WiHM 9 Presents - Megan Reed

1) As a female horror writer what do you bring to the table in terms of what of you write?

A lot of the time, what women find horrifying is different. Much of it is based on the expectations that society places on us, and some is based on the fact that we live a different reality. Those things have been underrepresented in horror entertainment. I try to focus on my own fears, and the fears of other women I know - and find the universality in the unique. 

2) Do you think female authors are underrepresented in the horror genre?

Women have been some of the seminal writers of the genre, but I think in popular culture the names most associated with horror tend to be male. I think that some of the female contributions to horror have been kind of non-traditional and therefore not given the same attention as the one contributions from men. 

3) Tell us about your book(s)

I write horror poetry, short stories, screenplays, and novels. My novel Cedar Lake is due out later this year, and it has a non-traditional female protagonist - an Afghanistan veteran struggling with PTSD - in a traditional cabin-in-the-woods setting. I’m adapting it to screen later this year or early next year. I’m currently in production for A Castle For Emily, a short horror film based on a short story I wrote. It follows two young sisters struggling with the loss of their mother, an abusive father, and a new house where things aren’t what they seem. 

4) Why is horror writing important to you?

Horror is important to me because in some ways, it’s the most honest genre. It’s the most real. We all have dark thoughts. We all have silly fears. We might not share them, and we might even try to deny them to ourselves. But we can’t truly escape them. Horror gives us a safe way to explore those fears, and learn more about the most hidden parts of our own minds. 

5) Is the future of horror female?

The future of horror reflects the future of many formerly male dominated genres...as women gain more of a voice, their stories gain more of an audience, and the value of female-driven horror will continue to be recognized.