Spooky Frog Presents – A HORRIFYING BOOK FAIR
X RAY ARCADE
Saturday, May 25, 2024
5039 S Packard Ave.
Cudahy, Wisconsin
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Milwaukee fans! Join us at this feast of horror books and authors. DJs Dance Commandr and XDominionX from Goth Barge will be conjuring ethereal beats to set the haunting atmosphere.
BARNES & NOBLE
Saturday, October 28, 2023
1802 S Randall Rd.
Algonquin, Illinois
5 to 9 p.m.
Book signing and panel with local horror authors!
Friday, October 20, 2023
Glen Ellyn Public Library
Glen Ellyn, Illinois
6 to 8 p.m.
Book signing and student performances of spooky scripts written by Chicagoland authors.
BARNES & NOBLE
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Village Crossing Shopping Center
5405 W Touhy Ave
Skokie, Illinois
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Meet local horror authors Cynthia Pelayo, Brian Pinkerton, Damian Serbu and Jay Bonansinga as they discuss their novels with B&N staff. Authors will be available for book signing after the panel.
FAN EXPO CHICAGO
August 10 – 13, 2023
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Rosemont, Illinois
I signed books at the Horror Writers Association booth and moderated a panel, “What Scares a Horror Writer?” with Lauren Bolger, Shawnna Deresch and Michael Allen Rose.
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BUCKET O’ BLOOD BOOKS & RECORDS
July 28, 2023
Chicago, Illinois
Book signing and live reading with John Everson
C2E2: COMIC & ENTERTAINMENT EXPO
March 31 – April 2, 2023
McCormick Place Convention Center
Chicago, Illinois
Panel, live readings and book signing with Lauren Bolger, John Everson, Christopher Hawkins, Michael Allen Rose, Damian Serbu
OAK PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY
March 23, 2023
Oak Park, Illinois
Author panel and signing with members of the Chicagoland Horror Writers Association
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THE ART OF STORYTELLING
March 8, 2023
Live Zoom Event
Allstate Insurance Company
Storytelling panel hosted by Shelley Groh
C2E2: COMIC & ENTERTAINMENT EXPO
August 7, 2022
McCormick Place Convention Center
Chicago, Illinois
I participated on a horror writers panel with Laszlo Tamasfi, Lauren Bolger and Jon R. Meyers.
FAN EXPO CHICAGO
July 7 – 10, 2022
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Rosemont, Illinois
I moderated a panel featuring Lauren Bolger, John Everson and Christopher Hawkins and signed books at the Horror Writers Association booth.
CAPRICON 42
February 3 – 6, 2022
Sheraton Grand
Chicago, Illinois
My schedule included panels, a reading and book signing.
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LIVE & SPOOKY: THE 2021 CREEPY CARNIVAL
October 28, 2021
“The Hideous Hall of Mirrors: Aliens, Otherworlds, the Apocalypse, Horror in Space!”
I moderated a panel on horror and sci-fi with authors Daniel Bensen, Anne Tibbetts and J.D. Moyer.
ENGLISH@WORK CLASS
October 20, 2021
University of Iowa, Iowa City
I shared my writer’s journey with a writing class at my alma mater.
WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO COMICON
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Rosemont, Illinois
I participated on a panel, “Creating Horror,” with Jon R. Meyers, Christopher Hawkins, Damian Serbu and Becky Spratford (moderator).
MEET YOUR LOCAL HORROR AUTHORS
September 21, 2021
Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS)
Roundtable discussion for Illinois librarians
Featuring Becky Spratford (moderator, ALA), Donald Bingle, Shawnna Deresch, John Everson, Christopher Hawkins, Daniel Kraus, Cynthia Pelayo, Brian Pinkerton, Damian Serbu.
NIRVANA EFFECT BLOG TOUR
April – May 2021
All 2020 events canceled due to COVID-19!
SISTERS IN CRIME: HORROR WRITING PANEL
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Chicago Public Library
Bucktown-Wicker Park, 1701 N Milwaukee Ave
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Panel discussion with Richard Thomas and Julia Fine, moderated by Layne Fargo.
