Masters of Horror:
* Dean Koontz: Known for his fast-paced thrillers with supernatural elements. Like King, Koontz explores themes of good vs. evil, with a focus on relatable characters facing extraordinary threats.
* Peter Straub: A master of psychological horror and gothic suspense. Straub often tackles the darker aspects of human nature, with themes of family secrets and haunting pasts.
* Clive Barker: Celebrated for his imaginative and often gruesome horror. Barker's work delves into the realms of the supernatural and explores the darkest corners of the human psyche.
* Ramsey Campbell: A British author who has been writing horror since the 1960s. He's known for his psychological horror, often exploring the themes of paranoia, alienation, and the fragility of sanity.
* Joe Hill: King's son carries on the family legacy with his own brand of dark fantasy and horror. His work is often infused with literary sensibilities, exploring the supernatural and the human condition with equal parts dread and wonder.
Suspenseful Storytellers:
* John Connolly: Creates suspenseful, atmospheric thrillers with a touch of the supernatural. Like King, Connolly often explores themes of darkness and redemption, with a focus on complex characters and their struggles.
* Richard Laymon: Known for his gritty, fast-paced thrillers with a strong sense of suspense. Laymon's work is often violent and graphic, but also infused with a dark humor that resonates with King's fans.
* Thomas Harris: The author of the iconic Hannibal Lecter novels, Harris excels at creating suspenseful thrillers with chilling antagonists. His stories explore themes of psychological manipulation, the dark side of human nature, and the thin line between sanity and madness.
Authors with a Touch of the Weird:
* Neil Gaiman: A master of fantasy, horror, and the macabre. Gaiman's work often blends the real and the surreal, with themes of mythology, religion, and the human condition.
* Guillermo del Toro: A visionary filmmaker and writer who has a strong affinity for the Gothic and macabre. Del Toro's work is often visually stunning and emotionally resonant, exploring the dark side of humanity and the power of imagination.
* Haruki Murakami: A Japanese author known for his surreal and dreamlike narratives. Murakami's work often explores themes of isolation, longing, and the search for meaning in a seemingly absurd world.
This is just a small sample of the many authors who share similarities with Stephen King. The best way to find authors you'll enjoy is to explore their work and see if it resonates with your own taste.