Thurs 9 a.m.
Transporting Your Characters: Planes, trains, automobiles, griffon chariots, horses, teleporters, dragons, and trolleys . . . how your characters move from one chapter to the next should be interesting and reasonably accurate. We'll give you tips for writing about modes of transportation so that they add spice to your fiction rather than bog it down.
Plotting in Reverse: Craft the end at the beginning! Work your story backward! Simply decide how you want your tale to conclude, and we'll help you figure out how to get there from page one.
Thurs 10 a.m.
The Ins and Outs of the Publishing Industry: Your panelists have dealt with big publishers, small press publishers, packagers, editors, and agents. They have wisdom to impart on deadlines, galleys, self-publishing, vanity publishing, print-on-demand, and web postings. They understand how advances, royalties, and reserves for returns work. They've written query letters, attended pitch sessions, schmoozed at con parties, sold projects off of outlines, submitted partials, and written work-for-hire in shared worlds. They've authored, edited, packaged, and critiqued. They've done readings and book tours and shameless self-promotion. Best yet, they're willing to chat about it all and answer your questions in this audience-driven review of publishing.
Plotstorming from Character: In some cases the plot of a book drives the characters. However, characters that instead drive the plot can make for a more compelling story. In this hour, we focus on how to grow your plot from your main characters.
Pick My Brain-Elizabeth Vaughan: USA Today Bestselling author-and the Symposium's Guest of Honor-Elizabeth Vaughan is in the mood to chat! Bring your questions and books to sign, and she'll happily accommodate you. Published internationally, Elizabeth is known for her Warlands fantasy romance trilogy from Tor and her new series including Dagger Star and White Star.
Thurs 11 a.m.
Time Travel, Parallel Universes, and Quantum Physics: In a parallel universe somewhere, you've already attended this session and know all about how wave theory, super-strings, quantum entanglement, and things like noetics bear on frequent sci-fi concepts like time travel and mirror Earths, but since you're not in that universe and the handy Gen Con map doesn't show you how to get to it, you might want to attend this panel and get some insight into actual physics . . . or just enough gobbledy-gook to make your next story sound credible even though it's quite fantastic. Remember, in some universe, you are bound to be a well-known, well-paid, best-selling author, adored by fans, critics, and even your mother-in-law. Why not make this universe be that universe?
Writing Support: Don't write in one of those proverbial vacuums. Discover the plethora of writing organizations and web sites that can help improve your prose and help you peddle your short stories and novels. Included is a look at the alphabet soup available: SFWA, IAMTW, RWA, MWA, HWA, etc.
Pick my Brain-Kelly Swails: What elements make a good short story? Do you have to like kids to write Young Adult fiction? Who would win a fight between Unicorns and Werewolves? And just how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop? Join Kelly Swails as she attempts to answer these questions--as well as those from the audience--during this session.
Thurs noon
Reading-John Helfers, Jennifer Brozak: Have a mind-expanding picnic! Bring your lunch and listen to John Helfers and Jennifer Brozak wax eloquent by reading from some of their most recent works.
Thurs 1 p.m.
Creating Conflict: Make war, not peace! Ruffle the feathers of your characters. Stir the pot of emotions. Add a fistfight or two. Craft a clever and entertaining argument among your heroes. Not all conflict has to be bloody or increase the body count, but it does have to keep the reader turning the pages. Our panelists discuss the art of adding a dash of conflict to your pages.
Breaking into RPG Writing: Gen Con is the perfect spot to troll for freelance work in the RPG industry. Our veteran RPG authors provide tips for landing assignments, market suggestions, and how tell you how to make your manuscript catch a game company's attention.
Pick my Brain-Donald J. Bingle: Don has had game products, movie and book reviews, a couple dozen short stories, a novella, a novelette, and two or three novels published in the science fiction, fantasy, horror, thriller, and comedy genres. He's also written a couple of screenplays, a TV pilot treatment, creative non-fiction, and (gasp!) even poetry. As a legend-in-his-own-mind, he is willing to talk about all of it or about virtual reality, time travel, global warming, rpg gaming, movies, television, writing, gaming, and his own rugged good looks and healthy ego (you need one to be a writer!). If you don't want to talk about any of that, we can just stare in silence or you can bring your own questions and topics.
