On Writing Horror: A Handbook by the Horror Writers Association (edition 2006)

by Horror Writers Association, Mort Castle (Editor)

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The masters of horror have united to teach you the secrets of success in the scariest genre of all! In On Writing Horror, Second Edition, Stephen King, Joyce Carol Oates, Harlan Ellison, David Morrell, Jack Ketchum, and many others tell you everything you need to know to successfully write and publish horror novels and short stories. Edited by the Horror Writers Association (HWA), a worldwide organization of writers and publishing professionals dedicated to promoting dark literature, On Writing Horror includes exclusive information and guidance from 58 of the biggest names in horror writing to give you the inspiration you need to start scaring and exciting readers and editors. You'll discover comprehensive instruction such as: The art of crafting visceral violence, from Jack Ketchum Why horror classics like Dracula, The Exorcist, and Hell House are as scary as ever, from Robert Weinberg Tips for avoiding one of the biggest death knells in horror writing--predicable clichés--from Ramsey Campbell How to use character and setting to stretch the limits of credibility, from Mort Castle With On Writing Horror, you can unlock the mystery surrounding classic horror traditions, revel in the art and craft of writing horror, and find out exactly where the genre is going next. Learn from the best, and you could be the next best-selling author keeping readers up all night long.… (more)

▾Book information

Member:	VictoriaChampion
Title:	On Writing Horror: A Handbook by the Horror Writers Association
Authors:	Horror Writers Association
Other authors:	Mort Castle (Editor)
Info:	Writers Digest Books (2006), Edition: 2nd, Paperback, 272 pages
Collections:	Your library, Currently reading
Rating:
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On Writing Horror: A Handbook by the Horror Writers Association by Horror Writers Association

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Although not all of this book is applicable to what I am trying to do, I still found the bulk of it both informative and interesting. The overall amicable tone in which most of it is written also helped to continue to foster interest. I'd recommend this to anyone looking to write within the horror genre - while the whole book may not be helpful, I would defy anyone to say that at least one chapter in there didn't give them at least one new idea. (

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Lepophagus | Jun 14, 2018 |

Excellent writing reference book. A lot of interesting viewpoints on a huge variety of horror subjects. (

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Lndlindsey | Mar 9, 2018 |

I found a number of articles in this book useful for style and expression. It has reinforced the notion that the best way to settle into writing a genre is to be aware of what has come before. I have become aware of just how little I know about the horror genre even though I've been reading in it for nearly 30 years. The latter sections on publication etc are 10 years out of date now so I didn't pay them much attention, although the general market research premise is valid. Overall, it was nice to see so many people writing in the genre get together for this publication and it really illustrates that horror is not so much of an odd ball thing to write. (

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KatiaMDavis | Dec 19, 2017 |

Important advice you won't get from a writing class on how to tap in to what scares you, how to get it on the page, and how to get it published. All from experts in the field...successful horror writers. In my opinion, invaluable. (

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NickHowes | Dec 1, 2015 |

Not just for horror enthusiasts - a lot of tips and tricks in this book can be used for any genre. (

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margarita.gakis | Jul 17, 2014 |

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Horror Writers Association	—	primary author	all editions	calculated
Castle, Mort	Editor	main author	all editions	confirmed

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▾Awards and Honors

Awards

Black Quill Award (Winner – Best Dark Genre Book of Non-Fiction Reader's Choice – 2007)

Black Quill Award (Nominee – Best Dark Genre Book of Non-Fiction – 2007)

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On Writing Horror

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This book is dedicated to J.N. Williamson, aka "Avuncular Jer," aka "The Big Guy." aka "The Hoosier Sage of Horror," aka my friend, my teacher... / We miss you, Big Brother, and we remember and honor you. -Mort Castle, May 2006

First words

As with most great ideas, the concept for a horror writer's association originated in the fevered imagination of one individual--in this instance, one Robert R. McCammon. -Foreward, Stanley Wiater

I began the 1997 first editio of Writing Horror: A Handbook by the Horror Writers Association with the stated or implied questions you hear about horror fiction: Horror? What - exactly - do you mean by that? Where do you get your ideas? Why do you write such -horrible/horrifying/horrific - stuf? -Editor's Introduction, Mort Castle

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Canonical DDC/MDS

808.38738

Canonical LCC

PN3377.5.H67

▾References

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Wikipedia in English (3)

Darker Than You Think

Horror Writers Association

Off Season (novel)

▾Book descriptions

The masters of horror have united to teach you the secrets of success in the scariest genre of all! In On Writing Horror, Second Edition, Stephen King, Joyce Carol Oates, Harlan Ellison, David Morrell, Jack Ketchum, and many others tell you everything you need to know to successfully write and publish horror novels and short stories. Edited by the Horror Writers Association (HWA), a worldwide organization of writers and publishing professionals dedicated to promoting dark literature, On Writing Horror includes exclusive information and guidance from 58 of the biggest names in horror writing to give you the inspiration you need to start scaring and exciting readers and editors. You'll discover comprehensive instruction such as: The art of crafting visceral violence, from Jack Ketchum Why horror classics like Dracula, The Exorcist, and Hell House are as scary as ever, from Robert Weinberg Tips for avoiding one of the biggest death knells in horror writing--predicable clichés--from Ramsey Campbell How to use character and setting to stretch the limits of credibility, from Mort Castle With On Writing Horror, you can unlock the mystery surrounding classic horror traditions, revel in the art and craft of writing horror, and find out exactly where the genre is going next. Learn from the best, and you could be the next best-selling author keeping readers up all night long.

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