- Wednesday October 25 2023
- Thursday October 26, 2023
- Friday October 27, 2023
- Saturday October 28, 2023
- Sunday October 29, 2023
- All
- Dragon's Den (terrace)
Pre-con Reg on the Terrace (what will become the Dragon’s Den).
Pre-con Reg on the Terrace (what will become the Dragon’s Den).
- All
- Chicago A
- Chouteau A
- Chouteau B
- Empire A/B
- San Francisco (registration)
- Gilham Hall
- Dragon's Den (terrace)
- Atlanta/New York
Chouteau B
Kick back, settle in, and listen as these authors recount the worst writing advice they’ve ever received. Ridiculous? Oh, yes. Embarassing? Maybe. Entertaining? You bet!
Phillip Drayer Duncan (M), Adam-Troy Castro, Usman T. Malik
Atlanta/New York
A fun, low-stakes writing workshop that uses spooky cards for writing prompts, a timed writing session, and an impromptu open mic at the end for people to share what they’ve written.
C.S.E. Cooney, Carlos Hernandez
Empire A/B
In the unending debate of traditional vs self-publishing, some authors ask, why not both? Join a panel of hybrid authors as they talk about their journey to hybrid publishing, what the positives and negatives have been for them, and how might this model serve you?
Paul Levinson (M), Summer Hanford, Gini Koch
Atlanta/New York
Gillham Hall
For many of us, the first thing we do when we crack open a new fantasy novel is find and pore over the map. What makes these particular pieces of art so special, and what elements must an artist consider when creating them?
Michael Kingsley (M), Dave Smeds, David Hopkins, Crystal Bechler
Empire A/B
Chicago A
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Gillham Hall
Chicago A
Chouteau A
From gaslamp to solarpunk, Stormlight Archive to Arcane, storytellers have long integrated magic into their worlds’ technology. Characters shape the mystic arts into science, bringing the debate between hard and soft magic systems to a head. In what works do we see this implemented well? And what might it mean for the genre as a whole as authors continue to blur the lines between fantasy and science fiction
T.K. Rex (M), Steven Barnes, Betsy Dornbusch, Usman T. Malik, J.L. Doty
Atlanta/New York
A conversation with our Artist Guest of Honor, Elizabeth Leggett
Elizabeth Leggett, Lauren Raye Snow
Empire A/B
Chicago A
Brenda Carre, Rosemary Williams
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Horror and fantasy fiction draws readers into a mindset that comes from a perspective that takes them out of their cultural norms and introduces them to societies, cultures, and lifestyles that are different from the ones that fantasy and horror have visited before. Authors like Stephen Graham Jones, Tananarive Due, Kelly Robson, and Nghi Vo have introduced the world to all manner of different experiences. We’ll talk about their work and more.
Penelope Flynn (M), Tananarive Due, Wole Talabi, Rena Mason, L.P. Kindred
Atlanta/New York
A conversation with our Author Guest of Honor, Kij Johnson
Kij Johnson, Gary Wolfe
Empire A/B
Chicago A
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chicago A
Chouteau A
Join us as we usher in the 2023 World Fantasy Convention.
Ruth Lichtwardt, Rosemary Williams, Tananarive Due, Steven Barnes, Jonathan Strahan, Kij Johnson, Adam-Troy Castro, Elizabeth Leggett, Vincent Villafranca
Atlanta/New York
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
WFC is full of wonderful writers telling amazing stories, and that includes YOU! Hosted by Special Guest Brandon O’Brien, this open mic event is a safe space to share your speculative poetry, short fiction and more with other fans. Whether you’re an aspiring novelist or just scribbling words for fun, whether you’ve read in front of a crowd before or this is your first time, take a chance and let everyone discover your brilliant words!
Brandon O’Brien
Atlanta/New York
So you want to be an author, but you also have to pay the bills. The harsh truth is only a very, very small percentage of authors actually make a living from their craft. For the majority of us, that means maintaining a day job. How do you balance the demands on your time without neglecting your friends and family? How do you safeguard against burnout?
Crystal Bechler (M), Kij Johnson, Scott Edelman, William Ledbetter, Sharon Shinn
Empire A/B
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Chicago A
Chicago A
Chicago A
Chicago A
Chicago A
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Brenda Carre, Rosemary Williams
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
A fun, low-stakes writing workshop that uses spooky cards for writing prompts, a timed writing session, and an impromptu open mic at the end for people to share what they’ve written.
C.S.E. Cooney, Carlos Hernandez
Empire A/B
For many of us, the first thing we do when we crack open a new fantasy novel is find and pore over the map. What makes these particular pieces of art so special, and what elements must an artist consider when creating them?
Michael Kingsley (M), Dave Smeds, David Hopkins, Crystal Bechler
Empire A/B
A conversation with our Artist Guest of Honor, Elizabeth Leggett
Elizabeth Leggett, Lauren Raye Snow
Empire A/B
A conversation with our Author Guest of Honor, Kij Johnson
Kij Johnson, Gary Wolfe
Empire A/B
So you want to be an author, but you also have to pay the bills. The harsh truth is only a very, very small percentage of authors actually make a living from their craft. For the majority of us, that means maintaining a day job. How do you balance the demands on your time without neglecting your friends and family? How do you safeguard against burnout?
