Free, NOT TO MISS, Virtual Slate of Library Programs in October

 

Click here to see the full slate of programing

The HWA Library Committee has been working with Wake County Public Libraries since late last year to help them craft a virtual program called, "Nightmares Not Included: A Celebration of Horror Fiction" for this October. 

Before we get to the awesome programming and Horror resources they have made available to all, I want to use this  opportunity to remind every who reads this that the Horror Writers Association Library Committee is there  to help ANY library who contacts us. We will meet with you to discuss what your goals are-- from one program to a month long series, to anything in between. We work with authors and HWA members to help you make connection. All you need to do to get this process started is email Libraries at horror dot org.

I tell you this because this is exactly what Wake County Public Libraries did. When you look at this slate of programming in awe, know that they did the work to market it, make an awesome lib guide, and run the virtual series. This is part of our regular work at libraries; however, the rate limiting step for all of us is connecting with the authors. That's where the HWA Library Committee comes in. The HWA Library Committee will get you the connections, but you need to give all of us time. You cannot email us in July for October. Laura from Wake County Libraries first emailed Libraries at horror dot org on 11/19/22 for October 2023. 

The Library Committee worked with Laura and her team to discuss their goals, get them in contact with people to help them provide the programs, and provide introductions to get the conversations started. I will be clear, Wake County Public Libraries is paying the presenters an honorarium, but it is way less than their official speaking fees because the bookings went through us, the HWA Library Committee. The committee is not just there to connect libraries with authors, but we are also vetting the library and making sure they will make the experience worth the authors' time. We confirm that the library has bought the author's books and makes them available for checkout. We also make sure the library has set up a way for participants to buy their own copies before during or after the event.

On the other side of the equation, the Library Committee also knows which author's will do the best for a library patron audience. We will give you authors that can deliver.  And finally, we will make sure the authors represent the breadth of Horror, both in the way they write and  their own personal identities. 

Now on to this October's series, which is FREE to anyone and everyone who is reading this. First, click here for the amazing LibGuide they have created for the series. There is info about every program and this link to  the books by all of the participants and a link for more Horror titles for those who want even more options. 

And then there is the list of programs. Look at that flyer. And the supporting web page presented as a Lib Guide.

In that online Lib Guide, there is a page for each program. Let's use Sadie Hartmann's Horror Fiction "Starter Kit," which is opening the entire series, as our example. 

When you click through, you get the description you see here on the left from the print flyer, as well as a tab to learn more about the presenter, and an "In the Media" tab with links to interviews and articles featuring Hartmann. Again click here to see that level of detail.

Of course, I would love to see you all at my panel on 10/11 as I have a chat with four Bram Stoker Award winners-- Stephen Graham Jones, Paul Tremblay, Alma Katsu, and Hailey Piper. You can click through for the specific section of the Lib Guide for details. 

Finally, what I love about this series is the breadth of programs they are offering, both in terms of the topics and times of day. Personally, I am a huge fan of the final program, a Saturday morning virtual event. So fun. 

There is a FAQ page as well which notes that these amazing programs are free, but only available live. Again, anyone reading this can register. The library has kindly made these events available to anyone. And they have set up sales through a local book store, Page 158 Books.

I hope you can join Wake County Public Libraries for some of their "Nightmares Not Included" events. Fell free to let your Horror fans know about the programming as well. 

And use their awesome event as inspiration to do your own. It is not out of reach for you no matter how small your library is. And the HWA Library Committee is here to help-- Libraries at horror dot org.

It is too late for this October, but what about April for Halfway to Halloween?