Michelle Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 I'm wondering how many names would crop up if you were asked to come up with the best horror writer. If there aren't a massive amount, I'll run a poll during October, and announce the winner on Halloween. I briefly considered doing the same with best horror books, but decided the list would be too loooooooong! Quote
Michelle Posted August 25, 2014 Author Posted August 25, 2014 Just to be clear, you don't have to come up with your absolute favourite yet, just nominate a few you like. I'll start with the obvious.. Stephen King, but I'll also add Bill /William Hussey (adult / YA horror), Quote
Cookie Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 It's hard to decide. I do love Stephen King but James Herbert can be pretty scary too. Quote
Cookie Posted August 26, 2014 Posted August 26, 2014 I gotta give love to Joe Hill. I've had Horns on my wish list for ages. Would this be the best one to start with? Quote
Athena Posted August 26, 2014 Posted August 26, 2014 I haven't read a lot of horror books, but my two favourites are Stephen King (adult horror books) and R. L. Stine (children's and YA horror books). Quote
bobblybear Posted August 26, 2014 Posted August 26, 2014 I don't read a huge amount of horror, so the only one I can come up with is Stephen King. Quote
~Andrea~ Posted August 26, 2014 Posted August 26, 2014 (edited) Definitely Stephen King but another favourite of mine, perhaps more ghostly and chilling than out and out horror (depends how you define it I suppose), is John Harwood. I also like Dean Koontz. Again I'm not sure how well he fits into the horror category but some of his books, The Taking for example, is definitely horror genre. Edited August 27, 2014 by ~Andrea~ Quote
Anna Begins Posted August 26, 2014 Posted August 26, 2014 I've had Horns on my wish list for ages. Would this be the best one to start with? It's my favorite of his big three- Heart Shaped Box, Horns and NOS4A2. The movie will be out on Halloween here! Quote
muggle not Posted August 26, 2014 Posted August 26, 2014 Without question, for me Stephen King is the best. "IT" is one heck of a book. I don't believe I have read a book by him that I didn't enjoy. The "Gunslinger" series was also just outstanding especially the book with the "Train" demanding riddles. Doesn't get much better. Quote
Anna Begins Posted August 26, 2014 Posted August 26, 2014 Dean Koontz! Surprising you say that! I was just thinking I never hear of him on here. I haven't had the pleasure of reading anything by him yet. Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted August 27, 2014 Posted August 27, 2014 Some that haven't been mentioned: Robert McCammon, Peter Straub, Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, Dan Simmons, Poe, Lovecraft . . . Quote
Timstar Posted August 27, 2014 Posted August 27, 2014 Jack Ketchum has written some of the most horrific books I've ever read. No where near the kind of great characterisation of King but for chills and shock value he is up there. Quote
Kell Posted August 27, 2014 Posted August 27, 2014 Surprising you say that! I was just thinking I never hear of him on here. I haven't had the pleasure of reading anything by him yet. My favourite by Koontz isn't really a horror - Lightning is pretty awesome and is actually one of my all time favourite books by ANY author - so well thought out and well written. Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted August 27, 2014 Posted August 27, 2014 My favourite by Koontz isn't really a horror - Lightning is pretty awesome and is actually one of my all time favourite books by ANY author - so well thought out and well written. Oh yeah, Lightning is fantastic Quote
Anna Begins Posted August 27, 2014 Posted August 27, 2014 My favourite by Koontz isn't really a horror - Lightning is pretty awesome and is actually one of my all time favourite books by ANY author - so well thought out and well written. Oh yeah, Lightning is fantastic I will download the kindle sample and check it out- I've always wondered what would be a good one of his to start with. Quote
bobblybear Posted September 4, 2014 Posted September 4, 2014 I haven't read Lightning, so I've added it to my wishlist. I do find Koontz more 'miss' than 'hit', and the only one of his that I really enjoyed was Watchers. Always willing to give him another go, though. Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 Oh yeah, Lightning is fantastic I take it back - having just re-read Lightning it's dropped in my estimation considerably! Thoughts here. Quote
Titus Groan Posted July 21, 2018 Posted July 21, 2018 Stephen King Ramsey Campbell Clive Barker Shirley Jackson Robert Aickman H.P. Lovecraft M.R. James Paul Tremblay John Langan Quote
tracy18 Posted February 18, 2021 Posted February 18, 2021 Stephen King and Shirley Jackson to me. And for Gothic horror, Bram Stoker. Quote
Noemergencyexit Posted July 2, 2021 Posted July 2, 2021 Hi all I'm new to the site so let's see Erm aside from Stephen King (my favourite) he's one of the best in the business I've got loads of his books and I love them all when I'm out if I see any I buy them for a modern author King is the best But dead Edgar Allen Poe He was fantastic I love each work my brother is a writer same as me and he wrote 2 bits called Cold Ravens and he dictated them both to Poe not a attack thing but a love and thanks for the raven thing Not sure if anyone has said anything about Poe if so please let me know and if not Poe is cool Quote
Noemergencyexit Posted July 2, 2021 Posted July 2, 2021 On 21/07/2018 at 3:43 PM, Titus Groan said: Stephen King Ramsey Campbell Clive Barker Shirley Jackson Robert Aickman H.P. Lovecraft M.R. James Paul Tremblay John Langan Hmm Interesting list but Clive barker can I ask why?? I read Hellbound heart and the scarlet gospels but that took too much out of me I read it about 4 times I read some got bored read some got bored then decided ill finish it by hook or crook (yes that's an saying I know hellriser used hooks) Would love to know why you chose him Quote
Orang-U-Can Posted September 19, 2021 Posted September 19, 2021 Erich Maria Remarque, wrote the most horrible book of all time. Quote
Anupama Posted June 25, 2022 Posted June 25, 2022 Some of the most popular horror authors are Stephen king, Dean Koontz, Anne Rice, HP Lovecraft. Quote
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