OCTOBER 19: NINETEEN HIGHLY RECOMMENDED HORROR WRITERS

While we are not experts on the written word, both Marie and myself are serious aficionados of frightening tomes.  Here are a list of our favorite authors - all are worthy of the utmost praise and are generally well regarded and beloved by anyone blessed with a love of horror and great ghost stories.  If you can't find someone here on this list to scare the bejesus out of you, then you're lying like a rug.

STEPHEN KING - SEPTEMBER 21, 1947 - 

We'll start with my favorite and probably the most well-known horror author of perhaps all time.  I'd have to say his older works are (in my opinion) by far superior, but regardless of when they were written, all of King's novels, short stories, e-books, and the likes are written in layman's terms with an uncanny ability to capture your attention and have you helplessly reading well into the night.  So many of his works have been captured on the big and small screen it would be entirely too time-consuming to list, but suffice it to say that Misery, Carrie, The Shawshank Redemption, and Stand by Me are probably a few of the best. ~CH

MUST READS:

-THE SHINING (1977)

-SALEM'S LOT (1975)
-PET SEMATARY (1983)
ON WRITING (2000)
DIFFERENT SEASONS (1982)

PETER STRAUB - MARCH 2ND, 1943 - MILWAUKEE
My favorite book in the horror genre is Straub's Ghost Story, which is a brilliantly descriptive and horrifying novel. It was made (albeit loosely) into a movie of the same name in 1981 which I make no bones about it being one of my favorite horror films as well.  Influenced by H.P. Lovecraft, Straub's books are both gripping and macabre, and he has won several Bram Stoker Awards in his time.  Having collaborated with pal Stephen King on both The Talisman and Black House, it is rumored that the dynamic duo may eventually write a third book together. I say, get on that - stat!  ~CH

MUST READS:

- GHOST STORY (1979)
THE THROAT (1993)
LOST BOY, LOST GIRL (2003)
JULIA (1975)

DAN SIMMONS - APRIL 4, 1948 - PEORIA, IL.

An author that more horror fans need to experience, Simmons weaves his tales somewhere in between fantasy and horror.  His Summer of Night is a lot like Stephen King's IT, in that a small group of kids grow up together and fight off the evil that has descended upon their tiny town. The Terror is a fabulous book in which a nautical expedition turns to horror when the crew gets stuck in the Arctic ice and is terrorized by an unseen monster, as well as having to turn to cannibalism for survival.  And Carrion Comfort is an excellent novel about psychic vampires. You really need to check this guy out!  ~CH

MUST READS
CARRION COMFORT (1989)
SUMMER OF NIGHT (1991)
CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT (1992)
THE TERROR (2007)

CLIVE BARKER - OCTOBER 5, 1952 - LIVERPOOL

Highlighting the darker side of fiction, Barker has to be one of the most macabre and hypnotizing voices in horror. His Books of Blood short stories have paved the way for several movie adaptations including Hellraiser, Candyman, Midnight Meat Train, Lord of Illusions, Nightbreed, and Dread. Barker is also an amazing artist/illustrator and often uses his skills for his own works. ~CH

MUST READS

BOOKS OF BLOOD (1984-85)
THE DAMNATION GAME (1985)
THE HELLBOUND HEART (1986)
MISTER B. GONE (2007)

RICHARD MATHESON - FEBRUARY 20, 1926 - ALLENDALE
This is a man who should need no introduction.  His contributions in the world of horror really are countless. Not only were many movies made from his original works (I Am Legend, The Legend of Hell House, Stir of Echoes... but he was the screenwriter for such gems as The Pit and the Pendulum, House of Usher, The Raven, The Devil Rides Out...etc.  He also wrote a ton of Twilight Zone episodes (including Shatner's 'Nightmare at 20,000 feet'), Night Gallery, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.... the man just can't be stopped. ~CH

MUST READS

-I AM LEGEND (1954)

-HELL HOUSE (1971)
A STIR OF ECHOES (1958)

