HWA Rocks BookExpo America 2010!

For the third consecutive year, HWA had a visible presence at BookExpo America – the country’s largest gathering of publishing professionals. At this year’s event, which took place May 25th through the 27th at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City, the HWA debuted its new trade show display in a highly-visible, premier location beside our friends at the Mystery Writers of America. Among the 500 authors featured throughout the event were several HWA members – including Jonathan Maberry, Alexandra Sokoloff, Ellen Datlow, Roger Ma, Jameson Currier, Gary Frank, Kelly Jameson, Martel Sardina, and Connie Corcoran-Wilson – who all enjoyed long lines of librarians, retailers, educators, and fans and gave away hundreds of books. And, for the first time ever, three of our authors scored coveted spots on the main autographing floor where celebrated authors like William Peter Blatty, R.L. Stine, and Justin Cronin also signed this year!

Here’s a taste of this year’s BEA experience:

The debut of HWA’s snazzy new trade show booth!

The new HWA booth featured a revolving postcard carousel for members to promote their latest titles!

The backdrop featured book covers from our members’ latest spookers!

Alexandra Sokoloff kicked things off on Wednesday with a signing of THE UNSEEN!

Bram Stoker Award winners Vince Liaguno and Jonathan Maberry!

HWA members (from left to right) Connie Wilson, Martel Sardina, Roger Ma, Gary Frank, and Jonathan Maberry!

Roger Ma enjoyed long lines for his signing on Thursday!

Jameson Currier signs copies of THE HAUNTED HEART AND OTHER TALES!

Jonathan Maberry is swamped with long lines of fans eager to pick up a signed copy of PATIENT ZERO!

Editor extraordinaire Ellen Datlow signed copies of BEST NEW HORROR!

Alexandra Sokoloff with HWA Secretary Vince Liaguno

Roger Ma greets new fans at BookExpo America 2010!

Martel Sardina talks dead things with enthusiastic horror lovers!

Gary Frank signs copies of INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY!

Jonathan Maberry listens as one of his readers shares her thoughts on THE DRAGON FACTORY!

HWA members (from left to right) Kelly Jameson, Jonathan Maberry, Gary Frank, Konstantinos, and (seated) Ellen Datlow!

HWA members Gary Frank and Roger Ma!

Ellen Datlow also signed copies of her latest, THE BEASTLY BRIDE, in the main autographing area!

Alex receives words of praise from visiting librarians!

Martel Sardina signs copies of THE BOOK OF DEAD THINGS!

Jonathan Maberry with his lovely wife, Sara, at the HWA booth!

Jameson Currier gives away copies of THE WOLF AT THE DOOR!

Roger Ma signs copies of THE ZOMBIE COMBAT MANUAL!

Gary Frank also signed copies of FOREVER YOU WILL SUFFER!

Long lines awaited HWA members like Ellen Datlow, here signing BEST NEW HORROR!

Horror writers like Alex love when fans regale them with stories of sleepless nights after reading one of their books!

Jonathan Maberry signs a copy of PATIENT ZERO for a grateful reader!

HWA Secretary Vince Liaguno meets up with SURVIVOR AFRICA winner Ethan Zohn at BEA!

Jameson Currier chats with an eager librarian about LGBT-themed horror!

Roger Ma is delighted by BEA attendees’ response to THE ZOMBIE COMBAT MANUAL!

Ellen Datlow takes a moment to ponder a fan’s question.

Jonathan meets-n-greets librarians anxious to learn more about PATIENT ZERO!

Martel Sardina greets librarians and retailers eager for signed copies of THE BOOK OF DEAD THINGS!

HWA Secretary Vince Liaguno and Roger Ma!

Jameson Currier inscribes a copy of his award-winning collection for a BEA attendee!

Jonathan Maberry thanks fans for coming to his BEA signing!

Roger Ma takes time to inscribe a librarian’s copy of THE ZOMBIE COMBAT MANUAL.

Horror Writers Association Celebrates 2008 Stoker Winners!

At long last, the anticipation is over. The Horror Writers Association has announced the winners of the 2008 Bram Stoker Awards at its annual Stoker Banquet held Saturday, June 13th, 2009 as part of its Stoker Weekend in Burbank, California. Nine new bronze haunted-house statuettes were handed over to the writers responsible for creating superior works of horror last year. This year’s winners are:

Superior Achievement in a NOVEL
DUMA KEY by Stephen King (Scribner)

Superior Achievement in a FIRST NOVEL
THE GENTLING BOX by Lisa Mannetti (Dark Hart Press)

Superior Achievement in LONG FICTION
MIRANDA by John R. Little (Bad Moon Books)

Superior Achievement in SHORT FICTION
“The Lost” by Sarah Langan (Cemetery Dance chapbook)

Superior Achievement in an ANTHOLOGY
UNSPEAKABLE HORROR edited by Vince A. Liaguno and Chad Helder
(Dark Scribe Press)

Superior Achievement in a COLLECTION
JUST AFTER SUNSET by Stephen King (Scribner)

Superior Achievement in NONFICTION
A HALLOWE’EN ANTHOLOGY by Lisa Morton (McFarland)

Superior Achievement in POETRY
THE NIGHTMARE COLLECTION by Bruce Boston
(Dark Regions Press)

Works can be recommended by any member of the HWA. Members with Active status then vote works onto a preliminary ballot. From there the field is narrowed to the final ballot and Active members then choose the winners. The award is named for Bram Stoker, best known as the author of Dracula. The trophy, which is a miniature haunted house, was designed by author Harlan Ellison and sculptor Steven Kirk.

