I have been enjoying doing this series on favorite writers, and I hope you have all been liking it also! For this entry, I wanted to mention my favorite horror writers. This, like with the other genres of writers, is difficult because there are so many excellent authors.
I will begin with Stephen King, the writer I think is the consummate horror writer, in addition to working in many other genres. I realize that as an academic, I risk having the Gods of the Academy shoot lightning bolts at me for saying making this claim, but I think King is one of the best writers of our time, and his work rises to stand along other great literary figures. Among his best horror novels are The Stand, The Shining, and It.
Anne Rice is my next choice. With her vampire series, she rejuvenated what had been a tired approach to a classic monster. Almost all writers who have explored vampires since then owe a debt to her for showing what was possible. I am pleased that she has returned to her vampire series after a hiatus of quite a few years. Some of her best novels are Interview With The Vampire, The Vampire Lestat, and Prince Lestat.
My next choice in the horror genre is Bram Stoker, the author of the classic novel,
Dracula. While I will not make a claim that his other novels rise to the level of this book, Dracula is so powerful and so important that his writing of it makes him one of the most important horror writers of any era.
I ask all of you: who is your favorite horror writer?
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Please follow the following links to find my novel:
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The book trailer:
Maledicus:Investigative Paranormal Society Book I
My radio interview:
Not normally associated as a horror writer but Murial Gray provided us with a couple of absolute belters. The Trickster is as good as I have read.
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Wonderful choice!
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Stoker and King are great (I enjoyed ‘Salem’s Lot). I’ve enjoyed the stories of Poe, and I did a freshman seminar in college on “Victorian Monsters” which included Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, and The Island of Dr. Moreau by H. G. Wells. Outside that, there is Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray.
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Thank you–all excellent choices!
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You’re welcome.
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Lovecraft.
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Of course!
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I think Anne Rice is brilliant. Stephen King has written some amazing tales that stand out for me , The Shining and Misery. Great post Charles.
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Thank you so much!
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Thank you! I enjoyed.
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You are welcome!
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Fox and Friends
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LOL!
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I especially enjoy the writing of Shirley Jackson and Stephen King.
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Bram Stoker, hands down.
Although I may need to rethink this re: Sally’s Fox & Friends.
I mean are truly horrifying.
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Yes!
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I mean, “they,” are truly horrifying
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M.R. James
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Thank you!
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Stephen King and Dean Koontz are my favourites when it comes to horror. 😊
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They are excellent.
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Poe definitely!
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I should have included him.
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Before all others like Shelly’s Frankenstein, Poe had a dark-mad-frightful way of giving me chills…
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Excellent choices!
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I agree with your 3 choices, I’ve enjoyed them all. But, I would have to add in John Carpenter, Gaiman – with Dean Koontz and John Saul close behind.
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All are excellent choices!
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H.P. Lovecraft. He’s certainly the one I’ve read the most of. I also like Bram Stoker and Stephen King, and there’s also Edgar Allan Poe…
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I had a hard time not including Poe.
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Edgar Allan Poe is the consummate writer of horror, IMHO. Richard Matheson is another who I just love. Of course, Stephen King is the “King” of horror, and I agree that he is one of the best writers in the world. He doesn’t just write horror, which is also why I love Matheson and Poe. They truly expose the human heart – whether literally or figuratively – which is why their work resonates through time and with different audiences.
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I agree with you!
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Bentley Little is my first favorite, although he hasn’t been as prolific. Next is Jonathan Maberry and of course, Stephen King is somewhere there too as a favorite, followed by Clive Barker and then Richard Matheson.
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Thank you for excellent choices!
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Coming to think of it, I have never read a horror book. What do you recommend I should read as my very first horror book?
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Either Dracula or The Shining.
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Okay. Thank you!
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You are welcome!
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I love King! Currently reading Pet Sematary to get ready for the remake of his movie. I enjoy hearing his inspiration for each book! I love how he takes something that happened to him and turns it into a horror book! He is a genius.
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I agree with you completely.
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I don’t usually read a lot of horror, but I do enjoy Stephen King and Anne Rice, and of course Poe. I also enjoy the occasional Dean Koontz book, but I’m not sure if he’d be considered “horror”.
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Koontz writes many kinds of books, and horror is some of them.
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Stephen King has been my favorite author ever since I was eleven and read The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon for the first time. I’d have to agree that he’s definitely one of the best authors of our time.
I also love Edgar Allan Poe.
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Excellent choices!
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Stephen King. My husband and I started reading him to each other around a campfire out in the woods in upstate NY, passing a bottle of cheap wine, about 25 years ago. Never gets old. We’re reading Doctor Sleep to each other right now.
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That is wonderful!
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Well lately there’s this Professor…
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Ahhhh, thank you so much!
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I don’t know Anne Rice, I shall have to look her up. I love those three books of King too, although some of his more recent works are not as good, in my opinion. He has resorted to a common shock factor which detracts from the stories. I am currently listening to the audio book of Dracula. What a magnificent story. The descriptive language is amazing.
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If you read Anne Rice, you should begin with Interview With The Vampire.
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I haven’t read your stuff yet, Dr. French, but I have to agree with many of the authors already named. Richard Laymon and Jack Ketchum (both, sadly, no longer with us) are also excellent choices.
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Yes, they are, and may I add that I hope you do read my books!
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Getting interest in horror books! Thanks!
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You are very welcome!
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My pleasure!
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