Horror Fiction Fest and Poetry Society open mic at Gibson’s next week

Two exciting events will take place at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord next week.

Four enigmatic horror authors will discuss the catharsis of darkness in an ever-darkening world at Horror Fiction Fest on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Come listen to the panel as they talk about finding joy, control, and escapism in reading horror novels. 

“Hosting genre panels at Gibson's Bookstore is a wonderful way for us to provide our readers with a community event,” said events coordinator Elisabeth Jewell. “We have a strong horror following among our customers, and offering a place for readers to build their community and make new friends and connections makes us very happy. We've become friends with many horror authors over the years and we've found that, despite the dark and spooky themes of their material, horror authors (and readers!) are consistently the most outgoing and friendly!” 

The authors at the event include Eric LaRocca, Clay McLeod Chapman, E.K. Sathue (a pseudonym for author Erin Mayer), and Dennis Mahoney. For more information, visit gibsonsbookstore.com/event/horror-panel-2025.

The Poetry Society of New Hampshire invites you to join them at an open mic night at Gibson’s on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. The evening will feature a reading from author John Wall Barger, who has penned six collections of poems, including “Smog Mother” (Palimpsest, 2022). His book of essays on poetry and film, “The Elephant of Silence,” came out in spring 2024 with LSU Press. He works as a contract editor for Frontenac House, lectures in the Writing Program at Dartmouth College, and lives with his wife, philosopher Tiina Rosenqvist, in Vermont.

The Poetry Society of New Hampshire hosts an open mic event on the third Wednesday of each month from 4:30-6 p.m. and invites the local community to join for an afternoon of verse. Each installation features a different poet reading work before opening the mic up to audience members. The event is free and open to the public. Newcomers are welcomed and encouraged. Bring your favorite poem to read, or something you’ve been working on, or come with appreciative ears to listen.