Welcome to the Darkive

Rare books and literary archival collections can be fertile ground for academic research, creative inspiration, and documentation of the writing process and publishing industry. Join us for a panel that uncovers how primary source research in the University of Pittsburgh Library System's horror studies collections has been used to generate and inspire both academic and creative works, the processes behind this type of research, and the value that creating your own archive can provide to the next generation of writers and researchers. This panel is sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Library System.

Don't Forget to Like and Subscribe: How to Work with Horror Influencers

Lauded as the modern way to reach readers, book influencers have seen great success with places like BookTok and Bookstagram, where they frequently drive trends. Some influencers have even been able to become acquiring editors in their own right. But is engaging with an influencer the best choice for an author? What kind of etiquette should be expected between authors and influencers? Further, how can authors protect themselves and spot scams? This panel will include discussions on proper behavior, how to deal with problematic influencers, and best practices to establish healthy professional relationships.

Something in the Water: Aquatic Horror

Aquatic horror goes way beyond Jaws. Our fear of what might lurk in the dark water is almost primordial, maybe humanity's first fear. This panel explores the history of aquatic horror in literature and film, and offers a glimpse into what the future may hold.

Meet Your HWA Chapter Chairs

Curious about local chapters? Find out about existing chapters in your area by meeting chairs and secretaries. From critique groups and author events to mentorship and networking, chapters offer a way to make the most of your HWA membership.

Demystifying the Stoker Awards

The Bram Stoker Awards are among the pinnacle of honors bestowed upon horror writers. But what is the process by which the awards are determined? What is a Recommended Reading List, what the heck is a jury, and how can a writer get their works on either, or both? Join this panel of Stoker Award experts who will clarify the award process and answer all of your questions.

Monster Evolutions

The portrayal of creatures in horror has continuously changed to fit styles and tastes of the time. Through the lens of classic film monsters such as vampires, werewolves, and zombies, we will explore how they evolve to fit different times and attitudes. This discussion will further examine how these portrayals have been reinvented in film and on the page as well as what new creatures are on the rise.

A Decade of StokerCon

Join us for a special late night panel to celebrate StokerCon's 10th anniversary!Learn the history of the HWA's annual conference from the people who pioneered it and carried the torch forward-a milestone assembly of con chairs from years past and present. Why did the HWA start StokerCon? What has it come to mean to the HWA and the horror community? Join in the discussion for memorable anecdotes and memories of our favorite event.

Monster Mash 2026

Monster Mash 2026: Horror authors debate which monster would win in a fight!

Adolescent Terrors: Writing Young Adult Horror

Teens have been a staple in the horror genre for its whole existence, but their role as victims vs heroes vs monsters themselves has evolved, creating a breadth of teen portrayals in horror. How do writers go about writing stories about young people? How do Young Adult horror novels differ from Adult horror novels looking back? Join panelists as they discuss the potential of YA horror, its growth over recent years, and more.

Out of the Shadows: the Evolution of Horror into Everyday Life

In the 20th century, horror moved out of the realm of antiquarians, mad scientists, old dark houses, and forgotten villages - and into the modern world! Richard Matheson pioneered the idea of the common man as a horror protagonist in I Am Legend and The Shrinking Man and decades later, Stephen King made the everyman central to the genre with characters such as Carrie White, Jack Torrance, Johnny Smith, Stu Redman, and others living ordinary lives invaded by horrors they never sought or contemplated. Ira Levin wrote about an ordinary young couple starting out in New York City in Rosemary's Baby, and Joyce Carol Oates wrote about teenage murderer Richard Everett in Expensive People. What made this brand of horror so popular. How has it influenced the genre? Did it hold it back creatively or help expand interest to general readers?

Better the Devil You Know: A Panel on the Value of Queer Villians

The Bury Your Gays trope is a great example of how the queer community has been used to advance a plot while being punished for who they are, even when their actions are heroic. Often we feel forced to only represent our queer characters as tokenized heroes. So why not claim our birthright to become a villain? This panel explores why queer creators should present both positive and negative representations of queer characters in horror.

Bloodsplatters: Art, Storytelling, and Horror

It's more important than ever to support visual art made by humans. Join artists, book designers, cover artists and other creators in horror to learn more about their process and inspiration, and also to discuss actionable ways to continue the support of art created by people.

