Skip to Content Skip to Navigation

Haunt of William P. Robertson--Master of the Macabre & Gothic Horror: Summaries

ICICLES - January 12, 2018

Icicles

Published: December 29, 2017 by Infinity Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-4958-2037-3

 

Icicles collects 99 of William P. Robertson's best-known horror poems that were published in magazines worldwide from the 1980's through 2002. Gothic horror, sci-fi, Medieval fantasy, and humorous horror are represented here in both rhymed and free verse styles. Robertson is also excellent with a camera, and his eerie photos add an extra chill to this anthology. The author cites Lovecraft, Poe, and Jim Morrison as his major influences. The dark word pictures he paints are reminiscent of those masters' work. In Robertson's world, wasted trees writhe with rigor mortis as the wind retreats like a lung-shot beast!

 

SEASON OF DOOM - August 12, 2013

Season of Doom

Published August 9, 2013 by Infinity Publishing

ISBN10:  0-7414-9771-9


Fans of both William P. Robertson's horror writing and historical fiction will find something to love in the author's new collection of character-driven tales, Season of Doom.  In "The Evil of Lauren Watson," Robertson takes care of unfinished business by ending the femme fatale's reign of terror in grisly fashion. He then uses the eruption of Mount Vesuvius as a backdrop to explore the arrogance of a sadistic Roman general. Another highlight of the book features a Mayan "game" that had a greater incentive than money driving its players to perform at their highest levels. Viking, Dane Wulfdin, also returns to journey to America and brave new dangers among the Skraelings.  A second sea yarn is set in Civil War Virginia and details the terrors of naval combat and a vicious shark attack. A Roman battle with the Britons and the conquistadors' invasion of Incan Peru are recounted in two other adventures. These snapshots from history highlight Robertson's knack for drawing the horrific from wars of any age. The book ends with a visit to the haunted Hinsdale House and a scary encounter with Bigfoot. Pray that we get out alive!

Contents:

Away, The Blizzard, Black Passion, The Evil of Lauren Watson, Powerfinger, Demonious, The Barbarian B-Ball Tournament, The Ball Game, Glimmer, The Power of Atahualpa, To Harvest, Invincible, The Sea, Poison, Ten Fathoms Deep, Sea Battles, Falsefaces, The Hinsdale Horror, The Unseen, The Brakeman, We Are the Old Men Now

 


TERROR TIME 2ND EDITION - March 26, 2013

Terror Time 2nd Edition

Published March 22, 2013 by Infinity Publishing

ISBN#: 0-7414-8293-2


The 2nd Edition of Terror Time kicks off with a second visit from femme fatale, Lauren Watson, who wreaks havoc on another branch of her family. The author also immerses his Bucktail characters, Bucky Culp and Jimmy Jewett, in two scary, postbellum adventures. Robertson's first dark fantasy story appears here, too. It relates the trials of an aging Viking who's smitten with a witch. An encounter with a jailhouse ghost and two winter travel tales squeeze the chills from modern settings. Disturbing episodes from Bill's childhood creep in twice. Capping off the collection is a terrifying tale that realizes the law-abiding gun owner's worst nightmare. Three new poems, three new stories, and great cover art by David Cox make this a special work.


Contents:

Dead Them, The Return of Lauren Watson, Cold, The True Meaning of Fear, But Each Charlie Wore, The Car Wreck, I'm Disturbed, Dangerous Shadows, The First PA Rifles, The Gold Heist, In April, Bitin' Worms, Nothing Escapes, Father's Gift, Spook, Ralph Crossmire Hates My Face, Slide, The Long Way Home, The Raven Tree, Evil Love, Author Profile, Steer Clear

 


THE DEAD OF WINTER - November 19, 2010

The Dead of Winter

Published December 3, 2010 by Infinity Publishing

ISBN #:  0-7414-6313-X


The Dead of Winter serves as a "best of" collection of William P. Robertson's tales of horror, suspense, and adventure. Chosen by editors, fans, and the author himself, the stories first appeared in magazines worldwide and then in Robertson's books, Lurking in Pennsylvania, Dark Haunted Day, and Terror Time. Bill freshly edited these selections and added new spooky photos to enhance their impact. One previously unpublished ghost story is also included. Robertson began writing horror as a release from Sunlight Deprivation Syndrome that haunts him each winter in the bleak hills of Pennsylvania where he resides. The author cites his grandmother's Swedish folktales of trolls and haunted swamps as an early inspiration. The writing of Edgar Allan Poe and H. P. Lovecraft and the Gothic rock of the Doors also fuel his imagination. From these influences, Bill creates his own haunting style that blends psychological terror with a dash of gore and dark humor. The adventure element comes natural to him after hunting bucks and fishing for native brook trout in the eerie wilderness of McKean County.


