Michael Knost
State: West Virginia
Michael Knost (born 1967) is a Chapmanville, West Virginia–based author, editor, and writing teacher specializing in horror and suspense. Known for anthologies like Legends of the Mountain State and his Bram Stoker Award–nominated Mothman Files series, Knost explores regional folklore—Mothman, ghost lore, coal mine hauntings—and often sets his tales against Appalachian backdrops. He also gained acclaim for Writer’s Workshop of Horror, a guide for aspiring writers that earned a Bram Stoker Award for nonfiction. As a former chair of the Horror Writers Association mentorship program, he is influential both as a storyteller and mentor. Knost’s work amplifies Appalachian voices in horror, blending local myth with psychological depth.
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Nonfiction, Paranormal
Audiences: Adult