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Program

THIS IS NOT THE PAGE YOU USE TO ACCESS THE CONVENTION. TO ATTEND A SESSION, GO TO THE ATTEND PAGE.

A few notes to help you understand our program:

  • Between being international, daylight saving, and the general fuzziness of time, it is our experience that referencing time mostly only causes more confusion. We’ve assigned every hour of the convention a number, starting with 0, and schedule items accordingly. We will refer to what time things are by the number of the hour they’re scheduled during. To see a chart of the hours and what that time is for you, look at the “Time” tab below.
  • Some items on our program, mostly workshops and Chill-n-chat sessions, have a limited capacity. We assign those seats by lottery. You cannot attend those sessions without acquiring a seat through the lottery. (In the case of sessions that don’t fill up during the lottery, direct signup will be offered.) Those sessions are not listed in the main schedule tab. Check the “Lotteried Sessions” tab and the “Lottery Calendar” for information about those sessions.
  • Both calendars will display sessions at the time and date they are occurring in your time zone. The calendar displays are not compatible with all screen readers.
Main Program
TitleDescriptionPresenterSpeakerModeratorTypeTracksTagsScheduled HoursHashtagRelease Status
Dialogue: Language Politics in the Arts and the IndustryLinguists discuss linguistics and sociolinguistics, with a focus on how they play out in the real world. How have the politics around language shaped art through time, and what are the current trends in the industry?Maria Picone, CD CovingtonPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary💭 Analysis, 📚 Facts04/14/2023 12:00 PM4/14/2023 1:00 PM#LanguagePoliticsPanelWill Be Released
So You Want To Start a PodcastYou’ve been saying you’ve wanted to do it for years—now’s the time to get started! A panel of podcasters sharing tips and tricks for embarking on your very own podcast journey.Valerie Valdes, Jean-Paul GarnierJennifer SpirkoPanel📻 Non-Fiction A/V, 🎧 Narrative A/V⚙️ Skills04/14/2023 12:00 PM4/14/2023 1:00 PM#PodcastStartTalkWill Be Released
ReadingJennifer HudakReading🎉 Squee04/14/2023 12:00 PM4/14/2023 1:00 PMN/A
ReadingA.L. GoldfussReading🎉 Squee04/14/2023 12:00 PM4/14/2023 1:00 PMN/A
Co-Working: Warm-upsStretch those creative muscles with a warm-up of your choice. Bring a sketchbook, do some journaling or freewriting, or doodle! During this session we'll chat and share some warm-up techniques, and then settle in to start getting creative.Co-Working👥 Community04/14/2023 12:00 PM4/14/2023 1:00 PMN/A
Making it Sound GoodEditors (and writers) give advice for how a writer can improve their prose at a word and sentence level. How to choose better wording, phrasing, and structure to make prose come alive. This will include examples of paragraphs or sections of prose before and after editing, with discussion on how and why changes were made.Valerie Valdes, M.C. Benner DixonAimee OgdenPanel❗ Editing🔧 Craft14/14/2023 1:00 PM4/14/2023 2:00 PM#SoundGoodWill Be Released
How to Find TranslatorsAre you looking for translators for a project but don't know where to start? Join these translators and editors as they talk about the process of finding translators. They're not elusive cryptids, but finding the right translators for your particular project presents its own challenges!Neil Clarke, CD CovingtonEwen MaPanel👂 Translation, ❗ Editing💲 Industry Biz14/14/2023 1:00 PM4/14/2023 2:00 PM#FindTranslatorsWill Have Limited Release
Form PoetryThe structure of a poem can say so much! Our poets will discuss what forms they love, love to hate, and find most useful for creating speculative poetry in particular.Akua Lezli HOPE, Wendy Van Camp, Maria PiconeMeg KuyattPanel🖋 Writing🔧 Craft14/14/2023 1:00 PM4/14/2023 2:00 PM#FormPoetryPanelWill Have Limited Release
Accessibility for Narrative WorkThere are a variety of considerations when it comes to accessibility for narrative work, from content notes to cultural context. These panelists discuss the problems, and some of their solutions,Tenacity Plys, Jennifer SpirkoCourtney FloydPanel🎧 Narrative A/V, 🦹 Comics, 🖋 Writing🔧 Craft14/14/2023 1:00 PM4/14/2023 2:00 PM#NarrativeAccessibilityWill Be Released
ReadingLP KindredReading🎉 Squee14/14/2023 1:00 PM4/14/2023 2:00 PMN/A
ReadingSarah GaileyReading🎉 Squee14/14/2023 1:00 PM4/14/2023 2:00 PMN/A
Horror and IdentityWhat is horrific can be different for everyone, based on factors such as culture, gender and gender identity, class, race, ability, and so many other factors. This panel will explore core concepts of what makes horror horrific, what are we afraid of, and how this can manifest differently (or similarly) for individuals of various identities.Ai Jiang, Eden Royce, Julia Rios, Xueting NiEugenia TriantafyllouPanel🖋 Writing💭 Analysis24/14/2023 2:00 PM4/14/2023 3:00 PM#HorrorIdentityWill Have Limited Release
Making Found FamiliesA discussion of the popular trope of found families, and some of our favorite examples thereof. What makes a found family work, and what makes us as readers/viewers love them so much? What are the dynamics of a found family, and when do we distinguish between a group of heroes, and family?Rosemary Jones, Greg Clumpner, Jennifer SpirkoEllis SaxeyPanel🖋 Writing💭 Analysis, 🔧 Craft24/14/2023 2:00 PM4/14/2023 3:00 PM#MakeFoundFamilyWill Be Released
State of Speculative Fiction TranslationTranslators and editors working in the field discuss the state of translation in speculative fiction today. What challenges are present today for translators and for for publishing speculative fiction in translation? How have things changed in the industry over the last few years, and what's on the horizon?Yilin Wang, Neil ClarkeAnaea LayPanel👂 Translation💲 Industry Biz24/14/2023 2:00 PM4/14/2023 3:00 PM#SpecFicTranslationWill Have Limited Release
Live Demo: Copyediting That Makes Us Our BestA demonstration of copy editing that is a reflection of current language and makes us our best. (Not always the best grammar, but the best humans)Laura BlackwellPresentation❗ Editing🔧 Craft, 🗣️ Presentation24/14/2023 2:00 PM4/14/2023 3:00 PM#CopyeditingLiveDemoWill Be Released
Fiction Pitching SessionA chance to pitch your story idea(s) live to industry professionals from Water Dragon Publishing and receive instant (and constructive) feedback. This is a drop-in/drop-out session. Observers are welcome!Steven RadeckiPitch Session🖋 Writing⚙️ Skills, 🧰 Workshop2.0, 3.04/14/2023 2:00 PM4/14/2023 4:00 PM#PitchSession1N/A
Working with IPFor some, getting a gig working with IP is the dream. For others, it's a reliable way to get a paycheck. But how do you get those gigs in the first place, and what should you know before taking that kind of work?Kate Heartfield, Rosemary JonesGreg ClumpnerPanel🖋 Writing💲 Industry Biz34/14/2023 3:00 PM4/14/2023 4:00 PM#WorkingWithIPWill Be Released
Organizing Freelance LifeHow to balance looking for new clients, tracking where you are with the work you have, sending invoices, tracking how you get paid, and everything else.Maria Picone, Diana Pharaoh Francis, Kate MaruyamaCody SiscoPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary🗂 Managing34/14/2023 3:00 PM4/14/2023 4:00 PM#FreelanceOrganizationWill Have Limited Release
Non-Fiction AV Recommendations PanelA squee panel for the best non-fiction A/V media out there.Jennifer Spirko, Erik GroveArturo SerranoPanel📻 Non-Fiction A/V🎉 Squee34/14/2023 3:00 PM4/14/2023 4:00 PM#NonFicAVRecsWill Be Released
ReadingBrandon O'BrienReading🎉 Squee34/14/2023 3:00 PM4/14/2023 4:00 PMN/A
ReadingEugenia TriantafyllouReading🎉 Squee34/14/2023 3:00 PM4/14/2023 4:00 PMN/A
Contest Winner Showcase - Audrey Obuobisa-DarkoDream Foundry Emerging Writer Contest winner Audrey Obuobisa-Darko will read her award winning story. After, Prose Guest of Honor (and contest judge!) Sarah Gailey will interview Audrey about her work. Questions from the audience will be taken.Audrey Obuobisa-DarkoSarah GaileyContest Showcase🖋 Writing🎉 Squee, 👥 Community34/14/2023 3:00 PM4/14/2023 4:00 PM#FoFAudreyWinnerN/A
Beautiful Beginnings: Starting your Story Off RightA discussion of how to begin a story--what do you need to include to ground the reader in setting, character, story, and tone? Are there different needs for fantasy, SF, and horror? What considerations are there for focusing on narrative intentions? There will also be discussion of different narrative structures that will affect openings.Sarah Gailey, SL Huang, Benjamin KinneySara DavisPanel🖋 Writing, ❗ Editing🔧 Craft44/14/2023 4:00 PM4/14/2023 5:00 PM#BeautifulBeginningsUnknown
Techniques and Tips for Online ReadingsReading your work in front of an audience is hard - and doing so in an empty room is an entirely different challenge. Where do your eyes go, should you print out your work or read it from the screen, and just what is the best place for your mic anyway? Practice and work on developing those skills.Jennifer Hudak, Dawn Vogel, Thiago Ambrósio LageWendy Van CampPanel🎧 Narrative A/V, 🖋 Writing💲 Industry Biz, 🗂 Managing44/14/2023 4:00 PM4/14/2023 5:00 PM#OnlineReadingTipsWill Be Released
What's Cool in ComicsCreators recommend their favorite things!Sloane Hong, George Jreije, C. A. P. WardLP KindredPanel🦹 Comics🎉 Squee44/14/2023 4:00 PM4/14/2023 5:00 PM#CoolComicsWill Be Released
Tiny GamesVideo games that take less than a day, one page RPGs you can play by yourself or possibly with a pal, short board games, and more.Stephen Granade, Valerie ValdesBrandon O'BrienPanel🎮 Games🎉 Squee44/14/2023 4:00 PM4/14/2023 5:00 PM#TinyGamesWill Be Released
Your Public Persona: Who You are as a WriterYou've heard of author branding, and you know all about how social media engagement is a must. But is it really? How does a writer successfully build an audience vs a community, what should you plan or prepare for in your writerly future (readings, interviews, etc.), and how can you? Panelists will give tips and advice on these topics and more.Steven Radecki, Joyce Reynolds-Ward, Brandon CrillyJaye VinerPanel🖋 Writing🗂 Managing, 👥 Community54/14/2023 5:00 PM4/14/2023 6:00 PM#PublicPersonaPanelWill Be Released
