StokerCon 2025

Horror and romance might seem like strange bedfellows, but when done well, they can elevate each other in powerful, unexpected ways. This panel explores the rich intersection between terror and tenderness—where love stories unfold amid dread, danger, and darkness. As genre mashups continue to rise in popularity, especially in the wake of the romantasy boom, more authors are weaving emotionally complex relationships into their horror-forward stories.

Join us for a candid conversation with authors who are pushing the boundaries of genre: developing compelling romantic arcs within gruesome, unsettling worlds; balancing suspense and swoon; and navigating the tonal tightrope between tragedy and happily ever after. How do they craft believable romantic pairings in stories filled with paranormal or psychological horror? Can romance ground a horror narrative—or does it risk making it less believable? Is it possible to satisfy both horror and romance readers at once?

This conversation will offer insights for writers looking to explore genre fusion and readers drawn to the emotional stakes of love in the face of fear. Expect a lively, thoughtful, and slightly twisted discussion about why these two genres might be a perfect match.

Surviving life as a creative. How we make ends meet. What we sacrifice and what we gain. Join our group of panelists as we talk day jobs, work/life balance, career shifts, and the many unconventional paths we walk as writers. The audience will have a look behind the curtain at some of their favorite writers while being invited to share their own experiences, as we collectively dispel the myth of making it, in a casual and candid conversation with lots of back-and-forth.

The annual HWA Board meeting. This will include updates from Board members and a Question and Answer period.

This panel will be live-streamed.

Gothic horror is undergoing a thrilling revival in both literature and film, and at the heart of this resurgence is the Gothic heroine—haunted, complex, and newly empowered. Once confined to windswept corridors and shadowy attics, today’s Gothic heroines are reclaiming their narratives, confronting modern anxieties like gaslighting, isolation, generational trauma, and societal expectations. This panel will explore how contemporary writers are reimagining the Gothic heroine for a new era—subverting traditional tropes while honoring the emotional intensity and atmosphere that define the genre. Why is the Gothic heroine resonating so strongly right now? What cultural forces are driving her return, and how are these characters evolving to meet today’s fears? As Gothic horror continues to surge in popularity, this conversation will explore why the genre—and its most iconic figure—is more relevant than ever.

A fan-favorite trope, final girls channel hope, grit, and vindication in fearsome fights for survival—but these novels offer even more to cheer on with their original portrayals of horror’s favorite heroes. Whether it be a late-70’s grandmother sleuthing around a retirement home, a good Catholic teen thrust into the rapture, or a struggling actress saddled with more responsibilities than she bargained for, these novels reimagine the convention and allow us to root for final girls that don’t fit the mold. In this panel, authors will discuss their own favorite final girls throughout horror history, their inspirations for these original characters, and their predictions for how this trope and the horror genre writ large might evolve in the future.

Join Gaby Triana and fellow panelists for a conversation on sustaining a long-term writing career in horror. They’ll share real-world strategies for producing consistently, staying inspired, and managing writing demands alongside life’s responsibilities. Whether you’re just starting out or working to expand your body of work, you’ll hear insights from both newer and more established writers on how to keep showing up for the work — and yourself.

HWA Past President Lisa Morton sits down with Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Del Howison, to discuss his life with Co-Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Sue Howison, their accomplishments, their love of horror, and their horror-themed bookstore, Dark Delicacies.