{"id":7823,"date":"2025-11-04T16:23:05","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T16:23:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gwendolynkiste.com\/Blog\/?p=7823"},"modified":"2025-11-04T16:23:05","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T16:23:05","slug":"barking-at-the-moon-part-two-of-the-howl-roundtable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gwendolynkiste.com\/Blog\/barking-at-the-moon-part-two-of-the-howl-roundtable\/","title":{"rendered":"Barking at the Moon: Part Two of the Howl Roundtable"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back for part two of our Howl<\/em> roundtable! Last week, we met our eleven featured authors and learned about their stories in the anthology. Today, we’ll talk all about the relationship between werewolves and femininity as well as what these amazing writers are working on next.<\/p>\n

And with that, let’s take it away!<\/p>\n

This is specifically a Women in Horror anthology. For you, what’s the connection between werewolves and the feminine? Do you feel they’re a natural fit?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"A.C.<\/a>A.C. WISE: I do think there’s a<\/span> natural fit between women and<\/span> werewolves. There’s a<\/span> lot of mythology connecting both women and<\/span> werewolves with the moon, there are menstrual cycles and<\/span> lunar cycles, but I think it goes beyond that as well. Puberty for people of any gender feels like a<\/span> natural fit for a<\/span> werewolf story<\/span>, where your<\/span> body suddenly changes in<\/span> ways beyond your<\/span> control and<\/span> you almost become a<\/span> stranger to yourself<\/span> in<\/span> some ways. There are links to be made between sexuality and<\/span> werewolves as well, the idea of animal urges and<\/span> hunger, or between family and<\/span> werewolves with the idea of pack behavior. Werewolves are very versatile creatures when it comes to storytelling, as are many so-called monsters when you really think about<\/span> it. One of my initial ideas for a<\/span> story<\/span> for Howl<\/span><\/i>\u00a0was around a<\/span> werewolf who no longer transforms after going through menopause, but that story<\/span> didn’t quite pan out. I might still go back to the idea someday.<\/p>\n

AI JIANG: It’s funny because the first thing that came to mind when I thought of werewolves and<\/span> the feminine is our monthly cycles\u2014the way our emotions and<\/span> bodies change and<\/span> how (sometimes, depending on the person) become someone very different, somewhat different, only a<\/span> little<\/span> different than we are other days of the month. But I also think of the way the feminine is suppressed, is allowed to flourish, and<\/span> the overall constraints on the feminine and<\/span> how it fosters conditions of transformation, of pent up frustration and<\/span> rage.<\/p>\n

LINDY RYAN: For me, werewolves and<\/span> the feminine are a<\/span> perfect pairing. So much of being a<\/span> woman is about<\/span> cycles, transformation (body horror), and<\/span> the constant pressure to be tame, polite, palatable. But under the surface, there\u2019s rage, hunger, and<\/span> wildness. When co-editor Stephanie M. Wytovich and<\/span> I built this anthology, we did so around the idea of shedding our sheep\u2019s clothing, embracing our monstrosity, and<\/span> howling at the moon together\u2014and<\/span> as a<\/span> pack, alongside some of our favorite women in<\/span> horror to howl<\/span> alongside us<\/span>, to explore what it means to claim the beast inside rather than be shamed\u2014or hunted\u2014for it. For women, the werewolf isn\u2019t just a<\/span> monster\u2014it\u2019s a<\/span> metaphor for survival, sisterhood, and<\/span> liberation. It\u2019s freedom. And<\/span> that\u2019s something we all need to be reminded of right now.<\/p>\n

