How would you compare horror books produced by the large publishers as opposed to those by the small presses?
Some of them are exceptional in quality, the care in production is of major import. The quality of the binding is superb and the selection of authors is excellent.
What would you say is the most important element of a great horror novel?
Atmosphere and characterisation I think are crucial, forget the blood and gore descriptions - it's getting under the skin of the character that counts. A great story is always useful as well.
Any tips for authors who are signing their horror books this Halloween?
Don't sign them in blood - well, at least not your own.
You probably have read a ton of horror books... what is the scariest book you've ever read?
Scariest, mmm that's tricky. Firestarter was an emotional read for me, as I had a young child at the time, I've always enjoyed Dracula,The House on the Borderland, The Sheep Look Up (which I think transcends genres) The Wolfen, The Keep, The Wasp Factory, Song of Kali, Swan Song, The Shining, The Stand, Valley of Angels, Red Dragon, Silence of the Lambs - recently read Let the Right One In by Lundquist which I thought was really good. Joe Donnelly's books are good.
Who, in your opinion, are the horror fiction masters of the 20th century?
King, Straub, McCammon, Simmons, Campbell, Masterton, Simon Clark, Thomas Harris, Joe Donnelly, Basil Copper, Richard Lymon, Christopher Fowler, and the dark fantasy and horror of George R. Martin and Joe Abercrombie. Also Dennis Wheatley, The Pan Books of Horror Stories, Roald Dahl and Lucius Shepard.
Thank you again for this interview, Simon!
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