SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR CAMP NECON 44

Updated 6/26/26

*** NOTE — Subject to change at a moment’s notice upon the capricious whims of fate ***

Unless otherwise specified, all Camp Necon 44 Programming will take place in the Roger & Francine Jean Student Center Complex. Blocks labeled as “PANEL” will be held in the Melucci Theater on the first floor, and all “BREAKOUT” sessions will be held in the open seating area on the ground floor. Per usual, the Art Show, Dealers Room, and Coffee House will be set up on the second floor.

All Panels and Breakout Sessions are scheduled for 50 minutes unless otherwise noted.

While only Discussion Leaders or Hosts have been listed, all Campers are welcome to attend and participate at Breakout Sessions.

*** ALL READERS — Please aim for 7-8 minutes with an absolute maximum of 10 minutes per Camper. Seriously, this schedule is overflowing with awesomeness and it was difficult to fit everything in! There’s 10 minutes of “wiggle room” at the end of every block, so it’s okay if each block runs a few minutes over. But please be considerate, both of your fellow readers and of the Campers waiting to use the Breakout space next. Thank you!

THURSDAY

2:00 p.m. Registration Opens on the Father Bernard Court Quad
Registration will be set up in a tent on the quad outside our apartment suites (weather permitting).

2:00 p.m. Camp Necon Hawaiian Shirt (& Other Garments) Contest Begins!
Secret judges will be watching all weekend, so any Hawaiian shirt or other garment worn during the convention is eligible to win an infamous Camp Necon Valuable Prize!

8:00 p.m. (and on) TBD Camp Necon Olympic Events
This is, per usual, still a work in progress. We promise the Camp Necon Olympics will run all weekend and we’ll announce what’s happening where and when as we figure it out.

*** PLEASE NOTE ***
Same as last year, we’re not scheduling anything “official” for Thursday. Everyone feel free to arrive at their leisure and explore the campus and surrounding area; there are tons of good restaurants nearby and we’ll make sure to have recommendations at the ready. The entirety of Thursday evening will be “quad time,” a chance to mill around, chat, meet new people, and catch up with old friends.

FRIDAY

8:00 a.m. Breakfast

9:00 a.m Registration, Dealers Room, and Art Show Open in the Jean Center
After Thursday, Registration will move to the Jean Center (the home of most Camp Necon programming) for the remainder of the convention.

** All Weekend (Pending Availability)!** Tarot Readings with Trisha J. Wooldridge
Trisha J. Wooldridge has once again offered to provide tarot readings for any interested Campers  across the weekend pending her availability. Sign up sheets will be at Registration and scheduling appointments will be between Trisha and the individual Campers.

9:00 a.m. The James A. Moore “ABC” Creative Parlor Kick-Off Write-In (in the Coffee House)
Jim Moore was one of the greatest friends and champions our community will ever know, and no one was more encouraging to his fellow writers (a fact immortalized across countless memes and Errick Nunnally-designed tee shirts). It is in his spirit, and to honor him, that Camp Necon will open the James A. Moore “ABC” Creative Parlour, a space for ALL Campers to feed their muses, ALL weekend. Campers can write, draw, perhaps break into a small group to collaborate or give/receive feedback; in short, anything we can do to encourage one another’s art. We know Jim would approve.

PANEL: 9:00 a.m. What To Do When You Don’t Want To Do It Any More
Michael Arruda (Moderator), Dana Cameron, Duncan Eagleson, Gary Frank, Shannon Grant, K.H. Vaughan, Daniel Waters
Everyone has moments when they ask themselves why they’re still writing. Maybe it’s the business, maybe the creative well has run dry, or maybe there are other things that suddenly seem more important. Panelists discuss that moment of realization and how they either got past it, or found peace in listening to it.

BREAKOUT: 9:00 a.m. The Frank Michaels Errington Memorial Year’s Best Horror Kaffeeklatsch (Note: extended 80 minute session)
Kristin Dearborn, Jason Salzarulo, L.L. Soares, Nick Zaino (Discussion Leaders)
An informal discussion to share all the great horror you’ve enjoyed since the last time Camp Necon convened. Books, comics, movies, streaming series, podcasts, you name it. Basically, if it’s scary, we wanna hear about it!

PANEL: 10:00 a.m. Blood in the Mix: Blending Crime and Mystery with Horror
Bridget Brave (Moderator), Johnny Compton, John Foster, Jennifer Anne Gordon, Gordon Linzner, Millie Price, Marissa Yarrow
Why do crime, mystery, and horror go together so bloody well? Our panelists will explore all the ways the bullet hits the bone to create the perfect hybrid.

