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HorrorCon with B2W
Starts Monday 2 November 2026
You know the moment: The character walks towards the door. You’re already telling them to turn around … They open it anyway. ‘Hello??’
Horror writers can learn a lot from that moment. How did the story make you care who was behind the door? Wh y are you dreading what might happen, even though you haven’t seen a thing yet?
That’s what we’re getting into at HorrorCon with B2W.
Over two weeks, we’ll take horror stories apart, examine the choices that make them work and apply what we find to your own writing. Expect monsters, mothers, masked killers, cursed places and plenty of practical craft talk.
I’m Lucy V Hay, script editor, novelist and founder of Bang2write. I’ll lead four live Zoom calls, share audio training and answer your questions in a dedicated Telegram group throughout the programme.
What you’ll do
HorrorCon combines close study with hands-on coaching. We’ll look at how horror handles:
- Fear and anticipation: what readers and viewers know, what characters know, and when to close the gap
- Characters under pressure: why we care whether someone survives
- Threats that last: how to keep a monster, killer or haunting frightening after its first appearance
- Reveals and escalation: how each new discovery changes the danger
- Theme and emotion: the fears beneath the scares
Then we’ll bring those questions to your work. You can come with a premise, a draft, a scene that refuses to behave or a problem you can’t quite put your finger on.
How the two weeks work
Week 1: Take horror apart
We’ll begin with our first movie autopsy. Together, we’ll examine the story’s characters, threat, structure and scares. What does it promise? How does it build dread? And what can you take from it for your own writing?
Our first hot seat coaching call turns to the group’s projects. Bring the horror idea or writing problem you want help with. We’ll look for the strongest version of your story and identify what needs work.
Between calls, you’ll have audio training, Q&As and the Telegram group to keep the discussion going.
Week 2: Make your story hit harder
Our second movie autopsy takes us deeper into the craft. We’ll look at how horror sustains tension, develops its threat and makes its biggest moments count.
In the final hot seat coaching call, we’ll return to your work. Bring a new question, test a change you’ve made or tackle the problem that’s still giving you grief. You’ll leave with clearer decisions about what to write or revise next.
The case studies
Across the Zoom calls, audio training and Q&As, we’ll draw on a range of horror stories, including Alien, Obsession, Candyman, The Black Phone, The Shining, The Babadook, Saw, Insidious, Sinister and, of course, Halloween.
We’re looking at what each story can teach us. Why does one threat get under your skin? How does another story turn a familiar setting into somewhere you never want to be alone? What makes a scare land because of everything that came before it?
You don’t need to write like ANY of these films. The point is to understand the craft well enough to make your horror work on its own terms.
What you get:
- Four live Zoom calls: two movie autopsies and two hot seat coaching sessions
- Audio training exploring further horror case studies and craft questions
- Q&As so you can dig into what you’re learning
- A dedicated Telegram group for discussion, questions and support during the two weeks
- Practical coaching on your own horror writing, whatever stage it’s at
Who is HorrorCon for?
HorrorCon is for authors and screenwriters who want to understand why horror works and make their own stories stronger.
You might have a fresh idea you’re itching to write. You might be halfway through a draft and wondering where the dread went. Or perhaps you’ve written the whole bloody thing, but the scares aren’t landing yet.
You’re welcome if horror is your main genre. You’re also welcome if you write thrillers, dark fantasy or another genre with horror elements and want to get better at handling fear on the page.
B2W FAQs About HorrorCon
1) Do I need a finished draft?
No. Bring whatever you’re working on, whether that’s an idea, an outline, a scene or a complete draft. The hot seats are there to help you move forward from where you are.
2) Do I need to have seen every film on the case study list?
No. You’ll get more from a case study if you know the story, but you don’t need to arrive having watched the entire list.
3) Is this for authors or screenwriters?
Both. We’ll use films to study horror craft, then discuss how to apply those lessons to the stories you’re writing. This includes novels, short stories, TV pilots, features and short film.
4) What happens in a hot seat?
You bring a specific question or problem from your work. We’ll examine what’s happening in the story and talk through practical ways to strengthen it.
You’ll learn from the other writers’ hot seats too. Someone else’s troublesome monster might help you solve your haunted house.
5) Do I have to use Telegram?
The Telegram group is where the conversation continues between Zoom calls, and it’s the place to ask questions during the programme. You’ll get the most from HorrorCon by joining in, but it is not compulsory.
6) I get scared easily and don’t really like horror. Is this programme for me?
Probably not. If you don’t like consuming horror yourself, then it’s not a great idea to try and write it!
Join HorrorCon with B2W!
2–15 November 2026. Four Zoom calls. One dedicated Horror deep dive in Telegram.
Two weeks of horror craft, case studies and coaching on your own work.
If you’re ready to work out what’s frightening your story, and how to make it frightening for everyone else, come join us.
- Early Bird Rate: £111 (before Oct 18th)
- Last Chance: £222 (Oct 19th to Nov 2nd)
To grab your spot, CLICK HERE.
Want To Pay A Different Way?
Absolutely – simply drop me an email on Bang2write@gmail.com and we can set that up.
Want To Know If HorrorCon is For You?
No problem, I’m happy to talk about whether it is right for you!
Email Bang2write@gmail.com with “HorrorCon” in the subject line.
