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Post by kindletoflame on Aug 4, 2010 20:16:12 GMT -6
Hello. I'm a big horror fan, but I've mostly on read books by the really famous, mainstream authors, like Lovecraft and King.
I'm interested in checking out authors who've just been getting their novels published in the past decade. I want to see if any fresh authors are up to the same standard as King.
I've read a couple of books by Nate Kenyon, and I think he's really good, but not quite up to par with the 'greats' of horror. So far, his books seem a little short and rushed, like he's working with a limited word count and trying to fit a larger story in, and his prose, while promising, shows signs of an early novelist (which he is, so no foul there).
What I like about Kenyon is that he fleshes out his characters really well. They aren't extremely two-dimensional like Brian Keene's characters tend to be. I care about them, which is half the work in getting the reader scared (the other half is putting them in creatively scary situations).
Another newer author I've read is Brian Keene. I can't tell you how much I do NOT like this guy's work. Artificial characters, high-school grade prose. On the positive side, a couple of his books have a fast pace, and the general outline of his stories seem creative and fresh. Unfortunately, it's in a "this sounds really good when I tell you about the book, but it isn't pulled off all that well when you actually sit down to read it" kind of creative. He strikes me as more of an idea man; maybe he needs to give those ideas to somebody who can actually write well, and they can put out books as a collaborative team.
Based on what I've read, what I've liked and what I didn't, what authors would you recommend to me?
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Post by Chris Hedges on Aug 4, 2010 20:57:24 GMT -6
Bentley Little, for sure. And Robert McCammon. If you haven't read RM, you've done yourself a disservice. I'm a huge King fan and was a huge Koontz fan for a long time, until he changed his "voice" in the early 2000's, but he's on the comeback, methinks.
My suggestions to you from the small press, if you haven't tasted them already would be--John Little, James Newman, Brian Knight, John Skipp (not so small press) and Joe Lansdale (also, not so small press.)
I just drew a blank. I know I'm leaving a bunch of authors off the list. I'm sure the other Crypters will fill in the gaps. :-)
~C
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Post by kindletoflame on Aug 4, 2010 21:11:15 GMT -6
Oh yeah, I've read McCammon. Great novelist. Boy's Life is my favorite, though that isn't horror. He's great short story writer, too; Blue World was great. That story about the aging superhero actor really pulled at my heartstrings.
I've read a couple of Koontz books, but they weren't my cup of tea. Maybe I've tried the wrong ones: Mr. Murder and Your Heart Belongs to Me.
Thanks for the suggestions.
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Post by Chris Hedges on Aug 4, 2010 22:02:43 GMT -6
Swan Song by McCammon and Intensity and Night Chills by Koontz. Check 'em out. :-)
~C
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Post by markgunnells on Aug 5, 2010 3:11:12 GMT -6
If you're going to go for Koontz, you need to find older Koontz...avoid his newer stuff like the plague.
If you like Boy's Life, check out Joe R. Lansdale's The Bottoms and A Fine Dark Line. Brilliant Books. Also try James Newman's Midnight Rain.
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Post by Chris Hedges on Aug 5, 2010 3:20:52 GMT -6
Midnight Rain is a favorite of mine. And Fine Dark Line was awesome.
Koontz--for the newer stuff, try Velocity. It's pretty good.
~C
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Post by mmdh55 on Aug 5, 2010 3:36:26 GMT -6
Carrion Comfort and Song of Kali by Dan Simmons. Prayers to Broken Stones by Simmons and Blue World by McCammon for short stories.
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Post by gnbraun on Aug 5, 2010 4:54:36 GMT -6
James A Moore (any). Great books. Michael McBride.
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JDar
Full Member
Jan a/k/a "dancingwith2leftfeet"
Posts: 177
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Post by JDar on Aug 5, 2010 5:12:33 GMT -6
I'm a fan of Brian Keene's work - but that's what is great about discussions on these Boards - diff spokes for diff folks. In addition to the authors mentioned above, I'll add Greg F Gifune and John R Little. Most of their work will grab you emotionally and not let you go for days after you finish their story . . . . and I mean that in a good way. ;D Keep Smiling, Jan
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Post by kindletoflame on Aug 5, 2010 6:06:37 GMT -6
I'm a fan of Brian Keene's work - but that's what is great about discussions on these Boards - diff spokes for diff folks. Yeah. No disrespect to Brian Keene fans out there. I just wanted to give you an indication of what I'm currently digging, and what I'm currently hating, and why I like or don't like what I read. Makes getting good suggestions more likely. I think I understand Keene's appeal. His stories often have high body counts (and The Rising and City of the Dead have absolutely ENORMOUS body counts), and he never shies away from the gore. I can understand people liking that, but to me that isn't really horror. It's gory action, with monsters. I suppose that's just a sub-genre of horror, though. I shouldn't be calling what I like horror and what you like action with monsters. It isn't fair of me. It's all horror, just different flavors. Like you said, diff spokes for diff folks. Thanks for the suggestions, folks. Keep 'em coming! Authors I've read: King, Lovecraft, Poe, McCammon, Barker, Koontz (but, as has been established, I've only dabbled), Kenyon, Shelley, Stoker, Keene, and Straub.
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Post by markgunnells on Aug 5, 2010 15:10:40 GMT -6
LANSDALE LANSDALE LANSDALE! It is my mission to get you into some Lansdale.
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Post by gnbraun on Aug 5, 2010 19:34:31 GMT -6
LANSDALE LANSDALE LANSDALE! It is my mission to get you into some Lansdale. Lansdale's Rumble Tumble just arrived in the post. kindletoflame...Lansdale ain't horror...be warned...
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Post by greglamberson on Aug 5, 2010 20:03:39 GMT -6
Dan Simmons.
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Post by ichorous on Aug 5, 2010 20:06:56 GMT -6
In addition to the authors mentioned above, I'll add Greg F Gifune and John R Little. Most of their work will grab you emotionally and not let you go for days after you finish their story . . . . and I mean that in a good way. ;D Keep Smiling, Jan I agree wholeheartedly. If you want fully realized characters to relate to while plumbing the depths, these two are masters.
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swa
Full Member
Posts: 112
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Post by swa on Aug 5, 2010 20:36:25 GMT -6
Palianiukklsjfljdldjf.
Great voice.
Two recent writers I've discovered are John Langan and Paul Tremblay. They miss with me on occasion, but when they hit, damn, they're fucking good.
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