Thurs 2 p.m.
Writing and Editing for Anthologies: It's a different animal than simply writing a short story and submitting it to your favorite fantasy and sci-fi magazine. Sure, in some respects short fiction is short fiction, but there are some things you can do to increase your chances of being accepted . . . and being invited . . . to the various anthologies that come open. We'll also put in our two cents on how an editor can make such a collection better.
Writing for the Ages: Want to write the next big YA fantasy? You better approach it differently than that adult-horror-splatterfest you've been spending your hours on. The age of your intended readers should dictate your approach to storytelling. We look at the difference in children's lit, YA, and adult genres, including a discussion of markets and agents.
Thurs 3 p.m.
Writing and Editing for Online Publications: There's a difference in on-line versus paper markets . . . how to write for them, how to submit, how to find the best publications and rates out there. Join our panelists for a look at the digital marketplace.
Horrors-The Techniques of Terror: How can you frighten your readers? What writing tools do you need to send shivers down their spines? Our panelists discuss the different styles of horror writing and who are the best authors working in the genre today.
Pick my Brain-Brad Beaulieu: This award-winning author manages to hold down a day-job and write practically full time on top of it. He's experienced in game-writing, fantasy, and all-manner of fiction. Want some tips on how to break into the various genres of writing? Park yourself here for the next hour and glom onto his words of wisdom.
Thurs 4 p.m.
The Rules of Writing: New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole presents the Rules of Writing. These are the insider tips and tricks that you'd pick up in the first five years of your writing career, all presented here in an hour. Gleaned from personal experience and the experience of writers dating back to the 1930s, these tricks will cut three years out of your development as a writer.
Bring Out Your Dead: Vampires, ghosts, and zombies, oh my! Breathe life-so to speak-into your undead characters. Discover what rules apply and what should be ignored when writing about the undead.
Pick my Brain-Lawrence Connolly: He has been creating short fiction for more than thirty years. In that time he has written for the major magazines (Amazing Stories, Cemetery Dance, Fantasy and Science Fiction, and Twilight Zone), appeared in anthologies edited by the biggest names in the SF (Isaac Asimov, Terry Carr, and Martin H. Greenberg), and been included in numerous Best-of editions (Best of Borderlands, Best of Fantasy and Science Fiction, and Year's Best Horror). His stories have been collected in VISIONS: SHORT FANTASY & SF (Fantasist Enterprises) and THIS WAY TO EGRESS (Ash-Tree Press). Come pick his brain about the process of becoming and being a writer of short sf, fantasy, and horror. Oh, yes-he writes novels, too.
Thurs 5 p.m.
Writing Success in the Post-Paper Era: New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole-the first author to offer fiction on the iPhone/iPod Touch through Apple's Appstore-gives you an up to date look at the digital revolution and explains how you can profit and develop your career. Mike's watched his Internet income from writing double every year for the past three years, with the trend accelerating in 2010. If you intend to have a successful career in writing, this scouting report and practical action plan for the future is a must.
Reading-Lawrence Connolly, Steven Saus: Before you rush off to dinner, sit back and listen to a pair of our talented panelists read to you from their latest works. You'll forget you were hungry.
Thurs 6 p.m.
Read and Critique: Jean Rabe, Kerrie Hughes, Anton Strout: Have your prose critiqued by professionals. Presenters will have three to five minutes to read their material. They will receive verbal critiques based on the "critique sandwich" method. Attendance is limited to those being critiqued, pre-registration is required.
Reading-Kelly Swails, Marc Tassin: Veteran short story authors of a variety of genres, Marc and Kelly will wholly entertain you with their scintillating prose, put you on the edge of your seats, and bring a few smiles to your day-weary faces.
Thurs 7 p.m.
Read and Critique: Kelly Swails, Marc Tassin, Wes Nicholson: Have your prose critiqued by professionals. Presenters will have three to five minutes to read their material. They will receive verbal critiques based on the "critique sandwich" method. Attendance is limited to those being critiqued, pre-registration is required.
Fri 9 a.m.
Writing the Good Fight: How can you make a sword fight feel real? A war scene authentic and gritty? A bar brawl seem so vivid you can taste the discarded peanut shells and wince at each punch? It's in the pacing and description, and our panelists will provide techniques to improve your "fighting words."
