recognising women in horror

February is Women in Horror Recognition Month, an event started last year to boost the profile of women who work in all facets of the horror industry.

Check out the web site and the Facebook page for loads of blog posts and events promoting the contribution of women to horror.

To kick it off here I’d like to mention that the results of the 4th Black Quill Awards have been announced. The Awards are voted on by the readers and editors of Dark Scribe Magazine so there are two awards in each category.

A shout-out to Gemma Files, exceptional horror writer, who was the only person to win both the editor and reader pick in any category. She nabbed the ‘Best Small Press Chill’ for her debt novel A Book of Tongues published by CZP (which I can heartily endorse). Her sequel, A Rope of Thorns, is due out in May of this year.

Also, congratulations to the Empress of Editors, Ellen Datlow, for her win in the Best Dark Genre Anthology for Haunted Legends, which she co-edited with Nick Mamatas. Congratulations to all the winners.

The long-list for the Stoker Awards has been announced too. The following women are among the nominees: Gemma Files, Kirstyn McDermott, Lisa Morton (twice), Lucy Snyder, Lisa Mannetti (twice), Margaret B. Simon, Catherynne Valente, Ellen Datlow, Nancy Kilpatrick, Michelle McCrary, Amanda Pillar, Joanne M. Austin, Connie Corcoran Wilson, Janice Gable Bashman, Karen L. Newman and Ann K. Schwader.

It’s great to see a strong representation of women in almost every category, and I hope many of them make it onto the short list. Best of luck to all the nominees and may the best person win!