Thomas Ligotti - Revision history

Tgaitskell at 10:27, 26 February 2015

2015-02-26T10:27:46Z

Tgaitskell at 10:18, 26 February 2015

2015-02-26T10:18:42Z

Tgaitskell: /* Overview */

2015-02-12T11:29:46Z

‎Overview

Squashua at 20:34, 31 January 2006

2006-01-31T20:34:32Z

Nstalkie at 19:57, 17 January 2006

2006-01-17T19:57:38Z

PoC at 11:39, 11 January 2006

2006-01-11T11:39:16Z

New page

'''Thomas Ligotti''' (born [[July 9]], [[1953]], in Detroit, Michigan) is a [[writer]] of [[Horror fiction|horror]] stories.

Something of a [[cult following|cult figure]], Ligotti is rather little known, but has seen high praise as one of the most effective and unique horror writers of recent decades: The [[The Washington Post]] calls him "the best kept secret in contemporary horror fiction." Another critic declared "It's a skilled writer indeed who can suggest a horror so shocking that one is grateful it was kept offstage."[http://www.iblist.com/author524.htm]

== Overview ==

Ligotti attended [[Macomb County Community College]] between 1971 and 1973 and graduated from [[Wayne State University]] in 1977.

Often favorably compared to [[Edgar Allan Poe]], [[Jorge Luis Borges]], [[Franz Kafka]] and [[H.P. Lovecraft]], Ligotti began his publishing career in the early 1980s with a number of [[short stories]] published in various American [[small press]] magazines.

His unique and affecting tales gathered a small following. Ligotti's relative anonymity and reclusiveness led to speculation about his identity: Was Ligotti a [[pseudonym]] used by a prominent literary writer? Were his stories in fact collaborations of multiple authors? In an introduction to her collection ''The Nightmare Factory'', [[Poppy Z. Brite]] mentioned these notions, with a rhetorical question: "Are you out there, Thomas Ligotti?"

In recent years, Ligotti has conducted interviews and disclosed some details of his background. For twenty-three years Ligotti worked as an Associate Editor at Gale Research (now the [[Gale Group]]), a publishing company that produces compilations of literary (and other) research. In the summer of 2001, Ligotti quit his job at the Gale Group and moved to south Florida. His favorite music is generally [[instrumental rock]]. Nevertheless there are still some who question Ligotti's actual existence and--in a fittingly Ligottian notion--claim these biographical details are part of an extended literary conspiracy.

Ligotti's [[worldview]] has been described as profoundly [[nihilism|nihilistic]] (though he's wary of the label, stating "'Nihilist' is a name that other people call you. No intelligent person has ever described or thought of himself as a nihilist."[http://www.darkmoonrising.com/issues/jun02/?file=ligotti]), and has stated he has suffered from [[anxiety disorder|anxiety]] for much of his life; these have been prominent themes in his work.

Ligotti generally avoids the [[splatterpunk|explicit violence]] common in some recent horror fiction, preferring to establish an intensely disquieting, [[pessimism|pessimistic]] atmosphere through the use of subtlety and repetition. He has cited [[Vladimir Nabokov]], [[Thomas Bernhard]], [[Edgar Allan Poe]], [[Bruno Schulz]], [[E. M. Cioran]] and [[William S. Burroughs]] among his favorite [[writer]]s. There are similarities between some of Ligotti's work and the subtly disturbing stories of [[Robert Aickman]], as well. [[H.P. Lovecraft]] is also an important touchstone for Ligotti: At least one story (most blatantly "Sect of the Idiot") makes explicit reference to Lovecraft's [[Cthulhu Mythos]], and another, "The Last Feast of the Harlequin", was dedicated to Lovecraft.

Ligotti has explored [[metafiction]]al notions in several stories: "Notes on the Writing of Horror" and "Professor Nobody's Little Lectures on Supernatural Horror." Both begin as advice for prospective writers of [[horror fiction]], but gradually become uniquely Ligottian exercises in quietly disturbing [[fiction]].

