The Forum is Appalachian HorrorFest’s program for expert exchange, professional insight, and community dialogue. Presented as a structured series of themed panels, it brings together authors, paranormal investigators, storytellers, folklorists, and creative professionals whose work shapes the evolving landscape of Appalachian horror.

Each session features focused presentations followed by open Q&A, giving attendees direct access to specialists across a wide range of disciplines. Author presentations explore craft, process, and the cultural influence of regional horror writing. Paranormal panels examine research, field investigation, and the lived experiences that inform modern supernatural discourse. Storytelling panels follow the arc of Appalachian narrative tradition, from family held oral histories to the work of contemporary writers and performers who keep those voices alive. They explore how memory, place, and shared experience shape a story’s force and anchor modern horror. Presenters outline the core elements of strong narrative craft with structure, pacing, voice, and clarity of intention.

Attendees leave with a genuine sense of enjoyment, having moved through a wide range of panels that showcase the breadth and creativity of Appalachian horror. The variety keeps the experience engaging, offering fresh insight and inspiration no matter which corner of the genre they’re drawn to.