The 10 Greatest Horror Writers

[@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!"

[@joshua3367]

That sounds more like Dean Koontz you're describing. 🤣 ... Even though I really enjoy Kootz and alot of his ideas I get sick of the fact that every story ends happily ever after... King on the other hand isn't like that at all.

[@paulmonahawk4921]

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

[@PaxPanic]

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

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks!

[@petefeigal8118]

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

[@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 KZbin which I haven’t watched since the 70’s. The two I watched were both written by Richard Matheson! Deb

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I read the Witching Hour decades ago. I remember it having some truly bizarre moments! Ah, Kolchak! That was a fun series.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Excellent list. Hard to argue with any of your choices

[@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! 🤣😆😜

[@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.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks! Kings prose is certainly very readable. And I know what you mean, since I started reading his work back in the 80s. I’m really enjoying reading his stuff lately.

[@ScullyPopASMR]

Great episode 🔥📚

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks!

[@jeremyfee]

Your list is amazing! Your end call to action has inspired me. I think I'll do some Top 10 lists like this in 2022. Peace.

[@tathagata74]

This is a great list Michael. As always, your presentation was awesome! Thank you for the recommendations! I will try to start reading the authors about whom I had not heard until I saw your video, like Anne Rice, Clive Barker, Arthur Machen, Richard Matheson. Can you believe it, I have heard so much about Stephen King but till now haven't read any of his novels till now! I must start soon. Which novel of his would you recommend I should read first?

[@Bookeyman87]

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).

[@stews9]

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.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Yes, I had my special skates on for this video!

[@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

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I remember watching The Ring and thinking “this is pure M. R. James!” Actually most modern horror owes a lot to M. R. James. And Arthur Machen is essential!

[@carlosbranca8080]

Great list! I've been wanting to read M.R. James Complete Ghost Stories for a long time so i will pretty soon. Arthur Machen is my favorite and in my list i would add Joseph Sheridan LeFanu and Algernon Blackwood. Maybe Ambrose Bierce, some of his stories reeeeally scared me. I cannot add T.E.D. Klein because even though he wrote my favorite modern horror works i feel he didn't write enough. Good video and take care.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks! I agree about every writer you mentioned.

[@MrGringissimo]

Great list Michael. I'll be looking for M.R. James and Arthur Machen at the book store. Would you think of putting Dickens somewhere in the top 20? Obviously not known for his horror, but did put out a number of well known ghost stories.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Hmmm 🤔. I doubt it. Simply too many other writers would come before him. Blackwood, Bloch, and Kipling among others.

[@MichaelRomeoTalksBooks]

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

[@kirkalex5257]

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.

[@justinecooper9575]

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.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

That’s true.

[@wildmanz8233]

Great list! It's hard to knock anyone off that list, but I'd have probably squeezed Ray Bradbury in there, somewhere around #5. Although he's not strictly a horror writer, stories like Something Wicked this Way Comes and The Illustrated Man are horror classics. I'm rereading the former for Halloween, and 40 years after my first reading of this tale, it still holds its dark magic for me!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Yeah, Ray Bradbury! The only reason he didn’t make it is because I think of him more as a science fiction/dark fantasy writer. He certainly will make my science fiction writers list (spoiler alert!)

[@2024FingersCrossed]

Good list, agree with your #1.

[@arekkrolak6320]

Great list!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks!

[@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.

[@AllenFreemanMediaGuru]

Interview With a Vampire and The Body Thief I liked from Anne Rice. Plan to read more of her work.

[@stevengentry9396]

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.

[@zimmer50]

A great top ten list. One author I never heard of is Arthur Machen. I'll be reading him very soon. A few writers I would throw on the list are Dean Koontz, Robert Bloch and Robert R. McCammon. Enjoy your day at the Manor.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Robert Bloch came close. It does feel weird having a list like this without him on it.

[@johnmcmurray1912]

I love me some King and Matheson. Now reading Haunting of Hill House, next up is Lovecraft's Necronomicon.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I hope you enjoy Lovecraft. I imagine you will! Thanks for watching!

[@kirkalex5257]

Yes. Yes. Yes. Poe rules! Eddie Poe. All the way. He lives. Forever. Most can't touch him.

