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Have a look at some of the programming in store for Imaginarium 2015!  The schedule of panels and workshops is here, with descriptions below! This is the current list with a few more to be added, so check back!

You can also keep up to date with our schedule using the EventBase App for smartphones. 

Friday, September 11, 2015

Shelby
4:00 pm Building a Better Bad Guy
5:00 pm Plotters vs. Pantsers
6:00 pm Ask an Author: Romance
7:00 pm Multi-Genre Madness!
8:00 pm Hero vs. AntiHero
9:00 pm Anthology-Writing 101

Hancock
4:00 pm Critique Groups
5:00 pm Scriptwriting 101
6:00 pm Formula-Free Romance
7:00 pm Your Friend, The Editor
8:00 pm Beyond the Dice: RPG as Role-Playing, not Dungeon-Crawling
9:00 pm The Authoress’ Guide to Good Steamy Romance

Perry
4:00 pm Facebook Marketing
5:00 pm Writing for Children
6:00 pm Blog Tour Dos and Don’ts
7:00 pm YA Romance: Beautiful Story or Sketchy Subject?
8:00 pm Author’s Assistants: A Crash Course
9:00 pm Good Reviews

Madison
4:00 pm Publishing 101
5:00 pm Whose Genre is it Anyway?
6:00 pm Paths of Publishing
7:00 pm Comics & the Silver Screen
8:00 pm Amazon, Oh Amazon
9:00 pm A Polished Novel is a Thing of Beauty

Oldham
4:00 pm Lone Hero or Heroic Group?
5:00 pm Subrenre Spotlight: Sword & Sorcery
7:00 pm The Big Reveal
8:00 pm Unconventional Fantasy
9:00 Horror is Love

Pendleton
7:30 pm Sell More Books WIthout Selling Your Soul workshop presented by Eric Beebe Workshop

Trimble Room
6:00 PM Live Readings Genre: SciFi/Fantasy
8:00 pm Letters to Daniel: A One Woman Show after party
Elliot Room

Film Screenings 6pm to midnight

Expo Hall: 4 to 8pm

Whitley
Gaming (continuous)

Crown C
7:00 Opening Ceremonies
10:00 pm The Main Event I– Rock concert, 3 live bands

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Shelby Room

10:00 am Outside Influences
11:00 am Ask an Author: Horror
12:00 pm Crafting Your Cover
1:00 pm Day Jobs & Juggling Acts!
2:00 pm LGBT Themes in Popular Fiction
3:00 pm Ask an Author: Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Urban Fantasy
4:00 pm Mental Health & The Literary World
5:00 pm The Plotting Panel
6:00 pm Pen Name, Yes or No?
7:00 pm Faith in Fiction
8:00 pm Ask an Author: Young Adult
9:00 pm Writing a Series

Hancock
10:00 am Choosing Your Subgenre
11:00 am Documentary 101
12:00 pm Beta Readers: Pros and Cons
1:00 pm Happy Ever After
2:00 pm The GM’s Guide to a Perfect Campaign
3:00 pm Keeping YA Fiction Relevant
4:00 pm Editing Magazines
5:00 pm The Rise of Gay Romance
6:00 pm So You Wanna Edit an Anthology?
7:00 pm Comics Through the Ages
8:00 pm What Editors Expect of a Professional Author
9:00 pm Erotic Romance vs. Erotica

Perry
10:00 am Writing Realistic Fiction
11:00 am Handling Negative Reviews with Grace
1:00 pm The Pros and Cons of Being a Writer’s Companion
2:00 pm YA Fiction & the Teaching Environment
3:00 pm Authors Behaving Badly
4:00 pm Marketing Roundtable
5:00 pm Crafting Believable Dialogue in YA Fiction
6:00 pm Companions Need Love Too!
7:00 pm Book Marketing for Newbies
8:00 pm Blogging 101

Madison
11:00 am Read the Instructions!
1:00 pm Breaking the Cycle
2:00 pm The Great Divide
3:00 pm Audiobooks!
4:00 pm Self-Publishing for Dummies
5:00 pm Writer’s Organizations: Friend or Foe?
7:00 pm Publishing Nightmares Roundtable
8:00 pm The Indie World
10:00 pm Costume Judging

