Horror Aficionados discussion

Hi,

I've started my blog recently and posted a few bits and bobs, some self promotional and some I consider of wider interest. I'm keen to make it interesting for readers of horror lit. What I'd like to ask is, what would readers like to see on a blog?

http://macabrecollection.blogspot.co.uk

Let me know if you have some ideas. I'd really appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

Dave

I've come across the same issues on my blog. There really is a lot you can do though.

Reviews of horror books, movies, and video games.

Looks at the past, present, or future states of the genre.

Discussions of specific subjects in the genre (haunted houses, monsters, etc.).

Looks at sub-genre's such as romantic or comedic horror.

If you're a horror writer yourself, excerpts from published works, works in progress or short stories.

Interviews with other horror artists.

With the publishing of my debut novel back in April, my blog posts have been heavily tilted towards the business of writing the past couple months, but some older posts look more deeply at the horror genre. You can take a look for examples and ideas though.

http://shaunhorton.blogspot.com/

Thanks, Shaun. Interesting stuff!

I'd say try to feature some horror stuff both about your book and other things horror. Write posts on your takes on certain elements of horror, feature other horror authors, spice it up. I'm thinking about writing more horror blog posts myself on my site to draw interest. Do what you think might work, just a suggestion.

If you like reading horror you can review books and ask other writers to do guest posts and interviews. Their fans come to your site and you get free books out of it.

Thanks Jennifer and Justin. I suppose one of my issues is time. Work, writing, reading, being a dad and husband leaves me in negative equity!
I do try to write something of interest on it when I can. I think I'm going to go for something different, old school horror, and maybe the classics. I'll have a think. Thanks to everyone!

I did a few guest blogs for someone a while back featuring folklore concerning reported supernatural creatures.

Thanks Lee, you just gave me a great idea!

A while back I saw a bunch of bloggers doing a 30-day blog challenge, where they made a blog post every day for a month. I've been thinking for a while on how I could do something like that and been coming up stumped.

Cryptids! Not only are there plenty to choose from, they're a perfect topic for summer while people are traveling, camping, and just generally out in the wilderness. On top of that a new month is right around the corner. Perfect timing. Anyone else want to join me in the challenge?

Also if you ever want to review one of my books, I can let you have a code to download it for free.

Day one of the blog-a-day for a month challenge. Let a month of monsters begin.

http://shaunhorton.blogspot.com/2013/...

Lots of pictures, graphics, galleries, links & cross-links, snippets, blurbs... but relatively little actual written text. No one wants to read lengthy, convoluted paragraphs on the internet. Keep the page design uncluttered and soothing-to-the-eye. Also, use 'teasers' and lead-ins, because few folks want to invest in reading a whole web-page without getting a little 'preview' first, to determine whether its to their benefit. Remember, its a short-attention span audience out there..people are not on the net to study anything; they're cruising by to keep themselves brain-dead and amused. Give them childish games and activities to keep them interacting, don't let it just be a passive experience.

I like that Feliks, particularly the games part. I think I could come up with something!

Day 8 out of 31 days of monsters. Mokele-Mbembe

http://shaunhorton.blogspot.com/2013/...

Good blog, Shaun. I like it. Great suggestions all the way around from everyone.

I've taken on board on of the suggestions posted, and okay its a bit of promo, but its also meant to be evocative and atmospheric. A post about my forthcmng book A Scream of Angels.
http://macabrecollection.blogspot.co.uk

Monsters, villains, and what makes a good antagonist.

http://shaunhorton.blogspot.com/2013/...

Good blog post, Shaun!

Are zombies overdone ?

http://shaunhorton.blogspot.com/2013/...

The first chapter of my sci-fi/horror novel Class 5 is up for a sample to start off the month of October.

http://shaunhorton.blogspot.com/2013/...

The interesting phenomena of 2-sentence (or less) horror stories.

http://shaunhorton.blogspot.com/2013/...