[@leoden49]

Solid list. Algernon Blackwood would be in there somewhere on my own personal list I think.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Yes, he certainly is in my top twenty. He certainly could have been higher. Great writer!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

I came here ready to fight, but I respect all of your decisions. I do agree with Poe being number one, bringing a dark romantic sensibility coupled with gruesome and haunting imagery that bridges so many eventual genres (everything from splatterpunk to southern gothic). I guess my own additions would be: Robert Bloch, for digging his fingers into crime and noir stories and extracting the dark psychology and transgressive/taboo subject matter that birthed the modern horror thriller, as well as cementing the blueprints for modern psychological horror. Maybe you’ll see this one coming from me, but Jack Ketchum, I would totally name as highly influential, someone who caused a total uproar during the 80s and shook the foundations of horror during the late 20th century. He brought hyperviolence to the forefront (Off Season really influenced so many eventual horror writers, for better or for worse-it’s the book all extreme horror writers today try to emulate, with often poor results). The creation of the Girl Next Door alone really warrants recognition. His bibliography is something so ugly and intimate that continues to scar readers today.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I have not read Ketchum yet (I will though…The Stand has to end someday) so I couldn’t put him on my list. Still, do you really think he is a better or more impactful writer than Clive Barker? I really can’t see him rising any higher than that but we will see. Bloch is another matter entirely. He very nearly made it in.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 In terms of influence and praise alone… I guess it depends on what kind of horror we’re talking about, and from where. 😛 I do think his impact is becoming more and more pronounced since his passing. Having been reading more and more of this indie horror stuff, I totally see his influence all over. So maybe his legacy is not quite there yet, but totally bubbling up higher and higher.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@PlaguedbyVisions You never know, I could be doing a Sunday Penguin on The Girl Next Door someday.

[@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 👍 👏

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Ha! Thanks!

[@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

[@janicecuroso1042]

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.

[@jacobdinofan3070]

This was a great list,really great,my list would be 1.edgar allan poe 2.stephen king 3.h.p.lovecraft 4.junji ito 5.bram stoker 6.r.l.stine 7.clive barker 8.richard Matheson 9.anne rice 10.shirley jackson

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Great list! I wish I had gotten into R. L. Stine.

[@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!

[@MsReadsAlot]

Dang! Nope!! It was your number 3!

[@AllenFreemanMediaGuru]

Currently enjoying: McCammon, King, Koontz, Ketchum (And about to read Dan Simmons)

[@ffridiejr]

Multiple Bram Stoker award-winner Dan Simmons has to be on this list for me. "Carrion Comfort" is one of the greatest horror novels ever written.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I’m reading Carrion Comfort very soon! I hear fantastic things about it. Not sure how I haven’t read that already.

[@MrGringissimo]

Drood and The Terror are two of the best horror novels I've read. I'll have to check out Carrion Comfort.

[@AnneEWilliamson]

So many great authors! I've only read the Abarat series by Clive Barker, which is possibly his only non-horror series. But I loved that series as a teen! And I agree that Poe is definitely number one! The only author I might add to this list is Algernon Blackwood. He's just such a favorite of mine, and all his stories are so creepy!

[@MagusMarquillin]

Abarat maybe for young adult, but it's still horror. It's also high/portal fantasy, but so is a lot of Barker as I understand. My Barker experience is the first 2 Abarats and Weaveworld and the movie Nightbread - loved them all.

[@AnneEWilliamson]

@@MagusMarquillin Interesting. While I agree that there are some horror elements, like any scene with Christopher Carrion or his mother, I never considered Abarat to be horror. And I'll have to someday read more of his books!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Abarat was really weird and wonderful.

[@MagusMarquillin]

@@AnneEWilliamson, you maybe right, while those scenes (a good number of them) could be rather strong for the intended age, there were also plenty of good forces/characters to balance that out. It was always on my mind that the later books were promising to get so much darker as midnight goes to all the islands - whenever they come out. I think you'll love Weaveworld if you were into Abarat.

[@shirleyanne6573]

What a great list! Thanks for not putting Dean Koontz on it 😁

[@bookfantastic]

It would be difficult to bump anyone off your list. Two other writers are included in one -- Clark Ashton Smith and William Hope Hodgson. I am wondering if you have ever read Terry Lamsley. This guy is a fantastic short ghost and horror story writer, but it's a bit of a challenge to find affordable copies of his books. Not suggesting him for your list, but I know you will like him. Two standouts I recall are "Under the Crust" and "Walking the Dog."

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Clark Ashton Smith and William Hope Hodgson! Excellent! I have not yet read Lamsley.

[@kirkalex5257]

Poe remains one of the greatest ever, of course. Barker is another who deserves all the respect he gets. The late Jack Ketchum is yet another. Up there, though, without a doubt, if you want a great splatter read, check out the nightmare-inducing Lustmord: Anatomy of a Serial Butcher. Definitely not for the weak of belly. It's a long book. Twelve-hundred blood-stained pages-plus.