Oldham
10:00 am World Building: A Crash Course
11:00 am Subrenre Spotlight: High & Epic Fantasy
12:00 pm The Great Space Opera Debate
1:00 pm Race & Speculative Fiction
2:00 pm Ladies of Horror
3:00 pm The Art of Mystery
4:00 pm Utilizing Local Settings in Urban Fantasy
5:00 pm Historical Writing
6:00 pm Subgenre Spotlight: Steampunk
7:00 pm Writing Romantic Suspense
8:00 pm The Zombie Apocalypse!
9:00 pm Subgenre Spotlight: Horror

Pendleton
10:00 am Audiobooks Workshop presented by Jack Wallen
12:00 noon WRITING YOUR WAY To SUCCESS workshop presented by Kenneth Daniels
2:00 pm Pick Up the Pace workshop presented by Tim Waggoner
4:00 pm Don’t Quit Your Day Job: The Business of Writing workshop presented by Elizabeth Donal

Trimble

9:00 am Saturday Morning Cartoons
1:00 pm Imaginator Q and A with Michael Knost (Moderator Tony Acree)
2:00 pm Live Readings: Genre Romance
3:00 pm Guest of Honor Q and A with Lori Wilde (Moderator J.M. Madden)
4:00 pm Agent Pitch: w/ Alicia Justice
6:00 pm Imaginator Q and A with Tim Waggoner (Moderator Amanda Hard)
7:00 pm Live Readings: Genre Young Adult
8:00 pm Live Readings: Genre Horror
9:00 pm Beyond 50 Erotic Fiction Meet & Greet (18+ only)

Elliot Room

Film Screenings: 2pm to midnight

Expo Hall: 10am to 7pm

Guest of Honor Lori Wilde Book Signing:  12:30 pm to 2pm in the Expo Hall!

Whitley
Gaming (continuous) (special note: TCGPlayer Maxpoints Platinum Tournament registration takes place from 9am to 10:50 am, with a player orientation at 11am before the tournament begins)

Crowne C
5:00 pm Filk Concert Featuring C.S. Marks
8:30 pm Imaginarium 2015 Banquet
10:30 pm Masquerade and Costume Contest w/ dance party

Sunday, September 13 Panel Schedule
Shelby Room

10:00 am Finding the Right Editor
11:00 am Fan Fiction
12:00 pm Ask an Author: LGBT Fiction
1:00 pm BLOCKED!
2:00 pm CoAuthoring a Masterpiece

Hancock Room
11:00 am Twittermania!
12:00 pm Romance for Boys?
1:00 pm The Editor’s Function
2:00 pm Ghosts, Bigfoot, and Dinosaurs…Oh My!
3:00 pm From Page to Stage

Perry Room
11:00 am YA and Speculative Writing
12:00 pm Marketing Out of the Box
1:00 pm Troll-Free Promotion
2:00 pm Choosing an Illustrator

Madison Room
11:00 am Putting the Science in Science Fiction
12:00 pm Research!
1:00 pm Submission Etiquette
2:00 pm Contract Negotiations
3:00 pm Pitch Perfect

Oldham
11:00 am Subgenre Spotlight: Dystopian & Post Apocalyptic
12:00 pm Women in Genre
1:00 pm Cross-Genre Writing
2:00 pm Non-Human Characters

Pendleton
1:30pm The Invisible Writer workshop presented by Michael Knost

Trimble
9:00 am Pajama Party Write-in!
12:00 noon Q&A with Toastmaster Tony Acree
1:00 pm Live Readings: Genre Mystery

Elliott Room
9:00 am Non-denominational Church Service with David Mattingly
12:00 Noon Encore screening of Best Feature Overall, Best Documentary Overall and Best Short Film Overall, films will be announced at the Imaginarium Banquet Saturday evening

Expo Hall: 10am to 5pm

Whitley
Gaming (continuous)

General Events Overview:

Friday, September 11
7:00 pm Opening Ceremonies
10:pm The Main Event I (live rock show)

Saturday, September 12
5pm Filk Concert with C.S. Marks
8:30pm Imaginarium Banquet
10:30pm Masquerade and Costume Contest

Creative Writing Workshops

Sell More Books Without Selling Your Soul
7:30 pm Friday Pendleton Room
Presenter: Eric Beebe

Whether you are self-published or with a small press, you know marketing your book can be a challenge. This challenge is made even for difficult by the snake oil salesmen pushing their latest gimmick to sell more books through an overpriced and likely recycled eBook.
This workshop uses the time proven principles of marketing to help the reader understand the marketing process and how to use these concepts to sell more books.

