Horror Writers Panel

The Friends of the Orange County Public Library present a Horror Writers Panel as part of a group of creative writing events. Authors will speak on various topics, read from their works, and sign books. Registration is preferred for this event.

About the authors and their topics of discussion:

Samantha Bryant | It's All in the Atmosphere: Using Setting and Atmosphere to Build Unease in Horror

Samantha Bryant, author of the Menopausal Superheroes series, is a middle school Spanish teacher by day and a mom and novelist by night. That makes her a superhero all the time. When she's not writing or teaching, Samantha enjoys time with her family, watching old movies, baking, reading, and going places. Learn more about the author's work at Samanthabryant.com

Robert Creekmore | Mental Illness, Substance Use, and the Creative Process: A Discussion on the Historical and Biological Links between Creativity, Mental Illness, and Substance Use and Why Modern Treatments Do Not Preclude the Efficacy of This Association

Robert Creekmore is author of the LGBTQ+, southern gothic, thrillers: Prophet's Debt; Prophet's Lamentation; and Prophet's Death. From a rural farming community in Eastern North Carolina, Robert's annoyance with the stereotype of the southeastern United States as a monolith of ignorance and hatred inspired a desire to bring forth characters from the region who are queer and autistic. They now hold up a disinfecting light to the hatred of the region’s past and to those who still yearn for a return to ways and ideas that should have long ago perished. Learn more about the author's work at robertcreekmore.com

Richard Dansky | What Is Horror Actually Good For?: The Appeal of Horror As a Means of Isolating, Exaggerating, and Addressing Real Fears in a Safe Space, or, Why There's a Reason Zombies Attacked the Monroeville Mall

With two decades’ experience in video games, Richard Dansky has contributed to iconic franchises like Far Cry and Rainbow Six and is also the developer of the 20th anniversary edition of the acclaimed tabletop RPG, Wraith: The Oblivion. Additionally Richard has published several literary works, including the 2024 short story collection, A Meeting in the Devil's House. Learn more about the author's work at richarddansky.com

Bennette Harding | Leveraging Family History in Your Writing: Ways to Leverage Personal Experience and Family History to Add Realistic Depth to Your Writing

Author, Bennette Harding, is credited with work published in Cosmic Horror Monthly Magazine which specializes in the best new Cosmic Horror, Lovecraftian, and weird fiction short stories and art.

Joseph Murnane | Truth in the Lie: Writing Fiction from Memory, Thoughts on How to Use Real Experiences to Create Compelling Narratives

Joseph Murnane is the author of the September 2024 release, It Eats Your Hunger, which is the author's debut novel.

P.M. Raymond | Writing Characters Outside Your Lived Experience - Discover Tools for Developing a Nuanced Character or Situation for Your Story That May Be a Part of Communities or Situations You Have Not Personally Experienced 

P.M. Raymond is an award-winning author living on the East Coast with 27 cookbooks and an imaginary dog named Walter. As a native of New Orleans, mystical undertones are the roux in her crime and horror writing. Her main storytelling goal is to bring Black characters to life that preserve their humanity and dignity. Learn more about the author's work at pmraymond.com

**HWA NC member, Jon Carroll Thomas, will support the writers at the event.

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