While in high school (mid-90s), I read a collection of short stories. One story in the book was "Buckets" by F. Paul Wilson.

Another story was about two mechanics, working on a feed grinding machine at a hog farm. One guy is inside the machine and the other guy turns it on, not realizing the first guy is in it. Literally half-mangled, the guy inside the grinder convinces the other guy that the pain is wonderous, and to turn it back on so he can finish himself. For some reason, the other guy also goes into the grinder while it's on to kill himself (maybe to feel the wonderous pain himself??).

Those are the only two stories in the book I remember, though there were others. I don't think they were all by Mr. Wilson, but I could be wrong on that. I was recently asked about the book, and would like to find the title so I can buy it and enjoy it again.

If anyone can help me, I'd truly appreciate it! Thanks!

Those are short stories in Soft and Others. You can find it here.

Oh... and :welcome:

Welcome to the board, BAlexander!

Please note that link is only for the ebook version. If you have an eReader you are in luck!

Marc, what is the name of the grinder story. I don't remember that but it has been years since I read SOFT and OTHERS.

Welcome to the board B! Stick around, F. Paul Wilson interacts with his fans frequently so don't be shocked if you ask a question one day and see a response from FPW.

Marc, what is the name of the grinder story. I don't remember that but it has been years since I read SOFT and OTHERS.

It's been years for me too, but I believe the short story is "The Cleaning Machine".

That is not "The Cleaning Machine". That one had an old woman sending neighbors to the basement of her apartment complex where they would disappear. I don't recognize the "wonderous pain" as an FPW story at all.

However "Buckets" was included in these anthologies, so here's a place to start...

"Buckets" (short story)
first published in SOFT & OTHERS (Tor hc 1989; pb 5/90)
in THE YEAR'S BEST HORROR STORIES: SERIES XVIII (DAW 10/90)
in THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF TERROR (Robinson(UK)/Carroll&Graf 1/91)
in Short Story Paperback #36 (Pulphouse) 11/91
in System Shock (graphic adaptation) (?)
in ClariNet Library of Tomorrow (online) (1/93)
in THE ANTHOLOGY OF HORROR STORIES (Tiger - UK - 1994)
in THE GIANT BOOK OF HORROR (Magpie - UK - 1996)
in TERRORE! (GTE - Italy - 1996)
in OCTOBER DREAMS (Cemetery Dance – 2000) (ROC tp - 2002)
in NECROPHOBIA (Festa/Germany – 2005)

That's what I was thinking. That story doesn't sound like on of FPW's.

Well then I stand corrected.

Well then I stand corrected.

That's not necessary, you can sit or lie down. If you are going to be wrong you might as well be comfortable.

That's not necessary, you can sit or lie down. If you are going to be wrong you might as well be comfortable.

This is true, we both deserve a lie down after working so much!