Writing Horror

Writers such as Stephen King, Nancy Kilpatrick, Jill M. Morgan, and Harlan Ellison share tips on writing the horror novel

A seasoned horror writer and writing teacher pulls together a vast amount of information on the genre. The psychology of writing horror; techniques of dialogue and characterization; the relationship of horror to other forms of literature; submission procedures; career management; horror in electronic, graphic, and other nonprint media--there is something here about all these and more. Some of the essays require a bit of mental translating, but others--notably those of Tina Jens and David Morrell--are models of clarity, content, and wit. Robert Weinberg contributes a basic reading list, and there are tidbits on markets (inevitably soon to become outdated--the fault of fate, not the editor) and even an interview with and a story by Harlan Ellison. No one seriously interested in writing or reading horror will fail to gain something from this straightforward, largely successful how-to. Roland Green