31 Days of Horror: Day 28-- Librarians' Day is Coming in June on Friday the 13th and You Can Sign Up NOW!

See More

As we approach the end of our 31 days together I wanted to remind you that Horror Season is all year long. And just because it is no longer October, that does not mean we stop talking about your Horror readers. 

On Thursday, I will be hosting the official start of Summer Scares 2025 with our press release of the spokesperson and details on the timeline for the program.

But today, I am going to get you excited for something else. This year's Librarians' Day, on Friday, June 13, 2025 in Stamford, CT. It is a full day of continuing education and learning for all library workers for only $60.

Below and at this link you can see the schedule and sign up right now. We are expecting a big crowd as the location is close enough for hundreds of libraries to attend.

If you know you will have 5 or more people to register, email me at [email protected] so we can get you a group discount as well.

Real talk time-- in a few days you are going to miss this daily dose of Horror talk. You can help you, help yourself and limit your own withdrawal by registering today for Librarians' Day. Then you will have something to look forward to.

Click here for the full schedule on the StokerCon website or see below.

Librarians’ Day Schedule for StokerCon 2025, Stamford, CT
 
Librarians’ Day
Friday June 13, 2025
8am-4pm
Librarians’ Day only ticket - $60

BUY TICKETS HERE

Please note: Librarians’ Day is open to all StokerCon ticket holders. If you already have a regular ticket, we invite you to attend any of our programming at no extra cost.  

ABOUT: On the Friday of StokerCon, the Horror Writers Association (HWA) offers "Librarians' Day" -- a full day of horror-focused continuing education programming for all library workers. Topics include readers' advisory, programming featuring the conference's guest authors on timely topics, information on how you can work with the HWA, and more. Below you'll find this year's special program for the on-site conference. Librarians' Day ticket holders will have access to the dealer's room and other areas of the full conference throughout the day. ​

SCHEDULE

8 -8:25 a.m.: Welcome to Librarians’ Day!: Meet the Librarians’ Day team and fellow librarians from across the country while enjoying coffee and bites courtesy of the University of Pittsburgh Library System.

8:30-9:20 am: Brains! Brains! Brainstorming Ways to Engage Your Community, Moderated by Jocelyn Codner and Meghan Bouffard: Join HWA Library Advisory Council members in small group discussions to meet some of your fellow librarians, share experiences, and gather ideas for how to engage your community with the horror community.

9:30-10:20 am: How to Feature Horror at Your Library, Moderated by Corey Farrenkopf: Hear librarians from across the country share their experiences featuring horror at their libraries, from book discussions to writing groups to author events and more.

10:30-11:20 am: Buzzing About Horror Books, Moderated by Emily Vinci: Join librarians and book reviewers as they share the buzz about a slew of exciting new and upcoming horror titles. Come for the booktalks; stay for the free books and swag!

11:30 am-1 pm: Lunch Break: Explore Stamford and enjoy a nearby restaurant.

1-1:50 pm: What Horror Means to Me, Moderated by Lila Denning: Join StokerCon 2025’s Guests of Honor for a lively discussion about why readers of all ages enjoy a good scare, from fictional frights to all-too-true terrors. Featuring Scott Edelman, Paula Guran, Adam Nevill, Joyce Carol Oates, Gaby Triana, and Tim Waggoner.

2-2:50 pm: This Book is Haunted: cursed objects and texts in film and literature, Moderated by Ben Rubin. An old tome with archaic writing, an unmarked VHS, a doll with an unsettling gaze, a camera through which the viewfinder shows a reality that seems just a bit off…Cursed objects provide not only an intriguing plot device but their uncanny realism can also make the reader or viewer feel complicit in the haunting. Join us as we explore the popularity of cursed objects and media and why these stories are essential for library shelves. Featuring Clay McLeod Chapman, Adam Nevill, and Emily Vinci with more panelists to be announced soon!

3-3:50 pm: Summer Scares: A Thrilling Summer Reading Program, Moderated by Yaika Sabat: Join Summer Scares current and past selected authors, spokespeople, and partners to learn more about the HWA’s popular summer reading program, how to get involved, and how to use Summer Scares resources to better serve your patrons. Stay tuned for our full list of panelists! ​ ​

I hope to see you there on Friday the 13th, this coming June.

BUY TICKETS HERE

StokerCon Librarians' Day Tickets Up For Sale NOW!!!

