First person, second person, third person . . . so many perspectives to choose from. How do you choose your point of view? And, once chosen, how do you stick to it? Panelists discuss the freedoms and restrictions of using various points of view in fiction writing. Tim Waggoner, Judi Rohrig, Linda Baker, John Helfers
Single-spaced manuscripts on onion-skin paper will send your storyâunreadâinto the recycling bin. If you want to climb to the top of the slush pile, take the advice of our panelists, editors who have received âsingularâ submissions. Jean Rabe, Judi Rohrig, John Helfers, Tim Waggoner
Some folks simply plop into a chair and start pounding on the keyboard on their Great American Novel. However, our often-published panelists eschew the merits of plotting and planning. Jean Rabe, Tim Waggoner, Chris Pierson, Richard Lee Byers
When should you follow the rules and when should you break them? Our team of writers and editors discusses punctuation, spelling, grammar, and more. Richard Lee Byers, Chris Pierson, John Helfers.
Join us for an evening book chat about the new genre of female main characters who live in worlds filled with magic and adventure. Is this the evolution of romance? How do I get in on this hot market? Panelists: Kerrie Hughes, Elizabeth Vaughan
Learn to craft main characters that will catch and hold your readersâ attention. Panelists: Jean Rabe, Chris Pierson, Donald Bingle, Elizabeth Vaughan
Secondary characters can help drive your plot, aid and vex your heroes, and make your story more interesting. But donât let them take over the tale. Panelists: Elizabeth Vaughan, Jean Rabe, Donald Bingle, Chris Pierson
Establish the rules for your worldâs magical pulse. Setting limits will actually give you limitless possibilities and improve your story. Panelists: Chris Pierson, Linda Baker, Jean Rabe, Kerrie Hughes
Worldbuilding: Religion, Spirituality, and Philosophy
Description:
Faith could guide the characters in your short stories and novels, but theyâll only stumble around and get lost if you donât set the ground rules. Panelists: Linda Baker, Chris Pierson, John Helfers, Kerrie Hughes
Slimy, squishy, furry, predator, prey, cold-blooded, blue-blooded, antennaed, bald, sneezing, tripodal, lusty, hungry... The choices available to make your Bug Eyed Monster and its motivations unique and interesting are vast, but there has to be logic behind your creation. Join our panelists as they discuss how to populate a story with believable otherworldly characters. Richard Lee Byers, Linda Baker, John Helfers, Tim Waggoner
Character-driven stories demand that you juggle relationships in your prose. But how can you manage that effectively and realisticallyâwhile making things interesting and integral to your plot? Our panelists offer their two cents on the topic. Tim Waggoner, Judi Rohrig, Richard Lee Byers, John Helfers
How do you scare your readers? How do you build terror and suspense and keep someone turning the pages well into the early-morning hours? Learn how to add an element of fear to your writing from our panelists, who are experts at sending shivers down peopleâs backs. Judi Rohrig, Richard Lee Byers, Tim Waggoner
Elizabeth Vaughan, best-selling fantasy-romance author, and Donald Bingle, author of Forced Conversion and a plethora of short stories, read from their latest works.
Join pagans and pagan-friendly folks to discuss writing and how pagans are portrayed in science-fiction and fantasy. No bashing or flaming allowed. Panelist: Kerrie Hughes.
