Scares That Care’s AuthorCon II Programming Schedule
What follows is the official Programming Schedule for AuthorCon II (a Scares That Care charity event) taking place March 31 through April 2 in Williamsburg, VA. Fans, readers, and attendees can refer to this schedule to help them plan their weekend. Click here to purchase tickets to the convention or the special on-site events, view the Film Festival schedule, our Guests of Honor, hotel information, and more.
FRIDAY
Opening Ceremonies – 4:00pm to 5:00pm (First Floor, Auditorium): Brian Keene, Joe Ripple and the rest of our staff and volunteers welcome all Guests of Honor, vendors, and attendees, give you important information for the weekend, and present the 2023 Charity Award and the first annual Wilburn-Thomas Award. Attendance by all is strongly encouraged.
Vendor Hours (Vendors are located in the main Vendor’s Room and on both the First and Second Floors) – 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Silent Auction (First Floor, Auditorium) – 5:00pm to 9:00pm
An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe – 9:00pm (First Floor, Auditorium): A one-hour program with dramatic performances of “The Tell Tale Heart” and “The Raven”. Actor Campbell Harmon speaks in character as Poe with the audience about the author’s life, his death, and his profound influence on American literature, dispelling the myths that have surrounded his legacy to show how his works continue to influence literature and culture today. Suitable for all ages. This is a ticketed event. Tickets are available for purchase at convention registration.
Workshop: Writing Personal Horror – 9:00pm to 11:00pm (Second Floor, Room 15): In order to write effective and original horror, you have to dig into your own psyche and find out what scares you. By focusing on your own personal fears and giving them shivery life on the page, you’ll be connecting to your audience – guaranteed. In this session, participants will learn techniques from instructor Tim Waggoner for drawing on their past, their presents, hopes, dreams, fears, obsessions, and current observations to create horror that stands out from the pack. Participants should bring something to write with/on. This is a ticketed event. Tickets are available for purchase at convention registration.
Readings:
5:30pm – 6:15pm (Second Floor, Room 8): Sarah Matthews and Jenny Allen
5:45pm – 6:30pm (Second Floor, Room 11): Lucas Milliron and J.P. Behrens
6:00pm – 6:45pm (Second Floor, Room 12): Jason Parent and Joseph Pesavento
6:30pm – 7:15pm (Second Floor, Room 8): Jeff Strand and Max Booth III
6:45pm – 7:30pm (Second Floor, Room 11): Todd Keisling and Kevin Lucia
7:00pm – 7:45pm (Second Floor, Room 12): Tim Lebbon and Rio Youers
7:30pm – 8:15pm (Second Floor, Room 8): Laurel Hightower and Red Lagoe
7:45pm – 8:30pm (Second Floor, Room 11): Anton Cancre and Pamela K. Kinney
8:00pm – 8:45pm (Second Floor, Room 12): L. Marie Wood and Sonora Taylor
8:30pm – 9:30pm (Second Floor, Room 8): Wesley Southard, Lucas Mangum, and John Wayne Comunale
Panels:
5:00pm – 6:00pm (First Floor, Auditorium): Help, I Married A Horror Writer – A mystery panel of six author’s spouses and partners spill the tea on the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of being in a relationship with a horror writer. Moderated by Brian Keene
5:30pm – 6:30pm (Second Floor, Room 16): So You Want To Publish An Anthology? – Kenneth W. Cain (moderator), Rachel A. Brune, Rebecca Rowland, R. E Sargent, Steven Pajak, and Candace Nola guide you step-by-step through the process of editing and publishing an anthology.
5:45pm – 6:45pm (Second Floor, Room 17): Horror Poetry – Jacob Haddon (moderator), Cynthia Pelayo, John Urbancik, M Ennenbach, and Anton Cancre discuss their creative process and some of their favorite horror poets.
6:00pm – 7:00pm (Second Floor, Room 18): The New Slashers – Crazed killers are making a comeback in both horror fiction and film. Preston Fassel (moderator), Adam Cesare, Kristopher Triana, Kristopher Rufty, Scott Cole, and Jason Myers discuss the new wave of slashers.
