Worldcon features hundreds of hours of panel programming presented by hundreds of panelists, covering such diverse subjects as science fiction, fantasy, horror, science, costuming, art, writing, genre television and movies, as well as myriad other topics of interest to fans.
This schedule was last updated on . The schedule is complete and final; the convention has ended, and no further changes will be made.
We are excited to announce the mobile app for Seattle Worldcon 2025 is now available! With this Guidebook app, you get access to the most up-to-date information, the ability to build your own schedule, convention center maps, networking tools, notifications, and more. Get started by downloading the Guidebook app or, if you already have Guidebook installed, go to the “Find Guides” tab and search for “Seattle Worldcon” to download the guide and start planning your Worldcon schedule today!
Schedule eBook and PDF
For those who wish to have a screen reader compatible version of the schedule that does not depend on an active network connection, we now offer downloadable ePub and PDF versions of the schedule. These versions will not be updated as frequently as the web or Guidebook, and your version will only be as current as when you last downloaded a copy.
Download the Seattle Worldcon Schedule ePub (361 KB); last updated
Download the Seattle Worldcon Schedule PDF (2 MB); last updated
Daily Program Grids
These grids are formatted to fit an 11″×17″ size; text will be too small to read easily if printed at standard 8.5″×11″. We recommend zooming in on a phone or tablet or printing on 11″×17″ or larger. 12″×18″ printed copies will be available at the convention. Current as of .
Program Book and Pocket Program
Our souvenir program book and pocket program are now available!
NOTE: The pocket program was finalized and sent to the printers on , and does not reflect changes made to the schedule since then. While much is correct, please refer to Guidebook and this schedule page for the most up to date information.
Limited Participation Advance Sign-Up Instructions
Our table talks and many other sessions have limited participation and require advance signup. Signups can be made electronically through the convention portal. Once inside the portal, choose “Sign-ups for items with limited space.” From there, follow the prompts to select from the list of available sessions. Alternatively, in-person attending members can sign up for sessions in the Summit Building at the Info Table on the second floor concourse, or in Program Ops (Room 326).
Signups will be available from – the day before the session. To accommodate travel needs, signups for Wednesday sessions will open at , and close at .
Admission to events which are oversubscribed will be strictly by lottery; there is no advantage to signing up early. Within a few hours after the signup period closes, each member will receive an email informing them if they have been admitted to the session or not, or whether they have been placed on a waiting list.
Good luck!
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9 a.m. PDT (noon EDT / 4 p.m. GMT)
A Blueprint for Hope
Room 321, –
In difficult times, one of the most important things that science fiction can offer is a believable blueprint for a better future. What are some of the works that have filled us with hope for the days to come? We discuss what makes a future believable, and what makes a future hopeful in a bleak now.
Brooks Peck (M), L.J. Melvin, Luka Dowell, Nicholas Binge
Cardboard Trees
Room 327, –
Make your own trees with corrugated cardboard, scissors, crepe paper, and glue. These can be Earth trees, alien trees, or any sort of tree you can imagine. Materials will be provided, including plain cardboard and a few colors of crepe paper to make flowers, but feel free to bring your own if you want specific colors. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Todd Allis (M)
Basics of Speculative Romance
Room 330, –
Ovipositors, parthenogenesis, and multi-gendered mating, oh my! Speculative romance stories are on the rise in book sales, but how do you write romance between such different sentients, and how do you create a compelling story that cradles that yearning love? Come adventure on the wild side in this (possibly R-rated) workshop. We will be focusing on creating new work, so bring your writing utensils and your brainstorming pants. Adults only please. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Rebecca A. Demarest (M)
Best of the Norwescon Film Fest—Part 1
Room 331-332, –
Norwescon’s Speculative Film Fest shows some of the best short films entered into its festival in 2025.
Editors of the Golden Age
Room 345-346, –
This panel looks at the powerful magazine editors who shaped fantasy and science fiction in the 1930s and 1940s: Farnsworth Wright, Hugo Gernsback, David Lasser, John W. Campbell, Frederik Pohl, and others. What were their greatest achievements, and where did they go wrong? What would they think of today’s fantasy, science fiction, and horror?
Bradford Lyau (M), David Ritter, Gordon Eklund, Sara Light-Waller
Well Said
Room 433-434, –
Great dialogue thrills. Explore dialogue within our favorite fantasy stories and how to bring characters to life while maintaining authenticity in a fantasy-world setting. Together we will discuss practical tips on finding the right balance between natural speech and the unique elements of your fantasy world.
Lindsey Byrd (M), Alex Kingsley, Amanda Cherry, Greta Kelly, Matthew S. Rotundo
The I about AI
Terrace Suite (4F), –
You may have heard that artificial intelligence will usher in a new age, taking civilization where it has never been before. However, there is some disagreement about what that destination is and what hazards are on the paths leading to it. Join our panelists as they chat about AI, solve all its problems, and find all its potential.
Dr. Corey Frazier (M), Berlynn Wohl, Dr. Kaylea Champion, Moriko Handford, Ramez Naam
Virtual Poetry Reading
Virtual Room 1, –
Several poets join us to share their work.
Michael H. Payne, Angela Acosta, Yilin Wang, Edwardson Ukata
Reading: Stephen Embleton
Virtual Room 2, –
Stephen reads from his 2024 Nommo Award-winning novella, “Undulation,” published in the Sauútiverse anthology, Mothersound. “Undulation” is a story of storytellers, of questioning the foundations of society, of mothers and their children, of finding your voice and finding the truth. “Undulation,” by Sauútiverse founding member Stephen Embleton, digs deep into Sauúti creation myths and epic poems, and the people who tell them—the ruevaagi, custodians of knowledge. The Sauúti shared world (or Sauútiverse), created by a collective of 10 African writers and creatives, is an Afrocentric secondary world with both humanoid and non-humanoid creatures living in a five-planet, binary star system.
Stephen Embleton
10 a.m. PDT (1 p.m. EDT / 5 p.m. GMT)
Glitter Tattoos
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Who doesn’t love glitter? Or tattoos? Come get bedazzled! (Don’t worry; it washes off.)
Karin Llyr (M)
Fragmented Narratives and the Limits of Consciousness in Contemporary Speculative Fiction
Room 320, –
This paper explores the evolving role of fragmented narratives in contemporary speculative fiction, focusing on how structural dissonance and narrative instability reflect the complexities of modern consciousness. Drawing from literary theory, philosophy of mind, and narratology, it examines how authors disrupt traditional storytelling to evoke uncertainty, challenge readerly perception, and interrogate the boundaries of selfhood. Through close analysis of key texts, including works by contemporary speculative authors, the paper investigates how fragmented forms contribute to worldbuilding, identity construction, and the representation of nonlinear time. Additionally, it situates these techniques within broader literary traditions, from modernist experimentation to posthumanist discourse. Ultimately, this study argues that fragmentation is not merely a stylistic choice but a fundamental method for capturing the disorienting realities of an increasingly digital, decentralized world.
Alex Pheby
Build a Datapad
Room 327, –
Convert a phone case into a Star Wars-style datapad. Bring your own phone case to work on, ideally in an appropriate base color.
Scott MacHaffie (M)
Writing LitRPG
Room 330, –
What’s this thing they call LitRPG, and how do you get started writing it? Learn tips and tricks from the creator of the Dungeon Crawler Carl book series. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Matt Dinniman (M)
How Do You Price Your Art?
Room 334, –
How much is an original piece of art worth versus what you think people are willing to pay? How do you factor in time, materials, and quality? What about prints or the equivalent, such as castings? Is the first print really worth more nowadays? And how about those frames—they add up!
Lazarus.Black (M), Hannah Swedin, Kestrel Michaud, Lizzy D. Hill,
Prop Up That Costume with a Prop
Room 335-336, –
Props can often make or break a costume. Learn what works and how to make those little special items, hopefully without breaking the bank.
Selena A. Naumoff (M), A. L. Kaplan, Pierre E. Pettinger, Jr.
Horrible Histories: A Way to Make Learning about History Fun
Room 343-344, –
A discussion about shows, podcasts, and other media that help make learning about history fun. After all, it isn’t just lists of numbers and names! How do you take that dry text and make it engaging enough to reach an audience that isn’t necessarily interested in history?
Meghan Lancaster (M), Ben Pladek, Ben Thompson, Heather Rose Jones, Gibbitt Rhys-Jones
Future Cities
Room 345-346, –
From Dubai’s The Line to a new techno-city being planned for California, can and should we design brand new cities? What will make them work? What are the barriers?
Celeste C. Tyler (M), Ada Palmer, Annie Carl, Claire McCague, M.C. Childs
Mercenaries and Contractors
Room 347-348, –
Mercenaries and contractors are almost as old as warfare itself. What are their historical, present, and future roles? How do they, or should they, fit into your storytelling?
Clayton Mann (M), Eric G. Swedin, Jonathan “JD” Davenport
The Mythical Manic Pixie Dream Girl
Room 420-422, –
The manic pixie dream girl: We know her, we love her, we hate her. While many women characters in speculative fiction are evolving from shallow and flat, the MPDG just won’t die. This unrealistic portrayal of women in fiction has been around long enough to have a multilayered post on TVTropes.org, but she keeps popping up. Who is she, why does she stick around, and how do we prevent our leading ladies from becoming her again and again?
Greta Kelly (M), Alison Belle Bews, Beth Plutchak, Nikhil Prabala
The Rising Tide of Climate Change Fiction
Room 423-424, –
It’s often been said that the past is a different country. With the world now beset by rising oceans, increasing wildfires, and chaotic weather patterns, the past is a different planet altogether. This panel will look at older works of science fiction that predicted climate change, modern works that explore the subject, and some works of more dubious merit that engage in climate denialism.
Misha Grifka Wander, Remy Nakamura, Russ Colson, Somto Ihezue, Stephen W. Potts
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Gail Carriger, John Scalzi, Seanan McGuire, Strange Horizons
Reading: Arendse Lund
Room 428, –
“The Emergency Contact.” Fenced in by storm debris, an elderly woman stuck at home dials emergency services and ends up reaching someone she couldn’t ever have imagined. (Published March/April 2025 by Analog Science Fiction and Fact.)
Arendse Lund
Reading: Taunya Gren
Room 429, –
Childless Cat Lady (exerpt). A short table read of a feature that the audience can participate in to see how it works in the industry.
Taunya Gren
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Evan J. Peterson, G. Willow Wilson, Gloria Jackson-Nefertiti, Kevin Roche, Trevor Quachri
Why Anthologies?
Room 431-432, –
What good are anthologies? Why are they in the pro-publishing world, and why should you strive to get your short stories included? Are they worth the money, time, and effort to create? Our panel of anthologists and writers discuss these collections from both sides of the table to give you the inside scoop.
Dave Hook (M), Dr. Rachael Kuintzle, Lezli Robyn, Sadie Hartmann, William C. Tracy
Fix-It Fic
Room 433-434, –
The “fix-it fic” is a staple of the fanfic community, but why do we write it? What do we get out of it? What tropes are fix-it fic writers drawn to, and how can it be done well? What happens when the fanfic is better than the show, and how do small tweaks in canon lore to “fix” canon mistakes change everything?
Madame Askew (M), Berlynn Wohl, Janice L. Newman, Samantha Close, T. M. Kuta
Why Are Villains Queer-Coded?
Room 435-436, –
Numerous genre traits, characteristics, and stereotypes have been molded into the modern idea of the villain, and many such quirks are directly tied to stereotypes of the LGBTQ+ community—but why? Is it because the status quo fears the growing acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, or because the status quo has always excluded and oppressed these individuals? Let’s break it down and discuss ways we creatives can alter that message for positive change regarding this misconception, even in the darkest of genre fiction.
Dr. Heather O. Petrocelli (M), Catherine Lundoff, David Demchuk, Sumiko Saulson, The Grand Arbiter
That’s Not How This Works, That’s Not How Any of This Works: Science Fails in Fiction
Room 445-446, –
Ever been happily reading along in a story and the characters try to science a solution but it leaves you hollering, “That’s not how that works! That’s not how any of that works”? You’re not the only one. Come explore some of the more hilarious examples of failed science-ing.
Frank Wu (M), J.S. Fields, Kaitlyn Casimo, Ph.D., M.Ed., Carl Fink,Torrey Stenmark
And Then I Was Hooked: Space Exploration
Room 447-448, –
What first sparked your interest in space and space exploration? What is the first spacecraft you saw silently sweeping through the night sky? The first landing on the Moon? Come hear what our panel of professionals have to say and add your own stories. Audience participation strongly encouraged!
Dr. Corey Frazier (M), Dr. Laura Woodney, Julie Nováková, Mary Robinette Kowal, Sue Burke
Reading: Valerie Valdes
Virtual Room 1, –
Valerie Valdes (M)
11 a.m. PDT (2 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. GMT)
Reading: Steven D. Brewer
Room 429, –
A Familiar Problem. Becoming a powerful demon’s familiar might just be the best thing ever. But what’s the catch? Rory Soletsa is supposed to find his magical familiar, but he doesn’t want something trite, like a cat; or stupid, like a bird; or ugly, like a toad. Amazed when he is captured and becomes the familiar to a powerful demon who presents as a voluptuous, beautiful woman, Rory discovers how much more powerful his magic is with her. And he’s ecstatic when the demon tells him she will train him in advanced offensive and defensive magic. But just what is she training him for?
Steven D. Brewer
Reading: A. J. Hackwith
Room 429, –
Toto. An excerpt from the fantasy novel Toto, the true story of the real hero of The Wizard of Oz—the dog. Toto takes readers on an opinionated, witty journey through Oz for modern readers.
A. J. Hackwith
Reading: R.S.A. Garcia
Virtual Room 1, –
“Mid-Earth Removals Limited.” A member of an Evil Lord's army is accidentally transported to modern day Trinidad and Tobago where encountering a single mother proves to be a hilariously different kind of adventure.
R.S.A. Garcia (M)
Noon PDT (3 p.m. EDT / 7 p.m. GMT)
Youngling Lightsaber Training
Ballroom 1, –
Padawans, do you feel the call of The Force? Join the Jedi and Sith of Kamino Temple and learn how to use a lightsaber! Take your first steps into a larger world. Ages 4–12 with parental supervision.
Kamino Temple Saber Guild
Blurred Lines: YA Crossovers
Room 321, –
More adults than ever are reading YA—and plenty of teens are reaching for adult books. This panel explores the crossover appeal of stories that defy strict age categories. What draws adult readers to young adult fiction, and what makes certain adult titles resonate with teen audiences? How does this shifting readership influence how books are marketed, shelved, and written? Join authors, librarians, and educators as we discuss the benefits and challenges of this blurred boundary.
Katie Wu (M), Amanda M. Helander, Kylie Lee Baker, Shay Kauwe
Leather Badge Holders
Room 327, –
Tandy Leather is coming to Worldcon! Come join the Seattle store manager and local leather artist Kayce as we teach you how to hand-stitch leather. You will leave with your very own handmade badge protector! Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Kayce (M), Elizabeth Sizer
ADULTS: Renaissance/Fancy/Exotic Hair Braids
Room 328, –
Learn how to do more than simple braids! There’s people ropes, 4-strand “round” braids, classic (3-strand) French and Dutch styles, crown braids, 5- and 7-strand fingering techniques, as well as shapes like hearts and spirals, and a pull-up weave. Discussion is tailored to the desires and abilities of the audience. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
John Wardale (M)
Evolution of a Writing Career
Room 329, –
From 2007 to 2016, Ken Scholes and John Pitts led this workshop at Norwescon, Orycon, Radcon, and Miscon for new writers trying to break in, hone their talent, and find their tribe. Now Ken has brought it back with EVOLUTION alumni Kristi Charish (2014) and indie author/editor Sarah Chorn to tackle all your craft and business questions. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Ken Scholes (M), Sarah Chorn
Building a Roller Coaster: Writing for Children and Young Adults
Room 330, –
Writing for children and young adults requires an understanding of your market. How do you learn to think like a child and convey a young person’s viewpoint? What is off-limits when writing for this market? What are publishers looking for in manuscripts—and how do you hone your skills to produce those things? Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Christine Taylor-Butler (M)
SWFF A—Science Fiction Meets Shakespeare
Room 331-332, –
If the Bard wrote science fiction you might just get the feature film Shakespeare's The Tempest, directed by Garret Nicholas Reploge. Short films in this block: The Tetrahedron, Overtime. Followed by Q&A from filmmakers.
No Wrong Way to Write Folk Songs
Room 335-336, –
We’ll discuss ways folks write songs, with an emphasis on the fact that people have different ways that they draw inspiration from different sources and different methods, and all are valid. Panelists can spitball song ideas and try to come up with an instafilk during the panel, while reiterating that for some, songwriting can take time. There is no wrong way to write a song!
Alison Belle Bews (M), John Hedtke, Mollylele, Susan Weiner, Watson Ladd
There’s More to British Sci-Fi than Doctor Who and Red Dwarf
Room 343-344, –
What is it about Misfits, UFO, Primeval, Being Human, Ghosts, Max Headroom, and all those “Supermarionation” shows? Why do we love British TV so much in the U.S., and what are the great shows you’re missing? Brought to you by BritCon.
Dan Murphy (M), J. Spyder Isaacson, Gibbitt Rhys-Jones, Ryan K. Johnson, Neil Ottenstein
Book Cover Art in the Age of the E-Book
Room 345-346, –
Can cover art be done for e-books? Can it be done well? What are the constraints with cover art for e-books? What improvements in the hardware would also improve our ability to enjoy cover art on a digital platform?
Sara Light-Waller (M), Alyssa Winans, Bryce O’Connor, Jonathan “JD” Davenport, Jeff Sturgeon
No Tropes for Me—Let’s Write Weird
Room 347-348, –
A panel that discusses nonlinear storytelling, techniques to attempt, and voices to inhabit. Panelists will explore not just subverting tropes, but unusual viewpoint choices, non-traditional plots, avoiding or altering standard narrative beats, and other such different approaches—and how to make these things engaging rather than confusing for the reader.
Alex Pheby (M), Natalia Theodoridou, Sagan Yee, Talulah J. Sullivan
Creating Board and Card Games
Room 420-422, –
With the advent of crowdfunding, print on demand, and easy access to overseas production, creating your own board game has never been easier. Or is it? Learn the twists and turns of creating games.
T. Alexander Stangroom (M), Tegan Moore, W. Jade Young
How to Create and Record a Podcast
Room 423-424, –
Learn how to start your own podcast and begin recording with SFF Addicts Podcast co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson, M. J. Kuhn and Greta Kelly! This workshop will involve walkthroughs and discussions of various podcasting essentials, including how to ideate your podcast, your goals as a podcaster, whether audio or video is the right fit for you, choosing recording platforms and software, microphones and other recording equipment, in-person versus virtual interviews, how to book guests, interview preparation, how to edit a podcast, hosting platforms and apps, social media, monetization strategies and more. It is recommended that you bring something to take notes on.
Adrian M. Gibson (M), Greta Kelly, MJ Kuhn
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Doug Van Belle, Alexandra Nica, Andy Peloquin, Blaze Ward, Mur Lafferty, Maurizio Manzieri
Reading: A. L. Kaplan
Room 428, –
Star Touched. It’s hard to be who you are meant to be. Especially when your powers can get you killed. Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble. Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends—and herself.
A. L. Kaplan
Reading: Leigh Harlen
Room 429, –
A Place for Broken Men. An excerpt from an upcoming horror novella. After the tragic death of his son, Ben accepts a job as caretaker for a small luxury hotel with a dark history of post-war institutionalization where he finds a strange creature that he feels compelled to love and care for but no else seems to be able to see.
Leigh Harlen
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Chris Gerrib, Corry L. Lee, D. Wes Rist, Diana Ma, Elijah Kinch Spector, Adam-Troy Castro
Mythology and Authenticity in Fantasy
Room 433-434, –
Mining mythologies of the world is a quick way to create semi-familiar, popular fantasy worlds. But those mythologies had (and have) their own adherents, belief systems, and cultures. What responsibilities do authors have as far as research and representation when drawing on material from other cultures and faiths, especially those that can no longer speak for themselves?
Dean Wells (M), Kat Kourbeti, Randee Dawn, Sandra Rosner, Thea Prieto
Can I Pick Your Brain? How (and Why) to Interview Experts for Your Story
Room 435-436, –
They say write what you know, but the whole point of writing speculative fiction is to make things up! Fortunately, there are many resources and experts available who are happy to help. We’ll discuss how to professionally reach out to subject matter experts, how to conduct good interviews, and other points of etiquette.
Bob Brown (M), Dr. Rachael Kuintzle, Jason Pchajek, Jonathan Brazee
Cover Letter? Got It Covered!
Room 443-444, –
Cover letters: The devil is in the details. What’s the proper etiquette for these, and is it different for different types of markets? What should you include? Should you make it personal, even if the editor’s name is hard to find? Do editors even read cover letters? Our experienced panel will discuss these questions and more.
Gabrielle Harbowy (M), Dr. Jasmin Kirkbride, Leon Perniciaro, Nicole Kimberling, Tod McCoy
Speculative Poetry Readings
Room 445-446, –
Come bask in the poetic wonders of strange worlds, fantastic narrators, and imaginary perspectives! Hear the poetry of Tara Campbell, Brian U. Garrison, Grand Master F. J. Bergmann, Marie Brennan, and Somto Ihezue.
Tara Campbell (M), Brian U. Garrison, F. J. Bergmann, Marie Brennan, Somto Ihezue
Can Biological Research Ever Be Independent?
Room 447-448, –
Let’s face it, we conduct science in an inherently for-profit environment, which leads to all sorts of biases. How do we work around these built-in barriers to create truly independent science? Without breaking too many laws, of course.
Kristina Palmer (M), J.S. Fields, Kaitlyn Casimo, Ph.D., M.Ed., Steven D. Brewer
Concert Star Cluster: Lynn Gold, Paul Kwinn, and Star Trek Cabaret
Signature Room (5F), –
Lynn Gold's music has been described as “zany.” Her genres range from folk to punk to New Age. Expect to learn a lot of stuff that's awkward to insert into conversations. (–)
Paul Kwinn is a Pegasus Award-winning singer/songwriter and part of the group Puzzlebox. His songs are catchy and range from thoughtful to downright goofy. (–)
Liisa Spink and Brooks Peck perform a Star Trek cabaret act. (–)
Brooks Peck, Liisa Spink, Lynn Gold, Paul Kwinn
Roving Mars
Terrace Suite (4F), –
Seattle Worldcon Science Guest of Honor Bridget Landry will give you a firsthand account of over 20 years of six-wheeled exploration of Mars. From Mars Pathfinder’s Sojourner in the ’90s, through the MER rovers Spirit and Opportunity in the ’00s, to today’s behemoths Curiosity and Perseverance, learn about the technical challenges the teams faced and how these little (and not so little) buggies have expanded our understanding of the history and composition of the red planet.
Bridget Landry
Crossing Worlds: Harlan Ellison in Cyberland
Room 320, –
The mid-1990s saw the works of Harlan Ellison adapted in three different video games across a two-year period. Between 1995–1997, three of Ellison's greatest short stories found new life on PC screens, one with Ellison's direct involvement and two without. This paper looks at these three titles: I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream, YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love at the Bound of This World, and Fallout.
Justin Bortnick
Reading: Deanna Sjolander
Room 428, –
The Case of Too Many Albins. Sophie is literally up to her eyeballs in Albins from every dimension imaginable, the town is in jeopardy of completely disappearing and Walter continues to be cagey about what he knows. Sophie must convince him to trust her in order to fix everything that’s gone wrong and then finally, maybe she can go home.
Deanna Sjolander
Reading: Alexis Kaegi
Room 429, –
“Mirror, Mirage.” An ace retelling of Morgan le Fay’s enchanted wood, the Val sans retour, and Lancelot’s attempt to rescue the lost knights within.
Alexis Kaegi
The Amazing Breuer
Virtual Room 1, –
In 1926 Hugo Gernsback, editor of the monthly magazine Science and Invention, began to conceive of a publication that would exclusively feature science fiction tales, which he initially labeled as “scientifiction.” This led to the founding of Amazing Stories in 1926, albeit Gernsback was soon faced with a shortage of authors. For its first nine issues, Amazing Stories contained reprints of classic stories from the likes of Verne, Wells, and Edgar Allan Poe, supplemented by more modern works from writers such as Edgar Rice Burroughs and Abraham Merritt, both of whom were already publishing their works in pulp magazines. The very first of the new writers was now largely forgotten Miles J. Breuer (1889–1945), who at the turn of the 1920s and 1930s was a real star of the pulp magazines. However, unknown until today, his literary career began long before his debut in Amazing Stories in 1927, with his first genre story being published as early as 1909. And not the only one—under the Czech version of his name “Miloslav” he also published many genre stories in Czech. This author’s research shows that many of Breuer’s stories known from the pulp magazines are in fact rewritten versions of the older stories published often both in English and Czech. This presentation shows an unknown chapter in the development of early American (as well as Czech) science fiction.
Jaroslav Olša, Jr.
1 p.m. PDT (4 p.m. EDT / 8 p.m. GMT)
Adult Lightsaber Choreography Class
Ballroom 1, –
Kamino Temple of Saber Guild welcomes all prospective Jedi and Sith. Come learn the basics of stage lightsaber combat and develop your first choreographed performance. Come dressed to move. Loaner lightsabers will be provided. Ages 13+.
Kamino Temple Saber Guild
Crafter’s Meetup
Crafting Lounge, –
Meet your fellow crafters and show what you’re working on in the crafting lounge! The crafting lounge, in the Worldcon Cantina, is open throughout the convention as a place to hang out with fellow crafters and work on projects.
Alice Ryan (M)
Marble Maze
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Entry-level engineering in practice. Make a marble run from ecofriendly supplies and see your design in action as we put some marbles through your course.
Karin Llyr (M), Vanessa MacLaren-Wray
Speculative Fiction Prototyping: Exploring the Value of Unrecognized Minorities in Cybernetic Avatars
Room 320, –
The origins of terms such as “metaverse” and “cyberspace,” which are the subject of this research proposal, can be found in science fiction works. Science fiction has played a significant role in the development of these fields.
Hirotaka Osawa
Across the Pond: European SF in English Translation
Room 322, –
Europe has 24 official languages and over 250 languages in total—and we can find some science fiction, fantasy, and horror in most that are still in use today. How vibrant is the current scene, and how does it work when SFF from “small” languages gets translated into English?
Julie Nováková (M), Jan Kotouč, Martin Vopenka
Integration of Music and Writing
Room 334, –
So, you’ve got a basic tune, and you’ve got some words, but how do they fit together to make a song that communicates something to the listener? What are the steps taken to combine the tones of musical accompaniment with written lyrics? Do you prefer to enhance the emotions of your lyrics by adding a musical pathway to emotion, or do you start with the feeling of the tune and fit the words to the music?
Anne Harlan Prather (M), Cecilia Eng, Jake Stein, Stephanie L. Weippert
Creative Detour: When Things Go Wrong
Room 335-336, –
We’ve all been there: your sewing machine ate your fabric, the foam collapsed, or the resin didn’t set. What now? Join other frustrated costumers as we discuss moving forward and upward after cosplay catastrophe.
Janine Wardale (M), Sandra Manning, Sandy Pettinger, Taylor Tomblin
NASA and The Expanse: Earth, Mars, and the Belt
Room 343-344, –
Discuss past, current, and future NASA missions within the framework of The Expanse. Let’s explore how James S. A. Corey extrapolated from today’s space exploration to a future solar system populated by humans.
Krys Blackwood (M), Brian Tillotson, Dr. Laura Woodney, Michael Ravine
Welcome to Worldcon (Wednesday Edition)
Room 345-346, –
Welcome to the Welcome to Worldcon panel, where we will answer your questions, make loads of suggestions, and be generally helpful. Worldcon has a lot to see and do, and some of us try to do it all. We will share tips on how to attend the con without wiping out, whether you’re new to cons or have been going to cons for years. We’ll explain the importance of the 5-2-1 rule… err, guideline. Extroverts, introverts, and everyone in between are all welcome.
Laurie Mann (M), Sarah Gulde, Scott Edelman
SF&F Short Stories from the Mists of Time
Room 347-348, –
What were the first modern science fiction and fantasy tales published in short story form? This panel goes beyond Edgar Allan Poe to talk about Francis Stevens, Edith Nesbit, E.M. Forester, Michael Verne, James F. Sullivan, and various Japanese authors of fantasy and horror.
Dave Hook (M), Ben Wallin, Sara Light-Waller
Diagnosing Your Characters
Room 420-422, –
From Sherlock Holmes to Dexter, neurodiversity in characters has not often been treated with respect or realism. Come join the conversation about giving your character a neurospiciness that deepens their complexity while avoiding becoming a disrespectful trope.
Sophia Babai (M), Alex Kingsley, Clara Ward, Marilyn S. Mauer, Terilee Edwards-Hewitt
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Elise Stephens, Ctein, Elizabeth Guizzetti, Jared Pechaček, Kate Ristau, L.J. Melvin
Reading: Dawn Vogel
Room 428, –
Sure Shot in Cobalt City: Homecoming. Private investigator Sarah Castile has returned to her hometown to work a case for an old friend, but she arrives to learn that her friend has been murdered. (Alternate 1950s superhero mystery genre.)
Dawn Vogel
Reading: William C. Tracy
Room 429, –
Physical Magic. Silluka was born with only one arm and could never practice the exacting motions to summon the favor of the gods. Caught stealing, she is forced to test her powers or be branded an outcast. She fails and loses citizenship to her village.
William C. Tracy
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Tim Bennett, Paul Michael Winters, Rachel Sobel, Richard Flores IV, Sam Stark, Sam Scheiner
Writing Despite It All
Room 431-432, –
The world is too much with us, and sometimes it can get in the way of writing. What can you do when reality dries up your words? Join this cozy panel as experts share the tips and tricks that keep the words flowing while facing uncertain times.
Maya Prasad (M), Cassie Alexander, Diana Pharaoh Francis, Kara Dalkey
Star Trek and Fanfic History
Room 433-434, –
The earliest modern fanfic arose in the mid-1960s, while the original Star Trek was still on the air. It’s often called the ur-fandom in fanfic communities, even though the roots of fanfic can be traced to Homer or earlier. What made Trek fanfic different from the earlier stories-about-stories, and what’s made it so enduring?
Gideon Marcus (M), Berlynn Wohl, Janice L. Newman, Linda Deneroff, Talulah J. Sullivan
Exploring Disability and Autonomy in Horror
Room 435-436, –
Many illnesses are invisible, making them complex to deal with both in life and in fiction. In this workshop, we’ll explore autonomy, its importance, and the ramifications the loss of it can have on disabled people and, in turn, characters with chronic illnesses. We’ll walk through best practices in writing disability and discuss how to avoid tropes and low-hanging fruit. With exercises, authors should leave with a better understanding of writing disability, creating unique characters without feeling exploitative, and be able to hold space for empathy and education in horror.