Great stuff, guys. I'm just getting started with my own, but one suggestion I would make is planning your content with a calendar. It will help keep you on track and make sure you're thinking strategically about what you want to share. Here's a link I found (no connection to me, FYI): http://www.inboundmarketingagents.com...
I hope this helps!

A new blog post about common misconceptions in Horror.

http://shaunhorton.blogspot.com/2014/...

Just do your thing, you will stand out as special to anyone who connects to what you are saying. I think forced writing shows, so be organic and natural.

I also don't enjoy blogs that only try to promote the author's own work, no one wants to hang around that, at least not me. Engage, speak as if to a friend, don't be a commercial and let it come form the heart. Write about movies or books that move you, certain reads that made time stop for you etc.. horror is my favorite as well so I can certainly understand the love and connection for it.

My own little post on Women in Horror month.

http://shaunhorton.blogspot.com/2014/...

This is my latest blog, how I fell in love with horror, a little 80's nostalgia, and my concerns about a certain imminent remake.

http://www.kit-tinsley.com/blog

I just came into the concept of blogging and made one that was more of a ramble of current (and scrambled) thoughts, but what exactly is a blog? Sorry for hijacking someone else's thing just that a lot of the answers were really interesting and just had to ask

Very nice post Shaun. Very interesting and informative.

Michael wrote: "I just came into the concept of blogging and made one that was more of a ramble of current (and scrambled) thoughts, but what exactly is a blog? Sorry for hijacking someone else's thing just that a..."

Hey Michael, if you want to know what a blog is, how to do one, and what makes a good blog, you can check out the post I recently did on that very subject.

http://shaunhorton.blogspot.com/2014/...

I didn't originally share it here, as it's not specifically horror-related, but I think it's a good post nonetheless.

Shaun wrote: "Michael wrote: "I just came into the concept of blogging and made one that was more of a ramble of current (and scrambled) thoughts, but what exactly is a blog? Sorry for hijacking someone else's t..."

thank you! very helpful!

This week's post is about the trouble a relationship will get in you horror stories.

http://shaunhorton.blogspot.com/2014/...

While trying to fall asleep the other night, my mind gave me a monster instead.

http://shaunhorton.blogspot.com/2014/...

Hello all, been a little while. I've got a nice little horror story on my blog for you all to read this week if you like though.

http://shaunhorton.blogspot.com/2014/...

Ok here's whats needed with a horror blog...a listing of some of the seriously scary books out there. Ones that with make you turn the lights back on or check under the bed or in the closet, and something that will actually freak out this new generation of people that seem so desensitized to being frightened.

I agree. I love being scared and freaked out. Have y'all read Zeke?

I am looking to put together a collection of horror stories hopefully with some well known authors....exciting. I always found myself reading the shorter stories first, looking for the quick thrill. Anyone interested in contributing, private message me. I haven't read Zeke Stephanie but I'm going to look at it now!

Stephanie wrote: "I agree. I love being scared and freaked out. Have y'all read Zeke?"
I'm going to look at it now, is it very good?

I will also check out this Zeke Stephanie. The thing that gets me is my sister in-law seems to find every film, that I felt had some really great creepy moments in it, she says they don't scare her and I had someone ask me, on Goodreads, for a list of books like this and well the way I see it, what scares me doesn't always scare someone else. Different up bringing is a huge cause for this. Back in the day we watched movies but didn't get the behind the scenes to show us how they did it. So in a way this generation has had the magic and awe taken away from them with DVD extras and such.

This Zeke, is this the title or the author? And if it's an author what title am I looking for?

Yes, it's the tiltle. The authors are Wodke Hawkinson
It's a book you'll either like it or hate it. I loved it!

Ok thanks for the info Stephanie. I put it on my to-read list. It definitely has quite a mix of reviews.

Go all out. A horror blog must pertain to all things horror or at least a good portion of it. Since the beginning of October I've dedicated my Tumblr blog to Horror. I post all things horror and I think you really have to post all sorts of horror because there are plenty of people who will eat it up and enjoy it. You don't even necessarily have to go all out because that saying is true here, a little goes a long way, especially when it comes to Horror.