Author – Screenwriter – Educator
“Telecommuting is a prescient, chilling exploration of contemporary isolation from each other, from our hopes and dreams. Suspenseful and gripping, L. Marie Wood crafts psychological horror you can’t put down!”
– John Edward Lawson, author of Bibliophobia
“Vampire fans will get their fill here, as will horror readers thirsty for a fresh, unexpected take on one of the genres oldest mythologies.”
– Library Journal
“[L. Marie Wood’s] prose is the ink-and-pulp equivalent of a whisper in the dark, an icy talon clutching the throat, a dead man’s kiss upon your lips as you sleep.”
– Anthony Beal
The 99 stories in The Unholy Trinity are the keys to the past; they are the keys to the doors that open to the dark.
“From the very first page this novel is a series of extremely disturbing events, particularly nightmarish dream sequences. Centering on one man’s imminent insanity and death (think Jacob’s Ladder or Stir of Echoes), Crescendo draws a fine line between what is madness and what is supernatural.”
Women in Horror
Crescendo is a novel about fate and the lengths we will travel to avoid the inevitable.
Is it just me or is the year flying by?
Oh, wait… let me share my writing music for today because, you guys, WOW.
Ok, back to the topic at hand. 🙂
I feel like the year is moving so quickly, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I hope you are feeling productive in whatever you are working on. I am feeling it over here as I finish editing a novella and get ready to start writing the next novel. I’ve read some amazing books in the past few weeks including Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman, Dexter in the Dark by Jeff Lindsay (I’m working through the series – this is book 3), and The Nanny by Gilly MacMillan. I am in the middle of The Audition by Ryu Murakami and Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan and I am enjoying every word of each. The moment I finish these two I will start House of Rain and Bone by Gabino Iglesias – I am so excited about this one!
I have been loving the movies recently (ok when do I not? I go see everything horror, thriller, action, suspense. I absolutely love sitting in a darkened theater eating popcorn and getting ready for a sensory treat). My summer movie pick has to be A Quiet Place: Day One for many reasons, not the least of which is the strong performance Lupita Nyong’o had. It is an important movie when you look at it through a critical lens. I liked it so much, I wrote an essay about it. Check it out here at NightTide.
Summer is the busy season for authors and this year was no exception. I had a blast at StokerCon and AuthorCon. I also had loads of fun signing the Raw Dog Screaming Press anthology Beyond the Bounds of Infinity at Vortex Books. And there’s more to come! If you are going DragonCon, I’ll be there! I have a lot of panels and a signing, so come say hi! I will also be at Capclave, at a the Blair Witch celebration with a few books on 9/14, at a signing for the release of my nonfiction book (more on that in a second) at Fuzzy Dog Books and Music on 10/5, and I’ll be back at Vortex Books & Comics for my own signing on 12/4.
About my new book… y’all…
“This is a book not only for casual fans of horror but for those who study it as well. Illuminating and revelatory, Wood has offered an important new volume in a growing area of exploration.”-Sheree Renée Thomas, Three-time World Fantasy Award winner and author of Nine Bar Blues: Stories from an Ancient Future, Sleeping Under the Tree of Life, editor of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, and associate editor of Obsidian
“THE HORROR AESTHETIC is a brilliant, elegant and deeply insightful exploration of the many faces of horror. This will enchant both scholars and…well…everyone! Very highly recommended!” –Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of NecroTek and editor of Weird Tales Magazine
“… Wood’s collection stands out as more than a book. Rather, it could be seen as a course on horror, genre fans, and society as a whole…”-Becky Spratford, Booklist
“A thoughtful and engrossing examination of horror fiction’s enduring popularity and place in society. Absolutely essential reading for fans and scholars alike.” – Brian Keene, Bestselling author
That’s just some of what people have been saying out my little book! I am so excited to release this book on October 4, 2024. Here is the back cover copy:
Many creatures lurk in the dark, weaving on top of one another, roiling together like waves on the night sea. The darkness forms in layers to encompass the land, fill the corners, and obscure angles. Untold mysteries lie just beyond reach told in many tongues, many inflections, many rhythms.
The stories are many.
Innumerable.
Legion.
