Each Spooky Season of our show's existence has marked a time of welcoming new listeners who have developed a taste for horror, are looking to get their fix of horror movie conversation, or are just discovering our show.
We've celebrated the Spooky Season here every October, but this year we're making things even bigger and reflecting on the journey that's taken us from our very first test recording with zero audience, to a passionate, thriving community.
Here's your guide to how to enjoy all of what the Spooky Season with Hack or Slash has in store for you.
Our 2023 Theme: "The Voyage"
This year holds great importance for us. It marks the first Friday the 13th of October since our show began back in 2017, making it a monumental anniversary for us. But it's not just about the anniversary; we are also celebrating the recording of our 300th episode, a remarkable milestone.
To honor this occasion, we are taking a look back at the films we covered in our early days. We will be revisiting these movies, introducing new patron perks, and extending the Spooky Season celebration to span two months.
Our Annual (New) Blood Drive
You may have heard this before, but it deserves repeating: the ultimate goal of our show is to foster an environment in which conversations about horror movies serve as catalysts for enriching connections between people.
The (New) Blood Drive is a celebration of those connections, the horror genre at large, our podcast anniversary, and the growth of our community. We turn up the dial on all of our efforts this time of year so we can show our gratitude for our listeners, but this year we're going even bigger.
Double-Double-Stuffed Lineup
We wanted to make things grand this year by finding more ways to bring you new episodes. As we reminisce about the films we've previously covered, our members will be treated to 9 weeks of Rewinds. We will revisit some of our earliest films, including the one we reviewed in our very first episode.
We'll also be doubling our lineup in October, featuring two episodes per week. That's a total of 24 episodes for your listening pleasure -- which is the equivalent of 6 months of content for us normally.
Community Events
Our Discord Server is going to be your central hub for engaging with our community. Last year we introduced live recordings and watch parties. We are continuing these events this year, with the addition of two exciting trivia nights dedicated to the Halloween Franchise. Our Historian Nathan will be leading the trivia, and the grand prizes he has prepared are truly exceptional. Stay tuned to the Events tab in our Discord to learn more.
Birthday Gifts
For the past two years, we have commissioned a special poster to commemorate our show's anniversary, and this year is no exception. Every new member who signs up for our premium tier between 9/1 and 10/31 (and remains a member) will receive their very own print.
Free-sides
If you're still undecided about becoming a member, why not test drive one of our best perks? After every episode, our members are treated to a bonus segment known as B-sides. B-sides are all about the extra content: pre-game chats, bloopers, and tangents that take us off the beaten path. Experience how the other half lives with Free-sides this Spooky Season!
A Literal Voyage: 2023 Live Show & Meetup
Finally, we are thrilled to announce our first-ever live, in-person meetup to commemorate our podcast's anniversary on Friday, October 13th in Orlando, Florida. We will be recording a live episode followed by a mixer where we can all connect and spend time together. The following night, several of us will be attending Halloween Horror Nights to enjoy the thrills and chills together!
Don't miss out on this opportunity to be a part of our Spooky Season celebration in person. This is your unique chance to make memories, forge new friendships, and immerse yourself in our community like never before.
Visit go.hackorslash.live/meetup to learn more and secure your ticket to the live show while they are still available.
As you can see, the 2023 Spooky Season promises to be incredibly fun, and we can't wait to see it come to life. Our (New) Blood Drive is more than just a celebration of our show—it's a celebration of you, our listeners, and the connections that have been built throughout the years.
Dive into the festivities, join our (New) Blood Drive, and let's make the 2023 Spooky Season the most memorable one yet. We can't wait to share it all with you, in person and online. Here's to the joy of horror, and the community we've built together. Happy Spooky Season!