Horror Writers Association
The Horror Writers Association (HWA) is the world’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization for writers, editors, publishers and other related creative professionals focused on the dark literature and horror genres in books, short stories, poetry, art and film.
The San Diego Chapter of the HWA, co-founded in 2016 by KC Grifant, meets bimonthly and organizes events, networking, and other opportunities to support and promote horror literature in the SoCal region.
Led by KC Grifant, S. Faxon and Dennis K. Crosby, the chapter regularly organizes tables, panels and activities at events including The San Diego Festival of Books, the LAT Festival of Books, Midsummer Scream, Comic Con, WonderCon, and more in partnership with indie bookstores, libraries and others.
The chapter also hosted the international annual StokerCon here in San Diego in 2024.
Learn more:
https://hwasandiego.wixsite.com/sdhwa
Connect:
https://bsky.app/profile/hwasandiego.bsky.social
https://www.instagram.com/hwasandiego/
Scream Diego Horror Writers Association Panels
The Horror Writer’s Association presents an all-day line-up of panels covering terrifying and scary themes and topics! Visit their panels in the Shutters East II room!
Learn more about all of our panels here – Scream Diego Panels!
And learn more about the HWA and all of our panelists by visiting our Panel Bio page!
Location – Shutters East II
10:30 AM – “Things that Go Bump in the Night”
HWA presents an all star panel that includes Ron Coleman, Jonathan Maberry, Scott Sigler, Jendia Gammon, and moderator Dennis K. Crosby.
They are writers, scientists, and folklore experts who will discuss how these specialized elements can be used to craft horror fiction!
11:30 AM – “Never Whistle At Night”
Presented by Shane Hawk and Johnnie Jae, this panel is an immersive and thought-provoking discussion that delves deep into the rich and often unexplored genre of Indigenous horror.
We invite you on a journey to discover the fascinating intersection of Indigenous culture, supernatural folklore, and the horror genre, as we celebrate the diverse narratives that challenge preconceptions and breathe life into ancient traditions.
1:00 PM – “Kaiju – Go Big or Go Home”
Panelists on this exciting theme of Kaiju Monsters include Jonathan Maberry, Scott Sigler, Luke Dumas, moderator Henry Herz.
2:00 PM – “Writing and Designing Horror Games That Get Under Your Skin”
Panelists include KC Grifant, Jon Cohn, Jason Liu, Markus Busch, and moderator Ron Coleman.
This panel of writers and game designers will explore the craft of writing and designing horror tabletop games. They’ll share an inside look into game design and recommendations on the most unsettling horror games out there.
3:00 PM – “Horror Movies That Made Us“
Horror screen, comic, and book writers discuss the seminal horror movies that shaped them and what current movies are influencing future generations.
4:00 PM – “Healing With Horror”
Panelists include James Jensen, Cory Oakes, Elle Jauffret, Dennis K. Crosby, and moderator Sarah Faxon.
Panelists will discuss how horror has helped to heal, question, or process traumas they have experienced in real life.
Panel will be conversational between panelists, will include a question section for audience, as well as a writing reflection opportunity for all in the room to explore independently how horror has helped heal their hurts.
Book Signings 2026
Book signings at the HWA table to follow each panel and will feature the following authors!
- Brian Asman
- Cory Oakes
- Dennis K. Crosby
- Elle Jauffret
- Henry Herz
- Indigo Halverson
- James Jensen
- Jason Liu
- Jendia Gammon
- Johnnie Jae
- Jon Cohn
- Jonathan Maberry
- Joshua Pruett
- KC Grifant
- Luke Dumas
- Markus Busch
- Paul Carro
- Ron Coleman
- Sarah Faxon
- Scott Sigler
- Shane Hawk
ALL DAY!
Visit us at the HWA table in the South Foyer for freebies and to meet the above authors throughout the day!
Learn more here: https://scifiwri.com/dread-coast-socal-horror-tales
HWA member KC Grifant will have her horror-themed card game, Monster Gunslingers, in the game room for demoing.
Learn more here:
https://monstergunslingers.wordpress.com
