This event kicked off on August 1st at 9am and didn’t conclude until well after 9:30pm.
My gosh, this was so much fun to watch! Throughout the day, I carried my laptop everywhere I went so I didn’t have to stop watching.
Let’s dive in to my quick recap of the event!
What is Scares That Care?
From their website:
As a 100% volunteer organization, we are focused to fight the REAL MONSTERS of childhood illness, burns and breast cancer by helping families who are experiencing these extraordinary hardships cope with the financial burden by raising and providing $10,000 per recipient family.
They usually hold events in person, but with COVID-19, this year, the event was virtual. During the day, the goal was to raise $10,000 in which all proceeds would go directly to the three beneficiaries.
The Sessions
Kick Off Session with Brian Keene and Joe Ripple
Brian and Joe jumped on to welcome everyone and discuss the event. They also introduced everyone to the beneficiaries of the donations made during the event. If you’re reading this and have anything you can donate, please click here to access to donation page.
Panel with Stephen Kozeniewski and Jeff Strand
These two authors switched off reading short horror stories. My gosh, Stephen Kozeniewski made me laugh SO much with his “improv” section. I don’t know how he kept a straight face!
*And SCENE!*
Session with O’Malley and Alfred Guy
They gave a great shout out for the RedBubble store, click here to check out the merchandise that is available! Proceeds from the merch sales also goes to the cause.
Jaws @ 45 Panel
Oh my gosh, if you enjoy Jaws, you HAVE to check out this panel featuring Glenn Rolfe, Jonathan Janz, Victor LaValle, Hillary Monahan, Adam Cesare, and Matt Serafini.
Brian Keen & Paul Tremblay
They had an awesome quick chat! Paul also offered to match donations during this session! <3
Horror Comics Panel
Oh my gosh, I so needed this session with Maurice Broaddus, Cullen Bunn, Rachel Autumn Deering, Matt Wildasin, and Jamal Igle! I’m always looking for more horror comics.
Quick Session with johnwayneisdead
Complete with an awesome song!
Horror For Kids
I loved that each panelist shared their first experience with something scary. This panel is a MUST WATCH for parents that are hesitant about letting their children read horror books and why horror is actually good for kids!
Nightmare on Elm Street Panel
This panel featured David Heck, Mick Strawn, Nick Benson, and Mark Patton and they discussed special effects and what goes into creating our favorite horror movie moments! I had so much fun listening to their stories about horror special effects gone wrong as well as some of their favorite effects!
The Triple Bri(y)an’s!
This quick session caught us up to speed on the total money raised so far!
Panel with Gabino Iglesias and Cynthia Pelayo
Gabino read from his upcoming book and Cynthia read from her poetry collection and her short story. I need to get some of their work ASAP.
My Favorite Monster
THIS PANEL! Featuring Scott Baker, Dee, Stephen Graham Jones, Chuck Buda, and Hunter Shea. Hunter is one of my new favorite authors, so it was wonderful to see him speak! This was definitely one of my favorite panels because creature features are some of my horror favorites!
Panel with Brian Keene, Joe Ripple, and Roy Woodley
Roy took some time to discuss how COVID is effecting the production industry.
The Walking Dead Panel
When this panel popped up, I had a fan-girl scream that startled my poor husband! I LOVED this panel so much!! Featuring David Heck, Lew Temple (Axel), Joshua Mikel (Jared), Steve Coulter (Reg Monroe), Cooper Andrews (Jerry), and Jayson Warner Smith (Gavin)! I was so pumped that my question got asked as well! I loved hearing each of their answers.
Panel with Brian Keene and Christian Jensen
The discussed the state of production during COVID and what Christian’s plans are moving forward.
Magic & Faith in Horror
Featuring Bracken MacLeod, Somer Canon, Mary SanGiovanni, and Stephanie M. Wytovich. I always love hearing about people’s beliefs, so this one was awesome to tune into! I’ve read a few works from Bracken, Somer, and Mary and I absolutely loved them! I need to pick up one of Stephanie’s work soon!
Panel with David Heck, Dakota Lawrence, and Pruitt Taylor Vince
Another killer panel!
Panel with Joe Ripple and Eugene Clark
In this session, Eugene spoke about the state of the world right now and how love is what can bring us all together. <3
Can Horror Go Too Far?
Woot! On this panel we had Armand Rosamilia, C.V. Hunt, Kristopher Triana, Aaron Dries, Wrath James White, Wesley Southard, and Autumn Christian. I’m a huge fan of Aaron Dries and Wesley Southard. I need to snag work from the rest of this crew soon as well!
Session with Brian Keene and Lar Park Lincoln
Brian gave us another fundraising update here and then talked to Lar about what she’s doing with virtual events.
Weird Western Panel
This panel featured host Tomas Clark, Keith Lansdale, Christine Morgan, Kenzie Jennings, Wile E. Young, and Gemma Files. I read The Magpie Coffin by Wile E Young recently and absolutely LOVED it. I need to check out more horror westerns!
Panel with Brian Keene and Josh Malerman
It’s always awesome to see Josh discussing his methods and his work!
Bizarro Horror
Featuring Rose O’Keefe, Michael Allen Rose, John Edward Lawson, Andersen Prunty, and Scott Cole.
Panel with Amelia Kinkade and David Heck
Amelia was celebrating wearing red lipstick for the first time in ages! She was too adorable. I need to check out some of her film soon! I can’t believe I haven’t seen any of the Night of the Demons films. I loved when she explained how close everyone was on the Demons cast and how that made working so much easier than being on a crew where people don’t get along.
Session with Ashley, Brian and Joe
Oh the waterworks. Ashley and her daughter Natalya are incredible. <3 Ashley shared their story and struggles. She also explained what Marfan syndrome is and how their lives have been affected by it. My heart goes out to these two women. I’m so grateful for being able to be a small part of this event this year to help them and the other two recipients out.
Costume Contest
This panel featured Brian Keene, “Brother John,” Amelia Kinkade, Lynne Hansen, Amanda Bearse, and Matt Blazi. This was a wonderfully heartwarming panel talking about the importance of joy and laughter right now.
The event closed out with Scaryoke.
Phew, what an amazing event. I cannot wait to go to one of these in person and meet everyone one day! <3 Thank you so much to everyone that worked in putting this together.
Click here to donate to Scares That Care!
Thanks for reading!
The next virtual event that I’m looking forward to is KillerCon August 7-9! Will you be there virtually?
That’s awesome that they were still able to go forward with this event!
Right?! I just love virtual events, so I’m glad this one was a hit!