RetroCon Recap and Autumnal Preparations

Welcome Autumn

When you receive this newsletter, the autumnal equinox will be a mere three days away, and as always, I plan to mark the occasion with food, drinks, and arms wide open in welcome.

The first day of autumn is the gateway to “Spooky Season.” This is the time of year when I truly start to feel the Halloween spirit.

Okay, listen. In my heart, yes, Halloween is every day. But if I’m being 100% honest, I don’t feel the spirit until the weather gets a bit chilly and the leaves start to turn. Some internal switch gets flipped and my entire body warms with memories of long hikes through auburn woods, hayrides through spooky forests, and drives to pumpkin patches.

In autumn, I take a hot cup of coffee outside and look into my backyard, where deer walk quietly between trees, and crows perch solemnly on crooked branches. I stand, breathing deeply of a chill air filled with sweet, leafy decay and far-off chimney smoke.

Somehow, nothing is better than this.

Autumn has come, and with it, my spirit is renewed.

Be sure to scroll down to the very bottom for free book giveaways and free book offers from various authors.

Welcome to Moon Hill

Hi, I’m Anthony J. Rapino, and I write horror stories. This newsletter is one of many ways to stay up to date with news of my upcoming work, but it’s also a place of nostalgia, reflection, and eternal Halloween. I hope you’ll share your own stories, horrific or otherwise, with me here.

This is your secret transmission from Moon Hill for the week of September 14th, 2026.

RetroCon Recap!

This past weekend was my first big trip in months, and I had an absolutely great time. I first met up with the rest of the RetroDaze team (minus our editor, Alyssa, who couldn’t make it).

Tony Grate (owner/producer) on the left, Jon Reddick (host) in the middle, and me on the right.

RetroCon, like so many other conventions, is a combination of vendors, panels, and celebrities. The vendors at this show are almost entirely selling toys, videos games, and merch related to the general “retro” moniker.

I’m not really one for celebrity autographs, so I spent the majority of my time wandering the hall, buying a few items, and playing the “freeplay” arcade games and pinball machines.

I may eventually make a short video for my YouTube channel to show off the few things I purchased, so you can follow the link to see if that video exists or not.

Some prime toy hunting later, I met up with a couple friends who happened to be at the same convention center, only for a very different event.

The Dream Asia festival was also a lot of fun, though admittedly the highlight for me was getting to hang out with my friends. We walked around, talking, and trying various food (Taiyaki, dumplings, special drinks, etc). Later we migrated to a local theater that had a bar, lounge, and arcade. A perfect ending to the day.

Sadly, I had to leave on Sunday to get back in town and prepare for the work week, but the two days I did get were a lot of fun.

Precipice of Nowhere

Kindle Pre-orders are Live! I’m so incredibly excited for the upcoming release of this, my first full length horror novel in over a decade! And you can pre-order your kindle edition today!

Halloween Scares at B&N!

Halloween Scares returns for another year of spooky reads. Ten horror authors will be signing and reading from their books. Free candy. Welcome to all ages.

Barnes & Noble Bookstore at the Arena Hub Plaza

Wilkes-Barre, PA

October 3rd

12-4 PM

This year’s authors include: Robert P Ottone, Grace Reynolds, Abby Vail, Hunter Shea, Meg Ripley, Matt Mercier, Todd Keisling, Anthony J. Rapino, and Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar.