The type of horror that can be described as ‘body horror’ is astronomical in scope. A quick google search tells you that horror novels as disparate as Frankenstein and Coraline are considered body horror by one website or another, and when you take a few moments to really think about it, most subcategories within the overarching genre could be loosely classified as body horror. The following is a list of why we—horror fans and regular humans alike, because let’s face it, even alleged horror haters have ogled a gnarly rash on their own, formerly pristine skin or stared in morbid fascination at the growing sphere of their or their partner’s baby bump—love body…
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Guest Post: This Undeniable Skin: The Grotesque and Lovely Wonders of Body Horror by Gwendolyn Kiste
This Undeniable Skin: The Grotesque and Lovely Wonders of Body Horror by Gwendolyn Kiste Flesh. Sinew. Bone. Muscle. Nails. Blood. These bodies we occupy are simultaneously beautiful and horrifying. It’s so strange to me how much work is happening within this cage of my bones at every moment. All the heartbeats I never have to coax. All the breaths I never remember taking. It’s at once life-affirming and a little intimidating how much goes on without me ever having a say in it. This is part of the reason why body horror has long fascinated as well as repulsed me—in the best possible way, of course. From my first viewing…
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Cover Reveal: Velocities by Kathe Koja
The Ladies of Horror Fiction was recently asked if we would participate in the cover reveal for Velocities by Kathe Koja of course the answer was yes. Just look at that cover beauty. Synopsis: Kathe Koja’s second short fiction collection, Velocities, is dark, disturbing, and heartfelt. It includes thirteen stories, including two never before published, all flying at the speed of strange. Published from Meerkat Press: April 2020 About Kathy Koja: Kathe Koja is a writer, director and independent producer. Her work combines and plays with genres, from YA to contemporary to historical to horror. Her novels–including THE CIPHER, SKIN, BUDDHA BOY, TALK, and the UNDER THE POPPY trilogy–have won awards,…
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LOHF Present Stories of Horror: Jungle Harvest by Chris Chesler
Welcome to part 2 of the Ladies of Horror Fiction Presents Stories of Horror: Creatures. Tonight it is my great privilege to present Jungle Harvest by Chris Chesler. I want to thank everyone for their submissions for Creature. There were truly some fantastic stories. Before we get started with Jungle Harvest I want to let you know a bit about Chris Chesler. About Chris Chesler Chris has been writing dark fiction with a silver lining for some 20 years now, but has worked as a financial and legal business consultant before becoming a fulltime writer. She lives in a study somewhere in the Netherlands where she writes unless coaxed out…
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Guest Post: Be Careful What You Wish For: The Legend of the Wendigo by Renee Miller
Horror writers have many options when it comes to “scaring” our readers. We can take the real, the surreal, and the totally impossible and (if we’re lucky) use any or all of it to make a reader feel mild discomfort or outright never-turning-the-lights-off-again terror. I think the combination of physical and psychological horror can be pretty effective in keeping a reader off-kilter, which is why I love monsters. They give a “face” to the unknown. The difficulty is in making that face scary. It’s not real, and we all know it, so how do we get the reader to believe in it enough to scare them? For me, the first…
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Guest Post: Creatures in Horror: From the Weekly World News’ Batboy to Phosphorescent Alien Goop By Betty Rocksteady
Creatures in Horror: From the Weekly World News’ Batboy to Phosphorescent Alien Goop By Betty Rocksteady My first introduction to horrific creatures was in The Weekly World News, that tabloid magazine from the 80s and 90s featuring weirdo cryptids and Fortean phenomenon. My papa always referred to the mag as just “the news,” so as a kid I was convinced all these creatures were completely real. Actually, I’m still notcompletelyconvinced that those strange beings don’t lurk in hidden corners of the earth. There are a few distinct types of creatures that tend to pop up in genre fiction and I think they all highlight different fears. Secret earthly beings that…
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Ladies of Horror Fiction Presents Creatures
A month ago Toni put out the call for Women Horror Authors to send their creature stories. Needless to say it was hard to pick. But pick we did. I hope that everyone enjoys Salty Air, Daisy and Run Ruby Run. Salty Air By Sonora Taylor Sonora Taylor is the author of Without Condition, The Crow’s Gift and Other Tales, Please Give, and Wither and Other Stories. Her short story, “Hearts are Just ‘Likes,’” was published in Camden Park Press’s Quoth the Raven, an anthology of stories and poems that put a contemporary twist on the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Taylor’s short stories frequently appear in The Sirens Call, a bi-monthly horror eZine. Her work has…
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Guest Post: A Passion for Monsters By Lee Murray
A Passion for Monsters By Lee Murray From amorphic blob to prehistoric beasts and rampaging apes, and even the humble rat, the creature feature has become a staple of horror fiction. Just a quick look at recent films provides us with a good snapshot: there was last year’s Rampage, this year’s new Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and creature stories based on reality like Crawl, and the 47 Metres Down sequel. Whether on the screen or on the page, our interest in monsters is strongly ingrained. But where did it start? Why so much interest? Into the Mist author Lee Murray asks some of her creature-feature writer friends for their insights. First up is Australian…
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LOHF Presents Stories of Horror: Part 2 of Luella Miller by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
Join Toni as she tries to figure out what exactly Luella is. Will part 2 of Lydia Anderson’s story offer any more clues? Our heroine Lydia Anderson was telling the story of Luella Miller. When we left off Luella’s husband and sister in law were dead and her aunt Mrs. Abby Mixter, was on death’s door. Lydia had sent for Aunt Abby’s daughter, Mrs. Sam Abbot, however, she is too late. And she begins to tell Luella Miller what she thinks of her. When Luella crash’s to the floor. This is where our story picks up. Thank you for joining me for the Ladies of Horror Fiction Presents. Next month…
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Stories of Horror: Mary E. Wilkins Freeman and Luella Miller
Join Toni as she travels back to 1800s New England and meets Lydia Anderson who has a strange story to tell about Luella Miller. Mary E. Wilkins Freeman Mary Ella Wilkins was born to Warren Edward Wilkins and Eleanor Lothrop on October 31st, 1852 in Randolph Massachusetts. She had one sibling Anna Wilkins. Due to financial hardship the family had to move to Battleboro, Vermont in 1867 when Mary was 15. After the families move to Battleboro Warren opened a dry goods store but, by 1873 but the store failed to thrive. Due to financial hardship the Wilkins’s moved into the home of Reverend Thomas Taylor in order for Eleanor…