Preparing for the Troll AttackFrom server raids to mass reporting, what do you do when your online presence and spaces are under assault? Having a checklist ahead of time for troll assaults is a thing you should do if you're online. This panel will discuss ways to prepare, protect yourself and your loved ones, and brace for the storm.Ellana Thornton-Wheybrew, Erik Grove, Vanessa MacLaren-WrayAnaea LayPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary🗂 Managing, ⚙️ Skills54/14/2023 5:00 PM4/14/2023 6:00 PM#TrollPreparationWill Be Released
Rebooting the Universe Yet AgainContinuity breakages, resets, and reboots that have done neat things to the original material.Mack Duncan, Sean Carroll, Daphne StrasertLP KindredPanel🦹 Comics💭 Analysis, 🎉 Squee54/14/2023 5:00 PM4/14/2023 6:00 PM#UniverseRebootWill Be Released
Relationship Management for Comics CollaborationMaking a comic is often a tricky balancing act of communication and collaboration. How do you find people to work with, how do you maintain those relationships during and after the project, and what things should you avoid?Sloane Hong, Charlie McElvyGeorge JreijePanel🦹 Comics🗂 Managing, 👥 Community54/14/2023 5:00 PM4/14/2023 6:00 PM#ComicsCollabPanelUnknown
Upcoming Trends We're Excited About for GamesIt's time to squee about neat things coming up in games! Join our panelists for a fun discussion of upcoming trends in games, games they're looking forward to playing, and more.Gaby Hall, Arturo SerranoJennifer SpirkoPanel🎮 Games🎉 Squee54/14/2023 5:00 PM4/14/2023 6:00 PM#GameTrendSqueeWill Be Released
Creating a Chapbook: How ToFrom selecting the poems to include to options for publication and distribution, a conversation on the nuts and bolts of creating a chapbook for your speculative poetry.Angela Acosta, Wendy Van Camp, Andrew NajbergAkua Lezli HOPEPanel🖋 Writing⚙️ Skills64/14/2023 6:00 PM4/14/2023 7:00 PM#HowToChapbookWill Be Released
Gaming Interactions: Community Management and ToxicityWhat tools are there for setting a tone around the tabletop (online or off) and managing community? How do you build community in a collaborative storytelling space while also making it clear that some interactions are simply off the table? Join us for a discussion of tools, resources, and strategies for making and keeping your gaming space thoughtfully curated.Erik Grove, Brandon O'BrienBrandon CrillyPanel🎮 Games💲 Industry Biz, 👥 Community64/14/2023 6:00 PM4/14/2023 7:00 PM#CommunityMgmtGamesWill Be Released
ReadingSteven D. BrewerReading🎉 Squee64/14/2023 6:00 PM4/14/2023 7:00 PMN/A
Guest of Honor Interview: Sarah GaileyCome meet Sarah Gailey! In this guest of honor interview, Valerie Valdes will ask questions about the career, life, interests, and hobbies of our featured prose writer.Sarah GaileyValerie ValdesGOH Event🖋 Writing64/14/2023 6:00 PM4/14/2023 7:00 PM#GoHGaileyWill Be Released
Marketing Makes the BookHow does the marketing of the book influence audience reception? Does it? Are reviews on Goodreads or author talks valuable in promoting a book? How do all of these things affect an audience's interpretation of a book?Catherine Lundoff, Dawn VogelSteven RadeckiPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary💲 Industry Biz74/14/2023 7:00 PM4/14/2023 8:00 PM#BookMarketingPanelUnknown
How to Do Horror After Seeing The MonsterYou've spent so long on the build up to the moment, now what? How do you maintain the tension after the monster has been revealed? How do you make the sequel horrifying when the audience already experienced everything from the original?L.S. Johnson, Sarah GuanOctavia CadePanel🖋 Writing🔧 Craft74/14/2023 7:00 PM4/14/2023 8:00 PM#PostMonsterHorrorWill Be Released
No Narrative Required?Can a game be "speculative" if it doesn't have a narrative? When is a story or world implied by other elements?Valerie Valdes, Ann LeBlancStephen GranadePanel🎮 Games💭 Analysis74/14/2023 7:00 PM4/14/2023 8:00 PM#NoNarrativeWill Be Released
ReadingAkua Lezli HOPEReading🎉 Squee74/14/2023 7:00 PM4/14/2023 8:00 PMN/A
Pet SlideshowDuring the convention's breaks, hang out and view the pet slideshow.Hangout👥 Community84/14/2023 8:00 PM4/14/2023 9:00 PM#PetsofFoFN/A
BreakBreak84/14/2023 8:00 PM4/14/2023 9:00 PMN/A
Climate-Fiction as Decolonial NarrativeIt's been said that you can't oppose colonialism without supporting environmental justice. Does that mean that climate fiction is an inherently decolonized genre? If not, how does it lend itself to decolonial narratives, and what can the genre do to expand the scope for these stories?Mia Tsai, Jenna Hanchey, Arula RatnakarSarah GuanPanel🖋 Writing, ❗ Editing💭 Analysis94/14/2023 9:00 PM4/14/2023 10:00 PM#CliFiPanelWill Be Released
How to Start Creating Again After a BreakSo you've taken some time off. Maybe work got busy, or you had a child. Perhaps your burned out, or a global pandemic swanned in and put down roots. Whatever the reason was for stopping, now you want to start again. But that's hard! These panelists discuss how to defeat the inertia of not creating.Sarah Pinsker, L.S. JohnsonMaria PiconePanel🔄 Interdisciplinary🗂 Managing94/14/2023 9:00 PM4/14/2023 10:00 PM#CreatePostBreakWill Have Limited Release
When is a Comic Not a Comic?What makes comics themselves? From funny strips in newspapers to light novels, the "comic" format shows up in many ways. What's fundamental to these, and where is the line, if any, between "comic" and "illustrated prose?"Sloane Hong, Benjamin Rojek, Shane WalshRue SparksPanel🦹 Comics💭 Analysis94/14/2023 9:00 PM4/14/2023 10:00 PM#ComicNotComicWill Be Released
A/V Narrative Flops and FailsA panel of people working on narrative A/V projects sharing stories of experiments that didn't work, disasters that beset them, and what happened after.Gaby Hall, Jean-Paul Garnier, Eric ValdesValerie ValdesPanel🎧 Narrative A/V🗂 Managing94/14/2023 9:00 PM4/14/2023 10:00 PM#AVFlopAndFailUnknown
ReadingBarbara KrasnoffReading🎉 Squee94/14/2023 9:00 PM4/14/2023 10:00 PMN/A
New Approaches to Older FictionBetween Dracula daily and the serial reader app, there's a few places that are bringing classic works to a modern audience. What are some of the exciting projects doing this, and why do they work?Emma Mieko Candon, Daphne Strasert, Rem WigmoreOctavia CadePanel🔄 Interdisciplinary🧸Fannish, 🎉 Squee104/14/2023 10:00 PM4/14/2023 11:00 PM#OldFicNewViewWill Be Released
How-tos in PodcastingFrom casting calls to sound design, panelists discuss the "how tos" of narrative podcasting.Laura Blackwell, Jean-Paul Garnier, Eric ValdesGaby HallPanel🎧 Narrative A/V, 📻 Non-Fiction A/V⚙️ Skills104/14/2023 10:00 PM4/14/2023 11:00 PM#PodcastHowToUnknown
ReadingJoyce Reynolds-WardReading🎉 Squee104/14/2023 10:00 PM4/14/2023 11:00 PMN/A
ReadingRue SparksReading🎉 Squee104/14/2023 10:00 PM4/14/2023 11:00 PMN/A
The Translation Squee Panel: Translations We Love and WhyTranslators talk about the translations they love.Monica Louzon, Yilin WangArturo SerranoPanel👂 Translation🎉 Squee114/14/2023 11:00 PM4/15/2023 12:00 AM#TranslationSqueeUnknown
ReadingAndrew Najberg reads a selection of material from his novels, short stories, and poemsAndrew NajbergReading🎉 Squee114/14/2023 11:00 PM4/15/2023 12:00 AMN/A
Guest of Honor Keynote: Interview with Sloane HongCome meet Sloane Hong! In this guest of honor interview, Sloane Leong will ask questions about the career, life, interests, and hobbies of our featured comics guest.Sloane HongJoan Zahra DarkGOH Event🦹 Comics114/14/2023 11:00 PM4/15/2023 12:00 AM#GoHHongUnknown
ReadingAJ FitzwaterReading🎉 Squee124/15/2023 12:00 AM4/15/2023 1:00 AMN/A
Dialogue: The Body As a CanvasThe human body in and of itself can be a canvas for artistic expression. From fashion to body painting, tattoos to piercings and beyond, what are some of the ways we can use the body to showcase art?Sloane Hong, Solomon EnosPanel🦹 Comics, 🎨 Art / Illustration💭 Analysis144/15/2023 2:00 AM4/15/2023 3:00 AM#BodyCanvasUnknown
Spice Trade: Conversations in Southeast Asian SFFPhong Quan, Yi-Sheng Ng, Joel Donato Ching JacobZhui Ning ChangPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary🧸Fannish, 💭 Analysis144/15/2023 2:00 AM4/15/2023 3:00 AM#SEAsiaSFFUnknown
Dialogue: What Makes a Work a Good Candidate for Translation?Some works are too much a product of their culture or times to find easy translation to another language. Others might rely on a different set of audience expectations around narrative structure or pacing. In some cases, these differences are only a challenge the translator has to tackle, with a work that can broaden audience understanding as the reward. How do you tell the difference, and how do you know when there's just too much to "translate?"Monica Louzon, CD CovingtonPanel👂 Translation🔧 Craft154/15/2023 3:00 AM4/15/2023 4:00 AM#DoesItTranslatePanelWill Be Released
ReadingMoses Ose UtomiReading🎉 Squee154/15/2023 3:00 AM4/15/2023 4:00 AMN/A
Pet SlideshowDuring the convention's breaks, hang out and view the pet slideshow.Hangout👥 Community164/15/2023 4:00 AM4/15/2023 5:00 AM#PetsofFoFN/A
BreakBreak164/15/2023 4:00 AM4/15/2023 5:00 AMN/A
Dialogue: Feminist TranslationsIs the trend real, and if so what does it mean? A discussion between two translators who will also share some of their favorite 'feminist' translations.CD Covington, Monica LouzonPanel👂 Translation🔧 Craft, 🎉 Squee174/15/2023 5:00 AM4/15/2023 6:00 AM#FeministTranslationsUnknown
Current Artists We LoveJoin a panel of artists as they share the artists and the art that excite and inspire them.Solomon Enos, Devaki NeogiRue SparksPanel🎨 Art / Illustration🎉 Squee174/15/2023 5:00 AM4/15/2023 6:00 AM#ArtistsWeLoveUnknown
Creating Belonging: Found Families and Other TechniquesWhether its shared experiences, understandings, or just a shared goal that falls into personal connections, meaningful communities can be forged through many avenues. Explore different tricks and techniques to give characters (and readers) a sense of home in your stories.A. Y. Chao, Jennifer SpirkoAJ FitzwaterPanel🖋 Writing💭 Analysis, 🔧 Craft174/15/2023 5:00 AM4/15/2023 6:00 AM#CreatingBelongingWill Be Released
ReadingEwen MaReading🎉 Squee174/15/2023 5:00 AM4/15/2023 6:00 AMN/A
ReadingEllis SaxeyReading🎉 Squee174/15/2023 5:00 AM4/15/2023 6:00 AMN/A
Guest of Honor Keynote: Interview with Xueting C. NiCome meet Xueting C. Ni! In this guest of honor interview, our interviewer will ask questions about the career, life, interests, and hobbies of our featured translator.Xueting NiLilly Ellison, Sara CarothersGOH Event👂 Translation174/15/2023 5:00 AM4/15/2023 6:00 AM#GoHNiWill Be Released
