TELL THE DAMN STORY, ep ep 419: Writers, You Are Not Alone: Lessons From StokerCon.
When is a writer not alone?
You sit at a keyboard wrestling with plot problems, self-doubt, unfinished drafts, and that nagging voice asking whether you're good enough to keep going.
This week on Tell The Damn Story, Chris Ryan shares what happened when he pushed past those doubts and attended StokerCon, the annual conference of the Horror Writers Association.
What he found wasn't just panels, workshops, and industry professionals.
He found a room full of people facing many of the same struggles every writer faces.
Imposter syndrome.
Creative uncertainty.
Publishing questions.
The search for community.
Along the way, Chris talks with authors, organizers, and publishing professionals about why conferences matter, what new writers can gain from attending them, and how finding your tribe can change your creative journey.
You'll also hear practical insights on:
• Networking without feeling awkward
• Meeting editors, agents, and publishers
• Pitching your work
• Learning directly from working professionals
• Building a support system that understands the writing life
Because sometimes the most important thing a writer learns is this:
You are not alone.
https://horror.org/
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00:00 Show Cold Open
00:25 Road Trip to Pittsburgh
02:23 What You'll Learn Today
04:11 Fatigue Disclaimer
07:06 StokerCon Intro Video
08:04 Registration Goodie Bag
10:08 Freebie Table and Poetry
11:47 Hotel Room Surprise
13:26 Opening Ceremony Recap
14:53 Interview Dennis Crosby
16:49 Interview Charles Barouch
18:32 Agent Publisher Panel Tips
19:37 Pitch Hooks and Comps
20:53 Frankenstein Panel Highlights
21:56 Why Frankenstein Endures
23:24 StokerCon Sales Room Haul
25:29 Photo Roundup and Con Vibes
26:11 Post-Con Banter and Takeaways
30:14 Why Intimate Cons Matter
31:21 Final Thanks and Outro
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