 I am happy to report that Konrad Stump and I have gotten the schedule-- with panel details-- up for StokerCon 2023's Librarians' Day. 

It is Friday, June 16, 2023 in Pittsburgh and it is only $75 if you sign up before March 1. That price includes lunch. We are also working to get all PA library workers CE credit if they would like. 

Also, as we do every year, we will have mountain for ARCs and SWAG for all attendees to take for FREE.

We would love to see anyone who can make the drive in for the day there. We can have up to 100 people. We have programming for all types of public and academic library workers. 

If you are a library person and you already registered for StokerCon, we have a $35 add-on ticket to cover the cost of lunch. 

Please forward this far and wide. We would love to see all of you there. Details below or go directly to the official webpage.

Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square

June 16, 2023

Pricing:

$75 by April 1 

$85 by May 15

$35 to add-on Librarians’ Day to your StokerCon 2023 registration

Click here to register 

8:30-9: Check-in 

9 - 9:50 a.m.: Buzzing About Horror Books, Moderated by Emily Vinci: Join members of the HWA’s Library Advisory Council as they share the buzz about a slew of exciting new and upcoming horror titles. Come for the booktalks; stay for the free books and swag!

10 - 10:50 a.m.: How to Feature Horror at Your Library, Moderated by Konrad Stump: Hear librarians from across the country share their experiences featuring horror at their libraries, from book discussions to writing groups to author events and more.

11 - 11:50 a.m.: Why I Love Horror, Moderated by Lila Denning: Join some of StokerCon 2023’s Guests of Honor for a lively discussion about why readers of all ages enjoy a good scare, from fictional frights to all-too-true terrors. Appearances by: Cynthia Pelayo, Alma Katsu, Daniel Kraus, Owl Goingback, Jewelle Gomez 

Noon - 1:20 p.m.: LUNCH: Grab a plate of delicious food and join your fellow attendees and presenters in casual conversation.

1:30 - 2:20 p.m.: Brains! Brains! Brainstorming Ways to Engage Your Community: Join HWA Library Advisory Council members in small group discussions to meet some of your fellow librarians, share experiences, and gather ideas for how to engage your community with the horror community.

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.: The Rising Popularity of Extreme and Erotic Horror, Moderated by Ben Rubin: Extreme horror is no longer lurking on the fringes of the genre. Some of the bestselling and most critically acclaimed Horror authors today inflict their scares through this lens. It's a subgenre libraries MUST carry on their shelves. It even has its own award. Appearances by Splatterpunk Award founders Brian Keene and Guest of Honor, Wrath James White, along with Eric LaRocca, V. Castro and Hailey Piper.

3:30 - 4:20 p.m.: Summer Scares: A Thrilling Summer Reading Program, Moderated by Becky Spratford: Join Summer Scares current and past selected authors, spokespeople, and partners to learn more about the HWA’s popular summer reading program, how to get involved, and how to use Summer Scares resources to better serve your patrons. Appearances by Daniel Kraus, Stephanie from Books in the Freezer, and more.

Announcing the 2022 Librarians' Day Schedule Live at StokerCon

 Today Konrad Stump of Springfield-Green County Library District and I are officially opening up registration 2022 Librarians' Day at StokerCon 2022. This is an all day continuing education event for all library workers focused around Horror. This is for the in-person event in Denver, but we will also have hybrid and virtual only options coming at a later date.

Click here for the official Librarians' Day page on the StokerCon 2022 website or simply skip directly to the EventBrite to signup.

Please note, if you are signing up for the full StokerCon, or already have signed up, and want to add on Librarians' Day, you only have to pay $35 extra, to cover your lunch. The EventBrite link has that option setup for you, but if you have questions, please reach out to Konrad at I by emailing libraries at horror dot org. Special note for Colorado library workers: we have a local contact for you as well.

I have also posted the full announcement below. I hope you can join us.

May 13, 2022
Curtis Hotel, Denver Colorado
8:45am- 4:45pm
$65 by 3/15 $75 after

Registration: https://www.stokercon.com/librarian-s-day 

8:45-9: sign in
 
9-9:50am: Genre Blending in Horror: moderated by librarian and  HWA Volunteer Coordinator, Lila Denning and featuring Gabino Iglesias, Alma Katsu, Clay McLeod Chapman, and Cynthia Pelayo:
 
Our current Horror renaissance is drawing new readers to the genre, but it is also inspiring many Horror authors to push at the edges, weaving elements of other popular genres into their works. 

