Top Ten Horror Book Writers
The top ten horror authors. Not films but books. Their ability to scare amazes and will pull you into the book.Please share your comments.
Stephen King is probably one of the most well-known and prolific writers of our time. Ranging from the frustrated child that develops telekinetic powers to a mythic Universe of gunmen and creatures, and passing through the basic horror of the classic vampire and werewolves, King does one thing for sure: he keeps you reading and devouring the next chapter.
Is he the best horror writer of all times? Probably. Quality and quantity joins the concept of diversity, but above all, King is even better day after day, and he has something new to tell. Something to write about. And we, well, we'll just wait for his next book.
No one else writes like Stephen King. He can make me laugh, cry and scare the crap outta me like no one else can. He's always addressed as the best horror writer but I think he's much more than that. He writes with such wit and depth, it goes beyond the average horror novel standards. (Just take The Shawshank Redemption). And seriously, I've read a decent amount of books, but never I had such a fit of laughter as when I read chapter V of Duma Key. I was literally rolling and gasping for breath and had sore abs the next day. Worked the first time and works every time I read it. I couldn't thank enough for this man to write books like that.
If you truly respect the horror genre you wouldn't place someone as talented and dedicated as Edgar Allen Poe as second place. If anything he should be number one. Of course there are the people that believe "so-and-so's books are so much scarier," but Edgar Allen Poe was the man to push his way into man's subconscious and bring its fears to life back in the 19th century. Stephen King would not have a place in this world if it weren't for Poe. He was one of the best known authors of American history and has earned his place at number one. If anyone claims different then they are unable to fully appreciate the true horror genre.
He creates so much suspense and it's like he's right there telling you an ancient story that has been passed for generations but has nevertheless decreased it's scariness.
In his short but frightening stories he doesn't scare you with.
The typically ghouls, ghosts and zombies, it's just the ideas behind it all that are terribly frightening.
Like for example the tell tale heart: don't you find the idea of some stranger watching you night after night for seven night? It's scary, especially when you think about the fact that the stranger was biding his time when he could have killed a long time ago. And the stranger thinks he's not crazy which is stupid because the way he goes on about the poor old man really is horrific. I mean imagine killing a man because his bone chilling eye was getting under your skin. And the way he hid the heart under the floorboards, a complete psychopath in my experience.
Edgar Allen Poe finds a way of expressing feeling perfectly as if were second nature to him. Edgar Allan Poe is the best scary writer by far. I haven't read many scary books but I don't need to to know the Edgar is certainly the best.
Stephen King was the first horror author I had the chance to read. I was introduced to horror movies and literature at an early age and I've been hooked ever since. However when I branched out I realized that King is kind of elementary and doesn't really branch out from his standard formula after the first few classics. I'll always respect the Shining because come on - it's a masterpiece! But Lovecraft opens and imagines entire worlds to us and there's just nothing like him. Disturbing, violent, scary in so many different ways!
At the dawn of a new century, many authors relied on short, cheap magazines to display their work. Lovecraft relied mainly on "Weird Tales" and never made more than 500 dollars from any paycheck. Despite the modest payment, his work caught the attention of hundreds of readers from the very beginning. Nowadays, his work and references to his work, especially Cthulhu, are seen and used everywhere. It is impossible to live in today's world without encountering Lovecraft's influences, even if you don't realize it.
His writing style can be considered boring, and the overuse of descriptions can often drive audience members away. However, he executes it in a manner that is tolerable to most people and effectively conveys his ideas better than broad writing could. Some people say they don't enjoy his work due to the underlying themes of xenophobia or minor racism in his pieces. However, such sentiments were common in the early 1900s and often an accepted trait in Providence, Rhode Island. Therefore, finding hints of racism and fear of immigrants in his work is to be expected. One doesn't have to accept or deny it, it simply exists in his literature due to the era and his nature.
The creatures, characters, main ideas, and themes have always filled me with awe. They spotlight creatures that are both fantastic and horrifying. The overarching theme of humanity's insignificance is, in itself, poetic. Lovecraft may not be the best of all time, but he is a master of horror that appeals to people from all walks of life.
