Inspirations

If you are looking for a great read, you can't go wrong with these guys. Their work will entertain you better than any television program, and if you are anything like me, they might just inspire you to pick up a pen. My admiration and gratitude for the work of these three people can not be understated. To each of them, I want to say a heartfelt thank you.

A very underrated author. I found Covenant by John Everson in a charity shop of all places. This is unusual in itself as in the UK these places are usually filled with James Patterson and Fifty Shades. Anyway, I read that battered, dog-eared copy of Covenant and was intrigued enough to source out some of his other work and am I glad I did. Blending charged erotic feelings with horror, John writes books that will have you breathing heavily in one chapter and horrified in the next.

Just try not to read his work on the train as I did. There is a rather steamy scene in Covenant I was reading surrounded by commuters. That was an uncomfortable train ride. John, for all of your great stories, thank you.

I found the late Dallas Mayr's work by reading a suggested book list on Amazon, back when Amazon used to do such things. Off Season was on some list entitled something like 'Best Horror Books Ever'. I read it, and I became a Ketchum fan instantly.  It felt like a sucker punch to the gut. It was a violent, sexy, debased novel that left my young brain spinning. Here is an author who lets the blood spill directly onto the page.

All of his work is neat, clipped and to the point. A very accomplished writer. An inspiration to anyone interested in learning the craft.

He may have moved on to another place, but Jack Ketchum's novels will be read and reread as long as there are books and sick puppies like me to buy them. Dallas, thank you and rest in peace.

I don't know what to say that hasn't already been said. Stephen's early work was the gateway drug for me finding authors like Everson and Mayr. His short story collections like Skeleton Crew inspired me to collect the random ideas that shoot through my mind and try to create stories from them.

I've often thought that Stephen King novels are like slipping into an old Winter jumper. Comforting and familiar. Stephen, for your inspiration, encouragement and fantastic stories, a heartfelt thank you.

Amazing. His books of blood are still my favourite collection of short stories. A must for any author wishing to understand the short story format. If you are anything like me, you will be going through his collections with a pencil and a highlighter, eagerly hunting for the secret to writing short stories. One of my first published stories, Hounded, was heavily influenced by Clive Barker.

Clive, for your scary stories, which captivated my young mind, I thank you.

There are countless others, such as James Herbert, Dean Koontz, Adam Neville, and, more recently, Kristopher Triana. All of these authors are great, and I guarantee I will buy their books without needing any marketing, synopsis, or other famous author byline. I trust them to deliver an entertaining read. However, the four above, Everson, Mayr, King and Barker, had the biggest effect on me growing up. I wish I could do it all over again.