Winter Haunts Brings Ghostly Stories and Gothic Workshops to Writers Worldwide

The virtual event Winter Haunts is back on 16th November, offering a full day of workshops, interviews, and panel discussions for fans of ghost stories and Gothic fiction. Organised by Writing Magazine and Alex Davis Events, the one-day festival brings together celebrated authors and speakers to share insights into crafting supernatural tales. Now in its third year, Winter Haunts continues to draw an international audience keen to explore the eerie and mysterious from the comfort of home.

The event promises an impressive roster of writers, including Silvia Moreno-Garcia, known for her acclaimed novels Mexican Gothic and Silver Nitrate, and Laura Purcell, the bestselling author behind The Silent Companions and The Whispering Muse. Joining them are Jeremy Dyson, co-creator of The League of Gentlemen, and Nathan Ballingrud, whose stories Wounds and The Crypt of the Moon Spider have captivated horror fans. Also on the line-up are Christopher Golden (Ararat, The House of Last Resort), Eric La Rocca (Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke), Anna Bogutskaya (Feeding the Monster), and Johnny Mains (Bound in Blood, Celtic Weird), providing a diverse range of perspectives on horror and the supernatural.

Attendees can choose from two main event threads: the interview and panel series, where authors share experiences and insights, and the workshop thread, offering hands-on guidance in horror and Gothic writing. The workshops will feature respected writers such as Lucie McKnight Hardy (Dead Relatives, Water Shall Refuse Them), Kerry Hadley-Pryce (God’s Country, The Black Country), Christi Nogle (Beulah), and Simon Bestwick (The Feast of All Souls), who will lead sessions on techniques, writing exercises, and inspiration for crafting chilling tales.

Event co-ordinator Alex Davis expressed enthusiasm for this year’s line-up, highlighting the unique opportunity for attendees to connect directly with authors in a virtual setting: “This event is always a highlight of the year for me, and thanks to the support of so many amazing publishers and individuals, we have a huge line-up of international talent taking part. The chance to access so many exciting sessions from home is something that attracts attendees from all over the world, so it’s going to be a lively and busy day ahead!”

For Writing Magazine content editor Tina Jackson, Winter Haunts is an essential event on the autumn calendar for those drawn to the supernatural. “Writers can look forward to a full and inspiring day of workshops and interviews with authors at the top of their game, and are sure to come away fired up with ideas and insights that they can apply to their own writing,” Jackson shared, adding that the event will be a celebration of Gothic and horror themes.

Running from 11 am to 7:15 pm UK time, Winter Haunts offers ticket options for the workshop thread, the interview thread, or full access to the entire event. For ticket information and the full programme, visit Eventbrite.