Samantha Josephs Will Release Body Horror Novel Carrying
The Los Angeles-based author explores themes of pregnancy and transition in her debut horror book.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Horror
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Author Samantha Josephs will release her debut body horror novel, Carrying, on October 6, 2026. The book utilizes horror tropes to examine social commentary regarding pregnancy and gender transition.
Why it matters
Josephs wrote the novel to offer a reflection of the physical experience of transitioning while addressing transphobic arguments surrounding pregnancy. The work is currently a longlist nominee for The Center for Fiction New Novel Prize.
Carrying is one of 31 horror books scheduled for release during the month of October. The debut title is published by G.P. Putnam's Sons.
The players
Samantha Josephs
She is a Los Angeles-based author and a graduate of the University of Southern California.
G.P. Putnam's Sons
This established publishing house is responsible for the release of Josephs' debut novel.
The details
The narrative centers on a protagonist named Martha and draws inspiration from the author's own medical transition. The book serves as a vehicle for Josephs to engage with and critique contemporary transphobic rhetoric.
Timeline
October 6, 2026: The official release date for the novel Carrying.
Industry Dynamics
This release follows the trend of authors using genre fiction as a conduit for intense social and personal commentary. Inclusion in The Center for Fiction New Novel Prize longlist positions the work within a competitive landscape of prestige debut literature.
Readers can purchase the novel through major retailers or independent bookstores starting October 6, 2026. Fans can also attend the author's upcoming book tour launch at Skylight Books in Los Angeles.
The takeaway
This novel highlights how genre fiction provides a unique framework for authors to explore complex identity-based narratives. Readers interested in contemporary horror or works of social critique may find the author's perspective on the physical transition experience particularly resonant.
What happens next
Samantha Josephs will host the kickoff event for her book tour at Skylight Books following the October 6, 2026, release.
Further reading
Explore more upcoming releases within the genre on our Horror section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Press Telegram.
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