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Biography
Katya de Becerra writes atmospheric horror and mystery featuring determined characters, complicated families and enigmatic places. Critics called her debut What The Woods Keep “a thoughtful and compelling horror fantasy” (The Bulletin) and “a narrative that will keep readers enthralled” (Booklist), while her second novel Oasis earned a starred review from Booklist. Katya regularly publishes short fiction in anthologies and literary magazines. She is also co-editor of the bestselling anthology This Fresh Hell, which reimagines and subverts horror tropes in new and unexpected ways. This Fresh Hell was an Australian Science Fiction (“Ditmar”) Awards 2024 FINALIST in the “Best Collected Work” category. As a child, Katya wanted to be an Egyptologist, but instead she earned a PhD in Cultural Anthropology and now works at a university, where she teaches and researches as well as supervises graduate students in Anthropology, Creative Writing and Education. Katya is a short version of her real name, which is very long and gets mispronounced a lot. Her third novel, When Ghosts Call Us Home, received two starred reviews, Kirkus Reviews calling it “haunting, intense, and eerily spooky”. When Ghosts Call Us Home is a Best of 2023 Book as named by Kirkus Reviews, a top 10 Horror for Youth Book from Booklist, as well as an Aurealis Awards WINNER for Best Young Adult Novel and a Finalist for Best Horror Novel. When Ghosts Call Us Home was also shortlisted for the Shadows Awards in the Novel category. Her latest novel is They Watch From Below.
Shorter biography
Katya de Becerra was born in Russia, studied in California, lived in Peru, and then stayed in Australia long enough to become a local. She was going to be an Egyptologist when she grew up, but instead she earned a PhD in Anthropology. She is the critically acclaimed, Aurealis winning, Kirkus and Booklist-starred and Shadows nominated author of horror-thrillers When Ghosts Call Us Home, What The Woods Keep, Oasis, and They Watch From Below.
Accolades
Praise for They Watch From Below
“Part horror novel, part mystery, all wrapped up in the lush and treacherous trappings of dark academia, They Watch From Below is every bit as tense, eerie, and genuinely frightening as I had hoped. I loved this absorbing story of old gods, family secrets, and irresistible powers.” — Erica Waters, author of the Bram Stoker Award-winning novel The River Has Teeth and All That Consumes Us
“As if The Secret History waded into the dark swells of the supernatural, de Becerra’s They Watch From Below keeps you on your toes while tickling you with the feather of curiosity. You won’t know what’s waiting for you in those dark depths, and this is one of the best of the year.” — Robert P. Ottone, author of The Vile Thing We Created and the Bram Stoker Award-winning novel The Triangle.
“Clever and complex, gripping and ghoulish; this is the kind of book you’ll want to sink your teeth into. Addie’s story will give you all the chills you seek and then some, and keep you turning pages for answers even in the dead of night.” — Sarah Glenn Marsh, author of The Girls Are Never Gone
“They Watch From Below is a taut, horror-mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat with your heart thumping! They Watch From Below masterfully weaves folk-horror into the inherent creepiness of imposing academic institutions to deliver visceral thrills. Katya is a standout in the YA Horror space and They Watch From Below is her at her commanding best.” — Tomi Oyemakinde, author of We Are Hunted and The Changing Man
“Stunningly sinister, They Watch from Below is The Girl from the Well meets Pan’s Labyrinth with added dark academia vibes. I couldn’t look away from this chillingly spellbinding read!” — Kat Ellis, author of Harrow Lake
“Katya de Becerra has done it again, twisting a tale of mystery, suspense, and scares aplenty all within the confines of a truly terrifying university location. If you liked The Ring with its creepy well and horrifying VHS tapes, then you’ll love They Watch from Below. This is horror at its best!” — Paula Gleeson, author of Original Twin.
