James Sabata is the Founder and Director of Spirited Giving. Spirited Giving started in 2022 as a way for the horror community to come together the night before StokerCon and have some laughs. The pandemic had taken a very large toll on all of us and for many of us, it was our first in-person event. We were at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO.  Laurel Hightower and Gemma Amor helped ensure the event was a success.

In 2024, Spirited Giving is James Sabata, Bridget D. Brave, Laurel Hightower, and Vincent V. Cava, along with a long list of people who provide insight, ideas, sponsorship opportunities, and more.

Spirited Giving is May 29th.
Doors will open at 3:00 pm.
The event will start at 4:00 pm.
The show will end at 8:30 pm.
The meet and greet/book signing event will run 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm.

While I appreciate everyone's enthusiasm, this is the question I get the most. Our guests were locked down several months ago (and they almost got out!). While there is always the possibility that life happens and someone has to cancel, we already have measures in place for such occurrances. As such, at the current time, Spirited Giving is not open to guest requests. 

If you find me at StokerCon, we can talk about the possibility of the future...

YES! The guests will be tabling and selling books from 8:30 - 9:30 the night of the event. You will be able to purchase books, get them signed, get selfies with the authors (if they're open to it), etc. You can bring your own items to sign as well, but please limit it to two non-purchased items, as there is a large crowd with a very limited window of time.

Food and drink are included with the ticket price.
Due to cost and running a fundraiser where every penny counts, food is mostly limited to smaller party food. Soda and water are complimentary.
There will be no alcohol served at this event.

There are many reasons we decided against serving alcohol this year.
Cost - Most of the alcohol quotes provided to us made us cover the cost up front, resulting in an open bar. We cannot afford an open bar for 300 people.
Responsibility - It feels very irresponsible to provide an open bar to people and then expect them to drive back to the StokerCon Hotel. I'm not spending my weekend thinking about how my actions resulted in someone's death or injury.
The Library - While the library does allow alcohol at their events, given that ours starts at 3pm, it seemed very irresponsible to have alcohol on the premises when there is a literal high school on the property. We're also not there to deal with anyone who gets out of control.
You're in the Gaslamp District - Our event runs until 9:30pm. You can easily find twenty places to grab a drink immediately following the event.
Respect - Not serving alcohol means there are fewer outbursts and issues while our author guests are trying to read/perform.

The overall number of tickets available for this event is only 250 tickets.
This is 50 fewer tickets than the 2022 event.

Unfortunately, because everything is on a donation basis, we do not offer refunds on Spirited Giving tickets. This is noted on the sales form and on this website. We cannot risk needing to refund money that has already been given to the library.

Yes. You can learn more about it by clicking the ANTHOLOGY tab at the top of the page or clicking HERE. Shadows In The Stacks will feature 21 horror authors and is edited by Vincent V. Cava, James Sabata, and Jared Sage.

Oh wow! I'm so glad you asked this. I didn't know how to bring it up. Yes, there absolutely will. And it will absolutely affect parking prices at and around the library.

It is my understanding parking at/near the library will be limited, even in the parking garage, and will cost around $60 a carload. I highly suggest finding other ways to get there or carpooling.

At this time, there is nothing official. If that changes, I will update this site as well as announcing it in my newsletter.
However, I highly suggest looking into using the San Diego Trolley as it is inexpensive and runs directly to the event and very near the StokerCon Hotel. The Mission Valley Center Station is approximately a seven minute walk to the StokerCon Hotel.
Uber and Lift are, of course, also an option.

I am not qualified to give you tax advise, but I can tell you with no uncertainty that Spirited Giving is NOT a registered 501c3 non-profit. I would not suggest doing so.

It's in San Diego. The weather will be wonderful. But yes, if needed, the auditorium has air conditioning.

At this exact second, the best way to help is or to share information about this event.

We also need cash donations (personal, organization, or even a suggestion of someone you know who might being willing to sponsor the event).

If things change and we find more ways everyone can help, I will update this section.