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The Horror Writer: A Study of Craft and Identity in the Horror Genre
The most definitive guide into the trails and tribulations of being a horror writer since Stephen King's On Writing.
We have assembled some of the very best in the business from whom you can learn so much about the craft of horror writing: Bram Stoker Award© winners, bestselling authors, a President of the Horror Writers' Association, and myriad contemporary horror authors of distinction.
The Horror Writer covers how to connect with your market and carve out a sustainable niche in the independent horror genre, how to tackle the writer's ever-lurking nemesis of productivity, writing good horror stories with powerful, effective scenes, realistic, flowing dialogue and relatable characters without resorting to clichéd jump scares and well-worn gimmicks. Also covered is the delicate subject of handling rejection with good grace, and how to use those inevitable "not quite the right fit for us at this time" letters as an opportunity to hone your craft.
Plus... perceptive interviews to provide an intimate peek into the psyche of the horror author and the challenges they work through to bring their nefarious ideas to the page.
And, as if that – and so much more – was not enough, we have for your delectation Ramsey Campbell's beautifully insightful analysis of the tales of HP Lovecraft.
Featuring:
Ramsey Campbell, John Palisano, Chad Lutzke, Lisa Morton,
Kenneth W. Cain, Kevin J. Kennedy, Monique Snyman, Scott Nicholson,
Lucy A. Snyder, Richard Thomas, Gene O'Neill, Jess Landry, Luke Walker, Stephanie M. Wytovich, Marie O'Regan, Armand Rosamilia, Kevin Lucia,
Ben Eads, Kelli Owen, Jasper Bark, and Bret McCormick
And interviews with:
Steve Rasnic Tem, Stephen Graham Jones, David Owain Hughes,
Tim Waggoner, and Mort Castle
We have assembled some of the very best in the business from whom you can learn so much about the craft of horror writing: Bram Stoker Award© winners, bestselling authors, a President of the Horror Writers' Association, and myriad contemporary horror authors of distinction.
The Horror Writer covers how to connect with your market and carve out a sustainable niche in the independent horror genre, how to tackle the writer's ever-lurking nemesis of productivity, writing good horror stories with powerful, effective scenes, realistic, flowing dialogue and relatable characters without resorting to clichéd jump scares and well-worn gimmicks. Also covered is the delicate subject of handling rejection with good grace, and how to use those inevitable "not quite the right fit for us at this time" letters as an opportunity to hone your craft.
Plus... perceptive interviews to provide an intimate peek into the psyche of the horror author and the challenges they work through to bring their nefarious ideas to the page.
And, as if that – and so much more – was not enough, we have for your delectation Ramsey Campbell's beautifully insightful analysis of the tales of HP Lovecraft.
Featuring:
Ramsey Campbell, John Palisano, Chad Lutzke, Lisa Morton,
Kenneth W. Cain, Kevin J. Kennedy, Monique Snyman, Scott Nicholson,
Lucy A. Snyder, Richard Thomas, Gene O'Neill, Jess Landry, Luke Walker, Stephanie M. Wytovich, Marie O'Regan, Armand Rosamilia, Kevin Lucia,
Ben Eads, Kelli Owen, Jasper Bark, and Bret McCormick
And interviews with:
Steve Rasnic Tem, Stephen Graham Jones, David Owain Hughes,
Tim Waggoner, and Mort Castle
- GenresWritingHorrorNonfiction
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2020
42 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 3, 2020
When HellBound Books reached out to me with this horror writing guide I was simply blown away. It looked amazing, just look at the line-up. It's edited by Joe Mynhardt owner of Crystal Lake publishing who consistently publish epic horror. Every writer featured in here is one I've not only heard of but really admire.
I'm pleased to say my expectations were definitely met, I'd every contribution in here and a lot of subjects were covered. There's loads of great articles covering practical writing advice such Kenneth W.Cain's guide on how to create tension in your writing that will scare the crap out of your readers. I found this article incredibly helpful. There's also great advice on how to cope with rejection from Kelli Owen, how to start networking by Jess Landry.
There's two great articles about the work of H.P.Lovecraft from Ramsey Campbell and Algernon Blackwood by Jasper Barks. These articles are not only a must read for fans but they also show you the methods these two horror legends used to scare so many people.
