David Carrico
David Carrico’s professional writing career began in 2004 when Eric Flint purchased several of his stories and subsequently published them in The Grantville Gazette magazine, dedicated to the best-selling 1632 series. A die-hard alternate-history aficionado, David is a frequent contributor and collaborator in the 1632 series, including co-authoring with Eric Flint the novel 1636: The Devil’s Opera, published in 2013, an Amazon Editor’s Choice book. David and Eric also collaborated on the Dragon Award finalist novel The Span of Empire, published in 2016, part of the popular Jao Empire series.
In addition, David has written a number of science fiction and fantasy novels and numerous shorter works, frequently putting twists on traditional memes and tropes—like the light-hearted epic fantasy Dragon Wizard trilogy, and the forthcoming novel The Blood Is the Life, which describes “What happens when a good Jewish boy grows fangs?”
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4:00 PM | Location: Boomer A
Character-Building Exercises
Some characters spring forth, fully realized as Athena. Others might be throwaways, or that guy who annoyed you in high school. Panelists share tips and techniques for keeping characters real and memorable.
Moderator: Julia S. Mandala
Panelists: Julia S. Mandala, David Carrico, Rosemary Clement-Moore, Ethan Nahté, Selina Rosen, Steven E. Wedel
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Gaming
5:00 PM | Location: Boomer A
Mapping Out Magic
Making sense of how a magic system works. What are the limits of magic in a fantasy world? How do those boundaries enrich the story?
Moderator: Julia S. Mandala
Panelists: Julia S. Mandala, David Carrico, J.H. Fleming, Carolyn Kay, Dennis McDonald, Bradley H Sinor
Tracks: Supernatural & Paranormal, Writing & Publishing, Fantasy
9:00 AM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Fountain
Koffeeklatch
Join panelists in the hotel breakfast area for morning networking and conversation. BYO coffee, please.
Moderator: Mark Alfred
Panelists: Mark Alfred, Alice-of-Hearts, Aoi Kitsu, Beku.Cos, Blair Bartlett - Alternate Realities Studio, Aaron Bossig, Brook Bullock, David Carrico, Cat of WhiskersandBeans, Peri Charlifu, Rosemary Clement-Moore, Crazy Red Artist, EBA Comedy, Daniel Erickson, Rhonda Eudaly, Everyday Futurist, Shai Fenwick, Mark Finn, Caleb Haldane, Sally Hamilton, Teddy Harvia, Lyde Van Hoy, Barrett Huddleston, Nick Johnson, Jovial Juggernaut, vickey malone kennedy, Knightmage, Julia S. Mandala, A. Lee Martinez, Moe, Tracy S. Morris, Kathleen M O'Brien, Remy Domino, Joey “Okie Space Queen” Rodman, James Simpson, Seth Skorkowsky, A C Smart, Tommy B. Smith, Squirrelly Jedi Photography, Stevo the Gutter Nerd, B J Thrower
Tracks: General Interest, Meetup, Food & Drink
Noon | Location: Oklahoma G
Science and Religion: A Zero-Sum Relationship?
Some think religious faith precludes scientific objectivity. Others feel that science has outstripped “superstitions” like religion. Still others are calling for a New Enlightenment period in an increasingly misinformed world. How does the speculative-fiction writer address all sides and tell a compelling story?
Moderator: Jan S. Gephardt
Panelists: Jan S. Gephardt, David Carrico, Charles Dane Clark, Rebecca Jackson, B J Thrower
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Science Fiction, STEM
3:00 PM | Location: University C
Poetry Readings & Open Mic
Two poems, or six minutes. Come share your poetry and listen to fellow poets in this open-mic forum reading session. Featuring readings from featured guest, Muriel Fahrion.
Moderator: Daniel Erickson
Panelists: Daniel Erickson, Mark Alfred, David Carrico, Muriel Fahrion, Melinda LaFevers, Rie Sheridan Rose
Tracks: Writing & Publishing
4:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
Folk and Fantasy, Kith and Kin
Modern fantasy and urban fantasy often draw from oral and academic histories of folktales worldwide. How are these best incorporated into today's sf stories? And what's the line between appreciation and appropriation of these cultural myths in making new media mythologies?
Moderator: Rhonda Eudaly
Panelists: Rhonda Eudaly, David Carrico, Shai Fenwick, A. Lee Martinez, Ted Pennella, Steven E. Wedel
Tracks: History, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Supernatural & Paranormal, Writing & Publishing, Fantasy
10:00 AM | Location: Boomer A
Reimagining the Hero's Journey for SF
What does a good hero story look like today in spec fic? High tech, low tech, otherworldly and fantastic settings aside, how has the hero's journey changed in 2022? What stories need telling now? What's it mean to be a hero, anyway?
Moderator: Rhonda Eudaly
Panelists: Rhonda Eudaly, Brook Bullock, David Carrico, Rosemary Clement-Moore, Daniel Erickson, A C Smart
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Anime, Film & TV, Gaming, Fandoms, Cosplay
1:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
How the Little Dragon Got So Big in Art
Dragons in early art tended to be smaller than a horse. Today's dragons are mighty and massive. What caused dragon inflation? An open discussion about the size discrepancies of dragons in art.
Moderator: Ted Pennella
Panelists: Ted Pennella, David Carrico, Tim Chessmore, Teddy Harvia, W J Hodgson
Tracks: History, Art, Culture & World Affairs, Fantasy