The Seers Table – March 2016

The Seers Table – March 2016

Welcome to The Seers Table! In late January, not long after the Bram Stoker Award® Initial Ballot was announced, HWA president Lisa Morton lamented the ballot’s lack of diversity. In response, Rena Mason and I separately suggested to Lisa the formation of a committee tasked with seeking out those voices in horror and dark fantasy that are underrepresented in not only the HWA, but in the genre and the publishing world in general. Following a series of excited conversations, the Diverse Works Inclusion Committee (DWIC) was born. The DWIC has one overarching goal—to introduce HWA members to new voices. Each…
Spotlight on the 2015 Bram Stoker Poetry Nominees

Spotlight on the 2015 Bram Stoker Poetry Nominees

The 2015 Bram Stoker nominations have been announced, which means the Annual HWA Poetry Page spotlight on the poetry nominees: Superior Achievement in a Poetry Collection Bruce Boston – Resonance Dark and Light (Eldritch Press) Alessandro Manzetti – Eden Underground (Crystal Lake Publishing) Ann Schwader – Dark Energies (P’rea Press) Marge Simon – Naughty Ladies (Eldritch Press) Stephanie M. Wytovich – An Exorcism of Angels (Raw Dog Screaming Press) I’ve asked each poet to share their favorite poem from their nominated work, so, without further ado (in alphabetical order): Bruce Boston – Resonance Dark and Light (Eldritch Press):   RESONANCE…
The Bram Stoker Awards® Final Ballot

The Bram Stoker Awards® Final Ballot

Horror Writers Association Reveals Final Ballot for Bram Stoker Awards® Los Angeles, CA -- The Horror Writers Association (HWA), the premier organization of writers and publishers of horror and dark fantasy, today announced the nominees for the 2015 Bram Stoker Awards®. The nominees are: Superior Achievement in a Novel Clive Barker – The Scarlet Gospels (St. Martin’s Press) Michaelbrent Collings – The Deep (self-published) JG Faherty – The Cure (Samhain Publishing) Patrick Freivald – Black Tide (JournalStone Publishing) Paul Tremblay – A Head Full of Ghosts (William Morrow) Superior Achievement in a First Novel Courtney Alameda – Shutter (Feiwel &…

In February, “David E. Cowen”

David E. Cowen is the author of “The Madness of Empty Spaces,” (Weasel Press, November 2014), which was on the 2014 Bram Stoker Award Preliminary Ballot and was nominated for the 2014 SFPA Elgin Award as well as listed on Ellen Datlow's Best of Horror Recommended List for 2014. His other volume of poetry is "Sixth and Adams" (PW Press 2001).  His work has appeared in the 2014 and 2015 editions of the Horror Writers' Association's Horror Poetry Showcase, The Horror Zine, Literary Hatchet, Degenerates: Voices for Peace, “Dark Matter” (UH Downtown), Harbinger Asylum, Texas Poetry Calendar, Isotropic Fiction Magazine,…
The 2015 Bram Stoker Awards Preliminary Ballot Announced

The 2015 Bram Stoker Awards Preliminary Ballot Announced

Ron Breznay and Rena Mason, Co-Chairs, Bram Stoker Awards® Committee The Horror Writers Association (HWA) is pleased to announce the Preliminary Ballot for the 2015 Bram Stoker Awards (given out in 2016). The HWA (see www.horror.org) is the premiere writers organization in the horror and dark fiction genre. We have presented the Bram Stoker Awards in various categories since 1987 (see www.horror.org/awards/stokers.htm). The HWA Board and the Bram Stoker Awards Committee congratulate all those appearing on the Preliminary Ballot. Notes about the voting process appear after the ballot listing. The Preliminary Ballot is: Superior Achievement in a Novel Barker, Clive…

Members New Releases 2016

Welcome to the showcase of member publications! Select a book cover to purchase or learn more about it or the author. You can view the wall of amazing cover art from past years by using the dropdown in the menu above. And members, please sign into the members-only area to submit upcoming releases. Thank you!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
HWA Contribution to Nonprofit Literacy Organization

