Something is Changing in Horror
It’s only a fool who thinks he can predict the future while being trapped in the present, so here goes. Something significant has changed in indie horror since the pandemic. During one of my writing livestreams on Twitch, I was asked about the Ghoulish Book Festival in San Antonio, Texas the weekend before last. That conversation evolved into a discussion of changes in the horror scene. You can view that full discussion here.
I don’t know exactly what it is and I don’t see a lot of people talking about it. Like most things, we may not truly understand it until it’s over. Simply put, the horror scene is different now compared to before the pandemic and I’m not sure most people have noticed yet. It may be temporary, but it’s happening now.
1. More Writers with More Talent
Some people are new; others are newly noticed. But I’ve never seen so many talented authors and great horror books hitting all at once.
2. More Readers Reading More Books
I’ve never seen readers in any genre that read to the rabid level of romance readers until now. Horror is developing more superfans consuming tons of books from multiple authors. They are traveling to conventions too in large numbers. The godless.com distribution platform born during the pandemic is part of it. The online reader community of Books of Horror on Facebook is a big part of it too. Readers from both these groups have shown up to the in-person events I’ve been too and have bought lots of books. Readers are taking ownership of indie horror and are adopting authors and conventions as their own. They are defining the scene now.
3. More Audience from More Platforms
As mentioned above, readers are defining the scene and they are doing it from a number of online places that now impact real world spaces as live events are kicking into full swing again. Platforms like Patreon, Twitch, and more have proven to be a big deal in developing audience, connecting with individual readers and authors, and growing network connections. I’ve had people recognize me from Twitch at the writing events I’ve gone to and had people follow and subscribe on Twitch as a result of meeting me in person. These divergent platforms are a new and valid form of publishing. They represent financial return for writing direct to the creators. They are specialized social media. And the technology is evolving faster than we can keep up.
4. More Opportunity for Horror
This is a rich moment for horror, both for the creators and the readers. I don’t know how long it will last or what all the implications really are. I’m not sure we are going to figure it out in time to capitalize on it. From the Dead Zone that was the isolation and online-living of the pandemic for many of us, we now see lots of readers, writers, and stories that are bursting onto the scene all at once. I have a ton of brand-new writers reaching out to me to ask questions about publishing, conventions, writing craft, and more. For those who started writing and publishing seriously over the last couple years, the elements of conventions haven’t existed for them. Networking as it existed before the pandemic and as it is starting to reemerge now is new territory for talented writers born out of this strange pause to the old normal. Live readings before a live audience are new to them too. At the same time, I’m desperately picking their brains for all the new things they’ve figured out as they’ve navigated the technology and online world as it exists now. Based on how many of them are succeeding, they don’t need any help from me.
I don’t know what it is, but I’m excited to be a small part of it. Check out the video if you want to hear more about these things.
Here are some things you might be interested in:
The Impact of Scares That Care
by Jay Wilburn via LitReactor
LitReactor tasked me with explaining the impact of Scares That Care on the horror scene, but the truth is their impact goes way beyond that …
This is a short story set in the world of my Lake Scatter Wood Tales young reader series.
“The Bacon Monster Lives!”
by Jay Wilburn
Nothing is more confusing for a pile of raw bacon than to come to life …
If you have a young reader in your life, the Lake Scatter Wood Tales series would be great for them.
Thanks, Everybody
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Read Write Edit Play Repeat vol. 18
This is so true. I have always looked to the writers that I enjoy for recommendations on new authors. Never had it been easier to ask now. Brian Keene is someone I started reading about 20 years ago with The Rising and I have followed his career and listened when he talks about other authors. I have discovered so many from him alone. Then the branches start reaching even more new authors. I have been a member of the Books of Horror page for several years and love that I can have a conversation with new authors, order their books and just enjoy the stories. It is a great time to be alive and reading horror.
Loved this whole article. Pushing Scares is what I do best. Any bookie like me would love it! The short was too cute! Love that series.