Three weeks and counting!

Hi there! We're less than 3 weeks away now and wanted to give you some updates on a few topics.

It's been a busy but exciting time. The program book is complete and going to the printer this weekend. It has cover art by our Artist Guest of Honor, Harry O. Morris, and it's just stunning. The programming schedules have all been worked out, the parties are almost organized, and tons of other surprises await you. It's going to be an amazing weekend!

Hotel Rooms

If you're coming from out of town and haven't yet reserved your hotel room, you should do so soon. The hotel has offered our guests a very low rate of $119/night but these rooms will not last forever. The best way to ensure you get this low rate is to go to www.stokers2009.org and click on the Hotel link. Don't delay or you may end up paying more. The rooms are fabulous and you're sure to enjoy your stay.

Registration and Opening Ceremonies

Registration for the Stoker Weekend will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Friday June 12. We expect a lot of people to register that morning, so earlier would be better for you to avoid the crowds. When you register, you will receive a nametag, a banquet ticket (if you are attending the Stoker banquet) and an astonishing bag of free goodies. We're talking books from Delirium Books and Leisure books, writing books by the fabulous agent Peter Miller, Grave Tales magazines from Cemetery Dance, the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Morbid Curiosity magazine, rare chapbooks from Gauntlet Press and a special convention-only chapbook from Bad Moon Books. All this and other gifts, too.

If that isn't enough, make sure you don't miss the Opening Ceremonies at Noon on Friday June 12. We're having some incredible door prizes: some exceptional limited edition books donated by our friends at Gauntlet Press, Bloodletting Press, Bad Moon Books, and Horror World, as well as some cool stuff from the film industry. You dont' want to miss this, so plan accordingly. That's another reason to register early!

Pitch Sessions

Our website lists everybody taking pitches on Saturday June 13. Please note that our two more recent additions, Bloodletting Press and Cargo Cult Press still have openings for pitches. If you've already got two pitches lined up and would like a third with either of these two fine presses, please email Jeannie Eddy at mdntvoices@yahoo.com to let her know. As with all our registrations, this is first come first serve!

Kaffeeklatches

We have a dozen kaffeeklatches scheduled through the weekend. Four are completely full, but eight others still have room. The Schedule page of our web site www.stokers2009.org lists the guests having klatches. If you're interested in attending some, please contact John at john.little@telus.net and let us know who you'd like to sign up for. You'll find these to be really cool, casual ways to meet some of your favourite publishing people.

Workshops

We also still have room in Mort Castle's Writing Workshop and Alexandra Sokoloff's Screenwriting Workshop. Check out the Workshop page on our site for details. You may want to sign up soon to ensure your seat, as space is limited.

Media

Finally, just a note that we have reporters and camera-people from various organizations attending the weekend, so you may see them around, particularly at the Stoker Banquet.

That's it for now. If you have any questions at all, just drop one of us a line and feel free to ask anything you like. The 2009 Stoker Weekend has been a blast to plan, and we can't wait for you to enjoy it all.

John R. Little and Lisa Morton
Stoker Weekend Co-organizers