10-10:50am: Promoting Collections through Horror Programming: moderated by HWA Library Committee Co-Chair, Konrad Stump and featuring Ben Rubin from the University of Pittsburgh’s Horror Studies Archive, Hillary Dodge Librarian and HWA Colorado Spring Chapter Co-Chair, Yaika Sabat from NoveList, Michael Allen Rose from the Oak Park Public Library, and librarians  from the Denver Public Library
 
Listen to our panel of experts share their wide variety of successes at their different libraries from across the country. We hope they inspire you to try more Horror programming at your library.
 
11-11:50am:  Meet the Current HWA Diversity Grant Scholarship Recipients  -- moderated by Diversity Grant selection committee members Larissa Glasser and V. Castro and featuring our current recipients.
 
The HWA Diversity Grant Recipients introduce themselves and discuss their work in this hybrid conference panel..
 
12-1:15pm: Buffet Lunch
 
Grab a plate of delicious food and join your fellow attendees and presenters in casual conversation. 
 
1:15-1:30pm: HWA Chapters and You
 
HWA National Chapter Co-Coordinator Shawnna Deresch and local Chapter Coordinators, Carina Bissett and Hillary Dodge explain how library workers can join the HWA and their local chapter.
 
1:30- 2:20pm: Horror Press Roundtable: moderated by TorNightfire Blog Coordinator Emily Hughes and featuring representatives from Burial Day Books, Raw Dog Screaming Press, Off Limits Press and Black Spot Books among others. 
 
The vibrant Horror independent press community features many publishers whose books are a great fit with most public library collections. Meet some of the representatives of our favorite small presses and learn about their upcoming titles. Electronic access to some of those titles will be made available to attendees.
 
2:30- 3:20pm: Middle Grade Horror: moderated by HWA Library Committee Co-Chair Becky Spratford and featuring Daniel Kraus, Fleur Bradley and Josh Roberts from Spooky MIddle Grade, as well as, Cat Scully and more.
 
With the announcement of the MIddle Grade Bram Stoker Award category for 2022, it’s time to learn more about the very best spooky books for grade schoolers. 
 
3:30-4:45pm: Different Paths to Horror Success: Moderated by HWA Trustee and Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Linda Addison and featuring StokerCon 2022 Guests of Honor, Brian Keene and John Edward Lawson, as well as Stephen Graham Jones and Lisa Kroger.
 
To end the day join us for a lively and honest conversation about what it means to be successful in Horror. 
 
Special thanks to our Librarians' Day volunteers from the HWA's Colorado Springs and Chicago Chapters

Click here to join us

Announcing the 5th Annual HWA Librarians' Day at StokerCon 2021

 Today I am announcing the lineup for the 5th Annual StokerCon Librarians Day. This year Librarians' Day is included in the price of attending the full StokerCon. For $75 [which is usually the price for just Librarians' Day] you will have access to all programming from May 20-23. 

But specifically, Librarians' Day is set. The schedule is below. Click here to signup today.

And finally, a thank you to returning sponsors NoveList and LibraryReads.

I really hope to see you there. We have worked in tons of networking time, breaks, and of course, learning. 

5th Annual StokerCon Librarians Day

May 21, 2021

10am - 7pm Eastern

Click here to signup: https://hopin.com/events/stokercon

• $75 gets you access to the entirety of StokerCon, not just Librarians' Day

All on one stage. 30 minutes between panels to network and chat with the authors or just take a break.

10-11 The Appeal of a Good Scare: Moderated by Becky Spratford  -- Tim Waggoner, Grady Hendrix, V Castro, Jessica Guess, John Fram, Emily Hughes [Nightfire]

11:30-12:30  Thrilling Communities with Chilling Experiences: Konrad Stump, Moderator; John Edward Larson, All Access Con;  Alex Giannini, Westport [CT] Library; Evelyn Gathu, Crystal Falls [MI] District Library; Corey Farrenkopf, Sturigs [MA] Library

1-2 Meet the 2020 Diversity Grant Recipients: Linda Addison, Moderator, Jacqueline Dyre, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, Gabino Iglesias, Nicole Givens Kurtz, Tejaswi Priyadarshi, Sumiko Saulson

2:30-3:30: Meet the Press: Omnium Gatherum: Konrad Stump, Moderator. Lee Murray, Lisa Morton, Kate Maruyama, Donna JW Munro, S. Alessandro Martinez

4-5:  Totally Bloodless Horror Promotion: Moderated by Lila Denning: Ally Russell [Nightfire blog and Instagram], Ladies of the Fright, Adam Cesare, Cameron Chaney [Librarian and YouTuber].

