Nicki Huntsman Smith's Blog

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Triumphs and Challenges

 

If you have read any of my books then you know that I ALWAYS create strong female characters. So with that in mind, I think we should take a moment and reflect on a few of the milestones in women’s history.

Every year, March is designated as Women’s History Month, a time to honor the contributions and achievements of women throughout history. It is an opportunity to reflect on the struggles and successes of women and to promote gender equality.

The Origins of Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California, in 1978. The movement quickly gained momentum, and in 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8th as National Women’s History Week. The week-long celebration was later extended to the entire month of March in 1987.

Celebrating Milestones in Women’s History

Throughout history, women have made significant contributions to society, often against formidable odds. Some notable milestones include:

The Right to Vote: The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1920, granted American women the right to vote. This was a pivotal moment in women’s rights, achieved after decades of advocacy and protest.Women in Leadership: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of women in leadership roles, both in politics and in the corporate world. This shift reflects a growing recognition of the importance of diversity and inclusion in decision-making processes. As a side note: In 2023 The Fortune 500 boasted 52 women CEOs, an 18% increase over the number of female CEOs in 2022. Advancements in Science and Technology: Women have also made significant contributions in the fields of science and technology. Pioneers like Marie Curie, Rosalind Franklin, and Katherine Johnson broke barriers in their respective fields, paving the way for future generations of women scientists. (The Rosalind Project, a secret scientific research group I created for my series, A Monstrous Dread, was named after Rosalind Franklin, a British chemist whose work was central to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA, RNA, and viruses.)Addressing Ongoing Challenges

Despite these advancements, women continue to face significant challenges:

Gender Pay Gap: Women, on average, still earn less than men for the same work. Closing this gap requires systemic changes in both policy and corporate practices. Progress is being made but the gap is still significant.Underrepresentation in Certain Fields: Women are still underrepresented in fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Efforts to encourage and support women in these areas are crucial. Coincidentally, I have a blog post on this very subject here: https://nickihuntsmansmith.com/women-and-girls-in-science/.  Combating Gender-Based Violence: Violence against women remains a pervasive issue worldwide. It requires concerted efforts from governments, communities, and individuals to create safer environments for women. Maybe there’s a theme here because I also have a blog post about this here: https://nickihuntsmansmith.com/domestic-violence-awareness/.The Importance of Education and Advocacy

Education plays a crucial role in Women’s History Month. Schools and organizations often hold events and activities to educate the public about the contributions of women throughout history. Advocacy is also vital. Supporting policies that promote gender equality and the rights of women is crucial for creating a more equitable society.

Conclusion

Women’s History Month is not only a time to celebrate the past achievements of women but also a reminder of the ongoing struggles we face. It’s an opportunity to recommit to gender equality and to recognize the integral role women play in shaping our world. As we reflect on the past and look toward the future, it’s clear that our efforts to achieve equality must remain ongoing, and every step forward is a cause for celebration.

I do the book marketing for Nicki and thought I would pen something a little lighter this time. If you’re not a writer or a wannabe writer hopefully you can still relate:

“The Honest Guide to Marketing Your Book: From Bestseller Dreams to Cat Memes”

Attention all aspiring authors! Have you ever dreamed of seeing your book atop the bestseller lists, only to realize that marketing your literary baby is an epic saga in itself? Fear not! Welcome to the honest guide to marketing your book, where I help you navigate the choppy waters of book promotions with a smile, some frustration, and maybe a few tears of laughter.

Chapter 1: “Social Media – AKA Knowns as Desperate Pleas”

Remember when you thought social media was just for sharing cat videos? Well, now it’s your 24/7 book promotion battlefield. You can get creative with some funny cat memes or perhaps use the quote:

“This book is better than (insert incredibly successful author name)’s book, (insert incredibly popular book name)”. Put that quote on a generic image you downloaded from Google and post it on Facebook. You will be surprised when you receive a Cease and Desist Order because the image is copyrighted. Marketing is great… you may need some funds designated for “Legal”.

And that 5 star Amazon review you quoted on Facebook? You know, the one your Mom wrote? It will be deleted by Amazon pretty quickly. You will then have to explain to your Mom why that happened because she “really” loved your book and thinks it’s great! Your Mom has been marketing you all your life, unfortunately that won’t work for your book. Moms are great.