Annie Carl (M), Elsa Sjunneson, Rebecca A. Demarest, Sho Glick
PR as an Author
Room 443-444, –
Traditional publication, small press, indie press, or hybrid author, PR is a necessary evil no matter who you are published by. What does this mean for you, the author, and how can you maximize your efforts without being taken advantage of by PR scams? Panelists talk about the services, tips, and tricks they use to get the word out about their latest novel.
Amanda Cherry (M), Bryce O’Connor, Katie Wu, Matt Dinniman, Thea Prieto
The Future Doesn’t Have to Suck
Room 445-446, –
Does writing about the future have to mean staring into the void? We’ll look at what drives the optimism of genres like solarpunk and hopepunk, and how “cozy dystopia” can reframe our expectations about how the world is changing. Is imagining a softer apocalypse a way to cope, or merely copping out?
Tara Campbell (M), Alina Pete, Amy Sundberg, Luka Dowell, Wren Handman
Improbable Research Dramatic Readings
Terrace Suite (4F), –
The Ig Nobel Prizes—and Improbable Research more generally—celebrate “research that makes people LAUGH… then THINK.” Put another way, it celebrates the fun of science. In this panel, we will have dramatic readings of scholarly research articles that are new to the people reading them. The audience will then get to ask these “experts” about the papers they have presented. Hilarity, and then thinking, will ensue.
David Kessler (M), David D. Levine, E.A., Geri Sullivan, Janice Gelb, Kevin Roche, Liz Zitzow, Mason A. Porter, Mikołaj Kowalewski, Seanan McGuire
2 p.m. PDT (5 p.m. EDT / 9 p.m. GMT)
John Picacio Art Show Hour
Art Show, –
John Picacio is available in the art show to preview The Invisible Parade, sign your books and cards, and talk to members about his art.
John Picacio
Majestic Adventures Boffer Arena
Majestic Lounge (5F), –
Be the Hero of an epic Adventure! Majestic Adventures is a live action role-playing company that leads summer camps and after school programs for kids aged six through 17 and birthdays and special events for all ages. Join with friends to fight against fearsome foes, solve challenging puzzles, and complete formidable challenges while you play as personalized heroes. Raise your sword and start your mythic journey!
The Space Merchants: Portrayals of Interstellar Trade
Room 320, –
This paper studies the portrayal of interstellar trade in selected science fictional works from the 1940s to the 2010s. Rhetorical attacks on trade, and ambivalence about its benefits and about its economic and social effects, have always been common both in politics and in fiction, but the paper finds largely positive portrayals of trade in the works studied. When local societies are disrupted by trade, this is portrayed as positive; when trade is restricted by policymakers, this is portrayed as negative; and when trade leads to increased dependence on other societies and to loss of cultural identity, this is portrayed as a good thing. The paper presents some speculations as to why the portrayal of trade in interstellar science fiction is so much more positive than in popular culture in general.
Jesper Stage
Reading: David Ritter
Room 429, –
The Ultimate Cosmos: How a 1933 Serial Novel Reshaped Science Fiction. The creators of The Visual History of Science Fiction Fandom bring you the story of Cosmos—a remarkable serial novel from 1933, with chapters by sixteen well-known authors. Even more astonishing is the tale of how this extravagant space-opera came to be. Orchestrated by a scrappy, ambitious cadre of young fans—mostly teenagers—the creation of Cosmos is a seminal episode in the history of science fiction. The impact on the novel’s editors and authors echoed through the decades that followed.
David Ritter
3 p.m. PDT (6 p.m. EDT / 10 p.m. GMT)
Star Wars Scavenger Hunt
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Join the Star Wars Scavenger Hunt! Find out how to get started and pick up your decoder at the Cosmic Clubhouse in the Elliott Bay Room. This is an ongoing activity—you can take part all week.
Karin Llyr (M)
Welcome to the Cosmic Clubhouse
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Kids from 4–11; join us to get an overview of workshops/activities going on in kid programming. There will be prizes!
Karin Llyr (M)
Welcome to Props Contest—Judging and Show and Tell
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
Bring your prop to enter in our Props Contest, or just come to view the entries! Full details on the website.
Tanya Glaser
Working Class Science Fiction
Room 321, –
How are economic status and class depicted in science fiction? From the protein miners of Frederick Pohl’s Gateway to the ship mechanics of Becky Chambers’ Wayfarer’s novels, work and working-class people abound. This panel will discuss explicitly proletarian science fiction.
Mallory Craig-Kuhn (M), Andrew Penn Romine, Becky Chambers, Sam Asher, Stoney Compton
Bring on the Bad Guys
Room 322, –
A hero is only as good as his archenemy and rogues’ gallery! Maybe the only villains you’re familiar with are the Joker, Lex Luthor, or Doctor Doom. What if we told you that were whole swaths of villainy out there, pushing heroes to new heights (or depths)? Let’s converse on the quality villainy of Morgan le Fey, the Hellfire Club, the Taskmaster, Sinestro, Dr. Sivana, Count Nefaria, and so many others, who push our protagonists to dig even deeper to come out on top!
Evan J. Peterson (M), Charlie Jane Anders, J. Spyder Isaacson, Tia Tashiro
Making Maps with Watercolors
Room 327, –
Making your own map can feel intimidating—water, streets, mountains, entire continents of stuff to place! Map making can be as simple or as complex as you want it—the details can make all the difference. Join Deanna Sjolander as she walks you through making your own map in watercolors. She'll show you techniques for mark-making, creating textures for all these map features, and more. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Deanna Sjolander (M)
Hair Flowers/Fascinators
Room 328, –
Join us to make fun hair accessories of faux flowers and shiny bits to add flair and color to hairstyles for any day or occasion. Wolfcat will have a selection of hair clips, faux flowers, brads, shiny bits and bobs, and a couple of glue guns for use. Please feel free to bring additional supplies. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Wolfcat (M)
English Paper Piecing (EPP)
Room 329, –
English Paper Piecing (EPP) is a quilting technique that uses paper templates as fabric stabilizers to ensure accuracy when hand-sewing complex angles together, such as the hexagon shapes found in a Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt. Also called “mosaic patchwork,” EPP appeared in Britain in the 1700s and grew in popularity as new printed cottons became widely available. It eventually took a backseat to quilting with velvets and silks in the Victorian era, but EPP reappeared in the 1930s, when feedsack fabrics and the Grandmother’s Flower Garden layout were widely used, and then again in the 1960s and ’70s. The first hexagon pattern was printed in 1835 in the American magazine, Godey’s Lady’s Book. At the time, all things British were highly fashionable in America. Join us to learn more about this quilting style and its fascinating history. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Debbie Callaway (M)
Writing Sex Scenes
Room 330, –
Sex scenes are a building block of fiction, akin to fight scenes, car chases, family arguments, and other set pieces that a plot may require. If your characters are three-dimensional and have human relationships (and aren’t explicitly presented as asexual/ace), then there’s always a chance they might end up in a sex scene. If you’ve ever wondered how to write better sex scenes (or any sex scenes at all, if the concept feels intimidating), this class will delve into the craft of these scenes. RT Award-winning author Cecilia Tan will present tools and techniques for approaching these scenes and making them work for both readers and characters, and how to tailor them to your genre or subgenre. We’ll also discuss pitfalls to avoid and subjects like content warnings. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Cecilia Tan (M)
Let’s Make a Movie: Intro
Room 331-332, –
For more than two decades, we’ve been making movies with every workshop we host, like some sort of terrifying clockwork monkey. Be a part of history without actually being buried in the desert for a thousand years! In this introduction, watch a choice selection of movies made as part of this ground-breaking workshop, including hilarious introductions by the filmmakers. Watch all these movies at once, and behold the genesis of one of the weirdest and funniest workshops ever! Hear heinous behind-the-scenes stories, and feel free to ask the filmmakers questions afterwards—if they’re brave enough to stick around! Be inspired for the rest of the workshop (Note: You don’t have to attend all the parts of the workshop to enjoy it, but doing so gets you the best possible experience).
Edward Martin III (M), Brian D. Oberquell, Eric Morgret, Ryan K. Johnson, Taunya Gren, dQ Kaufman
Creative Practice for Neurodivergent Artists
Room 334, –
Your neurodivergence can be a creative superpower! How can you take a trait that has interfered with your creative productivity, and transform it into an asset? Panelists will discuss strategies for managing creative energy, working with (rather than against) neurodivergent tendencies, and balancing structure versus spontaneity in artistic practice.
Sumiko Saulson (M), Celeste C. Tyler, Erin Cairns, Niikki Rossignol-McCoy
Bodices and Boning: From the Historical to the Imaginary
Room 335-336, –
Fashion history is rife with unique silhouettes and amazing outfit architecture. How do we rip off (er, riff off) the historical looks we love to make our own sci-fi and fantasy costumes? How do you alter, adjust, and combine aesthetics to come up with something fantastic and new?
Madame Askew (M), Bridget Landry, Madame Melusine, Melissa Quinn, Seaboe Muffinchucker
An Hour of the Strange, Unusual, Creepy
Room 343-344, –
Ewww! Gross! WTF? Yep, all of this stuff is real… and some is common in your back yard.
Steven D. Brewer (M), Erin Barbeau, Leigh Harlen, Paul Price, Susan Weiner
Fan History: The Good, the Bad, and the Unknown
Room 345-346, –
The first fan history, Up to Now, by Jack Speer, was written in 1939, right after fandom got started. Now there are multiple fan history repositories. The Fanac Fan History Project and eFanzines.com have thousands of fanzines scanned in. Fancyclopedia is a large and ever-changing WIKI-based website with pages about fans, conventions and fanzines. Rob Hansen has been collecting fan British history in THEN: Science Fiction Fandom in the UK: 1930-1980: Rob Hansen. And Leigh Edmonds has just launched Australian Journal of Fannish Research. Come learn about fan history and how you can help uncover interesting stories about the past.
Mark Olson (M), Edie Stern, Tom Whitmore, Joe Siclari
Living Longer
Room 347-348, –
Will someone in this room live to be 150 or even 200? Humans have searched for the Fountain of Youth for centuries. What’s happening in life extension, what does it mean for the future, and is it a good idea? What has science fiction had to say on this topic?
James R. Wells (M), Bradford Lyau, John G. Cramer, Ramez Naam, Sam Scheiner
Getting Into the Game: Writing for Interactive Media
Room 420-422, –
What does it take to write for games? How does TTRPG writing differ from video game writing, and how do those differ from traditional writing? Where do you find game-writing jobs? This panel will explore the topic from the interactive media angle, looking at the challenges of writing for analog TTRPGs and video games.
Brigitte Winter (M), Alexis Kaegi, James Mendez Hodes, Justin Bortnick, Sandra Rosner
Class is in Session: Boarding Schools
Room 423-424, –
If you want to be a wizard, pack your bags; you’re going to boarding school! Magical schools are a cornerstone of middle grade and young adult fantasy, blending the wonder of the supernatural with the challenges of growing up. This panel brings together authors and educators to discuss why readers keep returning to boarding schools, how the trope has evolved over time, and what today’s supernatural schools reveal about the real world.
Gail Carriger (M), Hilary Hertzoff, Janet Forbes | World Anvil, M.T. Zimny
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
George R.R. Martin, Tom D Wright, Wulf Moon, Michael Michel, Elsa Sjunneson, Leah Cutter
Reading: Brenda Cooper
Room 428, –
“Southern Residents,” an eco-fiction story from my new collection, When Mother’s Dream. What happens when almost no one can help our local whale families? Brenda Cooper particularly encourages people from other parts of the country to come hear a story about the Seattle area’s local treasures. Suitable for all ages, meant for everyone who loves nature.
Brenda Cooper
Reading: Vanessa MacLaren-Wray
Room 429, –
Shadows of Insurrection. Once in a generation, the matriarchs of Jeska choose a new king to manage the government and command the guard. Corren is the last candidate standing, but he’s got enough on his plate already, with brigands on the border, insurrectionists scheming to destroy his country’s foundations, and an interfering visitor from another world.
Vanessa MacLaren-Wray
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Amy Thomson, Christine Merrill, Ellen Datlow, The Grand Arbiter, Will Frank, Leon Perniciaro
Writing Tips that Work for You
Room 431-432, –
There are a million contradictory “how to write” (novels, short stories, blog posts, games, etc.) guides floating around. How do you find the one that works for you? How do you figure out which ones are even worth trying? Panelists will review some of the common tips/methods and discuss not “what works for me” but “how I figured out what works for me.”
Kate Ristau (M), Diana Pharaoh Francis, Mur Lafferty, Shweta Adhyam
What’s My Path? Indie Versus Trad Publishing in 2025
Room 433-434, –
You’ve written a book, and you want to release it out into the world. Should you self-publish? Try to find an agent and go for a Big Five contract? What about a smaller, indie press? Join both trad and self-published authors as they discuss the positives and negatives of the multiple paths to getting your book in the hands of readers.
Oriana Leckert (M), Anthea Sharp, Matt Dinniman, P.L. Stuart, Shawn Speakman
Echoes and Otherworlds in East Asian Speculative Fiction
Room 435-436, –
From isekai anime to speculative novels and RPGs, East Asian SFF often blends Western genre tropes with local myths, aesthetics, and storytelling traditions. This panel explores how cultural cross-pollination has shaped fantasy and sci-fi in Japan, Korea, and beyond—with a special focus on the “other world” motif and its evolution from D&D roots to global phenomenon.
Lilith Acadia (M), Angela Liu, Brenda W. Clough, Van Hoang
The Fun British English
Room 443-444, –
Two countries divided by a common language. Come learn some of the slang, curses, and more that we love about the (British) English Language. Brought to you by BritCon.
Ash Charlton (M), Dave O’Neill, Jean Lamb, Mason A. Porter, Richard Sparks
Military Science Overview
Room 445-446, –
What IS military science? What military arts define it? This panel provides a global overview of militaries from pre-history through today and into the future, for both human and alien civilizations.
Russell Ervin (M), Clayton Mann, Eric G. Swedin, Keith Gremban
What Makes the Makers Make?
Room 447-448, –
What is the Maker Movement, and what makes it tick, or perhaps buzz? Are makers superheroes or maybe villains on a budget, timesharing the equipment to make their marvelous toys? Are they people building the future on a DIY basis? Are they you? Join our panelists as they discuss the hands-on approach to making tomorrow.
Scott MacHaffie (M), Manjula Menon, Riyan Mendonsa, Wm Salt Hale
Concert Star Cluster: Marc Grossman, Tim Griffin Gary Ehrlich, and Matt G. Leger and Mary Mulholland
Signature Room (5F), –
Marc Grossman's a cappella songs span the line from those inspired by real life events to science fiction and fantasy. (–)
Tim Griffin (–)
Gary Ehrlich is a singer/songwriter from the Baltimore, Maryland area who does both funny and insightful material. (–)
Matt G. Leger is a Pegasus Award-winning songwriter. His wife, Mary Mulholland, has a killer soprano voice and rounds out the musicality of this enchanting duo. (–)
Marc Grossman, Gary Ehrlich, Mary Mulholland, Matt G. Leger, Tim Griffin
Fix My Fight Scene
Terrace Suite (4F), –
A fight scene can drag down your novel—or propel it to new heights. Do you have a fight scene that needs some loving attention and maybe a kick in the rear? Our panelists will go over tips and tricks to make your fight scene hit hard.
Alexandra Nica (M), Ben Thompson, Erik Scott de Bie, Sarah L. Stewart, Elliot Kay
Metal as Medium: An Artisan Bladesmith’s Insights into the Fantasy of Magical Weaponry
Room 320, –
Over the last half century, bladesmithing has rebounded from a trade on the verge of extinction to become a vast and thriving international artisan community. Through that rebirth, countless lost methods and techniques have been rediscovered, or reinvented. Returning these formerly lost elements of the craft into practice, particularly when considered in the context of a modern understanding of metallurgy, suggests that many of the purported characteristics of mythological weapons may be exaggerations or mythifications of factors that were well-grounded in reality.
Doug Van Belle
Reading: Eugenia Triantafyllou
Room 429, –
“Loneliness Universe.” What would you do if everyone you loved or were close with in the world disappeared, and you could only reach them through social media? Nefeli is about to find out.
Eugenia Triantafyllou
4 p.m. PDT (7 p.m. EDT / 11 p.m. GMT)
Music Games
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Would you rather be a troll or a fairy? Use your imagination, move your body, and play some games.
Karin Llyr (M)
Asr Afternoon Call to Prayer
Interfaith Lounge (Room 337), –
Speed Friending
Overlook Lounge (5F), –
Does the idea of meeting new people sound great in theory, but hard to actually do without feeling super awkward? We understand! And now that a bunch of us nerdy/geeky people are all together for a long weekend and you know there are going to be people who are into the same things that you are, we’re going to help smooth your way. Speed friending is like speed dating, in that you have five-minute conversations with somebody new, and there’s zero pressure for it to be anything more than that.
Tabby L Rose (M)
Reading: Anne Harlan Prather
Room 429, –
“Boot Camp” from Wings of Joy. What’s it like to go from being a hot shot scientist to being a boot camp recruit, cursed with the twin abilities of levitation and of flying starships anywhere. Meet Silverhawk nee DaLea LeMay, who can’t remember to answer to her ship’s name and who finds herself in random high places as the Navy relentlessly sets out to discover how she will react to being taken prisoner.
Galactic Settlement by Hitchhiking Among Passing Star Systems
Room 320, –
Ditch the faster-than-light travel, cryosleep, or generation ships! Every few hundred millennia, a star passes so close to Sol that comets from the visitor’s Oort cloud fly through our solar system. In those intervals, travel between solar systems is easier. Thus, we—or aliens—can settle the galaxy in spurts: hop to a new system when it’s close; settle and grow in the new system; and when that system passes other stars, seek new footholds. This hitchhiking spans the galaxy in under a billion years. We’ll discuss technical, biological, cultural, and ethical factors that arise in such a future. Handout: Galactic Settlement by Hitchhiking (190 KB .pdf).
Brian Tillotson
Under-Represented Occupations of the Future
Room 322, –
Careers of Tomorrow! Not a lot of people today are making their living collecting “night soil” in cities, and some of the present-day jobs address only very specific problems of our current technological moment. If we end up living in space stations and on space ships, whom are we really going to need to keep civilization ticking along?
Ada Palmer (M), Gregory Gadow, Melissa Shumake, W. Jade Young
Music in Fiction (Getting It Right!)
Room 334, –
From classics such as The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss to newer releases like Fever House by Keith Rosson, music and musicians often crop up in speculative fiction. Lyrics are easy enough to put on the page, but how do we write about the sound of a song? Or the way a guitar feels under the fingers? Local musicians and songwriters will discuss the things authors get right or wrong about music/musicians, and how to portray this important part of the human experience in your stories.
Jake Stein (M), Ken Scholes, Peter Orullian, Randee Dawn, Sarah Pinsker
Light It Up! Adding Electronics to Your Fit
Room 335-336, –
Conductive thread and washable components have made incorporating electronics into costumes much easier. By integrating lights, sound, and other effects, costumers can bring their outfits and props to the next level. Come learn what’s out there and how to incorporate it into your material fantasies.
Krys Blackwood (M), Kevin Roche, Leanna Cosplay
History Misuse in Movies
Room 343-344, –
Beyond anachronistic fashion choices, what do the movies get most wrong about history? Bring your favorite examples to discuss.
Ed McCutchan (M), J. Spyder Isaacson, Larry Hodges, Nick Fraser, Terilee Edwards-Hewitt
Terraforming Right Here in Seattle
Room 345-346, –
Since European settlers arrived in the early 1850s, Seattle has undergone at least 60 regrades, shifting over 45 million tons of earth. These megaprojects cut through hills, created neighborhoods, and even straightened a river. Let’s explore this extensive history and perhaps consider how it might model future terraforming endeavors.
Emily C. Skaftun (M), Larry Lewis, Gibbitt Rhys-Jones, Wm Salt Hale
Authors We Are Starting to Forget
Room 347-348, –
Almost a century after the dawn of the pulp science-fiction era, many of yesterday’s celebrated authors are largely forgotten. A panel of science fiction historians will discuss forgotten greats, as well as more recent authors who seem to be disappearing from the discourse.
Gideon Marcus (M), Gary K. Wolfe, Laurence Raphael Brothers, Marie Guthrie, Ph.D., Robert Silverberg
Muppets, Puppets, and Marionettes
Room 420-422, –
We love bringing puppets into our movies and shows. What is the mystique? Why do we love them and how come they can say what we can’t?
David D. Levine (M), Andrew Penn Romine, Mary Robinette Kowal, Merav Hoffman, Sho Glick
Found Family: The New Social Paradigm
Room 423-424, –
In a world of changing gender roles and fraught family dynamics, the question of what defines a family is more relevant than ever, and both science-fiction and fantasy media continue to address that question. Through the lens of our favorite genre TV shows, panelists discuss what found family means and the many ways we find acceptance when blood family can’t see us for who we are.
Janna Silverstein (M), Gail Carriger, Remy Nakamura, Sophia Babai, V. M. Ayala
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Francesca Myman, Irene Radford, James Patrick Kelly, Kaitlin Schmidt, Lawrence Watt-Evans, Rachael K. Jones
Reading: Annalee Newitz
Room 428, –
Automatic Noodle. An excerpt from this forthcoming novella about a group of robots who decide to open a noodle restaurant in San Francisco after a devastating war.
Annalee Newitz
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Sonia Orin Lyris, Bob Taylor, Nicola Griffith, Z.D. Gladstone
Creating a Shared Fictional Universe
Room 431-432, –
From Marvel’s MCU and the Star Wars universe, to Terry Pratchett’s Discworld and Joe Abercrombie’s First Law world, shared fictional universes have captured audiences for decades. Panelists will lay out the fundamental steps for building a strong foundational world, mapping out story arcs, planning across numerous books and series, thinking about how to interconnect it all and more.
Adrian M. Gibson (M), Gwendolyn N. Nix, Luis Carlos Barragán Castro, Nathan Crowder, Sandra Rosner
Filk and Fanfic: Two Great Tastes
Room 433-434, –
Filk and fanfic cover some of the same ground: character studies, missing scenes, genre twists (from dramatic to funny or vice-versa), new stories in an existing universe, adding a sexy twist, or shifting the POV character. Sometimes, they don’t use a single character or event from the original, but everyone recognizes it as specific commentary. Come explore what else these two often-neglected types of fan works have in common.
Anne Stewart (M), Jean Lamb, Linda Deneroff, Will Frank
Researching the Occult and the Paranormal
Room 435-436, –
How can we research practices such as witchcraft, Santeria, and paranormal phenomena and incorporate them into our stories? Reading books is one thing, but respect is paramount and caution is necessary.
Monica Valentinelli (M), Isabel Cañas, Michelle Ruiz Keil, Van Hoang, Whitney Beltrán
Insurgent and Asymmetric Warfare Against Superior Tech
Room 443-444, –
In a world of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), warfare is being conducted by proxy fighters employing insurgent, asymmetric models… especially so when an adversary has superior technology. What are the economics of attrition? How does your story tell the reader who won, and why?
AK Llyr (M), Blaze Ward, Clayton Mann
Line Breaks, Prose Poetry, Prose Prose, and Experimental Formats
Room 445-446, –
What makes a piece of writing “poetry” and not just a paragraph? When is it okay to ignore classifications? (Most of the time!) Learn ways to keep writing fun, find a new serious approach, or sit back and marvel at the enthusiasm of poets as they explore the many forms and shapes whereby words can arrive on the page.
Holly Lyn Walrath (M), Angela Liu, Eva L. Elasigue, F. J. Bergmann, Linda D. Addison
Reading: John Scalzi
Room 447-448, –
The Shattering Peace. John Scalzi reads from the seventh novel in the Old Man’s War series.
John Scalzi
Interview and Q&A with Martha Wells
Terrace Suite (4F), –
Martha Wells
5 p.m. PDT (8 p.m. EDT / midnight GMT)
Sidewise in Time: Alternate History and the Cuban Missile Crisis
Room 320, –
Follow the process of writing a counterfactual history from conception, research and writing, and publication, to its critical reception, winning the 2010 Sidewise Award in best alternate history, and becoming the partial basis for two documentaries. The first documentary was Clouds Over Cuba, a web documentary which won an Emmy Award, while the second documentary, What If...? Armageddon1962, was created by NBC News for the Discovery-owned Military Channel.
Eric G. Swedin
Reading: Shannon Page
Room 429, –
“I Like Wine.” Shannon will read a brief personal essay wrangling with writing and drinking and a sense of self.
Shannon Page
Reading: Nisi Shawl
Room 447-448, –
Making Amends. A selection from my novel-in-stories about an interstellar prison colony.
Nisi Shawl
6 p.m. PDT (9 p.m. EDT / 1 a.m. August 14 GMT)
Jackbox Games - Wednesday
Discord, –
Jackbox games are online party games for participants (and possibly an audience). To play, all you'll need is a web browser. Drop in and drop out any time. Meet in the Discord.
Virtual Gaming
Writing Effective Romantasy
Room 321, –
From indie to traditional, Romantasy has swept genre bookshelves. How can new writers penetrate this hopping subgenre? What do HEA and HFN even mean? Which stories, tropes, characters, etc., are readers looking for?
Amanda Cherry (M), Casey Blair, Dawn R. Schuldenfrei, Katie Wu, Sara Hashem
A Region on the Move
Room 322, –
As a coastal hub and “Gateway to the Gold Fields,” the Pacific Northwest has been a focal point of transportation since the late 1800s. Residential expansion into Puget Sound began with a haphazard private marine industry known as the mosquito fleet, which developed into a public ferry system. Furthermore, the area has led the world in airplane production and is rapidly becoming a central locale for a burgeoning space industry. Let’s discuss the past, present, and future of transportation in the Pacific Northwest.
Larry Lewis (M), Ian K. Hagemann, Wm Salt Hale
Compound Trim Workshop
Room 329, –
Can’t find the perfect trim for your costume? Join us for a hands-on workshop on making your own trims out of other trim, scrap fabrics, hardware, and even trash. Participants will leave with a yard of compound trim they have made and ideas for an abundance of other. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Madame Melusine (M)
Finding Your Theme
Room 330, –
Stories usually have themes, even when you don’t know they are there! How do you discover what your story’s theme is, and strengthen it? In this workshop, Arley Sorg will use lecture, discussion, and writing exercises to help you hone this ability. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Arley Sorg (M)
SWFF B—An Evening of Science Fiction
Room 331-332, –
Join us for an evening of Synthetic Dreams and Visions. Feature Film: The Ladder, directed by Emilio Miguel Torres. Shorts: Invasion ’53, Planetagatik, The Silver Lining. Followed by Q&A from filmmakers.
The Art of Content Creation
Room 334, –
Online content creation is a relatively new way to make a living. It’s one thing to make the art; it’s an entirely different skill-set to teach someone else how to make it, along with creating videos, managing an online community, providing tech support, etc. Come hear our panelists describe how they function as content creators and how they figured it out.
Moriko Handford (M), Kathleen De Vere, Kestrel Michaud
How George Takei Fought the Bigots—and Won
Room 335-336, –
Star Trek’s Mr. Sulu: The galaxy’s greatest helmsman, captain, and swordfighter. Although the future depicted by Star Trek is one of peace and freedom, for most of his life George Takei’s reality was the exact opposite. But like his character, Takei refused to accept unjust treatment. This timely presentation reveals the story of how he was successful beyond his wildest dreams—and how his journey from concentration camp, to space, to a real-life fight for civil rights, helped push the world towards a future that was once the stuff of science fiction.
Matt Baume (M)
Celebrating 89 Years of Cons
Room 343-344, –
From the first fan meet-up in 1936, to the first Worldcon in 1939, to the multi-media fans that swarm the convention halls of today, pop-culture cons have evolved and diversified. Including the filk of old SF, the first comic-con artist alleys, the first AMV at an anime con, the first fur-suit parade at a furry con, and even the influence that Trekkies and Bronies had in innovating convention staffing, all of us are part of one large family tree of fan events.
Alex Mui (M)
The Comics Code Authority Panel
Room 345-346, –
The Comics Code Authority was created as a way for the comics industry to police itself and its content. While it’s no longer used, its impact was felt for decades. Let’s talk about the creative choices companies had to make in order to comply with the code and the developments in comics since the code was dropped.
Ada Palmer (M), Rev. Randy Smith, Scott Edelman, Selena A. Naumoff, Tia Tashiro
Crossovers: RPG Game Writing and Fantasy
Room 347-348, –
Fantasy tropes heavily influenced early role-playing games, but soon RPG players were becoming fantasy writers. Panelists from both worlds talk about the crossovers, with examples of games, books, and more.
Paul Price (M), James Mendez Hodes, Sophia Babai, Terilee Edwards-Hewitt
The Indie Video Game Scene
Room 420-422, –
Independent studios are creating some amazing works of fiction and adventure using the medium of video games. What makes a studio “indie”, and what are some of the stand-out titles that fandom can sink their teeth into?
Justin Bortnick (M), Andrew Plotkin, Martin Klima, Sam Stark, Vivian Abraham
Honoring Other Cultures Without Stealing From Them
Room 423-424, –
You’re so inspired right now—so how do you turn that inspiration into a costume, while being respectful of the source? As they say, “My culture is not a costume.” While understanding and sensibility has evolved, so too has the discussion of cultural appropriation. Learn some of the ins and outs of appropriation and how to avoid it.
M V Soumithri (M), Erin Barbeau, Gregg Castro, Richard Stephens, Torrey Stenmark
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Brian C. E. Buhl, G. David Nordley, Sumiko Saulson, Janet Forbes | World Anvil
Reading: Erik Grove
Room 429, –
The Long Red Tomorrow is a gritty sci-fi noir that binds up an ages-old story of exploitation in an enthralling mystery which explores greed, guilt, and the sacrifices people are willing to make for their ideals.
Erik Grove
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Hannah Swedin, Mariah Southworth, Sam Asher
The Ecology of World-Building
Room 431-432, –
When imagining strange new worlds, knowledge of the complex relationships between organisms in that alien ecosystem can help make it believable to readers. This panel will discuss principles from ecology that can enhance world-building in science fiction, fantasy, and horror, as well as provide some examples of works that have done so effectively.
R. James Doyle (M), Becky Chambers, Dr. Rachael Kuintzle, Larry Niven, Usman T. Malik
Stronger Together
Room 433-434, –
Few things are as powerful, and let’s be honest… fun, as a good ensemble cast. Since a thousand ships crossed the Aegean, fantasy and myth have featured wide ranges of memorable, diverse heroes. Join our panelists as they discuss their favorite ensemble cast(s) and which mechanics for balancing those characters make them work so well.
