Core Programming

2026 Core Programming — panels, academic speakers, author readings, Armitage Symposium presentations, etc

2026 programming is still in the works, but we’re sharing the full array of planned panels now! (below that is the 2024 programming, to help folks know more about what to expect)

Note: Additional external programming will include various special live podcasts, parties, book launches, and theatrical events from Wednesday to Sunday (including a different Dark Adventure Radio Theater event on Friday and Saturday evenings!). This schedule is currently being updated on the extended programming page!

2026 Core Panels

We’ll share the preliminary FULL 2026 core schedule (including all panels, armitage and academic talks, workshops, etc) in the next couple weeks.

Pre-Lovecraft Sources of Cosmic Horror. Practitioners, and even masters, of cosmic horror existed before Lovecraft. Indeed, they were powerful influences on his work. Poe, Blackwood, Bierce, Machen, Chambers, and Dunsany are inevitably cited, but which writers did Lovecraft cite as influences? To what extent did HPL capture and solidify previous work, and at what point did his cosmic horror take on a life of its own?

A People’s History of The Cthulhu Mythos; Leftist Appraisal and Reinterpretation of the Mythos. As Leftist pop-culture critic Nia Frome notes “… the basic components of Lovecraft’s vision really resonate with the denizens of late capitalism. Why is that?” Are colonialism, capitalism, and racism inherent in the foundation of the Mythos? What is the textual role of class in Lovecraft’s work? How have recent works attempted to reimagine or critique the underlying ideologies and how successful have they been?

Robert Hayward Barlow: A Life. R H Barlow (American, 1918 – 1951) was more than the executor of Lovecraft’s literary estate, with a resume including anthropologist, poet, author, publisher, and noted sculptor. A researcher in Mesoamerican culture, Barlow served as Chair of the Anthropology Department of Mexico City College and made significant contributions to scholarship with more than one hundred academic publications. Panelists consider Barlow’s extraordinary life, contributions to the Mythos, and his greater legacy.

White Rabbits and Purple Haze: The Influence of the Psychedelic Era on Weird Fiction. Lovecraft and weird fiction enjoyed a surge in popularity with new readers during the psychedelic sixties as the counterculture embraced pulp-era stories of banned books, esoteric knowledge, mind-altering substances, and exotic cultures. Some of those new fans went on to become creators and artists in their own right, putting a distinct countercultural spin on Weird Fiction. Panelists discuss the different cultural movements embracing HPL and company, and the way psychedelia began to infuse and revitalize the weird fiction of the period.

Cosmic Horror and Gaze: The Terror and Power of Seeing and Being Seen. The Gaze is at once power and vulnerability. Panelists discuss cosmic horror through the lens of Gaze Theory. To see can be to know, to define, to acknowledge, to experience horrifying and ecstatic revelation. To be seen can mean many things: to be affirmed, to be affixed, defined, to be the object of predation. Through Gaze Theory, what sees and what is seen in the work of HPL and cosmic horror? What are the consequences of perception and being perceived in the Mythos?

The Influence of Charles Fort on Mythos Fiction. Charles Fort (American, 1874-1932) was among the first to systematically study anomalous phenomena, publishing four landmark nonfiction books on the topic. The peak of Fort’s activity, 1919-1932, overlaps Mythos Fiction’s golden age. Did Fort’s publications create audiences hungry for weird fiction and its fellow travelers? To what extent can direct or indirect connections be made between Fort and the tales of Lovecraft and other Mythos contributors? A century on, can we still feel Fortean influence on fiction?

A Century of Cthulhu: The Greatest Great Old One. The Call of Cthulhu was published in 1928, but was written in the Summer of 1926, right here in Providence, RI. Panelists discuss the history and broad cultural impact of HPL’s most recognizable and iconic creation. From a crowded field, Cthulhu became the archetypal eldritch, cosmic entity and shorthand for an entire subgenre of horror. Even outside fandom, Cthulhu has become a broadly understood meme. Why? What was it about Cthulhu that has captured imaginations for a hundred years and continues to resonate? How have perceptions and interpretations of the entity changed over time?

The Call Of Cthulhu at 100: A Deep Dive into the Story that Launched the Mythos. It’s heavy LitCrit time as panelists consider Lovecraft’s signature story on a textual level, discuss its direct influences and antecedents, and analyze its themes and symbolism. Panelists compare and contrast the story through the lenses of 1926 and 2026. Is Call of Cthulhu a well-written story? Or merely an entertaining and influential one?

36 Sonnetts: The Fungi From Yuggoth. Largely written between December 27, 1929 and January 4, 1930, the Fungi From Yuggoth is one of Lovecraft’s most well-known and recorded works. Panelists discuss the form and structure of the “Cycle,” as well as the sources and themes of the work, its publication history, influence, and relationship to his other verse.

The Collectable Lovecraft. Lovecraftiana has been produced and reproduced in a dizzying array of editions, ephemera, and memorabilia. This panel explores the trials and tribulations of the Lovecraft completionist, including the ones that got away, greatest finds, and white whales, and gives advice to those who collect. How do you find, appraise, and research memorabilia?

Willis Conover and Lovecraft at Last: Fifty Years Later. Best known as a jazz impresario and co-founder of the Newport Jazz Festival, Willis Conover was also a teenage correspondent of Lovecraft’s, a fanzine publisher, and an inveterate collector of 1930s science fiction, fantasy, and horror materials. Conover’s Lovecraft at Last, publishing their combined correspondence, helped kick off the late 1970s Lovecraft revival and turns fifty this year. Half a century on, what does it tell us about both people? Conover’s archival papers have recently received unprecedented reexamination and new material has been uncovered. What has it shown us about this complex character and his diverse interests?

Revisiting Supernatural Horror in Literature. Lovecraft’s diligently researched essay on the state and origins of horror and the weird tale was widely circulated and well-reguarded in its time. Today, it remains a classic in the field of weird scholarship. Panelists discuss Lovecraft’s sources and research, the revisions and publication history, and the early distribution and impact of the document. In what areas was it particularly strong, and are there bodies of literature that he either missed, or considered outside the scope of his work? What was its impact through the history of weird scholarship up to today?

Redefining Cosmic Horror. As a genre, cosmic horror has always been a little bit nebulous. What is it, exactly? How have conceptions of the genre changed, and how will it continue to evolve in years to come as a literary movement? Are the original definitions truly relevant as “horror” when materialism,cosmic indifference, and existentialist themes are increasingly mainstream positions in culture?

Orientalism in HPL. Orientalism refers to a scholarly and cultural movement that rose in the 18th and 19th centuries that mythologized various aspects of “The Orient,” or those lands east of the Mediterranean (including the Near and Middle East, South Asia, and northern Africa). These “exotic” cultures were portrayed as lands of ancient civilizations and decadence, populated with fakirs, snake charmers, and sheiks on magic carpets. This romantic but savage view was deeply tied to Colonialism and ideas of the racial and cultural supremacy of The West. Our experts discuss Orientalism as it appears in Lovecraft’s letters and literature.

Humans Are Such Easy Prey: Forty Years of From Beyond. The success of the film Re-Animator–based on Lovecraft’s “Herbert West–Reanimator”–put director Stuart Gordon and actors Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton on the radar of both critics and cult movie fans alike. However, their sophomore Lovecraft adaptation, From Beyond, has never achieved that same level of recognition, despite it also taking many wild swings at Lovecraft’s original text. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, our panel will expound on the merits of this grisly (and gooey) film, and why From Beyond remains overlooked.

Theosophy And Weird Fiction: How Did the Esoterica of Madame Blavatsky Influence Cosmic Horror. The esoterica of theosophy may have influenced the major weird fiction writers of the 1920s and 1930s, including H.P. Lovecraft, Arthur Machen, Lord Dunsany, Robert E. Howard, Clark Ashton Smith, etc. as well as modern writers, all of whom employed ideas or themes that can be found in her writings. Although HPL and others were clearly aware of theosophy and other esoteric traditions, did the commonalities come from direct influence, second-hand, or were they part of a broader cultural zeitgeist? Panelists discuss the influence of esoterica and Blavatsky on weird fiction

Sources Over Innsmouth. An examination of the inspirations and influences behind Lovecraft’s The Shadow Over Innsmouth, considering the importance of real-world inspirations, philosophical concerns, and the art and literature he drew on.

Drifting Down the River of Night’s Dreaming: Karl Edward Wagner. Karl Edward Wagner (American, 1945 – 1994) was a poet, editor, and publisher born in Knoxville, Tennessee. Wagner is known for his Sword and Sorcery anti-hero Kane, the Mystic Swordsman, and more contemporary horror tales that often drew on his personal demons and training as a psychiatrist. Wagner co-founded Carcosa Press and was executor of Manley Wade Welman’s literary estate until his death. He edited many anthologies, including fourteen years of The Year’s Best Horror. Our panelists discuss Wagner, his influences, and his impact on horror, fantasy, and the greater weird.

Sheridan Le Fanu: Seeing Through a Glass Darkly. Author of Victorian ghost stories, gothic horror, and mysteries, Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu (Irish, 1814 – 1873) was a master of atmosphere and dread. His transformative work was a significant influence on M. R. James, and Carmilla preceded and influenced Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Our panelists discuss his life, work, and enduring cultural impact.

The Pale Song of the Butterfly Collector: Nabokov as Weird Fiction. Author, critic, and scholar Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov (Russian, 1899 – 1977) is famous as the author of Lolita and Pale Fire. His fiction is known for rich character studies and prose, but is it weird? In addition to his explicitly secondary world work Ada, our panelists describe how, beneath the surface, his work is pervaded with hints of the otherworldly and strange. Arguably, the most famous weird fiction author you’ve never heard of!

The Horror and Weird Fiction of Ray Bradbury. While he will always have a connection to science fiction because of books like Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles, Ray Bradbury (American, 1920 – 2012) also had one foot firmly in the world of horror during his illustrious career. From Dark Carnival to Something Wicked This Way Comes to The Halloween Tree, our panelists will discuss how Bradbury could go from whimsical and life affirming in other genres to cruel and unsettling in his writings of horror and weird fiction. How does his vision of the world compare to authors of cosmic horror?

Poe and Whitman in Providence. Between 1845 and 1848, Poe visited Providence as a stop on the lecture circuit, but it culminated in his courtship and engagement to poet Sarah Helen Whitman. While the final months of 1848 saw the creation of the famous daguerrotypes as well as his attempted suicide, it also was a time of whirlwind romance for the two poets. Panelists discuss his time here, the effect it had on their lives and work, and the importance of Whitman in preserving his legacy.

