SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR CAMP NECON 43

Updated 7/14/25

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

Camp Necon has traditionally had only one track of programming, but we received a lot of positive feedback about the breakout sessions we offered last year. Therefore, we’ve scheduled smaller, more intimate gatherings in our Coffee House space upstairs throughout the weekend. All programming blocks labeled as “PANEL” will be in the Melucci Theater, and all “BREAKOUT” sessions will be upstairs in the Coffee House.

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!

5:00 – 5:50 p.m. Welcome to Camp Necon
Hosted by Some Poor Soul(s) I Haven’t Actually Confirmed Yet
Our traditional opening Q&A, usually targeted towards first-timers. Held on the the big rock in the middle of our quad.

6:00 p.m. Food Truck Arrives!
As most of Thursday involves Campers checking in throughout the afternoon and evening, it’s just a logistical nightmare to try to serve dinner that night. But thanks to our partners at St. Anselm, we’ll be bringing a food truck on campus to our quad on Thursday night!

8:00 p.m. Ghost Tour of Alumni Hall (A Camp Necon First!)
So, this was called to our attention —

HAUNTED BUILDING ON ST. ANSELM CAMPUS

So we reached out and St. Anselm was more than happy to accommodate us! As such, Father Stephen Lawson graciously agreed to hose one of this Ghost Tours of Alumni Hall for us at 8PM on Thursday night!

*** PLEASE NOTE! — Slots for the tour are limited, so we will be holding a lottery on Wednesday, 7/15/25 and notifying the winners. ***

8:00 p.m. (and on) TBD Camp Necon Olympic Events
This is, per usual, still a work in progress. We may have some off-campus Olympic Events this year, but this is still the definition of a moving target at this point. 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 Dean Center
After Thursday, Registration will move to the Dean Center (the home of most Camp Necon programming) for the remainder of the convention. This is also when and where we’ll start stuffing and distributing the Goody Bags, so please make sure to grab yours!

** All Weekend (Pending Availability)!** Tarot Readings with Trisha J. Wooldridge
Last year, the incomparable Trisha J. Wooldridge offered to provide tarot readings for any interested Campers and the response from our community was through the roof! As such, and because she’s so generous, Trisha has again offered to provide readings 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 – 9:50 a.m. The James A. Moore “ABC” Creative Parlour Kick-Off Write-In
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 spirt, 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.

BREAKOUT: 9:00 – 10:20 a.m. Year’s Best Horror 2024 Kaffeeklatsch Across All Media (Note: extended 80 minute klatsch)
Michelle Renee Lane, Jason LeBlanc, Nick Zaino
As always in honor of and the tradition of the Frank Michaels Errington Five Star Books Kaffeeklatsch, but again merged with our annual Best Horror Movies  and Best Horror TV Shows & Other Media Klatasch as well to cover all media. This informal discussion will cover the best in the genre since the last time Camp Necon convened. Basically, if it’s scary, we wanna hear about it!

PANEL: 10:00 – 10:50 a.m. Visual Storytelling: How Writing and Art Work in Tandem
Jean Francois-Dubeau, Bob Eggleton, Mark Eshbaugh (Moderator), Ogmios, Allison Pang, Angi Shearstone, Francois Vaillancourt
A picture is worth 1,000 words, right? So how the hell do an author and an artist collaborate to create something that exceeds that arbitrary axiom and elevates both of their work? Fortunately, some of our Campers have done exactly that.

BREAKOUT: 10:30 – 11:50 a.m. Camp Necon First-Timers Open Mic Reading (Note: extended 80 minute breakout)
Hosted by Toastmaster Richard Dansky: Featuring David Farrow, Matt Henshaw, Aquino Loayza, Wendy Maxon, Chris Philbrook & Sam Rebelein
Hey there, first time Campers! Here’s your chance to show off your work and introduce yourself to the Camp Necon Family!

