Digital horror in literature: urban legends and transmedia narratives

Abstract

Literature has been studied from multiple perspectives over time, allowing for a deeper understanding of texts, their authors, and their contexts. As both a cultural artifact and a form of art intended for aesthetic enjoyment, it is essential to reflect on key aspects of its creation and evolution. This article explores the transformation of literature in light of sociocultural and technological changes, with particular emphasis on digitalization and transmedia narratives. Through a theoretical review and analysis of literature as both a cultural and artistic phenomenon, the study examines its modes of production and reception, from oral traditions to the digital age. The findings indicate that democratized access—fueled by digital platforms and new formats such as video games, films, and comics—has reshaped the reader’s experience, turning them into active participants in the construction of meaning. Interactivity and the diversification of media have expanded the traditional concept of reading, integrating new forms of storytelling and engagement. In summary, literature is not a static object but a dynamic phenomenon in constant transformation. Technological advances and sociocultural conditions continue to redefine its scope, fostering innovative forms of reading and expanding its creative potential in a highly interconnected society.