Interview with Horror University instructor James Chambers

Here's the latest interview with one of our StokerCon 2017 Horror University instructors. This time James Chambers tells us about his workshop, "Picturing Fear: Writing Horror Comics and Graphic Novels." James Chambers: Picturing Fear: Writing Horror Comics and Graphic Novels The medium of sequential art offers endless opportunities for great horror stories—but writing comic books and graphic novels is unlike writing for any other medium. Although they share some common ground of visual storytelling with films and television, comics and graphic novels have unique elements of design, characterization, pacing, and creating suspense. Blending words and pictures to tell a story…

Interview with Horror University instructor Michael Arnzen

Here's the latest installment in our series of interviews with our StokerCon 2017 Horror University instructors. This time, Michael Arnzen tells us more about his "Making Readers Squirm" workshop.  Michael Arnzen: Making Readers Squirm This two hour workshop will cover insider tricks and tactics for crafting horror imagery—not just icons of the genre, but direct appeals to the reader’s sensorium— images that really hit readers in the guts. It will include a live writing activity with the aim of improving description of a gory or scary scene. Open to novelists, poets, flash fiction writers … anyone looking to sharpen their writing…

Interview with Horror University instructor Nicole Cushing

In today's interview with a StokerCon 2017 Horror University instructor, Nicole Cushing tells us about her workshop on "How to Give a Great Interview"! Nicole Cushing: How to Give a Great interview Author interviews can be a powerful tool to let readers know about your book, your personality and your unique take on your genre. They can also be difficult to do well. How much energy should you spend on an interview for a blog? How long should you make your answers? How comfortable are you with appearing on recorded interviews (whether they’re done by audio or video)? Would you…

Interview with Horror University instructor Tim Waggoner

Here's the latest in our series of interviews with StokerCon 2017's Horror University instructors - take it away, Tim Waggoner! Tim Waggoner: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Horror This session presents techniques for creating original, effective horror fiction. Topics covered include: · The difference between crime, suspense, thriller, and horror. · The difference between dread, terror, horror, disgust, and shock. · The horror equivalent of the hero’s journey. · Avoiding clichés. · Making your horror personal. · Taking new approaches to old archetypes. · Avoiding clichéd story patterns. · What, if any, are the limits in horror fiction? · How…

Interview with Horror University instructor Gretchen McNeil

Number five in our series of StokerCon 2017 Horror University instructor interviews is all about bestselling author Gretchen McNeil! Gretchen McNeil: Character-Driven Plotting and the 3-Act Horror Novel   Have you read Save the Cat? Have you poured over Story? Can you quote passages from The Hero With a Thousand Faces, The Writer’s Journey, and Story Engineering? Are you looking for a new approach to plot? If your answer to these questions is “YES” then Gretchen McNeil would love to introduce you to Constantin Stanislavski. Known as the godfather of modern acting techniques, Stanislavski’s approach to character reaches far beyond the…

Interview with Horror University instructor Jonathan Maberry

Here is our fourth interview with one of StokerCon 2017 Horror University instructors. This time it's bestselling author Jonathan Maberry! Jonathan Maberry: Act Like a Writer   The writer is the brand. The writer is the face and voice of his/her business. Successful writers know how to create a brand that both sells their product but also protects their privacy. Act Like A Writer is one of NY Times bestseller Jonathan Maberry’s most successful programs. It teaches writers –however reclusive or introverted they might be– how to create the public version of themselves so that their careers have a winning and…

Interview with Horror University instructor Kate Maruyama

Here's the third installment in our series of interviews with StokerCon 2017's Horror University instructors. Thank you, Kate Maruyama! Kate Maruyama: Tension & Scene: The Basics of a Uniquely Terrifying Screenplay Crash course in two hours: How to up the ante for your screenplay to get it noticed. The gatekeepers of Hollywood, the ones who decide if your script meets the eyes of a producer or executive or an actor, all read thousands of scripts for a living. And they are tired and they have seen it all. This two hour class will focus on the elements of scene, character, and…

Interview with Horror University instructor Johnny Worthen

Here's the second of our interviews with StokerCon 2017's Horror University instructors. Take it away, Johnny Worthen! Johnny Worthen: Mistakes Were Made Concrete advice on tightening your writing from an editor, author and student of the craft. We’ll concentrate on specific issues and hot buttons. See what doesn’t work. See how to fix it. From passive voice to head-hopping to adverbs and scaffolding, a dense class in modern style to please editors, readers and writers. Johnny Worthen grew up in the high desert snows and warm summer winds of the Wasatch Mountains. He graduated with a B.A. in English, minor in Classics and a…

Interview with Horror University instructor Patrick Freivald

This is the first in a series of interviews with our StokerCon 2017 Horror University instructors. At Horror University, you'll find award-winning and best-selling authors offering intensive two-hour workshops on all aspects of horror writing. Today we're talking with multiple Bram Stoker Award®-nominated author Patrick Freivald about his Saying More With Less workshop. About Saying More With Less: Writing styles are as varied as writers themselves, but a common complaint among editors and publishers of horror fiction is that writers use too many words to say what they mean to say. This interactive workshop will focus on squeezing every ounce…

