Mark Finn is an author, editor, essayist, and pop-culture critic. He’s a nationally recognized authority on the Texas author Robert E. Howard and has written extensively about him. When not writing something interesting and geeky, he shares his opinions on several podcasts from atop an old movie theater in North Texas.
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2:00 PM | Location: Sooner A
Authors discuss how mythology from various cultures plays a role in their urban-fantasy works and in those of other writers they admire.
Moderator: Mark Finn
Panelists: Mark Finn, Rosemary Clement-Moore, Kyri Hester, Karen Thrower
Tracks: History, Writing & Publishing, Supernatural & Paranormal, Fantasy
4:00 PM | Location: Sooner B
Tropes are comfortable standbys for storytelling. But sometimes the cringe factor outweighs the narrative need. When's a trope welcome, and what do we really need to start leaving behind?
Moderator: A. Lee Martinez
Panelists: A. Lee Martinez, Aaron Bossig, Mark Finn, Sally Hamilton, Rook Riley, Tommy B. Smith
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Comics, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Film & TV, Gaming
9:30 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Suite 204 (Upstairs)
Join us with your beverage(s) of choice in hand as intrepid writers lay on their best purple prose to create titles and openings for the Worst Book Ever, hosted by Larry "Dr. Trek" Nemecek! (Max occupancy 30 at one time.)
Moderator: Larry Nemecek
Panelists: Larry Nemecek, Phillip Drayer Duncan, Daniel Erickson, Mark Finn, Tim Frayser, vickey malone kennedy, Tracy S. Morris
Tracks: Pop Culture & Entertainment, Writing & Publishing, General Interest
9:00 AM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Fountain
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
11:00 AM | Location: Noble
Authors read selections from their various works.
Moderator: Philip Drayer Duncan
Panelists: Phillip Drayer Duncan, Rhonda Eudaly, Mark Finn, vickey malone kennedy
Tracks: Writing & Publishing
1:00 PM | Location: Sooner A
Bad sci-fi movies are a guilty pleasure for so many of us! Why do we love movies that love to be bad?
Moderator: Caleb Masters
Panelists: Caleb Masters, Buck Berlin, Mark Finn, James Hollaman, Bekah June
Tracks: Fandoms, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Film & TV
3:00 PM | Location: Sooner A
So you've decided to write a game module? Awesome! Game writers and developers share advice on how to write adventures, compensate when players derail the plot, and provide inspirational narrative elements to help players develop characters and engage in roleplaying.
Moderator: Michael Cross
Panelists: Michael Cross, Mark Finn, Lyde Van Hoy, Jeff Provine, Seth Skorkowsky, Christina Stiles
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Gaming
7:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Atrium
Join panelists in the hotel lounge for lively conversation. BYO beverages, please.
Moderator: Rosemary Clement-Moore
Panelists: Rosemary Clement-Moore, Daniel Erickson, Everyday Futurist, Shai Fenwick, Mark Finn, Dara Fogel, PhD, Tyrell Gephardt, Sally Hamilton, Sheila Hartney, Carolyn Kay, Chaz Kemp, vickey malone kennedy, Melinda LaFevers, Julia S. Mandala, A. Lee Martinez, Tracy S. Morris, Michael Mosley, Ethan Nahté, Ted Pennella, Rook Riley, Rie Sheridan Rose, Seth Skorkowsky, Karen Thrower, Mel. White, Craig Wolf
Tracks: General Interest, Food & Drink, Writing & Publishing, Meetup
11:00 AM | Location: Sooner B
Survey the behavior of those caught up in societal panics. Examples are the Red Scare, (fictional) child-abuse rings, Satanic panic and D&D, mad gassers, and such. Must a group define itself by defining and condemning an Other, even if the Other ain’t there?
Moderator: Dara Fogel, PhD
Panelists: Dara Fogel, PhD, Dr Paisley, Mark Finn, Pigeon, Joey “Okie Space Queen” Rodman, A C Smart
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, General Interest
1:00 PM | Location: Sooner A
The conceit is that HP Lovecraft’s mythos explains every story. For instance, is the shapeshifter in The Thing a shoggoth? Are Tolkien’s Ringwraiths really Night-Gaunts? Don't forget the implications of Star Trek’s “Catspaw” and its “Old Ones”!
Moderator: Mark Alfred
Panelists: Mark Alfred, Mark Finn, Bradley H Sinor, Seth Skorkowsky
Tracks: Writing & Publishing