PANEL: 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. Beyond the Call for Submissions: What It Really Takes to Edit and Publish an Anthology
Diana Catt, Ellen Datlow, Scott Goudsward, Carol Gyzander (Moderator), Darrell Schweitzer, Trisha J. Wooldridge
We all love anthologies. We love reading them, and we love submitting stories to them. But what happens behind the scenes of an anthology? From pitching the anthology to a publisher and reading mountains of slush to inviting authors and figuring out how to divide up the royalties, there’s a lot more to anthologies than meets the eye!

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 and hosts TBD (beyond John Goodrich, who is a ROCK!).

PANEL: 1:00 – 1:50 p.m. Bleeding on the Page: Writing Extreme and Transgressive Horror
Peter Dudar, R.J. Joseph, Eric LaRocca, L.L. Soares (Moderator)
Rules, even the rules of horror, are made to be broken. Extreme and transgressive horror push further and go harder than any other subgenre, but there’s a method to the gruesome madness. Be prepared to learn what drives an author to reach for this space in their work, and what the rewards are for going there.

BREAKOUT: 1:00 – 1:50 p.m. How to Give an Unforgettable Reading
Hosted by Linda Jones
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.

*** NOTE — Linda has graciously offered to host smaller breakout sessions across the weekend to provide further advice in a small-group setting as her schedule permits. Please watch for sign-up sheets pending her availability. *** 

PANEL: 2:00 – 2:50 p.m. Nightmares on Celluloid: Turning Your Ideas into Movies
Victoria Dalpe (Moderator), Christopher Golden, Arid Hardin, Izzy Lee, Jonathan Lees
“Because like every good actor / writer / any creative person, what I really wanna do is direct!” We’re sorry, but no, it’s not that easy to get what’s in your head, or even on your page in a script, to the screen. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have something to work with, it just may mean you have a lot of work in front of you! How do you transition from what’s in your head to what’s on the screen?

BREAKOUT: 2:00 – 2:50 p.m. Open Mic Reading Block #1
Featuring Dana Cameron, John Foster, Carol Gyzander & Craig Wolf

PANEL: 3:00 – 3:50 p.m. The Map of Our Lives: Using Autobiographical Elements in Your Horror Fiction
Danny Brzozowski (Moderator), J. Edwin Buja, Dana Cameron, John Langan, Aquino Loayza, Errick Nunnally
We’ve all heard it — ‘Write what you know.’ And what do we know better than our own lives? But our experiences are our own and everyone walks a unique path; that diversity leads to an amazing scope within the horror genre, but even within that scope there are common threads that connect the works that most strongly resonate with their reader. Our authors who have done it successfully discuss how they turned the autobiographical elements of their lives into outstanding fiction.

BREAKOUT: 3:00 – 3:50 p.m. Designing Irresistible Book Covers
Hosted by Francois Vaillancourt
Swipe right: your book cover is the literary equivalent of your profile pic on a dating site. With around 300,000 to 350,000 titles per year from traditional publishers and about 700,000 to 1 million from self-publishing, it’s a very crowded market. It’s hard to stand out. The first thing people will see when looking for a book is the cover, so it is vital that it is done well.

Renowned book-cover illustrator François Vaillancourt will discuss the codes of the different genres, what they represent for the viewers, and how a cover is created, whether by yourself or working with an artist.

PANEL: 4:00 – 4:50 p.m. Demons of the Mind: Writer’s Block, Imposter Syndrome, and Other Challenges Writers Face
Alyssa Alessi, Michael Arruda, Michelle Renee Lane, Allison Pang, Chris Philbrook, Jason Salzarulo (Moderator), Craig Wolf
We’ve all been there, those awkward moments of staring at a blank page, struggling to accept a reader’s compliment about our work, or thinking about packing it all in after the latest rejection. As creative artists, what coping mechanisms can we use to overcome these challenges?

