Pacific Northwest Gothic explores the shadowed intersections of landscape, memory, and myth in the Pacific Northwest, publishing work that is as haunting as it is beautiful.

Pacific Northwest Gothic shares the traditions of gothic literature, its fascination with darkness, beauty, duality, psychological unraveling, the supernatural and uncanny, isolation, and dread, but roots them in our stunning Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Common Pacific Northwest Gothic Themes & Tropes

Nature as Character or Active Antagonist
Isolation
Decaying Structures
Creepy Small Towns
Tension Between Nature, Technology, & Progress
Local Legends & Mythology
Fog, Rain, Darkness
Moss, Vines, Thorns, Oppressive Trees
Grief & Loss
Folklore vs. Reality

Common Pacific Northwest Gothic Settings

Cabin in the Woods
Lost in the Forest
Isolated Island
Coastal Cottage
Abandoned Industrial Areas (Logging Mills, Mining Towns)
Underground

So, what are we looking for?

• Subtlety and restraint
• Strong sense of place
• Original voice
• Emotional resonance
• Depth over entertainment
• Nature as presence (not backdrop)
• Isolation, fog, rain, and silence
• Psychological unease
• Regional folklore and reinterpretation
• Environmental decay and resilience
• Liminal spaces (coastlines, forests, abandoned towns)
• Atmosphere over plot (but we still want things to happen)
• Suggestive rather than explicit

Examples of Pacific Northwest Gothic Literature

Modern Gothic Horror (2000-2025)

Additional Resources

Gothic Fiction Reader Journal & Workbook
Regional Gothic Spreadsheet by JD Scott
WA State Horror Authors List