The Future of Fear: 4 Upcoming Horror Authors You Need to Know

Hey there, fear fans. If you’re a horror fan who thrives on fresh blood—figuratively speaking—then 2025 is your year. The genre is evolving fast, and a new wave of authors is redefining what it means to be truly terrified. From psychological dread to cosmic horror, these rising stars are pushing bloody boundaries and crafting unique nightmares. Whether you’re a seasoned horror reader or just dipping your toes into the dreaded abyss, the following four authors deserve a spot on your radar—and your bookshelf.

1. Brian McAuley

Notable Work: Breathe In, Bleed Out
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Release Date: September 2, 2025

Brian McAuley is no stranger to horror, but 2025 marks a turning point in his career. Known for Curse of the Reaper and Candy Cain Kills, McAuley has carved out a niche in slasher horror with a cinematic flair. His latest novel, Breathe In, Bleed Out, takes the genre to a chilling new level by setting the carnage in a wellness retreat in Joshua Tree.

The story follows Hannah, a woman haunted by the mysterious death of her fiancé during a wilderness trip. Seeking healing, she joins a spiritual retreat led by the enigmatic Guru Pax. But what begins as a journey of self-discovery quickly devolves into a blood-soaked nightmare as a killer stalks the retreat’s attendees.

McAuley’s strength lies in his ability to blend psychological trauma with visceral horror, creating characters you care about—and fear for. If you love slashers with depth and dread, McAuley is your guy.

2. Bitter Karella

Notable Work: Moonflow
Publisher: Run For It
Release Date: September 2, 2025

Bitter Karella is one of the most unique voices in horror today. Their novel Moonflow defies easy categorization, offering a hallucinogenic journey into cosmic horror, folklore, and psychological decay. The story centers on Sarah, a trans woman and mushroom cultivator who ventures into the Pamogo forest in search of the mythical “King’s Breakfast”—a fungus said to grant divine knowledge.

But the forest is no ordinary place. It’s a pitch-black labyrinth teeming with cults, forgotten gods, and something ancient that’s waking up. Karella’s prose is lyrical and unsettling, weaving surreal imagery with existential dread. Moonflow is a must-read for fans of Lovecraftian horror with a modern, inclusive twist.

If you’re craving horror that’s weird, wild, and deeply original, Bitter Karella is the author to watch.

3. Eric LaRocca

Notable Work: We Are Always Tender With Our Dead
Publisher: Titan Books
Release Date: September 9, 2025

Eric LaRocca has already made waves with Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke, but his new novel marks a bold evolution in his storytelling. We Are Always Tender With Our Dead is the first installment in the Burnt Sparrow trilogy, and it’s being hailed as one of the most brutal and emotionally devastating horror novels of the year.

Set in the isolated town of Burnt Sparrow, New Hampshire, the story begins with a horrific act of violence committed by three faceless entities on Christmas morning. As the town reels from the tragedy, young Rupert Cromwell must navigate grief, trauma, and a growing sense of dread that permeates every corner of his world.

LaRocca’s writing is visceral and poetic, unflinching in its exploration of cruelty, loss, and the fragile boundaries of humanity. If you’re looking for horror that challenges you emotionally and morally, LaRocca is essential reading.

4. Andrew Joseph White

Notable Work: You Weren’t Meant to Be Human
Publisher: Saga Press
Release Date: September 9, 2025

Andrew Joseph White made a name for himself in YA horror, but his adult debut is a revelation. Described as Alien meets Midsommar, You Weren’t Meant to Be Human is a grotesque, genre-bending tale set in the Appalachian wilderness, where festering hives of worms and flies offer salvation to desperate humans—in exchange for corpses.

The protagonist, Crane, finds solace in this twisted ecosystem, finally able to transition and live without speaking. But salvation comes at a cost, and as Crane’s relationship with Levi—a brutal ex-Marine—deepens, the horror escalates into something primal and apocalyptic.

White’s work is bold, queer, and unapologetically grotesque. He’s not just writing horror—he’s reshaping it. If you want to see where the genre is headed, start here.

How These Authors are Making Waves

The horror genre is undergoing a renaissance, and these authors are at the forefront. They’re not just telling scary stories—they’re exploring trauma, identity, grief, and transformation through the lens of fear. Their work reflects a broader cultural shift toward inclusive, emotionally resonant horror that doesn’t shy away from the grotesque or the taboo.

Whether it’s McAuley’s slasher sophistication, Karella’s surreal myth-making, LaRocca’s emotional brutality, or White’s body horror with heart, these writers are expanding the genre in unpredictable and thrilling ways.

The Wrap-Up: Horror’s Next Chapter

2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for horror fiction. These four authors are redefining what it means to be scared—and why we seek out those scares in the first place. If you’re a horror enthusiast, now’s the time to dive into their work and witness the future of fear unfold.

So light a candle, lock your doors, and crack open one of these terrifying tales. Just don’t blame me if you sleep with the lights on.