Name: How To Be A Pro
Start: 2025-06-13T09:00:00-0400
End: 2025-06-13T09:45:00-0400

Welcome to the premiere horror literary convention presented by the Horror Writers Association. Registration for StokerCon 2025 is now available! This year the convention is being hosted by the city of Stamford, Connecticut, at the Hilton Stamford Hotel and Executive Meeting Center. We’re taking over from June 12th through the 15th, 2025.

Friday June 13, 2025 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

Aspen 2

A discussion of proper etiquette and professional behavior for authors approaching agents, editors, and publishers, promoting their work, engaging in the writing community, interacting with readers, being active online, and other aspects of being a professional writer. The panel will offer tips, do's and don'ts and general advice about how to succeed in making good connections and advancing your career.

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

Patrick Freivald

Becky LeJeune

Agent, Bond Literary Agency

Becky LeJeune is an agent at Bond Literary Agency, a Denver-based agency run by Sandra Bond. Prior to joining the agency, Becky spent time working as a bookseller, a freelance cookbook editor, and an acquisitions editor for a small, regional press. She is a graduate of the Denver... Read More →

Emily Hughes

Author, reviewer, listmaker

Emily C. Hughes (she/her) wants to scare you. Formerly the editor of Unbound Worlds and TorNightfire.com, she writes about horror and curates a list of the year’s new scary books. Her first book, Horror For Weenies: Everything You Need to Know About the Films You’re Too Scared... Read More →

Michael Dolan

Editorial Director, Winding Road Stories

Michael Dolan is a writer and editor with over 25 years of experience at the highest levels of publishing. In addition to being the author of several books, he has served as executive editor for many publishing companies, including Condé Nast. As the founder of Winding Road Stories... Read More →

Douglas Murano

Founder/CEO, Bad Hand Books

Friday June 13, 2025 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Aspen 2

Convention Event

StokerCon 2025