5:30-6:30: The Scary Truth About Horror Reviews: Sadie Hartmann, moderator. Emily Vinci [Library Journal], Silvia Moreno-Garcia [Washington Post], Gabino Iglesias [NPR and others] Beth Griffith [Night Worms], Nina James [NIght Worms].

Summer Scares 2021 Author Panels: Adult moderated by Konrad Stump, YA moderated by Becky Spratford, Middle Grade moderated by Julia Smith:

• These three pre-taped panels, debuting at the event but available after on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE13ETUUd_upHroDXS2yh2A 

• For more information about the Summer Scares program: http://raforallhorror.blogspot.com/p/summer-scares.html 

Don’t forget to check out the 4th Annual Librarians’ Day, currently available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgpoctHeIrvwI7dRO25rKoTwOLtuvastm

Librarians Day is sponsored by:

Update on Librarians' Day-- It's Now Virtual and FREE

Below is the message that went out to everyone who was registered for the in-person Librarians' Day.

As you can see, we are going virtual and will have a link for people to sign up in mid-August. Signing up gets you access to the email where you can ask questions of the panelists. 

Expect the signup link by the week of the  24th with the videos going live November 1-- a post Halloween treat. 

We are so thankful that the panelists listed below are willing to appear in this  virtual format. And we would also like to publicly thank our sponsors who did not pull their funds even though we changed our plans-- NoveList and LibraryReads. 

Along with the sign up we will also be releasing a major announcement from the Horror Writers Association that also involves ARRT, NoveList, LibraryReads, and RA for All. So stay tuned.

*****************************************

Hello!

Thank you so much for registering for the HWA Librarians’ Day 2020, and thank you also for your patience during this tumultuous time as this program has had to shift and change.

Unfortunately due to the continuance of the coronavirus pandemic, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the in person program that was set to take place at the Naperville Public Library on Thursday, November 12, 2020.

However, we are excited to announce that HWA Librarians’ Day will be moving to a virtual format and it will be completely free! You will have the opportunity to view the panels on your own time during the month of November and will also get a chance to ask the panelists questions. There have been some panel changes and the new panels being planned are as follows:

The Scary Truth About Horror Reviews (Sponsored by Cemetery Dance) - Featuring New York Times Book Review Horror Columnist Danielle Trussoni, Booklist and Library Journal Horror Reviewer Becky Spratford, and Cemetery Dance reviewer and owner of Night Worms Sadie Hartmann. Moderated by Ashley Rayner from the Chicago Public Library

Horror and Libraries: A Not So Scary Partnership - Featuring Gillian Cargile-King from Northern Illinois University, Konrad Stump from Springfield-Greene [MO] County Library, Cathleen Keyser from Novelist and Gregg Winsor from Library Reads. Moderated by Lila Denning from the St. Petersburg [FL] Public Library

Summer Scares: How to Feature Horror for All Ages at Your Library - Featuring members of the Summer Scares Committee and the announcement of the 2021 Summer Scares Spokesperson

The State of Horror Today: A Conversation – Featuring authors Daniel Kraus, Stephen Graham Jones, and Cina Pelayo. Moderated by Becky Spratford

Meet Flame Tree Press - Editor Don D'Auria and Flame Tree Press authors John Everson, J.G. Faherty, J.H. Moncrieff, Melissa Prusi and Steven Hopstaken in conversation with Emily Vinci of the Schaumburg Public Library

Registration for this new FREE event will take place mid-August and we will email you again when that registration goes live. The former event on EventBrite will be canceled and refunds will be issued shortly.

Thank you so much for your interest in this event and please email Becky Spratford at bspratford at hotmail dot com and Karen Toonen at ktoonen at naperville-lib dot org with any questions.

Sincerely,

The HWA Librarians’ Day 2020 Committee

Scares That Care Charity Horror Convention is Online for FREE and I am a Moderator!

I am passing on this information on directly from this link at BrianKeene.com about the Scares That Care Event. But before you read about this event, a few things from me.

