Margaret Killjoy

Margaret Killjoy is an American creator recognized for her work in speculative fiction, music, and podcasting. Her writing primarily explores themes of queer identity, anarchism, and folk horror, often featuring elements of fantasy. Killjoy has authored several novels and contributed to anthologies, with her Danielle Cain series being particularly noted. She is also a musician involved in various genres, including black metal and electronica, and has founded a feminist black metal band. Additionally, Killjoy co-hosts two podcasts focused on anarchist history and survivalism.

Killjoy identifies as an anarchist, feminist, and anti-fascist, and is a transgender woman. Her early adult life involved periods of squatting and wandering, leading to her current involvement in building a cabin on an anarchist land project in the Appalachian Mountains. Her creative output often reflects these philosophical leanings, blending speculative storytelling with political and social commentary.

Margaret Killjoy is primarily known for her speculative fiction, which often delves into queer, anarchist, and folk horror themes. Her notable works include the interactive steampunk novel "What Lies Beneath the Clock Tower" (2011) and the "Danielle Cain" series, which features genderqueer, anarchist demon hunters. The first two books in this series, "The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion" (2017) and "The Barrow Will Send What It May" (2018), received award nominations. Killjoy also contributed to the anthology "A Punk Rock Future" and began a new medieval fantasy trilogy with "The Sapling Cage" in 2024. Beyond fiction, she has edited and written non-fiction, including "Mythmakers & Lawbreakers: Anarchist Writers on Fiction" (2009), and was an editor for "SteamPunk Magazine," where she discussed technology's impact on humanity and nature.

Killjoy's musical endeavors span several genres, including black metal, neofolk, and electronica. She is the founder of the feminist black metal band Feminazgûl, established in 2018. She released the band's initial EP, "The Age of Men Is Over," as a solo project before collaborating with other musicians for their full-length album "No Dawn for Men" (2020). Killjoy is also involved in other musical projects such as the neofolk group Alsarath, the blackened doom band Vulgarite, and the electronica project Nomadic War Machine.

As a host, Margaret Killjoy engages with themes of anarchism and survival. She co-hosts "Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff," a podcast exploring anarchist and left-wing history, and "Live Like the World is Dying," which focuses on survival and community preparedness. Killjoy identifies as an anarchist, feminist, and anti-fascist, and is a transgender woman. Her life experiences, including periods of squatting and her involvement in building a cabin on an anarchist land project, inform her creative and political work, often blending speculative narratives with discussions on societal structures and resilience.