Halloween Reading Tradition & Ghost Story Writing (Patreon)

In the spirit of the spooky season now upon us, I would like to issue a challenge to the writers of the club:

Write your very own ghost story.

I will be reading one aloud, along with a classic tale of terror, on All Hallows’ Eve this year (October 31st) for a special book club exclusive horror episode.

This ghost story writing challenge is one part of our autumnal reading tradition.

We will also be reading a horror tale in original serialised form and discussing a titan of terror in the gothic tradition. 

The serialised novel is Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw and the horror classic is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

(More details on those two aspects coming soon.)

Remember this is a self-paced reading adventure. So if you wish to focus on your Big Read (for many, this is Les Misérables), that’s absolutely fine. 

This is the selection for those who want to align their reading with the dark season and resurrect some classic reading traditions from the Victorian era.

In the same spirit as Mary Shelley, Charles Dickens, and M.R. James, I will be marking Halloween with a ghost story reading. 

I would love any writers of the group who have a sick twist in their heart, and a desire to scare and scar with their words, to get involved.

Horror story guidelines

• Theme: This year, it’s a ghost story. These are often either about psychological affliction (e.g. possession) or external malevolence (e.g. haunting). Great tales blend the two.
• Word count: ~2,000 words (4 pages). A little under or over is fine.
• Deadline: submission by October 24th. This gives me a week to put together the show, where I will pick a particularly chilling tale to read aloud on October 31st
• Words of advice: 1) Write with gusto (and have fun). 2) Write with the aim to scare. 3) Write with a view to be read aloud, in front of a crackling fire, as night falls.

Allow me to emphasise that this is not in any way obligatory. 

Partake in whichever spooky element most entices you, or simply sit back and enjoy the scary discussions with some pumpkin tea as the ghosts return to the earth.

Video Timestamps:

• 0:00 introducing Halloween with Hardcore Literature
• 1:30 how Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein
• 3:00 the HLBC ghost story writing tradition
• 4:20 parameters for your horror story
• 7:00 writing encouragement/direction

Do let me know if you will pen a tale of terror this autumn.

And look forward to a spooky Halloween with Hardcore Literature.

Happy haunting, everybody!