Dean Wells (M), Daryl Gregory, Richard Sparks, Sarah Rees Brennan, Seanan McGuire
Social Media Marketing for Indie Authors
Room 435-436, –
Are you ready to go viral? This panel of experts will discuss various strategies and tactics for building a successful following on social media—even if you don’t want to learn how to dance.
P.L. Stuart (M), Claire E. Jones, Jonathan “JD” Davenport, M.T. Zimny, Valerie Estelle Frankel
The Second Novel
Room 443-444, –
After spending years on your first novel, lightning strikes and you get the three-book deal. How do you make sure you can get the second novel done, on time andon target, and avoid the “sophomore slump” when you have 12 months or less to produce it? Our panelists of series authors explain what they did, how and why it worked—or didn’t.
Mary Robinette Kowal (M), Guy Morpuss, J. L. Doty, Kamilah Cole, Randy Henderson
What If the World Had Spun Differently? Alternate Histories from Outside the West
Room 445-446, –
Alternate history, quite often referred to in the Romance languages as Uchronia, takes on new dimensions when reimagined from outside the classical Western timeline. What if certain empires had crumbled earlier? What if Indigenous science or smaller nations had shaped space travel? What if the world had never been discovered? This panel brings together writers who bend history not just for speculation, but for justice, curiosity, and joy: reclaiming the past to reshape the future. You know our motto! “Building Yesterday’s Future—For Everyone.” Let’s dive in.
Luis Carlos Barragán Castro (M), Alma Alexander, Leonardo Espinoza Benavides, Remy Nakamura, Yasser Bahjatt
Regulating AI
Room 447-448, –
You may have noticed that there are some differences of opinion on what AI should do, what AI should be allowed to do, and who should get to decide. Should government regulate it? If so, which government? If not, should the industry regulate itself, or is there any possibility that could go wrong? Join our panelists as they solve all the problems in the field.
Lia Holland (M), Dr. Corey Frazier, Dr. Kaylea Champion, Nikhil Prabala
Friends of Bill W.
Sheraton: Kirkland, –
Concert Star Cluster: Frank Hayes, Heather Preston, Cecilia Eng, and Anne Prather
Signature Room (5F), –
Frank Hayes's voice was used to wake up NASA shuttle astronauts in space—twice—on missions involving installing and fixing the Hubble Space Telescope. Hubble has been working since, and Frank has kept writing and singing warped songs about space, science, computers, folklore, and little fuzzy animals with big sharp teeth. He's won a fistful of Pegasus Awards and is a member of the Filk Hall of Fame. (–)
Heather Preston (she/her) is a professional astronomer, lifelong SFF fan, and filker from New York City. She has moved on from 10 years as a planetarium director in Florida and now hails from Chicago, on the oft-frozen shores of Lake Michigan.(–)
Cecilia Eng is a Pegasus Award-winning singer/songwriter from Portland, Oregon and a member of the Filk Hall of Fame. (–)
Anne Prather is a Pegasus Award-winning singer/songwriter based in Seattle. She has a Ph.D. in botany and two books to her name. (–)
Frank Hayes, Anne Harlan Prather, Cecilia Eng, Heather Preston
Attending Worldcon as a Teen or Tween?
Teen Lounge (Room 442), –
A quick Intro to the Seattle Worldcon, and what’s going on for our under-18 set, as well as how to sign up, and what to expect. Introducing our teen lounge—a space just for teens and tweens.
Marta Murvosh (M), Matthew Barr
Interesting Energy for Future and Fiction
Terrace Suite (4F), –
Last time Worldcon was in Seattle, energy came from coal, oil, big hydroelectric dams, and that new-fangled nuclear thing. All those remain, but science and sensibilities have changed. What is here now, and what will the next several decades bring to light (and heat, and transport, etc.)? Join our panelists in discussing the future of energy.
David Tucker (M), Allan Dyen-Shapiro, Carl Fink, Celeste C. Tyler, Mike Brennan
The Magic of Speculative Fiction
Room 320, –
Alison Clarke will begin this presentation by reading a few poems—one from her speculative fiction series, The Sisterhood, and others from her novel in verse, Phillis, which also has elements of speculative fiction. She will then focus on four aspects: one, the use of different genres in one work; two, incorporating biographical material in your novel; three, incorporating real-life elements in speculative fiction; and four, using poetry and prose in a speculative fiction novel.
Alison Clarke
Reading: M.C. Childs
Room 428, –
M.C. Childs will read a set of SF poems that reinterpret earlier works, including “I am Apple OrchardAI” (Asimov’s Nov/Dec 2021) reflecting “Mending Wall” by Robert Frost, and “Snow Men” (Strange Horizons, January 2022) reflecting “The Snow Man” by Wallace Stevens.
M.C. Childs
Reading: Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff
Room 429, –
A Sea of Stars and Trouble. “Trouble” Matthews is a blank slate when he walks into the city of Porphyry on Herron’s Hope. All he has are the clothes on his back, his name, and the sense that he’s on the run. Shanghaied by smugglers, Trouble is plagued by emerging memories and augmented abilities and senses, the nature of which raise an urgent question: Did he do this to himself, or was it done to him—and why? As memories and mods emerge, Trouble grows less keen to know who he is or why his dreams are haunted by a child’s laughter.
Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff
7 p.m. PDT (10 p.m. EDT / 2 a.m. August 14 GMT)
Opening Ceremonies
Ballroom 1, –
Be part of the beginning of Seattle Worldcon 2025. Our hosts, guests of honor, and staff for the convention will be present to open the convention to all of our attendees, both in-person and virtual.
K. Tempest Bradford, Nisi Shawl, Martha Wells, Donato Giancola, Bridget Landry, Alexander James Adams, Brandon O’Brien
Maghrib Sundown Call to Prayer
Interfaith Lounge (Room 337), –
Make a Mini Book Without Sewing
Room 327, –
A hands-on workshop where participants will make a small book without needing bookbinding skills. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Eleri Hamilton (M)
Resin Cabochon Casting Demo
Room 328, –
Create your own gems, cabochons, buttons, and fantastic fantasy costume details with two-part acrylic resin. Find out how easy this technique is and open a world of sparkling costume possibilities.
Richard Stephens, R. Thursday
Writing Speculative Mystery
Room 330, –
A mystery’s a mystery, whether it takes place in space or in an alternate dimension. How do you handle the art of providing clues without being too obvious? How do you create a surprising yet inevitable ending? Which genre is “in charge?” What else do you need to know to enthrall and engage your reader? Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Mur Lafferty (M)
Books for Artists
Room 334, –
What are the books that initially inspired you to create art? What source books, art books, and reference books do that today? Which do you keep returning to for inspiration and encouragement? How do you find good and useful books for your creative endeavors?
Vandy H. Hall (M), Carole I. Parker, Lizzy D. Hill, Jeff Sturgeon
A Courtesy of Compliments: Compliment Dueling
Room 335-336, –
Strike a blow against rage farming and trolls with the powerful art of compliment dueling. Madame Askew and the Grand Arbiter introduce their game of Extreme Kindness and host a small tourney where competitors uplift one another, deliver surprising inspiration, and remind everyone of what we love most about being geeks together.
The Grand Arbiter (M), Madame Askew
Wonders From the James Webb Space Telescope
Room 343-344, –
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has been collecting images and data for almost three years since its launch on Christmas Day in 2021. JWST has revealed many unique and unexpected results and images, including objects in our solar system, extrasolar planets, and mysterious objects. Panelists will discuss JWST results and show some images.
John G. Cramer (M), Dr. Laura Woodney
Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading
Room 347-348, –
Join Broad Universe for a fun, fast-paced group reading to showcase the work of women and nonbinary authors who will read a short snippet from a recent work. Discover new writers, enjoy chocolate, and enter a drawing for a book, all while you support women and nonbinary people working in speculative fiction. Broad Universe is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to expand awareness of and promote women and other underrepresented gender identities in science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Learn more at Broad Universe.
Marta Murvosh, Amanda Cherry
Castles and Fortifications
Room 420-422, –
Not just a big, fancy house, a castle serves many purposes—defensive, economic, political, and more. How do castles and fortifications affect local economies and politics? What changed over the years or varied by culture and geographical regions?
Brenda W. Clough (M), Clayton Mann, Frank Wu, Gibbitt Rhys-Jones
Heartbeeps: Can Robots Have Emotions?
Room 423-424, –
HAL, Data, and Deckard might have thoughts. Given the rapid progression of the technology powering artificial intelligence, contemporary philosophers have increasingly become interested in the topic. This panel is in honor of the work of the philosopher Anand Vaidya. Handout: Anand Vaidya: Can machines have emotions? (917 KB .pdf).
Lilith Acadia (M), David Walton, Ethan Mills, Jo Miles, Manjula Menon
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
David Tucker, Gary K. Wolfe, Kel McDonald, Langley Hyde
Reading: Emily Loretta Flummox
Room 429, –
Like All Who Live, We Eat Death: Poetry and Storytelling to Rethink the World. Join Princess Teacup (pronouns: e/em/eir/eirs/emself; e uses 18 other names), the editor of the Bram Stoker Award-nominated Rat King, as e performs poetry from eir upcoming poetry book. In and amongst the poems, traditional stories told in vital and unique ways will convey the wisdom we need to recreate, enjoy, and survive a world so intent on forgetting its own divinity.
Emily Loretta Flummox
They Said WHAT?
Room 431-432, –
Criticism is hard. How do you avoid reading reviews? What happens when you do read reviews and must pick yourself up after a harsh one and still continue writing? Especially if the reviewer had a point? Authors will share their worst reviews and what they did to overcome them. This panel is focused on vulnerability, frustration, and how to maintain creativity when down in the dumps. Note: This is not intended to bash reviewers. Readers have the right to critique and give books one-star reviews.
Gwendolyn N. Nix (M), Nicholas Binge, Raven Oak, Rosemary Claire Smith, Sarah Chorn
Is That Fanfic?
Room 433-434, –
Some books that might be “fanfic” aren’t called fanfic: Unauthorized spinoffs (Wicked, Wide Sargasso Sea, The Wind Done Gone), sequels by different authors (most comic books), and authorized books based on TV series. It’s not limited to text: Gaming mods for video games, role-playing games in licensed settings (Middle Earth, Call of Cthulhu), and fan-made games like Jumpchain also put a new spin on existing content. Are they types of fanfic? What else would we call “I made a story about someone else’s story?”
Anne Stewart (M), Aaron Feldman, Alex Mui, Jean Lamb, Samantha Close
Lord of the Rings as a Horror Story
Room 435-436, –
You may think you don’t like horror, but if you like The Lord of the Rings, try re-reading (or watching) the series paying close attention to Frodo’s and Sam’s journey. From the Nazgûl hunting and corrupting souls to the dichotomy of Sméagol, traversing the dead marshes, and Shelob’s lair… one of your favorite fantasy novels might actually be a horror novel in disguise.
Jared Pechaček (M), Ed McCutchan, Erik Scott de Bie, Luke Elliott, Sarah L. Stewart
The Neverending Journey: Crafting a Sustainable Author Career
Room 443-444, –
Some authors get discouraged when they don’t find instant success, yet most “overnight success” stories hide years of work. For most of us—whether indie authors or trad—consistency, persistence, and staying power are the keys to a sustainable, long-term, publishing career. We’ll discuss the path of gradually honing our craft, releasing more books, building community, and gaining a following over time as a recipe for success.
Dale Ivan Smith (M), Deleyna Marr, J. L. Doty, Leah Cutter
Apocalypse Now
Room 445-446, –
What are our favorite methods of humanity’s end? Which are most likely? Which are more fun?
Mason A. Porter (M), Charlotte Lewis Brown, Gregory Gadow, Jim Kling, Remy Nakamura
8 p.m. PDT (11 p.m. EDT / 3 a.m. August 14 GMT)
Reading: David D. Levine
Room 428, –
I’ll be reading from “Rust,” a short story told from the perspective of an ASL-using enhanced chimp trying to survive in an abandoned undersea laboratory. It’ll be appearing in the September/October issue of Analog.
David D. Levine
Reading: E. C. Ambrose
Room 429, –
“A Snake in the Grass.” A World War II fantasy tale based on Lithuanian mythology.
E. C. Ambrose
Open Filk—Chaos Circle
Sheraton: Issaquah, –
Come join us in keeping the music lively and participants hopping in a music circle where follow-on songs abound. Anyone can jump in to perform, suggest, or request a favorite song!
Andrew Ross (M), Eric Distad, Marc Grossman
Wednesday Night Dance with DJ Wüdi
Sheraton: Metropolitan Ballroom, –
From dance clubs in Alaska in the '90s to being a recent regular DJ at Norwescon, DJ Wüdi spins an eclectic mix of dance tracks from across the decades. Pop, electronica/dance, wave, disco, goth/EBM/industrial, convention classics, mashups… (almost) anything goes! Already know there's something that'll get you out on the floor? Send in your requests ahead of time!
DJ Wüdi
9 p.m. PDT (midnight EDT / 4 a.m. August 14 GMT)
Pride Space
Sheraton Ravenna, –
Kick off your Worldcon with a LGBTQ mixer hosted by SFSFC, Inc.'s Pride Space, featuring our special guest, DJ Reverend Dollars! Enjoy the Reverend's own Seattle vibes while you get to know other queer fans.
Southeast Asian SFF Publishing
Virtual Room 1, –
Since the 2010s, Southeast Asian SFF has been booming, not only online and in the U.S., but also in the domestic markets of Southeast Asia itself. Log on to learn more from our expert panel.
Ng Yi-Sheng (M), Amir Muhammad, Dean Francis Alfar, Felicia Low-Jimenez
Researching for Writing
Virtual Room 2, –
Be it historical fiction, science fiction, or brand-new worlds, the author may not know everything, which is why research forms such an important role for so many. Our panelists will discuss the importance of research in establishing believability and sparking creativity, and the sources and processes that they find the most useful.
Daniel O'Malley (M), Kaaron Warren, Sam Hawke, T R Napper
10 p.m. PDT (1 a.m. August 14 EDT / 5 a.m. August 14 GMT)
Unreal in the Real: Blending the fantastical into real world settings
Virtual Room 1, –
Supernatural bureaucracies, plausible near-futures, dark historical fairy tales, the everyday turned terrifying—how do we integrate speculative elements into the real world? How do we hold both the known and unknown in a single breath, and have our readers suspend disbelief? Four talented writers from four different sub genres discuss
T R Napper (M), Aaron Dries, Daniel O'Malley, Kell Woods
Southeast Asian Horror
Virtual Room 2, –
Our panelists discuss what's happening in Southeast Asian horror, their current favorites, and what they hope to see in the future.
Meihan Boey (M), Aammton Alias, Ariff Adly, Budjette Tan
6 a.m. PDT (9 a.m. EDT / 1 p.m. GMT)
Reading: Uchechukwu Nwaka
Virtual Room 2, –
“Seven Deadliest Inventions of the New Era; an Itemization.” First published in Future Science Fiction Digest, this is a steampunk heist story set in an alternate history Nigeria, featuring twin sisters, a steampunk cyborg, and some exciting gadgets.
Uchechukwu Nwaka (M)
Reading: Chisom Umeh
Virtual Room 2, –
Chisom Umeh reads an excerpt from his short story “Prerequisites for the Creation of a Possible Predicted World,” which was a finalist for the recently concluded Seattle Worldcon 2025 Short Story Contest. It's a far future story about a corporation that builds a replica simulation of the first Worldcon held in Seattle and allows visitors to come witness it.
Chisom Umeh (M)
7 a.m. PDT (10 a.m. EDT / 2 p.m. GMT)
Tackling Grief, Death, and Transition Through SFF
Virtual Room 1, –
Panelists will explore how speculative fiction navigates themes of loss, mortality, and transformation, offering imaginative ways to process grief and confront the unknown.
Naomi Eselojor (M), Abasi-maenyin Esebre, Edwardson Ukata , Jesutomisin Ipinmoye, Plangdi Neple
Complex Characters in a Complex World
Virtual Room 2, –
Readers crave depth, nuance, and moral ambiguity, not only in characters but in the worlds they inhabit. Join our panel of acclaimed authors and creators as they delve into what makes a character truly complex. How do personal flaws, conflicting motivations, and intricate backstories enrich storytelling? How do richly built worlds challenge and shape the people who live in them? From anti-heroes to morally grey protagonists, this discussion explores the delicate balance of character development in fantastical settings where every choice has weight and consequence.
Marvelous Michael Anson (M), A Y Chao, MH Ayinde, R.S.A. Garcia
8 a.m. PDT (9 a.m. EDT / 3 p.m. GMT)
9 a.m. PDT (noon EDT / 4 p.m. GMT)
Broadsword Basics
Ballroom 1, –
This panel will teach you the very basics of how to swing a broadsword effectively. Footwork, range, breathing, and finally, good form and power. Participants should wear comfortable shoes and are encouraged to bring their own not-sharp training swords. Some training weapons will be available.
D.L. Solum (M)
Virtual Games - Words on Stream
Discord, –
Find words in scrambled letters as a team virtual tabletop game. We have time for 2–4 plays of this. Meet on the Discord.
Virtual Gaming
Found Sounds
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Create a musical instrument with found objects.
Karin Llyr (M)
Imagining Better Futures: The Role of Speculative Fiction in Cultivating our Moral Imagination
Room 320, –
Michelle Jenkins aims to explore the role that speculative fiction can play in shaping our moral imaginations as we work toward better (more just, more equitable, more caring) futures. Martha Nussbaum, in her book Love’s Knowledge, argues that literature can expand our moral imaginations, giving us the ability to explore lives and situations “deeply, but from afar.” In Octavia’s Brood, Walidah Imarisha declares that “All organizing is science fiction” in that activists “claim the vast space of possibility.” Michelle explores two ways in which speculative fiction—both the reading of it and the creation of it—can help one develop their moral imagination. First, it can expand one’s horizons of the possible, but in a way that asks one to be attentive to the constraints of material reality. Second, it can cultivate a practice of hope, that can work to motivate one toward action rather than despair.
Michelle Jenkins
Single Pattern Contest
Room 321, –
A multiverse of garments all starting from the same patterns! This is the single pattern contest. Contestants (and models) should arrive at to register and have official photographs taken. Judging will begin at Results will be announced at the Masquerade.
Kevin Roche (M)
Let’s Make a Movie: The Magic of Special Effects
Room 327, –
Yes, we all bought Powerball tickets, but the sad truth is that none of us won, so now we get to figure out how to do special effects on what a shoestring would be embarrassed to call a shoestring budget. Join our intrepid filmmakers for our infamous coast-to-coast workshop, and learn how we’ve solved a wide variety of tricky effects problems. Even better—bring us your own puzzlers and problems and let’s see if we can help you with your next movie project! (Note: You don’t have to attend all the parts to enjoy the workshop, but doing so gets you the best possible experience!)
Ryan K. Johnson (M), Brian D. Oberquell, Edward Martin III, Taunya Gren
Con T-Shirts—Not Just for Wearing
Room 328, –
Join us for a demonstration and hands-on two-hour workshop about how to prepare those con T-shirts that don’t fit or have fallen out of wardrobe rotation for use in quilts, pillows, tote bags, or other crafts. The end product is an appliqué tote bag made from T-shirts. Participants supply a T-shirt; instructors provide a tote bag, fusible web, scissors, and embellishments. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Marilyn S. Mauer (M)
Crocheting a Snail Shell
Room 329, –
Are you ready to try a new pattern? Crochet a snail-shaped clutch. Both the pattern and yarn are provided, but please bring your own middle-sized hook. You must know basic stitches, but need not have a lot of crochet experience. The pattern is scalable, as will be demonstrated! Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Seaboe Muffinchucker (M)
Best of the Norwescon Film Fest—Part 2
Room 331-332, –
Norwescon’s Speculative Film Fest shows the winning short films from its 2025 festival.
What Is Domestication?
Room 335-336, –
Jokes about feral spouses aside, what makes an animal viable for domestication? Are there animals that are just too wild, or animals that have started domesticating themselves? Looking at you, foxes!
Jim Kling (M), Angela Hughes, Judy R. Johnson, Kathryn Michels, Ph.D., Steven Popkes
How to Hugo
Room 343-344, –
You have a Hugo ballot… now, what do you do with it? Which categories do you pick to vote on? Can you vote for just one entry in a category, or must it be all five? Must you be an art “expert” to vote in the art categories? What do editors really do, and how can you tell who is good at it? And most important… there’s too much to see and read, so how can you do this? These and other questions will be addressed in this session so that you can approach next year’s ballot with maximum confidence and minimum angst.
Carolina Gomez Lagerlöf (M), Britt-Louise Viklund, Rev. Randy Smith
Authoritarianism in Science Fiction
Room 345-346, –
Images of authoritarian regimes are common in science fiction, from the Visitors in the TV series V to the Galactic Empire of Star Wars. But does the genre often analyze what these governance systems mean? What have been some of the best genre-based criticisms of fascism and authoritarianism? Where has the genre stumbled?
Bob Brown (M), Beth Plutchak, Ed Carmien, MJ Kuhn
Feedback Session #1
Room 347-348, –
Come share your feedback with us! Is something going really well? We’d really like to hear about it. Is there something we can help make better? We’d really like to hear about it. Not sure why something is the way it is? We’d really like an opportunity to answer your question.
Kathy Bond (M)
Strong Female Leads
Room 420-422, –
Much fiction with heroines front and center markets itself as having “strong female leads.” But we never use the label “strong male lead” when marketing books with male protagonists. Why is strength a quality that needs to be explicitly advertised when it comes to female leads? What are the default traits of a "strong lead" in fiction, and how do our leading ladies adhere to or break away from them? How do we ensure that strong leads don't reduce the agency of other members of the cast, and how do both queer and straight romantic pairings improve or undermine that balance?
Nikhil Prabala (M), Weyodi OldBear, Valerie Estelle Frankel, Corrina Lawson
Centuries of Marriage
Room 423-424, –
Marriage has been around for thousands of years. How has it changed in that time? What has it looked like in different cultures? We are looking for historical discussions of marriage, not current events.
Selena A. Naumoff (M), Ada Palmer, Christine Merrill, M. R. Robinson, Shauna Lawless
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
C.N. Kuster
Reading: Brian U. Garrison
Room 428, –
“The Jukebox at the End of the Universe” and other poems. Brian U. Garrison uses music as a frame to write futuristic, surreal, and anarchist poetry.
Brian U. Garrison
Reading: Emily Paxman
Room 429, –
Death on the Caldera. Emily Paxman reads an excerpt from her debut novel, Death on the Caldera.
Emily Paxman
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Gabrielle de Cuir, Isabel Cañas, Kaitlyn Casimo, Ph.D., M.Ed., Stefan Rudnicki, Steven Saltman
Cartography in SFF
Room 431–432, –
From maps of Narnia and Middle Earth to the solar system in Firefly, maps can strongly contribute to storytelling. What makes some maps more compelling and iconic than others? What basics of cartography should a storyteller or illustrator know in order to create a successful and memorable map?
Melissa Shumake (M), Erin Cairns, Jared Pechaček, Michael Noone, Natania Barron
The Moral of a Story
Room 433-434, –
There is something ancient and true that resonates in the mythic wonder of fantasy, allowing us to explore the essence of how we feel, think, or dream in a way that is unbound from the rigidity of our day-to-day. Join us as we uncover the roots of our favorite fantasies and explore how these stories resonated with us, why they did, and how to sprinkle some heart into your own works while still maintaining your narrative.
Marshall J. Moore (M), Ehigbor Okosun, G. Willow Wilson, Jason Denzel, Shweta Adhyam
Why You Wearing Riot Gear? Politics in Horror
Room 435-436, –
Like all art, horror is political by nature. We are creating from our own subjective minds, souls, and universes and breathing that into the conscious existence of our fellow humans every time we write a book, film a movie, recite a poem. So, keeping that in mind, how can we as creatives be attentive and intentional with the messaging, themes, and approaches we take in our work? What, if anything, is “off-limits”; what, if anything, should be left out of horror fiction? How can we be sure we are working toward the change we seek to enact through our narratives and work?
Allan Dyen-Shapiro (M), Adam-Troy Castro, C.S. Humble, Erik Scott de Bie, Kylie Lee Baker
Does A Novel Need a Blueprint?
Room 443-444, –
What are the advantages and disadvantages of constructing your novel before you actually begin constructing your novel? What if you can’t outline at all? What if your outline becomes more important than your actual prose? Is there an ideal way to outline? Panelists will consider these and other questions about outlining one’s work.
Maya Prasad (M), Deva Fagan, Doug Van Belle, Sam W. Pisciotta, E. C. Ambrose
Exploring the Spider-Verse
Room 445-446, –
While the Spider-Verse films in recent years developed an excited fan base, the concept of the Spider-Verse in comics has been around for decades. Join us for a panel all about celebrating the multiverse and as many Spideys as our time allotment will allow!
Moriko Handford, Terry Gant
What Do I Need an Agent for, Anyway?
Room 447-448, –
While you don’t need an agent to self-publish your books, there are plenty of reasons you might still hire one. From licensing foreign rights to shopping your IP to TV and movie producers, come learn why and how an agent can benefit an indie author’s career.
Maeve MacLysaght (M), Gabrielle Harbowy, Matt Dinniman, Michael Stearns/Carter Roy, Sara Megibow
What’s New at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Terrace Suite (4F), –
Join a panel of engineers, scientists, and designers from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to hear the latest and greatest on our current and upcoming missions. We’ll discuss the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers and the Mars Sample Return program, Voyager, Psyche, NISAR, VERITAS, and Europa Clipper, as well as proposed and upcoming missions. Don’t miss this chance for insider information on the future of space and earth science.
Krys Blackwood (M), Bridget Landry, Jeff Megivern
Reading: Cristián Londoño-Proaño
Virtual Room 2, –
Cristián Londoño-Proaño reads an excerpt from his novel The Unproductive, published by Omicron Books.
Cristián Londoño-Proaño (M)
Translation, Language Barriers, & the Limits of the Canon
Virtual Room 1, –
Panelists discuss the challenges and opportunities in translating speculative fiction across languages, and how linguistic diversity reshapes literary canons and accessibility.
Olivia Kidula (M), Chisom Umeh, Kevin Rigathi
Solarpunk Fiction as a Catalyst for Climate Action
Room 320, –
Solarpunk is a hopeful subgenre of climate fiction that imagines a synthesis of humanity, ecology, and technology sustained through communally organized societies. The word solarpunk has also been adopted by an internet-enabled social movement that aims to make this speculative future a reality. Drawing from emerging empirical research on climate fiction, this panel presents the argument that solarpunk literature is a critical imaginative tool that enhances readers’ awareness while challenging pessimistic narratives about the climate crisis. In line with findings on the importance of hope in climate messaging, this panel furthermore makes the case for solarpunk fiction as a bridge from imagination to climate action.
Luka Dowell
Reading: David Sandner
Room 428, –
The Frankenstein Singularity. In my novel-in-progress, Shelley engages with the real-life mystery of her husband’s death (the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley) and the onrush of technological change which tie her era to ours. In the piece to read, set in 1838, Shelley is taken up in political intrigues (post-Napoleonic Britain was full of spies and repressive surveillance) when a steam-powered automaton summons her to an audience with a mysterious and increasingly powerful “thinking machine” built by real-life inventors Ada Byron and Charles Babbage.
David Sandner
Reading: Mena Nizam
Room 429, –
Mena Nizam will either read from Wings of the 13 or a passage as Visenya Targaryen from A Song of Ice and Fire.
Mena Nizam
Reading: Dilman Dila
Virtual Room 2, –
Dilman Dila reads from The Future God of Love, a fantasy novella set in an African world that revolves around a struggling storyteller who falls in love with a woman, ignoring all signs that the creature might not be human at all.
Dilman Dila
10 a.m. PDT (1 p.m. EDT / 5 p.m. GMT)
Jackbox Games - Thursday
Discord, –
Jackbox games are online party games for participants (and possibly an audience). To play, all you'll need is a web browser. Drop in and drop out any time. Meet in the Discord.
Virtual Gaming
Make a Wire Crown
Crafting Lounge, –
Come and make a crown out of wire, beads, and ribbon suitable for any fun attire event. This workshop is for all ages; however, kids under 12 years old should have a dedicated adult to help them. Feel free to bring extra beads with larger holes and ribbon if you want a fancier crown. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Alice Ryan
Martha Wells Signing at the Book Bin
Dealers' Room/The Book Bin, –
Martha Wells is signing books this hour at The Book Bin in the dealers' room.
Art Activity: Adventures in a Box
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Did you know that a simple box can take you deep into the sea, blast you off into space, or fly you straight into the eye of a hurricane? Maya Prasad, author of Sejal Sinha Battles Superstorms, will guide kids in this activity that begins with an origami box. Then we’ll add details like wings or a periscope to get our imaginations soaring!
Maya Prasad (M)
Autographs
Garden Lounge (3F), –
The listed creators are available to sign autographs this hour.
Ryan Cahill, Bethany Jacobs, Chi-ming Yang, Darcie Little Badger, Daryl Gregory, Emily Paxman, Eva L. Elasigue, Marie Brennan, Michelle Ruiz Keil, Natania Barron, Paolo Bacigalupi, Rich Larson, Valerie Estelle Frankel, Isabel J. Kim
Majestic Adventures Boffer Arena
Majestic Lounge (5F), –
Be the Hero of an epic Adventure! Majestic Adventures is a live action role-playing company that leads summer camps and after school programs for kids aged six through 17 and birthdays and special events for all ages. Join with friends to fight against fearsome foes, solve challenging puzzles, and complete formidable challenges while you play as personalized heroes. Raise your sword and start your mythic journey!
Middle Grade Secrets and YA Twists: The Role of Mystery
Room 320, –
From hidden identities and long-buried family histories to strange happenings and jaw-dropping twists, mystery is often at the heart of middle grade and young adult speculative fiction. Join us as we explore how secrets can fuel tension, shape characters, and reveal the deeper layers of fantastical worlds.
CJ Hosack (M), Michael Stearns/Carter Roy, Michelle Knudsen, Shana Targosz, Jenna Lee-Yun
The Role of Tattoos and Tattooing in SFF
Room 322, –
The creation and meaning of tattoos in genre art and in fictional cultures can serve to enrich an image or a story. Our panelists will also discuss the use of genre symbols in tattoos as community signifiers.
