Halloween is just around the corner. It is time to come up with the most gruesome, scary thriller stories that will keep your readers on edge until Christmas! Joking, but wouldn’t that be fun? The horror fiction genre is known to be one of the most loved genres all year round. From eerie sceneries to gothic fantasy, horror can be paired with any subgenre as long as it causes tension and psychological distress to the reader. But in a good way! Because let’s face it: if you have watched movies like SAW, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Grudge, you’d know that horror lovers are looking for something more.

Thankfully, horror is a genre that can be paired with anything, making unexpected twists in the novel and mind-bending climaxes. You can achieve this level of success in your horror eBook by reading loads of books. Taking the time to read helpful blogs, such as this one, will allow you to find a great fit for your next project and tap into the model of horror that has yet to be written. So, if you are looking for horror subgenre ideas for your next project, you have come to the right trap… we mean blog! Let’s get started!

What are Horror Subgenres?

Horror subgenres are a particular category with a broader genre. Their main focus usually revolves around themes, styles, and tropes. The horror genre can be bonded with any subgenre, with horror being the main theme, including psychological horror, romantic horror, and paranoid thriller. You will notice that horror and thriller are sometimes classified in the same category because they aim to spook readers.

These subgenres offer a wide range of experiences for readers interested in horror. Many successful horror movies were created based on the original books, such as Stephen King’s The Shining. The purpose of the horror genre is to give the child to the readers, keeping them stuck in a void of anticipation of what will happen next and more. When a horror novel is successful in this, it would either keep the reader thinking about the novel for days, spooky their souls or give them a great source of entertainment.

Relevant read: Top 13 Stephen King Writing Tips.

25 Horror Subgenre Book Ideas

Now that you are aware of horror subgenres, we will get right into the list that will spark your creativity.

1. Psychological Horror

You must have heard this horror subgenre almost all the time because it is the most adored and mind-bending horror genre of all time. Psychological horror mainly focuses on the emotional, mental, and psychological states of the human mind. We would suggest that this kind of horror subgenre is not for the weak hearts. Nor the strong, but it all depends on how messed up the author wishes to create it. It is important to remember that a psychological horror novel does not always need a scary face and blood scenes.

Example novels: IT by Stephen King, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, and Bird Box by Josh Malerman.

2. Body Horror

Here is that kind of horror subgenre where authors have the liberty to make a human body or whatever living thing they want as distorted as possible and as they want. Normally, in body horror, there is usually some mad scientist or some breakout of a plague that disrupts a natural process. And if it is some messed up surgeon who is interested in creating different forms of the human body.

Example novels: Jigsaw Man by Gord Rollo and The Fly by George Langelaan

3. Haunted House

It is always nice to have a haunted house novel. No matter how many haunted house novels are written, there is always room for more. Haunted house novels can include a creative twist. If you take The Haunting of Hill House, you will notice that they used a haunted house in the series but also came up with multiple little stories for each chapter.

Example novel: Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

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4. Slash Horror

Slash horror is considered to be more of a chaotic form of horror because it includes a mix of scare and psychotic measures. Authors normally included psychopathic hunters who either hunt people or go on a complete spree. They go after a sequence of victims, traumatizing the whole place.

Example novel: I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones

5. Zombie Horror

Zombie horror novels consist of the undead, zombies, and usually a group of people who try to survive. Authors can get creative and make their own kinds of zombies with special abilities of some sort. For example, if you look at Last of Us, the game includes many different kinds of zombies, including Clickers, Runners, Bloaters, and more.

Example novel: Cell by Stephen King

6. Masked Killer

Masked killers never get old, never getting to know the killer’s face until the very end of the novel or the entire series. You can really get creative in this horror subgenre. For example, there are many masked killer movies where the killers are not uncovered until the very last sequel. There have been many hit horror subgenre novels that always make a great comeback, especially during the Halloween season.

Example novels: The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart and The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

7. Gothic Horror

Gothic horror novels are written in ways where there is more fantasy than thrill. This horror subgenre is supposed to make readers see the gothic world and learn more about the craftiness of this life. It is more of a romanticized view of learning about the past. Most writers include vampires in this subgenre because they are associated with gothic nature, the love of blood, pain, agony, and more.