Contents:

The Dead of Winter, The Spirit of Catherine, Wide Spot in the Road, The Weight, Mrs. Babcock's ABC's, Rescue at the Devil's Den, The Brown-Streaked Sidewalk, The Car Wreck, Can You Give Me Sanctuary?, The One and Only Price Vincent, Fetters and Chains, North Hall Is Haunted, Estranged, The Return of Lauren Watson, The Great Stag, Blood-Hungry Beasts, The Same Damn Rebs, The Eighth Wonder of the World, Ralph Crossmire Hates My Face, Mary and Emmett, The Goldenrod, Bad Things Happen to Bad Men, The Price of a Pint, The Crimson Tinge, The Bud Monster, The Long Way Home, Brittle Shadows

 


UNTIL DEATH DO IMPART - November 13, 2010

Until Death Do Impart

Released October 9, 2002 by Robyl Press


William P. Robertson's second audio book CD contains 24 poems and 4 songs which explore the realms of sci-fi, horror, Medieval fantasy, and rock 'n' roll. With the help of his sound effects gang, the Crypt Kicker 5, Robertson simulates the fury of alien battles, the terror of deep space, and the strangest of marriages, complete with a warped Wedding March. Death is the pervading theme and is viewed from the perspective of psychopaths, burn-outs, and twisted sisters. The songs contributed by ShadowFox add punch and variety and range from the haunting blues of "Shelly" to the swamp rock crunch of "You Are a Witch in Pretty Skin."


Contents:

Intro, What Do You Do?, ShadowFox (A Mythology)/Roadhouse, As Executioner, Brains, I Fell to Rise, Fiend, Mini-Marts Attract Monsters, Devil on MTV, Swimming with Stephen King, The Raven Tree, Lucretia's Love, Jim Morrison, You Are the Pain, Infinity, husband (ghost), Shelly, For Story Rights, Mad Scientists' Bingo, Giff's Uh!, I Am!, No One Wondered, After Our Chihuahua Disappeared, Joy, Shadows Part Slowly, The Ruins/An Unfinished Puzzle/The Moor, Outro, You Are a Witch in Pretty Skin



GASP! THE HAUNTED RECITATIONS OF WILLIAM P. ROBERTSON - November 13, 2010

Gasp! The Haunted Recitations of William P. Robertson

Released July 27, 1999 by Robyl Press

Available in CD and Cassette


For the past two decades, William P. Robertson has been a prominent voice of the small press scene. With the release of Gasp!, his first audio book, Robertson finally gets the chance to recite, rap, and rhyme his way through some of his best-known poetry. The CD contains 32 poems, many of which were culled from the author's chapbooks, Waters Boil Bloody, Hearse Verse, Desolate Landscapes, and Bone Marrow Drive. Also included is a song co-written by A.J. Curtis and Jim Mattern of the band, ShadowFox.

As always, Robertson stresses variety, covering all facets of the horror genre on Gasp! Gothic horror, psychological horror, slash & gore, and dark humor are all represented in rhymed and free verse styles. The majority of the poems are laced with sound effects or backed by spooky keyboards. The ShadowFox song, the satiric "Devil's Rap," provides comic relief: "I am old Scratch/I'm into rap/Turn up the flame/You know my name/I am real fly/I'm quite a guy/I'm good to go/I'm into soul."

In Robertson's world, traditional ghosts, zombies, and ghouls coexist with more contemporary monsters like carjackers, a werewolf sportscaster, and a power-mad President. Fog picks pockets, onyx bogs bubble, and rats procreate in fearful profusion. Yes, Robertson's poetic voice is clearly defined on Gasp! Take his half hour oral detour and learn just how de-licious horror can be.


