A writer and educator named Anna Elkova began working unofficially as an instructor and English teacher at a bilingual private kindergarten connected to the Mary Club school in Kommunarka in September 2022, choosing to collaborate with her daughter while balancing her classroom duties.
In October she published the horror tale “Asya” in a collection edited by Parfenov MS for AST publishing house, described as a stark and somber piece that explores harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Elkova also moderated a public discussion about horror films on the VKontakte social network as part of her broader engagement with the genre.
Anna Elkova later learned that the school principal had reviewed her social media presence only in mid-May 2023, listened to an audio recording of the story, and reacted with alarm. After initially closing her page to protect her privacy and reduce public attention, the principal invited Elkova to a meeting and subsequently dismissed her. Officials framed the decision as a consequence of Elkova’s dual interests: horror writing and dark storytelling, arguing that the teacher was overwhelmed by themes of fear.
“I had just completed two weeks and then left. I was working informally, and that was careless on my part, but that is how it happened,” Elkova reflected. “It isn’t just about the page. I turned it off immediately. The issue is in my head, and I can’t work there with children.”
Some observers noted that a portion of the public expects teachers to maintain a certain image, and Elkova acknowledged that her passion for fear-based material might clash with conventional teaching expectations. She insisted that she did not expose students to frightening content; conversations about her work were shared with colleagues, not presented to the children, and she emphasized that the material could be discussed in a controlled setting if appropriate.
Elkova chose not to pursue an appeal of the kindergarten’s decision, explaining that she wished to protect her colleagues and noted concerns that the situation could influence them in the future. She also commented on how teacher appearance standards intersect with pay and working conditions, suggesting that administrators should appreciate professionals who choose to work in their own institutions, while acknowledging the need for reasonable boundaries and personal expression when guiding young minds.
Parfenov MS described the situation as absurd not only because a private school or kindergarten reportedly sanctioned one of its employees for writing a horror story, but also because Elkova did not initially react with hostility. She responded with understanding, removed access to her social media, and began presenting herself as someone who did not exist in order to move forward in a calmer way. The author characterized the conflict as person-centered.
Parfyonov reflected that the reason given for Elkova’s departure was explicit: she did not resemble the image expected of a caregiver and could be dangerous for children. This judgment stirred concern among horror writers and readers, who saw Elkova as another voice in a broader community of authors, educators, librarians, doctors, government workers, and professionals from diverse backgrounds. The assertion that writers and readers of horror are mentally unstable or dangerous was rejected by Parfenov, who argued that writing and reading about monsters does not imply personal pathology. The hobby of exploring disturbing aspects of life can be a powerful lens for understanding society and encouraging audiences to engage with difficult topics through storytelling and reflection.
Elkova’s first story was praised for its depth and psychological intensity, recognized as more than a mere horror piece. Parfyonov noted that the story promised significant potential for future work and expressed genuine interest in Elkova’s forthcoming projects, underscoring that the piece represented a meaningful contribution to contemporary fiction.
The school and kindergarten offered no public comments about the incident.