Crystal Bechler (M), Kij Johnson, Scott Edelman, William Ledbetter, Sharon Shinn
Empire A/B
Gillham Hall
Gillham Hall
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Kick back, settle in, and listen as these authors recount the worst writing advice they’ve ever received. Ridiculous? Oh, yes. Embarassing? Maybe. Entertaining? You bet!
Phillip Drayer Duncan (M), Adam-Troy Castro, Usman T. Malik
Atlanta/New York
In the unending debate of traditional vs self-publishing, some authors ask, why not both? Join a panel of hybrid authors as they talk about their journey to hybrid publishing, what the positives and negatives have been for them, and how might this model serve you?
Paul Levinson (M), Summer Hanford, Gini Koch
Atlanta/New York
From gaslamp to solarpunk, Stormlight Archive to Arcane, storytellers have long integrated magic into their worlds’ technology. Characters shape the mystic arts into science, bringing the debate between hard and soft magic systems to a head. In what works do we see this implemented well? And what might it mean for the genre as a whole as authors continue to blur the lines between fantasy and science fiction
T.K. Rex (M), Steven Barnes, Betsy Dornbusch, Usman T. Malik, J.L. Doty
Atlanta/New York
Horror and fantasy fiction draws readers into a mindset that comes from a perspective that takes them out of their cultural norms and introduces them to societies, cultures, and lifestyles that are different from the ones that fantasy and horror have visited before. Authors like Stephen Graham Jones, Tananarive Due, Kelly Robson, and Nghi Vo have introduced the world to all manner of different experiences. We’ll talk about their work and more.
Penelope Flynn (M), Tananarive Due, Wole Talabi, Rena Mason, L.P. Kindred
Atlanta/New York
Join us as we usher in the 2023 World Fantasy Convention.
Ruth Lichtwardt, Rosemary Williams, Tananarive Due, Steven Barnes, Jonathan Strahan, Kij Johnson, Adam-Troy Castro, Elizabeth Leggett, Vincent Villafranca
Atlanta/New York
WFC is full of wonderful writers telling amazing stories, and that includes YOU! Hosted by Special Guest Brandon O’Brien, this open mic event is a safe space to share your speculative poetry, short fiction and more with other fans. Whether you’re an aspiring novelist or just scribbling words for fun, whether you’ve read in front of a crowd before or this is your first time, take a chance and let everyone discover your brilliant words!
Brandon O’Brien
Atlanta/New York
- All
- Ballroom Foyer
- Chicago A
- Chouteau A
- Chouteau B
- Empire A/B
- Benton A/B
- San Francisco (registration)
- Gilham Hall
- Dragon's Den (terrace)
- Atlanta/New York
Too often the default assumption is that a writer’s primary audience is white. How does this affect the work of BIPOC writers. What are some of the stark differences we see when looking at white vs BIPOC stories?
Moses Ose Utomi (M), Steven Barnes, Chikodili Emelumadu, Angeli Primlani
Atlanta/New York
Gillham Hall
We’ve often heard it said that the fear of the unknown is one of the greatest drivers of human fear. Keep the monster off-screen, leave it to the audience’s imagination. But how, then, does that translate to a purely visual medium? Horror artists share their process for creating truly monstrous works of art.
P.L. Stuart, Elizabeth Leggett, Lauren Raye Snow, Usman T. Malik
Empire A/B
Gillham Hall
Chicago A
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Stephen King has long been acknowledged as a Master of Horror. From bullied paranormal teenagers to vampires to the frightfully insane, his work has had a lasting and haunting impact on the genre. Panelists will discuss how King’s ideas and stories have influenced fantasy and horror over the years.
Luke Elliott (M), Tananarive Due, Wendy Bolm, Adam-Troy Castro, Erik M. Johnson
Atlanta/New York
They’re not the same thing, but one is often mistaken for the other. Some authors, in fact, are so adept at writing both that it can be hard to place a given work into its appropriate category. What are the hallmarks and calling cards that differentiate one from the other?
David Boop (M), Ginjer Buchanan, Rob Chilson, Josh Rountree
Empire A/B
Chicago A
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chicago A
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
We’ve come a long way from the pulp days, from damsels in distress to heroines in their own right. How have the tropes progressed over the years? What characters do we most admire, and what authors just keep hitting the target every time?
Chikodili Emelumadu (M), Esther Friesner, Leah Ning, Nancy Jane Moore, Deborah Millitello
Atlanta/New York
Human readers of fiction often identify with animals. From Anne McCaffrey’s dragons to Christopher Rowe’s “knowledgeable creatures” and Kij Johnson’s foxes and ponies, what makes us want to connect with animals? Panelists will discuss the books that draw us into animal characters, and what makes them believable.
Laura Anne Gilman (M), Kij Johnson, Rich Horton, Rachel Neumeier
Empire A/B
Chicago A
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
David Smeds, Brenda Clough, Marie Brennan
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
The Sidewise Awards have been presented since 1995 to recognize excellence in alternate history fiction. This year’s winners are being announced at World Fantasy Con.
Chicago A
There is a tradition of using speculative fiction to process societal trauma. The Civil War left a rough legacy on the entire United States, and on Missouri in particular. What works of fantasy delve into this dark piece of our history, and what do they have to say on the shadows of human nature versus the hope for being better?
R.W.W. Greene (M), Donna J.W. Munro, Steven H. Silver, L.P. Kindred
Atlanta/New York
A conversation with our Author Guest of Honor, Adam-Troy Castro
Adam-Troy Castro, Scott Edelman
Empire A/B
Jonathan Strahan and Gary K. Wolfe record an episode of their podcast, live at con!
