Brief Introduction of Gretchen Felker-Martin
Gretchen Felker-Martin is an American author and critic renowned for her unflinching contributions to the horror genre. She has carved a niche for herself with novels that explore themes of body horror, gender, and survival through a transgressive and visceral lens. Felker-Martin gained widespread recognition for her breakout novel, Manhunt, a post-apocalyptic tale that has been lauded for its raw intensity and queer perspective. As a prominent transgender voice in fiction, she is celebrated for crafting what she calls “the most disgusting books in the English language,” challenging readers with narratives that delve into sexual revulsion and the complexities of violence.
Gretchen Felker-Martin Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gretchen Felker-Martin |
| Date of Birth | May 30, 1989 |
| Age | (Calculated based on DOB) |
| Birthplace | New Hampshire, U.S.A. |
| Current Residence | Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.A. |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Novelist, Film Critic |
| Known For | The novels Manhunt and Cuckoo |
| Pronouns | She/Her |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
Early Life and Education of Gretchen Felker-Martin
Gretchen Felker-Martin was born on May 30, 1989, and grew up in the rustic setting of rural New Hampshire. This environment profoundly shaped her aesthetic, embedding in her a visual palette of “dead leaves and moss and fiddleheads and lady slippers.” Her childhood was marked by experiences that would later fuel her creative work; she has spoken about being bullied for being “fat and queer” and dealing with childhood asthma. Felker-Martin was homeschooled, which gave her the freedom to explore her parents’ library. She bypassed a typical young adult reading phase, instead diving into authors like Stephen King and John Grisham, whose works became early inspirations. Experiences with body dysmorphic disorder, a condition that can cause fixation on perceived bodily flaws, also deeply informed her later explorations of body horror.
Gretchen Felker-Martin’s Career
Early Career and Self-Publishing
Before achieving mainstream success, Gretchen Felker-Martin began her career by self-publishing several horror novellas starting in 2016. Works from this period, such as No End Will Be Found (2017) and Ego Homini Lupus (2019), allowed her to hone her distinctively graphic and visceral style. During this time, she also built a reputation as a sharp and insightful film and television critic, with her work appearing in publications like Polygon, Time, and Nylon. Her criticism often focused on the horror genre, analyzing film and television through a critical and deeply personal lens. She also cultivated a dedicated following through her Patreon account, where she shares fiction and essays directly with her readers.
Breakthrough with Manhunt and Subsequent Works
Felker-Martin’s career reached a major turning point with the publication of her debut novel, Manhunt, on February 22, 2022, by Tor Nightfire. The novel, a post-apocalyptic body horror story following two transgender women hunting feral men to survive, was a critical and commercial success. Vulture named it the #1 Best Book of 2022, and it appeared on numerous other best-of-year lists. Renowned author Roxane Gay selected it as one of the “25 Most Influential Works of Postwar Queer Literature.” The success of Manhunt established Felker-Martin as a significant new voice in horror fiction.
She followed up with her second novel, Cuckoo, published on June 11, 2024. This novel, which explores the horrors of a conversion therapy camp, also received acclaim and debuted on the USA Today bestseller list. Her upcoming novels include Black Flame (2025) and Chimera (2026), continuing her relationship with publisher Tor Nightfire. In a significant development, it was announced that Lilly Wachowski is set to adapt Manhunt into a television series, with Felker-Martin involved in the project.
Foray into Comic Books
Felker-Martin’s influence extended into the world of comics when DC Comics announced in June 2025 that she would be writing a new ongoing series for the mature-readers-focused character Red Hood. However, this venture was short-lived. Just one day after the first issue was released, DC Comics canceled the series due to a controversy surrounding Felker-Martin’s social media presence.
Gretchen Felker-Martin Personal Life & Family
Gretchen Felker-Martin is a transgender woman and uses she/her pronouns. She has been open about her identity, which is a central element in much of her writing. She moved from her childhood home in New Hampshire to Worcester, Massachusetts, in 2007, and has resided there since. Felker-Martin has spoken about her personal experiences with trauma, being queer, and sadomasochism, stating these aspects of her life inform her attraction to the horror genre, which allows for a controlled exploration of pain, fear, and disgust. Her writing is intentionally directed towards a queer audience, aiming to reflect their complex and often messy human experiences. Details about her romantic life, such as a “Gretchen Felker-Martin husband/wife” or “Gretchen Felker-Martin gf/bf,” are not publicly known, and she maintains a private stance on her family and relationships.
