For those out there interested in diving into the horror history that features women, whether it be as a scream queen, screenwriter, director, or whatever else, there are plenty of volumes of titles dedicated to just this type of learning. So, I’ve listed a few of them below with the details in case you’re interested in doing a little more digging.

1000 Women in Horror
by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
Published by BearManor Media, July 2020
600 pages.

This is a massive volume that covers a lot of ground here, with interviews, photos, and plenty of information.

You can also read our book review on this HERE. Or click HERE for the Amazon link.

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Bloody Women: Women Directors of Horror
by Victoria McCollum (editor)
Published by Lehigh University Press, 2024

From Amazon, “Bloody Women traces changing gender dynamics in the horror film industry to explore how women have played a crucial role in defining the genre of horror understood as a scholarly discipline, cultural institution, and site of pleasure. While acknowledging that women in the industry face ongoing challenges, this book focuses on their diverse contributions as creators, consumers, and critics of horror, showing how women have been essential in shaping the goals and methods of the genre. Aimed at both scholarly and general readers, the chapters bring together the expertise of filmmakers, festival programmers, and scholars to argue that women have affected a reimagining of horror.”

Just click HERE for the Amazon link.

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The Cinema Coven: Witches, Witchcraft and Women’s Filmmaking
by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
Published by McFarland, 2024
120 pages

This is set to be published at the end of the year, but knowing this author’s work, it will be well worth getting. According to Amazon, “This book examines the relationship between women, witchcraft, and filmmaking, exploring types of storytelling and the central themes in these movies. Such films span the globe and have starred prominent figures like Madonna, Bette Midler, Bjork, and Nicole Kidman, as well as lesser-known women behind the scenes. Some of these filmmakers have premiered their works at major film festivals, while others have produced content for television and video releases. While notable in their diversity, these movies share one crucial thing: they were all created by women in an industry broadly dominated by men.”

Just click HERE for the Amazon link.

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Confessions of a Scream Queen
by Matt Beckoff
Published by BearManor Media, 2010
260 pages

In this book, the author interviews 15 different “Ladies of Horror”, who span 9 decades of cinema, including names like Lupita Tovar, Judith O’Dea, Marilyn Burns, Adrienne Barbeau, Betsy Palmer and more!

Just click HERE for the Amazon link.

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Creepy Bitches: Essays on Horror From Women in Horror
by Alyse Wax and Rebekah McKendry
Published by BearManor Media, 2021
204 pages

This book covers all areas of the genre, from the film industry, the fandom, to growing up in a video store. It explores gender roles in The Creature from the Black Lagoon series, as well as the therapeutic benefits of watching scary movies, and much more.

Just click HERE for the Amazon link.

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I Spit on Your Celluloid: The History of Women Directing Horror Movies
by Heidi Honeycutt
Published by Headpress, 2024
464 pages

According to Amazon, “Having conducted hundreds of interviews and watched thousands of horror films, Heidi Honeycutt defines the political and cultural forces that shape the way modern horror movies are made by women. The women’s rights and civil rights movements, new distribution technology, digital cameras, the destruction of the classic studio system, and the abandonment of the Hays code have significantly impacted women directors and their movies. So, too, social media, modern ideas of gender and racial equality, LGBTQ acceptance, and a new generation of provocative, daring films that take shocking risks in the genre.

Just click HERE for the Amazon link.

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The Lady from the Black Lagoon
by Mallory O’Meara
Published by Hanover Square Press, 2020
336 pages

While most fans know the incredible design for the title gill-man from The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), but many didn’t know it was designed by a woman. O’Meara tells the story of not only Millicent Patrick who did design it, but how her story sort of intertwined with the author’s.

You can read my review of the book by clicking HERE.

Or you can click HERE for the Amazon link.

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The Science of Women in Horror: The Special Effects, Stunts, and True Stories Behind Your Favorite Films
by Meg Hafdahl & Kelly Florence
Published by Skyhorse, 2020
264 pages

“Through interviews, film analysis, and bone-chilling discoveries, The Science of Women in Horror uncovers the theories behind women’s most iconic roles of the genre. Explore age-old tropes such as “The Innocent” like Lydia in Beetlejuice, “The Gorgon” like Pamela Voorhees in Friday the 13th, and “The Mother” like Norma Bates in Pyscho and Bates Motel, and delve deeper into female-forward film and TV including The Haunting of Hill House, Teeth, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and more.”

You can read my review HERE, or click HERE for the Amazon link.

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