Ligotti has stated he prefers [[short stories]] to longer forms, both as a reader and writer, though he has recently written a [[novella]], ''My Work Is Not Yet Done''.

Ligotti has collaborated with the musical group [[Current 93]] on several albums: ''In A Foreign Town, In A Foreign Land''; ''This Degenerate Little Town''; and ''I Have A Special Plan For This World''.

A critical analysis of Ligotti's work can be found in [[S. T. Joshi]]'s book ''The Modern Weird Tale'' (2001).

== Reviews ==
Critical opinion of Ligotti has generally been favorable.

*[[The New York Times]] Book Review: "If there were a literary genre called '[[philosophy|philosophical]] horror,' Thomas Ligotti's ''Grimscribe'' would easily fit within it...provocative images and a style that is both entertaining and [[lyric]]al;" [http://room23.de/1192.html]

== Awards ==
Ligotti has received many awards and nominations for his work:

* [[1982]]: Small Press Writers and Artists Organization, Best Author of Horror/Weird Fiction: "The Chymist"
* [[1986]]: [[Rhysling Awards|Rhysling Award]], from Science Fiction Poetry Association (nomination): "One Thousand Painful Variations Performed Upon Divers Creatures Undergoing the Treatment of Dr. Moreau, Humanist"
* [[1991]]: World Fantasy Award for Best Short Fiction (nomination): "The Last Feast of Harlequin"
* [[1992]]: World Fantasy Award for Best Collection (nomination): ''Grimscribe: His Lives and Works''
* [[1997]]: World Fantasy Award for Best Collection (nomination): ''The Nightmare Factory''
* [[1995]]: [[Bram Stoker Award for Best Short Fiction]] (nomination): "The Bungalow House"
* [[1996]]: [[Bram Stoker Award for Best Fiction Collection]]:''The Nightmare Factory''
* [[1996]]: [[Bram Stoker Award for Best Long Fiction]] "The Red Tower"
* [[2002]]: [[Bram Stoker Award for Best Long Fiction]]: "My Work Is Not Yet Done"
* [[2002]]: International Horror Guild Award, Long Form Category: "My Work Is Not Yet Done"

==Books==
*''[[Songs of a Dead Dreamer]]'' ([[1986]], [[1989]])
*''Grimscribe: His Lives and Works'' ([[1991]])
*''Noctuary'' ([[1994]])
*''The Agonizing Resurrection of Victor Frankenstein and Other Gothic Tales'' ([[1994]])
*''The Nightmare Factory'' ([[1996]])
*''In a Foreign Town, in a Foreign Land'' ([[1996]], with [[Current 93]])
*''I Have a Special Plan for This World'' ([[1997]])
*''This Degenerate Little Town'' ([[2001]], with [[Current 93]])
*''My Work Is Not Yet Done: Three Tales of Corporate Horror'' ([[2002]])
*''Crampton: A Screenplay'' ([[2003]], with [[Brandon Trenz]])
*''Sideshow, and Other Stories'' ([[2003]])
*''Death Poems'' ([[2004]])
*''The Shadow at the Bottom of the World'' ([[2005]])
*''Teatro Grottesco'' ([[2005]])

*''The Thomas Ligotti Reader: Essays and Explorations'' ([[2003]]), edited by Darrell Schweitzer. A collection of essays about Ligotti's work, which includes one by Ligotti on the horror genre, a Ligotti interview, and a bibliography of his published works.

