Brian Paone

An Author Who Doesn't Stay in His Lane

Fredericksburg Book Festival
Oct
3
10:00 AM10:00

Fredericksburg Book Festival

The Fredericksburg Independent Book Festival (FiBF) was born from a simple yet powerful reality: independent authors need a platform to showcase their work and connect with readers.

After attending the Gaithersburg Book Festival, founder James Noll recognized a common challenge faced by indie authors: they are often on our their when it comes to promotion. Inspired by the thriving arts scene in Fredericksburg, he set out to create a literary event that would celebrate independent authors and their contributions to storytelling.

On September 24, 2016, FiBF held its inaugural event at Riverfront Park, drawing over 800 attendees and 100+ authors in its first year. With the help of fellow authors Amy Bayne and Chris Jones, the festival quickly became a premier literary event, providing a vibrant space for authors, publishers, and book lovers to connect. While Amy has since moved on from the festival, her contributions as a founding member helped lay the groundwork for its ongoing success.

Since then, the festival has grown tremendously, peaking at over 2,500 attendees in 2025. Now in its ninth year, FiBF continues to thrive, bringing together a diverse community of writers, readers, and industry professionals. With a steadfast commitment to supporting independent voices, the Fredericksburg Independent Book Festival has no plans to slow down.

Join them as they celebrate the power of independent storytelling!

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Annapolis First Sunday Arts Festival
Oct
4
11:00 AM11:00

Annapolis First Sunday Arts Festival

First Sunday Arts Festivals bring over 150 vendors to Inner West Street, Calvert Street and People's Park from May through November. Visitors can stroll the street, shop for hand-made creative art, enjoy a variety of music from local musicians on multiple stages, and feast on local culinary delights.

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Marked in Darkness Paracon
Oct
17
10:00 AM10:00

Marked in Darkness Paracon

Marked in Darkness transforms multiple floors of the Scranton Cultural Center into a full-day experience centered around oddities, horror, the paranormal, and the bizarre.

This is not just a vendor event. It’s an atmosphere.

Throughout the day, you’ll explore multiple floors filled with immersive attractions, live entertainment, featured guests, and 70 carefully curated vendors—all designed to pull you deeper into the world we’ve built.

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Frightreads Book Festival
Oct
24
to Oct 25

Frightreads Book Festival

  • Howard County Fairgrounds (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Terrify yourself at Fright Reads Book Festival! Veteran-owned and operated, this festival of horror, science fiction, fantasy, dystopia, and thrillers will have you screaming with delight! Featuring authors, actors, artists, and creators of all kinds, this event is family-friendly and full of spine-tingling fun! Come see why we're MARYLAND'S NUMBER ONE HALLOWEEN BOOK FESTIVAL!!!

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ESWA Holiday Book Festival
Nov
7
12:00 PM12:00

ESWA Holiday Book Festival

Open from Noon to 4 p.m., the ESWA Holiday Book Festival at Cult Classic will offer book lovers an opportunity to connect with their favorite authors from all over Delmarva and discover new voices across a variety of genres. There will be books for sale, signings, and a scavenger hunt with giveaways. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy the host location’s food, beverages, and hospitable cheer throughout the day.

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Dark Drafts Festival
Jan
22
to Jan 24

Dark Drafts Festival

  • Bube's Brewery & Catacombs (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Step into a world of chilling tales and atmospheric ales at The Dark Drafts Festival in January. Join us at the historic Bube’s Brewery for a spine-tingling weekend celebrating horror literature like never before. From exclusive VIP access to evening delights, this event offers something for every fan of the macabre. Meet your favorite authors, discover new reads, and enjoy a truly haunting experience.

I will be selling and signing all 14 of my titles.

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Squatchman's Squatch Fest
Feb
26
to Feb 27

Squatchman's Squatch Fest

  • Ferdinand Community Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

I will be vending, selling and signing all my books—but most specifically my paranormal sasquatch novel, UnPacking the Ditto House.

Squatchman's Squatch Fest 2027 isn't just another Bigfoot conference, it's a celebration of the legend, the community, and the people who keep the search alive.

Join researchers, investigators, enthusiasts, and curious newcomers from across the country for a weekend dedicated to one of the world's most enduring mysteries. Hear from celebrity speakers as they share their experiences, discoveries, and perspectives. Explore an incredible vendor hall filled with unique merchandise, artwork, books, gear, and collectibles. Take part in an interactive Celebrity Town Hall where your questions drive the conversation, enjoy an exclusive VIP Dinner with special guests, and experience a weekend packed with surprises, special events, and unforgettable moments.

More than anything, Squatchman's Squatch Fest is about bringing the Bigfoot community together under one roof. Whether you've spent decades in the field or you're simply fascinated by the legend, you'll find a welcoming atmosphere where stories are shared, friendships are made, ideas are exchanged, and the passion for Bigfoot is celebrated.

Come for the speakers. Stay for the community. Leave with memories that will last long after the footprints fade.

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FLS-Con
Apr
9
to Apr 11

FLS-Con

The crew who brought you FantaSci is back—and we’ve set coordinates for a brand-new location!

