Suspense & Horror Writing

Write fiction that keeps readers up at night — learn to build unbearable tension, create genuine dread, pace reveals perfectly, and deliver the gut-punch your readers can’t shake.

Four Ways to Learn Suspense & Horror Writing

Choose the path that fits where you are in your writing journey.
Brainstorm

Brainstorm Your Suspense & Horror Writing

Skillshare · ~1 hour · Included with membership Brainstorm your suspense or horror novel in one session — your threat, protagonist, escalating tension, and the scene-by-scene outline that keeps readers turning pages. Start on Skillshare →
🎬 Full Course

Suspense & Horror Writing Course

Udemy · Video course · Buy once, keep forever A complete video guide to suspense and horror craft — tension mechanics, pacing, unreliable narrators, dread vs. shock, and how to write an ending readers will never forget. Get on Udemy →
🎓 Go Deep

Suspense & Horror Writing Workshop

Writing Academy · Author’s Success Bundle The only suspense & horror writing course with personal feedback from Steve. Share your scenes and get direct feedback on what’s working, what’s falling flat, and exactly how to make readers feel genuine fear and unease. Includes access to all 19 Writing Academy courses — every genre, plus story structure, scene craft, editing, screenwriting, and publishing. Join the Bundle →
📘 Read the Book

Suspense and Horror Writing

Amazon · Kindle, paperback, hardcover, audiobook A comprehensive guide to the craft of tension and dread — from your opening hook to your final revelation. Covers pacing, atmosphere, character fear, and publication strategy. Get on Amazon →

Steve’s Recommendation

Steve Alcorn Not sure where to start? Try the Skillshare brainstorm — you’ll leave with a complete thriller or horror outline and a clear sense of which subgenre fits your instincts. If you know this is your genre, the Udemy course is the most complete resource — especially the deep dives into pacing and the mechanics of sustained dread. For writers who want personal feedback on their manuscript and access to every other genre and craft course I’ve built, the Author’s Success Bundle is the smartest investment. Nothing replaces direct guidance when you’re writing something that has to genuinely unsettle people.