ON WRITING HORROR: REVISED EDITION

A handbook by the Horror Writers Association

edited by Mort Castle

Abridged list of contributors C. Dean Andersson, Stephen King, Peter Straub,

Ray Bradbury, Jack Ketchum, Ramsey Campbell, Harlan Ellison,

Robert Weinberg, Edo van Belkom, Wayne Allen Sallee,

Scott Nicholson, & over forty others

published by Writer’s Digest Books

ISBN-10: 1582974209

ISBN-13: 978-1582974200

reviewed by Adam Armstrong

12.28.08

There’s a problem with horror fiction that can be traced back to two related events: the financial success of Stephen King’s horror fiction and the availability of word processing programs such as Microsoft Word. There are tons of people out there who think that they are writers because they have access to a word processing program and they see the success of King so they decide to write something “scary” in order to make money. The problem with this thinking is that King is just plain great and proves this by writing in multiple genres with tremendous success and as he states in On Writing Horror, never writes for money.

On Writing Horror is a wonderful asset to any writer who is serious about writing great horror fiction and is attempting to get it published. This book covers: why we write horror, a list of must read horror novels, ways to educate yourself as a horror writer (workshops to college), help with pacing, character and plot development, realistic dialogue, modern versus traditional horror, the sub-genres within the genre, and marketing and promoting your work.

While nothing can guarantee a sale, On Writing Horror will put you on the right path you need to travel down for eventual publication. The best advice in the world is only good if followed. From first hand experience I know that writers tend to be a hard-headed bunch.

Add it to your writing toolbox and reread it often.

5 out of 5