In May 2024, The Stygian Society released its first solo-author project, Dark Flock by Montreal writer Matt Poll. This curated collection of bird-themed tales takes readers into the strange and surreal, combining mystery, dystopia, and the paranormal in unexpected ways.
A Twilight Zone for Bird Lovers
Dark Flock presents a world where the natural and supernatural intersect, in Poll's self-titled subgenre Twilight Zone Birding. From post-apocalyptic birding expeditions to uncanny encounters with mysterious avian forces, these stories are both unsettling and imaginative. Each one unfolds in distinctive settings—Denmark, Korea, and beyond.
With unique features like an intermission for a more lighthearted story and a flipbook animation of a bird in flight, Dark Flock creates a reading experience that feels cinematic. Paired with cover and interior illustrations by Winnipeg artist Nyco Rudolph, it’s as visually engaging as it is narratively rich.
About the Author: Matt Poll
Matt Poll’s journey to becoming a writer is as fascinating as the stories he tells. After a chance encounter with a Korean gangster involving tree-alcohol and John Denver songs, he realized his life was filled with tales worth sharing.
A migratory Montrealer who has returned home after more than a decade abroad, Matt has an academic background but shifted focus to his passions: birds, writing, and storytelling. His unique perspective comes through in Dark Flock and his other works, including a memoir about birdwatching escapades and a thriller set in Korea’s DMZ.
For more of Matt’s adventures and published stories, visit his blog, Snowy Owl Lost.
Take Flight with Dark Flock
Whether you’re a birding enthusiast, a fan of the bizarre, or just looking for something entirely different, Dark Flock offers a reading experience like no other. Its mix of dark humor, disturbing narratives, and creative twists will keep you hooked from the first page to the last.
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