Ten Authors Who May Be the Next Stephen King

Stephen King is the “King of Horror” (pun intended). No doubt about that. Since he wrote his first book carrie In 1974, the master of screams has published more than 60 novels, including cujo, He, Miseryand pet graveyard. He has established himself as one of the best authors. ever. Evil clowns, mad dogs, evil zombie children… what else could a scary man like? As a big fan, I wish he lived another thirty years (which could happen), but we all know that he is coming of age (75) and can’t live forever. Or can he?

So who could succeed this wizard of words and still give us bags under our eyes? I’ve compiled a list of ten amazing writers who have taken the world of horror fiction by storm. Who will take the reins and sit on the throne of terror?

Related: Top 10 Surprising Facts About World Famous Writers

10 Stephen Graham Jones

If you like being scared and having your limits pushed, this first author may be for you. Stephen Graham Jones has written gems like mongrels, night of the mannequins, The only good Indians, Attack of the 50 foot Indianand my heart is a chainsaw. Don’t you like their titles? His authorial voice leaves aspiring authors in awe and readers begging for more nightmares. He is a Blackfoot Native American born in Texas. And prolific AF: he has written twenty-two novels, all before the age of 50. His next book the nanny livesIt’s already on the shelves. Look at him!

You do not believe me? Check out what the teacher himself had to say about Jones’ new book. “Enjoy it the nanny lives a lot. It’s perfect for audio, as really scary stories always are, and this one is really scary. Perfect for a long car ride…especially when you’re almost out of gas and start to wonder if someone has gotten into the backseat and is going to dive into the rearview mirror.”^[1]

9 joe hill

Literature is full of second-generation authors: a chip from the old block, the apple does not fall too far from the tree, etc. Our next contender for the “King of Horror” throne may have already inherited it because his father is the legend herself. However, Hill (Joe Hillstrom King) did not want to follow in his father’s footsteps, so he decided to write under a pseudonym. And he was able to stay off “King’s” radar for ten years.

Joe Hill is the second son of Stephen and Tabatha King. His father certainly passed on some skills to him because Hill has certainly delighted readers with his work. A New York Times bestselling author, Joe Hill has written such works as horns, Ghosts of the 20th centuryand Firefighter. He has won the Bram Stoker prize, and his works NOS4A2 and lock and key have been adapted for AMC and Netflix, respectively.^[2]

8 grady hendrix

A self-proclaimed King-o-phile, New York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix has claimed that he has read all of King’s works at least once, which is quite a feat in itself. His best-selling novel, horrorstörput it on the map with horror lovers everywhere.

Soon you will be able to see his books. The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Killing Vampires and ultimate support group for girls on their televisions. Say what you want about this writer, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy his long titles. The last work of him, How to sell a haunted house, will hit bookstores on January 17, 2023. His new novel explores the way your past—and your family—can haunt you like nothing else. Chilling.^[3]

7 Due to Tananarive

Winner of the American Book Award for her novel the living bloodTananarive Due immersed himself in the horror fiction scene in the ’90s, including his African Immortals series which began with the novel my soul to keep and ending with my soul to take. He appeared in the 2019 documentary Shudder. Horror Noire: A Noir Horror Story. He teaches a course at UCLA on black horror, which shows off the style of Jordan Peele. Go out. She and her husband wrote “A Small Town,” an episode of Peele’s the twilight zone. No stranger to prestige, she has been nominated for a Bram Stoker Award twice. I can’t wait to see what else she has in store for us.^[4]

6 neil gaiman

This famous Brit brought the super-creepy Coraline to the nightmares of children everywhere. Its critically acclaimed the graveyard book—for which he was the first author to win the Newberry and Carnegie medals—was inspired by the work of Rudyard Kipling the jungle book. His comic series The Sandman It currently tops the Netflix charts. His writing is superb and versatile. Everyone can’t wait for the next piece of art from her. A bonus for her readers, Hollywood has adapted many of her works, including coralline, good omens, american gods, star dustand The Sandman. He has even voiced Snowball in The Simpsons in “The house of the tree of the terror XXVII”.

On a side note, I want to invite you to participate in ALL HALLOWS READ this year. Look at this public service announcement by the great Neil Gaiman encourages readers to gift a scary book to someone else this Halloween. Visit www.allhallowsread.com for a fun explanation of All Hallows Read.^[5]

5 katsu soul

Is there anything scarier than the Donner Party? Add a pinch of evil and Alma Katsu Hunger it will hit you in the stomach with nightmares for weeks. This Asian-American writer from Alaska is building quite a collection of spooky tales, including the Faustian Taker Trilogy, The depthand red window. It was a finalist for the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Novel and the Locus Award for Best Horror Novel. His latest novel the fervor, looks psychotically creepy. Oh!^[6]

4 Joyce Carol Oates

This master of the trade published her first novel before Mr. King, and it’s in a category of its own. As prolific as the Mistress of Horror, Joyce Carol Oates is one of the most versatile writers on Earth, publishing 58 novels, hundreds of short stories, and numerous poems. She is a winner of the Bram Stoker and many other awards, including a finalist for the Pulitzer for Fiction five times! This woman never stops writing: her work is currently in the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, the new yorkerand others. Zombie and We were the Mulvaneys These are just some of his great works. Babysitter It launches in bookstores around the world in October 2022 and it sounds amazing. Sounds like a book I’m going to check out.^[7]

3 Chuck Palahniuk

This writer from the Pacific Northwest has shaken me to the core with his writing. It’s not a lie, I’ve had a long bout of insomnia due to multiple books by him. Cult classic Chuck Palahniuk has kept his writers on edge for years. His debut novel Fight Club (plus, a film adaptation directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter) put it on the literary map. Even so, his different horror novels have been etched in the souls of readers. Known for his twists and turns, Palahniuk takes audiences to levels like no one else.

Experimental, avant-garde and stimulating, all his works will go down in history as literary jewels. adjustment day, Lullaby, Obsessed, Damnedand invisible monsters are just some of his chilling novels. In addition to his novels, he has written some of the scariest short stories of our lifetime, including “Guts,” “Cannibal,” “Zombie,” and “Phoenix.” According to Palahniuk, “Guts” has caused more readers to swoon than any other tale in history. This man certainly has a right to the throne of terror.^[8]

2 Silvia Moreno Garcia

This next author hit the literary world hard during the pandemic and gave readers even more fears to deal with. Born in Mexico, Silvia Moreno-García joined the New York Times Best Seller list with her Bram Stoker-nominated work. Mexican Gothic. His other novels Velvet was the night and Jade and Shadow Gods They have also won awards. Critics and readers have fallen in love with this young author. his novel Doctor Moreau’s daughtera dreamy reinvention of The Island of Doctor Moreau Set against the backdrop of 19th century Mexico, it’s definitely one to read on your list. Sounds great.^[9]

1 jose malerman

Last, but certainly not least, this upcoming author, New York Times bestselling author Josh Malerman, became a household name after his record-breaking adaptation broke the internet with hilarious memes. Do you remember those? This cultural phenomenon, that of Netflix bird box broke records with more than 45 million viewers in 2018. His novels Elf, bird boxand Malorie They have brought chills to their readers. his latest novel Daphne It will hit stores in September 2022. It is about a brutal and enigmatic woman who stalks a high school basketball team in a reimagining of the slasher genre. Watch out, she’ll scare your sandals off!^[10]