Food horror community will devour the cranberry mold story’s absurdity (without actual cannibalism—just “essence absorption”).
- Pet owners: “The Packing Instinct” (wolf-awakening dog story) targets dogs and pet horror communities with its “silent witness” perspective.
Critically, I avoid polarizing historical angles—this horror lives in your living room, not the 1600s. Psychological horror fans get their fix (6 stories of dread), but dark comedy lovers get levity (2 stories), and readers needing hope get catharsis (2 stories with roughly around 30% emotional uplift).
Beta readers confirmed it bridges gaps: one called it “perfect for fans of Paul Tremblay who also stress about Black Friday planning.” Another said, “As a parade technician’s daughter, I’ll never watch balloons the same way.” That’s the sweet spot: horror that feels personal because it’s rooted in rituals we all recognize—but twisted just enough to haunt your next Thanksgiving dinner.
Qn 3: Out of all the books in the world, and all the authors, which are your favourite and why?
Stephen King isn’t just my favorite author—he’s the reason I write horror. What captivates me isn’t the gore or supernatural elements, but how he weaponizes the ordinary. In “Salem’s Lot”, it’s not vampires that terrify—it’s realizing your neighbor could be one. In “Needful Things”, evil sells you your deepest desires at a small-town shop. That’s the King magic: horror hiding in plain sight, exactly where “Harvest of Horrors” lives.
I reread “Pet Sematary” every November—it taught me that the most terrifying thing isn’t resurrection, but refusing to let go. That’s the heart of my anthology: traditions we cling to past their expiration date. King shows us that horror resonates when it mirrors our quiet fears—like my Parade Balloons story where childhood nostalgia becomes a hunter. He doesn’t need colonial trauma to unsettle you; he uses your own memories against you.
What I steal from King (apologies, Mr. King!) is his character-first approach. In “The Shining”, we’re terrified because we care about Jack’s family before the Overlook Hotel breaks them. That’s why my “First Bite” ritual story hurts—it’s not about the supernatural trap, but a family’s unspoken grief. King proves horror isn’t about the monster; it’s about who we become when the lights go out.
At 46, I’m still learning from him: that the best horror makes readers glance nervously at their own Thanksgiving table.
Qn 4: What guidance would you offer to someone new, or trying to enhance their writing?
Write what terrifies you—not monsters, but the quiet fears hiding in your daily life. When I turned 46 this past October, I realized my best horror came from dissecting Thanksgiving traditions I’d performed for decades. That “perfect family photo” anxiety? I made it literal in “Frame by Frame.” Start there: what ritual makes you nervous? Weaponize it.
Join communities before you need them. I posted Parade Balloons excerpts in r/horrorwriting on Reddit months ago—those connections became my beta readers and editing partners. Horror writers trade feedback fiercely; offer value first (“I’ll edit your 1k words for feedback on my opening”), and doors open.
Embrace constraints. My “no historical guilt” rule for Thanksgiving horror forced fresh ideas—like sentient parade balloons instead of pilgrim ghosts. Boundaries breed creativity: “The Mold That Judged Us” works because I banned actual cannibalism (“absorbing essence” is creepier anyway).
Balance tone like a DJ. Anthologies fail when they’re all dread. I structured “Harvest of Horrors” with 6 psychological horror stories, 2 dark comedies, and 2 cathartic endings. Readers need relief—like placing “The Mold That Judged Us” (dark comedy) right after Parade Balloons’ terror.
Finally, and most importantly: finish things. My first draft was messy, but completing it taught me more than endless polishing. As King says, “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration. The rest of us just get up and go to work.” Your voice matters.
Qn 5: Where can our readers find out more about you, do you have a website, or a way to be contacted?
Readers can find everything through my Draft2Digital author website—your hub for all my books, from “Harvest of Horrors” to writing guides in my “Genre Writing Made Easy” series. It features my full catalog: psychological horror, holiday dark fiction, superhero splatterpunk, and even children’s dark fiction, plus my author bio as S.B. Fates.
For real-time updates, I prioritize these platforms:
- Instagram (instagram.com/s.b.fates) for cover reveals and horror aesthetics (perfect for visual horror fans!)
- TikTok (tiktok.com/@sean.benoit) for quick writing tips and horror humor
- Facebook (facebook.com/sean.benoit.927) for deeper discussions about dark fiction
- Twitter/X (https://x.com/sb_fates1979) for industry insights and spooky seasonal content
I keep it focused: as a full-time writer, I believe in meaningful engagement over spam. My Draft2Digital site updates instantly with new releases (like this Thanksgiving anthology!), and I try to respond to every comment/message. Horror readers are fiercely loyal—I make time because their support lets me keep writing.
Whether you’re curious about dark fiction or need writing advice, I’m here. After all, the best author-reader relationships are nurtured with care, not weaponized.
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