Jonathan Strahan, Gary K. Wolfe
Chicago A
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
We know how the story goes. The young protagonist, often from humble origins, rises to the call to adventure and goes on an epic quest to save their farm/their lover/the world! But what do their parents think about all of this? How do you deal with world-threatening situations when it’s your own child putting their life on the line? What works have we seen that deal with this in a thoughtful and realistic way?
Tracy S. Morris, Donna Glee Williams, Elise Stephens, Madeleine E. Robins
Empire A/B
What should a new author expect to see out of a contract with a publisher? What differences might you see between one of the Big Five and a smaller press? And how can an agent help you negotiate the best deal?
Lucienne Diver (M), Jonathan Strahan, Tod McCoy, Sally Wiener Grotta, Mary G. Thompson
Chicago A
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Leah Ning, Marie Croke, Beth Dawkins, A.C. Wise, Izzy Wasserstein
Chouteau A
Chicago A
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
We all love a good spooky story, or at least most of us do. But what exactly is it that draws us to this type of horror? What are the elements that make the subgenre tick?
Brenda Carre (M), Tananarive Due, Adam-Troy Castro, A.C. Wise, Donald McCarthy
Atlanta/New York
Chouteau A
Anti-imperialist sentiments in fantastic literature date back to (and predate) Mark Twain, but in recent decades the commercial fantasy genre has included many high profile works that are explicitly anti-imperialist in nature. With recent WFA winners and nominees like Kacen Callender’s Queen of the Conquered, and R. F. Kuang’s Babel, it seems as if literature like this has a much higher profile compared to decades past. For a genre that has often fetishized feudalism & empire, this development is of significant interest. This panel will discuss possible reasons for this evolution, spotlight contemporary writers who are using the fantastic genre to explore anti-imperialist themes, and highlight significant anti-imperialist fantasy works that pre-date the last two decades.
Jeremy Lassen (M), P.L Stuart, Naseem Jamnia, Glenn Parris, Alexandra Manglis
Empire A/B
How much information does a cover artist receive from a traditional publisher when being hired to design a cover? How do the trends in artwork tend to shift from year to year? To what extent does cover art need to reflect the details of a story?
Marina Lostetter (M), Elizabeth Leggett, Eileen Gunn, Ginjer Buchanan, Ginny Smith
Chicago A
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
From the clever helper to the sly trickster, the fox figures heavily into the mythology of multiple traditions. Due to this, it’s also commonly featured in fantasy fiction as well. What are some of those mythological roles? How have authors adapted these myths for their literature?
Alyc Helms (M), Kij Johnson, Gillian Polack, Rena Mason, D.G. Valdron
Atlanta/New York
A Missouri native, Heinlein has long been distinguished as one of the greats of science fiction. But did you know that he also wrote fantasy? We’ll talk about his forays into the other side of sf/f and their importance to fantasy literature as a whole.
Gordon Van Gelder (M), Barbara E. Hill, Michael Cassutt, John Kessel
Empire A/B
Join Vincent Villafranca as he leads a workshop on some of the traditional methods of three-dimensional art!
Slots are limited to 10 people. Signups are at Registration.
Chicago A
Pat Murphy, Eileen Gunn, Diane Silver
Chouteau B
Chouteau A
There are a multitude of philosophies on genre. Keep them separate, add a dash of one to another, mix them wholesale, or smash them together and make them kiss. What exactly is the appeal of genre-mixing? What works capture our enthusiasm the most?
Eugen Bacon (M), Darrell Schweitzer, Marie Croke, Jeffrey Ford, Mark L. Van Name
Empire A/B
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Atlanta/New York
Ballroom Foyer
Ballroom Foyer
Chicago A
Chicago A
Chicago A
Chicago A
The Sidewise Awards have been presented since 1995 to recognize excellence in alternate history fiction. This year’s winners are being announced at World Fantasy Con.
Chicago A
Jonathan Strahan and Gary K. Wolfe record an episode of their podcast, live at con!
Jonathan Strahan, Gary K. Wolfe
Chicago A
What should a new author expect to see out of a contract with a publisher? What differences might you see between one of the Big Five and a smaller press? And how can an agent help you negotiate the best deal?
Lucienne Diver (M), Jonathan Strahan, Tod McCoy, Sally Wiener Grotta, Mary G. Thompson
Chicago A
Chicago A
How much information does a cover artist receive from a traditional publisher when being hired to design a cover? How do the trends in artwork tend to shift from year to year? To what extent does cover art need to reflect the details of a story?
Marina Lostetter (M), Elizabeth Leggett, Eileen Gunn, Ginjer Buchanan, Ginny Smith
Chicago A
Join Vincent Villafranca as he leads a workshop on some of the traditional methods of three-dimensional art!
Slots are limited to 10 people. Signups are at Registration.
Chicago A
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau A
David Smeds, Brenda Clough, Marie Brennan
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Leah Ning, Marie Croke, Beth Dawkins, A.C. Wise, Izzy Wasserstein
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Pat Murphy, Eileen Gunn, Diane Silver
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
We’ve often heard it said that the fear of the unknown is one of the greatest drivers of human fear. Keep the monster off-screen, leave it to the audience’s imagination. But how, then, does that translate to a purely visual medium? Horror artists share their process for creating truly monstrous works of art.