BREAKOUT: 4:00 – 4:50 p.m. Open Mic Reading Block #2
Featuring Michael Burke, Brian J. Cummings, Patrick Freivald & Angi Shearstone

5:00 p.m. Camp Necon 43 Class Photo (site TBD)

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 Toastmaster Richard Dansky

7:30 p.m. Camp Necon Update with Kristin Dearborn & Richard Dansky
All the news from around Camp Necon, reported by two impeccable anchors!

8:00 – 10:00 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 at the Bar (Who Cares if the Bar’s Not Open Yet?)
Hosted by Mike Myers; Featuring Kristin Dearborn, R.J. Joseph, John M. McIlveen & Steven Van Patten
Mike Myers continues the tradition of a late-night reading at Camp Necon, as some of our best and brightest share their work with us. Held on the back deck / yard of the on campus bar.

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 – 9:50 a.m. Making a Good First Impression: Writing Queries, Pitch Letters, and Cover Copy That Will Grab Attention
Lori Perkins (Moderator), Mellisa Sherlin, Hildy Silverman, Sam Rebelein
One of our most requested panels! As good as we may be at writing novels and short stories, the thought of writing for the business end of our industry can leave us feeling lost and overwhelmed. Come get valuable tips on how to catch the eye of agents, editors, publishers, and readers!

BREAKOUT: 9:00 – 9:50 a.m. Open Mic Reading Block #3
Featuring Michael Arruda, Gary Frank, Jennifer Anne Gordon & K.H. Vaughan

PANEL: 10:00 – 10:50 a.m. Why Do We Hurt the Ones We Love?: Putting Our Characters Through Hell
David Farrow, Jennifer Anne Gordon, Gordon Linzner (Moderator), Wendy Maxon, Kyle Rader
It’s always tempting to be nice to characters we like, but it can be a lot more interesting to put them through the wringer. Let’s dive into why it’s sometimes impossible to resist doing bad things to good characters, and why sometimes that’s the best option for the story.

BREAKOUT: 10:00 – 10:50 a.m. Titans of CLASH Books
Hosted by Victoria Dalpe
A roundtable discussion / Q&A with the CLASH Books authors who will be joining us this summer, which include two of our Writer Guests of Honor. Frankly, it was too good of an opportunity for us to pass up!

PANEL: 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. The Scars That Define Us: Using Grief and Loss in Your Horror Fiction
Brian J. Cummings, Kristin Dearborn (Moderator), John Foster, John Goodrich, Cynthia Pelayo, K.H. Vaughan
We’ve all honestly lived more horror than we’ve written. And taking the worst, hardest, most painful moments of your life and turning them into something that speaks to a broader audience may be the very highest form of art. Some brave artists who’ve dared to say, “I can do that,” speak on how they did.

BREAKOUT: 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. Open Mic Reading Block #4
Featuring Shannon Grant, Frank Raymond Michaels & Hildy Silverman

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 – 2:20 p.m. Guest of Honor Interviews (Note: extended 80 minute panel)
Richard Dansky (Moderator), Eric LaRocca, Errick Nunnally, Cynthia Pelayo
The centerpiece of Camp Necon Programming. Toastmaster Richard Dansky honorably interviews this year’s Writer Guests of Honor.

2:30 – 3:20 p.m. What Every Writer Needs to Know: Understanding Contracts, Creating Literary Estates, and More
Bracken MacLeod (Host)
Bracken MacLeod was generous enough to give our community his time and expertise on these topics a few years ago, but the landscape has changed and these are essential questions that need to be addressed. As such, and per many Campers’ requests, he (and a few other experts) have offered to help us all again.

3:30 – 4:20 p.m. Legend Interviews
Matt Bechtel (Moderator), Ellen Datlow, Bob Eggleton
Camp Necon has never interviewed its Legends before; this year, we right that wrong.

4:30 – 5:20 p.m. Richard Dansky’s Write Club
Hosted by Richard Dansky. STARTING CONTESTANTS: Kristin Dearborn, Gary Frank, Shannon Grant, Craig Wolf, Nick Zaino; STARTING JUDGES: Michelle Renee Lane, Errick Nunnally, Hildy Silverman *** PLEASE NOTE — Anyone who volunteered for this madness is eligible to be yanked out of the audience and thrown into the fray at any time!
Back by popular demand! 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 do you want to sit in judgment instead? Join the merriment, chaos, and improvised tales of demonic spatulas!

