Hello readers!

Welcome to the month of October, where everyone dresses up like who they aren’t, takes candy from strangers, and celebrates with all things spooky!!! Does anyone here like a good horror story with their Reese’s and makeup?

I can’t say I’m the type of reader that always has their nose in a good scary story, but I appreciate the masterful art that comes with scaring your readers with thrills and chills that jump off the page and into your nightmares! In honor of Halloween, here is a list of ten amazing horror writers. Some of them are classics, some gear their stories towards kids and others towards adults. All ten of these authors are known for their contributions to the horror genre and the nightmares that follow their captivating thrillers.

I encourage you to click on the links to each author’s website to learn more about them and find some of their books. Some are personal websites and others are not, but all hold amazing information about the lives of these writers. Without further ado, let’s start off with a VERY famous author…

1. Stephen King
   • Before Stephen King became the successful author he is today, he worked as a high school English teacher. His first novel, Carrie, was published in 1973, followed by over 50 books. Since his career as an author, he has become one of the most successful authors today.
   • He has written dozens of novels, short stories, anthologies, screenplays, and more.
   • One of Stephen King’s latest novels is Fairy Tale
2. Dean Koontz
   • Dean Koontz is known as the International Bestselling Author of Suspense. His books are published in 38 different languages, and he has sold over 500 million copies.
   • The New York Times says his writing is “psychologically complex, masterly and satisfying.”
   • Some of Dean’s works include the Frankenstein series, Odd Thomas, his manga/comics, and many standalone novels.
3. H.P. Lovecraft
   • H. P. Lovecraft is greatly known for his “weird fiction”. He past away in 1937, but his stories still live on.
   • After growing up in a somewhat lonely and troubled life, he took to letter writing, kicking off his career as a writer.
   • Lovecraft never actually had an actual story of his published during his lifetime other than his articles scattered through magazines and letters. After his death, they edited his work to be complete stories.
   • Some of his fiction writings include The Alchemist, The Rats in the Walls, and Winged Death.
4. Edgar Allan Poe
   • Edgar Allan Poe, born in 1809, is widely known for his poems and stories of thrilling suspense.
   • He published his first book of poems, Tamerlane and Other Poems, when he was 17. His very first horror story, Metzengerstein, was first published as a short story in the magazine he worked for, where many of his writings received complaints for being too graphic and terrifying.
   • Edgar Allan Poe has a rich history entwined with the history of the United States and the writing profession. The Murders in the Rue Morgue is one of his most important works because it was the very first “detective story” ever written. He has written in many genres, but his contributions to the horror genre through stories and poems are what made him famous.
   • Poe died a mysterious and dramatic death in 1849, the unfortunate yet fitting ending to the life of such a dark storyteller.
5. John Bellairs
   • John Bellairs (1938-1991) is the author of 15 gothic novels. One of his most well-known works is The House With a Clock in its Walls.
   • John Bellairs wrote horror stories for kids, as he once said, “because I have the imagination of a ten-year-old.”
6. R.L. Stine
   • R.L. Stine is one of the most well-known horror writers today, especially when it comes to children’s fiction. He released his very first horror story, Blind Date, in 1986. He loves to scare people!
   • One of his most famous series is Goosebumps, which he first started publishing in 1992. Goosebumps soon became a number one TV show for kids across America.
   • His very first picture book, inspired by the birth of his grandson, is Little Shop of Monsters.
   • Over the years, R.L. Stine has written many different children’s horror stories, and has even won 3 Emmy awards for the TV series The Haunting Hour, based on the series.
7. Anne Rice
   • Anne Rice has written over 30 novels, her first being Interview With a Vampire in 1976. Since her first book, she has become one of the bestselling authors of all time.
   • Many of Anne’s works, like the Vampire Lestat saga and Feast of all Saints, have become hit movies and even led to cults!
   • Her latest book is The Reign Osiris.
8. Victor LaValle
   • Victor LaValle is the author of many novels and a few comics including Slapboxing with Jesus, The Devil in Silver, and DESTROYER.
   • His writing has received many awards including the World Fantasy Award.
   • Victor resides in Queens, New York
9. Neil Gaiman
   • Neil Gaiman first started his writing career as a journalist in England. His first book was a Duran Duran biography.
   • He is known for being one of the creators of modern comics. His works cover many genres geared towards many ages. His work as a writer has also led him down the path of writing screenplays like the TV series Neverwhere.
10. Bram Stoker
    • Bram Stoker is a legacy in the world of horror writing, seeing as he wrote the original Dracula.
    • He grew up a rather sickly child, always being told horror stories by his mother when he was sick in bed.
    • His very first book, The Duties of Clerks of Petty Sessions in Ireland, was published in 1879. His first work of fiction was Under the Sunset.
    • Before his death at the age of 64 in 1912, Bram Stoker wrote 18 books.

Well, there you have it, folks! Ten authors of mystery and suspense from Edgar Allan Poe to R.L. Stine. I can’t say I’ve read works from all of them, but their contributions to the writing world are tremendous! It takes great skills and a certain type of mind to write truly scary horror, and these authors are masters.

Share if you like to read horror or suspense, and what books are your favorite! Maybe it’s time I read one myself again.

Until next time, happy reading!

-R.E. Klinzing