Horror Depot's Author-Con
(Dark Reads)
Saturday March 23rd 11am-6pm 2024
Horror Depot’s Author-Con highlights award-winning and unknown writers in the horror genre and beyond. We'll have comic books, supernatural, true crime, horror fiction, and more! With over 30 writers they'll be something for everybody! Also check out the free table in the con for free swag, bookmarks, and other goodies.
Held at Rhode Island College Student Union Hall. Parking available in lot J. Food will also be available Next door at the Donovan Dining Center for the entirety of the show.
Tickets will be $5 at the door! $3 for students with a Rhode Island College ID. (At The Door Only.) Under 13 have free entry.
See the full list of authors bellow. Under them is the itinerary of presentations, panels, and readings running from 2pm-6pm! The Facebook event page and Google map are at the very bottom...
Attendee List
Presentations & Panels
New England Vampires by Thomas D’Agostino 2pm-3pm
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is thrilled to have a New England Vampires presentation done by none other than the supernatural historian Thomas D’Agostino. This historical presentation runs from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. And you don't want to miss it!
Writing and Selling Extreme Horror Panel 3pm-4pm
Horror Depot's Author-Con presents the The Writing and Selling Extreme Horror Panel with AronBeauregard, Kristopher Triana, John Lynch, and Brandon Perez Sanchez. Moderated by none other than TikTok's Book Bitch. You don't want to miss this!
Litrpg & Horror A Blood Splattered Mashup Of Epic Proportions 4pm-4:30pm
Litrpg & Horror a blood splattered mashup of epic proportions! Running from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. Right here at Horror Depot's Author-Con. Presented by none other than the Litrpg legend Raymond Johnson!
A Horror That Can Happen a Political Horror 4:30-5:00pm
Horror Depot's Author-Con presents A Horror That Can Happen a Political Horror presentation by David R. Schoorens Running from 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. you're not going to miss this unique sub genre of horror!
Authors & Publishers
Meg Smith
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present Meg Smith.
Meg Smith is an author, journalist, dancer and events producer living in Lowell, Mass.
Her poetry and fiction have recently appeared in Wicked Sick: The New England Horror Writers' Anthology: The Horror Zine's Book of Werewolf Stories, The Cafe Review, Raven Cage, Dark Dossier, and many other publications.
She has produced events for Lowell Celebrates Kerouac! honoring Lowell native son Jack Kerouac, and has produced and performed in many events fusing gothic literature and dance.
This includes the Edgar Allan Poe show, honoring Poe's visits to Lowell.
Recently returned from Ireland, she credits her first-generation Irish-American heritage for haunted inspiration.
She will have copies of her books, including her poetry collection Straw, Feathers, Bones and short fiction collection The Plague Confessor; fanciful fabric arts from Midnight Muse, and info on the Poe in Lowell festival set for Oct. 19-20!
J.J.Alo
Horror Depot's Author-Con welcomes a late addition to the show J. J. Alo.
J.J. Alo is an author, actor, and former library media specialist living in Southeast Connecticut.
His debut novel, The Street Between the Pines: A Southern New England Horror, has received critical acclaim since its release in March 2023 from publications including Kirkus Reviews Magazine, Readers' Choice Book Awards, and Chanticleer Book Awards, and has recently placed as a Finalist in the Paranormal Book Awards for Supernatural Fiction in the Chanticleer Int'l Book Awards competition.
His follow up, Misery Plaza, will be released in July 2024.
He will have copies his book, The Street Between the Pines.
Carl L. Johnson & Elise Giammarco Carlson
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present Panorama Paranormal..
Carl L. Johnson has been investigating reports of strange phenomena for the past 49 years, beginning with his association with noted ghost-hunting couple, Ed and Lorraine Warren. As members of Parapsychological Investigatory and Research Organization: R.I.R.O., a research team based at Rhode Island College in Providence, Carl and his identical twin brother Keith were called in to investigate the Perron family's situation in Harrisville, Rhode Island during August and September of 1973. P.I.R.O. notified the Warrens of the Perrons' situation. Forty years later, this inspired a motion picture titled, The Conjuring.
Elise Giammarco Carlson is an established historian, operating with the Johnston Historical Society and a cemetery conservator who holds a BS in Criminal Justice from Bryant University. Her interests include forensics, genealogy, quantum theory, mixed martial arts instructor and tournament competition, having earned two consecutive black belts..
