October Frights Blog Hop Day 2

 

SPREAD THE FEAR

 

 

If you’re reading this, odds are Halloween is most likely your favorite holiday of the year. I know it’s mine; for me, Halloween season begins on Sept. 1st and goes straight through into November if it happens to be one of those years where Halloween lands in the middle of the week and there are Halloween parties/events in the following weekend.

As horror writers, this season also means a real emphasis on book sales. Writers head out to signings, do appearances at conventions and fright fests and local haunted house attractions. They promote themselves all over social media and often will have a new book coming out just in time for the scariest season of the year.

But I want to talk about a different way to spread the terror.

To the children.

That’s right. Now is the time to infect today’s youth with a healthy dose of horror.

Children of all ages, from grade school to high school, love to be scared. And what better way to open their eyes to the joys of reading than by introducing them to a nice, chilling tale? It could be yours, it could be a classic story, it could be a local legend. It won’t matter. Kids are always open to a frightening story, and even more so during the Halloween season.

Each year I try to make appearances at our local libraries and participate in their Halloween programming. In the past, I’ve judged pumpkin decorating contests, recited the story of the Headless Horseman, and read some of my own short stories.

Many authors shun these types of appearances, because they are not opportunities to sell books. You may get paid a small stipend (not all libraries can afford one), and sometimes you’ll sell a book or two to a parent whose child begs particularly hard, but overall these are not book sale opportunities the way cons or fright fests are. You’re there strictly as entertainment.

Yet I think it’s just as important to do these appearances as the profitable kind. Not only are you doing a good thing, but you’re setting yourself up for future sales. People will remember your name, and when it comes time to buy their kids new books they just might be yours.

Most importantly, you’re helping to mold impressionable minds into future horror fans/readers, which in the long run is a boon for all writers. Even if you're not a writer, you can still pick up a book and read them a story. Or introduce them to a horror writer. Or play them a movie. Trust me, they'll love it!

Whatever it might be, it's time to do your part:

Spread the fear.

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Stay tuned for tomorrow's creepy entry and be sure to check out everyone else on the blog hop!

 
 

 

 As always, be sure to check out  A.F. Stewart's October Frights blog page, https://afstewart.ca/october-frights-blog-hop-participants/, for the links to all the different bloggers and the latest about the blog hop and all things horror. While there, be sure to visit the Book Showcase Page (https://afstewart.ca/october-frights-book-fair/) where all the participants have made their terrifying books available for purchase (most are on sale, including my novel CARNIVAL OF FEAR, which is only 99cents for Kindle!). And don't forget about the free book giveaway page: https://storyoriginapp.com/to/oyHMogF.