Daphne du Maurier: A Strange Creature. du Maurier (1907 – 1989) wrote broadly, including romantic, historical, adventure and biography, often with an underlying hint of darkness or the supernatural. Short stories such as Don’t Look Now, The Apple Tree, The Blue Lenses, and The Birds are clearly in the realm of horror and weird fiction. Panelists discuss her work, controversies, and legacy.

Let Me Tell You Of The Days Of High Adventure: Exploring The Hyperborean Age. For writers such as Robert Howard and Clark Ashton Smith, Hyperborea was an ancient time lost to history but still echoing in the cultures of the contemporary world. What advantages and constraints appeared for writers using this recognizable but imagined past? How did different writers conceptualize and employ the concept? Panelists discuss the creation and use of “Hyperborean” settings in the Pulp Era by Howard, Smith, and others.

Worlds of Savagery, Super-science, and Sorcery: the Post-Apocalyptic Dark Ages in Weird Fiction. An exploration of works about people living generations after the collapse of industrial civilization, often so far in the future that our world has fallen into myth and the artefacts that remain are incomprehensible to most. Primitive cultures live among the ruins, plagued by mutants, monsters, and those who have recovered the technology of old or discovered powerful new magic. From the pulp adventures of Thundarr the Barbarian, The Coming of the Horseclans, and Gamma World to the serious literary treatments such as Canticle for Leibowitz, Riddley Walker, The Road, and Always Coming Home, we discuss the history, themes, and appeal of these narratives.

Representation of Ghosts in Culture and Literature: Taxonomy, Motivations, and Purpose. Ghosts’ meaning, appearance, and reason for being have changed over time: classical antiquity’s chorus of the dead, messengers and omens, cautionary tales, apparitions that exist in their own world, orbs, poltergeists, the sentimental ghosts of Victorian spiritualism, and modern horror’s vengeful and event violent spirits. Panelists discuss the details of this evolution and its relation to cultural trends.

The Birth of the Fantastique in German Literature: Adelbert von Chamisso (Peter Schlemilh), Achim von Arnim, and E.T.A. Hoffmann. Influenced by Romanticism, a generation of German writers including Adelbert von Chamisso, Achim von Arnim, and E.T.A. Hoffmann pioneered a literary form prefiguring slipstream and magical realism by integrating supernatural elements into ostensibly real world stories. Reaction to the First World War’s horrors breathed new life into German Fantastique and, through German Expressionism, also put an enduring stamp on cinema. Panelists discuss the movement and its legacy.

The French Fantastique in the 19th Century. Fantastique may have been born in Germany, but it was polished in France. Its tropes would feel familiar to modern horror fans: vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and unspeakable crimes, all served up with liminal uncertainty and alienation. French Fantasists include titans such as Balzac, Dumas, Gautier, and Maupassant, as well as lesser-known figures like Mérimée, Nodier, and Nerval. Panelists discuss the history of these writers and their influence on weird fiction over time.

The Epistolary Form in Weird Fiction. Found journals and letters. Diaries and ephemera. Intimate,voyeuristic, and at times oblique. Although the form peaked in popularity in the 18th Century, works such as Frankenstein, Dracula, The Call of Cthulhu, Carrie, House of Leaves, and Tainaron: Mail from Another City all point to the ongoing role epistolary fiction has in horror and weird fiction. Panelists discuss the use of epistolary stories with reference to classic and contemporary examples.

Archives: Preserving Collective Memory. Archives are stores of documentary history, preserving the past so it will be accessible in the future. Fans, writers, scholars, and artists all collect and accumulate artefacts, but not with the archivist’s eye. How do we preserve the past and present and vouchsafe the survival of information in an electronic age? Whether it is an author’s letters and papers, documents of potential historic interest, rare books, comics, maps, and illustrations, or electronic records and data, there are processes for preservation. In this panel, professional archivists discuss how to assess, collect, organize, and preserve materials and data from your personal collection to ensure it remains for future generations.

The Sheer Mind Bending Terror of Physics. While physics promises understanding, more often than not, science fiction, horror and weird lit and film render it in shades of profound terror–a terror of scale, indifference, and forces that don’t notice us at all. The overwhelming power of physics and forces beyond human comprehension is present in thousands of pieces of work, in everything from “The Color Out of Space” and Jeff VanderMeer’s “The Third Bear” to Interstellar, Event Horizon and Ant-Man—and that barely scratches the surface. In this discussion, panelists will examine how writers and filmmakers use physics not as device, but as existential threat.

Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted: William S. Burroughs and Weird Fiction. Beat Godfather Burroughs (American, 1914 – 1997) was well-steeped in pulp-era weird fiction, and acknowledged knowing the work of Machen, Long, Lovecraft, and others. He was a student of Barlow in Mexico and a fan of Crowley, and his work is permeated with mysticism and the esoteric. Burroughs frequents themes of social decline and decay, forbidden knowledge, body horror, and nihilism often, parallel to those in Cosmic Horror. Panelists discuss the weird influences and long surreal shadow of Burroughs.

Mucho Mojo Storyteller: Joe R. Lansdale. With tales of an interdimensional creature obsessed with razors, apocalyptic drive-ins, and an elderly Elvis Presley facing down a soul-sucking mummy, Texas based author Joe R. Lansdale (American, 1951 -) has created his own distinct space in the world of speculative fiction. Join our panelists as they examine Lansdale’s lengthy career in both print and film, the one-of-a-kind narrative voice used in his stories, and the way he merges different genres, from mysteries to Westerns to horror, in unique and surprising ways with an emphasis on his contributions to the weird.

That Abandoned Mall is Still Playing Music: Theory and History of Hauntology. there’s no standard definition, hauntology is the persistence of the ghosts of a future we were promised. On a small scale, it’s an abandoned home’s dead Christmas tree with still-wrapped, decaying gifts beneath. On a larger one, it’s the formerly “utopian” city of Pripyat or a landscape/city scarred or destroyed by war. While in a physical sense, hauntology drives many urban explorers, the ideological ghosts of the past haunt our daily lives. Our panelists discuss left-behind futures in architecture and design, language and social conventions, arts, and social structures—because the dreams we had for the future don’t matter to the passage of time.

In Mountains Older than Bones: Appalachian Gothic. Rightly or wrongly, on America’s cultural map, Appalachia is the equivalent to “Here there be monsters”–a region assumed not only to be unknown but perhaps also unknowable–where we credulously suspend our own disbelief. Panelists discuss what defines Appalachian Gothic, good and bad examples of the genre, and why the region has such a hold on the popular imagination.

Tainted and Impure: Environmental Contamination in the Weird. A discussion on the feeling of “ick” and our response to real and imagined environmental contamination. How are ideas of the purity and the polluted entwined, and what do they mean from a moral and scientific perspective? What is the psychology behind how we think of contamination, and how is it understood and used in weird art and literature? Our panelists will explore this topic citing examples from classic and contemporary sources.

Environmental Activism and Weird Fiction. Climate change, invasive species, habitat destruction and more impact our planet in shocking ways–and they’re also not foreign concepts in the world of the Weird, which uses these disasters to fuel its surreal landscapes, monstrous lifeforms, and uncanny phenomena. Works like Tiffany Morris’ Green Fuse Burning, Jeff VanderMeer’s Hummingbird Salamander, and Trang Thanh Tran’s They Bloom At Night are but a few of the burgeoning slate of weird ecothrillers. Panelists discuss how weird fiction inspires calls to action.

The Weird Within: Parasites and Parasitism. Tapeworms, flukes, ticks, amoeba, cuckoos, cordyceps. Organisms that steal life, incubate within host bodies, replace young, and manipulate behavior are a powerful source of psychological and bodily terror. Unsurprisingly, these organisms and ideas have permeated the Weird from the beginning. Panelists discuss the reasons why with reference to classic and contemporary examples and a side of biology.

Let Me Tell You About the Very Alien: They Are Different from You and Me. Weird fiction is filled with entities that are fundamentally not like humans in the way they think, feel, and perceive the world. How does one write what one cannot understand? Must supernatural or alien beings have some recognizable human characteristics? Our authors reveal the ways in which they bring alien psychology, behavior, and motivations to life and discuss the best examples from film and literature.

Corporate Horror. Cubicles, paperwork, horrible bosses and unseen masters. Ligotti, Ballard, and others have explored the strange and terrifying world that unfolds under the baleful eye and soulless indifference of corporate ownership. Our panelists explore the hellscapes of Late-Stage Capitalism’s 9 – 5 and how these hellscapes serve as an excellent backdrop for exploring the Cosmic’s most common themes of existentialism and human insignificance.

Representation and Function of Disease and Illness in the Weird. From plagues like the sleeping sickness in The Beak Doctor by Eric Basso to alien infection in Jeff VanderMeer’s Southern Reach books, weird fiction is filled with tales of illness. Physical and psychological. We will explore why writers of weird fiction continue to return to these themes and why readers are hungry to read more.

Comedy from the Darkest Places: The Unbearable Lightness of Nihilism. The work of some of the bleakest and most nihilistic of weird writers is often downright… hilarious? Panelists discuss the role of humor in the dark work of Ligotti, Kafka, and others, such as M. Shaw, Nicole Cushing, Cody Goodfellow, Michael Cisco, Chesya Burke, and Matthew Bartlett.

Bloody Weird: Splatterpunk on its Fortieth Anniversary. The term “splatterpunk” originated in 1986 at the twelfth World Fantasy Convention, right here in Providence at the Biltmore Hotel. The shockingly explicit violence and gore of the genre was controversial in Reagan’s America, and divisive within the community of weird fiction. Forty bloody years later, we consider the impact of the genre, its relationship with weird fiction, and what it means to be splatterpunk at a time when all the actual horror and brutality people have to offer can be livestreamed.

‘Line My Eyes and Call Me Pretty:’ Sublimation of the Feminine through the Monstrous in Contemporary Horror Literature. It has been said that “monsters are the bedtime stories the patriarchy tells itself.” Greek myths characterized most monsters as feminine, and equating the “other” of femininity with the “other” of monstrosity remains part of contemporary horror literature. Panelists discuss how the “monster” is used to sublimate or other the feminine in contemporary horror. Are some ascribed-feminine behaviors or attributes more frequently targeted than others? Are we making progress in moving past this? How effective are efforts by women authors to reclaim agency by co-opting monstrosity? Can our monsters be beautiful (inside or out)? How do we feel about the sexy monster?

