Devin McKay at 2012-08-23 18:38:14:

These are my favorites. Stephen King’s On Writing. Beyond the Body Farm by Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson. Both Stiff and Spook from Mary Roach. The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout. Writers Workshop of Horror by Michael Knost. Shock Value by Jason Zinoman.

Shaula Evans at 2012-08-23 18:45:34:

Those recommendations look great, Devin. I'd also add: Danse Macabre by Stephen King, a non-fiction study of the horror genre including books, movies, television, etc.

kellisays@gmail.com at 2012-08-23 20:01:37:

I just ordered Men, Women, and Chainsaws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film by Carol J. Clover because a lot of people were referring to it. Is anyone familiar with this one?

This is a difficult choice: « A Writer's Convenient Truth at 2012-08-24 10:10:32:

[...] Genre Essentials: Horror – 10 Horror Books [Non-Fiction] You Must Cover [...]

Josh Burnell at 2012-08-24 14:48:08:

I write a lot of Horror and the most helpful non-fiction books I've read were: Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi Escape by Carolyn Jessop Mindhunter by John Douglas Sybil by Flora Rheta Schreiber In Cold Blood by Truman Capote They're not really "Horror books," but they examine the motivations and aftermath of horrific events in ways that inform my scripts often. A director I work with once told me to just read the DSM IV. Said it was the most horrific book he could find.

Shaula Evans at 2012-10-05 14:43:10:

Outstanding suggestions, Josh. Thank you. I'm sure that an informed understanding of real-life horror must add power to your horror writing.

Shaula Evans at 2012-10-05 14:43:41:

Here's what we've got so far, folks: not a long list, but some powerhouse suggestions nonetheless. What else have you got? 1. Beyond the Body Farm by Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson 2. Danse Macabre by Stephen King, a non-fiction study of the horror genre including books, movies, television, etc. 3. Escape by Carolyn Jessop 4. Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi 5. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote 6. Men, Women, and Chainsaws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film by Carol J. Clover 7. Mindhunter by John Douglas 8. On Writing by Stephen King 9. Shock Value by Jason Zinoman 10. Spook by Mary Roach 11. Stiff by Mary Roadh 12. Sybil by Flora Rheta Schreiber 13. The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout 14. Writers Workshop of Horror by Michael Knost