On Sunday, Oct. 18, the back room of East Rock Brewing Company at 285 Nicoll St. in New Haven buzzed with the energy of the third Skulltastic Book Fair. The free event, aimed at fans of horror, mystery, dark fantasy and science‑fiction, offered new and used titles, author signings and a chance to connect with fellow readers.
Local Visionary Behind the Fair
Skulltastic is the creation of Eric Bruce, owner of Weirdo Wonderland, a specialty shop that moved from Milford to Shelton in 2023. Bruce, a lifelong reader, started the shop after his personal collection outgrew his living room. “My to‑be‑read pile avalanched on top of me, and I realized I needed to let go of some of my books,” he said.
Bruce first organized author signings at his store, and growing interest led to the inaugural Skulltastic in 2023, held in an American Legion hall in Shelton. He estimates that 500‑600 people attended, prompting a search for a larger venue. A mutual acquaintance introduced him to East Rock Brewing, which was eager to host a Halloween‑appropriate gathering.
Authors, Vendors and Community Connections
The fair featured a variety of tables: independent booksellers with curated selections, a coffee vendor, and several local authors. Among them was nurse‑turned‑writer Tory Tallberg, who answered Bruce’s call for vendors and has returned each year. Tallberg wrote their first novel, Crowe County Hospital, during the pandemic shutdown and has since released two more titles, including the newly published The Thesis.
“I love the spooky book community,” Tallberg said. “Everyone knows each other and knows what’s up.” Their work aims at younger readers, inspired by seeing kids at conventions where they once were a participant.
Celebrating Physical Books in a Digital Age
Long‑time vendor Alesia of Fiddlehead Reclaim, an oddities dealer turned bibliophile, echoed the sentiment that physical books matter more than ever. “Books are very important in the digital world we’re living in,” she said. “Nothing is more satisfying than reading something in its physical format, especially in its original edition with the original cover art.”
Both Alesia and Bruce noted a resurgence of interest among younger readers who feel “over‑digitized” and tired of endless subscriptions. Bruce added, “I want the physical book. I want to smell the book, flip through the pages, actually own it, and not have it disappear when a streaming service stops paying royalties.”
Community Impact
Attendees left with armfuls of books and tote bags, a testament to the fair’s success in fostering a sense of community around tangible media. The event highlighted how local entrepreneurs, creators and readers can come together to support one another, reinforcing New Haven’s vibrant cultural scene.
The Skulltastic Book Fair will return next year, continuing its mission to celebrate genre literature and the joy of holding a book in your hands.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