Guest of Honor Spotlight: Speculative Musings: the influence of Linda D. Addison

Guest of Honor Linda D. Addison is one of the most esteemed (and beloved) speculative poets of our time. Join Linda and fellow panelists as we honor her influence, share advice about working collaboratively on projects, discuss the growth of dark poetry, and reflect on the importance of community within horror.

Publishing and Promoting on a Shoestring Budget

Indie presses have gotten slammed the last few years as funding for arts has been pulled in all directions, but we're a scrappy bunch and where there is a will, there is a way. Join panelists as they discuss what resources authors and publishers use to market, publish, promote, and more without a large marketing budget. Together, they'll suggest strategies, actions, and practical tips to keep costs low and how to create more buzz to reach readers.

Female Asian Gothic: Fury and Metamorphosis

Every Gothic fiction wave reflects the anxieties of its time and its cohort. What fears, furies, and transformations have emerged in the recent groundswell of Asian female horror? Join authors and editors as they discuss the influences that have shaped their works, how the female Asian Gothic converges and diverges from other Gothic literature, share recommendations, and explore what's next.

Sell Your Books! Tips and Tricks for Hand-Selling Books

Authors are stereotypically quiet and insular people, working alone most of the time. How can an author best shift focus to meet people at signings, conventions, and events, and more importantly, sell their books? This panel will give authors a solid foundation on tactics and strategies on picking events to sell at, the nuts and bolts of pitching your books to strangers, and pitfalls to avoid for the experienced and inexperienced alike.

Bizarro Fiction: The Wrecking Ball of Weird vs. the Boundaries of Genre

In the early 2000s, a new subgenre peeled itself off of horror and slithered forward, picking up the detritus of other genres on its way. Bizarro fiction is the genre for people who don't like to color inside the lines. Too funny, too weird, too off-beat for traditional horror publishers, the bizarro community coalesced around the same purity of storytelling as children: no boundaries, no limits, and an internal logic that assumed it didn't matter how things would happen in the real world. From surreal lit fiction to pulpy insanity, and weirding up everything from spaghetti westerns to noir, Bizarro has come into its own over the past two decades, but still maintains a strong tie to its roots in the horror scene. How is the Adult Swim of literature helping shape modern horror? Let's talk about that.

Digital Campfires: How Internet Built a New Generation of Readers and Writers

Internet horror has evolved from anonymous forum posts and copy-paste folklore into one of the most powerful pipelines in modern genre storytelling. This panel explores the history of online horror, its roots in urban legend and campfire storytelling, and how digital platforms reshaped craft, readership, and publishing paths. Panelists will discuss what makes internet horror distinct on the page, how community feedback accelerates voice and concept, and how writers can ethically and effectively leverage these spaces today.

Guest of Honor Spotlight: The Writing Life and Building a Career with James Tynion

Join Guest of Honor James Tynion, Clay McLeod Chapman, Hailey Piper, and moderator Erika T. Wurth for a discussion of the writing life, balancing creative and commercial goals, how to connect with readers, and build a successful writing career while realizing your creative visions. Explore how to market your work, protect your copyrights and intellectual properties, and build strong collaborative relationships.

Making Modern Spaces Scary

Dilapidated castles and decrepit asylums? Easy-peasy-horror-trope-squeezy. Many of us love abandoned places for all the scary opportunities they offer, but what about contemporary office high-rises, new-build subdivisions, and corporate pressboard landscapes? They may lack gothic atmosphere, but they're awash in their own beige nightmares. Panelists would discuss the narrative opportunities of these fluorescent and anonymous spaces, showing attendees they can be just as scary as any creaky haunted house

Editing as an Art Form

Most authors know - and many quickly learn - that an editor is more than a simple curator of stories. A good editor can be the difference between a flawed gem and a brilliant masterpiece. What can we gain from viewing the work of editing as an art in its own right? How does the craft of editing vary from place to place? What happens when authors push back on certain edits?

The Ghost in the Margins: Queerness in Gothic Horror

With queer authors such as Mary Shelley and Oscar Wilde at the forefront of the genre, the gothic has long been a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ writers, characters, and readers. From Frankenstein and The Picture of Dorian Gray to The Haunting of Hill House and The Gilda Stories, the genre abounds with tales that are at once transcendent and terrifying. Join our panelists as we discuss our love of the queer gothic and how we employ the gothic tradition in our own work as well as why the gothic is such a perfect outlet for queerness in horror.

