WIHM 2026: Meet Rebecca Cuthbertson

Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you contribute to the horror genre.
My name is Rebecca, and I remember everything. Wait—sorry, that’s Alice from Resident Evil. My memory is kinda shite, actually. 

I contribute to the horror genre by writing zombie apocalypse novels, inspired in part by Resident Evil, but with layered stakes. The first in the Undead Waters series, Waves of Undead, explores what would happen if a zombie apocalypse and a tsunami struck simultaneously. It’s a fresh spin on the genre that forces my characters to fight for survival against the infected, with an extra element of the environmental threat. 

The series takes place on British Columbia’s southwestern coast, specifically Tofino, Ladner, and Tsawwassen—all places I’ve called home. After many years of contemplating what an outbreak would look like where I live, I shared that vision with the world.

What drew you to the horror genre?
As a millennial, I grew up watching Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark. My dad is a Stephen King fan, so he had this vast collection of books and also showed us some pretty whacky 80s and 90s horror films. Then my brother began playing Resident Evil games, enlisting me to watch as his emotional support—despite being the younger sibling. The zombie nightmares began shortly after, and haven’t stopped.

What I seek from horror is that rush of watching people pushed to their limits, rooting for them to survive against all odds while contemplating what I’d do in their position.

Horror is a great way to explore social commentary in a hyperbolic way, though the most horrific stories are the ones that have elements of truth to them.

If you could recommend one creation of horror that everyone should consume, whether that be a book, podcast, movie, art, etc., what would you recommend?
One of my favourite horror reads of the past few years was Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson. What starts out as a cute, cottage-core sapphic novella takes a dark turn and has an unforgettable ending. I won’t get into the premise too much, but let’s just say I’ll never view strangers at the farmers market the same way again.

What positive changes have you seen happening in the horror community and what are some areas the community can still improve?
When I published Waves of Undead, I used an initial (R.) rather than my full name (Rebecca). I’d read online that readers may not be as receptive to a woman writing zombie fiction. So far that has not been the case at all! And to be honest, I think there are just as many female zombie authors as there are male, at least in the indie sphere that I’ve been interacting with.

That decision may have partly stemmed from internalized misogyny. I’m sure I’m not alone in that—that other women have felt pressure to soften themselves in subtle ways when entering the genre. Sharing one’s writing is a vulnerable thing. As a woman in horror, I’ve learned that others will accept my creations, but I must first learn to step up to the table unapologetically.

As women we face horrors every day—we are the authority on many aspects of the genre and have stories to tell that couldn’t be told through a male lens, so learning to not minimize oneself (even if that just means reducing a name to a letter) can help us show up and say we’re here, we belong here and we aren’t going anywhere.

What do you find scary within the horror genre?
Loss of control of oneself, or a loved one turning on you. To have a switch flip within someone who loved you unconditionally and suddenly they’re your greatest threat: to me that is truly terrifying. As a zombie author, it’s an interesting, and devastating, theme to explore.

What advice would you give to the next generation of women coming into the horror genre?
Don’t hold back. Don’t write what’s expected of you. Write authentically and unapologetically. If you feel you have a story within you, carve out the time and get it out—express yourself. You’re the only one who can.

Where can folks find you these days?
I’m most active on Instagram, and can be found at the same handle on Threads & TikTok:  rcuthbertson.writes

Blog & newsletter: rcuthbertsonwrites.com

Bio:
Rebecca Cuthbertson is a nature enthusiast intrigued by stories of survival. As a child, Rebecca was afflicted with nightmares of zombie outbreaks (and still is). At twenty she moved from her hometown of Ladner, BC, to Tofino, BC, where she enjoyed life on the rugged west coast while often contemplating “what if?” scenarios. Her love of hiking, surfing, and the great outdoors inspired the setting for the Undead Waters series. Rebecca now resides in the Lower Mainland where she feels unsettled living amongst more people than trees, lest an apocalyptic “what if” scenario should occur.