2023 Panels & Sessions
Friday
1 PM
A Fantasy By Any Other Genre – Magnolia
One of the best things about fantasy and science fiction is that they’re so inclusive! Specifically, of other genres! There are fantasy-detective stories, scifi-romance, scifi-horror, fantasy-thriller, pick a combo, it’s out there. Science fiction and fantasy are arguably the most creative of the genres, with the greatest range. Maybe that’s part of why we love them!
Magic Systems – Camellia
A discussion of magic systems and how to build them. What works, what doesn’t, and how to build your own,
The Other 98% of the Military – Azalea
How to round out your fictional military with characters in jobs other than grunts and tanks.
Friday
2 PM
How to Fake Being an Extrovert – Magnolia
How we ever got a group of introverts to agree to this, we’ll never know! Join our local introverts as they discuss the art of faking it in an extroverted world.
Intro to Story Code – Camellia
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Cross-Discipline Collaboration – Azalea
Your hero has been stabbed again! How long before they bleed out? If you had a doctor friend, you would know! Why being friends with people from many professions will make your writing better.
Viewpoint and Narrative Distance: Get it Right – Dogwood
While pronouns are the most visible representation of viewpoint, they are the most elementary building blocks. Narrative and temporal distance, filters, voice, and ultimately, depth, have far more to do with viewpoint in storytelling than pronouns. Readers may not be able to articulate the importance of viewpoint to their immersion and willingness to stay with a story, but problems with viewpoint will still cause them to put your story down. In this class we will cover how viewpoint can grab a reader, immerse them in your story, flesh out characters, worldbuild, create tension and conflict, and ultimately help you show a better story. Bring paper, a pen, and a learning attitude.
Friday
3 PM
Gaming And Writing – Magnolia
Both endeavors focus on creating immersive worlds and providing intricate stories. What are the similarities and differences?
Dressed To Slay – Camellia
If there is one thing a hero needs, it is armor and weapons. Or do they? Let’s discuss the use of martial arts, armor, and combat for our best stories possible.
Where’s My Muse when I Need Her? – Azalea
Has your Muse abandoned you and run off to Timbuktu? Join our panelists as they discuss the process of finding, keeping, and caring for your source of artistic inspirations.
Viewpoint and Narrative Distance: Get it Right – Dogwood
Continued
Friday
4 PM
Bonds of Valor Book Launch – Magnolia
Special FantaSci Anthology
Noir in Science Fiction and Fantasy – Camellia
Wherein we discuss the darker side of SF/Fantasy, and why gritty detective stories with femme fatales mash up so well with the futuristic and fantastic.
Rules of Engagement – Gaming in the Four Horsemen Universe – Azalea
Join the lead designer of Rules of Engagement Jon R. Osborne and the creator of the Four Horsemen Universe Mark Wandrey as they discuss the joys and trials of bringing the 4HU to the gaming table.
Friday
5 PM
A Discussion On The Coolness Of Dragons – Magnolia
As Flat As The Piece of Paper He is Written On – Camellia
Characters rise off the page and become people — If they’re well crafted. Discover ways to make this happen in your writing
Turning Tropes On Their Head – Azalea
How to mix up tropes to make something new and refreshing.
Friday
6 PM
Opening Ceremonies – Magnolia
Friday
7 PM
Blibbering Humdingers – Magnolia
Musical GoH perform
Something Wicked This Way Comes – Camellia
Witches appear across all cultures and in all corners of the world. What is their appeal? How have they been portrayed throughout history and how can you best utilize them in your stories?
Let’s Play Mad Scientist: How To Grow Your Own Monster – Dogwood
Ghosts, Goblins, and Ghouls, Oh My! We all love ourselves a good monster! As a staple across genres, it’s sometimes difficult to build something fresh; even with a graveyard right across the street. Join our guest Alyssa Hazel as she dives into the four fundamental F’s of building your own monsters: Foundation, Function, Form, and Feeling. Bring your imagination and a notepad, Ygors not provided.
Friday
8 PM
NSFW Romance – Magnolia
No kids allowed as we discuss the ins and outs of the “spicier” side of romance writing and the market surrounding it. (NSFW, obviously)
Military Strategy – Camellia
Join our experts as they point out the do’s and don’ts of writing battles, wars, and conflicts.
Boarding Action – Azalea
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Friday
9 PM
Jolene’s Dating Game – Magnolia
Adults Only (If you don’t know what this is already, you will soon. That, or send me a message. -Erin)
Boarding Action – Azalea
Continued
Saturday
10 AM
Worldbuilding in a Collaborative Universe – Magnolia
How do authors “play nice” with other authors when writing in a shared universe. How do you plan your novel and interact with other characters and situations that other authors are writing about?
2nd Breakfast – Camellia
From fantasy economics to setting a scene, how to use food as a tool in your writing and world building.
Science and Magic – Azalea
What are the connections if any? Are they really different sides of the same coin?
Story Code – Dogwood
Workshop by Amy White
Saturday
11 AM
How The Role Of Dragons Has Changed Over Time – Magnolia
From Foes of knights to Friends of Princesses, how has our view of dragons changed? Dragons have been symbols of the devil, bastions of magic, good and evil. But they have never been boring
CKP Year ahead – Camellia
Chris Kennedy Publishing Presents/ New Mythology Press Presents
Assassins – Azalea
What is and isn’t realistic in fantasy writing. How to be stealthy, and how to write it well.