The Protagonist: We'll teach you how to turn an ordinary hero into an extraordinary one. Spend an hour focusing solely on your main character, a good guy who doesn't necessarily have to wear a white hat. We'll tackle the villain in a later panel.
Fri 10 a.m.
Crafting the Love Scene: Regardless of the genre you write in, chances are you'll put a love-interest in it. How do you blend a touch of romance into your story, and how explicit should you be? Learn how romance can strengthen your story and make your characters more real and interesting. USA Today Bestselling fantasy-romance author Elizabeth Vaughan leads the discussion.
The Antagonist: Mold a truly remarkable villain, a character memorable to your readers, devoid of clichés, and one who can go toe-to-toe with your protagonist. For one hour, no heroes are allowed.
Fri 11 a.m.
Setting is King: In some tales the setting is as key as the heroes and villains who stride across the landscape. Some writers are able to paint their setting so well that their readers sweat in the bayou, shiver in the arctic, and gag in the swamp. We'll discuss techniques for turning your story's backdrop into a place so vibrant, mysterious, scary, or enchanting that the reader will feel a part of it . . . and all without letting your prose go purple.
Taboo Two: This one was so popular last year that we decided to continue the discussion. Sex, death, horror, and revenge . . . is there a line, and when is it okay to cross it in your manuscript? When is "it" too much? We'll examine various "touchy subjects," the marketplace, and provide advice on when to tone things down or amp them up.
Pick my Brain-Richard Lee Byers: He has been a professional fiction writer for a quarter of a century. He's written fantasy and horror, novels and short fiction, adult and Young Adult material, and all-original work as well as tales set in the Forgotten Realms, Marvel Universe, and other shared worlds. His current projects include more Forgotten Realms novels and forays into urban fantasy and comics. He's taught fiction writing and is an avid fencer and poker player. He'll be happy to share everything he's learned about the craft and business of writing or anything else (and has his fingers crossed that he actually knows enough stuff to fill an hour!)
Fri Noon
Reading: Brad Beaulieu: Spend your lunch listening to the excellent prose of fantasy-master Brad Beaulieu.
Fri 1 p.m.
The Short and Long of Fiction Writing: A short story isn't a miniature novel, and a good, meaty novel needs to be more complex than a tale in a magazine. Our panelists discuss how they approach different length works and what tools you need to be successful at writing the short story, novella, and novel.
Building Your Online Reputation: When is it appropriate to work for free? How can you cater to the readers who visit your website? What do you need to watch out for so you don't "spam" your fans with content? Our panelists tackle these topics and more, including how to promote your writing via the Internet.
Pick My Brain-Jennifer Brozek: She's written fiction and game material for enough years to be called a veteran! Jennifer Brozek is ready to offer advice on both writing fields, discuss her experiences working with Margaret Weis, and answer questions that aren't from the fields of physics or nuclear medicine.
Fri 2 p.m.
Men Writing Women: So you want to create a main character that doesn't match your gender. You want the woman believable, and you want to avoid stereotypes and clichés. How do you get into such a character's head? How can a guy "write" a convincing gal? Our panelists are adept at doing just that and are chomping at the proverbial bit to share their expertise.
Staying Sane: It isn't easy, balancing the challenges of writing with family, day jobs, and the rest of life's pitfalls and roadblocks. We'll give you ideas for managing the stress of hitting deadlines, finding time to complete that great American novel, and putting your work out there for the world to judge.
Pick my Brain-Robert Farnsworth: The author of more than thirty role playing adventures, Bob has recently tried his hand at fiction . . . and has been rewarded with a published credit. He's hard at work on other fiction projects. Come chat with him and discuss the difference between game writing and fiction, and how to search for freelance work in the big, cruel world.
Fri 3 p.m.
Women Writing Men: So you want to create a main character that doesn't match your gender. You want the man believable, and you want to avoid all those silly stereotypes and macho clichés. How do you get into such a character's head? How can a gal "write" a convincing guy? Our panelists are adept at doing just that and are happy to share their expertise.
Market Report: Where can you sell your short stories? Even though fewer anthologies and magazines are being printed in "this day and age," there are lots of places looking for good pieces. We'll provide a list of markets where you can submit short fiction, as well as discuss what you can do to move your submissions from the "slush" pile and onto the stands.