Audiobook Workshop for Imaginarium
10:00 am Saturday Pendleton Room
Presenter: Jack Wallen

Goals of this workshop.
The thrust of this workshop is two fold:

Help the author to understand what they should expect of a narrator and how they can help the narrator produce a product that meets their needs

Help the narrator understand how to create a quality product

Description
For the author, I will dispel myths and help them to understand the process from the narrator/producer point of view. By eliminating many of the standard concerns and questions, the relationship between author and narrator will be smoothed out and the process will be more seamless from both sides.
For the narrator, I will discuss equipment, software, techniques, care and feeding of the voice, and what they should expect from the process.

 

WRITING YOUR WAY To SUCCESS
12:00 Noon Saturday Pendleton Room
Presenter: Kenneth Daniels

How you can use your skills to earn more as a published writer.
This seminar is for you if you are:
• Stuck in the same cycle of earning very little.
• All your marketing efforts are going down the tube.
• Want to learn how to take your success to the next level.
You will learn:
• Proven techniques to attract qualified buyers for your writing.
• How to market with very little money.
• Who your market is and isn’t.
• Why selling and marketing are 2 different sides to the same problem.
This seminar isn’t for you if:
• You can handle real communication about what you are doing wrong.
• You aren’t willing to learn a new mindset.
• You expect someone else to do all the work for you.
• You think this is a quick process.
• You are allergic to success.
• You know it all and are already rich and successful.
There is limited space. 90 mins.

Pick Up the Pace
2:00 pm Saturday Pendleton Room
Presenter: Tim Waggoner
Writers often talk about “flow” in fiction, but they aren’t always sure what that means. In this workshop, you’ll learn the four key techniques for managing flow in your fiction.

Don’t Quit Your Day Job: The Business of Writing.
4:00 pm Saturday Pendleton Room
Presenter: Elizabeth Donald

So you finished the book – now comes the hard part! Learn about publishing contracts and how to negotiate them, what’s standard and what’s a trap; launching and managing an online presence with social media; how to handle the money and taxes; the challenges specific to self-publishing as well as for traditional publishing; developing a marketing strategy; dealing with bookstores and signings, the tour circuit – and don’t forget to have a life!
Elizabeth Donald is an author, journalist and freelance editor/writing coach. She runs two writers’ groups and is the lead zookeeper of the Literary Underworld, a national author cooperative. She is not a lawyer or an accountant. Her lawyers told her to say so.

The Invisible Writer
1:30 pm Sunday Pendleton Room
Presenter: Michael Knost
Join Bram Stoker Award-winning Michael Knost for a special workshop about how to best keep the reader rooted in the story by not giving him or her unnecessary distractions. This workshop will be a 90 minute session

 

Creative Writing Panels

Author Support Panels

Author’s Assistants: A Crash Course
So you’ve become the hired help (or in some cases spousal labor) of an author. What does that mean and how are you supposed to help? Our panel of authors and author assistants are here to help guide you through the duties of this ultra-important role in your writer’s life.

The Pros & Cons of Being a Writer’s Companion
Everyone knows living with a writer is no easy task. They’re distracted and moody, and they tend to live in their own little worlds. Spouses, Companions, and Assistants of the literary types are here to help you keep your sanity when you find yourself taking a back seat to your loved one’s obsession with the written word.

Companions Need Love Too!
Authors, this one is for you. We all know we can be troublesome creatures at times, but sometimes we forget to acknowledge our support systems. Our friends, family, spouses, significant others, and other loved ones often bear the brunt of our frustration, suffering in silence as we struggle through the turmoil of being creative. Sometimes it’s good to stop and listen to what they have to say, and this is the perfect forum for just that.

Craft of Writing

Anthology Writing 101
Anthologies are a good way for readers to find new authors without a large investment. Come learn how they work, why they’re popular, and what editors expect from their submissions.

Ask An Author: Horror
Join our authors for an anything-goes roundtable discussion about the horror genre. Bring your best questions and a good sense of humor.

Ask An Author: LGBT Fiction
Join our authors for an anything-goes roundtable discussion about LGBT Fiction. Bring your best questions and a good sense of humor.

Ask An Author: Romance
Join our authors for an anything-goes roundtable discussion about the romance genre. Bring your best questions and a good sense of humor.