==External links==
*[http://www.ligotti.net/ Thomas Ligotti Online]
*[http://www.darkmoonrising.com/issues/jun02/?file=ligotti A 2002 interview with Ligotti]
*[http://www.fantasticmetropolis.com/show.html?iw.ligotti Literature Is Entertainment or It Is Nothing], a long, in-depth interview conducted by Neddal Ayad.
*[http://lovecraft.cjb.net "The Ultimate Mythos Book List"] - Listing of all Cthulhu mythos novels, anthologies, collections, comic books, and more.
*[http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/authors/Thomas_Ligotti.htm Listing of his works]

[[Category:1953 births|Ligotti, Thomas]]
[[Category:American writers|Ligotti, Thomas]]
[[Category:Horror writers|Ligotti, Thomas]]
[[Category:People from Michigan|Ligotti, Thomas]]

Original Wiki source: [http://en.wikipedia.org/ Wikipedia]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 '''Thomas Ligotti''' (born July 9, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan) is a writer of horror stories.
-Something of a cult figure, Ligotti is rather little known, but has seen high praise as one of the most effective and unique horror writers of recent decades: The The Washington Post calls him "the best kept secret in contemporary horror fiction." Another critic declared "It's a skilled writer indeed who can suggest a horror so shocking that one is grateful it was kept offstage."[http://www.iblist.com/author524.htm]
+Something of a cult figure, Ligotti is rather little known, but has seen high praise as one of the most effective and unique horror writers of recent decades: The The Washington Post calls him "the best kept secret in contemporary horror fiction." Another critic declared "It's a skilled writer indeed who can suggest a horror so shocking that one is grateful it was kept offstage."
 == Overview ==
-Ligotti attended [[Macomb County Community College]] between 1971 and 1973 and graduated from [[Wayne State University]] in 1977.
+Ligotti attended Macomb County Community College between 1971 and 1973 and graduated from Wayne State University in 1977.
-Often favorably compared to [[Edgar Allan Poe]], [[Jorge Luis Borges]], [[Franz Kafka]] and [[H.P. Lovecraft]], Ligotti began his publishing career in the early 1980s with a number of [[short stories]] published in various American [[small press]] magazines.
+Often favorably compared to [[Edgar Allan Poe]], [[Jorge Luis Borges]], [[Franz Kafka]] and [[H.P. Lovecraft]], Ligotti began his publishing career in the early 1980s with a number of short stories published in various American small press magazines.
-His unique and affecting tales gathered a small following. Ligotti's relative anonymity and reclusiveness led to speculation about his identity: Was Ligotti a [[pseudonym]] used by a prominent literary writer? Were his stories in fact collaborations of multiple authors? In an introduction to her collection ''The Nightmare Factory'', [[Poppy Z. Brite]] mentioned these notions, with a rhetorical question:  "Are you out there, Thomas Ligotti?"
+His unique and affecting tales gathered a small following. Ligotti's relative anonymity and reclusiveness led to speculation about his identity: Was Ligotti a pseudonym used by a prominent literary writer? Were his stories in fact collaborations of multiple authors? In an introduction to her collection ''The Nightmare Factory'', [[Poppy Z. Brite]] mentioned these notions, with a rhetorical question:  "Are you out there, Thomas Ligotti?"
-In recent years, Ligotti has conducted interviews and disclosed some details of his background. For twenty-three years Ligotti worked as an Associate Editor at Gale Research (now the [[Gale Group]]), a publishing company that produces compilations of literary (and other) research. In the summer of 2001, Ligotti quit his job at the Gale Group and moved to south Florida. His favorite music is generally [[instrumental rock]]. Nevertheless there are still some who question Ligotti's actual existence and--in a fittingly Ligottian notion--claim these biographical details are part of an extended literary conspiracy.
+In recent years, Ligotti has conducted interviews and disclosed some details of his background. For twenty-three years Ligotti worked as an Associate Editor at Gale Research (now the Gale Group), a publishing company that produces compilations of literary (and other) research. In the summer of 2001, Ligotti quit his job at the Gale Group and moved to south Florida. His favorite music is generally instrumental rock. Nevertheless there are still some who question Ligotti's actual existence and--in a fittingly Ligottian notion--claim these biographical details are part of an extended literary conspiracy.