BREAKOUT: 10:30 a.m. Camp Necon First-Timers Open Mic Reading (Note: extended 80 minute session)
Hosted by Richard Dansky; Featuring Laura Lee Bahr, Bridget Brave, Diana Crispino, Amy Frost, Lisa Gerry, Sean Horkheimer, Aquino Loayza, Jes Malitoris & Tabitha Soper
New to Camp Necon? Here’s your chance to share your work with us and introduce yourself to the group!

PANEL: 11:00 a.m. How to Make An Audiobook Happen (And What Not To Do Along The Way)
Amy Frost, Linda Jones, Chris Philbrook, Alex Picard, Steve Van Samson, Saunders Rhys Whalen (Moderator)
Audiobooks are increasingly a must-do for getting your books out there, but not all of us can afford full cast productions. What are the best ways to turn your book into an earful?

12:00 p.m. Lunch; Registration, Dealers Room, and Art Show Close

1:00 p.m. Registration, Dealers Room and Art Show Re-open

1:00 p.m. RPG-Palooza!
Games, hosts, and locations TBD (beyond the incomparable John Goodrich, who we can always count on!)

PANEL: 1:00 p.m. Behind the Scares: Social Commentary in Horror Fiction
Clay McLeod Chapman, Gillian Daniels, Matthew H. Jones, Aquino Loayza, Bracken MacLeod (Moderator), Wendy Maxon, Errick Nunnally
Good horror can frighten and entertain, but often it also has something to say. Our panelists discuss how to turn important issues of the day into hair-raising allegorical horror that still keeps readers turning the pages.

BREAKOUT: 1:00 p.m. Open Mic Reading Block #1
Featuring Thomas R. Clark, David Farrow, Jonathan Gentler, Katherine Silva, K.H. Vaughan & Trisha J. Wooldridge

PANEL: 2:00 p.m. Hidden Secrets and Haunted Pasts: Modern Gothic Horror
Christa Carmen, Victoria Dalpe (Moderator), Jean-Francois Dubeau, Ronald Malfi, Robert McCammon, Ogmios, Katherine Silva
Even just 20 years ago, people were saying gothic horror was a relic of the past, but like any good gothic villain, it has come back to life with a vengeance! Filled with mysterious secrets, troubled histories, decaying bloodlines, and — sometimes, but not always — dark romance, modern gothic horror novels are having a long-awaited popular resurgence. Our panelists will discuss how to translate gothic tropes to modern settings and characters, how to create the perfect gothic atmosphere even without old cobwebby castles, and which new gothic novels are sure to stand the test of time.

BREAKOUT: 2:00 p.m. So You Want To Write Games?
Hosted by Richard Dansky
The recent recipient of the inaugural International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Game Writing Special Interest Group Lifetime Achievement Award, Richard Dansky will walk you through the unique demands of writing for games, whether they be video games or TTRPGs.

PANEL: 3:00 p.m. The Other Side of the Desk: The Many Roles of Editors in Publishing
Ellen Datlow, Christopher Golden, Carol Gyzander (Moderator), John McIlveen, Hildy Silverman, Rebecca Rowland, Trisha J. Wooldridge
Editors do a lot more than just decide whether or not to accept your novel or story for publication. There’s more to their job description than most writers ever see. Come listen to our panel of editors as they break down everything they do from acceptance to publication and beyond.

BREAKOUT: 3:00 p.m. Open Mic Reading Block #2
Featuring Von Beckford, Dianne Buja, Jeff Deck, John Goodrich, Angi Shearstone & Saunders Rhys Whalen

PANEL: 4:00 p.m. Overcoming the Monster of Self-Doubt
Clay McLeod Chapman (Moderator), Jeff Deck, Peter N. Dudar, Elizabeth Massie, Mellisa Sherlin, Hildy Silverman, Tabitha Soper
All writers face the monster of self-doubt at some point in their careers. Whether it’s “impostor syndrome” or a little voice in your head telling you to give up, insecurity about our creative pursuits is universal. What coping mechanisms can we use to kick self-doubt to the curb?

BREAKOUT: 4:00 p.m. How to Give an Unforgettable Reading (Note: extended 80 minute session)
Linda Jones (Host)
Get your read on! Whether you’re an experienced performer or a novice, whether you love an audience or prefer reading to your cats, this workshop is for you. Award-winning audiobook narrator Linda Jones will go over everything you need to connect with an audience, keep them enthralled, and leave them wanting more. Covering performance tips and techniques, timing, breathing, and your voice, and how to handle the inevitable nerves and adrenaline.

