These Bodies Ain't Broken - by Madeline Dyer (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A monstrous transformation within your own body.
A sacrificial imprisonment.
A fight to the death against an ancient evil.

These stories showcase disabled characters winning against all odds.

Outsmarting deadly video games, hunting the predatory monster in the woods, rooting out evil within their community, finding love and revenge with their newly turned vampire friend--this anthology upends expectations of the roles disabled people can play in horror. With visibly and invisibly disabled characters whose illnesses include Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Crohn's disease, diabetes, PTSD, and more, each entry also includes a short essay from the author about the conditions portrayed in their stories to further contextualize their characters' perspectives. From breaking ancient curses to defying death itself, these 13 horror stories cast disabled characters as heroes we can all root for.

Contributors include bestselling and award-winning as well as emerging authors: Dana Mele, Lillie Lainoff, Anandi, Soumi Roy, Fin Leary, S.E. Anderson, K. Ancrum, Pintip Dunn, Lily Meade, Mo Netz, P.H. Low, and Carly Nugent.

Review Quotes

"A brilliant anthology of disabled and chronically ill kids fighting, surviving, and seeking vengeance with sharpened teeth."
--Andrew Joseph White, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Compound Fracture

"Bold, terrifying, and beautifully defiant--These Bodies Ain't Broken proves that real strength comes from resilience."
--Aiden Thomas, author of New York Times bestseller Cemetery Boys

"So proud this book exists!"
--Ellen Oh, founding member of WNDB and author of The Colliding Worlds of Mina Lee

"The stories in this anthology blend fear and resilience, featuring unforgettable characters who defy the idea of 'brokenness' and redefine what it means to be strong."
--Brenda Drake, New York Times bestselling author of the Library Jumpers series

"A riveting look at the intersectionality between disability and horror."
--Jessica Lewis, author of Bad Witch Burning

"These Bodies Ain't Broken presents a widely fantastical and nuanced embrace of disability alongside darkness--where, often, the real horror is in how those with different needs are forcibly constrained."
--Wen-yi Lee, award-winning author of The Dark We Know

"A visceral and emotionally satisfying anthology for all horror fans."
--Catherine Yu, author of Direwood, Helga, and The Devil's in the Dancers

About the Author

Madeline Dyer is a novelist, poet, and anthologist. She is the editor of the Being Ace anthology and co-editor of the Unbound anthology. She is also the author of the Aces in Love series (written as Elin Annalise). She has a herd of Shetland ponies, loves anything ghostly, and can frequently be found exploring wild places. At least one notebook is known to follow her everywhere she goes.