Faces of Fear

Faces of Fear presents seventeen in-depth interviews with leading horror authors from Britain and America, conducted by Douglas E. Winter. The collection features conversations with renowned writers like Stephen King, Clive Barker, Richard Matheson, and Peter Straub. Each interview explores the author's background, creative process, and relationship with the horror genre. Winter, who brings his perspective as both a critic and lawyer, guides discussions that range from childhood influences to technical aspects of craft. The 1985 book, updated in 1990, received the World Fantasy Award and was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Non-Fiction Book. The interviews capture a significant moment in horror literature, documenting the perspectives of both established masters and emerging voices of the era. The collection reveals how personal experiences and societal fears shape horror fiction, while examining the genre's evolution from gothic traditions to contemporary forms. These conversations illuminate the artistic and psychological dimensions of creating horror literature.

Most reader reviews describe this book as a solid reference work offering biographical sketches of horror authors along with interviews. Reviews emphasize the value of getting first-hand perspectives from authors like Stephen King, Peter Straub, and Clive Barker during formative periods of their careers. Readers appreciated: - In-depth conversations about the craft of horror writing - Behind-the-scenes insights into the authors' creative processes - The timing of the interviews, capturing authors before they became well-known - Quality of Winter's research and interview style Common criticisms: - Some interviews feel dated - Limited scope with focus mainly on 1980s authors - Technical printing/binding issues in some editions - A few readers found the interview format repetitive Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (63 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (6 reviews) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (8 ratings) Several reviewers noted it works better as a reference to consult occasionally rather than reading straight through.

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🔍 Winter personally interviewed Stephen King at King's home in Bangor, Maine, where the author showed him the actual desk where classics like "Pet Sematary" were written 📚 The book sparked controversy when it revealed that several featured authors, including James Herbert, initially started writing horror fiction primarily for financial reasons rather than artistic passion 🌟 Many of the interviews captured authors at crucial turning points - Clive Barker's conversation took place just before the release of "Hellraiser," which would transform his career 🎭 The collection's title, "Faces of Fear," was inspired by a quote from Peter Straub about horror writers wearing different masks to explore various aspects of terror 🗺️ The 1990 revised edition added four new author interviews and expanded commentary about the evolution of horror fiction from traditional Gothic roots to modern psychological terror