Panorama Paranormal research unit was created in January, 2019 by Elise Giammarco Carlson (Director, student of Parapsychology) and Carl L. Johnson (Co-founder, author, Demonologist) to provide a unique forum for the exploration and documentation of various phenomena and reported anomalies. While Panorama Paranormal will consult colleagues and specialists, this is a departure from the typical group format. The team of two focuses on Parapsychology (Extra-Sensory Perception, survival of the psyche beyond biological life. Panorama Paranormal is available for lecture bookings and paranormal investigations.
Thomas D’Agostino and Arlene Nicholson
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present Thomas D’Agostino and Arlene Nicholson...
Thomas D’Agostino and Arlene Nicholson have been extensively studying and investigating paranormal accounts for over 42 years with over 2,000 investigations to their credit. Creators of 18 books and counting, together they have penned and captured on film the best haunts and history New England has to offer.
Tom and Arlene’s books include; Haunted Rhode Island, Haunted New Hampshire, Haunted Massachusetts, Pirate Ghosts and Phantom Ships, Abandoned Villages and Ghost Towns of New England, A Travel Guide to Haunted New England, A History of Vampires in New England, Haunted Vermont, Ghost Stories and Legends of Connecticut, Legends, Folklore and Secrets of New England, Rhode Island’s Haunted Ramtail Factory, Ghosts Of The Blackstone Valley, Haunted Litchfield County, two books adapted for middle grade readers; Ghost Stories and Legends of Connecticut and A Travel Guide to Haunted New England, Strange New England, New England’s Haunted Route 44 and the upcoming Ghosts of King Philip’s War.
Harold Sipe
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present Harold Sipe.
Harold Sipe has spent years in the video game industry and writes comics and graphic novels. His first book, Screamland, received honorable mention in Publishers Weekly and was named Best Horror Series by Fangoria Magazine. He has written comic books for 12 Gauge Comics, Image Comics and IDW Publishing.
Raymond Johnson
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present Ray Johnson.
Raymond Johnson is an army brat who was born in Würzburg, Germany at a very young age. He decided to move to the United States after his father's tenure in the military was over because he was too young to drive on the Autobahn by himself. Ray always had a fascination with superheroes, monsters, horror, fantasy, science fiction, and kung fu and did everything he could to incorporate those things in his daily life, to that end he decided to become a Funeral Director; Who knows kung fu. He married the love of his life in 1999, unfortunately it wasn't on Space 1999, but he made do and has been happily married ever since. He has five children, one dog and two cats but not a lot of space when you factor in his enormous comic book collection. He also has a deep and abiding love for the LITRPG Genre, and currently hosts the LITRPG Audiobook Podcast where he does skits and generally has a good time sharing his love of books with sound. He does not take life seriously, in spite of his chosen profession, and tries to laugh at least thirty times a day. Please take anything he says to you with a grain of salt, because he does like to have fun with a story. His wife calls it lying, but what does she know?
Erich Gamache
Erich Gamache is an independent self published horror author from New Hampshire. He has self published 2 novellas and 2 short story collections. He has also written scripts for horror movies and acted in a few independent horror films. Erich enjoys all things horror be it video games, comics, books or movies.
Sean McDonough
Sean McDonough is the author of six novels, including The Thirteen Black Cats of Edith Penn and Beverly Kills. His blend of dark humor and 80s style splatter has cultivated a devoted following of grimy little ghouls worldwide.
R.K. Bentley
R. K. Bentley was raised in New England on a steady diet of 80’s Cartoons, Tom Baker Doctor Who, Babylon 5, Star Trek, Star Wars, comics books & movies. He’s the co-creator, co-writer and letterer for the self-published indie comic, Totems. He is a member and social media director for the Association of Rhode Island Authors (ARIA). Where Weavers Daire is his first sci-fi novel in an ongoing series.
Sherryann Byron
SHERRYANN BYRON graduated New England Institute of Technology with an Associates Degree in Surgical Technology. She attended Mount Ida College, and has taken several courses in death education. In addition, she has furthered her education at R.I. College. SherryAnn volunteered 4 ½ years, taking care of hospice patients. She has had positions in home health care over the years. SherryAnn started writing when she was 12 years old. This is her first novel.
