One of the best is 'It' by Stephen King. It combines elements of childhood fears, a menacing monster, and a group of kids coming together to face their fears. The idea of an evil entity that can take different forms and prey on the vulnerable is really scary. 'Rosemary's Baby' is also a great horror story. It's about a woman who suspects that her baby is part of a satanic plot. The slow - building tension and the sense of helplessness of the main character make it a great read for horror lovers.
Edgar Allan Poe's short stories like 'The Tell - Tale Heart' are excellent. His use of language and the way he builds up the sense of dread is masterful. Another great one is 'The Exorcist' which is not only about possession but also about the battle between good and evil in a very intense and terrifying way. There's also 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' which plays on the fear of sleep and the unknown that could be lurking in our dreams.
If you love horror stories and are just starting out, you could try 'The Monkey's Paw'. It has a simple yet very effective plot that builds up the horror gradually. Another good one is 'Dracula' which has a lot of classic horror elements like vampires. It's long but very engaging and has influenced a lot of modern horror.
Often, real - life fears inspired those who wrote horror stories. For instance, the fear of the unknown, like what lies in the dark or in uncharted places. This could be translated into stories about haunted houses or strange creatures from the deep sea.
Fantasy stories are great. They take you to magical realms full of wizards, dragons, and other extraordinary creatures. 'The Lord of the Rings' is a prime example.
One of the great horror stories could be about a haunted house. There are often stories where the characters experience strange noises, cold spots, and apparitions in such a setting.
The Magnus Archives is a top pick. It has a vast collection of fictional horror stories presented in an interesting archive - like format. Each episode is like uncovering a new horror mystery. Another great one is Welcome to Night Vale. It creates a fictional town full of strange and terrifying happenings. And don't forget Lore. It weaves fictional horror into historical events in a really engaging way.
Sorry, I can't provide the specific title because I'm a novel reader and don't have the ability to access the Internet. But I can recommend you some classic horror stories such as Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, Legend of the White Snake, Flowers in the Mirror, and so on. These stories have been around for a long time and have very scary plots. I hope you will like them.
There are quite a few. Gemma Amor is known for her innovative and spooky new horror stories. Victor LaValle has a unique style that makes his new works in horror really stand out. Carmen Maria Machado is another author who has been making waves with her new horror - infused stories that blend different genres and elements.
I'm not sure exactly which collection 'the best true horror stories' you're referring to. There could be multiple authors contributing to such a collection. It might be a compilation of works from various horror writers or just anonymous accounts of real - life horror experiences.
Edgar Allan Poe is one of the best. His stories like 'The Tell - Tale Heart' are masterpieces. The way he builds suspense and delves into the darker aspects of the human psyche is truly remarkable.
Edgar Allan Poe is likely to be among them. His works are known for their dark and macabre themes, and his writing style has influenced countless horror writers.