-Ligotti's [[worldview]] has been described as profoundly [[nihilism|nihilistic]] (though he's wary of the label, stating "'Nihilist' is a name that other people call you. No intelligent person has ever described or thought of himself as a nihilist."[http://www.darkmoonrising.com/issues/jun02/?file=ligotti]), and has stated he has suffered from [[anxiety disorder|anxiety]] for much of his life; these have been prominent themes in his work.
+Ligotti's worldview has been described as profoundly nihilistic (though he's wary of the label, stating "'Nihilist' is a name that other people call you. No intelligent person has ever described or thought of himself as a nihilist." and has stated he has suffered from anxiety for much of his life; these have been prominent themes in his work.
-Ligotti generally avoids the [[splatterpunk|explicit violence]] common in some recent horror fiction, preferring to establish an intensely disquieting, [[pessimism|pessimistic]] atmosphere through the use of subtlety and repetition. He has cited [[Vladimir Nabokov]], [[Thomas Bernhard]], [[Edgar Allan Poe]], [[Bruno Schulz]], [[E. M. Cioran]] and [[William S. Burroughs]] among his favorite [[writer]]s. There are similarities between some of Ligotti's work and the subtly disturbing stories of [[Robert Aickman]], as well. [[H.P. Lovecraft]] is also an important touchstone for Ligotti: At least one story (most blatantly "Sect of the Idiot") makes explicit reference to Lovecraft's [[Cthulhu Mythos]], and another, "The Last Feast of the Harlequin", was dedicated to Lovecraft.
+Ligotti generally avoids the explicit violence common in some recent horror fiction, preferring to establish an intensely disquieting, pessimistic atmosphere through the use of subtlety and repetition. He has cited [[Vladimir Nabokov]], [[Thomas Bernhard]], [[Edgar Allan Poe]], [[Bruno Schulz]], [[E. M. Cioran]] and [[William S. Burroughs]] among his favorite writers. There are similarities between some of Ligotti's work and the subtly disturbing stories of [[Robert Aickman]], as well. [[H.P. Lovecraft]] is also an important touchstone for Ligotti: At least one story (most blatantly "Sect of the Idiot") makes explicit reference to Lovecraft's [[Cthulhu Mythos]], and another, "The Last Feast of the Harlequin", was dedicated to Lovecraft.
-Ligotti has explored [[metafiction]]al notions in several stories: "Notes on the Writing of Horror" and "Professor Nobody's Little Lectures on Supernatural Horror." Both begin as advice for prospective writers of [[horror fiction]], but gradually become uniquely Ligottian exercises in quietly disturbing [[fiction]].
+Ligotti has explored metafictional notions in several stories: "Notes on the Writing of Horror" and "Professor Nobody's Little Lectures on Supernatural Horror." Both begin as advice for prospective writers of horror fiction, but gradually become uniquely Ligottian exercises in quietly disturbing fiction.
-Ligotti has stated he prefers [[short stories]] to longer forms, both as a reader and writer, though he has recently written a [[novella]], ''My Work Is Not Yet Done''.
+Ligotti has stated he prefers short stories to longer forms, both as a reader and writer, though he has recently written a novella, ''My Work Is Not Yet Done''.
-Ligotti has collaborated with the musical group [[Current 93]] on several albums: ''In A Foreign Town, In A Foreign Land''; ''This Degenerate Little Town''; and ''I Have A Special Plan For This World''.
+Ligotti has collaborated with the musical group Current 93 on several albums: ''In A Foreign Town, In A Foreign Land''; ''This Degenerate Little Town''; and ''I Have A Special Plan For This World''.
 The story "The Journal of J.P. Drapeau" is presented as a player handout in the scenario "In a City of Bells and Towers" from the [[Horror on the Orient Express]] campaign for the [[Call of Cthulhu role-playing game]].
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 Critical opinion of Ligotti has generally been favorable.
-*[[The New York Times]] Book Review: "If there were a literary genre called '[[philosophy|philosophical]] horror,' Thomas Ligotti's ''Grimscribe'' would easily fit within it...provocative images and a style that is both entertaining and [[lyric]]al;" [http://room23.de/1192.html]