Contents:

Intro, The Sending, The Ratcatcher, Spooky, Elvis' Hell, The Zombie Cheerleaders/The Werewolf Sportscaster, Alien Abduction, Menacing Shadow Men, Macabre Dreams, Wino Limerick, She, Waters Boil Bloody, Refinery Smokestack, Zero Hundred Hours, Playing Headstone Leapfrog, The Sea/The Good Ship Death/Hooks, Little Thieves of Reason, De-licious, Devil's Rap/The Brother Stole Up to My Auto, The Furniture Factory Annex of Hell, But Each Charlie Wore, Bone Marrow Drive/The Fog/Prospect Avenue, A New Set of Monsters, Elegy, The Detour, Hotel Hell, On a Bleak October Afternoon, Lovecraft's New England, The Devil's Dawn, The Spirit of the Wolf/Tourist Trap, Who Knows?, A Dark Carnival, The Elementary Librarian/Roger Limerick, Contained with the Insane, Outro



TERROR TIME - November 13, 2010

Terror Time

Published January 30, 2009

ISBN #: 0-7414-5190-5


Terror Time is William P. Robertson's third collection of horror stories and his hardest hitting yet. The anthology kicks off with a second visit from femme fatale, Lauren Watson, as she returns from Dark Haunted Day to wreak havoc on another branch of her family. The author also experiments with historical horror by immersing his Bucktail characters, Bucky Culp and Jimmy Jewett, in two postbellum tales of adventure and intrigue. Roberson's first dark fantasy story appears here, too. It relates the trials of an aging Viking who's smitten with a witch. A ghostly encounter with murderer, Ralph Crossmire, who haunts McKean County's Old Jail, and two winter travel tales from Bill's own experience squeeze the chills from more modern settings. Such variety has critics and readers alike singing the author's praises. Massive D. calls Terror Time "Fear at its finest," while Doug Graves says, "It's a veritable shriek fest."


Contents:

In Seeps Your Disease, The Return of Lauren Watson, But Each Charlie Wore, The Car Wreck, I'm Disturbed, Dangerous Shadows, The First PA Rifles, The Gold Heist, Spook, Ralph Crossmire Hates My Face, Slide, The Long Way Home, The Raven Tree, Evil Love, Steer Clear



DARK HAUNTED DAY - November 13, 2010

Dark Haunted Day

Published June 14. 2006 by Infinity Publishing

ISBN #: 0-7414-3234-X


Dark Haunted Day is William P. Robertson's second collection of macabre tales and poetry. As the title indicates, ghost stories are the focus here. A gallant battlefield ghost, a malicious dorm phantom, and two spectral husbands are just a few of the hobgoblins haunting this anthology. The author again selects for his action such Pennsylvania settings as Gettysburg, Mansfield, and the ever-spooky McKean County. To add variety, a hunting horror story, a psychological thriller, and a Kinzua Viaduct death tale are included. Characters range from kids to the elderly, and all get their share of scares.


Contents:

Even More Frightened, Rescue at the Devil's Den, The Great Stag, The Lightning House, North Hall Is Haunted, husband (ghost), The Late Mr. Wilson, Blood-Hungry Beasts, The Good Ship Death, Jim Morrison, Can You Give Me Sanctuary?, The Elementary Librarian, Mrs. Babcock's ABC's, The Ratcatcher, Trapped, The Sending, Rejections, You (Poltergeist), Edgar's Vacuum, The Eighth Wonder of the World, The Drywall Man, An Empty Chair, Estranged, Bad Things Happen to Bad Men, Short Candles



LURKING IN PENNSYLVANIA - November 13, 2010

Lurking in Pennsylvania

Published August 20, 2002 by Infinity Publishing

ISBN # 0-7414-2150-X


Lurking in Pennsylvania collects three decades of William P. Robertson's best horror stories and poems, many of which appeared in magazines worldwide. Bill specializes in understated Gothic terror in the tradition of Edgar Allan Poe and H. P. Lovecraft. He draws his material from McKean County legends, his Grandma B's Swedish folktales, and traumatic personal experiences. He also delves into dark humor and lends a fresh perspective to such classic beings as the werewolf and troll. Bill's best work chills rather than sickens. Sometimes what is left unsaid is the most terrifying of all. . .


Contents:

The Moor, The Spirit of Catherine, Wide Spot in the Road, Zero Hundred Hours, The Weight, The Brown-Streaked Sidewalk, Menacing Shadow Men, When the Hunter Becomes the Hunted, The Crimson Tinge, Remaining Creative, The One and Only Price Vincent, The Power of Atahualpa, Far Away She Waits for Me, Fetters and Chains, Mary and Emmett, Fear Lurked in the Shadows Here, The Price of a Pint, The Revenge of Old Man Mooney, Hiss N' Spit, The Bud Monster, The Goldenrod, An Unfinished Puzzle, Antique Toys, Luke the Spook, Macabre Dreams, Graduation Day

RSS feed