Whether you're a fan of horror movies, or you just love the genre, there are a number of top horror novelists to consider. Whether you're a fan of Stephen King, Anne Rice, or Dean Koontz, you'll likely find that there's at least one of these authors on your list. These are some of the best horror writers of all time.
Edgar Allan Poe
Known for his macabre tales of horror and terror, Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most influential writers in American literature. His writings have influenced a number of genres, including Gothic novels, science fiction, and detective fiction.
Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts. His foster mother died when he was young. He had platonic entanglements with Sarah Anna Lewis and Annie Richmond. In 1827, Poe enrolled in the U.S. Army and served as a sergeant major. Afterward, Poe returned to New York City and began to publish poetry.
Stephen King
Despite his apparent lack of literary credentials, Stephen King has become one of the most successful and prolific writers of all time. He is the recipient of several awards, and his work has been featured in dozens of movies and television shows. He has written novels, short stories, and even comic books.
King is best known for his horror fiction. He began writing professionally while attending the University of Maine at Orono. He published a short story in 1967, and he sold his first novel in 1973. His first novel, Carrie, was about a telekinetic high school student who struggles to deal with her inner demons. The novel was eventually published by Doubleday & Co.
Joseph Campbell
During his career as a professor at Sarah Lawrence College, Joseph Campbell studied comparative religion. He was also fascinated by comparative mythology. He discovered that there are a number of mythological concepts that are shared across cultures and continents.
This led to the development of a mythological theory known as the hero's journey. It explains why myths and legends are important. It also gives a glimpse into Campbell's literary interests. His book The Village Killings and Other Novellas is a collection of five stories and an essay.
Dean Koontz
Besides writing novels, Dean Koontz has also written many short stories. His books have been translated into 38 languages. Often blending in themes of horror, fantasy, science fiction, and romance, Dean Koontz has become a bestselling author. He has written more than 100 books and sold over 500 million copies worldwide.
Dean Koontz started writing in college. During this time he worked multiple jobs. Eventually, he was given five years to write by his wife. She subsequently quit her job to help with his writing career. The result was his first novel, Whispers.
Dean Barker
Among the many horror authors, Clive Barker is considered one of the best. His works are dark, imaginative, and chilling. He is also a celebrated illustrator and painter. His work has been exhibited and sold throughout America.
Clive Barker began his career writing plays, such as "Crazyface", "Frankenstein in Love", and "The History of the Devil." He also wrote short fiction. He also illustrated, painted, and created a variety of ephemera. His work has been adapted into numerous films. The director's cut edition of Nightbreed will be released in late 2012. He also worked as a painter, illustrator, and film director.
Anne Rice
Known for her vampire novels, Anne Rice is one of the most acclaimed and influential horror writers of the past decade. She also pioneered the use of female sexuality in the supernatural genre.
She is most widely known for her bestselling Vampire Chronicles series. This series of books spanned over twelve novels and is often credited with reviving the gothic horror genre. It started with her debut novel, Interview with the Vampire, and has since expanded into several other sub-series.
She also wrote a number of other genres, including erotic fiction and historical fiction. She was awarded the World Horror Grandmaster Award in 1994, and in 2003, she was named Lifetime Achievement by the Horror Writers Association. She also received the Bram Stoker Award for Life Achievement in 2004.
Victor LaValle
Whether you enjoy horror or sci-fi, you'll find Victor LaValle's novels a unique experience. This New York City-based writer has been writing genre fiction since the early 2000s. His novels have been included in numerous best-of-the-year lists. He was also awarded the Whiting Writers' Award and the Guggenheim Fellowship.
LaValle has also written short stories and a comic book. His novels explore the effects of mental illness on characters. They often feature tensions between class, gender, and race. He's also interested in fantastical tropes involving working class characters.
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