"Star Eaters" - A Narrative Genre Study in Southern Gothic and Cosmic Horror
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
English/Creative Writing
Minor
Humanities
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Gwendolyn Paradice
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Star Eaters is a novel manuscript excerpt that utilizes both craft and scholarship essays on Southern Gothic and Cosmic Horror literature as inspiration for its world-building, characterization, and thematic approach. The story follows aspiring novelist, Charlotte, during her residency with the eccentric Valentine family, who she soon discovers hunt and eat extraterrestrial creatures simply called “Stars.” Over the course of her stay, Charlotte is forced to reckon with a series of ever changing perspectives on hopelessness from both an earthly and cosmic scale.
Fall Scholars Week 2026
English and Philosophy Panel
"Star Eaters" - A Narrative Genre Study in Southern Gothic and Cosmic Horror
Star Eaters is a novel manuscript excerpt that utilizes both craft and scholarship essays on Southern Gothic and Cosmic Horror literature as inspiration for its world-building, characterization, and thematic approach. The story follows aspiring novelist, Charlotte, during her residency with the eccentric Valentine family, who she soon discovers hunt and eat extraterrestrial creatures simply called “Stars.” Over the course of her stay, Charlotte is forced to reckon with a series of ever changing perspectives on hopelessness from both an earthly and cosmic scale.