Weird Girl Fiction trend gains traction in publishing

The literary term ‘Weird Girl Fiction’ is gaining traction in the publishing industry, driven largely by social media trends on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The label describes stories featuring female protagonists who break societal conventions and expectations through radical or unconventional behaviors.

Examples of this trend include Han Kang’s ‘The Vegetarian’ and Monika Kim’s works, such as ‘Molka’ and ‘The Best Are the Eyes’. The genre encompasses a wide range of narratives, from characters seeking isolation to those engaging in grotesque or vengeful acts.

Publishers and retailers are already responding to the phenomenon. The bookstore Hugendubel has curated online lists of recommended titles, and the publisher Kiepenheuer & Witsch is releasing new works under its ‘kiwi space’ imprint that align with this aesthetic.