Nightmares Revealed: The Rise of Latinx Horror Fiction

Sunday, June 1 |12:30 PM - 1:15 PM

Brower Center - Tamalpais Room

Join us for an invigorating discussion on the rising influence of Latinx voices in horror fiction. Panelists Daniel A. Olivas, Cynthia Gómez, and M. M. Olivas will delve into how Latinx authors are using the genre to blend culture, resistance, horror, and social commentary, confronting both real and imagined monsters. Daniel A. Olivas, author of Chicano Frankenstein, reimagines the literary classic in a near-future—yet very present—United States, where 12 million “reanimated” people are exploited as a cheap workforce and face pervasive bigotry. This modern retelling of Frankenstein tackles themes of racism, isolation, belonging, and identity, challenging a society that erases the past while exploring the ‘horrors’ of what it means to be human in a dehumanizing world. Cynthia Gómez’s powerful, debut collection, The Nightmare Box, is a magic-infused love letter to Oakland, where Latine, queer, and working-class characters wield supernatural powers against oppression, loneliness, and fear. With feminist rage and dark themes, her stories push back against power structures while offering hope and showcasing the resilience of the human spirit. M. M. Olivas’ Sundown in San Ojuela immerses readers in a supernatural horror world inspired by Mesoamerican mythology. Olivias brings queer and diasporic experiences to the forefront, exploring the duality of monsters and the people who fear them. The novel offers a blueprint for confronting both internal and external darkness, highlighting the strength in resistance. Moderated by Kristina Canales, author of Pull Me from the Deep and founder of Queerthology, this conversation promises to be dynamic as Canales brings her own perspective, blending horror and romance to explore identity, culture, and terror. Join us for an insightful exploration of Latinx horror fiction, where culture, fear, and resilience collide in unexpected and powerful ways.