R. L. Stine is one of the greatest horror writers for kids, he is writing so many scary books with monsters, for example Say cheese and die, Haunted mask, Welcome to dead house, and many more, I will probably start reading Stephen kings books after I have readen all of his books. So far my favorite goosebump books are Monsterblood and A night with the living dummy, Well, I pretty much hate the goosebumps book called Curse of the Mummy's Tomb. But still I love the books.
I have no standard to judge this "GREAT AUTHOR". Still, I'll say that one of the best authors. Not one of the best authors, only ONE best authors. Loved his Horrorland series. My favourite book is Streets of the Panic Park. He should be number one in this list. No words to describe him, love you and waiting for a new series from master of fright. #AnSh ThAkUr
Awesome! Stine is the creator of the popular children's series Goosebumps. Goosebumps is very intense and introduces a new character in pretty much each book. Stine is very creative when it comes to writing horror stories, but horror stories your future kids will adore! Currently Reading Revenge R Us. Great book!
I like King, Koontz, Poetry and Lovecraft. Barker does elevate horror stories to the level of ART. His themes are deep multilayered messages. His characters are complex and multi faceted. There is something to be learned by reading his work. The darker side of human nature is exposed to us and understood, not justified or agreed with. You can relate to all his characters even the monsters. Isn't that true horror? The true horror is to realize that all of us have the capability of being a monster. The challange is to resist that impulse no matter how much "horror" we may have experienced in our own lives. No one today expresses this with such eloquence.
Clive is way more intelligent than Dean Koontz. His books are more on par with serious literature. Koontz has a mainstream appeal to his books and probably makes more money, but Clive is on another level. Back in 1985, Stephen King said he is the future of horror. This is true. Clive is still the future of horror. His books are literally so good that he's still ahead of his time.
One of the greatest writers, of all genres, of the 20th Century. He weaved one of the greatest horror stories of all time, and in doing so created perhaps the most infamous monster of all, Dracula!
Mary Shelley, in her one novel, energized the horror genre worldwide at a critical moment so that her effect has been felt for over 200 years. Lovecraft's essay, "Supernatural Horror in Literature", being organized chronological, provides a good viewpoint on Shelley's relative place in horror literature by showing what preceded her and what followed. Just for sheer impact and influence on the genre, Shelley should be listed in the top ten.
I would like to point out one little fact. In Stephen King's Danse Macabre, he states that Frankenstein's Monster (along with Dracula and the Werewolf via Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) is one of the horror genre's major archetypes. Famous to the point of having its own breakfast cereal, Frankenstein is pretty influential. I mean, it helped shape number 1 on the list.
The psychological torment that Frankenstein's "monster" endured, knowing that he was created as an experiment by an obsessed quack, was illustrated viscerally and unabashedly. The novel was dark and unforgivingly horrific.
The same plot and the same characters written over and over again with a generic, eye-grabbing title that has almost nothing to do with the story slapped onto the front so it sells copies at the airport. He is the greasy fast-food of horror literature.
For me he is second to #1 which is Stephen King. He incorporate elements of horror, mystery, thriller and suspense. Stephen King read his book and inspired him, sometimes he get ideas. One of the best.
I've tried to read Koontz different times and can't come close to finishing a book. Poor character and plot development. Makes me want to write because if he can get published, maybe I can too.
I think people are getting confused between horror and thriller...Laymon is a true HORROR writer. A lot of this top 10 are over rated, and Marry Shelley at #7! come on she wrote 1 good book and that's it!
I have read all of Richard Laymon's books. Such awesome stories. They kept me riveted from the very beginning all the way to the end.
This writer was an absolute awesome storyteller. He made you feel as you were right in the middle of the horror.
The Saga Of Darren Shan is the best book series I've ever read. Actually it's the best 12 books I've ever read. Its not only scary but there are so many amazing adventures in it you just can't stop reading it. You're always like "1 page more and I will stop reading" well that never happens! And its emotional too. I swear I feel every feeling in my body while reading these series. You should be wasting your time if you haventread the books yet. Go and add reading Darren's books to your bucket list!
Darren Shan is an excellent author who makes his readers lean on the edge of there seats. Readers can't wait for the next book in the Darren Shan series as they can't wait to find out what happens next in his dangerous life.
