Ef Deal, Chuck Gannon, Kathryn Sullivan (M), Aaron Rosenberg

Salon D

Author popularity peaks and wains with the literary tide. Life or publishing travails get in the way, trends change, the muse stops speaking. How do you come back from the unexpected fade? What do you do to increase the visibility of your work and your brand?

Lancelot Schaubert (M), James Prego, Mike McPhail , Amy Grech, Keith R.A. DeCandido

Salon D

How do you make an injury to your character at least someone realistic without slowing down your story’s momentum? Writers provide tips for making injuries as believable as possible given story/character constraints.

Lawrence Kramer (M), James Prego, Bjorn Hasseler,Ian Strock, Jay Smith

Salon D

Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion on the possibility of modern-day doctors making a positive impact if teleported into the past. We’ll explore the limitations and possibilities of transporting doctors from today’s era to the medical world of the past. Would their modern knowledge and techniques be enough to change the course of history and improve medical care in earlier times? Or would they face insurmountable challenges due to the limitations of technology and societal norms of the past? Don’t miss this engaging discussion on the intersection of medicine and time travel.

Randee Dawn

Lancelot Schaubert (M), Danielle Ackley-McPhail, James Prego, Sarena Strauss

Miracle

Merging science and storytelling – an exploration of the latest breakthroughs and discoveries from the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) and others, and how they can inspire new and exciting science fiction and fantasy stories. From technological advancements to insights into the human condition, attendees will learn about the latest research and have the opportunity to brainstorm and share their own story ideas. Whether you’re a writer seeking inspiration or a science enthusiast looking to explore the intersection of science and fiction, this session is sure to captivate and inspire.

Please join us in celebrating our new titles, including Phoenix Precinct by Keith R.A. DeCandido, Yeti Left Home by Aaron Rosenberg, Invasive Species by Hildy Silverman, Esprit de Corpse by Ef Deal, and the anthologies A Cast of Crows, Grimm Machinations, and Grease Monkeys, with stories by attending authors Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Ef Deal, Gordon Linzner, Aaron Rosenberg, and James Chambers. We will have authors, readings, goodies, and prizes

Salon D

Jim Chambers (M), Hildy Silverman, Jay Smith , Marc Vun Kannon

Salon C

Audience Participation: Discussion of paranormal beings in books and movies. Why do we love this genre? What’s trending now and what creatures have yet to have their day. What paranormal being would you love to see next?

Salon E

Lounge Area by Restaurant

Our Guests of Honor Steve and Sharon (and several of their traveling stuffies) will host a low-key get together with tea and snacks to let traveling fans share their fellow-traveler teddy bears or other stuffies with others who often travel with soft companions. Share their stories and names, if you dare to share…

Library

Library

Library

Library

Randee Dawn (M), Jay Smith, Andy Campbell, Renee Ritchie, Lori Perkins

Miracle

Metaphors as popular culture: Why we are having so many zombie and Vampire TV shows
In this panel, we’ll be discussing the abundance of zombie and vampire TV shows and their underlying metaphors for our collective societal fears and anxieties. For example, zombies may symbolize pandemics and the collapse of society, while vampires may embody issues around power, addiction, and mortality. We’ll explore how these metaphors provide insight into our culture and why these creatures have such a strong grip on popular media. Join us for an engaging conversation on the deeper meanings behind these popular tropes.

Kathryn Sullivan

Miracle

Miracle

Join Editor Dina Leacock and Author Ann Stolinsky as they launch their latest anthology, Trees.

David Mattingly, Sharon Lee, Steve Miller, Michael Ventrella

Miracle

Ef Deal (M), Michael Ventrella, Neil Clarke , Ian Strock, Ann Stolinsky

Miracle

This is an opportunity for writers to ask what are you looking for and what should be avoided. Certain story ideas have been done to death. What should a writer do if the editor asks for a rewrite? Tips for writers.

Miracle Ballroom

David Mattingly presents a slideshow of his work.

Miracle

Gaming and Social area No Food allowed.

Keith R.A. DeCandido, Gordon Linzner, James Prego, Lori Perkins

Miracle Room

The Everything Everywhere All At Once appreciation circle – Come discuss the many aspects of this delightfully different movie!

