A Look Back at StokerCon 2023

There is nothing like starting to find your tribe.

And last weekend was a big step towards that goal.  

You see, I’ve been writing a lot. And I’ve had trouble finding where it all might fit in (marketing wise) to the world of publishing. My stuff is sort of a mashup of the three main speculative fiction genres: Horror, Science Fiction, and Fantasy. I’ve been edging more and more towards Horror for some time. And I feel modern Horror has been slowly edging toward me and what I write.

Lately, I’ve been writing things with a bit more of a tinge of Horror. But I really wanted to test this thesis, go to a Con, and find out. To get a “vibe check,” if you will. So, I decided (late last year) to go to StokerCon, the Horror Writers Association’s main convention to see if my instincts were right.

Judging by my experience at StokerCon this year (held June 15-18, 2023 in Pittsburgh), I was right. It was an amazing experience and I found people that not only “got” me, but that understood what I’m trying to do with my writing. And that’s…truly priceless.

There were so many people I met and so many great conversations I had. I can’t hope to capture them all here. Suffice to say, for starters, I had a “hit list” of about 30 writers whom I “social media knew” that I knew we’re going to be at the conference. In the end, I said at least “Hello” to ALL of them and had conversations with many more. I spoke to probably another 25 or so writers during the course of the weekend. Everyone was lovely and looking to help wherever they could. It’s really an amazing peer group.

I’m going to give as condensed a recap as I can here in little chunks…But before I dive in, I want to say something…

We need each other. Humans beings need each other. And not just over a Zoom call, or a virtual meeting, or via Twitter. We’ve evolved over millions of years to be in close physical proximity to one another. To be in the same room. Literally. And no technology can replicate that (yet). None. So, let me urge you to take the time, spend the money, go the distance, and meet other writers/creators face-to-face. This could be at a reading, or book signing, or convention. But make it a priority. The most valuable things that happen at these conventions are not the panels, or signings, or even classes. They are the one-on-one (or small group) conversations you have in the halls after all those things take place. So, please if you can, get to a local convention, put on your name badge, and start meeting people!

PS: I know this is sometimes a tough financial decision for many writers. Many simply can’t afford to attend a convention out of state. But I know the HWA offers “scholarships” for writers in need who could not otherwise afford to attend StokerCon. I also know other organizations are exploring similar options or already offer them. It’s up to members like us to keep nudging the officers of these organizations to keep offering these sorts of options so that everyone with an interest in writing can attend and participate in these gatherings. That’s very important!  

With that…Here’s a quick recap of my weekend at StokerCon 2023.

Day 1: Arrival
We (the NerdWife accompanied me on this sojourn) pulled into the hotel, after driving the four hours from DC to Pittsburgh and parked, determined to NOT relinquish our coveted parking space (one mile from the Arena) to the roving packs of Swifties (see below) that would soon descend upon Pittsburgh.

We ran into the lobby and badged up, knowing we were already a few minutes late to the first party. Then, I practically ran to the party and ordered a drink. 

The First Party
I had to go to the first party. Why? Because the party hosts had rejected my novella… Let me explain.

I had sent them (a Horror publisher) my novella and it sat awhile with them. Finally, just the week before StokerCon, I got a rejection from them. But what a rejection it was!

An editor took the time out of their day to tell me that the piece had reached the final round and they would keep shopping it around if it were their story. Man! That was just what I needed to hear with this piece that’s already seen both a lot of rejection and some near misses.

So, I went up to both editors involved, introduced myself, and politely thanked them for taking a little time to drop me a personal note about the piece. Then, I moved on to talk to others….

And you know what?

One of these editors I spoke to at the party later thanked me (via Twitter) for coming to the party.

That’s classy, Folks.         

… Needless to say, I plan on submitting to them in the future…And if you write Horror, you should too!   

Boxed Wine Invite
Later that day, there was the Opening Ceremony and then the “official programming” for the day was over.

So what was a lonely writer to do?

That’s right!

Wander the halls all alone and see what they could find!

So, I familiarized myself with the layout of the convention (always a good idea) and went up to the 2^nd floor mezzanine level. And there was a group of people circled around a box of wine (Pinot Noir, I believe). As I was walking up, someone said.

“Hey, that’s look like a writer! Care to join us?”