Pick my Brain-Monica Valentinelli: Are you an author struggling with marketing your books? Do you want to "break in" to horror? Have questions about freelancing in the gaming industry? Now's your chance to get those questions answered! Called a "force of nature," Monica works as a Content and Web Analytics Manager for one of the biggest retailers online, fills the role of Project Manager for FlamesRising.com and still finds time to pursue other non-fiction, gaming and fiction opportunities.
Fri 4 p.m.
21 Days to a Novel: New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole presents his three week program for preparing yourself to write a novel. This set of 21 exercises is broken down to give you everything from character creation to world building, practical plotting devices, dialogue development and character voice creation tools. This program is a practical, kick-in-the-pants place to start your career.
2012-Writing About Prophecies and the End of the World: The Mayan calendar stops at the year 2012. Let's hope they got it wrong . . . our panelists expect to be selling their books and stories well beyond that date. Still, it is an intriguing topic, and one that makes great fodder for fiction. What is so fascinating about doom-and-gloom prophecies? How can you use them in your own storytelling by giving them a new and exciting slant?
Pick my Brain-Jean Rabe: With more than two dozen novels and five dozen short stories to her credit, Jean has a wealth of information to share about the writing world and publishing industry . . . and is more than happy to also talk about her three dogs, cantankerous parrot, fan-tailed goldfish, stacks of books, plethora of games, upcoming projects, assorted hobbies, plans to conquer North America, and her wholly messy office. Come have a chat with her and "pick her brain" about this and that.
Fri 5 p.m.
Writing a Successful Series: Series and serial presentations have, since the dawn of storytelling, dominated entertainment. New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole guides you through the intricacies of designing a series from the ground up, with special emphasis on techniques designed to maximize impact in the new era betokened by digital publishing. He also discuss ways to build mysteries and suspense into your work, to keep readers coming back again and again.
Write and Critique: Elizabeth Vaughan, Jean Rabe, Marc Tassin: You've been to our workshops and seminars, listened to our advice and taken copious notes. Now try to apply it! We'll give you assignments, a little time to complete them, and critique your efforts. Attendance is limited and pre-registration is required.
Fri 6 p.m.
Reading-Michael Stackpole: Spend the dinner hour listening to the amazing words of New York Times Bestselling author Michael Stackpole.
Fri 7 p.m.
Read and Critique: Robert Farnsworth, Gregory Wilson, Dylan Birtolo: Have your prose critiqued by professionals. Presenters will have three to five minutes to read their material. They will receive verbal critiques based on the "critique sandwich" method. Attendance is limited to those being critiqued, pre-registration is required.
Fri 8 p.m.
Eye of Argon: It's baaack! The most insanely hilarious (or hilariously insane) public reading of what is arguably the worst (best?) piece of published fiction-ever! Thrill to the strange noises made by Grignr, the barbarian of very little words, and even less clothes! Cringe at the purple prose, run-on sentences, and detailed description of how time works (trust us, it has to be heard to be believed). Try to keep your sides from splitting with laughter as you watch other hapless victims-er, participants read this story aloud-and attempt to get through it with their sanity intact! All are welcome to join in the fun (?)-if you dare...
Sat 9 a.m.
Fantasy Romance or is it Romantic Fantasy: What are the genres? What are the tropes? And what are the rules. You have to know the rules before you can even think about bending or breaking them. USA Today Bestselling fantasy-romance author Elizabeth Vaughan leads the discussion.
Second Bananas: Supporting characters-sidekicks, lieutenants, minions, and the like-can make your major characters and plot more complex. Your hero needs a best buddy or confident, a sounding board for dialogue, someone to turn to when the villain gets him down. And your villain . . . lackeys are good. Learn how to abolish cardboard cutouts while preventing your second bananas from stealing the show.
Sat 10 a.m.
Fact and Fiction-Defamation and Rights of Privacy: When can you use real characters in fiction? Can Uncle Roger sue you if you put him in a book? Is Attila the Hun fair game? Is changing the names enough to solve the problem, and do those disclaimers at the front of the book really work? When should you consult a lawyer? How can you protect yourself from lawsuits and still make your point? Join us for an explanation of defamation and the rights of privacy and publicity and learn how to distinguish risky material from content you can use. Speaker: Eric Mersmann, atty.