Adrian M. Gibson (M), Celeste C. Tyler, Gabrielle Harbowy, Leigh Harlen, Wren Handman
Writing Cozy Fantasy
Room 330, –
Cozy fantasy has become a favorite among many readers, but what exactly is it? What are the elements of cozy fantasy, and how do you make sure you use them in a fresh and interesting way? Do all of your characters have to enjoy pastries? Bring a 2 sentence (MAX) pitch for your cozy idea and join Leah R. Cutter for a session that will leave you ready to write cozy. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Leah Cutter (M)
Comic Books and Legacy: Passing the Torch
Room 334, –
Some of our favorite characters were created a long time ago. Sometimes we are treated to them aging gracefully, and other times we witness them being forced to step aside and pass the proverbial cape off to the next generation. Let’s discuss our favorite times the torch was passed and whether or not some character changes have held up!
J. Spyder Isaacson (M), Corrina Lawson, LP Kindred, Matt Youngmark, R.W.W. Greene
Find the Write Song: A Writing Workshop with Tunes
Room 335-336, –
Discover the strange alchemy between music and storytelling in this workshop run by The Write Song podcast host Kat Kourbeti. Whether you already do this in your creative life or are new to the idea of using music as inspiration, this workshop will provide a fresh drawing board for you to play around in. Through guided writing sprints and group discussions, you’ll get the chance to explore the inspiring power of different music genres, and maybe even come up with your next big idea.
Kat Kourbeti (M)
Replacing the International Space Station
Room 343-344, –
At a total cost of $200 billion or so, it seems a shame to let ISS (mostly) just burn up, but that’s the plan. Come hear what comes next.
Peter Glaskowsky (M), Dan Dubrick, G. David Nordley
Not Dead Yet: Estate Planning for Creators
Room 345-346, –
What should writers, artists, and others with income from producing creative work do while they are still alive to protect their legacies and keep their heirs out of the morass of probate? We’ll explore the basics of wills, trusts, archival donations, and other tools that should be considered as you make your estate plans. What happens to the rights and royalties of your work after you die? Yeah, you’re gonna die, and doing nothing to plan your estate won’t make that fact go away.
Astrid Anderson Bear (M), Chris M. Barkley, Kent Bloom, Merav Hoffman, Will Frank
I Should Be Writing Turns 20
Room 347-348, –
The longest running writing podcast on the internet turns 20 this month! What have we learned? Are we better writers? Are we better podcasters? And why is that little voice in our heads that’s telling us we’re terrible writers not going away? Join Mur Lafferty and her guest(s) to discuss the last 20 years in writing and podcasting, what to do to those little voices, and what might be ahead for us.
Mur Lafferty (M), James Patrick Kelly
Food in History—The Impact of Spice
Room 420-422, –
The spice must flow. Trade routes have been established and wars fought over access to spices. Let’s talk about the uses of spice in regional dishes, how spices impacted trade between countries, and more.
Wolfcat (M), Gail Carriger, Mena Nizam, Sophia Babai, Stephanie Wood Franklin
Best Game or Interactive Work Hugo Potentials
Room 423-424, –
The “best game or” Hugo Award is pretty new, and unlike stories and TV shows, there’s not a long, well-documented history of discussion of games in literary sci-fi communities. We’ll discuss what makes something a good “best game” nominee and review some of the games of 2024 that might make your nomination list for next year in Los Angeles.
Eleri Hamilton (M), Andrew Plotkin, Erica L Frank, Justin Bortnick, Remy Siu
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Rebecca A. Demarest, Alex Pheby, Christopher Buehlman, Natalia Theodoridou, P.L. Stuart, Salinee Goldenberg
Reading: Emily C. Skaftun
Room 428, –
“All That Glitters is Growing” from Postcards to the Unknown. Uncover the sinister yet alluring secret that Big Glitter doesn’t want you to know. Plus postcard micro-fiction, probably featuring death and monsters.
Emily C. Skaftun
Reading: Amanda Cherry
Room 429, –
Afoul & Affairs. Amanda reads a selection of scenes from the short story collection Afoul & Affairs (2024; Def Con One Publishing).
Amanda Cherry
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
David Demchuk, Gwendolyn N. Nix, John Minton, Peter Orullian, Sarah Chorn/Beth Tabler—Grimdark Magazine, Sarah Pinsker
Coping With Short Story Rejection
Room 431-432, –
This panel presents a deep dive into the grueling process of submitting short stories and how to stay organized, sane, and happy. Panelists will not only discuss their personal experiences being rejected, but what led them to finally being accepted in a short story market. Hints, tips, and tricks on how to get your story out of the slush pile.
Victoria N. Shi (M), Rachael K. Jones, Sam Asher, Scott Edelman, Sheila Williams
Building Writing Skills Through Fan Fiction
Room 433-434, –
Before we write, we read, and often, it’s our favorite stories and characters that inspire us to be writers in the first place. Whether you stick with fan fiction or not, fan fiction is a place where young writers can play in a familiar sandbox, honing their skills and building their own authorial voice. Which fanfic writing skills translate directly to pro-writer skills—and what fanfic skills don’t connect to commercial markets at all?
Brian C. E. Buhl (M), Ann Michelle Harris, Atlin Merrick, Elliott Kay, Judy I. Lin
Riverworld: The Masterwork of Philip José Farmer
Room 435-436, –
While Farmer’s work was uneven, his Riverworld series stands as one of the greatest examples of SFF worldbuilding, creating an afterlife quest involving major characters from the history of Western civilization. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this wildly ambitious series? What other authors of historical fantasy has it inspired?
Ric Bretschneider (M), Ash Charlton, Ed Carmien, Eric Gjovaag, Robert L. Slater
We Have Always Been Here!—Indigenous SFF
Room 443-444, –
Indigenous SFF from North America is often misunderstood or dismissed by the mainstream as “too complicated” or not following traditional Western structures. Too often, these stories—and the rich cultures they come from—are left out of the conversation. But these voices have always been here, and their stories continue to shape and expand speculative fiction in powerful ways.
Talulah J. Sullivan (M), Alina Pete, Leon Perniciaro, Shay Kauwe
Self-Publishing for Poets
Room 445-446, –
From chapbooks to zines, poetry has a rich history of self-publishing. Whether your goal is merely to get your poems into more hands or to craft an online presence as a poet, this workshop will help you learn how to market, sell, and self-publish your poetry. From blogging to Instagram to Amazon, we’ll dive into the important details of crafting a bestselling poetry collection. Learn how to format poetry, how to find the best distribution sites for poetry books, and how to market a collection from advertising to book reviews.
F. J. Bergmann (M), Holly Lyn Walrath, Rath Mercury, Steven D. Brewer, Sumiko Saulson
Costuming With 3D Printers
Room 447-448, –
With the cost of home 3D printers dropping and print volumes increasing, many are wondering if this could be an easy alternative to some aspects of making props, costumes, and décor. If you’ve wondered what kind of printers are out there for the budget-conscious costumer and what can be made with them, this is for you.
Leanna Cosplay (M), Hannah Swedin, Joy Alyssa Day, Krys Blackwood
Worldcon Mark Protection Committee Meeting
Sheraton Issaquah, –
The final WSFS Mark Protection Committee meeting for the 2024/2025 year. This might be a good meeting to go to if you have questions for the MPC. This meeting is open to all Seattle Worldcon attendees, but only MPC members have the right to vote and introduce or debate business.
Donald Eastlake (M), Linda Deneroff, Olav Rokne
Podcast Fans Unite!
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
A space for fans of podcast entertainment of all types to connect and learn. Share theories on your favorite audio drama, recruit voice actors for your next project, discuss the state of the industry, or just make friends!
Non-Colonial Space Exploration
Terrace Suite (4F), –
What does space-focused sci fi look like, if it’s not “humans conquer the galaxy” and also not “we bring technology and peace to all the primitive aliens?”
M V Soumithri (M), Jeremy Szal, Keith Wiley, T. A. Chan, Yume Kitasei
Reading: Gabrielle Emem Henry
Virtual Room 1, –
Gabrielle Emem Henry reads from her short story, “A Name is a Plea and A Prophecy” (first published in Strange Horizons). It’s a fabulist story about a woman seeking death, her sacrifices to a god she hates, and the dangers of forgetting your name.
Gabrielle Emem Harry (M)
Mythical Retellings Throughout SFF
Virtual Room 2, –
Myths inspire a variety of SFF works. Let's explore what draws both writers and readers to explore myths through SFF.
Roseanna Pendlebury (M), A Y Chao, Catherynne Valente, Oliver K. Langmead
11 a.m. PDT (2 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. GMT)
John Picacio Art Show Hour
Art Show, –
John Picacio is available in the art show to preview The Invisible Parade, sign your books and cards, and talk to members about his art.
John Picacio
Reading: Gregory A. Wilson
Room 428, –
Shade and Shadow. This excerpt is from a fantasy novel in progress, inspired by a published short story of mine from some years ago.
Gregory A. Wilson
Reading: Michael Nayak
Room 429, –
Symbiote. War between China and the U.S. has reached a stalemate. At South Pole Station (U.S.), it has been dark for three months. Just ahead of an ice storm, a mysterious truck from Dome-A (China) limps toward them. Inside, a man lies dead… the first murder to ever happen on the Antarctic continent. Within 72 hours, 13 others lie dead in the snow, murdered in acts of madness and superhuman strength. An extremophile parasite from the truck, triggered by severe cold, is spreading by touch. It is learning from them. Evolving. Creating the beginnings of a strange symbiotic telepathy. With rescue impossible for months, the survivors try to resist the siren call of the growing hive mind. But the symbiote is more than a disease. It is a biological weapon that can change the balance of power in a time of war.
Michael Nayak
Reading: Valentin Ivanov
Virtual Room 1, –
Valentin, a professional astronomer during nighttime and an amateur SF writer during daytime, will take readers and listeners on a twisted road towards discovering alien life. He will be reading a part of his story “The Secret History of the Greatest Discovery.” It appeared in the anthology Life Beyond Us, edited by Julie Nováková, Lucas K. Law and Susan Forest. This anthology includes 27 stories depicting the challenging quest for finding alien life.
Valentin D. Ivanov (M)
Noon PDT (3 p.m. EDT / 7 p.m. GMT)
Nerf Battle
Ballroom 1 (5F), –
Nerf comes to Worldcon! Shoot your enemies, shoot your friends, shoot your parents, shoot your kids! All ages are welcome to come and enjoy the collection of the Nerf Herders, but no outside blasters allowed.
Sewing
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Learn some basic sewing skills and make a cute critter. We’ll provide a sewing kit with kid-safe needles and all the parts you need.
Faye Gabriel (M), Meghan Lancaster, Melissa Quinn
Autographs
Garden Lounge (3F), –
The listed creators are available to sign autographs this hour.
Adam-Troy Castro, Charlie Jane Anders, Ed Buchan, Jan Kotouč, Keith Wiley, Lezli Robyn, Marshall J. Moore, Richard Sparks, Sam Asher, Sara Hashem, Sara Light-Waller, Sarah L. Stewart, Steven Saltman
Jewish Genre Fans Meetup
Interfaith Lounge (Room 337), –
Holding On to What May Be Lost: How a Developed Love for Literature Can Guide Us From a Childhood Passion Toward a Future of Great Writing
Room 320, –
We live in a world that innately and proactively discourages attentiveness, deep thinking, and focus—all facets of good and continuous human improvement. As a result, we risk losing the most important things that have defined humanity for centuries, including a love for literature. Figures such as Tolkien, Shelley, C.S. Lewis, and many more remind us of this lost through line that connects us to our ancestry and our future, but that may not be enough. This presentation will explore how developing a passion for books and great stories in our children can lead not only to great writing in the future but also to living out good and full lives that are not defined by the age of social media and gratification in which we find ourselves. As both an author and a primary teacher, the panelist hopes to encourage in their students an enduring appreciation for stories. In the panelist’s class, this includes deep novel studies with an emphasis on theme, building a habit of reading for leisure, and explicitly teaching narrative writing with the panelist’s experience as an author. Their one goal is to foster such a strong love for literature that they will help to ensure rich, imaginative worlds thrive in the next generation. Perhaps the panelist can empower you to do the same.
Joshua Walker
Global Voices in Middle Grade/YA SFF
Room 321, –
This panel takes a look at how authors around the world are reimagining speculative fiction for young readers, drawing from their own cultures, mythologies, and histories to create rich and diverse stories. This panel will highlight translated and non-Western works.
Van Hoang (M), Jenna Lee-Yun, Judy I. Lin, Martin Vopenka
Commercial Fusion Energy—10 Years Away!
Room 322, –
Commercial fusion energy is 10 years away, as it has been for 50 years. What is the status? What are the dynamics? What “minor” technical difficulties need to be overcome? And why does the lure of fusion keep attracting interest, talent, and money? Join our panelists as we discuss the perennial promise of power from fusion.
Jack Glassman (M), Dan Dubrick, Morgan Smathers, Ramez Naam
Teen: Renaissance/Fancy Hair Braids
Room 327, –
For teens: Learn to braid hair, or just have your hair braided into fancy braids! Some of the options may be: ropes, four-strand “round” braids, classic three-strand French and three-strand Dutch (or inverted-French or underhand) braids, a crown braid, five- and seven-strand fingering techniques, and shapes like hearts and spirals, and a pull-up weave.
John Wardale (M)
Felt Your Own Toadstool Mushroom
Room 328, –
Create your own toadstool (fly agaric mushroom or Amanita muscaria) using needle felting tools and wool. All the tools and materials you need to complete your mushroom are included as part of the workshop and they will go home with you to keep. There is a $30 fee for this workshop. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Vandy H. Hall (M)
The Digital Quest: Captions and Social Media Magic
Room 329, –
Feeling overwhelmed by social media? Struggling to find the right words to promote your work? You’re not alone! Many creatives battle social anxiety when it comes to self-promotion. Join Brittany Torres, a marketing coach and artist, for an interactive workshop designed to make caption writing easier. Learn how to structure posts, generate engaging ideas, and follow a simple three-step process to write captions with confidence—without the stress. Say goodbye to guesswork and start sharing your creativity with ease. All creatives welcome! Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Brittany Torres (M)
Writing the End
Room 330, –
To leave a lasting impression with your readers, you want to write an ending that helps them feel transformed right along with the characters. How to do this? We’ll discuss and practice a few ways to end transformatively. Bring a work in progress or even two. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Fran Wilde (M)
SWFF C—Science Fiction That Makes You Think
Room 331-332, –
These films will expand your mind. Feature Film: Rewind, directed by Morgan Szymanski. Shorts: Eximo, Please Don’t Send Help, Project Alpha: Terminal Embrace, Stream of Consciousness.
Artist, Craftsperson, Maker, Crafter, Hacker—What’s in a Name?
Room 334, –
How do you define your creative self, and how do you feel about how the rest of the world defines you and what you do? Every term for a person who creates has some assumptions and historical/cultural baggage attached. Do you feel that you had to “earn” the term you use to define what you do, or push back against gatekeeping? Are you a “real” artist? And yes, impostor syndrome will be part of this discussion too.
J.S. Fields (M), Dale Ray Deforest, Elise Stephens, Meg Frank, Megan Lloyd
The Legacies of Vonda N. McIntyre
Room 335-336, –
Fantasy, SF, film, and feminism: This panel will celebrate the late Vonda N. McIntyre, winner of Hugo and Nebula awards, author of influential tie-ins and original works, feminist, and founder and longtime supporter of Seattle’s Clarion West Writers Workshop. McIntyre’s works and activism reflect her close friendship with Ursula K. Le Guin and their shared concern for environmental issues.
Eileen Gunn (M), Ben Wallin, Fonda Lee, Jae Steinbacher, Richard Chwedyk
Worldwide Fandom: Fan Funds
Room 343-344, –
Fan Fund delegates talk about the history of fan funds—the ups, the downs—and about the annual auction.
Sarah Gulde (M), Geri Sullivan, Janice Gelb, Paul Weimer
The Art of Adaptation
Room 345-346, –
When a book gets adapted for TV, fans wait with bated breath. Will it be good? Will it be true to the original work? This panel explores how writers grapple with the challenge of adapting stories from one form to another.
Luke Elliott (M), Craig Miller, Lisa Padol, Melinda M. Snodgrass, Michael Cassutt
The Non-American Futures Panel
Room 347-348, –
This panel includes people from everywhere except America. Come hear what the global culture thinks of our global future.
Claire McCague (M), Somto Ihezue, Victor Manibo, Yasser Bahjatt
More Than a Little Queer: Seattle’s LGBTQIA+ History
Room 420-422, –
Seattle has been welcoming the queer community since at least the late 1800s when the Pioneer Square neighborhood was known as, among other things, “Fairyville.” By 1900, articles about a local transgender man were published and circulated nationally. And from 1934 through 2015, Seattle was home to the oldest continually operating gay bar on the West Coast. Come hear about these moments and many more as we discuss Seattle’s not-always-so-sordid history!
Anne Stewart (M), Elsa Sjunneson, Ian K. Hagemann, S. A. Chant, Tim Bennett
And I’m All Out of Spoons
Room 423-424, –
Whether you live with chronic illness, physical disability, or neurodivergence, creating is an extra struggle. Join a panel of creators who, like you, only have so many spell slots in their day to get stuff done. What are their coping strategies? How do they find the time and energy to create? Hot tip: Make sure to schedule some short rests this convention!
Courtney Floyd (M), Annie Carl, Ben Francisco, Brandon Ketchum, Rebecca Matte
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Terry Brooks, Alexander James Adams, Bethany Jacobs, Carl Engle-Laird, Dale Ivan Smith, Zoha Kazemi
Reading: Lara Elena Donnelly
Room 428, –
No Such Thing as Duty. In the waning days of World War One, William Somerset Maugham—novelist, playwright, and spy—is sent to Romania to serve allied interests in the fight against Austro-Hungary. His handler sets him to recruit mysterious Carpathian nobleman Walter Roşu to the cause. But Roşu is more interested in William than the war, and William—dying of tuberculosis—struggles to fulfill his duty in the face of death and desire.
Lara Elena Donnelly
Reading: Mur Lafferty
Room 429, –
Infinte Archive. A mystery con comes to Station Eternity via a most unusual ship, and there are cats.
Mur Lafferty
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Tashan Mehta, Adrian M. Gibson, Ben Thompson, Caren Gussoff Sumption, Whitney Beltrán, Jennifer Brozek
Charting Series: How to Keep Them Fresh
Room 431-432, –
We all know writers who have gotten horribly stuck. We also know series which have gone on way too long. Panelists give advice on how to make series the proper length through personal experience and various tips and tricks.
Stephanie Stein (M), Brenda W. Clough, Corry L. Lee, Joshua Palmatier, Shauna Lawless
Direct Sales Strategies for Indie Authors
Room 433-434, –
It’s become easier than ever to sell books directly to readers. But why would you want to? We’ll discuss why doing direct sales is worth the work, which tools to use when setting up your online store, and how to connect with readers.
Jessie Kwak (M), Amy Wolf, Cassie Alexander, Gail Carriger, Oriana Leckert
Techno-Fear
Room 435-436, –
The year 2024 was one of digital mayhem. Data breaches made vulnerable millions of records for hungry dark-web spooks. Hackers shut down libraries, hospitals, banks, space agencies, and internet service providers. The sheer volume of cyberstalking complaints exceeds the imagination, with justice and legal systems ill-equipped to stop any of it. Which writers are taking on these topics? Let’s talk about the many ways that sci-fi and horror storytellers can inject lurkers, black hats, and cyberwarfare into the everyday lives of ordinary people through narratives certain to strike fear into the minds of readers.
Daryl Gregory (M), Ai Jiang, David Sandner, Diana M. Pho, Lia Holland
New Speculative Fiction From Eastern Europe
Room 443-444, –
While the works of authors like Stanisław Lem and the Strugatsky brothers have achieved global recognition, much of Eastern Europe’s newer speculative fiction remains under the radar, in part due to language barriers and limited translation access. This panel brings attention to recent books from countries such as Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary, offering a glimpse into the emerging voices of the region and how their stories fit into the broader landscape of global speculative fiction.
Alexandra Nica (M), Alex Shvartsman, Julie Nováková
Repopulation After Disasters
Room 445-446, –
Did you know there is a fungus that eats radiation at Chernobyl? Nature’s ability to come back after disasters is amazing, but can humans bounce back the same way? What does it take to have a population robust enough to avoid total genetic collapse?
Sam Scheiner (M), Charlotte Lewis Brown, Jim Kling, Larry Lewis, Nancy Kress
Growing Food and Eating in Space
Room 447-448, –
Microgravity and the spectral limitations of light sources present substantial problems for producing nutritious and flavorful vegetables and fruits in space. We’ll also talk about how we might prepare meals from space-grown food. Bring your hunger for knowledge!
Susan Weiner (M), Anne Harlan Prather, Jennifer Rhorer, Judy R. Johnson, Sue Burke
Baby Reindeer: New York
Signature Room (5F), –
In this one-act musical play, Sam Singh is a young transgender troublemaker who finds himself in deep trouble, as he navigates his daily struggles with love, family, and friendship while being stalked by a group of crazy internet vigilantes called the clown posse.
Mena Nizam
Writing Excuses Fan Meetup
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
An opportunity for fans of the Hugo Award-winning podcast Writing Excuses to meet one another and make friends/connections at Worldcon.
Mary Robinette Kowal (M)
QI: Quite Interesting
Terrace Suite (4F), –
This panel show features interesting facts about everything sci-fi. Come see our panelists try to win points that aren’t worth anything and be funny at the same time. Brought to you by BritCon.
Dawn Shaw (M), Dave O’Neill, Janet Forbes | World Anvil, Kathleen De Vere
Writing for TV and Film: Basics for Writers
Virtual Room 1, –
This is a presentation from Cat Girczyc on writing for TV and film. Topics include what a writer's room is, how it's organized, and who's who.
Cat Girczyc (M)
Crypto’s Utopian Paradox vs. Human Momentum
Room 320, –
This study explores the paradox in which crypto ideals promote financial sovereignty and fairness, while simultaneously removing basic financial protections and paving the way for scams and scarcity. Ethereum’s evolution—from its initial coin offering to the Dencun Fork—is used as a case study to analyze how protocol decisions impact narrative, community, and tokenomics. Ethereum’s ongoing efforts to address onboarding, scalability, affordability, interoperability, and efficiency influence incentive structures for miners, stakers, and investors, playing a critical role in token market value and overall adoption.
Elizabeth (Libby) Schultz
Reading: Amy Sundberg
Room 428, –
Stars, Hide Your Fires. In celebration of its recent release, Amy will be reading from her science fiction YA novel Stars, Hide Your Fires, the second book of The Satori Chronicles (warning: spoilers for the first book.) Sienna joins the Satori mission to another planet, but her position there is not as straightforward as it initially appears.
Amy Sundberg
Reading: Paolo Bacigalupi
Room 429, –
Navola. Paolo reads a selection of scenes from Navola and/or its sequel.
Paolo Bacigalupi
1 p.m. PDT (4 p.m. EDT / 8 p.m. GMT)
Starfinder Society Special #1-00: Collision's Wake - Thursday
Discord, –
Emerging suddenly from deep space, a massive alien starship has crashed into the surface of the planet Akiton, in an isolated region known as the Sloughscar Hills. Believing the starship has a connection to the mysterious First Ones, an advanced civilization from antiquity that the Starfinder Society believes aims to invade the Pact Worlds, the Starfinders hire the nearest team of mercenaries to enter and explore the wreck—you! Overcome dangerous creatures, malfunctioning technology, volatile magic, and opportunistic salvagers in your quest to be the first to explore the Wreck of the Returned! Players use 3rd-level versions of the Starfinder iconic characters in this debut special adventure of Starfinder Society for Starfinder Second Edition! Beginners welcome. Space is limited, advance sign-up required. Takes place on the Discord—you will need your own computer.
Petrea Mitchell
Paper Circuits
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Using copper tape, engineer a circuit like MacGyver.
John Wardale (M)
Autographs
Garden Lounge (3F), –
The listed creators are available to sign autographs this hour.
Nikhil Prabala, Andres Olave, Dean Wells, G. David Nordley, GregRobin Smith, Jonathan “JD” Davenport, Joshua Walker, Kara Dalkey, Kate Dramis, Lindsey Byrd, Martha Wells, MJ Kuhn, Nisi Shawl, Maurizio Manzieri, Amanda Cherry
Self-Driving Cars: How Far Down the Road?
Room 320, –
Self-driving cars were “ten years away” for more than thirty years, then “any time, now” for about ten, and are “ten years away” again. What happened? What didn’t? When and how will things change so self-driving cars will really come to pass?
Jill Engel-Cox (M), Dyani Sabin, Elsa Sjunneson, Ric Bretschneider, Stephen Granade
Archiving In Filk
Room 321, –
A discussion of collecting and curating collections of filk performances and/or song lyrics. Join us as we talk about the “how” of recording and collecting performances, the “do’s” and “don’ts” of sharing and ownership rights.
Cecilia Eng (M), Eli Goldberg, Marc Grossman
That Was Awkward! Tips for Tricky Conversations
Room 322, –
Many of us would rather let silence grow over a misunderstanding or weird interaction. But the truth is more silence equals more disconnection from the people in our life. In an era where more and more of our communication happens via technology, the room for bad assumptions keeps growing. If we want to deepen and/or repair our friendships and community, we sometimes have to step into awkward conversation spaces. Learn encouraging tips, ideas, and models for having those conversations and become equipped to repair those “silent gaps” in your relationships.
Emily C. Skaftun (M), Max Goller, Sho Glick, Sonia Orin Lyris
Let’s Make a Movie: Big Badaboom
Room 327, –
It’s so tempting to use explody boom-boom in a movie. Why not? But hold on, pardner—we want you to do all this as safely as possible! Spend some time with our pyrotechnics expert so that you have the safest experience possible. (Note: You don’t have to attend all the parts to enjoy the workshop, but doing so gets you the best possible experience!)
Brian D. Oberquell (M), Taunya Gren
Writing Horror
Room 330, –
Horror fiction presents the reader with suspense, dread, and the unknown, but how does a writer go beyond to create a story that will linger in the reader’s mind long after reading? What makes horror so useful as a genre for social commentary? This class will discuss essential techniques for writing horror, as well as what to leave off (and on) the page. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Linda D. Addison (M)
Designing Things That Don’t Exist
Room 334, –
We are always trying to depict the alien, but how far do you have to go to be truly out of this world? What tools and techniques can help create believable creatures and technology? What in the natural order can you change? Are there rules you should never break?
Scott Lefton (M), J.S. Fields, Kestrel Michaud, Larry Lewis, Luis Carlos Barragán Castro
Beyond the Torment Nexus
Room 335-336, –
Warnings provided by science fiction are often misunderstood and willfully misinterpreted by those who can profit from creating dystopias. Let’s talk about science fiction’s most misunderstood works. (We may end up casting aspersions at tech oligarchs who are intent on creating the next Torment Nexus.)
Jon Lasser (M), Abigail Nussbaum, Jake Casella Brookins, John Scalzi, Rachel A. Rosen
A Closer Look at Afrocentric Futurisms
Room 343-344, –
A discussion of the literary approaches, trends, themes, and craft patterns emergent in contemporary Afrocentric futurisms, an umbrella term for speculative works that center the concerns of Afrodescendant peoples all over the globe. Discourse aims to unpack the term itself, then proceed to touch on subjects of import, such as class structures, climate/environmental survival, incorporating traditional African philosophies in futuristic settings, and more.
Tara Campbell (M), Alison Clarke, LP Kindred, Somto Ihezue, Helen Masvikeni
Reanimate This!
Room 345-346, –
The Lovecraft resurgence isn't waning. Instead, writers and creators re-envision the highly problematic Cthulhu mythos and make it our own. Victor LaValle's The Ballad of Black Tom took as granted that the true horror at Red Hook is virulent racism. Guillermo del Toro and anthologies like Cthulhu's Daughters have made their statements. What comes next? This panel looks at the ways diverse and less-discussed creators keep reinterpreting HPL's style and stories while looking ahead to an inclusive cosmic horror future. Handout: Reanimate This (48 KB .pdf).
Evan J. Peterson (M), Matt Ruff, Nelly Geraldine Garcia-Rosas, Sadie Hartmann, Usman T. Malik
Meet the Authors—YA and Middle Grade
Room 347-348, –
Come meet the writers who are crafting the stories for you! A selection of YA and middle grade authors are available to answer questions and talk about stories.
Marta Murvosh (M), A. L. Kaplan, CJ Hosack, Kate Ristau, L.J. Melvin, Shana Targosz
SFF in Comics!
Room 420-422, –
How have speculative fiction and fantasy been represented in comics? From Jack Kirby's super-science, to Jeff Lemire's android families in Descender, to fae crimes of Black Cloak by Kelly Thompson and Meredith McClaren, let’s explore the comics that tried to put the science first, or brought the fantastical to the forefront, and talk about how that drew us into those stories!
Kel McDonald (M), Lawrence Watt-Evans, Rob McMonigal, Susana Polo
Conrunning 101: The Basics
Room 423-424, –
So how do you run a convention? Where do you start? How can you avoid losing money (and preferably make a little). What are the basics of the hotel contract? How large a committee will you need?
Linda Deneroff (M), Janice Gelb, Ron Oakes, Sam Scheiner, Brian Nisbet
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
F.E. Choe, Janna Silverstein, Stoney Compton, Tom Coughlin, Jeff Sturgeon
Reading: Pierre E. Pettinger, Jr.
Room 428, –
The Sodality Universe is a space opera in the tradition of E.E. Doc Smith, James White, and Star Trek.
Pierre E. Pettinger, Jr.
Reading: Daphne Singingtree
Room 429, –
Circle for the Earth. In this captivating time-travel saga, Earth grants humanity an extraordinary second chance. Imagine a South Dakota Indian casino and its surrounding area transported back to the year 1791, before the Louisiana Purchase. Here, modern lives collide with the past, igniting a powerful story of survival, cultural clash, and human connection.
Daphne Singingtree
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Andrew Ross, Dr. Kaylea Champion, Manjula Menon, Naomi Kritzer, Patrick S. Tomlinson, Randy Henderson
It’s All About the Bones
Room 431-432, –
Imagine you’re minding your own business two thousand years ago, and you find a weird bone. What kind of animal might it have come from? Dragon? Cyclops? Unicorn? It’s not hard to understand how earlier cultures, all over the world, interpreted the fossils they found. Evidence is growing that many mythical creatures owe their folkloric existence to bones and other fossils encountered by tribal people and storytellers of ancient times.
Charlotte Lewis Brown (M), Agathon McGeachy, Arendse Lund, Marisca Pichette, Gibbitt Rhys-Jones
ao3 mcu a:aou a.b.o. bdsm ot3 hs au pwp
Room 433-434, –
Do you know what the title of this panel means? Come learn about the specialized vocabulary of fanfic: how and why the abbreviations and other terms get invented, and how that language works to build and sustain fanfic communities. (The kink tomato is not a food; dead dove is not a bird. Does “HS” stand for high school or Homestuck?)
