So what does it take to be a writer—whether it's a part-time gig or a full-time job? Just what does it take to make the dream a reality? We will also tackle the topics of family, friends, time, marriage, discipline and deadlines. Panelists: Jean Rabe, Elizabeth Vaughan, Chris Pierson, John Helfers, Don Bingle
Want to write a page-turner? A sizzling suspense yarn? An edge-of-your-seat thriller? Our panelists provide a lesson in nail biting. Panelists: Richard Lee Byers, Tim Waggoner, Jean Rabe, Luke Johnson
Horror writers and editors teach you how to send shivers down your readers' spines. You don't need to write in the horror genre to throw a good scare or three into your story. Panelists: Richard Lee Byers, Luke Johnson, Tim Waggoner, Linda Baker
Writers’ Symposium—Worldbuilding: In other words
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What do calots, lembas, Moradin, and Kakrafoon have in common? They are all words from fictional languages used as background detail in books or games. The panelists will discuss the ways authors and game designers use fictional languages to make their worlds more real, and will reveal their tricks and techniques for making up new languages. Panelists: Tim Waggoner, John Helfers, Daniel Myers, Elizabeth Vaughan, Linda Baker
Writers’ Symposium—Worldbuilding: What to eat on the planet Kriznak
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Harry Potter has his pumpkin juice, and Whorf has his gagh. Just because the food isn't real doesn't mean it can't be realistic. Learn how to give your world more flavor. Whether your characters are in a medieval fantasy or a rollicking space opera, they will appreciate a decent meal. Panelists: Daniel Myers, Kerrie Hughes, Elizabeth Vaughan, Tim Waggoner, Steven Schend, Linda Baker
How to look at your work critically and improve your chance for a sale. This covers everything from plot to language, how to rewrite, and how to take and give criticism. Panelists: John Helfers, Elizabeth Vaughan, Steven Schend, Richard Lee Byers, Don Bingle
So you want to be a professional writer? Even if it's only in your spare time? Our panelists discuss the business of writing, offer pointers on manuscript presentation, and give advice on how you can rise to the top of the slush pile. Applies to game and fiction markets. Panelists: Jean Rabe, John Helfers, Luke Johnson, Linda Baker, Brad Beaulieu
Join us for a question and answer session about writing, editing, and publishing. Brain-picking welcomed. Panelists: Jean Rabe, Don Bingle, Elizabeth Vaughan, Linda Baker, Brad Beaulieu
Writers’ Symposium—Breaking into the Industry, Game Writing 103
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If you want to start writing, editing, designing, or developing games in the hobby market, join our discussion. We discuss where to begin, what you can put on your resume . . . even if you haven't done a lick of professional work in your life, and other ways to start getting paid for your great game ideas. Also included are tips on how to get on your editor's good side. Panelists: Chris Pierson, Don Bingle, Luke Johnson, Steven Schend
Even if you're a writer tapping out words in a dark basement by yourself, eventually you will have to work with others if you want to see your work in print. If you are an aspiring game designer, teamwork skills are even more important, as nearly every game book is a collaboration. This panel teaches you the tricks to be a team player. Panelists: Don Bingle, Chris Pierson, Luke Johnson, Steven Schend, Richard Lee Byers
When to include sex, drugs, and the shady things in life in your story. Panelists: Tim Waggoner, Kerrie Hughes, Elizabeth Vaughan, Richard Lee Byers, Linda Baker
Writers’ Symposium—Psychology, Medicine, and the Keyboard
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Discover what you can do to make your characters believably crazy, sick, disturbed, and fun to write. Panelists: Tim Waggoner, Kerrie Hughes, Richard Lee Byers, Paul Genesse, Linda Baker
Writing a book or short story is sometimes easier than selling one. Our editors and authors discuss marketplaces for your fiction and give you tips on finding an agent. A handout of publishing houses is provided. Panelists: Jean Rabe, Tim Waggoner, John Helfers, Brad Beaulieu
Learn from our industry experts who have made careers out of writing, editing, and publishing work-for-hire short fiction, novels, and game material. They will talk about the ins and outs of the field, the demands, and where you can go to find help and open doors for your own tie-in fiction. Panelists: Chris Pierson, Tim Waggoner, Jean Rabe, Richard Lee Byers, Steven Schend, John Helfers
Writers’ Symposium—Alchemy and Sorcery, the Science of Magic in Fiction
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Magic needs to feel real to hold your readers. Learn what you need to craft and consider to build a believable magic system in your stories. Panelists: Jean Rabe, Richard Lee Byers, Kerrie Hughes, Steven Schend, Chris Pierson
Okay, so you’ve sat through hours of writing seminars and taken copious notes. But you still have a few questions . . . about the publishing industry, about what to do with your manuscript, about how many editors it takes to change a light bulb. Our panelists await to have their brains picked! Jean Rabe, Don Bingle, Elizabeth Vaughan
