HORROR FICTION

Classic Authors: Robert Block, Charles Grant, Shirley Jackson, H. P. Lovecraft, Richard Matheson, Robert R. McCammon, Edgar Allan Poe,  Bram Stoker, and Whitley Strieber.

CHARACTERISTICS:  Populated by monsters of some sort as well as supernatural elements and beings (ghosts, ghouls, vampires), horror novels create a menacing atmosphere that evokes a feeling of fear in the reader. The dark tone and sense of foreboding are intensified by graphic violence, strong language, and explicit sex, as horror explores the dark side of human�and inhuman�impulses. While the disturbing atmosphere is important, the key to horror is the unresolved ending. Although the evil is beaten down, it is never destroyed. It waits, lurking just beneath the surface, to strike again.

APPEAL:  Whether readers enjoy the horror popularized by Stephen King, with evil invading a normal life, or that exemplified by Clive Barker�s early novels, characterized by explicit violence from the early pages, they expect an atmospheric tale with haunted protagonists stalked by evil monsters and attacked randomly. Horror is appreciated for the level of fear it produces in the reader. In addition, an inescapable feeling of dread throughout heightens emotional reaction to these disturbing stories.

READERS:  Horror fans span a wide range of readers, male and female, young and old. Horror seems particularly attractive to teen readers, who appreciate these out-of-control worlds and emotions, with monsters of every type. Readers read horror to be surprised and frightened; they expect the unexpected. Many fans come to horror fiction from movies and television shows. Others cross over from dark fantasy and the thriller and suspense genres. Short stories provide a good introduction to popular horror authors, for readers and librarians interested in exploring the genre. While readers are often looking for newer authors, many appreciate the classic tales of established masters as well.

SUBGENRES: Ancient Evil, Comic Horror, Contemporary Horror, Demonic Possession, Erotic Horror, Ghost Stories, Haunted Houses, Historical Horror, Psychological Horror, Splatterpunk, Vampires and Were Creatures, Witches and Warlocks.

TOP AUTHORS: Kelley Armstrong, Ramsey Campbell, Stephen King, John Saul, Peter Straub.

TRENDS:
One of the most important trends in the horror genre is the lending of traditional themes�ghosts, vampire, were beasts�to other genres, especially romance, mystery, and fantasy. Watch for further crossover with other genres, including western and suspense.
Traditionally horror does not lend itself to series, but several�Dean Koontz�s Odd Thomas and F. Paul Wilson�s Repairman Jack�have gained popularity.
Vampires, ghost stories, and gothic novels remain popular, although current authors consistently reinvent these traditional themes, pushing the boundaries of the horror genre.
Humorous horror novels have long been a popular sideline but the trend is growing with Christopher Moore as one of the leading practitioners.
Joe Hill, son of Stephen King, is an author to watch. His award-winning collection of short stories was followed this year with his first horror novel, The Heart-Shaped Box, a novel for all King�s fans.           

REFERENCE BOOKS:
Hooked on Horror:  A Guide to Reading Interests in Horror Fiction, 2d edition by Anthony Fonseca and June Michelle Pulliam (LU 2003)
The Horror Readers� Advisory: The Librarian�s Guide to Vampires, Killer Tomatoes, and Haunted Houses by Becky Siegel Spratford and Tammy Hennigh Clausen (ALA, 2004)
Horror: Another 100 Best Books, Kim Newman, ed. (Carroll and Graf, 2005)
The Year�s Best Fantasy and Horror edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling (annual publication).

PUBLISHERS:  Although many traditional, mainstream houses publish horror, Tor/Forge is known for its extensive involvement. Small presses--especially Cemetery Dance, Subterranean, and Nightshade--are also known for their commitment to the horror genre.

MAGAZINES:  Horror novels and collections are generally reviewed in library journals, often with Fantasy and Science Fiction. More specialized websites above introduce librarians to a broader range of titles.  Weird Tales remains the pre-eminent print magazine venue for the publication of horror stories, although several web periodicals also offer short stories and essays.

Prepared by Joyce Saricks
September 2007