6:45pm – 7:45pm (Second Floor, Room 16): Collaborations – Stephen Kozeniewski (moderator), Wile E. Young, Wesley Southard, Ruthanne Jagge, Daron Kappauff, and RJ Roles discuss the ins-and-outs of writing with a partner.
7:00pm – 8:00pm (Second Floor, Room 17): Writing The Badge and The Bus – Joe Ripple, Ronald Malfi, and Amanda Headlee lead this Q&A on the correct way to write law enforcement procedure, tactics, and investigations, and EMT procedures for medical emergencies and trauma.
7:15pm – 8:15pm (Second Floor, Room 18): Body Horror Beyond – Lucas Milliron (Moderator), Hailey Piper, Bitter Karella, and Gemma Amor discuss the latest in body horror fiction and film.
8:00pm – 9:00pm (Second Floor, Room 16): Military Ops – Veterans of the United States Armed Forces and Alphabet Agencies discuss their military service, how they’ve utilized it in their fiction, and how you can, too. Scott M. Baker (moderator), Rachel A. Brune, Stephen Kozeniewski, John Lynch, and L.P. Hernandez.
SATURDAY
Vendor Hours (Vendors are located in the main Vendor’s Room and on both the First and Second Floors) – 10:00am to 6:00pm
Silent Auction (First Floor, Auditorium) – 10:00am to 5:00pm (winners will be announced at 5:00pm sharp)
A Tribute To Jay Wilburn – Noon to 1:00pm (Second Floor, Room 18): Friends and peers of author Jay Wilburn, including Armand Rosamilia, Max Booth, Jeff Strand, Daniel J. Volpe, John Urbancik, Stephen Kozeniewski, and Thomas R. Clark, share personal stories and tributes.
Workshop: Writing For Video Games (What You Need To Know) – 6:00pm to 10:00pm (Second Floor, Room 15): Video game industry veteran Richard Dansky (Red Storm, Ubisoft) leads this highly interactive seminar on how to write for video games. Participants should bring something to write with/on. This is a ticketed event. Tickets are available for purchase at convention registration.
An Evening with Psychic and Medium Dakota Lawrence – 7:00pm (Second Floor, Room 17): In this group setting, renowned psychic and medium Dakota Lawrence will conduct live readings regarding loved ones, participant’s lives, and more. This is a ticketed event. Tickets are available for purchase at convention registration. Please note that participants will be chosen at random, and a ticket does not guarantee a reading.
Breast Cancer Walk – 9:00pm (approximately) (First Floor Lobby and Bar area)
The Gross-Out Contest – 10:30pm (Second Floor, Room 18): A bevy of your favorite horror authors square off once again in the literary world’s most vile, hilarious, and incendiary showdown. Each has five minutes to gross out the crowd and impress host Brian Keene, bouncer Armand Rosamilia, and judges Maurice Broaddus, L. Marie Wood, Mary SanGiovanni, Bridgett Nelson, Mike Lombardo, and Candace Nola. Adults Only. No One Under 18 Permitted. Attendee Discretion Is Strongly Advised.