Ask An Author: Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Urban Fantasy
Join our authors for an anything-goes roundtable discussion about the speculative fiction genres. Bring your best questions and a good sense of humor.

Ask An Author: Young Adult
Join our authors for an anything-goes roundtable discussion about the young adult/new adult genre. Bring your best questions and a good sense of humor.

BLOCKED!
Even the best writers sometimes have trouble gaining ground. Sometimes it’s the word count, others it’s outside influences. No matter the reason, don’t let writer’s block get you down. Our panelists are here to help traverse this touchy subject by sharing their own stories as well as tips for overcoming even the worst bouts of literary constipation.

Building a Better Bad Guy
Heroes are important, but a strong villain can make or break a story. Learn how to make your bad guys good.

CoAuthoring a Masterpiece
Have you considered a joint writing project? What about a group project? Our Panelists have experience in this area and are ready to walk you through the ins and outs, dos and don’ts, and the general give-and-take of a multiple author project.

Crafting Your Cover
Regardless of genre, cover art is often an author’s first and only shot at hooking a new reader. But what makes a good cover? Come get the skinny on choosing an appropriate cover for your work.

Day Jobs and Juggling Acts!
It’s every author’s dream to write full-time, but today’s market doesn’t always allow that dream to become reality. Our industry pros discuss how to maintain a solid writing career while juggling day jobs, families, and other real-life obligations.

Faith in Fiction
Whether it’s contemporary religious fiction or a fantasy novel where religion plays a major role in the events of its world, there are both right and wrong ways to utilize characters’ faith to tell a story.

Hero Vs. AntiHero
Our panelists discuss how to tell the difference betweent the two, and how to best select the type of main character for your book.

LGBT Themes in Popular Fiction
Our panel, well-versed in LGBT fiction, discusses the rising trends across all fiction markets and how to properly execute these themes in your work.

Mental Health and the Literary World
Many authors use the creative arts as a means to express themselves and help control their mental health. Likewise, many authors write about mental illness as a catharsis. If you fall into either of these categories, this is your panel. Our panelists have experience in both fields and are there to help.

Multi-Genre Madness!
Many authors today aren’t happy sticking to just one genre. If you’re one of those, then this panel is certainly for you! Our authors discuss the madness behind writing across multiple genres, the differences in marketing one type of work vs. another, and how to keep it all straight in your head.

Outside Influences
When authors are asked for their influences, the first things on the table are usually the names of other authors. But what about the other things that make authors who they are? Do personal experiences and interactions with strangers count? Our panelists discuss the things that shape their writing which aren’t found in other books.

Pen Name, Yes or No?
Many authors choose to write under a name that is not their own. If you’ve ever considered choosing a new name for your literary self, be sure to stop by this panel and hear the arguments for and against pseudonyms.

Plotters vs. Pantsers
The age-old war rages on: are you a plotter or a pantser? Or are you something in between? Come hear our panelists talk about their storytelling prep work.

Research!
No matter what you write, research is a real possibility. For some it’s scary, for other’s its fun. Our panelists discuss tips and suggestions to make your research fast and effective while keeping you in the story.

The Plotting Panel
Sometimes plots can be tricky things, full of holes or overly complicated. Sometimes they just don’t work no matter how you try to mold them. Our authors will be talking about how to keep your plot in check while toeing the line between too much and not enough.

Writing A Series
No matter the genre, many authors love to write a series.

Editorial

Critique Groups
Some people call them a blessing, others a curse. Here’s your chance to get the lowdown from publishedauthors on critique groups and how they both help and harm writers.

Editing Magazines
Submissions, Deadlines, andEdits, oh my! Sit down with editors as they share the inside scoop on editing for magazines. Learn why pieces are accepted,why they’re rejected,and what magazine editors expect of their authors.

Finding the Right Editor
An in-depth discussion about evaluating editors and choosing the right one for the job,whether for small presses or self-published authors.

Your Friend, The Editor
Authors and Editors discuss best practices for making friends with your editor. Learn when to fight, when to step back, and when to simply agree to disagree for the sake of your work.

Beta Readers: Pros and Cons
Many authors swear by beta readers while others despise them.Our panelists discuss thepositives and negatives of a test audience as well as how to choose and properly utilize pre-editorial proofreaders

The Editor’s Function
Hear what real editors have tosay about why they do what they do, and how their “being mean” benefits you as an author in the long run.