Trans and Nonbinary Perspectives in Weird Fiction. focusing on the history of trans and nonbinary authors and representation in weird literature. Description to be developed by participants

Horror Noir: the Contributions of BiPOC Authors and Filmmakers in Horror and Weird Fiction. Jordan Peele, Tananarive Due, Victor Lavalle, and P. Djèlí Clark are some of the Black American authors and filmmakers who are utilizing cosmic horror and weird fiction to explore Black identity, white supremacy, and the history and legacy of US race relations (and beyond). Panelists will discuss the books and films that represent, complicate, and expand our notions of horror, exclusion, and the monstrous.

It Came From the Stacks: Librarians & Archivists in Weird Fiction. Librarians and archivists are the keepers of knowledge, and as such, are often featured as important characters in weird fiction. Our panelists discuss these figures who preserve, catalog, and safeguard mysterious tomes, haunt forbidden archives, offer counsel and information to the curious, and sometimes employ their knowledge and expertise to explore the supernatural for good or ill.

The Coldest Fear: Arctic and Antarctic Horrors. The frozen climax of Shelley’s Frankenstein, the unearthly revelations of Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness, the howling terrors of Ithaqua the Wind Walker, the paranoia and isolation of Carpenter’s The Thing or True Detective: Night Country. The Arctic and Antarctic aren’t just about how extreme cold, snow, and ice trigger primordial fears, they are places so isolated and alien that they might as well really be on another world. Panelists discuss why, even among other extreme environments, the Arctic and Antarctic are such persistent and effective settings for horror ranging from the psychological to the cosmic.

“I can’t go on.” The Horror of Existential Hopelessness. Most existential perspectives presume that purpose and meaning are created by the individual and, for many, maintaining hope in the face of the terrors of existence is a central concern. Panelists examine the use and function of existential hopelessness and despair in the Weird. How have authors and filmmakers confronted and portrayed this core challenge of existence? How does the Weird deal with hope and its failure? Authors and trends, etc.

The Electric Nightmares of Philip K Dick. Exploring themes of identity, surveillance, paranoia and technology, Philip K. Dick (American, 1928 – 1982) was prolific as a writer of science fiction short stories and novels, but his tales frequently contained elements of the Weird. From the alternate history horrors of The Man in the High Castle to the various realities and unrealities in The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch, our panel will delve into the strange and unforgiving worlds that sprung from Dick’s imagination.

Representations of the Colonial New England Witch in Weird Film. From Mather’s The Invisible World to Egger’s The Witch, the specter of the Salem Witch trials and witch portrayals have ranged from the ultimate civic evil to social criticism to “good for her” revolution. Panelists discuss the diversity and social significance of witches in literature and media.

.Dancing Backward In The Black Lodge: David Lynch & The Weird. The late David Lynch (1946 – 2025) was a great practitioner of Weird cinema, sometimes taking Weird to a place it seldom goes: commercial success. Twin Peaks, not just Weird but with nods to cosmic horror, was a 1990s pop culture phenomenon. Many of his less commercially successful Weird projects, such as Eraserhead, have found critical and scholarly acclaim alongside cult status. Panelists offer a Lynch retrospective, considering Lynch’s influences and influence, impact on cinema, and place in the Weird.

Weird Film From the Pre-Code Era. The 1934 Motion Picture Production Code (“The Hays Code”) had a devastating impact on creativity and free expression in Hollywood. Pre-Hays Code films challenge much of the conventional wisdom about America’s early motion pictures: portrayals of marginalized groups, depictions of sex and sexuality, and complex explorations of criminal, supernatural, or horrific topics. Panelists consider Hollywood’s Pre-Code era specifically in light of the Weird. What characterizes or defines Hollywood’s Pre-Code Weird? What films and directors should every cinephile and connoisseur of the Weird know?

The Weird on a Moderately Large Color Screen! Panelists from 2024’s Weird on a Small Color Screen return with new reinforcements to continue their discussion of weird television shows from the Twenty-aughts, when cable and Blockbuster were still dominant but a proliferation of channels, production companies, and DVDs by mail began to change how the weird entered our living rooms. Turn to the scrolling channel guide to see what horrors await!

Just Enough: Descriptive Narration in Fiction and Gaming. A critical aspect of writing is control of information; what is obvious to the author or GM isn’t to the reader or player. The scene must be grounded and comprehensible for the reader or player to understand what is happening clearly and they must have an opportunity to identify the clues and relevant details that enrich their reading experience or allow them to advance the game. Too obvious? Boredom and a tendency to ignore everything else as irrelevant. Too obscure? Frustration and helplessness. How do you hide the important details in plain sight, obtainable without them screaming “I am the important piece!” How do you give them what they need without leading them by the nose?

Collaborative Writing in Weird Fiction. description pending

Theatre and the Weird. Discussing plays and staged presentation

Designing the Weird: collaborative design in props, artefacts, and special edition books.

Tales from the Crypt: EC Comics. A cackling, cloaked figure opens a dusty tome and reads to their audience stories featuring the supernatural, twist endings, and comeuppance. Welcome to the world of EC Comics, who specialized in gruesome titles like Vault of Horror, Weird Science, The Haunt of Fear and, of course, Tales from the Crypt. Unfortunately, EC’s run of horror, sci-fi, and crime stories was short-lived due to their comics being used as a scapegoat by politicians and psychiatrists for cases of juvenile delinquency in the 1950s. But much like the Crypt Keeper, EC refused to stay dead. Our panelists discuss the writers and artists who contributed to EC’s unique tone, the relationship of EC to the Pulp Era Weird, and how film adaptations, comic revivals and a certain beloved HBO series have kept EC’s legacy alive to this day.

The Weird Art and Literature of Nick Cave.

Bedeviled Blues and Haunted Hoedowns: European and African Origins of the Weird in American Dark and Horror Folk Music.

The Weird and Hip-hop. Much like heavy metal and punk before it, hip-hop music has crossed paths with the macabre over the years. During the 1980s, it started mostly with humorous tracks, from Whodini’s “Haunted House of Rock” to The Fat Boys’s “Are You Ready for Freddy.” But as the ’90s approached, darker and more complex albums emerged from groups like The Geto Boys and Three 6 Mafia, which eventually led to the emergence of the horrorcore subgenre. Our panel will expand on the hip-hop artists who have incorporated the supernatural and occult into their music, and how hip-hop has influenced the horror genre in return.

Using Cthulhu in Call of Cthulhu. Although the popular RPG is named for him, Cthulhu himself presents a challenge for keeper and investigator alike. Unlike some adversaries, he does not traditionally have interest in influencing the affairs of mortals or even acknowledging his worshippers. His immediate physical appearance is most likely to trigger an apocalyptic total party kill. Panelists discuss the uses and abuses of the Great Old One, and how his presence is manifested in an effective CoC campaign.

Religion in Call of Cthulhu RPG. Lovecraft’s fiction often incorporated, not always flatteringly, real world religions. In replicating the Mythos as a TTRPG, Call of Cthulhu also incorporates real faiths, necessitating a tight-rope act balancing felicity to the original Mythos flavor with evolving cultural and social sensibilities. Panelists talk about notable appearances of real world faiths, clergy, and beliefs in CoC, examine how its treatment of belief systems has evolved over successive editions, and offer advice to Keepers on respectfully and realistically incorporating real faiths into the game.

Monsters in the Closet: Queer Representation in Horror Gaming. Queer representation in horror has come a long way since its early days of stereotypes as evildoers and outcasts. When we create and play horror games, and more, how can we utilize the breadth and depth of our queerness to tell incredible, haunting stories that resonate not just within our community, but without as well?

This Little Meeple Went to Market. You’ve developed an idea into a new game, play-tested it to death, and gone over your rules document with a fine-toothed comb until your eyes bled. Congratulations! Now what? Veteran industry professionals discuss the next steps in bringing a game to market, including developing a pitch, and contacting artists, designers, and publishers. How do you decide whether to self-publish or work with an established company. So many questions, including ones you didn’t know you should ask. Time to get some answers!

2024 Core Programming Schedule – the 2026 schedule will post in the coming weeks.

Check here for updates on the core convention programming and all the related events happening in Providence the week of the convention. For details on all the extended programming such as plays, concerts, and film screenings, please visit the extended programming page.

Much programming occurs outside of these core events, including Thursday – Sunday gaming, film screenings, parties, tours, and other events – much of this is open to the general public!

PANELS and TALKS!
This section includes the schedule of talks, panels, author readings, and the like, some still to be determined. This schedule is still subject to minor revisions, such as participating panelists. We also have a detailed downloadable .pdf of the full core schedule as well as the schedule of additional programming for NecronomiCon Providence 2024. You can find that riiiiight here…

NecronomiCon-2024-full-schedule-grid-v2-3 Download

THURSDAY Aug 15, 2024

Look! – most extended programming (film screenings, theatrical events, concerts, and parties, will all be posted on the external programming page as that comes together.

FRIDAY Aug 16, 2024

Friday 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM

Editing for the Small Press — Providence Ballroom, Omni 3rd Floor.
The small press has always been critical to keeping literature weird. Small press champions discuss the challenges of producing and distributing anthologies and magazines on a small budget. How do you keep the doors open? What are the challenges in fulfilling your vision for a particular project? Panelists: L. E. Daniels, Scott Dwyer, Curtis Lawson (M), Kristi Petersen Schoonover, Justin Steele, John Thompson

New York State of Mind: Lovecraft’s New York Period — Capital Ballroom, Graduate 2nd Floor.
On March 2, 1924, Lovecraft abruptly moved to New York City and married Sonya Greene. Just two years later, he returned to Providence, broke, and leaving behind a failing marriage. In the interim, he explored the city, wrote, and met and corresponded with the KALEM Club and members of the Lovecraft Circle. Our panelists do a deep dive into his big city adventure, what it reveals about his psychology, and the impact it had on his life and writing. Panelists: Peter Cannon, John Foster (M), David Goodwin, Tim Lonegan, Melissa Stewart

The Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe and its Long Shadow — Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate 17th Floor.
Poe (American, 1809 -1849) was a leading American voice in gothic and romantic literature as an author, literary critic, and poet. His work was a significant influence on the development of detective mystery, science fiction, and weird fiction. Our panelists engage in a close examination of Poe’s poetry and his writing on the theory of poetry. Panelists: Michael Cisco, Christa Carmen, Frank Coffman, F. Brett Cox (M), Levi Leland, Sean Moreland

Friday 9:30-10:45 AM

Armitage Session 1 – Bristol/Kent Room, Omni Hotel 3rd floor. I have dwelt ever in realms apart from the visible world: An Introduction to Lovecraft’s universe, Session Chair: Elena Tchougounova-Paulson