The Horror Aesthetic: Essays from the Dark Corners of the Genre shares perspectives from the darkest corners of the horror genre, providing study and nuance to the mythos, antagonists, and storytelling we love. This is a book that celebrates the craft of writing horror, explores the oral traditions that gave life to the written words of the gothic and the tortured, shines a light on what has been left in the obscurity of the dark. From the classroom to the far corners that only shadows reach, The Horror Aesthetic: Essays from the Dark Corners of the Genre examines the horror genre in rich context, contemplative zest, and dark humor.
It’s the horror research you never knew you needed until now.
You can pre-order now – it is available in hardcvover, paperback, and ebook. There will be an audiobook as well – narrated by ME!
There are short stories coming out in the next few months as well – Sudden Fictions podcast will likely be the next release. I think late August or early September. “Model Home” is the tale and it is fun. Keep an eye out for it here.
Also be on the look out for stories in House of Gamut, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, and more! Check out what’s coming soon here!
The Lost Stories is also coming out soon. It is book 4 of The Open Book Universe. Before it drops, are you all caught up?
Also… YOU GUYS… I am so honored to be nominated for an Ignyte Award! Wow – it blows my mind completely to be among such talented company. If you haven’t already, please check out the ballot and celebrate these amazing authors.
You’ll find my essay, “The Fear/Horror of Change” waaayyyyy at the bottom in nonfiction – please do take a look!
I think that’s all on my end. I have some writing to do – there should be a few essays and interviews out in the next few months, so I’d better get cracking! 🙂
Until next time,
L. Marie
I’d never heard of the term ‘June Gloom’ before going to StokerCon in San Diego earlier this month and finding it overcast every morning. But that was the extend of the June Gloom for me becuase this month has been nothing but June BOOM (see what I did there?). What an awesome month this has been and I’m gonna tell you all about it, but before I start going on and on, lemme share my latest music find: Ampiano. It is like deep house – kinda reminds me of Blue Six, but with a little Afrobeats vibe too. I LOVE IT. I’m actually listening to it right now!
Here is the video to what I am listeing to. The place looks like my first apartment, though I couldn’t have fit this many people inside:
OK, now that you have something to listen to, check THIS out (stealing from a post I wrote, because it says all the stuff I still mean): So…
I was gonna release this cover as a teaser, something blocking most of it, obscuring it from view, was going to slowly step it out there as we approached the pre-order announcement… and then the pre-order hit #1!!!!! I can’t begin to explain how jaw-droppingly amazing it was to go on Amazon to grab the pre-order link so I could update my website, and be met with an orange banner before promo had ever begun.
And, you guys, the book stayed #1 for like 5 days!!!!!!!
OMG!
So… I wanna say something about this cover now because it blows my mind.
I wanna say something about the book too, because it has been a long time in the making.
But first I wanna say thank you so very much to everyone who already pre-ordered. It means so very much – I can’t even explain.
This cover was created by Maya Preisler. They’ve done many covers for my work – way back to Telecommuting – but the process for this one had the most beautifully collaborative vibe. I want to thank them for that and this stunner of an end result.
I want to thank Mocha Memoirs Press, LLC for hearing this vision and nodding along with me. I know what that nod means, friend, and I appreciate you going out on the ledge with me time and time again.
ABOUT THIS BOOK…
Well, let me let the back cover copy speak for itself:
Many creatures lurk in the dark, weaving on top of one another, roiling together like waves on the night sea. The darkness forms in layers to encompass the land, fill the corners, and obscure angles. Untold mysteries lie just beyond reach told in many tongues, many inflections, many rhythms.
The stories are many.
Innumerable.
Legion.
The Horror Aesthetic: Essays from the Dark Corners of the Genre shares perspectives from the darkest corners of the horror genre, providing study and nuance to the mythos, antagonists, and storytelling we love. This is a book that celebrates the craft of writing horror, explores the oral traditions that gave life to the written words of the gothic and the tortured, shines a light on what has been left in the obscurity of the dark. From the classroom to the far corners that only shadows reach, The Horror Aesthetic: Essays from the Dark Corners of the Genre examines the horror genre in rich context, contemplative zest, and dark humor.
It’s the horror research you never knew you needed until now.
**********
It’s a fun one, y’all, one I’ve been writing for years.