What Editors Expect of a Professional Author
They aren’t the enemy, and here’s why. Editors sit down with the audience and candidly discuss their requirements for working with authors and how authors should behave when working with their editors.

So You Wanna Edit an Anthology?
Our publisher and author panelists discuss best practices for selecting stories for and editing collections.

Fandom

Creative License vs. Plagiarism
Everybody loves a good remake, but do we ever take into account the legality of our love? This panel will cover the important topics facing authors across the entertainment world when it comes to acknowledging and respecting copyrights and the use of creative license.

Fan Fiction
Authors speak candidly about fan fiction’s popular trends, its legalities and sometimes questionable nature, and its popularity and usefulness as a literary practice tool.

Gaming

Beyond the Dice: RPG as Role-Playing, Not Dungeon-Crawling
Every DM faces a crowd of avid dungeon-crawlers, particularly with younger and lesser-experienced groups. Learn how to break out of that rut and take your game to the next level with more immersive styles of play.

The GM’s Guide to the Perfect Campaign
There are many factors to setting up a successful tabletop RPG. First, you have to choose your game. Then, you have to create your campaign. Talk to our veteran GMs and game writers about how to bring your campaign to life and keep your players coming back for more.

Daily? Weekly? When?
Every game runs differently. Our panel discusses the best way to determine the frequency of your gaming schedule.

MYSTERY

The Art of Mystery
Mystery is a pretty predictable genre – major conflict, plot twists, good guys turned bad… but sometimes the tropes can be a little too trope-ish. Join the discussion on the best way to write a good mystery without being silly.

The Big Reveal
Plot Twists are an important part of mystery writing. Ever wonder how to keep yours from sounding trite or goofy? Come talk to our experts about how they establish and reveal twists and turns in mystery settings without being corny.

Writing Romantic Suspense
Romance AND Mystery? You’ve got to be kidding! Well, we’re not. Our panelists are great at building suspence on multiple levels and keeping their readers engaged. Come learn their secrets and start crafting your own mystery-based love story.

Non-Fiction

Historical Writing
Writing a biography? Chronicling the events of history? Let us help! Our panelists discuss how to keep your accuracy high without losing yourself to boring research or purple prose.

Paranormal Reality
Authors discuss trends in the paranormal world, ranging from historical ghost stories to popular media portrayal of the spirit world.
Short Form Non-Fiction
From blogging to bios, our panelists host a discussion of the trends in short non-fiction and how to use it to break into the writing market.

PUBLISHING

A Polished Novel is a Thing of Beauty
Our editors and publishing pros give the low-down on what they want to see in a submission. From checking your plot to polishing your dialogue, this is the tell-all panel for prospective authors looking to break into the market.

Amazon, Oh Amazon
Amazon has single-handedly changed the landscape of the publishing industry. It’s quick, cheap, and easy…but what’s the trade-off for that sort of instant gratification? What’s next for authors in the face of this retail giant?

Audiobooks!
Today’s society is fast paced and people don’t always have time to read. Our panelists will discuss the growing trend of audiobooks both as a marketing tool and as a good way to keep fiction in the hands (and ears) of readers who may not have time to hold a book.

Breaking the Cycle
It’s not an easy road from hobbyist to professional.Editors can be tough and negative reviews sting.But if you believe in yourself,good things can happen.Our authors will taken an hour to tell all about their individual literary journeys.

Contract Negotiations
Looking to publish your first book? Our industry professionals are here to guide you through the murky waters of contract negotiations. They’ll tell you what to look for, what to avoid, and what to do if your agent or publisher isn’t living up to your expectations.

The Indie World: Complications, Misconceptions, and Rewards
Many of our guests are independent authors. Whether they’ve chosen traditional methods or the self-publishing route, they’ve all faced the same hard road. Listen to their thoughts and experiences, from the hard knocks to the valuable rewards.

Paths of Publishing
A look at various publishing avenues – major press, indie press, and self-publishing – and what it means to be a part of each. Come listen to our panelists, ask questions, and decide which path is right for you.

Pitch Perfect
If you’re looking to pitch a book to a publisher, this is the panel for you. Our panelists discuss the right way to build a pitch. Bringyour best pitches for the chance at a critique!

Publishing 101
Writing the book is only the beginning of the journey! Come here our authors, editors, and publishers talk about what it takes to get a book published in the Small Press world, from edits to cover art, and even promotion.

