Something Bad Happened to a Clown 1 by Lou Russo with Valentina Von Frankenstein

“Something Bad Happened to a Clown.” Since 1992, I’ve wanted to write and illustrate a horror story about a clown. Mainly because of people’s fear of clowns. I’ve tried MANY times. This time, I think I got it right. In fact, I recently told some students, hold on to your story ideas because you never know how long it may be before you can do something with them. The idea for this story came from something I read about a clown who would show up to parties but was never invited. I took that germ of an idea and tried to expand upon it.

In addition to Valentina Von Frankenstein, the story is co-hosted by two lovely and talented supporters of the magazine. Actress and model Amber Brooke @amber.brooke32, and her alter ego Amberwise, along with cosplayer and seamstress Cynthia Gilpin @therealslimsindy. Both ladies are doing some amazing things related to horror and fantasy.

The title of this story is taken from a song by Warren Zevon. Since I was borrowing his title, I decided to have my protagonist resemble him. Zevon passed away two weeks after releasing his last album and a month after my first year of teaching. He is best known for the song “Werewolves of London,” but if that is all you have heard, you are only scratching the surface.

Historical Fact: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College was located near Sarasota, Florida, from 1968 to 1997. At one time, I thought of attending.

Finally, one of my favorites and eerily mysterious clowns appeared on an episode of The Twilight Zone and was played by Murray Matheson. That clown makes an appearance in the final frame of this story.

Current plans are for this story to appear in the fifth publication of Horror Shorts, expected out Summer 2026.

BTW: I used to have a goldfish named Mr. Jitters. He even had a Facebook page.

Additional artwork provided by Simong1234
Check out www.mcbookpublishing.com

#TheTwilightZone #twilightzone #warrenzevon #horrorshorts #valentinavonfrankenstein