[@buyahhhhrooo4418]

I was certain Robert Bloch was coming, I probably would have put him around 10ish, but otherwise this seems like a very accurate list. The only switch might be Lovecraft and King, since it was the former who inspired the latter.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

It does seem wrong to have a list like this without Bloch. What was I thinking!?

[@sgriffin9960]

I wouldn’t put Poe as #1 but I like the rest of the list!

[@gomro]

Ramsey Campbell should be on there somewhere. Started as a Lovecraftian, but he left that behind a long time ago.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

You are right. Ramsay Campbell is excellent.

[@justinecooper9575]

Anne Rice; author of the Beauty Trilogy, which puts her on a different Top Ten list. And that makes me wonder, is she indirectly responsible for the Fifty Shades of Grey books?

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Oh man, Anne Rice has a lot to answer for!

[@daveqr]

I was wondering who Emma James was. Thought I'd somehow missed someone!

[@warmecanic]

Ligotti, Quiroga, maupassant and Hodgson

[@AJDunnReadsandWrites]

I really expected you to put Lovecraft in the number one spot based on your bromance with him. 😁 Apparently I disagreed about _Pet Sematary._ 🤣

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I’m sure Lovecraft won’t mind…mostly because he’s too dead to argue. Yes, you do seem to be stubbornly wrong about Pet Sematary! You are just upset because I didn’t say Cujo was his masterpiece!

[@AJDunnReadsandWrites]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 Ha! I wouldn't say it's a masterpiece. I'm expecting even better stories than that as I go along. I'm starting to get into the territory of King books I know nothing about.

[@anotherbibliophilereads]

If I recall correctly, King had mixed feelings about Pet Sematary. Mostly about the taboo of killing a child, but that is what made the novel.

[@AJDunnReadsandWrites]

@@anotherbibliophilereads He talks about it in the introduction of the book. He specifically references his daughter in that intro.

[@kevlee57]

Great list. Other authors I would have considered are Algernon Blackwood, Sheridan Le Fanu and Brian Lumley. I think Stephen King is rated too high, but that's just my personal opinion.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Blackwood is definitely # 12.

[@jamesfetcho6315]

Any List Without Blackwood, or Lumley should not be taken seriously. LoL. Only Time I can really remember totally disagreeing with Michael. 🤷‍♂️

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@jamesfetcho6315 😩

[@jamesfetcho6315]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 LoL 😆😂🤣

[@mediumjohnsilver]

My own bookshelves do not have a lot of horror. I have some Poe and Matheson, I have Shelley’s Frankenstein and a novel by Thomas M. Disch, but I have quite a few by Harlan Ellison, so I will have Ellison on my own list. “I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream”… Brrrrr.

[@kirkalex5257]

Misspelled Duel. Sorry.

[@anotherbibliophilereads]

I remember laughing at some things in Anne Rice’s vampire books. Not intentionally funny things. Vampires flying up a mountain or hair growing back every night for example. I only read the first three. I have read something by every author on this list.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

The first three are probably all you need to read, honestly.

[@justinecooper9575]

You're wiser than me.

[@JosesAmazingWorlds]

I gave up after the first three books as well. Garbage.

[@MagusMarquillin]

I read the first 5 in college and thought they were excellent, especially 4, 5 & 2. I only stopped because I'm an inconsistent reader.

[@leonoldfield9765]

👍

[@1946lynne]

What about Dean Koontz - I'm a big Odd Thomas fan,

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Koontz wrote some good stuff back when he still had his terrific mustache. I don’t think he was ever good enough to get in the top ten though.

[@theemptyatom]

Poe is the best! 100% agree. King has good ideas, hence why they appeal to movie makers, but I don't like his writing style.

[@BookBlather]

Great list, though I have to say… I really thought Lovecraft was gonna be your number 1.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Even Lovecraft wouldn’t put himself above Poe. And while I think Lovecraft is the better writer, there simply is no denying that King has had a larger influence over all. And King is a very good writer…sometimes…

[@justinecooper9575]

I notice that time stops at a quarter to seven whenever you make a video. *grin*

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

The Manor is a timeless place.

[@JosesAmazingWorlds]

I didn’t rate Haunting of Hill House or any Stephen King long novel save for Pet Semetary. The short story is the natural habitat of horror, and for that, Lovecraft and Poe number one and two, positions interchangeable.

