Welcome to Horror × Hope! I’m Josh Sutphin (pronounced SUT-fin) and I write speculative fiction that explores the space between horror and hope.

I started this newsletter to write and explore occult horror—supernatural, folk, cosmic, even religious—because it delves into the deepest parts of the human condition: the beliefs and superstitions that emerge from our oldest collective memories and the darkest recesses of our consciousness. These bring us to face forces so much bigger than ourselves that they drag us from our egos into a world we’re just part of, rather than one we expect dominion over.

People have been trying to exert dominion since the dawn of time, and so much of the horror and hopelessness we feel today is rooted there: fascists are destroying our government, AI is destroying our culture, capitalism is destroying our environment, and they’ve all made it seem inevitable because they want, above all else, to cling to their own dominion.

But there are cracks in their façade of inevitability: imagination, empathy, and solidarity. So I’m also writing and exploring hope, because I’m trying to will those things into being.

Horror shows us where the road leads if we do nothing. Hope shows us where it can lead when we act.

What to expect

In Horror × Hope you’ll find my original fiction—horror, hopepunk, and everything in between—as well as non-fiction pieces pairing horror and hope in current events, book and media recommendations along the same lines, and occasional behind-the-scenes looks at my craft and how I work.

I’m using my fiction as a lens through which to understand both the horror and hope in the world. Sometimes, that lens is cautionary; other times, it’s cathartic. Sometimes it’s horrific, sometimes it’s hopeful, and often it’s both.

I’m also aiming to highlight and discuss others’ work that aligns with these ideas, whether that’s books, movies, music, visual art, etc. (These will be essays, not consumer reviews; I’m not here to tell you what to like.)

I may even dig into interactive fiction from time to time. I’ve had a 20-year career in video game development, so the intersection of interactivity and storytelling is a core interest.

Content warnings

I’ll always post specific content/trigger warnings on my stories.

In addition, there are some general things you should be aware of as a subscriber:

First: I’m writing horror. That means violence, trauma, disturbing imagery, and uncomfortable situations of all sorts. I do try very hard not to be gratuitous or exploitative; if you’re looking for intensely transgressive fiction, I might not be the author for you.

Second: Politics absolutely informs my work. I’m no pundit, and I have no intention of subjecting you to tedious political op-eds, but I do believe politics is the bedrock of how society functions and it informs every single one of our lived experiences. Some of my stories will engage with heavily politicized topics, and they will take a side. I’m always looking for the emotional, humanistic core of any story, but for the avoidance of doubt, my personal politics are leftist, progressive, and decidedly anti-fascist. If you think “woke” is an insult, or if the phrase “trans rights are human rights” offends you, then you’ll find no quarter here.

Third: Religious themes abound. I’m fascinated by religious traditions and beliefs. Even though I personally tend toward atheism, religious themes and imagery often show up in my work—not in a “Christian fiction” sense, but in a mythic sense. I have no stake in anyone’s personal spiritual beliefs outside of my stories, but I do ask that you approach my work with a willingness to engage with the profane and the divine.

Your turn

Since I’m writing this at the beginning of October (the very best month of the year) let’s kick this off by sharing some recs!

Whether you’re reading this as I publish, or you found this post months or years after the fact, I’d love to know:

• What’s your favorite horror story—in any medium—that also has a strong sense of empathy and/or hope?
• What’s a story you think is severely underrated or should be better known than it is?

Drop your answers in the comments, or if you’re reading this via email, respond to this email! And if you’re also writing horror fiction, feel free to drop your Substack as well. 😊