HWA also presented its annual Lifetime Achievement Awards and its Specialty Press Award. F. Paul Wilson and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, receiving Lifetime Achievement Awards, were on hand to accept. The Specialty Press Award went to Larry Roberts of Bloodletting Press. The Silver Hammer Award, for outstanding service to HWA, was voted by the organization’s board of trustees to Sephera Giron. The President’s Richard Laymon Service Award was given to John R. Little.

(left to right) Chad Helder, Vince Liaguno, Lisa Morton, F. Paul Wilson, Lisa Mannetti, Larry Roberts, Sephera Giron, and John R. Little

HWA at BEA 2009

For the second time in its history, the Horror Writers Association exhibited at BookExpo America, held May 29th through the 31st at the Jacob K. Javits Center in NYC. Several HWA members – including Deborah LeBlanc, Alexandra Sokoloff, Ellen Datlow, Gary Frank, Kim Paffenroth, Connie Corcoran-Wilson, Jameson Currier, and Vince Liaguno – participated in book signing events during the convention, successfully placing their titles in front of booksellers, librarians, and new readers alike.

BookExpo America is the publishing industry’s largest event with literally thousands of publishers, authors, booksellers, and agents under one roof. After last year’s successful West Coast event, BEA returned to New York. Below are some highlights from the busy HWA Booth:

HWA Trustee Ellen Datlow at the HWA BEA booth.

HWA President Deborah LeBlanc and Secretary Vince Liaguno

Ellen Datlow, Vince Liaguno, and Deborah LeBlanc

Ellen Datlow, Vince Liaguno, and Alexandra Sokoloff at BEA 2009

Alexandra Sokoloff signs copies of her latest release, THE UNSEEN.

Ellen Datlow and Alexandra Sokoloff promote HWA at BEA 2009.

Deborah LeBlanc signs copies of WATER WITCH at BEA 2009.

Deborah LeBlanc and Ellen Datlow meet and greet librarians at BEA.

Author Gary Frank signs copies of INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY and FOREVER WILL YOU SUFFER.

Gary Frank signs copies of his latest release at HWA’s BEA Booth.

Ellen Datlow and Gary Frank

Connie Corcoran-Wilson signs copies of OUT OF TIME while Alex Sokoloff talks paranormal suspense.

HWA member Connie Corcoran-Wilson and Deborah LeBlanc

Alexandra Sokoloff, Connie Corcoran-Wilson, and Deborah LeBlanc

Ellen Datlow and Alexandra Sokoloff (front row), Aaron Sterns, Vince Liaguno, and Kim Paffenroth (back row)

Author Kim Paffenroth signs DYING TO LIVE for a fan at BEA 2009.

Jameson Currier and Vince Liaguno sign copies of the UNSPEAKABLE HORROR anthology.

New Release – Unspeakable Horror: From the Shadows of the Closet

Unspeakable Horror: From the Shadows of the Closet

Editors: Vince A. Liaguno and Chad Helder

Publisher: Dark Scribe Press

Release Date: December 1st, 2008

ISBN-13: 978-0981863207

Anthology Website

From the ghosts of dead lovers and malevolent queer faeries to devious doppelgangers and twisted psychopaths, an eclectic lineup of award-winning writers from the horror and GLBT literary communities come together in this groundbreaking collection of queer horror stories. These tales will surprise with their universally resonant themes while exploring the deeper aspects of the closet experience – coming out, staying in, and being haunted by.

Join Lee Thomas, Sarah Langan, Jameson Currier, Rick R. Reed, Scott Nicholson, Kealan Patrick Burke and others as they throw open their literary closet doors with 23 chilling tales. Be prepared as these master dark scribes reveal what lurks in those shadowy corners at the back of our closets.

And the horrors found there promise to be unspeakable.

Whispers about Unspeakable Horror: From the Shadows of the Closet …

“In reflecting on this book, I’m reminded of how much fine work is being produced by the indie press. Liaguno and Helder, to their credit, took their time in producing the finest anthology possible, and the finished product doesn’t disappoint. On the whole, Unspeakable is a highly recommended read for all horror fans, as it offers something for everyone. Lovers of the dark, the literary, the gruesome, and even the disgusting, will find something to treasure.” - Fear Zone

“Whether you’re a fan of crime, mystery, fantasy or straight-up horror, chances are something that lurks in this anthology’s closet will reach out and grab you. And if you wind up sleeping with the lights on…you will have gotten your money’s worth.” - Horror World

Book Trailer…