P.L. Stuart, Elizabeth Leggett, Lauren Raye Snow, Usman T. Malik
Empire A/B
They’re not the same thing, but one is often mistaken for the other. Some authors, in fact, are so adept at writing both that it can be hard to place a given work into its appropriate category. What are the hallmarks and calling cards that differentiate one from the other?
David Boop (M), Ginjer Buchanan, Rob Chilson, Josh Rountree
Empire A/B
Human readers of fiction often identify with animals. From Anne McCaffrey’s dragons to Christopher Rowe’s “knowledgeable creatures” and Kij Johnson’s foxes and ponies, what makes us want to connect with animals? Panelists will discuss the books that draw us into animal characters, and what makes them believable.
Laura Anne Gilman (M), Kij Johnson, Rich Horton, Rachel Neumeier
Empire A/B
A conversation with our Author Guest of Honor, Adam-Troy Castro
Adam-Troy Castro, Scott Edelman
Empire A/B
We know how the story goes. The young protagonist, often from humble origins, rises to the call to adventure and goes on an epic quest to save their farm/their lover/the world! But what do their parents think about all of this? How do you deal with world-threatening situations when it’s your own child putting their life on the line? What works have we seen that deal with this in a thoughtful and realistic way?
Tracy S. Morris, Donna Glee Williams, Elise Stephens, Madeleine E. Robins
Empire A/B
Anti-imperialist sentiments in fantastic literature date back to (and predate) Mark Twain, but in recent decades the commercial fantasy genre has included many high profile works that are explicitly anti-imperialist in nature. With recent WFA winners and nominees like Kacen Callender’s Queen of the Conquered, and R. F. Kuang’s Babel, it seems as if literature like this has a much higher profile compared to decades past. For a genre that has often fetishized feudalism & empire, this development is of significant interest. This panel will discuss possible reasons for this evolution, spotlight contemporary writers who are using the fantastic genre to explore anti-imperialist themes, and highlight significant anti-imperialist fantasy works that pre-date the last two decades.
Jeremy Lassen (M), P.L Stuart, Naseem Jamnia, Glenn Parris, Alexandra Manglis
Empire A/B
A Missouri native, Heinlein has long been distinguished as one of the greats of science fiction. But did you know that he also wrote fantasy? We’ll talk about his forays into the other side of sf/f and their importance to fantasy literature as a whole.
Gordon Van Gelder (M), Barbara E. Hill, Michael Cassutt, John Kessel
Empire A/B
There are a multitude of philosophies on genre. Keep them separate, add a dash of one to another, mix them wholesale, or smash them together and make them kiss. What exactly is the appeal of genre-mixing? What works capture our enthusiasm the most?
Eugen Bacon (M), Darrell Schweitzer, Marie Croke, Jeffrey Ford, Mark L. Van Name
Empire A/B
Gillham Hall
Gillham Hall
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Too often the default assumption is that a writer’s primary audience is white. How does this affect the work of BIPOC writers. What are some of the stark differences we see when looking at white vs BIPOC stories?
Moses Ose Utomi (M), Steven Barnes, Chikodili Emelumadu, Angeli Primlani
Atlanta/New York
Stephen King has long been acknowledged as a Master of Horror. From bullied paranormal teenagers to vampires to the frightfully insane, his work has had a lasting and haunting impact on the genre. Panelists will discuss how King’s ideas and stories have influenced fantasy and horror over the years.
Luke Elliott (M), Tananarive Due, Wendy Bolm, Adam-Troy Castro, Erik M. Johnson
Atlanta/New York
We’ve come a long way from the pulp days, from damsels in distress to heroines in their own right. How have the tropes progressed over the years? What characters do we most admire, and what authors just keep hitting the target every time?
Chikodili Emelumadu (M), Esther Friesner, Leah Ning, Nancy Jane Moore, Deborah Millitello
Atlanta/New York
There is a tradition of using speculative fiction to process societal trauma. The Civil War left a rough legacy on the entire United States, and on Missouri in particular. What works of fantasy delve into this dark piece of our history, and what do they have to say on the shadows of human nature versus the hope for being better?
R.W.W. Greene (M), Donna J.W. Munro, Steven H. Silver, L.P. Kindred
Atlanta/New York
The market is rife with retellings of myths and fairy tales. What makes these stories so enthralling? What recent stories have successfully presented fresh takes on old tales?
Gary K. Wolfe (M), Steven Barnes, Ann Marie Wilson, Dennis Danvers, Susan Shell Winston
Atlanta/New York
We all love a good spooky story, or at least most of us do. But what exactly is it that draws us to this type of horror? What are the elements that make the subgenre tick?
Brenda Carre (M), Tananarive Due, Adam-Troy Castro, A.C. Wise, Donald McCarthy
Atlanta/New York
From the clever helper to the sly trickster, the fox figures heavily into the mythology of multiple traditions. Due to this, it’s also commonly featured in fantasy fiction as well. What are some of those mythological roles? How have authors adapted these myths for their literature?
Alyc Helms (M), Kij Johnson, Gillian Polack, Rena Mason, D.G. Valdron
Atlanta/New York
Atlanta/New York
- All
- Chicago A
- Chouteau A
- Chouteau B
- Empire A/B
- San Francisco (registration)
- Gilham Hall
- Dragon's Den (terrace)
- Atlanta/New York
Join Toastmaster Steven Barnes in a morning Tai Chi lesson
Chicago A
Let’s take retrofuturism a step farther. Beyond steampunk or even gaslamp, what happens when someone drops futuristic technology into a historical fantasy? What are some of our favorite examples?
