Why I Love Horror: The Book Tour-- Coming to a Library and a Computer and a Podcast Near You

Post last updated 10/24/25:

This is the place to find out where in the world you can find me on book tour, if you dare!

Release day is 1 week from the latest update to this post.

Why I Love Horror: Essays on Horror Literature, edited by me, got this starred review in Booklist magazine:

“Horror isn’t just a genre, it’s a calling,” writes Sadie Hartmann in her introduction to this fine collection of essays that delves deep into the appeal of the macabre. Spratford, well-known in the library world as a horror expert, has gathered the most important voices in the genre today—Brian Keene, Stephen Graham Jones, Tananarive Due, and more—and invited them to respond to the simple titular prompt. The results are illuminating, moving, and inspiring. Many of the authors were scared kids or faced trauma (Cynthia Pelayo’s harrowing tale comes to mind) and found comfort in the monstrous. Gabino Iglesias reflects on his grandmother’s belief in ghosts and spirits. Alma Katsu, who worked for “a few three-lettered government agencies,” talks about what historical horror can teach us about the present. Nuzo Onoh describes how horror helped her escape the real-life terrors of the Biafran War. Rachel Harrison masterfully relates the terror of low-fat yogurt. Each essay is put into context with an introduction by Spratford, who, like a good librarian, also provides read-alikes for each author. A treasure trove for readers of horror, this collection will also serve as a useful readers’ advisory tool and may convince the horror-curious to give the genre a try. — Susan Maguire

I am going to be everywhere you look. You will not be able to escape me. Bwahahaha.

Below, I am posting all of my appearances. I will continue to update this post as new events pop up, although in terms of in-person, I don't think there will be any more added this year. I already had to turn a few down for my own sanity. But, this book is evergreen, so I will definitely consider more library and bookstore events in 2026. In fact. I am planning some right now. Stay tuned!

Remember all of my appearances are always on the Recent and Upcoming Presentations and Appearances page- both training programs and book events. But below is an easy to use list with registration links where available.

Let me start with the podcasts I have already committed to and my episode's release date Please consider subscribing to these podcasts if you don't already:

• Books in the Freezer, live on September 9. 
• Reading Glasses, live on September 18
• The Scares That Shaped Us, live on September 24
• Circulating Ideas, live on September 30
• EveryLibrary Live 10/29 at 8pm central on Facebook and YouTube
• Capes and Tights, live on 10/30

And now to the appearances.

• Parnassus Books, Nashville, TN: September 18, 2025, 6:30pm
• WHY I LOVE HORROR pre-release event with Rachel Harrison and Alma Katsu
• Books sales and signing
• Photos from the event

• La Grange Public Library (IL): September 23rd, 2025, 7pm
• WHY I LOVE HORROR Book Release Party with Cynthia Pelayo
• Book sales and signing via Anderson's Books w/ 20% of on site sales being donated to the Library
• Photos From the event

• Northbrook Public Library (IL): September 30, 2025, 7pm
• Why I Love Horror: A Conversation wit Local Horror Authors
• with Cynthia Pelayo, James Kennedy, Nick Medina, and S.A. Barnes
• Book sales and signing
• Photos From the event

• New York Public Library: October 7, 2025, 6:30pm
• Why I Love Horror: Essays on Horror Literature by Becky Siegel Spratford with Rachel Harrison, Grady Hendrix, Clay McLeod Chapman, and Victor LaValle
• Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL), Event Center
• Book sales and signing
• Photos From the event

• Twisted Spine, Brooklyn: October 9 7pm start
• NYC's first Horror bookstore
• In conversation with Clay McLeod Chapman followed by a screening of Texas Chain Saw Massacre (the movie mentioned in WHY I LOVE HORROR the most times)
• Conversation begins at 7pm followed by the movie screening.
• Details
• Photos From the event

• Westport Library Storyfest: October 17-19
• I am visiting high schools all day Friday
• Pnane- Why I Love Horror Panel w/ Clay McLeod Chapman, Rachel Harrison, Hailey Piper- Saturday at Noon
• Schedule
• Video of the panel 
• Photos From the event

• Barenes & Noble Naperville IL
• October 25, 2025 2-5 pm
• Details
• Photos From the event

• Springfield-Greene County Library (MO): October 28, 2025, 6:30 pm
• WHY I LOVE HORROR is a featured title for Oh, the Horror, a month long series
• “Why I Love Horror”: Grady Hendrix and Becky Siegel Spratford in Conversation
• at Relics Event Center, 2015 W. Battlefield Road, Suite E.
• Registration is REQUIRED here
• Book sales and signing
• Local TV Appearance with Grady Hendrix (link)
• Photos From the event

• Seattle Public Library: November 6, 2025, 7pm
• Author Talk: Becky Spratford discusses “Why I Love Horror”
• Joint appearance with Sadie Hartmann
• Book sales and signing
• Registration here
• Photos From the event

• Illinois Libraries Presents: February 24, 2026, 7pm (central)
• Virtual conversation with R.L. Stine
• Participating IL libraries only
• Link to register through your local public library
• (link to my library's sign up soon)