Background

There is an established link between mental health stigma and poor recovery from mental illness. Stigma is hurtful and demeaning, and drives those who experience it to isolate themselves and deters them from talking about their issues. This, in turn, fosters a climate of deterioration and impedes recovery. Therefore, it is important that, as writers of horror, we recognise this when depicting mental illness in our work.

The primary purpose of the Notable Works initiative is to provide the HWA membership with examples of genre literature that balance high quality storytelling with sensitivity and understanding when depicting mental illness or mental health themes. Genre writers are invited to use works on the Notable Works list to gain an understanding of how to approach mental illness and mental health themes in their storytelling.

The initiative is not intended to impede nor deter writers from using mental health themes in their works, but to help improve understanding and raise awareness.

Notable Shorts

The Wellness Committee is now proud to announce its latest programme, an extension of the Notable Works series called NOTABLE SHORTS which focuses on horror short stories or poems /poetry chapbooks. For this programme, we are seeking 300-500-word personal reviews of short stories (or poetry chap books) which address mental illness based on the specific questions below: 

1. Please write a synopsis of the work including the mental illness addressed (where possible), sub-genre and target readership. Please try to avoid spoilers. Two to three sentences.
2. In what ways does the work represent mental illness in an authentic and well-rounded way? Two to three sentences.
3. What specific techniques / literary devices does the author employ to achieve this? Two to three sentences. Some examples: allegory / metaphor /close internal thought / imagery / authentic experience / style / symbolism / structure / dialogue / character backstory / other approaches 
4. Why / how does the work resonate for you specifically? Personal response. Two to three sentences.
5. How does the work contribute to our HWA Mental Health initiative objectives / charter?
6. Any other aspects that make the work notable? For example, a fresh take, cultural underpinnings, award notice. 

Our Wellness sensitivity team will assess the reviewed works according to tenets of our HWA Mental Health Initiative Charter and our Notable Works reader guide. Approved reviews will appear on the Notable Works list and also in a blog series which will run throughout September 2024.

This call is open from 1 July to 15 August. We look forward to reading your short story and poetry reviews.

For reference: The HWA Mental Health Initiative Charter can be found HERE.

A sample review of Christa Carmen’s story, “Through the Looking Glass and Straight to Hell” can be

found HERE.