KAILEY TEDESCO: Sabrina Orah Mark wrote a<\/span> fantastic essay in<\/span> her Paris Review column called \u201cThe Postmenopausal Fairy Tale\u201d about<\/span> the presence of the big bad wolf archetype in<\/span> fairy tales. The essay is so memorable, for me, because it highlights the ways that society scrutinizes, problematizes, and<\/span> objectifies changing femme bodies. Werewolves seem to exist as an exploration of the somatic self. There also seems to be a<\/span> recurring element of spectacle in<\/span> most werewolf narratives where the transformation itself is examined through a<\/span> specific and<\/span> often dissective gaze. The very real horrors femme bodies are subjected to and<\/span> have been subjected to since the beginning of time feels like a<\/span> perfect analog for this human to animal transformation. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Stephanie<\/a>STEPHANIE M. WYTOVICH: When I look at the world and everything that\u2019s happening right now, I can\u2019t think of a better monster than the werewolf for women to turn to. Werewolves are creatures that live by cycles, embrace\/fight transformation, and who seek power from within, often through exploring and accepting monstrosity and the fractured self; they\u2019re also a metaphor for sexual violence, for hormonal disruption\/pregnancy, and absolute, unfiltered rage.<\/p>\n

CHRISTA CARMEN: So, again, with the lack of passion for werewolves that I suffered for a while, I only really personally explored their connection to the feminine with this story, \u201cThe Clearing.\u201d However, like I mentioned above, as soon as Lindy and Stephanie mentioned this would be a werewolf-themed project, I made the immediate connection to the idea that I\u2019d been working away at in my head for a year and a half, an idea that was very much connected to a very feminine experience.<\/p>\n

Of course, I\u2019ve always been aware that the connection between werewolves and the feminine was a strong one, explored by myriad artists, filmmakers, and writers. There\u2019s the obvious connection between women\u2019s menstrual cycles and the phases of the moon, as well as the idea that werewolf narratives serve as allegories for the fears and anxieties surrounding female sexuality. From a more empowering standpoint, werewolves are about reclamation, women embracing their wildness, strength, and independence.<\/p>\n

My favorite connection, though, and the one on which I based my story, is the idea of werewolves as a stand-in for female rage. What the hell could be better, as a woman or person who identifies with the feminine, than having the ability to shed one\u2019s skin and tear your enemies apart, to lose oneself in the dark of the forest, to howl at the goddamn moon while you know, in your bones, bones capable of shifting and reforming, that you and only you are in charge of your fate.<\/p>\n

As long as you stay away from the silver bullets, that is.<\/p>\n

WENDY WAGNER: Werewolf stories are always playing around with the hidden aspects of ourselves, the parts of us we hide away from polite society. I feel like Western society has a lot of opinions about what women are supposed to be like, and many of our earthier needs and urges are considered unfeminine. We often can only be our full selves in the dark.<\/p>\n

SHANNON KEARNS: I absolutely believe the werewolf is connected to the feminine.\u00a0 We transform with the moon cycles, not just the full moon. As I was healing my body after giving birth to my son, my intention was to align my bodily cycles with the moon phases. There is an intimate connection between the moon’s pull and<\/span> our bodies’ response. The new moon is a<\/span> time of release and<\/span> shedding, calling in<\/span> our shadow and<\/span> revealing our inner darkness to be held with care and<\/span> tenderness. The full moon, typically the time of the werewolf’s transformation, is a<\/span> connection to power and<\/span> illumination. There is nothing not <\/i>feminine about<\/span> this! I am so in<\/span> love with the fact that this anthology will cast full moonlight on a<\/span> rewriting of the werewolf archetype.<\/p>\n

KATRINA MONROE: Moon cycles and monthly blood aside, the werewolf, to me, represents a barely-controlled rage, a simmering under the surface hidden behind a pretty fa\u00e7ade. If that doesn\u2019t speak to the feminine, I don\u2019t know what does.<\/p>\n

It feels right to claim the werewolf for the feminine, too, because, (unlike the vampire) the werewolf is harder to sexualize. She is protected by her fur and rage and animalistic instinct. She isn\u2019t polite. She doesn\u2019t assume the best intentions of the men around her. She is no longer prey, but the predator.<\/p>\n

\"Donna<\/a>DONNA LYNCH: Certainly the bloody and painful transitions women go through make for an incredibly strong connection.<\/p>\n

Women have also been conditioned to bottle up extreme feelings like rage lest we be harshly judged and<\/span> stereotyped far more than men for our \u201coutbursts\u201d. When a<\/span> woman expresses extreme emotions she is \u201ccrazy\u201d. When a<\/span> man does it it\u2019s often because \u201che just couldn\u2019t take it anymore\u201d.<\/p>\n

