Review: Nectrotic Tissue #11

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

When the first issue of a certain magazine arrived on my doorstep, my wife looked at it, squinted, and said, “I never thought I’d marry a man who read something called Necrotic Tissue.”

Oh, but darling, you did.

As a writer who tends to dip towards horror, I’ve been following this particular magazine for quite some time. I’ve had the opportunity to have a few email conversations with R. Scott McCoy, the editor-in-chief of the publication, and a review of his novella, “Feast”, can be found a few sections down in the Journal. However, I never bought the magazine. Why? Most likely because I can be cheap.

Well, that was remedied when I ordered a subscription, and here I am reviewing the latest issue.

This magazine is chock-full of horror goodness – as well it should be, because it’s subtitled “The Horror Writers’ Magazine”. Inside are 116 pages of terror, more than I would’ve expected from an independent publication. But, independent though it may be, it’s one of the more professional-looking mags I’ve seen.

There are fifteen stories inside, as well as another seven one-hundred word bites. The stories range from tales of monsters and inter-dimensional travel to ones of the little things real people might do to each other in the name of love. There seems to be a theme running through many of the stories, as well, and that is of nature coming alive and turning against us. I’m not sure if this is on purpose, but it works.

Not every single story worked for me – there were three that I found bland – but even those I finished, which says something. However, I would like to point out my two favorites, as these two I can’t get out of my mind.

The first and my most desired is Mr. Klein’s Cancer by T.L. Barrett. It’s the story of an old teacher whose students drive him insane, and the physical manifestation of that hatred that grows inside him. The story is disturbing and funny at the same time, which takes skill. A definite diamond there.

The second is Bodily Harm by William Vitka. It tells the tale of renegade organs and the actions they take against their host, who has neglected them for far too long.

Honorable mention goes out to Meltdown by Matthew Fryer, Adaptation by Eric Hermanson, and Chums by Doug Murano. And to the rest of the authors who contributed their work, as well. They did a great job, even those I wasn’t fond of, for that is a matter of taste. All of them were well-written, well constructed, and consistent in their tone and themes. All deserved to be published, and there they were.

Necrotic Tissue #11 is a fantastic little magazine, folks. And in this market, where lovers of horror have to search high and low to find a periodical that matches their interests, it deserves – no, needs – to be supported.

Buy the magazine. Get a subscription. Read away. Support the writers and the editors who put their own time, effort, and money into creating something wonderful that all of us can enjoy.

Believe me, you’ll be glad you did.

Necrotic Tissue Website