New reader appreciation post. I met some wonderful people over the past two days. Of those who bought my work, I’ll always have a special fondness for the first person to cosplay as my vampire character Anca. Their name is Mak, and they left their comfort zone by traveling across state lines—braving aggressive Chicago motorists and overwhelming convention crowds—just to don fangs and contact lenses and meet me at C2E2 to complete their Team Van Helsing novel collection. And thank you to all the others who responded to my pitch on what makes #AncasUndeadPlaylist different and inclusive and special. I didn’t get everyone’s photo, but I appreciate my new readers equally. ❤️❤️❤️

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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. 😜

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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Happy Read an Ebook Week! You can find my book #GrandpaBillysClowns available now at #Smashwords at a promotional price to help you celebrate. How does FREE sound?!

Find my books and many more at https://www.smashwords.com/sale from March 1 - March 7! #ebookweek26 #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.)

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