I really enjoyed our #C2E2 panel "Fear Not - Publishing Your Horror Story in 2026." Thanks to everyone who attended, and to the audience members who had such engaging questions. My fellow #HWAChicagolandChapter panelists were: Anthony Cleveland, Alex Kingsley, Grace Daly, and our moderator, AJ Humphreys, who refused to take a normal photo—during the panel or back at the table. 😜

#bookstodon #books #IndieAuthor #HorrorAuthors #IndieHorror #SupportIndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #DavidRider

I was too tied up with my #HWAChicagolandChapter duties to be able to stand in line to meet #Svengoolie this year

I was holding down the #HWAChicagolandChapter table with #AJHumphreys for the first day of #C2E2 2026. We’ll be there again tomorrow in the Writers Block area at booth WB-28 with more of our members. Come say hi and tell us what kind of horror you like to read.

#bookstodon #books #IndieAuthor #HorrorAuthors #IndieHorror #SupportIndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #DavidRider #WeAreVanHelsing #AncasUndeadPlaylist

Come see the #HWAChicagolandChapter this weekend at #C2E2. On Friday I’ll be hanging out in the Writers Block area at booth WB-28. Then on Saturday at 12:15 you can find me taking part in our Fear Not panel in room S402-B. I’ll be dropping my (alleged) wisdom on the topic of publishing your horror story, along with several other members I’m proud to be associated with.
#bookstodon #books #IndieAuthor #HorrorAuthors #IndieHorror #SupportIndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #DavidRider

Had a great time at the first Local Author Palooza hosted by #NewBookJoy at #ImperialOakBrewing in Brookfield. I chatted with authors who write everything from horror to fantasy to YA. I also got to hang with other #HWAChicagolandChapter members.

#bookstodon #books #IndieAuthor #HorrorAuthors #IndieHorror #SupportIndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #DavidRider

I’ll be at C2E2 again this year, along with other members of the HWA at booth WB-28 in the Writers Block area. On Saturday I’ll be part of the “Fear Not” panel. Here’s what it’s about: “From slush piles to publishing deals, and even how to navigate doing it yourself. Join the Chicago Chapter of The Horror Writers Association as they answer questions and discuss all the ways to publish horror in 2026.”

#C2E2 #HWAChicagolandChapter #bookstodon #books #IndieAuthor #HorrorAuthors #IndieHorror #SupportIndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #DavidRider

Come to #ImperialOakBrewing in Brookfield, Illinois for the first Local Author Palooza on March 21. The fine folks from #NewBookJoy are hosting the event. Several of us from the #HWAChicagolandChapter will be there, along with a score of other excellent authors. I’ll have a stack of anthologies and novels and assorted swag. Free stickers and handshakes for anyone who buys me a pint! (Disclaimer: All my stickers are free anyway.)

#bookstodon #books #DeadSkyPublishing #IndieAuthor #HorrorAuthors #IndieHorror #SupportIndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #DavidRider #WeAreVanHelsing #AncasUndeadPlaylist

We had a great time today at FAN EXPO Chicago. Here’s our crew from the HWA Chicagoland panel “Craft of Creating Horror,” and also our full table crew. (Flip back and forth to figure out which of us didn’t do the panel.) Fun fact: it was storming behind us, which lent to the spooky mood. Doing a great job in her first time as moderator was Grace Daly.

#FanExpo #FanExpoChicago #HWAChicagolandChapter #bookstodon #books #Horror #IndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #IndieAuthor #SupportIndieHorror

Friday is drawing to a close. Chatted with a lot of interesting people—some of whom almost sounded embarrassed that they write. I was reminded of myself in my twenties, when getting published seemed like an impossible pipe dream. You have to keep plugging away and believe it will happen. 🤘🏼
#FanExpo #FanExpoChicago #HWAChicagolandChapter #bookstodon #books #Horror #IndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #IndieAuthor #SupportIndieHorror

Come to FAN EXPO Chicago this weekend to meet me and other members of the HWA Chicagoland chapter. We're signing books at booth GM307 in the Community Zone.

I’ll also be part of our Saturday panel “Craft of Creating Horror” from 5-5:45 PM in the Book Nook.
#FanExpo #FanExpoChicago #HWAChicagolandChapter #bookstodon #books #Horror #IndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #IndieAuthor #SupportIndieHorror