+*The New York Times Book Review: "If there were a literary genre called 'philosophical horror,' Thomas Ligotti's ''Grimscribe'' would easily fit within it...provocative images and a style that is both entertaining and lyrical;"
@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 Ligotti has received many awards and nominations for his work:
-* [[1982]]: Small Press Writers and Artists Organization, Best Author of Horror/Weird Fiction: "The Chymist"
+* 1982: Small Press Writers and Artists Organization, Best Author of Horror/Weird Fiction: "The Chymist"
-* [[1986]]: [[Rhysling Awards|Rhysling Award]], from Science Fiction Poetry Association (nomination): "One Thousand Painful Variations Performed Upon Divers Creatures Undergoing the Treatment of Dr. Moreau, Humanist"
+* 1986: Rhysling Award, from Science Fiction Poetry Association (nomination): "One Thousand Painful Variations Performed Upon Divers Creatures Undergoing the Treatment of Dr. Moreau, Humanist"
-* [[1991]]: World Fantasy Award for Best Short Fiction (nomination): "The Last Feast of Harlequin"
+* 1991: World Fantasy Award for Best Short Fiction (nomination): "The Last Feast of Harlequin"
-* [[1992]]: World Fantasy Award for Best Collection (nomination): ''Grimscribe: His Lives and Works''
+* 1992: World Fantasy Award for Best Collection (nomination): ''Grimscribe: His Lives and Works''
-* [[1997]]: World Fantasy Award for Best Collection (nomination): ''The Nightmare Factory''
+* 1997: World Fantasy Award for Best Collection (nomination): ''The Nightmare Factory''
-* [[1995]]: [[Bram Stoker Award for Best Short Fiction]] (nomination): "The Bungalow House"
+* 1995: Bram Stoker Award for Best Short Fiction (nomination): "The Bungalow House"
-* [[1996]]: [[Bram Stoker Award for Best Fiction Collection]]:''The Nightmare Factory''
+* 1996: Bram Stoker Award for Best Fiction Collection:''The Nightmare Factory''
-* [[1996]]: [[Bram Stoker Award for Best Long Fiction]] "The Red Tower"
+* 1996: Bram Stoker Award for Best Long Fiction "The Red Tower"
-* [[2002]]: [[Bram Stoker Award for Best Long Fiction]]: "My Work Is Not Yet Done"
+* 2002: Bram Stoker Award for Best Long Fiction: "My Work Is Not Yet Done"
-* [[2002]]: International Horror Guild Award, Long Form Category: "My Work Is Not Yet Done"
+* 2002: International Horror Guild Award, Long Form Category: "My Work Is Not Yet Done"
 ==Books==
-*''[[Songs of a Dead Dreamer]]'' ([[1986]], [[1989]])
+*''Songs of a Dead Dreamer'' (1986, 1989)
-*''Grimscribe: His Lives and Works'' ([[1991]])
+*''Grimscribe: His Lives and Works'' (1991)
-*''Noctuary'' ([[1994]])
+*''Noctuary'' (1994)
-*''The Agonizing Resurrection of Victor Frankenstein and Other Gothic Tales'' ([[1994]])
+*''The Agonizing Resurrection of Victor Frankenstein and Other Gothic Tales'' (1994)
-*''The Nightmare Factory'' ([[1996]])
+*''The Nightmare Factory'' (1996)
-*''In a Foreign Town, in a Foreign Land'' ([[1996]], with [[Current 93]])
+*''In a Foreign Town, in a Foreign Land'' (1996, with Current 93)
-*''I Have a Special Plan for This World'' ([[1997]])
+*''I Have a Special Plan for This World'' (1997)
-*''This Degenerate Little Town'' ([[2001]], with [[Current 93]])
+*''This Degenerate Little Town'' (2001, with Current 93)
-*''My Work Is Not Yet Done: Three Tales of Corporate Horror'' ([[2002]])
+*''My Work Is Not Yet Done: Three Tales of Corporate Horror'' (2002)
-*''Crampton: A Screenplay'' ([[2003]], with [[Brandon Trenz]])
+*''Crampton: A Screenplay'' (2003, with Brandon Trenz)
-*''Sideshow, and Other Stories'' ([[2003]])
+*''Sideshow, and Other Stories'' (2003)
-*''Death Poems'' ([[2004]])
+*''Death Poems'' (2004)
-*''The Shadow at the Bottom of the World'' ([[2005]])
+*''The Shadow at the Bottom of the World'' (2005)
-*''Teatro Grottesco'' ([[2005]])
+*''Teatro Grottesco'' (2005)
-*''The Thomas Ligotti Reader: Essays and Explorations'' ([[2003]]), edited by Darrell Schweitzer. A collection of essays about Ligotti's work, which includes one by Ligotti on the horror genre, a Ligotti interview, and a bibliography of his published works.
+*''The Thomas Ligotti Reader: Essays and Explorations'' (2003), edited by Darrell Schweitzer. A collection of essays about Ligotti's work, which includes one by Ligotti on the horror genre, a Ligotti interview, and a bibliography of his published works.
 ==External links==

