Writing Suspense and Horror: A Guide to Creating Tension and Terror

Master the Art of Fear: Write Suspense and Horror That Haunts ReadersWhether you're crafting psychological thrillers, supernatural horror, or edge-of-your-seat suspense, this comprehensive guide will teach you how to create stories that terrify, unsettle, and captivate readers long after the final page.USA Today bestselling author Steve Alcorn draws on more than 25 years of teaching experience to break down the essential elements of compelling horror and suspense fiction: building unbearable tension, creating atmospheric dread, developing unforgettable scares, and delivering satisfying payoffs. Through detailed examples from Shirley Jackson, Stephen King, Gillian Flynn, and dozens more, you'll learn exactly how the masters create unputdownable tales of terror.Inside You'll Discover: The fundamental differences between horror and suspense—and how to use both to maximum effect How to structure your novel using proven techniques that escalate fear and tension Character-building strategies for creating protagonists readers root for and villains they'll never forget The psychology of fear: what scares readers and why Scene-level techniques for atmosphere, pacing, and shocking revelations Publishing pathways and marketing tactics specifically for horror and thriller authorsWhether you're writing your first scary story or your fifteenth, Writing Suspense and Horrorprovides a complete roadmap from opening dread to final terror. You'll learn not just how to frighten readers—but how to make them unable to look away.Perfect for writers of: Psychological thrillers and domestic suspense Supernatural horror and ghost stories Crime thrillers and serial killer fiction Folk horror and cosmic dread Gore and extreme horror Quiet horror and atmospheric suspenseSteve Alcorn is a USA Today bestselling author, engineer, and educator. In 1986 he founded Alcorn McBride, the leading maker of technology for theme park attractions worldwide. In 2001 he founded Writing Academy, where for more than 25 years he has helped over 100,000 students structure their novels — both through his own courses and through the online programs of more than 1,500 colleges and universities. He is the author of 27 books spanning fiction, nonfiction, and writing craft, and he narrates many of his own audiobooks. Read more