And I said, “Sure, why not?”

I sat down, introduced myself and we went around the circle, everyone introducing themselves. About one minute later, I had a plastic cup of wine in hand and we were talking. We talked scary stories, scary movies, writing, and Comedy Horror. Pretty soon, we were all laughing and “cutting up,” having a grand old time. I simply couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

That’s Horror Writers for you!

Day 2: General Meeting
We had a mellow night and the next morning I attended the HWA General Meeting. I listened to the President, VP and others discuss some of the highlights and growth the group has experienced and some of the challenges, too.

Everyone up there on the board seemed to be friends with one another (or at least, respect one another which is even more important!).

And I thought, “The organization has got it together. They see where things are heading and they’re trying to meet these challenge before they fester and spill over.”

There was even talk of expanding (or continuing to expand) internationally and how they might offer (paid) childcare options at the next StokerCon Convention. That’s an organization that’s looking to the future!

Evolutions (of the Cosmic Horror Type)
The first panel I sat in on was on “Evolutions in Cosmic Horror.” This is a good chunk of the story of stuff I write.  

So, I sat down and took my seat. There was a lots of talk about where this subgenre was headed, but the one thing that really stuck out was a quote from one of the panelists:

“Everything I do, everything I write in this genre, is to make H.P. Lovecraft roll over in his grave.”

I tell you that hit my like a thunderbolt—and it got the loudest applause of the session!

Open Mic
Next, I went to a Poetry Open Mic hosted by Linda Addison, Horror Poet extraordinaire and five time Stoker winner for poetry. She started off reading the first poem and then opened the mic to the rest of us in the room. About 30 poets in all!

There were some really talented poets in that room and some great pieces were read. I was near the back and got more and more nervous as the mic slowly worked its way back to me. I scanned my brain trying to think of a short poem of mine I could read. I realized “In the Dose” was still online and brought up the web page.

Then, I stood in the front of the audience….And for the very first time read a poem I had written in public. I could feel the electricity (nervousness) coursing through my body.

Everyone was very gracious and applauded when I was done.

I handed off my mic to the next poet, sat down and listened.

Mass Signing
That evening was the mass signing. This is an event where they cram about 100 or so writers behind tables with their books into this giant banqueting hall. The Horror Fan/Writer (in this case, me) walks around the hall and sees what catches their eye.

This is an especially great opportunity to approach more established writers who you might be too nervous to approach on your own at the bar or in the elevator. It’s as if there saying, “Hey! I’m available now! Stop by and say ‘Hi’ and buy one of my books, please!”

So, I availed myself of the opportunity and approached two writers (who had won the Stoker Award in the past) and I knew were going to be on my reading panel later. They were super gracious and I picked up a signed book from each of them.

I also approached Guest of Honor Cynthia Pelayo…With whom I totally flubbed what I wanted to say (I was nervous), but who was so nice that she gave me a free, signed book despite my protests. (PS: She went onto win her first Stoker the next day and gave a speech that shook the house!).

I also picked up tons more books from authors I had seen do readings or panels.

Strange Interlude—The Screaming of the Swifties
That night to recharge my introvert batteries, I took a walk outside down by the river.

It was beautiful watching the twinkling skyline of downtown reflected in the slow moving rivers. And as you walked down along the embankment you could see the glowing lights streaming out of the arena where tens of thousands of Taylor Swift fans were gathered for a concert.

Getting closer, pretty soon I could see it. The massive Jumbotron with the Woman herself strumming a Mod-looking guitar as everyone sang along. There were more laser lights and more singing and then the number ended…And there was this ethereal shrieking scream of wafting across the river and the cries of thousands of Swifties seemed to want to rip through the space time continuum, lifting Taylor up and taking her with them to some new Swifty dimension.

Anyway, it was a nice break.

Day 3: Poetic Splatter 
The next morning between panels, I had a meeting with another writer (his name escapes me) which really made me think.

He was talking about his writing in SplatterPunk, which is a form of extreme horror (featuring violence, gore, trauma, etc.). It’s not what I write, so I wanted to learn what he had to say.

He said he is working on a piece where he writes only about 50 words a day. Then, lets it rest. He said he does so, because he wants to make it the most well-crafted, “beautiful” piece of SplatterPunk ever. And it immediately made me think of poetry (I often write only 50-100 words of poetry per day when I’m writing poetry). And I thought, “SplatterPunk Poetry”! Now that would be something. Making all that trauma in the end somehow poetic.

