Fiery Pen

It’s autumn, bitches! 🍁👻

For me, spooky season always kicks off with Colorado Festival of Horror. Nothing gets me more in the spirit than a full weekend of horror films, panels, celebrities, costumes, and events.

Like previous years, I attended as a guest author, volunteer, and genre enthusiast. Besides, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I wasn’t pathologically busy.

And I was BUSY. In the best way.

I had the privilege to speak on five different panels with some truly brilliant and fun humans. I prefer the conversational panels where ideas merge, deviate, and evolve with multiple voices over a straight Q&A. And these talented people gave me a lot to think about (especially when it comes to monster fucking).

Monster Smash: Just as the title suggests, we played Monster Smash or Pass with a lively and participatory audience (even at 4pm on a Friday). Would you give Golem a shot if he was wearing a tiny hat? What gets you scaroused (scared + aroused). Panelists: Celina Thompson, AE Santana (moderator), Catlyn Ladd, Shannon Lawrence, George Woodruff, Millie Price

Be Your Own Witch: We discussed how witches are portrayed in horror media. I was surprised to hear the audience thought it was trending positive because I still see so many satanic or powerful woman bad renditions. Then we did an exercise to create your own witch character. Panelists: Sandi Labo, Candy Fantastic

Women in Horror: The Women in Horror Arts & Media Association (WiHAMA) asked how women are unapologetically rewriting the genre. We discussed the works and creators we have seen progressing the narrative. Panelists: Catlyn Ladd, Marissa Yarrow, Amanda Shafer, Elizabeth Copps, Rachel Dempsey, KJ Brantly (moderator), Lorin Dearing

Feminism in Horror: Is feminist horror just a marketing slant? We discussed the trends, tropes, and approaches to feminism in horror considering other marginalized genders and the LGBTQ+ community. Including from an ally perspective. Panelists: Moxie Rose, Marissa Yarrow, Amanda Shafer, Shannon Lawrence, Heather Hein, George Woodruff, Catlyn Ladd (moderator)

Clowns: The Grin of the Id: Dressing up as a clown can be synonymous with wearing a mask. That anonymity can allow people to do wild (evil) things. We ranked clowns in media by evilness and talked about what some people do when they take a step back from themselves and consequence. Panelists: Sandi Labo, Candy Fantastic

Even in the new venue, these panel were PACKED. People sat on the floor as the body heat roasted the room. It was amazing to see that level of commitment, engagement, and participation.

In addition to these panels, I also had a couple slots signing books at the Slab Signing Table. Tattered Cover was kind enough to carry some of my titles (Horror Writers Association – Colorado and Denver Horror Collective carried others). I had way too much fun playing with a mini smoke machine with Matt Strollo.

The Rest Will Come seems to be having a moment right now. For how much it didn’t take off after release, I keep selling out of it. Just proves you never know the journey your books will go on.

Also, my latest short story (“Carnalytics” in Denver Horror Collective’s Sinister Systems) debuted at the festival. I got to hold it in my hands for the first time.

When I was not doing author things, I was volunteering. The author things ate up a lot of time, so I’m not sure how much I contributed. But I did provide the occasional break coverage, door check, answer, or water bottle.

Then, when I was not volunteering, I was actually enjoying the event. I watched Killer Klowns from Outer Space for the first time (with the Chiodo brothers in attendance). I sat in on the Faces of Death coroner presentation by Dan from Six Feet Under. And, of course, karaoke.

Most importantly, though, the Spatulati. IYKYK.

Plus, I was running my child around Denver for her own events. I slid into the end of the weekend a shell of a person.

Colorado Festival of Horror has been steadily growing since I first attended in the second year. This year, they expanded into a new, larger venue. It was has been a joy to watch this event gain traction and evolve. There are growing pains, and the new venue presented challenged (hockey hooligans, ugh). But I think the organizers will recognize these as improvement opportunities as they continue to adapt and mature the festival.

While the community did not all showcase their best face over the weekend, the majority did demonstrate what makes horror great. My favorite part of the experience is always my friends, whether I see them once a year or all the time.

I was so delighted by and proud of the support we saw at the feminist/women’s events. I loved seeing familiar faces and connecting with new people. I am always happy to be part of an event for fans by fans.

Until next year, COFOH. Next up… Telluride Horror Show!

Christina Bergling

https://linktr.ee/chrstnabergling

Like my writing? Check out my books!

• Invisible Girls – Two girls must decide how far they will go to protect each other and if freedom can be found without fire.
• Red Walls – When Talia’s parents go after the monsters who hurt her, they never expected real monsters.
• Followers – You never know who is on the other side of the screen. Followers is a mystery and thriller that blends women’s fiction with horror.
• The Rest Will Come – Online dating would drive anyone to murder, especially Emma.
• Savages – Two survivors search the ruins for the last strain of humanity. Until the discovery of a baby changes everything.
• The Waning – Locked in a cage, Beatrix must survive to escape or be broken completely.
• Screechers – Mutant monsters and humans collide in the apocalyptic fallout of a burned world. Co-authored with Kevin J. Kennedy.
• Horror Anthologies