Jenny Rae Rappaport (M), Molly Tanzer, Aparna Verma, Paul Levinson, Rich Horton
Atlanta/New York
Gillham Hall
Gillham Hall
Let’s get witchy! What exactly is witch literature? While our initial thoughts might turn toward urban fantasy, this subgenre can delve into other subgenres as well. Join our panel as they discuss just what makes this genre tick.
Emma Törzs (M), Jonathan Strahan, J.H. Fleming, Kate Heartfield, Louise Marley/Louisa Morgan
Empire A/B
Chicago A
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chicago A
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Does an author have to identify as LGBTQ+ in order to create a believable LGBTQ+ character ? Are there cishet writers who have written this kind of representation respectfully, wisely, and kindly?
Ellen Klages (M), Elizabeth Leggett, Alex Jennings, Naseem Jamnia, Fiona Moore
Atlanta/New York
Individual authors, artists, and even small press publishing companies are using Kickstarter more and more in order to fund new projects. What kinds of projects do or don’t work well on the platform? And what are the strategies a publisher can use in order to make the launch as strong as possible?
Joshua Palmatier (M), Blake Hausladen, Carlos Hernandez, Jennifer (J.M.) Landels
Empire A/B
There is a long history of fairy tales as vehicles to warn children of danger. Most of the versions of these stories we know today have been vastly sanitized from their original forms. As it turns out, some of our favorite stories as adults are often the ones that terrified us as children, so perhaps our ancestors were on to something. Why is that?
Brandon McNulty (M), Adam-Troy Castro, Beth Dawkins, Matthew LaWall-Shane, Alex Irvine
Chicago A
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
A conversation with our Toastmaster, Steven Barnes
Steven Barnes, Tananarive Due
Atlanta/New York
Different stories have different takes on disability, and magic opens up a whole new realm of options. What are some good examples, and at what point does it go too far? When do stories fly past creativity and venture into offense and erasure?
Brandon Ketchum (M), W.A. Thomasson, Susie Williamson, Nicola Griffith
Empire A/B
Industry professionals discuss what’s going on with publishing these days, what it all means, and how it affects all of us.
Sally Wiener Grotta (M), Jacob Weisman, Liza Groen Trombi, Lucienne Diver, Terri M. LeBlanc
Chicago A
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Chouteau A
Bryan Thomas Schmidt, Christine Taylor-Butler
Chouteau B
Chouteau A
The horror genre has deep roots in themes surrounding LGBTQ+ identities. We deconstruct some of the most prevalent ones, their positives and negatives, and what they have to say about society as a whole.
Izzy Wasserstein (M), Lauren Raye Snow, Catherine Lundoff, Brandon O’Brien
Atlanta/New York
There’s a high incidence of neurodivergence amongst creatives, and they’re bit by bit chipping away at some of the less-than-stellar portrayals ADHD and autistic people have received in popular media over the years. Join our panel of neurodivergent individuals as they talk about what characters they love, which ones make them cringe, and the direction they’d like to see this representation take.
Rosemary Williams (M), Wendy Bolm, Rajan Khanna, Leonard Wilson
Empire A/B
We discuss those the fantasy world has lost in the past year, their contributions, and how much they will be missed.
Ginjer Buchanan, John C. Tibbetts, Gordon Van Gelder
Chicago A
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Jared Shurin, Molly Tanzer
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Orcs, goblins, and elves — the races of fantasy have generated their own encyclopedia of tropes. Unfortunately, they also have a history of real-world racial coding. Have these races become problematic in and of themselves, or are they a viable vehicle for painting a critique of our own world?
P.L Stuart (M), Elijah Kinch Spector, Eva L. Elasigue, Sultana Raza, Andrea Stewart
Atlanta/New York
With the popular embrace of ebook and online publishing, mid-length formats have surged in popularity, increasingly utilized by Tor.com, Subterranean Press, and Titan Books. What was once neglected has now become a force to be reckoned with. What makes fiction of this length into a gem, and which ones should we all be seeking out to read?
Pat Murphy (M), Jonathan Strahan, Jeremy Billingsley, Lettie Prell, Ellen Datlow
Empire A/B
Chicago A
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Choutea A
Chouteau B
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
By now, we’ve all heard the buzz: generative AI is ripping into the art and publishing worlds and leaving a giant mess in its wake. What do we expect the long-term impact will be? And how can artists and authors safeguard their work from the data scrapers?
Nancy Jane Moore (M), R.W.W. Greene, Jared Shurin, Matthew Kressel, Carrie Callahan, Mary Anne Mohranj
Atlanta/New York
Including created documents in fiction is a tried and true method of worldbuilding, but speculative fiction and horror have taken that a step further further to tell stories entirely through footnotes, art gallery exhibit descriptions, FAQs, bibliographies, articles, technical instructions, and more. What are the advantages and disadvantages of storyless storytelling?
Glen Engle-Cox (M), Kij Johnson, Andrea Corbin, Vic Peterson, Amber Logan
Empire A/B
Chicago A
Chouteau B
Chicago A
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Once upon a time, many women in horror stories were victims, either to suffer or be saved. In recent years these trends have shifted, and we see more heroic women of deep inner strength, or even monstrous women who are themselves what we fear in the dark. What are some of our favorites who have contributed to this shift, and what do we love about them?
