Science Fiction
2:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
Monsters, Villains, and Heroes
Character complexity is the spice that brings life to your page. How does understanding the motivation of villains or monsters change your readers' experiences with these antagonists? What's the secret sauce for pairing attributes like selfishness, cruelty, aloofness and megalomania with backstories, quirks, surprising moments of tenderness and the things that make audiences root for the bad guy, too?
Moderator: Mike Kennedy
Panelists: B. J. Thrower, David J. Pedersen, Mark Finn, Mike Kennedy, Tommy B. Smith
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Fantasy, Science Fiction, YA - Young Adult Fiction
3:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
Teaching a Robot to Be Kind: The Ethics of Autonomous Systems in Fiction and IRL
Autonomous systems are great at hard-coded inputs and pretty good at keeping the show on the road without a lot of oversight. As these systems begin to manage whole aspects of our society, how do we teach them to be ethical, despite our own less-than-perfect nature?
Moderator: Mel White
Panelists: Dara Fogel, PhD, Loretta McKibben, Mel White, Pigeon, Tim Frayser, William Ledbetter
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Science Fiction, STEM, Internet Life
4:00 PM | Location: Sooner A
Oops! The Plight of the Evil Genius
“I have created a monster!” Why can’t mad scientists ever figure out that maybe creating an omnipotent computer, or a creature with the strength of ten men, ain't such a great idea (good intentions or not)? What would sf be without the this classic character's hubris?
Moderator: Rhonda Eudaly
Panelists: A. Lee Martinez, Allison Stein, John Scalzi, Pigeon, Rhonda Eudaly, Ted Pennella
Tracks: Film & TV, Writing & Publishing, Science Fiction, Fantasy
4:00 PM | Location: Boomer A
From Blade Runner to the Matrix: The Evolution of Cyberpunk Cinema
Cyberpunk theming and aesthetics in movies, anime, and TV has expanded a lot in recent years, and its presence onscreen is a hallmark of the genre. What makes a story distinctly Cyberpunk when you see it onscreen? Movie watchers discuss the origins and growth of this genre on the big screen, how it's changed, and where it may be headed in the future.
Moderator: Caleb Haldane
Panelists: Aaron Bossig, Caleb Haldane, Chaz Kemp, Mike Kennedy, Penny Fielder
Tracks: Science Fiction, Film & TV, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Anime
5:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
I Knew You'd Say That
Look into works which feature prophecy, from The Matrix and Dune to Bajoran edicts in DS9, Minority Report, or even tech versions, like Asimov’s Foundation tales. Does an accurate prediction require a deterministic universe?
Moderator: Dara Fogel, PhD
Panelists: Dara Fogel, PhD, J.D. Woods, M. Scott Carter, Mark Alfred, Selina Rosen, Tim Frayser
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Film & TV, Comics
5:00 PM | Location: Sooner A
In a Tech-Heavy World, Who Needs Magic?
Do you need a magic mirror when your phone tells you the news and weather? A flying carpet when you can take a plane? Does magic have a place in a technological world?
Moderator: Tracy S. Morris
Panelists: A. Lee Martinez, J.H. Fleming, Linda Donahue, Loretta McKibben, Tracy S. Morris, Trina Jacobs
Tracks: Fantasy, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction
5:00 PM | Location: Boomer A
Thrifty Revisions: Adding SF Genre Elements to Thrift Store Paintings
Artists insert sf genre elements or monsters into reclaimed paintings and prints. Final works are up for sale in the Charity Sale and Auction. (Supplies provided)
Moderator: James Hollaman
Panelists: Harold Neal, James Hollaman, Karen Thrower, Mike Kennedy, Rachael Mayo, Tim Chessmore, W. J. Hodgson
Tracks: Art, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Comics
10:00 AM | Location: Boomer A
Re-Covered Books, for Charity!
Artists create new cover art for books in our charity collection. Books and their custom covers will be available for sale in the Charity Sale. (Books and cover paper provided)
Moderator: James Hollaman
Panelists: Evan T. Wardwell, Harold Neal, James Hollaman, Mike Kennedy, Rachael Mayo, W. J. Hodgson
Tracks: Art, Comics, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Pop Culture & Entertainment
10:00 AM | Location: Sooner A
All Glory to the Hypnotoad!
Thanks to the hypnotoad (AKA Hulu), Bender is back, baby! And he brought the rest of the crew with him for more adventures. A series with no less than four finales, Futurama is not over yet!
Moderator: FoxDaddy
Panelists: FoxDaddy, Jeff Provine, Kent Cordray, Sally Hamilton, WandererTJ
Tracks: Film & TV, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction
Noon | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Fountain
Cosplay Meetup: Cyberpunk & Dystopia
Cyberpunk and Dystopia cosplayers meet up on the hotel side.
Moderator:
Tracks: Cosplay, Costuming & Fashion, Science Fiction, Pop Culture & Entertainment
Noon | Location: Boomer B
Don't Get Caught: The Esteemed Thief Archetype
The concept of sneak-thieving runs from Prometheus, to Kirk stealing a cloaking device, or a certain hobbit and a ring. Many tales show the honor in theft, just ask your RPG party's rogue. What makes such a character admirable, not despicable?