Just to be clear, if your book is about cats and you can justify putting a hunky dude with six pack abs, with long hair and tattoos on the cover (and OMG if you can have him holding a cat!!), you’re already halfway to viral fame. Or better yet, go to Tik Tok and make a video of you petting your cat while reading the first chapter of your book. Tik Tok users really love it if you can put some really annoying music in the background too. We all know that people who are on TikTok are all avid readers. How could that not go viral? 

Chapter 2: “The Email Newsletter – Your New Pen Pal Adventure”

Start an email newsletter, they said. It’ll be fun, they said. Now, you’re crafting emails like, “Dear Subscriber, Remember me? I wrote that book you said you’d buy but didn’t. No hard feelings, but seriously, buy my book.” Email subject lines have never been so creative.

Chapter 3: “Merchandising – Because Who Doesn’t Want a Branded Bookmark?”

Ah, merchandise! Obviously if your book is not selling like gangbusters, it’s because you don’t have enough merchandise for sale on your website. Nothing screams “I’ve made it!” like a $3.00 bookmark with your book’s cover on it. 

Or better yet, wear a t-shirt with your face on it and a catchy phrase like “This author needs coffee.” Wear it to all social events for maximum exposure (and minimal friends).

Chapter 4: “Book Reviews – The Emotional Rollercoaster”

Getting book reviews is a mix of excitement and terror. It’s like asking someone to judge your soul printed on paper. Remember, every time you read a scathing review, go back and read your mom’s glowing five-star review to balance it out.

Chapter 5: “The Art of the Humble Brag”

Master the humble brag for when your book actually does get some attention. “Oh, this old thing? Just a little project I’ve been working on. It’s no big deal, but it did get a few five star Amazon reviews yesterday.” 

Chapter 6: “Friends with Terrible Memories”

Ask all your friends and relatives to read your book and leave a 5 star review on Amazon. When they don’t, it’s because they forgot. If you don’t believe me, just ask them. Getting new friends will not solve the problem. In my experience, all writers’ friends are cursed with poor memories.. 

Epilogue: “The Sweet, Sweet Smell of Success (Or Is That Just the Coffee?)”

In the end, whether your book becomes a bestseller or remains a hidden gem, the journey of marketing it is one for the books (pun intended). You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll drink an unhealthy amount of coffee. But remember, every famous author was once where you are now – awkwardly trying to figure out Facebook audiences and constantly rewriting email subject lines on their way to certain fame. 

So, dear authors, market with your heart, spam gently, and remember, if all else fails, cat videos are your best friend. Happy marketing! 📚🚀🐱

As a fiction reader I have witnessed the ever increasing difficulty of reliably finding great books on Amazon and here’s my method for finding consistently good books on Amazon.

Readers struggle with this every day. 

First let’s analyze why it seems to be so much harder to find a great book these days.

The first problem is everyone copying everyone else. There’s a technique some authors use called “writing to trend”. If a book happens to become really popular, really fast, the authors simply write books similar to that book. Then they use similar covers and very similar titles. Nothing original, and they are never any good. They are trying to ride the coat tails of a successful book and hope no one cares about their lack of originality.

Another gimmick authors use to trick the system is to put their book into some obscure Amazon category. For example, they put their spy thriller book into the Amazon category: Humor & Entertainment>Humor>Culture, Ethics & Regional (you can’t get much more obscure than that). In this category when they sell about 8 books, Amazon will give them the “#1 “Best Seller” badge on their book cover image. 

So as a reader, we see the #1 Best Seller image and think “Wow, this must be really good”. You may be being tricked. It could be a scam/gimmick. You need to scroll down until you see the Product Details section. Then look at the bottom of that section and you will see the ranking for that book in specific Amazon categories. So, for example, if you’re looking for a Post-apocalyptic book and the book is ranked really high in some obscure category not remotely related to Post-apocalyptic, that’s a pretty good indication that the author is attempting to game the Amazon ranking system. 

Have you ever read a book that had excellent star ratings and the book was terrible? Yep, me too and it is happening more and more often these days.

So let’s discuss how that can happen…

Some authors game the Amazon ratings system. Most people don’t know it, but there are groups out there whose sole purpose is to write 5 star reviews for other members of the group. So a group member announces they have published a new book and all the other group members go to the new book on Amazon and leave glorious 5 star reviews. Amazon no longer requires you to actually purchase an item in order to leave a review so this has become more common recently. And you can leave star ratings without leaving an actual review. 

A more insidious variation of this is when one of the group members asks the group to start leaving 1 or 2 star reviews for certain books written by competitors. Some groups actually space out their negative reviews so there’s always a 1 or 2 star review towards the top of the reviews. Yes, it’s a slimy way to do business.

