M.R. James’ ghost stories have been making people wary of the dark for well over a century now. James helped usher in a new era of horror, taking … [Read more...] about M.R. James’ ghost stories written for Christmas strike an ominous chord year round
Classic Gothic Ghost Stories
It could be argued that our fascination with horror and the occult is based primarily on our culture. It this is true, the gothic horror story of literature is the birthplace of this fascination. Herein you’ll find some of the classics of the genre, curated especially to give the reader an introduction to this fascinating field of literature.
A Warning to the Curious by M. R. James
M.R. James is one of the best loved writers of ghost stories in the English language. An academic by nature and profession, as well as a devout … [Read more...] about A Warning to the Curious by M. R. James
Exploring the imagination of Washington Irving and early American folklore along the Rip Van Winkle Trail in the Catskills … a photo essay
WHOEVER has made a voyage up the Hudson must remember the Kaatskill mountains. They are a dismembered branch of the great Appalachian family, and are … [Read more...] about Exploring the imagination of Washington Irving and early American folklore along the Rip Van Winkle Trail in the Catskills … a photo essay
The Secret of the Raven: At the end of Poe’s life, one finds the unexpected … hope
Poe and The Raven's lost Lenore? One of the last photos of Edgar Allan Poe and Sarah Elmira Royster Shelton, about the same time. I spent much of … [Read more...] about The Secret of the Raven: At the end of Poe’s life, one finds the unexpected … hope
The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
I first read The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe in high school. I was lucky enough to attend a school which gave the option of studying the … [Read more...] about The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
A Halloween song plus bonus … on fictionalizing your life, Bob Dylan’s mask, the melancholic nature of the Brits, a 16th lutist channelled by Ed Sheeran and the bravery of Jeff Flakes
A Halloween gift for our readers. Edgar A. Poe's To One in Paradise, based on the Enigma Variations by Edward Elgar, performed by the author as a part … [Read more...] about A Halloween song plus bonus … on fictionalizing your life, Bob Dylan’s mask, the melancholic nature of the Brits, a 16th lutist channelled by Ed Sheeran and the bravery of Jeff Flakes
Ligeia by Edgar Allan Poe
"The death... of a beautiful woman" is "unquestionably the most poetical topic in the world" Edgar Allan Poe Ligeia is a curious one in the Poe … [Read more...] about Ligeia by Edgar Allan Poe
Laudanum from the Witch’s Garden: The opiate that drove the romantic poets to enlightenment and insanity
Top: Poppy Field by Cate Davies. Click here to view larger or purchase a print. I’m standing in the Tate Gallery, years ago, staring at the painting … [Read more...] about Laudanum from the Witch’s Garden: The opiate that drove the romantic poets to enlightenment and insanity
Eating Poe, Part II: Edgar Allan Poe’s time on Sullivan’s Island and debunking a Charleston myth
I wake up before dawn and heard the ocean outside. The dunes separate the beach house from the sea itself, but not the smell of the ocean, nor the … [Read more...] about Eating Poe, Part II: Edgar Allan Poe’s time on Sullivan’s Island and debunking a Charleston myth
Eating Poe: Part One, Richmond and an Author’s Forward
Poe stands for every fucked up soul who wandered a graveyard on a dark and lonely night. For every person who has grieved to the point of madness, and … [Read more...] about Eating Poe: Part One, Richmond and an Author’s Forward
The Ash Tree by M.R. James
M.R. James nearly always appears at the top of the lists for the best gothic horror story authors, and for good reasons. His Ghost Stories of an … [Read more...] about The Ash Tree by M.R. James
A history of winter tales and Christmas ghost stories, to make the blood run wintery cold
CHRISTMAS GHOST STORIES were a traditional part of the season's festivities, and was greatly influenced by Washington Irving, most famous for his tale … [Read more...] about A history of winter tales and Christmas ghost stories, to make the blood run wintery cold
The Kit Bag by Algernon Blackwood
Algernon Blackwood (14 March 1869 – 10 December 1951) wrote more ghost stories than about anyone else, and more great ones as well. A novelist known … [Read more...] about The Kit Bag by Algernon Blackwood
Between The Lights by E.F. Benson
Winter Wings, by Cate Davies. To view larger or to purchase a print of this image, click here An unusual gothic horror story, written in 1912 and set … [Read more...] about Between The Lights by E.F. Benson
The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen
The Great God Pan, a novella by Welsh born Arthur Machen (3 March 1863 – 15 December 1947), was cited by Stephen King as maybe the best horror story … [Read more...] about The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen
Christmas Ghost Stories: The Ghost of Christmas Past Goes Further Back Than You Might Realize
Philipsburg Manor in Winter, Sleepy Hollow, New York "When I returned to the drawing-room, I found the company seated around the fire, listening to … [Read more...] about Christmas Ghost Stories: The Ghost of Christmas Past Goes Further Back Than You Might Realize
