Authors to Read (Part II)
7March 12, 2017 by Laird
Continuing with my PSA regarding some of the best contemporary horror/weird fiction authors who primarily appear with small/independent presses. All images via Amazon.com
Alan Baxter (Australian noir; hardscrabble horror)
C.S. E. Cooney (frightful fantasy)
Yoko Ogawa (not a small press author, but definitely underappreciated here in the USA)
Michael Cisco (only one of the most eminent fantasists of our time)
Mike Allen (journalist, horrorist; this is one of the best cosmic horror collections around)
Steve Duffy (acclaimed horror writer; one of the finer stylists working)
![TRAGIC LIFE STORIES by [Duffy, Steve]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/416sF2ajNzL.jpg)
Gemma Files (the Black Flag of horror)
![The Worm in Every Heart by [Files, Gemma]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Ryu7i61IL.jpg)
Wilum Pugmire (the Jethro Tull of horror)
Sesqua Valley and other Haunts
Jeffrey Thomas (quintessential weird fiction stylist)
Jon Padgett (studied in the catacombs with Prof. Ligotti)
lairdbarron.wordpress.com 
You’re killing me! Luckily we just sold our house. Your pithy descriptions are priceless: “Wilum Pugmire (the Jethro Tull of horror).” Really? Mr. Barron, whenever you tire of being a world class writer, go into marketing. You’re very, very good.
I’m going to do five of these, so don’t make any plans for your spare kidney.
AS usual, I bought everything I didn’t already have (except for those that weren’t available for the Kindle — I’m totally out of space for actual paper books). To quote Jonathan, “You’re killing me!” Fortunately, I’m working extra hard so far this month, and it’s expected to continue, so I’ll be able to afford to continue reading your blog.
🙂
So true, Terry. Mr. Barron’s blog is becoming expensive. On Mr. Barron’s punchy recommendations, I purchased kindle editions of books authored by Allen, Files and Baxter. And because the weird Romantic in me loves the delectably decadent Pugmire, I needed no urging to purchase that book.
The Secret of Ventriloquism is free on Amazon Kindle. It has been free for a few days now but I’m not sure for how much longer.
Sigh. It looks like it is back to $4.99 (normal price?). It was great while it lasted. Still a good deal.