If you want to pre-order this beauty, I would be overjoyed and honored. It is available on Kindle here: https://a.co/d/07kHzDtN and you can pre-order the paperback here: https://mochamemoirspress.com/…/the-horror-aesthetic…/
The paperback will release on 10/4/2024 on Amazon as well.
But WAIT! There’s more!
Or maybe not… now that I’ve said that, I think I already told you guys about The Lost Stories coming out toward the end of the summer (book 4 of The Open Book universe).
Did you catch my article on Juneteenth?
I appreciate House of Gamut for providing a platform where I could speak about my thoughts – I hope the piece resonates with people.
Let’s see…. what else…
🙂
I hope your June is like mine – a BOOM and not GLOOM-y. 🙂
That’s it for today! Until next time…
L. Marie
Sheesh! Time is moving FAST these days! May is almost over. I’m ready for the warmer weather, but I’m not loving how quickly things seem to be moving. SMH.
How’ve you been?
Me? Things have been good. REALLY good, actually. This kind of good:
YAHOOOO!!!!!
So excited to see this beauty earn an orange banner! If you haven’t read The Unholy Trinity yet, you definitely should make space on your TBR stack for it. 99 stories of terror? Yes, please!
I’m excited to be part of this non-fiction work. The title alone is just straight up creepy. Sometimes it’s fun to think deeply and write profuesely. 🙂 If you like academic writing from a horror perspective, check this out!
Stuff’s coming – some magazines, some books, some stories – but I’ll talk about those in another newsletter (ha!). For now, let’s talk about psychological horror (my favorite topic) vs. gore. This is the age-old debate among horror enthusiasts: What really sends those shivers down our spines? Is it the gruesome sight of gore, or the subtle, creeping dread of psychological horror? Let’s dive into this discussion with a flashlight in one hand and a protective blanket in the other because, let’s face it, we might need both by the end of this.
The Gory Details
Gore horror, or splatter horror as it’s sometimes lovingly called, relies heavily on explicit portrayals of violence, bloodshed, and visceral terror. Think classic slashers like Friday the 13th or the stomach-churning scenes of Saw. These films make no apologies for their graphic content, aiming to shock and appall their audience with a visual feast of the macabre.
The appeal? It’s straightforward. Gore horror taps into our primal disgust and fear of bodily harm. It’s in-your-face, it’s bloody, and for many, it’s thrilling. The adrenaline rush from witnessing these cinematic spectacles can be akin to riding a roller coaster — scary, yet exhilarating.
Mind Games
On the other side of the eerie spectrum lies psychological horror, a genre that prefers to play long games of chess with your mind. Films and books in this category, such as The Shining or Hereditary, rely on atmosphere, suspense, and the unknown to elicit fear. It’s less about what you see and more about what you don’t see — the things that lurk in the shadows or, even worse, in the depths of the human psyche.
Psychological horror challenges our perceptions and plays on our deepest fears, often leaving a lasting impression long after the initial experience. It’s the slow burn, the creeping dread that something is not quite right, that perhaps the real monsters are in our heads.
So, what scares us more?
The debate boils down to personal preference and, perhaps, what we’re afraid of on a deeper level. Gore horror confronts us with the undeniable fragility of our bodies, a visceral reminder of our mortality. Psychological horror, however, confronts us with the fragility of our minds, tapping into fears that are more abstract and often more personal.
Studies in the field of psychology suggest that fear responses are highly individual,
shaped by personal experiences, cultural background, and even biology. For instance, a study by Andrade and Cohen (2007) found that different people have different thresholds for disgust and fear, influencing their reactions to horror.
The Verdict
Is one genre superior to the other in terms of its ability to scare? Not necessarily. Both gore and psychological horror have their place in the pantheon of terror, each serving to scare in its unique way. The real question might be what you’re in the mood for — a visceral shock to the system or a haunting journey into the depths of fear itself?
In the end, whether you prefer your horror soaked in blood or steeped in suspense, the world of horror offers something for every taste. So, the next time you’re deciding between a gory slasher or a psychological thriller for movie night, remember: the best choice is the one that gets your heart racing.
This playful foray into the debate between psychological horror and gore offers a
glimpse into the diverse tapestry of horror and what makes our hearts beat faster in the dark. Whether you lean towards the gore that shocks your senses or the psychological narratives that unsettle your mind, the essence of horror remains the same: to confront the unknown, the fearful, and the profoundly unsettling aspects of life and imagination.