Translating CultureSo much of translation is more than words - how do you translate cultural concepts from one language to another? Is the dreaded footnote ever the right choice? Where is the line between context the translation needs to provide, and the audience's duty to look up details themselves?Monica Louzon, Xueting NiPanel👂 Translation🔧 Craft184/15/2023 6:00 AM4/15/2023 7:00 AM#TranslatingCultureWill Be Released
ReadingA. Y. ChaoReading🎉 Squee184/15/2023 6:00 AM4/15/2023 7:00 AMN/A
Craft-alongCraft-along!Co-Working👥 Community184/15/2023 6:00 AM4/15/2023 7:00 AMN/A
Wheels and Feels: A Space Roller Derby AdventureYou're a player for Vanilla Slice, an Intergalactic Roller Derby team, on your way to compete in Constellary Chaos--which is, of course, THE major derby event this side of the Milky Way. It's hosted every year at the AstronoDome, a hub for space sports of all sorts, and your ship should be docking any minute now ... A game for 3-6 players using the "Lasers and Feelings" system; no previous tabletop gaming knowledge/experience necessary. No roller derby knowledge necessary either, for that matter. Just bring along a six-sided die (or a dice rolling app) and a cool roller derby name for yourself!Aimee OgdenOpen Session Gaming👥 Community18.0, 19.04/15/2023 6:00 AM4/15/2023 8:00 AMN/A
Timed Co-WorkingBring a project and settle in for some timed work with fellow creatives. All project types and mediums welcome!Co-Working👥 Community194/15/2023 7:00 AM4/15/2023 8:00 AMN/A
Game Demo: The Ghost and the GolemJoin author and game writer Benjamin Rosenbaum for a live, interactive demo of "The Ghost and the Golem." Confront mystic perils and revelations, pogroms, & your own wild heart, in this Jewish historical fantasy set in the violent spring of 1881, amid bandits, betrothals, klezmers, and kabbalists! Can you save the shtetl...or do you long to escape it?When the czar is blown up by anarchists on a St. Petersburg bridge, the Jews are blamed, and a wave of anti-Semitic riots spread through the Russian empire. Though they haven't quite reached your sleepy little market village on the border of Poland and Ukraine, tensions are rising, and otherworldly portents foretell approaching doom. Can you delve into the mystical secrets of the Unseen World, investigate the underlying causes of the brewing pogrom, or make alliances with the local Christian peasants, the Czarist garrison, or the bandits of the wild forest? And let's not forget that Mamma is itching to get you married! Will you embrace the match that she and Gittel the matchmaker have arranged? Or do you have other plans?Benjamin RosenbaumGame Demo🎮 Games🎉 Squee, 👥 Community194/15/2023 7:00 AM4/15/2023 8:00 AMN/A
ReadingBoshra RastiReading🎉 Squee204/15/2023 8:00 AM4/15/2023 9:00 AMN/A
Tabletop Game Design DiscussionWhat goes into designing a great tabletop RPG? This panel of game designers talks frankly about the process of designing a TTRPG, writing, testing, and more.Solomon Enos, Rebecca BennettBenjamin RosenbaumPanel🎮 Games🔧 Craft214/15/2023 9:00 AM4/15/2023 10:00 AM#TTGameDesignUnknown
ReadingDan ArmanReading🎉 Squee214/15/2023 9:00 AM4/15/2023 10:00 AMN/A
Guest of Honor Keynote with Q&A: Shelvi GargCome meet Shelvi Garg! In this guest of honor speech and Q&A, our interviewer will ask questions about the career, life, interests, and hobbies of our featured vlogger.Shelvi GargNicole GloverGOH Event📻 Non-Fiction A/V214/15/2023 9:00 AM4/15/2023 10:00 AM#GoHGargWill Have Limited Release
Dialogue: Mazes of Twisty Little Passages: Great Dungeon Design and YouWhat makes for a great dungeon, anyway? Is it the monsters, the traps, the minimap (or lack thereof)? What counts as a 'dungeon' and what function is it serving in your game? What great dungeons have we encountered and what colossal caves have we wandered through in our game design journeys?Jennifer Spirko, Virginia BlackPanel🎮 Games🔧 Craft224/15/2023 10:00 AM4/15/2023 11:00 AM#DungeonDesignPanelWill Be Released
Co-Working: Plans and SchemesWhether you're plotting out your next novel, storyboarding a comic, or doing a painting study, planning is an important part of the process. During this session we'll chat and share some planning techniques, and then settle in to make our schemes and plan happen.Co-Working👥 Community224/15/2023 10:00 AM4/15/2023 11:00 AMN/A
Something is Wrong with this HouseJoin Malda Marlys in playing "Something is Wrong With this House," a 3-6 player tongue-in-cheek horror game where the PCs are the monsters haunting a new home, trying to drive out the hapless humans moving in.This is an open session, and the seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.Malda MarlysOpen Session Gaming🎮 Games🎉 Squee, 👥 Community22.0, 23.04/15/2023 10:00 AM4/15/2023 12:00 PMN/A
Ethics in Game DesignThere are many ethical considerations in game design, from the choices presented to a player to how the world itself is modeled. What are some thoughtful ways game designers can encode ethics and present difficult situations to players? What narrative tools and structural considerations *should* game designers make as they build their games?Benjamin Rosenbaum, Brandon Crilly, Natalia TheodoridouHélène SellierPanel🎮 Games🔧 Craft, 💭 Analysis, 💲 Industry Biz234/15/2023 11:00 AM4/15/2023 12:00 PM#GameDesignEthicsPanelWill Have Limited Release
Guest of Honor Keynote and Q&A: Helen GouldSensitivity consultant and podcaster Helen Gould will present a keynote address on how to handle triggering content in podcasts, followed by an audience Q&AHelen GouldGOH Event🎧 Narrative A/V234/15/2023 11:00 AM4/15/2023 12:00 PMWill Be Released
R3K HangoutA hangout for folks listening along to and discussing Romance of the Three Kingdoms in the Dream Foundry server.Hangout👥 Community234/15/2023 11:00 AM4/15/2023 12:00 PM
Pet SlideshowDuring the convention's breaks, hang out and view the pet slideshow.Hangout👥 Community244/15/2023 12:00 PM4/15/2023 1:00 PM#PetsofFoFN/A
BreakBreak244/15/2023 12:00 PM4/15/2023 1:00 PMN/A
Monstrous DisharmoniesPanelists discuss essentialist understandings of monstrosity, and ask whether the monstrous might be conceived of in different ways. What makes something monstrous? Where is the line between what is monstrous and what is not? What function does the monstrous serve in our stories, and how has our view of the monstrous changed over the years?Helen Gould, Jennifer Hudak, Eugenia TriantafyllouTenacity PlysPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary💭 Analysis254/15/2023 1:00 PM4/15/2023 2:00 PM#MonstrousDisharmonyWill Be Released
Speculative Poetry: The oldest genre you've never heard ofThe first stories we told each other as humanity was speculative poetry: the Homeric epics, Gilgamesh, the Mahabharata. It's been with us all through the intervening years. This panel will discuss the history of the art form and how it has changed over the years.Akua Lezli HOPE, Cislyn Smith, Dawn VogelEwen MaPanel🖋 Writing💭 Analysis254/15/2023 1:00 PM4/15/2023 2:00 PM#SpecPoPanelUnknown
Transfolk in SFFWhat makes a narrative a "trans" narrative. Which tropes are fundamentally "trans" in their perspective? Who are some of the trans creators who are pushing genre boundaries and paving the way for everyone else?Sarah Gailey, C. A. P. Ward, J.Z. WestonNatalia TheodoridouPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary🎉 Squee, 💭 Analysis254/15/2023 1:00 PM4/15/2023 2:00 PM#TransSFFWill Have Limited Release
Audience Complicity in GamesIs that meta-text accidental or on purpose? And does it matter? What choices can game designers make, from fourth wall breaking to explicit player choices, to create audience complicity. Which games do a great job of this, and what can we learn from them?Erin Roberts, Misha Handman, Phoebe BartonBrandon O'BrienPanel🎮 Games💭 Analysis254/15/2023 1:00 PM4/15/2023 2:00 PM#AudienceComplicityWill Have Limited Release
Dialogue: Intermediate TwineTwine basics are easy to master, but leveling up your game game can be difficult. During this discussion, you'll learn some nifty tips and tricks of twine, along with resources for learning more.Stephen Granade, Andi BuchananPanel🎮 Games⚙️ Skills254/15/2023 1:00 PM4/15/2023 2:00 PM#IntermedTwineWill Have Limited Release
Authority is Brittle: SFF Authors Analyze AndorIn this panel, SFF authors Rebecca Roanhorse, Victor Manibo, Suzanne Walker, and Emma Mieko Candon discuss and break down Andor, its storytelling, its anti-fascist themes, and the cost of rebellion.Emma Mieko Candon, Suzanne Walker, Victor ManiboMia TsaiPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary💭 Analysis, 🎉 Squee, 🧸Fannish264/15/2023 2:00 PM4/15/2023 3:00 PM#AndorPanelWill Not Be Released
Submission Tetris: Management Strategies When Selling Your WorkSim subs? Miltiple subs? Sub windows? What are some good ways and useful programs to track what's been sent where? How long do you wait to hear before you decide a publisher is not interested? When is it OK to reach out to see if your story got lost and how should you do that? Come hear the panelists share their tips for getting the highest score in the submission game.L.S. Johnson, Ai Jiang, P.A. CornellJennifer HudakPanel🖋 Writing💲 Industry Biz, 🗂 Managing264/15/2023 2:00 PM4/15/2023 3:00 PM#SubmissionTetrisWill Be Released
Capturing the SpeculativeAn exploration of different non-prose techniques for making the unreal real for an audience.Gaby Hall, Solomon Enos, Misha HandmanAimee KuzenskiPanel🎧 Narrative A/V🔧 Craft264/15/2023 2:00 PM4/15/2023 3:00 PM#CaptureSpeculativeWill Be Released
History in GamingFrom ancient history to the post-apocalyptic past that never was, games are often setting the stage with pieces of history. Our panelists will shout out awesome games with historical elements, discuss great ways of incorporating history into a game, and talk about their own relationship to history in games.Kate Heartfield, Benjamin Rosenbaum, Ellana Thornton-WheybrewDawn VogelPanel🎮 Games💭 Analysis, 🎉 Squee264/15/2023 2:00 PM4/15/2023 3:00 PM#HistoryInGamingWill Be Released
Death: Not Just a Chess OpponentDeanna RymaszewskiPresentation🗣️ Presentation, 📚 Facts264/15/2023 2:00 PM4/15/2023 3:00 PM#DeathPresentationWill Have Limited Release
