Why I Love Horror: Essays on Horror Literature, by Becky Siegel Spratford, is such a thoughtful collection of essays and reflections on horror, edited by one of the genre's true champions. You’ll find contributions by authors Grady Hendrix, Alma Katsu, John Langan, Clay McLeod Chapman, Paul Tremblay, Stephen Graham Jones, Josh Malerman, Rachel Harrison, and others.

The presentation of each author’s answer to the title question is preceded by Spratford’s editorial context, starting book recommendations, and the name of a similar author thrown in for good measure.

The reasons to read horror, love horror, and write horror are endless, but to hear each author’s take on what horror means to them gives readers an even clearer picture of the incredible current richness of the genre. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

What a lovely collection of essays!

Ever wondered why your favorite horror author loves what they do? This books gives a window into some of their thoughts and history.

There are some authors I love in here and some I’ve heard of but never read, well that’s changing. Becky Stratford gives an inviting intro to each essay and a recommendation of where to start with that authors books and some “if you like them, you’ll like..” recommendations as well.

Becky Siegel Spratford states in her introduction that the collection of essays in Why I Love Horror evolved from a guest blog feature she curated asking the question of some of today's top names in the genre "Why horror?" I know that is a question that fans have been able to relate to at one point or other in their lives, as horror is probably the one category of literature and film that's most likely to elicit such a reaction from people who don't partake.

I'm also sure that 99.9% of people who pick this book up are already going to be horror enthusiasts, so the stated purpose of explaining the authors’ love of horror by answering the question “why” is, of course, rather preaching to the choir. However, I think fans will appreciate reading the thoughts of their favorite authors, getting to learn a little more about them as individuals and artists, and finding common ground in their experiences and how they relate to horror. And as admirers of an oft-maligned genre, it's always fun to gush about our beloved niche with others who recognize its value.

There's not a lot that's going to shock or surprise: horror helps process trauma, it can help kids and teens from marginalized groups find a place to fit in, it can also help us navigate an often scary real-world, particularly as children, and offers an escape from those same horrors of reality to us as adults. But even those well-trod interpretations were interesting to read, and the approaches to the subject taken by the authors was often unique. I particularly loved Grady Hendrix's essay, which read like a short horror story on its own. Other standout essays for me were the ones by Cynthia Pelayo, Rachel Harrison and Stephen Graham Jones. There were only two essays I didn’t care for.

Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for a digital advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. Why I Love Horror: Essays on Horror Literature will be published on September 23, 2025.

A love letter to the horror genre, this book is chock full of essays from some of the most well known authors of horror today. This was an enjoyable and insightful read, being able to dive into the minds of these authors is something I believe a lot of us readers want to experience, and reading this book gave us that. Which each new chapter, we get a new essay written by a different horror author explaining why they love horror and how they were influenced growing up to get where they are now. I loved learning new details about these authors, and learning what scares them or what well known horror franchises may have enticed them into venturing farther into this world. If you enjoy horror, I highly recommend this book. Not only will you learn more about authors you already know and love, but you might even just find a new favorite author along the way!

I have not been able to find the words to do justice to how much I enjoyed this book. Some of my favorite authors and some authors that I have never read (that will be corrected) wrote 19(my favorite number) essays about why they love horror. Bonus that the introduction is written by Mother Horror, a.k.a. Sadie Hartman.
I loved how each author gave a peek inside who they are and how horror has influenced their lives and their writing. Whenever I read a collection, I pick my three favorites. In this case, it was extremely hard, but I finally chose: Rachel Harrison, Grady Hendrix, and Gabino Iglesias. Those three essays just stuck with me the longest. A terrific way to get an insight into some fantastic horror authors, whether you have read anything by them or you are going to discover them for the first time.

Everyone, horror fan or not, reader or not, can find bits of themselves in these essays. If you love horror, like me, or if you don’t understand at all why anyone would read it, or if you find yourself somewhere between those poles, this essay collection is for you. Personally, I found myself scattered across multiple essays, and it was really wonderful to see those parts of myself shared with some of the leading voices in contemporary horror fiction.