[@stews9]

Not on the list? May Sinclair, J. Sheridan LeFanu, Algernon Blackwood, Elizabeth Gaskell, Rachel Ingalls, Oliver Onions, Robert Louis Stevenson, Oscar Wilde, et alia.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

They can’t all be on there. I agree with their greatness though.

[@jimsbooksreadingandstuff]

No James Herbert, Peter Straub or Graham Masterton ?

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Not in the top ten, no. I wouldn’t place them above anyone on this list.

[@Madanth0ny]

Clive barker should deff be higher

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Probably

[@Madanth0ny]

Solid list tho🤘 thank you

[@revenantreads]

No Dean Koontz?! He traded his talent for hair for nothing!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Yes, a fact which just adds to his tragic tale!

[@Toracube]

No Dennis Wheatley?!!! The Prince of Storytellers back in the day.... The Satanist, The Devil Rides Out, The Ka of Gifford Hillary...Glorius, yet dated, hokum.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

No offense against Wheatley

[@jamesfetcho6315]

Sparkling Vampires 🤮 Dude I usually agree With most Your stuff, but You got people ( I shall not name ) on Here...that are only known for One book...Not one series, but One book...Yet they are Top 10 over many Greater Writers. Any List that Doesn't Have Brian Lumley in the Too 10 of Horror Writers...🤷‍♂️. I have read every Author on this list. Many Everything they have done. H.P. LOVECRAFT SHOULD BE higher than S. King. Poe...should be below H.P.Lovecraft . Again any List without Lumley....I can't take seriously...LoL. Great Video. 👍😁👍.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

As much as I liked Necroscope, I don’t think Lumley has written anything more influential, or even better, than any of the writers on this list. I might change my mind as I read more of his stuff but I doubt it. Then again, he may surprise me ( I hope so ). Also, if the only thing you ever write is something like Frankenstein it doesn’t matter how much you wrote, you still get on the list. That one book tops any series. Of course lists like these are fun but shouldn’t be taken seriously. Not ever! They are fun to watch though, if only so you can tell whoever made it how wrong they are!

[@jamesfetcho6315]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 Hope You read this...See.. I didn't even say a name Yet You knew exactly who I was talking about. Don't get Me wrong I Liked Frankenstein, but I don't know how influential it was.....Yet I can Make a list of Movie, and stories that Have come out since Brian Lumley that have been shamelessly stolen from Him....but Because a lot have only read a few books by Him Don't realize it....Underworld, 6th Sense, Odd Thomas, and Stranger Things just 2 name a few...Not counting Video games, Card Games, and board games. Yes the list is fun 2 argue over.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Okay, now I really have to finish the last 300 pages of The Stand so I can get back to Lumley. I can’t believe I’ve read 1100 pages and still have a whole books worth of pages to read before it ends! And I’m just hoping Harold kills Stu and Frances because those two are so annoying! Team Harold! Probably won’t happen though, damn it. Okay I’m on a tangent now…

[@jamesfetcho6315]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 LoL. I can't believe Your reading The Stand again. LoL. Once was enough for Me, and I read the edited version. Though it does have its good parts. I seen a adaptation of The Short story Survivor Type by Him on CreepShow last week. Only short story by Him that really stuck in My head. Take Care 👍😁👍

[@ABFrank.]

"Sparkling vampires" 😂 I just finished Necroscope yesterday. I thought it had some issues but the story was very compelling. Will be continuing the series for sure!

[@OrcmanRepugnant]

Jack Ketchum should be here. He took horror to places that no one dared to go, with great characters and story. And dude, the great man is number one not two.... You are being harsh with your bad book views. From an objective point of view Elevation, Sleeping Beauties and Billy Summers are bad. Most authors have one, two or three classics. Uncle Steve has about 25.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

You have a point with Ketchum. I don’t think King can ever top Poe. Not on my list anyway.

[@DDB168]

If the title was 'Top 10 most influential...' then I have no arguments, but based on writing ability I think King should be down there with Rice. I would put Matheson in the top 3. But ummm...we need to address the (Tower of) the elephant in the room: where is Robert E Howard ? You're even wearing his hat and didnt put him in the list ! 😮😮

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I know! What was I thinking!? Well, let’s just say the horror elements in his stories tend not to be their strongest points, usually. At least if you compare them with these writers. I think King is probably better than that. Probably. A case could certainly be be made for Matheson coming in higher.

[@brew2415]

I think Frankenstein sucked so bad it should not be on anybody's list. The book was a pillar of something but certainly not a pillar of horror.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Well, you are welcome to your extraordinarily wrong opinion.

[@brew2415]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 So are you.