Berlynn Wohl (M), Aaron Feldman, Anne Stewart, Hilary Hertzoff, Samantha Close
Pre-Industrial Militaries
Room 435-436, –
Accuracy and completeness are key foundations for believability. We’ll review and discuss techniques to get it right and how to avoid common pitfalls. We’ll look at examples of where it was done well and why, as well as examples of where it was found wanting.
Blaze Ward, Clayton Mann, Jean Lamb
Audiobooks 101: A How-To for Indie Authors and Rights Holders
Room 443-444, –
The audiobook market has exploded over the past 10 years, and it’s easier than ever to bring your work to life in audio. Learn from a group of professional audiobook narrators with hundreds of titles under their belts, who outline all aspects of production, casting, and distribution of audiobooks. Handout: Audiobooks 101 Resource Sheet (153 KB PDF).
Rebecca H. Lee (M), Alex Kingsley, Gabrielle de Cuir, Kim Iverson Headlee, Shiromi Arserio, Stefan Rudnicki
Poetry Readings Thursday
Room 445-446, –
Come bask in the poetic wonders of strange worlds, fantastic narrators, and imaginary perspectives! Hear the poetry of EB Helveg, Sumiko Saulson, Ursula Whitcher, Angela Liu, and Mari Ness.
Angela Liu, EB Helveg, Mari Ness, Sumiko Saulson, Ursula Whitcher
Life as We Know It
Room 447-448, –
Nothing in fantasy or sci fi is original (no, don’t rage-quit); it is all amalgamations of things we have seen or heard of. So would we recognize life that is truly alien?
Sue Burke (M), Coral Alejandra Moore, Frank Wu, Steven D. Brewer
Learn the Rogue Tango
Sheraton Ballroom A&B, –
Dance like Ncuti Gatwa and Jonathan Groff in the Doctor Who-goes-Regency episode Rogue! Their very steamy and very timey-wimey Regency tango is surprisingly easy to do. We'll dance this at the Timey-Wimey Masked Ball and perhaps at the Bridgerton Timey-Wimey Ball as well, and it will be taught each time, but in this class you can learn it slowly and thoroughly. No experience necessary, no partner needed, just wear something you can dance comfortably in.
Susan de Guardiola
One Million Times: Book Launch
Sheraton Ravenna, –
Chronicling time travelers among us: Desperate to escape their present circumstances, seven outcasts hunt down alleged visitors from the future. Discover a present where we invite, seduce, trap, love, hate, and even murder our time-traveling twins. Step into the magic cabinet and explore short stories by R. James Doyle, Rogelio Fojo, David Gerrold, RC Matheson, Christopher Priest, Teika Marija Smits, Fernando Sorrentino, and more, weaving tales of stage magic and spacetime traversal. What happens next? The book reappears as a TV series!
David Gerrold, R. James Doyle
Concert Star Cluster: Blind Lemming Chiffon, Griff the Filker, GregRobin Smith, and Molly Lewis
Signature Room (5F), –
Blind Lemming Chiffon is a quirky singer/songwriter from Denver, Colorado. He plays a wide variety of instruments and is a walking encyclopedia of American-based music genres. (–)
Griff the Filker is a singer/songwriter from southern California. He's a student and protégé of Blind Lemming Chiffon, which means you'll get very different sounds out of him depending on the instrument and his mood—filk, New Age piano, and singer-songwriter. (–)
GregRobin Smith is a writer, musician, renaissance faire performer, Chautauqua presenter (as Benjamin Franklin), medieval martial artist, sonnet writer, playwright, and lecturer on Shakespeare. He also runs The Washington Shakespearean Festival. (–)
Mollylele is a well-loved Seattle-based musician who shares her home with her 15 (at last count) ukuleles. She plays both covers and original songs. Her original music consists of comedic songs that deal with relevant pop culture topics. (–)
Blind Lemming Chiffon, GregRobin Smith, Griff the Filker, Mollylele
Short Fiction Editor Meetup
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
A chance for editors of short fiction, whether magazines or anthologies, to meet others in their field and make friends, swap ideas, and share information.
Richard Flores IV (M)
Journey to a Water World: The Europa Clipper Mission
Terrace Suite (4F), –
Come hear the latest developments of the mission to Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, from our science guest of honor, Bridget Landry. Learn about the spacecraft, its instruments, and what we hope to learn from this icy satellite. Cool pictures, fun stories, and swag may be involved.
Bridget Landry
2 p.m. PDT (5 p.m. EDT / 9 p.m. GMT)
Reading: Izzy Wasserstein
Room 428, –
These Fragile Graces, This Fugitive Heart. In the ruins of mid-21st century Kansas City, Dora returns to the commune she’s in self-imposed exile from to investigate the murder of her ex-girlfriend. What she uncovers will shake the foundations of the community and put Dora face-to-face with assassins who share her pre-transition face.
Izzy Wasserstein
Reading: Benjamin C. Kinney
Room 429, –
“For Every Bee, a Hive.” When Tamar’s found-family spaceship crew becomes collateral damage in an inscrutable AI war, only two options remain: a lonely death in space, or the companionship of a hungry piece of AI swarm.
Benjamin C. Kinney
3 p.m. PDT (6 p.m. EDT / 10 p.m. GMT)
Tai Chi
Ballroom 1, –
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art. In these modern times, Tai Chi can help you to navigate the stress in life and become a healthier you. We will practice some Yang Tai Chi moves. All levels and all styles are welcome. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
Richard Man
Yarn-In in the Crafting Lounge
Crafting Lounge, –
Bring your knitting, crochet, or other yarn-based project to Worldcon Cantina’s crafting lounge for a fun hour with your fellow yarn enthusiasts. Get a few more rows done, or possibly learn something from your fellow crafters. Yes, we all know that buying yarn is a separate hobby from knitting.
Gregory Gadow (M)
Travis Baldree Signing at the Book Bin
Dealers' Room/The Book Bin, –
Travis Baldree is signing books this hour at The Book Bin in the dealers' room.
Balloon Animal Sculpting
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Request an animal or object and watch it come to life.
John Wardale (M)
Autographs
Garden Lounge (3F), –
The listed creators are available to sign autographs this hour.
Christopher Buehlman, A. J. Hackwith, Andrew Penn Romine, Annie Carl, Curtis C. Chen, Mur Lafferty, Nicola Griffith, Robert Silverberg, Seanan McGuire, Shanna Germain, Terry Brooks, Wulf Moon, Tara Campbell, David Sandner, Robert L. Slater
The Women Pioneers of Space Science
Room 320, –
This talk details the lives of several scientists and engineers without whom NASA would have been far less successful. Presenter Gideon Marcus will include profiles of the three women from Hidden Figures, their histories much more interesting than what we saw on film.
Gideon Marcus
Refugees in Science Fiction
Room 321, –
Jerry Pournelle once observed that in the future, There Will Be War. Wherever there is war, there will be displaced persons. Some works might depict aliens as refugees, while others involve time travelers fleeing from conflicts in another time. How does science fiction imagine the future of refugees and the empathy needed towards persons fleeing from conflict?
R.W.W. Greene (M), Alma Alexander, Bethany Jacobs, Sara K Ellis
Century 21’s Vision of the Future
Room 322, –
Given this year’s theme, “Building Yesterday’s Future—For Everyone,” let’s look back at what the vision of today was during the last Seattle Worldcon, in 1961. Where have we succeeded? Where have we failed? Where are we glad we didn’t succeed? Where have things gone completely wonky? And, of course, where are we going next?
Irene Radford (M), Bill Higgins, David D. Levine, F. Brett Cox, Janna Silverstein
Creating a Watercolor Galaxy
Room 328, –
The night sky has long been a focus for creative energy and imagination. In this workshop you will create your own galaxy sky, filled with stars and wonder. Join Deanna Sjolander as she shares watercolor techniques, textures, and tricks for making your own galaxy night sky. No experience? No problem—you'll only need your imagination for this activity! Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Deanna Sjolander (M)
Bead Embroidery
Room 329, –
Learn bead embroidery to add pizzazz to your costumes
Kathryn Brant (M)
Writing Fantasy
Room 330, –
What are the constraints when writing fantasy, and what demands do they place on the writer? In this class, one of fantasy’s stars will give you the basics as well as share some of her tips and tricks. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Sharon Shinn (M)
SWFF D—Science Fiction With Some Laughs
Room 331-332, –
Join us for an afternoon of temporal shenanigans and quantum laughter. Feature Film: Time Helmet, directed by Mike Jackson. Short Films: Doughnuts, Illuminagents: Happy Chemtrails, Kiseru.
AI-Created and AI-Assisted Art—Threat or Menace?
Room 334, –
Should creatives use AI art and can it be done ethically? If so, what should the rules be, including source credits, ownership, and content labeling? How much AI content in a work of art does it take to make something an AI-created or AI-assisted work of art?
Kestrel Michaud (M), Ctein, Lazarus.Black, Lincoln Peters, Micaela Alcaino
What Is Science Fiction Good for?
Room 335-336, –
Many researchers have observed a feedback between science fiction and real science, from emerging technologies to social policy. What role does (or should) science fiction have in changing the world?
Doug Van Belle (M), Beth Plutchak, Dr. Kaylea Champion, Ed Finn, Ramez Naam
Final touches: Accessorizing Your Costume
Room 343-344, –
Complete the look with accessories. Many times, when we make a costume, we forget that we need to include accessories. Come and learn more about accessories and the cool things you can do with them to make life easier. When you think about accessories, you think of hats, shoes, and such, but what about pockets where you can hide your money or glasses?
Melissa Quinn (M), Celeste C. Tyler, Sandy Pettinger, Taylor Tomblin, Wolfcat
Talking the Talk
Room 345-346, –
Slang, cant, insults, and “terms of art” not only add richness to dialog but also inform the reader about culture in general terms and imply social conventions, status, profession, age, and a host of other information about the speakers and the society they occupy. You don’t have to be a professional linguist to create slang for your stories, but you can come to this panel and get some ideas about how to create, borrow, and use slang to illuminate your SFF worlds.
Greta Kelly (M), Andrea Hairston, Lara Elena Donnelly, Marie Brennan, Melissa Caruso
The Batman Panel
Room 347-348, –
Batman is one of the most popular and enduring characters of all time. Let’s discuss the history of Batman and celebrate 80 years of the Caped Crusader!
Sam Stark (M), Brenda W. Clough, Corrina Lawson, Dan Moren, John Tilden
Medieval Characters—Women Authors
Room 420-422, –
A look at the legacy and influence of Marjorie Kemp, Christine de Pisan, Marie de France, Hildegard of Bingen, the anchorite Julian of Norwich, and more. Their works continue to have relevance today.
Heather Rose Jones (M), Arendse Lund, Kendra Tornheim, M. R. Robinson, Natania Barron
Why Interactive Media Matters
Room 423-424, –
Over the years there’s been strong resistance to letting the “video game” world into SFF spaces. Let’s explore why interactive media is important to todays fandom, and how interactive media can be a gateway to literature and art.
Langley Hyde (M), Cass Morris, Hana Lee, Remy Siu, Richard Sparks
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Thea Prieto, Veronica G. Henry, Wendy N. Wagner, Becky Chambers, Mary Robinette Kowal, Dana Bell
Reading: Charlie Jane Anders
Room 428, –
Lessons in Magic and Disaster. Jamie is a grad student in English lit, but she’s also a witch. Her mother, Serena, has been hiding from the world in an old one-room schoolhouse for nearly seven years, ever since Serena’s wife died and her life imploded. One day, Jamie decides to bring Serena back to the world the only way she knows how: by teaching her mom how to do magic.
Charlie Jane Anders
Reading: Linda D. Addison
Room 429, –
“Stellar Musings.” “Stellar Musings” is a poem from the Everything Endless poetry collection written with Jamal Hodge, released in April 2025 by Raw Dog Screaming. This poem was inspired by the second universal law, the Law of Correspondence (Immutable), and is a call/response to Jamal’s poem, “Subatomic Matrimony,” written for the second universal law.
Linda D. Addison
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Carrie Vaughn, Emily Hockaday, Gerard van Belle, J. Spyder Isaacson, Monica Valentinelli, dQ Kaufman
Future Worldcon Bids Q&A
Room 431-432, –
Hear from the upcoming Worldcon bids! First up, the only bid on this year’s site selection ballot, Montreal in 2027! Then you'll hear from bid representatives from Brisbane and Kigali for 2028, Ireland in 2029, Edmonton in 2030, and Texas in 2031. Come prepared with your burning questions before site selection voting closes on Friday. Handouts: 2026 Los Angeles (138 KB .pdf), 2027 Montréal (211 KB .pdf), 2029 Dublin (466 KB .pdf), and 2030 Edmonton (133 KB .pdf).
Bradford Lyau (M), Amanda Wakaruk, Brian Nisbet, Bruce Farr, Cliff Dunn, Darrin Briskman, Gray Anderson, Marguerite Smith, Micheal Kabunga, Sarah Felix
A Welcome Reprieve
Room 433-434, –
In challenging times, fantasy stories offer solace. Join our panelists in a discussion on the qualities of escapism and how fantasy stories can comfort, support, and inspire their audiences.
Casey Blair (M), Caitlin Rozakis, D. Wes Rist, Jim Zub
Realism as It Relates to Fear
Room 435-436, –
There’s always a debate between the “it’s a story; it’s supposed to be entertaining” camp and the “it has to feel real” camp. So when considering this balance in your dark fiction, what considerations and decisions must one make? How important is realism to horror? Is something scary if we can’t believe it actually would happen? Indeed, we’ve witnessed this as an argument against the efficacy of supernatural or paranormal fiction: Humans, after all, tend to be the scariest creatures on the damn planet. All that said, it is a story, and suspension of disbelief is part of the deal. It’s our job as authors to create a narrative so compelling that readers cannot help but forgive us our transgressions in the speculative. How can we walk that line between realism and entertainment and between relatability and the fantastic elements speculative readers seek out our genres to experience? How important is it to do so?
Gordon B. White (M), Clay Vermulm, MJ Kuhn, Matt Ruff, Nicholas Binge, Usman Malik
We’re Going on an Adventure: Fantasy Writing 201
Room 443-444, –
Join our authors as they go over the elements of fantasy beginnings, identify crucial components for the first act, and demonstrate practical ways to apply them to your own work.
G.R. Theron (M), Daryl Gregory, Jason Denzel, Leah Cutter, Randy Henderson
Human Evolution and Our Influence on It
Room 445-446, –
Just because we’re at the top of the food chain doesn’t mean that humans are done evolving. Can we predict what is in the future for our bodies? Which creators’ visions are realistic?
Dr. Ricky (M), Anne Harlan Prather, Kathryn Michels, Ph.D., Steven D. Brewer
Too Close to Home: Writing the Near-Future
Room 447-448, –
Let’s tackle the big, near-future scenarios in science fiction: climate change, automation, internet privacy. How do we write speculative stories that are relevant to our current reality while still engaging readers? How can fiction help us address new, alarming technologies such as cryptocurrency and AI?
RM Ambrose (M), David Snyder, P.E., Michael Nayak, Misha Grifka Wander, Silvia Park
Couple Dancing 101: One-Step
Sheraton Ballroom A&B, –
If you can walk, you can dance the one-step! Because it is literally just brisk walking. This a super-easy introduction to couple dancing for people who are new to couple dancing, and it works very well to the Star Wars Cantina Band music! No experience necessary, no partner needed; just wear something you can dance comfortably in.
Susan de Guardiola (M)
Martha Wells Fan Meetup
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
Ever wanted to just nerd out about Murderbot with people who share your enthusiasm? What about System Collapse or Witch King? Here’s your chance to discuss all things Martha Wells with other fans.
Judy R. Johnson (M)
Reading: Ursula Whitcher
Room 428, –
North Continent Ribbon. Shortlisted for the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction. On Nakharat, every contract is a ribbon and every ribbon is a secret, braided tight and tucked behind a veil. Artificial intelligence threatens the tightly-woven network. Stability depends on giving each machine a human conscience—but the humans are not volunteers.
Ursula Whitcher
Reading: Naomi Kritzer
Room 429, –
Obstetrix. “One of the doctors that trained me liked to call obstetrics the science of waiting. I was actually pretty good at waiting when a patient was in labor. But there was a difference between saying things to patients like ‘I’m not really the one in charge here, the baby is’ and really truly not being the one in charge here. Waiting for a chance to escape was a completely different sort of patience, and not something I felt particularly skilled at…” (This is actually a novella, but Naomi will read an excerpt).
Naomi Kritzer
4 p.m. PDT (7 p.m. EDT / 11 p.m. GMT)
Art Show Reception
Art Show, –
Please join us in the art show on Thursday from 4–6 p.m. to meet some of the artists displaying in our show and start deciding what piece of art speaks to you! The reception is open to all convention members.
Discussion Group: Hispanic and Latino Creators for Hispanic and Latin Creators
BIPOC Lounge (Room 339), –
A panel and discussion group for Hispanic and Latino creators to address challenges faced specifically by Hispanic and Latino creators of all types.
Ben Francisco (M)
Spooky Scary Story Hour, Again
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Join us for spooky scary stories around the campfire.
Elizabeth Guizzetti (M), Darcie Little Badger, Kristina Palmer
Autographs
Garden Lounge (3F), –
The listed creators are available to sign autographs this hour.
Brenda Cooper, Scott Edelman, Irene Radford, Neil Clarke, P.L. Stuart, Patrick S. Tomlinson, Robin Jeffrey, S. A. Chant, Salinee Goldenberg, Sarah J. Daley, Sarah Pinsker, Gregory A. Wilson, Kat Richardson
Asr Afternoon Call to Prayer
Interfaith Lounge (Room 337), –
MoPOP: Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture
Room 320, –
Opened in 2000, MoPOP, a.k.a. the Science Fiction Museum and the Experience Music Project, has dedicated space to numerous exhibits and interactive activities. In 2004 it incorporated the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. And since 2006 it has been home to the Science Fiction Fantasy Short Film Festival (SFFSFF). Join us in exploring the archives!
Frank Catalano (M), Brooks Peck, Pat Booze, Robert L. Slater, Jacob McMurray
Neurodiversity 101
Room 321, –
A look at the basics of neurodiversity and neurodivergence. Find out the different ways our brain works and how it affects us based on the culture we live in. It’s a lot more than just labels like autism and ADHD.
Victoria N. Shi (M), Caren Gussoff Sumption, Gloria Jackson-Nefertiti, Laurraine Tutihasi, Liz Coleman
Introducing Spec Fic to Young Readers
Room 322, –
Speculative writers and publishing professionals generally understand what speculative fiction is, but what about young readers? There isn’t usually a young readers’ spec-fic section in bookstores. How do potential readers of the genre find the books they crave? We’ll discuss basic reader-friendly definitions of spec fic, ways to teach readers about the dimensions of spec fic, and compose a list of old classics and contemporary titles that can help train a new generation of readers to identify and fall in love with this broad category of literature.
Beth Mitcham (M), David Brin, Henry Lien, Marta Murvosh
Telling Lies with Maps
Room 327, –
From the first map in what is now Turkey in 6,200 B.C., to the "red/blue" maps of modern politics in the U.S., all maps shade reality in some way. This workshop will help you understand how to interpret reality via maps. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Michael Noone
Make a Lanyard/Necklace
Room 328, –
A necklace with more than one purpose! It could be a badge holder, eyeglasses chain, or just jewelry. Make a necklace of beads and charms. Feel free to bring your own charms to include! Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Katigra
Writing for Franchises
Room 330, –
How do you get started writing for someone else’s universe? In this workshop, you’ll learn how to take inventory of your skills and contacts and then use them to secure writing gigs with established properties. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Jennifer Brozek (M)
Facilitation and Public Speaking Skills For Creatives
Room 334, –
You never wanted to do public speaking, but suddenly you’re on a panel. This session will address strategies to ease you into public speaking and allow you to grow your confidence. Maybe you’re an author being asked to teach a workshop, or you’re an artist being asked to do a talk or interview. Many folks find public speaking challenging and need help learning how to do it well. In this session we’ll address facilitation strategies for structuring a session, body language, presence, confidence, and engaging an audience.
Sonia Orin Lyris (M), Anne Keck, Diana Pharaoh Francis, Morag (MK Hardy), Seanara Coyote
20 Years of New Who
Room 335-336, –
Twenty years ago, Doctor Who burst back onto our small screens with a quicker pace, better special effects, and a larger American audience. Let’s reflect on our adventures through time (from 2005 to 2025) and space. Brought to you by BritCon.
Dan Murphy (M), Eric Gjovaag, Kathryn Sullivan, Lynne M. Thomas, Moriko Handford
Historical Events in Comics
Room 343-344, –
This panel will discuss the wealth of comics created about major events and figures in history. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Harlem Renaissance, and of course, George Takei’s They Called Us Enemy. You’ll leave this panel with a list of comic books and graphic novels for educators to take into their classrooms!
Selena A. Naumoff (M), Bradford Lyau, Dale Ray Deforest, Ric Bretschneider, Terilee Edwards-Hewitt
Joann’s Is Closed—Now What?
Room 345-346, –
So Joann’s closed all the stores in your area. Now where do you go? Other resources for costuming needs. Some local, some national, some online, and some you’d never have thought of.
Leanna Cosplay (M), CJ Hosack, Carole I. Parker, Richard Stephens, Rowenna Miller
“How Do You Do, Fellow Creeps?”
Room 347-348, –
A two-part reading-and-writing workshop for teens. First, Jonah Barnett reads “Boggy” from their book Moss-Covered Claws—a story about monsters and the monstrous challenges we might face in life. Then dig into how to write monsters in your own stories. What are these monsters metaphors for? How do they serve the tale? Let’s hear about the history of monsters in fiction and their various roles, and how we can bring them into the 2020s with our writing.
Fantastical Worlds and Authorial Bias
Room 420-422, –
When inventing new worlds, it’s easy to include elements from the author’s own experience without examining their role. Despite having all possibilities available to us, patriarchal societies, colonialist narratives, and stories focused on the ruling class abound in speculative fiction. Panelists share great examples and discuss ways to unchain our brains—finding ways to recognize unconscious biases so that these elements can be included (or not) in a deliberate fashion.
Corry L. Lee (M), Ehigbor Okosun, Erin Roberts, Jo Miles, Wren Handman
Filing Off the Serial Numbers
Room 423-424, –
Plenty of fanfic authors have “filed off the serial numbers” and republished their fic as mainstream stories. The most famous is Fifty Shades of Grey, but the Vorkosigan Saga began as Star Trek fanfic. What works, and what doesn’t? Is this a reasonable career-starter for new would-be pro writers? Are there any tips to make it work better or any traps to avoid?
Atlin Merrick (M), Lindsey Byrd, Rebecca Matte, Sarah Rees Brennan, Will Frank
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
L. D. Lewis, Nancy Kress, Paz Pardo, Raven Oak, Sandra Rosner, Fonda Lee
Reading: Lauren C. Teffeau
Room 428, –
A Hunger with No Name. Her whole life, Thurava’s been warned to stay away from the Glass City. Her destiny, written in the stars, is to find out why. This story is a coming-of-age tale with an environmental focus featuring an immersive fantasy setting inspired in part by the high desert of New Mexico. It is the second entry in the University of Tampa Press’s new Pomme imprint focused on literary speculative novellas. Nebula Award-winning author Fran Wilde calls it “a powerful story of survival—personal, ecological, and cultural—in the presence of overwhelming technological power.”
Lauren C. Teffeau
Reading: Wulf Moon
Room 429, –
“Beast of the Month.” A humorous epistolary tale of a wizard that wishes to make a simple return of an unwanted beast to his menagerie mail order club. Alas, nothing is simple about this return… This story was first published in Third Flatiron Publishing’s Strange Beasties anthology and reprinted in Third Flatiron’s Best of 2017. You can also hear the author read it at this website.
Wulf Moon
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Alyssa Winans, Brandon Ketchum, Cathy McManamon, Daniel Ritter, Victoria Whitlock, Remy Siu
Chengdu 2023: The Chinese Worldcon
Room 431-432, –
What was the Chengdu Worldcon like? How was running the first Worldcon in China different from running them in other places? Hear from a few people who attended.
Carolina Gomez Lagerlöf (M), James Joseph Styles, Guy Morpuss, Richard Man, Todd Allis
Foreign Language Markets
Room 433-434, –
While the saying is “reprints are found money,” foreign language markets open up your work to a whole new audience. How do you find foreign language markets for your reprints? How do you navigate the different rights of different countries? Our panelists discuss whether or not it is worth the time and effort to find out.
Nicholas Binge (M), Blaze Ward, Liz Zitlow, Yasser Bahjatt
Smile for the Camera!
Room 435-436, –
In the 1960s, photography was a combination of art, chemistry, physics, and mechanics. Film speed, f-stops, and focal lengths were important, even to amateur photographers. Things have changed, some. How have the changes in the tech changed the art of photography? How has putting a high quality camera in the hands of a fair portion of humanity changed the world?
Ctein (M), Caroline M. Yoachim, Lincoln Peters, Mark London Williams, Vanessa MacLaren-Wray
Tipping Points in Genre History
Room 443-444, –
This panel considers the major shifts in the science fiction field—such as the recognition of writers from marginalized groups, the growth of SF in television and movie franchises, and the rise of graphic novels. How has the definition of “science fiction” grown and changed through the years? What were the tipping points, and who were the people who inspired these changes?
Gary K. Wolfe (M), David Ritter, Eric G. Swedin, Paul Weimer, Rich Horton
Umbrellas Wersus Raincoats: How (and Why) Do You Define Genre?
Room 445-446, –
Catchalls, genres, subgenres, sub-sub-genres, and microgenres. As we explore the fuzzy boundaries of writing, you may exit the room more confused than when you entered. What purpose does it serve to specify a genre, and what are some difficulties in categorizing the worlds we create?
Marisca Pichette (M), Devin Miller, Mari Ness, Richard Chwedyk, Sho Glick
Post-Human Soldiers
Room 447-448, –
Robotics and genetic engineering open the specter of enhanced soldiers with radically new capabilities and limits. Use of bionics, cybernetic augmentation, and neural interfaces are already spilling out of research labs. We’ll speculate on their impact upon humans, robots, and aliens, today, and in the future. Handout: Post-Human Soldiers (364 KB .pdf).
Russell Ervin (M), Bob Hranek, Clayton Mann, D. Wes Rist, Catherine Asaro
Silent Book Club “Party”
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
Just what it says on the tin. Bring a book, and take a break for an hour to read quietly.
Dr. Tara Prescott-Johnson (M)
K. Tempest Bradford and Nisi Shawl in Conversation
Terrace Suite (4F), –
Our Worldcon hosts, K. Tempest Bradford and Nisi Shawl, interviewing each other. Q&A included.
K. Tempest Bradford Nisi Shawl
5 p.m. PDT (8 p.m. EDT / Midnight GMT)
Reading: Johanna Wittenberg
Room 428, –
The Norse Queen. Johanna Wittenberg reads from the story of a real Norse queen who ruled alone during the early Viking age.
Johanna Wittenberg
Reading: Carol Berg
Room 429, –
A Summoning of Daemons. A disastrous earthquake has left Cantagna on edge and Romy with increasingly vivid and disturbing dreams. Meanwhile the Chimera crew is hired to forestall an arranged marriage with dangerous political overtones. But as they juggle a stubborn, brilliant bride and an oddly reclusive groom, they are plunged into an unraveling mystery of corruption, murder, myth, and magic, and a terrifying suspicion that ancient warnings about a monster under the earth might be true.
Carol Berg
6 p.m. PDT (9 p.m. EDT / 1 a.m. August 15 GMT)
Autographs
Garden Lounge (3F), –
The listed creators are available to sign autographs this hour.
Nathan Crowder, John G. Cramer, Jordan Kurella, Judy I. Lin, Kamilah Cole, Linda D. Addison, Matt Dinniman, Matt Ruff, Mena Nizam, Michael Haynes, Rich Horton
Knock on Wood
Terrace Suite (4F), –
45-minute one-person poetry show about the things that go bump in the night and the ways we have learned to defend ourselves against them. Brandon O’Brien tells two slowly intertwining stories—one of a set of seemingly ordinary tools used to keep the realm of the dark at bay, and another of an unassuming salaryman whose job is actually to protect innocent people from supernatural harm (or at least see that they get their insurance claims afterward).
Brandon O’Brien
The Unchanging Librarian: Space Moves; She Does Not
Room 320, –
In an infinite number of planets, and in a world where you could wear anything, why do all the librarians look alike? Why do they still wear their hair in a bun? We propose to analyze the text of all novels and novellas of the Hugo nominees and winners from 1939-2024, doing a textual analysis using R to find reference(s) to librarians, libraries, and other mentions of research to see how depictions of this important category changes (or not) over time and how our imaginings of this also evolve.
Danielle Kane, Mary-Michelle Moore
Where Does Cyberpunk Go From Here?
Room 321, –
Many cyberpunk futures are now in the rearview, and although the subgenre was prescient in some ways, it missed the mark in others. This panel will discuss emerging trends in cyberpunk, what cyberpunk is becoming, and how can cyberpunk fiction reflect and extrapolate upon the modern world.
Adrian M. Gibson (M), Abigail Nussbaum, Jason Pchajek, Sagan Yee, V.M. Ayala
Land of Robots and Golems: Czech Speculative Fiction
Room 322, –
The contemporary Czech SFF scene is as much a reflection of its past and the current global scene as it is a small but prolific melting pot of subgenres and literary approaches. How is it evolving, what has been published in English so far, and what is coming?
Julie Nováková (M), Jan Kotouč, Martin Vopenka, Vilma Kadlečková
Let’s Make a Movie: Props to You!
Room 327, –
Look, if we didn’t love genre stuff, we wouldn’t be here, and with genre filmmaking comes props and gizmos! Sonic Allen wrench? Electric poodle thrower? Anti-magnetic boots? Tiny houses made out of ham? Let’s talk about how to build good-lookin’ props fast and cheap so that you can get the shots you need to tell your story! (Note: You don’t have to attend all the parts to enjoy the workshop, but doing so gets you the best possible experience!)