“They Watch From Below feels tailor-made for anyone who has ever wondered who they are outside of their parents’ shadow. Addie is a deeply relatable heroine, stumbling (and then marching headlong) into danger as she tries to understand her mother in the heartbreaking hope that she can learn to love her better. This book is as dark and captivating as the tunnels that wind through its pages, leading skillfully to an unexpected but very satisfying conclusion.” —Alison Ames, author of To Break a Covenant and It Looks Like Us
“Katya de Becerra’s writing is so haunting and immersive, it feels like there’s an otherworldly presence reading this book alongside you. Brimming with eerie atmosphere and mystery, They Watch From Below is an unforgettable experience.” — Tatiana Schlote-Bonne, author of Such Lovely Skin
“They Watch From Below is an enthralling tale of dark legacies and horrors that won’t stay buried.” —Amy Goldsmith, author of Our Wicked Histories and Those We Drown
Praise for When Ghosts Call Us Home
Top 10 Horror for Youth Book from BOOKLIST
MYSTERY TRIBUNE Best Crime, Mystery And Thriller Book of October 2023
GINGER NUTS OF HORROR Best of 2023: Young Adult (YA) Horror and Dark Fiction
AMAZON #1 New Release (October 2023)
2023 AUREALIS AWARDS WINNER (Best Young Adult Novel) as well as Finalist shortlisted for Best Horror Novel
2023 AUSTRALASIAN HORROR WRITERS ASSOCIATION – SHADOWS AWARDS Shortlist (for Novel)
Recommended Australian young adult fiction, as recommended by Readings
“The artful weaving of ghostly horrors with the off-kilter creepiness of films and fandoms creates multiple layers of fear in this deeply unsettling page-turner […] Haunting, intense, and eerily spooky.“—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Haunting and unsettling […] De Becerra’s narrative is both dreamy and tight, creating a disorienting, nightmarish atmosphere.”—Booklist, starred review
“Haunting and hypnotic, When Ghosts Call Us Home gave me goosebumps! Perfect for fans of Night Film and Rules for Vanishing, the mysteries of Cashore House will grab you by the throat and refuse to let go.”—Erin A. Craig, # 1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of House of Roots and Ruins
“Combining cult horror, internet fandom, and a truly terrifying haunted house, de Becerra weaves an addictive tale of artistic creation and sisterhood, occult magic and impossible belief. You’ll be drawn in page by page, until you’re drowning in the book’s deep mythologies.”—Melissa Albert, New York Times and indie bestselling author of the Hazel Wood series and Our Crooked Hearts
“An expertly calibrated pace builds tension, maximizing the moody atmosphere between the nightmarish encounters with the ghost to keep readers constantly on edge.” —BCCB
“A satisfying and imaginative haunted house story that uses its influences to great effect. Fans of books like Marisha Pessl’s Night Film and horror movies like The Ring will undoubtedly make themselves right at home in Cashore House.”—BookPage
“Equal parts chilling and clever, this Gothic page-turner will haunt you long after you’ve finished wandering the shadowed halls of the mysterious Cashore House.”—Sarah Glenn Marsh, author of The Girls Are Never Gone
“Fans of The Haunting of Hill House will want to plan a trip to Cashore. The pages almost turn themselves in this one. Come for the chills, stay for de Becerra’s gorgeous prose.”—Kelly deVos, author of Eat Your Heart Out and Go Hunt Me
“Katya de Becerra’s When Ghosts Call Us Home will linger in readers’ minds just like the delightfully layered mythology surrounding Cashore House lingers in our heroine’s nightmares. de Becerra’s rich storytelling forces you to do a double take, wondering whether you imagined what Sophia endures, the intricate fan theories that may or may not be offering clues, and what she’ll face next in the search for her older sister.”—Amparo Ortiz, Author of Last Sunrise in Eterna
“When Ghosts Call Us Home feels like Crimson Peak for the internet era, dreamy and familiar until you put a foot wrong and fall. Immediately captivating, this excavation of two sisters’ shared history uses the fluid nature of memory to weave a haunting that you won’t soon forget.”—Alison Ames, author of It Looks Like Us and To Break a Covenant
“Think Rules for Vanishing meets Anna Dressed in Blood, with extra demonic vibes. This is a chilling read you’ll want to savour.“—Kat Ellis, author of Harrow Lake
“The tension is intense, the setting eerie, and the fandom aspect chilling.”—Tomi Oyemakinde, author of The Changing Man
“When Ghosts Call Us Home delivers unsettling chills, inexorable twists and tender romance, counterbalanced with a beautifully written narrative driven by sisterly love.”—Rachael Craw, award-winning author of the Spark trilogy and The Rift.
“Eerie, atmospheric and truly compelling. Enter Cashore House—if you dare…”—Kristina Pérez, author of the Sweet Black Waves trilogy.