Welcome and Opening Remarks
Elena Tchougounova-Paulson, Armitage chair, and Niels-Viggo S. Hobbs, convention director
Fred S. Lubnow. An Environmental Assessment of the Colour in H.P. Lovecraft’s The Colour Out of Space
Harley Geiger, Tod Beardsley and Claire Reynolds. Vanitas Horendum Lex: From Beyond the Bar

Weird Gaming — Indie and Freelance Perspectives 1: Game and Scenario Design — Providence Ballroom, Omni 3rd Floor.
Everyone has ideas, but how do you transform those ideas into new systems that are distinct, or scenarios for existing systems that stand out in a crowded market. Panelists discuss the design of independent game systems and scenarios from outside the major game companies. Panelists: Micah Anderson, Cat Scully, Jeffrey Moeller (M), Matthew Sanderson, Christopher Smith Adair, Alexander Smith

Joe Pulver: The bEast Among Us — Capital Ballroom, Graduate 2nd Floor.
Author, editor, and poet Joseph S. Pulver Sr. (American, 1955 – 2020) was well-known for his work curating and expanding stories of the Cthulhu Mythos and Chamber’s The King in Yellow. He also edited tribute anthologies to Thomas Ligotti, Ramsey Campbell, and was instrumental in the publication of Michael Cisco’s lost manuscript The Knife Dance. Panelists discuss his work, unique prose style, and contributions to the weird. Panelists: Chad Anctil, Jon Black (M), Michael Cisco, Peter Rawlik, Jeffrey Thomas

White Space, Implication, Inference. The Reader as Collaborator in Weird Fiction — Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate 17th Floor.
While every reader experiences their own version of a book, this is even more true in weird literature where ambiguity and uncertainty are more central than most genres. Our panelists discuss writing uncertain narratives and supporting multiple interpretations in weird fiction. What is the contract we enter into with the reader in setting expectations? How do we conceptualize the reader’s role? How do we deliver a satisfying experience without definitive answers or explanations? Panelists: Paula D. Ashe, Nadia Bulkin, Thomas Olivieri (M), John Thompson, Paul Tremblay, Jeff VanderMeer, Douglas E. Winter

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Unusual Horror Media Promotions – South County Room, Omni 3rd Floor
Alan Tromp is back with more of his fantastic, popular visual presentations! Lots has been written about filmmaker William Castle’s gimmicks to build interest in his films. But what about the proposed plan to send a rock to everyone who ordered Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” through the mail? What about the push-button video boxes for the films The Dead Pit and Frankenhooker, that either glowed green or said “Wanna date?” The record singles designed to build on the popularity of The Addams Family and Dark Shadows? The viral marketing campaign for The Blair Witch Project? And the deluxe Blu-Ray sets that boutique horror and exploitation labels like Arrow, Severin and Vinegar Syndrome have assembled with supplementary books, posters, stickers, dolls, original art, and even pseudo-passports?

WORKSHOP – Unlock Your Storytelling Potential – Ocean State Suite *B*, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor
Join Clark Huggins, experienced fantasy illustrator, art director, and creator of the Reckless Deck idea generation series, for an immersive workshop on crafting your own protagonist, premise, and basic story structure. In this workshop, participants will utilize the power of Huggins’s innovative system, Reckless Deck PSYCHE, to generate unique and compelling prompt combinations for their characters and stories. Through collaboration with the group, each participant will refine their ideas, ensuring a solid foundation for a novel, screenplay, or graphic novel. This workshop welcomes writers of all skill levels, and newcomers are encouraged to join. By the end of the session, every participant is guaranteed to leave with a captivating and workable story idea, ready for further development. Don’t miss this opportunity to level up your creative journey! (NOTE this workshop is semi-limited to 5-6 people, but more are welcome to come and check it out!). This program repeats on Sunday.

Author Readings — Narragansett Bay View Room, Graduate 17th Floor
Nathan Carson, Carrie Laben, Max Stanton, Jonathan Thomas

Friday 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Armitage Session 2 – Bristol/Kent Room, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor. The appeal of the spectrally macabre: Theoretical approaches to Cosmic horror lore. Session Chair: Michael A. Torregrossa

Clay Draper. Unveiling Azathoth: Lovecraft’s Antimony of Enchantment and Revulsion
Heather Miller. Melville, Moby-Dick, and the Shaping of the Lovecraftian Gaze
Tim Jarvis. ‘Always-Already Unrepresentable’: Towards a Weird Poetics

Weird Fiction in Translation — Providence Ballroom, Omni 3rd Floor.
Panelists discuss the history of weird fiction in translation, essential translated work, new and upcoming releases. What are the challenges of translation and barriers to bringing translated work to the English-reading audience? What authors or regional and linguistic bodies of work remain under-recognized or are simply not yet widely available in translation? Panelists: Zack Davisson, Zaza Koshkadze, Gabriel Mesa, Henrik Möller, Ann VanderMeer, Eric Williams (M)

Small Press Publications of the 70s/80s — Capital Ballroom, Graduate 2nd Floor.
A discussion of the importance and contributions of small press magazines and zines, such as Nyctalops, Whispers, Eldritch Tales, and Weirdbook, in keeping Mythos fiction alive. Despite small budgets and circulation compared to national mainstream magazines, they published many of the important genre writers working during the period leading up and into the 80s mainstream horror boom. Panelists: Paul Di Filippo (M), Tim Lonegan, Stephen Rainey, Darrell Schweitzer, Alan Tromp

Gender and Weird Fiction, Gender As Weird Fiction — Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate 17th Floor.
A discussion of the intersection of gender identity and presentation with weird fiction, film, gaming, and arts. Panelists: Juicy Garland, Jennifer Loring, Khôra Martel (M), Sumiko Saulson, K.H. Vaughan, Starry Wizdom, Trisha Wooldridge

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Underground Music & The Occult – South County Room, Omni 3rd Floor
A special visual and audio presentation, guided by Ben Goldberg, with a look at two cultures that have always been symbiotic. This talk is a combination of history as well as deep dive into a few key artists.

WORKSHOP – Creating Custom Tokens with Laser Cutters – Ocean State Suite *B*, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor
Join Amber Bliss from the West Warwick Public Library for this interactive workshop on utilizing free software like Inkscape and Canva to create print ready token files.

AUTHOR READINGS — Narragansett Bayview Room, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Kristi Peterson Schoonover, Scott Jones, David Nickle, Geoffrey Reiter

Friday 12:30-2:00 PM LUNCH

LIVE PODCAST – The Outer Dark – South County Room, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor
State of The Weird Roundtable – our annual no-holds-barred BIG conversation about Weird fiction now and into the future! Panelists: Mike Allen, Paula D. Ashe, Adam Golaski, Tiffany Morris and Sheree Renée Thomas!

Friday 2:00 – 3:15 PM

Invited Academic Speakers – Bristol/Kent Room, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor
Falling Over the Edge – Flat-earther conspiracies and beyond – Dr. Edward Guimont, associate professor of world history, Bristol Community College
In the last few years, fueled by social media, the idea that the Earth is flat has made a surprising comeback. After all, everybody knows that the idea of a Flat Earth was common in the Dark Ages, and ended when the Enlightenment blew away the superstition of the Church. However, this narrative is almost entirely false, and was invented less than two hundred years ago. This talk will explore early pioneers of the Earth’s sphericity as well as why the belief in a medieval Flat Earth developed, and how shortly afterwards, a quack doctor in England, a slave preacher in Virginia, a pamphleteer in Maryland, and a cult leader in Illinois led to the idea’s revival. We will also explore the idea’s resonance in other parts of the world, including Nigeria and South Africa; its role in modern politics in both the US and Brazil; and its surprising connections to both Boko Haram and QAnon. Mind the edge.

Strangely Speaking: The Weird in Audiobook, Radio Play, Podcast, and Other Recorded Media — Providence Ballroom, Omni 3rd Floor.
Experts discuss the art of adapting and recording weird and horror fiction for broadcast and live performance. Panelists: Sean Branney, Juicy Garland, Kevin Joiner (M), Linda Jones, T L Wiswell

From the Night Land to the Dreamlands: Parallels and Convergences in Hodgson and Lovecraft — Capital Ballroom, Graduate 2nd Floor.
William Hope Hodgson (English, 1877 – 1918) and H. P. Lovecraft (American, 1890 – 1937) were both authors of weird fiction who shared influences, thematic concerns. In life, both experienced extreme poverty and familial loss. In death, both remain well-regarded and their work has been expanded in pastiche and tribute. Our panelists discuss them in the context of their similarities, differences, and place in the Weird. Panelists: Nathan Carson, Michael Dirda, Ryan Page, Ann VanderMeer (M), Justin Woodman

Michael Moorcock: No Gods, No Masters — Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate 17th Floor.
Editor, author, and musician Moorcock (English, 1939 – ) is a renowned writer of fantasy and science fiction, and considered part of the New Wave literary movement. Best known for his creations Elric of Melniboné, the Multiverse, Hawkmoon, and the Eternal Champion, his writing is driven by political commentary, satire, and the reversal or subversion of genre theme and tropes. Our panelists discuss his work, legacy, and political activism. Panelists: John Bittrich, Adam Bolivar (M), Paul Di Filippo, Brandon O’Brien, Allen Ruch, Alan Tromp

Weird Art — South County Room, Omni 3rd Floor.
A collection of weird artists discuss their work, process, and inspirations, and the current state of weird art, both as art and as an industry. Panelists: Micah Anderson, Clayton Cameron, Jason Eckhardt, (M), Liv Rainey-Smith

AUTHOR READINGS — Narragansett Bayview Room, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Christa Carmen, Nadia Bulkin, Michelle Renee Lane, Matthew Bartlett

Friday 2:00 – 4:45pm

WORKSHOP – BIG NAZO LAB Creature Demonstration and “Monster Make” – Ocean State Suite *B*, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor
Join master creature expert Dr Tremendanus and his crew for a “Creature Show and Tell” demonstration of BIG NAZO character manipulation and fabrication techniques. This hands-on demo and workshop will include an opportunity to make wearable, diabolical monster parts

Friday 3:30 – 4:45 PM

Armitage Session 3 – Bristol/Kent Room, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor. Lovecraftian Grimoire through the lens of Modernity (RPG/ Animation/Comic), Session Chair: Heather Miller Poirier

