The third annual The Outer Dark Symposium on the Greater Weird will bring together more than 40 creators of Weird horror and speculative fiction, March 22-23, 2019, at Silver Scream FX Lab and Hotel Indigo-College Park in Atlanta, GA. The only annual conference focused on contemporary Weird fiction, this intimate immersive event is limited to 75 attendees and features panels, author readings, special presentations, art displays, authors signing reception, meals, exclusive Silver Scream FX Lab tour, and spooky surprises.
“We’re beyond excited to welcome our largest line-up yet, a who’s-who of some of the most dynamic authors, editors, artists, publishers, and scholars in Weird fiction today at a one-of-a-kind location,” says Scott Nicolay, host and executive producer of The Outer Dark podcast which airs on the British-based online platform This Is Horror. “As with The Outer Dark podcast, our goal is to foster conversation and community among a diverse slate of program participants–inclusive, safe and welcoming to women, LBGTQ+, and writers of color.”
“Returning to Atlanta where we launched the symposium in 2017 also allows us to involve BlacktastiCon organizers Milton Davis and Balogun Ojetade,” Nicolay adds. “And thanks to sponsor support from Innsmouth Free Press, we are delighted to bring in acclaimed Mexican author Gabriela Damian Miravete.
This year’s guests/program participants include Mike Allen, Rebecca J. Allred, Natania Barron, Gregory Norman Bossert, David Bowles, Jesse Bullington, Nadia Bulkin, Chesya Burke, Selena Chambers, Gerald Coleman, Nancy Collins, Milton Davis, Kristi DeMeester, Kurt Fawver, John Foster, Chris Gavaler, Fiona Maeve Geist, Craig Laurance Gidney, Larissa Glasser, Orrin Grey, Edward Austin Hall, Lynne Hansen, Valjeanne Jeffers, Brian Kirk, Gwendolyn Kiste, Marc Laidlaw, Ian McDowell, Violette Meier, Gabriela DamianMiravete, Sunny Moraine, Shane Morton, Balogun Ojetade, Liv Rainey-Smith, Zin E. Rocklyn, Eric Schaller, Jeff Strand, Damien Angelica Walters, Brookelynne Warra, Michael Wehunt, Lesley Wheeler and Lisa Yaszek. Attending publishers include Mythic Delirium Press, Nightscape Press, and PseudoPod.
“While it might seem hard to top our 2018 location at the Winchester Mystery House, one of the most haunted places in America, we’re confident we’ve done that with Silver Scream FX Lab,” says The Outer Dark Producer Anya Martin. “It’s a floor-to-ceiling funhouse featuring both a special effects make-up/props/costume studio and an extensive museum including your favorite classic Universal and Toho monsters!”
At Silver Scream, Shane Morton and his team have designed and created most recently the Cheddar Goblin for the crazed Nicholas Cage cult hit Mandy (2018), as well as work for AdultSwim’s Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell, Too Many Cooks, and many more. Morton will lead an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the facility and museum and treat attendees to a one-of-a-kind live performance emceed by Professor Morte, The Ghost Host with the Most of Atlanta’s popular Silver Scream Spook Show.
The Outer Dark Symposium activities kick off on Friday March 22, 6-10 p.m., at Hotel Indigo-College Park, including a welcome reception, panel, and author readings presented by platinum sponsor PseudoPod (details TBA). On Saturday March 23, hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Silver Scream FX Lab.
Symposium programming will be recorded and featured on The Outer Dark podcast which airs on This Is Horror, reaching a global audience of listeners who are readers of Weird and speculative fiction.
Memberships/tickets are $100 if purchased before Feb. 28. The price rises to $125 between March 1-20, if the membership limit has not been met. No tickets will be sold at the door.
Attendees can book a group room rate of $149/night (King or Double) at Hotel Indigo-College Park until March 1 or the room block is filled. Call (404) 767-8881, and ask for group code ODP (Outer Dark Podcast).
An Indiegogo campaign to raise additional funds to fully support the symposium, will launch in mid-February. More sponsors will be announced soon, and sponsorship opportunities are available.
For more information or to purchase memberships to The Outer Dark Symposium 2019, visit https://theouterdark2019.brownpapertickets.com/.
