Recs if you like From the Belly...

are you sick of being recommended stephen king when you ask for a horror novel? have you picked up a book expected to be scared, but the scariest thing about it was a woman being needlessly tormented and gaslit? have you read 4627473 books about a man in a haunted house and need something different?

if so, this list is for you :)

a masterlist of horror by anyone who isn't a straight cis white man, started in 2022 and brought to pb in 2026.

Pirates, sailors, mermaids, sirens, selkies, tentancle monsters - if they live on/in the ocean and are queer, they've earned a spot on this list! Across genres and age groups - includes erotica. 🔞🔞🔞

Recommendations welcome!

✦ I have not read all of these books - if you notice anything that seems to be mis-labeled/mis-placed on this list, please let me know! ✦

Book titles that represent reasons you might go to the doctor, what you might say to each other, or what treatments might be offered to cure your ailments. It's up to you to decide what is what😉

(This is not a commentary on these books or authors! The focus of this list is purely on the titles---but if you find a favorite new read here, I'd love to know🤭)

I got my swim trunks & my flippy floppies 🩳🩴

I was listening to the lonely island and the next thing you know, this list happened.

this list contains a variety of books that take place on a variety of boats, ships and vessels

as always, taking any and all suggestions

for people who are both terrified of and fascinated by the ocean (like me)

who do you become when you’re cut off from the rest of the world?

books in which a person or group of people are physically isolated and have to contend with who they really are.

Creepy books made better because there are queer characters

Queer horror (& thriller & some suspense) written by self-published and indie authors, many leaning erotic and/or religious 🔞

Recommendations welcome!

✦ I have not read all of these books - if you notice anything that seems to be mis-labeled/mis-placed on this list, please let me know! ✦

ownvoices books across genres by queer men/masc authors that feature queer men as main characters

disclaimer: this is all just based on my own research and may not always be 100% accurate to the author’s identity - feel free to comment any edits or suggestions!

exploration, shipwreck, waves, storms, beasts

wet, coastal, slimy, foggy, oceanic, ghostly, watery

Fiction inspired/influenced by Melville's masterpiece (or sometimes just by Melville)

Looking for nonfiction? Check out my list Special Interest: Moby-Dick.

books that make you feel like you’re on drugs, while also feeling like you should be taking drugs to properaly appreciate the book or the “wtf is going on” books

You've Played Their Games, Now Read Their Books. I'll try to list two of the devs/authors' books independent from their work on games first if possible. Feel free to recommend books, or ask which games the authors worked on