Books (Not Just) for Horror Writers

 

In my how-to-write-horror book Writing in the Dark, I included a list of reference books for horror writers. That was in 2020. I’ve since created an updated list, and here it is! Most of the books are about the horror genre, writing in the horror genre, or written by horror writers, but a few are books that I think can help any writer. If you have any books you’d like to add, put them in the comments!

101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered. Sadie Hartmann

About Writing: The Authorized Field Guide for Aspiring Writers. Gareth L. Powell

Aristotle’s Poetics for Screenwriters, Michael Tierno

Body Trauma: A Writer’s Guide to Wounds and Injuries, David W. Page

Capturing Ghosts on the Page: Writing Horror & Dark Fiction, Kaaron Warren

Coffinmaker’s Blues: Collected Writings on Terror. Stephen Volk

Creativity for Life: Practical Advice on the Artist's Personality, and Career from America's Foremost Creativity Coach, Eric Maisel

Creep This Way: How to Become a Horror Writer with 24 Tips to Get You Ghouling. Rebecca Cuthbert

Danse Macabre, Stephen King

Dark Dreamers: Conversations with the Masters of Horror, Stanley Wiater

Dark Thoughts on Writing, Stanley Wiater

Dark Visions: Conversations with the Masters of Horror Film, Stanley Wiater and Tanya Wiater

The Dead Stage: The Journey from Page to Stage, Dan Weatherer

End of the Road, Brian Keene

Exquisite Horror: Essential Guide to the Best 150 Books. Alessandro Manzetti

For Exposure: The Life and Times of a Small-Press Publisher, Jason Sizemore

Forensics and Fiction: Clever, Intriguing, and Downright Odd Questions from Crime Writers, D.P. Lyle

Gentle Writing Advice: How to be a Writer Without Destroying Yourself. Chuck Wendig.

Horror 101: The Way Forward, Joe Mynhardt (ed.)

Horror 201: The Silver Scream, Joe Mynhardt and Emma Audsley (eds.)

The Horror … The Horror: An Autobiography, Rick Hautala

The Horror Writer: A Study of Craft and Identity in the Horror Genre. Joe Mynhardt (ed.)

How to Be an Authortunist. Angela Yuriko Smith

How to Write Horror Fiction, William F. Nolan

How to Write Tales of Horror, Fantasy, and Science Fiction, J.N. Williamson

Instigation: Creative Prompts on the Dark Side, Michael A. Arnzen

Is Writing. Matt Shaw.

It’s Alive: Bringing Your Nightmares to Life. Joe Mynhardt and Eugene Johnson (eds.)

Jeani Rector’s Advice on Writing. Jeani Rector

The Kick-Ass Writer, Chuck Wendig

Let Me Tell You a Story. Tim Waggoner

Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction, Michael A. Arnzen and Heidi Ruby Miller (eds.)

Mark My Words: Read the Submission Guidelines and other Self-editing Tips, Lee Murray and Angelia Yuriko Smith

Modern Mythmakers: 35 Interviews with Horror & Science Fiction Writers and Filmmakers. Michael McCarty

More Modern Mythmakers: 25 Interviews with Horror & Science Fiction Writers and Filmmakers. Michael McCarty

Murder and Mayhem: A Doctor Answers Medical and Forensic Questions for Mystery Writers, D.P. Lyle

My Life with the Living Dead: Autobiography. John Russo

My Quirky Little Memoir: Confessions of a Small-Press Writer. John R. Little

Now Write! Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror: Speculative Genre Exercises from Today’s Best Teachers, Laurie Lamsen (ed.)

Other Words. Brian Keene

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, Stephen King

On Writing Horror: A Handbook by the Horror Writers Association, Mort Castle (ed.)

Out in the Dark: Interviews with Gay Horror Filmmakers, Actors, and Authors, Sean Abley

Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction. Patricia Highsmith.

Ramsey Campbell: Master of the Weird Fiction. S.T. Joshi

Ramsey Campbell, Probably. Ramsey Campbell

The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Horror, Third Edition, Becky Siegel Spratford

A Reviewer’s Guide to Writing Book Reviews: And How to Get Paid for Them. Rick Hipson.

The Science Fictionary: A Dictionary of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror. Robert W. Bly

The Scary Movie Writer’s Guide. Seth M. Sherwood

The Scream Writers Handbook: How to Write a Terrifying Screenplay in 10 Bloody Steps, Thomas Fenton.

Screaming for Pleasure: How Horror Makes You Happy and Healthy. S.A. Bradley

Shadows & Ink: Mastering the Art of Horror Writing and Publishing. Vols. 1 and 2. Joe Mynhardt

The Shadows & Ink Companion. Joe Mynhardt

Shooting Yourself in the Head for Fun and Profit: A Writer’s Survival Guide, Lucy A. Snyder

Something Strange About My Brain. R.L. Stine

Southern Fried and Horrified, Ron Kelly

Starve Better: Surviving the Endless Horror of the Writing Life, Nick Mamatas

Stupid Writing Tricks: Tips, Hints, Riffs & Raffs. Daniel Knauf

Supernatural Horror in Literature, H.P. Lovecraft

Techniques of the Selling Writer, Dwight V. Swain

Thrill Me: Essays on Fiction, Benjamin Percy

To Each Their Darkness, Gary A. Braunbeck

Where Nightmares Come From: The Art of Storytelling in the Horror Genre. Joe Mynhardt and Eugene Johnson (eds.)

Weird Fiction: A Genre Study. Michael Cisco

Wonderbook, Jeff Vandermeer

Write the Fight Right, Alan Baxter

A Writer’s Tale, Richard Laymon

Writers Workshop of Horror, Michael Knost (ed.)

Writers Workshop of Horror 2, Michael Knost (ed.)

Writing for Emotional Impact, Karl Iglesias

Writing in the Dark. Tim Waggoner

Writing in the Dark: The Workbook. Tim Waggoner

The Writing Life, Jeff Strand.

Writing Monsters, Philip Athans

Writing the Paranormal Novel, Steven Harper

Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness Into Words. Joanna Penn

Writing Horror Fiction, Guy N. Smith

Writing the Uncanny: Essays on Crafting Strange Fiction. Dan Coxon and Richard V. Hirst (eds.)

You Can Do Anything Magic Skeleton: Monster Motivations to Get You to Move Your Butt and Do the Thing. Chuck Wendig and Natalie Metzger

Yours to Tell: Dialogues on the Art & Practice of Writing, Steve Rasnic Tem and Melanie Tem