10 Great Horror Authors of Colour
Let’s face it, traditionally the horror genre was outright ruled by authors who are both white and male. As fans of the genre, there are many horror authors we love who are white men, but we’re also so happy to see other voices emerge on this scene. Whether it’s American and other western authors of colour or global voices finally being translated into English, we’re here for it!
Horror writing that’s based on diverse life experiences and backgrounds enriches the genre and has already taken it in bold new directions. Supernatural horror based on folklore that extends beyond European mythology and American urban legends, stories that take a brave, often horrifying look at racism, and novels set in faraway lands are all out there. You just need to know where to look.
Check out our list of 10 great horror authors of colour for a taste of what’s out there. These include black horror writers, Latinx horror writers, indiginous horror writers, and Asian horror writers. We’ve some of our favourite books by each of these POC horror writers to get your started.
Contents
1. Tananarive Due
Tananarive Due is an award-winning American author and professor of black horror and Afrofuturism at UCLA. She is known for her horror and speculative fiction works. Her writing style is a blend of supernatural elements, social commentary, and compelling storytelling. Due’s work often explores themes of race, gender, and identity, and is known for its richly drawn characters and immersive settings.
Popular books by Tananarive Due
My Soul to Keep (1997): The first book in the hugely popular African Immortals series, which Stephen King referred to as an “eerie epic”. When Jessica meets and marries David, it feels like a dream come true, but the seemingly perfect husband holds a dark secret: he’s a member of a secret Ethiopian sect whose members traded their humanity for immortality. As David’s brethren demand he leaves his family, David has a different plan for Jessica and their daughter.
See on AmazonSee on Bookshop.org
The Good House (2003): Angela Toussaint’s late grandmother’s house was known as “the good house” by the local community in Sacajawea, Washington, until a mysterious tragedy hit, and changed the family’s history, and future forever. Two years later, Angela is finally ready to return to the house and come to terms with the death of her son, and learn about her grandmother, the powers she was reputed to have, and her connection to a supernatural entity that may be behind the senseless calamities experiences by the local community.
See on AmazonSee on Bookshop.org
The Wishing Pool and Other Stories (2023): A collection of short stories ranging from pure horror, to sci fi and speculative fiction. Beautifully drawn characters and great attention to details, with a versatile range of themes, including some chilling pandemic stories, written before 2020.
2. Victor LaValle
An African-American horror, science fiction, and dark fantasy author. LaValle’s work often explores themes of race, identity, and inequality, and is characterised by a unique blend of social commentary, humor, and horror elements. He is known for his vividly drawn characters and gripping narratives that delve into the human condition.
Popular books by Victor LaValle
The Ballad of Black Tom (2016) – A dark and brilliant reimagining of HP Lovecraft’s Cthulhu myth from the perspective of a young black man in 1920s New York City. Think sorcery, skulduggery and jazz expertly blended together.
See on AmazonSee on Bookshop.org
The Changeling (2018): Voted on of Time’s best fantasy books of all times, this dark fantasy book follows a father’s search for his missing infant son, exploring themes of parenthood, grief, and the supernatural. Currently being developed as a series for Apple TV+, which means it’s the perfect time to read it, if you haven’t already!
See on AmazonSee on Bookshop.org
Lone Women (2023): LaValle’s latest novel provides a new vision of the American west. Set in 1915, it follows Adelaide, a woman with a horrifying secret, and a mysterious trunk, travelling from California to Montana to become a homesteader, after her mysterious sin kills her parents. With an unforgettable cast of characters, a brutal landscape, and a powerful portrait of early 20th century America, this is a must for lovers of supernatural horror and Americana.
See on AmazonSee on Bookshop.org
3. Silvia Moreno-Garcia
A Mexican-Canadian horror, science fiction, and fantasy author. She is known for her character-driven storytelling, immersive settings, and explorations of cultural and historical themes. Moreno-Garcia’s work often blends elements of magic and myth with social commentary, resulting in rich and thought-provoking narratives.
Popular books by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Mexican Gothic (2020): A horrifying twist on classic gothic horror. This bestselling novel follows socialite Noemí Taboada as she heads to a mysterious mansion in the Mexican countryside to save her cousin from certain doom. Dark family secrets, terrible dreams, and menacing family members soon follow, with terrible consequences.
See on AmazonSee on Bookshop.org
Gods of Jade and Shadow (2019): A dark, modern fairy tale inspired by Mexican mythology. The Mayan god of death sends a young woman on a harrowing, life-changing journey in order to recover his throne. From the jungles of Yucatan to the bright lights of Jazz-age Mexico City, and the darkness of the Mayan underworld, this epic journey is full of gods, demons, and magic.
See on AmazonSee on Bookshop.org
This Strange Way of Dying: Stories of Magic, Desire & the Fantastic (2013): This debut collection of short stories spans a variety of genres: horror, fantasy, and science fiction. The stories within are grounded in modern reality, and are infused with elements of Mexican folklore. Vampires in Mexico city, a ceiba tree surrounded by human skulls, and an apocalypse with giant penguins are just some of the themes covered in this absorbing, lyrical collection.