HWA Contribution to Nonprofit Literacy Organization

The Horror Writers Association (HWA), the premier organization of writers and publishers of horror and dark fantasy, today announced a donation to Literacy, Inc., a Louisiana-based nonprofit dedicated to reducing the illiteracy rate in the United States. The contribution of $5,000 was made possible by funds the HWA receives from the Authors Coalition of America LLC, an association of twenty-two independent authors' organizations that focuses on repatriating foreign non-title specific royalty payments for American works photocopied abroad. In order to receive a share of the funds Authors Coalition collects, the HWA agrees to invest the monies into educational initiatives. “One…
In January, “Bram Stoker Award Nominee Alessandro Manzetti”

In January, “Bram Stoker Award Nominee Alessandro Manzetti”

☢ Horror, science fiction, weird fiction, and dark poetry writer Alessandro Manzetti’s work has been published extensively in Italian, including novels, short and long fiction, poetry, essays, and collections. Many of his shorter works have been published in magazines and anthologies. English publications include his collections The Massacre of the Mermaids, The Shaman and Other Shadows, Dark Gates (co-written by Paolo Di Orazio), Stockholm Syndrome (co-written by Stefano Fantelli), and his poetry collection Eden Underground and Venus Intervention. His stories and poems have appeared in USA and UK magazines and anthologies, such as Dark Moon Digest, The Horror Zine, Disturbed…

Members New Releases 2018

Welcome to the showcase of member publications! Select a book cover to purchase or learn more about it or the author. You can view the wall of amazing cover art from past years by using the dropdown in the menu above. And members, please sign into the members-only area to submit upcoming releases. Thank you!      

2015 HWA Election Platforms

Per HWA's bylaws, two officer positions (Vice President and Treasurer) and four Trustee positions are to be elected in odd-numbered years. HWA's Election Search Committee has assembled a slate of ten candidates for the Trustee positions, and one candidate each for the Vice President and Treasurer positions. Please review the platform statements below. Voting will begin on 12/23 with a link to the ballot sent out via email on 12/23. You may only vote once. Please remember that only Active and Lifetime members are eligible to vote in elections. If you are in one of these two categories and have…
In December, “Bram Stoker Award Winning Poet – Bruce Boston”

In December, “Bram Stoker Award Winning Poet – Bruce Boston”

Bruce Boston’s poetry and fiction have appeared in hundreds of publications, including Asimov's SF, Amazing Stories, Realms of Fantasy, Strange Horizons, Weird Tales, The Pedestal Magazine, The Twilight Zone Magazine, Year's Best Fantasy & Horror, and the Nebula Awards Showcase. His poetry has received the Bram Stoker Award, the Asimov's Readers' Award, the Rhysling Award of the Science Fiction Poetry Association, the Balticon Poetry Award, and the Grandmaster Award of the SFPA. His fiction has received a Pushcart Prize and twice been a finalist for the Bram Stoker Award (novel, short story). His writing stretches from humor to surrealism, with…
HWA Signs With Top Literary Agency

HWA Signs With Top Literary Agency

The Horror Writers Association (HWA), the premier organization of writers and publishers of horror and dark fantasy, today announced it has signed with Writers House, one of the world’s largest literary agencies. Based in New York City, Writers House has a history of representing a diverse list of authors, including winners of the National Book Award, Hugo Award, World Fantasy Award, and Pulitzer Prize. Their author lists boast industry giants such as Neil Gaiman, Jonathan Franzen, Ken Follett, and Octavia E. Butler. Alec Shane, who began his career with Writers House in 2008, will be HWA’s representative at the agency.…

In November, “Monique Snyman”

Monique Snyman lives in Pretoria, South Africa, with an adorable Chihuahua that keeps her company and a bloodthirsty lawyer who keeps her sane. She is a full-time author, part-time editor and in-between reviewer of all things entertaining. Her short fiction has been published in a number of small press anthologies, the Charming Incantations Series published by Rainstorm Press, and she’s working hard on a couple of other novels in her spare time. HWA: Where do you see the state of poetry in the horror genre today? Where do you see it going in the future? MS: Poetry, in the whole,…
Halloween Haunts: The King of Halloween