One part of my story<\/span> that I struggled with was the inclusion of a<\/span> violence-against-women trope, which I know is not only triggering but also overused. However, it was loosely based on something I know well and<\/span> was my way of concluding a<\/span> scenario wherein justice is done. And<\/span> I think it\u2019s an acceptable way, in<\/span> this case, to cause the character to release her rage. It was going to take something horrific to make that happen, and<\/span> as a<\/span> woman, there are few things more horrific than the threat of violation.<\/p>\n

JESSICA MCHUGH: I do. I think from the first time I read \u201cLila the Werewolf\u201d when I was a<\/span> kid, I\u2019ve identified werewolves as feminine creatures. I saw The Howling<\/em> pretty young too, so that probably had an influence. Now that I think of it, maybe that\u2019s why I had a<\/span> distaste for so many of the werewolf movies I grew up with. Not enough female werewolves! When Ginger Snaps<\/em> came out, I was like, \u201cThis is more like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

What’s next for you? What projects do you have coming up? And where can we find you online?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A.C. WISE: The next thing coming up from me is my new novel Ballad of the Bone Road<\/i>, which comes out in<\/span> January 2026 from Titan Books. Looking backward a<\/span> bit<\/span>, I do actually have another werewolfish kind of story<\/span> titled Wolf Moon, Antler Moon<\/em> that was published at Reactor earlier this year (https:\/\/reactormag.com\/wolf-moon-antler-moon-a<\/span>-c-wise\/<\/a>). As for what I’m working on, I’m drafting a<\/span> new novel, a<\/span> maybe-novella, and<\/span> a<\/span> handful of short stories that are in<\/span> various states of completion. You can find me online at www.acwise.net<\/a>. I’m on BlueSky as @acwise.bsky.social and<\/span> on Instagram as @a<\/span>.c.wise.<\/p>\n

AI JIANG: The second book in<\/span> the Natural Engines duology, A<\/span> River From the Sky<\/i>, is forthcoming April 2026, and<\/span> my debut science fantasy novel, An Empire Above Opera<\/i>,\u00a0is forthcoming September 2026. I have a<\/span> few projects on deck that I’m working on at the moment or out on submission, so I excited to see the direction they take and<\/span> where they land!<\/p>\n

LINDY RYAN: My new novel, DOLLFACE<\/a>, a<\/span> suburban slasher pitched as Barbie <\/i>meets Scream<\/i> releases February 24th<\/sup>, 2026 from Minotaur Books! Till then, find me on IG @lindyryanwrites<\/a>, as well as my monthly newsletter<\/a>, and<\/span> on Substack<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Kailey<\/a>KAILEY TEDESCO: At the moment, I\u2019m still in<\/span> promotion mode for MOTHERDEVIL which can be found at White Stag Publishing or Asterism Books. I\u2019m on a<\/span> fall tour where I will be teaching workshops at several libraries across PA and<\/span> NJ. I\u2019ll also be reading and<\/span> selling books at several performances of The Devil and<\/span> Daisy Dirt across multiple cities in<\/span> NJ.\u00a0My newest project (currently untitled) is very slowly in<\/span> the works, but a<\/span> three-poem suite from this in<\/span>-progress collection will be published in<\/span> F(r)iction<\/i>‘s fairytale themed issue later this year.<\/p>\n

STEPHANIE M. WYTOVICH: I just finished a short story collection that I\u2019m about to go on submission with (fingers crossed!), and I have my hands in some other projects that are just starting to get off the ground, but that I\u2019m really excited about. Lots to look forward to!<\/p>\n

Readers can follow me at\u00a0https:\/\/www.stephaniemwytovich.com\/<\/a>\u00a0and on Twitter, Threads, and Instagram @SWytovich and @thehauntedbookshelf. You can also sign up for my newsletter at\u00a0https:\/\/stephaniemwytovich.substack.com\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

