SOLVED. Horror short story, from anthology? someone goes in search of the roots or reality of an Appalachian song *Spoilers* [s]

[[deleted user]]

Idk but I think the author of Who Fears The Devil which is Manly Wade Wellman is a possibility. I have come across his work in "horror' anthologies and he writes of the Appalachian trail. He sings songs and travels with a guitar.

Here is a bibliography: http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?803

p.s. I linked that particular book above because it has a good description of him and his popular work/series.

ETA: there are some free stories online of his http://www.freesfonline.de/authors/Ma... (just click on the story name, you don't have to download them to read. and fyi i can't see a story for this one, just a picture John the Balladeer)

[``Laurie]

Sharyn McCrumb is the author of a series of books about Appalachia so you might want to look over her books.

[Peter]

Manly Wade Wellman wrote into the 80s, but this sounds more pure horror than most of his stuff. It sounds an awful lot like the sort of plot his hero John would foil, rather than fall for. And John would definitely know what “hollar” meant.

David Drake wrote some pure horror, and he wrote some stories similar to those of Wellman, who was his friend. I’m not sure he ever wrote any that were both, but it might be worth looking at his list of stories at ISFDB.

http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?277

[``Laurie]

I wanted to add that Sharyn McCrumb has written several novels where she brings to life the old tales of Appalachian folk lore.

[[deleted user]]

Peter wrote: "...It sounds an awful lot like the sort of plot his hero John would foil, rather than fall for...."

haha your words made me go back and read the OPs whole comment and yeah I agree, he is our hero that would not happen to him. oops. :)

[Krazykiwi]

I really want to say this might be Joyce Carol Oates, possibly something from the collection Haunted: Tales of the Grotesque but I can't find my copy to confirm.

[Melanti]

``Laurie wrote: "I wanted to add that Sharyn McCrumb has written several novels where she brings to life the old tales of Appalachian folk lore."

Which would be this series: https://www.goodreads.com/series/4297...

But they're not horror novels. They're more historical fiction based on ballads.

She has another series of murder mysteries, but those don't really deal with the ballads as much.

[``Laurie]

I haven't read all of her books so I wasn't certain about the 'horror' element being present or lacking.

You're welcome.

[Rosa]

Great! The Best Horror of the Year Volume Four