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- Description
- Table of Contents
- About the author
- Reviews
Covering the latest in monsters and the macabre, horror expert Spratford's resource is ideal as both an introductory guide for novices and a fount of new ideas for horror-aware reference staff.
Like the zombies, ghouls, and vampires which inhabit many of its books, the popularity of horror fiction is unstoppable. Even if you don’t happen to be a fan yourself, you won’t be “scared” to advise readers on finding their next great fright thanks to the astute guidance provided by horror expert Spratford in her updated guide. This definitive resource for library workers at any level of experience or familiarity with horror fiction
- details the state of the genre right now, including its appeal factors and key authors, assisting readers in getting up to speed quickly;
- presents ten annotated lists of suggested titles, all published since 2000, each with a short introduction providing historical context;
- delves into horror movies, TV shows, podcasts, and other formats; and
- offers abundant marketing advice, programming options, and pointers on additional resources.
Series Introduction
Preface: Why We Need Horror and Why You Need This Book
Acknowledgments
Part I
Chapter 1 The Lure of the Dark Side
Horror’s Enduring Appeal
Chapter 2 Horror 101
The State of Terror Today
Chapter 3 Helping Your Scariest Readers
The Horror RA Conversation
Part II
Chapter 4 Ghosts and Haunted Houses
Home Scream Home
Chapter 5 Vampire Menace
Sparkly Vampires Need Not Apply
Chapter 6 Zombies
Follow the Walking Dead
Chapter 7 Witches, Curses, and the Occult
Black Magic Comes for You
Chapter 8 Monsters and Ancient Evil
Creature Features
Chapter 9 Nature Gone Wild
Plants and Animals Attack
Chapter 10 Satan and Demonic Possession
The Devil Inside
Chapter 11 Psychological Horror
It’s All in Your Head . . . Or Is It?
Chapter 12 Lovecraftian and Cosmic Horror
Cthulhu Is Calling
Chapter 13 Body Horror
Our Bodies Betray Us
Chapter 14 Further Explorations of the Dark Side
Whole Collection Options for Horror Readers
Part III
Chapter 15 Staying in Horrific Shape
Horror Collection Development and Resources
Chapter 16 Sowing the Seeds of Fear
Horror Promotion and Programming
Appendix: More Battle-Tested Titles to Suggest to Readers by Subgenre
Bibliography
Index
"In the decade since the second edition, Spratford (who blogs at RAforAll.blogspot.com) has completely rewritten and updated this guide, with particular attention to diverse voices writing about fear, dread, and terror ... Also important to this new edition is its organization, which is structured around the reader’s level of comfort with the genre. VERDICT Librarians will appreciate the updated recommendations and accessible organization. Those interested in a more complete history of horror fiction will find within a thoughtful exploration of previously excluded authors and emerging talent."
— Library Journal
"While the audience would be mostly public librarians, academic librarians may find this useful for several reasons. For instance, horror has academic value, and librarians who have a basis for recommending titles or horror subgenres such as gothic horror will help enhance student and faculty experience in their university libraries ... I highly recommend this book for those who need an introduction to horror as well as those who are familiar with the genre and strive to advise on the growing number of diverse authors. Academic librarians who need genre related works for their students and faculty, selectors for fiction and popular reading collections, and crave a way to highlight unique collections in a university or college library would benefit greatly from [this guide]."
— College & Research Libraries
"Whether you are a fan of horror or are not interested in being scared, this book will have you recommending books that give your patrons a fright in no time ... I would recommend this guide to all library staff and anyone interested in horror. It has definitely helped me to have more knowledge about this genre in general and the specific sub genres. I feel more confident in helping horror readers find their next scary read with the resources mentioned in this book. I have even reserved some horror books to dip my toes into this genre as a reader – only to be read in daylight of course!"
— Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association
Praise for the second edition
"The author's parting words are, ‘horror patrons are not monsters; they just like to read about them'. This guide will be valuable to any librarian who needs to understand one of the most popular fiction genres today. It is also enjoyable reading and is recommended on both levels."
— Australian Library Journal