Gini Koch (M), Tananarive Due, Barbara Cottrell, Barbara Randall Kesel, Rebecca Roland
Atlanta/New York
All you have to do is Google “Fantasy Art” and you’ll see thousands of sites that list fantasy artwork for sale. Is the plethora of fantasy artwork helping or hurting the fiction genre? In what ways?
Penelope Flynn (M), Elizabeth Leggett, Sultana Raza
Empire A/B
Since her death in 1952, she and her work have fallen into obscurity. As her biographer, John C. Tibbets is on a mission to restore her name to the honored list of the greatest writers of the Weird and the Gothic of the 20th century, and to this end has prepared a presentation.
John C. Tibbetts
Chicago A
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau A
David Stokes, Gustavo Bondini
Chouteau B
How does the fantasy genre transmit a society’s ideals, mores, and taboos? What can we learn about an author’s culture by digging into their work?
Steven Barnes (M), Eugen Bacon, Gregory A. Wilson, Kari Sperring
Atlanta/New York
A conversation with our Editor Guest of Honor, Jonathan Strahan
Jonathan Strahan, Gary K. Wolfe
Empire A/B
Chicago A
Laura Anne Gilman, Nancy Jane Moore, Madeline E. Robins
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chicago A
Chouteau B
Gillham Hall
Plenty of genre stories rely on an element of erotica to enhance and advance the plot. What books are the best examples? What makes their sex scenes effective, making sure they continue to drive the story forward?
Thea Hutcheson (M), Eileen Gunn, Rhiannon Held, Amy Avery, Christine Amsden
Atlanta/New York
Kings and Queens, serfs and peasants; these are often the default expressions of government and economics in fantasy. What works have moved beyond this to build different types of fantasy societies? And how has this been used to better reflect and critique the world we live in?
David Stokes (M), Marie Brennan, Erin M. Evans, Jenna Hanchey, Marina Lostetter
Empire A/B
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau A
Sex and horror have been thematically intertwined since time immemorial. This discussion will explore the differences between sexual and erotic horror, what makes them so effective in storytelling, and how we can use those themes to explore our fears and our own dark sides in a structured way.
A.C. Wise (M), Penelope Flynn, Chris M. Arnone
Atlanta/New York
Always save the cat. Prologues are verboten. Beware of mixing your genres. Avoid passive voice at all costs. We all know the rules, but aren’t they really more like guidelines? What can you get away with breaking, by how much, and for how long? And if you’re going to break the rules, what do you need to keep in mind in order to make it work?
Erik M Johnson(M), Susan Forest, Tim W. Burke, T.K. Rex
Empire A/B
Some of us look at books like a bag of potato chips: bet you can’t write just one! But if you’re going to write a series, you might want to consider going in with a plan. Join our panel of series authors as they offer advice and wisdom on how to plan and execute a good series.
Brenda W. Clough (M), Marie Brennan, Mark L. Van Name, Sarah Stegall
Chicago A
Join Toastmaster Steven Barnes in a morning Tai Chi lesson
Chicago A
Chicago A
Chicago A
There is a long history of fairy tales as vehicles to warn children of danger. Most of the versions of these stories we know today have been vastly sanitized from their original forms. As it turns out, some of our favorite stories as adults are often the ones that terrified us as children, so perhaps our ancestors were on to something. Why is that?
Brandon McNulty (M), Adam-Troy Castro, Beth Dawkins, Matthew LaWall-Shane, Alex Irvine
Chicago A
Industry professionals discuss what’s going on with publishing these days, what it all means, and how it affects all of us.
Sally Wiener Grotta (M), Jacob Weisman, Liza Groen Trombi, Lucienne Diver, Terri M. LeBlanc
Chicago A
We discuss those the fantasy world has lost in the past year, their contributions, and how much they will be missed.
Ginjer Buchanan, John C. Tibbetts, Gordon Van Gelder
Chicago A
Chicago A
Chicago A
Chouteau A
Since her death in 1952, she and her work have fallen into obscurity. As her biographer, John C. Tibbets is on a mission to restore her name to the honored list of the greatest writers of the Weird and the Gothic of the 20th century, and to this end has prepared a presentation.
John C. Tibbetts
Chicago A
Chicago A
Chicago A
Some of us look at books like a bag of potato chips: bet you can’t write just one! But if you’re going to write a series, you might want to consider going in with a plan. Join our panel of series authors as they offer advice and wisdom on how to plan and execute a good series.
Brenda W. Clough (M), Marie Brennan, Mark L. Van Name, Sarah Stegall
Chicago A
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Jared Shurin, Molly Tanzer
Chouteau A
Choutea A
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Laura Anne Gilman, Nancy Jane Moore, Madeline E. Robins
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Bryan Thomas Schmidt, Christine Taylor-Butler
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chicago A
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
David Stokes, Gustavo Bondini
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Let’s get witchy! What exactly is witch literature? While our initial thoughts might turn toward urban fantasy, this subgenre can delve into other subgenres as well. Join our panel as they discuss just what makes this genre tick.
Emma Törzs (M), Jonathan Strahan, J.H. Fleming, Kate Heartfield, Louise Marley/Louisa Morgan
Empire A/B
Individual authors, artists, and even small press publishing companies are using Kickstarter more and more in order to fund new projects. What kinds of projects do or don’t work well on the platform? And what are the strategies a publisher can use in order to make the launch as strong as possible?
