WOMEN WRITING HORROR by Renata Pavrey
Horror is my favorite genre in fiction and I read across all of its sub-genres including true crime, psychological horror, comedy horror, from novels to short story collections, dark poetry and anthologies. A random search for horror books throws up the usual fare from Stephen King, Joe Hill, Josh Malerman, Kealan Patrick Burke. While I have loved books by all these writers, women authors in the genre don’t show up as easily, with the exception of Shirley Jackson and Mary Shelley for their classic works. I thought back to all the books I’ve read and the ones in my to-read list and came up with this listicle of horror stories from women writers. These include translated books as well as original language ones, novellas, novels, collections, prose and poetry, fiction and non-fiction by writers, translators, editors, and publishers who create terror through words. From historical fiction, science fiction, young adult, satire, to mythology, folklore, speculative fiction, re-telling of true events, and dark verses – take your pick. Since February is coming up, I compiled a list of twenty-eight women in horror – one book recommendation for each day of the month.
- Agustina Maria Bazterrica – Tender is the Flesh
A virus has eradicated animals, and humanity turns to cannibalism for its source of meat as humans are domesticated, mass produced, and slaughtered. Translated from the Spanish, a nauseating and provocative satire that blends science fiction with horror.
2. Ally Blue – Down
An underwater, paranormal suspense fest surrounding the discovery of a rock-like sphere that causes humans to mutate and turn into horror versions of themselves.
3. Alma Katsu – The Deep
Historical fiction horror set around the events of the Titanic and its sister ship the Britannic. The maritime disaster and World War I are caught in sinister happenings in this supernatural thriller.
4. Cassandra Khaw – Rupert Wong, Cannibal Chef
A novella about the dual life of a sorcerer and soldier, combining horror and comedy with Malaysian and Chinese mythology.
5. Christina Henry – The Ghost Tree
YA horror about missing people and terrifying visions of monsters dragging remains. Ghostly trees, creepy children, witches and curses – almost like watching a horror movie.
6. Christina Sng – Dreamscapes
Horror, fantasy, and science fiction come together in this poetry collection that addresses the darkness within. Verses that serve to unsettle and terrify, proving how poetry can be more impactful than prose.
7. Elizabeth Kostova – The Historian
A historical fiction Dracula story moving across time and place with shifting narrator perspectives. A debut vampire novel that interweaves history with folklore and makes for a riveting read.
8. Fernanda Melchor – Hurricane Season
Mythology and terror from Spanish literature, with the English translation maintaining the grim, intense and graphic prose of its original source in this portrait of a Mexican village and its witch.
9. Francine Toon – Pine
A haunting tale in the Scottish highlands, filled with intrigue and eeriness, alternating between terrifying and heart wrenching, spooky and suspenseful in equal measures.
10. Gemma Amor – Dear Laura
A novella of lifelong obsession, this dark, twisted tale about penpals stands out for its brilliantly atmospheric writing.
11.Jennifer Hillier – Wonderland
Psychological thriller, amusement park, serial killer – gruesome and wicked as you set out to solve crimes.
12. Jennifer McMahon – Winter People
Historical fiction meets fantasy in this chilling story of missing people and secrets galore.
13. Joyce Carol Oates – The Doll Master
A collection of short stories that borrows its title from an obsession over dolls, and leads into an unsettling world of abominations and mystery.
14. Kaaron Warren – Into Bones Like Oil
A haunted house novella with an unconventional narrative and storyline, and an interesting take on the ghost story.
15. Kathe Koja – The Cipher
Winner of the Bram Stoker award for Best Debut Novel, The Funhole does not live up to its name. A black hole that calls out and launches a journey of obsession, darkness, and blinding terror of classic horror in spectacular prose.
16. Laura Purcell – The Silent Companions
There’s nothing like historical fiction for a dose of gothic horror. An asylum, a haunted mansion, intriguing journals, hidden secrets – a creepy ghost story that grabs the attention from beginning to end.
17. Laurel Hightower – Crossroads
An exceptional novella dealing with the horrors of heartbreak and grief, and things coming back from the dead. An emotional and devastating read that shows you just how diverse the horror genre can be.
18. Lee Murray – Grotesque
A collection of monster stories that range from mythology to legend and science fiction offering a dip into Maori folklore and French history, zombie attacks and adventures. Packed with action and gore, the stories are a delight for monster fans.
19. Lisa Kröger – Monster, She Wrote
Why read one horror story when you can read about them all? A non-fiction horror book about women who pioneered the genres of horror and speculative fiction; writers who defied convention and crafted some stellar spooky tales. From ghost stories to psychological horror, intriguing trivia and reading recommendations, a book about books not to be missed.
20. Lucy A. Snyder – Sparks and Shadows
A dark fantasy collection of short stories, poems, and essays. Twisted tales in myriad settings, witty and diverse, horrifying, amusing, and thought provoking.
21. Mariana Enriquez – Things We Lost in the Fire
A short story collection of the macabre, mixing magical realism with gothic fiction in this astonishing treat from Spanish literature brought to us in English by translator Megan McDowell.
22. Mariko Koike – The Graveyard Apartment
Detective fiction and horror writing come together in this translation from Japanese literature of psychological horror set around a graveyard. Deborah Boehm brings this to us in English.
23. Michelle Paver – Thin Air
A historical fiction ghost story set in the Himalayas. Nature can be brutal enough, but what if it isn’t the only thing you’re battling? Subtle supernatural elements, more psychological rather than physical, can be more horrific at times.
24. Nalo Hopkinson – Skin Folk
A short story collection of magical realism, science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction interweaved with horror. Storytelling at its best.
25. Samanta Schweblin – Fever Dream
Some more magical realism from Spanish literature is this surreal nightmare of an otherworldly story. Menacing, unsettling, and thoroughly absorbing in its usage of horror to explore current world issues.
26. Taeko Kono – Toddler Hunting
An exceptional collection of Japanese short stories that explore the dark side of human nature and antisocial behavior. Lucy North translates to English to bring us a startling and disquieting world.
27. Yoko Ogawa – Revenge
Another dark treat from Japanese literature in an experimental format of seemingly unrelated short stories coming together to form a larger novel. Bland settings and ordinary people up the ante of terrors lurking in everyday life.
28. Yrsa Sigurdardottir – I Remember You
Scandinavian Nordic noir of isolation and remoteness; horror based on true events. Translated from the Icelandic, a ghost story that proffers the chills.
~Three bonus books for the women who lead the way as editors and publishers~
- Lee Murray and Geneve Flynn – Black Cranes
A collection of short stories by Asian writers, highlighting the dual themes of women in horror and Asian women writers. A smorgasbord of mythology, legend, folklore, science fiction, comedy horror, satire, dark fantasy.
2. Aiki Flinthart – Relics, Wrecks, and Ruins
A collection of science fiction and fantasy with horror to showcase the remnants of humanity and celebrate a legacy.
3. Tricia Reeks – Meerkat Press
The publishing house comes out with some very different but very good books, in equal parts weird, unique, and dark.
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Renata Parvey is a Nutritionist by profession; marathon runner and Odissi dancer by passion. Driven by sports, music, animals, plants, literature and more. Reads across several genres and languages, and loves the world of horror – in both, books and movies.
HorrorAddicts.net 
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