The 10 Greatest Horror Writers

The 10 Greatest Horror Writers of all time.

So far.

According to me.

[Carlo-V.]

While I absolutely agree on almost every word you say in your comment, I must say that both Poe and Lovecraft are miles apart from Stephen King. That's because both of them have a "philosophical message", they have something to tell us on a deeper level. Not the same can be said about King. He's a great storyteller, but underneath his stories there's not much left. He's simply good vs. evil, he's the regular guy across the street who encounters horror in various forms, but then at the end "hey! Everything's alright!"

[paulmonahawk]

Love Poe, my youngest has Poe as a middle name.

[NP-Hunt]

Great list Michael. I agree Poe should be number one, especially for influence. One person who maybe deserves to be in there (although not exclusively a horror writer) would be Robert Louis Stevenson for Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and also The Body Snatcher, and maybe Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu or Washington Irving, but I'm willing to guess those probably would have all made it onto a top 20. I definitely agree with the choices you made, but Dean Koontz's moustache definitely should have had an honourable mention too! 🤣😆😜

[CriminOllyBlog]

Excellent list. Hard to argue with any of your choices

[MichaelRomeoTalksBooks]

Excellent list. While some may debate the order you have them in, no one can debate the list of names itself.

[stews]

Your remarks on Anne Rice qualify you as an Olympic-level Thin Ice Skater. Bravo.

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein not only changed horror but formed the foundation of modern science fiction, according to no less an authority than Isaac Asimov.

[PaxPanic]

A very comprehensive list....I have to say this was as close to a perfect list as you can get!

[OrcmanRepugnant]

Just one more comment. I've read Poe's The Tell Tale Heart, The Masque of the Red Death, The Cask of Amontillado, Metzengerstein, The Pit and the Pendulum very lately. Poe was a master of suspense! The only thing for me that sets King apart is the language. Poe wrote in the first half of the 19th Century so for me, the writing is beautiful yet distant. King writes for my generation, his prose is home to me. There lies the difference for me. Thanks for reading.

[stevengentry]

I enjoyed your list, but I am a sucker for a top ten list generally. I don't read a lot of horror but, just as a measure of how influential these authors are, I have read things by everyone on your list (particularly Lovecraft and Poe). So, even a not-much-horror reader like myself has read these authors.

[justinecooper]

Given your criterion of permanently changing a genre, Poe would be on a top ten detective writers list as he invented the formula for the modern detective story in The Murders in the Rue Morgue.

[CestKevvie]

Love Clive Barker! More by reputation than by his actual work lol Shirley Jackson is great, loved the Lottery. Agree with your number 1 pick

[kirkalex]

Well, as mentioned earlier, you missed Lustmord: Anatomy of a Serial Butcher. Great list, by the way. Shirley Jackson's short story The Lottery is one of the hardest-hitting. Matheson's Dual (the Dennis Weaver-starring flick was based on) is one powerful thrill ride. If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor & take a gander. The editing is genius, the acting topnotch.

[MsReadsAlot]

I think the Vaughan lodge is more terrifying than the Vaughan manor 🤣😳 a top 10 list with 11 💕 love it! I am expecting a certain number 1…. Waiting to see if my guess is right! I now own I am legend! Excited to pick it up!

[ABFrank.]

NUMBER 11 😂 I DNF'd Interview with a Vampire! "It's all quiet until they start throwing rocks at you!" 😆 "Those of you who are putting him lower than number one, you're doing it wrong!" 😂 Fantastic! Poe should be credited as being an inventor for his development of genres as well as a writer. The Fall of the House of Usher is magnificent, as is The Tell-Tale Heart. Man this was an excellent video that made me laugh 👍 👏

[petefeigal]

Thanks, Mr. Vaughn, I'm a brand new subscriber, but I enjoy your style and insights. I'll be watching!

[Shellyish]

I have Interview with a Vampire sitting on my shelf. Shirley Jackson’s work terrifies me. I want to read Frankenstein before the end of the year. What! Lovecraft didn’t make the #1 position! I’m shocked!

I’m going to have nightmares for years after watching this video.

[DebMcDonald]

I appreciate that you based your list on authors who make undeniable and lasting changes to horror fiction. Several of the authors changed me forever. I’m happy you included Anne Rice whose influence is undeniable. Have you read The Witching Hour? It’s terrifying but manages to tell the history of New Orleans through a generational saga of a family of witches.
I ran across some Kolchak episodes on YouTube which I haven’t watched since the 70’s. The two I watched were both written by Richard Matheson! Deb

[janicecuroso]

I agree with your list since it is based on how influential the writers were. There are many good horror writers today, but most aren't bringing anything new to horror. Good stories but nothing that hasn't been written about in some form before.

[Monsterblood]

Awesome video! I definitely need to read some Arthur Macken, he's the only author here I haven't read anything by. (Actually, I can't remember if I've read anything by M.R. James either)
I agree with Poe getting the top spot. His work is absolutely amazing. The Fall of the House of Usher is one of the scariest stories I've ever read. I did an essay on his poem "Alone" during a poetry course in college. He is an absolute legend. There is no horror without him.
And I would have included R.L. Stine on my list lol

[Bookeyman]

This is an excellent list. I appreciate the portraits and brief information about each of the authors. The only author I can undoubtedly say that is on my list not mentioned here is Ray Bradbury. Otherwise, I can see a great argument for everyone else on your top ten(11).