If you are looking to read some new stories to get you in the spooky mood ready for Halloween, then look no further. I have edited together a list of 10 books with themes of paranormal events, horror, magic and witches that all feature WLW characters and/or LGBTQA+ representation. Being able to read an eery tale with characters that you can relate to just makes the magic of reading a chilling plot even better.
You may have noticed there are no vampire related stories in this list… I feel like this is a sub-genre of horror that I couldn’t just touch on within this list of 10, so a vampire book edit is definitely in the works!
Are you ready for some truly spine-chilling plots, bloodcurdling mysteries ready to solve and some fascinating yet unnerving characters? Here are 10 scarily good Lesbian Halloween reads to get you feeling spooky
1. Magic and Romance: A collection of Lesbian Short Stories by Niamh Murphy
Let’s kick this list off with Niamh’s collection of short stories Magic and Romance. Niamh is a UK based historian, archaeologist, and bestselling author of adventure books with lesbian main characters. She tells epic fantasy stories with romantic plots and gripping adventures.
Magic and Romance, published in 2017, is a cross-genre collection of Sapphic tales with various characters and worlds. Within these short stories, you will get familiar with vampires, werewolves and knights in shining armour, so this is the perfect magical mix to get you feeling in the Halloween spirit.
Whether you’re reading historical romance or contemporary rom-com, vampire thrillers or epic fantasy, gothic horror or teen drama, one thing is for certain. You’ll fall in love with Magic and Romance!
You can start reading the collection now, with Niamh’s take on a spooky Victorian Gothic Horror short, The Black Hound.
The complete book is available now on Amazon.
2. Yak by Lois Cloarec Hart
Yak is a short story for Halloween by Lesbian Fiction Author Lois Cloarec who has written novels including Coming Home, Broken Faith, Kicker’s Journey, Walking the Labyrinth, and a collection of short stories.
Yak is a mysterious paranormal story following the romance of Leni, a small-town, blue-collar lesbian who starts a new job, which leads her to meet Yak.
Leni is fascinated by Yak and starts to learn the truth about this mysterious character.
Yak is also one of the stories featured on Niamh’s list of 12 FREE Spooky Lesbian Stories to Sink Your Fangs Into.
Available on Amazon.
3. Fist of the Spider Woman: Tales of Fear and Queer Desire edited by Amber Dawn
This is an anthology of 16 horror stories written by queer women with a perfect combination of adult fiction (erotica), gothic and noir.
This is a take on classic horror stories exploring how they can be written without the traditional aspects of female oppression and male gaze.
Readers say that the mix of erotic stories and horror is an innovative and refreshing take on horror stories and the stories are diverse with queer, lesbian and trans representation. (TW: aspects of violence/lack of consent).
If you are looking for other anthologies to read this Halloween, you can check out my post featuring 10 short story collections for WLW looking to get in the Halloween mood here.
Available on Amazon.
4. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Taking it back to a classic spooky and chilling ghost story, The Haunting of Hill House is a 1959 gothic horror novel by American author Shirley Jackson.
This is an iconic book that has been made into two feature films, a play and the popular series adaptation by Mike Flanagan for Netflix.
The plot is based around the haunted mansion Hill House and follows the spooky and strange events and supernatural phenomena that occurs to the inhabitants of the house.
Within the subtext of this story, there is some queerness speculated for character Theodora who is a Bohemian artist.
Many readers have said they believe Jackson wanted to indicate that this character loved women, without explicitly stating so (this was published in the 50s after all).
The Netflix adaptation also features some WLW content so is worth a watch!
Available on Amazon.
5. The Red Tree by Caitlin R. Kiernan
Sarah Crowe is a writer who after her relationship with her girlfriend comes to an end, decides to rent an isolated old farmhouse out in rural Rhode Island to hide from the world.
She finds an old manuscript from a previous tenant which leads to some supernatural and scary events.
Readers have said this is an old-fashioned creepy story, with folklore themes and dark psychological undertones.
Available on Amazon.
6. White Is For Witching by Helen Oyeyemi
“This is a spine-tingling tale that has Gothic roots but an utterly modern sensibility.
Told by a quartet of crystalline voices, it is electrifying in its expression of myth and memory, loss and magic, fear and love.“
Readers say this is atmospheric and a frightening tale that explores relationships in many realms including friendships, romantic relationships and families.
White Is For Witching features a lesbian relationship and is overall narrated in mysterious ways leaving lots to your imagination.
Available on Amazon.
7. My Favorite Thing is Monsters by Emil Ferris
Emil Ferris is an American writer, cartoonist, and designer. My Favourite Thing is Monsters was her debut graphic novel in 2017.
This is a 1960s murder mystery that is set in Chicago, with the protagonist drawn as a werewolf in ways that Emil sees herself.
This award-winning novel (2017 Ignatz Award, three Eisner Awards, a Hugo nomination, 2018 Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ Graphic Novel and a Bram Stoker Award nomination among many others), is drawn using ballpoint pen throughout in an innovative and unique art form.
My Favourite Thing is Monsters contains Jewish, Latinx and Queer representation.
Available on Amazon.
8. These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling
So this book is all about Lesbian Witches! These Witches Don’t Burn is set in Salem, Massachusetts and follows main character Hannah, a witch.
Hannah is trying to avoid her ex-girlfriend (and fellow Elemental Witch) over her High School summer break, but her problems become much worse when a terrifying blood ritual interrupts and occurs at School and Dark Magic starts presenting itself.
Readers say this is a gripping tale, with many cliffhangers that mean you just don’t want to put the book down.
Available on Amazon.
9. Keepers of the Cave by Gerri Hill
Gerri Hill is a Lesbian fiction, romance and mystery author who first published her work in 2000.
Keepers of the Cave is the first book in the Johnston & Riley Series with themes of mystery, romance and some paranormal twists.
After the disappearance of a senator’s daughter, the main characters FBI agents CJ and Paige are assigned to East Texas to explore an all-girls school to uncover many mysteries of why people keep going missing.
Keepers of the Cave has the perfect blend of romance and horror to keep you thrilled, excited and a little bit terrified.
Available on Amazon.
10. As the Crow Flies by Karen F. Williams
“Sam Weller, a paranormal novelist, owes her life and writing career to a crow that saved her from certain death in what Sam is convinced was a cosmic act of synchronicity.
When she buys an old bookend that looks like her avian muse, her world begins to resemble the plots of her novels.“
This is a romance novel with some paranormal mystery and ghosts for good measure.
Readers say they got goosebumps, fell in love with the characters and that the story is told beautifully.
Available on Amazon.
If you enjoyed this list, then we have a couple of other lists you might enjoy too!