Guest of Honor Spotlight: John Shirley, The Nature of Death in Horror Fiction

Join Guest of Honor John Shirley to explore horror writers' relationship to death, as a fact, an anticipation, and beyond. Is death a release or a harvesting? Does the contemplation of death improve the writing of horror? Does horror fiction help readers cope with fear of death?

HWA Open Member Board Meeting

Annual HWA Board Meeting open to the public. Come meet members of the Executive Board and the Board of Trustees. There will be a Q&A section during the meeting.

Uncanny Educators: Learning Horror, Writing Horror

Is it any wonder that the works of authors like Edgar Allan Poe and Shirley Jackson are popular with students and can catch the imagination of potential authors at an early age? This panel explores how horror fiction can help turn readers into writers--and how teachers and well-meaning family can encourage the process. Horror fiction helps introduce us to techniques of atmosphere, suspense, and world-building, additionally lending itself well to the creative joys of imitation and parody. Panelists will discuss reading approaches and teaching strategies that have helped them mentor students to become successful horror writers.

The Legacy of Dell Abyss

The acclaimed Abyss Books line of the early-mid 1990s brought underground experimentalism and literary existentialism into mass market horror, generating a half-decade of award-winning books and influential stories. The publisher launched the careers of writers like Poppy Z. Brite, Kathe Koja, and Robert Devereaux, while expanding the canon of the genre by featuring women and LGBTQ authors, as well as other writers working from the fringes. This panel will mark the 35th anniversary of the imprint by reflecting on the line's history and impact and how it fit in with the broader mass market horror trends of the 1990s.

Guest of Honor Spotlight: Rachel Harrison's Character Driven Narratives

Join Rachel Harrison, Nat Cassidy, CJ Leede, and Agatha Andrews as they discuss Rachel's craft of character-driven narratives. They will deep dive into her voice, vulnerability, courage, and the appeal of her characters to fans from all genres, as well as the space she has carved for herself as a woman in Horror.

The Black Gothic in America

With an eye towards the gothic as a literary genre, "The Black Gothic in America" will explore recent growth in popularity and readership for gothic works written by Black authors, particularly of the Black Southern gothic in the vein of Ryan Coogler's Sinners, which smashed 2025 box office records. This panel will discuss both classic and contemporary Black gothic works, their importance in shaping the genre, and more.

Lifetime Achievement Award Spotlight: The Devil's in the Details: writing to a theme with Lisa Morton

Is it possible to write to the theme for a submission call, but maintain your own voice? In this panel, Lifetime Achievement Award winner Lisa Morton, Kate Maruyama, Jo Kaplan, and Rena Mason explore the art and nuance of crafting prose to a theme, whether in fiction or non-fiction, short story or essay, whether it be for a themed anthology or a full-length work-for-hire book.

The Roots of Dark Poetry

This panel will explore the history of dark poetry and pay homage to the macabre voices who conjured and wrote some of our favorite verses today. From the political turmoil of Dante Alighieri to the mystical visions of W.B. Yeats, to the confessional trauma of Sylvia Plath and the surreal nightmares of Alejandra Pizarnik, panelists will discuss theme, style, and voice while comparing/contrasting them against their contemporaries to see what horrors still plague us and what new terrors are beginning to rear their heads.

Guest of Honor Spotlight: From Sexual Decadence to Dire Loneliness: A Range of Relationship-Driven Horror with Billy Martin (Poppy Z. Brite)

Join Guest of Honor Billy Martin, Eric Larocca, Victoria Dalpe, and moderator Eric J. Guignard as they discuss the range of relationships in emotionally-resonant horror fiction - particularly in Billy's own work - of longing, sexual exploration, intense romantic connections, tragic trysts, and abject loneliness in absence of it all.

Mary Shelley's Monster: the Legacy of Frankenstein

When Mary Shelley published Frankenstein in 1818, she unleashed a monster onto the world that is still making its mark. The first dramatic adaptation of Frankenstein was staged only six years later in 1824. Today, with hundreds of adaptations in film, graphic novels, music, and the stage, plus many novels and short stories adding to the Monster's legend, the story remains one of the most fascinating creations in all of dark literature. This panel will discuss what makes the Monster so enduring and compelling, the best and worst offspring of the novel, and why the ideas and themes remain relevant today.