First, I am moderating a panel at Noon "Horror for Kids." I am not telling you this to brag, but to illustrate that this event is a great "free" viewing option for all library workers. Scroll through it all. It will be a great day.

Second, refers to that "free" part. Scares that Care is a charity I have supported with my own dollars for years. I believe in their mission and have always wanted to make it to the live event. I am honored to be a part of a fundraiser that is doing so much good. I am asking you, my followers, to not only view the content, but to consider making small donation yourself. Literally every dollar counts to these sick and injured people and their families.

Thank you and now here are all of the details.....

The Scares That Care Virtual Charity Event takes place Saturday, August 1st.

100% of the money raised during this one-day event will go to our 2020 recipients. They are:

*Ashley Adams and her daughter Natalya, who has Marfan Syndrome.
*Laura, a breast cancer warrior known for her work in Arkansas’s LGBTQ+ community.
*Patricia, who suffered second and third degree burns to the entire right side of her body.

The Scares That Care Virtual Convention will be livestreamed via the Brian Keene YouTube Page and the Scares That Care website, and is accessible to the general public.

Below is the tentative schedule. All times are Eastern. Please note that celebrity appearances (including actors, authors, directors, and other panelists) are subject to availability and may change without notice.

9:00am – 9:15am: Opening Ceremonies with Joe Ripple and Brian Keene

9:15am to 9:50am: LIVE READING – Jeff Strand and Stephen Kozeniewski

9:50am to 10:00am: Fundraising update with Brian Keene, Alfred Guy and O’Malley Brandt

10:00am to 10:50am: JAWS AT 45 – Jonathan Janz, Victor LaValle, Hillary Monahan, Matt Serafini, Adam Cesare, and Glenn Rolfe (moderator) discuss why, after 45 years, we’re still afraid to go in the water.

10:50am – 11:00am: Fundraising update with Brian Keene and Paul Tremblay

11:00am – 11:50am: MY FAVORITE HORROR COMICS – Tim Seeley, Rachel Autumn Deering, Jamal Igle, Cullen Bunn, Maurice Broaddus, and Matt Wildasin (moderator) discuss their favorite horror comic books of all time.  

11:50am – Noon: Fundraising update with Brian Keene and John Wayne Comunale 

Noon – 12:50pm: HORROR FOR KIDS – Lamar Giles, Stephanie Cooke, Jonathan Maberry, Gretchen McNeil, Bitter Karella, Will Bozarth, and Becky Spratford (moderator) discuss horror for a younger audience.

12:50pm to 1:00pm: Fundraising update with Brian Keene and John Dugan

1:00pm to 1:25pm: RETURN TO ELM STREET – Jack Shoulder, Mark Patton, Nick Benson, and Mick Strawn reminisce with moderator David Heck about their work on the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise.

1:25pm – 1:30pm: Fundraising update with Brian Keene, Brian Smith and Bryan Smith

1:30pm – 2:00pm: LIVE READING – Gabino Iglesias and Cina Pelayo

2:00pm to 2:50pm: MY FAVORITE MONSTER – Stephen Graham Jones, Hunter Shea, Scott Baker, the Sisters of Slaughter, Dee Southerland and Chuck Buda (moderator) discuss their favorite monsters of all time.

2:50pm to 3:00pm: Fundraising update with Brian Keene and Roy Wooley

3:00pm to 3:50pm: THE WALKING DEAD – David Heck moderates this Q&A with The Walking Dead’s Josh Mikel, Steve Coulter, Cooper Andrews, and Jayson Warner Smith.  

3:50pm to 4:00pm: Fundraising update with Brian Keene and Felissa Rose

4:00pm to 4:50pm: THE AMBIDEXTROUS PATH - Mary SanGiovanni, Stephanie Wytovich, Bracken MacLeod, Somer Canon, and Jay Wilburn (moderator) discuss faith and magic in horror and creativity.

4:50pm to 5:00pm: Fundraising update with Brian Keene and Joshua Leonard

5:00pm to 5:50pm: Q&A – Emmy-award winner Pruitt Taylor Vince discusses his career with moderator David Heck.

5:50pm to 6:00pm: Fundraising update with Brian Keene and Eugene Clark

6:00pm to 6:50pm: CAN HORROR GO TOO FAR? – CV Hunt, Wrath James White, Kristopher Triana, Autumn Christian, Wesley Southard, Aaron Dries, and Armand Rosamilia (moderator) discuss how far is too far.