Adrian Berk. Heroic Nihilism – The Challenges of Lovecraft as TTRPG Narrative
John R Harford. Lore Without The Library: Mythos Beyond the Literary Structure
Joshua Shockley IV. Spear, Fang, and an Age Undreamed Of: The Survival of R.E. Howard’s Worlds Through Genndy Tartakovsky’s ‘Primal’
Michael A. Torregrossa. Cthulhu Strikes Again: An Investigation into Shadows Over Avalon (2022-23)

This Place Is Not For You: Impossible Architecture In Weird Fiction – Providence Ballroom, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor
Join us as we explore the abandoned halls of alien and forgotten races, non-Euclidean spaces, liminal passageways, and labyrinths of mysterious origin. At the Mountains of Madness, House of Leaves, Piranesi, Labyrinths, Solaris, and Mapping the Interior are just some of the many titles that employ strange structures. How do authors use the scale, design, and function of buildings and other designed spaces to disturb and disorient the reader in weird fiction? What is the psychological impact of these factors on characters? Panelists: Brandon O’Brien, Catherine Scully (M), Sheree Renée Thomas, John Thompson, Jeff VanderMeer

Bleak and Decaying Landscapes: The Weird Fiction of Joel Lane – Capital Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor
Lane (English, 1963 – 2013) is best known for his short work in horror and dark fantasy, most often set in the economically depressed industrial cities of central England. His characters are often as isolated and broken as the urban centers they haunt. He also wrote poetry, noir novels, and essays on horror and fantasy, some of which are collected in This Spectacular Darkness. Our panelists discuss his work, influences, and place in the history of weird fiction. Panelists: Matthew Cheney, Adam Golaski (M), Timothy Jarvis, Justin Steele, Simon Strantzas

Crafting Horror: Designing Call of Cthulhu Scenarios – Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Our seasoned game designers discuss how to design successful scenarios for Call of Cthulhu. What elements should be present and how do they fit together to create a frightening and satisfying payoff? What pitfalls can the author avoid with advance planning? Panelists: Sean Branney (M), Paul Fricker, Kenneth Hite, Mike Mason, Badger McInnes

Fallen Natures: Materialism and the Supernatural from Milton to Modern Horror — South County Room, Omni 3rd Floor
Panelists will dive into the maelstrom of weird matter, discussing how fictions of the supernatural, from the cosmic epics of 17th century writers including John Milton and Lucy Hutchinson to the tales of Poe and Lovecraft to the work of many contemporary horror writers, draw upon, respond to and shape forms of philosophical materialism. Panelists: John Bittrich, John Langan, Khôra Martel, Sean Moreland (M), Thomas Olivieri

AUTHOR READINGS — Narragansett Bayview Room, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Victoria Dalpe, Melanie Crew, Nicole Cushing, Michael Cisco

Friday 5:00 – 6:15 PM

Six-Shooters and Spell Books: The Weird West on the Tabletop – Providence Ballroom, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor
A review of history and influence of Weird Western RPG and boardgames, with reference to their connection to film and literature. Panelists: David Boop, Jon Davis, Fiona Geist (M), Kenneth Hite, Allen Ruch

Mythos Influence on Heavy Metal– Capital Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor
You think you know dark and brutal? Malevolent, ancient, alien gods, in a universe beyond all comprehension and indifferent to our existence and suffering. Dude, that is the most metal thing I ever heard in my whole life. It’s the most brutal thing ever. Totally metal. Join our panelists for a discussion of heavy metal’s incorporation of, and tributes to, the Cthulhu Mythos: the bands, the lyrics, the concept albums. Panelists: Mike Allen, Nathan Carson, Richard Gerlach (M), Larissa Glasser, Curtis Lawson, Jennifer Loring

NecronomiCon-Providence 2024 Guests of Honor – Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Meet this year’s Guests of Honor. S. J. Bagley (M), Nadia Bulkin, Billy Martin, Mike Mason, Brandon O’Brien, Sheree Renée Thomas, Jeff VanderMeer

The Biology of the Elder Things and Other Horrors, South County Room, Omni 3rd Floor
Special Presentation: Dr Fred Lubnow and Steve Maschuck will present a detailed visual analysis of the biology of Lovecraftian Horrors with an emphasis on the Elder Things. Information will cover cellular structure, physiology and adaptations as well as population and ecosystem dynamics.

AUTHOR READINGS — Narragansett Bayview Room, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Trisha Wooldridge, Sarah Walker, Chris Campbell, Simon Strantzas

Friday 6:30 – 7:45pm

The Weird on a Small Color Screen Redux! – Providence Ballroom, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor
Fire up the color console and adjust your cable box! Our panelists from 2022’s The Weird on a Small Color Screen return to continue their discussion on the weird television shows from the 1990s, examining the period when cable and major video rental chains rose to dominance. Panelists: Chad Anctil, Christa Carmen, Rick Claypool, F. Brett Cox, Nicholas Kaufmann (M)

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Footsteps in the Earth: The forgotten adaption of The Dunwich Horror and other works by Shigeru Mizuki – South County Room, Omni 3rd Floor
Although better known today through the works of Gou Tanabe, one of the first Lovecraft manga adaptions was from the pen of Shigeru Mizuki, Japan’s master of monsters. While little known in the US, Mizuki is a titan of cyclopean proportions in his native country, more famous and respected than luminaries such as Hayao Miyazaki and Junji Ito who both cite Mizuki as an influence. In this talk, Zack Davisson (famous for translating the work of Gou Tanabe and others) will look at one of Mizuki’s early works, an almost forgotten adaptation of The Dunwich Horror from the 1940s that appeared in the rental market. It tells the tale of a group of woeful humans who face off against the might of the elder god–Yoghurt!

Friday 7:00 – 9:00pm

GUEST RECEPTION – Outdoor Terrace, Graduate Hotel, 3rd Floor
A private reception for Guests-of-Honor, Guests, and Golden Key holders – hors d’oeuvres provided, cash bar available. The reception will feature the presentation of the Robert Bloch and the Joe Pulver (The bEastie!) Awards.

Friday 9:00 – 10:00pm

The Outer Dark Reception Party – Next Wave of The Weird: Readings from Rising Authors – Outdoor Terrace, Graduate Hotel, 3rd Floor
Immediately following the guest reception, but open to all con attendees, this party/gathering organized by our friends in The Outer Dark podcast features cookies, community-building mingling, and readings by authors who represent the future of the vibrant literary mode of Weird fiction. Participants/readers: Paula D. Ashe, Pamela Durgin, Janalyn Guo, Paul Magnan, Tiffany Morris, LC von Hessen

Friday 9:00 pm – Midnight

ELDRITCH BALL – Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor

“The Colour out of Space” – see Extended Programming listing for more info and visit the Eventbrite page for tickets and info!

Golden Key members receive complimentary admission.

Don’t forget to also check out the additional extended programming happening well into the night

SATURDAY Aug 17, 2024

8:00 – 9:15 AM

A Man Sinister: The Weird Fiction of Jean Ray – Providence Ballroom, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor
Jean Ray (Raymundus Joannes de Kremer, Belgian, 1887 – 1964) was a prolific multi-lingual journalist and writer, best known for his tales of the fantastique in which the supernatural collides with realism to create tension, fear, and disbelief. Among his works available in English are the novel Malpertuis, and collections of short fiction such as Ghouls in my Grave and The Great Nocturnal: Tales of Dread. Our panelists discuss Jean Ray’s work and his place in the French fantastique literary tradition. Panelists: Matthew Cheney, Despina Durand (M), Orrin Grey, John Langan, Eric Williams

Fictional Mythologies for Game Development and Fiction – Capital Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor
Our friends at Chaosium discuss the process of myth-creation and world building in fantasy and supernatural settings (Call of Cthulhu, RuneQuest, Warhammer, and Pendragon). How do writers create vivid and detailed fictional universes that are bold, distinctive, and vivid? Panelists: Paul Fricker, Mike Mason, Matt Ryan

Verdant and Creeping: The Land Plant (Embryophyte) in Weird Film and Fiction– Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Trees, vines, and grasses; familiar and comforting aspects of the natural world around us. But in nature and in reality, often strange, alien and deadly. Trees that whisper dark secrets, lurking carnivorous mouths, and alien pods dot the weird landscape. Plants as adversaries and entities are prominent in mythology and folklore and throughout modern stories. Our panelists discuss the history and symbolism of these leafy terrors with reference to literature, film, and television. Panelists: Julie C. Day, Nicholas Kaufmann, Tony LaMalfa, Fred Lubnow, Eric Schaller, Jordan Smith (M)

Saturday 9:30 – 10:45 AM

Armitage Session 4 – Bristol/Kent Room, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor. Towards Horror and Weird: Lovecraftiana in translation / national literatures (comparative discourse), Session Chair: Fred S. Lubnow

Carlos Gonzales. Mariana Enriquez’s Under the Black Water, Dirty Kid, and The Cart as homage to Lovecraft
Gus Kraus. Cosmic Terror ‘Crystallised’: A Lovecraftian Episode in an Indian Epic
Eric Williams. Translating Weirdness: Farnsworth Wright, World Literature, and the Creation of Weird Fiction
Pierre Van Cutsem. The Polish Poe/Lovecraft? Stefan Grabiński’s Weird Fiction in a Comparative Perspective

(for more information on the symposium, visit the Armitage page)

It Came from the Frozen North! The Canadian Weird – Providence Ballroom, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor
One could make the case that Canada has punched above it weight in terms of per capita contributions to weird fiction. Our panel of live Canadians discuss weird fiction from Canada, the writing and publishing environment, and how the cultures that comprise Canada are reflected in film and literature. Panelists: Scott Jones, Tiffany Morris, David Lee, David Nickle (M), Simon Strantzas

The Cosmic Horror of Herman Melville and his Influence on Weird Fiction – Capital Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor
Panelists discuss the work of Melville (American, 1819 – 1891) through the lens of cosmic horror. It could be argued that Melville should be recognized as a precursor of weird fiction alongside Hawthorne and Poe. In particular, Moby-Dick may have been influential in Lovecraft’s iconic Call of Cthulhu! His more supernatural tales and influence on HPL, Hodgson, and the Pulp Era are explored. Panelists: Tom Breen, Peter Cannon, F. Brett Cox, Heather Miller, Allen Ruch (M), Eric Schaller

Freaky Black Art: History and Contributions of Black Women and Black Nonbinary Authors in Horror and the Weird – Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Panelists discuss the history and contributions of Black Nonbinary and Black Women writers to horror and weird fiction from the Harlem Renaissance to today, highlighting major authors, trends, and milestones. Conversations will focus on Afrosurrealism, the politics of the racial weird, and how key figures influence (or don’t influence) their work. Panelists: Paula D. Ashe (M), Michelle Renee Lane, Hysop Mulero, Sumiko Saulson, Sheree Renée Thomas

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Grimoires on Celluloid – South County Room, Omni 3rd Floor
There have been numerous film versions of the Necronomicon on screen. But there have books of evil magic in everything from Countess Dracula to The Witches of Eastwick to Bell, Book, and Candle. Alan Tromp returns for this session to discuss some of the more exotic spells and magicks to be found in these fictional (and occasionally, real) tomes.

