Publishing and Writing

Convergence 27

August 8 – 11, 2025

Room B (Silverplume) | Saturday | 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm

Have you ever dreamed of seeing your words in print? Join us for a conversation with authors and editors as we explore the craft of writing within gothic and horror genres. We’ll discuss the creative process, tips for finding your voice, and what it takes to get published in today’s market. Whether you’re scribbling stories in secret or polishing your next manuscript, come learn, share, and connect with others who love dark and compelling tales.

Panelists

James Hallman

James Hallman is a professional editor, writer, and publishing consultant with extensive experience across nonfiction, fiction, and scholarly genres. His editorial portfolio includes works of political analysis (The Way Back, F.H. Buckley; Spaceship Earth, Nick Egnatz), contemporary and speculative fiction (Fool’s Gold, Ben Larned; The Astonished Earth, Christopher Beck), applied theory (Using Grounded Theory, Helen Scott; Simulation Solutions, Charles DeBusk), and business strategy (Win/Loss Analysis, Ellen Naylor; The Results Map, Kimberly Alexander). James’s approach is marked by intellectual rigor, sensitivity to authorial intent, and a consistent focus on clarity, coherence, and structural integrity.

As the founder of WriteWorks, Hallman draws on a background in teaching, project management, and literary editing to support writers through every stage of the manuscript lifecycle. His practice emphasizes not only technical excellence, but also the cultivation of trust and collaboration—hallmarks of a process designed to help authors refine their arguments, elevate their prose, and connect with a range of audiences.

Drew Hayes

Drew Hayes is an author from Dallas who has written several series and standalone novels, including Super Powereds, NPCs, Villains’ Code, Fred the Vampire Accountant, 5-Minute Sherlock, Second Hand Curses, and Roverpowered. He graduated from Texas Tech with a B.A. in English, because evidently he’s not familiar with what the term “employable” means.

Drew has been called one of the most profound, prolific, and talented authors of his generation, but a table full of drunks will say almost anything when offered a round of free shots. Drew feels kind of like a D-bag writing about himself in the third person like this. He does appreciate that you took the time read it, though.

Drew would like to sit down and have a beer with you. Or a cocktail. He’s not here to judge your preferences. Drew is terrible at being serious, and has no real idea what a snippet biography is meant to convey anyway. Drew thinks you are awesome just the way you are. That part, he meant. Drew is off to go high-five random people, because who doesn’t love a good high-five? No one, that’s who.

RK Jack

RK Jack is a retired government agent with over thirty years of experience in federal law enforcement and the military. He has served on SRT and VIPR teams, holding both uniformed and undercover roles, including twenty years as a Federal Air Marshal (FAM).

He deployed for Operation Desert Storm as an enlisted soldier and later became a lieutenant in the US Army National Guard. Now, he is busy writing books that depict the military and police not as stoic, emotionless heroes but as real people with genuine feelings and fears. These flawed men and women demonstrate their heroism by facing their fears to protect others when duty calls.

He hopes you will find the realistic portrayal of these people as they confront the supernatural for the first time delightfully unique. More books in this horror series are on the way, along with other horror, dark fantasy, and sci-fi titles.

His books are available for sale in both print and eBook formats on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores.

Sara Martinez

Sara Martinez is an author, RPG writer and game designer when she’s not chasing her two kids around. She loves to read, write and play games across a variety of genres. Published credits include “Unauthorized Access,” a Horror revenge story with a cyberpunk twist in the Castle of Horror Vol. 11 (Castle Bridge Media) and the Hell on the High Plains supplement book for Deadlands by Pinnacle Entertainment Group.

Like many elder millennials, Goosebumps was her gateway to horror, and she has been reading stories, watching movies, and playing games in the genre ever since.

Celina Thompson

Celina Thompson is basically a vampire. She is a disabled author with multiple invisible illnesses that cause sunlight to be painful, require blood transfusions, and even make garlic off limits. This inspired her debut novel, Sanctuary (a #1 Amazon Bestseller in “Spicy” Horror). Her passion for raising awareness for disabilities and healthcare continues with her new novel, La Mamácita Mafiosa. Before discovering her medical conditions, she worked in technical theatre and continues to have a deep appreciation for the arts. She loves immersing herself in telling a powerful story and transporting people to another world. Celina is a member of the Horror Writers Association (HWA), Romance Writers of America (RWA), and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (RMFW). Currently, she is the Event Coordinator for the Colorado Chapter of HWA and serves on the Board of Directors for RMFW as the Chair of the Colorado Gold Writers Conference.