Brian D. Oberquell (M), Edward Martin III
Speed Crafting
Room 328, –
Kind of like speed dating, but for your new hobby. Four instructors each give you a 30 minute taste of a new craft—just enough to decide if this is something you want to pursue in the future. Participants will rotate from instructor to instructor. Past examples include a specific embroidery stitch, leather stamping, finger braiding, and lace tatting. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Eleri Hamilton, Hannah Swedin, Seaboe Muffinchucker, Stephanie Wood Franklin
How to Age / Weather / Distress Almost Anything
Room 329, –
Learn how to make things look like they’ve really been used and aren’t straight off your 3D printer / sewing machine. Feel free to bring objects you want to age, and we’ll take a stab at it. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Scott MacHaffie (M), Janine Wardale
Writing for Games
Room 330, –
Writing for games sounds appealing—but how do you get started doing so? What do you need to know about how game systems work? What if you want to adapt your own work into a game? This session will leave participants ready to enter the world of game writing. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Monica Valentinelli (M)
SWFF E—An Evening of Otherworldly Horror
Room 331-332, –
A night of cosmic horror films. Feature Film: The Village of Six (La Villa Del Seis), directed by Gerard Bertomeu. Short Films: Firecrow, The Ghost That Wouldn’t Die, Unlit.
Armor for Artists (and Writers)
Room 334, –
Get your hand on (and head in) some armor. Recreated armor made for battle from groups such as The Society for Creative Anachronism will be available for hefting, handling, and trying on. When drawing or writing on the subject of armor, it is best to have a bone-deep understanding of how it actually moves, the weight of it, and how it fits.
D.L. Solum (M), Brian Grinnell, GregRobin Smith, Lincoln Peters, Reed Mingault
The Dark Horse Comics Manga Panel
Room 335-336, –
This is an opportunity to examine Japanese SF as represented through the creators whose manga, art books, and novels is published in translation by Dark Horse Comics. There are several Seiun or Nihon SF Taisho Award-winning titles and artists in the Dark Horse catalogue.
Carl Horn (M)
Checked Luggage: Traveling with Cosplay
Room 343-344, –
The con is a long train/plane/automobile ride away and your four days’s worth of costumes threaten to overflow your luggage. Come learn some techniques that make traveling while cosplaying a little bit easier and a little bit cheaper.
Meghan Lancaster (M), Kevin Roche, Leanna Cosplay, Miri Baker, Sandra Manning
Pop Culture Cookbook Phenomena
Room 345-346, –
Whether you want to make butterbeer or elf bread, there’s an entire genre of cookbooks designed for fans. Where’s the line between a tasty tie-in versus a cheesy cash grab? Panelists discuss this world of cooking and how it enhances fandoms and palates.
Kristina Palmer (M), Daytona Danielsen, Laura Antoniou, Lori Anderson, Tim Bennett, Janet Forbes | World Anvil
Wait, Sci Fi Has Singing?
Room 347-348, –
There’s an ongoing trend with science fiction shows suddenly breaking into a musical episode. From Doctor Who to Star Trek, what’s up with this musical trend?
Eric Distad (M), Crystal Lloyd, Sunnie Larsen
Afrofuturism and Beyond
Room 420-422, –
As Afrofuturism continues to rise, come explore literature from a variety of cultural backgrounds that seek to decolonize speculative fiction with amazing stories. Now that these genres are here and thriving, how do we protect them from corporate takeover and dilution?
Nisi Shawl (M), Ehigbor Okosun, LP Kindred, Somto Ihezue, Terese Mason Pierre
The Future of Sci Fi Is in Games
Room 423-424, –
First we had books. Then magazines with short stories. Then movies. Then TV shows. Video games are the newest medium hosting science fiction stories. Come find out what’s being done in games that couldn’t be done before, and what innovations are coming up soon.
Justin Bortnick (M), Brian Bucklew, Jason Grinblat, Remy Siu
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Alon Newton, Emily Smiley, Gregg Castro, Ken Scholes, Lazarus.Black
Reading: Cliff Winnig
Room 428, –
“Degenerates Against Memphis.” Near future dystopian story, found in the anthology Southern Truths (K. G. Anderson and Bob Brown, eds.; B Cubed Press, 2024).
Cliff Winnig
Reading: Paz Pardo
Room 429, –
The Shamshine Blind. In this scifi/alt-history/noir, a group of folks doing the good work (of tracking down caches of illicit feelings) capsize a conspiracy to turn the U.S. into a theocratic dictatorship.
Paz Pardo
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Brian Tillotson, Johanna Wittenberg, Van Hoang, Coral Alejandra Moore, Gideon Marcus
Commerce Versus Science in Space
Room 431-432, –
By August 2025, there may be over 13,000 satellites in orbit, and they are already interfering with optical astronomy, radio astronomy, and Earth observation. How bad is the problem, and what can we do to mitigate it?
Keith Gremban (M), Howard Davidson, J. L. Doty, James R. Wells
Worldbuilding Through Geography and Environments
Room 433-434, –
Geographic determinism provides a powerful element for worldbuilding, informing the audience of the wide-ranging world beyond. Join our authors as they explore the fundamental qualities and techniques that secure this soundly for the audience.
Morgan Smathers (M), Martha Wells, Marshall Ryan Maresca, Nicola Griffith, Paolo Bacigalupi
How Haunting: Local Ghost Stories and Places
Room 435-436, –
From Sedro Woolley Insane Asylum to Starvation Heights and the Seattle Underground, Washington state is rife with haunted locations, spooky stories, abandoned towns, and failed industry. But how much of Washington is actually haunted? Are cryptids real at all, and if so, how do we discern fact from fiction? Evidence from conjecture? What do you believe and why? Let’s discuss.
Rob McMonigal (M), Clay Vermulm, Kat Richardson, Z.D. Gladstone
Writing Without Heroes and Villains
Room 443-444, –
“Nobody is the villain in her own movie,” except some people are. But more often than not, they are somewhere nearer the middle of the scale, kind and decent sometimes, thoughtless or cruel in other circumstances. And, sometimes, even good people are left with nothing but bad choices. Can you write satisfying adventure stories without twirling mustaches and capes flapping in the breeze?
James Patrick Kelly (M), Erik Scott de Bie, Marie Brennan, P. H. Low, Victor Manibo
Dueling Artists and Scientists
Room 445-446, –
Charades meets science, but with better artists! We’re pitting pro artists against pro scientists, and who knows what’s going to come out from their pens next?
Jake McKinzie (M), Charlotte Lewis Brown, Frank Wu, Jeff Brown, Lizzy D. Hill, Mason A. Porter, Megan Lloyd
Rewriting the Stars Through Middle Eastern and Asian Futures
Room 447-448, –
From Iranian futurescapes to myth-infused narratives across the Arab World and neighboring regions with shared cultural heritage, science fiction in these areas draws deeply from local mythologies, symbolism, and literary traditions. This panel explores how contemporary authors are localizing speculative fiction through unique lenses shaped by their histories and socio-political realities. What does it mean to imagine the future through the epics of the past? And how are these stories reshaping global SF?
Yasser Bahjatt (M), Jean Lamb, Silvia Park, Zoha Kazemi
Friends of Bill W.
Sheraton: Kirkland, –
Alexander James Adams in Concert
Signature Room (5F), –
“Through dangers untold, and hardships un-numbered,” Alec has fought his way here to the Emerald City to bring back the Magic that the mundane world is trying to take. For his songs are strong as their doom calling, and his faith in humanity is greater. Come and get your own power back.
Alexander James Adams
We Are All Warmongers; We Are All Pacifists
Room 320, –
Violence in fiction does not lead to violent behavior. However, myths about violence have led to harmful policy decisions. Belief in such myths also supports colonial and anti-democratic movements and erodes the most effective strategies to counter them. A number of tropes or themes can be used to evaluate or critique literature and media with regard to how well they represent both violence and nonviolence. This session will provide examples and techniques from science fiction and fantasy literature that writers can use to represent violence and nonviolence in a way that supports pragmatic pacifism.
RM Ambrose
Reading: H.E. Milla
Room 428, –
“Whom the Gods Wish to Destroy.” A twelve-year-old viola prodigy lives under the care of the kind demon, who silently guides her as she becomes untethered from her home dimension and finds herself frequently transported to new ones.
H.E. Milla
Reading: Patrick S. Tomlinson
Room 429, –
A Christmas Carnage. In 1863, a grown Tiny Tim goes on a bloody rampage through the London Underworld on the hunt for Ebenezer Scrooge’s killer, with the help of Ebenezer Scrooge’s ghost.
Patrick S. Tomlinson
7 p.m. PDT (10 p.m. EDT / 2 a.m. August 15 GMT)
Maghrib Sundown Call to Prayer
Interfaith Lounge (Room 337), –
Shelf Life: A Middle Grade/YA Retrospective
Room 320, –
What happens to a beloved book after the hype fades? In this panel, authors, educators, and readers take a look back at bestselling and award-winning MG and YA speculative fiction to ask, “Do these stories still resonate with today’s readers?” We’ll revisit the books that defined a generation—both the timeless and the time-bound—and explore how past favorites shaped today’s authors when they were young.
Michael Stearns/Carter Roy (M), Beth Mitcham, Cassidy Ellis Salter, L.J. Melvin
Coping with Energy Overload: Centering, Grounding, and Shielding
Room 322, –
At a con it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the high energy levels and multitude of activities. Besides the common advice of 7-2-1 (make sure you get at least seven hours of sleep, two full meals, and one shower each day), we will learn basic psychic energy protection techniques of grounding, centering, and shielding. Suitable for adults and mature teens aged 12+ with parental permission.
Seanara Coyote (M)
Other Folk—Other Filk
Room 334, –
Experience filking from around the world. What do people in Ireland, Singapore, China, etc., sing about when they filk, and what are some of the popular filk songs from other countries? How do you find good music from elsewhere?
Callie Hills (M), Jean Lamb, Marc Grossman
Space: The Final Fashion House
Room 335-336, –
What can we learn about other worlds from their sartorial choices? Delve into a wardrobe fit for the stars with Madame Askew and the Grand Arbiter as they sift through a profusion of jumpsuits, the splendors of spandex, and the luster of lamé. Do these garments promise a future filled with equity and pockets for all? Or do they reinforce the sartorial hegemony of discomfort and discrimination?
The Grand Arbiter (M), Madame Askew
So, How Often Do You Think About the Galactic Empire?
Room 343-344, –
Based on the TikTok trend “So how often do you think about the Roman Empire?” this will be a discussion of our favorite comparative empires in science fiction and fantasy. This presentation will cover classic sci-fi empires from Asimov’s Foundation to Star Wars. How have empires been glorified in fiction to support ideologies in real life?
Gina Saucier (M), Alex Kingsley, Frank Wu, Marshall J. Moore, Nick Fraser
Are Podcasts the New Fanzines?
Room 345-346, –
Back in the day, many fans would “pub their ish,” producing fanzines and APA zines to share with friends and readers they’d never even met. Now, there seems to be more energy put into podcast production. Fan editors and podcast producers talk about what’s the same about their productions and what’s different.
Sam Stark (M), Kat Kourbeti, Luke Elliott, Michael Ireland, Scott Edelman
What Is the OTW/AO3?
Room 347-348, –
In 2007, Astolat blogged that fanfic writers need an archive of their own, not beholden to corporate interests and censorship. Eighteen years after the Organization for Transformative Works (OTW) started it, the Archive of Our Own (AO3) is going strong, with a Hugo Award in 2019, and now over 4 million users and 14 million works. Come find out how it happened, how it works, how you can find what you want to read—and, if you’re interested, how to get involved.
Anne Stewart (M), Erica L Frank, Hilary Hertzoff, Rachael Sabotini (rache)
Comic Book Rehab
Room 420-422, –
Some of our heroes were once villains. The Avengers were once just Captain America and three villains. The MCU version of the same team includes two other characters who started out as villains. Other teams have their group dynamics altered by having former villains added to their ranks. If you like having more gray area added to your four-color fun, this might be the panel for you!
R.W.W. Greene (M), Bob Taylor, Evan J. Peterson, J. Spyder Isaacson, Weyodi OldBear
How to Vet Fictional Society Rules
Room 423-424, –
You can’t break rules until you make them. All fictional societies need an internally logical legal foundation, and understanding it is a key component of writing compelling, credible science fiction. It is the developmental eitor’s job to make sure the rules make sense. Panelists will discuss how they vet social and legal structures for their clients’ novels and how breaking/bending these rules can create the story beats that keep readers turning pages.
Jennifer Brozek (M), Alma Alexander, James R. Wells, Joseph Brassey, Sarah Chorn
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Jonathan Brazee, Joshua Palmatier, Rosemary Claire Smith, Stephanie L. Weippert
Northwest Speculative Reading: Seattle Worldcon Grimoire Anthology
Room 429, –
Join the authors as they a read their stories from Grimoire: A Grim Oak Press Anthology. It’s an amazing opportunity to hear these stories as read by the brilliant minds behind their creation. A short Q&A and signing session will follow.
G.R. Theron, Fonda Lee, Jason Denzel, Laura Anne Gilman, Michelle Diaz, Patrick Swenson, Brenda Cooper, Andy Peloquin
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Julie Leong, Claire E. Jones, Dr. Heather O. Petrocelli, Guy Morpuss
Lucy’s Tour of the Trojan Asteroids
Room 431-432, –
The two swarms of frigid Trojan asteroids, circling the Sun at the same distance as Jupiter, have never been visited by spacecraft. NASA’s Lucy mission plans to change that. Launched in 2021, Lucy’s intricate trajectory will eventually fly by 11 asteroids, including eight Trojans of varying size and composition far beyond the main asteroid belt. Since their peculiar orbits suggest they evolved differently from other asteroids, the Trojans may be a new kind of witness to the history of our solar system. Along her way, Lucy’s two flybys of asteroid belt objects have already brought surprises—and if all goes well, the best is yet to come.
Bill Higgins (M)
Mind Control and Psychological Warfare
Room 435-436, –
Psychological operations (PSYOPS) have ancient roots in writers and thinkers such as Sun Tzu and Niccolo Machiavelli. We’ll investigate PSYOPS principles and how they might be applied to future human and alien cultures. We’ll discuss works such as Ender’s Game, Old Man’s War, and Light Brigade.
Eric G. Swedin (M), G. David Nordley, Jonathan 'JD' Davenport, Joseph Malik, Michael Ormes
Lifting All Boats—Building an Indie Community
Room 443-444, –
Rather than viewing each other as competition, the indie author community is organically banding together to support each other, improve the level of quality in their work, and raise awareness of indie authors and titles. In this panel, we will discuss strategies and tactics for building community and lifting all boats.
Palmer Pickering (M), A.J. Calvin, Cody Sisco, Deleyna Marr, Johanna Wittenberg
Poetry Deathmatch
Room 445-446, –
Join us for an entertaining and interactive panel on science fiction, fantasy, and horror poetry. Learn a little about speculative poetry, hear poets read some of their works, and then participate in a lyrical deathmatch. Bring writing materials (paper, tech, or however you write best) if you want to participate as a writer, or just bring enthusiasm to cheer for the poems you like the best. Help us decide which poet walks away with the tinfoil crown and bragging rights. In this death match, everyone survives!
Rebecca A. Demarest (M), EB Helveg, F. J. Bergmann, Geoffrey A. Landis, R. Thursday, Sumiko Saulson
The Energy of AI
Room 447-448, –
Among the issues with AI is that it consumes a huge amount of energy. Why? Does this vary with the kind of AI? Is this something that will get better, or is this baked into the tech? What does this mean for AI usage that is off the power grid, such as in a spaceship or aircraft?
Morgan Smathers (M), Peter Glaskowsky, Vanessa MacLaren-Wray, David Tucker
The Panalysts
Terrace Suite (4F), –
The Panalysts are here to solve the very real and not at all inconsequential problems of the world… by arguing about them on a British-style panel show. Two teams of three contestants solve some problems the host has come up with. All scoring is at the host’s discretion.
Kathleen De Vere (M), Amanda Cherry, Mollylele, Nikhil Prabala, Rebecca H. Lee, Richard Sparks, Sandra Rosner
Virtual Feedback 1
Virtual Room 1, –
Come tell us about your experience with the virtual side of Worldcon so far.
Jennifer Rhorer (M), Anna Bradley, Gail Terman
8 p.m. PDT (11 p.m. EDT / 3 a.m. August 15 GMT)
The Head!!! That Wouldn’t DIE!
Ballroom 2, –
It’s spring 1964 and they seem like the perfect couple. Bill, the handsome up-and-coming surgeon, and Jan, the beautiful RN that loves him. After Bill receives a message from the Summer House tragedy strikes, and poor Jan… learns the hard way Bill has been closeting secrets, and she’s not left with a leg to stand on. The HEAD!!! that wouldn’t DIE! is the lovechild of the classically bad movie The Brain That Wouldn’t Die!, the folks of the TAO Collective, and writer/director pug Bujeaud. HEAD!!! strips the original to its bones and re-dresses the story of Jan in the Pan and friends in unexpected ways. With 14 original songs embracing the kitschy and profane, all while examining and rejecting the privilege intrinsic to the original, HEAD!!! has morphed into a musical tribute not only to B movies, but to the weird and wonderful inherent in us all. Download the program one-sheet (675 KB .pdf).
Theater Artists Olympia
Reading: F. Brett Cox
Room 428, –
F. Brett Cox will read two short stories that recently appeared in The Sunday Morning Transport: “Sure Shot” is an alternate history featuring Annie Oakley; and “Wasn’t It the Truth I Told You” is an exploration of Irish folklore that is also the closest the author has ever come to writing a romantic comedy.
F. Brett Cox
Open Filk—Bardic Circle
Sheraton: Issaquah, –
Open filk in a bardic circle format of pick, pass, or play. Come and listen, bring an instrument, or raise your voice in song.
Blind Lemming Chiffon (M)
Timey-Wimey Masked Ball
Sheraton Ballroom A&B, –
Come join us for a timey-wimey voyage through the very best parties, and dancing, in fantasy and science fiction film, television, and literature! Fancy a dance from Bilbo’s birthday bash, a Targaryen dragon dance, a wedding dance from District 12, or Wonderland’s Lobster Quadrille? Or maybe something less structured—twist the night away like you’re at the Umbrella Academy, get those arms flying like Mon Mothma at a Chandrilan wedding, or polka solo like River from Firefly—we’ll sample it all! We might even drop in on Bridgerton! Creative costumes from anywhere in space and time and masks (the masquerade kind) are encouraged, but if you don’t have fancy dress, come as you are, as long as you can dance in it! No partner needed and no experience required. All structured dances will be taught on the spot by our professional dance caller, Susan de Guardiola. Note: some of the dances for the timey-wimey balls will also be taught in the earlier sessions “Learn the Rogue Tango” and “Learn Bridgerton Dancing”, which those looking for extra practice may wish to attend.
Susan de Guardiola (M)
9 p.m. PDT (Midnight EDT / 4 a.m. August 15 GMT)
Geeky Comedy Seattle presents: Gaggle of Geeks!
Sheraton: Ravenna, –
Buckle in for a night of sharp, silly, and speculative comedy in a showcase featuring Seattle’s nerdiest comics and funniest nerds. Gaggle of Geeks celebrates voices often left out of both geekdom and comedy, with jokes aimed at the past, future, and all timelines in between. These comedians will bring the deep cuts and deep thoughts that remind us: the future is funniest when everyone’s included.
Featuring: Valerie Benti, Theresa Flores, Stevie Rae, Cassidy McDonnell, Kyle Bob, and Javann Jones.
Valerie Bentivegna (M)
Looking Back at Chinese SFF In 2024
Virtual Room 1, –
Chinese SFF has been considered as an upcoming force in global fandom for years, and it has received many historical retrospectives, from its roots in the Late Qing Dynasty to post-Three Body era. Few things have been said about its current situation and development. This year, we have invited active Chinese fans with different interests to discuss Chinese SFF in the last year, hoping to give a brief glimpse into the field’s latest trends, fashions and concerns.
Arthur Liu (M), SF Lightyear, Feng Zhang, Shi Yuang
10 p.m. PDT (1 a.m. August 15 EDT / 5 a.m. August 15 GMT)
Reading: Ng Yi-Sheng
Virtual Room 1, –
Utama is a historical fantasy novel set in 13th century Southeast Asia, based on indigenous archives and living folklore. It centers on the rise of the legendary first king of medieval Singapore, Sang Nila Utama.
Ng Yi-Sheng (M)
11 p.m. PDT (2 a.m. August 15 EDT / 6 a.m. August 15 GMT)
Reading: Wayne Rée
Virtual Room 1, –
Wayne Rée will be reading the first chapter of Work-Life Balance: Malevolent Managers and Folkloric Freelancers, the award-winning prose/comics hybrid that he co-created with Benjamin Chee. Work-Life Balance is about a multinational corporation run by actual demons that have come to Singapore to put the local creatures and spirits out of business.
Wayne Rée (M)
Thursday Late Night Dance with DJ #CSharp
Sheraton Ballroom A & B, –
Stick around after the Timey-Wimey Masked Ball for DJ #CSharp, keeping the dance floor moving into the early morning hours!
DJ #CSharp
6 a.m. PDT (9 a.m. EDT / 1 p.m. GMT)
Food and Fantasy
Virtual Room 1, –
A look at how food shapes worldbuilding in fantasy, symbolizing culture, identity, and connection, while serving as a powerful narrative tool.
Oluwatomiwa Ajeigbe (M), Amadin Ogbewe, Fikkie Adeniyi, Uchechukwu Nwaka
7 a.m. PDT (10 a.m. EDT / 2 p.m. GMT)
What Does Everyone Get Wrong?
Virtual Room 2, –
The fruit of knowledge can be a curse when it comes to suspending belief and enjoying SFF. While it might be unrealistic to expect every writer to research everything about every aspect of science in their book, some mistakes are only annoying to experts in the field, while others are glaring to many. Our panelists describe mistakes they see frequently about their particular areas of expertise.
Vincent Docherty (M), Cristián Londoño-Proaño, Dr. Thomas G. Kucera, Valentin D. Ivanov
8 a.m. PDT (11 a.m. EDT / 3 p.m. GMT)
Reading: Farah Mendlesohn
Virtual Room 1, –
Farah reads from her new book, Considering The Female Man by Joanna Russ, or, As the Bear Swore (forthcoming 2026).
Farah Mendlesohn (M)
9 a.m. PDT (noon EDT / 4 p.m. GMT)
Depression’s Sci Fi: Igniting Today’s Epic Space Operas
Room 320, –
The Great Depression of the 1930s launched sci fi’s bold spirit in pulp magazines such as Amazing Stories and Astounding Science Fiction, weaving thrilling tales of adventure that echo in today’s Star Wars, Dune, and The Expanse. Though old-fashioned, these raw, imaginative stories of escape and wonder built the foundation for modern space opera’s heart-pounding drama. Uncover the vibrant heritage of a genre born in hardship, influencing the galactic epics that captivate fandom today.
Sara Light-Waller
Artificial Honesty
Room 321, –
It is bad enough that AIs scraping the internet will suck up errors and lies along with everything else, but there are also stories of AIs tasked with writing legal briefs or essays or debate positions that are just flat-out making things up. How can AI move forward when there is active reason to disbelieve anything it writes? What can be done technically? What can be done sociologically? And what regulation is needed?
Moriko Handford (M), Alex Hanna, Dr. Kaylea Champion, Emily M. Bender, Manjula Menon
Presentation A-Go-Go
Room 322, –
This is your moment: the grand entrance. Stage presence is everything when presenting a costume, and this panel has the tools and techniques to help you make a splash.
Bridget Landry (M), Leanna Cosplay, Pierre E. Pettinger, Jr., Sandy Pettinger, Torrey Stenmark
aUI: The Language of Space Workshop
Room 327, –
aUI, The Language of Space, perhaps an experimental language of the noosphere, will be introduced and described in the first part via PowerPoint presentation: its creator, background, incentive, purpose, and further, its unique characteristics that set it apart from other conlangs. In the second part, the basics of aUI will be taught. The audience will be challenged to memorize its 31 symbols, sounds, and meanings within the time it takes to briefly describe them, and then basic words and phrases will be introduced and practiced in an interactive session. Space is limited, advance sign-up required. Handout: aUI The Language of Space Workshop (3 MB .pdf).
Andi Weilgart (M), Will Morton
Skull Felties
Room 328, –
Get ready for Day of the Dead with skull felties to make into pins, jewelry, or decorations for your tree. Handout: Skull Felties Pattern (198 KB .pdf). Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Kathryn Brant (M)
Let’s Make a Movie: Plan It!
Room 329, –
You were there for the previous parts, right? Quick! Time travel (or step into the flow now, if you like)! In this part, we go over the plan, figure out the gear, work up a story, write the script, plan the shoot, and do pretty much anything else we can think of. That’s right, from soup to nuts, we’re going to make an entire movie here at the convention. This is your chance to be a part of this unique workshop and learn how to make a movie on a budget so tiny that calling it “tiny” makes people who are tiny feel insulted. The key to making a movie, of course, is good planning! (Note: You don’t have to attend all the parts to enjoy the workshop, but doing so gives you the best possible experience!)
Brian D. Oberquell (M), Edward Martin III, Eric Morgret, Ryan K. Johnson, Taunya Gren, dQ Kaufman
Getting Inside Your Character: Interiority (Double Slot)
Room 330, –
Characters are unique, and so are their stories. How do you get inside a character in order to convey their singular nature, and then how do you convey that to your reader? What details should you include—and leave out? This workshop will focus on increasing the depth of your fictional characters. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
SWFF F—A Morning of Fantasy Short Films
Room 331-332, –
Mythic quests and whimsical films. Feature Film: I Watched Her Grow, directed by Shea Formanes. Short Films: A Princess's Plea, Alejandro!, An Old Friend, Magenta, Mintrix and the Elven Figurine, Sticky Buns, Ravioli, and White Cake, The A to Z of Being an Excellent Kid, Wherever You Are, I Know You Are Dancing.
Law and Order in Near-Earth Space—Hopeless?
Room 335-336, –
Time is running out for ignoring this. Ready or not, soon there will be assets and people to protect in space, by and/or from governments, private enterprise, and… pirates? Unconventional ideas, please.
D. Wes Rist (M), G. David Nordley, James R. Wells, Judy R. Johnson, Lee Ricci
Early Fandom in the Northwest
Room 343-344, –
Active fandom sprouted in the damp, fertile soil of the Northwest in the early 1930s, with clubs and fanzines emerging that would have significant influence on science fiction for decades. Among the remarkable characters were Canadian Nils Frome, artist and fanzine publisher, and Charles Nutt of Seattle (later Charles Beaumont), who went on to have a prominent career as a writer and artist. We’ll tell the stories of these and other fans through the remarkable art and other material they developed in the 1930s and 1940s.
David Ritter (M), Daniel Ritter
Stories Beyond Three Acts: Narrative Structures in East Asian Speculative Fiction
Room 345-346, –
Not all stories follow the familiar Western three-act structure. In East Asian cultures, storytelling often unfolds through different rhythms—like the four-act kishōtenketsu structure found in literature, games, and films from China, Korea, and Japan. This panel explores how these narrative forms shape speculative fiction across the region, and how they invite us to imagine stories that don’t center on conflict, but on transformation, contrast, or surprise.
Henry Lien
The Spectrum of Climate Fiction
Room 347-348, –
As the undeniable effects of climate change become more and more a part of our daily lives, so too are they becoming more present in our speculative fiction. Join SFF authors for a discussion on the various approaches to imagining and navigating future worlds with hotter temperatures, water scarcity, rising sea levels, crop failures, and the movement of climate refugees. How do you balance research and narrative, science and opinion, and horror and hope?
Brenda Cooper (M), Dr. Jasmin Kirkbride, Dr. Rachael Kuintzle, Joey Eschrich, Veronica G. Henry
Plagues and Pestilences
Room 420-422, –
Explore the famous Black Death as well as lesser-known plagues, both ancient and modern. What were the short and long-term effects?
Allan Dyen-Shapiro, E. C. Ambrose, Janet Forbes, Lindsey Byrd, Robert L. Slater
Outlining to Sell
Room 423-424, –
Learn how to create a compelling outline to sell your idea to an intellectual property (IP) or media tie-in acquisition editor. Many tie-in authors have successfully sold novels from outlines… and been paid advances before typing a single line of prose. Learn how to do this from our experienced panelists. Tips from this panel can be used for selling your original completed novel or nonfiction book as well.
A. J. Hackwith (M), Gwendolyn N. Nix, Jennifer Brozek, Rebecca Roanhorse, Rosemary Jones
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Mallory Craig-Kuhn, J.R. Dawson, Nicholas Binge, Gibbitt Rhys-Jones, Richard Sparks, Kathleen De Vere
Reading: Janice L. Newman
Room 428, –
At First Contact. The first scene of the novella At First Contact, from the collection of the same name.
Janice L. Newman
Reading: Ehigbor Okosun
Room 429, –
Exiled by Iron. This will be a brief exploration of a high-octane scene in Forged by Blood’s sequel, Exiled by Iron.
Ehigbor Okosun
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Tia Tashiro, Brooks Peck, Dimitris Romeo Havlidis, Erik Scott de Bie, Jason Denzel
The Indie Comics Panel: The Big 25%
Room 431-432, –
The “Big Two” comic book publishers control 75% of the market and get plenty of attention. If you’re curious about who makes up the independent comics market and where you fit in as a fan, this might be the panel for you!
Rob McMonigal (M), Howard Tayler, Jim Zub, Kel McDonald, Neil Ottenstein
Branches from a Fantastical Tree
Room 433-434, –
Fantasy encompasses a wealth of different subgenres, each with unique styles and elements that make them appeal in similar but distinctly different ways. Join our panelists as they discuss the nuances of these sub-genres, what makes them unique from one another, and how the use of specific sub-genres enriches reader experiences.
Rhiannon/R. Z. Held (M), Josh Wilson, Julie Leong, Seanan McGuire, Van Hoang
Was the Book Better Though? Horror Novels That Made Great Movies
Room 435-436, –
We’ve all heard the old line: “The book was so much better!” And oftentimes this statement is true. However, there are many examples of excellent film adaptations, especially when you consider the different mediums by which the art is being consumed. On this panel we will discuss some of the horror genre’s best and most successful film adaptations from books, the different requirements between the film and literary mediums, the process of translating prose to screenplay, and the films that stand out as arguably better than their written counterparts. Bring your suggestions! We’d love to hear which movies you think might have transcended the books, or at least matched them in terror and quality of story.
Randee Dawn (M), James Bailey, Matthew S. Rotundo, Sam Stark
First Contact Military Protocols
Room 443-444, –
How do you determine the role of your military in first contact? What are the elements of your civilian and military structures that establish their boundaries and responsibilities? We’ll look at the evolution of first contact from the Golden Age of Science Fiction and speculate on its role in the future.
Blaze Ward (M), Michael Ormes, Russell Ervin, Victoria Whitlock
Breaking Boundaries: Feminist Revolutions in YA
Room 445-446, –
Delve into the empowering intersection of feminism and revolution within the realm of young adult speculative fiction. Panelists will explore how YA authors infuse their narratives with feminist themes, depicting characters who challenge societal norms, defy gender roles, and lead revolutions against oppressive systems. From dystopian worlds to magical realms, expect discussions on the representation of diverse female protagonists, the portrayal of feminist ideologies, and the impact of these narratives on readers’ perceptions of gender, power, and agency.