Publishing Nightmares Roundtable
From editorial mishaps to publisher scams, the literary world isn’t always a bed of roses. Our panelists share some cautionary tales of the dark underbelly of publishing.

Read the Instructions!
There are two things every artist needs – a strong product (be it a manuscript, play, or film), and a strong understanding of the submission guidelines. On this panel, our pros will walk you through submission etiquette for new artists. The first thing they’re going to tel you? Reading the Instructions is key.

Self-Publishing for Dummies
You’ve written your book…now what? Self-publishing, the growing new trend, lends a unique chance to completely control your creative outlets. However, like any other new system, there are some risks. Come hear what our authors have to say about self-publishing’s pros and cons and what it means to be in complete control of your work.

Submission Etiquette
Editors and Publishers comprise this panel and will give you the unvarnished truth about the submissions process. From reading the call to properly formatting your work, they’ll give you all the instruction you need on properly submitting your work in a way that will get it read.

The Author’s Publishing Toolkit
Whether you’re self-publishing or taking a more traditional route, there are tools every author needs. Your book is your creative property, but the finished product is a team effort. From who to talk to to how to do it, let our professionals give you the tools you need to make your work a success.

Whose Genre is it Anyway?
Best practices for properly categorizing your book for the right market to get it in the hands of the people who want to read it.

Writer’s Organizations: Friend or Foe?
From promotion to awards, this panel hosts a frank discussion of literary organizations, membership guidelines, and proper etiquette when joining and participating.

ROMANCE

Choosing Your Genre
From contemporary to paranormal to cryptids, there are so many subgenres of romance out there…how do you know which is right for you? Come talk to our romance authors about how to choose the right niche for your love story.

Erotic Romance vs. Erotica
A panel of our romance authors will discuss the difference between “erotica” and “erotic romance” as well as the growing trends in today’s explicit fiction market. 18+ only.

Fetish Romance and Today’s Society
If 50 Shades of Grey did nothing else, it broke the fetish genre open for mainstream readers to experience. Our romance authors will be discussing fetish romance and erotica, how to write it properly, and how to keep your readers coming back for more. 18+ only.

Formula-Free Romance
Romance is currently the #1 selling genre of fiction, but that means there are a lot of ideas out there being used, re-used, and abused. Our romance novelists will be discussing how to write fresh, new romance without a rehash of what’s already been done, and how to properly use existing tropes without becoming a cliche.

Happy Ever After
The most important part of a good romance novel is the ending. Romance readers are fiercely loyal creatures, and if you give them a satisfying ending, they’ll keep coming back for more. Our romance panelists will discuss the “happy ever after” and “happy for now” terms and how to make them work in your own tales.

Make Me Scream!
Join us for a late-night chat about the thrills of writing sexy romance! Our erotic romance experts will be telling all when it comes to steaming up the pages and making your readers beg for more. 18+ only.

Ghosts, Bigfoot, and Dinosaurs, Oh My!
There are a lot of fringe sub-genres of romance which seem to be gaining momentum. Paranormal romance is a huge thing, and it seems cryptids and beasts are making a place for themselves among the ranks of the lovelorn as well. Our panelists will discuss these growing trends and how to handle your love (or hatred) of each.

Racial Lines in Romance
Want to write an I/R love scene but don’t know how? Come to this panel! Our authors and editors discuss how to properly execute an interracial romance scene without being trite or offensive.

Romance for Boys?
In a female-dominated market, is it possible for men to make it as romance authors? What about those guys who like to read love stories…is there anything out there for them? Join this mixed-gender panel for a serious discussion about men in the romance genre.

The Authoress’ Guide to Good, Steamy Romance
A late-night panel for steamy romance enthusiasts. Come listen to our literary beauties as they talk about good romance for grown-ups, how to write it, and where to find it. 18+ only.

The Rise of Gay Romance
One of the hottest and best-selling trends in romance today is gay romance. Our panelists discuss the genre as a whole, where to find good things to read, and the best ways to write your own while staying true to your characters’ personalities.

Authors Behaving Badly
Authors, Editors, and Publishers discuss social media/public etiquette, topics to discuss and topics to avoid, how to diffuse negative conversations before they hurt you, and how to handle public flubs with tact and professionalism.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND BLOGGING

Blog Tour Dos and Don’ts
What are they? Why do we use them? How do I get one? And what are they supposed to accomplish? Can I do it myself? What do I need to avoid? These questions and more will be answered by our publishing professionals as they talk about this useful marketing tool.