Fantasy romance is a sizzling genre. Our panelists give advice on how to add a little romance to your writing and discuss markets for your fiction. Linda Baker, Donald Bingle, Judi Rohrig, Elizabeth Vaughan
Some writers make you feel the heat and humidity when their characters trek through a swamp. Learn how to add just the right amount of detail to enhance the atmosphere and mood of your fiction. Panelists: Elizabeth Vaughan, Linda Baker, Donald Bingle, Judi Rohrig
How do the characters in your stories and books govern themselves? Establishing the rules and the rulers, will enrich the world youâre crafting. Panelists: Linda Baker, Chris Pierson, Elizabeth Vaughan, Kerrie Hughes
Worldbuilding: Creatures, Magical Beasties, and Enchanted Locations
Description:
Sprinkling fantastical elements across your continents is fun. But how do you do it without making your world look like a mirror-image of whatâs already in print? Our panelists show you how to apply your own magical signature. Chris Pierson, Linda Baker, Kerrie Hughes, Richard Lee Byers
The page-turner . . . how do you write one? What elements can you incorporate into your writing that will keep your readers up into those proverbial wee hours? Our panelists offer advice on how to add excitement and fast-pacing to your prose. Jean Rabe, Tim Waggoner, Chris Pierson, Richard Lee Byers
Clothing, agriculture, trade, and the arts are details that can add life and realism to your fiction. Our panelists show you how to add just the right amount of âwindow dressingâ to your books and short stories. Kerrie Hughes, Elizabeth Vaughan, Chris Pierson, Linda Baker
For the past few days weâve been giving advice on the various elements that make up a fantasy world. Now itâs time to put it all together. Panelists: Linda Baker, Chris Pierson, Elizabeth Vaughan, Kerrie Hughes
YA Fantasy and Science FictionâThe boy wizard reigns supreme, but there is plenty of other fiction being published that is sure to grab the attention of kids of all ages. Our panelists discuss their favorites in both fields and give advice into breaking into the growing YA market. John Helfers, Jean Rabe, Kerrie Hughes, Tim Waggoner, Donald Bingle
Players & Podcasters: The World of Online Gaming Audio
Description:
The past year has seen an explosion in gaming-related podcasts (automatically delivered online radio shows). This seminar will explore the phenomenon, its relation and benefits to the gaming community.
The seminar will also discuss the wide variety of content currently available and how to go about producing your own show. The panel will consist of gaming podcasters from around the world who will share their experiences of this exciting new format.
The Moderator for the Seminar is Paul Maclean (aka Paul of Cthulhu) who instigated the world's first RPG-related podcasts back in 2004. Paul also runs GOBLIN: The Gaming Broadcast Network (http://www.gbncom.com) and Yog-Sothoth.com, host to Yog Radio a Gen Con LLC sponsored podcast.
From between the pages of your favorite book ... to adventures teetering on the edge of dice! Join Dragonlance co-creators Tracy and Laura Hickman in an exciting exploration of their worlds of story and game in this seminar based on their fabulous internet podcast. Includes readings from their upcoming works, discussions on the future of fantasy and an open Q&A.
Got a favorite game or three? Have you ever wanted to try your hand at writing for publication? If so, listen to 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. Questions welcome! Panelists: Jean Rabe, Loren Coleman, Tim Waggoner, Richard Lee Byers, Sharon Turner-Mulvihill
As the popular Shadowrun universe continues to reinvent itself, panelists from WizKids Games, InMediaRes Productions and other professionals âin the knowâ discuss the difficulties and rewards which comes with writing fiction for Shadowrun. Pull up a chair and keep an eye on the door while we discuss new novels and fresh markets for up and coming writers. Sharon Turner-Mulvihill, John Helfers, Jean Rabe, Loren Coleman
Learn about one of the most well-established science fiction universes. With a long history of publishing top-line fiction, the professionals involved with MechWarrior (and Classic BattleTech) are ready to step up and let you know the state of the universe, what the editors are looking for, and where the newest markets are opening up. Discover new opportunities, or just come to find out about one of your favorite storylines. Panelists: Sharon Turner-Mulvihill, Loren Coleman, John Helfers
Join us for a question and answer session about writing, editing, and publishing. Our panel will discuss tidbits not covered in previous sessions. Brain-picking welcomed. John Helfers, Jean Rabe
Take part in the parlor game of reading from the Eye of Argon until you canât take it any longer! Kerrie Hughes, John Helfers, Elizabeth Vaughn, Chris Pierson, Jean Rabe (and anyone else who wants to join the torment . . . err, fun).