Moderator: Mark Finn
Panelists: Craig Wolf, David Carrico, J.H. Fleming, John Eads/Jim Shorts, Mark Finn, Selina Rosen
Tracks: Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction, Fantasy, History, Writing & Publishing
1:00 PM | Location: Boomer A
Sci-Fi and Fantasy Drugs: The Spice Must Flow!
Hobbits have pipeweed. Star Trek has felicium. Star Wars has glitterstim. Wash the Red or Blue Pill down with a Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster. Chems, Soma, Nuke, Substance D, Wireheading, Plutonium Nyborg, or even a puff or two from the caterpillar's hookah -- isn't SF already escapism? Why do characters want to escape from the worlds we want to escape to? Panelists discuss the applications of recreational and illicit drug use in speculative fiction.
Moderator: Tracy S. Morris
Panelists: Daniel Erickson, Dara Fogel, PhD, Dr Paisley, Scott Zrubek, Tim Frayser, Tracy S. Morris
Tracks: Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction, Fantasy
2:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
The B-Movie Panel
Bad sci-fi movies are a guilty pleasure for so many of us! Why do we love movies that love to be bad?
Moderator: Magician Michael Corley
Panelists: Aaron Bossig, James Hollaman, Kent Cordray, Kevin Dilmore, La Blanke, Magician Michael Corley
Tracks: Film & TV, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction, Fantasy
3:00 PM | Location: Sooner A
Doctor Who: 60th Anniversary
The iconic sci-fi television show's 60th anniversary is five months away. We'll share our theories if you'll share yours. Allons-y!
Moderator: Julie Barrett
Panelists: Allison Stein, Julie Barrett, Mel White, Rebecca Jackson, Tim Frayser
Tracks: Film & TV, Science Fiction, Pop Culture & Entertainment
3:00 PM | Location: Boomer A
Writing Nonhuman Characters (for Humans)
Writing nonhuman characters can present its own set of challenges. How can we make them relatable to humans, given that they will have different physical, cultural and emotional backgrounds? What works well and what is just, no?
Moderator: Phillip Drayer Duncan
Panelists: Penny Fielder, Phillip Drayer Duncan, Shai Fenwick, Trina Jacobs
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Comics, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Film & TV
4:00 PM | Location: Sooner A
This Is the Way
The adventures of our favorite (though slightly disgraced) Mandalorian and cute little Grogu (AKA The Child) continue after being reunited in the Book of Boba Fett.
Moderator: Tracy S. Morris
Panelists: Evan T. Wardwell, Karen Thrower, Mark Finn, Matthew Price, Tracy S. Morris
Tracks: Film & TV, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction, Fantasy
4:00 PM | Location: Boomer A
Multi-Genre Storytelling
Literature has many popular genres: science fiction, fantasy, adventure, mystery and beyond. Writers discuss how to incorporate multi-genre writing into your own storytelling and find out how to make such a story more than simply a sum of its parts.
Moderator: M. Scott Carter
Panelists: A. Lee Martinez, J.H. Fleming, John Scalzi, Laura J. Underwood, M. Scott Carter, Selina Rosen
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Pop Culture & Entertainment, YA - Young Adult Fiction
10:00 AM | Location: Boomer A
Designing Your Fortress of Solitude or Evil Lair of Evil
Lay out the specs for your own supervillain (or hero) hideaway. In a volcano? On a satellite or the Moon? Get creative with anti-burglary tech. What would you display in your own Museum of Victory?
Moderator: Mel White
Panelists: Bradley H Sinor, James Hollaman, Mark Alfred, Mel White, Mike Kennedy, William Ledbetter
Tracks: Pop Culture & Entertainment, Writing & Publishing, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Comics
11:00 AM | Location: Boomer A
Tropes & How to Use Them, A Writerly Discussion
A long time ago, in a land far away The Chosen One and the Last Girl must battle the Designated Villain. What is a Trope and how can writers use (and mutate) them to surprise and engage readers?
Moderator: Steven E. Wedel
Panelists: David J. Pedersen, John Scalzi, Mark Finn, Sally Hamilton, Steven E. Wedel, Tracy S. Morris
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Noon | Location: Boomer A
Serving Up a Tasty World
Comfort food isn't just for the stomach. Readers and authors alike can indulge not only in the culinary aspects of a story but also how food plays a role in developing the culture of another world.
Moderator: Tracy S. Morris
Panelists: Julia S. Mandala, Karen Thrower, Laura J. Underwood, Sue Sinor, Tracy S. Morris
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Food & Drink, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction, Fantasy
1:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
Immortality or the Singularity
Would you rather have the option to be immortal in your corporeal form, or upload your consciousness to a digital format that could evolve otherwise? How is this question addressed in speculative fiction and reflected in real world research and cultural considerations?
Moderator: Jan S. Gephardt
Panelists: Jan S. Gephardt, Rhonda Eudaly, Selina Rosen, Ted Pennella, William Ledbetter
Tracks: Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction, General Interest
3:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
The Future of Identity in SF
SF has always been an outlet for exploring identity. Why does this matter now, more than ever? In worlds where infinite diversity in infinite combinations are always possible, spec fic creators use the genre for wider storytelling. This can bring diverse narratives into the mainstream. What's next?
Moderator: Pigeon
Panelists: Daniel Erickson, Pigeon, Selina Rosen, Tim Frayser
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction, Fantasy