Blogging 101
Members of today’s blogosphere make up this panel which will tackle the touchy subjects surrounding blogging today. They will offer insights into how they built their followings and suggestions for creating a working, beautiful blog that will rise to the top of the web slush pile.

Book Marketing for Newbies
A quick and dirty look at today’s social media marketing opportunities and how authors without a marketing degree can make the most of their online presence.

Facebook Marketing
Facebook is the place where the world hangs out. Learn how to use that massive audience to your advantage and boost your book sales without being ignored, blocked, or banned.

Good Reviews
Our authors and Reviewers speak out about book reviews and the proper way to execute one so readers and authors alike can use them constructively.

Handling Negative Reviews with Grace
Worried about how to handle negativity toward your work? Come listen to authors and book bloggers talk about their firsthand experiences from both sides of the fence. They will offer suggestions for handling negative press without losing your cool and causing even more damage.

Marketing Roundtable
Our super-panel of artists and industry professional discuss the ins and outs of successful multi-media marketing and answer the audience’s questions.

Marketing Out of the Box
It’s no secret that we work in an oversaturated industry. Come listen to our professioanls discuss unusual and creative techniques for getting your work and yourself out there.

Troll-Free Promotion
Are you tired of constantly ignoring Facebook and Twitter because all you see are ads for the same book or movie over and over? Worried your hard work is going to get lost in the mix? Then come on in and listen to what our people have to say! Our panelists will talk openly about the annoyances of promotion and how to get your word out without being obnoxious.

Twitter, Oh Twitter!
New to Twitter? Don’t understand how to get your 140 characters heard over the din? We’re here to help! Join in the conversation on the best use for Twitter as a social hangout and marketing tool.

STAGE AND SCREEN

Documentary 101
From choosing a subject to finalizing the credits, our panelists will take you on a step by step walkthrough of the documentary process.

From Page to Stage: Writing Dialogue for Actors
Screenwriters and directors speak about writing good dialogue that sounds natural on stage or in front of a camera.

Scriptwriting 101
Interested in writing for stage and screen but not sure where to start? Our panelists are here to help with this crash course on basic techniques and best practices for stage writing.

SPECULATIVE FICTION

Cross-Genre Writing
When you sit down to write do you find yourself trying to force your plot into a specific mold? It’s far past time you let your writing take flight without parameters. Come ask questions from our cross-genre panelists and learn the best way to write what you want to write on your own terms.

Genre Jargon
Everyone always remembers to build worlds, but do they always remember to build language? This panel covers the proper way to use slang, jargon, and other language mechanisms in genre fiction.

Horror is Love
Some see horror as a twisted, kitschy way to play the literary market. Even bookstores have taken the “Horror” tag off the shelves and integrated those works into other categories. As horror writers, how do we combat this social mutiny? Is horror really the red-headed stepchild of the literary world? How do we take it back and make it strong again?

Ladies of Horror
This all-female panel is here to tell you the truth about being a woman in the horror market. From the subject matter of stories to the obstacles that come with being “a girl”, come hear the lowdown on what it’s really like for the women who dare to stand up and demand control of this predominantly male market.

Lone Hero or Heroic Group?
What’s better when writing sci-fi and fantasy, a single hero or a group to share the task? This panel features on a discussion on heroic tropes and how to properly use both.

Non-Human Characters
From the usual to the more obscure, our panelists discuss the use of mythological creatures, aliens, and other non-human beings in literature, and how to make even the most used tropes fresh and new.

Putting the Science in Science Fiction
Enjoy science fiction but don’t know how to build the science? We’re here to help! Bring your best questions and your learning cap and our panelists will help make sense of the science in today’s best Sci-Fi media.

Race and Speculative Fiction
Our publishing pros discuss best practices for writing speculative fiction involving characters of races not your own as well as the benefits and drawbacks of being an author of a different race in the speculative market.

Subgenre Spotlight: Dystopian & Post Apocalyptic
Post-Apocalyptic and Dystopian stories are on the rise. Join our panelists for a discussion of the world after the end of the world.

Subgenre Spotlight: High & Epic Fantasy
Wizards, Elves, Dragons,and more! Our panelists discuss trends in High Fantasy writing and how to keep your saga alive and interesting with those notoriously big word counts.

Subgenre Spotlight: Horror
A roundtable discussion of definitive horror elements, best practices for guts and gore, and how to make and market old tropes in new and interesting ways.

