Picture a Southern storyteller who unearths the eerie underbelly of everyday life—meet Kristi DeMeester! This Atlanta-based dark fiction author crafts Southern gothic horror that pulses with the haunting echoes of her fundamentalist upbringing. With novels like Beneath and her chilling short story collection Everything That’s Underneath, DeMeester has carved a niche as a rising star in horror, blending visceral dread with poetic prose.
Her stories don’t just scare—they linger, burrowing under your skin like the humid Georgia heat. From snake-handling cults to monstrous transformations, DeMeester’s work explores the darkness beneath faith, family, and the human psyche, earning her comparisons to horror giants like Laird Barron and accolades from editors like Ellen Datlow.
The Making of Kristi DeMeester
Born and raised in Georgia, Kristi DeMeester grew up in a strict Pentecostal household, where the devil felt as real as the humid air. This “Christ-haunted” childhood, filled with tales of divine wrath and traveling preachers, shaped her fascination with the sinister. She later earned a master’s in Creative Writing from Kennesaw State University in 2011, honing her craft. Her early stories appeared in magazines like Black Static and The Dark, marking her as a fresh voice in weird fiction.
DeMeester’s Southern roots run deep, infusing her work with the oppressive slowness of kudzu-covered landscapes and the fervor of religious zeal. Her transition from short stories to novels was a natural evolution, driven by a desire to dig deeper into the shadows of human experience.
Kristi DeMeester’s Unforgettable Stories
DeMeester’s debut novel, Beneath (2017), is a Southern gothic nightmare. Reporter Cora Mayburn investigates a snake-handling cult in rural Appalachia, only to uncover an ancient, worm-like horror stirring underground. Critics praised its blend of cosmic dread and raw emotion, calling it “one of the most upsetting tomes of dark fiction in recent memory.”
Her short story collection, Everything That’s Underneath (2017), showcases her mastery of the weird. Stories like “The Beautiful Thing We Will Become” and “Like Feather, Like Bone” weave heartbreak with grotesque imagery—think children devouring birds under porches or mothers crawling across ceilings. Selected for Ellen Datlow’s Best Horror of the Year, these tales cement DeMeester’s knack for unsettling beauty.
Such a Pretty Smile (2022), a Georgia Author of the Year finalist, tackles feminist horror with a coming-of-age twist. It follows Lila Sawyer, a teen haunted by a malevolent force, blending psychological terror with supernatural chills. DeMeester’s style—lush, visceral, and deeply human—makes her stories both horrifying and heartbreaking, exploring themes of trauma, repression, and rebellion.
Why Kristi DeMeester Matters
Kristi DeMeester’s impact lies in her ability to transform personal and cultural shadows into universal fears. Her Southern gothic lens exposes the rot beneath polite facades, resonating with readers who crave horror that’s as thoughtful as it is terrifying. By tackling themes like religious trauma and female rage, she’s expanded the genre’s boundaries, earning a devoted following and critical acclaim.
As a teacher and creator of horror-themed candles in Atlanta, DeMeester also connects with fans through her authentic, approachable presence. Her work continues to inspire new voices in weird fiction, proving that horror can be both primal and profound.
- Born: Georgia, USA
- Key Works: Beneath, Everything That’s Underneath, Such a Pretty Smile, Dark Sisters
- Notable Recognition: Georgia Author of the Year finalist, featured in Best Horror of the Year (Volumes 9, 11, 12)
Ready to feel the chill of Southern horror? Snag Beneath or Everything That’s Underneath and dive into Kristi DeMeester’s haunting world!