Stephen King is credited with single-handedly creating the modern Horror genre. His discovery of the horrific in the ordinary has shown that Horror can be interesting and intellectually stimulating. He continues to make his mark on the Horror genre and on publishing in general by championing e-books. Under his real name as well as his pseudonym, Richard Bachman (a more gruesome voice), King has written almost 40 Horror novels and short stories, as well as a handful of dark Fantasy and Psychological Suspense novels, not to mention a well-respected book on the horror genre and his own memoir-cum-guide to writing. Try one of his classics such as The Stand or The Shining.
Hamilton's intricate plots usually intermingle a subplot or two with the main storyline. The action zips along, and readers are easily caught up in all the romantic drama, mysterious doings, and fantastic creatures. Hamilton blends Fantasy, Horror and Mystery with her Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter books (the first book is Guilty Pleasures). Hamilton achieved cult status among fans of Anita, and it wasn't long before mainstream readers discovered this captivating series.
Straub found that he had a talent for writing horror thrillers in the Gothic tradition. His stories are complex and well paced, with authentic settings that add to the believability of the plot. He is particularly good at creating grotesque characters and gruesome situations; the eeriness of his work is captivating. He has won numerous awards including the British Fantasy Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and the World Fantasy Award. Try The Hellfire Club.
The reigning queen of Gothic Horror, Anne Rice crafts haunting sagas characterized by lush historical detail, spiritual longing, dark eroticism, and lurid fun. From her debut novel Interview with the Vampire, the tormented revelation of a rueful bloodsucker's initiation into evil by the seductive fiend Lestat, Anne Rice has always cast her lot with the detested and outcast. By converting the monsters and ghouls of traditional Horror into sentient and feeling protagonists, she revitalized the genre for today's sensibilities, and won a legion of devoted fans.
A mainstay of popular fiction, Clive Barker has been delighting audiences with his unforgettable Horror and Fantasy short stories and novels since the 1980s. With his flair for imaginative plots and sophisticated settings, the award-winning author pulls off the remarkable feat of creating fiction that is both story-driven and thought-provoking. Try Sacrament.
A collector of obscure and macabre artifacts, unscrupulous metal band musician Judas Coyne is unable to resist purchasing a ghost over the Internet, which turns out to be the vengeful spirit of his late girlfriend's stepfather.
Storm Front- Jim Butcher (the First in his “Dresden Files” series)
Dead Until Dark - Charlaine Harris
(First book in the “Sookie Stackhouse” Series)
Sookie Stackhouse is a cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana, but she keeps to herself and doesn't date much because of her "disability" to read minds. When she meets Bill, Sookie can't hear a word he's thinking. He's the type of guy she's waited for all of her life, but he has a disability, too--he's a vampire with a bad reputation. When one of Sookie's coworkers is killed, she fears she's next.
Two creatures, the end result of experiments in genetic engineering and enhanced intelligence, escape from a government laboratory and bring either doom or a touching new kind of love to those they encounter.
Horror and Supernatural Fiction Websites - These websites include information about Horror and Supernatural novels, authors, reviews of books, and other information specifically for the Horror and Supernatural reader.
A site developed for those who want to build their horror collections. Features reviews and information for horror stories from children’s to adult readers.
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The Bram Stoker award, named after Dracula writer, Bram Stoker, is presented annually by the Horror Writers Association for superior achievement in horror novels.
International Horror Guild Award
The International Horror Guild award was created in 1995 to honor outstanding achievements in horror and dark fiction.
