When the Creatures Call

The Future Has a Name, and It's Clark Roberts

THE FUTURE HAS A NAME, AND IT'S CLARK ROBERTS

AN INTRODUCTION BY ANDY RAUSCH

I’m not a big-name author, but I’m at a point where I’ve developed a modest following. As such, writers occasionally send me their books, manuscripts, and stories to assess. I don’t really like doing this, and the reason is probably obvious; most of them aren’t very good. Some of them lack talent, others lack the patience required to properly craft a story, and a lot of them are simply new writers who haven’t yet found their voices or haven’t yet developed the skill that comes with years of practice. Who wants to have to tell someone that their book or stories need work? It’s a process that isn’t fun for either one of us, reminiscent of the spanking father’s statement that “this is going to hurt me as much as it hurts you.” Only unlike the spanking, the statement is actually true in this case. But every now and then, one of these writers is good. And every now and again, one of them is really, really good...

I received a message from Clark Roberts in early 2020 asking me if I would mind if he sent me a copy of his newly published story collection, Led by Beasts, which was, at the time, being published by a tiny (but impressive) indie called Terror Tract. Clark had read a strange tale I had written “The Day Fat Terry Brought Dead Hitler to Iowa” that appeared in a Deadman’s Tome anthology, which Clark also had a story in. I enjoy short stories, so I said sure, send it over. At the time I received his book, I was knee-deep in Chuck Palahniuk’s graphic novel Fight Club 3, which I had been anxious to read for some time. But you know what? I opened the cover of Led by Beasts and was instantly hooked. Before long, I found myself so engrossed by the collection that I set aside Palahniuk to finish it. It was instantly apparent that there was something special about Clark’s writing. It was mostly just pure talent, but there was something more—a sort of undefinable magic. Some writers have it, most don’t. In 1927, the English author Elinor Glyn coined the phrase “It” (as in the “It Girl”) as an attempt to define an indescribable, amazing quality that a few, rare people possessed. Whatever Clark had, it was akin to that. Whatever it was, make no doubt, it was magical.

After that, I wrote a story for an anthology Clark edited, Clark wrote a story for an anthology I edited, and I suggested that he republish his book with Next Chapter. This isn’t to tell you a story about me, but an attempt to explain the rush I felt when I read Led by Beasts Volume 1 and the strong desire I felt to assist Clark in reaching more readers.

I absolutely adore Clark’s writing, and apparently, he’s a fan of mine as well. When Clark told me he was dedicating a section of Led by Beasts Volume 2: When the Creatures Call to my work, I was beyond flattered and beyond floored. But, as much as that fact delighted me, it was nowhere close to the level of delight I felt when I read this second volume. As much as I enjoyed the first collection, I believe this one is even stronger. Clark’s stories have a sort of Twilight Zone quality to them; they are strange, incredibly entertaining, and almost always lead to an unforgettable conclusion that knocks you flat on your ass. Beyond the aforementioned “It” factor, Clark possesses another talent that few writers possess, and that’s a genuine talent for closing out his stories with ridiculously potent endings that leave you considering them long after you’ve finished the story.

And don’t for one minute be fooled by the conceit of this book, which is that the stories here are stories inspired by some of Clark's favorite authors (which I'm one of, strangely enough). I mean, they were, but with that conceit in mind, a reader might be tempted to approach this book with the notion they are about to read lesser-quality imitations, but I assure you this is far from the case. Clark’s stories are magnificent, and they shine as bright as the sun, but make no doubt, their shine is entirely his. Clark’s stories are one hundred percent his and his alone.

So, with that, I present you with a collection of mind-blowing, fun as f**k, thought-provoking, balls-to-the-wall tales written by a one-of-a-kind up-and-coming talent and, dare I say, future master. Enjoy.