Recently, I came across a short article on the Penguin Random House website that gave a short list for Weird fiction beginners, and while it had some great titles, not a single woman author was listed and honestly I think the list could be better. So, as someone who loves Weird fiction through and through and has dedicated the last few years to researching it, I decided to make my own list for beginners.
These titles vary from cosmicism and eldritch gods to bizarre apocalypses and hilarious fantasies, so there is something for everyone. That is one of the great perks of Weird fiction, there are no rules apart from there are no rules.
This guide is for those who are ready to dip their toes into Weird fiction, but might not be ready for some of the intense themes, graphic depictions, and overall mind-boggling that many Weird stories can contain.
The Willows by Algernon Blackwood
A great starting point for any Weird fiction beginner is Algernon Blackwood. The Willows, published in 1907, is a novella following two men as they take a canoe trip down the Danube River. However, as they continue along and make camp for the night they feel a strange presence. The next morning they find a corpse in the water covered in strange hollows and they must battle paranoia and panic to get back home.
Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung
From Korean author, Bora Chung, this collection of short stories was published in 2017 and is fantastic for any Weird Fiction beginner. From a sentient poo to a child who bleeds gold, these tales will make you laugh, gasp, and never want to drive alone at night. Chung does an excellent job of intertwining concepts like humanity, social expectations, and morality into her stories in unique ways that are sure to leave a lasting impression.
The Call of Cthulhu by H. P. Lovecraft
Now for a classic that many will recognise, The Call of Cthulhu is the chilling short story that introduced readers in 1928 to Lovecraft’s eldritch god who slumbers in a death-like sleep in the sunken city of R’lyeh under the sea. The narrator recounts his discovery of a manuscript and other notes detailing the workings of a strange cult and the shocking discovery crew of a derelict ship off the coasts of Australia and New Zealand make before their mysterious and untimely deaths.
The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter
The Bloody Chamber was published in 1979 and is a collection of short fiction based on fairy tales. Although these stories are variations of fairy tale retellings, including ‘Bluebeard’, ‘Red Riding Hood’, and ‘Beauty and the Beast’, they each very much contain weird elements. These tales may seem familiar, but they will surprise you, subvert your expectations, and reveal something new and horrifying.
Sandkings by George R. R. Martin
Many may know George R. R. Martin for his fantasy works, but most of you may not know that his passion for writing began with science fiction works. This novelette was published in 1979 and has won several awards for its unique and horrifying themes. Simon Kress is a wealthy playboy on the planet Baldur, who loves to collect dangerous, exotic animals. When he purchases a terrarium filled with four colonies of creatures called sandkings, he takes them home and begins to play god.
The Leviathan by Rosie Andrews
Published in 2022, The Leviathan is a novel that starts out as a supernatural witch hunt that soon turns into something far more dark and ancient. The gothic atmosphere and constant air of mystery make this one of the most satisfying and engrossing reads on this list. As civil war tears England apart, reluctant soldier Thomas Treadwater is summoned home where he finds his father insensible, felled by a stroke, and their new servant in prison, accused of witchcraft. Thomas discovers that something has awoken, and now it will not rest.
I’ll also be making a Weird Fiction list for the ‘intermediate’ and the more ‘advanced’, where themes turn to the more explicit, disturbing, and mind-numbing. So keep an eye out for that! But, really, all lovers of Weird fiction should definitely check these titles out.
Let me know what other stories you would recommend for Weird Fiction beginners!
Emily
Emily Morrison 
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