Here's a breakdown by genre and some specific recommendations:
For those who want more traditional horror:
* Stephen King: The undisputed king of horror. His works span various subgenres, from paranormal to psychological, with a focus on character development and intricate plots. Start with: *Carrie*, *The Shining*, or *It*.
* Dean Koontz: Known for his page-turning thrillers with supernatural elements. He often explores themes of good vs. evil and the power of belief. Start with: *Odd Thomas*, *The Eyes of Darkness*, or *Whispers*.
* Joe Hill: Son of Stephen King, Joe Hill has his own distinct voice. His works are often infused with dark humor and a unique blend of horror and fantasy. Start with: *Heart-Shaped Box*, *NOS4A2*, or *The Fireman*.
* Grady Hendrix: A master of blending horror with humor, often drawing inspiration from 80s and 90s nostalgia. Start with: *My Best Friend's Exorcism*, *The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires*, or *Horrorstör*.
* Poppy Z. Brite: Known for her gothic, Southern-fried horror stories filled with vampires, witches, and other dark forces. Start with: *Lost Souls*, *Drawing Blood*, or *Exquisite Corpse*.
For those who enjoy teen horror:
* Lois Duncan: A pioneer of teen horror, Duncan's works often explore themes of family secrets and psychological suspense. Start with: *I Know What You Did Last Summer*, *Stranger with My Face*, or *The House of Stairs*.
* Laura Lippman: While known for her detective fiction, Lippman also wrote chilling teen horror novels like *The Lady in the Box*.
* M.R. Carey: Carey's *The Girl with All the Gifts* is a terrifying and thought-provoking zombie story told from a unique perspective.
For those who prefer dark fantasy:
* Neil Gaiman: Gaiman masterfully blends horror, fantasy, and myth in his novels. Start with: *Coraline*, *The Ocean at the End of the Lane*, or *American Gods*.
* Holly Black: Black's novels delve into the dark side of fairy tales, often exploring themes of magic, betrayal, and forbidden love. Start with: *The Spiderwick Chronicles*, *The Cruel Prince*, or *The Darkest Minds*.
* Jonathan Stroud: Stroud's *Bartimaeus Sequence* is a thrilling fantasy series with a dark undercurrent.
For those who enjoy the suspense of mystery:
* John Connolly: Connolly's novels feature the charismatic detective Charlie Parker, who investigates supernatural crimes. Start with: *Every Dead Thing*, *The Killing Kind*, or *The Whisperers*.
* Guillermo del Toro: While best known for his filmmaking, del Toro has written a number of horror novels, including *The Shape of Water*, the novel inspired by his Academy Award-winning film.
* Peter Straub: Straub is known for his intricate plots and psychological suspense. Start with: *Ghost Story*, *The Talisman*, or *Shadowland*.
And finally, here are some tips for finding even more authors:
* Check out book lists: Sites like Goodreads and Amazon have lists specifically curated for fans of specific authors.
* Ask librarians: Librarians are fantastic resources for finding books you'll enjoy.
* Browse bookstores: Look at the horror section and see what catches your eye.
Enjoy exploring the world of horror!