Name: Summer Scares: A Thrilling Summer Reading Program
Start: 2026-06-05T15:00:00-0400
End: 2026-06-05T15:50:00-0400

Summer Scares: A Thrilling Summer Reading Program

Friday June 5, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT

Pennsylvania Ballroom

Join Summer Scares current and past selected authors, spokespeople, and partners to learn more about the HWA’s popular summer reading program, how to get involved, and how to use Summer Scares resources to better serve your patrons. Featuring Jennifer McMahon with more panelists to be announced soon!

Moderators

Yaika Sabat

Speakers

Ann Fraistat

Author

Ann Fraistat is an author, playwright, and narrative designer. Her debut novel, What We Harvest, is a 2022 Bram Stoker finalist, a 2026 HWA Summer Scares selection, and an ABA Indies Introduce and Kids' Indie Next Pick. A Place For Vanishing, her second book, is a 2024 Bram Stok... Read More →

Shane Hawk

Writer-Editor, PRH-Counterpoint

Shane Hawk (Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma) is a horror writer and editor. As a contributing editor at Counterpoint Press, he exclusively works with North American Indigenous writers. In 2020, he released his debut short story collection ANOKA. Hawk is the coeditor of the... Read More →

Grady Hendrix

I own too many paperbacks and write too many books. I apologize for both of these sins.

CJ Leede

CJ Leede is a horror writer, hiker, and Trekkie. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University, and a BA from NYU’s Gallatin School, where she studied Mythology and the Middle Ages. When she is not driving around the country, she can be found in LA with her boyfriend... Read More →

Ally Malinenko

Ally Malinenko is the author of several poetry collections as well as Ghost Girl and the Stoker nominated This Appearing House both from Katherine Tegen Books/Harper Collins

Jennifer McMahon

Author

Jennifer McMahon is the author of My Darling Girl and twelve other novels, including the New York Times bestsellers Promise Not to Tell and The Winter People. She lives in Florida with her partner, Drea. Visit her at jennifer-mcmahon.com or connect with her on Instagram @jennifer... Read More →

Ally Russell

Ted Van Alst

Writer, Vintage/PRH

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. is the author of Chicago-set award-winning story collections Sacred Smokes, Sacred City; and Sacred Folks as well as Pour One for the Devil. He is the co-editor of the bestselling Never Whistle at Night from Vintage/Penguin Random House. His debut novel... Read More →

Friday June 5, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Pennsylvania Ballroom

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