HWA's President Rocky Wood has chosen Karen Lansdale to receive the 2011 Richard Laymon Award. Karen is recognized as one of the Founders of the HWA – indeed the Award is for her dedication and hard work at that time. "It's clear that Karen was the true driving force behind the successful launch of the HWA," Wood said.

According to one prominent writer who was there at the time, "In the eighties horror fans and writers were growing in leaps and bounds. It was a boom time. Rick McCammon thought it might be nice if there was an organization that catered to those writers. He had an idea called HOWL, The Horror and Occult Writers League. He put an ad out to see if there was interest. There was. A lot. Rick recognized he didn't have time to deal with such an endeavor. He told Karen Lansdale about his idea, and she jumped at it. She took his list and made a simple photo-copied newsletter and sent it those addresses. The response was phenomenal. At that moment in time Horror was as big as the Beatles.Over the next few months Karen set about acquiring articles from numerous writers in the field, and the organization was changed to The Horror Writers of America. Later, to The Horror Writer's Association. She talked to editors about the new endeavor, wrote short articles about HWA for 'Mystery Scene', drummed up interest at conventions, and set the election of officers in motion. As it grew, Dean Koontz offered to take over, invest some of his own money in making it more professional, and from there it developed into what it is today. Without Karen's contribution, and months of hard work, it wouldn't have happened. This was before computers were knocking out newsletters in minutes by switching this and moving that. It was photo-copied, stapled, put in envelopes, addressed, stamped and mailed out by one person-- Karen. The only thing Karen didn't do was deliver the mail herself. She might have, but at that time she was holding down a full time job as a fire department dispatcher and didn't have a mail pouch!"

Rocky Wood said, "In this 25th Anniversary year of the HWA's incorporation, there is no better person to recognize than Karen, without whose drive we would not be celebrating that anniversary. For that sterling service I as President, and our entire membership, show our respect and gratitude by bestowing the Richard Laymon Award."

Karen will receive the Award at the Bram Stoker Awards™ Banquet in Salt Lake City on March 31, 2012.

The Horror Writers Association is a worldwide organization promoting dark literature and its creators. It has over 700 members who write, edit and publish professionally in fiction, nonfiction, videogames, films, comics, and other media.

For more information about the HWA or the Bram Stoker Awards, please visit www.horror.org. More information on the Bram Stoker Awards Banquet is available at http://www.stokers2012.org/. Press inquiries to president@horror.org.

A group of horror writers and artists have banded together to scare up some seasonal treats for less fortunate children this year. Seeking to provide joy to the hearts of children who might otherwise have a bleak holiday season, they are throwing down the gauntlet and issuing a challenge. If you are willing to provide a toy for a child, you will then in return be put into a drawing to receive an incredible library which includes magazines, books, even some signed first editions, and other rare and limited literary goodies.

Toys for Tots is a charitable foundation that provides toys for children whose parents are unable to do so during difficult times. By gifting a child with something as simple as a toy you give hope to them and their family and show them there are people out there who do indeed care.

The rules are simple; folks post 2 pictures of them donating. One shot of them holding the toy, one picture of the toy in the box. To show that the donation is valid they need to see that the toy is indeed in the box so that you can be entered into the draw for the ever growing pile of prizes. Pictures should be posted on the group's Facebook page. Only one entry per person is allowed. The final drawing will have all names thrown into a hat and one winner, chosen at random, will be the lucky recipient.

All of the artists involved in donating their creations to this cause are doing this purely to help those in need and felt giving back in this manner would be a great way to spur on the true generosity of the holiday season. They are not involved in any organization, or group, but wanted to show that those that thrill and chill your spines the rest of the year have warm hearts that enjoy seeing joy and laughter in the faces of those less fortunate.

Thank you to all of those who are able to donate and know that one simple act of kindness can inspire a lifetime of generosity in kindness from those that receive it.

For more information, visit Joe Pulver at This Yellow Madness.

Visit Bad Santa artist, Kerem Beyit.

Joe R. Lansdale is the author of over twenty novels, the Edgar Award winner THE BOTTOMS, and the ever popular Hap and Leonard series (BAD CHILI, CAPTAINS OUTRAGEOUS) to name a few. He has penned countless short stories, chapbooks, graphic novels, screenplays, animated series work, and comic books. His work spanning western, horror, science fiction, suspense, and mystery has won him numerous awards including the British Fantasy Award, the American Mystery Award, the Grinzane Cavour Prize for Literature, and an impressive eight Bram Stoker Awards to name a few.

Iconic author and pioneer in transcending genre, Joe R. Lansdale blends lost dreams, death, thievery, and a trip down river on a raft with a Southern flair that only he can manage. With a plot that is reminiscent of the classic Mark Twain and Stephen King works combined - Edge of Dark Water is crime fiction at its best.

May Lynn was once a pretty girl who dreamed of becoming a Hollywood star. Now she's dead, her body dredged up from the Sabine River. Sue Ellen, May Lynn's strong-willed teenage friend, sets out to dig up May Lynn's body, burn it to ash, and take those ashes to Hollywood to spread around. If May Lynn can't become a star, then at least her ashes will end up in the land of her dreams. Along with her friends Terry and Jinx and her alcoholic mother, Sue Ellen steals a raft and heads downriver to carry May Lynn's remains to Hollywood.

Only problem is, Sue Ellen has some stolen money that her enemies will do anything to get back. Including avoiding a strange and relentless hired assassin called Skunk. What looks like a prime opportunity to escape from a worthless life will instead lead to disastrous consequences. In the end, Sue Ellen will learn a harsh lesson on just how hard growing up can really be.