RAMSEY CAMPBELL - JANUARY 4, 1946 - LIVERPOOL

He's been around since 1976 with his debut novel "The Doll Who Ate It's Mother", after that writing novelizations of classic monster movies, "Bride of Frankenstein", "Dracula's Daughter", and "The Wolfman", and is still pumpin' em out. He is widely considered a master of the genre, equal to his predecessors. He style is that of the weird and unsettling, and damn is he good at it. ~MR

MUST READS

-THE DARKEST PART OF THE WOODS (2003)

-MIDNIGHT SUN (1990)

-THE FACE THAT MUST DIE (1979)

EDGAR ALLAN POE - JANUARY 19, 1809-OCTOBER 7, 1849 - BOSTON

Okay, everyone knows how awesome this dude is. With Poe, there is no such thing as "overrated", because the guy is a fucking genius. He may have some issues with infatuation, but he knows how to send a shiver down your spine. When the thunder cracks during a storm at night, I have to put down my book of forgotten lore and pick up some Poe. ~MR

MUST READS

- THE BLACK CAT (1843)

-LEGEIA (1838)

-THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO (1846)

-THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER (1839)

-THE RAVEN (1845)

ALGERNON BLACKWOOD - MARCH 14, 1869-DECEMBER 10, 1951 - SHOOTER'S HILL

One of the most recognized ghost story writers and one of my personal favorites. Novelist and short story writer, he also delved in "the weird", a term you are probably familiar with if you are a horror fiction fan. He's got a good storytelling face, don't you think? ~MR

MUST READS

-THE WILLOWS (1907)

-ANCIENT SORVERIES (1908)

-THE DAMNED (1914)

-THE WENDIGO (1910)

SHIRLEY JACKSON - DECEMBER 14, 1916-AUGUST 8, 1965 - SAN FRANCISCO

She may look humble but she is one spooky bitch. In fact, she weaved my favorite tale, "The Haunting of Hill House". She knows all about the psychology of the scare; the Shirley Jackson Award was established in 2007 to award achievements in psychological suspense, horror, and dark fantastic fiction. I hope to win that award someday! ~MR

MUST READS

-THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE (1959)

-WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE (1962)

-THE LOTTERY (1948)

M.R. JAMES - AUGUST 1, 1862-JUNE 12,1936 - GOODNESTONE

An English mediaeval scholar, James is a favorite for many hardcore horror lit. fans (including us at FWF!). He left behind the gothic and brought the modern world to his stories, which gave readers a more realistic, and therefore more terrifying experience. British television has done several television adaptations of his works, including the much beloved BBC series "A Ghost Story For Christmas". ~MR

MUST READS

-COUNT MAGNUS (1904)

-OH, WHISTLE AND I'LL COME TO YOU, MY LAD (1904)

-CASTING THE RUNES (1911)

H.P. LOVECRAFT - AUGUST 20, 1890-MARCH 15, 1937 - PROVIDENCE

This man is now hailed for his creation of the Cthulu Mythos, Lovecraft was a master of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy. He was obsessed with the universe and what he called "cosmic horror", which is pretty cool but also sounds fucking scary, which is why it worked so well, I guess! One thing that stinks is that he was apparently a big ole racist. Boo on that, Lovecraft! ~MR

MUST READS

-THE CALL OF CTHULU (1928)

-THE SHUNNED HOUSE (1937)

-THE DUNWICH HORROR (1929)

-THE THING ON THE DOORSTEP (1937)

AMBROSE BIERCE - JUNE 24, 1842-1914 - MEIGS COUNTY

Bierce wasn't widely known for his horror stories, but his ghost stories are my personal favorite. I love them so much because they are set up to be told as a personal account, or an urban legend. They are great for reading on stormy nights and in front of campfires!! Plus, check out his 'stache. ~MR

MUST READS

-AN OCCURRENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE (1891)

-A WATCHER BY THE DEAD (1891)

-THE DAMNED THING (1894)