Joshua Palmatier (M), Blake Hausladen, Carlos Hernandez, Jennifer (J.M.) Landels
Empire A/B
Different stories have different takes on disability, and magic opens up a whole new realm of options. What are some good examples, and at what point does it go too far? When do stories fly past creativity and venture into offense and erasure?
Brandon Ketchum (M), W.A. Thomasson, Susie Williamson, Nicola Griffith
Empire A/B
There’s a high incidence of neurodivergence amongst creatives, and they’re bit by bit chipping away at some of the less-than-stellar portrayals ADHD and autistic people have received in popular media over the years. Join our panel of neurodivergent individuals as they talk about what characters they love, which ones make them cringe, and the direction they’d like to see this representation take.
Rosemary Williams (M), Wendy Bolm, Rajan Khanna, Leonard Wilson
Empire A/B
With the popular embrace of ebook and online publishing, mid-length formats have surged in popularity, increasingly utilized by Tor.com, Subterranean Press, and Titan Books. What was once neglected has now become a force to be reckoned with. What makes fiction of this length into a gem, and which ones should we all be seeking out to read?
Pat Murphy (M), Jonathan Strahan, Jeremy Billingsley, Lettie Prell, Ellen Datlow
Empire A/B
Including created documents in fiction is a tried and true method of worldbuilding, but speculative fiction and horror have taken that a step further further to tell stories entirely through footnotes, art gallery exhibit descriptions, FAQs, bibliographies, articles, technical instructions, and more. What are the advantages and disadvantages of storyless storytelling?
Glen Engle-Cox (M), Kij Johnson, Andrea Corbin, Vic Peterson, Amber Logan
Empire A/B
All you have to do is Google “Fantasy Art” and you’ll see thousands of sites that list fantasy artwork for sale. Is the plethora of fantasy artwork helping or hurting the fiction genre? In what ways?
Penelope Flynn (M), Elizabeth Leggett, Sultana Raza
Empire A/B
A conversation with our Editor Guest of Honor, Jonathan Strahan
Jonathan Strahan, Gary K. Wolfe
Empire A/B
Kings and Queens, serfs and peasants; these are often the default expressions of government and economics in fantasy. What works have moved beyond this to build different types of fantasy societies? And how has this been used to better reflect and critique the world we live in?
David Stokes (M), Marie Brennan, Erin M. Evans, Jenna Hanchey, Marina Lostetter
Empire A/B
Always save the cat. Prologues are verboten. Beware of mixing your genres. Avoid passive voice at all costs. We all know the rules, but aren’t they really more like guidelines? What can you get away with breaking, by how much, and for how long? And if you’re going to break the rules, what do you need to keep in mind in order to make it work?
Erik M Johnson(M), Susan Forest, Tim W. Burke, T.K. Rex
Empire A/B
Gillham Hall
Gillham Hall
Gillham Hall
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Let’s take retrofuturism a step farther. Beyond steampunk or even gaslamp, what happens when someone drops futuristic technology into a historical fantasy? What are some of our favorite examples?
Jenny Rae Rappaport (M), Molly Tanzer, Aparna Verma, Paul Levinson, Rich Horton
Atlanta/New York
Does an author have to identify as LGBTQ+ in order to create a believable LGBTQ+ character ? Are there cishet writers who have written this kind of representation respectfully, wisely, and kindly?
Ellen Klages (M), Elizabeth Leggett, Alex Jennings, Naseem Jamnia, Fiona Moore
Atlanta/New York
A conversation with our Toastmaster, Steven Barnes
Steven Barnes, Tananarive Due
Atlanta/New York
The horror genre has deep roots in themes surrounding LGBTQ+ identities. We deconstruct some of the most prevalent ones, their positives and negatives, and what they have to say about society as a whole.
Izzy Wasserstein (M), Lauren Raye Snow, Catherine Lundoff, Brandon O’Brien
Atlanta/New York
Orcs, goblins, and elves — the races of fantasy have generated their own encyclopedia of tropes. Unfortunately, they also have a history of real-world racial coding. Have these races become problematic in and of themselves, or are they a viable vehicle for painting a critique of our own world?
P.L Stuart (M), Elijah Kinch Spector, Eva L. Elasigue, Sultana Raza, Andrea Stewart
Atlanta/New York
By now, we’ve all heard the buzz: generative AI is ripping into the art and publishing worlds and leaving a giant mess in its wake. What do we expect the long-term impact will be? And how can artists and authors safeguard their work from the data scrapers?
Nancy Jane Moore (M), R.W.W. Greene, Jared Shurin, Matthew Kressel, Carrie Callahan, Mary Anne Mohranj
Atlanta/New York
Once upon a time, many women in horror stories were victims, either to suffer or be saved. In recent years these trends have shifted, and we see more heroic women of deep inner strength, or even monstrous women who are themselves what we fear in the dark. What are some of our favorites who have contributed to this shift, and what do we love about them?
Gini Koch (M), Tananarive Due, Barbara Cottrell, Barbara Randall Kesel, Rebecca Roland
Atlanta/New York
How does the fantasy genre transmit a society’s ideals, mores, and taboos? What can we learn about an author’s culture by digging into their work?
Steven Barnes (M), Eugen Bacon, Gregory A. Wilson, Kari Sperring
Atlanta/New York
Plenty of genre stories rely on an element of erotica to enhance and advance the plot. What books are the best examples? What makes their sex scenes effective, making sure they continue to drive the story forward?