References
● Andrade, E. B., & Cohen, J. B. (2007). On the Consumption of Negative Feelings.
Journal of Consumer Research, 34(3), 283-300.
● Carroll, N. (1990). The Philosophy of Horror or Paradoxes of the Heart. Routledge.
An exploration of why people are drawn to horror films.
● King, S. (1981). Danse Macabre. Everest House. Stephen King’s analysis of the
horror genre in literature and film.
● Skal, D. J. (1993). The Monster Show: A Cultural History of Horror. Penguin Books.
A comprehensive history of the horror genre from a cultural perspective.
Let’s see – what else? Oh! Con season! I’ll be at Balticon virtually this year on a few interesting panels, and both in person and virtually at StokerCon. If you are going to either of those, see you there!
Until next time,
L. Marie
I’m ready for spring.
Are you?
I need it, because it only gets us closer to summer, and that is the season I love most. The sun, the sundresses, the smell of food cooking on the grill… all of this… I’m ready for it. The kick-off of spring also means the start of convention season and I am here for that too! I will be at a couple of places this year – one brand new place that I am super excited about.
All this after I have a triple-punch, mama said knock you out-type of April!
Sara Sue is bored with her suburban life, but then late one night, she witnesses something sinister in the park near her home and things get interesting.
The next day, Sara Sue makes a gruesome discovery in the shadows of the playground. Compelled to investigate, she soon realizes all is not what it seems in her sleepy neighborhood. Dark secrets lie just beneath the surface.
Someone close to her is hiding the truth.
When strange things start happening, Sara Sue realizes she’s being watched. Now she must untangle the mystery before the shadows come for her as well.
But can she uncover the truth in time to escape the looming threats that surround her?
This is the third installment in The Open Book universe and is the product of a fevered dream experienced by one of the survivors. From his scratchings,
“Hands moving, words flowing from someplace else, someplace other, someplace…
Fevered dream
disconnected
life eternal
dead
void
life nonexistent
Life…
Limbo…
Words unknown from a space unknowable”
Come find out what happened.
Come see what he brought with him.
Dive into the terrifying worlds of L. Marie Wood. These stories range from quiet horror, hinting at the things buried there in your psyche – the thing that will come out to play after dark, and visceral horror that leaves no doubt what lies in a bloody heap in the middle of the floor.
The Unholy Trinity combines L. Marie Wood’s horror collections, Caliginy, Phantasma, and Anathema into one frightening volume of quiet, extreme, and dark horror, psychological thrillers, and rousing suspense that will keep you teetering on the edge of your seat.
Strap in.
You’re in for a wild ride.
Blackpink said it best when they said I hit you with that Ddu-du ddu-du du! (Warning: if you click this video, the song will stay in your head 4eva!)
I will be around town at a few places this con season:
If you are going to be at any of these events say hey!
I’m excited – the words are flowing, and it’s good.
Feel like reading something this very second? Check out this quick drabble (100 words – no more, no less. This is such a neat form – I’m having fun exploring it). Here it is beautifully free:
And I guess that’s it for now! Hope you are enjoying your space, your time, and your skin.
Until next time…
L. Marie
Have you ever curled up with a horror novel, heart pounding, jumping at every little noise in your house, yet you couldn’t put the book down? Or maybe you’ve binged through a horror series, feeling both terrified and utterly captivated. Ever wonder what’s going on in your noggin during those intense moments of fear and fascination? Let’s dive into the eerie world of how horror stories mess with our brains and tug at our emotions, shall we?
First up, let’s talk about your brain, that beautiful blob of gray matter that loves to freak you out. When you’re absorbed in a horror story, your amygdala (let’s call it the fear center of the brain) kicks into high gear. It’s like the amygdala is at a rock concert, lighting up with activity. This response triggers a cascade of physical reactions: increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, and that oh-so-familiar adrenaline rush. It’s the body’s way of prepping you to either fight for
your life or run like the wind.
