These horror novels are all written by LGBTQ authors and are perfect for when you’re craving a frightening read. To help you find what you’re looking for, I’ve split the list into adult and YA fiction. For a more in-depth discussion on queer characters in horror, check out this essay written by Rioter S.F. Whitaker. The essay discusses how straight, cisgender characters have traditionally dominated the horror genre while queer characters are often sidelined. Additionally, they discuss the queer horror authors who paved the way for more LGBTQ representation in horror (including Oscar Wilde, Clive Barker, and Billy Martin). Or, if you’d prefer specifically queer haunted horror novels, this round-up can help you find more spooky and atmospheric reads — with picks by Sarah Waters, Lee Mandelo, Rivers Solomon, and many others.
The Best LGBTQ Adult Horror Books
The Best LGBTQ YA Horror Books
Want to learn about the first queer vampire novel? Check out this deep dive on lesbian representation in the classic horror novel Carmilla. When the captain of The Demeter begins to experience troubled dreams, he knows they’re different. He’s used to dreams about lovers who society would never let him have because he is a man. Yet these ones are full of bad omens, and he knows they’re rooted in reality — and in the ship itself.
