To the casual observer, Sacramento doesn't exactly jump to mind when it comes to iconic horror names & places ,but the state capital of California actually has a rich history of supporting the genre. For over a decade spanning the early 1970's -1980's, one of the most fondly remembered Horror TV shows in history, CREATURE FEATURES, helped to raise a generation of "Monster Grandkids," myself included. The Sac-based show was hosted by the ever lovable Bob Wilkins, and later by John Stanley.

Let us not forget Sacramento's contribution to real world horror: Convicted necrophile Karen Greenlee who confessed to having had sexual relations with over 40 male corpses, or Sacramento's contribution to ... (more…)

Debbie Rochon in SLIME CITY MASSACRE

DEBBIE ROCHON, the star of more than 150 independent horror films, will head up the attractions at the 4th Annual Variety Club Fund Raiser for Buffalo's Womens and Children's Hospital Saturday, Oct. 24th in the historic N.Y. Central Terminal.

"In addition to starring in American, German and Italian films, Debbie also co-hosts a weekly horror cult classic radio show on Fangoria Satellite Radio," explained attorney Paul Cambria, the event organizer.

"As an added bonus, director Greg Lamberson will air a short preview of his latest film, SLIME CITY MASSACRE, at the event. Rochon co-stars in the film, which was shot at the Terminal's abandoned postal ... (more…)

Ken Foree breaks the hand of Fear Zone's Mario Dominick!

For years, Pittsburgh, PA has been a town with a vast history of horror genre moviemakers (like George Romero and John Russo) who have either grown up or lived there most of their lives. Often called the "Zombie Capitol of the World" and also home to gore effects legend Tom Savini, the city and its many surrounding areas and towns have had their share of horror related events including the Zombie Fest hosted by the It's Alive Show folks who organize the Zombie Walks at the Monroeville Mall where Romero's original DAWN OF THE DEAD was filmed and the Monster Bash convention (often in Butler, PA) organized by Ron Adams of Creepy ... (more…)

In what might be one of the coolest locations for a genre convention in recent memory, Las Vegas will play host to the First Annual KillerCon on September 17 -20, 2009 at the Palace Station Hotel/Casino. This inaugural convention will be a multi-genre convergence of horror, thriller, and paranormal romance writers and fans.

Guests of Honor for this exciting event include writers Joe R. Lansdale, Brian Keene, L.A. Banks, Heather Graham and Edward Lee, as well as artist Allen K. The convention will also feature panel discussions, readings, writing contests, parties, book signings and author Q&As, involving many top writing and artistic talents.

KillerCon is the brainchild of author Wrath James ... (more…)

I haven't been to a convention in a long time. To me, "convention" normally means a gathering of guys whom never left their parents' basements and drool over half-naked cartoon characters. Of course, I always had a more positive outlook on film festivals, which I have used the tools of denial to think are somehow filled with more normal and healthy people. When I wanted to attend Rue Morgue's Festival of Fear I thought "film festival" and not of any of the other possibilities. The Festival of Fear was located right in the middle of FanExpo Canada, which meant I had to battle my way through Imperial Storm Troopers, Sailor Moons and other unnamed anime characters to arrive in the horror ... (more…)

Medallion Press has been a staple at Rue Morgue's Festival of Fear for several years now, promoting such authors as Gary Frank, Fear Zone editor Gregory Lamberson, Joseph Laudati and Frank Cavallo. Last year, the publisher arranged for Frank to sign copies of his latest novel, Institutional Memory, and for Lamberson to sign copies of Johnny Gruesome, which were given to fans for free.

This year Lamberson will be the company's sole author guest, and instead of giving away free books, Medallion has come up with an innovative plan: they are giving away limited edition "ashcans" for Lamberson's upcoming novel, The Jake Helman Files: Personal Demons, which will be published October 1st. "Ashcan"... (more…)

10 days remain until Rue Morgue's Festival of Fear, aka the Canadian National Horror Expo, begins its three day celebration of the things you love to fear as one part of the Canadian Fan Expo, held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (building south) August 28th - 30th. Fan Expo houses several cons in one, with enormous space devoted to horror, science fiction, comic books, anime and gaming. Over 40,000 fans attend each year.

This year's Festival of Fear stellar guest list includes Bruce Campbell, Roger Corman, Udo Kier, Barbara Steele, Tom Savini, Linda Hamilton, Art Hindle, Lloyd Kaufman and Len Wein.

Author guests include Max Brooks, Jack Ketchum, Kelly Armstrong, and Fear Zone's ... (more…)

Award Winning and Critically Acclaimed Author
Sarah Langan confirmed as Guest of Honor

The World Horror Society has named Austin, Texas as the location for the 2011 World Horror Convention (WHC). The international gathering of horror's brightest talents and their fans will take place from April 28th through May 1st, 2011.

Austin, Texas was chosen for its unique style and rich genre history. The original TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE was filmed near the city, and the remakes of both CHAINSAW MASSACRE and FRIDAY THE 13th were filmed in town. Austin also serves as home to the largest urban bat colony in North America, and at sunset 1.5 million bats fly over the city, truly marking it as a horror ... (more…)

Lifetime Achievement Winner F. Paul Wilson performs at the Gory Ghoul Ball hosted by HWA Veep Heather Graham and Helen Rosburg of Medallion Press


Winners of this year's Bram Stoker Awards:

NOVEL: DUMA KEY by Stephen King

FIRST NOVEL: THE GENTLING BOX by Lisa Mannetti

LONG FICTION: MIRANDA by John R. Little

SHORT FICTION: "The Lost" by Sarah Langan

FICTION COLLECTION: JUST AFTER SUNSET by Stephen King

ANTHOLOGY: UNSPEAKABLE HORROR edited by Vince A. Liaguno and Chad Helder

NONFICTION: A HALLOWE'EN ANTHOLOGY by Lisa Morton

POETRY COLLECTION: THE NIGHTMARE COLLECTION by Bruce Boston

The awards banquet capped off an amazing weekend organized by Lisa Morton and John Little. More coverage to come!... (more…)

The Horror Writers Association's 2009 Bram Stoker Awards will be streamed live on the interwebz tomorrow night, Saturday, June 13th, beginning at 8:30 p.m. PST. Minutes after Master of Ceremonies Jeff Strand takes to the Burbank, California stage, gossip columnists worldwide will report whether or not he is garbed in his "traditional" tuxedo. Here then, for the final time, for your viewing and gambling pleasure, in the order in which they will be presented, is the list of this year's nominees, along with the presenters for each category, and details on the special, noncompetetive awards.


Superior Achievement in a Poetry Collection - presented by Lucy Snyder and Rain Graves:

THE NIGHTMARE ... (more…)