But why do we keep coming back for more, you ask? Well, there’s something oddly satisfying about being scared in a safe environment. This controlled scare allows us to experience and process fear on our terms, which can be exhilarating. It’s like riding a roller coaster; we enjoy the thrill because we know, deep down, we’re actually safe. This phenomenon is linked to the
concept of “vicarious risk-taking.” Reading about characters facing unspeakable horrors or navigating through a haunted house lets us explore our fears without real-world consequences.
Here’s where it gets interesting. When we dive into horror stories, we’re not just passive observers; we often empathize with the characters. We feel their fear, their desperation, and their will to survive. This empathy activates parts of our brain associated with social understanding and emotional processing. It’s a bit of a mental workout, really, enhancing our ability to connect with and understand others’ emotions.
Aristotle was onto something when he talked about catharsis—the idea that experiencing fear and pity through art purges these emotions, leaving us feeling refreshed. Horror stories can serve as a form of emotional release. They allow us to confront our darkest fears, scream (either internally or literally), and then, crucially, close the book or turn off the TV. We’ve faced the abyss, and hey, we’re still here.
Ever had a nightmare after a horror story binge? That’s your brain processing what you’ve fed it. While not always pleasant, this can strengthen our coping mechanisms. Each scare, each nightmare, is an opportunity for our brains to practice dealing with fear in a controlled setting, potentially making us more resilient to real-life stressors.
Horror: Not Just for Halloween
● Zillmann, D. (1996). The psychology of suspense in dramatic exposition. In P. Vorderer, H.
J. Wulff, & M. Friedrichsen (Eds.), Suspense: Conceptualizations, theoretical analyses, and
empirical explorations. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.
● Mar, R. A., Oatley, K., Hirsh, J., dela Paz, J., & Peterson, J. B. (2006). Bookworms versus
nerds: Exposure to fiction versus non-fiction, divergent associations with social ability, and
the simulation of fictional social worlds. Journal of Research in Personality, 40(5), 694-
712.
● Andrade, E. B., & Cohen, J. B. (2007). On the Consumption of Negative Feelings. Journal
of Consumer Research, 34(3), 283-300.
● Harris, S. (2010). The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values. Free
Press. (For insights into brain function and morality/empathy.)
● Kerr, M., Siegle, G. J., & Orsini, J. (2009). Voluntary arousing negative experiences (VANE):
Why we like to be scared. Emotion, 9(5), 682-695.
● Scrivner, C., Johnson, J. A., Kjeldgaard-Christiansen, J., & Clasen, M. (2020).
Pandemic practice: Horror fans and morbidly curious individuals are more
psychologically resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic. Personality and Individual
Differences, 168, 110397.
I always have!
After all, it’s Black History Month, my birthday month, the former Women in Horror month, the shortest month, and the coolest month (with leap year and all that). It is also the month where I get to announce new flavor in your ear and candy for your eyes. That’s right – NEW RELEASES!
Well, kinda…
So far…
The audiobook version of The Realm (book one) had been released and it is capitvating! Jarrod Taylor’s voice caresses the words, hypnotizing you, enmeshing you into the tale. Get started! Books two and three are soon to follow!
The Promise Keeper is back and with a cover that really shows out. Thank you, Mocha Memoirs, for the new dress!
Same amazing psychological horror ghost story, new publisher. This cover is everything. And now it’s home! Do you know this, my first, horror novel? If not, you should – it is a WILD ride!
I have the distinct honor of making it onto the preliminary ballot for the Stoker award in the long fiction category! This gorgeous novella, The Open Book, is in the running and I couldn’t be more excited. What’s it about? Well…
Something strange is going on.
Something is permeating its victims, crawling inside, taking over their lives and destroying them before moving on to the next. The people seemingly have nothing in common… nothing except the book they happened upon before their deaths. The Open Book is a horror novella that dives into people’s lives, connecting them in the worst possible ways.
If you are an Active or Lifetime member and want to check it out, let me know!
Stay tuned for some panel replays this month as well – I was able to talk with some of my friends about African American Horror, Black Horror Movies, and Women in Horror. ConTinual will post these throughout the month, so check them out on Facebook and Youtube.
Good stuff!
I’m writing! I just finished the 5th book in a series that has psychologial horror, sci-fi, thriller, mystery, action, and romance elements. I’m going to begin writing the next in line – a thriller novel. (SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT!). Busy fingers!
Until next time…
L. Marie
L. Marie Wood