Bentley Little, a celebrated author, was born in the southwestern state of Arizona, where his artistic odyssey commenced. His academic tenure is characterized by a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a Master of Arts in English and Comparative Literature, both of which he obtained from the esteemed California State University. Little's literary career skyrocketed to prominence following a resounding success, as his inaugural novel, "The Revelation", garnered the prestigious Bram Stoker Award in 1990 for Best First Novel. This notable achievement was met with widespread acclaim, including praise from the renowned author Stephen King. King, a prominent figure in the literary world, has since referred to Little as "a master of the macabre", a testament to his exceptional skill in crafting dark and suspenseful narratives. As a result, Little has earned the nickname "the disciple of King", a fitting title for his dedication to the genre and his ability to emulate King's distinctive style.
Richard Chizmar, the visionary founder of Cemetery Dance, a highly respected and influential horror publication, played a pivotal role in fostering the early literary success of a remarkable young writer, whose name would soon become synonymous with the dark and eerie world of horror. It was within the inaugural issues of Cemetery Dance that this nascent talent's initial short fiction works, including the hauntingly vivid tales "The Janitor", "The Sanctuary", and "Blood", first saw the light of day, leaving an indelible mark on the genre.
Little's significant contribution to the Richard Laymon special edition of Cemetery Dance was a testament to his burgeoning skills as a writer, as he shared the spotlight with an impressive array of fellow authors, including the likes of Jack Ketchum, John Shirley, Ed Gorman, Christa Faust, and Richard Christian Matheson. One of his most captivating narratives, "The Mailman", would later be featured in the esteemed anthology "The Best of Cemetery Dance", alongside an illustrious group of writers, including the renowned Dean R. Koontz, the accomplished Norman Partridge, the masterful Ramsey Campbell, and the legendary Stephen King, cementing his position as a prominent figure in the world of horror.
Little, a renowned author, has enjoyed a remarkable career, marked by the publication of over twenty novels since his debut. His impressive literary output has yielded a plethora of notable works, including "The Mailman", released in 1991, which was followed by "The Summoning" in 1993, a title that garnered a prestigious Bram Stoker Award nomination. The years subsequent witnessed the release of "The Night School" in 1994, "Dominion" in 1995, and "The Store" in 1996, further solidifying Little's reputation as a master storyteller.
The late 1990s were marked by a flurry of publications, including "The House" in 1997, "The Ignored" in 1997, and "Guests" in 1997, as well as "The Town" in 1998. The turn of the millennium saw the release of "The Walking" in 2000, followed by "The Association" in 2001, "The Return" in 2002, and "The Policy" in 2003. The early 2000s also brought "The Resort" in 2004, "Dispatch" in 2005, and "The Burning" in 2006, further showcasing Little's remarkable productivity and versatility.
The subsequent years saw the publication of "The Vanishing" in 2007, "The Academy" in 2008, and "His Father's Son" in 2009, before concluding with "The Disappearance" in 2010, a testament to Little's unwavering dedication to his craft.
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Biography:
Little is a celebrated author, known for his prolific output and diverse range of literary works. With a career spanning over two decades, he has established himself as a prominent figure in the literary world.
Noted author Little has had his short stories compiled into various esteemed collections, one of which is the venerable "Murmurous Haunts", a publication that dates back to the year 1997. This illustrious collection has also garnered a prestigious nomination from the renowned Bram Stoker Awards, a testament to its exceptional quality and enduring appeal.
In addition to his individual accomplishments, Little has collaborated with other prominent authors in the genre, such as the celebrated Douglas Clegg, the accomplished Christopher Golden, and the esteemed Tom Piccirilli, in the creation of "Four Dark Nights", another notable collection released in the year 2002.
Noteworthy among the extensive repertoire of Little's literary works is the captivating tale, "The Washingtonians", which has been expertly reimagined as a television episode for the esteemed series "Masters of Horror", initially airing in the year 2005. This television adaptation, helmed by the visionary director Peter Medak, boasted an impressive cast, featuring the accomplished actor Johnathon Schaech in a standout performance.
With an unwavering commitment to authenticity, Little boldly declares his unrelenting passion for crafting horror fiction, refusing to cloak his work under more ambiguous labels such as "dark fantasy" or "dark suspense" that might dilute its inherent terror. This unapologetic approach, a hallmark of his artistic identity, has ultimately led to his remarkable discovery by the esteemed author Dean R. Koontz, thereby propelling him to a position of prominence within the horror genre, where his unflinching dedication to the craft has earned him a reputation as a master of the macabre.