Urbanized Fantasy: Readers find demons, vampires, and other urban fantasy denizens scary and compelling and will buy book after book after book filled with them. What can you as a writer do to provide more of those craved-for characters and settings while carving out your own niche on the bookstore shelf?
Pick my Brain-Jennifer Brozak: Jennifer is a full-time, stay-at-home, type-her-fingers-to-the-bones writer. Versed in game writing and fiction, and emerging as an editor, she's been around more blocks than you can walk a young greyhound! You'd do well to come pick-her-brain about the writing life.
Sat 11 a.m.
Copyright and Fair Use: When can you quote your favorite poem or song? When can you write an "authorized" sequel to something on the shelves? What is the status of fan fiction? Do you have rights in 'shared world' fiction? How can you protect your own work? Is it safe to send your novel to a publisher, an agent, or a contest? Traditional publishing contracts often put the burden of obtaining clearances for the use of third party works on the author. What are the limits of fair use? What if you work with a collaborator or an illustrator? What do you own and what can you do with the resulting work? In addition to these topics, we'll cover what every author should know with respect to copyright in literary works. Speaker: Eric Mersmann, atty.
Bottom's Up: Is your hero always sober? Does your villain have a drinking problem? When is it appropriate to use alcohol in literature to set a scene, advance the plot, or add some color to your characters? Our panelists look at drinking . . . and not just the intoxicating stuff. We'll delve into medieval drinks and futuristic concoctions and discuss reference material to sate your characters' thirsts and wet your readers' whistles.
Pick My Brain-Paul Genesse: Paul's second novel was one of the hottest-selling titles on his publisher's list. His first, The Golden Cord, was also a top-selling title for the Five Star book line. He's ready to talk about how he broke into the business, what he's working on now, and how he manages to write while working as a full-time cardiac care nurse.
Sat Noon
Reading-Elizabeth Vaughan: Join our Author Guest of Honor as she selects some of her favorite works to share. She is working on her third trilogy . . . and she started her foray into the writing world by doing just what you are: attending Gen Con panels and author readings.
Sat 1 p.m.
How to Make a Living as a Writer: Many writers dream of doing this full-time . . . writing as a "day job." Indeed, you can make a living as a writer, even if you don't hit the bestseller lists and find your pot of gold. We'll look at short-term and long-term goals, non-fiction markets that can help pay the bills, and various things you can do to make this a reality.
Pros and Cons of the Small and Large Press: We've been published by major New York houses as well as small press companies and have had varying degrees of success with both. We'll discuss the differences between writing for a large publisher versus a small one, and the advantages and disadvantages of both.
Pick My Brain-Anton Strout: Dead to Me, Anton's first novel, propelled him to the top of the urban fantasy charts. His second book was released this spring, and he's hard at work on another. He manages to write while working full time for Penguin and handling the hectic life of a New Yorker. Bring your questions and prepare to be informed and entertained.
Sat 2 p.m.
Pay It Forward: Help other writers, and you'll end up helping yourself. Topics we'll tackle include mentoring, managing expectations of other writers, when it's appropriate to pitch ideas to other professionals, the downside of too much shameless self-promotion, and building a writer's community for support.
Beat the Clock: How long should you spend on a short story? A novel? How can you set schedules, work with a calendar, and attain goals of so many words-per-day? Learn how to cope with unexpected crises, short rewrite deadlines, and heavy criticism. Develop the skills necessary to write no matter what else is going on around you.
Pick my Brain-John Helfers: Hugo-Award-nominated editor and writer John Helfers discusses working on anthologies, novels, and tie-in work for Tekno Books, the largest book packager in America, as well as answering any and all questions about writing, editing, and publishing.
Sat 3 p.m.
Characterization: Characters are king in literature and New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole brings you a toolbox full of techniques to create compelling and memorable characters. Readers read for and remember characters, and after this course, yours will be unforgettable, which will keep them coming back for more.
This Pen's For Hire-Finding Work in Shared Worlds: There's work to be had in the writing world if you're willing to play with someone else's property. Tie-in projects include books based on television shows, movies, comic books, role-playing games, computer games, and more. So where do you look? How do you land the projects? And what are the pros and cons of shared-world writing?