CHRISTA CARMEN: My next novel, How to Fake a Haunting<\/em> (sort of a \u2018Lake Mungo <\/em>meets Malevolent\u2019 <\/em>mashup\u2026I know those are both horror film<\/em> comp titles rather than novels, but they work!), is out Oct. 7th<\/sup> from Thomas & Mercer. I also have a story, \u201cComeback Kid,\u201d in The Rack II: More Stories Inspired by Vintage Horror Paperbacks<\/em>, edited by Tom Deady, and another anthology (or three) that can\u2019t be announced yet.<\/p>\n

Online, I\u2019m at Facebook (https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/christaqua\/<\/a>), Instagram (@christaqua), and Bluesky (\u202a@christaqua.bsky.social), as well as on my website, www.christacarmen.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

WENDY WAGNER: I am always working on the newest issue of Nightmare Magazine<\/em>, where we publish a wide variety of short horror fiction and poetry. I\u2019ve got some books out on submission, and I\u2019m scribbling away at another one. My online home is winniewoohoo.com.http:\/\/winniewoohoo.com<\/a><\/p>\n

SHANNON KEARNS: After releasing my poetry collection just this past August, I would like to say I’m giving myself a<\/span> short break from writing, but I’m not! I’m knee deep in<\/span> a<\/span> novel, a<\/span> sapphic retelling of The Tempest<\/i>, as well as beginning to compile and<\/span> dream up new ideas for my next poetry collection. I am also an abstract painter and<\/span> have two gallery openings this month! You can connect with me at shannonmkearns.com<\/a> and<\/span> on Instagram\u00a0@shannon_mk_writer for more of my journey through writing and<\/span> art!<\/p>\n

KATRINA MONROE: As for writing, I am dabbling! Being between book contracts is scary, but it also is a bit exhilarating, being allowed to poke at several things to see which one bites back. Otherwise, I am working with a fabulous individual on an exciting women-in-horror project we hope to announce soon.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve limited my social media of late, so can be found almost exclusively on Instagram (@katrinamonroeauthor).<\/p>\n

\"Jessica<\/a>JESSICA MCHUGH: I\u2019m currently writing an erotic horror blackout poetry collection \/ 3 Act Play called \u201cFEAST,\u201d created from the pages of \u201cWuthering Heights,\u201d so I hope to have that out next year. Also, \u201cWitches in<\/span> the Warren,\u201d the 3rd<\/sup> and<\/span> final novel in<\/span> my cross-generational horror trilogy, \u201cThe Gardening Guidebooks Trilogy\u201d will be out from Ghoulish Books in<\/span> 2026. It\u2019s been wild saying goodbye to characters I\u2019ve been writing since 2007, but I also feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to bring this saga to a<\/span> close. You can find me basically everywhere under @thejessmchugh, as well as mchughniverse.com<\/a>. I look forward to wolfin\u2019 out with you all!<\/p>\n

DONNA LYNCH:\u00a0As mentioned, writing is a<\/span> laborious and<\/span> sometimes unpleasant process for me (yet I\u2019m compelled!) so I am SLOWLY working on another poetry collection. I thought I knew what it was about<\/span>, but I don\u2019t, so I have some things to figure out.<\/p>\n

Also, we\u2019re getting into the studio to work on a<\/span> new album, which is also difficult, but necessary for me to do.<\/p>\n

I have a<\/span> lot of travel coming up with my various bands, so that eats up the year with a<\/span> quickness. The road is my place of peace.<\/p>\n

And that’s our roundtable! Please pick up a copy of Howl<\/em>, which is out today, and enjoy all the werewolf transformations and bloody rage!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Happy reading, and happy howling!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome back for part two of our Howl roundtable! Last week, we met our eleven featured authors and learned about their stories in the anthology. Today, we’ll talk all about the relationship between werewolves and femininity as well as what these amazing writers are working on next. And with that, let’s take it away! This […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7823","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-promotion","category-fiction"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gwendolynkiste.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7823","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gwendolynkiste.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gwendolynkiste.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gwendolynkiste.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gwendolynkiste.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7823"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.gwendolynkiste.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7823\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7881,"href":"https:\/\/www.gwendolynkiste.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7823\/revisions\/7881"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gwendolynkiste.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7823"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gwendolynkiste.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7823"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gwendolynkiste.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7823"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}