StokerCon 2026: Full Schedule

8:00pm EDT

Opening Ceremony

Thursday June 4, 2026 8:00pm - 10:00pm EDT

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.

Moderators

Lisa Wood

President, Horror Writers Association

L. Marie Wood is an award-winning psychological horror author and screenwriter. She won the Golden Stake Award for her novel The Promise Keeper. Her screenplays have won Best Horror, Best Afrofuturism/Horror/Sci-Fi, and Best Short Screenplay awards at several film festivals. Wood... Read More →

Speakers

Ann VanderMeer

editor/anthologist/writer, VanderMeer Creative, Inc.

Ann VanderMeer is an award-winning editor & anthologist. She currently serves as an acquiring editor for Reactormag.com. She was the editor-in-chief for Weird Tales, during which time she won the Hugo Award. Along with multiple other nominations, she has won a World Fantasy Award... Read More →

Linda Addison

Trustee, Horror Writers Association

Rachel Harrison

Rachel Harrison is the New York Times Bestselling author of PLAY NICE, SO THIRSTY, BLACK SHEEP, SUCH SHARP TEETH, CACKLE, and THE RETURN. Her short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies and in her debut story collection BAD DOLLS.

Her next novel, KISS SLAY REPLAY, is out this September from Berkley in the US and Titan in the UK... Read More →

John Shirley

Decades of experience in horror, television, science fiction,thriller writing, movie scripting. Strong opinions on AI, the future of our civilization, esoteric spirituality. Weird poetry.The book I won the Bram Stoker for: Black Butterflies. My new horror novel (written with Ma... Read More →

Billy Martin

Stephen King, John Kennedy Toole, cats, birds (wild ones, not pets), New Orleans, Jaws, Goodfellas, international food, travel, old music (mainly 1960s - 1980s)

James Tynion IV

James Tynion IV is the writer of the New York Times Best-Selling BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES cross-over for DC Comics and IDW Publishing, as well as the bi-weekly DETECTIVE COMICS, a key title in DC Comics' Rebirth initiative.He is best known for his work on the Batman titles... Read More →

Thursday June 4, 2026 8:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Allegheny Ballroom II-III

HWA Spotlight

12:00pm EDT

Pitch Sessions

Saturday June 6, 2026 12:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Allegheny Ballroom II-III

The StokerCon 2026 pitch sessions!

You must have an appointment scheduled in advance to attend the pitch sessions. Please arrive fifteen minutes before your pitch session is to start.

Moderators

Brian Matthews

Trustee; Co-Chair, StokerCon Governing Committee; Bram Stoker Awards® Show Coordinator; Pitch Session Coordinator, Horror Writers Association

Author, financial planner, former psychologist, husband, and father. Trustee for the Horror Writers Association, as well a National Co-Chair for StokerCon. I also run the Pitch Sessions and act as the Bram Stoker Awards Show Coordinator. That pretty much sums it up.

Speakers

Rena Mason

Sarah Read

Saturday June 6, 2026 12:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Allegheny Ballroom II-III

HWA Spotlight

7:00pm EDT

Bram Stoker Awards Banquet

Saturday June 6, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT

Allegheny Ballroom II-III

Enjoy a specially prepared banquet meal before the Bram Stoker Awards Ceremony begins.

You must purchase a banquet ticket to attend the event.

This event has 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.

Saturday June 6, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Allegheny Ballroom II-III

HWA Spotlight

8:00pm EDT

Bram Stoker Awards Ceremony

Saturday June 6, 2026 8:00pm - 10:00pm EDT

Allegheny Ballroom II-III

The presentation of the annual Bram Stoker Awards, emceed by by Kevin Wetmore, with the keynote speech about the 10th Anniversary of StokerCon by James Chambers.

This event is open to all attendees. A separate ticket is not required.

This event has 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.

Moderators

Kevin Wetmore, Jr.

Volunteer Coordinator, HWA LA

Speakers

James Chambers

Trustee; Co-Chair, StokerCon Governing Committee; Chair, Horror University, Horror Writers Association

James Chambers is the Bram Stoker Award® and Scribe Award-winning editor and author of A Bright and Beautiful Eternal World, On the Night Border, On the Hierophant Road, the graphic novel, Kolchak the Night Stalker: The Forgotten Lore of Edgar Allan Poe, and editor of Under Twin... Read More →

Saturday June 6, 2026 8:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Allegheny Ballroom II-III

HWA Spotlight

8:00pm EDT

12:00pm EDT

7:00pm EDT

8:00pm EDT

Get help with the event