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:18, 26 February 2015
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	'''Thomas Ligotti''' (born [[July 9]], [[1953]], in Detroit, Michigan) is a [[writer]] of ~~[[Horror fiction\|~~horror]] stories.	+	'''Thomas Ligotti''' (born July 9, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan) is a writer of horror stories.

−	Something of a ~~[[cult following\|~~cult figure]], Ligotti is rather little known, but has seen high praise as one of the most effective and unique horror writers of recent decades: The [[The Washington Post]] calls him "the best kept secret in contemporary horror fiction." Another critic declared "It's a skilled writer indeed who can suggest a horror so shocking that one is grateful it was kept offstage."[http://www.iblist.com/author524.htm]	+	Something of a cult figure, Ligotti is rather little known, but has seen high praise as one of the most effective and unique horror writers of recent decades: The The Washington Post calls him "the best kept secret in contemporary horror fiction." Another critic declared "It's a skilled writer indeed who can suggest a horror so shocking that one is grateful it was kept offstage."[http://www.iblist.com/author524.htm]

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 The story "The Journal of J.P. Drapeau" is presented as a player handout in the scenario "In a City of Bells and Towers" from the [[Horror on the Orient Express]] campaign for the [[Call of Cthulhu role-playing game]].
-A critical analysis of Ligotti's work can be found in [[S. T. Joshi]]'s book ''The Modern Weird Tale'' (2001).
+A critical analysis of Ligotti's work can be found in [[S.T. Joshi]]'s book ''The Modern Weird Tale'' (2001).
 == Reviews ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:57, 17 January 2006
Line 23:		Line 23:

	Ligotti has collaborated with the musical group [[Current 93]] on several albums: ''In A Foreign Town, In A Foreign Land''; ''This Degenerate Little Town''; and ''I Have A Special Plan For This World''.		Ligotti has collaborated with the musical group [[Current 93]] on several albums: ''In A Foreign Town, In A Foreign Land''; ''This Degenerate Little Town''; and ''I Have A Special Plan For This World''.
		+
		+	The story "The Journal of J.P. Drapeau" is presented as a player handout in the scenario "In a City of Bells and Towers" from the [[Horror on the Orient Express]] campaign for the [[Call of Cthulhu role-playing game]].

	A critical analysis of Ligotti's work can be found in [[S. T. Joshi]]'s book ''The Modern Weird Tale'' (2001).		A critical analysis of Ligotti's work can be found in [[S. T. Joshi]]'s book ''The Modern Weird Tale'' (2001).

@@ Line 74: / Line 74: @@
 *[http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/authors/Thomas_Ligotti.htm Listing of his works]
-[[Category:1953 births|Ligotti, Thomas]]
+Original Wiki source: [http://en.wikipedia.org/ Wikipedia]
-Original Wiki source: [http://en.wikipedia.org/ Wikipedia]
+[[Category:Writers|Ligotti, Thomas]]