In the literary world, the intersection of dark fiction, community engagement, and specialized merchandise has evolved into a high-art cultural phenomenon. Few authors navigate this space with as much visceral energy and direct-to-consumer flair as bestselling author Chuck Wendig. As the late-summer literary calendar heats up, Wendig has officially pulled back the curtain on the merchandise line for his upcoming promotional campaign. Dubbed "The Calamities" tour—and colloquially, irreverently rechristened the "BEST FIENDS FOREVER" tour—the cross-country author trek is set to kick off in mid-August.
To mark the occasion, Wendig has collaborated once more with acclaimed merch designer Jordan Shiveley—whom the author playfully refers to as the "demon" responsible for conjuring the designs—to release an expansive, multi-tiered collection of apparel and commemorative print media. Available now via the dedicated Wendig x Voidmerch portal, the new drop follows on the heels of the wildly successful merchandise campaign for Black River Orchard.
The rollout arrives just weeks before the author embarks on an aggressive two-wave itinerary that will span major metropolitan hubs, specialty independent bookstores, and high-profile literary festivals across North America. From Philadelphia to Ottawa, readers will have the opportunity to secure signed copies of Wendig’s latest works, engage in discussions concerning dark speculative fiction, and sport custom apparel designed explicitly to celebrate the author’s macabre universe. This report provides a comprehensive breakdown of the tour schedule, an analysis of the newly unveiled merchandise collection, insight into purchasing signed editions, and a forecast of what attendees can expect from one of speculative fiction’s most dynamic live events.
Detailed Chronology & Itinerary
The "Best Fiends Forever" tour is structured as a robust, multi-phase expedition designed to bring Wendig’s unique brand of storytelling directly to core readerships and emerging literary communities alike. Rather than sticking strictly to traditional coastal strongholds, the itinerary purposefully carves out paths through the American Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic, the Rocky Mountain region, and into Canada.
Wave One: The Late-Summer Sweep (August – September)
The first wave of the tour ignites in mid-August, establishing a rapid-fire pace that sees Wendig hitting nearly a dozen and a half key cultural and literary destinations:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Kicking off the campaign in the historic heart of the Mid-Atlantic.
New York City, New York: Bringing the dark gospel to the publishing capital.
Doylestown, Pennsylvania: A homecoming of sorts for regional events, featuring a special appearance at Dark Ink.
Harrisburg & Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Traversing the Commonwealth to connect with readers across the Keystone State.
Cincinnati, Ohio: Bringing speculative fiction to the Queen City.
Chicago Area, Illinois: Engaging the vast Midwestern readership in the Windy City orbit.
Milwaukee & Madison, Wisconsin: A dual-city Wisconsin run celebrating regional horror and sci-fi fandom.
Minneapolis, Minnesota: Stopping in the literary-heavy Twin Cities.
Denver, Colorado: Scaling the altitude to meet fans in the Rockies.
St. Louis, Missouri: Bridging the Midwest and the Great Plains.
Charlotte Area, North Carolina: A major festival appearance anchoring the southern leg at the Belmont Litfest.
Wave Two: The Autumn Extension (October)
As the weather turns crisp and the calendar shifts into October—prime season for dark, atmospheric fiction—Wendig will extend his footprint into several marquee conventions and regional hubs:
New York Comic Con (NYCC): A massive convergence point for pop culture, comic, and speculative fiction enthusiasts.
Ottawa, Canada (Can*Con): Crossing the northern border to engage with the Canadian speculative fiction community at the premier speculative literature conference.
Hudson Valley, New York: Exploring the storied, gothic-adjacent landscapes of upstate New York.
New Hampshire & Burlington, Vermont: A picturesque New England run bringing chilling narratives to the Northeast corridor.
Readers and prospective attendees are encouraged to consult the official Chuck Wendig Appearances Page for up-to-the-minute scheduling adjustments, ticketing information, and venue specifications.
Supporting Context & Merchandise Metrics
The financial and cultural viability of modern author tours relies heavily on ancillary revenue streams, with bespoke merchandise serving as both a marketing tool and a collectible commodity. Following the positive reception of the Black River Orchard merch line, Wendig recognized an appetite among his readership for high-end, artist-driven apparel that reflects the aesthetic of his fictional worlds.