6:50pm to 7:00pm: Fundraising update with Brian Keene and Lar Park Lincoln

7:00pm to 7:55pm: COWBOYS AND ZOMBIES – Gemma Files, Wile E. Young, Keith Lansdale, Christine Morgan, Kenzie Jennings, and Thomas Clark (moderator) discuss the resurgence of Weird Westerns in film and literature.

7:55pm to 8:00pm: Fundraising update with Brian Keene and Josh Malerman

8:00pm to 8:30pm: BIZARRO HORROR – John Edward Lawson, Andersen Prunty, Rose O’Keefe, Michael Alan Rose, and Scott Cole (moderator) discuss surrealism and the supernatural in horror fiction and film.

8:30pm to 8:55pm: Q&A – Night of the Demons’ Amelia Kinkade discusses her career with moderator David Heck.

8:55pm to 9:00pm: Fundraising update with Brian Keene and Joe Ripple

9:00pm to 9:15pm: A SPECIAL PRESENTATION with Joe Ripple and Brian Keene

9:15pm to 9:30pm: COSTUME CONTEST – Celebrity judges Amanda Bearse, John Anderson, Amelia Kinkade, Lynne Hansen, and Matt Blazi discuss this year’s costume contest entries.

9:30pm to 9:40pm: COUNT GORE – Scares That Care Weekend’s beloved Count Gore deVol announces the winners of this year’s costume contest.

9:40pm to 9:50pm: SCARYOKE – Rio Youers, Ronald Malfi, Brian Keene and Joe Ripple present an at home version of this Scares That Care Weekend staple.

9:50pm to 10:00pm: Closing Ceremonies

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What is Scares That Care?
A: Founded in 2007 by Joe Ripple, we are a 501C3 charity. Our Board of Directors and our volunteers are composed of horror fans and professionals. Each year we raise money for three recipient families (a sick child, a breast cancer fighter, and a burn victim).

Q: How can I donate during the virtual event?
A: We will be sharing information on how to donate via text or phone hourly during the event. Yu can also donate anytime by visiting this link.

Q: Can I donate before or after the event, as well?
A: Yes. You can donate year round.

Q: Money is tight. I can’t afford to donate but I’d still love to help. How can I do that?
A: We appreciate you and we understand. You can still by tuning in to the livestream, and encouraging your friends and family to do the same.

Q: I’m involved in programming. What do I need to do next?
A: Brian Keene will email you a link before the event. You’ll simply need to click that link about ten minutes before your appearance, and allow access to your computer’s webcam and mic. It’s that easy. (Costume contest judges will be contacted earlier with additional instructions).

Q: I’m a celebrity who works in the horror genre. Why wasn’t I included in programming?
A: We tried to accommodate as many horror professionals as we could, but unlike our physical Scares That Care Weekend charity events, we are limited by the technological restrictions and time constraints of this virtual event. However, you can still help the cause by sharing the event with your fans and encouraging them to donate.

HWA and ARRT Librarians' Day Registration is LIVE

Click here to register

The Horror Writers Association and ARRT present the 4th Annual HWA Librarians' Day!

REGISTER HERE! Space is limited

About this Event

The Horror Writers Association and ARRT present the 4th Annual HWA Librarians' Day, a day long continuing education event featuring authors, reviewers, publishers, and librarians from all over the country. Whether you are a fan of horror or find it petrifying, all library workers will learn about matching books with readers.

All attendees get lunch, swag and free books.

Sponsored by: NoveList, Library Reads, Flame Tree Press, Sourcebooks, and Cemetery Dance

Tickets $65/HWA or ARRT Member, $75/Nonmember

Schedule of Events:

8:30-9am Registration, Coffee/Tea, Welcome

9-10am  The Scary Truth About Horror Reviews: Featuring New York Times Book Review Horror Columnist Danielle Trussoni, Booklist and Library Journal Horror Reviewer Becky Spratford, Cemetery Dance reviewer and owner of Night Worms Sadie Hartmann, and authors Melissa Prusi and Steven Hopstaken. Moderated by Ashley Rayner from the Chicago Public Library