AUTHOR READINGS – Narragansett Bayview Room, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Lauren Elise Daniels, Nicholas Kaufmann, Erica Ruppert, Tonnvane Wiswell

Saturday 9:30AM – 12:00PM

WORKSHOP Storytelling Through Violence (STV): Writing Conflict for Literature and Roleplay – Ocean State Suite *B*, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor
Join historical martial artist and SAG stunt performer Frank Perrin for a two hour workshop on how to write and narrate violence and physical conflict. In this workshop attendees will have a chance to piece together their own fight scene and work to translate this scene from physical space to their respective medium. This workshop is ideal for: Writers, GM’s, Filmmakers and Video Game Designers ($25 entrance fee)

Saturday 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM

Armitage Session 5 — Bristol/Kent Room, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor. The surpassing despair which flows from a loss of identity: Postcolonial historiography and race in Lovecraftiana, Session Chair: Joshua Shockley IV

Christian Roy. Navigating the Shifting, Idiosyncratic Colonial Historiography of Lovecraft’s Quebec Travelogue
Christopher DaRosa. Reclaiming Lovecraft from Lovecraft: The Evolution of the Genre of Cosmic Horror
Daniel Holmes. Rhode Island in 1912 AD: Immigration, Catholicism, and the Nativist Grotesque
Melissa Stewart. Lovecraft’s racism and eugenics

Leonora Carrington: A Portrait – Providence Ballroom, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor
Mary Leonora Carrington (English-Mexican, 1917 – 2011) was an author, artist, and political activist, who rebelled against convention even within the Surrealist movement. Her work is suffused with symbolism, magic and the examination of self, embodiment, and femininity. Our panelists discuss her life and work, and her enduring impact on the weird in art, film. and literature. Panelists: Victoria Dalpe, Adam Golaski, Anya Martin (M), Gabriel Mesa, Jeff VanderMeer

Arthur Machen: Modern Master of Supernatural Horror – Capital Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor
Among “living creators of cosmic fear,” Lovecraft gave Arthur Machen pride of place. There are common themes and tropes in their fiction, but the writers differ greatly — philosophically and temperamentally. Philosophers and scholars of the weird tale will explore the enduring appeal of Machen’s fiction, and contrast Lovecraft’s and Machen’s use of paganism, deep time, the ineffable, and other ingredients of the weird. (Organized by The Friends of Arthur Machen.) Panelists: Michael Cisco, Timothy Jarvis, Geofrey Reiter, Eric Steinhart, Aaron Worth, Dean Zimmerman (M)

Making it Strange: Literary Techniques for Writers – Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
The uncanny, sublime, grotesque, condensation, surrealism, expansion and contraction, recontextualizing, fragmentation, disruption. These are but some of the methods or modes writers use to create the weird. Panelists discuss the use and effectiveness of writing craft techniques with examples from classic and contemporary work. Panelists: Mike Allen, Nicole Cushing, Will Ludwigsen, Billy Martin, David Nickle, Trisha Woodridge, K.H. Vaughan (M)

The Weird One Frame at A Time: The Strange World of Stop Motion-Animation — South County Room, Omni 3rd Floor
For as long as there have been motion pictures, directors have used stop-motion animation to bring the otherwise unfilmable to life. Our panelists explore the use and importance of the technique from the early days of Georges Méliès and Willis O’ Brien, through the golden age of Ray Harryhausen, to modern masters such as Stefano Bessoni, Randall William Cook, Mark Gustafson, Parker Merritt, Jan Švankmajer, Henry Selick, Phil Tippett, and the Brothers Quay. Panelists: David Boop, Gwen Callahan, Cody Goodfellow, Orrin Grey, Sarah Walker (M)

AUTHOR READINGS — Narragansett Bayview Room, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Tony LaMalfa, John Foster, Ana Antonopolis, John Langan

12:30 – 2:00 PM LUNCH

LIVE PODCAST – The Lovecraft eZine – South County Room, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor
Join Mike Davis and friends for a chat about the convention and all manner of topics of interest to the Lovecraft eZine community.

Saturday 2:00 – 3:15 PM

Invited Academic Speakers – Bristol/Kent Room, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor
1. Beyond the Surface: The Bizarre World of Shell-Boring Parasitic Worms – Dr. Andrew Davinack, assistant professor of biology, Wheaton College
In this presentation we will dive into the mysterious world of polydorid worms, the cryptic parasites that lurk within the shells of mussels, oysters, scallops and basically any shell-bearing animal that arrives at your dinner table. These cunning creatures not only bore into shells, causing damage to their unsuspecting hosts, but also exhibit bizarre life histories, with one species exhibiting an extreme form of competition known as ‘sibling cannibalism’. Join us as we unravel the strange and fascinating lives of these shell-boring worms and explore their impact on local shellfish farms here in New England. But fear not—while these worms are fascinatingly creepy, New Englanders do not tolerate less than perfect shellfish so feel free to enjoy as many of those oysters as you’d like while you’re here!
2. Parasites: body horror across the tree of life (but especially in the ocean) – Dr. Carolyn Tepolt, associate scientist, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
Parasitism is an exceptionally common way of life, and parasites have evolved to infect and even manipulate a huge range of host species. We’ll talk about parasites, why they’re important (really!), and how they are instrumental in shaping life as we know it. I’ll also give a brief and not-at-all comprehensive introduction to some especially fascinating species, focusing on marine parasites infecting hosts from the coasts to deep hydrothermal vents.

Master of Hounds and More: Frank Belknap Long – Providence Ballroom, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor
Long (American, 1901 – 1994) was an author of short fiction, novels, and poetry with a career spanning seven decades. He is best known for his horror and science fiction, including his contributions to Mythos fiction such as The Hounds of Tindalos. Our panelists discuss his life, work, and legacy, with special attention to his relationship and correspondence with Lovecraft. Panelists: Peter Cannon, David Goodwin (M), Derrick Hussey, Darrell Schweitzer

Weird Gaming – Indie and Freelance Perspectives 2: Running the Business – Capital Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor
Panelists discuss the hard work of bringing the independent game to the players. Fundraising, budget, playtesting, design, marketing… all those fun subjects that stand between a cool concept and success in a challenging industry. Panelists: Lisa Horn, Bret Kramer, Oscar Rios (M), Jared Smith, Derek Sotak

Transgressive Horror and Weird Fiction – Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Panelists discuss the history and significance of transgressive fiction, a movement that rejects societal conventions and portrays behavior and ideas that may shock or disturb, tracing the lineage of the transgressive with an emphasis on weird and horror fiction from the 1980s to present. Panelists: Paula D. Ashe, Matthew Cheney (M), Nicole Cushing, Scott Dwyer, Billy Martin, Sumiko Saulson, LC von Hessen

Franz Kafka: “Everything I leave behind me … [is] to be burned unread.” — South County Room, Omni 3rd Floor
Kafka (Bohemian, 1883 – 1924) was a world-renowned literary giant whose work spawned its own adjective to describe circumstances nightmarishly complex, oppressive, senseless, and bizarre. His stories are tales of alienation, transformation, guilt, and suffering and feature protagonists victimized by absurd, malevolent forces beyond their control. Strange, surreal, and a major influence on weird literature in the Post-War era. Our panelists discuss the author, his life, and the relationship of his work to weird literature, art, and film. Panelists: David Baillie, Nadia Bulkin, Michael Cisco, Thomas Olivieri (M), Allen Ruch

AUTHOR READINGS — Narragansett Bayview Room, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Hysop Mulero, Catherine Scully, Jeff VanderMeer, Eric Williams

Saturday 3:30 – 4:45 PM

Armitage Session 6 – Bristol/Kent Room, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor. If I am mad, it is mercy!: Psychology of horror, Session Chair: Nathaniel Wallace

Benjamin Davis. Madness and Psychosis in Lovecraft’s World
Kyle Gamache. Died Screaming in a Madhouse: A look at asylums in Lovecraftian fiction
Taylor Walker. Eldritch Institutions: The Birth of American Asylums, the Founding of Butler Hospital, and a Confrontation with Lovecraft
Katherine Kerestman. Intertextuality and the Violability of Self in Twin Peaks

(for more information on the symposium, visit the Armitage page)

Against Nature and Reason: Origins of the Decadent Weird – Providence Ballroom, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor
Our panelists discuss the Decadent Movement in literature, which valued fantasy, hedonistic excess, transgression, and extravagant language, and authors of that period who wrote within the weird such as Vernon Lee (Violet Paget), M. P. Shiel, Count Eric Stenbock, and R. Murray Gilchrist. In addition, the relationship to later decadent writers, such as Clark Ashton Smith, Robert W. Chambers, H. P. Lovecraft, and contemporary examples, will be explored. Panelists: Jon Black (M), Jack Haringa, Kenneth Hite, Sean Moreland, LC von Hessen

The Comic Adaptations of Robert E Howard – Capital Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor
Howard’s creations Conan the Barbarian, Kull the Conqueror, Red Sonja and Solomon Kane have all enjoyed significant success as comic book characters. Panelists review the history of Howard adaptations from the first in 1952 to present day and discuss his influence on comic writers and artists. Panelists: Zack Davisson, Christopher DeRosa, Jordan Smith (M), David Quiroz, Jess Tucker

Seething Nuclear Chaos, From Azathoth to Oppenheimer: How the Dawn of the Atomic Age Changed Cosmic Horror – Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Cosmic horror in the pre-nuclear period regularly explored issues of dying worlds, the extinction of the human species, and forces beyond human imagination. For many, these were purely theoretical concerns until President Harry Truman announced the destruction of Hiroshima by “harnessing… the basic power of the universe. The force from which the sun draws its power has been loosed…” What was the impact of the atomic age and the suddenly urgent prospect of global nuclear annihilation on cosmic horror? Panelists: Paul Di Filippo (M), Cody Goodfellow, Edward Guimont, Khôra Martel, Justin Woodman, Bryan Thao Worra

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Propping Up the Mythos – The Art of Creating a Necronomicon – South County Room, Omni 3rd floor
Since 1997 Christian Matzke has been encouraging Lovecraft fans to create objects from the Cthulhu Mythos. As a Lurker, Christian has made many short films including the cult classics Nyarlathotep and Experiment 17. Now he reveals the secrets and strategies of his most ambitious project, a 1,000 page Elizabethan Necronomicon. Through a multimedia presentation, Christian will explain the origin of his Necronomicon project, and detail the process he uses to create an authentically Lovecraftian tome. Using visual examples pulled from over 550 completed pages, Christian Matzke will lead the audience on a wild ride through the first five years of his project and beyond.