Amazon’s official position is that they don’t allow bogus/fake reviews and they take it very seriously. Really? Here’s a sobering fact, ”An analysis by the fraudulent-review-detection service Fakespot of 720 million Amazon reviews in 2020 found that about 42 percent were bogus.” The analysis was for all products, not just books, BTW.

I could go on with other methods used, but you should be starting to understand why it’s so difficult to find great books on Amazon these days. 

But there are things you can do to make the process easier for you.

Don’t blindly trust any rating or review you see on Amazon. Instead, do this. 

Open the Amazon page of a book you are interested in. Read the book description to see if it sounds interesting enough to check out further. Scroll down the page taking a quick look at the star ratings and keep in mind what you are seeing. Now click on the “Top Reviews” button and select “Most Recent” instead. Now scroll down and look at the ratings. You may see a huge difference when you do this. There may not be a single 5 star review on the page at all. 

What you have hopefully done is eliminate some of the bogus reviews from ratings sharing groups. Most of their reviews will always be 4-5 stars and most will be left shortly after the book is published. But, once you select “Most Recent” you are more likely seeing real reader reviews. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have scrolled through the initial ratings of a book and thought, “this looks great”, then when I clicked on “Most Recent” the rating dropped like a rock.

Next I click on the “Read Sample” page. The first thing I look at is the book cover. If it looks amateurish or child like I immediately move on to another book.

If the cover looks good, I will then take a look at the formatting. I want to see the text left  justified. Note that if the author has used “Drop Cap” where they capitalize the first letter of the first paragraph of a chapter, the Read Sample will not display this properly. This is a known glitch in Amazon and you shouldn’t allow that to negatively influence your decision at this point.

Next  I read a few pages in the Read Sample page. I’m looking for a writing style that fits the genre and looking for a story that holds my interest. What I don’t want to see are typos, formatting issues, punctuation problems and authors who don’t know the difference between there, their and they’re. These types of errors/problems will immediately pull me out of my reading experience and my reading time is too precious for me to tolerate these types of issues.

I know this is a lengthy explanation but in reality it will only take you a couple of minutes to follow my method. And your reward will be a lot fewer “did not finish” and returned books.

Try my method and let me know how you like it. 

Delving into the Shadows: A Journey Through the Allure of Horror Books

Introduction: The Whisper in the Dark

Imagine a still, dark night…the shadows move with a life of their own, and every creak of your house sounds like the step of an unseen creature. In this eerie setting, you find yourself curling up with a book, its pages brimming with nightmares that send shivers down your spine. This is the thrill that horror book enthusiasts seek – a journey into the unknown, where fear and fascination intertwine. It’s a realm to which authors like Nicki Huntsman Smith, with her gripping A Monstrous Dread series, transport their readers with the promise of a heart-pounding adventure.

The Unseen Stats: What Drives the Horror Reader?

Diving into the statistics, it’s fascinating to see what truly captivates horror readers. Surprisingly, it’s not just about the popularity or the spine-chilling cover art. A recent survey revealed that 65% of horror readers are drawn to the genre for its ability to explore psychological depths and societal taboos. These readers aren’t just looking for a scare; they’re delving into the human psyche, examining fears that are as old as time itself.

Another intriguing statistic shows that 40% of horror enthusiasts prefer stories set in realistic settings. This preference highlights a desire for relatability, suggesting that the most terrifying stories are those that could, conceivably, happen to anyone.

The Art of Crafting Fear: A Writer’s Perspective

Nicki Huntsman Smith, a best-selling author on Amazon, is a prime example of an author who understands the horror reader’s psyche. In her latest series, ‘A Monstrous Dread’, she masterfully blends realism with the supernatural, creating a world that is unnervingly close to our own. Her work resonates with readers because it taps into the underlying fears that lurk in the everyday.

Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal of Horror

The enduring appeal of horror books lies in their ability to transport us into a world that is both terrifying and exhilarating. It’s a genre that allows us to confront our darkest fears in a safe environment, challenging us to explore the unknown corners of our minds. As we close the last page of a heart-racing horror novel, we’re left with a lingering question: What is it about the darkness that keeps calling us back?

We just published the third book in A Monstrous Dread series, A Different Kind of Monster, and I needed a break. Musing, by me. 