Click to enlarge image
BUCKET O’ BLOOD BOOKS & RECORDS
October 24, 2019
3182 N Elston Ave, Chicago
7 p.m.
Reading & signing
STUDENT LITERATURE GROUP
October 21, 2019
Warrenville Public Library
Warrenville, Illinois
Author talk!
GUMBO FICTION SALON
September 12, 2019
Galway Arms
2442 N Clark, Chicago
7 p.m.
Live reading with Steven Silver
GEMINI EXPERIMENT BLOG TOUR
May 2019
STOKERCON
May 9 – 10, 2019
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
Attending Thursday and part of Friday.
CAPRICON 39
February 14 – 17, 2019
Wheeling, Illinois
My schedule includes two panels, a live reading and book signing.
NAPERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
November 3, 2018
Naperville, Illinois
Book signing at Local Author Day
GUMBO FICTION SALON
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Galway Arms
2442 N Clark, Chicago
7 p.m.
Live reading
WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO COMICON
August 24 – 27, 2017
Rosemont, Illinois
Return to Chicago Comic Con!
I participated on a panel, “Start Your Creativity Engines,” with Sam Weller, Tim Lees and Genese Davis and signed books in the exhibit hall.
SAN DIEGO COMIC CON INTERNATIONAL
July 19 – 23, 2017
San Diego, California
I spoke on a panel about villains and antagonists with Susan Spann, Genese Davis and Eric Kieron Davis
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
June 22 – 27, 2017
Chicago, Illinois
I spoke on a panel with Scott Turow, Susanna Calkins, Kate White and Diane Vallere, moderated by Barbara Hoffert of Library Journal, followed by a book signing. Here’s my guest blog post about the event.
WINNETKA BOOK CLUB
January 10, 2017
Winnetka, Illinois
WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO COMICON
August 19 – 21, 2016
Rosemont, Illinois
Guest Author!
Book signing with John Everson, Darren Callahan, Jeff Jacobson, Sam Weller, Raymond Benson, Jay Bonansinga, Mort Castle and Rebecca Makkai.
Saturday panel: “From Concept to Contract: Tips on Creating and Publishing” with Sam Weller and Jeff Jacobson, moderated by Genese Davis.
NORTHBROOK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Northbrook, Illinois
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Up and Coming Author Event
Meet the authors, book sales and signing
DEATHSCRIBE 2015
December 7, 2015
8th Annual International Festival of Horror Radio Plays
WildClaw Theatre
Chicago, Illinois
I served as one of the competition judges.
CHICAGO HORROR FILM FESTIVAL
September 26, 2015
Chicago, Illinois
Author guest; participated in book signing and writers panel with John Everson, Jason R. Davis, Hailey Suits and David C. Hayes, moderated by North Roberts
HORROR HOUND WEEKEND
September 11 – 13, 2015
Indianapolis, Indiana
Book signing at the Samhain Publishing booth
PRINTERS ROW
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Chicago, Illinois
Book signing, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Mystery Writers of America tent
WORLD HORROR CONVENTION
May 7 – 10, 2015
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel
I took part in a live reading, panel discussion and book signing
MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA MIDWEST present
MURDER AT THE MIC
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Hidden Shamrock
Chicago, Illinois
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Live readings
HORROR HOUND WEEKEND
March 20 – 22, 2015
Cincinnati, Ohio
Book signing all three days at the Samhain Publishing booth
HOMEGROWN HORRORFEST
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Iannelli Studios
Park Ridge, Illinois
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Live readings and book signing with
Chris Larsen, John Everson, J. Michael Major and Richard Thomas
PRINTERS ROW
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Chicago, Illinois
Book signing, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Mystery Writers of America tent
with live reading and interview
DUCKON
June 6 – 7, 2014
Annual science fiction and fantasy convention
Westin Chicago North Shore
Wheeling, Illinois
I took part in Saturday’s Writer’s Showcase and three panels, joining W.D. Gagliani, David Benton and John Everson.