Readings:
10:15am – 11:00am (Second Floor, Room 8): Carol Gyzander and Rachel A. Brune
10:30am – 11:15am (Second Floor, Room 11): Richard Dansky and P.D. Cacek
11:00am – 11:45am (Second Floor, Room 12): Cynthia Pelayo and Briana Morgan
11:15am – Noon (Second Floor, Room 8): Hailey Piper and Gemma Amor
11:30am – 12:15pm (Second Floor, Room 11): Tim Waggoner and Mason Winfield
Noon – 1:00pm (Second Floor, Room 15): Armin Shimerman (Reading, plus Q&A moderated by John Anderson)
12:15pm – 1:00pm (Second Floor, Room 8): Kenzie Jennings and Bridgett Nelson
12:30pm – 1:15pm (Second Floor, Room 11): Jonathan Janz and Justin Holley
1:15pm – 2:00pm (Second Floor, Room 8): Bitter Karella and Mary SanGiovanni
1:30pm – 2:15pm (Second Floor, Room 15): Maurice Broaddus and John Urbancik
1:30pm – 2:15pm (Second Floor, Room 11): Kenneth W. Cain and Tom Rimer
2:15pm – 3:00pm (Second Floor, Room 8): Katherine Silva and Mike Tyree
2:30pm – 3:15pm (Second Floor, Room 11): Dorian J. Sinnott and Daniel Braum
2:30pm – 3:15pm (Second Floor, Room 12): Tony Evans and Shawn Burgess
3:15pm – 4:00pm (Second Floor, Room 8): Mark Masztal and Nathan D. Ludwig
3:30pm – 4:15pm (Second Floor, Room 11): Joshua MacMillan and Megan Stockton
4:15pm – 5:00pm (Second Floor, Room 8): Ronald Kelly and Stephen Mark Rainey
4:30pm – 5:15pm (Second Floor, Room 11): Douglas Ford and Jeremy Megargee
5:15pm – 6:00pm (Second Floor, Room 8): Chase Will and Jay Bower
5:30pm – 6:15pm (Second Floor, Room 11): R.J. Roles and Jason Myers
6:15pm – 7:00pm (Second Floor, Room 8): Robert Essig and R.J. Benetti
6:30pm – 7:15pm (Second Floor, Room 11): Nathan McCullough and L.P. Hernandez
7:15pm – 8:00pm (Second Floor, Room 8): Preston Fassel and M. Ennenbach
7:30pm – 8:30pm (Second Floor, Room 11): Adam Cesare, Scott Cole, and Clay McLeod Chapman
Panels:
10:15am – 11:15am (Second Floor, Room 16): Agent and Publisher Ethics – Matt Blairstone (moderator) Rio Youers, Laurel Hightower, L. Marie Wood, and D. Alexander Ward discuss what to look for – and what to run away from – when it comes to agents and publishers.
10:15am – 11:15am (Second Floor, Room 15): Queer Horror 2023 – Sam Richard (moderator), Bitter Karella, Jamie Flanagan, Norman Prentiss, Rebecca Rowland, Dorian J. Sinnott, and Nikki Nelson Hicks discuss the latest trends and the hottest books in queer horror.
10:30am – 11:30am (Second Floor, Room 17): Horror Comics – Interested in horror comic books and graphic novels but don’t know where to begin? Nathan McCullough (moderator), Clay McLeod Chapman, James Chambers, Mark Masztal, Scott Cole, and Wile. E. Young discuss some of their favorites.
10:45am – 11:45am (Second Floor, Room 18): The Psychology of Horror – How does human psychology apply to horror fiction? What makes for effective psychological horror? David Simms (moderator), Mona Kabbani, Tommy B. Smith, Daniel Braum, Jenny Allen, and J.P. Behrens discuss all this and more.
1:00pm – 2:00pm (Second Floor, Room 16): Road Dogs – What are some tips for setting up a book signing? How can one plan an economical book signing tour? What are the do’s-and-dont’s of setting up at conventions? Wesley Southard (moderator), Gemma Amor, Ronald Malfi, Joseph Pesavento, John Wayne Comunale.
1:15pm – 2:00pm (Second Floor, Room 12): Sherrilyn Kenyon Q&A (Kelley Anderson moderator)
1:15pm – 2:15pm (Second Floor, Room 17): The Truth About Paranormal Investigations – What really happens during a paranormal investigation? What kind of tools and skills are used? And what does horror fiction get right and wrong? P.D. Cacek and Mason Winfield answer all your questions.
1:30pm – 2:30pm (Second Floor, Room 18): Self-Publishing 101: Sonora Taylor (moderator) discusses tips and tricks for self-publishing in 2023 with Jessica Eppley, B.C. Lienesch, Caterina Novelliere, John Durgin, Briana Morgan, and Jay Bower
2:15pm – 3:15pm (Second Floor, Room 16): Trauma In Fiction – Candace Nola (moderator), Kristopher Triana, Marian Elaine, Kristopher Rufty, Bridgett Nelson, Sam Richard, and Lucas Milliron discuss how trauma is used in fiction, why it is used, and the benefits of doing so.
