Benjamin Percy

Benjamin Percy is an American novelist, comic book writer, and screenwriter known for blending literary and genre fiction. His work frequently incorporates elements of horror, noir, and supernatural themes while maintaining strong literary craftsmanship. Percy's novels include The Ninth Metal, The Unfamiliar Garden, Red Moon, and The Dead Lands, with several reaching bestseller status. His comic book writing spans major publishers like Marvel, DC, and Dynamite, where he has written series featuring characters such as Wolverine, Green Arrow, and James Bond. His short fiction and essays have appeared in prestigious publications including Esquire, GQ, Time, and The Paris Review. Percy's craft book Thrill Me: Essays on Fiction has become a widely-used text in creative writing programs. Beyond writing, Percy serves as a faculty member in the low-residency MFA program at Pacific University and regularly teaches at conferences and workshops. His audiobook narration work has earned him multiple Audiofile Magazine Earphone Awards for his distinctive bass voice.

Readers consistently note Percy's ability to blend literary prose with genre elements. Many highlight his vivid descriptions and atmospheric writing, with one Amazon reviewer calling his prose "muscular and poetic at the same time." Liked: - Strong world-building and scene-setting - Complex character development - Unique take on familiar genre tropes - Audiobook narration quality (his own voice work) - Pacing and tension in thriller/horror sequences Disliked: - Some find endings rushed or unsatisfying - Literary style can slow down action scenes - Character introspection sometimes interrupts plot momentum - Price point of hardcover releases Average Ratings: - Goodreads: 3.8/5 across all works - Amazon: 4.2/5 average - "Red Moon": 3.7/5 (6,000+ Goodreads ratings) - "The Dead Lands": 3.6/5 (3,000+ Goodreads ratings) - "Thrill Me": 4.4/5 (900+ Goodreads ratings) Reviews on writing forums and Reddit praise his craft insights, while genre fiction readers appreciate his fresh approach to horror and thriller conventions.

Novels: The Ninth Metal (2021) - After a meteor shower brings an alien metal to northern Minnesota, a mining town becomes the center of a violent conflict over the valuable resource.

The Unfamiliar Garden (2022) - A mycologist studying an unusual fungal growth and his ex-wife investigating a series of murders discover these events are connected to an extraterrestrial invasion.

The Dead Lands (2015) - In a post-apocalyptic reimagining of the Lewis and Clark expedition, survivors from a walled city in St. Louis venture west across America.

Red Moon (2013) - In an alternate present where lycans are a persecuted minority, political tensions escalate toward violent conflict following a terrorist attack.

The Wilding (2010) - Three generations of men take a final hunting trip in Oregon's Echo Canyon before the wilderness is developed into a golf resort.

Short Story Collections: Refresh, Refresh (2007) - Stories set in rural Oregon exploring themes of masculinity and violence while fathers are deployed to war.

The Language of Elk (2006) - Collection of stories about the relationship between humans and the natural world in the American West.

Nonfiction: Thrill Me: Essays on Fiction (2016) - Analysis of craft techniques in genre and literary fiction, drawn from Percy's experiences as both writer and teacher.

Stephen Graham Jones writes horror and literary fiction focused on Native American experiences and supernatural elements. His novels like "The Only Good Indians" blend psychological terror with cultural themes similar to Percy's work.

Josh Malerman creates post-apocalyptic and horror stories centered on sensory experiences and primal fears. His work "Bird Box" shares Percy's interest in environmental threats and human survival instincts.

Brian Evenson combines literary fiction with horror and science fiction elements, often focusing on psychological disturbance. His short stories and novels feature the same genre-blending approach Percy uses in works like "The Dead Lands."

Nick Cutter writes horror fiction that emphasizes body horror and psychological tension. His novels share Percy's interest in masculine themes and physical transformation, particularly in works like "The Troop."

Victor LaValle merges contemporary social issues with horror and dark fantasy elements. His novels like "The Changeling" incorporate similar themes of parenthood and identity that appear in Percy's work "The Dark Net."