News: AHWA Horror Stream at Conflux

The Australian Horror Writers' Association is delighted to present a dedicated Horror Stream at Conflux 5: Dreaming.

The Conflux 5 Horror Stream program is as follows:

The Horror of the Apocalypse
Saturday (4 Oct) 1pm

What will bring civilisation to an end? The zombie hordes? A super-virus? Nuclear war? Cthulhu's return? Horror writers speculate on the best of times: the end times.

Panelists: Rob Hood, Deborah Biancotti, Richard Harland

Ghosts of the Past
Saturday (4 Oct) 2pm

Horror researchers discuss the unearthed treasures of Australian colonial ghost stories and gothic fiction, and how 'horror' has changed over the decades.

Panelists: Marty Young, James Doig, Leigh Blackmore

Dreaming or Nightmarish: Australian Horror Goes Bush
Saturday (4 Oct) 3pm

The Dreaming is characterised as something mysterious and wondrous but something dark lurks in our red heart. The outback is a desolate and scary place at times and its primordial inhabitants aren't always benevolent. Horror writers discuss the Australian landscape and Aboriginal myth as the foundation of nightmarish stories.

Panelists: Rob Hood, Deborah Biancotti, Leigh Blackmore, Andrew McKiernan, Jack Dann

From Beneath It Devours: The Resurgence of Australian Horror?
Sunday (4 Oct) 9am

Sales of horror books are up and paranormal fiction is hot, but what do the experts say about current state of Australian horror fiction?

Panelists: Keri Arthur, Rob Hood, Shane Jiraiya Cummings, Leigh Blackmore

Vamps and Tramps
Sunday (4 Oct) 10am

Paranormal fiction has exploded in popularity by using traditional horror tropes (vampires, werewolves) in sexy new ways. Take off your crucifix and strap on your leathers as we take a wild ride through what's infernally hot - and what's not.

Panelists: Keri Arthur, Amanda Pillar, Jason Nahrung, Richard Harland

From the Editor's Desk
Sunday (4 Oct) 11am

Editors discuss their views of the writing world, what trends they see, what works well and what doesn’t, what are some of the common pitfalls writers fall into, how to hook an editor, etc.

Panelists: Shane Jiraiya Cummings, Cat Sparks, Amanda Pillar

Australian Shadows Out Of Time: AHWA's guide to the best and worst of Aussie horror
Sunday (4 Oct) 1pm

Is Dowling's work shades of grey or Basic Black? Does Immaterial have enough under the Hood? Has Dedman had a resurrection? Was Hague the Voice of Evil that killed horror in the 90s? Marvel at AHWA's definitive, entirely subjective, and very contentious guide to the best (and worst) ever Australian dark fiction. The award presentation to the winner’s of the AHWA Flash and Short Story Competition 2008 will be made at the end of this panel.

Panelists: Marty Young, James Doig, Leigh Blackmore, Shane Jiraiya Cummings

AHWA presents: 60 minutes of fear
Sunday (4 Oct) 5pm

Australian Horror Writers' Association members read their darkest work, with the audience voting on who is Australia 's scariest author (prizes will be awarded!). Something fun to end the show with! Nothing serious here at all!!

Panelists: Marty Young (MC), with Rob Hood, Shane Jiraiya Cummings, Leigh Blackmore, Andrew McKiernan

Dread Acquisitions - The AHWA Dealer's Table

To be overlooked at your peril, The AHWA Dealer's Table will operate on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th of October during Conflux. The table will also act as a meeting point, a place for horror folk and AHWA members to congregate between panels. If you have nowhere to go and/or don't know anyone at the convention, please feel free to meet there. Marty Young, Shane Jiraiya Cummings, and Angela Challis will be regulars at the table, and you're bound to meet other AHWA members throughout the weekend.

If you have any questions, have books you would like to sell on the Dealer's Table, or are just interested in helping out, please contact Marty Young via email - ahwa@australianhorror.com

To find out more about the Australian Horror Writers' Association, visit www.australianhorror.com, and to peruse the Conflux 5 general program visit www.conflux.org.au

Source: Marty Young, President - Australian Horror Writers' Association