Welcome to the dark corner of the internet where nightmares get their starting lines.

I’m Phil (@PGPayT), the creator of #horrorprompt and #haikuhorrorprompt—daily horror writing challenges that have inspired thousands of twisted tales, chilling haikus, and sleepless nights since they began.

Words From Behind The Mask is the home base for everything #horrorprompt-related:

• Fresh daily horror writing prompts to spark your next story
• #haikuhorrorprompt micro-horror in 5-7-5 form
• The latest prompt calendars (including full-month previews for patrons)
• Community spotlights, #HorrorPromptAwards nominations, and occasional original stories/poetry
• Merch like the infamous “Too Many Freaks, Not Enough Circuses” hoodie

The name? It’s simple. Horror lives behind the everyday masks we all wear—behind polite smiles, behind closed doors, behind the screen you’re reading this on right now. This site exists to peel a few of those layers back and let the shadows spill out.

Whether you’re a seasoned horror writer looking for your next gut-punch idea, a poet who thrives in seventeen syllables of dread, or someone who just wants to watch the #horrorprompt hashtag burn brighter every day, you’re in the right place.

How to get involved

• Submit your own prompt words (I’m always accepting new contributors—spots fill fast!) → [Submit Here]
• Follow @horrorprompt and @haikuprompt on X for the daily drops
• Tag @PGPayT in your replies/quotes to nominate work for #HorrorPromptAwards
• Support longer previews + exclusive early access on Patreon

Let’s keep feeding the monster.
Submit. Write. Scare someone.

—Phil
Creator, #horrorprompt & #haikuhorrorprompt
Words From Behind The Mask