COLUMBUS, OH — The Horror Writers Association (HWA) is bringing back its annual Summer Scares reading initiative for 2026, featuring a new spokesperson, an updated program schedule, and expanded support for libraries and schools across the country.
In partnership with “Booklist,” “Book Riot,” iREAD, and NoveList, a division of EBSCO Information Services, Summer Scares connects readers to horror fiction through curated book lists for adults, teens, and middle-grade readers.
This year’s spokesperson is Jennifer McMahon, the New York Times bestselling author known for psychological thrillers such as “The Drowning Kind’ and “The Children on the Hill.”
“When I was a kid, I checked a book out of my local library that had a spell in the back to become a werewolf… I thought it would be easier to grow fangs and claws than to deal with all the messy human stuff,” McMahon said. “I cast the spell and was profoundly disappointed when it didn’t work. But there was other magic on those library shelves—doors to other worlds; worlds where ghosts and monsters and terrible things waited for me and taught me not just to face my own fears, but to come out on the other side stronger. Turns out I don’t need to go full-on werewolf to feel changed—I just need to lose myself in a great spooky story. So I’m thrilled to be here with Summer Scares, inviting you to come on this reading journey with me—transformation into a werewolf not guaranteed.”
McMahon joins a committee of six library professionals who will select three fiction titles for each of three age groups—adult, teen, and middle grade—for a total of nine official Summer Scares picks. The 2026 selections will be announced on Library Lover’s Day, Feb. 14, 2026.
McMahon and featured authors will launch the program during the 10th Annual HWA Librarians’ Day, held June 5, 2026, at StokerCon 2026 at the Westin Pittsburgh.
The 2026 program will include:
- Free webinars in collaboration with Booklist
- Podcast appearances featuring authors and librarians
- Curated reading lists for all age groups
- A downloadable Summer Scares Programming Guide, launching March 1, 2026
Developed by HWA Library Committee Co-Chair Konrad Stump, the Programming Guide will feature event ideas, author connections, and reading group suggestions, along with iREAD partner titles for each age category.
“From author events to book discussions, this guide is a roadmap for creating meaningful, engaging experiences for readers,” Stump said.
Previous Summer Scares titles, programming guides, and spokespeople are available on the RA for All Horror blog. Updates will be shared through Booklist, Book Riot, iREAD, NoveList®, and the HWA website.
