HWA was formed in 1985 with the help of several prominent horror writers, including Joe R. Lansdale, Robert McCammon, and Dean Koontz, although it was not formally incorporated until 1987, the year it first gave Bram Stoker Awards.

[1] HWA now has members and regional chapters throughout North America, Europe, Australia, South Africa, Russia, and Asia, which led to the current name of the organization.

One of HWA's missions is to encourage public interest in and foster an appreciation of quality horror and dark fantasy literature.

To that end, HWA offers information on their Web site, they sponsor or take part in occasional public readings and lectures.

[5] In October 2020, the HWA announced its partnership with United For Libraries, Book Riot, and Booklist as it launched its Summer Scares Reading Program.