Story Code – Dogwood
Continued
Saturday
12 PM
Worldbuilding – Magnolia
How to create a world that doesn’t violate the suspension of disbelief.
CKP Year ahead – Camellia
Continued
So You Married an Author… – Azalea
A discussion of the different needs of authors & how to keep them writing!
Story Code – Dogwood
Lunchbreak
Saturday
1 PM
This is Your GoH: Richard Knaak – Magnolia
Join Richard Knaak as he reminisces about his career as a writer and publisher. Hear him discuss the various projects he has worked on and answer your questions about his work.
Battlefield Medicine – Camellia
Oh no! Your hero has been stabbed! There’s no hospital around, what do you do next?
Religion As A Tool in Fiction – Azalea
How to utilize the concept of religion to enrich your fantasy world
Story Code – Dogwood
Continued
Saturday
2 PM
Baen Roadshow Hour 1 – Magnolia
Baen Books Presents
Fun with the Alignment System – Camellia
We all know the classic 9 grid. Who hasn’t tried to figure where their favorite characters fall on that grid. Lawful vs Chaotic. Good vs Evil. What does it mean? How can it be used? Is it outdated? Let’s talk and find out
Indie Publishing vs Traditional Publishing – Azalea
Are you on the fence? Our panelists discuss the pros and cons of each route.
Story Code – Dogwood
Continued
4HU Game Session – Room TBA
Saturday
3 PM
Baen Roadshow Hour 2 – Magnolia
Baen Books Presents
Urban Fantasy – Camellia
Fairie-run coffee shops, back alley wizards, and Vampires in Brooklyn. Join us as we dive into the endless possiblities provided to us by the Urban Fantasy Genre.
Writer’s Block – Azalea
Been stuck writing the same paragraph for the last several weeks? Don’t know how to get Mary across the river in a way that makes sense? Let’s help you get past the idea log jam and over writer’s block.
4HU Game Session – Room TBA
Continued
Saturday
4 PM
Blibbering Humdingers – Magnolia
Music
Monsters and Mythical Beasts – Camellia
Discussing the history, appeal, and coolness of our best myths and legends
Weapons and What They Do – Azalea
Realistic weapons and considerations when writing them.
4HU Game Session – Room TBA
Continued
Saturday
5 PM
Dragons Across Cultures – Camellia
In the East, they are symbols of great wisdom revered as godlike creatures. In the West, they have been both friend and foe. Why the difference? Is it simply how we engage with them. Is it something else? Let’s talk about Dragons across the world
How to Rule Your World – Azalea
Empires, Republics, and Kingdoms, oh my! Join us as we take a deep dive in to systems of government and how to apply them to your world.
Goodbye Amazon! Sell Direct To Your Readers – Special Presentation By Katie Cross – Dogwood
Are you tired of publishers and services cutting into your profit? Have you ever wondered how much money you could make if you could take Amazon and Audible out of the equation? Katie Cross has those answers! Join Katie as she details how she shed the shackles of establishments, became an entrepreneur, and built a successful business based on direct sales and reader loyalty, and how you can too.
4HU Game Session – Room TBA
Continued
Saturday
6 PM
Researching For Your Story – Camellia
How much research is enough? How much is too much? When do you stop doing research and start writing?
Emotional Appeal – Azalea
How to write realistic relationships that bring more life into your books and make you a better author.
Saturday
7 PM
Phoenix Feast – Magnolia
Dinner and a show
What Doesn’t Kill You… – Camellia
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, or stranger, or has made a tactical error. This panel discusses near-death experiences, real and fictional, and what that does to people.
Saturday
8 PM
Phoenix Feast – Magnolia
Continued
Swearing In Fantasy – Camellia
Coming up with new phrases to express displeasure, frustration, and interest. It should be a fracking good time.
Saturday
9 PM
Karaoke – Magnolia
No ** there I was – Camellia
Come hear the best true tall-tales and hold my beer stories these authors have to offer. (NSFW)
Boarding Action – Azalea
Sunday
10 AM
Tanks, Ships, and Crayon Eaters – Magnolia
Come hear our panelists discuss the military branches and why theirs is the best. (Boxing gloves not provided.)
Beer for the Men – Camellia
Wine for the Elves, Mead for the Dwarves, and Grog for the Orcs. As long as there has been civilization there has been alcohol. Across the world, it is intrinsic to every history and culture. It makes sense, then, that we so often include it in our fictional worlds. In this panel we examine everything about our favorite spirits and how we’ve used it in our stories.
TRMN (The Royal Manticoran Navy) Grayson’s Navy – Azalea
meeting
Sunday
11 AM
Morgan Wolfsinger – Magnolia
music
Authors and Their Pets – Camellia
Come listen to our authors do what they do best, tell stories. About their pets!
4HU The Mercenary Guild – Azalea
meeting
Viewpoint and Narrative Distance: Get it Right – Dogwood
Continued
Sunday
12 PM
Brain and Brain – What is brain? – Magnolia
Dr. Rob talks about state of the art in brain science and answers your questions about the mind, memory, and consciousness