Halloween Haunts: The King of Halloween

By Mark Onspaugh The Wolfman roared, his eyes glowing bright red, his massive yellowed fangs slick with saliva and blood. My little brother Matty, who had been checking out a costume, jumped, the plastic Iron Man mask clattering to the floor of Target's Halloween department. The werewolf ripped his head off, revealing the laughing face of David Destler. "Some Avenger you'd make! Bet you wet your Pampers!" "Come on, David, give him a break," I said. I was holding a zombie makeup pack and trying to figure how much that and the Iron Man costume would be with tax. "Aw,…

Halloween Haunts: Souled by Tonya Hurley

We almost drove past it until I noticed the line snaking around the side of the nondescript-looking Dutch Colonial house on the canal. It hardly looked like the scene of any crime let alone that crime -- The Amityville Horror. “112 Ocean Avenue.  That’s it!” I shouted with half excitement and equal parts guilt. The latest family to own the house was moving out and this was hyped as a yard sale guaranteed to top them all.  Shoppers and rubberneckers from miles around gathered to land a piece of horror history, joking with each other, retelling tall tales, mixing myths…

Halloween Haunts: How I Decided To Never See “The Exorcist” Again by Glenn Benest

It was Halloween of 1973 (I know, a long time ago).  It was Halloween, my favorite holiday in Covina, California, a small working class town in the San Gabriel Valley.  We used to have a blast on this favorite night of the year, getting lots of candy, of course, committing small acts of vandalism (like knocking down mail boxes) and basically causing whatever mischief we could. On this particular Halloween though my buddies and I decided to watch The Exorcist. What could be better on this particular night? Halloween during my teens was nothing like it is today, where it’s…

Halloween Haunts: Which Witching of Which Witches? by Nancy Kilpatrick

When I was seven years old, I saw a witch. I mean a real witch, not one of the politically-correct Wiccans we have now, or the evil glam witches Hollywood offers up, or the (mainly poor, old, single-by-choice, physically impaired, deranged or feisty) women of history who were burned at the stake because they were outside the collective in some way. No, this was a real witch, not pretty, not pleasant, not a herbalist in a conical hat, and she appeared on Halloween! Halloween was always a fun time for me as a kid. I remember dressing as a ghost,…

Halloween Haunts: Living in Halloween Central by J.G. Faherty

I can honestly say I live in Halloween Central. No, I'm not referring to how extensively I decorate the house for my favorite holiday (although my wife would beg to differ); I'm referring to my geographic location. Specifically, the Lower Hudson Valley region of New York State. It is, without a doubt, the perfect place for a horror writer to live. The area comprises several counties – Rockland, Westchester, Orange, Dutchess, and Putnam—and all of them have a history rich in haunts, spooky tales, and strange phenomenon. North of Manhattan, south of Albany, it's an area whose history of ghostly,…

Halloween Haunts: Crossing Over: Halloween and Ghosts by Lisa Morton

Ghosts have become one of Halloween’s most beloved icons, and each October we see them manifest in everything from terrifying haunted attractions to whimsical decorations. Haunted locations boast increased traffic, and ghost-themed movies scare up box office dollars. But were these elusive spirits of the dead always a part of Halloween? The answer is a resounding “yes”. Scholars are divided on whether Halloween derives more from the ancient Irish Celtic celebration of Samhain or the Catholic observance of All Saints Day (on November 1st)/All Souls’ Day (November 2nd)…but both of these festivals involve ghosts. Samhain was the Celts’ New Year,…

Halloween Haunts: What’s Halloween Good For, Anyway? by Matthew Warner

Horror industry laymen offer me a standard observation when Halloween rolls around.  “This is like your high holy day, isn’t it?” Why, yes, Mr. Joking To Cover Up Your Discomfort, when I’m not carving upside-down pentagrams into my 4- and 6-year-old boys’ heads, you’re exactly right.  In a way, Halloween is our “high holy day.”   It’s an important springboard for our family traditions. But it ain’t holy for us.  We’re not religious, so we’re gonna burn, you know.  Wikipedia says the holiday has something to do with Christianity and Samhain, but all we care about is the candy, man.  (And…