Making a Business out of EditingFrom developmental editing to proof reading, there are many kinds of editing, and many kinds of way to make money at editing. But making a business of it is a whole other skill set. From business licenses to figuring out how to set your rates, these working editors will share their experiences with the nuts and bolts of putting out your editorial shingle.Dawn Vogel, Kit CaelstoKate MaruyamaPanel❗ Editing💲 Industry Biz, 🗂 Managing274/15/2023 3:00 PM4/15/2023 4:00 PM#EditingBizPanelWill Have Limited Release
Stories of the Fat BodyFat acceptance, body positivity, healthy at any size: fatness and awareness of the issues surrounding it is having a cultural moment. Panelists will discuss our stories about fat bodies, from the cultural touchstones that reinforce, or undermine, fatphobia, to ones with good fat representation. What are the tropes around fatness we've seen too much, and what do we want to see more of?Jennifer Hudak, Jennifer Spirko, Christiane KnightCelia LakePanel🦹 Comics, 🖋 Writing🔧 Craft274/15/2023 3:00 PM4/15/2023 4:00 PM#FatBodyStoriesWill Be Released
Budgeting and Business Planning For BeginnersSetting yourself up for success with a creative endeavor involves planning. Budgets and Business Planning don't have to be scary concepts, and they help provide structure and goalposts so you know how and when to shift your focus. Come for a basic grounding in business planning concepts, and stay for insights about how to make the whole process work for you.Misha Handman, Steven Radecki, Catherine LundoffVanessa MacLaren-WrayPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary🗂 Managing274/15/2023 3:00 PM4/15/2023 4:00 PM#BizPlanForBeginnersWill Be Released
Games We Love in Other MediaGames are everywhere: novels, movies, tv shows, and more. What are some of our favorites and can't-miss adaptations of games? Is there something particular about a game that makes it well suited to adaptation in other formats?Valerie Valdes, Brandon O'BrienKate HeartfieldPanel🎮 Games🧸Fannish, 🎉 Squee274/15/2023 3:00 PM4/15/2023 4:00 PM#CrossMediaGamesWill Be Released
ReadingJ.R. DawsonReading🎉 Squee274/15/2023 3:00 PM4/15/2023 4:00 PMN/A
Rewilding Our Stories HangoutA hangout session for folks from the Rewilding Our Stories community and those who want to hang out with them. The discussion topic will be "Science Communication in Speculative Ecofiction."Sara DavisHangout274/15/2023 3:00 PM4/15/2023 4:00 PMN/A
H*cking Good Boys: Pets in SFFFrom Toto to John Wick's dog, pets permeate SFF in a variety of forms. These expert, very professional panelists come together to do a deep and serious analysis of pets throughout the genre. This is definitely not just an excuse to squee about paws. (It is absolutely just an excuse to squee about paws.)Ellana Thornton-Wheybrew, Jenna Hanchey, Jennifer HudakJo MilesPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary🎉 Squee, 🔧 Craft284/15/2023 4:00 PM4/15/2023 5:00 PM#SFFPetsWill Have Limited Release
Climbing the Skills LadderThe phenomenon of feeling like all your work is terrible after a skills level-up is well known. So is the concern around skills stagnation and failing to grow. How do you pursue growth in your craft while recognizing and acknowledging your progress?Sarah Gailey, Solomon Enos, SL Huangdave ringPanel🎨 Art / Illustration, 🖋 Writing🔧 Craft284/15/2023 4:00 PM4/15/2023 5:00 PM#SkillsLadderUnknown
Q&A: Getting the Space Right: AstronomyJoin Dr. Erin Macdonald for a Q & A session about geting astronomy details right, wrong, and in between.Erin MacdonaldPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary📚 Facts284/15/2023 4:00 PM4/15/2023 5:00 PMWill Be Released
Getting the Science Hard EnoughSF writers discuss how to use real science in fiction, how to extrapolate from current findings and speculations, and considerations for making up the science yourself in a way that readers will find believableJoyce Reynolds-Ward, Greg Clumpner, Stephen GranadeSteven RadeckiPanel🖋 Writing🔧 Craft, 📚 Facts294/15/2023 5:00 PM4/15/2023 6:00 PM#HardEnoughScienceWill Be Released
Favorite Spooky PodcastsA squee session that's all about spooky podcasts.Courtney Floyd, Gaby HallOctavia CadePanel🎧 Narrative A/V🎉 Squee294/15/2023 5:00 PM4/15/2023 6:00 PM#SpookyPodcastsWill Be Released
How We Got Here: Artists Sharing Their Career PathsFrom luck to education, hustle to promotion, a panel of working artists sharing the paths they've taken to be where they are.Solomon Enos, C. A. P. WardSloane HongPanel🎨 Art / Illustration💲 Industry Biz294/15/2023 5:00 PM4/15/2023 6:00 PM#ArtCareerPathWill Be Released
Lizards & Lemurs: A Dev Editor's ToolboxThere is a balance in developmental editing: you want to help the writer get the book right and you need to give them the notes to do so, but you have only so many hours for the task. In this session Kate Maruyama breaks down her approach to dev editing, for recognizing the manuscript for what it is, meeting the writer at their skill level, and implementing simple tools that can make developmental editing less of a slog, while being of greater help to the writer. Q &A will follow the session, so stick around for specific questions!Kate MaruyamaPresentation🔧 Craft, 🗂 Managing, 🗣️ Presentation294/15/2023 5:00 PM4/15/2023 6:00 PM#LizardsLemursWill Have Limited Release
ReadingCislyn SmithReading294/15/2023 5:00 PM4/15/2023 6:00 PMN/A
Binging Biochemistry: What you Should Know When Working in the SpeculativeWhen biology and chemistry meet, you get magic! Or better yet, biochemistry. And also possibly magic. Just what do you need to poisoning dragons? What particulates should a space station's air system really be looking out for? Our panelists will touch on neat things to know, getting the science just right enough, and works that do it well.Lali DeRosier, Christopher Hunter, Arula RatnakarMalda MarlysPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary📚 Facts304/15/2023 6:00 PM4/15/2023 7:00 PM#BingeBiochemWill Be Released
Meaningful Middles: Bridging the GapHow do you keep the momentum in the middle of your manuscript? Are you struggling because middles are always hard, or is it actually bad? Panelists will talk about their approaches to writing the middle of the story, what considerations need to be included, and how writers can avoid the dreaded 'saggy middle'.Elle Ire, Joyce Reynolds-Ward, Jaye VinerCelia LakePanel🖋 Writing, ❗ Editing🔧 Craft304/15/2023 6:00 PM4/15/2023 7:00 PM#MeaningfulMiddlesWill Be Released
Changing the Medium: Creating Comics for Other FormatsYou've made a thing! But now you think it would make a great novel. Or a netflix show. Or a game. Does the desired end format shift the way you create a comic? What considerations do you keep in mind if you want to shift formats?Sloane Hong, Mack DuncanSean CarrollPanel🦹 Comics🔧 Craft304/15/2023 6:00 PM4/15/2023 7:00 PM#ComicsShiftFormatWill Be Released
Finding Your Niche As a Commission ArtistFinding your niche as a commission artist can be difficult. Our panelists discuss their paths, pitfalls, and priorities as well as tips for others.Lauren Ring, Rue SparksRachel RosenPanel🎨 Art / Illustration💲 Industry Biz304/15/2023 6:00 PM4/15/2023 7:00 PM#CommissionNicheWill Have Limited Release
So You Want to Write a One-Shot...Writing a story that is both immersive, complete, and short is a real challenge! What are some great ways to approach writing a one-shot adventure, and how can you make sure that it's not too short, too long, or too complicated?Jennifer Spirko, Solomon EnosMisha HandmanPanel🎮 Games🔧 Craft, ⚙️ Skills304/15/2023 6:00 PM4/15/2023 7:00 PM#OneShotTalkWill Be Released
ReadingM.C. Benner DixonReading🎉 Squee304/15/2023 6:00 PM4/15/2023 7:00 PMN/A
Creating For an Audience vs. Making Just For YouOn the difference between personal art and paid art and our control over where on that spectrum our work and energy falls.Thiago Ambrósio Lage, Akua Lezli HOPE, Suzanne WalkerJoyce Reynolds-WardPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary🗂 Managing314/15/2023 7:00 PM4/15/2023 8:00 PM#AudienceOrYouWill Be Released
Oh No! My Hobby Is My Job Now!If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life... but how true is that? What happens when something you love doing becomes something you have to do? Panelists will discuss how to protect your joy in an endeavor once it becomes "work" and how you know it's time to get a new hobby.Sloane Hong, Steven Radecki, M.C. Benner Dixon, Shelvi GargJenna HancheyPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary🗂 Managing314/15/2023 7:00 PM4/15/2023 8:00 PM#OhNoHobbyJobWill Be Released
Introduction to WoodworkingAnn LeBlancPresentation📚 Facts, 🗣️ Presentation314/15/2023 7:00 PM4/15/2023 8:00 PM#WoodworkingIntroWill Not Be Released
ReadingAnaea LayReading🎉 Squee314/15/2023 7:00 PM4/15/2023 8:00 PMN/A
Game Session: Yazeba’s Bed and Breakfast: The Pancake WarOnce upon a time, the world was cruel, and there was a witch who knew it well, and so she sold her heart to build a house in the woods where the world could never find her. At first she would let no one into her fortress. But in the long march of days, a strange thing happened: in her own cold and spiteful way, the witch made a friend…and then another…and thenseveral more, until her house was teeming with colorful faces and complicated lives. The house would come to be known as Yazeba’s Bed & Breakfast, and it would last for a very long time. One day, the demon child Hey Kid gets upset that there are no pancakes for breakfast, and decides to start a competing franchise! As Yazeba the witch and Hey Kid’s argument heats up, the other residents (and guests!) of the Bed and Breakfast are drawn into a magical, familial fight between two rival restaurants. Will Yazeba’s traditional Bed and Breakfast triumph, or is it time for pancakes every day? This game uses the Yazeba’s Bed and Breakfast system, along with pre-generated characters for you to choose from. Familiarity with the system is not required; the rules will be laid out at the start of the game, and they’re pretty straightforward. This is an open gaming session meaning no signup is required. Seats in the game will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.Misha HandmanOpen Session Gaming🎮 Games👥 Community31.0, 32.04/15/2023 7:00 PM4/15/2023 9:00 PMN/A
Water Dragon Publishing PartyA gathering for folks associated with Water Dragon Publishing, and anyone who wants to party with them.Steven RadeckiParty👥 Community31.0, 32.0, 33.0, 34.04/15/2023 7:00 PM4/15/2023 11:00 PMN/A