JOLIET MONTESSORI SCHOOL
April 18, 2014
Crest Hill, Illinois
Talking with students on writing and storytelling
LOVE IS MURDER
February 8, 2014
Mystery and Suspense Conference
Intercontinental Chicago O’Hare
My schedule includes:
Author Chat (10:30 to11:30 a.m.)
Panel: “Normalizing the World in Paranormal, Horror & Fantasy” (1:00 to 2:00 p.m.)
WYCC PBS TV NEW YEAR’S MYSTERY MARATHON
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Channel 20, Chicago
WYCC PBS-TV Chicago interviewed me for their New Year’s Mystery Marathon. Three interview segments were broadcast during the day on December 31 and this fourth one was posted on YouTube.
As part of the year-end fundraising drive, donors who pledge $100 or more were placed into a raffle for mystery books, including one of 15 signed copies of KILLER’S DIARY.
BARNES & NOBLE
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Racine, Wisconsin
1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Horrorfest 2013 book signing with
John Everson, W.D. Gagliani, Christine Verstraete, Linda Godfrey and Chris Larsen
Christine Verstraete’s blog post about the event.
KILLERCON
September 19 – 22, 2013
Horror and thriller convention
Las Vegas, Nevada
Stratosphere Hotel
I participated on a panel, “The Life of a Writer,” with Christopher Rice, John Shirley, William Gagliani, Edward Lee and David J. Schow, moderated by Gene O’Neil; and signed books at the Samhain Publishing table with William Gagliani, Brian Moreland, Mick Ridgewell and Jonathan Moore.
DUCKON
June 28 – 30, 2013
Annual science fiction and fantasy convention
Westin Chicago North Shore
Wheeling, Illinois
I participated in events on Friday and Sunday, including panels on plotting, book cover art and ebooks.
WORLD HORROR CONVENTION
June 13 – 16, 2013
New Orleans, Louisiana
Hotel Monteleone
Celebrating the premiere of Samhain Publishing’s edition of my book KILLER’S DIARY. Clive Barker and Robert McCammon were this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winners.
My schedule included:
Live reading from KILLER’S DIARY — Friday
Horror Writers Association booth — Friday
Book signing — Friday
Bram Stoker Awards banquet — Saturday
“Dialogue that crackles” author panel — Sunday
PRINTERS ROW
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Chicago, Illinois
Book signing and readings
10 a.m. to noon: Mystery Writers of America tent
noon to 2 p.m.: Horror Writers Association tent
2 to 4 p.m.: Mystery Writers of America tent
An excerpt from my live reading of ROUGH CUT appeared in an episode of Authors Showcase on Chicago community television.
LOVE IS MURDER
February 3 – 5, 2012
Mystery and Suspense Conference
Intercontinental Chicago O’Hare
KILLERCON
September 22 – 25, 2011
Horror and thriller convention
Stratosphere Hotel
Las Vegas, Nevada
Meeting with readers and writers, doing a reading from ROUGH CUT and signing books
PARK RIDGE BOOK CLUB
Monday, September 12, 2011
Park Ridge, Illinois
LOVE IS MURDER
February 4 – 6, 2011
Mystery and Suspense Conference
Intercontinental Chicago O’Hare
LOVE IS MURDER
February 1 – 3, 2008
Mystery and Suspense Conference
Wyndham O’Hare Hotel, Rosemont, Illinois
Chicagoland’s biggest and best mystery and suspense conference for writers and fans. Special guests this year included Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Carolyn Haines, and J.A. Konrath. I moderated a panel and participated on several others.
Above: Paneling on Sunday morning with Darren Callahan, Barry Eisler, Marcus Sakey and Lee Child
THE BOOK CELLAR
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Chicago, Illinois
7 p.m.
CHICAGO BLUES signing / reception
CENTURIES & SLEUTHS BOOKSTORE
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Forest Park, Illinois
1 p.m.
CHICAGO BLUES author discussion and signing
WINNETKA COMMUNITY HOUSE
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Winnetka, Illinois
7 p.m.
