The Horror Writers Association is the largest organization of writers, publishers, academics, and librarians dedicated to building a community around promoting the horror genre. This collection documents the history of the organization through their official publications as well as through associated materials created by the membership.
Language
English
.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives & Special Collections Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman) Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Ben Rubin in 2022.
Acquisition Information
Gift of the Horror Writers Association in April 2021.
History
The Horror Writers Association (HWA) is a nonprofit organization made up of writers, publishers, academics, and librarians with the goal of building a community around and promoting the horror genre. The idea for the organization originated with Robert McCammon at a convention in the early 1980s as he wanted to establish a professional writers' organization similar to what had emerged within the science fiction and fantasy genres and to distinguish among fan communities and organizations that were arising dedicated to the horror genre. McCammon recruited his friends and colleagues Joe and Karen Lansdale to assist in fully conceptualizing the scope and purpose of the organization. Karen performed the majority of the behind the scenes work to formalize the organization with official incorporation paperwork filed in May of 1987 under the name Horror Writers of America. The name would change to Horror Writers Association in 1993 to reflect growing international membership and particpation beyond the United States. Dean Koontz served as its first president assuming the role in 1987.
In addition to serving as a professional organization and forum for writers, the newly formed HWA also begin conferring literary awards called the Bram Stoker Award, with the first awards given for works published in 1987. The awards are given in numerous categories, which have changed and grown over time, and include superior achievment in novel, first novel, collection, anthology, poetry, and more. The awards have been given at a variety of events and programs including the World Horror Convention and Bram Stoker Awards Ceremonies. In 2016, the HWA began to organize StokerCon, an annual professional conference that also includes the Bram Stoker Awards Ceremony as well as programming dedicated to both the craft and genre, writing workshops, pitch sessions, an academic conference, and programming dedicated to librarians.
The organization has continued to grow expanding beyond just writers to include publishers, academics, librarians, and supporters. It also includes a growing number of local chapters and increasing international membership and chapters.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in the following series:
I. Official Organization Newsletters
II. Convention Guides, Books, and Other Publications
III. Related Newsletters and Publications
Scope and Contents
This collection documents the history of the Horror Writers Association through their publications such as newsletters, convention guides, souvenir anthologies, and other publications of original content distributed to membership. It also includes associated materials created by members such as unofficial newsletters that further reflect on the industry and the genre.
Preferred Citation
Horror Writers Association Records, SC.2021.03, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Copyright
The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Accruals
Further accruals will occur as more content is created.
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