On Saturday, October 19, 2024, we were proud to welcome best-selling author Grady Hendrix to the Southern Gothic Festival for a keynote that proved to be one of the weekend’s defining moments. Held at the Arts Center of Kershaw County (810 Lyttleton Street), the event, titled “Southern Gothic is Coming for You,” was free to attend and filled to capacity, drawing horror fans, literary enthusiasts, and curious locals into a room charged with anticipation.
Hendrix, known for cult favorites like My Best Friend’s Exorcism, The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, and How to Sell a Haunted House, delivered a talk that was as entertaining as it was haunting. With his signature humor and deep reverence for Southern storytelling, he explored everything from Lowcountry legends and regional folklore to the dark heart of family secrets and the peculiar power of place.
The auditorium buzzed with energy throughout the evening, and even more so afterward. Hendrix remained onsite for a lively book signing and Q&A, spending time with guests who lined up to share stories, ask questions, and have their favorite novels inscribed.
The evening captured what we set out to celebrate: the atmospheric, the literary, the folkloric, and the unapologetically Southern. Grady Hendrix’s appearance was more than a keynote. It was a communal moment of recognition that our strangest stories are often our most meaningful.