5:30 p.m. Dinner; Registration, Dealers Room, and Art Show Close

7:00 p.m. Dealers Room and Art Show Re-open

7:00 p.m. Official Camp Necon 43 Toast by Toastmasters Dianne & J. Edwin Buja

7:30 p.m. Camp Necon Update with Kristin Dearborn & Richard Dansky
Camp Necon’s answer to Woodward and Bernstein deliver news from around the convention (their Pulitzer Prizes are surely forthcoming!)

8:00 p.m. Meet the Authors Party
A two-hour meet & greet and book signing, with table space available for ALL authors attending Camp Necon. The Dealers Room will remain open and Copper Dog Books is purposefully stocking titles by attending authors, but authors are encouraged to bring their own stock and Campers are encouraged to bring their own copies of books they’d like signed as well.

10:30 p.m. Horror on the Rocks
Hosted by Mike Myers; Readers TBA.
Mike Myers continues the tradition of late-night readings at Camp Necon, as some of our best and brightest share their work with us. Held (with a microphone!) on the big rock in the middle of our quad.

11:30 p.m. More TBD Camp Necon Olympic Events

SATURDAY

8:00 a.m. Breakfast

9:00 a.m. Registration, Dealers Room, and Art Show Open

PANEL: 9:00 a.m. Traditional Publishing & Indie Publishing: The Pros and Cons of Both
Nicholas Kaufmann, Allison Pang, Lori Perkins, Sam Rebelein, Mellisa Sherlin (Moderator), Daniel Waters, Douglas Wynne
The gap between traditional publishing and indie publishing isn’t as wide as it used to be. In fact, many authors are doing both now, releasing new works through traditional publishing houses and rereleasing their backlist on their own. Our panelists will discuss their experiences with traditional and indie publishing: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

BREAKOUT: 9:00 a.m. Balancing Life and Writing
Brian J. Cummings, Jason Dry, Catherine Scully (Discussion Leaders)
Family obligations, jobs, taking care of children or elderly parents — there are hundreds of day-to-day realities that can get between you and your writing. Let’s share techniques on how to maintain a healthy balance that allows us to meet our responsibilities while keeping the words flowing.

PANEL: 10:00 a.m. Too Big for One Bite: Writing for Serials and Series
Laura Lee Bahr, David Baillie, Richard Dansky (Moderator), Renee S. DeCamillis, David Farrow, Patrick Freivald, John Goodrich
Some tales are too big for a single story or a single book. How do authors plan extended arcs for their characters and plot lines? What techniques can be used for building complete worlds full of memorable characters that stay fresh and interesting for the long haul?

BREAKOUT: 10:00 a.m. Open Mic Reading Block #3
Featuring Brian J. Cummings, Shannon Grant, Gordon Linzner, Millie Price, Darrell Schweitzer & Marissa Yarrow

PANEL: 11:00 a.m. The Allure of Horror: Creating Art That Embraces the Darkness
Victoria Dalpe, Jean-Francois Dubeau, Duncan Eagleson (Moderator), HagCult, Catherine Scully, Angi Shearstone, Francois Vaillancourt
Spooky art brings a lot of joy to our dark little hearts. This panel features some of the best artists working in the field (including this year’s Artist Guest of Honor), talking about inspiration, how they got their start, and what it takes to create dark and eye-catching artwork.

BREAKOUT: 11:00 a.m. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life: The Official Camp Necon Brag Session
Gillian Daniels, Chris Philbrook, Dr. Jaime Chris Weida (Discussion Leaders)
Come share news of your recent successes with your peers, whether it’s a new publication, finishing a novel, or writing your very first story! Feel free to brag on other people, too: friends, colleagues, or favorite authors! Let’s lift each other up and celebrate our good news!

12:00 p.m. Lunch; Registration, Dealers Room, and Art Show Close

1:00 p.m. Dealers Room and Art Show Re-open

1:00 p.m. Guest of Honor Interviews (Note: extended 80 minute panel)
Dianne Buja (Moderator), J. Edwin Buja (Moderator), Christa Carmen, Clay McLeod Chapman, Johnny Compton
The centerpiece of Camp Necon Programming. Toastmasters Dianne & J. Edwin Buja honorably interview this year’s Writer Guests of Honor.

