Community, connection, and celebrating horror with some of the best minds in the business! :)

There is nothing quite like stepping into a space completely dedicated to the things that go bump in the night. This year’s StokerCon was an absolute whirlwind of inspiration, and I am still buzzing from the incredible energy of the weekend.

While the panels and readings were fantastic, the absolute highlight was the community itself. After spending so much time connecting online, getting to meet so many brilliant creators, peers, and horror authors I love in person was truly unmatched.

I had the absolute pleasure of crossing paths and chatting with some genuinely awesome people:

Linda D. Addison, whose presence and incredible work made meeting her an absolute dream.
Michael Bailey, whose insight and creativity are always deeply inspiring to be around.
Greg Greene, bringing incredible energy and passion to every conversation.
Becky Spratford, an absolute treasure trove of knowledge and a joy to talk to.
Jamie Flanagan, sharing wonderful perspectives that left me ready to dive right back into creative work.
Abigail Taylor, whose talent is matched only by her kindness.

And honestly, that is just the tip of the iceberg. Every hallway conversation, late-night chat, and shared laugh made the weekend what it was. Plus, I walked away with a massive haul—I scored a ton of amazing swag and free books to add to my ever-growing reading list!

One of the most surreal and amazing parts of the entire weekend was seeing so many people wearing my "Ask Me Why I Love Horror" shirt, which is based on Becky’s book. Honestly, seeing it out in the wild like that made me feel like a little celebrity!

Horror creators and fans are truly some of the warmest, most welcoming people on the planet. It was an amazing, deeply fun experience that reminded me exactly why I love this community. I’m already counting down the days and looking forward to doing it all over again next year!

Beyond the Page: The Unforgettable Magic of StokerCon 2026