It could be an old, abandoned asylum. In many horror stories, asylums are often depicted as dark and terrifying places. They are filled with the remnants of the patients who once suffered there, and the long, dark hallways echo with their past screams.
One characteristic is a sense of isolation. For example, a deserted island where the protagonist is stranded and strange things start to happen. There are no other people around to help, which intensifies the fear.
Reddit has some excellent subreddits for horror stories. For example, r/NoSleep. It has a huge following and the moderators do a good job of maintaining the horror theme. You can get a lot of feedback and exposure for your horror stories there. Plus, there are different types of horror stories shared, from psychological horror to supernatural, which makes it a very diverse place to submit your work.
There's the classic story of a haunted house. At night, when it's pitch - black inside, people have reported seeing a shadowy figure moving around. They hear strange whispers and cold breezes when there are no windows open. It gives them the creeps just thinking about being in that dark place.
You could try posting them on popular writing platforms like Wattpad or Archive of Our Own. They have a large reader base interested in various genres, including horror.
I don't think so. 'A Dark Place' is typically a fictional construct that takes us into an invented world or situation, not something that actually happened in reality.
The story in 'A Dark Dark' is set in a remote village surrounded by dark forests and unknown mysteries. The setting adds to the eerie atmosphere of the tale.
The unknown is one of the scariest elements. For example, in many stories, people move to a new place not knowing its dark past. It could be a history of murder or some sort of ancient curse. When strange things start to happen, like objects moving on their own or unexplained noises, the fear of the unknown intensifies.
Some traditional publishing houses also accept horror short stories. For instance, Tor Books or Cemetery Dance Publications have a reputation for publishing horror works. But getting accepted by them can be quite competitive.