Awards and Achievements of Gretchen Felker-Martin
While Gretchen Felker-Martin has not won major literary awards to date, her work has received significant recognition and accolades in the form of nominations and inclusions on prestigious lists.
| Year | Work | Honor | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Manhunt | Goodreads Choice Award for Best Horror | Nominated |
| 2022 | Manhunt | Vulture’s #1 Best Book of the Year | Won |
| 2022 | Manhunt | Named a Best Horror Novel by Esquire, Library Journal, and Paste | Honoree |
| 2025 | Cuckoo | Locus Award for Best Horror Novel | Finalist |
Gretchen Felker-Martin Net Worth and Income
The specific net worth of Gretchen Felker-Martin is not publicly available as of 2025. As an author and critic, her income is derived from multiple sources. These include advances and royalties from her book sales with Tor Nightfire, fees for her work as a film and TV critic for various publications, and earnings from her Patreon account, where subscribers support her work directly in exchange for exclusive content. The development of a Manhunt television series could also represent a significant future source of income.
Legacy and Influence
Gretchen Felker-Martin’s legacy is rapidly being cemented as one of the most vital and confrontational voices in contemporary horror. Her work is celebrated for its unapologetic queerness and its willingness to tackle difficult subjects with graphic honesty. She is considered a leading figure in the “body horror” subgenre, pushing its boundaries to explore trans identity, trauma, and societal violence. By centering transgender characters and experiences in her narratives, she has expanded the scope of mainstream horror, offering representation that is both authentic and defiant. Her public image is that of a fiercely independent and outspoken artist who refuses to compromise her vision, influencing a new generation of writers to embrace the transgressive and the extreme in their own work.
Interesting Facts about Gretchen Felker-Martin
- She has described herself as a “professional cenobite,” a reference to the pain-worshipping beings from Clive Barker’s Hellraiser.
- Her early interest in comics was sparked by Alan Moore’s Watchmen and the Swamp Thing series.
- One of her childhood inspirations was James Gurney’s illustrated book series Dinotopia.
- She has stated that her writing is always for a queer audience, aiming to make them feel seen in their full humanity.
- In interviews, she has frankly discussed how her experiences with being a “fat and trans” sadomasochist have drawn her to the horror genre as a means of exploring controlled discomfort.
Controversies
Cancellation of DC Comics’ Red Hood Series
In September 2025, Gretchen Felker-Martin became the center of a major controversy following comments she made on the social media platform Bluesky regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Her posts, which included remarks such as “Thoughts and prayers you Nazi bitch” and “Hope the bullet’s okay after touching Charlie Kirk,” were widely circulated online. In response, DC Comics promptly canceled her recently launched Red Hood series just one day after the first issue’s release. The publisher stated that “public comments that can be viewed as promoting hostility or violence are inconsistent with DC’s standards of conduct.”
Felker-Martin had previously warned DC that her outspoken online presence might attract controversy. Following the cancellation, she stated in an interview that she had “no regrets” about her comments, citing Kirk’s history of rhetoric against the queer community. The incident sparked a widespread debate about free speech, corporate responsibility, and the conduct of public figures on social media.
Social Media Presence
Gretchen Felker-Martin is known for her candid and often provocative online presence. While she previously used Twitter (now X), she has been more active on Bluesky. Following the controversy that led to her Red Hood cancellation, her Bluesky account was temporarily suspended but has since been reinstated. She also maintains an active Patreon account, which serves as a primary platform for engaging with her audience and sharing her work outside of traditional publishing channels. She does not appear to have an official public Instagram or YouTube presence.
Final Words about Gretchen Felker-Martin
Gretchen Felker-Martin remains a formidable and essential author in modern horror. Despite recent controversies, her work continues to resonate deeply with readers who crave fiction that is both intellectually challenging and viscerally affecting. Her unapologetic approach to storytelling ensures that her voice will remain a significant part of the literary conversation for years to come. With future novels already announced and a television adaptation in the works, her impact on the landscape of horror and queer literature is set to grow, solidifying her status as a bold and uncompromising artist.