The Scholarship From Hell Winners Announced

Congratulations to the winner of The Scholarship From Hell! First place winner Billicent James San Juan will receive domestic coach airfare (contiguous 48 states) to and from Long Beach, a four-night stay on the Queen Mary, free registration to StokerCon2017 and as many Horror University workshops as she’d like to attend. Second runner up Lisa Blair Kroger will receive a convention membership generously donated by Tim Waggoner, registration to Tim’s Horror University class and one more Horror University class of her choice. Third runner up Garrett Johnson will receive a convention membership and one Horror University class of his choice. StokerCon 2017…

The Seers’ Table April 2017

The Seers Table! Linda Addison, Member of the Diverse Works Inclusion Community April 27th is Tell a Story Day. Check out stories told by the following creators! Kate Maruyama recommends: Daughter to a U.S. Army father, K. Ceres Wright has lived in Anchorage, AK; Chicago, IL; Baltimore, MD; Frankfurt, Oberursel, and Munich, Germany; Seoul, Korea; and the Washington Metropolitan Area. She attended undergraduate school at the University of Maryland, College Park, with a double major in economics and finance, then worked for ten years as a credit and treasury analyst before deciding to change careers. Wright received her Master's degree…

HWA Poetry Showcase Vol. IV

The HWA is proud to announce that it will call for submissions from its members for the Poetry Showcase Volume IV beginning April 1, 2017. David E. Cowen will again be the editor for the volume. This year’s judges, along with David, will include Peter Salomon, Michael Collings and Lisa Morton. Only HWA members (of any status) may submit. The reason for this can be found in the word “Showcase.” The HWA is very proud of the tradition of poetry in the horror genre and of the HWA’s support for poetry. This volume is designed to showcase the talents of…
Scary Out There with Screamin Calhoun

Scary Out There with Screamin Calhoun

Hello Horror Fanatics! Scary Out There recently sat down with Screamin Calhoun, the author of the Tombstones series (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2016). Listen as Screamin discusses the inspiration behind his book series, his journey to publication, cemeteries, and more. Screamin Calhoun is the author of the Tombstones book series. He is the caretaker of a cemetery in an undisclosed location, where he enjoys recording the unique stories of those who have come into contact with him. If you’re not careful, your story may be next. He can be found on Instagram at @tombstonesbooks. Listen to the episode here! https://soundcloud.com/user-905622612/scary-out-there-with-screamin-calhoun_episode-2 Ally Russell creates…

2016 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

2016 Lifetime Achievement Award - Dennis Etchison and Thomas F. Monteleone Long Beach, CA, March 17, 2017 The Horror Writers Association announces two Lifetime Achievement Award winners for 2016. Dennis Etchison and Thomas F. Monteleone will both be on hand to accept their awards at StokerCon 2017 held April 27th-30th on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. Both recipients have provided many years of dedicated commitment to HWA and the writing and publishing industry. “It’s a great honor to be recognized by my peers,” Mr. Etchison, a former President of HWA, commented when informed he had won the award.…

Horror Writers Association’s Mentor of the Year Award Winner

2016 Mentor of the Year Award – Linda Addison   Long Beach, CA, March 7, 2017 The Horror Writers Association announces Linda Addison as winner of the 2016 Mentor of the Year Award. Addison is a distinguished poet and writer and will receive the award at StokerCon 2017 held on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. “What a wonderful surprise,” Addison stated upon notification of the award. “I have always enjoyed sharing what I know with others.” HWA presents the Mentor of the Year Award in recognition of a member who distinguishes herself in helping mentees, while serving in…

Horror Writers Association’s Silver Hammer Award Winner

2016 Silver Hammer Award – James Chambers   Long Beach, CA, March 7, 2017 The Horror Writers Association announces James Chambers as the 2016 Silver Hammer Award recipient. Chambers will receive the award at StokerCon 2017 held on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. “I enjoy the work I do for the HWA,” Chambers commented, “and I appreciate the opportunity to pitch in and help out the group and other writers.” HWA presents the Silver Hammer Award in recognition of extraordinary volunteerism by a member who dedicates valuable time and effort to the organization. The award is determined by…

The Scholarship From Hell taking applications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Horror Writers Association Sponsors Scholarship Study with Celebrity Authors– Horror University   Long Beach, CA, March 3, 2017 The Horror Writers Association announces the 2017 Horror University Scholarship. The Scholarship from Hell is offered by the HWA and puts the recipient through an intensive, hands-on workshop offered through Horror University.   This year’s Horror University will take place during StokerCon2017 aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA, from April 27-30. The winner of the Scholarship from Hell will receive domestic coach airfare (contiguous 48 states) to and from Long Beach, a four-night stay on the…

The Seers’ Table March 2017

The Seers Table! Janet Holden, Diverse Works Inclusion Community Member In many parts of the world, the snow is falling, the wind is blowing. Time to settle by a warm fire with a good book, and here are our suggestions for the month of March. Kate Maruyama recommends: Carmen Maria Machado’s debut short story collection, Her Body and Other Parties, is forthcoming from Graywolf Press this year. She is a fiction writer, critic, and essayist whose work has appeared or is forthcoming in The New Yorker, Granta, Guernica, Electric Literature, The Paris Review, AGNI, NPR, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles Review…