The authors are all really exciting voices, and to have them share these parts of themselves feels both intimate and refreshing. The essays themselves range in style from straightforward and precise to exaggerated and playful, showing off not just the range of answers to the question but different authors’ styles, as well. It isn’t necessarily the case that anything in this collection is going to be blow the mind of any horror fan who has spent any amount of time trying to answer this question for themselves, but to see the different answers and variations on themes just reminds the reader how immersive and inclusive the horror community is.

The curation is really well done, allowing the collection to have its own kind of arc. In addition, Becky Siegel Spratford’s introduction to each author was magnificent, not only introducing the author but somehow capturing the essence of the way they approach their craft and then giving a book recommendation as well as a comp recommendation for each author. It wasn’t necessary but it really elevated this collection, making it something special.

This collection is a lot of fun and a very quick read. It opens up the world of horror and is a chance for readers to get inside the artist’s heads a little, which for me makes their work even more powerful. While there is, obviously, some repetition in their answers each essay brings something new to the table, both in style and substance. None of the essays linger too long, and they flow together into a compelling and enjoyable whole. This is definitely a worthwhile collection, offering insight and opportunity for self-reflection, for any and all readers, regardless of your relationship with genre.

(Rounded from 4.5)

I want to thank the editor and contributors, the publisher Saga Press, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was really looking forward to reading this book, however it was a huge letdown. Not many of the writers were well known, uninteresting & redundant. Most of the writers were very complex but much of the reasons why “love horror “ stemmed from racism, homophobia just to name a few. Ridiculous book, more of a political commentary than horror. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Why I Love Horror is a compilation of essays from some of the most successful horror writers of our time. These essays address why the authors love and write horror; all biographical to some extent but each essay’s unique voice and structure gives deeper insight into the complexity of the genre and its sub-genres, what it means to consume horror, and why it is so important. Horror lovers, readers who are new to horror, or readers who are just interested in learning more about the genre could all gain something from reading this! I was glad that the selection of authors included BIPOC, native, and queer representation (and therefore dived into how being part of marginalized communities bleeds into their experience writing horror).

I love essay collections, and as a horror lover this one really hit home! A stand out essay for me was Hailey Piper’s contribution, but I loved the collective acknowledgement of horror as an integral and multifaceted vehicle for not only moving through life but processing and becoming our most true selves. So many all stars featured here, I’m sure this collection has something for everyone. I look forward to getting my own copy!

I mean, what can I really say about these essays? Unsurprisingly, SGJ's is my favorite, but there are several others in here that hit HARD, including Rachel Harrison and Victor LaValle, for me. Can't wait for this to be out in the world, spreading the love affair that is the horror genre!!

I was gifted a copy of this ebook from Net Galley and Saga Press in exchange for an honest review. This book is available September 23, 2025. This is a must read for any horror enthusiast. It was so interesting reading why these authors chose the horror genre and what it means to them. I loved the beginning of each essay where Becky Siegel Spratford introduced the author and gave us books of theirs to read as well as another author similar to them. Have a notebook and pen ready when reading to jot down all the books to add to your tbr list!

This book is one of the best nonfiction books about horror that I have ever read. So many brilliant writers come together to really give such insightful ideas of why they and others do or should love this often misunderstood and maligned genre. This is a must read for any student of literature and a double must read for horror fans.

Why I Love Horror, edited by Becky Spratford, is a love letter to a genre that is having a moment. Becky has pulled together a collection of essays from some of the biggest names in contemporary horror, and each in it’s own way and its own unique voice remind us why we keep coming back to the page to be frightened all over again. There are three specific reason why I feel that this work is so important (and worth the read):

1. I was surprised how very personal many of these essays are. Sometimes you can read a work of fiction and get the sense that the author is sharing a lot of themselves in the work. My of the authors in this collection share some of their childhood and adult traumas that play a role in steering their writing to the darker side of fiction. I feel that I ‘met’ the authors in reading this collection.

2. Many of these authors write horror for the very same reasons that I read horror. I have always felt that the horror community is more familial and inclusive that any other genre, and this collection underscores that belief. We are truly in this love together, and each of us is looking for ways to process the very real traumas of this present world, and it is wonderful to discover that I am not alone in my need for an outlet. I need a way to experience horror in a way that, at least sometimes, lets the underdog win.