Emily Varga (M), L.J. Melvin, Valerie Estelle Frankel, Wren Handman
Getting Started with Indie Publishing
Room 447-448, –
There are a variety of paths available to indie authors. How do you choose which one will work best for you and your book? In this session, we’ll navigate the options for getting your books in the world—including various websites and tools—as well as the marketing strategies and promotional platforms available to indie authors.
Claire E. Jones (M), Andy Peloquin, Bryce O’Connor, Gregory Amato, Tod McCoy
Metaphorosis Authors Meetup
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
Have you published with Metaphorosis (magazine or anthologies)? Here’s a chance to meet your fellow authors and editor in person to talk about writing, editing, submitting, and SFF in general. With vegan donuts!
B. Morris Allen (M)
Get to Know the Endeavour Award
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
Since 1999, the Endeavour Award has recognized the best fantasy and science fiction novel or short story collection written by an author while living in the Pacific Northwest. It is a juried award that is free to enter and comes with a $1,000 prize, presented at OryCon in Portland, Oregon. This panel will explore the history and presentation of the award, with past winners and finalists. There will also be readings from finalists for the 2024 award.
Jim Kling (M), David D. Levine, Brenda Cooper, Kat Richardson, Laura Anne Gilman, Ken Scholes
Music in Nigerian Speculative Fiction
Virtual Room 1, –
How does music influence narratives in Nigerian speculative fiction? Our panel delves into everything from rhythm-infused storytelling to the interplay of sound and culture in worldbuilding.
"Solomon Uhiara (M), Hannu Afere
Diasporic Caribbean Science Fiction
Virtual Room 2, –
Diaspora is a story that is foundational to the Caribbean experience. Shaped by contact and collision, violence and exchange, migration and colonization, the archipelagos of the region are ever-evolving meshworks of languages, faiths, music, traditions, and their diverse continents of origin. For writers living in the diaspora, tenuously moored to the memory of their ancestors and the islands they called home, what is the shape of the future? This panel brings together writers from the Caribbean diaspora (Anglophone, Hispanophone, Francophone) who draw on their roots (or move beyond them) to imagine the future in their own language and aesthetics. From shape-shifters to cyborg griots, flying islands to sapient storms, these Caribbean-inspired visions of tomorrow carry traces of the islands that made them. Panelists reflect on how the diasporic Caribbean experience influences their storytelling, and worldbuilding for stories set in the “future.”
E.G. Condé (M), Alex V Cruz, Fabrice Guerrier, Malka Older, Suzan Palumbo, Tonya Liburd, Tonya R. Moore
How Washington UFOs Spawned the Men in Black
Room 320, –
On August 1, 1947, the crash of a B-25 bomber in Washington state triggered an FBI investigation of the Maury Island incident—an infamous Northwest UFO sighting and history’s first alleged encounter with the so-called “men in black.” The FBI’s records, sealed for decades, reveal Cold War fears, jurisdictional disputes, false confessions, and the hands-on involvement of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. Relying on the FBI records, Edmiston exposes a Washington story that shapes our current UFO narratives, from 1950s pulp magazines to the ubiquitous X-Files and Men in Black film franchises.
Steve Edmiston
Reading: Clay Vermulm
Room 428, –
Crevasse. Five hundred feet above safety and one thousand feet below it, can two young climbers manage to survive long enough for help to arrive, or will they become yet more mysterious disappearances on the high mountain peaks?
Clay Vermulm
Reading: Joshua Palmatier
Room 429, –
Crystal Lattice. The most powerful magician in the world… can’t do magic. Devon Alamort has failed his mathematics challenge for the School of Science at the Lyceum twice already. He now has one last chance to pass so that he can escape his life of crime as a gang member in the lower levels of the Crystal City of Iandolo, a life his mentor saved him from after a job for his gang leader went sour and landed him in prison. Except he’s fresh out of new ideas. In desperation, he turns to his newest—and possibly only—friend…
Joshua Palmatier
10 a.m. PDT (1 p.m. EDT / 5 p.m. GMT)
Pre-Masquerade Meeting
Ballroom 3, –
Mandatory information meeting for all Masquerade participants.
D&D 5e: Salvage Operation - Friday
Discord, –
Aubreck Drallion used to be one of the wealthiest merchants in [your favorite D&D coastal city], until he lost most of his fortune in an ill-fated venture. Now his lost ship, The Emperor of the Waves, has been sighted again. He's hired all of you to search the derelict hulk and retrieve his strongbox from the hold. D&D 5e. Oneshot. Roll your own level 4 character or use a pre-generated character. Beginners welcome. Space is limited, advance signup required. Takes place virtually—you will need your own computer. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Stacey Terman
The Outspoken and the Incendiary: Interviews with Radical Speculative Fiction Writers
Ballroom 2, –
Join contributors Nisi Shawl, Eileen Gunn, Nancy Kress, and James Patrick Kelly in a celebration of Terry Bisson’s Outspoken Authors interviews. Years of Q and A are collected into this single volume, giving us the skinny on surprise influences, radlib dreams, genre in-jokes, and speculative fiction’s foundational mysteries
Nisi Shawl (M), Eileen Gunn, James Patrick Kelly
Discussion Group: Pacific Islander Creators for Pacific Islander Creators
BIPOC Lounge (Room 339), –
A panel and discussion group for Pacific Islander creators to address challenges faced specifically by Pacific Islander creators of all types.
Shay Kauwe (M)
Robin Hobb Signing at the Book Bin
Dealers' Room/The Book Bin, –
Robin Hobb is signing books this hour at The Book Bin in the dealers' room.
Renaissance/Fancy/Exotic Hair Braids
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Maybe you’ve had your hair braided, or even FRENCH braided, but how about a crown braid? Or a rope braid, or something even more unusual? Come learn how to braid hair! All you need are your hands and your head.
John Wardale (M)
Autographs
Garden Lounge (3F), –
The listed creators are available to sign autographs this hour.
Johanna Wittenberg, Alex Hanna, Andy Peloquin, CJ Rivera, Carol Berg, Cat Rambo, Christine Merrill, Doug Van Belle, Guy Morpuss, K. Tempest Bradford, Silvia Park
Tai Chi
Garden Terrace, –
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art. In these modern times, Tai Chi can help you to navigate the stress in life and become a healthier you. We will practice some Yang Tai Chi moves. All levels and all styles are welcome. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
Richard Man
Majestic Adventures Boffer Arena
Majestic Lounge (5F), –
Be the Hero of an epic Adventure! Majestic Adventures is a live action role-playing company that leads summer camps and after school programs for kids aged six through 17 and birthdays and special events for all ages. Join with friends to fight against fearsome foes, solve challenging puzzles, and complete formidable challenges while you play as personalized heroes. Raise your sword and start your mythic journey!
The Evolution of Comics
Room 320, –
Early Western comics such as Little Nemo featured meticulously rendered graphics and lots of narration and wordy dialog. Modern comics such as xkcd can get away with stick figures and minimal to no dialog. How and why did comics evolve like this? Are readers less literate now than 120 years ago, or is something else going on?
Dave Hook (M), Glen Engel-Cox, J. Spyder Isaacson, Mena Nizam, Sumiko Saulson
The World of Spec Fiction Podcasts
Room 321, –
This panel explores the dynamic landscape of creating and sustaining speculative fiction podcasts. From crafting captivating narratives to engaging with listeners, panelists will share insights, strategies, and challenges in producing content that transports audiences to fantastical realms. Topics will include storytelling techniques tailored for audio, building and nurturing a dedicated fanbase, collaborating with authors and voice actors, and navigating the evolving podcasting industry.
Alex Kingsley (M), Michael Ireland, Natania Barron, Scott Edelman, Stefan Rudnicki
Submission Advice for Poetry: What Editors Are Looking For
Room 322, –
Get the inside scoop from poetry editors of the best journals in SFF. Learn what they look for when selecting for publication. Hear about the trends that appear in the inbox (for good or ill). Glimpse a hint of what makes one poem stand out from a crowd. Bring questions!
Wendy N. Wagner (M), Betsy Aoki, Emily Hockaday, Holly Lyn Walrath, Terese Mason Pierre
Judging at a Masquerade
Room 334, –
It’s all about the look at a masquerade! The costume look, that is. Experienced judges will walk you through what they look for in presentation and workmanship as well as considerations like class, age, and more.
Kevin Roche (M), Bridget Landry, Miri Baker
Depicting Diversity in Visual Art
Room 335-336, –
Diversity improves art. Representation matters. How can artists, particularly artists working in imaginative and fantastic imagery, improve the diversity in the people and other beings that they’re depicting? Aside from incorporating ethnographic features, and not just changing skin tone, that is. What are the “do’s and don’ts”?
Christine Sandquist, Weyodi OldBear, Dale Ray Deforest
Human Parasitology Versus Mutualism
Room 343-344, –
About three pounds of you is not you—and it's not all bacteria. No matter how hard you scrub, it won't came off, and you don't necessarily want it to. Let's talk about your biome and why you need it, as well as what happens when it goes bad.
Breeann Kyte Kirby (M), Carl Fink, Dr. Ricky, Kathryn Michels, Ph.D., Sam Scheiner
Young Wizards Before Hogwarts: The World of Diana Wynne Jones
Room 345-346, –
Before J.K. Rowling was writing about Harry Potter, Diana Wynne Jones created Christopher Chant, boy magician. Jones was an award-winning fantasy writer by turns serious and funny and always solidly British in her characters and style. There’s been some push in academia to study her writing, and this panel examines the importance of her work.
Vanessa MacLaren-Wray (M), Kathryn Sullivan, Langley Hyde, Morgan Smathers, Rebecca Fraimow
Gamifying Your IP
Room 347-348, –
You’ve published a book, a series, a saga… and now you’d like other people to be able to play in your world. What does it take to translate a book to a tabletop role-playing game or video game?
Monica Valentinelli (M), Alexis Kaegi, Fonda Lee, Gregory A. Wilson, T. Alexander Stangroom
The Sounds of the Sound
Room 420-422, –
The Pacific Northwest has been influencing the music scene since before the establishment of Seattle in 1851. Over the years, many stars got their start here, be it for pre-colonial Indigenous traditions, jazz, symphony, rock, grunge, electronica, hip hop, or beyond. Come explore the history and future of the area’s audio landscape.
Jon Lasser (M), F. Brett Cox, Robert L. Slater, Susan Weiner
Queering History
Room 423-424, –
In historical fiction or fantasy, writing queerness can present significant challenges. Primary sources can be scarce, and a realistic setting may appear to necessitate that queer characters must suffer. Conversely, queernormativity presents its own problems: Retooling a setting to accommodate queer inclusivity can leave it feeling contradictory or shallow. How do we create grounded, realistic spaces for queer joy and transformation in these settings?
Ben Pladek (M), Elijah Kinch Spector, Erin Hardee/MK Hardy, Morag (MK Hardy), Ursula Whitcher
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Alma Alexander, Deleyna Marr, J.S. Fields, Michael Cassutt, Sandra Tayler, Catherine Asaro
Reading: Berlynn Wohl
Room 428, –
Secret Menu. In “Secret Menu,” a mild-mannered alien becomes intrigued when he learns about the dangerous and romantically insatiable humans descending on his hometown. (This reading will be rated PG-13.)
Berlynn Wohl
Reading: Elizabeth (Libby) Schultz
Room 429, –
Win Condition. Arrow, a rogue hacker living on the edge, and Sage, an exiled heir to a crypto empire, enter a gladiatorial gaming tournament that promises untold wealth, but is rigged so that the victors must join the ruling class, or die. With the help of an assassin, a sentient AI, and a war hero that sacrifices the dead to save the living, they seek a new way to play war.
Elizabeth (Libby) Schultz
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Brandon O’Brien, Cassie Alexander, Catherine Lundoff, Daphne Singingtree, F. J. Bergmann, Melinda M. Snodgrass
The Rest of the World in Space
Room 431-432, –
Dan Dubrick’s solo review of the last 12 months of non-US space missions has long been a standing-room-only favorite at Norwescon. Come see the Worldcon version!
Dan Dubrick (M)
Workshops: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Room 433-434, –
Do workshops really improve writing, teach writing-related skills, or lead to publication? If so, how? What benefit does a workshop have over a convention panel or a critique group? What are their drawbacks? Who benefits most from workshops?
Amy Wolf (M), Dale Ivan Smith, F.E. Choe, Mur Lafferty, Rosemary Claire Smith
The Future of Education Technology
Room 435-436, –
Adaptive online learning, AI-assisted classrooms, virtual reality schools… things that used to be just science fiction are now science fact. How is education changing, and what does it mean for students?
Dr. Corey Frazier (M), Frank Catalano, Lia Holland, Mason A. Porter, Elizabeth Cobbe
Getting into Game Writing
Room 443-444, –
What does it take to write for games? How does TTRPG writing differ from video game writing, and how do these differ from “traditional writing?” Panelists discuss some game writing principles, and the ways best practices from other writing can apply to this subgenre.
Meagan Maricle (M), Alex Shvartsman, Misha Grifka Wander, Whitney Beltrán
Dreaming in Many Tongues Through the Speculative Futures of South Asia
Room 445-446, –
From post-colonial dystopias to myth-tech hybrids and multiverse love stories, South Asian speculative fiction speaks in many tongues—Urdu, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, English, and beyond. This panel explores how authors from the region are blending ancestral narratives with high-concept futurism, navigating cultural multiplicity, politics, and cosmic imagination. What futures emerge when the Mahabharata meets AI or when the Partition haunts a generation ship?
M V Soumithri (M), Emily Varga, Manjula Menon, Shiv Ramdas, Shweta Adhyam
Big Brother Is Watching: Science Fiction and Surveillance
Room 447-448, –
From Captain Janeway endorsing illegal surveillance of her crew to Philip K. Dick's surveillance dystopia in A Scanner Darkly, the sci-fi genre has an ambiguous relationship with privacy. As real-world technology (and social media) bring a panopticon to the real world, how has science fiction grappled with surveillance?
Ray Nayler (M), David Brin, K.C. Aegis, Lauren C. Teffeau, P.L. Stuart
Learn Bridgerton Dancing
Sheraton Ballroom A&B, –
Dance like George and Charlotte or Simon and Daphne from the Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte alternate-history-Regency television shows! We'll dance these dances at the Bridgerton Timey-Wimey Ball (and might sneak one in at the Timey-Wimey Masked Ball as well). They will be taught each time, but in this class you can learn them slowly and thoroughly. No experience necessary, no partner needed; just wear something you can dance comfortably in.
Susan de Guardiola
Reading: A Y Chao
Virtual Room 1, –
A Y Chao reads from Shanghai Immortal, an adult fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology.
A Y Chao (M)
Workshops and Writing Programs
Virtual Room 2, –
Have you considered taking a workshop or joining a writing program, but don't know where to start, or what to expect? What are the pros and cons of different kinds of workshops, and how do you pick the one that's right for you?
Valerie Valdes (M), Ash Huang, Cat Girczyc, Yilin Wang
11 a.m. PDT (2 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. GMT)
John Picacio Art Show Hour
Art Show, –
John Picacio is available in the art show to preview The Invisible Parade, sign your books and cards, and talk to members about his art.
John Picacio
Reading: Courtney Floyd
Room 428, –
Higher Magic. Courtney Floyd will read an excerpt from her debut novel, Higher Magic, a whimsical dark academia fantasy debut in which first-generation graduate student Dorothe Bartleby has one last chance to pass the magic program’s qualifying exam. If she fails, she’ll be kicked out of the university, losing access to higher magic and her chance to prove classic literature contained spells that rebuilt the world. But when her own students begin to disappear, she must team up with an unfairly attractive classmate and her own sentient exam spell to bring them back.
Courtney Floyd
Reading: Evan J. Peterson
Room 429, –
Better Living Through Alchemy. Kelly Mun is a private detective—with an uncanny sense of smell. She runs Non-Linear Investigations with her cousin, Critter, using psychic and esoteric methods to try to earn a living. When a mysterious businesswoman hires them to find the source of a deadly new street drug called bardo, Kelly’s life gets even stranger than usual in this occult-noir Seattle. The monsters are incidental.
Evan J. Peterson
Reading: Anuoluwa Ngozi
Virtual Room 1, –
Anuoluwa Ngozi reads from “Children Killing Monsters of Nigeria,” an Excerpt from The Book of Uncanny West Africa detailing various Nigerian monsters, including the Gbomo-Gbomo who kidnap children with candy, the Ojuju (or “monster in the darkness”) that preys on fear, Mr. Cabin who challenges children in dreams with biscuits, and Ishawuru, a river monster that exchanges secrets for answers.
Ngozi Anuoluwa (M)
Noon PDT (3 p.m. EDT / 7 p.m. GMT)
Reading by Guest of Honor Martha Wells
Ballroom 2, –
Martha Wells reads from an upcoming work.
Martha Wells
Drag Queen Story Hour
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Explore a fantastical world of literacy, love, and community with the classy and sassy Brassy Aire at a special Worldcon-edition Drag Queen Story Hour! At this drag storytime, Brassy will combine books, songs, and dances in a safe, affirming space for all ages—including teens and adults!—to have fun and find a place to belong. With out-of-this-world stories and a whole lot of silliness, come hang out with Brassy and make your Worldcon experience a drag!
Brassy Aire (M)
Autographs
Garden Lounge (3F), –
The listed creators are available to sign autographs this hour.
Dale Ray Deforest, David Gerrold, Heather Rose Jones, Marshall Ryan Maresca, P. H. Low, Paz Pardo, Sarah Rees Brennan, Sharon Shinn, Weyodi OldBear, Yasser Bahjatt, Ai Jiang, Anthony W. Eichenlaub
Pivoting from Neil Gaiman: Teaching the Hugos Class
Room 320, –
The sexual assault allegations against Neil Gaiman forced many instructors to change their plans this year. I reinvented my annual class on Gaiman’s work to focus instead on other Hugo winners, including N.K. Jemison, Becky Chambers, and Naomi Kritzer. Students participated in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, took a field trip to a planetarium, and talked with an executive producer. This paper focuses on the pedagogical experiment, challenges, methods, and the final results (from the students’ as well as the instructor’s perspective), with the aim of helping other educators and fans interested in tackling these texts and topics.
Dr. Tara Prescott-Johnson
The Future of Justice and Policing
Room 321, –
The ways in which the state enforces laws have an enormous impact on how power is distributed in society and, consequently, on what sort of future we will all share. This panel will discuss the ways in which policing and the criminal justice system are depicted in science fiction, as well as alternative visions of reparative and restorative justice.
Diana M. Pho (M), Kevin Anderson, Lettie Prell, Ray Nayler
Lyrics is Just Poetry with a Backup Band
Room 322, –
Join our panelists as they explore how a poem can become a song. Original poems from several poets have been provided to some composers, to be set to music. Come hear what happens.
GregRobin Smith (M), Alison Belle Bews, Cecilia Eng, Ken Scholes, Mary Crowell, Stephanie L. Weippert
Leather Bracelets
Room 327, –
Create your very own Worldcon keepsake! Join the panel as it teaches you to stamp leather and leave with your own one-of-a-kind bracelet. Seattle store manager and local leather artist Kayce will take you step by step on this leather adventure. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Kayce (M), Elizabeth Sizer
Color It; Bead It; Hang it on a Wall! Part 1: An Introduction to Fabric Painting with Derwent Inktense Pencils
Room 329, –
In this two-part workshop, we will create an original design using Derwent Inktense pencils and embellish it with beaded embroidery. Part 1 - Inktense pencils are a magical medium that uses water or a water-based medium rather than heat to set. In this workshop we will learn how these pencils work by exploring different techniques and fabrics. An embroidered design will be provided for you to color or you can create your own design. Kit includes: three inktense pencils, paint brushes, aloe vera gel, water brushes and various fabric squares. $15 fee, paid to instructor. Handout: Photo of samples (3 MB .pdf). Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Theresa Halbert (M)
Writing SF Poetry
Room 330, –
Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Kate Ristau (M), Armin Tolentino
Special Presentation—Films of 1930s Seattle Filmmaker Richard Lyford
Room 331-332, –
Richard H. Lyford was a Seattle filmmaker who made nine films before he was 20 years old, worked for Disney, and went on to direct an Academy Award-winning documentary. In spite of all of this, very few know who he is or why he is important to filmmaking today. Ed Hartman will present his short documentary on Richard H Lyford, It Gets in Your Blood (2021), followed by three of Richard H. Lyford’s films from 1936-1937 in the science fiction and horror genres which Ed has restored: As the Earth Turns, The Scalpel, and Ritual of the Dead. Following the films will be a Q&A.
Making Space For Making
Room 334, –
From a corner in a one-bedroom apartment to a 1000+ square foot industrial workshop, our panelists will discuss how to safely set up a space for whatever you’re trying to make, whether it’s 2D art or 3D art.
Vandy H. Hall (M), Agathon McGeachy, Hannah Swedin, Lizzy D. Hill, Jeff Sturgeon
Saving Our History
Room 335-336, –
Rapidly developing digital technologies enable us to record human activities and measure the world around us at an unprecedented scale. This information has enormous value to future generations, but will digital data survive the test of time versus traditional analog information? This panel includes digital preservation specialists and digital storage experts who will discuss the advances and longevity of digital storage media, the dangers of technical obsolescence and data retention budgets preventing useful information from being available to future generations, and how we can successfully transport digital data through time.
Tom Coughlin (M), Gemma Mendonsa, Mariecris Gatlabayan, Riyan Mendonsa, Rebecca Fraimow
How Teens Can Survive the Zombie Apocalypse
Room 343-344, –
What are the survival skills and supplies you need to survive the zombie apocalypse? Grill the experts (not literally) about what they think are the critical must-haves.
Matt Youngmark (M), Mark London Williams
Science Fiction Out Loud
Room 345-346, –
Some people say listening to fiction via audio “isn’t really reading a book.” Yet audio—from mid-20th century radio to cassettes and CDs and today’s streaming digital—is how many of us consume science fiction. It started with War of the Worlds, Buck Rogers, Dimension X (with its theremin), and Exploring Tomorrow. Now it’s the Discworld and Game of Thrones series. How has audio advanced the genre, and what audio classics should we be listening to?
Rebecca H. Lee (M), James Patrick Kelly, RM Ambrose, Sam Stark, Stefan Rudnicki
Tiny and Mobile Conventions
Room 347-348, –
Some science fiction fandom events are not huge, city-filling conventions but, instead, tiny cons that have no more than a few dozen or maybe a few hundred people. What’s different when the convention is run by and for friends rather than strangers who share some interests? What’s the smallest functional size for a convention? What features does it need to have? Programming tracks? Dealer room? Does it need to be in a hotel space or can it be in someone’s house? Fandom has had a number of tiny, mobile themed conventions: SMOFcon for con runners, Corflu for fanzine fans, Costume-Con for costumers, and Illuxcon for artists and art buyers. Some of these cons are struggling these days. Why?
Jennifer Rhorer (M), Carolina Gomez Lagerlöf, Joshua Kronengold, Melissa Kocias, Lynn Gold
The Military-Industrial Complex
Room 420-422, –
The rise of the military-industrial complex was driven by increasingly complex technology and operational scale. The bigger the war, the more complex or technologically sophisticated the weapons, which require larger and more sophisticated support systems. We'll discuss the rise of empires, cost of support infrastructure, and the financial tradeoffs in conducting modern war. Handout: The Military-Industrial Complex (364 KB .pdf).
Blaze Ward (M), AK Llyr, Bob Hranek
You Need a Literary Executor
Room 423-424, –
In this day and age of copyright messes, AI theft of original works, and the long (or short) tail of a story in print, what happens to the rights and royalties of your work when you die? This panel discusses the importance of thinking long-term about your body of work, what will happen to it after you die, and how to make sure your wishes are respected through a literary executor.
Dr. Jasmin Kirkbride (M), Astrid Anderson Bear, Brenda W. Clough, Eileen Gunn, Will Frank
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Arley Sorg, Bryce O'Connor, Justin Bortnick, Nikki Rossignol McCoy, Nino Cipri, Sara Megibow
Reading: Tim Chawaga
Room 428, –
Salvagia. A debut sci-fi mystery reminiscent of Kim Stanley Robinson’s New York 2140 and inspired by John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee series. Triss Mackey is flying just under the radar, exploiting a government loophole that lets her live quietly aboard the Floating Ghost—her rented, sentient CabanaBoat. In exchange, she dives for recycling recovered from the flooded area of formerly-coastal Florida cities. If she happens to find some salvagia—nostalgic salvage, valued artifacts from the past—well, that’s just between her and the highest bidder. In pursuit of a big score, Triss stumbles upon the chained up, drowned corpse of Ortiz, and winds up with more than she bargained for.
Tim Chawaga
Reading: LP Kindred
Room 429, –
Ypipo. It took several generations to bring Earth back from the brink of climate cataclysm, and utopia remains a moving target. But when those who departed to find a new Earth return to a world they never dreamed of, they want more than they’re saying.
LP Kindred
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Ramiro Sanchiz, Alina Pete, Andrew Penn Romine, David Ian Salter, Joe (JCM) Berne, Megan Lloyd
Women of the Arthurian Legends
Room 431-432, –
Guinivere, Morgan Le Fay, and others: How have the Pre-Raphaelite artists shaped our images of the Arthurian women? What cultural and aesthetic agendas were these artists applying to their subjects, and how did that change them from the original text descriptions? Handout: Women of the Arthurian Legends (7 MB .pdf).
Brittany Torres (M), Brian Grinnell, Gina Saucier, Kim Iverson Headlee, Louise Marley/Louisa Morgan
A Strong Bridge: Fantasy Writing 202
Room 433-434, –
Building upon strong starts, our panelists will focus on the middle of a fantasy story, dissecting the ways one can strengthen and effectively build through the core of the narrative.
G.R. Theron (M), Daryl Gregory, Jason Denzel, Leah Cutter, Randy Henderson
Isolation Horror: When You Are on the Food Chain
Room 435-436, –
In this panel we explore the inherent horror in setting off into nature, putting oneself into isolated circumstances, and weighing the potential price of adventure against our own acceptable levels of risk. What makes the allure of the outdoors, the adventure, and the silence away from society so alluring that we are willing to put ourselves back into the food chain? What other considerations must creatives analyze when writing isolation/adventure horror? What other facets of terror and fear can we mine as creators when exploring this sub-genre?
Clay Vermulm (M), Eugenia Triantafyllou, Leigh Harlen, Maquel A. Jacob, Wendy N. Wagner
Narrative TTRPG Play Session and Discussion
Room 443-444, –
Tabletop Role Playing Games are great ways to stretch your storytelling muscles and explore and develop new worlds. Of course, TTRPGs are full of choices and player agency, so it's only fitting that a panel about them also has choices! Would you prefer a discussion from our panel of expert game managers about how they use TTRPGs in their writing, or would you prefer a workshop format where we use a simple TTRPG to demonstrate how we use games to develop story and worldbuilding details? Like all great GMs, we came prepared to do both!
W. Jade Young (M), Kathleen De Vere, Meagan Maricle, Nikhil Prabala, Sandra Rosner
Delectable Words Poetry Reading
Room 445-446, –
Cyborgs, resistance, and fairytales. No horizon line. Cats, computing, and poverty. Breaking points and demons. Come join six visionary poets offering an hourlong feast of science fiction and fantasy: Betsy Aoki, [sarah] Cavar, Marie Vibbert, Marisca Pichette, Mary Turzillo, and Richard Chwedyk.
Betsy Aoki (M), Marie Vibbert, Marisca Pichette, Mary Turzillo, Richard Chwedyk, [sarah] Cavar
Biotech… and By That, You Mean What?
Room 447-448, –
Our parents hatched sea monkeys at home; our grandchildren might be gene-sequencing and cloning dodos in the kitchen. As biological science advances, things that were the stuff of science fiction less than 40 years ago can be done now… even at home.
Kathryn Michels, Ph.D. (M), Diana Fedorak, Dr. Rachael Kuintzle, Michael Nayak, Nancy Kress
Couple Dancing 102: Nightclub Two-Step
Sheraton Ballroom A&B, –
Go beyond that weird swaying-in-place-to-slow-music thing from junior prom and learn a simple couple dance designed for gentle-tempo pieces from artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. This is a great introduction to couple dancing for people who have been shy about trying it. No experience necessary, no partner needed; just wear something you can dance comfortably in.
Susan de Guardiola (M)
Concert Star Cluster: Callie Hills/Andrew Ross/Possible Side Effects, Rebecca Newman, and Ken Scholes
Signature Room (5F), –
Callie Hills is a flautist and soprano based in the Seattle area; she was half of the duo “Echo's Children.” Andrew Ross is an engaging singer/songwriter from Eugene, Oregon, who has won a Pegasus Award for best writer/composer. Possible Side Effects is the duo of Callie and Andrew together, in which they perform eclectic covers and parodies. (–)
Rebecca Newman is a Southern Californian flautist with a lovely soprano voice who is now based in the Pacific Northwest. (–)
Ken Scholes is an award-winning, critically-acclaimed author and performing musician who coaches people and organizations in the rural Pacific Northwest on accessing their inherent creativity, resilience, insight, and capacity. (–)
Callie Hills, Andrew Ross, Ken Scholes, Rebecca Newman
Discussion Group: Neurodiverse Creators for Neurodiverse Creators
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
A panel and discussion group for neurodiverse creators to address challenges faced specifically by neurodiverse creators of all types.
Liz Coleman (M)
Cheap Access to Space: Living the Dream
Terrace Suite (4F), –
After centuries of fiction and decades of false starts, we may soon see launch costs drop below $1,000 per kilogram… and possibly well under $100. What would you launch into space if you could launch a million tons a year? Bring your best ideas. We’ll take notes.
Peter Glaskowsky (M), Dan Dubrick, Gideon Marcus, Manjula Menon, Mark Olson
The Language of the Fantastic
Virtual Room 1, –
Fantasy is more than tropes; it's the conjuration of language through the sound of words, the musicality of landscape, and the poetry on the page. Our panel will discuss how word and language choices shape their writing and reading.
Farah Mendlesohn (M), Damilola Oyedotun, Suzan Palumbo, Yilin Wang
Death, Autonomy, and Consent in Post-Singularity Virtuality
Room 320, –
What happens to death after mind uploading? This paper explores how post-singularity fiction by Greg Egan, Ken Liu, Charles Stross, and others interrogates death, consent, and identity in virtual realities. Drawing on transhumanist thinkers like Bostrom, More, and Vinge, this panel examines ethical tensions around digital immortality, unauthorized uploading, and the right to die in VR. These narratives reveal that while death may be deferred, questions of autonomy and agency remain deeply unresolved in a world where existence can be copied and paused.