“A sophisticated gothic thriller that gives the reader moments of real terror within an utterly compelling read. It holds a mystery at its heart that will have you racing to the last page to discover the truth about this haunted mansion.”—Angela Crocombe, Readings
“Haunting has a new face and it’s this book right here.”—A. J. Vrana, author of The Hollow Gods
“An utterly atmospheric, original masterpiece. De Becerra will have you on the edge of your seat with this addicting tale.”—Candace Robinson, author of the bestselling Faeries of Oz Series
Praise for Oasis
“De Becerra’s haunting supernatural thriller will stick to readers’ skin long after the final page is turned… Suspense, gore, spooky imagery, and creepy plot developments come through via bloodcurdling nightmares, group hallucinations, and uncontrollable desires and obsessions.” — Booklist, starred review
“A lot of fun with the right amount of creepy overtones.” – Colleen Mondor for Locus
“Tense, electric storytelling that makes you wonder what you would be willing to sacrifice to have your deepest longings fulfilled.” — Rachael Craw, award-winning author of the Spark series and The Rift
“This novel constantly surprises you in its elusive desert setting and has strong pacing that keeps you on the edge the entire time. The friendship and changing loyalties under pressure between the teens are incredibly believable. This is a fantastic supernatural thriller set in an exotic locale that will not disappoint. Suitable for readers aged 12 +.” — Angela Crocombe (Bookseller), Readings Kids
“de Becerra successfully builds a fraught tension throughout the book that mirrors the characters’ feelings as reality leaves them behind . . . well worth the payoff.” —The Bulletin
“Readers will be engaged as Alif and the others encounter one crisis after another, and small details woven throughout the plot build to a surprise ending . . . An X-Files–worthy survival story.” — School Library Journal
“If you’re someone who enjoys fantasy reads set in contemporary times with accurate referencing to science and technology with great suspense and mind boggling mystery, then this is the one for you!” ― The Nerd Daily
“Beautifully written, with tense storytelling, lush descriptions, and vibrant, complex characters, OASIS is an eerie, mind-bending novel that you don’t want to miss!” ― Erin Cashman, the author of Uncharted
“Magically eerie and creepy with a side of amazingly weird.” — Candace Robinson, the author of best-selling Faeries of Oz series
Praise for What the Woods Keep
“Spooky atmospherics and moral ambiguity complement the blend of science and myth to create a thoughtful and compelling horror fantasy.” – The Bulletin
“Blending mythology and a contemporary story of family drama, de Becerra’s debut novel is a narrative that will keep readers enthralled.” ― Booklist
“The characters in this debut novel are interesting and modern, particularly Hayden’s humorous, vibrant roommate… Adds a new angle to the “small town with a secret” genre.” – VOYA
“This is not a book you want to read right before bed! A great supernatural story with enough genuinely creepy moments to keep you up at night.” – Dani Solomon, Readings Kids
“Full of relatable characters, epic scenery, and a plot that was frankly unexpected and kept me guessing… Mystery, magic, history, great characters and amazing settings.” – The Nerd Daily
“Full of relatable characters, epic scenery, and a plot that was frankly unexpected and kept me guessing… Mystery, magic, history, great characters and amazing settings.” – Beautiful Bookland
“[A] wonderfully dark atmospheric novel.” – A Court of Coffee and Books
“The perfect blend of sci-fi, mystery and fantasy… Page turner and intensely unique.” – Dana L. Davis, author of TIFFANY SLY LIVES HERE NOW
“Haunting and disturbing, yet intriguing and captivating.” – The Book Muse
“…Glues you to the edge of your seat… One of the best sci-fi/horror/mysteries I’ve ever read.” – Derek Milman, author of SCREAM ALL NIGHT
“A heady blend of science, myth, and horror.” – Novel Knight Book Reviews
“A dark, creepy tale… a plot-driven story about learning one’s true identity while discovering the unknown, punched with a deeply chilling vibe and consistent spine-tingling narrative.” – Tale Out Loud
“A fast, frantic, fascinating read. Very highly recommended for anyone interested in mythology, psychology, or just some good scares.” – Maxine Kaplan, author of WENCH and THE ACCIDENTAL BAD GIRL
“Part fairy tale, part science fiction, part horror, this novel takes the best parts of these genres and blends them into something completely unique, satisfying, and new… Super smart and spooky, this story kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. A must read.” – Tara Gilboy, author of UNWRITTEN
“…A unique blend of fantasy, sci-fi, and horror story all rolled into one.” – Caryn Lix, author of SANCTUARY
“The book pretty much had everything—friendship, mystery, creepiness, and a dash of romance. Trust me, you’ll want to get lost in these woods!” – Candace Robinson, author of QUINSEY WOLFE’S GLASS VAULT and THE BRIDE OF GLASS
“What The Woods Keep is about more than revealing a family’s secrets, but about accepting yourself, accepting change, [and] about reconciling the known and the unknowable…” – Aussie Speculative Fiction
Book publication details and cover art
When Ghosts Call Us Home
Published 3 October 2023 by Page Street YA (North America), 12 October 2023 by Pan Macmillan (UK/AU/NZ & Commonwealth), and TBC by EKSMO (Russian Federation); US Cover and Book Design by Rosie Stewart for Page Street Publishing | Cover Illustration by Dolce Paganne; UK/AU Cover Design by Moesha Parirenyatwa, Pan MacMillan Art Department | Cover Images by Elle Moss (Trevillion images)
Oasis
Published 7 January 2020 by Imprint/Macmillan (North American) as well as Book of the Month (BOTM) special edition (2020).
What The Woods Keep
Published 18 September 2018 by Imprint/Macmillan (North America), 26 September 2018 by Allen and Unwin (Australia/NZ), and in March 2020 by Dobrovský s.r.o. (Czech Republic, in translation).
