StokerCon 2026

Welcome to StokerCon! Now what? If you’re a first-time attendee, new to the horror community, or simply seeking a better handle on how to keep up with everything happening at StokerCon, this is the panel for you. A group of StokerCon veterans and organizers will help you know what to expect, how to plan your time, what our different programming options offer, and how to meet your favorite horror writers without scaring them. Drop into for a crash course on navigating the ins and outs of the HWA’s annual convention.

Curious about local chapters? Find out about existing chapters in your area by meeting chairs and secretaries. From critique groups and author events to mentorship and networking, chapters offer a way to make the most of your HWA membershi

The Bram Stoker Awards are among the pinnacle of honors bestowed upon horror writers. But what is the process by which the awards are determined? What is a Recommended Reading List, what the heck is a jury, and how can a writer get their works on either, or both? 

Join this panel of Stoker Award experts who will clarify the award process and answer all of your questions.

Come join the celebration of the start of StokerCon 2026! Meet our Guests of Honor, HWA officers and trustees, StokerCon Governing Board co-chairs, and friends old and new.

This event is catered with a cash bar. The bar accepts credit/debit cards, or, if you are staying at the Westin, you can charge drinks to your room. No cash accepted.

A fun, late-night programming piece, not at all a serious discussion--though it might just get intense!

Nine participants and one host. Two teams of three. Three judges. An intrepid group who will strive to answer the age old question: "Which monster would win in a fight?" In each round, each team will randomly be assigned a monster out of classic horror or folklore and a random setting will be chosen (or provided by the audience). Each team will then make their case for why their monster would defeat the other team's monster, how their powers or characteristics would match up, and how their environment might be a factor. After the cases are presented, the judges will assess the arguments and decide the winner! Tongue-in-cheek! Outlandish! Deeply meaningful! Place yer bets and let fate decide!