CHICAGO BLUES panel and book signing
BUDDY GUY’S LEGENDS
Friday, October 12, 2007
Chicago, Illinois
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The official CHICAGO BLUES book launch party
GREAT LAKES BOOKSELLER SHOW
Saturday, September 26, 2007
Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center
Schaumburg, Illinois
CHICAGO BLUES pre-launch signing
BARNES & NOBLE
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Book signing
BARNES & NOBLE
Friday, October 20, 2006
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
2500 N. Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa
A thriller-horror panel and book signing.
MIDWEST LITERARY FESTIVAL
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Aurora, Illinois
Guests of honor included Joyce Carol Oates, Harry Shearer, Helen Thomas and Dennis Lehane.
PRINTERS ROW BOOK FAIR
Saturday, June 3, 2006
Chicago, Illinois
The Midwest’s largest free outdoor literary event.
Book signing from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Twilight Tales tent.
LOVE IS MURDER
February 3 – 5, 2006
Mystery and Suspense Conference
Wyndham O’Hare Hotel, Rosemont, Illinois
An annual conference for authors, editors, agents, publishers, academics and fans. This year’s special guests included Barry Eisler (“Killing Rain”), William Kent Krueger (“Blood Hollow”), Kevin Guilfoile (“Cast of Shadows”) and David Morrell (creator of Rambo).
I spoke on several panels, including “Time Management for Writers,” “How It All Began/Writer’s Stories,” “Writing Violence,” “It’s All About Appearances,” and “Prep Talk For The As-Yet Unpublished.”
PALATINE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Main Library – 700 N. North Court
Palatine, Illinois
2 to 4 p.m.
Mystery Authors Visit – Discussion, Book Sale & Signing
Joining authors Barb D’Amato and Joe Konrath to meet with mystery fans. Open to the public.
WALDENBOOKS
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Stratford Square Mall
Bloomingdale, Illinois
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A book signing on the Saturday before Christmas. Customers who bought both VENGEANCE and ABDUCTED had their names entered into a raffle for a $10 gift card, courtesy of the bookstore.
WALDENBOOKS
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Stratford Square Mall
Bloomingdale, Illinois
Noon to 4 p.m.
Book signing
BORDERS BOOKS REGIONAL MEETING
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Crowne Plaza O’Hare
Rosemont, Illinois
I was a featured author at this event for 100 bookstore managers
BARNES & NOBLE
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Deer Park, Illinois
7 to 9 p.m.
Book signing
BARNES & NOBLE
Sunday, October 9, 2005
Westfield/Old Orchard Mall, Skokie, Illinois
3 p.m.
I participated in a mystery panel/group signing with local greats Barbara D’Amato (“Death of a Thousand Cuts”); Jay Bonansinga (“Frozen”); J. A. Konrath (“Bloody Mary”); and Libby Fischer Hellmann (“A Shot to Die For”)
MIDWEST LITERARY FESTIVAL
September 10, 2005
Aurora, Illinois
A celebration of all things literary featuring a large roster of authors including Jodi Picoult, Elizabeth Berg, Stephen J. Cannell, and Peter Straub.
My schedule for Saturday:
2:00 p.m. – Live reading from “Vengeance”
2:30 p.m. – Speaking on an author panel: “Doing What It Takes To Sell Your Books” with Robert W. Walker, D.C. Brod, and Robert Dunn
3:30 to 5:00 p.m. – Book signing for “Vengeance” and “Abducted”
BOUCHERCON
September 1 – 4, 2005
Chicago, Illinois
Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
The largest mystery convention in the world. Guests of honor included Dennis Lehane and Harlan Coben.
The Bouchercon Auction auctioned off the handwritten first draft of a chapter from my novel Vengeance with proceeds going to the Chicago charity Centro Romero.
Appearances:
Friday, September 2 – Book Signing (11:30 a.m. to noon)
Friday, September 2 – International Thriller Writers booth (noon to 1:00 p.m.)
Saturday, September 3 – Mystery Writers of America booth (1:00 to 2:00 p.m.)
