There’s a severe lack of female horror authors in popular media today. Or rather, there’s a lack of exposure for them.  I can assure you that the list is much longer than this; there are authors waiting to be discovered and authors that have already achieved much deserved recognition. I invite you to look beyond Shelley, Jackson, and Rice for a moment and discover these talents. The books featured below include both fiction and non,  released last year and upcoming works.

The Butchering Art by Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris (of Oxford) doesn’t hold back in dishing the gruesome history of Victorian medicine and surgery in her debut book. Fitzharris shares her wealth of knowledge on medical oddities and mad methods with wonder flair on her Youtube channel, Under the Knife.

The Suffering Tree by Elle Cosimano

Elle is a Bram Stoker Award finalist and majored in Psychology. She also grew up in the household of a prison warden, so her imagination has always flourished from the darker side of life. Her YA novels always feature a supernatural aspect and are sure to please the palates of everyone seeking a spooky read. Her latest release, The Suffering Tree, features generational revenge and undead boys buried under oaks. Be sure to check out her website– it’s way too cool looking not to.

Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything by Dr. Lydia Kang and Nate Pedersen

Kang’s first nonfiction book, written alongside historian Nate Pedersen, is a fun read discussing how far humans have come in the medical field. Remember when radium was put into soda and candy because we thought it was “healthy?” Pick this one up to get your fill of even more quirky and face-palming moments in the evolution of cures. Her fiction works include everything from mashups of history and suspense to science and romance.

Haunted Nights: A Horror Writers Association Anthology edited by Ellen Datlow and Lisa Morton

This anthology of  16 amazing horror writers is edited by two of the smartest and talented gals in the business. Ellen Datlow works for Tor.com and knows a thing or two (or three) about horror fiction. Lisa Morton is the final word in Halloween, along with author and screenwriter. Haunted Nights is a quality collection of stories revolving around the eeriest night of the year.

Are You In the House Alone?: A TV Movie Compendium 1964-1999 edited by Amanda Reyes

Reyes is a Texas native who writes and maintains both a blog and podcast entitled Made for TV Mayhem. She’s also an instructor at Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies, a horror connoisseur’s one stop shop for everything intellectual. Her featured project covers more than just horror, but the attention to detail and the riveting argument for the telefilms guarantees an interesting read.

The Grip of It by Jac Jemc

Jac’s newest haunted house novel has caused quite a stir among the seekers of creep. Jemc resides in Chicago and writes both nonfiction and fiction. When she’s not applying the craft, she teaches English and Creative Writing throughout the Chicago area. The Grip of It is the story of a young couple’s new home and all its emotions.

Lady Killers: Deadly Women Throughout History by Tori Telfer

Working in publishing, academics, and editing, Telfer complied together the baddest women of the bunch. Learn more about these relatively unknown killers in quick, bite sized chapters, and try not to be too inspired by them. You can find more of Tori’s work at Jezebel, Bustle, Salon, and other publications. Also, note the cover art by cartoonist Dame Darcy.

Dear Sweet Filthy World by Caitlin R. Kiernan

If you’re a fan of horror fiction and you haven’t read Kiernan- you’ve got some catching up to do. With an impressively long list of short stories and books, Caitlin has undeniably left a mark on the genre. She has a background in science and you’re damn right if you guessed she applied that knowledge to her dark, twisted fiction. Her recent collection of short stories explores grim fantasies, horrific imagery, and brand new, unholy worlds.

The 1990s Teen Horror Cycle: Final Girls and a New Hollywood Formula by Alexandra West

This academic look into the 1990s mainstream horror scene is set to be released this April, and is also very near and dear to me as a child of the 90s. I have no doubt that it’s going to be a brilliant read because West has proved herself an expert throughout her work for Rue Morgue magazine, The Faculty of Horror podcast, and her other books on horror. I encourage you to follow West on social media to keep up to date with her latest projects and to follow which publications she contributes to.