When Horror Crosses the Line: the Rise of Genre-Blending Fear

Horror is increasingly colliding with neighboring genres - thriller, romance, fantasy, and literary fiction - to create stories that are as emotionally intimate as they are terrifying. This panel explores why horror hybrids are dominating the current market, how writers balance multiple genre expectations, and what blending genres unlocks in terms of theme, audience, and tension. Panelists will discuss craft techniques, publishing trends, and how horror can amplify love stories, mysteries, and high-stakes suspense.

We are all Sinners: Southern Horror from the Mississippi Delta and Beyond

Using Ryan Coogler's Oscar-winning film SINNERS as a spring board, this panel will explore themes of race, poverty, and religion. Moderated by a Delta native of mixed heritage who grew up four counties above the setting of the film, and featuring authors forged by the South and its landscapes, together they will explore the universal truths of a "post-colonial" society within stories entirely unique to the Deep South. We gather here for the ancestors.

Guest of Honor Spotlight: Herding Three-Eyed Cats: editing weird fiction with Ann Vandermeer

Join Guest of Honor Ann VanderMeer, Ellen Datlow, Eric Guignard, and moderator John Langan for a deep dive into the weird and what goes into editing and publishing weird fiction.

Nonbinary Authors in Horror

Nonbinary identities have a nuanced and complex history, especially within the world of horror where characters who don't fit into the binary are often mistreated. It's important to make space for an often marginalized and looked over corner of horror, and to discuss why nonbinary characters belong in horror. After all, horror is the best space to push boundaries and definitions. Join panelists as they discuss if/how gender roles play into their work, themes they like to explore within horror, how nonbinary characters in horror can engage readers in unique ways, and more.

Hopeful Nihilism: How Cosmic Horror Can Inspire

Cosmic horror is often thought of as the darkest sub-genre, of deep, existential, looming doom. However, the most dread-filled stories can serve as a vehicle for themes of love, hope, and joy. This panel will spotlight the fullest possibilities of the booming sub-genre.

Why Graphic Horror Matters: Horror Comics from E.C. Comics to Something is Killing the Children

No other mainstream genre of comic books has been as widely banned and panned than horror comics during the 100+ year history of the medium. From the infamous pre-code horror comics that led to a shocking incident of industry self-censorship to the boundary-pushing horror magazines of the 70s and 80s to to contemporary horror series that make horror one of the most popular comic book genres today, our panelists will discuss the history of sequential art scares and why these comics matter, from E.C. Comics to Something Is Killing the Children and beyond. Why do horror comics invite so much controversy and why do they persist in popularity against all odds?

The Past is Now: Modern Folk and Gothic Horror

How do today's writers engage with folk and gothic traditions we grew up loving, while forging our own paths? From conventional tales to transcendent modern expressions, these subgenres have created frameworks for discourse from many perspectives and experiences, including worldwide storytelling that predate categorizations. This panel will explore how these subgenres have been understood, how they have evolved, and how modern authors continue to enrich and redefine these traditions.

We've Always Been Here: Transgender Imagery and Characters Throughout Horror History

Transgender imagery and gender nonconformity have played a significant and long-running role in horror's history, from 19th century gothic novels to Psycho and Sleepaway Camp to the glorious explosion of trans horror over the last several years. Panelists will look back on this history and consider how it has helped shape the genre, what past representations work for us, and which might better serve as an example of what not to do? We'll also consider what the future holds for Trans and Gender non-conforming (GNC) horror, given the uptick in global transphobia and the capacity of the genre to provide power through transgression. Join panelists as they reflect on, critique, and celebrate the history, present, and future of Trans Horror.

Abridge to Terror: The Horror Short Story

Short stories are more than just stepping stones in an author's journey. They allow writers to hone their craft, experiment with structure and point of view, and are a strong way to connect with editors and publishers. Short stories can also help writers achieve Active Membership in the HWA, and they build up the potential for an eventual collection. Join panelists to discuss how short stories helped strengthen their craft and career, why this length works so well for horror, and what makes a story stand out.

