If you don't get
The Writer Magazine (around since 1887, no less!) you can read a brief overview of this nifty article
http://www.writermag.com/wrt/default.aspx?c=a&id=2554Based on what I've seen in Cafe Doom, I think our forum covers the Subgenres he outlines (I'm summarizing below) and I think I know where my "stuff" fits (sort of!)
:
"
Weird fiction--Fiction that concentrates on the uncanny, surreal and impossible. Rarely gory. Think HP Lovecraft, Ramsey Campbell and Thomas Ligotti.
Quiet Horror--Supernatural, nongory, focus on human relationships and character's struggles to create consensus reality. Think Shirley Jackson, Charles Grant.
Splatterpunk/Extreme Horror--Gore for gore's sake, and markedly conservative morality. Lots of kinky sex, freaky murders, piles of steaming intestines. Mostly male writers. Think Charlee Jacob and Ed Lee.
Modern Vampire--Not the villains anymore, still want blood. Now they fight evil and worry about big questions. Mostly women writers. Think Anne Rice, Karen E Taylor, Jemiah Jefferson.
Psychological Horror--Explores often sexualized violence born of disordered psyches. Think Robert Bloch and
Psycho.
Dark Fantasy--Bleak, dark themes using fantasy elements--elves, pagan gods. No happy endings or rare happy endings. Think Neil Gaiman and his comic book series
The Sandman."