Pedagogy RoundtableThe "traditional," methods for writing instruction have come under fire in the last few years. Join this round table of writing instructors as they discuss modern techniques for instruction, and share insights from their teaching experience.Sarah Pinsker, Erin Roberts, Suyi Davies OkungbowaValerie ValdesPanel🖋 Writing💭 Analysis, 💲 Industry Biz324/15/2023 8:00 PM4/15/2023 9:00 PM#PedagogyTalkWill Have Limited Release
Pet SlideshowDuring the convention's breaks, hang out and view the pet slideshow.Hangout👥 Community324/15/2023 8:00 PM4/15/2023 9:00 PM#PetsofFoFN/A
BreakBreak324/15/2023 8:00 PM4/15/2023 9:00 PMN/A
Editing Project ManagementWhat are some tools professional editors use to manage their projects? Editing is a broad field, and editing projects can be sprawling - what approach works best for editing work? Join our panelists for a discussion of what works, what doesn't work, and what might work for you.dave ring, Kate Maruyama, Shannon WintonDaphne StrasertPanel❗ Editing🗂 Managing334/15/2023 9:00 PM4/15/2023 10:00 PM#EditingProjectMgmtWill Have Limited Release
Your Influence is Showing: Inspirations from Outside of FictionWhat music, art, movies, other cultural touch points inspire your work? Are these elements from your academic or professional background, or are you drawing from your entertainment? Panelists discuss some examples of these inspirations, how they've used them in their own work, and what remains or gets lost in 'translation'.Sloane Hong, Mia Tsai, Erin BrownSarah GaileyPanel🖋 Writing, 🦹 Comics🎉 Squee334/15/2023 9:00 PM4/15/2023 10:00 PM#InfluenceFictionWill Be Released
But Where Are You Really From?: Diasporas and Fantastical WorldbuildingWhat does diaspora look like in High fantasy and other fantastical worlds? Why do Western writers of color feel they have to write their “homeland”. What can diasporas bring in world building for fantasy novels. These questions and more will be discussed.Nicole GloverPresentation🔄 Interdisciplinary🔧 Craft, 💭 Analysis, 🗣️ Presentation334/15/2023 9:00 PM4/15/2023 10:00 PM#FantasyDiasporaWill Be Released
ReadingDawn VogelReading🎉 Squee334/15/2023 9:00 PM4/15/2023 10:00 PMN/A
ReadingDaphne StrasertReading🎉 Squee344/15/2023 10:00 PM4/15/2023 11:00 PMN/A
ReadingPhoebe LowReading🎉 Squee344/15/2023 10:00 PM4/15/2023 11:00 PMN/A
How to Collaborate Outside Your MediumNever worked with a visual artist before? Or a translator? Or a writer? Join our panelists as they discuss ways to improve communication and flow across mediums on collaborative creative projects.Lauren Ring, Misha Handman, Solomon EnosSloane HongPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary💲 Industry Biz, ⚙️ Skills, 👥 Community354/15/2023 11:00 PM4/16/2023 12:00 AM#CrossMediumCollabWill Have Limited Release
ReadingKate MaruyamaReading🎉 Squee354/15/2023 11:00 PM4/16/2023 12:00 AMN/A
Timed Co-WorkingBring a project and settle in for some timed work with fellow creatives. All project types and mediums welcome!Co-Working👥 Community354/15/2023 11:00 PM4/16/2023 12:00 AMN/A
ReadingVanessa MacLaren-WrayReading🎉 Squee364/16/2023 12:00 AM4/16/2023 1:00 AMN/A
Deep or Broad: Things to consider when considering your contentWhether you're focusing on a single topic, fusing two, or doing a scattershot, you'll need to have something that holds your audience together. How do you make those choices and make them succeed?Jennifer Spirko, Shelvi GargSean CarrollPanel📻 Non-Fiction A/V🔧 Craft, 💲 Industry Biz374/16/2023 1:00 AM4/16/2023 2:00 AM#DeepOrBroadWill Be Released
Guest of Honor Keynote: Solomon EnosCome meet Solomon Enos! Our art and illustration guest of honor will deliver a speech.Solomon EnosGOH Event🎨 Art / Illustration374/16/2023 1:00 AM4/16/2023 2:00 AM#GoHEnosWill Be Released
No Happy EndingsSFF is particularly good at positing a hypothetical in order to show how it doesn't work out. What are some of the genre's best unhappy endings? How would the story have changed if it had a happy ending instead?Guan Un, Arturo SerranoMoses Ose UtomiPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary💭 Analysis394/16/2023 3:00 AM4/16/2023 4:00 AM#NoHappyEndingsWill Be Released
Oh No I'm Being Perceived - How An Audience Changes The ExperiencePanelists will discuss the meta-experience of play alongs and similar productions. What’s the difference between watching, playing, and playing while being watched? How does it stay fun when it’s your hobby and you do it for an audience now?Helen Gould, Jean-Paul GarnierGayathri KamathPanel📻 Non-Fiction A/V💭 Analysis, 👥 Community394/16/2023 3:00 AM4/16/2023 4:00 AM#OhNoPerceptionWill Be Released
ReadingAimee OgdenReading🎉 Squee394/16/2023 3:00 AM4/16/2023 4:00 AMN/A
ReadingPhong will be reading from "This is What You Came For", his latest story published in khōréō in January 2023.Phong QuanReading🎉 Squee394/16/2023 3:00 AM4/16/2023 4:00 AMN/A
Pet SlideshowDuring the convention's breaks, hang out and view the pet slideshow.Hangout👥 Community404/16/2023 4:00 AM4/16/2023 5:00 AM#PetsofFoFN/A
BreakBreak404/16/2023 4:00 AM4/16/2023 5:00 AMN/A
My First TranslationPanelists share the stories of their first translation, both the first they encountered, and the first they did on their own.Monica Louzon, Xueting Ni, Ewen MaCD CovingtonPanel👂 Translation🔧 Craft414/16/2023 5:00 AM4/16/2023 6:00 AM#FirstTranslationWorkshopWill Have Limited Release
What Needs Translating?: The Intersection of Creole, Dialect, and Folklore in SFFHFor centuries, the use of Creole language and dialect has been the subject of disdain by gatekeepers of language, including editors and publishers. Even the great Zora Neale Hurston was denigrated for her use and dedication to preserving dialect. Even now in 2023, editors are telling newer writers not to use dialect in submissions, while other writers' stories are lauded for the clever use of Creolized language and their own native non-Western languages in SFF works. It can be done successfully. But how? These award-winning and critically-acclaimed writers share their wisdom and experience in wielding the strengths of their own folklore, in their own languages.Eden Royce, Shiv RamdasSuzan PalumboPanel👂 Translation💭 Analysis434/16/2023 7:00 AM4/16/2023 8:00 AM#HowCreoleUnknown
Debuting NowDebut authors J.R. Dawnson and A. Y. Chao in conversation about the experience of debuting in 2023.J.R. Dawson, A. Y. ChaoPanel🖋 Writing💲 Industry Biz, 🗂 Managing434/16/2023 7:00 AM4/16/2023 8:00 AM#DebutingNowWill Be Released
ReadingNatalia TheodoridouReading🎉 Squee434/16/2023 7:00 AM4/16/2023 8:00 AMN/A
Intersectionality: Crafting ItWe're all familiar with the ensemble that has "one of everything," to get all the boxes on a diversity checklist. In the real world, one person might exist on the intersection of multiple check boxes. How do you craft characters who represent this intersectionality? Are there impacts on plot, theme, or style that come from including those characters?Helen Gould, Boshra RastiSarah GuanPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary🔧 Craft444/16/2023 8:00 AM4/16/2023 9:00 AM#CraftIntersectionalityWill Have Limited Release
Almost Too Convenient: Avoiding Inorganic PlottingSetting, character, background, and narrative all combine to give opportunities to the writer to craft a natural, believable series of events. The panelists explore how to make the events of your story feel organically grown, rather than forced for the sake of plot. They also discuss how to incorporate escalation, shifts in tone, and various other reversals into this approach.Jaye Viner, Ann LeBlanc, Phoebe LowBarbara KrasnoffPanel🖋 Writing🔧 Craft454/16/2023 9:00 AM4/16/2023 10:00 AM#InorganicPlottingWill Have Limited Release
NSFW Content: How ToFrom content warnings on final projects to respecting and caring for everyone involved in reaching that step, responsibly handling NSFW content is a skill needed by many. Creators from a variety of media formats discuss their techniques for handling NSFW content.Benjamin Rosenbaum, Daphne StrasertHelen GouldPanel🎧 Narrative A/V, 🔄 Interdisciplinary🗂 Managing, ⚙️ Skills454/16/2023 9:00 AM4/16/2023 10:00 AM#HowToNSFWUnknown
ReadingCD CovingtonReading🎉 Squee454/16/2023 9:00 AM4/16/2023 10:00 AMN/A
ReadingEden RoyceReading🎉 Squee454/16/2023 9:00 AM4/16/2023 10:00 AMN/A
Mechanics and ThemeHow to craft mechanics that will reinforce and represent the game's theme. Whether it's starvation mechanics in your farming game to intimacy meters in your dating sim, how do you design a system that will engage your players?Stephen Granade, Benjamin Rosenbaum, Natalia Theodoridoudave ringPanel🎮 Games🔧 Craft464/16/2023 10:00 AM4/16/2023 11:00 AM#MechanicsAndThemeWill Have Limited Release
Speculative MathMath is already theoretical, but where does it get speculative? From a short proof of Fermat's last theorem to a set that contains all sets that do not contain themselves, this discussion will delve into the possibilities of math we haven't discovered yet.SL Huang, Cassandra GranadeJillian FoleyPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary📚 Facts464/16/2023 10:00 AM4/16/2023 11:00 AM#SpecMathUnknown
Linguistics Primer for CreativesAn introduction to some linguistics concepts that creatives will find useful! We won't be building a con-lang, but we will help you tell your pidgin from a pigeon and avoid pitfalls in your work.CD Covington, Maria PiconeThiago Ambrósio LagePanel🔄 Interdisciplinary📚 Facts464/16/2023 10:00 AM4/16/2023 11:00 AM#CreativeLingPrimerWill Have Limited Release
ReadingSFF author Victor Manibo will be reading an excerpt from his upcoming SF thriller, Escape Velocity, coming out soon from Erewhon Books.Victor ManiboReading🎉 Squee464/16/2023 10:00 AM4/16/2023 11:00 AMN/A
Cameras On or Off: Teaching AsynchronouslyTeaching is difficult at the best of time, but the pandemic has made asynchronous instruction a must-have skill. How does our instruction change when we can't physically interact with our students? What skills are must-have now, and what can we all do to make this a better experience?Thiago Ambrósio Lage, Andrew Najberg, M.C. Benner DixonNino CipriPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary💲 Industry Biz474/16/2023 11:00 AM4/16/2023 12:00 PM#AsyncTeachingWill Be Released
ReadingCatherine LundoffReading🎉 Squee474/16/2023 11:00 AM4/16/2023 12:00 PMN/A
Fiction Pitching SessionA chance to pitch your story idea(s) live to industry professionals from Water Dragon Publishing and receive instant (and constructive) feedback. This is a drop-in/drop-out session. Observers are welcome!Steven RadeckiPitch Session🖋 Writing⚙️ Skills, 🧰 Workshop47.0, 48.04/16/2023 11:00 AM4/16/2023 1:00 PM#PitchSession2N/A