Also featured are author interviews with the likes of Stephen Graham Jones, David Owain Hughes, Mort Castle, Steve Rasnic Tem and Tim Waggoner. These are really insightful and I was really impressed with Joe Mynhardt's interview skills he clearly is someone with a deep and genuine love for horror.
What I liked about this guide is that its a no-nonsense approach to improving your craft, there's no waffling just really great advice that any writer will find really useful.
Needless to say I read through this guide in about a day and genuinely enjoyed every article. Just like Stephen King's guide On Writing, I will make sure to re-read this over and over again.
This is a must have for any serious horror writer that wants to take it to the next level.
I'm pleased to say my expectations were definitely met, I'd every contribution in here and a lot of subjects were covered. There's loads of great articles covering practical writing advice such Kenneth W.Cain's guide on how to create tension in your writing that will scare the crap out of your readers. I found this article incredibly helpful. There's also great advice on how to cope with rejection from Kelli Owen, how to start networking by Jess Landry.
There's two great articles about the work of H.P.Lovecraft from Ramsey Campbell and Algernon Blackwood by Jasper Barks. These articles are not only a must read for fans but they also show you the methods these two horror legends used to scare so many people.
Also featured are author interviews with the likes of Stephen Graham Jones, David Owain Hughes, Mort Castle, Steve Rasnic Tem and Tim Waggoner. These are really insightful and I was really impressed with Joe Mynhardt's interview skills he clearly is someone with a deep and genuine love for horror.
What I liked about this guide is that its a no-nonsense approach to improving your craft, there's no waffling just really great advice that any writer will find really useful.
Needless to say I read through this guide in about a day and genuinely enjoyed every article. Just like Stephen King's guide On Writing, I will make sure to re-read this over and over again.
This is a must have for any serious horror writer that wants to take it to the next level.
November 15, 2020
I found this easy to read with valuable insights. Recommended for the hortor writers
May 19, 2020
As a writer, I'm always looking at ways to improve my craft but more importantly, I also need articles and essays which, whilst informing me, also motivate. This collection certainly does that. A good, varied collection of little bites of wisdom - from those who've 'been there, done that, got the t-shirt'.
June 25, 2020
Excellent book for genre writers, filled with very valuable tips, advice and perspective. Any horror Writer can find valuable information in this book!
January 18, 2020
This book introduces and examines horror writing in a series of interesting chapters/essays about horror, that include topics such as what makes things frightening, how to set the scene, and several other interesting things for both writers and readers. It is especially insightful in terms of specific tropes in horror (such as the Final Girl).
June 8, 2020
An informative essay collection for aspiring horror writers.
November 2, 2020
Brief thoughts: GREAT book for those considering writing horror. Some chapters much better than others, but some real gems in this. Definitely worth a read.
June 10, 2020
I have found many books on the craft of writing general fiction, fantasy and science fiction, but not many on the craft of writing horror. It was, therefore, a delight to come across this new book on writing from Hellbound Books.
I believe it will be especially useful to new writers of horror, as it gives insight on what some of the masters and professionals who have made it have to say about the genre.
The book is by no means an academic text on the history of horror fiction meant for the classroom. This is an anthology of essays by professional horror writers and interviews with some of the top authors out there with varying topics that cover everything from identities represented in the genre to podcasting tips meant to shed light on the current trends in horror fiction, ways of getting published, means for networking and promotion, finding your own voice, writing emotional stories that connect with your readers, avoiding cheap scares, and using everything at your disposal in your writer's toolbox to create the best stories you can tell.
Some of the greats have contributed to this book on the craft, including Ramsey Campbell, John Palisano, Stephanie M. Wytovich, Jasper Bark, Lucy A. Snyder, Richard Thomas, Lisa Morton, and many others, plus interviews with authors Stephen Graham Jones, Mort Castle, David Owain Hughes, and Steve Rasnic Tem. Learning tips from the best is invaluable to new writers.
The best part is, these writers speak our language. The essays and interviews are for you, horror film trivia master, avid bookworm, videogame slasher extraordinaire, scare enthusiast, and Halloween lover. They are written for our time in history; for our complex, modern, diverse, politically-impeccable, tech-savvy society. We would do well to listen and apply as needed. If you are getting your wooden stakes, flamethrower, knife, and chainsaw ready to embark on the horror writing journey, do yourself a favor and read this book.
