Five Tips for Surviving Stokercon

And Other Writing Conventions

May 27, 2025

Attending conventions and conferences can be nerve-wracking, no matter what your profession is and what you hope to accomplish at the convention.

I’ve been attending writers' conventions/conferences for decades. A lot has changed, but a lot has remained the same.

Stokercon is fast approaching. This is the current must-attend conference for horror writers, editors, screenwriters, agents, and publishers. There used to be a convention called the World Horror Convention, but a few years ago, it fell apart when Stokercon was born. But we won’t talk about that.

There are numerous smaller horror writing conventions sprinkled throughout the year across the world. This advice would work for any of those as well.

My advice is for the typical writer attending a convention.

If you are hoping to vend at a convention with your books, that is a different experience, often combined with some of the ideas that I’m proposing here.

Some authors hope that they sell all their books, and they might if they are a popular person or a great salesperson. Some authors, like me, sell maybe five books over four days, because no one knows you or doesn’t like your work, or maybe they only have so much money and are planning to spend it on the Big Names and Friends instead. And that’s okay. I always see vending much like advertising. The more eyes on your covers, the better. My point is, you may or may not break even despite vending in your genre at a convention with a thousand horror readers and writers. You also might sell out and make a fortune!

A writer's conference, such as Stokercon, isn’t a media conference like Comic-Con or Fan Expo. This is a professional writers conference where you can meet others who are working in your field, or hoping to work in your field, or maybe you are hoping to work in your field.

I’ve written articles and given talks about this topic with many more than five points. But today, I’ll give you five things to consider when attending Stokercon.

1. Be prepared with a pitch

Stokercon offers professional, timed pitch sessions that you have to sign up for in advance, and you may or may not get a pitch or the ability to pitch to your first choice. And That’s Okay!

You don’t need a formal pitch session to pitch to someone at Stokercon. However, you DO need to pack your manners and use your observational skills.

There are tons of editors, agents, and publishers attending Stokercon. There are many opportunities to meet them without having a formal five-minute session.

If you are polite, you can introduce yourself at one of the parties or after you've seen them on a panel (be aware they may be rushing for the bathroom!) and test out the waters. IF the person you’ve said hello to asks you what you are working on, THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO PITCH. It may feel like casual conversation, and it is, but it’s also Your Chance.

So, this is when you need to be prepared. Gone are the days when you’d lug around your manuscript to shove into someone’s hands (it never was a good idea anyway).

When I’m teaching my creative writing classes, I share the three methods of pitching to my students.

At an event like this, you always want to go for the elevator pitch. This is your fast pitch, maybe one to four sentences about your book. If the person you’ve told this idea to seems interested, they may want to hear more.

So have a second, slightly longer pitch memorized.

You can see where this is going.

Really think about your book or your brand, whatever it is you’re pitching, and fine-tune it into a couple of sentences. Practice it frequently so that it rolls off your tongue smoothly when you’re nervous.

Then, when opportunity knocks, you’re prepared.

If the person you’re pitching likes it, they may ask to see more, tell you to keep in touch, or maybe even hand you a business card.

Then you may get your third pitch opportunity, which in this case would involve writing out a few succinct paragraphs and sending in that pitch, which may now be a proposal or synopsis.

2. Attend panels and events.

Even if you are shy, you can attend panels and never have to speak to anyone!

I’ve always approached panels like taking classes in school. I always bring a pen and paper. Even after all these years, I still learn things. Even when I’m ON a panel, I’ll learn things.

The genre is ever mutating, so it’s good to attend at least a couple of panels while you’re at Stokercon.

Some people pick panels to attend because of the subject matter, others pick panels to attend because they want to see certain people.

I always pick them in a combo. I might go to a panel because I want to see certain people. Or I might go because I want to learn more about a specific subject.

For Stokercon, all the panels are listed well in advance. Most are listed RIGHT NOW on the Sched app.

I strongly suggest going through the app a few times before the convention and bookmarking panels and events you’re interested in. By the time you get to the convention, you’ll be too busy and possibly overwhelmed to study the offerings.

You can always NOT GO to a panel or event you bookmarked if you end up going for drinks with friends, having a meeting with your publisher, or even taking a nap. Just because you bookmarked it on the app doesn’t mean you have to go. No one is taking your attendance (except for some of the paid courses, of course!).

There are numerous educational opportunities at Stokercon, and it can be challenging to choose. Often, you’ll find two or three events happening at the same time that you want to attend.

IT’s OKAY to go to half a panel and then hit another one!

IT’s OKAY to leave a panel if it’s not floating your boat.

IT’s OKAY to never go to any panels at all!

However, the panels, film festival, and awards can provide you with talking points for conversations with other attendees.

3. Mind your manners

Writer's conventions are full of fun, friendly people. Some people are friendlier than others. Some people aren’t friendly at all. Some are nervous. Some are predators. Some are shy. Some people are just assholes. There aren’t a lot of jerks at Stokercon, but now and again, there can be personality clashes.

Be aware of the different types of people. Not everyone is outgoing. Not everyone wants to flirt. Not everyone wants to hear about your book over and over again.

Be respectful of people’s time, especially the famous people and guests of honour.

Say please and thank you.

Stay in your lane.

Don’t ask for autographs in the bathroom.

Don’t sneer at people’s genres, we’re all in this together.

If people have preferred pronouns, use them.

Don’t assume anything about anyone.

Don’t assume everyone has money to go out for dinner, buy drinks in the hotel bar, or attend special events.