A Psychotropic Medium: Reanimating the Horror Novella

Novellas, once viewed as difficult sales, seem to be having a resurgence within horror from both indie and traditional publishers. What is it about this format that attracts horror writers? How have sales really been for novellas? Join panelists as they discuss tips for writing strong novellas, why this format fits horror so well, and more.

Sludging Through Doom: Heavy Metal and Horror History

Good horror disturbs and distorts reality with all the fuzz of a heavy metal guitar pedal. And metal music, for its part, has long drawn inspiration from the genre of the supernatural and occult. In "Sludging through Doom," panelists will explore how the horror genre has intersected with heavy metal music across time and how horror writers continue to derive inspiration from the scary music genre, banging their heads as they bang stories out on their keyboards.

Little Bookshop of Horrors: Working with Indie Booksellers

If you've ever wondered how to get your book on the shelves of a bookstore, especially your favorite local indie store, this panel is for you. Discussion will cover how to engage with booksellers, how to get an event, what to expect, proper etiquette, as well as additional do's and don'ts.

You Can't Get There From Here: Tales of Weird Pittsburgh

Welcome to Pittsburgh! Join our panelists as they bathe our Convention city in unholy and horror-worthy light. What mysteries hide in the alleyways of the Southside? Is there real magic at the convergence of three rivers? Can you feel the pull of the Fourth River? How many cemeteries have you haunted? How many bridges and tunnels does one city need? What cryptids, legends, ghosts, or maniacs haunt our Rust Belt abode. Hear from Pittsburgh horror writers who have been influenced by the often uncanny history, folklore, cultural oddities, and decaying buildings surrounded by an urban wilderness.

Closing Ceremonies

Closing out StokerCon 2026!

The Forest is Weird and We are Gay

The Intersection of Queerness and Ecology in Horror Fiction. This panel explores how queer authors have brought fresh takes to the longstanding trope of the dark woods and the unknown in nature.

Pretty in Pink, Covered in Blood

Pink Horror. Love the term or hate it, these two words represent a continuum of tales from gothic classics like The Yellow Wallpaper to contemporary works like Carmen Maria Machado’s Her Body and Other Parties, and films like The Ugly Stepsister. In this panel, we’ll discern Feminist from Pink by exploring horror born of women’s societal pressures and tropes subverted to expose female experience. Let’s talk female rage at any age!

Author Reading: Chris Kauzlarich from Moody Road

HWA Diversity Grant recipients

Recipients of this year's HWA Diversity Grants share their thoughts on the award. Introduced by Linda D Addison.

Creating and Developing Compelling Characters and Worlds

Join LAA recipient Jonathan Maberry and others for a discussion of what makes characters fascinating and memorable, especially over time in a series. Explore ideas and techniques for building worlds that readers want to visit again and again, and characters they love to spend time with. How can authors grow characters and keep them interesting over multiple books and years?

Author Reading: Stevie Morley from Carrion Flock

Author Reading: Melissa Bobe from "Necromancy"

Author Reading: Denise N. Tapscott from Enlightening of the Damned

Author Reading: Sèphera Girón from Wishful Thinking

Author Reading: Rook Riley from Take Me Instead

Author Reading: Robin Knabel from Of Beasts & Bones

Author Reading: Alex Tucker from “Afraid to Feel”

Author Reading: Annie Neugebauer from "The Baby"

Author Reading: Lisa Morton from "The Witch at Midnight"

Author Reading: Geneve Flynn from "A Box of Hair and Nail"

Author Reading: KA Schultz from PÔËTÍQUE

Author Reading: Mark Leslie from "One Hand Screaming"

HorrorMance!

What do horror and romance have in common? Turns out a lot. From Gothic romance to dark, twisted love stories, horror romance can give readers and audiences stories that will rip their hearts out, in more ways than one.

Writing Horror Comics

This panel gives writers insight on crossing over from prose to comics, including what artists need from writers to make a successful collaboration. We'll also discuss the challenges of breaking into the comics industry establishment vs self-publishing via crowdfunding.

Evolution of the Chapbook

Our panel of publishers explores the meaning, the market, and the magic of chapbooks! What constitutes a chapbook? Who is the target audience, and how do chapbooks uniquely benefit their authors? We take a quick look at the history of chapbooks from the sixteenth century to the present day.

