With the increase in popularity of horror/suspense books, more and more authors explore the possibilities of making a name for themselves. The creepy prose of the thriller genre’s most renowned authors has the power to hold readers trapped in such a spell of terror that they’d rather sit in fear then part ways with the culprit. If you find excitement in this type of self-induced state of horror, here are 5 of the best and most popular horror/suspense authors you should check out.
Reading horror/suspense books is very different from watching them on the big screen. In horror/suspense books, there are no jump-scares, computerized special effects, improvised ghoulish sets or actors covered with horrid make-up. On the written page, horror/suspense books have that uncanny ability to horrify readers that no film crew can match.
With the increase in popularity of horror/suspense books, more and more authors explore the possibilities of making a name for themselves. Horror/suspense authors live to create hair-raising stories that keep readers at the edge of their seats – a goal that can only be achieved through words and subsequently, the mind’s eye. Of course one always has the option of putting a book down if they’re being scared out of their wits. Yet the creepy prose of the thriller genre’s most renowned authors has the power to hold readers trapped in such a spell of terror that they’d rather sit in fear then part ways with the culprit. If you find excitement in this type of self-induced state of horror, here are 5 of the best and most popular horror/suspense authors you should check out:
Stephen King is probably one of the most prolific horror/suspense writers of our time. No other writer in the thriller genre can compare to King. His works are masterfully integrated with conflict, foreshadowing and suspense and yet permeated with a sense of right, wrong, good and evil. Stephen King is definitely a household name amongst thriller seekers!
Popular Works: Misery, Carrie, Salem’s Lot
Edgar Allan Poe creates so much suspense in his books that it’s almost like he’s right there telling an ancient story that has been passed down for many generations. For the most part, it’s not zombies or ghouls that will scare you in his books. Rather, the fascinations on which his books are based (obsessions with crime and premature burial) are what will frighten you most.
Popular Works: Hop-Frog, The Murders in Rue Morgue, The Raven
The Saga of Darren Shan is a young adult 12-part book series written by Darren Shan and is easily one of the scariest book series in the thriller genre that you will ever read. His ability to mix horror with adventure is simply amazing and every book you read by this author will have you begging for more.
Popular Works: Cirque du Feak Series, The Saga, The Thin Executioner
Clive Barker’s books are on par with serious literature. Hailed by Stephen King as the “future of horror”, Barker stamped his presence in the thriller genre with an innovate refinement of the common interpretation of “scary”. His masterpiece “Books of Blood” is considered one of the best horror/suspense books ever written.
Popular Works: Imajica, Midnight Meat Train, The Hellbound Heart
Dean Koontz is mostly a suspense author, but he also has written a few horror novels. Read any of his horror/suspense novels and for sure you won’t get much sleep. His exploration of the ‘dark side’ through his characters is what lures readers to his works.
Popular Works: From the Corner of His Eye, Lightning, Tick Tock
There are many exceptional authors of horror/suspense books/novels. Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, Darren Shan, Clive Barker, and Dean Koontz are just a few of the ones who have made a mark in the thriller genre. If you are looking to read a good suspense/horror book, look out for the works of these writers and you’ll surely SCREAM for more!
Creative Writing: Finding Your Inspiration
Every writer needs to find inspiration in order to produce inspired writing - whether it is in the form of a novel, short story, poetry, song or even a simple blog post or journal entry. You don’t have to live an extraordinary life to find sources of inspiration for creative writing. They are all around you. Below are some of the most common sources of inspiration that can be used to produce a masterpiece.
Co-Author: Writing a Book in Collaboration
These days, authors often collaborate with each other to produce the best work possible. By collaborating with another author of the same mind, the two of you may be able to produce a successful masterpiece that is esteemed by millions. The goal of producing a top-selling book may feel more reachable if you have the support of a co-author. Consider the following tips and you’re well on your way to the bestselling list!
A Discussion of the Self-Publishing Model
With the rise of self-publishing, a new niche of independent or indie authors has emerged. There are pros and cons to everything, and self-publishing is not exempt from this unwritten concept. Without the assistance of service companies, one might wonder if self-publishing has a broad scope. It’s up to you to decide whether the pros outweigh the cons. Once you decide which path to take, go for it and give it all you’ve got!
