Expert writers discuss East and Southeast Asian writing and media across science fiction, fantasy, and horror in prose, poetry, and tabletop roleplaying games.
Description:
Panelists: Bryan Thao Worra (moderator), Mary Fan, Grace P. Fong, Diana M. Pho, R.R. Virdi. Track: GCWS Multimedia.
Swing by before the closing ceremonies to say hello to Writers' Symposium Guests, and Gen Con Guests including Ed Greenwood in a casual, wind-down event.
Writers discuss the incorporation of entertainment into troubled worlds.
Description:
Often in the hardest times, it is culture that provides people the energy to face them. From theatre to sports to group gaming, what does the inclusion of entertainment in your story say about your troubled world—and what does your world say without it? Join our panel of writers as they discuss. Panelists: Patrick S. Tomlinson (moderator), Richard Lee Byers, Jennifer Brozek, Gini Koch, K.B. Wagers. Track: GCWS Worldbuilding.
Writer Jennifer Brozek teaches personal project management for writers.
Description:
Writing is so much more than the act of creation. To be a writer is to be a business person. How you manage your business and career is vital to meeting your goals. In this workshop, learn from Jennifer Brozek how to put systems in place to schedule yourself, keep up with the details, manage contracts, define success for you and your career, and keep moving towards your ultimate publishing goals. Track: GCWS Classroom.
Fantasy and Historical Fiction: Where Do They Overlap?
Summary:
Writers discuss the cross-connections of fantasy and historical fiction in a modern context.
Description:
Historical fiction has been an integral part of fantasy from the very start of the genre and remains a core influence in the works of many prominent fantasy authors. How are authors inspired by history in classic and current works? What are the pros, cons, and pitfalls of historical influence? Join our expert panel of fantasy writers as they discuss. Panelists: LaShawn M. Wanak (moderator), Howard Andrew Jones, Diana M. Pho, Dedren Snead, R.R. Virdi. Track: GCWS Genre.
Writer Gini Koch teaches techniques to find your unique voice.
Description:
Your voice is what sets your work apart from every other author's. But how do you discover what your voice sounds like? And, what if the voice you think is the right one for you actually isn't? Come learn from Author Gini Koch what constitutes voice and the techniques that will get you writing in the author voice/s that work best for you. Interactive participation is required - please bring a notepad or device for writing. Track: GCWS Classroom.
Writer Gini Koch teaches techniques to find your unique voice.
Description:
In addition to learning how to hone your existing author voice, you may discover that you have more than one author voice, possibly many more than one. But which voice is the best one for you and/or the genres you plan to write in? Learn proven techniques from Author Gini Koch to find your best voice/s, and best genre/s - and be prepared to discover that a genre you aren't considering might be the very best one for you to explore. Interactive participation is required - please bring a notepad or device for writing. Track: GCWS Classroom.
Writer Sandra Tayler teaches techniques for comprehensive marketing.
Description:
In a world of social media, creative work sells better if you frame your pitch with a story. Come learn from author Sandra Tayler how to present your work so it intrigues your potential audience. This works for everything from novels to artwork to Kickstarters to growing a social media following. Track: GCWS Classroom.
Writer Katherine Monasterio teaches the narrative beats needed in the early scenes of your novel - to keep readers reading.
Description:
In this workshop, writer Katherine Monasterio will explore the narrative beats you'll need to cover in the first ~10% of your novel, including key character moments, plot points, foreshadowing, and more. Track: GCWS Classroom.
Fostering Great Writer-Editor Relationships (Session A)
Summary:
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.