Partnering with designer Jordan Shiveley via the Voidmerch platform, the new collection steps away from generic promotional t-shirts in favor of distinct stylistic tiers. The catalog currently features three unique apparel variations alongside a collector’s edition poster print, balancing dark, menacing iconography with tongue-in-cheek charm.
The Collection Breakdown
The Crimson Court / Heavy Metal Aesthetic:
Designed for the die-hard fan looking for a bold, uncompromising visual statement, this flagship design embraces classic black-metal and dark-fantasy motifs. Available primarily in classic black blanks via Threadless, it acts as the visual anchor for the tour’s darker themes.
The "Cuter" Variation:
Balancing the grimdark elements of Wendig’s bibliography with a more approachable, stylized graphic treatment, this mid-tier option caters to fans who prefer a cleaner, illustrative look on extra-soft cotton garments.
The "Even Cuter" Club Wendig Edition:
A playful subversion of traditional horror branding, this design leans into community-building iconography—dubbed the "Club Wendig" look—establishing an inclusive, club-like identity for the author’s readership base.
The Special Edition Tour Poster:
For collectors unable to wear their fandom on their sleeves, Shiveley and Wendig have produced a striking, high-contrast vertical art print. Measuring with standard framing dimensions in mind, the poster captures the chaotic, mythological energy of The Calamities.
All items are currently live and available for order through the official Wendig x Voidmerch Collection. Attendees are explicitly encouraged by the author to secure their gear early and wear it proudly to their respective tour stops.
Official Statements & Authorial Perspective
In true Chuck Wendig fashion, the announcement of the tour and its accompanying merchandise was delivered with characteristic wit, self-deprecation, and urgency. Writing on his blog, Wendig framed the tour not merely as a book-signing series, but as an evangelical mission for the macabre:
"I come to spread the gospel of the fiends and demons to thee, lost souls!" Wendig proclaimed, before humorously clarifying his creative backing: (And by ‘the demons,’ I mean, my excellent merch designer, Jordan Shiveley.)
Beyond the humor, Wendig underscored the logistical reality of independent publishing and mid-list author survival in the modern ecosystem, pairing his trademark banter with a sincere plea for reader engagement:
"Please check out the book! Or I perish in the great abyss!"
When discussing the programming for the live events, Wendig promised an unpredictable, highly entertaining evening. While formats will vary by venue, attendees can expect unscripted discussions touching upon the core pillars of his writing: "demons and apples, probably." The focus remains firmly on fostering an interactive dialogue with local literary communities, breaking down the barrier between author and audience through shared spaces and localized conversations.
Future Outlook & How to Secure Signed Editions
As the publishing landscape continues to grapple with shifting distribution models and retail consolidation, the physical book tour remains an irreplaceable touchstone for community building. For Chuck Wendig, the "Best Fiends Forever" tour represents a concerted effort to reach underserved markets—hitting territories and venues that have historically missed out on major author caravans.
For fans unable to attend a live date in person, or those looking to secure physical keepsakes ahead of the rush, multiple acquisition pathways have been established:
Signed Tour Stock: Many of the independent bookstores hosting stops on the tour itinerary will carry pre-signed inventory. Fans should check directly with their local tour-stop venue for reservation details.
Direct-to-Door Delivery: For readers nationwide, Wendig’s primary local independent bookstore, The Doylestown Bookshop, is facilitating direct mail-orders for signed copies. Interested buyers can secure orders via the Doylestown Bookshop Product Page.
Merchandise Pre-Orders: The Voidmerch store will remain active throughout the duration of the touring cycle, though fans attending early-wave events are advised to order immediately to ensure delivery before their local date.
As mid-August approaches, the anticipation surrounding The Calamities continues to build. Whether through purchasing a piece of Jordan Shiveley’s apparel, securing a signed volume from Doylestown, or packing out a local venue in Chicago, Denver, or Ottawa, readers are preparing to plunge headfirst into the abyss—armored in fresh cotton and ready for the gospel of the fiends.
