Events for Horror, Thriller & Mystery Writers

There are so many conferences, festivals, and conventions aimed at readers and writers. Do a quick Google search and you're drowning in options. Each one seems to have a different focus and a different price tag to go along with it.

I've done the research for you and flagged costs in each listing by date. I intend to keep this page updated as things change.

US Based Events

Mad Monster
Mad Monster Party; US location varies

• Concord, NC; Feb 21-23, 2025
• Atlanta, GA; Mar 7-9, 2025
• Phoenix, AZ; July 11-13, 2025

https://madmonster.com
Mad Monster Facebook Profile
"Err on the side of creepy." Mad Monster Party is a celebration of all things horror with an emphasis on horror in cinemas.

Days of the Dead
US location varies; $40-$80 per day

• Las Vegas, NV; Jan 17-19, 2025
• Atlanta, GA; Feb 21-23, 2025
• Chicago, IL; March 28-30, 2025
• (All Monsters Attack) Chicago, IL; May 9-11, 2025
• Indianapolis, IN; June 13-15, 2025
• Phoenix, AZ; July 11-13, 2025

https://www.daysofthedead.com/

Sleuthfest
St. Petersburg, FL; Hilton Bayfront Hotel; May 14-18, 2025

• Member rate: $400; Nonmembers: $425
• Day Passes: $125; Agent & Editor Appts: +$25-$100

https://www.sleuthfest.com

Conference for mystery, thriller, and suspense fiction writers. Sleuthfest provides writers at any point in their publishing journey with techniques to improve their craft, information on publishing, marketing, and the business of writing, along with insight from best-selling authors, industry professionals, and forensics experts.
Sleuthfest also gives authors networking opportunities that are an invaluable component of any writer's toolkit, helping attendees achieve their publishing goals.

StokerCon
Stamford, CT; Annual in spring/summer (May/June) June 11-15, 2025

• Full Event Pass: $300
• Day Passes: $200
• Virtual Only: $75; Virtual Add-On: +$40

https://www.stokercon2025.com

Hosted by THE HORROR WRITERS ASSOCIATION (HWA) is a nonprofit organization of writers and publishing professionals around the world, dedicated to promoting dark literature and the interests of those who write it.

Bram Stoker Awards
At StokerCon Gala Banquet for the given year; annual; March-June

• Ticket to banquet (does not include StokerCon Pass): +$100

www.thebramstokerawards.com/the-bram-stoker-awards/

​Each year, the Horror Writers Association presents the Bram Stoker Awards for Superior Achievement. To ameliorate the competitive nature of any award system, the Bram Stoker Awards are given "for superior achievement", not for "best of the year", and the rules are deliberately designed to make ties possible.

The winners are announced and the Bram Stoker Awards presented at a gala banquet, normally during the period between March and June. (See StokerCon for tickets)

ThrillerFest
NYC, NY; Annual in spring (May); June 17-21, 2025

• 5-Day Pass: $525
• (other passes and events available; see prices here)

https://thrillerfest.com/
 
ThrillerFest is the annual conference of the International Thriller Writers. This unique, popular, and rapidly expanding organization was created in 2005 by several bestselling authors in order to bring thousands of writers, readers, publishers, producers, editors, and agents together to promote and support thriller authors everywhere.
 
The ThrillerFest conference has six main components: Master Class, CraftFest, QueryFest, PitchFest, ThrillerFest, and the Awards Banquet, all with different price tags.
 

• Master Class provides an educational workshop for aspiring writers, debuts, and midlist authors where they gain advanced training from the masters of craft in an intimate, day-long training session.
• CraftFest showcases bestselling authors and subject matter experts who kindly offer their advice and assistance to advance attendees’ writing techniques.
• QueryFest offers instant feedback on a query letter or first two pages of a manuscript by an industry expert.
• PitchFest pairs writers with agents, producers, and editors, providing an opportunity for attendees to pitch their manuscripts.
• ThrillerFest proper, the final two days of the conference, provides readers with an opportunity to network with authors—everyone from debuts to bestsellers. Expect innovative panels, spotlight interviews, and workshops to educate and inspire.
• The Thriller Awards Banquet honors the year’s ThrillerMaster, Silver Bullet Award recipient, Thriller Legend, Thriller Fans, and Thriller Award winners.

MisCon
​Missoula, MT; Annual on Memorial Day weekend; June 20-23, 2025

• Adult Four Day Pass: $70.00
• (other passes also available)

MisCon is a 4-day celebration of fantasy, science fiction, and horror that takes over the Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown every Memorial Day Weekend.
 
Through discussion panels, hangouts, games, readings, craft demos, and workshops, we bring fans together with authors, artists, game designers, actors, costumers, and other professionals in the world of speculative fiction.​

Book Passage Mystery Writers Conference
Corte Madera, CA; annual; July 18-20, 2025

• 3-Day Pass (new attendee): $650
• (other passes, scholarship, and rates available)

https://www.bookpassage.com/mystery​

The conference's collegial atmosphere really sets it apart. From the opening session to the closing reception, participants and faculty spend a lot of time together in meals, informal gatherings, and evening presentations. Participants come to the conference from all over the country to learn the craft of mystery writing, and many of them return to hone their craft in repeat visits.

Here's what you'll find at this 3-day conference:

• Authors offer classes on setting, dialogue, and character development.
• Editors, agents, and publishers tell participants what they need to know to get published.
• Writers in the various mystery genres show how to write about private eyes, amateur sleuths, cyber-crimes, and police protagonists, as well as stories in historical settings.
• Participants learn how to work with editors, agents, and publicists. 
• Conferees meet with panels of detectives, forensic experts, prosecutors, defense lawyers and other crime-fighting professionals who share their expertise and help authors bring realism to their writing. 
• Optional, private evaluations of manuscripts can be arranged for Conference participants.
• Many delicious and healthy meals are included in the conference, served on our beautiful outdoor patio.

World Horror Convention
US Location varies; Currently on Hiatus
https://worldhorrorconvention.com/index.html
 
Hosted by the World Horror Society (disbanded? 404). The World Horror Convention is an annual gathering of professionals in the horror industry; publishers, authors, artists, musicians, filmmakers, dealers and, of course, horror fans. WHC serves as both an industry insider’s networking event and a chance for fans of the genre to get together, meet some of the creative talents in the field, and generally spend a weekend celebrating All Things Scary.
 
The World Horror Convention (WHC) is an annual literary-based event for the horror industry, centered around authors, publishers, editors, artists and others related to the creation and production of scary books.
 
Currently there is no World Horror Convention scheduled.

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International Literary Events 
Bouchercon
Location varies; Annual season varies (see below)
https://www.bouchercon.com/
 
The World Mystery Convention is a nonprofit, organization which holds an annual convention in honor of Anthony Boucher, the distinguished mystery fiction critic, editor and author.
 
Bouchercon’s mission is to introduce, attract, and promote readers and writers by producing outstanding, inclusive events to grow and sustain the mystery community. Bouchercon® is the annual world mystery convention where every year readers, writers, publishers, editors, agents, booksellers and other lovers of crime fiction gather for a 4-day weekend of education, entertainment, and fun!

The first Bouchercon took place in 1970 in Santa Monica, California. Subsequent Bouchercons have been held in many cities across the United States, as well as in Toronto and the UK.

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For Groups & Organizations with a focus on Horror & Thriller writing, see Genre Fiction Groups & Organizations.