I believe it will be especially useful to new writers of horror, as it gives insight on what some of the masters and professionals who have made it have to say about the genre.
The book is by no means an academic text on the history of horror fiction meant for the classroom. This is an anthology of essays by professional horror writers and interviews with some of the top authors out there with varying topics that cover everything from identities represented in the genre to podcasting tips meant to shed light on the current trends in horror fiction, ways of getting published, means for networking and promotion, finding your own voice, writing emotional stories that connect with your readers, avoiding cheap scares, and using everything at your disposal in your writer's toolbox to create the best stories you can tell.
Some of the greats have contributed to this book on the craft, including Ramsey Campbell, John Palisano, Stephanie M. Wytovich, Jasper Bark, Lucy A. Snyder, Richard Thomas, Lisa Morton, and many others, plus interviews with authors Stephen Graham Jones, Mort Castle, David Owain Hughes, and Steve Rasnic Tem. Learning tips from the best is invaluable to new writers.
The best part is, these writers speak our language. The essays and interviews are for you, horror film trivia master, avid bookworm, videogame slasher extraordinaire, scare enthusiast, and Halloween lover. They are written for our time in history; for our complex, modern, diverse, politically-impeccable, tech-savvy society. We would do well to listen and apply as needed. If you are getting your wooden stakes, flamethrower, knife, and chainsaw ready to embark on the horror writing journey, do yourself a favor and read this book.
July 13, 2020
I really loved the format of this book - rather than having traditional chapters that build upon each other as most writing craft books do, The Horror Writer is composed of disparate (to the degree that's possible) topics that are non-linear. So, one could read the book from beginning to end (as I did) or jump around based on the topics of interest.
Some sections of the book explore topics that are important in all genres, such as focus, committing to writing, the three-act process, or dealing with rejections. Other topics are much more specific to horror, such as the pieces about jump scares, the final girl or the pessimistic side of horror. (These were also three of my favorite sections in the book.) Combined with interviews from long established writers in the field, I felt this book had something for every horror writer - whether newer or more established. Overall, the format made the book very easily digestible.
The only downside to the book (and thus the 4 stars instead of 5) was that the format also prevented a super deep dive into certain topics specific to horror. There were pieces (e.g., final girl) that went fairly deep into a topic, but some of the topics kept closer to the surface, which is probably a natural trade off for having this great, easily digestible format. That said, I would recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about writing horror stories.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Some sections of the book explore topics that are important in all genres, such as focus, committing to writing, the three-act process, or dealing with rejections. Other topics are much more specific to horror, such as the pieces about jump scares, the final girl or the pessimistic side of horror. (These were also three of my favorite sections in the book.) Combined with interviews from long established writers in the field, I felt this book had something for every horror writer - whether newer or more established. Overall, the format made the book very easily digestible.
The only downside to the book (and thus the 4 stars instead of 5) was that the format also prevented a super deep dive into certain topics specific to horror. There were pieces (e.g., final girl) that went fairly deep into a topic, but some of the topics kept closer to the surface, which is probably a natural trade off for having this great, easily digestible format. That said, I would recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about writing horror stories.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2025
Unputdownable! A chilling ride through small-town secrets and immortal danger
Terri Harrington does not play around. The Dravenridge Covenant pulled me in with the eerie charm of a quiet town and kept me turning pages with the kind of tension that creeps under your skin.
Dr. Kyle Weber is a flawed, relatable character who just wants a fresh start, but instead, he walks straight into the hands of Aurora Draven, a powerful immortal with a thirst for more than just control. The way Terri builds Dravenridge, its shadows, its secrets, its dangerously charismatic “Town Council”, is nothing short of masterful.
The pacing? Fast. The twists? Sharp. The vibe? Think Stephen King meets True Blood, but with Terri’s own voice stamped all over it. And let’s not forget the serial killer subplot, just when you think things can’t get darker, they do.
This book is full of vivid, unforgettable characters and genuinely surprising moments. I’ll be thinking about this one (and side-eyeing small towns) for a while. If you like supernatural thrillers with teeth, The Dravenridge Covenant needs to be on your shelf, like, yesterday.
