Laura Ellen Joyce

Hey there! I'm Laura Ellen Joyce, and I write the kind of dark literary fiction that makes people squirm in their seats (in the best possible way, I promise). If you're looking for cozy bedtime stories, you might want to keep scrolling. But if you're drawn to the beautiful and disturbing places where literary fiction meets psychological horror? Pull up a chair.

I've always been fascinated by the darker corners of human nature and the way beauty can emerge from the most unsettling places. Growing up in England, I spent way too much time reading Gothic literature and true crime accounts when I probably should have been doing more "normal" teenage things. But hey, we all have our obsessions, right?

My academic background is in literature and creative writing (I know, shocking), and I spent years teaching at universities while secretly scribbling stories that would probably make my colleagues raise their eyebrows. There's something deliciously subversive about being the quiet academic who writes deeply disturbing fiction on the side.

My debut novel, "The Museum of Atheism" (2012), is probably the perfect example of what happens when you let someone like me loose with a keyboard. It's a story that starts with a Christmas pageant (sounds innocent enough) but quickly spirals into something much darker. Set in Rosewood's forest, it follows a young girl who ventures into the snowy darkness to meet her biggest fan – and trust me, it's not the heartwarming holiday tale you might expect. I have a thing for taking seemingly innocent situations and turning them inside out until the darkness seeps through.

Writing style? I've been told it's "lyrical brutality" (which I'm taking as a compliment). I love playing with language, creating beautiful prose that lures readers in before hitting them with something unexpected and unsettling. Think Gothic literature meets contemporary psychological horror, with a dash of experimental narrative thrown in for good measure.

My themes tend to circle around innocence versus corruption, the beautiful versus the grotesque, and the thin line between worship and obsession. I'm particularly interested in those moments when reality starts to fray at the edges and something darker bleeds through. (And yes, I'm perfectly well-adjusted, thanks for asking!)

When I'm not writing, I'm probably: - Teaching literature (and trying not to terrify my students too much) - Reading obscure Gothic novels - Walking in forests (gathering inspiration, obviously) - Drinking far too much tea while staring at my laptop screen - Contemplating the various ways to make my readers delightfully uncomfortable

For my fellow writers and readers, I believe the best stories are the ones that don't let you go easily. They should follow you home, tap on your window at night, and make you question what you just read. That's what I aim for in my work – not just to tell a story, but to create an experience that lingers.

What can you expect from my books? Beautiful prose wrapped around disturbing themes. Characters who will haunt you long after you've finished reading. Stories that blur the lines between reality and nightmare. And probably a few scenes that'll make you want to sleep with the lights on.

Fair warning: my work isn't for everyone, and I'm completely okay with that. But if you're the kind of reader who finds beauty in darkness, who appreciates literary fiction with sharp teeth, or who simply enjoys being unsettled in the most artful way possible, we're going to get along just fine.

I'm always excited to connect with readers who share my appreciation for the darker side of literature. You can find me on social media (where I try to act normal and probably fail) or at literary events (where I'm the one in black, clutching a coffee and looking slightly suspicious).

Thanks for stopping by. Whether you're a longtime reader or just discovering my work, I hope you're ready for a journey into the beautiful darkness. Just remember – you were warned!