Barilla Pasta has a Spotify list. Each specific song has a duration to match the relevant pasta’s cook time. Closed an important tab accidentally? Press CTRL+SHIFT+T to bring it right back. If you want to move the cursor on the text you just typed on the phone, press and hold on the space bar and slide your finger to the left or right of the spacebar. You can move the cursor to exactly where you want it. No more annoying “tap tap tap oh shit I accidentally deleted it” If you press and hold the flashlight button on your iPhone, you can adjust the brightness of it. For a new Google doc, in the browser bar you can just type “doc.new”. Works for sheet.new and slide.new too Nearly all staplers can make two kinds of staples: regular and temporary. You can turn the strike plate around by pushing it up from underneath and the resulting staples will go out instead of in, making them easier to remove from underneath. The iPhone has a plant identifier built in. Take a picture of a plant you want to identify. Tap the picture, then pull up from the bottom and there will be an option to “Look up plant”. It’s not always 100% but still pretty cool. If you swipe left on the iPhone calculator it will delete just one digit so you don’t have to start over. Allow calls from emergency contacts when notifications are silenced. Open Contacts, Select a contact, then tap Edit. Tap Ringtone or Text Tone, then turn ON Emergency Bypass.  If you want to select text from a clickable link without clicking the link, press left-CTRL and click. This lets you select the text without clicking the link. On iPhone keyboards if you press and hold the “0” key it will give you the option to use the degrees symbol. On your iPhone there is a search feature. You can enter things like “bicycle” “dog” “license plate” or even identified people like “Nicki” or “Ray” and it will search the images for that item. You can program your Iphone to do certain things when you tap (double or triple) on the back of it. Go into Accessibility settings > Touch > Backtap you can set something to happen if you tap the back of your phone. I set my double and triple taps to screenshot, works even with a phone case on. Although sometimes its not that responsive and I have to tap a bunch of times. Also I have no idea where the “sweet spot” is cuz I’ll be tapping the side of my phone and it’ll trigger too. If you press the wrong floor or notice all the floors have been pressed in an elevator you can double tap the button and it will unselect the floor. Large pizzas can be personal pizzas, if you believe in yourself!

As the person tasked with marketing Nicki’s books I give a lot of thought to why people buy books and why they are drawn to certain books and specific books withing certain genres. So I spend a lot of time trying to figure out “why people love the Troop of Shadows Chronicles. I’m trying to go a lot deeper than things like ad images, headlines, text boxes and Call to Action buttons here. I’m trying to get into peoples brains to understand the deeper, perhaps subconscious motivations they have. 

It’s interesting that some people who love the post-apocalyptic genre cannot pinpoint exactly why they like these types of books. I speculate that some of the reasons are subconscious and the readers don’t recognize their motivations. 

So with that in mind I offer the following reasons why people love this series. 

Escape into a Radically Different World: Troop of Shadows offers a drastic departure from our daily lives. It transports you into a world that’s both terrifying and fascinating, providing an extreme form of escapism that’s hard to find in any other genre.Exploration of Human Resilience and Ingenuity: The story captures the resilience, resourcefulness, and ingenuity of humans in the face of unimaginable challenges. People are naturally inspired by characters who find ways to survive and thrive against all odds.Thrilling Adventure and Survival: Troop of Shadows is filled with adventure and survival narratives as seen through the eyes of four survivors. The constant tension and danger keep readers on the edge of their seats, making for a thrilling reading experience.Speculation About the Future: The book fuels your curiosity about the future and our place in it. The speculative nature of the book allows readers to explore “what if” scenarios in a safe environment.The Beauty in Ruin and Regrowth: There’s a certain aesthetic appeal to the imagery of civilizations in ruins and nature reclaiming its place. This imagery often evokes a sense of melancholic beauty and contemplation which is represented well in the books.Psychological Depth: This Post-apocalyptic book delves deep into the psychology of the characters. Readers get to explore the mental and emotional impact of surviving a world-altering event, adding a layer of depth and complexity.Sense of Community and Teamwork: Troop of Shadows highlights the importance of community, cooperation, and teamwork for survival. This emphasis on human connections resonates deeply with readers.A Glimpse into Human Nature: This book provides a raw look into human nature, stripped of its societal norms. It’s fascinating to see the characters reactions, both good and bad,  when pushed to their limits.Hope Amidst Despair: Despite the grim settings, Troop of Shadows carries a message of hope. It  reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there’s always a glimmer of light, a chance for a new beginning.

Each of these reasons contributes to the enduring popularity of Troop of Shadows. It captivates readers with scenarios of what could be, in a world forever changed. If you have read the series I hope you can see some of your personal motivations here. 