Subgenre Spotlight: Steampunk
Ever wanted to ask a bunch of questions about Steampunk but were too afraid to sound like you were behind the times? Never fear! Our panel of experts are here to tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the rise of Steampunk, its origins, and where it’s headed with today’s increasing technology and advancements in modern media.

Subgenre Spotlight: Sword & Sorcery
To follow in the footsteps of the Sword & Sorcery greats is no easy task. Our panelists discuss this niche genre, it’s history, and how to toe the line between Sword & Sorcery and traditional fantasy.

Subgenre Spotlight: Urban Fantasy
Urban Fantasy seems to be the hottest trend in the speculative market right now, and our panelists are telling all! Learn about the subgrenre and how to make it your own without falling into the traps and tropes of previously published works

Subgenre Spotlight: Weird Westerns
It’s definitely a comic book trend, but Weird Western literature is becoming a big thing. Our authors discuss how to blend the Wild West with the Weirdness readers crave.

The Great Space Opera Debate
Is Space Opera on the rise once more, or is it just the wishful thinking of millions of faithful readers?Our panelists certainly seem to think it’s coming back!Join in the discussion and share your thoughts on this(hopefully) growing trend in the Speculative Universe.

Unconventional Fantasy
Not every fantasy novel has to be set in Medieval Europe, and not every fantasy novel needs a princess in a tower waiting to be rescued. Come learn how to buck the trends and stop writing the book everyone else has already written.

Utilizing Local Settings in Urban Fantasy
The most common bit of advice for new writers is “write what you know.” Our urban fantasy panelists discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using your hometown as a setting for your next novel.

Women in Genre
Our Ladies of Speculative Fiction come together to discuss the challenges and triumphs of women in today’s genre fiction market.

World Building: A Crash Course
Our Spec-Fic pros come together to give you a look at best practices for building a believable, sustainable world in your fiction across all media and genres.

The Zombie Apocalypse!
Zombies are popular, but are they too popular? Panelists take zombie-mania back to the bare bones and discuss the trends, how to use them, and how to create something new from the already-been-done slush pile.

YOUNG ADULT/NEW ADULT/CHILDREN’S

Crafting Believable Dialogue in YA Fiction
Writing in the voice of a young man or woman often isn’t easy when you’re no longer a teenager. Our pros are here to help with tips and tricks for how to keep your dialogue flowing while making the voice one with which a young reader can connect.

Choosing an Illustrator
Fiction geared toward youngsters often has beautiful illustrations. Learn how our authors have gone through the process of selecting and working with the illustrators who best showcase their stories.

Keeping YA Fiction Relevant
As adult writers, how are we to keep the subject matter in our YA books relevant to our target audience? What’s the best way to research the market and write the books young people want to read? And how do we keep the audience engaged?

The Great Divide: Middle Grade vs. YA
The age of the characters isn’t always the only thing defining the target age group for young readers. Our YA and Children’s writers discuss the differences between MG and YA stories, and how to write for the appropriate age group.

YA Fiction & the Teaching Environment
Teachers often rely on literature to help their students learn valuable life lessons. Our panel, made entirely of Teacher-Authors, will take you through the process and the best things YA writers can do to help.

Writing Realistic Fiction
Sometimes teens and young adults face serious situations in their lives. Is it okay to write about touchy subjects such as drug use and suicide for young audiences? Our panelists discuss best practices for writing realistic fiction for younger ages.

YA Romance – Beautiful Story or Sketchy Subject?
Young Adult and New Adult Romance are the biggest things since sliced bread, but what makes them work? Our YA and Romance panelists discuss the best way to write satisfying romance that’s still appropriate for young ‘uns and how to avoid crossing the bad lines.

YA and Speculative Writing
Young Adult fiction is the hottest trend on the market right now, but is it always done correctly? Speculative Fiction often takes more focus and determination than readers realize,and our publishing professionals are here to give you the low-down on how to build a believable speculative story geared towards the younger crowd.

Writing for Children
Everyone knows keeping the attention of a child isn’t easy. Keeping a child’s attention with a book is even harder. Our panelists discuss what goes into writing children’s literature, from important themes to plotting and final output.

Fiction for Children
Publishing children’s books is no easy task, but our panelists are here to help! From picture books to middle-grade and beyond, come learn the ins and outs of the fiction world for the younger crowd.