5 Favourite Living Authors

Jazminsdaddy · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 12:24 pm

5 current writers that have you heading to the book store the day they release a book.

1. Jack Ketchum
2. Jon Krakauer
3. Sarah Langan
4. Elmore Leonard
5. Stephen Hunter

TMLCrow · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 12:32 pm

1. Matthew Reilly
2. Gary Braunbeck
3. Tom Piccirilli
4. Neil Gaiman
5. Charlie Huston

Unfortunately, most of these are bought online because they're much cheaper that way, and some of the stores around here don't stock Pic. I almost got kicked out of a B&N when they didn't stock Shadow Season.

Nanci · **Joined:** Sun Oct 31, 2004 11:48 am **Posts:** 2198

1 - David Morrell
2 - Gary Braunbeck
3 - Stephen King
4 - F. Paul Wilson
5 - Robert McCammon

Matt Cowan · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 12:51 pm

1. Ramsey Campbell
2. Dan Simmons
3. Michael A. Stackpole
4. James Herbert
5. Graham Masterton

I tend to read novels that have a setting or plot I find myself drawn to more than following any certain writer. For instance, even though I think Ramsey Campbell is the absolute best writer ever, I don't read his non-supernatural books because I don't find myself excited about it.

Mels · **Joined:** Wed May 07, 2008 12:52 pm **Posts:** 63

Gary Braunbeck
Stephen King
F. Paul Wilson
Jack Ketchum
Edward Lee

ttzuma · **Joined:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:15 pm **Posts:** 6677

Gary Braunbeck
Tom Piccirilli
Stephen King
J. F. Gonzalez
F. Paul Wilson

(Gifune and Dunbar would be included in my list, and Gaimen if it was a full novel, and of course Steve Vernon and James Moore)

Jazminsdaddy · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:39 pm

An addendum:

Recommend one book by each author.

1. Jack Ketchum - Offspring
2. Jon Krakauer - Under the Banner of Heaven
3. Sarah Langan - The Missing
4. Elmore Leonard - Killshot
5. Stephen Hunter - Pale Horse Coming

Laurel in Ely · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:17 pm

Gary Braunbeck - Prodigal Blues
Joe Hill - Heart-Shaped Box
Greg Gifune - Deep Night
Stephen King - Anything he's written
Brian Keene - The Castaways

And a nod to Richard Laymon. I couldn't include him in my list because he has passed. He will always be one of my favorites.

VictorV · **Joined:** Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:59 pm **Posts:** 293

John Shirley
David Schow
Joe Lansdale
Dan Simmons
Robert McCammon

Tom Piccirilli · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 4:22 pm

Quote:

I almost got kicked out of a B&N when they didn't stock Shadow Season.

I'm a big believer in throwing shit fits, grabbing stockboys by the the collars and shaking them wildly, and hurling copies of huge hardcovers all over the place until they start stocking my stuff. So thanks!

And thanks for the nod, Tony! Have I told you recently that you are da man?

As for the rest of you...

Nanci · **Joined:** Sun Oct 31, 2004 11:48 am **Posts:** 2198

The list should probably be expanded to your favorite top 10 authors.

HugeHorrorFan · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 5:26 pm

1. Brian Keene
2. J. F. Gonzalez
3. Tom Piccirilli
4. Wrath James White
5. Graham Masterton

horrordude · **Joined:** Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:58 pm **Posts:** 4183

1. Sarah Palin. (What a rump.)
2. Ttzuma (I loved A Moveable Feast!)
3. That mysterious Thad guy.
4. Craig 'Werewolf Boy' Cook.
5. Drabs Bibbler.

Matt Cowan · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 7:48 pm

1. Ramsey Campbell - Incarnate (novel) Alone With The Horrors (Short Story Collection)
2. Dan Simmons - Summer of Night
3. Michael A. Stackpole - Fortress Draconis
4. James Herbert - Haunted
5. Graham Masterton - Prey

horrordude · **Joined:** Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:58 pm **Posts:** 4183

All right .... I'll make a serious list.

1. Greg F. Gifune < This guy has five brains and can write an entire novella in his sleep.
2. Tom Piccirilli and Gary A. Braunbeck < I still say they need to write an epic novel together.
3. Joe Lansdale < More respect for this guy, dammit!
4. Kealan Patrick Burke < Definitely part of the future of dark fiction.
5. Steve Vernon and Rob Dunbar < Vernon is a mad genius, and that Dunbar guy scares me.

ttzuma · **Joined:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:15 pm **Posts:** 6677

Matt Cowan wrote:

1. Ramsey Campbell
2. Dan Simmons
3. Michael A. Stackpole
4. James Herbert
5. Graham Masterton

I tend to read novels that have a setting or plot I find myself drawn to more than following any certain writer. For instance, even though I think Ramsey Campbell is the absolute best writer ever, I don't read his non-supernatural books because I don't find myself excited about it.

