Manly Wade Wellman was an American writer known for fantasy and horror fiction rooted in Appalachian folklore. He is celebrated for novels like Who Fears the Devil? and The Old Gods Waken, featuring eerie storytelling that blends authenticity with regional legends.
If you enjoy reading books by Manly Wade Wellman then you might also like the following authors:
If you like tales of adventure and dark fantasy like Manly Wade Wellman's stories, you'll probably enjoy Robert E. Howard. Howard created exciting stories about brave heroes who often face supernatural enemies and ancient horrors.
His Conan the Barbarian stories, collected in works like The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian, combine sword-and-sorcery action with vivid storytelling and a sense of a forgotten age that Wellman fans typically appreciate.
Fans of Manly Wade Wellman's mystical, folk-inspired storytelling might also enjoy H. P. Lovecraft. Lovecraft is famous for creating mysterious cosmic horrors and forgotten mythologies in stories like The Call of Cthulhu.
His style blends atmospheric tension, supernatural entities, and a deep sense of dread, qualities that readers of Wellman may find appealing.
Readers who enjoy the supernatural elements and eerie atmosphere found in Manly Wade Wellman's stories could appreciate the imaginative worlds created by Clark Ashton Smith.
Smith's stories, as seen in collections like The Dark Eidolon and Other Fantasies, mix strange fantasy worlds with poetic, descriptive prose. His works often explore haunting landscapes and dark sorcery, similar in tone to Wellman's fiction.
If you appreciate the thoughtful blend of small-town nostalgia, mystery, and supernatural happenings like in Manly Wade Wellman's fiction, Ray Bradbury could also become a favorite.
Bradbury's stories delve into human fears and desires through imaginative fantasy and everyday magic.
His novel Something Wicked This Way Comes is a great introduction, with its warm yet unsettling depiction of small-town life and a carnival that brings supernatural confrontation.
Fans of Manly Wade Wellman's tales that blend supernatural fantasy and detective-like investigation may also enjoy Seabury Quinn. Quinn's most famous creation, Jules de Grandin, is a fearless occult detective who confronts weird horrors and solves eerie mysteries.
The stories in The Horror on the Links: The Complete Tales of Jules de Grandin, Volume One offer action, supernatural intrigue, and period charm that is sure to appeal to readers of Wellman.
If you enjoy Manly Wade Wellman's blend of folk horror, Southern storytelling, and supernatural mystery, Joe R. Lansdale might be your next favorite. Lansdale writes gritty, atmospheric tales rooted in Southern culture.
His stories often feature dark humor and vivid supernatural themes that come alive through colorful, believable characters. Check out his novel The Bottoms, a suspenseful, eerie tale set in Depression-era East Texas that combines mystery, folklore, and unsettling horror.
Karl Edward Wagner crafts dark fantasy and horror stories with moody atmospheres and strong supernatural elements. His Kane stories offer brooding characters, thrilling action, and mysterious dark magic.
Readers who appreciate the subtle horror and dark supernatural threads found in Wellman's work will appreciate Wagner's novella Sticks, a haunting story of forgotten evil with powerful, atmospheric storytelling.
Fred Chappell captures the essence and spirit of Appalachian storytelling, mixing folklore, tenderness, and a bit of dark fantasy into his fiction. Much like Wellman, his writing immerses readers in a rich rural landscape filled with mystery and quiet magic.
Try Chappell's novel I Am One of You Forever, a heartfelt and whimsical exploration of family life and the fascinating, sometimes eerie events that shape those connections.
Robert Bloch is best known for psychological horror and twists that stay with you long after you finish reading. Fans who enjoy the tension and eerie elements found in Wellman's stories may appreciate Bloch's lean prose and suspenseful storytelling.
His most famous novel, Psycho, builds sharp tension while exploring unsettling human behavior and chilling darkness lurking behind ordinary appearances.
Like Wellman, August Derleth often drew inspiration from regional folklore, crafting eerie tales deeply connected to place and local history. Derleth's stories have a quiet, unsettling quality, with effective atmosphere and supernatural touches that slowly build mystery.
Consider picking up his collection Someone in the Dark, filled with eerie, atmospheric short stories that combine suspense, tradition, and regional charm.
Fritz Leiber is an excellent author for those who enjoy Wellman’s blend of folklore, fantasy, and weird fiction. Leiber’s stories mix dark fantasy with adventurous characters, subtle humor, and eerie atmospheres.
His famous collection, Swords and Deviltry, introduces readers to the unusual duo of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser as they explore a strange, richly imagined world.
If you enjoy Wellman’s ability to blend dark fantasy with vivid storytelling, C. L. Moore may be exactly what you're looking for. She writes vividly drawn, atmospheric science fiction and fantasy.
Moore’s Jirel of Joiry is a landmark collection, featuring strong characters, imaginative worlds, and haunting scenes that stay with you.
Ron Rash, like Wellman, combines Appalachian settings with intense storytelling and dark themes that expose the hidden side of rural life. Rash uses sharp, clear language to capture the Southern landscape and people.
His novel, Serena, is a gripping story set in Depression-era Appalachia that explores power, greed, and tragedy.
If you appreciate Wellman's supernatural tales of quiet dread and subtle suspense, Charles L. Grant is a perfect choice. Grant mastered understated horror that creeps under your skin, evoking subtle unease and chilling suspense, especially in ordinary, small-town settings.
His novel, The Hour of the Oxrun Dead, skillfully creates a dark, unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after you've finished reading.
Jack Vance shares Manly Wade Wellman’s talent for building richly detailed worlds and intriguing characters in imaginative fantasy and science fiction. Vance is admired for his creative use of language and his adventurous, often humorous approach to storytelling.
His novel, The Dying Earth, portrays a future Earth filled with magic, eccentric characters, and a compelling sense of wonder.