StokerCon 2026

Rare books and literary archival collections can be fertile ground for academic research, creative inspiration, and documentation of the writing process and publishing industry. Join us for a panel that uncovers how primary source research in the University of Pittsburgh Library System’s horror studies collections has been used to generate and inspire both academic and creative works, the processes behind this type of research, and the value that creating your own archive can provide to the next generation of writers and researchers.

This panel is sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Library System

Aquatic horror goes way beyond Jaws. Our fear of what might lurk in the dark water is almost primordial—maybe humanity’s first fear. This panel explores the history of aquatic horror in literature and film—and offers a glimpse into what the future may hold.