The below is the final version, last updated 2018-07-03 17:00.
Blind Slush Pile
Saturday, 3:00 PM-3:50 PM, Thunderpass
Lou J Berger, A.M. Burns, Catherine Winters, Ian Thomas Healy , J.L. Forrest, James Van Pelt, Travis Heermann
A panel of editors, one reader, and your manuscript (submitted blindly, so the author isn’t known to the editors). Find out what keeps editors reading, and what gets them to toss stories aside. Bring your own manuscript to participate.
Blind Slush Pile
Saturday, 7:00 PM-7:50 PM, Thunderpass
Lou J Berger, Carol A Berg, Guy Anthony De Marco, Jessica Lauren Gabarron, Mike Cervantes, Richard E. Friesen, Thea Hutcheson
A panel of editors, one reader, and your manuscript (submitted blindly, so the author isn’t known to the editors). Find out what keeps editors reading, and what gets them to toss stories aside. Bring your own manuscript to participate.
Building my First Lightsaber
Friday, 1:00 PM-1:50 PM, Helm’s Deep
Kevin J. Anderson
Bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson describes his journey from being an isolated small-town fanboy to becoming an international success with over 140 novels published.
Coincidence and Fate in Plotting
Wednesday, 5:00 PM-5:50 PM, Thunderpass
Aaron Michael Ritchey, Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff
Is it kosher to have wild coincidences propelling your plot forward? Panelists discuss how much coincidence is too much and how it can work (or not) in a story.
Creating the Anti-Hero
Saturday, 10:00 PM-10:50 PM, Serenity
Melissa Koons, Therese Szymanski, Veronica R. Calisto
Discussion group on creating anti-heroes, dark vigilantes, and others with super powers. Aged for 18+
Feeding the Beast
Friday, 3:00 PM-3:50 PM, The Shire
Andrew Mayne, James Van Pelt, Laurey (L.F.) Patten, Therese Szymanski, Veronica R. Calisto
Creating stories involves a lot of time seeing possibilities when you’re not writing, drawing or working on your craft. Where do find ideas and how to you collect and refine ideas for story-telling
Going with the Flow
Friday, 11:00 AM-11:50 AM, Serenity
Andrew Mayne, J.D. Harrison, Jack Skillingstead, Veronica R. Calisto
Finding inspiration and balancing your job as a writer with your mundane job and other muggle responsibilities.
Humor in the Modern Action Story
Thursday, 8:00 PM-8:50 PM, The Shire
Ken Lizzi, Veronica R. Calisto, W.J. Cherf
From Axel Foley to Deadpool, why do so many writers (and directors) mash up humor and violence?
I Wrote Something! Now What?
Wednesday, 1:00 PM-1:50 PM, Thunderpass
Corie Weaver, J.D. Harrison, James Van Pelt, Rebecca Moesta
Writing isn’t the only skill a writer needs in this day and age. We need to understand business, presentation, and sales. Once you’ve created that book and it’s ready to sell, how do you get the word out?
Invent Imaginary Religions for an Imaginary World
Thursday, 12:00 PM-12:50 PM, Helm’s Deep
Stant Litore
On your imaginary world, what do people worship and why, and how does this drive your characters and your story? Come invent some religions!
It Ain’t the Writing, It’s the Rewriting: The Power of Revision
Saturday, 11:00 AM-11:50 AM, Helm’s Deep
Amalie Howard, Stacia Seaman
Few first drafts are gold dripped upon the page, so how do we make them so?
Marketing for Writers
Saturday, 9:00 AM-9:50 AM, Serenity
Jennifer Rose, Thomas A Fowler, W.J. Cherf
Don’t publishers handle all that marketing mumbo jumbo? In this booming era of indie authors, hybrids, and small presses, what does it take to get your name out there? How does a writer market themselves?
Pitching to the Editor
Friday, 3:00 PM-3:50 PM, Serenity
A.M. Burns, Kevin Frost, Rebecca Moesta, Stacia Seaman
Real live editors provide their perspectives on what pitches they like, and what they don’t.
Pitfalls of the Strong Female Character
Friday, 8:00 PM-8:50 PM, Serenity
Jennifer Rose, Stacia Seaman, Veronica R. Calisto
There is more to feminine strength than the assassin and the Chosen One built to kill all of the vampires. We will explore tropes and stereotypes of the way strength and females intertwine in our stories and media.
Polyamory and Non-monogamy in Science Fiction and Fantasy
Sunday, 11:00 AM-11:50 AM, The Shire
Aaron Michael Ritchey, Catherine Winters, Eneasz Brodski, Vennessa Robertson
Panelists will review SFF genre fiction throughout the decades with non-monogamous and polyamorous themes and how they have influenced current lifestyle trends.
Relatable AND Interesting Characters
Friday, 12:00 PM-12:50 PM, The Shire
Jodi M Franklin, Ken Lizzi, Laurey (L.F.) Patten, Veronica R. Calisto
Writing fictional worlds means creating characters and situations to keep the reader engaged, but where is the balance between larger-than-life characters that are relatable yet interesting.
The Laser Cannon on Page Two
Wednesday, 12:00 PM-12:50 PM, Thunderpass
Dylan Edwards, Elwin Cotman, Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff
An old mystery aphorism says you shouldn’t mention the shotgun over the fireplace in Chapter One unless it’s going to produce a corpse in Chapter Three. How foreshadowing enriches a tale.
Trials and Triumphs of Short Fiction
Thursday, 1:00 PM-1:50 PM, The Shire
Jack Skillingstead, James Van Pelt, Therese Szymanski, Van Aaron Hughes
Discuss what it’s like to work the short fiction market, from getting into Gratis Anthologies all the way up to Pro sales. How do you climb that ladder, and what’s the fastest route into the big leagues?
Understanding Amazon
Friday, 12:00 PM-12:50 PM, Room of Requirement
James A. Hunter
Amazon is the biggest distribution platform independent authors. How do you get discovered, stand out, and make a profit? Understanding how Amazon works can give many authors the opportunity and edge they need to find readers who will love their work.
What to Do With That First Manuscript
Saturday, 4:00 PM-4:50 PM, Room of Requirement
Amalie Howard, J.D. Harrison, Jennifer Rose, Stacia Seaman
Once written, what should I do with my book? Where do I start, what decisions need to be made, and what are some common pitfalls to newbies?
Writing from Life’s Lessons
Friday, 1:00 PM-1:50 PM, The Shire
Elwin Cotman, James Van Pelt, Laurey (L.F.) Patten, Van Aaron Hughes
How have your life experiences impacted your craft?
Writing the Story is the Easy Part!
Sunday, 1:00 PM-1:50 PM, Serenity
Corie Weaver, Therese Szymanski, W.J. Cherf
Panelists discuss tales and compare the indie and traditional publishing worlds.