In Dreams: A Tribute To David Lynch

Written by Jonathan Lees “This whole world is wild at heart and weird on top.” -- Barry Gifford Echoing from the smokestacks of an industrial plant, crawling in a severed ear on a freshly cut, watered lawn, or scrawled within the torn diary pages of a troubled teenager, David Lynch sought out the inexplicable side of human nature, not to understand it, but to reinterpret its absurdity and beauty with the same fiery passion of two forbidden lovers escaping down the dividing lines of a dark highway. “I don’t know why people expect art to make sense. They accept the…
HWA Mourns the Loss of Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

HWA Mourns the Loss of Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

  The Horror Writers Association mourns the loss of a foundational pillar not only for her contributions to the organization, but for her legacy. Chelsea Quinn Yarbro served as the HWA’s third president, and in the words of former HWA President, Lisa Morton, “as HWA's first female President - at a time when women were still scarce in the genre - she blazed the trail that all of us who came later would follow, a trail she made clear with authority, wisdom, and grace. Like her character Saint Germain, she is a true immortal." Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (September 15, 1942…

In Memoriam: Peter Straub

Writers around the world, and horror writers, in particular, lost a legend. Peter Straub passed away on September 4, 2022, after a long illness. He was 79 years old. A master of his craft, Peter wrote horror, dark fantasy, and psychological thrillers. His works include sixteen novels, numerous short stories, eleven novellas, four poem collections, and one collection of non-fiction essays. He won multiple Bram Stoker, World Fantasy, and August Derleth awards. In 2005, the Horror Writers Association awarded Peter Straub their Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to the field of horror. Peter published his first supernatural thriller, Julia,…

In Memoriam: Corrine De Winter

In Memoriam: Corrine De Winter The HWA is saddened to hear of the passing of poet and author Corrine De Winter. Our hearts go out to her loved ones, her family, and the many friends and people she’s touched. About Corrine: Corrine De Winter was a Bram Stoker Award-winning Poet and author who won numerous awards for her writing from the New York Quarterly, Triton College of Arts & Sciences, & The Rhysling Science Fiction Award. Her work has been applauded by such luminaries as William Peter Blatty (“The Exorcist” author) Tom Monteleone, Thomas Ligotti, Nick Cave, Stanley Wiater, James…

In Memoriam: Valjeanne Jeffers

On behalf of the Horror Writers Association, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the friends, family, and fans of Valjeanne Jeffers, and to her longtime boyfriend, poet Quinton Veal. Valjeanne was a proud member of the Horror Writers Association, a warm presence in the horror writing community, and on the speculative fiction convention circuit. Her contributions to the horror genre were many, including her werewolf series The Immortals, and short stories appearing in numerous horror anthologies, including Black Magic Women, Slay: Tales of the Vampire Noire, and the Bram Stoker nominated Sycorax’s Daughters. She deftly combined horror…

In Memoriam: Anne Rice

It is a difficult day as we at the Horror Writers Association join the legions who mourn the loss of beloved author Anne Rice. A true titan in her field, her works have influenced several generations of readers and writers, and continue to do so. May her works become as immortal as her Lestat, forever a gateway into her many unforgettable worlds. Thank you for all you've given us. Our best to her family and loved ones during this difficult time. John Palisano President, Horror Writers Association In 2003, the Horror Writers Association awarded Anne Rice with the Lifetime Achievement…
Statement from Lisa Morton, Acting President of HWA, about Rocky Wood

Statement from Lisa Morton, Acting President of HWA, about Rocky Wood

You all know by now that we lost HWA’s President Rocky Wood on December 1, due to complications from ALS. Rocky was diagnosed with this terrible disease in October 2010, and the extraordinary courage and grace he demonstrated in living with his ailments was a true inspiration. Many things about Rocky were inspiring. Glancing over social media today, dozens of people mention his kindness; he was always generous with his time and eager to help newer writers. He was a champion of women’s rights, he worked with local animal shelters, and he was always the first to donate to friends’…
Stephen King on Richard Matheson’s Passing

Stephen King on Richard Matheson’s Passing

We've lost one of the giants of the fantasy and horror genres. From THE BEARDLESS WARRIORS, his brilliant (and largely unread) World War II novel, to THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN and all the wonderful TWILIGHT ZONE scripts and stories, Matheson fired the imaginations of three generations of writers. Without his I AM LEGEND, there would have been no NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD; without NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, there would have been no WALKING DEAD, 28 DAYS LATER, or WORLD WAR Z. Matheson wrote the script for Steven Spielberg's extraordinary film, DUEL, and created one of the most brain-freezingly…

Mark Worthen (1962-2011)

As most of you probably know by now, HWA's Webmaster Mark Worthen passed away on September 19, 2011. Mark suffered a seizure while at work and died shortly thereafter. Mark was an integral part of HWA, and a list of all of the duties he performed for us on a daily basis would take up the entire page. He assigned user IDs and passwords, he kept the Web site current and clean, he moderated the message board, he compiled Bram Stoker Award recommendations, he wrote two monthly columns for the newsletter, and he did a lot of those behind-the-scenes things…

L.A. Banks (1959-2011)

Leslie Ann Peterson Esdaile Banks died on August 2 from adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare cancer. She left behind a wonderful daughter, Helena Marie Esdaile, who in many ways can be said to have started her on her writing career. In the winter of 1990 her daughter was injured in an accident, and Leslie--who had a degree from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School--left the corporate sector to be with and attend to her daughter. At this time, she tried her hand at writing, which resulted in her first novel, Sundance. Before that, she had helped develop business plans for small…

Forrest J Ackerman – 11/24/16 – 12/4/08

The Associated Press reports that legendary Famous Monsters of Filmland editor Forrest J Ackerman passed away on Thursday, December 4th at his Los Angeles home. Ackerman, or "Uncle Forry" as he was affectionately known by friends and fans alike, died of heart failure. He had recently celebrated his 92nd birthday. Reports started circulating several weeks ago that the venerable pop culture icon was in failing health, as he welcomed his many friends and colleagues - including Ackerman "discovery" Ray Bradbury and Fangoria editor Anthony Timpone - to say their final goodbyes at his private Hollywood residence. Until 2002, Ackerman lived…

Joseph McGee 7/07/85 – 11/27/08

It is with great sadness that the HWA reports the passing of one of its members, Joseph W. McGee. McGee, 23, of Worcester, passed away suddenly Thursday, November 27, from complications with diabetes. McGee was the author of the novels The Reaper and Snow Hill and a member of the New England Horror Writers Association. His family describes him as "a quiet giant with a mountain for a heart who left us better than he found us." Excerpted from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette: He leaves his mother, Theresa (Kwiatkowski) Conte-McGee; his brother, Anthony J. Conte and his wife Francesca;…