AUTHOR FEST
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Schaumburg Township District Library
Schaumburg, Illinois
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A gathering of Midwest authors speaking on panels, doing readings, meeting fans, signing books. I spoke on a panel entitled “Creating complex characters.”
WALDENBOOKS
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Chicago Ridge Mall
Chicago Ridge, Illinois
Noon to 4 p.m.
Book signing
PRINTERS ROW BOOK FAIR
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Chicago, Illinois
Signing “Vengeance” and “Abducted” from 10 a.m. to noon at the Twilight Tales booth.
THE BOOK STALL
Saturday, May 21, 2005
811 Elm Street
Winnetka, Illinois
3:30 p.m.
Book signing and talk
WALDENBOOKS
Saturday, May 7, 2005
Stratford Square Mall
Bloomingdale, Illinois
Noon to 3 p.m.
Book signing
WORLD HORROR CONVENTION
April 7 – 10, 2005
Park Central Hotel
New York City
A huge annual gathering of writers, artists, editors, publishers and filmmakers who specialize in the “dark and horrific.” Harlan Ellison was a Guest of Honor this year. I met a lot of great authors, participated in a mass signing, pitched to film companies, attended panels and readings, visited the offices of Dorchester Publishing, met with a literary agent, and explored various parties, including the Leisure Books bash.
WALDENBOOKS
Saturday, March 5, 2005
Stratford Square Mall
Bloomingdale, Illinois
Noon to 3 p.m.
Book signing
LOVE IS MURDER
February 4 – 6, 2005
Mystery and Suspense Conference
Chicago, Illinois
An annual conference for authors, editors, agents, publishers, academics and fans. Anne Perry was this year’s keynote speaker. I was on a couple of panels, including “The Second Book: How to Avoid the Sophomore Slump.”
BARNES & NOBLE
Saturday, December 4, 2004
2621 Plainfield Road
Joliet, Illinois
Noon to 4 p.m.
A group signing with a great line-up of other Chicago-area mystery/thriller authors: Libby Hellmann (“An Image of Death”); Joe Konrath (“Whiskey Sour”); E.G. Schrader (“For the Defendant”); and Rob Walker (“Grave Instinct”)
WALDENBOOKS
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Chicago Ridge Mall
Chicago Ridge, Illinois
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
A return to Chicago Ridge!
WALDENBOOKS
Saturday, November 20, 2004
Chicago Ridge Mall
Chicago Ridge, Illinois
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Book signing
WALDENBOOKS
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Fox Valley Mall
Aurora, Illinois
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Book signing
TWILIGHT TALES
September 13, 2004, 7:30 p.m.
Live Reading Series
Red Lion Pub
2446 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
A live reading of excerpts from my books, including a preview of “Vengeance”
PROJECT GREENLIGHT party
August 12, 2004
hosted by REELCHICAGO
The Moonshine Café
1824 W. Division, Chicago
A celebration to recognize the seven Chicago-area filmmakers — including myself and John Zoppi — who scored high in the 17,000-entry Project Greenlight competition in 2004. “Perfect Order,” a screenplay I cowrote with John, finished in the Top 100 of the screenwriting competition.
SCOTLAND YARD BOOK STORE
May 22, 2004
556 Green Bay Road
Winnetka, Illinois
A book signing for “Abducted” and “Killing the Boss.”
WLGC RADIO INTERVIEW
April 20, 2004, 9:35 a.m. (eastern time)
with Mark Justice
Kentucky/West Virginia
A radio interview discussing the eerie similarities between my book “Abducted” and a real-life missing persons case in Philadelphia where a mother chanced upon her kidnapped daughter several years after the girl had been declared dead. The story broke on CNN the day that Abducted was released!
POISONED PEN BOOK STORE
March 12, 2004
Scottsdale, Arizona
A “drop-by” signing after I climbed Mount Camelback with some friends. I was sweaty and gross.
SCOTLAND YARD BOOK STORE
September 22, 2001
556 Green Bay Road
Winnetka, Illinois
The first book signing!