Horror this Halloween at Can*Con 2015 in Ottawa

This Halloween weekend, creators and fans of science fiction, fantasy and horror will gather in Ottawa for Can*Con: The Conference on Canadian Content in Speculative Arts and Literature. While the Guests of Honour, authors and editors, are known for science fiction there is plenty for horror fans.

A full slate of panels will include discussions like; our fascination with monsters, what stories and novels of the past year have been the more terrifying, why we sometimes find toys so scary, and the lasting influence of H.P. Lovecraft. The Ottawa Police Service will be presenting a panel on blood splatter pattern analysis while the RCMP will bust common misconceptions about police work.

For comic fans, Shuster and Aurora-nominated writer and artist Dominic Bercier as well as graphic novelist/TV producer Jay Odjick will be discussing their art. Additionally, writer and editor Mark Shainblum is leading a large panel on the resurgence of Canadian superheroes.

If you're looking for latest in dark fiction, Ottawa-based Postscripts to Darkness will have a table in the dealers room as will Toronto publisher ChiZine Publications. ChiZine will also be holding pitch sessions for authors looking to propose their novels or graphic novels, though you must sign-up in advance for this portion.

If you want to hear authors of horror fiction read their work, there will be readings by:

• Ottawa's S.M. Carrière will read from her new vampire novel Human
• Melissa Yuan-Innes visits from Cornwall to read from her werewolf novel Wolf Ice
• Ottawa horror writer Matt Moore reading his ghost story "The Weak Son"

For more the full schedule go to the Can*Con site, and you can purchase a pass online for a little less than when doors open Friday.

Before the official start of the panel, there will be a series of writing workshops including one by Moore on how to keep readers on the edges of their seats.

Visit the Can*Con website at can-con.org for a full list of panels, guest bios and registration info. Can*Con starts Friday, October 30 at the Sheraton at 150 Albert Street in downtown Ottawa.

Editors note: There will also be a Ghost story panel with me, Lydia Peever, on Saturday October 31 at 8 p.m. A pretty neat way to start my Halloween night!