Picture a Canadian storyteller who turned real-world nightmares into spine-chilling tales—meet Jeremy Bates! Born in Toronto in 1978, this horror maestro has thrilled readers with over a million books sold worldwide. His knack for weaving suspense, mystery, and terror in eerie settings like Japan’s Suicide Forest has earned him comparisons to Stephen King and a loyal global fanbase.
With his 'World’s Scariest Places' and 'World’s Scariest Legends' series, Bates doesn’t just scare—he immerses you in hauntingly real locations and urban myths that linger long after the last page. Ready to dive into his chilling universe?
The Making of Jeremy Bates
Born on July 8, 1978, in Toronto, Jeremy Bates grew up with a passion for storytelling. He honed his craft at the University of Western Ontario, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Philosophy. His love for adventure took him to over 30 countries, from Japan to the Philippines, where he gathered inspiration for his vivid, atmospheric tales. After earning a graduate teaching diploma in Australia, Bates settled on the Gold Coast, balancing his writing with a life of travel and exploration.
His early career was shaped by a fascination with the darker side of human nature. Drawing from global cultures and eerie locales, Bates debuted with White Lies in 2012, a thriller set in Washington’s Cascade Mountains. This marked the start of his journey as a master of horror and suspense, blending psychological depth with heart-pounding narratives.
Jeremy Bates’s Unforgettable Stories
Bates’s signature lies in his ability to ground horror in real-world settings. His 'World’s Scariest Places' series takes readers to infamous sites like Aokigahara, Japan’s Suicide Forest, where restless spirits haunt a group of campers in Suicide Forest (2014). In The Catacombs (2015), the bone-filled tunnels beneath Paris become a claustrophobic nightmare. Island of the Dolls (2016) explores Mexico’s eerie, doll-strewn island, while Mountain of the Dead (2018) tackles the chilling Dyatlov Pass mystery.
His 'World’s Scariest Legends' series dives into urban myths, like The Sleep Experiment (2019), a psychological thriller about a Soviet experiment gone horribly wrong, or Merfolk (2021), a nautical horror that echoes classic creature features. Bates’s style—rich in sensory detail and suspense—blends horror with mystery and science fiction, creating stories that are both terrifying and thought-provoking. His characters, often ordinary people in extraordinary situations, resonate with readers, making every twist more gripping.
With over 20 novels and novellas, Bates’s work has been translated into multiple languages, optioned for film, and praised by outlets like Midwest Book Review for its Stephen King-esque flair. His latest, The No-End House, set for release in July 2025, promises a terrifying escape-room horror in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter.
Why Jeremy Bates Matters
Jeremy Bates has redefined modern horror by making the real world scarier than fiction. His ability to transform actual locations and legends into immersive narratives has captivated a global audience, selling over a million copies. Awards like the Australian Shadows Award, Canadian Arthur Ellis Award, and a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist nod underscore his influence. Bates’s stories don’t just scare—they explore human fears, resilience, and the unknown, resonating with both horror aficionados and casual readers.
His work has also sparked a renewed interest in real-world haunted sites, inspiring readers to explore places like Aokigahara or the Island of the Dolls—albeit from the safety of their armchairs. As a KDP Select All-Star, Bates continues to push the boundaries of horror, proving that the genre can be both entertaining and profound.
- Born: July 8, 1978, Toronto, Canada
- Key Works: Suicide Forest, The Catacombs, The Sleep Experiment, The No-End House
- Awards: Australian Shadows Award, Canadian Arthur Ellis Award, Lou Allin Memorial Award
- Fun Fact: Bates has visited over 30 countries, inspiring his chilling settings!
Snag Suicide Forest and dive into Jeremy Bates’s thrilling world of horror—perfect for a late-night read that’ll keep you up!