Yuletide Frights: Victorian Ghost Stories for Christmas
Yuletide Frights: Victorian Ghost Stories for Christmas with William P. Simmons
Thursday, December 19 · 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Stamford Library
Step into a Victorian Christmas—where the crackle of the fire was matched only by the thrill of a well-told ghost story. Join acclaimed author and editor William P. Simmons at the Stamford Library as he revives the age-old tradition of sharing supernatural tales during the holiday season. Simmons will read from and sign copies of his bestselling anthology Yuletide Frights: Victorian Ghost Stories for Christmas and offer a fascinating look at the history of macabre winter storytelling.
While the holidays often conjure memories of warmth, family, and music, they also carry shadows. Victorian readers embraced this contrast, delighting in tales where phantoms walked, goblins stirred, and not every visitor arrived in good cheer. Simmons will explore how these uncanny stories reflect the season’s blend of darkness and light, bringing back the “pleasing terror” once central to Christmas celebrations.
Program Includes:
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Welcome & Author Introduction
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History of the Christmas Ghost Story (with emphasis on the Victorian era)
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Dramatic reading of a ghost story by B. M. Croker
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Audience Q&A
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Book Signing (copies of Yuletide Frights Vol. 1 & 2 available for purchase)
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Reception with refreshments
This program is intended for adults.
Come celebrate the season like a Victorian—and meet the “other” spirits of Christmas.
About the Author
William P. Simmons is a Stamford, NY native and an award-recognized author of supernatural and dark fantasy fiction. He is the writer or editor of fifteen books, including eleven #1 Amazon bestsellers, and has been featured in publications such as Rue Morgue, Publisher’s Weekly, and Mystery Scene. His work has earned multiple Honorable Mentions in The Year’s Best Fantasy & Horror and has been praised by noted authors including Adam Nevill, T. M. Wright, and Graham Masterton.
In addition to his fiction, Simmons is a poet, critic, and journalist known for his interviews and essays on horror and weird literature. He holds a B.A. in English with honors from SUNY Oneonta and has taught workshops, lectured, and appeared on radio and podcasts discussing folklore and supernatural fiction.
Contact: shadowhousepub@gmail.com