3. The unique voices of the authors come shining through this work of non-fiction. This gets back to familiarity, but I believe that I could have identified some of these authors by their essays, their personality and voices come through the text that strongly. But their are a handful of writers presented here that I have never read, and at least 2 of those I added to my TBR based simply on the material and voice of the essay itself. Voices matter. Representation matters. And this collection accoplishes that.

Becky does a phenomenal job of organizing and introducing each of the essays, as well as providing starting point recommendations and comparable authors for each author represented in the collection.

This is an excellent read for fans of the genre, but is also a good starting point for those interested in the genre and trying to determine what all the buzz is about. Highly recommended.

My thanks to NetGalley and Saga Press for an advance copy of this collection of essays dealing with the genre of horror in all its myriad and scary ways, detailing how many became interested in the subject, what brought them back, what turns them away, and how they look at the world through their understanding of the milieu.

Star Wars and The Hobbit were my gateway drugs into the worlds of science fiction and fantasy. Sherlock Holmes was my mentor into mystery. Horror I think had many masters, as I can't lock down what made me aware of both the subject nor made me want to know more. Was it comics, the works of Bernie Wrightson, and Tomb of Dracula. Was it as it seemed for many the works to Stephen King, especially Night Shift a collection I still consider in my top ten of best things ever. Possibly the little remember John Frankenheimer movie Prophecy, about mutant bears in Maine, which I saw with my neighbors who had no idea what film ratings were. I also remember my father having a Edgar Allan Poe collection on vinyl, one lost to time, that he would play on the big stereo console we had, one I wished I still did. Include in that the Monster Mash and songs about Purple People Eaters. And Alfred Hitchcock Books on the Supernatural. So I had a lot of influences. One that has served me well. Horror at its best reflects the society in which it was created. Which is why we are in a Renaissance of horror. Can anyone fictional or nonfictional think of a worse time than now. Or a better community to show this world and madness we deal with. Why I Love Horror: Essays on Horror Literature by Becky Siegel Spratford is a collection by horror luminaries detailing why horror as a medium means to them, what made them interested, and where it is going.

Becky Siegel Spratford is a professional librarian and educator, one who has undertaken the task of learning about horror, so that she can share with librarians and book people, what to recommend, what to share, and what to pass over. Spratford also reviews books, so being at the forefront of literature, Spratford can see trends as they arise, the what is scaring writers enough to make a story out of it trend. Spratford has asked a group of modern writers, both known and new to some about horror, and what they feel about the subject. What we get is a book that not only talks about influences, but also what the community of horror fans has provided. And how the horror genre allows them to deal with the world outside. Some of the contributors include Brian Keene,Grady Hendrix, Paul Tremblay, Stephen Graham Jones, Josh Malerman, Victor LaValle, and many more. They discuss influences, Night Shift being a big one, how they view horror, how horror views the world, and how the world views them.

Not a best of, not a listicle, but a heartwarming, if not sometimes heart wrenching look as at a genre that has touched many, saved many, and helps many deal with the ugliness of the world around us. Each essay has a brief bio, introducing us to the writer, who might be new, along with another writer who might be similar, giving people almost forty writers to look out for. Many talk about the acceptance of the horror community, an acceptance that might have been missing earlier, but one that has helped many survive, not monster killers, but the monsters who push their views on us all.

I don't think I have read a book like this before, a love story to a genre, without pushing other books to be read. Some of these essays are very personal, and mean a lot to the writer. A book that will remind us that sometimes a book can be more than a book, but a lifesaver in a sea of sadness. Art endures and helps us endure. There will always be things that scare us, but sometimes in the fear we find the strength to go on.

Spratford has a unique way of distilling and extrapolating a writer’s essence without diminishing the breadth of creativity an individual holds, while also creating a mind map linking like-to-like across the horror genre. It’s truly a feat of passion and creative intelligence. Her prologue and brief overviews of each writer set the stage for this book and give the essays the proper platform to shine.

Through each essay, you get both a taste of the author’s style, and a unique personal insight into their journey to horror, their traumas, their passions, and the beautiful threads that hold this vast diverse web of the horror community together. Both deeply personal and universal, I look forward to adding a hard copy to my horror library for future reference and inspiration.

