StokerCon—the Horror Writers Association’s annual gathering chock full of panels, readings, special events, awards ceremonies and other things horror writing—takes place this coming weekend, May 30—June 2, in San Diego.

If you, like me, can’t make it to California but would like to check out some live and pre-recorded content on the same weekend it’s all happening (including a super-cool horror film festival)—and enjoy a panel and a reading featuring yours truly—you still can! Tickets for the virtual event are $75 ($100 if you’d like the souvenir anthology) and include The Final Frame Horror Short Film Competition and can be purchased here: https://events.ringcentral.com/events/allaccesscon-presents-stokercon

For my part, I’m on a panel called Dark Fantasy – A Discussion on Horror with Fantasy Elements, which was pre-recorded in April, and what a fantastic conversation with writers Holley Cornetto (Moderator—We Haunt These Woods), Lee Murray (Into the Mist), Ai Jiang (I Am AI), Corey Farrenkopf (short fiction in many publications), Jonathan Duckworth (The Book of Never), and Austin Shirey (City of Spores). Several other panels fill out the schedule.

I’ll also present the first portion of my short story, “King of Bull,” which will be published next year in my next collection, Songs for a Dying World (cover release coming shortly!) In “King of Bull,” a boutique brewer brands his beer with urban legends and makes a fortune—until a few of them show up and want a cut of more than just the profits.

Other author readings are by Guy Quintero, L. Marie Wood, C. K. Turner, Lee Murray, Leonard Shanti, Richard Goldsmith, David Sander, Catlyn Ladd, Maria Alexandria, Frank Coffman, KC Grifant, KA Schultz, Liz Kerin, Bonnie Jo Stufflebeam, Izzy Lee, Petra Kuppers, and Teel James Glenn.

Although I won’t be able to attend in person, I’m especially excited for fellow writers Christa Carmen and L.E. Daniels. Christa’s book The Daughters of Block Island is up for a Stoker for Best Novel, and L.E. is up for Best Short Story, “Silk,” which appeared in Hush, Don’t Wake the Monster (and includes my short story, “xxxxxx”) and has my personal endorsement because it’s an excellent piece of work. Fingers crossed for them!

For information on StokerCon 2024 in general, the con’s website is here: https://www.stokercon2024.com/

And once again, tickets for the virtual portion can be purchased here: https://events.ringcentral.com/events/allaccesscon-presents-stokercon