The Lighter Side of the Abyss

Why is January such a dark month for writers of horror? Is it the mid-winter blues spawned from the short dark days? Or perhaps it's Christmas buyer's remorse, or soul cleansing brought about by new year's pledges? Whatever it is, publishers and readers turn to horror.

Though years apart, four Gothic horror tales rule the month of January:

January opens first with the publication of Shelly's novel, "Frankenstein."

Mid-January brought about the 1st publication of the short story, The Vampyre by John William Polidori.

While the last two days of the month ends with the publication of Stephen King's novel, "The Shining."

Winding up January, on the last day of the month, is Edgar Allan Poe's infamous poem, "The Raven."

by JB Wocoski