It’s one of the few conversations that stopped me in my tracks that weekend.

And I’m still thinking about it.

Poetry Class—”Cut It Out!”
One of my main goals this StokerCon was to take a poetry class with Linda Addison (mentioned above). I had heard good things about her classes and wanted to check it out.

I don’t want to spoil everything and reveal what the class was about, but I can’t resist sharing this one tip she shared:

“Poetry is about words coming out.”

Suffice to say if you’re a dark poet (in Horror, Fantasy, SciFi, etc.) and you get a chance to take a poetry class with Linda—do it!

My First Reading
Then, it finally came. The thing that really made me nervous my first public reading! I was appearing on a panel with three way more established Horror writers (all of whom had either won or been nominated for a Stoker Award).

We decided I would go third out of us four, which was perfect. I wouldn’t be the first so I could get a feel for what was to come. And I wouldn’t be last when the audience might have started leaving.

First up was Elizabeth Massie who CRUSHED her reading. It was a well-written Southern Gothic tale…which she did in a Southern accent (she is from Virginia) including the voices of the different characters.

At this point I was basically sinking through the floor and thinking, “How am I going to follow this?” Thankfully, she finished and the next reader was good, but didn’t include voice acting and I thought, “OK, maybe I can do this.”

My turn came and I stood up and told everyone this was my first public reading which garnered some polite applause. I started reading my poem “The King Becomes a Star.” The small crowd politely applauded after, which was nice. Then, I gave them the first three pages of an still-unpublished piece of Folk Horror I wrote, “Blackwater Bridge” which also went well.

Here’s a live recording of my reading:

Afterwards, one of the panelists came up and complemented me on my reading. And again, I started falling through the floor—but this time in a good way. 

Awards Banquet
The last night we attended the StokerCon banquet and Awards show. It was my first time and we had three Stoker nominees at our table.

We talked to the people seated next to us and enjoyed a great show great speeches from awardees. There was laughter, tears and suspense (over who would win). In the end, none of the nominees seated at my table won, but they all seemed relieved that it was simply over.  

30 Seconds Is Enough…and Hitting the Road
There was one guy who came all the way from England to go to StokerCon who I wanted to meet: Neil  of the Talking Scared Podcast. But each opportunity that presented itself seemed to melt away.

Luckily, the last day I happened to run into him and waited my turn to talk to him.

He was racing somewhere and couldn’t talk long. So, in literally 30 seconds we conducted a whole conversation:

I introduced myself and I said I enjoyed his Podcast. He thanked me and said he had to run, but that I should follow him on social media and we should “start a conversation there.” I thanked him, we shook hands and he was off.

But that sort of summed up by conference. I had the opportunity—if just for 30 seconds—to meet people that lived 3,000 miles away and have them realize “Hey, this is a real person.” Because of who we are as humans, this person is now much more likely to interact with me. To answer questions, to seek out my social, to buy my book, heck, maybe even to have me on his Podcast…Just because we took plane rides, booked hotels and took half a minute to talk to one another face to face.

 That’s why you go to these things.

After that we went to the Closing Ceremony, checked out, and hit the road.

The Last Word
I think it’s fitting to give Taylor Swift the last word here. Yes, friends, it’s come to that…

As her fans were all around us that weekend—the glitter and pink among all the darkness in the hotel lobby—I think the writer of “Anti-Hero” deserves a shout-out.

You know, that song in particular is interesting. It’s about how things are not what they seem. It’s about heroes and anti-heroes. It’s about celebrity and deifying those we are in love with. And it’s about how those we love sometimes don’t live up to those expectations and let us down. It’s also about how we let ourselves down, how we don’t live up to the expectations and dreams we have for ourselves.

It’s about how these people we deify aren’t heroes, but anti-heroes. But the funny thing is, even when we find out they are Anti-Heroes, we keep rooting for them anyway. And maybe we love them even more.

So, that’s my deep Swiftological Analysis. And it’s something to think about: Maybe our heroes can be monsters…And maybe, just maybe, some of our monsters can be heroes.

And maybe the best of us are a little bit of both!

See you next time!

Darius