MonstahMag
MonstahMag is a quarterly 8.5 x 11 full color magazine focused on New England independent horror culture distributed in both print and digital format. It is packed with original tales of horror, awesome art, unique comics, movie reviews, cosplay, make up/special effects tutorials, show listings and classifieds.
Gage Greenwood
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present Gage Greenwood.
Gage Greenwood is the best-selling author of the Winter's Myths Saga, and Bunker Dogs. He's a proud member of the Horror Writers Association and Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers association.
He's been an actor, comedian, podcaster, and even the Vice President of an escape room company. Since childhood, he's been a big fan of comic books, horror movies, and depressing music that fills him with existential dread.
He lives in New England with his girlfriend and son, and he spends his time writing, hiking, and decorating for various holidays.
David R. Schoorens
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present David Schoorens.
Recently retired as a high school biology and chemistry teacher, David earned an undergraduate degree in biology from Southeastern Massachusetts University (now UMass Dartmouth). A graduate in education from The George Washington University was next, followed by a second graduate degree in business administration from Boston University of Brussels, Belgium. David is a veteran junior officer of the U.S. Coast Guard.
David lived in Maryland before moving to Germany for four years. Cheyenne, Wyoming, came next before going back to Germany once more. He returned to the United States in 2001. Originally from Massachusetts, David now lives in Rhode Island.
Refuge: A Novel of Lost Democracy is David’s debut novel. Refuge’s genre is a military and political thriller with a large measure of the dystopian fiction genre. Set in the near future, the story imagines the descent of American democracy into autocracy.
How does this political thriller fit Horror Depot’s Author Con? Think of Refuge as a timely new genre – political horror. Vampires and zombies are not the only occupants of our nightmares. Our domestic politics can be equally terrifying, perhaps more so.
Jayson Mayoh
The Horror Depot welcomes artist and author Jason Mayoh to the Horror Author-Con at Rhode Island College.
Jason graduated from RIC in 2005 and went on to author and illustrate the comic book series
Tales of Rocky Point Park, based on the urban legends and bizarre history of Rhode Island's once famous amusement park.
A few years later he went on to direct a 3 episode series for Rhode Island PBS entitled Haunted RI, documenting some of Rhode Island's most famous haunted locations.
After that he adapted his Rocky Point comic series into a documentary released in 2017.
Jason is also known for illustrating the last, lost collaboration between George Romero and Stephen King entitled Pinfall. Originally planned as a segment in Creepshow 2, the story was written but never filmed. Jason's Pinfall comic was released with a Special Edition dvd of Creepshow 2 released from Arrow Films in the UK.
Jason also works behind the scenes on many film and television projects in New England as a graphic designer and storyboard artist, including The Town, NOS4A2, Castle Rock The Unholy and New Mutants just to name a few.
Matt Forgit
Horror Depot's Author-Con is proud to present Matt Forgit.
He lives and writes in New England. His interests include spending time with friends and family, annoying his better half, trying to be a cool uncle, scary stuff, movies, television shows, music, reading, eating, board games, creepy folklore, urban legends, spooky history, abandoned places, castles, islands, cabins in the woods, being near the ocean, and the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. He is terrible with social media, dreams of owning a haunted bed and breakfast atop a cliffside overlooking the sea, hopes that someday Chopping Mall: The Musical becomes a reality, and doesn't normally talk about himself in the third person. For updates, random thoughts, horror recommendations, and general nonsense.
Kristopher Triana
Horror Depot's Author-Con is proud to present Kristopher Triana
Kristopher Triana is the Splatterpunk Award-winning author of Gone to See the River Man, Full Brutal, The Thirteenth Koyote, They All Died Screaming, and many other terrifying books. His work has been published in multiple languages and has appeared in many anthologies and magazines, drawing praise from Rue Morgue Magazine, Cemetery Dance, Scream Magazine, and many more.
Scars Magazine
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present the return of Scars Magazine!
SCARS magazine was created in 2006 with the intention of being a periodical focusing on independent horror.
Covering films, books, toys, music and true crime.
There were some bumps along the way causing the magazine to undergo changes in the way of distribution and getting seen.
The digital age was upon us and SCARS had to adapt. It was time to evolve.
After some time away, the team has reassembled and ready to pick up where they left off and bring light to dark, independent culture.
Join us in the Resurrection of SCARS MAGAZINE.
Brandon Perez Sanchez
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present Brandon Perras Sanchez.