Example novels: The Ritual by Adam Nevil and Dracula by Bram Stoker

8. Paranormal Horror

The paranormal subgenre typically includes supernatural elements such as ghosts, demons, witches, and, at times, vampires. If you have heard of paranormal activity, this is a movie series that kind of bored people. However, if you add more eerie elements into your novel and combine them with a mix of psychological distress, that would certainly keep your readers on edge.

Example novels: Collected Ghost Stories by M. R. James and Hidden Pictures by Jason Rikulak

9. Vampire Horror

Now, we do not only have to keep vampires simply as intellectual supernatural beings that suck blood and prepare themselves for their victims. Here, we are talking about the mindless vampires that go on a blood-lust spree to kill whatever they see. How will people escape these strong, fast, mindless creatures? You can get creative and make them more impossible to hide from, but then try coming up with an ending where some people are able to escape. Maybe?

Example novel: The Passage by Justin Cronin

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10. Lovecraftian Horror

Lovecraftian horror is inspired by the work of H. P. Lovecraft. This horror subgenre often includes cosmic horror of the unknown and the unknowable. It includes much more gore than the average gore novel (which may come off as surprising), but the shock level in this genre is dangerous and would definitely need a PG factor.

Example novels: The Croning by Laird Barron and The Immaculate Void by Brian Hodge

11. Splatterpunk Horror

Splatterpunk horror is a subgenre of fiction characterized by extreme graphic depictions of rage, gore, violence, and bodily mutilation. This subgenre is often characterized by heightened horror, which mainly focuses on the grotesque aspect of violence. Splatterpunk is known for its vivid descriptions and explicit content. The nature of this kind of horror subgenre is dedicated to a fanbase who appreciates extremities.

Example novel: Gone to See the River Man by Kristopher Triana

12. Sci-Fi Horror

Everyone likes a good Sci-Fi horror story every now and then. Not everything needs to be supernatural but also completely out of this world, like aliens, unimaginably advanced technology, and futuristic elements. This is a kind of dystopian society with terrifying scenes that create an unsettling feeling within the reader.

Example novels: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Dune by Frank Herbert

13. Occult Horror

The occult horror subgenre is a different kind of horror fiction. It can also be included in psychological horror, but it has a different twist. That is why we have added it as a different category. Occult horror dives into a different category of horror, which includes demonology, witchery, and other esoteric practices. Occult horror derives from psychological thrillers because it has a lot to do with insanity, religious studies, and mind games.

Example novels: Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin, The Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey, and The Omen by David Seltzer

14. Survival Horror

Who does not want to survive? Especially when a creepy entity stalks you, is it craving to hunt you down? Survival horror is another subgenre for psychological thrillers because it makes readers think of ways to escape such traumatic situations. Depending on the intensity of horror you wish to include, it can be as mind-bending as possible. Surviving in a hostile environment with too much uncertainty and the emphasis on the psychological challenges with characters will leave readers on edge.

Example novels: The Road by Cormac McCarthy, The Martian by Andy Weir, and The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey.

15. Eco-Horror

Eco-horror is a strong subgenre of horror fiction. However, it is challenging to perfect. This subgenre explores environmental destruction and the ways it has strong consequences on humanity and the natural world. It delves deeper into themes such as climate change extremities, exploitation of natural resources, and what is yet to come next. This action and thought-provoking horror subgenre certainly keeps readers on edge.

Example novel: Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

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16. Erotic Horror

You may have read a couple of erotic horror novels where vampires fall in love with human beings. Yes, this is called erotic horror, but adding more dark twists to it will change the typical theme. Erotic horror explores dark themes such as desire, fear, and insanity. Depending on how explicitly you wish to make it. Some readers like it more explicitly than others.

Example novel: Satan’s Affair by H.D. Carlton.

