What Does A Horror Writer Look Like, Anyway?

Freaked Out Author Lori Safranek Gives Us A Glimpse Into The World Of Woman Behind The Pen

I don’t look like Stephen King. His is the face most people think of when you say “horror writer.” Delightfully craggy, that slightly menacing smile, those eyes that hint at madness. He’s the epitome of what a horror writer should look like, right? But I don’t look like him, and I’ve come to terms with that.

I look more like I should teach history to fifth graders, or maybe I should sell quilts in a fabric store. I look like I live in the Midwest, not in the terrifying woods of Maine. When you see me, you’ll assume I’ve maybe brought a casserole or two to church suppers, but you won’t immediately think, “Hey, that gal’s a horror writer.”

At least that’s what people tell me. “You’re a horror writer?” they gasp as they clutch their pearls and push their children behind them. “But… you don’t look  scary!”

“Well,” I say, hiding my very sharp knife. “I’m sorry about that, but I write horror. This is just a disguise I wear to fool people into letting me into their homes and tell them scary stories.” Or I say, “All the other horror writers look just like me! Have you SEEN a recent photo of Clive Barker? He wears these exact same yoga pants.” (He doesn’t, and don’t tell him I said that.)

They twitch and move slowly away from me. Or sometimes, they laugh and ask me about my stories.

I don’t really get offended, because I find it amusing. I think it’s a natural thing for women to explore the world of horror fiction. Women know a hell of a lot about the dark side of life, and that leaves us with a vast well of inspiration for writing the creepy, the frightening, the downright freaky. Women horror writers have produced right along with the men, in a very male-centric genre.

During Women in Horror Month, we need to celebrate the talented women who write horror. From the Mother of Horror, Mary Shelley, to the many excellent horror writers we have today, we put our stamp on this genre, and it’s better for it. I see you out there, Women of Horror! You inspire me and all the other women who have a tale to tell on a dark and stormy night.