Here are 7 Author Shoutouts for this week, authors we love to recommend. Find your favorite author or discover an author whose work you’ve not yet read.
~Rebecca Yarros
~ Cicero
~ Mary Schmich
This Week’s Author Shoutouts
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Tananarive Due
“Black horror is a way to tell the truth without having to worry about being ‘polite’ about it.”
An Author Shoutout to Tananarive Due, a preeminent voice in black modern literature, an American Book Award winner whose career spans over two decades of pioneering work in Black speculative fiction and horror. Often described as a scholar of the “Sunken Place,” she shares her expertise as a lecturer at UCLA, where she teaches influential courses on Afrofuturism and Black Horror. Due’s literary journey began as a journalist for the Miami Herald, an experience that sharpened the empathetic, research-driven prose now characteristic of her novels. Her debut supernatural thriller, The Between, established her unique ability to blend the mundane with the macabre, a theme she expanded upon in the acclaimed African Immortals series.
A central tenet of her work is the belief that “Black history is Black horror.” This philosophy is most strikingly realized in her 2023 masterpiece, The Reformatory, which won the Bram Stoker and World Fantasy Awards. The novel draws on the tragic real-life history of her great-uncle at Florida’s Dozier School for Boys, using the lens of historical horror to address systemic trauma and racial injustice.
Beyond the page, Due has significantly shaped the genre’s visual landscape as an executive producer of the documentary Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror and as a screenwriter for Jordan Peele’s The Twilight Zone. Her writing does more than thrill; it serves as a “salve against the wounds of racist lies,” reclaiming narratives and ensuring that Black characters move from the periphery of horror to its powerful center.
Oyinkan Braithwaite
“It takes a whole lot longer to dispose of a body than to dispose of a soul.”
An Author Shoutout to Oyinkan Braithwaite, a Nigerian-British literary sensation whose razor-sharp wit and Lagos Noir style have redefined the contemporary thriller. Born in Lagos and educated in the UK, Braithwaite initially honed her craft as a performance poet and top-ten spoken-word artist. This background in verse is evident in her punchy, minimalist prose, particularly in her breakout 2018 debut, My Sister, the Serial Killer. The novel, which she describes as an exploration of the “love, loyalty, and betrayal between sisters,” earned her the LA Times Book Prize and a prestigious longlist spot for the Booker Prize.
Braithwaite’s storytelling often blends dark comedy with biting social commentary, particularly regarding the seductiveness of beauty and family power dynamics. Her work perfectly captures the deadpan irony that has made her a favorite among readers exploring the intersection of crime and satire. Her commitment to brevity is a deliberate choice; she often writes in “pill-sized” chapters, believing that readers are more than capable of filling in the blanks themselves.
Beyond her debut, her 2025 novel Cursed Daughters continues her streak of critical acclaim, recently earning a shortlist spot for the Nero Book Awards. Whether she is detailing the meticulous cleaning of a crime scene or the complexities of reincarnation and superstition, Braithwaite remains one of the most exciting and original voices in fiction today.
Tiffany D. Jackson
“Rumors are born with legs that can run a mile in less than a minute.”
An Author Shoutout to author and filmmaker Tiffany D. Jackson, a powerhouse of contemporary literature, celebrated for her unflinching and raw exploration of complex social issues. Jackson’s storytelling is deeply informed by her decade-long career in the television industry and her background in film studies at Howard University. She is perhaps best known for the Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe Award-winning Monday’s Not Coming, which was inspired by the real-world disappearances of Black girls across the United States.
Her narratives often blend pulse-pounding mystery with poignant social commentary. Whether she is tackling the predatory nature of the music industry in Grown or modernizing classic horror tropes through the lens of gentrification in White Smoke, Jackson’s work is characterized by its emotional depth and high-stakes tension, capturing the fast-paced, high-pressure environments her characters must navigate.
Beyond her thrillers, she has expanded her reach into the Marvel Universe with Storm: Dawn of a Goddess and co-authored the celebratory anthologies Blackout and Whiteout. Her ability to weave together intricate plots and “real-world issues” makes her an essential read for anyone looking for stories that are as intellectually stimulating as they are riveting.
Ryan Douglass
“Monster stories are an ideal way to explore what it means to be ‘other’ to society.”
An Author Shoutout to Ryan Douglass, an exciting voice in contemporary fiction, and bestselling author and poet from Atlanta, Georgia. An alumnus of Hofstra University with a degree in theater studies, Douglass transitioned into the literary world as a freelance writer for outlets like HuffPost and Atlanta Black Star before making a major splash with his debut novel, The Taking of Jake Livingston.
