Hunter said the convention is a great setting both to advertise the books her companies publish and to meet new writers looking for an outlet. In addition, Hunter noted that small publishing companies are creating new ways to distribute work.

"We publish Dark Recesses (a horror anthology) twice a year in book format, and twice a year as a PDF on our Web site," Hunter said. "The electronic version is available for free. ... Having both formats widens our writers' audience," while maintaining a revenue stream for publishers and writers.

Dark Recesses' latest printed issue has six pieces of fiction that are illustrated, plus interviews, book reviews and some nonfiction articles.

Bradley Williams is a father of five, a Box Elder High School teacher and, for the last 15 years, an artist who creates illustrations for the fantasy and horror story realm.

Williams was at the convention to show his work, talk to writers and other illustrators and make contacts in the business. His previous work includes illustrations for "Magic: The Gathering," a popular role-playing game based on cards that had its heyday in the '90s.

More recently, Williams has been illustrating books that are the basis of a new role-playing movement. White Wolf is a company that has created a whole line of alternate worlds in which role-playing games are conducted. Williams illustrates works of fiction that are published by the company and used by its customers to establish new storylines and scenarios in ever-evolving, character-based gaming. Two of the most popular lines are the "Vampire: The Requiem" and "Werewolf: The Forsaken" series. People involved in this gaming arena take their characters seriously, and Williams hears about it if they don't like where he takes things in his illustrations.

"If they like what I've done and think I've presented a character in a way that fits their vision, they're happy and excited," Williams said. "If they think I blew it, or a character they like gets killed off ... I get an earful."

Williams had sketches, drawings, sculptures and oil paintings of maidens, monsters and magical creatures on display.

A group of Salt Lake gamers were hosting their own table at the convention Saturday and are dedicated to more than the creation of complex characters that interact in a conjured world.

Salt Lake City's Camarilla group uses the White Wolf story lines for the basis of its gaming, held every Tuesday and Thursday on the University of Utah campus. And they encourage participants to hone their skills in the theatrical arts as well as writing, sketching, photography and design. They also expect member gamers to elevate their skill in community awareness and support.

Tiffany Pusatello, Stacie Bullough and Megan Smith are all members of the gaming group and are most proud of their accomplishments in the realm of giving back.

"Our charity efforts have broken records," Smith said. "We've helped by raising money and encouraging members to do things like get involved in the Bear Hugs project." Project Bear Hug is an international charity program that works to provide stuffed animals for underprivileged children.

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E-mail: araymond@desnews.com