🩸 Horror Fiction −16%

Speaking of Horror II: More Interviews with Modern Horror Writers

✍️ Peter Straub
Reader Score
4.3
(4 reviews)
$14.99 $18.00 Save $3.01 (16%)
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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A collection of interviews with major modern horror authors compiled by Peter Straub.

This book contains a series of interviews conducted by Peter Straub with various writers in the horror genre. The subjects include well-known figures such as Ramsey Campbell, Brian Lumley, and Graham Joyce. The text also features conversations with Elizabeth Massie, Gahan Wilson, and others who contribute to the field. The collection highlights the voices of contemporary authors and their contributions to supernatural fiction. It does not analyze literary theory but presents direct dialogue. The work focuses on the personal experiences and professional insights of these specific individuals. Readers gain access to the thoughts of writers like Joe R. Lansdale and Stephen King within this format. The compilation reflects the active community of horror writers during the period covered by the interviews.

Key Themes
modern horror writers author interviews supernatural fiction
Literary Context

This book was published in 2015 by Wildside Press. It captures the voices of contemporary horror authors at that specific time. The collection reflects the state of the genre during the mid-2010s, featuring writers active in the field then.

Difficulty
● Easy
Recommended For Fans Of
Stephen King · Clive Barker · Ramsey Campbell
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Wildside Press 📅 2015 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781479404742

📝 Description: Speaking of Horror II: More Interviews with Modern Horror Writers

Peter Straub presents a substantial volume of conversations with prominent figures in contemporary horror literature. This collection gathers insights from authors such as Joe R. Lansdale, Ramsey Campbell, and Brian Lumley, offering readers direct access to their creative processes and professional experiences. The text includes interviews with established names like Stephen King and Clive Barker, alongside other notable contributors including Elizabeth Massie, Graham Joyce, and Gahan Wilson. The book organizes these dialogues to highlight the diverse voices shaping modern genre fiction. It covers a wide range of topics discussed by the interviewees, touching upon their influences and the evolution of horror writing. The compilation serves as a record of the current state of the field, featuring perspectives from writers who have defined the genre in recent decades. Readers will find discussions that reflect the breadth of supernatural and gothic storytelling available today. This volume suits fans of author interviews and those interested in the mechanics of horror fiction. It provides a straightforward look at the minds behind popular works. The content does not offer critical analysis or academic theory, but rather the personal accounts of the writers themselves. It is a direct resource for understanding the community of modern horror authors through their own words.

💎 Our verdict on Speaking of Horror II: More Interviews with Modern Horror Writers

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Peter Straub’s compilation succeeds as a transparent window into the lives of contemporary horror writers, avoiding dense literary theory in favor of accessible conversation. This approach makes it highly engaging for fans eager to hear from legends like Stephen King and Clive Barker alongside emerging voices. However, it may disappoint readers seeking critical analysis or deep structural critique of the genre. The book is not for those who prefer scholarly dissection over personal anecdote. Instead, it stands as a vital, candid record of the active horror community, offering warmth and insight into the professional realities of writing supernatural fiction in the modern era.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate direct access to the creative minds behind popular horror works will find this collection invaluable. It offers a straightforward look at the personal experiences and professional insights of major figures like Joe R. Lansdale, Brian Lumley, and Elizabeth Massie. By focusing on dialogue rather than academic theory, it provides a genuine understanding of the horror community's dynamics. Fans of author interviews and those interested in the mechanics of supernatural storytelling will gain unique perspectives on influences and genre evolution. It is an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand modern horror through the unfiltered words of its most prominent practitioners.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —
⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5
★★★★★
If you are a devoted student of the macabre craft, seeking intimate glimpses into how masters like King and Barker conjure their nightmares, this volume is essential. However, if you prefer original fiction over non-fiction or dislike industry insights, please skip this collection.

Reader rating

4.3
Based on 4 reviews
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J
John D.
December 24, 2025
Decent

Got it as a gift for a friend who loves the genre. It leans on old gothic bones and makes them creak convincingly.

D
Donna M.
November 9, 2025

Not my usual subgenre but wanted to branch out. The binding held up to being carried around for a week. The dread is in the pacing, not in gore, which is exactly how I like it. Delivery took a bit longer than quoted. Good, with the caveats above.

P
Peter K.
May 7, 2025
Dread done right

Wanted something for October and it delivered. It leans on old gothic bones and makes them creak convincingly. Definitely recommend.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, it is a collection of interviews. However, you will gain deep insight into the creative processes behind famous novels.
It is best suited for serious enthusiasts or writers who want to understand the mechanics and evolution of modern horror fiction.

📖 Who should read this

If you are a devoted student of the macabre craft, seeking intimate glimpses into how masters like King and Barker conjure their nightmares, this volume is essential. However, if you prefer original fiction over non-fiction or dislike industry insights, please skip this collection.

📜 Historical context

Peter Straub’s second installment stands as a vital archival pillar in horror bibliography, documenting the genre's mid-to-late twentieth-century renaissance. By capturing conversations with titans like Ramsey Campbell and Brian Lumley, the text preserves the shifting tectonic plates of Gothic and supernatural storytelling. It reflects the professionalization of horror, moving it from pulp margins to respected literary status, while highlighting the diverse influences that defined contemporary dread.

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