StokerCon 2023 wrap-up
Here's a clue: IT WAS INCREDIBLE.
I spent last week in Pittsburgh, celebrating both the Horror Writers Association’s annual StokerCon gathering and the legacy of George A. Romero (I do, after all, have a forthcoming book called The Art of the Zombie Movie).
I won’t bore anyone with all the details - you can read more of my adventures at my Facebook page - but I’ll sum up a few of my favorite moments here:
Visiting the University of Pittsburgh’s Hillman Library to see a display of horror items from their special collection (they’re aiming to become the world’s largest horror archive). It was stunning to see a little placard reading “Papers of Lisa Morton” below my little flash drive (I’ve been almost totally digital since about 1988), nestled in there with first editions of the classics and Dennis Etchison’s handwritten journal
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Heading out to the Monroeville Mall to check out the home of Dawn of the Dead (one of my favorite movies), and tour The Living Dead Museum (which is well worth the $8 admission fee). Walking the mall was a real eye-opener in how Romero works - the layout is longer and narrower than I’d realized, so you see how clever his framing was in making the place feel huge. It was also strange to walk past a few things that are still there after 45 years (Dawn was released in 1978) and feel my brain ping in recognition.
Judging the Final Frame Horror Short Film Competition, alongside in-person judges Jamal Hodge and Daniel Kraus (virtual judges were Izzy Lee and Jamie Flanagan). As usual, producer Jonathan Lees put together an absolutely killer line-up of short films, and we had some hard decisions to make! In the end we went for Michael Rich’s “The Queue” as the Grand Prize Winner. Seriously - keep an eye out for this young filmmaker, because he’s got the vibes.
Interviewing Lifetime Achievement Award winner Elizabeth Massie. I was disappointed that the session wasn’t videotaped, but I recorded it on my phone and the audio is good; the University’s Special Collection now has the recording to add to their archives.
Being the keynote speaker Saturday night at the Stoker Awards presentation. As I’ve noted on Facebook, it wasn’t a comfortable speech to write, but that’s when I know something’s good. The audience seemed to agree - to say I was gobsmacked by the standing ovation would be an understatement. I also received one of the best compliments of my life from one of my favorite writers, but I’m keeping that one to myself (sorry!). You can read the speech here (there’s also a link to the videotape of the entire presentation at the bottom of that page).
If you’d like to see more photos, I’ve got a Flickr album set up here.
Thank you again to the HWA, the convention organizers Ben, Michael and Sara, everyone who said such kind things to me, and the horror community in general - you’re all family.