Pick my Brain-Kerrie Hughes: She's edited plenty of anthologies, two of which hit on the shelves last year; Gamer Fantastic and Zombies, Raccoons, and Killer Bunnies. She has also published short stories and done research and editing for two compendiums; The Vorkosigan Companion, and the Valdemar Companion. Currently she is finishing up work on two more anthologies, Chicks Kick Ass, and The Girls Guide to Guns and Monsters, as well as the newest compendium, The Dresden Files Companion. Join her for a chat about the writing life and how to fit in writing while holding down that proverbial day job.
Sat 4 p.m.
Plotting: New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole unravels the mysteries of creating compelling plots. A novel is a huge undertaking, written over weeks or months, and the plot has to hold it all together. From creating an outline to maintaining flexibility, this seminar gives you the insider knowledge that will separate you from all of your peers.
Creative Non-Fiction: The philosophers say "Know yourself." The writing guides say "Write what you know." Even though writing about yourself may seem easy, your memoir still needs to have the essential elements of a story and needs to be written in a way that will engage, enlighten, and maybe even entertain the reader--all without making stuff up! Panelists will discuss tips to make your memoirs more effective, places where they may be publishable, and suggestions on how to deal with family members who don't remember the past quite the same way you do. And that's the truth.
Sat 5 p.m.
Twenty Ways to Kill Your Novel: New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole walks you through the twenty most common "first novel problems" (which plague more than just first novels) and provides a host of solutions for them. If you dread hearing someone say, "I liked your novel, but...," this seminar is guaranteed to erase the sorts of problems that lead to just such a statement.
Reading-Chris Pierson, Gregory Wilson: You really shouldn't miss this. Really. You've listened to these fellows dispense their advice about writing, now come and listen to their own samples. You'll be amazed, entertained, and they will appreciate the audience.
Sat 6 p.m.
Reading-Donald Bingle, Paul Genesse: Both of these gentlemen have multiple books on the market and short stories in several anthologies. They've garnered praise from reviews and won awards. Come see what the fuss is about! Discover why their words are being scooped up by avid readers. Be amazed! Be entertained. Be there!
Sat 7 p.m.
Read and Critique: Donald Bingle, John Helfers, Jennifer Brozak: Have your prose critiqued by professionals. Presenters will have three to five minutes to read their material. They will receive verbal critiques based on the "critique sandwich" method. Attendance is limited to those being critiqued, pre-registration is required.
Sun 9 a.m.
Digital Resources: There's no doubt the Internet is a great writing tool. But if you spend too much time hooked to it, you won't have time to write. We'll show you what resources are worth using, what you should stay away from, and how to avoid Internet addiction. We'll also look at web pages, blogs, Twitter, and various writer-help sites.
Dark Ladies: There is a dark side to the "fairer sex." In this hour, we'll focus on female villains, hard-boiled heroines, and tough-as-nails supporting characters. How do you make a female character real without becoming a cliché or done-to-death stereotype?
Sun 10 a.m.
The Next Step: You've finished your novel and have started on the next one. You have a stack of short stories to sell. What's the next step? How do you get your prose into print? How can you go from wannabe to published author? We'll talk about publishers, editors, agents, slush piles, and the proverbial nuts and bolts of getting noticed and getting a contract.
Rounding Your World: If you're not writing in the "real world," and you've created a land of your own, you have to do more than draw a map, add a river, and sprinkle in some mountains and other geographical features. You have to put a lot of thought into the place. Our panelists will tell you what elements make a fantasy setting believable, including weather, population clusters, animal life, and more.
Sun 11 a.m.
The Business of Writing: The fun part is writing your story. But there's a "work'" element to consider and we'll cover that here . . . agents, expenses, tax deductions, contracts, conventions, and more.
Crossing Lines: Dwarven vampires, space-faring elves, undead detectives, rap artists in King Arthur's court. Are there lines and genres that shouldn't be crossed in fiction? If you do cross lines, how many can you tackle? How many genres can you blend before your reader gets too confused and gives up? What combinations are natural? What combinations should be avoided? Are there rules to follow? And what rules should you break?