2:30pm – 3:30pm (Second Floor, Room 17): Golden Years – Jonathan Janz (moderator) talks with Ronald Kelly and Stephen Mark Rainey – veterans of the late 1980s/early 1990s horror boom, and Sherrilyn Kenyon, Maurice Broaddus, Tim Lebbon, Ronald Malfi, Mary SanGiovanni, James Chambers, and Tim Waggoner – veterans of the 2000s horror resurrection – on those golden years, and what possibly lies ahead for the genre.
2:45pm – 3:45pm (Second Floor, Room 18): Marketing 101 – Now, more than ever, authors are finding themselves responsible for their own marketing and promotion. Red Lagoe (moderator) discusses tip and tricks with Lucy Leitner, Kelley Anderson, Aron Beauregard, Daniel J. Volpe, and Lucas Mangum.
3:30pm – 4:30pm (Second Floor, Room 16): Cryptids – Bigfoot, Mothman, and their kin are experiencing a resurgence in horror fiction. C.W. Briar (moderator), Bitter Karella, Laurel Hightower, Pamela K. Kinney, and Dan Franklin discuss the trend and some of their favorites.
3:45pm – 4:45pm (Second Floor, Room 17): Book Design 101 – Scott Cole (moderator) discusses the ins-and-outs of book design, from cover to bookstore shelves, with Todd Keisling, Lynne Hansen, John G. Hartness, and Kenneth W. Cain.
4:00pm – 5:00pm (Second Floor, Room 18): Screenwriting 101 – Preston Fassel (moderator) talks to screenwriters Jamie Flanagan, Clay McLeod Chapman, James Noll, and Nathan D. Ludwig about everything you need to know to write for movies and television.
4:45pm – 5:45pm (Second Floor, Room 16): Cosmic Horror – Mary SanGiovanni (moderator and “the Queen of Cosmic Horror”) is joined by Robert P. Ottone, Daron Kappauff, Dan Henk, Ben Farthing, and Tommy B. Smith to discuss the evolution of modern cosmic horror and where it might go from here.
5:00pm – 6:00pm (Second Floor, Room 17): Extreme Horror – Thomas R. Clark (moderator) is joined by Kristopher Rufty, Daniel J. Volpe, Carver Pike, Bridgett Nelson, and Eric Butler to discuss the resurgence in popularity of extreme horror and Splatterpunk and what the future may hold for each.
SUNDAY
Vendor Hours (Vendors are located in the main Vendor’s Room and on both the First and Second Floors) – 10:00am to 3:00pm
Readings:
10:15am – 11:15am (Second Floor, Room 8): James Chambers, Daron Kappauff, and Nicholas Day
10:30am – 11:15am (Second Floor, Room 11): Shanna Robillard and Amanda Headlee
11:30am – 12:15pm (Second Floor, Room 8): Scott M. Baker and John Lynch
11:30 – 12:30pm (Second Floor, Room 11): Jacob Haddon, D. Alexander Ward, and Chris DiLeo
12:30pm – 1:15pm (Second Floor, Room 8): Stephen Kozeniewski and Wile E. Young
Panels:
10:30am – 11:30am (Second Floor, Room 16): Found Footage – Tom Rimer (moderator and cohost of Found Footage Fridays), Matt Blazi, Norman Prentiss, and Chase Will discuss the renewed popularity of found footage films and fiction.
10:30am – 11:30am (Second Floor, Room 17): Folklore and History – How can one accurately portray folk horror? What are some witchcraft tropes that practitioners would love to see put to the stake? How does a writer or researcher gain access to historical archives? Thomas R. Clark (moderator), Ruthann Jagge, Tony Evans, Mason Winfield, and Douglas Ford discuss getting your facts straight when it comes to Folk Horror, Historical Horror, and Witchcraft.
11:00am – Noon (Second Floor, Room 18): Writing Media Tie-Ins: Tim Waggoner, Mary SanGiovanni, and Brian Keene discuss writing for big media properties – how to get the job, what you can get away with, and what you can’t.
1:30pm – 2:30pm (Second Floor, Room 18): The Yell At Brian Keene Panel – Joe Ripple, Jake Lerner, Brian Keene, Sonora Taylor, Angel Hollman, and the rest of the Scares That Care staff welcome your feedback in this open forum, so that we can implement it next year. (Please don’t really yell at Brian, though.)