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

6:30 – 7:20 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!

7:30 – 8:50 p.m. Artists Reception
With wine, cheese, and live acoustic music. Because thanks to Og, we’re classy like that! Come meet Artist Guest of Honor Izzy Lee, Camp Necon Legend Bob Eggleton, and our host of amazing and diverse Camp Necon Artists for an hour and a half of wine, cheese, live music, and the purveying of both the finest and darkest of arts …

9:00 – 10:50 p.m. Screening: House of Ashes
For the first time ever, Camp Necon’s Artist Guest of Honor is a filmmaker. And we are thrilled and honored to screen Izzy Lee’s first feature film, House of Ashes, on Saturday night.

Still reeling from a miscarriage, Mia grieves her husband Adam, found dead at the veterinary clinic they owned. She’s been acquitted of Adam’s death, but is under public scrutiny and must serve a house arrest sentence due to living in a state where miscarriage carries heavy punishment.

Enter Marc, an old friend who loves and protects Mia. Not long after he moves in, the new couple endures challenges: things go missing and they’re attacked by an unseen foe. Mia is sure that the culprit is a supernatural entity, but Marc’s convinced that humans are the problem. A security expert by trade, he installs a home surveillance system to help keep them safe — but soon finds out that this is an issue he can’t fix. Under all these pressures, Mia must call on her buried strength to move on with her life — or risk death herself.

11:00 p.m. The Traditional Camp Necon Saugy Roast (with Live Music!)
Featuring performances by Gary Frank, Shannon Grant, Aquino Loayza, Ogmios & Nick Zaino
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 he Traditional Camp Necon Saugy Roast. And some our Camp Necon’s talented musicians will perform as we’re all stuffing our faces! *** PLEASE NOTE — No personal beverages are allowed in the bar or on the deck during this event. No, seriously; you CANNOT bring your own booze to the Saugy Roast and we need to be hyper-vigilant about this.

11:00 p.m. (and Later) (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 – 9:50 a.m. The Richard Dansky Honorary Sasquatch Panel: Writing Regional Horror About the Monsters in Your Backyard
Richard Dansky (Moderator), Kristin Dearborn, Gary Frank, Patrick Freivald, Frank Raymond Michaels, Morgan Sylvia
Horror doesn’t have to come from Transylvania or beyond the stars. Sometimes the scariest stuff lives right down the street, in local legends and lore. Drawing on everything from Resurrection Mary to the Devil’s Tramping Ground, how can you build on what’s in your backyard to write horror that appeals to everyone?

BREAKOUT: 9:00 – 9:50 a.m. Open Mic Reading Block #5
Featuring Sal Clemente, Gordon Linzner, L.L. Soares & Jaime Weida

PANEL: 10:00 – 10:50 a.m. Love Your Local Bookstore: How to Set Up a Signing, Get Bookstores to Stock Your Book, and More
Michael Burke, Nicholas Kaufmann (Moderator), Mellisa Sherlin, Meg Wasmer
A good local bookstore can be an author’s best friend, but that sort of relationship doesn’t just happen. Learn what your friendly local bookshop can do for you – and how you can help them, too – in a way that supports both parties.

BREAKOUT: 10:00 – 10:50 p.m. Camp Necon Writers in the Classroom
Hosted by David Baillie
Join author / educator David Baillie for a discussion on how and why Camp Necon authors are an essential part of his curriculum. We’ll talk about works by Paul Tremblay, Zin E. Rocklyn, Steve Van Samson, Nadia Bulkin, and Errick Nunnally that have made a serious impact on his students.

11:00 – 11:50 a.m. Camp Necon Town Meeting
Another annual tradition, as awards are bestowed and the Camp Necon Family gives us 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