AUTHOR READINGS — Narragansett Bayview Room, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Rick Claypool, Adam Golaski, Khôra Martel, Paul Tremblay

Saturday 5:00 – 6:15 PM

Armitage Session 7– Bristol/Kent Room, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor. I have seen the dark universe yawning: anatomy of evil in horror, Session Chair: Kyle Gamache

James R. M. Young. Stumbling Along Those Farther Slopes that Look Out Over Some Accursed Abyss: Aspects of Evil in the Main Stories of H. P. Lovecraft
Nathaniel R. Wallace. I AM THE SOVEREIGN: Imperialism and Cruel Optimism in Robert W. Chambers’ The Repairer of Reputations
Sean Moreland. The dread contemplation of infinity: George M. Gould and Cosmic Horror Before Lovecraft
Perry Neil Harrison. The Phonotactics of Fear: H.P. Lovecraft and ‘Unknowable’ Languages

(for more information on the symposium, visit the Armitage page)

Punk Fiction – Providence Ballroom, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor
In the mid-’70s, punk rock made its virulent—and often violent—debut on both sides of the Pond, a visceral response to both the over-engineered concept albums of the corporate music industry and the “Tune In, Turn On, and Drop Out” philosophy of the Age of Aquarius. At its core, punk was and still is an unapologetic protest of the myth-making entities that seek to control how and what people think—it tirelessly rages against that Machine in myriad ways and under a multitude of banners, sub-genres, and DIY movements. Inevitably, punk has deeply affected other artforms, not the least of which is fiction. Join our panelists in a discussion on how punk has influenced the Weird, their writing, their work, and their lives. Panelists: David Baillie, Richard Gerlach, Niels Hobbs, Michelle Renee Lane, Badger McInnes, Paul Tremblay

Ladies and Gentlemen, Tonight’s Top Ten List: Top Ten Greatest Stories by HPL – Capital Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor
Chaos reigns as our panel of fractious and opinionated experts count down and defend their selections for the best of his work. Guests in the front row are advised to bring plastic sheeting in case it comes to blows… Panelists: Mike Allen, Matthew Bartlett, Matthew Carpenter, Despina Durand (M), Cody Goodfellow. Kenneth Hite

Editing the Weird – Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
An all-star line-up of editors discuss editing and curating weird and horror literature. What changes have occurred in the past four decades in content, reach, and the publishing environment. What is the role of the editor in curating the Weird? What trends are on the horizon? Panelists: John Langan (M), Mike Mason, Brandon O’Brien, Sheree Renée Thomas, Ann VanderMeer, Douglas E Winter

W. H. Pugmire: Queen of the Sesqua Valley — South County Room, Omni 3rd Floor
Wilum “Hopfrog” Pugmire (American, 1951 – 2019) came up as part of the Seattle punk scene and publisher of the zine Punk Lust. A devotee of Lovecraft, he was a leading writer and poet in neo-Lovecraftian fiction and poetry from the 1980s until his death. Much of his work was set in the fictional Sesqua Valley of the Pacific Northwest, and featured lush prose and genderfluid eroticism. Panelists discuss his life and work. Panelists: Thomas Broadbent, Nicole Cushing (M), Stephen Rainey, Peter Rawlik, Jeffrey Thomas

AUTHOR READINGS — Narragansett Bayview Room, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
POETRY BLOCK: Adam Bolivar, Billy Martin, Brandon O’Brien, Sumiko Saulson, Brian Thao Worra, Meg Smith

Saturday 6:30 – 7:45 PM

The Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies Presents “I Put a Spell On You” with Peter Bebergal — South County Room, Omni 3rd Floor
Special Presentation: Peter Bebergal, author of “Season of the Witch: How the Occult Saved Rock and Roll,” will present a multi-media presentation of the ways in which the aesthetics and mythos of rock and roll have been deeply influenced by the occult imagination. Bebergal will narrate a secret occult history of bands and artists, including David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Hawkwind, Arthur Brown, Psychic TV and Sunn0))) that owe their mystique to people like Aubrey Beardsley, Austin Osman Spare, and Aleister Crowley, as well as the pomp and circumstance of magic fraternities, UFOs, conspiracy theories, and neo-pagans. Underlying it all is pop culture’s frenzied love of occultism, and Bebergal will showcase stills, concert footage and film clips. Named for the fictional university in H.P. Lovecraft’s literary mythos, the Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies is an international organization that offers undergraduate-level history, theory, and production-based masterclasses. To find out more, go to https://miskatonicinstitute.com

WE ARE PROVIDENCE book release party – Monsters in the Mills – Narragansett Bayview Room, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Please join us for this book launch event for a special RI-based horror anthology releasing in conjunction with NecronomiCon. As a follow-up to the popular Weird House Press published We Are Providence: Tales of Horror from the Ocean State, this showcase of sixteen tales and two poems, past and present converge like the towering granite structures themselves against a bleak New England skyline. From the exploitation of child labor to the atmosphere of powder-keg and carcinogenic sweatshops, not even the finest renovations can disperse these ghosts. Featuring several of the contributing authors, this event promises a fun evening of celebration and sharing with some of the best local writers of weird horror, including readings, Q&A, and tasty treats!.

Don’t forget to also check out the additional extended programming happening well into the night!

Saturday – Sunset onwards….

**WATERFIRE!** – All along the downtown rivers

7:00pm to Midnight (doors at 7pm, show at 8pm) – CONCERT: House of Harm, Nox Novacula, Harpy, and Silver Dagger, Fete Music Hall, 103 Dike Street, Providence, 02909 – OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ($20 advance, $25 Day of – tickets available here!).

Don’t forget to also check out the additional extended programming happening well into the night!

SUNDAY Aug 18, 2024

Sunday 8 – 9:30am

CTHULHU PRAYER BREAKFAST – Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 17^th Floor
The unholiest of comically, cosmically unspeakable breakfasts, hosted by our Most Exalted Hierophants Cody Goodfellow and Scott Jones. Separate ticketed event – tickets on sale via our Eventbrite page
Golden Key and Silver Key members receive complimentary admission.

Sunday 9:30 – 10:45 AM

Armitage Session 8 – Bristol/Kent Room, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor. Ethereal beyondness: Philosophy/Religion/History of occult in Lovecraftiana, Session Chair: Daniel Holmes

Anthony Wynands. Spica and the Escapist Imagination of H. P. Lovecraft
Eric Steinhart. Horrific Platonism
Jack Pettus. Whateley’s Leviathan: Imaging the modern state through Lovecraft and Hobbes
Khôra Martel. On Cosmic Situationism: Worldmaking and Speculative Irrealism in the Inhuman Sciences

(for more information on the symposium, visit the Armitage page)

The Birds – Providence Ballroom, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor
Reptilian, violent, beautiful, strange, and possessed of a definite yet alien intelligence. It’s no wonder that our avian friends occupy an important role within the weird. Panelists discuss the varying role of birds in weird literature and film. Panelists: Matthew Carpenter, Julie C. Day (M), Carrie Laben, Charles Tyra, Jeff VanderMeer

The Cowboy and the New Englander: The Correspondence of Robert E. Howard and H. P. Lovecraft – Capital Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor
Between 1930 and Lovecraft’s death in 1936, Howard and Lovecraft engaged in a lively correspondence. Our panelists discuss what their letters reveal about their relationship, collaborations, and influence on one another’s work. Panelists: Jon Black (M), Frank Coffman, Michael Dirda, Derrick Hussey, Eric Williams.

Super Weird — South County Room, Omni 3rd Floor
Superhero narrative in film, comics, and literature ranges from the very conventional to the deeply strange. Doom Patrol, The Swamp Thing, Sandman and many other mainstream titles are clearly part of the world of weird fiction. Panelists discuss the relationship of superheroes to weird fiction, with examples of those that fall most clearly into the canon of the strange, from mainstream and indie sources. Panelists: Gillian Daniels, Kenneth Hite, Errick Nunnally (M), David Quiroz

AUTHOR READINGS — Narragansett Bayview Room, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Jeffrey Thomas, Will Ludwigsen, Henrik Möller, Darryl Schweitzer

Kaffeeklatsch – Ocean State Suite *C*, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor
Come chat with friends old and new, and share your thoughts about the convention so far, and past, present, and future. Core convention staff be there to join in.

Sunday 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM

Armitage Session 9 – Bristol/Kent Room, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor. Searchers after horror haunt strange, far places: Historic vs Cinematographic landscapes as horror sources, Session Chair: Zachary Rutledge

Dale Crowley. The Shadow Over Lake Erie: A Trip to Cleveland and its Influence on H.P Lovecraft’s Innsmouth
Kejia Wu. The evolution of monster representation from H.P. Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness to contemporary entertainment mediums
Sean Lovitt. Cops for Crops: Utopia and the Weird in The Wicker Man
Troy Rondinone. The Mothman Chronicles: Investigating the Unseen

(for more information on the symposium, visit the Armitage page)

Weird By Any Other Name: Margaret St. Clair – Providence Ballroom, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor
St. Clair (American, 1911 – 1995) was an author of science fiction and fantasy, sometimes published as Idris Seabright or Wilton Hazzard. A pioneer of strange stories in the pulps, she produced work across multiple genres, including at least eight novels and over 130 short stories, several of which were adapted for the television series Thriller and Night Gallery. The Man Who Sold Rope to the Gnoles is one of many stories reprinted and anthologized repeatedly. Panelists: Michael Bukowski, Fiona Geist (M), John Langan, Anya Martin, Ann VanderMeer

The New Wave Arkhamites – Capital Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor
As the 60s gave way to the 70s, writers such as Ramsey Campbell, Brian Lumley, James Wade, A. A. Attanasio and others entered the realm of Mythos literature, contributing to the expansion of the Mythos with a new style and attitude. Our panelists discuss the emergence of this generation, what made them different from the Mythos writers of previous eras, and their lasting influence. Panelists: Matthew Carpenter, Paul Di Filippo, Peter Rawlik, Alan Tromp (M), Justin Woodman

