Picture a Puerto Rican-American storyteller who weaves Chicago’s shadowy streets into spine-chilling tales—meet Cynthia Pelayo! As the first Latina to win the Bram Stoker Award, Pelayo has redefined horror fiction with her genre-blending novels and haunting poetry. Her work, infused with folklore, grief, and the supernatural, captivates readers with its raw emotional depth and cultural richness.
Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Chicago’s vibrant yet gritty inner city, Pelayo’s stories pulse with the heartbeat of her dual heritage. Her unique voice, shaped by a journalistic eye and a passion for fairy tales, has made her a standout in modern horror. Let’s dive into the life and legacy of this trailblazing author.
The Making of Cynthia Pelayo
Cynthia 'Cina' Pelayo grew up in Chicago’s Hermosa and Logan Square neighborhoods, immersed in a world of Latinx culture and urban challenges. Her love for horror sparked early, thanks to her older brother introducing her to Freddy Krueger at age six. Late-night viewings of Alfred Hitchcock Presents with her father and a childhood obsession with Grimms’ Fairy Tales fueled her imagination. Pelayo’s academic journey is equally impressive: she holds a Bachelor’s in Journalism, a Master’s in Marketing, an MFA in Writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and is a doctoral candidate in Business Psychology. Her journalism background honed her ability to observe human behavior, a skill that permeates her chilling narratives.
After years as a freelance journalist covering gangs, homelessness, and community stories, Pelayo turned to fiction to process the heartbreak she witnessed. Her MFA thesis, a short story collection titled Loteria, marked the start of her literary career, blending Latin American folklore with horror’s dark allure.
Cynthia Pelayo’s Unforgettable Stories
Pelayo’s work is a masterful tapestry of horror, crime, and fairy-tale elements, often set against Chicago’s moody backdrop. Her novel Children of Chicago (2021) reimagines the Pied Piper tale as a gritty crime thriller. Detective Lauren Medina hunts a serial killer in Humboldt Park, grappling with her sister’s unsolved murder. The book’s genre-blending style and vivid Chicago setting earned it the International Latino Book Award for Best Mystery.
The Shoemaker’s Magician (2023), the second in her Chicago Saga, delves into the city’s silent film era, weaving psychological suspense with supernatural dread. Loteria (2023 re-release), a collection of 54 short stories inspired by the Mexican game of chance, showcases Pelayo’s versatility, with tales of ghosts, vampires, and Chupacabra. Her poetry collection, Into the Forest and All the Way Through (2020), tackles true crime, chronicling over 100 cases of missing and murdered women in the U.S. It earned a Bram Stoker Award nomination and critical acclaim for its haunting empathy. Pelayo’s prose, often layered with poetic intensity, explores grief, trauma, and cycles of violence, making her stories both thrilling and deeply human.
Why Cynthia Pelayo Matters
As the first Latina Bram Stoker Award winner for her 2022 poetry collection Crime Scene, Pelayo has shattered barriers in a genre historically dominated by white voices. Her work amplifies marginalized stories, particularly those of Latinx and BIPOC communities, blending cultural heritage with universal themes of loss and resilience. Pelayo’s mentorship in the Horror Writers Association and her advocacy for diverse voices have inspired countless aspiring writers. Her Chicago-centric tales, rich with local history and folklore, have redefined urban horror, earning praise from outlets like Esquire and the Chicago Tribune.
Pelayo’s ability to merge fairy-tale magic with real-world darkness has cemented her as a rising star. Her stories don’t just scare—they challenge readers to confront societal issues like violence against women and the weight of unresolved grief. Her influence continues to grow, with upcoming re-releases of her novels in 2025 by Hachette Book Group.
- Born: Puerto Rico, raised in Chicago
- Key Works: Children of Chicago, The Shoemaker’s Magician, Loteria, Into the Forest and All the Way Through
- Awards: Bram Stoker Award (2022), International Latino Book Award (2021)
- Fun Fact: Pelayo’s love for horror began with Freddy Krueger at age six!
Snag Children of Chicago or Loteria and dive into Cynthia Pelayo’s thrilling, heart-wrenching world of horror and folklore!