Women and Werewolves: Exploring Female Rage through Monstrosity

Exploring the werewolf through a feminist lens. Discussing topics such as pregnancy, queerness, violence against women, female rage, and gender stereotypes/norms, this panel of contributors will seek to provide context and discourse towards why women deserve a seat at the table with this monster, and other shapeshifters like them.

"I'm the Problem, It's Me”: Writing Unreliable Narrators

This panel discusses different types of unreliable narrators, the ways unreliable narrators can be used to great effect in horror storytelling, as well as what it's like to write in that headspace, and advice on how to craft an unreliable narrator.

The Horror Boom: On the Rise in Horror Popularity

Lately you’ve likely heard people saying that horror is experiencing a boom, or a golden age. That horror is hot. To get to the bottom of what is really going on, we have assembled a panel of horror professionals. Possessing a spectrum of experience including librarianing, writing, editing, publishing, podcasting, influencing, and more - and totaling decades or work in the field, this panel is preposterously qualified to finally answer, on the record: Are we in a golden age of horror?

Asexual and Aromantic Perspectives in Horror

Let’s explore how asexual and aromantic perspectives can reshape horror by challenging traditional narratives of desire, romance, and intimacy. We’ll discuss how these identities open new possibilities for fear, tension, and character depth in speculative and horror fiction.

The State of the Short

The state of short story publishing, both collections and singular stories, in 2025/26. We would discuss publishing venues that are open/ones that have closed, how to navigate this shifting landscape, how to build a community in the short story field, what work we are excited about these days, and lots of recommendations. Not sure who'd I'd ask, but I would like for it to be a mix of newer and established authors.

Sun-Bleached Gothic

While traditional gothic tropes have become well entrenched in the horror genre, contemporary authors have expanded the gothic into nontraditional landscapes such as beaches and deserts. Join our panelists as they discuss setting the gothic in places from Florida to California and beyond.

I see the future and it's horrific

This panel of editors and agents predict where the horror genre is going in the next few years.

Print! How to Successfully Adapt Horror to Film

Three authors discuss the process of adapting horror fiction to the screen, with three filmmakers who are doing just that!

Writing For Horror Games

Horror games require a deft hand to build atmosphere and tension, and like all games (whether video game or tabletop rpg), narrative is far more than just "writing the dialogue." How does one write for a horror game, what narrative tricks and techniques work? How does narrative intersect with art and mechanics to create atmosphere and scares in effective ways? And what is missing from the horror genre that we should hope (or fear!) in works to come?

So You Want to Edit an Anthology

Many authors dream of editing their own anthology, but what does it actually take to cross the line from author to editor? What unique challenges arise from blurring these boundaries and wearing both hats? Join panelists as they discuss navigating the potential obstacles and social barriers of being both authors and editors.

Becoming a Juggernaut: the Benefits and Pitfalls of Large-scale Success

Obviously success comes with benefits, like not having to pitch the same way and making more income, but what about being able to turn off your inner critic when you know you have a built-in audience? Or managing your time to write when you have to do so much promotion? In this panel, we learn secrets from some of the biggest names in the industry!

Narrative Non-Fiction Horror - Respecting Trauma and Respecting the Dead

How do you write about difficult, often traumatic topics truthfully and respectfully, knowing there is an audience allure to dark topics? How do you manage reader expectation for dark details while still drawing a line between truth and fetishization of or a continuation of violence or boundary breaking?

I Wish I’d Known That

There is no one tried-and-true way of getting into this biz, but each author has their own specific story to tell... So why don't they tell it? In this panel we chat with some of our leading horror luminaries and hear about how they got from A to B.

The Story Skeleton: Eastern and Western Story Structures and How They Work in Horror

Ever wondered why some horror feels offbeat and uncanny yet still blows your mind? What makes narratives like Parasite, Ringu, and Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” so effective? Let’s autopsy narrative skeletons, such as kishotenketsu, the Japanese four-act structure, and discuss how they can up your horror game.

Schlock Horror: Terribly Awesome or Awesomely Terrible?

What’s the appeal of schlock horror, and why do we love it so much? What makes one film a cult classic and another destined for obscurity? Aficionados of gloriously B-grade cinema share their favourites and discuss what we can learn from tossing concerns for high art out the window.

Book Influencers: In-Person and Online

A panel for authors on working with two main forms of influencers: booksellers and social media influencers.