Ghostly Things - a Halloween horror illustration by artist Duncan Long

“Ghostly Things” by horror artist Duncan Long

Ghost are terrifying to even think about. Generally they’re seen as the spirits of the dead, trapped between worlds due to something that went amiss when they died. Perhaps an even more terrifying theory is that they’re really demons posing as dead souls to trick human beings in a variety of ways; it isn’t your Uncle Charlie talking to you in the seance, but a demon intent on doing you harm.

Either way, frightening stuff.

And definitely the material that has enabled story tellers to keep more than a few children awake at night with the sheets pulled up over their heads.

So for those who like Halloween and horror tales — as well as a few English Christmas stories like Dickens’ The Christmas Carol (written when it was an old English tradition to tell ghost stories during the Christmas holidays) — here are a few of my illustrations, offered for those wanting to think (and perhaps have nightmares) along these ancient traditions.

And, of course, with the hope that eventually one or more of these will grace the cover of a horror novel or the like.

Ghost Story horror book artwork by illustrator Duncan Long

“Ghost Story” by illustrator Duncan Long

Spiritual Matters Halloween book artist and illustrator Duncan Long

“Spiritual Matters” by illustrator Duncan Long

"Witching Hour" by book illustrator Duncan Long

“The Witching Hour” by artist / illustrator Duncan Long

Ghost Train Halloween book artist and illustrator Duncan Long

“Ghost Train” by illustrator Duncan Long

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Duncan Long is an illustrator who has created horror artwork for a number of publishing houses as well as many self-publishing authors and indie presses. Visit his Online Portfolio of Book Cover Artwork and Illustrations to see more of his work.