The Heartfelt Journey“Valuing Our Work Beyond Money”How many times have authors brushed off the importance of money in their creative journey, saying “I’m not in it for the money”? This noble sentiment often masks a deeper truth: when they share their work with the world, money becomes an undeniable part of the equation, and embracing this is not just acceptable – it’s vital.For those passionately dedicated to their art (and writing is an art), desiring only to connect with readers without monetary exchange, the path is simple – offer your creations freely, unburdened by the constraints of commerce. That means free.When they accept financial compensation for their art, they face an introspective moment: why is there hesitation in admitting the financial aspect of their craft? Are they unconsciously subscribing to the myth that monetizing their art equates to selling their souls? This mindset, especially prevalent among women, wrongly dictates that their work should primarily serve others, not their own well-being.Your self-worth, and the worth of your creations, often hit an invisible ceiling of our own making. To explore this, imagine a scenario where you’re asked to put a price on your most cherished work. What figure comes to mind? Is it a modest sum, or does it boldly reflect the true value of your creative endeavors? $10,000? $100,000? $1,000,000? More? Less?My example amounts are designed to trick you.If you thought of a round number, you might not be fully acknowledging your work’s worth. Why settle for convenience over true valuation? Is it fear that a higher price might paint you as greedy or out of touch? You will not worry about what other people think of you when you realize how little they do.Realize that by aiming for a higher number, you’re not just advocating for your work’s value; you’re opening doors to generosity. Imagine the help you could extend to your loved ones, to meaningful causes, with this abundance. It’s about transforming lives, starting with your own.Our minds are powerful; they shape our reality. If we dwell on limitations, we confine ourselves to a financial straitjacket. But if we envision growth, expansion, and value, our paths open up to possibilities we never thought possible.The fear of loss is an ancient instinct, yet it shouldn’t overshadow the potential gains. I’ve seen authors hesitant to expand successful marketing strategies, paralyzed by the fear of what might go wrong, rather than excited by what could go right. This mindset can lead to missed opportunities and stagnation.Remember, monumental successes are often the culmination of many smaller victories. When I committed to supporting Nicki’s writing dreams through marketing, I was a novice. Yet, I dove into learning, understanding setbacks as stepping stones, not roadblocks.Successful people aren’t strangers to failure; they simply choose to learn from each experience, focusing on potential gains rather than losses. Each setback or success is a lesson, a chance to grow and excel.Life will always have its challenges, but opportunities often present solutions. Money, while not a panacea, can ease the journey, offering support where needed. The notion that abundance of wealth is inherently harmful is a myth. Wealth can be a force for good, an enabler of dreams and a tool for change.So, revisit that initial question: What is your work truly worth? Let your heart answer with a number that reflects not just the value of your words but the potential impact of your creativity. Embrace this new sense of worth, and let it guide you towards a future where your art, your efforts, and your contributions are valued as they truly deserve.

For book lovers, finding the perfect gift isn’t just about giving an object; it’s about fostering a deeper connection with their love for literature. Whether it’s celebrating their favorite authors, enhancing their reading experience, or simply indulging in their bookish passions, the best gifts for book readers are those that resonate with their literary souls. Here are ten exceptional gifts that will undoubtedly delight any book lover:

Books, books and more books. Of course this can be a bit tricky if they use a digital reader like Kindle. Be sure to take a look and make sure they haven’t alreay downloaded the book to their device. Nicki always has a number of books on her too be read (TBR) list.Personalized Bookmarks: A beautifully crafted bookmark adds a touch of elegance to any reading session. Consider personalized bookmarks engraved with their name, favorite quotes, or even custom-made to resemble a beloved book character.Literary Subscription Boxes: Monthly subscription boxes tailored to their reading preferences can be an ongoing source of joy. These boxes often include curated books, unique book-related items, and snacks, delivering a delightful surprise directly to their doorstep. Bookish Candles: Scented candles inspired by literary worlds create a cozy atmosphere for reading. Think candles that evoke the scent of old libraries, parchment, or the setting of their favorite novel.Bookshelf Organization Tools: Help them keep their collection in order with stylish bookends, innovative shelves, or even a library kit that includes stickers, labels, and tools for cataloging their books.Literary-inspired Apparel: From t-shirts with iconic book quotes to scarves featuring text from classic novels, there’s a plethora of clothing and accessories that allow book lovers to wear their literary passions.Reading Journals: Encourage their reflective reading habits with a high-quality reading journal. These often come with spaces for jotting down thoughts, favorite quotes, and reviews of books they’ve read.E-Reader Accessories: For those who prefer e-books, consider accessories like stylish cases, screen protectors, or even subscriptions to e-book services offering unlimited access to a vast library.Literary Prints and Posters: Decorate their reading nook with beautiful prints or posters featuring book cover art, literary quotes, or illustrations from their favorite stories. Book-Themed Coffee or Tea Mugs: A cozy reading session often involves a warm beverage. Choose mugs adorned with quotes or images from famous books to make their reading experience even more enjoyable. Author or Genre-specific Gift Sets: Tailor your gift to their favorite author or genre. This could include a box set of works by a beloved writer, a collection of mysteries for the crime fiction enthusiast, or a set of fantasy novels for those enchanted by otherworldly adventures.

