StokerCon 2024 – Locus Online

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StokerCon 2024 – Locus Online


StokerCon, sponsored by the Horror Writers Association (HWA), was held May 30 – June 2, 2024 both virtually and in person at the San Diego Marriott Mission Valley in San Diego CA. Guests of honor were Justina Ireland, Jona­than Maberry, Rob Savage, Nisi Shawl, and Paul Tremblay. The Stoker Awards were hosted by Kevin Wetmore Jr., and Mort Castle, Cassandra Peterson, and Steve Rasnic Tem received Lifetime Achieve­ment Awards. Co-chair KC Grifant said, ‘‘It was a delight to welcome so many attendees to San Diego, many of whom were attending StokerCon for the first time…. Personally, it was very gratifying seeing how many people ended the weekend with requests from agents, book deals, partnerships, and, more importantly, a renewed sense of com­munity in the horror world.’’

Group photo of stoker con award winners
Bram Stoker Awards: Ai Jiang, Steve Rasnic Tem, Tananarive Due, Sadie Hartmann, Christa Carmen, Lila Denning, Paul Goblirsch, Mort Castle, Brian Matthews, L. Marie Wood, Cindy O’Quinn

There were 676 in-person memberships, plus 84 virtual (19 of which were also in-person), not including last-minute or at-con sales. The conven­tion featured 60 in-person and 50 virtual panels, plus 152 author readings. Pitch sessions included 11 agents and editors. Other programming items were available, such as the Anne Radcliffe lectures, Librarians’ Day panels, Horror University work­shops, open-mic poetry, game sessions, interviews with guests of honor and Lifetime Achievement winners, and more. Scheduled panels included ‘‘Curating Inclusive Horror Anthologies’’ with Linda D. Addison, Ellen Datlow, Kenya Moss-Dyme, Shane Hawk, Lee Murray, and Richard Thomas; ‘‘Breaking in and Breaking Out: Navigat­ing Traditional Publishing’’ with Luke Dumas, Eric J. Guignard, Sarah Langan, Ashley (A.E.) Santana, Chuck Tingle, and Paul Tremblay; and ‘‘Building Your Brand on Social Media: A Horror Writer’s Guide’’ with KC Grifant, Ai Jiang, Brianna Ma­lotke, Brian McAuley, Cynthia Pelayo, and Marie Whittaker. 40 vendors sold books, games, jewelry, and more in the dealers’ room, and the San Diego Public Library had a table near reception. The social scene was lively and fun.

Photos of Lisa Morton, Rena Mason, Lynne Hansen, Ellen Datlow, Janna Liggan
Lisa Morton, Rena Mason; Lynne Hansen, Ellen Datlow, Janna Liggan

The Bram Stoker Awards were held the evening of Saturday, June 1 (see awards winners on page 6). Maxwell Ian Gold was the keynote speaker, and spoke about ‘‘How important the idea of the Horror Writers Association is,’’ describing it as ‘‘built on compassion, friendship, and laying the foundations so others can follow in the footsteps of likeminded creators….’’ The banquet had a little over 170 diners, and around 50 more crammed into limited space to see the ceremony; hundreds viewed the livestream, with the number of views reaching nearly 2,000 within a week of posting on YouTube. Other awards presented during the weekend included the Final Frame Short Film Competition, whose grand prize winner was Shé (Snake), written and directed by Renee Zhan.

Photos of Meghan Arcuri, Mazell Ian Gold, Jennifer Barnes, and John Edward Lawson
Meghan Arcuri, Maxwell Ian Gold; Jennifer Barnes,
John Edward Lawson

Next year’s StokerCon is planned for Stamford CT from June 12 – June 15, 2025. Guests of honor include Paula Guran, Gaby Triana, and Tim Waggoner. For more, see the events page and the website.

Group photos from stokercon
Back: David Agranoff, GoH Justina Ireland, Kiersten White. Front: Tim Waggoner, Jennifer Brody; Linda Addison, Aaron Dries, Alpha Chen
Photo of Steven Van Patten, Denise Tapscott, Marc Abbott, Chuck Tingle, Laura Blackwell
Steven Van Patten, Denise Tapscott, Marc Abbott; Chuck Tingle, Laura Blackwell
Raw Dog Screaming Press Booth: David Sandner, Jennifer Barnes, Kate Maruyama, L. Marie Wood, R.J. Joseph
Raw Dog Screaming Press Booth: David Sandner, Jennifer Barnes, Kate Maruyama, L. Marie Wood, R.J. Joseph
Sudden Acts of Horror panel: GoH Jonathan Maberry, Maxwell Ian Gold, Lynne Hansen, GoH Justina Ireland, GoH Paul Tremblay, GoH Nisi Shawl, Jon Cohn
Sudden Acts of Horror panel: GoH Jonathan Maberry, Maxwell Ian Gold, Lynne Hansen, GoH Justina Ireland, GoH Paul Tremblay, GoH Nisi Shawl, Jon Cohn
group photo from stokercon
Kevin Kennel, L.E. Daniels, Geneve Flynn, Lee Murray, Jessi Ann York; Bert Lestrange, Scott Edelman, Marie Lestrange

 

Photographers: Kate Maruyama, Lynne Hansen, Meghan Arcuri, Maxwell Ian Gold, Laura Blackwell, and Scott Edelman.

 

 

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