Writers’ Symposium—Evening Eye of Aragon fun read
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Back by popular demand—or because you didn’t ask us not to! The parlor game of reading from the Eye of Argon until you crack up or can't take it. Panelists: John Helfers, Kerrie Hughes
Naturally, every author would like to sign a three-book deal for a six-figure advance. However, with the thousands of manuscripts cascading onto editors' desks every day, those odds are pretty small. Fortunately, smaller presses are enjoying a renaissance right now, and are becoming stronger than ever. Come find out the advantages of working with a smaller press. Panelists: John Helfers, Dindy Robinson, Paul Genesse, Don Bingle
How do you find the right idea for the right size of manuscript? How is writing a short story different from writing a novella . . . and how are they different from writing a novel? Learn how to approach writing a short story, and then how to market it. Don Bingle, John Helfers, Jean Rabe, Richard Lee Byers, Brad Beaulieu
Writers’ Symposium—Worldbuilding: Geography and Climate
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Find out why geography is destiny. Learn how to craft spectacular worlds where the landscape is a vivid character in your games and stories. Fantasy authors will discuss the effects that geography and climate have on the development of culture, economics, and war. Jean Rabe, Paul Genesse, Steven Schend, Chris Pierson
Writers’ Symposium—Worldbuilding: War and the Military
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How your society makes war or keeps the peace needs to be convincing and well thought-out. Our military buffs offer insight into constructing armed forces in your fiction. Panelists: Jean Rabe, John Helfers, Elizabeth Vaughan, Paul Genesse, Linda Baker
Writers’ Symposium—Plot, Plot, Plot: Some books are plot-driven, others are weak in it. But every book and short story's got one. Our panelists discuss the essential elements of plot and how to weave them in your writing. Elizabeth Vaughan, John Helfers, Jean Rabe, Chris Pierson, Don Bingle, Richard Lee Byers
Craft a rich and believable backdrop for your fiction. Discover the necessary, basic ingredients for constructing your fantasy, science-fiction, or horror setting, and how to make that world an integral part of your story or adventure. Visit our other seminars for more worldbuilding advice. Panelists: Chris Pierson, Elizabeth Vaughan, Richard Lee Byers, Luke Johnson, Jean Rabe
Writers’ Symposium—Worldbuilding: The anthropology of fantasy
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What are the essentials of cultures? What makes cultures work with each other? Discover how to craft convincing cultures for your world. Panelists: Kerrie Hughes, Richard Lee Byers, Daniel Myers, Sabrina Klein
Writers’ Symposium—Criminals, Justice, and the Keyboard
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Our panelists teach you how to make the dynamics between good and evil believable and more than a little interesting in your tales. Panelists: Kerrie Hughes, Paul Genesse, Jean Rabe
Romantic fantasy is among the hottest subgenres right now, with many houses pushing romance and erotic lines. Learn how authors and editors treat the various types of romantic fantasy fiction, from the chaste love affair to the naughty erotic romp. Panelists: Elizabeth Vaughan, Don Bingle, Tim Waggoner, Paul Genesse, Jean Rabe
There is an old saying that ideas are a dime a dozen. But sometimes you don't have the 10-cents you need to get a plot. Learn how to brainstorm ideas for fiction writing and how to craft those ideas into exciting storylines. Panelists: Jean Rabe, John Helfers, Don Bingle, Tim Waggoner, Elizabeth Vaughan
The principles and theories of game design are dissected by our panel. Topics tackled include risk vs reward, balance, and interesting choices, and covers games of all stripes, from rpgs and trading card games to board games and video games. Panelists: Luke Johnson, Steven Schend, Don Bingle, Chris Pierson
Our panelists continue the discussion from the previous slot. The principles and theories of writing for the game industry are too myriad to discuss in a single hour. In two, we might get most of them covered! Panelists: Steven Schend, Luke Johnson, Don Bingle, Chris Pierson
This is a get together for people with Pagan interests to meet other Pagans. Friendly chat and networking for all! Panelists: Kerrie Hughes, Steven Schend
Writers’ Symposium—Brainstorming and Beating Writer's Block
Description:
If you missed the Thursday session, you're in luck! We'll repeat some of the topics here. But we'll also discuss how to utterly destroy the "writer's block" that threatens to keep you from the end of your manuscript. Panelists: John Helfers, Tim Waggoner, Don Bingle, Jean Rabe, Steven Schend
Writers’ Symposium—Reading: Luke Johnson, Paul Genesse and Brad Beaulieu
Description:
Sit back, relax, and Luke, Paul, and Brad will entertain you by reading from some of their works. It'll be a great way to pass part of a Saturday night.
