Algernon Blackwood was another significant author. His horror stories delved into the supernatural and often had a spiritual or otherworldly element. He was good at creating an atmosphere of mystery and dread. In stories like 'The Willows', he used nature as a source of horror, with the willow trees taking on a menacing and almost sentient quality, which was quite unique for the time.
M. R. James was also quite well - known. His ghost stories were very popular during the 1920s. His tales were often set in old, English institutions like universities and churches. He had a way of building suspense slowly, and his ghosts were not always the typical, transparent apparitions. For example, in 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad', the entity that haunts the protagonist is very menacing and not fully explained, leaving a lot to the reader's imagination.
Geoffrey Chaucer can be considered one of them. His 'The Canterbury Tales' had elements that could be considered horror - like. Another was Marie de France. She wrote some tales with elements of the supernatural and horror that were popular during the medieval era.
One popular author was Henry James, with his work 'The Beast in the Jungle' which had a unique take on psychological horror. Stephen Vincent Benét was also well - known for 'The Devil and Daniel Webster' that combined horror and folklore. Fritz Leiber was recognized for his horror novel 'Conjure Wife' which explored witchcraft themes.
Peter Straub was a popular author during the 80's in the horror genre. His works such as 'Ghost Story' were widely read. Also, Robert R. McCammon had some great horror novels in the 80's. His 'They Thirst' was a well - received horror novel that delved into the vampire horror sub - genre.
Stephen King is a very popular author. His works often include elements that can be considered in the realm of men's horror stories. Another one is H.P. Lovecraft. His unique and often Lovecraftian horror has influenced many other horror writers. And Clive Barker also stands out. His works are known for their dark and often disturbing content.
Another notable author was H. G. Wells. While he is often associated with science fiction, some of his works in the 1890s had elements of horror. His ability to create strange and menacing scenarios, such as in 'The War of the Worlds', which although more science - fictiony, had a sense of horror in the invasion and destruction brought by the Martians.
Eric Carle was also a significant author in the 90s for bedtime stories. His book 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' was and still is a classic. The simple yet engaging story about the caterpillar's transformation was a favorite among kids. His unique art style made the story even more appealing for bedtime reading.
There are several popular authors. Stephen King, as I mentioned, is a household name in horror. His ability to create vivid and terrifying scenarios is unrivaled. Joe Hill has followed in his father's footsteps and has created some really disturbing and thought - provoking horror stories. Paul Tremblay is known for his unique take on horror, often blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural. Additionally, Carmen Maria Machado has been making waves with her innovative and often feminist - influenced horror stories.
R.L. Stine is really popular. He has written the 'Goosebumps' series which has terrified and entertained teens for years. His stories are full of spooky twists and turns.
Peter Benchley is a well - known author from 1974 with his novel 'Jaws'. He was able to tap into people's primal fear of sharks. Richard Matheson, author of 'Bid Time Return' in 1974, is also a respected figure. His works often blend elements of horror, science fiction, and the human condition.
Some of the popular authors of 1900s short fiction stories include Katherine Anne Porter. Her works, such as 'The Jilting of Granny Weatherall', were highly regarded for their in - depth exploration of human emotions. John Updike was another popular figure, known for his story 'A&P'. His writing often focused on the ordinary lives of people but with a deeper meaning. And then there was Mark Twain, although he was more known for his longer works, he also had some great short fictions in the 1900s that were full of his unique humor and social commentary.