Boardroom A (Filk)

Boardroom A (Filk)

please note room change

Boardroom A (Filk)

Boardroom A (Filk)

Boardroom A (Filk)

Boardroom A (Filk)

Boardroom A (Filk)

Boardroom A (Filk)

Boardroom A (Filk)

Boardroom A (Filk)

Lobby

Lounge Area by Restaurant

Our Guests of Honor Steve and Sharon (and several of their traveling stuffies) will host a low-key get together with tea and snacks to let traveling fans share their fellow-traveler teddy bears or other stuffies with others who often travel with soft companions. Share their stories and names, if you dare to share…

Lobby

Amy Grech (M), Russ Colchamiro, Marc Vun Kannon, Jim Chambers

Salon C

Dark fiction of the supernatural and human variety frequently overlap. Elements of suspense and horror often intermingle between those genres and blend well with crime fiction. Crime and mystery stories often verge on horror simply because they illuminate the darkest corners of human experience. Where can these different types of stories enhance each other? What defines and separates them? What are some classic examples that blend them?

Ef Deal, Chuck Gannon, Kathryn Sullivan (M), Aaron Rosenberg

Salon D

Author popularity peaks and wains with the literary tide. Life or publishing travails get in the way, trends change, the muse stops speaking. How do you come back from the unexpected fade? What do you do to increase the visibility of your work and your brand?

Randee Dawn (M), Jay Smith, Andy Campbell, Renee Ritchie, Lori Perkins

Miracle

Metaphors as popular culture: Why we are having so many zombie and Vampire TV shows
In this panel, we’ll be discussing the abundance of zombie and vampire TV shows and their underlying metaphors for our collective societal fears and anxieties. For example, zombies may symbolize pandemics and the collapse of society, while vampires may embody issues around power, addiction, and mortality. We’ll explore how these metaphors provide insight into our culture and why these creatures have such a strong grip on popular media. Join us for an engaging conversation on the deeper meanings behind these popular tropes.

Salon E

Library

Kathryn Sullivan

Miracle

Hildy Silverman (M), Chuck Gannon, Christopher Burke, Elektra Hammond

Salon C

Hey, we all love dragons, and they can do all sorts of stuff like swear, smoke cigars and drink whiskey. But if they don’t know the basic facts about how to smoke a cigar or enjoy a whiskey, it’s gonna be a total buzzkill. We’re here to talk about those little details that can totally take you out of the moment, even when giant robots are pounding each other into scrap metal. It’s not rocket science, just stuff you could look up on Google, but it can make a big difference in keeping your fantasy world feeling real. Join us for some tips and tricks from our panelists on how to keep your readers and viewers engaged in your fantastical worlds.

Lancelot Schaubert (M), James Prego, Mike McPhail , Amy Grech, Keith R.A. DeCandido

Salon D

How do you make an injury to your character at least someone realistic without slowing down your story’s momentum? Writers provide tips for making injuries as believable as possible given story/character constraints.

Boardroom A (Filk)

Boardroom A (Filk)

Miracle

Join Editor Dina Leacock and Author Ann Stolinsky as they launch their latest anthology, Trees.

please note room change

Salon C

Boardroom A (Filk)

Library

David Mattingly, Sharon Lee, Steve Miller, Michael Ventrella

Miracle

Gordon Linzner (M), Hildy Silverman, Jim Chambers, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Dina Leacock

Salon C

Making Our Monsters or Finding Them – while cryptids have always had a history with mankind going back to Carl Linnaeus and his Animalia Paradoxa, and even beyond, the fascination for these documented but unproven creatures has steadily increase. Some have been proven, others remain elusive, and for some, they are all just elaborate hoaxes, and even so they continue to hold appeal. Discuss.

Lawrence Kramer (M), James Prego, Bjorn Hasseler,Ian Strock, Jay Smith

Salon D

Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion on the possibility of modern-day doctors making a positive impact if teleported into the past. We’ll explore the limitations and possibilities of transporting doctors from today’s era to the medical world of the past. Would their modern knowledge and techniques be enough to change the course of history and improve medical care in earlier times? Or would they face insurmountable challenges due to the limitations of technology and societal norms of the past? Don’t miss this engaging discussion on the intersection of medicine and time travel.