Is James Herbert still writing?

I too love Masterton, most of the time, and I would also add him to my list if there was more room. I do try to read every mmpb he puts out that is horror related.

Tt

Craig Cook · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 9:56 pm

1. Stephen King - too many great choices

2. Brian Keene - The Rising/City of the Dead

3. Gary Braunbeck - Mr. Hands

4. James A. Moore - Serenity Falls trilogy

5. Ted Dekker - House

horrordude · **Joined:** Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:58 pm **Posts:** 4183

Craig Cook wrote:

3. Gary Braunbeck - Mr. Hands

May the spirit of In Silent Graves haunt you forever.

ttzuma · **Joined:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:15 pm **Posts:** 6677

Craig Cook wrote:

5. Ted Dekker - House

I keep forgetting about this one. What an awesome book that was.

TMLCrow · **Posted:** Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:57 am

1. Matthew Reilly--Ice Station
2. Gary Braunbeck--Prodigal Blues
3. Tom Piccirilli--Thrust
4. Neil Gaiman--American Gods or issue 19 of Sandman, A Midsummer's Night Dream
5. Charlie Huston--Already Dead

Definite mentions of Hard Roads by the esteemed Steve Vernon and Kill Whitey by Brian Keene are warranted, as well.

Jazminsdaddy · **Posted:** Wed Jan 20, 2010 1:49 pm

Damn, I don't know how I forgot to add Alan Moore in my top 5!

I would probably recommend Watchmen or From Hell.

Rabid · **Joined:** Fri Nov 20, 2009 2:25 pm **Posts:** 40

Jazminsdaddy wrote:

5 current writers that have you heading to the book store the day they release a book.

1. Stephen King
2. Neil Gaiman
3. Clive Barker
4. Elmore Leonard
5. Lisa Mannetti

The four stalwarts in the writing community are easy picks, but I thought I'd add Lisa Mannetti since she's a new voice I plan on following in the years to come after being highly impressed by "The Gentling Box."

horrordude · **Joined:** Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:58 pm **Posts:** 4183

More favs that should be on everyone's lists:

Harlan Ellison < This guy's writing makes me want to burn mine and start all over.
Joe Schreiber
Stewart O'Nan
Gord Rollo
Charlie Huston
Joe Hill
Owl Goingback
Dan Simmons
Jeff Strand
John Maclay
Norman Partridge

Greg F. Gifune · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2010 9:44 am

Just wanted to say that Tony, Horrordude and Laurel are obviously highly intelligent individuals with amazing taste.
These people clearly have it going on.

It needed to be said and I said it.

Greg
http://www.gregfgifune.com

Rob Dunbar · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:07 pm

Seconded.

SteveVernon · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:00 pm

horrordude wrote:

All right .... I'll make a serious list.

1. Greg F. Gifune < This guy has five brains and can write an entire novella in his sleep.
2. Tom Piccirilli and Gary A. Braunbeck < I still say they need to write an epic novel together.
3. Joe Lansdale < More respect for this guy, dammit!
4. Kealan Patrick Burke < Definitely part of the future of dark fiction.
5. Steve Vernon and Rob Dunbar < Vernon is a mad genius, and that Dunbar guy scares me.

Many thanks, man. Much appreciated!

DNiallWilson · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:05 pm

Stephen King - The Gunslinger
Neil Gaiman - Neverwhere, American Gods, The Graveyard Book
Clive Barker - Books of Blood, nearly every novel
Peter Straub - Koko, Mystery, The Throat
Tanith Lee - Night's Master

Very hard to narrow it to five...I've chosen those who have provided the largest body of work that has amazed me over the years.

horrordude · **Joined:** Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:58 pm **Posts:** 4183

Greg F. Gifune wrote:

Just wanted to say that Tony, Horrordude and Laurel are obviously highly intelligent individuals with amazing taste.

Damn straight. I told everyone on here that I was more than just a funny guy with a perfect body.

johng · **Posted:** Fri Jan 22, 2010 11:14 am

1. Ramsey Campbell: The Hungry Moon
2. Dan Simmons: Drood
3. Sarah Langan: The Missing
4. Conrad Williams: The Unblemished
5. Michael Marshall: The Intruders(His earlier novels he published as Michael Marshall Smith)

Ed Carroll · **Joined:** Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:51 pm **Posts:** 65

Matt Cowan wrote:

3. Michael A. Stackpole - Fortress Draconis

Really? Stackpole in the top five? I read Cartomancy and liked it quite a bit but Fortress Draconis must be pretty damned good for him to make this list. I have Draconis buried in my TBR. I am guessing, Matt, that you would say it should be more towards the top?

5 Favourite Living Authors

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