Mothers protect, nurture, love, and adore...but what if they are more than just their title? In these 33 stories and poems, we examine what motherhood is and explore mothers of all kinds. With over 300 pages of horror, dark fantasy, science fiction, and poetry, we introduce the motivations and compulsions that make up a mother-both good and evil. Whether they are robot mothers, evil stepmothers, or sociopathic mothers-to-be, these stories will illuminate what's really going on inside of that woman we think we know so well...Mother.

Featuring brand new stories and poems:

"The Sire," by Steven Rasnic Tem

"Last Leaf of an Ursine Tree," by Hailey Piper

"Of a Thousand Arms and More," by Ai Jiang

"Passed," by Elizabeth R. McClellan

"Mother Made Cake," by Nicoletta Giuseffi

"Puerperium," by Donyae Coles

"Pelican," by Gemma Files

"Fracture," by Mercedes M. Yardley

"When Auntie's Due," by Sarah Read

"Vé'otsé'e (Warpath Woman)," by Shane Hawk

"Stone's Blood," by Nick Bouchard

"Shields," by Christina Sng

"The Bone Child," by Ryan Cole

"The Wives of Tromisle," by Dan Coxon

"Duties Terrible and Dear," by John Langan

"Worry Dolly," by Nadia Bulkin

"(sub)Maternal Instincts," by K.M. Veohongs

"720°," by Steve Toase

"Number ONE," by Frances Lu-Pai Ippolito

"Here in the Cellar," by R. Leigh Hennig

"She's Untouchable," by Renee Cronley

"Lida's Beach," by Stephanie Nelson

"Instruments of Bone and the Flesh Songs They Create," by Nikki R. Leigh

"Transformative Love," by Tehnuka

"The Withering Depths," by Todd Powell

"Waiting for Mother," by Brian Evenson

"Unchild," by Jonathan Louis Duckworth

"Take Care," by S.P. Miskowski

"Mother Trucker," by Wailana Kalama

"The Last Sin," by Gabino Iglesias

"Jacob's Mother," by Katie McIvor

This gorgeous book also includes 14 brand new art plates from award-winning illustrators around the world and an introduction by editors Willow Dawn Becker and Christi Nogle.

Tortured Willows: Bent. Bowed. Unbroken. Discussion

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