Weird Fiction: An Introduction

Weird Fiction: An Introduction

What is weird fiction?

Due to the crossover between genre’s (Horror, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, etc.) it is often hard to tell which is which in todays market. The way I differentiate such things is based on the intent of the author.  Herein lies a substantial difference; unfortunately intent is not always known and therefore another method must be applied to the mix.

When dealing with Weird Fiction, one must really exam what it is that differentiates it. Many abandon the genre all together as it really is a mixture of both Sci-Fi and horror; but where Horror may only exist to frighten and Sci-Fi merely to astound, weird fiction takes a deeper root (thus also why Weird Fiction is considered the Father of Sci-Fi and Horror).

Personally I believe the difference between Weird Fiction and other forms of fiction, such as Horror and Sci-fi, lies within the stories setting and tone. Weird Fiction harbors a different tone than pure sci-fi and pure horror. Weird fiction delves deeper into the maccabre  by exploring the violent and sexual nature of humanity; this is accomplished by the methodical dehumanization and the inevitable plunge into insanity and psychosis due to the finding of revelations or facts that can’t be comprehended by the human mind.

Sci-Fi and Horror often use such a platform and thus really become categories under the genre of Weird Fiction.

The Authors (More may be added later)

H.P. Lovecraft

Edgar Allan Poe

Algernon Blackwood

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

William Hope Hodgson

Robert Louis Stevenson

Arthur Machen

I will be delving into, as much as I can, their writing process and the stories they wrote. I am looking to give you as a reader a deeper understanding of the authors and of their genre.