Boardroom A (Filk)

Ef Deal (M), Michael Ventrella, Neil Clarke , Ian Strock, Ann Stolinsky

Miracle

This is an opportunity for writers to ask what are you looking for and what should be avoided. Certain story ideas have been done to death. What should a writer do if the editor asks for a rewrite? Tips for writers.

Marc Vun Kannon (M), Karen Heuler, Aaron Rosenberg, Chuck Gannon

Salon C

Internal monologues – do you have one? How does having it or not affect your writing? Are there different writing techniques favored? Is the publishing industry skewed towards those who have one over those who don’t?

Randee Dawn

Boardroom A (Filk)

Library

Miracle Ballroom

David Mattingly presents a slideshow of his work.

Boardroom A (Filk)

Library

Lancelot Schaubert (M), Danielle Ackley-McPhail, James Prego, Sarena Strauss

Miracle

Merging science and storytelling – an exploration of the latest breakthroughs and discoveries from the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) and others, and how they can inspire new and exciting science fiction and fantasy stories. From technological advancements to insights into the human condition, attendees will learn about the latest research and have the opportunity to brainstorm and share their own story ideas. Whether you’re a writer seeking inspiration or a science enthusiast looking to explore the intersection of science and fiction, this session is sure to captivate and inspire.

Sarah Sheenan (M), Kathy Sullivan, Vikki Ciaffone, Bjorn Hasseler, Walter Hunt

Salon C

In TV shows from Buffy to Once Upon a Time, libraries hold the answers to defeating magical creatures. In books such as Grimm Legacy by Polly Schulman and Libromancer by Jim Hines, libraries hold the actual magical artifacts. What are some of your favorite libraries and librarians in SFF?

Boardroom A (Filk)

Miracle

Gaming and Social area No Food allowed.

Please join us in celebrating our new titles, including Phoenix Precinct by Keith R.A. DeCandido, Yeti Left Home by Aaron Rosenberg, Invasive Species by Hildy Silverman, Esprit de Corpse by Ef Deal, and the anthologies A Cast of Crows, Grimm Machinations, and Grease Monkeys, with stories by attending authors Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Ef Deal, Gordon Linzner, Aaron Rosenberg, and James Chambers. We will have authors, readings, goodies, and prizes

Salon D

Boardroom A (Filk)

Salon C

Everyone Welcome Bring your books to sell

Boardroom A (Filk)

Boardroom A (Filk)

Keith R.A. DeCandido, Gordon Linzner, James Prego, Lori Perkins

Miracle Room

The Everything Everywhere All At Once appreciation circle – Come discuss the many aspects of this delightfully different movie!

Jim Chambers (M), Hildy Silverman, Jay Smith , Marc Vun Kannon

Salon C

Audience Participation: Discussion of paranormal beings in books and movies. Why do we love this genre? What’s trending now and what creatures have yet to have their day. What paranormal being would you love to see next?

The Crucible

Salon C

Sarena Strauss (M), Jenifer Rosenberg, Christopher Burke, Lancelot Schaubert, Sarena Strauss (M)

Salon D

Come share the weirdest and wildest words you’ve discovered this year with fellow language enthusiasts! From funky new terms in science fiction to fascinating words from other cultures, we’re going to explore it all. Our presenters will keep the conversation going with their own wacky word finds, and you’re invited to bring your own to add to the mix. This session is perfect for anyone who loves language and wants to connect with other language nerds. So come hang out, learn some new words, and let’s have a good time together!

Renee Ritchie

Salon D

Marc Vun Kannon (M), Kathy Sullivan, Vikki Ciaffone, Christopher Burke

Salon D

What writing skills did you find easily or best developed in a fanfiction context? What sort of fanfiction writer are you, and did that play into the development of those skills?

James Chambers (M), Amy Grech, Gordon Linzner, Jay Smith

Salon D

How does an author reasonably assess how far to go when depicting violence, gore, assault and more? Is there such a thing as “too far” and if so, what is the criteria?

Salon E

Lobby Seating

Come join us for gaming and generally being social

Library

Library

John J. Pierce (M), Aaron Rosenberg, Darrell Schweitzer, Marc Vun Kannon

Miracle

What is ‘classic’? Is there a single concept of classic that works for everyone? Can the concept of ‘classic’ be presented in different ways, some of which make more sense to different people?