Have your prose critiqued by professionals. Presenters will have three to five minutes to read their material. They will receive verbal critiques based on the ‘sandwich’ method. Attendance is limited to those being critiqued, pre-registration is limited and required. Panelists: Elizabeth Vaughan, Chris Pierson, Jean Rabe, Don Bingle
Not all characters should live to see the end of your story. Our panelists discuss when it is time to "kill 'em off" and gleefully share ideas for helping your characters into the hereafter. Panelists: Jean Rabe, Chris Pierson, Richard Lee Byers, Steven Schend, Elizabeth Vaughan
So just how do you write exciting, believable, make-the-reader-hold-his breath action scenes? Our panelists will teach you how to slash and parry your way through your manuscript. Panelists: Chris Pierson, John Helfers, Luke Johnson, Richard Lee Byers, Steven Schend
Writers’ Symposium—Grammar, Spelling, and other Very Important Matters
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Grammar, yuck! Q: You didn’t like the topic in school, why attend a seminar about it? A: Because you’re serious about being published. The cleaner your prose, the better your chance for success. Our panelists turn this seemingly dry topic into something marvelous: Don Bingle, Steven Schend, Tim Waggoner, Luke Johnson, Linda Baker
Writers discuss techniques for writing fanfic stories that will be adored.
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Join our panel of fanfic writers as they discuss advice on writing community fanfic that will be seen and enjoyed, and how fanfic writing contributes to the development of one's overall writing craft. Panelists: LaShawn M. Wanak (moderator), Jennifer Allaway, Katherine Monasterio, Erik Scott de Bie. Track: GCWS Genre.
Professional editors discuss avoiding ableism in writing and word choice.
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Join our experienced panel of editors as they discuss the nuances of writing and editing to exclude ableist tropes and language, no matter how time-worn. Panelists: E.D.E. Bell (moderator), Diana M. Pho, Cat Rambo, Dedren Snead. Track: GCWS Editing.
But This is How I Write: When and How to Talk to Editors About Voice
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Writers discuss when and how to stand up for one's personal style.
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When an editor suggests changing something that is true to your culture or writing style, how do you decide when to argue for your version without ignoring good advice? Join our panel of expert writers and editors as they discuss developing healthy working relationships with editors, softening barriers in the publishing industry, standing up for your voice, and knowing when to listen. Panelists: Brady McReynolds (moderator), Matt Forbeck, Sarah Hans, Karen Menzel. Track: GCWS Editing.
Writers discuss timing heroic fights to keep your readers engaged - and cheering.
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As the writer, how do you build tension, timing, and dramatic turns during combat to make the audience cheer and not groan? How do you handle pace, technique, and blocking? Join our expert panelists as they discuss this and other nuances of writing combat scenes. Panelists: Bradley P. Beaulieu (moderator), Howard Andrew Jones, Katherine Monasterio, Gregory A. Wilson. Track: GCWS Writing.
Writers and publishers discuss different types of indie publishing - and what might be best for you.
Description:
From small presses to publishing services to full self-publishing, every indie author seeks help on some level. Join our panel of expert writers and publishers as they discuss which options are helpful for which writers - and how to avoid exploitation and scams. When should an indie writer open your wallet and when should you snatch it away? This panel will attempt to untangle the many, many, many paths to indie publishing in 2023. Panelists: Mary Fan (moderator), Richard Lee Byers, Chris A. Jackson, Dan Jolley. Track: GCWS Career.
Fostering Great Writer-Editor Relationships (Session A)
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Agents, editors, and writers discuss the ups, downs, and goals of editorial relationships.
Description:
Writers need to know that their editors are giving feedback that will improve their stories. Editors need to know that the writers they’re working with trust them. Both writers and editors have ended up in working relationships that were rocky at best. However, the writer–editor partnership can be creatively fulfilling for both parties. How do writers and editors build trust and learn to communicate with each other so that their collaborations produce the best stories possible? Join our panel of agents, editors, and writers as they discuss what works best for them in an editorial relationship. Panelists: Brady McReynolds (moderator), Jennifer Brozek, Erik Scott de Bie, John Jennings, Gini Koch. Track: GCWS Editing.