Pet SlideshowDuring the convention's breaks, hang out and view the pet slideshow.Hangout👥 Community484/16/2023 12:00 PM4/16/2023 1:00 PM#PetsofFoFN/A
BreakBreak484/16/2023 12:00 PM4/16/2023 1:00 PMN/A
Queer Historical FictionYes, history is gay, but it needs to be handled carefully. On the one hand, it's easy to (erroneously) assume that common current bigotries have always existed. On the other, it's impossible to know how a person from the past would relate to modern terms for their queerness. How can we write and appreciate queer historical fiction without layering on our modern sensibilities, and should we?Sarah Gailey, Maria Picone, SL HuangEllis SaxeyPanel🖋 Writing💭 Analysis, 🎉 Squee494/16/2023 1:00 PM4/16/2023 2:00 PM#QueerHistFicUnknown
Barter VS Pay: When is Trading Not FairThe creative community thrives trading favors - crit swaps, technique tutorials, and more. But a crit swap doesn't pay the rent and some labor takes more of a toll (in time, emotional energy, or resources) than others. How do you navigate those instances, establish boundaries, and set value on your work? And when is giving away a "favor" doing yourself a service?Erik Grove, Brandon Crilly, Diana Pharaoh FrancisGayathri KamathPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary🗂 Managing, 💲 Industry Biz494/16/2023 1:00 PM4/16/2023 2:00 PM#BarterVsPayWill Be Released
What's the word? How to Get Unstuck as a TranslatorTranslation is an inexact art, and despite what google translate would have you believe there's often not necessarily one single 'right' word. In this panel, translators discuss tools, tips, and tricks of the trade for finding just the right word or phrase, and how they move past and through blocks.CD Covington, Ewen MaAngela AcostaPanel👂 Translation🔧 Craft494/16/2023 1:00 PM4/16/2023 2:00 PM#GetUnstuckWill Be Released
Dialogue: Partitioning the PersonalHow to balance memoirist elements in your comics work while protecting your own privacy and maintaining boundaries.C. A. P. Ward, George JreijePanel🦹 Comics🔧 Craft494/16/2023 1:00 PM4/16/2023 2:00 PM#PartitionPersonalWill Be Released
So You Want to Make a Text Adventure...If you're thinking of writing a text adventure, you have so many choices ahead of you. These game designers and writers will discuss their own choices and lessons learned in the past and offer help and guidance for folks just starting out in the text adventure field. -More-Stephen Granade, Phoebe BartonErin RobertsPanel🎮 Games🔧 Craft, ⚙️ Skills494/16/2023 1:00 PM4/16/2023 2:00 PM#TextAdventureTalkWill Have Limited Release
ReadingLaura BlackwellReading🎉 Squee494/16/2023 1:00 PM4/16/2023 2:00 PMN/A
To Game or Not to GameMulti-disciplinary creatives discuss how they decide which format to use for their work, whether it should be an IF or traditional prose, or something else? What are the tradeoffs to consider when making that decision, and when should you try multiple formats?Tenacity Plys, Kate HeartfieldStephen GranadePanel🎮 Games, 🖋 Writing🔧 Craft504/16/2023 2:00 PM4/16/2023 3:00 PM#GameOrNahWill Be Released
Resources for WritersThere are a ton of resources for writers out there, but not all of them are equally good, and some of them are predatory. These panelists will discuss resources writers should be aware of, and some of the methods available for vetting the information out there.L.S. Johnson, Valerie Valdes, Neil ClarkeDawn VogelPanel🖋 Writing💲 Industry Biz504/16/2023 2:00 PM4/16/2023 3:00 PM#WriterResourcePanelWill Be Released
Narrative AV Recommendations PanelCome to hear our panelist recommendations for great stories in Narrative A/V! Squee about your favorites and find something new to listen to or watch.Mona West, Courtney Floyd, Erik GroveSteven RadeckiPanel🎧 Narrative A/V🎉 Squee504/16/2023 2:00 PM4/16/2023 3:00 PM#NarrativeAVRecsWill Not Be Released
Geology for WorldbuildersThose in the know discuss the geology you need to know to make your world building work.Malda MarlysSara DavisPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary📚 Facts504/16/2023 2:00 PM4/16/2023 3:00 PM#GeologySFFWill Be Released
Dialogue: Opportunities for African WritersA discussion of opportunities for African writers, resources, and information.Audrey Obuobisa-Darko, Suyi Davies OkungbowaPanel🖋 Writing💲 Industry Biz504/16/2023 2:00 PM4/16/2023 3:00 PM#OppsForAfricanWritersWill Be Released
ReadingAi JiangReading🎉 Squee504/16/2023 2:00 PM4/16/2023 3:00 PMN/A
Artists Show and TellArtists show off their studios, favorite tools, and workspacesWendy Van Camp, Daniela Ivanova, Rue SparksArt Showcase🦹 Comics, 🎨 Art / Illustration🗂 Managing504/16/2023 2:00 PM4/16/2023 3:00 PM#ArtistShowAndTellUnknown
Exceptional Endings: Making your Story Linger After it's OverEverything in your story has led up to this crucial moment: The final confrontation, reveal, or moment of character growth. How do you make the reader feel the story has reached its rightful conclusion? Panelists will discuss what makes a great ending, and how to make those final scenes stay with readers long after they're done reading.Sarah Gailey, Eugenia Triantafyllou, Sarah PinskerDiana Pharaoh FrancisPanel🖋 Writing, ❗ Editing🔧 Craft514/16/2023 3:00 PM4/16/2023 4:00 PM#ExceptionalEndingsWill Have Limited Release
Fanfiction: Relevant, Valid, GoodThe strengths, virtues, and value of fanfictionSteven Radecki, Tenacity Plys, Stephen GranadeWendy Van CampPanel🖋 Writing, 🦹 Comics🧸Fannish514/16/2023 3:00 PM4/16/2023 4:00 PM#FanficPanelWill Have Limited Release
Managing Mental Health With GamesWhich games do you use to manage your anxiety? When does pursuing pixels become a problem in and of itself instead of a solution? Games are a great tool for managing depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. This panel will explore games which are popularly used for this purpose and games which have unexpectedly risen to fill that niche.Misha Handman, Ellana Thornton-WheybrewJennifer SpirkoPanel🎮 Games🧸Fannish514/16/2023 3:00 PM4/16/2023 4:00 PM#GameMentalHealthWill Have Limited Release
Where Does the Poop GoAll nitty, gritty details of worldbuilding discussed by people who like to think through all the really important questions.Malda Marlys, Misha HandmanRyan ConsellPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary📚 Facts524/16/2023 4:00 PM4/16/2023 5:00 PM#PoopGoWhereWill Be Released
Care and Feeding of the Editorial Brain & BodyHave you hydrated recently? These panelists will discuss their tips and tricks for protecting joints, eyesight, stamina, and enthusiasm as an editor. How do you complete a massive copy editing project on a tight deadline without wrecking yourself? What do you do to recover after, and how do you know whether you should?Wendy Van Camp, Neil Clarke, Diana Pharaoh FrancisDawn VogelPanel❗ Editing🗂 Managing524/16/2023 4:00 PM4/16/2023 5:00 PM#EditorCarePanelWill Be Released
Speculative ChemistryWhat if there were a catalyst that could lower the activation energy for all potential reactions? Or somebody developed a way to predict a molecule's behavior before creating it? Two experts discuss the speculative possibilities of the most reactive of the sciences.Thiago Ambrósio Lage, Joseph MeanyLali DeRosierPanel🔄 Interdisciplinary📚 Facts524/16/2023 4:00 PM4/16/2023 5:00 PM#SpeculativeChemistryWill Be Released
Generational Trauma: The PanelRight now, the industry is particularly interested in generational trauma, along with its growing focus on cultural diasporas and "own voices." But the fact is that these works often come from writers and artists who have experienced generational trauma and are grappling with it. Why is generational trauma "having its moment" and what are the nuances, tensions, and complications that come with that?Tenacity Plys, LP KindredMaria PiconePanel🔄 Interdisciplinary💭 Analysis534/16/2023 5:00 PM4/16/2023 6:00 PM#GenerationalTraumaPanelWill Have Limited Release
ReadingChristiane KnightReading🎉 Squee534/16/2023 5:00 PM4/16/2023 6:00 PMN/A
ReadingAnn LeBlancReading🎉 Squee534/16/2023 5:00 PM4/16/2023 6:00 PMN/A
Spotlight on Mythological ComicsA big and growing global genre category is "mythological." What's the current state of this subgenre, what's cool, and what should comics readers know to help them dive in?Benjamin Rojek, Shane WalshRachelle CruzPanel🦹 Comics🎉 Squee544/16/2023 6:00 PM4/16/2023 7:00 PM#MythComicsSpotlightWill Be Released
ReadingMaria PiconeReading🎉 Squee544/16/2023 6:00 PM4/16/2023 7:00 PMN/A
ReadingMalda MarlysReading🎉 Squee544/16/2023 6:00 PM4/16/2023 7:00 PMN/A
OMG So Much To Do: A Mutual Support and Venting SessionFeeling intimidated by you to-do pile? Do you have more projects than you have energy or time to commit to them? Come to this co-working session, vent with other overwhelmed folks, share strategies for coping, and maybe - just maybe - get some stuff done.Co-Working👥 Community544/16/2023 6:00 PM4/16/2023 7:00 PMN/A
ReadingSteven RadeckiReading🎉 Squee554/16/2023 7:00 PM4/16/2023 8:00 PMN/A
Co-Working: Get It DoneYou've warmed up, you've planned and plotted, and now it's time to get it done! Bring a project in progress and work in good company to finish the thing - or at least, get closer to doing so. During this session we'll chat and share what we're working on, and then settle in to make good progress on our projects.Co-Working👥 Community554/16/2023 7:00 PM4/16/2023 8:00 PMN/A
Pet SlideshowDuring the convention's breaks, hang out and view the pet slideshow.Hangout👥 Community564/16/2023 8:00 PM4/16/2023 9:00 PM#PetsofFoFN/A
BreakBreak564/16/2023 8:00 PM4/16/2023 9:00 PMN/A
ReadingDiana Pharaoh FrancisReading🎉 Squee574/16/2023 9:00 PM4/16/2023 10:00 PMN/A
Timed Co-WorkingBring a project and settle in for some timed work with fellow creatives. All project types and mediums welcome!Co-Working👥 Community574/16/2023 9:00 PM4/16/2023 10:00 PMN/A
ReadingMisha HandmanReading🎉 Squee584/16/2023 10:00 PM4/16/2023 11:00 PMN/A
Calendar
Lotteried Sessions

These sessions must be signed up for ahead of time. Not all sessions have open seats. If you would like to sign up for a session with open seats, you may do so on the “Sign Up” tab of this page. Note: The status of sessions displayed on this page only updates about once a day. The calendar in the next tab is up-to-date within a minute or so.