Terri Harrington does not play around. The Dravenridge Covenant pulled me in with the eerie charm of a quiet town and kept me turning pages with the kind of tension that creeps under your skin.
Dr. Kyle Weber is a flawed, relatable character who just wants a fresh start, but instead, he walks straight into the hands of Aurora Draven, a powerful immortal with a thirst for more than just control. The way Terri builds Dravenridge, its shadows, its secrets, its dangerously charismatic “Town Council”, is nothing short of masterful.
The pacing? Fast. The twists? Sharp. The vibe? Think Stephen King meets True Blood, but with Terri’s own voice stamped all over it. And let’s not forget the serial killer subplot, just when you think things can’t get darker, they do.
This book is full of vivid, unforgettable characters and genuinely surprising moments. I’ll be thinking about this one (and side-eyeing small towns) for a while. If you like supernatural thrillers with teeth, The Dravenridge Covenant needs to be on your shelf, like, yesterday.
April 1, 2022
There are almost as many writing guides as there are writers. "The Horror Writer" focuses entirely on the genre of horror literature. And the book does a damn good job of it.
Sure, ultimately every writer has to discover their own form and methodology for themselves, but I always find it very inspiring to read about other writers' work, perspectives, and approaches. It's all the more refreshing to see how thoroughly honest some of the writers in this book are. Nothing is glossed over here, in terms of content or language.
"The Horror Writer" not only talks about different forms of the horror genre, but also gives tips and tricks on how to handle reviews, social media, and manuscript submissions. And it does so in the form of essays, interviews, and opinion pieces, which makes for a very varied reading experience.
Sure, ultimately every writer has to discover their own form and methodology for themselves, but I always find it very inspiring to read about other writers' work, perspectives, and approaches. It's all the more refreshing to see how thoroughly honest some of the writers in this book are. Nothing is glossed over here, in terms of content or language.
"The Horror Writer" not only talks about different forms of the horror genre, but also gives tips and tricks on how to handle reviews, social media, and manuscript submissions. And it does so in the form of essays, interviews, and opinion pieces, which makes for a very varied reading experience.
July 3, 2020
This was an informative and entertaining read, covering such topics as what draws writers to the horror genre, how several writers got their starts, and offering advice on how to avoid those tired clichés that bores readers to death (or at least away from your book!). I will be sharing a more in-depth review soon; I just finished this last night and have only started my review. Stay tuned for more!
November 22, 2020
I bought The Horror Writer: A Study of Craft and Identity in the Horror Genre as I thought it sounded like a fantastic resource for new and emerging writers of horror stories to help them discover tips and tricks to help them craft stories that packed a punch. I didn't find that it read that way. There were some interesting essays and ideas but nothing groundbreaking or new to me. Maybe I've read too many 'how-to' guides over the years.
July 17, 2023
A pretty solid non fiction book on horror. Some entries are better than others as you would expect. For instance, Lucy A. Snyder PC whinings on LGBTQ+ felt out of place, no matter your opinion on the subject.
Bret McCormick entry is excellent, filled with down to earth advices and is an excellent synthesis of the book.
Ramsey Campbell’s analysis of Lovecraft tales bored me as much as Lovecraft’s writings (but to each their own).
A recommended read.
Bret McCormick entry is excellent, filled with down to earth advices and is an excellent synthesis of the book.
Ramsey Campbell’s analysis of Lovecraft tales bored me as much as Lovecraft’s writings (but to each their own).
A recommended read.
September 30, 2023
I appreciated the diverse perspectives and article types in this book. The focus was a little less on craft and a little more on the field of horror writing than I expected, but for what it was, the book did an excellent job of drawing together complementary topics to create a helpful read for anyone interested in that field.
December 9, 2023
3 1/2 stars-I especially liked the interviews with authors, but some of the essays felt too focused on beginning writing in general instead of essays focused on the craft of horror.
May 2, 2024
Like any essay collection, not every chapter hits, but it served up enough piecemeal inspiration to be worth the read.
December 4, 2024
A book full of great essays and insights from horror authors everywhere. I learned a lot about writing, marketing, and getting published. worth my time
January 17, 2025
A mixed bag of so-so to extremely valuable advice for the would-be horror authors. I'll have a much deeper dive on the blog and YouTube channel at the end of the month.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews