08/30/2026 Horror Happenings: Industry News, Reviews, and More!
- Candace Nola
- 22 hours ago
- 4 min read
This week's Horror Happenings: Events, Reviews and more from the Indie Horror World!
If you're an indie horror author or a horror industry creative, publisher, or press, with news to share, let us know!
*Email us your news to share at editor@uncomfortablydark.com.
No ai content will be shared or promoted-please do not send it or ask.
UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS
HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND!
DETROIT HORROR CON - AUGUST 28-30, 2026
PAGES FOR PLATES - SEPT. 5 - 14!
A Reading Fundraiser for No Kid Hungry
ONLINE EVENT SPOTLIGHT!
WRITING THE OCCULT: TIME & PLACE
SEPT. 5, 2026
Visit the website for schedule and tickets!
REVIEWS FOR RECENT RELEASES & READS
HAIL HOLY QUEENS
by Chris McGinley
Published by: Fringe Press
Reviewed by Danielle Yvonne
“One by one the others joined in, reciting the prayer in Latin, over and over, rising in volume with each repetition. The blood from the beast expanded in a slow-moving pool to meet our bare feet.”
This book was incredible. Religious horror meets a convent full of nuns in Italy vs a beast. I went in blind, and to be honest, this type of horror isn’t something I would normally pick up on my own, but I couldn’t read this story fast enough. Sitting at over 250 pages, I binge-read this one in about two sittings.
I love how badass the nuns are in this book. The fact that they take matters into their own hands and hunt the evil that lurks around them was top-tier. The way the story was written was top-tier. The way that the narrator is speaking directly to the reader was top-tier. The characters and their development—once again, top-tier. A superbly well-rounded book that would appeal to so many horror readers.
I did read the synopsis once I was finished, and it says, “Robert Eggers meets Emerald Fennell and Tarantino in the gothic horror thriller HAIL HOLY QUEENS.” And I couldn't agree more with that statement. I also couldn't recommend this book more if I tried!
HAIL HOLY QUEENS is available now!
Grab it here: https://a.co/d/08Hmc3Sz
Going to the Six
By A.C. Hessenauer
Published by Cemetery Dance
Reviewed by Candace Nola
Going to the Six was a captivating read, found-footage style, focusing on a research trip for a documentary that went horribly wrong. It follows Owen Wheeler, acclaimed filmmaker, as he recounts the expedition via interviews with his doctor, journal entries written by him and his team members, news clippings, and more. The trip was meant to be an awesome project, uncovering the famed but thought to be lost shipwreck known as the Keuka, a floating speakeasy that sank in the early 1930s in Lake Superior.
A rare type of algae found in the lake near the site of the wreck has drawn the attention of research specialists who need to collect samples, an endeavor that could potentially derail the documentary project. The two teams agreed to go together, allowing the scientists to gather their data while Owen and his team dive to the wreckage below to gather footage of the famed wreck. Once the team is on the lake, odd occurrences begin happening to them and to the local townspeople. By the time the research trip concludes, bodies have piled up, and only Owen seems to hold the answers.
This is a highly creative story that was exceptionally paced and highly detailed, keeping the plot and the tension building while staying within the boundaries of a found-footage style novel. The characters are fully relatable and easy to care about, while the small town surrounding the lake seems to hold the right balance of friendly folks, hidden secrets, and sketchy individuals. Overall, this was a fun read that kept me captivated from start to end.
Get it here:
UPCOMING EVENTS
What is it: GENREBLAST FILM FEST
Where is it: Alamo Drafthouse - Winchester, VA
When is it: Labor Day Weekend - Sept. 3-6, 2026
Why come: Movies! Movies! Movies!
Come join us this September at the GenreBlast Film Festival in Winchester, Va. In its tenth year, this is one of the biggest indie film festivals on the East Coast. Run by filmmakers, for filmmakers, it aims to celebrate the best in genre filmmaking!
Hosted by the Alamo Drafthouse, come on out to see some great movies, pick up some awesome swag including books and movies, and be sure to try the Churro popcorn, (my personal favorite!).
Tickets - Schedule - Information
MURDER AT THE MEADERY!
Happening Sept. 20, 2026!
Apis Meadery, Carnegie, PA
Come See Candace Nola and more than two dozen local Dark Fiction Authors!
Stay for the Music, Crafts, Food trucks, and brews!
Get a flash tattoo from Cursed Bear Inks!
Get a Tarot Reading from Golden Deer!
Full Details Below!
Get free tickets here:
GHOULISH BOOK FAIR @ FANTASTIC FEST!
Sept. 21, 2026 - Austin, TX
SPOOKTASTIC BOOK FAIR!
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 - Hyde Park, MA
GOATMAN FESTIVAL
October 15-18, 2026 - Louisville, KY
Come check out Louisville's Weirdest Festival!
Featuring Food, Cryptids, Panels, Movies, Crafts, Authors, and More!
Be sure to visit Dr. Jekyll's Institute, the Mythical Petting Zoo, The Haunted Trail, and so much more!
Get Full Details Here:
HORROR READER WEEKEND!
HORROR ON THE MISSISSIPPI - OCTOBER 1-4, 2026
Come on down to New Orleans to join Candace Nola, Christina Henry, Gwendolyn Kiste, CS Humble, Josh Rountree, and more for an awesome weekend event full of Books, Reading, Ghost Tours, and food!
Check out the website for full details!
Day passes are available!
NATIONAL BLACK BOOK FESTIVAL
Houston, TX - Oct. 22-24, 2026
CREATIVE KICKSTARTERS!
KOLCHAK: The Night Stalker
James Aquilone is back with a new Kickstarter for the KOLCHAK 50TH ANNIVERSARY!
Known for his Dead Jack Zombie Detective series, incredible anthologies and graphic novels, Aquilone is gearing up to put out an Anniversary edition of the Out of Print KOLCHAK: The Night Stalker graphic novel!
Check out the website details to back this amazing project now!
JOE UNKNOWN # 1
created by Christopher Irving with artwork by Nick Justus
This 3 issue mini-series was inspired by the creators love of The Twilight Zone comics, Mike Allred's MADMAN, and his own experiences. Joe Unknown is the story of a comic book horror host facing his final story.
Get all the details here and see some of the amazing artwork that you'll find within this 3-part series! Tons of rewards including digital editions, variant covers, and more!
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