Ellen Datlow Quotes

Powerful Ellen Datlow for Daily Growth

About Ellen Datlow

Ellen Datlow, born on December 1, 1949, is an influential American editor of science fiction, fantasy, and horror short stories. Known for her keen eye in discovering new talent and nurturing established authors, she has significantly shaped the genres over four decades. Born and raised in New York City, Datlow's love for reading was kindled early. She spent countless hours at the local library, devouring works of Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, Ray Bradbury, and Shirley Jackson. Her passion for horror and dark fiction was further fueled by her encounters with classic Universal monster movies. After earning a degree in English from Queens College, Datlow began her career as an editor at OMNI Magazine, where she discovered authors like Neil Gaiman, Michael Swanwick, and Connie Willis. In 1986, she joined Tor Books, becoming the editor of their horror line. Here, she published anthologies that showcased emerging talents such as Poppy Z. Brite, Kathe Koja, and Pat Cadigan. In 1992, Datlow moved to Avon Books and later to Simon & Schuster. She returned to Tor in 1998 to edit the annual 'Year's Best Horror Stories.' This anthology series has become a benchmark for excellent short horror fiction. Datlow's editorial work has garnered numerous awards, including World Fantasy Awards and Bram Stoker Awards. She is also a multiple Hugo Award winner for her editing work on the annual 'Best SF: Year's Best Science Fiction' anthology series. Today, Ellen Datlow continues to be a force in publishing, discovering and championing new voices while maintaining her commitment to quality storytelling in horror, fantasy, and science fiction. Her impact extends beyond editing, as she serves on the World Fantasy Award, Bram Stoker Award, and Nebula Award committees.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Fear is an integral part of our lives. It's a warning system that keeps us safe."

This quote suggests that fear, though often perceived as negative, serves a vital role in our lives by acting as an early-warning system to protect us from potential harm or danger. Essentially, fear alerts us to threats, helping us make decisions that ensure our survival and safety.


"Good horror should evoke, unsettle, and disturb. It doesn't have to be gory or filled with jump scares."

Ellen Datlow's quote emphasizes that authentic horror stories aim to provoke an emotional response beyond mere fear. Rather than relying on gratuitous violence or cheap startles, good horror should challenge our perceptions, disturb our sense of safety, and unsettle our comfort zone. It invites readers or viewers to delve deeper into the human psyche, confronting uncomfortable truths about ourselves, society, and the universe.


"Horror is not just about blood and gore; it's also about the human condition."

This quote by Ellen Datlow suggests that horror, as a genre, is not limited to mere depictions of violence or gruesome imagery. Instead, it delves deeply into the complexities of human nature, exploring universal themes such as fear, anxiety, and the darker aspects of our psyche. Horror stories often serve as metaphors for real-life challenges, societal issues, and emotional struggles that people face. By doing so, they offer a unique platform for introspection, helping us confront and better understand ourselves and our world.


"The best ghost stories are the ones that stay with you long after you've read them."

This quote emphasizes the enduring impact of exceptional ghost stories. It suggests that the true measure of a great ghost story lies not only in its ability to scare or entertain during the reading experience but also in its staying power. A truly captivating ghost story lingers in our minds long after we've closed the book, leaving an indelible impression and making us question, reflect, or perhaps even feel a chill down our spine again. Such stories become more than just words on a page; they transcend temporary thrills to haunt our memories and thoughts for years to come.


"We are creatures of habit, and we fear what is different from us."

This quote highlights the human tendency to find comfort in familiarity and to feel apprehensive or uneasy when encountering the unknown or different. It suggests that our habits, routines, and experiences shape our perceptions, biases, and fears, often leading us to view what is foreign or unfamiliar as threatening or intimidating. This observation underscores the importance of empathy, understanding, and open-mindedness in fostering tolerance, acceptance, and growth within society.


Horror isn't only about ghosts or monsters. For example, paranormal romance seems the antithesis of horror. Once you have a sexy, fun vampire who is sweet, and you have a happy ending, it's not horror.

- Ellen Datlow

Horror, Romance, Antithesis, Ending

Dolls fire our collective imagination, for better and - too often - for worse. From life-size dolls the same height as the little girls who carry them, to dolls whose long hair can 'grow' longer, to Barbie and her fashionable sisters, dolls do double duty as child's play and the focus of adult art and adult fear.

- Ellen Datlow

Focus, Play, Barbie, Adult

Dolls, perhaps more than any other object, demonstrate just how thin the line between love and fear, comfort and horror, can be. They are objects of love and sources of reassurance for children, coveted prizes for collectors, sources of terror and horror in numerous movies, television shows, books, and stories.

- Ellen Datlow

Love, Other, Sources, Demonstrate

Horror is edgier. Dark fantasy feels mushier to me. Finding the difference - it's an instinct. And they overlap a lot.

- Ellen Datlow

Fantasy, Horror, Feels, Overlap

Amanda Hocking and Hugh Howey have been successful in their self-publishing ventures. But notice that Hocking would prefer to write and hand over the editing, promotion, and selling to a traditional publisher.

- Ellen Datlow

Over, Been, Prefer, Publisher

I'll read any anthologies or collection I can get my hands on. If I find a book mentioned in 'Publisher's Weekly,' and it looks like it will be dark, I'll track it down.

- Ellen Datlow

Hands, Like, Read, Publisher

I hate being bored when I read a story. Even a well-trod theme can be made fresh by a different perspective or fresh writing.

- Ellen Datlow

Made, Being, Read, Fresh

I generally find fiction without some move to the weird, less imaginative, dull, prosaic. Not all of it, of course, but a lot of it. I suppose it's just a question of taste.

- Ellen Datlow

Question, Some, Move, Dull

I am a collector of dolls and doll parts. I'm rarely creeped out by most dolls, either in real life or in literature, but I know many people who are.

- Ellen Datlow

Real, Doll, Am, Dolls

Despite the fact that he's been dead for over seventy years and his prose considered purple and overwrought by many, H.P. Lovecraft's work is still widely read and has remained influential for generations.

- Ellen Datlow

Over, Been, Prose, Purple

I think most new writers are better off going with traditional publishers who will actually, at a minimum, edit your work, package it well, and market it for you.

- Ellen Datlow

Think, New, I Think, Minimum

I realized very young that I loved reading and wanted to do something related to books/reading for a living. I didn't think of publishing, really, until I was out of college.

- Ellen Datlow

College, Think, Very, Publishing

The genres of the fantastic and the grotesque are far more interesting to me than most mnemonic fiction.

- Ellen Datlow

Fiction, Most, Genres, Grotesque

Editing cannot be taught. Developing your own taste cannot be taught.

- Ellen Datlow

Own, Taste, Taught, Editing

I feel lucky that I get to read and publish stories that are not necessarily overtly horror in 'Best Horror of the Year.'

- Ellen Datlow

Lucky, Stories, Read, Publish

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.