Darren is an amazing author, his ability to mix horror with adventure is amazing and every book makes you just sit on the edge of you seat wanting more and more!
Hell House trumps every "scary" book written by King.
Matheson's work is so much more solid than Barker or King, I don't know why I am the first to vote for him?
Matheson explores themes of inner human darkness, choices, consequences and evil. King writes boo stories and Barker writes gore stories.
Hell House in itself is a disturbing piece that is so intense. Despite having ghosts, there are other dark themes including necrophilia, sodomy, abortion, rape, murder, lust and the corruption of the soul.
I would also vote for his collection of short stories over 60% of the authors on this votes best list.
Closing I will say the only really good horror novel by King is Thinner. (Salem's Lot was okay, but not truly as horrifying as Hell House or the Button by Matheson.)
Matheson's world is one of misery and despair and he is able to capture this in his writing again and again. From I am Legend to his wealth of short stories, each will leave you with a sadistic grin on your face.
So happy he's on this list! Christopher Pike is the perfect transition for pre and teens from most RL Stine books (especially the non-Goosebumps) into something like King. Loved his stories growing up, and he could really get into your head... there's one story of his that STILL haunts me.
You have to read some of his adult novels, especially The Season of Passage, to understand what an awesome horror writer Pike is. Season of Passage stays with you forever, never leaves the back of your mind, never stops beguiling.
This person is reasonably unknown but it's sad he is, because he really knows how to make amazing characters, fantastic plots and exellent character development. Don't let his ignominy fool you, he is one of the best if not the best horror writers.
I have tons of her novels including Poirot & Marple. Mysteries give the amount of edvice that means something to a person in that kind of story.
Best Mystery writer! Her stories are believable yet so mesmerizing that you can't put them down
He's not the fear of the slasher or the satanic being, but rather that of everyday uncomfortable situations - a traffic stop, a confrontation, an audit, etc. - heightened to the point of the unbearable. And if you need them, there are usually monsters underneath.
The absolute best horror writer ever!
Make me feel lie I ma readin an 80's horror movie, that is definitely a good thing love his work.
His novels made me stay awake all night, unable to put it down. I was so eager to know how the end would turn out... Not to mention they made me glance at the darkness within the room every now then, boy was I sacred! Laugh out loud.
This author was my introduction to the horror genre with "The Homing". I'm STILL afraid of insects! Fantastic writer - I would recommend him any day!
His books are suspenseful and each tales plot is different from the one before. Horror fans of all ages will appriciate his writing. It's hard to put one of his books down!
When I thought I knew how things would turn out... Bang! Nope there was a twist in the end. Stories has you on the edge.
Every book he has written has entranced me and spooked the heck out of me. My favorite horror writer HANDS DOWN.
If it weren't for Stephen King, Straub would have been considered the best of the 70's and 80's.
A branch of Stephen King. One of the best. Try to read his books, all his books.
Her supernatural novels are the best. They have everything a good novel needs, romance, suspence, gore, fantasy, sex, and a dark sence of humor.
Some of his ideas may sound silly when the lights are still on. You may laugh at the things he came up with or all the mistakes he made not doing the research or ignoring some details just to make something fit the story, but then you read the stories and they just can't leave your head, some of his ideas will haunt you even years after reading. That man knows how to scare his readers.
Brilliant, Burial and Sleepless are the best books I have ever read.
Horror commences right from beginning of his books.
"Known to the macabre audience as "a true master of horror." This recluse's life really is a true testament of a living nightmare, and with no tripe. Dr. Chris Mentillo began writing about such dreams of horror due to his ill-fated lifestyle, dealing mostly with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and routinely horrific nightmares, thus igniting his career as a best-selling horror writer. The rest as they say is history."
This guy can pull a horror story out of a sock, and scare the hell out of you, give you the creeps, or even trouble you for days on end.
My favorite short story writer, in five lines this man can terrify you where you stand.
I've listened to picture this 3 times and it still gives me chills
I stumbled on to Shrley Jackson. I read her book The Haunting of Hill House. I love her characters and how it was more psychological than horror.