At the age of 22, writer, Lorraine Hansberry declared to her soon-to-be husband,  “I am a writer. I am going to write.”  And WRITE -- she did. 

In 1959, Lorraine Hansberry went on to become the first-African American female writer to have a play performed on Broadway, ‘A Raisin In the Sun’ and the youngest American to win a New York Critics’ award. 

It was a bold and complex statement. But what truly makes a writer?  Some would say, “I have a story to tell”; others would explain the complex characters who live within, who haunt their dreams and waking days, all desperate to take shape, and come to life.

I have been told, that characters often force their way into the writers’ life, and they can be relentless. Some writers often experience long bouts of isolation, depression, loneliness, frustration, self-doubt, and rejection, which can manifest as--Writer’s Madness!

However, if you are one of the lucky few, to be blessed by the writing gods, your inspirations may come in an instant! But more often; as mere mortals, it may take years of struggling and living with the characters -- before they truly take shape. Often, the only way to silence these invasive characters is to face them head on and put them down on paper -- breathing life into these fragile creatures before they drive you mad. 

We are told that some characters are beloved, some are tragic, others are violent, while some are perfect -- but ALL are determined. 

For the few who choose the path of writer, your work has just begun. The voices can be demanding, and always desiring more, but there are another roads a writer must traverse. 

Next, a successful writer is compelled to deal with writer’s guilds, agents, editors, artists, publishers, marketing, CEO’s, networks, conventions and most importantly fans. All because the voices had to be heard and a story had to be told. 

So, my question is, “Where do these voices come from?” 

We invite you to join us as we travel the globe to celebrate and explore the creative minds of some of the most prolific writers of the HORROR genre. From Josh Malerman, Linda D. Addison, Lee Murray,  Michael Bailey, F. Paul Wilson, Thomas F. Monteleone and more… let’s find out how their famous, and yes, sometimes infamous characters... almost… drove them... MAD!