It’s too early to share any photos of the fun from this year’s World Horror Convention, because I won’t even be heading off to Salt Lake City until Thursday. But what I can share is a look back at a moment of fun from one of my favorite World Horror Cons past.

Here’s a kooky quartet of writers yucking it up sixteen years ago at the 1992 WHC in Nashville. (Click on the image at right to make this fantastic four even more fantastic.) The trio towering over me is, from left to right, Nancy Holder, Adam-Troy Castro (who I already told you about here), and Connie Hirsch. I have no idea how we ended up in such a compromising position, but since I have no shame, I guess it doesn’t really matter.

As you might suspect from everything that’s happened since, the only way that I got Adam off my back was by agreeing to buy all those Vossoff and Nimmitz stories when I was editing Science Fiction Age. Why else do you think I published them? If I hadn’t, he’d probably be around my neck still!

As you can see, World Horror Cons are always a blast, and I expect the coming one to be no different. Check back later this week to see just how wild and crazy it gets.

In addition to my previously announced panels at this year’s World Horror Convention in Salt Lake City, I just learned that I’ll also be doing a reading on Saturday, March 29, at 11:30 a.m.

I’ll probably read my Stoker-nominated story, “Almost the Last Story by Almost the Last Man”—or as much of it as I can squeeze into 30 minutes. I managed to pull off a condensed version back at the World Fantasy Convention in Saratoga Springs, so I think I’ll try it again.

I see that my old pal Gene O’Neill, with whom I attended Clarion back in 1979, will be reading immediately before me at 11:00 a.m. We just can’t seem to escape each other!

I just received my schedule for this year’s World Horror Convention in Salt Lake City. Here’s a list of where and when you’ll be able to find me pontificating. I’ll probably also be doing a reading, but that track won’t be announced for awhile.

Thursday, March 27
10:00-10:50 pm
Why editors reject a story
What basic things does a writer need to know to keep from being rejected on the first page?
(with R. J. Cavender, Don D’Auria, Norman Prentiss, Larry Roberts, and Scott Standridg)

Friday, March 28
1:00-1:50 pm
The art of writing poetry
(with Linda Addison, Stephen M. Wilson, JoSelle Vanderhooft, Marge Simon, and Michael R. Collings)

Sunday, March 30
10:00-10:50 am
Censorship of Horror
Should writers care about what others think about their work beyond their publisher and fans? How can you address concerns of schools and libraries and still keep your personal integrity?
(with Rocky Wood, David Bell, and Michael Shea)

You’ll also be able to track me down at Saturday night’s Stoker Awards banquet, at which I’ll learn whether I’m a three-time loser or a one-time winner!