TitleDescriptionPresenterTypeTracksTagsCapacityScheduled HoursStatus
Prompts To Poetry - A Generative Speculative Poetry Workshop with Wendy Van CampBring your writing materials to this fun brainstorming session with Poet Laureate Wendy Van Camp. She will give you a series of science fiction prompts and ask you to write a poem in only a few minutes before moving on to the next prompt. Crazy? Maybe so, but this method of rapid ideation promotes high levels of creativity and helps keep the poet's inner editor out of the creative process. Expect to create several new seeds of poetry which you can later grow into a full poem. We will use one of the seeds to create a poem in the workshop.Wendy Van CampWorkshop🖋 Writing🧰 Workshop, 🔧 Craft122.0, 2.54/14/2023 2:00 PM4/14/2023 3:30 PMFull
Chill-n-Chat with CD CovingtonCD CovingtonChill-n-Chat👥 Community534/14/2023 3:00 PM4/14/2023 4:00 PMOpen
Chill-n-Chat with Celia LakeCelia LakeChill-n-Chat👥 Community544/14/2023 4:00 PM4/14/2023 5:00 PMOpen
Chill-n-Chat Session 1 with Neil ClarkeNeil ClarkeChill-n-Chat👥 Community1044/14/2023 4:00 PM4/14/2023 5:00 PMFull
A Writing Practice for Caregivers with Kate HeartfieldCaregiving for elders or other loved ones can be a joy and a privilege, but it also presents stresses and challenges for the creative life. In this workshop, a busy novelist, game writer and parent who spent several years caring for a family member with dementia presents some discussion and exercises to help integrate the writing and caregiving parts of ourselves. The workshop will cover pragmatic aspects such as finding time and energy to write, as well as psychological aspects such as holding on to a sense of self. It will also dip into topics such as how to use writing to process and express our experiences as caregivers in a way that is empathetic and respectful of privacy, and does not talk over others. It will include several brief writing exercises, and optional discussion.Kate HeartfieldWorkshop🧰 Workshop, 🗂 Managing1254/14/2023 5:00 PM4/14/2023 6:00 PMFull
The Great Idea Caper with M.C. Benner DixonA speculative fiction and poetry workshop centered on techniques for “stealing” ideas from the world around us (i.e., fractured fairy tales, monster mashups, scientific discoveries as plot points, etc.). There will be a balance between delivering tips and techniques and micro-burst writing prompts. Participants will be left with a ton of new ideas/starts for stories or poems.M.C. Benner DixonWorkshop🖋 Writing🧰 Workshop, 🔧 Craft205.0, 6.04/14/2023 5:00 PM4/14/2023 7:00 PMFull
Promoting Your Comics: How to Get On a Comics Show & Look Great Doing It with Benjamin Rojek, Shane WalshA major part of being an indie comics creator is marketing your work, and one of the easiest ways to reach a large audience is through podcast and YouTube show interviews. In this workshop, Ben and Shane from the hit indie comics show Comic Book Squares will teach you the most important dos and don'ts of getting a spot on a show. Using real life examples, Ben will show you interview pitches that work (and those that could get you blacklisted). This will be followed by a breakout session in which you'll write a sample email pitch that he will critique. In the second half of the workshop, Shane will teach you all about making yourself look and sound great for your interview. From affordable microphones to basic camera placement, Shane will help you look and sound professional, because you get just one chance to make a good first impression!Benjamin Rojek, Shane WalshWorkshop🧰 Workshop, 💲 Industry Biz2574/14/2023 7:00 PM4/14/2023 8:00 PMOpen
Building Worlds: Crafting Credible Science-Fiction Settings with Kemi Ashing-GiwaLearn the basics of constructing a believable science-fiction world (or worlds) from scratch, then fine-tune your own ideas in an intimate small group discussion.Kemi Ashing-GiwaWorkshop🧰 Workshop, 🔧 Craft, 📚 Facts674/14/2023 7:00 PM4/14/2023 8:00 PMFull
Mastering the Dungeon: How To Create A TTRPG with Tenacity PlysA class on how to create a TTRPG, taught in the form of a TTRPG. Bring your dice!Tenacity PlysWorkshop🧰 Workshop, 🔧 Craft, ⚙️ Skills20104/14/2023 10:00 PM4/14/2023 11:00 PMOpen
Chill-n-Chat with C. Thomas LafolletteC. Thomas LafolletteChill-n-Chat👥 Community5114/14/2023 11:00 PM4/15/2023 12:00 AMOpen
Podcast Workshop with Sean Carroll, Alexandra DrakeIt's a blast from the past! Radio is now podcasting and more popular than ever. With the growth of audio content the democratization of opinion and narrative programming is stronger than ever and YOU can have your say!But what should you, as a writer and reader, want to talk about? What's the minimum tech knowledge you'll need to pull it off? And why start today and worry about making an actually Good Product later?Join us for a two hour workshop on Podcasting for Writers where we will help you narrow down your focus, look at fiction, non-fiction, and commentary formats, and get you over the hump from thinking about starting a podcast to having a weekly show you enjoy making and look forward to.Featuring Sean Morrissey Carroll, host of Writers Lunch, we'll be peppering you with ideas, generating stories and scripts, and pushing anyone (from the life of the party to the wallflower), to take a step outside of your ego and start generating content. No experience necessary!Sean Carroll, Alexandra DrakeWorkshop🧰 Workshop, 🗂 Managing1211.0, 12.04/14/2023 11:00 PM4/15/2023 1:00 AMOpen
Chill-n-Chat with Suzan PalumboSuzan PalumboChill-n-Chat👥 Community5124/15/2023 12:00 AM4/15/2023 1:00 AMFull
Chill-n-Chat with Sean CarrollSean CarrollChill-n-Chat👥 Community5134/15/2023 1:00 AM4/15/2023 2:00 AMOpen
Chill-n-Chat with Arturo SerranoArturo SerranoChill-n-Chat👥 Community5144/15/2023 2:00 AM4/15/2023 3:00 AMOpen
Chill-n-Chat with Audrey Obuobisa-DarkoAudrey Obuobisa-DarkoChill-n-Chat👥 Community5154/15/2023 3:00 AM4/15/2023 4:00 AMOpen
Trauma as Metaphor: Using Speculative Poetry to Express Your Truths with Maria PiconePoets and writers, especially marginalized writers, are called to write into their traumatic experiences.How can we address trauma without retraumatizing ourselves or our audience? This workshop will introduce poets to the ideas and practices of speculative poetry as a way to mask yet reveal our trauma.We will look at examples and then begin drafting our own in a supportive environment. Beginners and veteran speculative poets (and poets) welcome!Maria PiconeWorkshop🖋 Writing🧰 Workshop, 🔧 Craft1519.0, 20.0, 21.04/15/2023 7:00 AM4/15/2023 10:00 AMOpen
Social Media for Creative People with Jaye VinerCreatives like to fight about using social media as much as they like to fight on it, so its hard to know what exactly it is and how it can be part of your life as a creative. If you are working on building an online presence or just debating your options, this generative workshop will guide you through some information about what it means to be a creative on the social platforms, how to get involved without burning yourself out with discouragement, and learn some strategies for doing it well. Participants will come away with some initial ideas for their online identity, posting, content generation, and hopefully some new online connections to help make the internet less of a big overcrowded void.Jaye VinerWorkshop🔄 Interdisciplinary🧰 Workshop, 🗂 Managing, 💲 Industry Biz, 👥 Community3020.0, 21.04/15/2023 8:00 AM4/15/2023 10:00 AMOpen
Linguistic World Building with CD CovingtonWant your world's made-up words and names to sound realistic and internally consistent, but don't know your glottal stops from your lateral fricatives? Want to ensure your nonhuman species can actually make the sounds you're putting in their vocal tracts? In this workshop, you'll learn basic concepts of phonetics and sociolinguistics, as well as how to apply them when creating your setting and the characters who live in it. This is not a workshop for creating a conlang.CD CovingtonWorkshop👂 Translation🧰 Workshop, 🔧 Craft1620.0, 21.0, 22.0, 23.04/15/2023 8:00 AM4/15/2023 12:00 PMFull
Business Planning Your Writing with Greg ClumpnerWriting is a business. Whether you write novels, short fiction, or non-fiction, want to be traditionally published or self-published, and write full-time or as a side-hustle, the core business principles are the same. In this workshop, we’ll outline the aspects of business planning that are most applicable to writers, and work with each person on developing their personal path forward. Participants will be asked to fill out an informational survey ahead of the workshop.Greg ClumpnerWorkshop🧰 Workshop, 🗂 Managing821.0, 22.04/15/2023 9:00 AM4/15/2023 11:00 AMFull
Query Letter Workshop with José Pablo Iriarte, Elle IreLooking to polish and perfect that query letter? Between them, authors Elle Ire and Jose Iriarte have worked with five different agents and been offered agent representation fifteen times. In this workshop, a select number of writers will receive live, personalized feedback on their query letters (submitted prior to the conference), along with suggestions for how to improve their chances of catching an agent's attention. Bring any and all agent-related questions.José Pablo Iriarte, Elle IreWorkshop🖋 Writing🧰 Workshop, 💲 Industry Biz1522.0, 23.04/15/2023 10:00 AM4/15/2023 12:00 PMFull
Chill-n-Chat with Mia TsaiMia TsaiChill-n-Chat👥 Community5234/15/2023 11:00 AM4/15/2023 12:00 PMFull
Playing with Expectations: Writing Across Genre with Rachelle CruzThis generative writing workshop invites participants to experiment, blur, and bend the rules and expectations of genre fiction— SF/F, mystery, romance, westerns, and horror — and literary genre — fiction, non-fiction, and poetry — through a series of writing exercises. We’ll also take a look at work by Carmen Maria Machado, Trinidad Escobar, and a few others writers for inspiration and share with each other.Rachelle CruzWorkshop🧰 Workshop, 🔧 Craft15254/15/2023 1:00 PM4/15/2023 2:00 PMFull
Chill-n-Chat Session 2 with Neil ClarkeNeil ClarkeChill-n-Chat👥 Community10254/15/2023 1:00 PM4/15/2023 2:00 PMFull
From the Margins into the Spotlight: a Pitch Session for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and Other Historically Excluded Writers with Cody SiscoThis workshop will focus on how to effectively pitch your stories to publishers and agents that make inclusion of historically excluded voices a priority. We'll examine strategies for bringing your passion and authenticity into your pitches as well as the art of shaping a compelling pitch and biography.Cody SiscoWorkshop🖋 Writing🧰 Workshop, 💲 Industry Biz20264/15/2023 2:00 PM4/15/2023 3:00 PMFull
Chill-n-Chat with Laura BlackwellLaura BlackwellChill-n-Chat👥 Community5264/15/2023 2:00 PM4/15/2023 3:00 PMOpen
First Chapter workshop with Diana Pharaoh FrancisSix writers are invited to participate in a workshop focused on the first chapters of their novels. All six writers will submit their chapters in advance, reach each others’ chapters in advance, and come to the workshop prepared to discuss what works and what doesn’t in each opening chapter and how each writer might improve their work. This workshop will involve both positive and negative feedback, so be prepared to hear both. It’s never easy to hear the negative, but the goal will be to help you improve your work.The workshop will last three hours. For the first half hour, we will introduce ourselves discuss the rules of the workshop and what a first chapter should do. The next two hours we’ll spend twenty minutes each on the six submitted chapters. We’ll make sure to have a break or two as well. We’ll close with a question and answer session.Diana Pharaoh FrancisWorkshop🧰 Workshop, 🔧 Craft627.0, 28.0, 29.04/15/2023 3:00 PM4/15/2023 6:00 PMFull
Chill-n-Chat with J.R. DawsonJ.R. DawsonChill-n-Chat👥 Community5284/15/2023 4:00 PM4/15/2023 5:00 PMOpen
Intro to Speculative Poetry with Dawn VogelMany speculative prose writers find poetry outside of their grasp, but it doesn't have to be. Poetry presents a wealth of options for telling stories, and it can also help you learn valuable techniques that can apply to prose as well. Learn how to tell speculative stories in poetry through several exercises and sharing your work with your classmates. I'll also share a wealth of helpful websites to keep at your fingertips as you continue your journeys in speculative poetry.Dawn VogelWorkshop🖋 Writing🧰 Workshop, 🔧 Craft830.0, 31.04/15/2023 6:00 PM4/15/2023 8:00 PMFull
Chill-n-Chat with Mona WestMona WestChill-n-Chat👥 Community5314/15/2023 7:00 PM4/15/2023 8:00 PMOpen
