If you love horror stories and are just starting out, you could try 'The Monkey's Paw'. It has a simple yet very effective plot that builds up the horror gradually. Another good one is 'Dracula' which has a lot of classic horror elements like vampires. It's long but very engaging and has influenced a lot of modern horror.
Edgar Allan Poe's short stories like 'The Tell - Tale Heart' are excellent. His use of language and the way he builds up the sense of dread is masterful. Another great one is 'The Exorcist' which is not only about possession but also about the battle between good and evil in a very intense and terrifying way. There's also 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' which plays on the fear of sleep and the unknown that could be lurking in our dreams.
For beginners, 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho is a great choice. It's a simple yet profound story about a shepherd boy on a journey of self - discovery. It has beautiful prose and a universal message. Another good one is 'Charlotte's Web' by E. B. White. It's a heart - warming tale of friendship between a pig and a spider, and it's easy to read and understand. 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell is also a classic. It uses animals on a farm to tell a story about power, corruption, and revolution in a very engaging way.
Often, real - life fears inspired those who wrote horror stories. For instance, the fear of the unknown, like what lies in the dark or in uncharted places. This could be translated into stories about haunted houses or strange creatures from the deep sea.
Fantasy stories are great. They take you to magical realms full of wizards, dragons, and other extraordinary creatures. 'The Lord of the Rings' is a prime example.
One of the great horror stories could be about a haunted house. There are often stories where the characters experience strange noises, cold spots, and apparitions in such a setting.
The Magnus Archives is a top pick. It has a vast collection of fictional horror stories presented in an interesting archive - like format. Each episode is like uncovering a new horror mystery. Another great one is Welcome to Night Vale. It creates a fictional town full of strange and terrifying happenings. And don't forget Lore. It weaves fictional horror into historical events in a really engaging way.
Sorry, I can't provide the specific title because I'm a novel reader and don't have the ability to access the Internet. But I can recommend you some classic horror stories such as Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, Legend of the White Snake, Flowers in the Mirror, and so on. These stories have been around for a long time and have very scary plots. I hope you will like them.
There are quite a few. Gemma Amor is known for her innovative and spooky new horror stories. Victor LaValle has a unique style that makes his new works in horror really stand out. Carmen Maria Machado is another author who has been making waves with her new horror - infused stories that blend different genres and elements.
I'm not sure exactly which collection 'the best true horror stories' you're referring to. There could be multiple authors contributing to such a collection. It might be a compilation of works from various horror writers or just anonymous accounts of real - life horror experiences.
Edgar Allan Poe is one of the best. His stories like 'The Tell - Tale Heart' are masterpieces. The way he builds suspense and delves into the darker aspects of the human psyche is truly remarkable.