Fans of horror fiction were saddened this afternoon to hear of the passing of horror author Jack Ketchum, whose real name was Dallas Mayr.
Anyone who has ever picked up a pen or opened a word document in the hopes of creating stomach-turning horror fiction would do well to read Ketchum’s books. His unique style and often graphic and disturbing novels represent the kind of book that sticks with you for a very long time. It was this disturbing content that caught the eyes of filmmakers, as several of his books were adapted to film.
And Ketchum loved it!
Many authors cringe when they see their novels turned into films, but Jack Ketchum loved to see his novels come to life on the big screen. His first novel, Off Season, was published in 1980, and Ketchum soon established a place at the horror masters’ table. His other novels include Offspring, The Girl Next Door, The Lost, The Woman and Red. You can find film adaptations for all of these books and, if you happened to catch last year’s horror anthology XX, you likely remember the segment titled “The Box,” which is based on a Ketchum story.
Jack Ketchum had been battling cancer for some time and he was 71 at the time of his passing.
He’ll be missed by many, but his work will live on in both the written and visual form on screen. Our thoughts go out to Mr. Ketchum’s friends and family.