She understands how the world sees queer people like herself. She understands how the world sees transgendered people like herself. In The Worm and His Kings, Hailey Piper makes an empathetic case for cosmic horror by turning it upside down and making the Other the heroine. Works like Matt Ruff’s Lovecraft Country and its subsequent TV adaptation take that legacy head on. Lovecraft’s loud, proud prejudices - the superiority of Anglo-Saxon blood, immigrants spoiling it, and the resulting Others eroding the very foundations of Western civilization. The nihilistic themes that persevere across modern art - the universe’s unyielding cruelty, invading horrors beyond human comprehension, tentacles - only do so one false move away from H.P. More complicated for longer works than short storiesģ2:32: Lack of Agency and Bodily Autonomy and Horrorģ5:57: Writing Short Stories vs.The genre is now and possibly forever known better by the last name of its racist, misogynist, and homophobic godfather.Maser Cannon | Gojipedia | Fandom (fictional laser weapon).

Two-brains theory about dinosaurs debunked ( Smithsonian article here).Indie Presses blurring genres and taking risks.No Gods for Drowning published by Polis Books (horror/dark-fantasy/noire/mystery).Your Mind is a Terrible Thing published by Off Limits Press (space horror).Cruel Angels Past Sundown published by Death’s Head Press (splatter-Western).We need more diversity in writers and editors/publishersĩ:55: Writing in Different Horror Subgenres.Polis Books (Publisher of upcoming No Gods for Drowning).Do your research when choosing a publisher and read the contract.A list of Hailey’s short story publications can be found on her website hereĢ:00 Publishing and Advice for New Writers.Cruel Angels Past Sundown published by Death’s Head Press (upcoming 2023).No Gods for Drowning published by Polis Books (upcoming Fall 2022).Your Mind is a Terrible Thing published by Off Limits Press (upcoming Spring 2022).The Possession of Natalie Glasgow published by.

Benny Rose the Cannibal King published by Unnerving Books.Unfortunate Elements of My Anatomy published by The Seventh Terrace.Queen of Teeth published by Rooster Republic Press/Strangehouse Books.The Worm and His Kings published by Off Limits Press.You can follow Hailey on Twitter and Instagram and learn more on her website.

Hailey Piper is a Horror Writers Association member and the author of numerous short stories and longer works of horror fiction including The Worm and His Kings and Queen of Teeth (see HV’s review here).

The Worm and His Kings by Hailey Piper