Swordplay and Station Wagons: A Beginners Guide to Writing Action Scenes for All Genres with C. Thomas LafolletteAre your action scenes awkward and boring or do you just fade to black when the action is about to go down? Whether it’s an epic magic battle, pistols at dawn, a drunken brawl, or a good old-fashioned donnybrook, a well-written action scene can drive a plot forward and develop character in any genre.The key to writing an effective and entertaining action scene begins and ends with the character. The character drives the action whether it’s a car chase or a sword fight and draws the reader along. In Swordplay and Station Wagons: A Beginners Guide to Writing Action Scenes for All Genres, you’ll learn the building blocks of creating an action scene that’ll hook your reader and keep them excited for more.The workshop will cover:· Analyzing and preparing your character· Using setting· Basic research· Writing techniques· Vehicle chases, fist fights, sword fights, & gun fights.Participants will receive a post workshop critique analyzing an action scene (10 pages, Times New Roman, Double Spaced).C. Thomas LafolletteWorkshop🧰 Workshop, 🔧 Craft1233.0, 34.04/15/2023 9:00 PM4/15/2023 11:00 PMFull
Characters in Context: How to Create Dynamic Characters and Synergetic Casts with Moses Ose UtomiGood characters only exist in context. Shakespeare's Juliet is an extreme but relatable depiction of young love, but replace the equally lovestruck Romeo with, say, Joffrey Lannister, and Juliet changes from a star-crossed lover to a classic case of Stockholm Syndrome. In this workshop, we will use the Star method to create characters by creating the characters around them, and we will discuss how each member of a cast can make the others even more memorable.Moses Ose UtomiWorkshop🧰 Workshop, 🔧 Craft2034.0, 35.04/15/2023 10:00 PM4/16/2023 12:00 AMFull
Chill-n-Chat with Jennifer SpirkoJennifer SpirkoChill-n-Chat👥 Community5394/16/2023 3:00 AM4/16/2023 4:00 AMOpen
Chill-n-Chat with Shelvi GargShelvi GargChill-n-Chat👥 Community5434/16/2023 7:00 AM4/16/2023 8:00 AMOpen
Chill-n-Chat with Greg ClumpnerGreg ClumpnerChill-n-Chat👥 Community5434/16/2023 7:00 AM4/16/2023 8:00 AMOpen
Chill-n-Chat with Nicole GloverNicole GloverChill-n-Chat👥 Community5444/16/2023 8:00 AM4/16/2023 9:00 AMOpen
Chill-n-Chat with Aimee KuzenskiAimee KuzenskiChill-n-Chat👥 Community5454/16/2023 9:00 AM4/16/2023 10:00 AMOpen
Alt-Texts Are Art: Creating Transcripts for Your Podcast with Courtney FloydConversations about accessibility in podcasting tend to focus on tasks––make transcripts and give your audience multiple ways to access them, normalize your audio, use content warnings––and, while those conversations are absolutely important and necessary, they tend to reduce accessibility to an operational afterthought, relegating it to the realm of the to-do (or to-not-do) list. Something important to think about, but not something central to the artistic process itself. In this workshop, we’ll explore transcripts as an artistic endeavor in their own right, discussing key considerations before doing some practice transcription together.Courtney FloydWorkshop🧰 Workshop, 🗂 Managing, 🔧 Craft2046.0, 46.54/16/2023 10:00 AM4/16/2023 11:30 AMOpen
Deep(er) Point of View with Erik GroveDescription: When intentionally employed, point of view in storytelling reveals the emotional state, backstory, and biases of the point of view character. With a close enough point of view, every line of text is an opportunity to heighten tension and reveal more about setting and character. Whether writing in third person or first person, Deep(er) Point of View methods and tools bring characters to life and immerse readers in unique and memorable perspectives.Erik GroveWorkshop🖋 Writing🧰 Workshop, 🔧 Craft2047.0, 47.54/16/2023 11:00 AM4/16/2023 12:30 PMFull
Student/Teacher/Poet: Bridging Speculative Poetry and the Academy with Angela AcostaThis interactive workshop invites students, teachers, and all who learn, teach, and research to discuss how we can bring our academic backgrounds and personal experiences into the writing of speculative poetry. How can we “write what we know” through world-building and character development in speculative poems? We’ll discuss how to connect academic writing with speculative poetry and our roles as students, educators, poets, and changemakers.Angela AcostaWorkshop🖋 Writing🧰 Workshop, 🔧 Craft2047.0, 47.54/16/2023 11:00 AM4/16/2023 12:30 PMOpen
Outlining Your Novel with Daphne StrasertHave an idea for a novel, but unsure where the story is going? Do you begin a project, but get stuck midway? Whether you are starting a draft or have written a novel that needs revision, outlining can help you to craft a better book. Bring your WIP to this workshop and we will help you turn your ideas into an outline that’s ready to write.Daphne StrasertWorkshop🧰 Workshop, 🔧 Craft3049.0, 50.04/16/2023 1:00 PM4/16/2023 3:00 PMFull
Queries That Pop with Catherine LundoffCatherine LundoffWorkshop🧰 Workshop, 💲 Industry Biz1550.0, 51.04/16/2023 2:00 PM4/16/2023 4:00 PMFull
Chill-n-Chat with Rebecca RoanhorseRebecca RoanhorseChill-n-Chat👥 Community5514/16/2023 3:00 PM4/16/2023 4:00 PMFull
Medical Verisimilitude: Diagnosing and Treating Medical Tropes in Your Fiction with Mona WestIn this workshop, we'll review the broader concept of tropes before focusing on common medical tropes in fiction (examples include "last words right before death" and "immediate recovery from mortal injury"). We'll discuss techniques for identifying and avoiding medical tropes in your own work, and how medical accuracy can heighten storytelling. We'll end with an exercise in which you rewrite a medically "trope-y" story based on what you've learned.Mona WestWorkshop🧰 Workshop, 🔧 Craft2552.0, 53.04/16/2023 4:00 PM4/16/2023 6:00 PMFull
Chill-n-Chat with Gaby HallGaby HallChill-n-Chat👥 Community5534/16/2023 5:00 PM4/16/2023 6:00 PMOpen
Lottery Calendar
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Activities

In addition to the scheduled activities below, we’re running a convention-wide Scavenger Hunt! You can check out the details on the Scavenger Hunt page.

TitleDescriptionPresenterModeratorTypeTracksTagsScheduled HoursHashtag
Co-Working: Warm-upsStretch those creative muscles with a warm-up of your choice. Bring a sketchbook, do some journaling or freewriting, or doodle! During this session we'll chat and share some warm-up techniques, and then settle in to start getting creative.Co-Working👥 Community04/14/2023 12:00 PM4/14/2023 1:00 PM
Fiction Pitching SessionA chance to pitch your story idea(s) live to industry professionals from Water Dragon Publishing and receive instant (and constructive) feedback. This is a drop-in/drop-out session. Observers are welcome!Steven RadeckiPitch Session🖋 Writing⚙️ Skills, 🧰 Workshop2.0, 3.04/14/2023 2:00 PM4/14/2023 4:00 PM#PitchSession1
Pet SlideshowDuring the convention's breaks, hang out and view the pet slideshow.Hangout👥 Community84/14/2023 8:00 PM4/14/2023 9:00 PM#PetsofFoF
Pet SlideshowDuring the convention's breaks, hang out and view the pet slideshow.Hangout👥 Community164/15/2023 4:00 AM4/15/2023 5:00 AM#PetsofFoF
Craft-alongCraft-along!Co-Working👥 Community184/15/2023 6:00 AM4/15/2023 7:00 AM
Wheels and Feels: A Space Roller Derby AdventureYou're a player for Vanilla Slice, an Intergalactic Roller Derby team, on your way to compete in Constellary Chaos--which is, of course, THE major derby event this side of the Milky Way. It's hosted every year at the AstronoDome, a hub for space sports of all sorts, and your ship should be docking any minute now ... A game for 3-6 players using the "Lasers and Feelings" system; no previous tabletop gaming knowledge/experience necessary. No roller derby knowledge necessary either, for that matter. Just bring along a six-sided die (or a dice rolling app) and a cool roller derby name for yourself!Aimee OgdenOpen Session Gaming👥 Community18.0, 19.04/15/2023 6:00 AM4/15/2023 8:00 AM
Timed Co-WorkingBring a project and settle in for some timed work with fellow creatives. All project types and mediums welcome!Co-Working👥 Community194/15/2023 7:00 AM4/15/2023 8:00 AM
Co-Working: Plans and SchemesWhether you're plotting out your next novel, storyboarding a comic, or doing a painting study, planning is an important part of the process. During this session we'll chat and share some planning techniques, and then settle in to make our schemes and plan happen.Co-Working👥 Community224/15/2023 10:00 AM4/15/2023 11:00 AM
Something is Wrong with this HouseJoin Malda Marlys in playing "Something is Wrong With this House," a 3-6 player tongue-in-cheek horror game where the PCs are the monsters haunting a new home, trying to drive out the hapless humans moving in.This is an open session, and the seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.Malda MarlysOpen Session Gaming🎮 Games🎉 Squee, 👥 Community22.0, 23.04/15/2023 10:00 AM4/15/2023 12:00 PM
R3K HangoutA hangout for folks listening along to and discussing Romance of the Three Kingdoms in the Dream Foundry server.Hangout👥 Community234/15/2023 11:00 AM4/15/2023 12:00 PM
Pet SlideshowDuring the convention's breaks, hang out and view the pet slideshow.Hangout👥 Community244/15/2023 12:00 PM4/15/2023 1:00 PM#PetsofFoF
Rewilding Our Stories HangoutA hangout session for folks from the Rewilding Our Stories community and those who want to hang out with them. The discussion topic will be "Science Communication in Speculative Ecofiction."Sara DavisHangout274/15/2023 3:00 PM4/15/2023 4:00 PM
Game Session: Yazeba’s Bed and Breakfast: The Pancake WarOnce upon a time, the world was cruel, and there was a witch who knew it well, and so she sold her heart to build a house in the woods where the world could never find her. At first she would let no one into her fortress. But in the long march of days, a strange thing happened: in her own cold and spiteful way, the witch made a friend…and then another…and thenseveral more, until her house was teeming with colorful faces and complicated lives. The house would come to be known as Yazeba’s Bed & Breakfast, and it would last for a very long time. One day, the demon child Hey Kid gets upset that there are no pancakes for breakfast, and decides to start a competing franchise! As Yazeba the witch and Hey Kid’s argument heats up, the other residents (and guests!) of the Bed and Breakfast are drawn into a magical, familial fight between two rival restaurants. Will Yazeba’s traditional Bed and Breakfast triumph, or is it time for pancakes every day? This game uses the Yazeba’s Bed and Breakfast system, along with pre-generated characters for you to choose from. Familiarity with the system is not required; the rules will be laid out at the start of the game, and they’re pretty straightforward. This is an open gaming session meaning no signup is required. Seats in the game will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.Misha HandmanOpen Session Gaming🎮 Games👥 Community31.0, 32.04/15/2023 7:00 PM4/15/2023 9:00 PM
Water Dragon Publishing PartyA gathering for folks associated with Water Dragon Publishing, and anyone who wants to party with them.Steven RadeckiParty👥 Community31.0, 32.0, 33.0, 34.04/15/2023 7:00 PM4/15/2023 11:00 PM
Pet SlideshowDuring the convention's breaks, hang out and view the pet slideshow.Hangout👥 Community324/15/2023 8:00 PM4/15/2023 9:00 PM#PetsofFoF
Timed Co-WorkingBring a project and settle in for some timed work with fellow creatives. All project types and mediums welcome!Co-Working👥 Community354/15/2023 11:00 PM4/16/2023 12:00 AM
Pet SlideshowDuring the convention's breaks, hang out and view the pet slideshow.Hangout👥 Community404/16/2023 4:00 AM4/16/2023 5:00 AM#PetsofFoF
Fiction Pitching SessionA chance to pitch your story idea(s) live to industry professionals from Water Dragon Publishing and receive instant (and constructive) feedback. This is a drop-in/drop-out session. Observers are welcome!Steven RadeckiPitch Session🖋 Writing⚙️ Skills, 🧰 Workshop47.0, 48.04/16/2023 11:00 AM4/16/2023 1:00 PM#PitchSession2
Pet SlideshowDuring the convention's breaks, hang out and view the pet slideshow.Hangout👥 Community484/16/2023 12:00 PM4/16/2023 1:00 PM#PetsofFoF
OMG So Much To Do: A Mutual Support and Venting SessionFeeling intimidated by you to-do pile? Do you have more projects than you have energy or time to commit to them? Come to this co-working session, vent with other overwhelmed folks, share strategies for coping, and maybe - just maybe - get some stuff done.Co-Working👥 Community544/16/2023 6:00 PM4/16/2023 7:00 PM
Co-Working: Get It DoneYou've warmed up, you've planned and plotted, and now it's time to get it done! Bring a project in progress and work in good company to finish the thing - or at least, get closer to doing so. During this session we'll chat and share what we're working on, and then settle in to make good progress on our projects.Co-Working👥 Community554/16/2023 7:00 PM4/16/2023 8:00 PM
Pet SlideshowDuring the convention's breaks, hang out and view the pet slideshow.Hangout👥 Community564/16/2023 8:00 PM4/16/2023 9:00 PM#PetsofFoF
Timed Co-WorkingBring a project and settle in for some timed work with fellow creatives. All project types and mediums welcome!Co-Working👥 Community574/16/2023 9:00 PM4/16/2023 10:00 PM
Time

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