We’re thrilled to announce an all-new celebration of science fiction, immersive gaming, and hands-on STEM education. Whether you’re a veteran convention-goer or a first-time attendee, prepare for an unforgettable weekend where imagination meets innovation.

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AwesomeCon
Apr
23
to Apr 25

AwesomeCon

  • Walter E Convention Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Awesome Con is Washington DC’s Pop Culture Con! A 3-Day celebration of geek culture, bringing over 65,000 fans together with their favorite stars from across comics, movies, TV, toys, games, and more!

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NIGHT 2: Book Release Party - Fort Duffield
May
16
7:00 PM19:00

NIGHT 2: Book Release Party - Fort Duffield

Join Ernie and Denise Pack of Packman Paranormal, along with their paranormal family of Todd and LeAnne Escue of The Black Wolf Paranormal and the one and only Squatchman himself, Greg Yost, for a special edition of Spirits, Squatches and Stories Around the Campfire at historic Fort Duffield to celebrate the book release of my second book in the A Get Haunted Tale Series: Unpacking the Ditto House . Gather around the firepit to hear a brief history of the fort and stories of the hauntings associated with the area. Hear tales and theories of the Forest People from renowned Squatchman Greg Yost. Explore this ground that takes on a whole new feeling and look under the moonlight. Past events have delivered remarkable encounters of all types and amazing evidence captured by guests. Bring the right energy and you never know where the night might lead!

Meet the characters of the book in person, along with getting your copy of the new book signed by me!

Specific times and ticket information coming shortly.

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NIGHT 1: Book Release Party - Ditto House
May
15
12:00 PM12:00

NIGHT 1: Book Release Party - Ditto House

Get Haunted Presents Unpacking the Ditto House Book Release Party. Join us for a paranormal and historic tour of West Point, KY, then an overnight ghost hunt inside KY’s most haunted house: the Ditto House! All celebrating the release of the next book in the A Get Haunted Tale series!

Meet the characters of the book in person, along with getting your copy of the new book signed by me!

Specific times and ticket information coming shortly. VIPs will have the ghoulish honor of sleeping at the Ditto House!

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AwesomeCon
Mar
13
to Mar 15

AwesomeCon

  • WALTER E. WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

I will be a featured author, selling and signing all of my novels at my booth. And the DeLorean will be present as well for photos inside and outside the car.

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StellarCon
Nov
15
11:00 AM11:00

StellarCon

I will be at StellarCon this year, selling and signing all of my novels inside the building. The DeLorean will be on site as well, however for outside photo ops only. The DeLorean will not be available for passenger-sitting photos.

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C3: Creatures, Crimes & Creativity Con
Sep
19
to Sep 21

C3: Creatures, Crimes & Creativity Con

  • Doubletree Hilton Hotel (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Our purpose is to gather readers and writers of genre fiction–mystery, suspense, thriller, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal – to meet in an informal atmosphere so that everyone can have fun connecting, and learning about writing, the authors and their books. The conference offers panels on the craft and business of writing as well as panels tailored to engage and entertain fans. The registration fee includes Friday’s dinner, 3 meals Saturday and Sunday breakfast, so readers and writers dine side-by-side.  Plus: keynote addresses, author interviews, an onsite bookstore, two giant book signings and readings open to the public.

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HOWLERS! release date
Sep
13
10:00 AM10:00

HOWLERS! release date

My 12th overall novel will be titled HOWLERS! with a release date of Sept 13. It is the novelization of a real movie score to a film called Howlers that doesn't actually exist. (Confused yet? Trust me, it'll be hysterical.) It's my first venture into a comedy / mockumentary-style story (think of a This is Spinal Tap format but about a werewolf movie from 1986 that doesn't really exist.)

Release date will be during FrightReads Book Festival, along with the band hiphopmcdougal who wrote the Howler's score performing a set on Sept 14, to include the Howler's theme song. (Yes, all of that is real and not part of the fake mocumentary of the book)

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"These Walls Still Talk" book release party @ Missouri State Penitentiary + Overnight Ghost Hunt w/ Get Haunted
Jun
21
to Jun 22

"These Walls Still Talk" book release party @ Missouri State Penitentiary + Overnight Ghost Hunt w/ Get Haunted

  • Missouri State Penitentiary (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Ghost-hunting professionals, Get Haunted (from PA), presents my These Walls Still Talk book release party/book signing at the Missouri State Penitentiary. Join me and Get Haunted and the MSP staff for an 8-hour overnight ghost hunt in America’s most-haunted prison! And meet the real-life characters from the novel. We will have giveaways, food & drinks, games, and most of all, a detailed tour of all the buildings and locations where the novel takes place and the specific spots where I spent 8 weeks writing the book inside the penitentiary. Then you will be allowed free roam to ghost hunt on your own, or with me, or with the amazing MSP staff, or with the Get Haunted crew and all their high-end hunting gear. There will be limited tickets available! Get them here:

These Walls Still Talk - Missouri State Pennitentiary (xtremeticketing.com)

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