A reader sent a good question:
My current and first attempt at book writing has been an excellent and rewarding adventure. I have only about 15,000 words so far so I am just beginning on the adventure of writing. My question for you is, as you are a published and well known author, is this: Is the genre of horror dead in today's big sellers? My current piece at work is along the lines of something Stephen King would write and I was just wondering if the current society still enjoys these types of books.
Browsing in a bookstore, we might think that a particular genre is really hot at the moment—vampire novels, Clancy-style techno-thrillers, westerns. And we then may think, "Gee, what could I do in a vampire techno-thriller western?"
The problem is that most of today's books were written years ago. Editors in 2003 or 2004 had no idea what would sell in 2006, but they were buying novels (often only proposed novels) that wouldn't be on the shelves until now. Some authors were dead accurate—but not because they could foresee the future. (If they could, they'd be investing in the stock market, not writing novels.)
Instead, they were simply writing what mattered to them, telling stories that they cared about. If they did their job well in 2003 or 2004, and readers today like the result, then their books will sell.
So write a horror story if that's what you enjoy reading (and never write in a genre you don't read and enjoy!). If it's any good, and you don't stop trying to market it, it will eventually get into print. And the same applies to fiction in every genre.
Horror isn't dead at all. Guerrero's new novel which is self published is selling well. I gave it a glowing review.
Posted by: kristen | July 23, 2006 at 02:46 PM
I find it really insensitive for someone to say any particular genre of medium is "dead. From fiction to music, as long as it matters to someone who will appreciate it, it is alive and strong.
Posted by: Made in DNA | July 24, 2006 at 04:29 PM
Thanks so much for the website. I read a few entries and will bookmark it. I really appreciate the time and work you've put into it. So many people are bitter and write caustic comments because of the anonimity... but I just wanted to say I like the site!
Posted by: George | July 25, 2006 at 12:40 AM
Horror isn't dead. It's undead.
Posted by: Brigitta M. | July 25, 2006 at 01:05 AM
Since most, if not all, genre are "artificial" creations by marketing, no form of story telling is really "dead" until people stop buying the stories which I don't see in the near future.
Posted by: Joel A | August 13, 2006 at 05:21 PM
Frankly, I think any book in any genre can become popular. The books that please the public and keep pleasing are the ones that have something everyone can relate to - in the struggles of the characters or otherwise. In some cases, books are about something we would like to do, but can't (Harry Potter). Either kind, if well-executed, will be well-received.
Posted by: A poster | August 14, 2006 at 05:17 PM
Horror isn't dead in Hollywood since that's what most producers look for from up and coming screenwriters, and first time directors armed with a horror movie get tons of attention even if it is the WORST MOVIE EVER. The theory is = cheap to produce and kids love it and odds are it may become a hit - because so many bad horror movies have. So, write with Hollywood in mind and they come and suck your blood for sure!
Posted by: Nora | August 16, 2006 at 02:10 PM
Thanks for the great, informative site but I have to disagree. At least in the UK, horror fiction is going through a slim period. Most bookshops seem to have downsized their horror shelf space to make way for more crime, sci-fi and fantasy. But I'm sure it's cyclical and in time readers' tastes will return to the macabre.
Posted by: Steve | August 21, 2006 at 06:32 AM
This reminds me of the decades-long mantra that science fiction is dead. On the one hand that mantra is easy to dismiss because it's been pushed for 20 years. On the other hand it's certainly no badge of honor to be "on the wane" for 20 years.
Instead, what's happened is that mainstream books are appearing that would have been called science fiction a few years ago. Think "The Lovely Bones", "Life of Pi," or older giants like "Gravity's Rainbow" or "The Handmaid's Tale."
I agree - worry less about what a genre is doing, and write the best fiction you can. Once you have something good, then worry about marketing it.
Posted by: Jonathan Sherwood | August 23, 2006 at 01:53 AM
I still like horror though my own horror has been a tough sell. I've moved over to a straight thriller without the horror element. I still like to read creepy stuff though. Write away!
Posted by: Gina | August 29, 2006 at 06:12 AM