Brandon Perras-Sanchez is a writer, musician, filmmaker and actor who is inspired by 80s horror, folklore, mythology, metal and noise rock. He grew up in the woods of Vermont but now resides in Providence, RI. He is currently working on future horror projects such as the full length film Queen of the Rats and a second book/screenplay recessive NATURE. Brandon is part of the production company Monster Makeup who brought you the gory, campy, Drag Queen cult classic Death Drop Gorgeous, the nightmarish folk horror Saint Drogo and music videos for Providence noise rock weirdos Anxious Wave.
Stay tuned for updates for these projects along with a few more surprises in the works.
Respect all animals and don't be an asshole.
Peter J Larrivee
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present Peter Larrivee
Peter J Larrivee writes horror in the Lovecraftian vein, so they all have a little touch of either cosmic horror, or a weird twist. From Rhode Island, he has written four books, numerous short stories, and for almost a decade was the dedicated craft beer columnist for Motif Magazine in Providence. He currently lives in Coventry with his witchy wife, black cat, and an abandoned graveyard in the woods behind the house.
Aron Beauregard
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present Aron Beauregard.
Aron Beauregard was born and raised in Central Falls, Rhode Island. He's been writing horror since the 6th grade and has now released over 25 books. An avid supporter of horror art and illustration, Aron has made it his standard to hire interior illustrators for every book that he puts out under his brand AB Horror.
His style of writing is dark and without boundaries and, as a result, he's won the Splatterpunk Award twice after garnering 5 total nominations. He has achieved #1 Bestseller status in horror on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
John Lynch
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present John Lynch.
John Lynch is a horror author and Marine Corps veteran from Cranston, RI. He currently lives in Rhode Island with his Wife, Kids, English Bulldog, and Cat
JP Behrens
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present J.P. Behrens.
JP Behrens spends his days writing, reading, and practicing Kung Fu. The rest of the time is reserved for family and what little sleep he can get. His debut novel, Portrait of a Nuclear Family was well received and he hopes his new collection, We Don’t Talk Anymore and Other Dark Fictions does even better.
Rick Claypool
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present Rick Claypool.
Rick Claypool (he/him) writes absurdist horror. His books include SKULL SLIME TENTACLE WITCH WAR (Anxiety Press, 2024), TENTACLE HEAD (Bear Creek Press, 2022), THE MOLD FARMER (Six Gallery Press, 2020), and LEECH GIRL LIVES (Spaceboy Books, 2017). His fiction has been described as "deeply weird" (Locus Magazine), "wonderfully odd" (Brian Evenson), and "if China Miéville wrote Saturday-morning cartoons" (Nick Mamatas). He grew up in the industrial outskirts of Pittsburgh, Pa., lives in Rhode Island, and spends as much time as he can in the woods looking for mushrooms.
John McColley
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present John McColley.
John A. McColley digs into primordial memories to drag slimy, flopping, clawing ancestral fears out into the light where he can examine every tentacle, every stinger, then drop them in mutagenic ooze, clone them, and loose them all on his readers. He writes from the eldritch forests of New Hampshire where the bones of the Earth protrude, wailing dirges into the night winds.
Jeffrey R. Pare
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present Jeffrey Pare.
J. Paré has lived most of his life in Coventry, Rhode Island. He lives with his wife, Patricia and his two children, Mikaela and Tyler. He has been self published with such titles as Cycle of the Beast, In the End, Come Again Soon and Look Behind You. His short fiction has also appeared in All Roads Media and Collective Tales Publishing.
Fenham Publishing
Fenham Publishing is a small press that was established by Jim Dyer, grandson of C. M. Eddy, Jr. The press was formed to showcase the works of C. M. Eddy, Jr. an author of macabre, mystery and horror short stories from the pulp magazine era of the 1920's, most notably Weird Tales. My. Eddy was a confidant and friend to both H. P. Lovecraft and Houdini during that time. After painstakingly combing through the many personal effects of his grandfather that has been stored away for years, Jim rediscovered his grandfather's original manuscripts and has carefully chosen some notable selections for inclusion in the titles produced thus far.
Marc Macrina
Horror Depot's Author-Con is proud to present Marc Macrina.
Marc Macrina Is a co-host on the Three Geeky Dads Podcast. Also a comic book artist and writer known for werewolf with a chainsaw and the Dark Saint returns.
He has also done artwork for indoor comics such as Liner from Jim Savard.