Thea Hutcheson (M), Eileen Gunn, Rhiannon Held, Amy Avery, Christine Amsden
Atlanta/New York
Sex and horror have been thematically intertwined since time immemorial. This discussion will explore the differences between sexual and erotic horror, what makes them so effective in storytelling, and how we can use those themes to explore our fears and our own dark sides in a structured way.
A.C. Wise (M), Penelope Flynn, Chris M. Arnone
Atlanta/New York
- All
- Chicago A
- Chouteau A
- Chouteau B
- Empire A/B
- Benton A/B
- San Francisco (registration)
- Gilham Hall
- Dragon's Den (terrace)
- Atlanta/New York
Join Toastmaster Steven Barnes in a morning Tai Chi lesson.
Chicago A
Epic battles, dystopian worlds, and crushing sorrow — you won’t find any of those things here. Let’s take a dive into this subgenre, explore what it is (and isn’t). What about works like Legends & Lattes, The Singing Hills Cycle, and Nettle & Bone that are attracting today’s audience? Is this a natural shift away from the prevalence of grimdark fantasy that has dominated the market, or is something bigger at work here?
Jennifer Hudak (M), Megan Bannen, Paige L. Christie, Sara Beth Durst, Sherry Peters
Atlanta/New York
Gillham Hall
Gillham Hall
While often an artwork is created to depict a story that already exists, so too does art in turn inspire fresh stories. What artworks in fantasy or horror have generated such stories? Artists who have created illustrations from both perspectives discuss the details behind each.
Elizabeth Leggett (M), Sam W. Pisciotta, C.S.E. Cooney, Nikki Rossignol McCoy, Shauna Aura Knight
Empire A/B
Join Chris McKitterick and Kij Johnson as they talk about their new center for speculative fiction.
Kij Johnson, Chris McKitterick
Chicago A
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Chicago A
Chouteau A
Chicago A
Chouteau B
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
A conversation with our Toastmaster, Tananarive Due
Tananarive Due, Steven Barnes
Atlanta/New York
Once upon a time, it was commonplace to see multiple authors writing in the same sandbox. Is the tradition dying off? What are some of the features that made these shared worlds special, and how can we revive/revisit them?
Adam-Troy Castro (M), Walter Jon Williams, Susan Sinor, Bradley H. Sinor, Allen Stroud
Empire A/B
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Tickets required. Doors open at 12:30 for seating.
Atlanta/New York
Doors open at 1:45 for seating.
Atlanta/New York
Following the WFA Ceremony, the judges will discuss this year’s award process and answer questions.
Ginny Smith, A.C. Wise, Kelly Robson, Ian Whates
Atlanta/New York
What went well? What could have gone better? The chairpersons of WFC 2023 and WFC 2024 listen to members’ comments about this year’s convention.
Rosemary Williams and Ruth Lichtwardt, WFC 2023 Chairs
Catelynn Cunningham and Debi Chowdbury, WFC 2024 Chairs
Karen Fishwick, WFC 2025
Chicago A
Join Toastmaster Steven Barnes in a morning Tai Chi lesson.
Chicago A
Join Chris McKitterick and Kij Johnson as they talk about their new center for speculative fiction.
Kij Johnson, Chris McKitterick
Chicago A
Chicago A
Chicago A
What went well? What could have gone better? The chairpersons of WFC 2023 and WFC 2024 listen to members’ comments about this year’s convention.
Rosemary Williams and Ruth Lichtwardt, WFC 2023 Chairs
Catelynn Cunningham and Debi Chowdbury, WFC 2024 Chairs
Karen Fishwick, WFC 2025
Chicago A
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau A
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
Chouteau B
While often an artwork is created to depict a story that already exists, so too does art in turn inspire fresh stories. What artworks in fantasy or horror have generated such stories? Artists who have created illustrations from both perspectives discuss the details behind each.
Elizabeth Leggett (M), Sam W. Pisciotta, C.S.E. Cooney, Nikki Rossignol McCoy, Shauna Aura Knight
Empire A/B
Once upon a time, it was commonplace to see multiple authors writing in the same sandbox. Is the tradition dying off? What are some of the features that made these shared worlds special, and how can we revive/revisit them?
Adam-Troy Castro (M), Walter Jon Williams, Susan Sinor, Bradley H. Sinor, Allen Stroud
Empire A/B
Gillham Hall
Gillham Hall
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Signups at Registration
The Dragon’s Den (Terrace)
Epic battles, dystopian worlds, and crushing sorrow — you won’t find any of those things here. Let’s take a dive into this subgenre, explore what it is (and isn’t). What about works like Legends & Lattes, The Singing Hills Cycle, and Nettle & Bone that are attracting today’s audience? Is this a natural shift away from the prevalence of grimdark fantasy that has dominated the market, or is something bigger at work here?
Jennifer Hudak (M), Megan Bannen, Paige L. Christie, Sara Beth Durst, Sherry Peters
Atlanta/New York
A conversation with our Toastmaster, Tananarive Due
Tananarive Due, Steven Barnes
Atlanta/New York
Tickets required. Doors open at 12:30 for seating.
Atlanta/New York
Doors open at 1:45 for seating.
Atlanta/New York
Following the WFA Ceremony, the judges will discuss this year’s award process and answer questions.
Ginny Smith, A.C. Wise, Kelly Robson, Ian Whates
Atlanta/New York