Don’t assume everyone drinks alcohol. There are lots of AA people these days. Also, lots of people prefer weed to alcohol.

Don’t push your print book or manuscript on anyone. Many of us fly carry-on and can’t take one sheet of paper extra in our luggage, even if we wanted to have it. You can offer to mail it.

Don’t be a creep.

4. Mingle

You left your home to come to this amazing event with a thousand people. You must leave your hotel room now and again to meet them.

Most writers are introverts. We’re all nervous and shy and have impostor syndrome.

Most of us dread the first day of meeting people or even seeing people we already know.

You must leave your room! You MUST! You can always run back to decompress, but first, you have to leave it!

Go to panels, it gives you talking points later at the parties if you’re stuck for conversation.

Wear your nametag where people don’t have to stare at your crotch to see it.

If there’s someone you want to meet, whether a famous writer or an agent, introduce yourself. If they are at a party or in the bar talking to people, you can talk to them too! That’s why they’re here! Just be respectful, of course.

You spent thousands of dollars to come here. Don’t worry about being stuck for conversation. Even just talking about where you’re from will be interesting because everyone is from somewhere else!

Green room, con suite: Every con I’ve ever attended has at least a con suite.

The current incarnation of Stokercon doesn’t seem to offer this service to its members, I don’t think.

Historically, World Horror, World Fantasy, Ad Astra, Eeriecon, and many other conventions, big and small, offered a con suite. This is another opportunity to mingle. A con suite traditionally offered free food and drink at set times or all day long. Sometimes the drink is pop, coffee, tea, or water. Sometimes the drink includes beer and alcohol, depending on sponsors and budgets. A green room is sometimes also offered, which is another tier up from the con suite, where “special guests” can hang out. It usually includes the GOHs, plus anyone who is on a panel or gives a presentation. There is a wide variety of food and drink available as well.

The food might be pastries in the morning, sandwiches for lunch, and who knows, maybe even a pot of chili for dinner. Cheese and crackers, snacks, and candy all day long. It depends on who is running it.

Last year at Stokercon, I discovered we could get free coffee on the last day around some corner far away.

The con suite was always a good place to meet people over a coffee or a sandwich, prepare for panels and readings, and for those of us who are on really tight budgets, it felt like the expense of the con was worth it.

Sometimes there were even night parties in the con suites with free beer or beer for a buck, depending on who was running it. Those can be huge and overcrowded with people leaking out into hallways. So much fun. The good old days. I suspect the new ways don’t allow such things.

Stokercon DOES offer some food, but you never know when it is or what it will be. It might be some ice cream, or it might be fajitas. It might be dessert; it might be a meal. It might be offered while you’re at a panel or event, and it’s all gone when you get out. And you don’t know how to plan if you’re budget-conscious or calorie-conscious, if you should go out to dinner, or wait for one of the offerings to see if there’s food or not. They don’t tell us. It’s usually set up by the hotel in one of the hallways, and it's very fancy and nice. But if you miss that hour or two, you’re out of luck.

Maybe this year they’ll have a con suite room, and this article will look foolish. I can only hope!

However, the bottom line is that you also need to budget for meals. Going out to dinner in a group is great way to mingle as well.

NEWS FLASH update May 30, 2025: Stokercon just announced when they are going to offer food, so now we know.

Opening Ceremonies

Final Frame Film Competition Reception

Bram Stoker Awards After Party

5. Wear comfortable shoes!

Ah, Doc Martens and sneakers. Those are my con staples!

You will be standing around A LOT.

Every hotel is different, and some are huge labyrinths just to get from your room to a panel or a party.

If your feet feel good, you’ll feel good.

If you are walking from other hotels or your room in the con hotel, you can bring your fancy shoes in a bag to slip on and off as you need them. People are always lugging bags around with books, notebooks, so throw your shoes in there too! And deodorant.

Be comfortable in your clothes as well. You may be in the same outfit day and night without a chance to change, depending on the activities you choose and where your room is located. Some panel rooms are freezing cold, some are super hot, and we won’t know until we get to the hotel. Layers are always a good idea. You’ll have that tote bag, so tuck in a sweater or poncho if you get cold easily.

Bring enough clothes. At least, bring changes of socks and underwear. Now I’m putting my mom hat on, I guess. If you have clean socks and underwear, that will help a lot.

Wear deodorant. If you are a nervous sweater, change your outfit and wear deodorant over the course of the day. Most of us are nervous and sweating, so don’t feel bad and come prepared.

Shower at least once a day. Wash your hair if it needs it. No one wants to look at your greasy hair when there is free shampoo and conditioner in your hotel room. You aren’t edgy or punk, you are just gross.

Be aware that some people have scent allergies, so it might not be a good idea to depend on your favourite perfume.

Bring a mask if you are immunocompromised, have a cold, have allergies, have scent issues, or catch a cold easily. Some of the panel rooms can be very small and very crowded, and you may wish to mask up. I usually do as I’m old now and catch colds easily. Here in Canada, people mask up all over the place, many did long BEFORE covid, and now more people are comfortable after the fact, especially on public transit.

Whether you’ve been to a lot of writer conventions or Stokercon is your first one, remember that you’re there for the human experience. There is no right or wrong when it comes to picking which activities to participate in or what time you want to go to bed.

The main focus is to meet like-minded people. You may even make new friends.

Most of all, relax and have fun.

And if you see me around the hallways, say hello. I’m likely just as nervous as you are!

Photos are all property of Sèphera Girón. Please ask for permission to use them.

The photos were taken at Stokercon Denver, Stokercon Las Vegas, and Stokercon San Diego.