Often described as Get Out meets Holly Jackson, Douglass’s work is celebrated for its seamless blend of supernatural horror and sharp social commentary. He frequently explores themes of isolation and agency, utilizing what he calls “radical fiction” to address the complex realities of being a “Black student at an all-white school.” His storytelling is heavily influenced by a mix of traditional gothic horror, like Edgar Allan Poe, and modern classics by Stephen King and Neal Shusterman.
A fascinating aspect of Douglass’s process is his dedication to atmospheric authenticity; he researched real-life accounts of ghost sightings to pin down the logic of his hauntings. Beyond his breakout debut, he has contributed to notable anthologies like All These Sunken Souls and released the 2026 novel The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay. When he isn’t weaving eerie tales, he is often found perusing bookstores, collecting candles, or curating the perfect playlist for his next project.
Brandon Massey
“How long can you live with a dream deferred, girl?”
An Author Shoutout to Brandon Massey. If you’re seeking a masterclass in tension, look no further. A pioneer of modern supernatural suspense, Massey has been captivating readers since his 1999 debut, Thunderland. His path to success is a testament to the marathon of writing; after facing a decade of rejection letters, he successfully self-published his first novel before being signed by a major publisher. Today, he is a Gold Pen Award winner celebrated for blending urban wilderness with the chilling atmosphere of Southern Gothic settings.
Residing near Atlanta, Georgia, Massey draws deep inspiration from the adrenaline rush of horror films and the power of family secrets. He often describes his work as an exploration of the surreal situations that can disrupt ordinary lives. Interestingly, his literary journey began at age fifteen with a humorous story published in his high school magazine, a sharp contrast to the dark, intricate thrillers he is known for today, such as The Quiet Ones and The Landlord.
Massey is a dedicated craftsman who often wakes at 4:00 AM to write before the world interrupts him. He views his genre as a powerful tool for truth-telling, once noting, Massey remains committed to his mission of bringing readers thought-provoking tales that keep them peering into dark corners.
Jessica Lewis
“A southern writer and lover of dogs.”
An Author Shoutout to Jessica Lewis, a vibrant voice in contemporary fiction, hailing from Alabama where she resides with her “way-funnier-than-her” grandmother. Lewis brings a unique background to her work, holding degrees in both English Literature and Animal Science, a combination she jokingly notes resulted from her veterinarian plans not quite working out. This love for animals is a signature of her storytelling; she often selects which dog will appear in a book before she has even solidified the plot.
Lewis made a significant impact with her 2021 debut, Bad Witch Burning, a Bram Stoker Award nominee for Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel. The story, which follows a girl who summons ghosts to support her family, was inspired by the importance of handwritten letters. Her follow-up, Monstrous, further cemented her reputation for vicious and inventive paranormal horror. Beyond the macabre, she showcases her versatility by writing middle-grade contemporary novels under the pseudonym Jazz Taylor and exploring the world of teen rom-coms with titles like Nav’s Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love.
Known for a “chaotic” and impulsive writing process, Lewis famously drafts her novels entirely on her phone—a habit she developed while commuting during college. She views her storytelling as a powerful medium for agency, once noting that while society warns of the dangers of playing with fire, her characters are the fire. Her work remains a compelling blend of heart, high-stakes magic, and authentic human connection.
Vincent Tirado
“Horror is about who gets to survive, and for too long, that hasn’t included people who look like me.”
An Author Shoutout to Vincent Tirado, a non-binary Afro-Latine author who has become a standout voice in speculative fiction and horror. Based in the Bronx, Tirado brings a sharp, atmospheric perspective to their work, often drawing inspiration from their Dominican heritage and the vibrant energy of New York City. They first gained acclaim with their 2022 debut, Burn Down, Rise Up, a chilling urban legend horror novel that unfolds in a supernatural, underground Bronx to explore the resilience of a community. The book earned the 2023 Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Award, solidifying Tirado’s status as a master of the genre.
A fascinating aspect of Tirado’s creative life is their multidisciplinary background; before becoming a novelist, they worked in the video game industry, a career that deeply informs the high-stakes, immersive structure of their storytelling. This gamer’s lens is evident in their 2024 middle-grade debut, We Do Not Welcome Our Ten-Eyed Overlords, which blends sci-fi mystery with a 1980s aesthetic.
Tirado is a passionate advocate for the power of representation in horror. Their writing is celebrated for its ability to balance genuine scares with profound emotional depth. Beyond the page, Tirado is a dedicated fan of tabletop RPGs and can often be found discussing the intersection of gaming, culture, and the macabre.
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