WIHM 2026: Meet Jess Hagemann

Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you contribute to the horror genre.

I write transgressive and body horror short stories and novels, most of which comment on reproductive freedom or respond in some way to current events. I also dev-edit and line-edit other authors' work.

What drew you to the horror genre?

When I was little, we took long road trips to visit my grandparents, and my mom helped us pass the time by telling us ghost stories she made up on the spot. I graduated from her stories to R. L. Stine and Alvin Schwartz, then to Stephen King, and today I read almost exclusively in the horror genre. It's an antidote to my anxiety about the world because it prepares me for all kinds of real-world situations and the horrors of man's own making every day. 

What positive changes have you seen happening in the horror community and what are some areas the community can still improve?

I'm glad to see horror as a genre growing in popularity, and to see more women's voices at the forefront. Monika Kim's The Eyes Are the Best Part and Virginia Feito's Victorian Psycho were two recent faves. There's still room for democratization in publishing, with 10% of all authors making 90% of the money.

What are some areas of horror you think are under-explored?

Perimenopausal and menopausal horror—though Sobelo Books has an upcoming anthology on this theme specifically!

Who are some women in horror you think more people should discover?

Kathe Koja (The Cipher), Lucy Rose (The Lamb), Mona Awad (Bunny), Shannon Riley (Pocketknife Kitty). 

What advice would you give to the next generation of women coming into the horror genre?
 
Go big. They can't stop us all.

Where can folks find you these days?

Author website: https://www.jesshagemann.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jh.author/

Bio: Jess Hagemann’s recent work has appeared or is forthcoming in Beneath the Bluebonnets: Tales of Terror from Texas Women, Three Seasons of Winter, and Last Girls Club, among others. Her debut novel Headcheese (2018) won an IPPY Award in Horror. Paste Magazine named her sophomore novel Mother-Eating, which marries Marie Antoinette and cults, one of the “Most-Anticipated Horror Books of 2025.” Jess received her MFA from the Jack Kerouac School, and has been awarded a teaching fellowship at McNeese State University as well as a writing residency at Dear Butte. She lives in Austin. More at www.jesshagemann.com.

Headshot credit: Alicia Leigh Photography
Cover image by James Hutton Illustration
Cover text design by Zach Chapman