JOSEPH SHERIDAN LE FANU - AUGUEST 28, 1814-FEBRUARY 7, 1873 - DUBLIN

The Irish know the supernatural arguable better than anyone, and our writer here is no exception. You can find him published under the name Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, Sheridan Le Fanu, or J.S. Le Fanu. I have a soft spot for Irish boys, but with exceptional literary talent and a taste for Victorian Gothic--this guy is a shoe in. His famous story of lesbian vampire, "Carmilla" predates Bram Stoker's Dracula but is remembered by few. Yes, I have a crush on a dead writer, SO DO YOU! Probably...  ~MR

MUST READS

-CARMILLA (1872)

-UNCLE SILAS (1864)

-IN A GLASS DARKLKY (1872)

ANNE RICE - OCTOBER 4, 1941 - NEW ORLEANS

You know her, you love her--ladies and gentlemen, the one and only. This woman knows how to write a BOOK! With her vast imagination and effortless talent she imagines entire worlds and the histories and generations that fill them. She has had extremely successful film adaptations, and she DID go through that weird religious crap (remember that?)--we'll let that go. Oh yeah, and she used to write some really raunchy shit. ~MR

MUST READS

-INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (1976)

-QUEEN OF THE DAMNED (1988)

-THE WITCHING HOUR (1990)

NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE - JULY 4, 1804-MAY 19, 1864 - SALEM

Although you may know him (and abhor him) for having to read "The Scarlet Letter" in school, Mr. Hawthorne has written some brilliant supernatural short stories. He is related to John Hathorne--known as the most cruel and unrelenting judge in the Witch Trails (also mentioned in the Insane Asylums list). He added the 'w' to his name to hide the relation. ~MR

MUST READS

-FEATHERTOP (1852)

-THE MINISTER'S BLACK VEIL (1836)

-THE BIRTH MARK (1843)

-RAPPACINNI'S DAUGHTER (1844)

BRAM STOKER - NOVEMBER 8, 1847-APRIL 20, 1912 - DUBLIN

Although (in my opinion), "Dracula" is by no means a masterpiece, and certainly not the first vampire novel, we have to give Stoker some props for making the most popular horror novel in history. Now-a-days he gets overlooked by a certain terrible vampire series (I'm confident that nobody who reads this blog is a "Twilight" fan), but Count Dracula remains to be the most famous vampire EVER! ~MR

MUST READS

-DRACULA (1897)

-DRACULA'S GUEST (1914)

FRITZ LEIBER - DECEMBER 24, 1910-SEPTEMBER 5, 1992 - CHICAGO

Even though he is considered the father of Sword and Sorcery fantasy, he is also an amazing horror writers. His most famous work, "The Conjure Wife" has been adapted for the screen three times. The films are called "Weird Woman" (1944), "Burn, Witch, Burn!" (1962), and "Witch's Brew" (1980). ~MR

MUST READS

-THE CONJURE WIFE (1942)

-OUR LADY OF DARKNESS (1977)

JAMES HERBERT - APRIL 8, 1943 - LONDON
One of Britain's most famous horror novelists, Herbert writes mostly supernatural tales but also mysteries and thrillers.  He also had a career as an art director, which is probably the reason that he designs his own book covers. Several of his novels have been adapted into films, including the 1995 "Haunted", starring Adian Quinn and Kate Beckinsale. Herbert was appointed OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 2010. ~CH

MUST READS

HAUNTED (1988)
THE FOG (1985) 

MOON (1985)

THE MAGIC COTTAGE (1986)

 DEAN KOONTZ -JULY 9, 1945 - PENNSYLVANIA 
At first a science fiction writer in the 60's, Koontz moved on to horror/suspense in the 70's and hasn't looked back since. A NY Times best selling author, Koontz has a special affection for Golden Retrievers and has made substantial donations to CCI (Canine Companions for Independence, a charitable organization that provides service animals for the disabled). He has had Goldens in several of his novels. ~CH
MUST READS:
PHANTOMS (1983)
INTENSITY (1995)
STRANGERS (1986)
ODD THOMAS (2003)