Steve Miller, Chuck Gannon, Emily Munro, Lancelot Schaubert (M), Aaron Rosenberg

Miracle

If you’re planning on using — and reusing — a universe in multiple stories or novels you’ll want to avoid having to retcon yourself. Having some sense of the physics and the social structures you want to work with can ease your and comfort your readers down the line.

Mike McPhail

Miracle

John J. Pierce (M), Ef Deal, Lori Perkins , Darrell Schweitzer, Vikki Ciaffone

Miracle

Genre Blending ~ You Got Ghosts in My Steampunk!
Steampunk Fairy Tales, Sherlock Holmes facing down werewolves and vampires. What does the mix bring to the craft?

Boardroom A (Filk)

Boardroom A (Filk)

Boardroom A (Filk)

Boardroom A (Filk)

Lobby

Lobby

John J. Pierce (M), Aaron Rosenberg, Darrell Schweitzer, Marc Vun Kannon

Miracle

What is ‘classic’? Is there a single concept of classic that works for everyone? Can the concept of ‘classic’ be presented in different ways, some of which make more sense to different people?

Kathryn Sullivan (M), Michael Ventrella, Elektra Hammond, Bjorn Hasseler, Chuck Gannon

Salon C

Stories where people are transported to other worlds, parallel dimensions or into virtual games are becoming popular again. What are the appeal of those genre versus secondary world fantasies?

Sarena Strauss (M), Jenifer Rosenberg, Christopher Burke, Lancelot Schaubert, Sarena Strauss (M)

Salon D

Come share the weirdest and wildest words you’ve discovered this year with fellow language enthusiasts! From funky new terms in science fiction to fascinating words from other cultures, we’re going to explore it all. Our presenters will keep the conversation going with their own wacky word finds, and you’re invited to bring your own to add to the mix. This session is perfect for anyone who loves language and wants to connect with other language nerds. So come hang out, learn some new words, and let’s have a good time together!

Salon E

Boardroom A (Filk)

Library

Steve Miller, Chuck Gannon, Emily Munro, Lancelot Schaubert (M), Aaron Rosenberg

Miracle

If you’re planning on using — and reusing — a universe in multiple stories or novels you’ll want to avoid having to retcon yourself. Having some sense of the physics and the social structures you want to work with can ease your and comfort your readers down the line.

Sarena Strauss (M), Gordon Linzner, Randee Dawn, Dina Leacock

Salon C

She’s the girl on Netflix that everyone is talking about her. Wednesday is crushing the #1 spot. What do people like? It is her? The place? The twisting plots? Are you in the anti-Wednesday crowd? You’ll have your chance to talk too.

Renee Ritchie

Salon D

Boardroom A (Filk)

Mike McPhail

Miracle

Jenifer Rosenberg(M), David Mattingly, Randee Dawn, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Emily Munro

Salon C

Are you a creative looking to expand your audience and grow your career? Do you want to improve your branding and learn effective marketing strategies? Panelists will discuss topics such as social media, email marketing, advertising, and public relations. Join us for this session to gain valuable insights and practical knowledge on how to successfully market your creative works.

Marc Vun Kannon (M), Kathy Sullivan, Vikki Ciaffone, Christopher Burke

Salon D

What writing skills did you find easily or best developed in a fanfiction context? What sort of fanfiction writer are you, and did that play into the development of those skills?

Library

Boardroom A (Filk)

John J. Pierce (M), Ef Deal, Lori Perkins , Darrell Schweitzer, Vikki Ciaffone

Miracle

Genre Blending ~ You Got Ghosts in My Steampunk!
Steampunk Fairy Tales, Sherlock Holmes facing down werewolves and vampires. What does the mix bring to the craft?

Elektra Hammond (M), Sharon Lee, Keith De Candido, Ann Stolinsky, Aaron Rosenberg

Salon C

Writers are told they need to cut out all the boring parts. But boring to whom? Those who like every last detail of a ship or weapons? Those who want only action? What about quiet bits of worldbuilding – should they stay or go?

James Chambers (M), Amy Grech, Gordon Linzner, Jay Smith

Salon D

How does an author reasonably assess how far to go when depicting violence, gore, assault and more? Is there such a thing as “too far” and if so, what is the criteria?

Boardroom A (Filk)

Lobby Seating

Come join us for gaming and generally being social