📖 Overview
David J. Schow is an American author and screenwriter known for his work in horror fiction and his significant contributions to the splatterpunk subgenre. He coined the term "splatterpunk" in 1986 to describe a new wave of graphic horror fiction that emerged during that period.
As a fiction writer, Schow has published numerous short story collections including "Lost Angels," "Seeing Red," and "Wild Hairs." His novels include "The Kill Riff," "The Shaft," and "Rock Breaks Scissors Cut," which showcase his visceral writing style and dark themes.
In addition to his literary work, Schow has written screenplays for films such as "The Crow" and "Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III." He has also authored non-fiction works about film, including "The Outer Limits Companion."
Schow's influence extends beyond his own writing through his editorial work and his role in shaping modern horror literature. He has won multiple Bram Stoker Awards for his fiction and non-fiction contributions to the genre.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Schow's vivid descriptive style and raw intensity, particularly in his short story collections. Many note his skill at blending horror with dark humor and social commentary. Reviews frequently mention the unique voice and technical craft in works like "Seeing Red" and "Lost Angels."
Complaints focus on excessive violence and graphic content in novels like "The Kill Riff." Some readers find his longer works less engaging than his short fiction. A portion of reviews critique his male character perspectives as dated.
Average ratings:
Goodreads:
- Lost Angels: 3.9/5 (127 ratings)
- Seeing Red: 4.1/5 (156 ratings)
- The Kill Riff: 3.6/5 (89 ratings)
Amazon:
- Wild Hairs: 4.2/5
- The Shaft: 3.7/5
One reader noted: "Schow writes with surgical precision about humanity's darkest impulses." Another commented: "His short stories punch hard but some novels feel stretched thin."
The Outer Limits Companion receives consistent 4-5 star reviews for its comprehensive research and insider perspective.
📚 Books by David J. Schow
The Kill Riff (1988)
A grieving father seeks revenge against heavy metal musicians after his daughter dies at a concert.
The Shaft (1990) Residents of a high-rise apartment building face an unexplained force in the elevator shaft that causes violent deaths.
Lost Angels (1990) A man investigates supernatural occurrences in Los Angeles while searching for his missing girlfriend.
Demons (1993) A collection of short horror stories exploring various supernatural and psychological themes.
The Outer Limits: The Official Companion (1998) A comprehensive guide to both the original and revival series of The Outer Limits television show.
Gun Work (2008) A weapons specialist becomes entangled in a dangerous mission after agreeing to help an old friend.
Internecine (2010) A corporate security expert discovers a complex conspiracy while investigating a seemingly routine case.
Upgunned (2012) A professional "chaos agent" navigates through dangerous missions in a world of corporate espionage.
DJStories (2013) A collection of previously published and new short stories spanning different genres and themes.
Wild Hairs (2019) A compilation of essays, reviews, and commentary on horror, film, and popular culture.
The Shaft (1990) Residents of a high-rise apartment building face an unexplained force in the elevator shaft that causes violent deaths.
Lost Angels (1990) A man investigates supernatural occurrences in Los Angeles while searching for his missing girlfriend.
Demons (1993) A collection of short horror stories exploring various supernatural and psychological themes.
The Outer Limits: The Official Companion (1998) A comprehensive guide to both the original and revival series of The Outer Limits television show.
Gun Work (2008) A weapons specialist becomes entangled in a dangerous mission after agreeing to help an old friend.
Internecine (2010) A corporate security expert discovers a complex conspiracy while investigating a seemingly routine case.
Upgunned (2012) A professional "chaos agent" navigates through dangerous missions in a world of corporate espionage.
DJStories (2013) A collection of previously published and new short stories spanning different genres and themes.
Wild Hairs (2019) A compilation of essays, reviews, and commentary on horror, film, and popular culture.
👥 Similar authors
Joe R. Lansdale writes horror and suspense with Texas settings and dark humor. His work includes splatterpunk elements and genre-bending stories that mix horror with crime and western themes.
John Skipp pioneered the splatterpunk movement in horror fiction alongside Schow in the 1980s. He combines graphic violence with social commentary and counterculture elements.
Ray Garton focuses on extreme horror with explicit violence and sexual content. His novels and short stories explore taboo subjects while maintaining traditional horror narrative structures.
Edward Lee writes hardcore horror with graphic violence and transgressive themes. His work pushes boundaries in ways similar to Schow's more intense offerings.
Richard Christian Matheson crafts concise, sharp horror fiction that often deals with Hollywood and media culture. His minimalist style and modern settings parallel some of Schow's approaches to the genre.
John Skipp pioneered the splatterpunk movement in horror fiction alongside Schow in the 1980s. He combines graphic violence with social commentary and counterculture elements.
Ray Garton focuses on extreme horror with explicit violence and sexual content. His novels and short stories explore taboo subjects while maintaining traditional horror narrative structures.
Edward Lee writes hardcore horror with graphic violence and transgressive themes. His work pushes boundaries in ways similar to Schow's more intense offerings.
Richard Christian Matheson crafts concise, sharp horror fiction that often deals with Hollywood and media culture. His minimalist style and modern settings parallel some of Schow's approaches to the genre.