When selecting a gift for a book lover, remember that it’s not just about the item itself but the sentiment behind it. Understanding their reading preferences, favorite authors, and the ambiance they enjoy while immersed in a book will guide you toward the perfect gift that speaks to their literary heart. Ultimately, the best gifts for book readers are those that show you appreciate and support their passion for stories, characters, and the magical worlds that books offer.

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The Psychology Behind Our Love and Fear of Horror Books and Movies

From spine-tingling tales of terror to heart-pounding movie experiences, humans have held a fascination with horror for many, many years. Our love or aversion to horror is deeply rooted in the human psyche and can be attributed to a complex interplay of psychological factors. I will touch on a bit of the psychology behind our simultaneous attraction and repulsion to horror in literature and film.

Let’s start with why some people love horror:

The Love for Horror:

Excitement and Adrenaline:

The Thrill of Fear: Horror activates our primal “fight or flight” response, releasing adrenaline and heightening our senses. Many people are drawn to the intense rush of excitement and the adrenaline-fueled experience that horror offers.

Sense of Control:

Safe Fear: When we read a horror book or watch a horror movie at home or in a theater, we are usually in a safe and controlled environment. This sense of safety allows us to explore fear without actual peril, making the experience thrilling yet manageable.

Catharsis:

Emotional Release: Engaging with horror can provide a cathartic release of repressed emotions and anxieties. It allows us to confront our fears in a safe setting, offering emotional relief.

Curiosity:

Fascination with the Unknown: Human curiosity extends to the mysterious and unexplored aspects of life. Horror taps into this curiosity, enticing us to venture into the shadowy realms of the unknown. Demons and witchcraft come to mind here.

Social Bonding:

Shared Experience: Enjoying horror with others, whether in a theater or a book club, may create a sense of social bonding. The shared experience of fear strengthens social connections and fosters a sense of togetherness. If you read a horror book along with others in a book club and discuss the book in a group discussion, you may feel more connected to the group as a result of the experience. But you may not know exactly why you feel that way.  

Now on to why some people hate horror:

The Aversion to Horror:

Intense Fear Response:

Overwhelming Anxiety: For some individuals, the fear response triggered by horror can be overwhelming. They may experience severe anxiety, nightmares, or even panic attacks, making horror a very unpleasant experience.

Personal Vulnerability:

Perceived Vulnerability: People with a heightened sense of vulnerability or a history of trauma may find it difficult to engage with horror. It can trigger traumatic memories and exaggerate existing feelings of vulnerability.

Moral and Ethical Concerns:

Concerns About Violence and Gore: Some individuals are dislike horror due to its graphic and violent content. Ethical or moral concerns about the content and its potential desensitizing effect are enough to drive some people away from any type of horror, be it books or movies. 

Sensory Overload:

Overwhelming Sensory Stimulation: Horror often involves sensory overload with loud sounds, eerie visuals, and disturbing content. This can overwhelm some individuals.

Individual Differences:

Psychological Variability: Each person’s psychological makeup is unique. Things like  personality traits, past experiences can be factors in why some people love horror and others absolutely hate it. Peoples reaction to horror is a highly personalized response and some people cannot explain why they feel the way they do about horror books and movies. 

Conclusion:

The psychology behind peoples love or fear of horror books and movies is a reflection of a complex interplay between their physiological responses,  past personal experiences, and the cultural context in which they live, or have lived. 

The thrill of fear, the fascination with the unknown, and the sense of control are all factors that draw us to the genre. 

Conversely, the fear of intense anxiety, personal vulnerability, or moral concerns may push us away. 

Our relationship with horror is as diverse as the human psyche itself, and it continues to captivate and perplex us.

Now if you happen to be one of those who love horror, you should check out the A Monstrous Dread Series, by Nicki Huntsman Smith. You can read a sample of book 1 in the series, Demon Chase, here.