By Fatima Ortega Guevara
Long Island horror enthusiasts looking for an escape from reality found thrills, chills, and plenty of community spirit at the first-ever Convention of Horror, held this past weekend at the Hyatt Regency in Hauppauge.
Special guests like pro wrestler Brimstone, and actor Terry Alexander were on hand as well as the rock band El Scorcho. Writers such as Anastasia Garcia, Christopher Ryan and many more were one of the few to host panels.
“The people are really down to earth and sweet,” said Steve Warky Nunez, headliner for the Convention of Horror.
A place where hidden talent can shine, the convention brought to light many talented Long Islanders and is a great place for “building relationships,” said Mike Schiff, director of the film, The History of Metal and Horror.
Photo: Mike Schiff, producer of The History of Metal and Horror, showing clips of his documentary on his laptop. He sold DVD and Blu-Ray copies of his film, as well as posters.
Schiff hopes that this event will be held again next year and offered a few suggestions to make the event even better.
“It needs greater horror elements,” said Schiff.
He said the convention could include more horror-themed events, more celebrities, and even a few horror films. Since the convention was held on the first weekend of March, it couldn’t draw as much attraction as it potentially could have if it was held in October for Halloween.
Schiff also had his own table, where he displayed copies of his documentary. A six-and-a-half-year project, Schiff worked to explore the history of heavy metal and horror, while showing how these two crossed paths. Interviewing 65 people, his documentary features well-known names such as Alice Cooper, John Carpenter, Rob Zombie, and more.
Photo: Nicole Margiotta, owner of Scary Good Desserts, standing behind her table. Her homemade desserts consisted of cookies, cakes, and scary little bites.
Not everything was about horror. Various vendors on hand sell horror books, posters, and documentaries to crochets, candles, makeup, and baked goods.
Nicole Margiotta, a baker and owner of Scary Good Desserts, sold various home baked goods such as cookies, cakes, and Scary Little Bites. In business for only five months, Margiotta has attended many other events to promote her business.
“Everyone is very receptive,” she said. “I like having physical interactions with people.”
The convention also opened up an opportunity for writers and editors to promote their work. Brooklyn resident Ian Randal Strock, a writer, editor, and publisher for Fantastic Books, showcased his latest book, Wandering Through Time: The Collection Short Fiction (So Far). Randal Strock is mainly a science fiction writer, although he has also worked on horror and nonfiction books.
Photo: Teel James Glenn and John Frater, sit at the table where they display their work and talk about the Horror Writers Association.
Teel James Glenn, author of Not Born of Woman and more, hosted a table where he was one of the few individuals that represented the Horror Writers Association (HWA).
“I wanted to tell stories,” said Glenn. “I love to be in them.”
While looking for inspiration, Glenn says that he would use life experiences to help write his books. Murder Most Faire, a book about the main character solving the mystery of the death of his best friend, was written during a period where Glenn was grieving his death. When writing a book, oftentimes “you’re working your way through things,” he said.
Photo: Christopher Ryan, Anastasia Garcia, Anthony Labriola, and Liz SE Ransdell were the hosts of Gateway Horror Panel.
Contrary to the name, the Convention of Horror brought a light environment to Long Islanders. It’s a place for “like-minded people can come together” and talk about their shared interest, said Mandy Massimillo, an attendee. “There’s a sense of community here,” added Kyra Tuohey.
For a first-time event, the Long Island Convention of Horror was successful and brought entertainment to those who attended. “This was wanted and needed,” said Syntheia Finklepott Renee, a stylist at Finklepotts Fairy Hair. “There’s a lightness here . . . it’s raising the frequency of this community . . . I see this being pure magic.”
Photo: Syntheia Finklepott Renee and Steve Warky Nunez, a headliner for the Long Island Convention of Horror, were strangers before this event. Coincidentally meeting on their flight to this event, these two were able to form an unexpected friendship.
Fatima Ortega Guevara is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media. All photos by Fatima Ortega Guevara.
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