World-famous horror writer Ramsey Campbell invites you to spend Halloween ... with him.

PROLIFIC writer, film critic and biographer Ramsey Campbell is currently working with three different publishers.

That's a lot to talk about.

Like buses, Ramsey books are hitting the road - all at once.

Fans will be thrilled with the news of the output from one of Stephen King's favourite writers.

Titles include: Thirteen Days by Sunset Beach and Think Yourself Lucky (Flame Tree press); The Way of the Worm and By the Light of My Skull (PS Publishing) and The Folio Book of Horror Stories, edited and introduced by Ramsey (the Folio Society).

Ramsey will be marking the releases with an 'intimate' evening event on the very day of Halloween – October 31 at Literally Books in New Brighton

Wallasey-based Ramsey will be giving fans insights into his life and career.

The idea for his latest novel, Thirteen Days by Sunset Beach, came about when he was on a Greek holiday.

A travel guide came out with a single inspirational comment which sparked the basis of the plot.

"I spent the whole break jotting things down in a note book and that came from just one thing when I asked a tour driver why the place was deserted?

"He said 'people get up night and sleep all day," remembers Ramsey.

Much-in-demand Ramsey attends many horror conventions - home and abroad - as well as signing sessions and book readings.

He says he never tires of answering - as best he can - the one consistent question: "where do you get your ideas from?"

"I always say 'everywhere.'

"But each new book has its own origins so the question can be answered differently each time."

Ramsey, who has been writing for more than 50 years, is delighted his forthcoming Literally event falls on Halloween, but says he never really celebrated the occasion apart from there being a pumpkin at home and some ‘duck apple-ing.

"Halloween has Celtic origins and was taken to America by Irish immigrants.

"It has come sort of full circle in Liverpool with its Irish connections.

"I think Halloween was used to lure people in Britain to firework displays."

Ramsey says he hasn't yet seen the Jamie Lee Curtis latest Halloween film sequel – but will.

He enjoyed the recent box office hit Hereditary and praises movies that create a gradual sense of dread.

For many years Ramsey enjoyed his role as a film critic for BBC Radio Merseyside and later wrote a well-respected magazine column.

He certainly rates the work of fellow film critic Mark Kermode, but doesn't always agree with him.

"He actually likes horror films - unlike the late Barry Norman."

Now at his Wirral home, Ramsey has a growing collection of Blue Ray DVDs and a TV with state-of-the-art sound so he doesn't really need to venture out to the pictures as much.

He talks fondly about the late Phoenix Cinema in Wallasey seeing Cary Grant in an An Affair to Remember in 1957.

And he recalls the reactions from audiences during Hitchcock's classic - The Birds at the old Liverpool Odeon in London Road.

Away from horror, Ramsey is researching and writing a biography of the American comedy stars The Three Stooges.

Back to horror, I ask the 72-year-old master wordsmith if he has an all time edge-of-the-seat film favourite.

"Night of the Demon, directed by Jacques Tourneur," he says without hesitation.

"I will be watching it again very soon on Blue Ray and not because I was an extra in it.

"I must say it is quite scary seeing myself in high definition."

Ramsey Campbell is at Literally, 12 Atherton Street, New Brighton. on Wednesday October 31 at 6.30pm.

Tickets are from 07914737887.