What do people mean when they say someone is a "cult" writer?

Question

I saw someone refer to Walter Moers (who wrote "The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear") as a cult writer, but I found his bluebear book to be very enjoyable, childlike, and generally fun. I wouldn't link this book with "cult" in my mind. Except maybe the cults of fans. :P

Answer 1

A cult writer generally writes something that is out of the ordinary and they have a certain following - or a cult. Glen Cook is a cult writer. His Garrett books used to be so hot that used paperbacks in lousy condition sold for 40 or 50 bucks. They are now being re released so we can all buy nice new copies. I think Christopher Moore is a cult writer. It usually has to do with a writer who is edgy and offbeat. Pax - C

Answer 2

"Cult" means more that he or she has a very small, very devoted fan base. That particular author wouldn't be on any best-seller lists, not internationally famous (most likely), but VERY popular to a small number of people.
Remember when "Donnie Darko" first came out? Hardly anyone does, but it's certainly gained a following in the few years since. That's just an example from the movies. I'm not sure if I've ever associated a writer with "cult" status.

Sorry, kevanbd, but Rowling and Potter are WAY too well-known to be "cult" in my opinion.

Answer 3

In this sense, cult writer means that the author has a specific following, by a specific group of people, the group is the cult, not the writer

Answer 4

A cult writer is any writer whose work has developed a cult following. J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, would be an example of one. Just like television shows like Family Guy and The Simpsons have "cult followings", writers can too.

Answer 5

I think you answered your own question.

Cult writers are those writer who have a following. People get and read their books because a specific writer wrote it.