2:30 p.m. Blue Worlds and Mystery Walks: An Appreciation of Robert R. McCammon (Note: extended 80 minute panel)
John Langan (Moderator), Robert McCammon, John McIlveen, Yvonne Navarro, Judy Pancoast, Francois Vaillancourt, Craig Wolf
Join our panelists as they sing the praises of Camp Necon 44 Legend Robert McCammon, from their favorite novels to how his work has influenced their own.

4:00 p.m. Write Club with Richard Dansky
Hosted by Richard Dansky, who is keeping his cards close to the vest and refusing to share his plans for the courageous souls who volunteered to participate!
The dubious tradition continues! This improvisational horror writing game is Whose Line Is It Anyway with more adverbs and tentacles. Can you rise to the challenge of a timed writing prompt where you compete against others for the judges’ favor and Valuable Prizes? Or would you rather sit in judgment of what our harried contestants come up with? Join the merriment, chaos, and improvised tales of demonic spatulas!

5:30 p.m. Dinner; Registration, Dealers Room, and Art Show Close

6:30 p.m. Artists Reception (Featuring an Interview with Artist Guest of Honor HagCult)
A celebration of Camp Necon’s amazing artists. With wine, cheese, live acoustic music, and a short interview with our Artist Guest of Honor HagCult.

8:00 p.m. Camp Necon 44 Class Photo in the Melucci Theater

8:15 p.m. Camp Necon Honors … ???
Hosted by Mike Myers and featuring a panel of dignitaries. An intimate interview and discussion honoring a SURPRISE Camper’s countless contributions to our community. Once again, we’re going “old school” and NOT announcing the “Camper of the Hour” until we’re all gathered on Saturday night!

9:30 p.m. Scary-Oke & the Traditional Camp Necon Saugy Roast
Guess who’s back? Back again? Tommy’s back! Tell a friend (and warm up your vocal chords, ‘cuz he’s got a kick-butt new sound system)! Once again, our partners at St. Anselm have offered to open their on-campus bar (which is shut down for the summer) just for us on Saturday night to host Scary-Oke and the Traditional Camp Necon Saugy Roast. (*** PLEASE NOTE — No personal beverages are allowed on the premises of this event. No, seriously; you CANNOT bring your own booze into the bar or onto its patio. That would endanger our host’s liquor license and we need to be hyper-vigilant about it.)

1:00 a.m. (Potentially) More TBD Camp Necon Olympic Events

SUNDAY

8:00 a.m. Breakfast

9:00 a.m. Dealers Room and Art Show Open

PANEL: 9:00 a.m. Possession Is Nine Tenths
Von Beckford, John Hornor Jacobs, Millie Price, Catherine Scully (Moderator), Darrell Schweitzer, Dr. Jaime Chris Weida
Let’s talk about possession horror. Demons, the Devil, evil spirits, and how to make them scary and keep them scary in a world where every year brings new possession movies that are filled with tired tropes.

BREAKOUT: 9:00 a.m. Tarot in Writing and Life
Hosted by Trisha J. Wooldridge
The Tarot has been an ubiquitous presence in horror and dark literature for nearly a century, with mentions as early as T.S. Eliot’s dark epic poem The Wasteland. Why and how has Tarot inspired or frightened so many writers, and what makes it such a powerful tool and reference even today? Join Tarot specialist Trisha J. Wooldridge to discuss what the cards held for her and what they might have to say to you (in writing or life)!

PANEL: 10:00 a.m. Stay Out of the Woods: Writing Folk Horror
Laura Lee Bahr, Danny Brzozowski, J. Edwin Buja, Thomas R. Clark, Kristin Dearborn (Moderator), Elizabeth Massie, Ogmios
Folk horror is experiencing a resurgence today, not just in film but in fiction, too. Works like Lute by Jennifer Thorne, Water Shall Refuse Them by Lucie McKnight Hardy, and Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman are taking readers by storm. This panel will discuss how best to harness the narrative power of superstition, folklore, dark and ancient religions, and the clash between the modern world and isolated, timeless communities to craft folk horror that gets under readers’ skin.

BREAKOUT: 10:00 a.m. Open Mic Reading Block #4
Featuring Gordon Bourjaily, Gary Frank, Carol Gyzander, Jason Salzarulo, Hildy Silverman & Mike Sullivan

11:00 a.m. Camp Necon Town Meeting
Another annual tradition, as awards are bestowed and the Camp Necon Family gives the Committee feedback on what went well and makes suggestions for next year.

12:00 p.m. Dealers Room and Art Show Close

12:00 p.m. Farewell Lunch