17. Techno Horror

Techno horror blends elements of futuristic horror and sci-fi. It explores the dark side of technological advancement and the potential dangers associated with it. Some crazy scientists do not observe the consequences during the process but later figure out their big mistake. Or was that what they wanted all along?

Example novels: Neuromancer by William Gibson and Blade Runner by Philip K. Dick.

18. Comedy Horror

Comedy horror all depends on the kind of comedy you want to include in it. For example, while the comedy can be ironic, it can be severely devastating as well. It creates a unique mix of unsettling humor. This genre is often written with enlightenment to the tone of humor, but in fact, if you think about it clearly, it is more twisted than you can imagine. Depending on the absurdity level you wish your comedy horror to be, regardless, it will create some sort of balance.

Example novels: The Cabin in the Woods by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard

19. Cthulhu Mythos Horror

Cthulhu mythos is a different horror fiction genre created by the author H. P. Lovecraft. It is characterized by cosmic horror, in which the whole of humanity is confronted by incomprehensible and malevolent cosmic entities that threaten mankind’s existence.

Example novels: The Call of Cthulhu, At the Mountains of Madness, and The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H.P. Lovecraft

20. Quiet Horror

If you have watched “A Quiet Place,” you know what quiet horror is all about. Quiet horror does not necessarily mean that it has to be all about pin-drop silence, but at times, it makes the readers really want to hold their breath! This genre includes a lot of suspense and an unsettling atmosphere, and you have to rely heavily on the gore and violence of this genre. It is interesting to create an uneasy genre as such because you can add as many cliffhangers as you wish.

Example novels: Penpal by Dathan Auerbach and The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

21. Post-Apocalyptic Horror

Post-apocalyptic horror is a subgenre of horror fiction that explores the aftermath of extreme consequences and events that have devastated societies. These events can include natural disasters, nuclear wars, and alien invasions. This can also include a zombie apocalypse where the whole of humanity is suffering, and there is really no place to go. Or is there?

Example novels: The Stand by Stephen King, The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin, and I Am Legend by Richard Matheson.

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22. Historical Horror

Historical horror is an interesting subgenre of horror that blends perfectly with historical fiction by adding an extra eerie quality. You can choose whatever setting you like the most, such as the Victorian era or the Middle Ages. By perfectly combining supernatural elements with historical accuracy, readers learn something original and can get creative with the endless possibilities of horror.

Example novel: The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

23. Pulp Horror

Pulp horror is a fast-paced narrative in which horror and sensationalism combine to create everlasting uneasiness. It includes lurid imagery, exaggerated threats, and violence. It is inspired by gothic fiction and detective fiction, making it more thought-provoking and morally ambiguous.

Example novel: The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson

24. Teen Horror

If you are interested in writing horror novels that are perfect for young adults, this is the subgenre you should look for. Keep it PG enough so that the reader’s mind is not taken over by the horrors in the novel but scared enough to give them goosebumps. These books often include a milder version of horror themes that are more suitable for teens. These settings can include high schools, supermarkets, malls, or haunted arcades. While you can include gore content in this, it should not include a psychological twist. So, it is important to be careful while writing for teens.

Example novels: The Goosebumps Series by R. L. Stein and The Waitress by Sinclair Smith

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25. Home Invasion Horror

Home invasion horror is a subgenre of horror fiction that includes a variety of themes and freaky experiences. Everyone looks forward to home, but what gets invaded? Or was it always invaded by some supernatural entity? What if the people who live within that home don’t know that the attacker lives within the house? Home invasion horrors explore psychological trauma and the breakdown of societal norms. They also include survival instincts.

Example novels: The Strangers by Bryan Bertino and The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Are You Ready to Start Your Spooky Project?

Choosing the right horror subgenre can be tricky since there are so many possibilities, and they all have so much potential to become successful eBooks. Your choice will influence the kind of writing style you want to include. The more you read and write, the better you will get with your horror genre and come up with new ideas. But, if you feel you get that writer’s block often, you can always hire BookCreating for affordable ghostwriting services for your eBook. Now is the time for you to overcome your fear of not coming up with a scary horror novel because our writers have the best ideas waiting just for you!