10:15-11:15am  Horror and Libraries: A Not So Scary Partnership: Featuring authors J.H. Moncrieff and John Everson, academic librarians Gillian Cargile-King from Northern Illinois University and Christopher Clark from Southern Utah University, Konrad Stump from Springfield-Greene [MO] County Library, and a representative from NoveList. Moderated by Lila Denning from the St. Petersburg [FL] Public Library

11:30am-12:30pm  Summer Scares 2020: How to Feature Horror for All Ages at Your Library: Featuring members of the Summer Scares Committee and authors of the selected titles including author Stephen Graham Jones, Andy Davidson, author of the 2020 Adult Selection In the Valley of the Sun, Summer Scares programming coordinator Konrad Stump, librarian Lila Denning, and more. Moderated by Summer Scares coordinator Becky Spratford

12:30pm-1:15pm Buffet Lunch

1:15-2pm  One on One with the Business Man in Horror for All Aged Readers: Daniel Kraus and Becky Spratford in Conversation. Every attendee will go home with a copy of Kraus's forthcoming collaboration with the late George Romero, The Living Dead

2:15-3:15pm  Short Scares: Horror Novellas, Stories and Poetry: Featuring authors Stephen Graham Jones, J. G. Faherty, Cina Pelayo, and Sarah Read. Moderated by Christopher Clark

3:15-4:30pm  Meet Flame Tree Press: Editor Don D'Auria and Flame Tree Press authors John Everson, J.G. Faherty, J.H. Moncrieff, Melissa Prusi and Steven Hopstaken in conversation with Emily Vinci of the Schaumburg Public Library. Discussion will include their work, their favorite authors and horror for a public library audience.

A courtesy guest-room hotel block has been set aside at the Hotel Indigo Naperville Riverwalk at a rate of $165.00. The cut-off date to receive this discounted rate is April 10, 2020. The link below will bring you to the discounted block rate.

HWA LIB Day

Once you click the link, click "Book Now" and the rate should load automatically. If it does not load automatically, plug the group code "HWA" into the Group Code Box and select the dates of stay in the Check-In and Check-Out sections. You may also call the hotel at 877-846-3446 and refer to the HWA code to receive the discounted rate.

If you have any questions, or get a notification that the hotel room block is sold out, email Becky Spratford at bspratford [at] hotmail [dot] com.

Join us by registering here. 

31 Days of Horror: Day 12: Librarian Day at Stoker Con 2017

In April 2017, I will be the first ever librarian Special Guest of Honor at the Horror Writer’s Association’s annual conference, StokerCon. The HWA has been actively pursuing the library world for many years now. They have been attending ALA Annual and last year entered into a partnership with United For Libraries to do even more presentations for library workers.

Without question, they understand the important role we play in matching books with readers.

This year, StokerCon is having an entire day of programming just for Library people! I am including the press release below with details. I know it is not until April, but you should look at your calendars  now and make your plans to join me.

Show this post to your supervisors. I will be there so I guarantee you will learn something about helping your horror readers.  The focus is going to be on helping Children and Teens find horror and promoting diverse titles for all ages.

I really hope some of you  will join me. We want to show the horror authors that we know our stuff. The more of us that come, the better off our entire profession looks. Plus, knowing I will be there means you will have a built in conference buddy. I promise to make you all feel welcome. I am flying solo for the conference, so if you are going and work at a library, contact me. I will be there to assist all of you.

See the details below with the link to register.

*********************************************
For immediate release:

The Horror Writers Association is proud to announce Librarians’ Day at StokerCon. 

On Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Queen Mary in Long Beach will play host to librarians looking to increase their knowledge of the horror genre and how to incorporate it into collections and programs. The day will begin with a keynote address from HWA President, Lisa Morton, librarian, blogger, and Guest of Honor, Becky Spratford, YA author and Master of Ceremonies for StokerCon 2017, Nancy Holder, and Game of Thrones author and StokerCon 2017 Guest of Honor, George R.R. Martin. A day of panels follows with topics including Tales from the Crib: Horror for Young Readers and Young Adults, A Birthday for Frankenstein!, and Building Diverse Horror Collections. 

Lunch at the Chelsea Chowder House & Bar is included with the cost of registration. There is even some time for librarians to visit the exhibit floor. The day ends with an author signing that includes panelists from throughout the day. Books will be sold on site through Mysterious Galaxy. 

Librarian’s Day runs from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The cost of registration is $60.

Visit the StokerCon 2017 website for updates on panelists and to purchase your ticket to one of the most unique professional development opportunities for librarians.