You Will Not Be Saved: The Cosmic Horror of John Carpenter’s Apocalypse Trilogy – Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
The Thing (1982), Prince of Darkness (1987), and In the Mouth of Madness (1995) comprise Carpenter’s (American, 1948 – present) self-described “Apocalypse Trilogy” and share thematic elements such as the incomprehensibility of the universe, the insignificance of the human race, and the uncertainty of identity and knowledge. In each, contact with intergalactic or interdimensional forces sets off growing dread and madness and ends with the end of the human world pending or underway. Our panelists discuss the films and source materials Carpenter draws on for inspiration.Panelists: Gwen Callahan (M), Victoria Dalpe, John Foster, Orrin Grey, Christian Matzke, Badger McInnes, David Quiroz

Uncovering Dark Pearls: Emily Dickinson’s Witch Poems — South County Room, Omni 3rd Floor
Emily Dickenson (American, 1830 – 1886) is considered one of the most important poets in American literature and often touched on supernatural themes. In this panel, we take a close look at the poetry of spells and witchcraft of the White Witch of Amherst. Panelists: Christa Carmen, F. Brett Cox, VJ Stonecraft, Brandon O’Brien, Trisha Wooldridge (M)

AUTHOR READINGS — Narragansett Bayview Room, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Matthew Cheney, Paul DiFilippo, Katherine Kerestman,Thomas Olivieri

Sunday 12:30 – 2:00 PM – LUNCH

LIVE PODCAST — Eldritch Stories, with Mike Mason and Paul Fricker! — South County Room, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor
Join Mike Mason and Paul Fricker as they do readings of four of their short stories from their Eldritch Stories podcast – and join the lads in a bit of banter.

Sunday 2:00 – 3:15 PM

Armitage Session 10 – Bristol/Kent Room, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor. …and now I believe I have found a way to break down the barriers: Body, Gender and Sense of Belonging in Lovecraftiana, Session Chair: Troy Rondinone
1. Jessica Tucker. My Pronouns are Unknowable: Historical and Evolving Conceptions of Gender and Mythos Entities
2. Peter Muise. Muscular Men and Prodigal Sons: Guilt and Gay Panic in “The Lurking Fear”
3. Robert Ames. Comparative Unhumanities: Genealogy and Monstrous Bodies in Weird Fiction and Persian Epic 4. Zachary Rutledge. Time as a Narrative Tool in “The Silver Key”: A Figural Interpretation of Randolph Carter

(for more information on the symposium, visit the Armitage page)

Dispatches from the Hollow Earth: The History and Influence of Subterranean Fiction – Providence Ballroom, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor
The history of speculative fiction is replete with stories of underground civilizations, dinosaur-filled caverns, drill machines, and molemen. Our experts discuss this strange literature, its themes and tropes, and add a shovelful of geological sciences to the discussion. Panelists: Nicole Cushing, John Foster, Orrin Grey, Edward Guimont (M), Darrell Schweitzer, Eric Williams

Angela Carter: Infernal Desires and Bloody Chambers – Capital Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor
Carter’s (English, 1940 – 1992) work was broad, including novels of desire and sexual awakening, non-fiction critique such as The Sadean Women and the Ideology of Pornography, and screenplays, such as The Company of Wolves, based on short stories published in her collection The Bloody Chamber. Whether writing post-apocalyptic fable, magical realism, or dark fantasy and horror, her work was unflinching, political, and often steeped in myth, fairytale, and sexuality. Our panelists discuss her work and legacy. Panelists: Victoria Dalpe, Gillian Daniels (M), Jack Haringa, Michelle Renee Lane, Sheree Renée Thomas, Jeff VanderMeer

Genre Mixing in Call of Cthulhu Settings – Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
The Cthulhu Mythos exists across time and space, predating human civilization and known dimensions. Of course, it crosses genre! Add some horror to your western, espionage thriller, space opera, high fantasy, or period piece. Our experts discuss writing genre mash-ups. What are the challenges and benefits? How do you blend the different (and sometimes conflicting) conventions, philosophies, and tropes embedded in different genres effectively? Panelists: Paul Fricker, Fiona Geist (M), VJ Stonecraft, Mike Mason, Oscar Rios, Matt Ryan

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Lovecraft and Video Games Redux: The Ugly, the Bad, and the Good – South County Room, Omni 3rd Floor
Dr. Michael Lynch presents an update of his popular 2019 talk, and discusses the matter of how the Mythos gets put to use in Lovecraftian videogames. Doing it well is more than just dropping names of Elder Ones. How is Cosmic Horror incorporated into the game? Can the game genuinely frighten you? After going over some of the design issues, Lynch will look at a number of games from vintage to the present, and discuss how well they did.

WORKSHOP – Poetry Workshop and special round-robin reading – Ocean State Suite *B*, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor
Join our resident poetry coven, led by Tommy Broadbent and Starry Wizdom, as they discuss and share poetry and do a round-robin reading of a selected piece of eldritch poetry. Join along, bring some of your own, etc. All poets and fans of weird poetry are welcome.

AUTHOR READINGS — Narragansett Bayview Room, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Jason Eckhardt, Timothy Jarvis, Jackson Kuhl, Peter Rawlik

Sunday 3:30 – 4:45 PM

Tales From a Dying Earth: Clark Ashton Smith’s Zothique Cycle – Providence Ballroom, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor
A deep dive into the morbid, far-future Earth of Zothique, a primitive, decadent world of sword and sorcery adventure, written by Smith (American, 1893 – 1961) and anthologized by Lin Carter. Smith’s darker sensibilities and literary excess make the work distinctive (although some elements have not aged well). Panelists: Michael Bukowski (M), Larissa Glasser, Edward Guimont, Daniel Harms, Will Murray

Nyarly’s Angels: Asenath Waite, Keziah Mason, Lavinia Whatley – Capital Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Panelists discuss HPL’s most significant women characters, their roles, relationships, and the representation of women in his work. What was his understanding of gender and gender roles? What characters did he choose to focus on and why? Why these particular women in a body of work primarily focused on male protagonists? Panelists: Mike Allen, Clayton Cameron, F. Brett Cox, Leslie Horn (M), VJ Stonecraft, Carrie Laben

Weird Gaming — Indie and Freelance Perspectives 3: Community Building – Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Whether you play online, in your living room, or at your local game store, people play together! Panelists discuss developing and maintaining thriving and inclusive game communities. Panelists: Amber Bliss, Herbie Hicks, Robby Howell, Thom Raley, Oscar Rios, Luke Stratton (M) K. H. Vaughan

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Black Night Deeds: “The Shunned House,” Centenary Edition – South County Room, Omni 3^rd Floor
For the centenary of HPL’s tale “The Shunned House”, Helios House has prepared a special facsimile edition of the story along with a companion volume of scholarship about the story entitled Night Black Deeds. Join Helios’ Nic Jenzen-Jones, Lovecraftian geographer Donovan Loucks, and Sean Branney and Andrew Leman of the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society for a special presentation covering the story, its history, its geography and the real house’s very peculiar neighbor (60 minutes).

AUTHOR READINGS — Narragansett Bayview Room, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor
Jon Black, Julie C. Day, Errick Nunnally

Sunday 5:00 – 6:15 PM

NECRONOMICON-PVD WRAP-UP – Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 17th Floor
Join some of the Convention team to discuss this year’s gathering and future plans, hopes, and dreams. As a bonus, there will be a short presentation on the panel content of NecronomiCons from 1993 – present.

*******************************

Additional evening programming continues elsewhere – visit our extended programming page for info on the Dunwich Horror Picture Show, etc, etc

Please note: All event and program rooms have limited capacity to appease the Fire Marshal and in an effort to minimize public health concerns. Even though your pass is needed to get into most events, it does not guarantee you access if safe capacity has been reached. We cannot clear rooms between events.

2026 programming is still in the works, but we’re sharing the full array of planned panels now! (below that is the 2024 programming, to help folks know more about what to expect)

2026 Core Panels

2024 Core Programming Schedule – the 2026 schedule will post in the coming weeks.

THURSDAY Aug 15, 2024

FRIDAY Aug 16, 2024

Friday 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM

Friday 9:30-10:45 AM

Friday 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Friday 12:30-2:00 PM LUNCH

Friday 2:00 – 3:15 PM

Friday 3:30 – 4:45 PM

Friday 5:00 – 6:15 PM

SATURDAY Aug 17, 2024

8:00 – 9:15 AM

Saturday 9:30 – 10:45 AM

12:30 – 2:00 PM LUNCH

Saturday 2:00 – 3:15 PM

Saturday 3:30 – 4:45 PM

Saturday – Sunset onwards….

Don’t forget to also check out the additional extended programming happening well into the night!

SUNDAY Aug 18, 2024

Sunday 8 – 9:30am

Sunday 9:30 – 10:45 AM

Sunday 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM

Sunday 12:30 – 2:00 PM – LUNCH

Sunday 2:00 – 3:15 PM

Sunday 3:30 – 4:45 PM

Sunday 5:00 – 6:15 PM

#NecronomiConPVD

OUR LOCATION

QUESTIONS? NEED MORE?

Follow Us

2026 programming is still in the works, but we’re sharing the full array of planned panels now! (below that is the 2024 programming, to help folks know more about what to expect)

2026 Core Panels

*2024* Core Programming Schedule – the 2026 schedule will post in the coming weeks.

THURSDAY Aug 15, 2024

FRIDAY Aug 16, 2024

Friday 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM

Friday 9:30-10:45 AM

Friday 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Friday 12:30-2:00 PM LUNCH

Friday 2:00 – 3:15 PM

Friday 3:30 – 4:45 PM

Friday 5:00 – 6:15 PM

SATURDAY Aug 17, 2024

8:00 – 9:15 AM

Saturday 9:30 – 10:45 AM

12:30 – 2:00 PM LUNCH

Saturday 2:00 – 3:15 PM

Saturday 3:30 – 4:45 PM

Saturday – Sunset onwards….

Don’t forget to also check out the additional extended programming happening well into the night!

SUNDAY Aug 18, 2024

Sunday 8 – 9:30am

Sunday 9:30 – 10:45 AM

Sunday 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM

Sunday 12:30 – 2:00 PM – LUNCH

Sunday 2:00 – 3:15 PM

Sunday 3:30 – 4:45 PM

Sunday 5:00 – 6:15 PM

#NecronomiConPVD

OUR LOCATION

QUESTIONS? NEED MORE?

Follow Us

2024 Core Programming Schedule – the 2026 schedule will post in the coming weeks.