Horror Author Crystal Connor Invites You To Her Cabin in the Woods Festival This Summer!

Washington native Crystal Connor is reinventing horror with her ideas. Author of the trilogy, The Darkness, she has more surprises in store for us this August. Get ready for a hair-raising experience tailored to your preference, and read more of Crystal’s unique, eerie stories.  

Currently residing in Seattle with her four-legged best friend, a terrier mix, Washington native Crystal Connor was born in Fort Lewis and has been writing horror since she was young. Growing up with media like The Twilight Zone and Goosebumps motivated her to start her own stories. She started as a marine propulsion diesel engineer working on a shipyard before her coworkers motivated her to write her first book. After publishing her second, she quit and is working on her writing full-time. Now she travels frequently for work, gathering inspiration from the experiences around her. Crystal has traveled to over 12 countries and you could call her a daredevil based on her adventures! welcomes adventure. From rock climbing and suspension bridges to her most recent hobby, white river rafting, Crystal is always ready to try something new!

Though writing is her passion, it has not always been easy for her. Historically, the industry has not been kind to Black authors and editors often try to adjust the plot so race isn’t as heavily featured or change the race of character of color. This is the trouble that Crystal ran into when publishing the first book in her trilogy, The Darkness. Told that her character wouldn’t resonate with audiences, she fought a difficult journey to write her story and keep its rights. “Your story will find your tribe”, said Crystal. Now she is a self-publishing, bestselling author and her trilogy has earned her multiple awards. 

Crystal now wants to share this opportunity with others, and make the space more welcoming for authors of color. All are welcome at her Cabin in the Woods film festival. “One thing that's universal is fear”, she says. “We are all united by fear.” Starting in August, you can participate online, or stay a few days in the Pacific Northwest for an all-inclusive retreat where you can personally meet Crystal and other Horror creators. Typically, large festivals don’t allow you to interact with content makers, so Crystal created a small, more intimate experience with the most people allowed to attend one event being 50. Watch exclusive films, get sneak peeks at books, and participate in mysterious activities as you immerse yourself in a truly unearthly experience. You can visit here to learn more information and sign up for the festival!

Crystal Connor knows how important it is for people to see themselves in her stories. Her characters are typically women of color, such as the women in her first book, The Darkness. In the book, two moms of completely different backgrounds wage a powerful war, for the fate of one child. Crystal’s writing isn’t defined by race, and though she stays in horror, it isn’t defined by genre either. Starting as a medical thriller, her trilogy twists and turns into a militaristic future that then leads others under the influence of someone much darker. 

When Crystal writes, she lets the story guide her. “The character tells me who they are.” She keeps an open mind, allowing anything and anyone to be her muses. In fact, her entire series was inspired by one line in a song, “the darkness is calling me and I can't control these feelings.” Being able to find inspiration anywhere is what encouraged Crystal to pursue her passions. Now she welcomes you into her world, to embrace your spooky and spiritual sides, and finally join. . . .The Darkness.