The book, On Writing Horror, is among the best “how-to” books for writers working in the genre of fear, and a newly revised edition has just been published. Any writer who hopes to terrify their readers should pick up a copy of this newly updated edition of the classic textbook in writing and marketing horror fiction. Written by members of the Horror Writer’s Association (contributors include Stephen King, Joyce Carol Oates, David Morrell, Harlan Ellison, Jack Ketchum, Tom Piccirilli and many more!), the book covers a surprisingly wide range of issues with insight — from how to craft monster stories that creep into the reader’s nightmares to how to generate innovative works that redefine the genre itself. It also includes a savvy section on the horror market, education, and other resources for the aspiring writer.
I contributed a new article about horror in academia, called “Degrees of Dread,” that talks about how to combine an interest in horror with college studies and going after your MFA. It’s based on my experiences teaching the genre in the graduate program in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University.
You can order On Writing Horror now from amazon.com or from virtually any other book store, including the Writer’s Digest Book Club. Or get a copy signed by editor Mort Castle from my favorite horror bookstore, shocklines.com,
For an excerpt, see editor Mort Castle’s essay, “A Waking Nightmare.”
ON WRITING HORROR (2nd Edition)
by the Horror Writers Association (Edited by Mort Castle)
ISBN: 978-1-58297-420-0
Trade Paperback, 256 pages, $16.99 list price
Writer’s Digest Books, November 2006
REVIEW from Dread Central: “On Writing Horror is the best how-to book of the lot for anyone even thinking about becoming a horror writer, or even a writer in general. Five out of Five.”