See on AmazonSee on Bookshop.org
4. Mariko Koike
Japanese horror has become popular in the west, popularised by manga, anime, and movies. One of the most highly regarded voices in contemporary Japanese detective fiction and horror is Mariko Koike, whose writing blends modern western influences with Japanese folklore and mythology. The result are chilling stories that are at once uniquely Japanese and universally resonant.
Popular books by Mariko Koike
The Graveyard Apartment (1986): Considered Koike’s masterpiece, this chilling tale follows a young family with a terrible secret who move into a new apartment building next to a graveyard. Psychological horror with a slow, intense build-up that’s decidedly different from the familiar western storytelling style.
See on AmazonSee on Bookshop.org
5. Chesya Burke
A black American horror and speculative fiction author known for her powerful and evocative use of language. Her works often explore themes of race, gender, and identity through the lens of horror and fantasy.
Popular books by Chesya Burke
Let’s Play White (2011): A collection of odd, unsettling stories with strong horror and speculative fiction elements. As implied by the name, they all involve issues of race and identity.
See on AmazonSee on Bookshop.org
6. Tunku Halim
Hailing from Malaysia, Tunku Halim is considered one of the pioneers of Asian horror, and has even been referred to as “Asia’s Stephen King”. If you want to sink your teeth into some supernatural horror based on folklore and urban legends from deepest, darkest Malaysia, you’ll want to check him out.
Popular books by Tunku Halim
Scream to the Shadows (2021) – Over two decades in the making, this collection of 20 short stories ranging from supernatural horrors, to tales of madness, tech horror, dark folklore, and more. A great introduction to Halim’s work and Asian horror in general.
See on AmazonSee on Bookshop.org
My Lovely Skull & Other Skeletons (2023): Brand new for 2023, 15 nightmarish tales with plenty of skulls, skeletons and supernatural horror to go round. Malaysian culture and folklore are the perfect backdrop for these chilling stories.
See on AmazonSee on Bookshop.org
7. Helen Oyeyemi
This British-Nigerian author may not be your average slasher-horror writer, but some of her dark, disturbing books are perfect for lovers of both gothic fiction and dark African folklore. If you like psychological thrillers and understated, rather than in-your-face horror that nonetheless gets under your skin, you’ll appreciate her award-winning fiction.
Popular books by Helen Oyeyemi
White is for Witching (2009): An unforgettable mystery, a meditation on race, nationality and family legacies, and revolving around a mysterious and grand house in Dover, England, this terrifying novel brings a refreshing, original twist to the evil mansion gothic horror trope. An award-winning book is elegant and absorbing.
See on AmazonSee on Bookshop.org
The Icarus Girl (2005): Oyeyemi’s debut novel is lyrical, bold, and award-winning. This original variation on the literary theme of doubles is highly disturbing and draws on Nigerian mythology for its horror and supernatural elements.
See on AmazonSee on Bookshop.org
8. Shane Hawk
This Native American author blends the lines between genres with his works, and often delves into horror. His works in the genre often incorporate elements from Native American folklore and mythology and elements from indigenous life.
Popular books by Shane Hawk
Anoka (2020): The debut horror collection from Hawk features everything from werewolves to cloned children, pagan witches, and skeletal bison. This collection of indigenous horror stories explores themes of family, grief, loneliness, and identity, while delivering strong horror thrills and chills throughout.
See on AmazonSee on Bookshop.org
9. Yvette Tan
One of the Philippines’ most celebrated horror writers offers a glimpse into modern Filipino life, as well as local mythology and folklore. Her books are hard to get a hold of in English, but you can get them on Amazon Kindle and enjoy her dark, disturbing imagination.
Popular books by Yvette Tan
Waking the Dead and Other Stories: Considered a significant work in Pinoy horror fiction, this is a solid, powerful introduction to Tan’s work, and the Pinoy horror landscape. Explore the dark, supernatural side of the Philippines with this diverse and creepy tales.
See on Amazon
Seek Ye Whore and Other Stories (2023): The second collection of short horror stories offers a panoramic view of the Filipino experience, in the Philippines, as well as in the US. Blending humour with darkness, modern themes with folklore and speculative fiction, this is a treat for those interested in horror and Pinoy culture.
10. Nalo Hopkinson
Although mostly known as a speculative fiction and fantasy writer, this Canadian-Jamaican author dabbles in horror and uses elements of horror in her works. Her work often explores themes of race, identity, and Caribbean folklore, with a powerful, unique voice.
Popular books by Nalo Hopkinson
Skin Folk: Stories (2018): This collection of stories ranges from science fiction, to romance, and outright horror, and is the best place to read Hopkinson’s work in the horror genre, as well as get a good introduction to her award-winning writing style.
See on AmazonSee on Bookshop.org
Know of any more great POC horror writers? Let us know in the comments below!
