StokerCon 2025: Full Schedule

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.

6:00pm EDT

Nightfire Happy Hour!

Friday June 13, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Foyer

Nightfire is sponsoring a Happy Hour, where you can stop by, meet and chat their authors, and have a drink or two.

There will be a hosted bar at this event.

Speakers

Anne Heltzel

Senior Editor, Abrams Books

I'm a YA fiction/nonfiction editor at Amulet, an imprint of Abrams Books--talk to me about my upcoming projects or pitch me something new!

S. A. Barnes

S.A. Barnes works in a high school library by day, recommending reads, talking with students, and removing the occasional forgotten cheese stick as bookmark. Barnes has published numerous novels across different genres under the pen name Stacey Kade. She lives in Illinois with more... Read More →

Cassandra Khaw

CASSANDRA KHAW is the USA Today bestselling author of Nothing But Blackened Teeth and the Bram Stoker Award-winner, Breakable Things. Other notable works of theirs are The Salt Grows Heavy and British Fantasy Award and Locus Award finalist, Hammers on Bone. Khaw’s work can... Read More →

Philip Fracassi

Nat Cassidy

Nat Cassidy writes horror for the page, stage, and screen. His acclaimed novels Mary: An Awakening of Terror and Nestlings were featured in best-of lists from Esquire, Harper's Bazaar, NPR, the Chicago Review of Books, the NY Public Library, and more, and he was named one of the... Read More →

CJ Leede

CJ Leede is a horror writer, hiker, and Trekkie. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University, and a BA from NYU’s Gallatin School, where she studied Mythology and the Middle Ages. When she is not driving around the country, she can be found in LA with her boyfriend... Read More →

Friday June 13, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Foyer

Convention Event

10:00pm EDT

Final Frame Film Competition Reception

Friday June 13, 2025 10:00pm - 11:00pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Foyer

Come talk about the films while the judges decide the winner!

This is a catered event. There will be a cash bar.

Friday June 13, 2025 10:00pm - 11:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Foyer

Convention Event

4:00pm EDT

Joyce Carol Oates Book SIgning

Saturday June 14, 2025 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Foyer

Following Joyce Carol Oates's conversation with Ellen Datlow, join us for a book signing opportunity. Many of Joyce's books will be available for purchase in the dealers room.

Speakers

Joyce Carol Oates

Joyce Carol Oates is the author of 58 novels and many novellas, plays, short stories, and other work. She is a recipient of the National Book Award, two O. Henry Awards, the National Humanities Medal, and the Jerusalem Prize and a five-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Among Oates... Read More →

Saturday June 14, 2025 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Foyer

Convention Event

6:00pm EDT

HWA Diversity Grant Raffle Drawing!

Saturday June 14, 2025 6:00pm - 6:15pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Foyer

If you entered the HWA Diversity Grant Raffle, head to the end of the Grand Ballroom Foyer to see if you won! Linda Addison and Brian Matthews will draw the winners for each raffle item.

YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN. IF YOU'RE NOT THERE IF YOUR NAME IS CALLED, WE WILL CALL ANOTHER NAME.

Moderators

Linda D. Addison

Trustee, Horror Writers Association

Linda D. Addison is an award-winning author of five collections, including How To Recognize A Demon Has Become Your Friend, recipient of the HWA Lifetime Achievement Award, HWA Mentor of the Year and SFPA Grand Master of Fantastic Poetry.

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.

Saturday June 14, 2025 6:00pm - 6:15pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Foyer

HWA Event

6:00pm EDT

Bram Stoker Awards® Cocktail Reception

Saturday June 14, 2025 6:00pm - 6:45pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Foyer

Gather with friends old and new at the cocktail mixer. Cash bar available.

Saturday June 14, 2025 6:00pm - 6:45pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Foyer

HWA Event