Welcome to the Horror Writers Association
A professional writers’ organization for horror writers, dedicated to support, education, and community.
Bram Stoker Awards
2025 Bram Stoker Awards® Final Ballot Announced.
StokerCon
StokerCon is a convention and includes Horror University workshops, the Ann Radcliffe Academic Conference, the Final Frame Short Horror Film Competition, Guests of Honor, panels, readings, parties, signings, and more.
HWA Scholarships
HWA is pleased to offer a variety of scholarships to assist writers looking to pursue a career as a writer of horror fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.
Our Mission & Vision
The Horror Writers Association’s® mission is to encourage public interest in and foster an appreciation of good horror and dark fantasy literature. To that end, we offer the public areas of this web site, we sponsor or take part in occasional public readings and lectures, we publish a blog and produce other materials for booksellers and librarians, we facilitate readings and signings by horror writers, and we maintain an official presence at the major fan-based horror and fantasy conventions, such as the World Fantasy Convention, Necronomicon, and others. We also organize our own annual convention: StokerCon.
Our Latest Insights
HALLOWEEN HAUNTS: The Pleasures of Halloween Graphics by Lisa Morton
HALLOWEEN HAUNTS: The Pleasures of Halloween Graphics by Lisa Morton A couple of years ago, Spirit Halloween debuted a line of retro face masks in their stores at about the same time that Target was selling blow-mold decorations plainly modeled on 1960s styles. Publishers were bringing out books that collected old graphics, apparel companies were…
HALLOWEEN HAUNTS: The Monsters We Invite In: Why Halloween Doesn’t Always Have to Be Scary by David and Russell Dorn
HALLOWEEN HAUNTS: The Monsters We Invite In: Why Halloween Doesn’t Always Have to Be Scary by David and Russell Dorn Some monsters want to chase you. Some want to lurk under the bed. And some, if you give them a chance, just want to come to the Halloween party. That last kind of monster has…
HALLOWEEN HAUNTS: Things That Go Bump in the Night by Paul Carro
HALLOWEEN HAUNTS: Things That Go Bump in the Night by Paul Carro Write what you know. We have all heard that before. It is a common saying in certain professions of ill repute. As horror authors, it can be difficult to possess first-hand knowledge relevant to our genre. The ins and outs of decapitation,…
Unmatched Support for Horror Writers and Readers
Access exclusive resources and networking opportunities.
Promote your new releases to members and to the public via HWA’s blog.
Participate in the HWA’s Mentorship Program that pairs you with an established pro.
Join (or start) a local chapter and participate in events including signings, book fairs and genre conventions.
Enjoy members’ only discounts to workshops, editors, and more.