Picture a horror maestro who spins fear into feminist fire—meet C.J. Leede! This Los Angeles-based author has taken the literary world by storm with her blood-soaked debut, Maeve Fly, a novel that’s as much a love letter to LA’s gritty glamour as it is a nod to horror’s darkest corners. With a knack for crafting unapologetic female villains, Leede transforms her lifelong dance with fear into stories that grip and unsettle.
Leede’s unique blend of gore, wit, and psychological depth has earned her accolades and a growing fanbase. From theme park princesses to serial killers, her characters defy expectations, making her a standout voice in contemporary horror. Let’s dive into her journey, works, and why she’s a name to watch.
The Making of C.J. Leede
Growing up between New York, NY, and Austin, Texas, C.J. Leede was no stranger to nightmares. As a child, fear kept her awake, a trait that later fueled her horror obsession. She earned a BA from NYU’s Gallatin School, studying Mythology and the Middle Ages, and an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia. Her eclectic career—nanny, yoga teacher, comic book store clerk, and even a brief stint as a tech recruiter—shaped her keen eye for human complexity. Leede stumbled into horror writing during a college elective, when a professor sent her work to an agent, sparking her literary path.
Her love for the genre deepened as she embraced its community and freedom to explore the macabre. Influences like American Psycho, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Stephen King permeate her work, blending campy horror with raw emotion. Leede’s nomadic spirit, often seen driving across the U.S. with her rescue dogs, adds a restless energy to her storytelling.
C.J. Leede’s Unforgettable Stories
Leede’s debut, Maeve Fly (2023), is a visceral slasher that follows Maeve, a Disneyland ice princess by day and a Patrick Bateman-inspired predator by night. Set against Los Angeles’ neon-lit Sunset Strip, the novel explores female rage and societal expectations with a feminist twist. It won the Golden Poppy Octavia E. Butler Award, the Splatterpunk Award, and earned a Bram Stoker Award nomination, cementing Leede’s place in horror.
Her sophomore novel, American Rapture (2024), shifts gears to an apocalyptic Midwest, where a Catholic teenager grapples with a violent, sexually charged virus. Leede’s prose is cinematic, blending gore with introspective themes of shame and identity. Both works showcase her signature style: first-person narratives, dark humor, and a Bret Easton Ellis-esque edge that’s both brutal and beautiful.
Leede’s stories stand out for their unapologetic female leads who don’t need trauma to justify their monstrosity—a refreshing departure from genre norms. Her Los Angeles settings pulse with life, from Hollywood’s faded glory to Anaheim’s artificial cheer, grounding her horrors in vivid, tactile worlds.
Why C.J. Leede Matters
C.J. Leede is redefining horror by centering complex, monstrous women who challenge stereotypes. Her work resonates with readers craving raw, feminist narratives that don’t shy away from the grotesque. By weaving psychological depth with social commentary, she bridges extreme horror with literary fiction, appealing to both genre fans and casual readers. Her awards and critical praise, from Stephen Graham Jones to Tori Amos, highlight her rising influence.
As a voice for the weird and feral, Leede’s stories offer catharsis in a world that often stifles female rage. Her ability to find beauty in the horrific ensures her legacy as a bold, boundary-pushing storyteller.
About C.J. Leede
- Key Works: Maeve Fly (2023), American Rapture (2024)
- Awards: Golden Poppy Octavia E. Butler Award, Splatterpunk Award
- Hobbies: Hiking, rescuing dogs, and exploring all 50 U.S. states
- Inspiration: Bret Easton Ellis, Stephen King, Rocky Horror Picture Show
Snag Maeve Fly and dive into C.J. Leede’s gory, glamorous world of horror! Whether you’re a slasher fan or just love a good thrill, her stories will leave you haunted and hooked.