SJ Townend’s “EVERYONE, MONSTERS” in The Rabbit Hole VII: Not From Here

I asked fellow The Rabbit Hole VII: Not From Here anthology contributors to share some things about themselves prior to publication and those generous enough to do so will be appearing here for the next week or so.

Each entry gives a taste of their contribution, a little about them, how to contact them, how their story came about, and definitely a link to The Rabbit Hole VII: Not From Here (which you should purchase because it would make each and every one of us happy.
you do want to make us happy, don’t you?
i mean, considering what we wrote, you want us to know you’re a good person, right?).

And now, SJ Townend’s EVERYONE, MONSTERS:

There’s a horrendous smell in the chicken shop this evening. The pungent odour—not unlike bin tuna on a hot day—overpowers the MSG-stench of deep-fried poultry and the greasy fug of soiled oil filters and it comes from behind the freezer unit in the back room. There, in a dark, hidden space, sits the bucket in which Jayden’s alien swims.


How the story came about:
I (mis)spent several decades of my life at many an illegal rave and had a bloody good time, although I did lose some good friends along the way. Everyone, Monsters is a reflection on the judgment and shaming of drug-taking. Are all drugs awful or should certain illicit substances be legalized? If so, which ones, and why? Does the use of soft drugs always lead to hard? How many coffees and beers have you drunk this week? Aren’t we all addicted to something?

About SJ Townend:
SJ Townend, an author of dark fiction, has stories published with Vastarien, Ghost Orchid Press, Gravely Unusual Magazine, Dark Matter Magazine, and Timber Ghost Press. Her first horror collection, Sick Girl Screams, is out Oct’ 2024 (Brigid’s Gate Press) and her second horror collection, Your Final Sunset, is coming in 2025 (Sley House Press). Twitter:@SJTownend

See all The Rabbit Hole VII: Not From Here stories here.

The Rabbit Hole VII: Not From Here is available on