Thank you to @sagapressbooks for the ARC #sagasayscrew

Becky Spratford is one of the leading champions of horror and she has compiled an incredibly array of modern horror talent to answer the question of “Why?”. So many of horror’s brightest voices answer that question via essay form in this book.

The diversity of the essays collected here is impressive. Every author brings their personal flair and, in many cases, much of their personal story to discuss how they came to love horror and why they chose writing the macabre as both a career and their life. Many discuss the importance of horror for confronting our fears as individuals and a society and how horror reflects that back on us and allows us to cope with those fears, real and imaginary.

Spratford introduces each author before their respective essays and includes a recommendation on a book to start with by each author and another similar author to check out. I was familiar with most, but not all, of the authors presented here so it was nice to have my TBR grow a bit from reading this.

It’s impossible for me to choose any favorites since every essay is so good. But I’ll list all of the contributors (if this doesn’t get you to want to pick this book up, I don’t know what will) - Brian Keene, Hailey Piper, John Langan, Alma Katsu, Gabino Iglesias, Tananarive Due, Jennifer McMahon, Josh Malerman, Paul Tremblay, Grady Hendrix, Cynthia Pelayo, Clay McLeod Chapman, Nuzo Onoh, Rachel Harrison, Victor LaValle, Mary SanGiovanni, David Demchuk, and Stephen Graham Jones. Sadie Hartmann (@mother.horror) wrote the intro!

Why I Love Horror is an essential book for the diehard horror fan or the horror curious. Definitely pick it up when it comes out on 9/23/25.

Why I Love Horror is one of my top recommendations for the season. This is a standout collection of personal essays on the titular topic by outstanding contemporary authors. The book had me at a partial list of contributors. Intimate answers to this core question highlight things we all have in common and give wonderfully specific glimpses into the creativity of today's masters of the genre.

The collection is lovingly and insightfully currated by Becky Siegal Spratford, a librarian maven dynamo horror advocate and introduced by Sadie Hartman, 'Mother Horror.'

I'm not going to try to pick favorites. I'll read anything Gabino Iglesias and Stephen Graham Jones write. All of these authors are worth your time. The stellar line up includes Tananarive Due, Hailey Piper, Grady Hendrix, Alma Katsu, Paul Tremblay, Eric LaRocca, and more.

In addition to the pleasure of discovering early inspirations, IRL fears and scares, and passionate appreciations of horror, I enjoyed the book recommendations included in the introductions to each author. This book is a wonderful gift in a genre that is often misunderstood and maligned. Beautiful timing, to discover such a treasure in the mindst of chaos.

I highly recommended Why I Love Horror to Horror readers as well as to writers, readers, librarians, book sellers, and educators of all kinds. It has a great deal to offer toward understanding our human experience and our connections to each other.

Saga Press is making their 10th year extraordinary. Thank you for the eARC for consideration. These are soley my own opinion.
I'll add post links.

A stellar essay collection of love letters to the horror genre. I especially loved and appreciated the introductions and recommendations (and have already started a Lindy Ryan novel thanks to the Rachel Harrison section!). Though some essays stood out to me more than others, they all made me feel at home. I'm fortunate to share a generation with some of these authors, and was blessed with loads of old horror references that I could reminisce about right along with them. This is my genre. These writers and readers are my tribe. The book is a must-have for horror fans new and old and I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy.

A stunning collection from today’s literary horror stars. Each essay is a wonderful, personal look into that author’s journey to and love of horror. Some essays are so good they should be taught in tandem with the author’s fiction. Among these essays, you will find reassurance of your love for horror or perhaps your invitation into the macabre. Horror is for everyone, and and all are welcome.

ARC from NetGalley

I really like horror, but I’m not a huge horror reader. I’ve read one book by two of the authors featured here, and not many more classics published after the 19th century. In other words, I wasn’t coming to this book looking for insight from authors I already loved, but I didn’t need an explanation of the appeal of horror.

With that in mind, I absolutely loved this. The essays are so personal and fascinating, painting stories of how horror intertwined with their lives specifically. Some talk frankly about personal traumas and how horror entered their lives, some about using fictional horror to mirror societal horrors, some about how horror stories captured their imagination. With the introductions with recommendations of where to start reading, I’ve bumped a whole lot of books up my to-read list. The insights these authors have make me want to dive into their fiction and experience horror the way they do.