There are people who dream about writing, and there are people who write and fulfill their dream. Get some pointers from writers and editors on how to attack the keyboard . . . every day. Topics covered include dealing with family, friends, discipline, and deadlines. Panelists: Jean Rabe, Judi Rohrig, Elizabeth Vaughan
How do you present your manuscript? How do you find an agent? How do you get someone to publish your book? Our panelists present an overview of the publishing industry for fiction writers. Jean Rabe, Donald Bingle, Elizabeth Vaughan, Judi Rohrig
Setting the groundwork for a fiction or gaming world requires attention to the landscape. In the first of several sessions on worldbuilding we explore crafting the world your characters will walk upon. Panelists: John Helfers, Jean Rabe, Donald Bingle, Linda Baker, Paul Genesse
Learn how to shape the people . . . humans and otherwise . . . who inhabit the world youâre building. Panelists: Linda Baker, Tim Waggoner, Kerrie Hughes, John Helfers
So youâre building a world for your fantasy novel. Do you need to set that world to paper? And, if so, how much detail should you provide? Can a map inspire your fiction? Learn the pros and cons of cartography tied to writing. Panelists: Jean Rabe, Paul Genesse
Protecting Your Creations: Copyright and Trademark Law for the Gaming Community
Description:
Have you created a literary work? Did you know that you have protectable rights to your work?
Do you plan on introducing a new product into the marketplace? Have you chosen a name or logo for that product?
These questions involve issues of intellectual property law, specifically copyrights and trademarks. This seminar will provide a detailed overview of these legal concepts and relate them to the gaming community.
Protecting Your Creations: Copyright and Trademark Law for the Gaming Community
Description:
Have you created a literary work? Did you know that you have protectable rights to your work?
Do you plan on introducing a new product into the marketplace? Have you chosen a name or logo for that product?
These questions involve issues of intellectual property law, specifically copyrights and trademarks. This seminar will provide a detailed overview of these legal concepts and relate them to the gaming community.
The players are invested in their characters, and the game has been richly woven with elements of the PCâs storiesâ¦now what? Jason OâBrien, a DM with over 20 years experience discusses the next logical step for your game from both a PC & DMâing perspective. This is a group oriented brainstorming session that is the natural continuation of the topics covered in Backstories (The Good, Bad, & Ugly.)
Games have always been powerful educational tools. This seminar is for teachers, parents, students, or anyone who works in the fields of learning. We will explore games, methods, and issues around the use of games to teach and to learn.
Games and play are an integral part of living and growing, something we do from the very beginnings of our lives. As young people age, their interests and skills shift. Come learn more about this fascinating process and the impact it has on the games we play.
Bob Bledsaw explains how the boarding party combat between Darth Vaderâs minions and the princesses defending soldiers, inspired him to design âImperial Infantry Squadâ. His design was so flexible that it could merge with âTravelerâ, âStar Warsâ, âSpace Operaâ or any other role playing system. It provided 11 exciting scenarios and could be played as a board game simulation or role playing simulation.
In which author and illustrator Rich Burlew will answer 80% of questions asked about the future of the beloved stick-figure gaming webcomic, "The Order of the Stick", and responds to the other 20% of questions with laughter, scorn, or open weeping, as appropriate.
In which author and illustrator Rich Burlew will answer 80% of questions asked about the future of the beloved stick-figure gaming webcomic, "The Order of the Stick", and responds to the other 20% of questions with laughter, scorn, or open weeping, as appropriate.
L5R celebrates its 11th year of publication by turning its attention forward to the coming months. Get updated on our design goals and plans for the rest of Lotus and a look at the exciting new History of L5R release. Everything you want to know about L5R, we'll tell you at this seminar.
Join the Staff of White Wolf Publishing as they discuss current and upcoming game products. Here's your chance to ask questions and get a sneak peak into the mind's of some of the most creative developers in the business.
We all want to tell the most entertaining, the moodiest and the most memorable stories we can. Learn tips and tricks from the game developers and master Storytellers to get the most out of your WoD. Door prizes and Q & A session.
Meet the minds behind S&S, the best publisher of independant d20 material. Representatives from Necromancer Games and Malhavoc Press join the teams behind World of Warcraft RPG and other current titles.