Illustrator specializing in horror, sci-fi and comic art.
Currently working on issue five of werewolf with a chainsaw and liner issue three.
Errick Nunnally
Horror Depot's Author-Con is proud to present Errick Nunnally.
Errick Nunnally was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, and served one tour in the Marine Corps before deciding art school was a safer pursuit. He enjoys art, comics, and genre novels. A graphic designer by day, he has trained in Krav Maga and Muay Thai kickboxing. His work has appeared in several anthologies of speculative fiction. His work can be found in APEX MAGAZINE, FIYAH MAGAZINE, GALAXY’S EDGE, LAMPLIGHT, NIGHTLIGHT PODCAST, and the novels, LIGHTNING WEARS A RED CAPE, BLOOD FOR THE SUN, and ALL THE DEAD MEN. He has a short novel THE QUEEN OF SATURN AND THE PRINCE IN EXILE, due out in 2025 from upstart publisher Clash Books.
Jason Parent
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present Jason Parent.
Jason Parent is an author of horror, thrillers, mysteries, science fiction and dark humor, though his many novels, novellas, and short stories tend to blur the boundaries between genres. From his EPIC and eFestival Independent Book Award finalist first novel, What Hides Within, to his widely applauded police procedural/supernatural thriller, Seeing Evil, to his fast and furious sci-fi horror, The Apocalypse Strain, Jason’s work has won him praise from both critics and fans of diverse genres alike. He currently lives in Massachusetts, surrounded by chewed furniture thanks to his corgi and mini Aussie pups.
W.P. Quigly
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present W.P. Quigley
Author W.P. Quigley graduated in 2005 with his undergraduate in Biochemistry and in 2018 with a masters in same. By day, he supervises biopharmaceutical research. He currently resides in Framingham, MA with his trusted advisor and cat, "Big" Al.
At night, he has authored two books thus far - the anthology "ChaoS/HeaveN" and "The Ascendant: Hierophant Trilogy part one". Later this year, he will be releasing the second in his trilogy entitled "Crimson Mirror" as well as the novel "Pandora". Additionally, he has launched both a magazine entitled "DOUBLE FEATURE" - a literary quarterly dedicated to grindhouse, drive-in, and B-movies as well as his own indy publishing company, Ascendent Publishing. Frickin' overachiever, this guy.
At Author-Con on March 23rd, he plans to exclusively release a novella penned especially for the event, entitled "Arsenikos". More details to follow....
Paul Magnan
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present Paul Magnan.
Paul Magnan has been writing stories that veer from the straight and narrow for many years. He is the author of the four-book dark fantasy series, "Kyu, The Unknown" and the short story collection "Veering From the Straight and Narrow". He has had several stories published in various venues, including the anthologies "Violent Vixens: An Homage to Grindhouse Horror" (Dark Peninsula Press) and "We Are Providence" (Weird House Press). He lives in the wilds of Rhode Island with his family.
Victoria Dalpe
Horror Depot's Author-Con Is proud to present Victoria Dalpe.
Victoria Dalpe is a Providence-based horror writer and painter. She has published over forty-five short stories, the gothic horror novel PARASITE LIFE, and the short story collection LES FEMMES GROTESQUES. “Dalpe’s horror stories are equal parts intriguing, compelling, and appropriately macabre. Les Femmes Grotesques tidily secures Dalpe her position as an author to watch.”—Monica S. Kuebler, Rue Morgue. Book one of her dark fantasy series SELENE SHADE: RESURRECTIONIST FOR HIRE coming fall of 2024 with CLASH BOOKS.
Erica Summers
Horror Depot's Author-Con is proud to present Erica Summers
Erica Summers is an independent filmmaker, artist, film industry grip, and writer with an unwavering passion for horror. Several of her award-winning feature films have screened worldwide including Obsidian, Mister White, & Loverboy (available on most streaming services.)
Though born and raised in Wyoming, Erica spent most of her life in the swampy American South. She now resides in Connecticut where she works in film and writes and illustrates genre fiction. In her downtime, the bizarre bisexual is typically slathered in garden dirt, kayak fishing, or devouring horror movies with her boyfriend and their two jack russell terrors.
Publications include: Mantis, Vanity Kills, Writhe (co-written with H.M. Wohl), Bad God’s Tower, and The Choice is Yours: Yakshar's Lost Treasure (co-written with Rowen Sikora).