Well, of course, H. P. Lovecraft is the originator. But there's also Thomas Ligotti. His works often explore similar themes of nihilism and the horror of existence as Lovecraft did. Brian Lumley is another. He has created a vast body of work that draws on Lovecraftian concepts and expands on them, especially with his take on the Necroscope series which has elements of Lovecraftian horror in it. And Ramsey Campbell, who has been influenced by Lovecraft and has written many stories that have that same sense of creeping dread and otherworldly horror.
Obviously, H.P. Lovecraft is the pioneer of Lovecraftian horror novels. His works are filled with a sense of the ineffable and the terrifyingly unknown. But there are others. Caitlín R. Kiernan has written some great works that can be considered Lovecraftian. Her writing often explores the same themes of the grotesque and the unknowable. Ramsey Campbell is also a significant figure. He has taken the basic elements of Lovecraftian horror, such as the ancient evils and the sense of a world that is far more terrifying than we can imagine, and crafted his own unique stories within this framework.
Thomas Ligotti is an important figure in Lovecraftian horror. His stories have a similar sense of dread and the exploration of the human psyche in the face of the unknowable. He uses Lovecraft's style of creating a sense of unease through the description of the abnormal and the terrifying, while also bringing his own distinct voice to the genre.
Howard Phillips Lovecraft himself is the most well - known. His works such as 'The Call of Cthulhu' are considered classics in the genre. He created the Cthulhu Mythos which has been a major influence on subsequent works.
August Derleth also wrote some notable Lovecraftian - inspired stories. He continued Lovecraft's legacy by expanding on the Mythos. His works often incorporated Lovecraft's ideas and added his own twists, helping to keep the Lovecraftian horror genre alive.
Howard Phillips Lovecraft himself is the most well - known. His works like 'The Call of Cthulhu' are iconic in the Lovecraftian horror genre. Another is August Derleth. He continued and expanded on Lovecraft's ideas. Clark Ashton Smith also wrote stories with Lovecraftian elements. His stories often had a touch of the grotesque and the otherworldly similar to Lovecraft's works.
Edgar Allan Poe is a classic horror story author. His tales such as 'The Raven' and 'The Tell-Tale Heart' are still highly regarded. Another notable one is Anne Rice, known for her vampire-themed horror novels.
Well, H.P. Lovecraft is the main figure. His works have influenced so many others. But you also have to consider Clark Ashton Smith. He was a contemporary of Lovecraft and wrote some stories with similar themes. And then there's Robert E. Howard. He's known for his Conan stories, but he also dabbled in Lovecraftian - type horror.
Another theme is the idea of forbidden knowledge. In Lovecraftian stories, characters often stumble upon knowledge that they should not have. This knowledge is so disturbing that it can drive them mad. For example, learning about the true nature of the ancient gods can shatter a person's sanity.
H. P. Lovecraft is the main figure when it comes to Lovecraftian short stories. But there are others. Robert E. Howard, who is famous for his Conan stories, also dabbled in Lovecraftian - like tales. His works sometimes incorporated the sense of a dark and ancient world filled with terrors. And then there's Brian Lumley. He has written many stories that build on Lovecraft's ideas, often exploring the same themes of cosmic horror and the existence of terrifying entities.
Anne Rice is renowned for her horror fiction, especially her Vampire Chronicles. She gives a new and in - depth take on the vampire mythos. Clive Barker is another great horror author. His works, like 'The Hellbound Heart', are full of grotesque and terrifying imagery that really push the boundaries of horror.