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Notable Horror Fiction Writers
Fears of all kinds have been the topic of horror fiction, of the unknown, of death, of evil, of monsters, ghosts, and other abnormal beings. Writers such as Edgar Allan Poe focused on such fears and helped inaugurate the horror genre. But “fear literature” had existed well before Poe in the work of various Gothic authors, including Mary Shelley. Vampires, mummies, werewolves, zombies, and invisible creatures, and psychologically warped humans became popular subjects for short and long fiction.
Notable Horror Fiction Writers fills a need for an authoritative overview of horror writing. It explores the lives of relevant writers, the reception of relevant texts, and the history of the tradition as it has unfolded over the last four hundred years.
Focusing on the existential as well as the psychological, these volumes highlight the literary qualities of horror literature and discuss their social, historical, and cultural contexts. Essays cover horror writings from the 1700s to the present day and establish the essence of this literary genre, exploring its most significant and influential figures and their work.
Detailed analyses of selected works by each author follow a biography, illuminating the artistry that makes these writings not only important horror works but also simply works of art in themselves, reflecting society in a particular historical moment but also remaining timeless. Essays cover writers such as Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, Shirley Jackson, Sheridan le Fanu, and many more. Entries conclude with a selected list of works by the author, a bibliography, and suggested further reading.
The body of each article is arranged as follows:
- Biography provides facts about upbringing and the environment that shaped each writer. When details are scarce, historical context is provided. These biographies often point to the source of a writer’s particular “genius,” showing how an individual’s relationship with the world around them informs their work.
- Analysis considers the overall arc of a writer’s career. The characters that inhabit their writings, the plots and themes they turn to, and their writing style are considered carefully.
- Works provides a close up look at various writings by each author, covering the plot and theme of each story as well as the historical context and reception of the work.
- Selected Works and Bibliographies
Additionally, Notable Horror Fiction Writers features a collection of horror poetry, an often neglected but important subcategory. This section includes horror poems from the English Renaissance and Restoration periods, the Romantic period, the Victorian period, and more. A group of essays follows which examine specific aspects of horror literature including gothic novels, graphic novels, and young adult horror, to name a few.
Back matter includes supporting features of particular interest to those studying horror writers:
- Bram Stoker Awards
- Bibliography
- Subject Index
Designed to introduce readers at the high school and university level to the rich world of horror fiction, this two-volume collection will provide students with careful research and resources for further exploration into these accomplished and indispensable writers.