Zoha Kazemi
Reading: Chi-ming Yang
Room 428, –
Octavia E. Butler: H is for Horse. Author Chi-ming Yang will read excerpts from her new book, Octavia E. Butler: H is for Horse, an homage to the childhood genius of Black science fiction writer Octavia E. Butler. Bringing to view a selection of Butler’s unpublished writings and drawings, this book traces her fascination with human-alien symbiosis to her early empathy with horses and other marginalized creatures. The figure of the horse, at once earthly and transcendent, represents the contradictions of freedom and captivity that enabled young Octavia to develop her nuanced sense of voice and place. In the spirit of Butler’s passion for library research in Pasadena and L.A., this book is comprised of 26 short A-Z chapters, on vocabulary, images, and themes central to her authorial formation. It is part childhood biography, art and literary analysis, and memoir. It interweaves the author’s personal recollections with scholarly musings on poetry, film, and literature inspired by Butler’s encyclopedic reading habits and experiments with genre.
Chi-ming Yang
Reading: Luis Carlos Barragán Castro
Room 429, –
“Cephalomorphs.” A short story about an encounter with telepathic psychotherapeutical mushrooms that invade someone’s shower, and acquire human faces like buds. It’s biopunk, and cosmic horror. With a happy ending.
Luis Carlos Barragán Castro
1 p.m. PDT (4 p.m. EDT / 8 p.m. GMT)
Jackbox Games - Friday
Discord, –
Jackbox games are online party games for participants (and possibly an audience). To play, all you'll need is a web browser. Drop in and drop out any time. Meet in the Discord.
Virtual Gaming
Why Fantasy?
Ballroom 2, –
Join our authors as they discuss why they personally chose to write fantasy, what they hope their work conveys to audiences, and what they hope audiences experience from their works.
G.R. Theron (M), Fonda Lee, Larry Niven, Peter Orullian, Robin Hobb, Stephen R. Donaldson, Terry Brooks
Discussion Group: Black Creators for Black Creators
BIPOC Lounge (Room 339), –
A panel and discussion group for Black creators to address challenges faced specifically by Black creators of all types.
Gloria Jackson-Nefertiti (M)
Stitch-n-Bitch in the Crafting Lounge
Crafting Lounge, –
Join your fellow crafters for an hour of needles and thread—from sewing to embroidery, all needle crafts are welcome. Show off what you’re working on, or learn something from your fellow crafters. There are free embroidery and cross-stitch patterns available on the Seattle website, but the sky’s the limit! Bring your needles and your creativity.
Debbie Callaway
Caitlin Starling Signing at the Book Bin
Dealers' Room/The Book Bin, –
Caitlin Starling is signing books this hour at The Book Bin in the dealers' room.
Discussion Group: Creators With Disabilities for Creators With Disabilities
Disability Lounge (Room 341), –
A panel and discussion group for creators with disabilities to address challenges faced specifically by creators of all types of disabilities.
Amanda Cherry (M)
Drag Queen Story Hour: Rainbow Reading
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Explore a fantastical world of literacy, love, and community with the classy and sassy Brassy Aire at a special Worldcon-edition Rainbow Reading! At this drag storytime, Brassy will combine books, songs, and dances in a safe, affirming space for all ages—including teens and adults!—to have fun and find a place to belong. With out-of-this-world stories and a whole lot of silliness, come hang out with Brassy and make your Worldcon experience a drag!
Brassy Aire (M)
Autographs
Garden Lounge (3F), –
The listed creators are available to sign autographs this hour.
Evan J. Peterson, Gabrielle de Cuir, Izzy Wasserstein, Jeremy Szal, Julie Nováková, Mark London Williams, Michael Cassutt, Nicholas Binge, Shana Targosz, Stoney Compton, Victor Manibo, Michael Nayak
The Rise of the Middle Grade/YA Graphic Novel
Room 321, –
In recent years, manga and graphic novels have surged in popularity among middle grade and young adult readers, captivating audiences with their dynamic storytelling and visual appeal. This panel brings together authors and educators to explore the factors driving this boom, examine current trends shaping the genre, and discuss how these illustrated narratives differ from traditional prose.
Maeve MacLysaght (M), Bob Taylor, Kristina Palmer, Marta Murvosh
Science Fiction Beyond the Grave
Room 322, –
From Philip Jose Farmer’s Riverworld to TV’s Upload, science fiction has often speculated about the afterlife. Is this always fantastical? Does it tread on religious beliefs? This panel will discuss the intersection of science fiction and what Shakespeare described as the “undiscovered country.”
Marie Guthrie, Ph.D. (M), Amy Sundberg, Emily C. Skaftun, Mary Turzillo, Michael Swanwick
Let’s Make a Movie: Words on Paper
Room 327, –
You were there for the previous parts, right? Even if you weren’t, you can jump in here if you like. In this part of the workshop, let’s talk about writing a script. It’s more than simply having the right software. Writing a script is constructing a visual story, with a balance of highs and lows, of setups and payoffs. Super low-budget tools such as index cards can help organize a story and help you see just how to do the same thing for your own projects. How to make a character memorable within seconds? Let’s talk about that! How to establish environment, conflict, and the more esoteric elements of storytelling. (Note: You don’t have to attend all the parts to enjoy the workshop, but doing so gets you the best possible experience!)
Edward Martin III (M), Eric Morgret, Taunya Gren, dQ Kaufman
What a Disaster: Disaster Movies in Pop Culture
Room 334, –
Twisters, meteors, tsnuamis, oh my! Disasters, natural or otherwise, are hot at the box office. Let’s discuss why we love them, why our human psyche gravitates towards disaster scenarios, and how climate change and politics are influencing this genre.
Crystal Lloyd (M), Doug Van Belle, Jenna Hanchey, Melissa Quinn, Raven Oak
The B-List: Celebrating Lesser-Known Supers
Room 335-336, –
Anyone can love Batman or Spider-Man. It’s time to celebrate your love of characters such as Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, The Question, and so many other characters who may not be household names but who hold solid places in our nerdy hearts just the same!
John Tilden (M), Sara K Ellis, Susana Polo, Nathaniel Williams
Honey, I’m Homo! Queer-Coding in TV History
Room 343-344, –
From Deep Space Nine’s Garak and Bashir to Korra and Asami in Legend of Korra, TV history is full of queer-coded characters and off-screen romances. Come hear panelists talk about their favorites, and ones they wish TV executives had the nerve to show on screen.
Matt Baume (M), Ash Charlton, Laura Antoniou, Terilee Edwards-Hewitt, Valerie Estelle Frankel
The Psychology of Dueling
Room 345-346, –
Fighting as a spectator sport dates back to at least 700 B.C.E. and has been popular somewhere in Europe ever since. In some places and eras, it was the only way to enforce consequences on criminals or other miscreants and hooligans. Today, many one-on-one sports could be considered dueling, from MMA to pool, bowling, and NHRA drag racing, just to name a few. Elite competitors have things in common; they compete as much with their mind as with weapons, fists, or bodies. How can thoughts change an outcome for the winner? These and other questions will be explored.
D.L. Solum (M), Agathon McGeachy, Andreas Quinn, Elsa Sjunneson, Lincoln Peters
Learning From Mistakes at Worldcons
Room 347-348, –
Everyone makes mistakes in running conventions. And these can become really huge issues for a Worldcon. Sometimes those on the inside have a very different view of what the mistake was than the view of those on the outside. How can we find what we need to learn from our mistakes? Are mistakes always a bad thing? What are the unintended positive results of some of our mistakes? How do we learn to build new features to make mistakes easier to recover from?
Will Frank (M), Kent Bloom, Mark Olson, Sam Scheiner
Frankenpatterning
Room 423-424, –
Much like Frankenstein’s Monster, piecing together parts of different patterns can yield some unique but much less scary looks.
Wolfcat (M), CJ Hosack, Hilary Hertzoff, Leanna Cosplay
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
David Snyder, P.E., Eva L. Elasigue, Jason Pchajek, Lia Holland, Marshall J. Moore
Reading: Ada Palmer
Room 428, –
Hearthfire Saga Book 1: Tree of Lies. Forthcoming from Tor Books, the first of a new duology treating Norse mythology, focused on the relationship between Odin and Loki, and between the gods of Asgard and humanity, as if real history is real history.
Ada Palmer
Reading: Diana Ma
Room 429, –
Force of Chaos: A Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Novel (Book 1). From the world of Hasbro’s Power Rangers entertainment franchise comes an action-packed, original YA novel from the point of view of Trini Kwan, the Yellow Ranger. Trini’s world turns upside down when the homecoming game is attacked by an otherworldly winged beast with an army of clay soldiers. Unable to sit by while innocent people get hurt, Trini springs into action—alongside science genius Billy, her childhood best friend Zack, popular jock Jason, and new girl Kimberly.
Diana Ma
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Martin Klima, Cecilia Tan, Rebecca Matte, Robert L. Slater, Sara Light-Waller, Timothy W. Long
Linking Personal Projects and Commercial Commissions
Room 431-432, –
Tapping into personal projects to fuel visual solutions to commercial commissions holds numerous benefits—from sustaining a high degree of motivational interest in the assignment, to fulfilling career milestones, developing new client bases, providing fresh and unexpected solutions, and lastly broadening artistic aesthetics to avoid professional burnout. Join Donato in a visual presentation and discussion on these topics of career management, spanning his life as an artist.
Donato Giancola (M)
Ties That Bind, Break, and Heal—SFF Families
Room 433-434, –
We’ve all read plenty of stories with young (often orphaned) heroes and heroines who come of age as they grow through their adventures, trials, and tribulations. But what about families that journey together on roads like this? What about stories told from the parent’s or sibling’s perspective? How are stories enriched or conflict increased by the presence of family?
Sonia Orin Lyris (M), C.N. Kuster, Elise Stephens, Yume Kitasei, Zack Argyle
Best of the Bad
Room 435-436, –
Panelist will present and argue about the greatest villains, anti-heroes, and evil characters ever presented in horror film and literature. But more importantly, what makes those characters so damn watchable/readable? Why can we not tear our eyes from the screen or page whenever they are around? What is it about a well-constructed villain that captures the hearts and imaginations of us as viewers, even when their actions and motivations might be deplorable? Let’s explore that together.
Sadie Hartmann (M), CJ Rivera, Eugenia Triantafyllou, Leigh Harlen, Lisa Padol, Sho Glick
Cover Art for Self-Publishing
Room 443-444, –
You’re an author—cover art was supposed to be someone else’s problem. But if you’re going to self-publish, that ball is squarely in your court. What’s good, what’s bad, and what’s cheap enough that you can afford it? Should you lean into genre clichés or try to be innovative? How can you find a cover artist and work with them to bring your vision to life? Handout: Cover Art for Self-Publishing (113 KB .pdf).
L.J. Melvin (M), Jeff Brown, Laura Anne Gilman, Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff, Tod McCoy
Voices from the Global South and the Futures They Imagine
Room 445-446, –
What does it mean to write speculative fiction from the Global South—not just as a place but also from a perspective shaped by unique histories, languages, and relationships to power? This panel brings together authors who imagine futures from regions often underrepresented in global conversations. From ecological collapse to ancestral memory, from joy to resistance, what visions of tomorrow rise from the South—and how do they resonate across the world?
M V Soumithri (M), Leonardo Espinoza Benavides, Mallory Craig-Kuhn, Paz Pardo, Tashan Mehta
NASA’s Unsung Heroes
Room 447-448, –
Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, the NASA mathematicians whose stories were dramatized in the 2016 film Hidden Figures, weren’t the only women and people of color who delivered distinguished service during NASA’s early decades. Come learn about the Mercury 13, Margaret Hamilton, Major Robert H. Lawrence Jr., and others who crossed the gender and color lines.
Mary Robinette Kowal (M), Dr. Corey Frazier, Gideon Marcus, Nicole Glover, Peter Glaskowsky
Weave on a Cardboard Loom (Teen Edition)
Teen Lounge (Room 442), –
Weave a small bag/coin purse on a cardboard loom. The session organizers will provide pre-warped cardboard weaving looms, yarn, a plastic fork for beating the weft into place, and weaving needles. Participants will keep what they use during the workshop—if you don’t finish during the workshop, you can take extra yarn to finish with.
A Genre in Conversation With Itself
Terrace Suite (4F), –
There’s a joke about how every science fiction author writes either a Heinlein tribute novel, a story responding to The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas, or a critique of Cold Equations. What makes science fiction so rife with response fiction? What sort of story inspires the need for authors to respond? What are some of our favorite examples of this trend?
Olav Rokne (M), John Scalzi, Becky Chambers, George R.R. Martin, Isabel J. Kim, Neil Clarke
2 p.m. PDT (5 p.m. EDT / 9 p.m. GMT)
Historical Research for Non-Historians
Room 320, –
Interested in writing historical fiction (speculative or otherwise), but don’t know where to start? This presentation will offer advice on conducting historical research for non-historians, explaining different types of sources available at in-person locations and online.
Dawn Vogel
Reading: Alexander James Adams
Room 420–422, –
Alexander reads the Prologue from his first fantasy book, Santa Unleashed.
Alexander James Adams
Reading: Bethany Jacobs
Room 428, –
These Burning Stars. A dangerous cat-and-mouse quest for revenge. An empire that spans star systems, built on the bones of a genocide. A carefully hidden secret that could collapse worlds, hunted by three women with secrets of their own. All collide in this twisty, explosive space opera debut, perfect for readers of Arkady Martine and Kameron Hurley.
Bethany Jacobs
Reading: Mari Ness
Room 429, –
“Ever Noir” and other works. Mari Ness reads “Ever Noir” and selected other works of poetry and fiction.
Mari Ness
3 p.m. PDT (6 p.m. EDT / 10 p.m. GMT)
SFF Addicts Podcast Live with George R.R. Martin, Brandon Sanderson, Robin Hobb, Rebecca Roanhorse, and Ryan Cahill
Ballroom 2, –
Join SFF Addicts co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson, M. J. Kuhn, and Greta Kelly for a special live podcast panel on “The Shifting Landscape of Epic Fantasy,” featuring guest authors George R.R. Martin, Brandon Sanderson, Robin Hobb, Rebecca Roanhorse, and Ryan Cahill. They will explore the ways in which epic fantasy has evolved into the 21st century, from its mainstream explosion through TV and film adaptations to the surge in new voices and perspectives across the literary world. Epic fantasy is selling huge numbers in both traditional and self-publishing markets, and once-marginalized authors are bringing fresh cultural and historical influences to the genre, opening the doors for new readers to fall in love with characters and worlds that speak to them. So, what do these shifts say about the epic fantasy landscape, from the past to the present and going forward? This discussion will be followed by a Q&A segment.
MJ Kuhn (M), Adrian M. Gibson, Brandon Sanderson, George R.R. Martin, Greta Kelly, Rebecca Roanhorse, Robin Hobb, Ryan Cahill
Discussion Group: Asian Creators for Asian Creators
BIPOC Lounge (Room 339), –
A panel and discussion group for Asian creators to address challenges faced specifically by Asian creators of all types.
Lark Morgan Lu (M)
Paolo Bacigalupi Signing at the Book Bin
Dealers' Room/The Book Bin, –
Paolo Bacigalupi is signing books this hour at The Book Bin in the dealers' room.
Starfinder Society Special #1-00: Collision's Wake - Friday
Discord, –
Emerging suddenly from deep space, a massive alien starship has crashed into the surface of the planet Akiton, in an isolated region known as the Sloughscar Hills. Believing the starship has a connection to the mysterious First Ones, an advanced civilization from antiquity that the Starfinder Society believes aims to invade the Pact Worlds, the Starfinders hire the nearest team of mercenaries to enter and explore the wreck—you! Overcome dangerous creatures, malfunctioning technology, volatile magic, and opportunistic salvagers in your quest to be the first to explore the Wreck of the Returned! Players use 3rd-level versions of the Starfinder iconic characters in this debut special adventure of Starfinder Society for Starfinder Second Edition! Beginners welcome. Space is limited, advance sign-up required. Takes place on the Discord—you will need your own computer.
Petrea Mitchell
Sci-Fi Storytime
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Journey with us across space and time through the greatest technological innovations: books!
Sam Stark
Autographs
Garden Lounge (3F), –
The listed creators are available to sign autographs this hour.
John Scalzi, Daphne Singingtree, Dawn Vogel, Diana Ma, Donato Giancola, Elsa Sjunneson, Emily Varga, Erik Scott de Bie, G. Willow Wilson, Gail Carriger, Gordon B. White, Howard Tayler, Jo Miles, Lazarus.Black, Jeff Sturgeon, Ray Nayler, Sheila Williams
Atheist Genre Fans Meetup
Interfaith Lounge (room 337), –
This meetup is for nonbelievers (atheist or what other term you use) gathering for discussion, social interaction, and relaxation. Handout: Atheist Genre Fans Meetup (45 KB .pdf).
Fred Moulton (M)
Speed Friending
Overlook Lounge (5F), –
Does the idea of meeting new people sound great in theory but hard to actually do without feeling super awkward? We understand! And while a bunch of us nerdy/geeky people are all together for a long weekend, where you know there are going to be people who are into the same things that you are, we’re going to help smooth the way. Speed friending is like speed dating, in that you have 5-minute conversations with somebody new, and there’s zero pressure for it to be anything more than that.
Tabby L Rose (M)
Teaching Tolkien at an Arts College
Room 320, –
The immense popularity of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works provides an opportunity to explore dialogues about the creative process in many directions—not just the usual readings-quizzes-final paper routine most students learn to loathe. Richard Chwedyk will relate and share what he does in his class not merely to outline an approach to teaching Tolkien, but to suggest how we can begin to teach literature in ways that welcome students into our world and learn extraordinary and relevant things about theirs.
Richard Chwedyk
Space Jam! Sports in Speculative Fiction
Room 321, –
The ways in which sports have been depicted in science fiction and fantasy say a lot about the fictional cultures of these narratives. Would Quidditch be an interesting sport to watch? What role does parrises squares play in the universe of Star Trek? Will the Houston Energy be able to defend their rollerball championship?
Seth Heasley (M), Elektra Hammond, Fonda Lee, Marie Vibbert, Tim Chawaga
Crossing the Streams—Combining 2D and 3D Art Techniques
Room 322, –
From weathered detail painted on miniatures, to sculptural frames for paintings that enhance or expand the story told by the painting, to painted or printed fabric that’s used to make clothing or costumes, there are many ways to cross over between 2D and 3D art. What are your go-to techniques? What are you curious about trying?
Scott Lefton (M), Joy Alyssa Day, Kendra Tornheim, Rob Carlos
Paper Circuits
Room 328, –
Crafting with LEDs, lithium-ion button cells, copper tape, and card stock. With a little bit of practice, you can make light-up cards. Be creative… use your imagination! Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
John Wardale (M)
Hair Falls
Room 329, –
Make hair falls to upgrade your costume. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Kathryn Brant (M), Sho Glick
Writing the Other
Room 330, –
Creating characters that reflect the diversity of the world we live in is important for all writers and creators of fictional narratives. But writers often find it difficult to represent people whose gender, sexual orientation, racial heritage, or other aspect of identity is very different from their own. This can lead to fear of getting it wrong—horribly, offensively wrong—and, in the face of that, some think it’s better not to try. But representation remains a vital part of the writer’s task. Come learn how to do it. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Nisi Shawl (M), K. Tempest Bradford
Best of Crypticon Seattle’s Film Festival: Block A
Room 331-332, –
Feedback Session #2
Room 334, –
Come share your feedback with us! Something going really well? We’d really like to hear about it. Something we can help make better? We’d really like to hear about it. Not sure why something is the way it is? We’d really like an opportunity to answer your question.
Kathy Bond (M)
More than Words: Music, Characters, and Community
Room 335-336, –
Whether we love music as listeners or make it as musicians, we’re all impacted by music. Although writing is a silent art form, the stories we read and tell are enriched, transformed, and deepened by a musical presence. How does it work? What kind of musical references work best in the written word? When do those references fall flat (pun intended!)? How can writers use music to show community, character growth, and world-building?
Heather Tracy (M), Cathy McManamon, Claire McCague, Elise Stephens, Peter Orullian
Dragons and Griffins and Bears, Oh My!
Room 343-344, –
Dragons, griffins, bears, and more. The Picts put these images on standing stones, on jewelry, and in caves in Scotland. Come find out more about the why and how of their art. Handout: Pictish Stones Presentation (7 MB .pdf).
Kim Iverson Headlee (M), Brian Grinnell, Johnathan 'JD' Davenport, Mena Nizam, Natania Barron
Generational Tension: Old Guard Versus Revolutionaries
Room 345-346, –
Revolutions in SFF writing come with conflict as the establishment looks down its nose at the ruffians overturning “settled” genre conventions and creating space for previously unwelcome stories—and authors. Has it always been thus? Do things look different to yesterday’s bomb-throwers a few decades after they’ve become the new “old guard”? Come hear writers and editors who straddle revolutionary time periods going back to the New Wave science fiction of the 1960s and ’70s talk about generational literary conflict.
Gary K. Wolfe (M), Ctein, F. Brett Cox, Michael Swanwick, Tim Bennett
Murder Mysteries of Great Britain
Room 347-348, –
While the quirky villages sure seem cute, the shockingly high murder rate may make us re-think relocating to Midsomer County. What is it about the weather, the water, or the culture that makes Great Britain such fertile ground for murder mysteries? Brought to you by Britcon.
Dawn Shaw (M), Emily Paxman, Gabrielle de Cuir, Guy Morpuss, Robin Jeffrey
Live Action Role-Playing Around the World
Room 420-422, –
Live action Role-playing (LARPing) takes the game off the tabletop and brings it to life through acting, costuming, and real-life characterization. Explore how this unique approach to gaming developed worldwide from the ongoing sagas of U.S. LARPs to the full-immersion weekends of European LARPs and beyond.
Eleri Hamilton (M), David D. Levine, Mikołaj Kowalewski, Terilee Edwards-Hewitt, Vivian Abraham
The Fantastic Four: The First Family of Comics
Room 423-424, –
The FF kicked off the Marvel Universe in comics and, for over 60 years, the “First Family of Marvel” has been thrilling fans with astonishing adventures and cosmic wonder. Come discuss their history and celebrate the longevity of what is arguably the world’s greatest comics magazine!
Ryan North, Dave Hook, Juan Sanmiguel, Ric Bretschneider, Terry Gant
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Riyan Mendonsa, EB Helveg, Ehigbor Okosun, Ken Bebelle, Linda D. Addison, Curtis C. Chen
Reading: Cat Rambo
Room 428, –
Sahalah. The beginning of this secondary world fantasy novel.
Cat Rambo
Reading: Yasser Bahjatt
Room 429, –
Yaqteenya: The Old World. An alternate history that imagines a world where the Andalusian culture survives the Spanish inquisition
Yasser Bahjatt
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
David Gerrold, Bridget Landry, Chris Kulp, Dawn R. Schuldenfrei, Helen Masvikeni, Marisca Pichette
Navigating AI as an Author or Editor
Room 431-432, –
From rights given away to words stolen, now that generative AI is out of the bag, how do we navigate this new landscape? How does the editor know if the work was AI-written? Are there any ethical ways of using AI as a writer? Our panelists discuss this provocative subject.
Jason Sanford (M), Cassie Alexander, Dr. Corey Frazier, Emily M. Bender, Neil Clarke
Poetry in World-building
Room 433-434, –
Poems sneak their way into many places. Creators draw from real life examples or make up entirely new proverbs, lines, and epics. Novels include poetry for world-building. Card games quote old rhymes to flavor the text. Sometimes a poet is featured as a character in a story. Video games, space missions, bus rides… If it’s part of human culture, you’ll find poetry in there somewhere! Panelists will share some of their favorite examples and discuss how to incorporate poetry-as-world-building into a work in progress.
Alison Clarke (M), Christopher Buehlman, Dana Bell, M.C. Childs, Ursula Whitcher
Trekking with the Stars
Room 435-436, –
Navigating between the stars is all well and good, but how about navigating on a planet using the stars? As it happens, we have a planet where that has been done, and it turns out to be more complicated than “second star from the right and straight on ’til morning.” Join our panelists as they plot the course of how the stars were used to, well, plot a course.
Mike Brennan (M), Ed Buchan, Jack Glassman, Joseph Malik, Steven Saltman
Arcane Principles: Philosophical Study of Magic
Room 443-444, –
Magic is the core of many fantasy worlds, but sometimes the internal workings of those systems are underexplored. Join our panelists as they dive into the metaphysical and ethical consequences of magical systems from the fantastical to the seemingly mundane.
Dean Wells (M), Holly Black, Naomi Kritzer, Salinee Goldenberg, Terry Brooks
Fanfic as Therapy
Room 445-446, –
Fanfic isn’t just writing practice or sharing ideas about what happens next when the series is over—it’s also used to explore personal emotions and reactions to trauma. Come discuss the therapeutic value of fanfic as both writers and readers in a moderated open discussion rather than a traditional panel.
Janna Silverstein (M), Rachael Sabotini (rache)
The Man Who Dreamed of Self-Driving Cars: Miles J. Breuer and Hugo Gernsback’s Amazing Stories
Room 447-448, –
A regular contributor to Astounding Stories, Amazing Stories, and other pulp magazines in the pre-WWII period, Miles J. Breuer had been a fascinating personality. Although born in Chicago, his Czech roots led him to publish bilingually while exploring the connections of technology and society—including early imaginations of autonomous cars.
Julie Nováková (M), Jan Kotouč, Jan Vaněk, Robert Silverberg
Jam in Key of R
Sheraton: Issaquah, –
A chaotic collaboration between instrumentalists and singers for an hour (or more) of musical merrymaking. Bring an instrument if you play one, contribute suggestions of songs for the circle to participate in, or just sit and listen. All ages.
Cecilia Eng (M)
Out of Time YA Series, Re-Launch
Sheraton: Ravenna, –
Despite a harsh 21st century, humanity avoided catastrophe and made the whole solar system a utopia! Only, alas, three centuries of peace made us soft, just when alien contact called for grit! So, who will teach 24th century folks how to face trouble and prevail? Teenage heroes summoned forward from the gritty past! Like a Viking girl, an explorer cabin boy, a nerd from 2025, and a 14-year-old Arthur Conan Doyle. Can their courage and innovation save the future? David Brin's series of original science fiction novels features young adventurers from across time facing interstellar perils, before returning home with fresh perspective. David and a panel of OOT authors—from the series origin to present day—describe how this brash new type of YA novel summoned them.
Nancy Kress (M), David Brin, R. James Doyle
Concert Star Cluster: One-Shots, Sunnie Larsen, Vixy & Tony, and Ménage à Trio
Signature Room (5F), –
One-Shots are where people who don't have a scheduled concert get to perform. You never know who or what you will see. Sometimes a professional musician discovers music fandom and wows everyone. Sometimes people who never get to perform together will do something. Other times someone who normally sits and listens decides to perform, amazing everyone. We put them here because One-Shots deserve maximum exposure. (–)
Sunnie Larsen's name fits her perfectly. This violinist, violist, vocalist, and all-around entertainer will leave you smiling and uplifted. (–)
Vixy & Tony is actually a quartet that includes Betsy Tinney (cellist) and Sunnie Larsen (fiddler). Their lighthearted folk/rock musical style combines with science fiction and fantasy lyrics to tell engaging and beautiful stories. Their energetic performances can be enjoyed by both sci-fi fans and mainstream music fans alike, earning them the best performer Pegasus Award in 2008. (–)
Ménage à Trio is a string improv trio featuring Betsy Tinney on cello, Sunnie Larsen on viola, and Alexander James Adams or Geli Wuerzner (or both) on violin/fiddle. Together they create musical magic right in front of your eyes! No pre-arranged or memorized melodies, keys, or tempos; instead, they improvise music inspired by prompts from their audience. (–)
Lynn Gold, Alexander James Adams, Betsy Tinney, Geli Wuerzner, Sunnie Larsen, Tony Fabris, Vixy
Middle Grade and YA Writers Meetup
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
Calling all middle grade and YA authors! Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, join us to connect with fellow authors, share experiences, and build lasting connections within the SFF community.
Michelle Knudsen (M)
Whose Science Is It Anyways?
Terrace Suite (4F), –
The game where the science doesn’t matter, the points aren’t real, and the theories are perfectly, absolutely hilarious… to the panel, at least
Jake McKinzie (M), Charlotte Lewis Brown, Dr. Ricky, Frank Wu, H.E. Milla, M.T. Zimny, Susan Weiner
Reading: Tina Connolly
Room 428, –
Likely something funny, TBD. I’ll either read something recently published (possibly involving schnauzers) or from a WIP (possibly involving marshmallows.) Either way there might be a ukulele.
Tina Connolly
Reading: Zoha Kazemi
Room 430, –
Zoha Kazemi is an Iranian science fiction author. She will be reading an excerpt from her short story “Birds of the RoboCity,” set in a future dystopian Tehran where the oppressive Robot Party has gained power. In this tightly controlled, AI-run society, human art and creativity is forbidden. The story follows a group of teenage artists who risk everything to resist and reach beyond the city’s sealed borders. It will appear in the upcoming open-access anthology CoFutures.
Zoha Kazemi
4 p.m. PDT (7 p.m. EDT / 11 p.m. GMT)
Virtual Games - Goose Goose Duck
Discord, –
Goose Goose Duck is a social deduction game where geese complete tasks while ducks sabotage and try to eliminate them. Play as a goose to survive, or a duck to wreak havoc! We should have time for two or three games. Meet on the Discord.
Virtual Gaming
Dragon stomp!
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Let’s all get together to share some stories about our mythical dragon friends, play some dragon jams, and make some dragon eggs!
Karin Llyr (M)
Autographs
Garden Lounge (3F), –
The listed creators are available to sign autographs this hour.
Becky Chambers, Claire E. Jones, Ellen Datlow, Gideon Marcus, Gwendolyn N. Nix, Holly Black, Jack Skillingstead, Lauren C. Teffeau, Stephen R. Donaldson, Amy Wolf
Asr Afternoon Call to Prayer
Interfaith Lounge (Room 337), –
Latin American New Weird: Expressions and Explorations in la nueva ficción extraña
Room 320, –
We can begin to speak of a Latin American New Weird. In the last two to three years, this subgenre has rapidly come into vogue in literary marketing, thanks in part to the translation of works by established New Weird writers like M. John Harrison and China Mieville. Local production is not, however, a mere rehashing of the English-language model; Latin American writers create worlds governed by a mixed internal logic, drawing from the logos of science fiction or non-supernatural terror and the magic of fantasy or supernatural horror, creating unsettling outcomes and hybrid universes that resist purely rational interpretations.
Mallory Craig-Kuhn (M)
Magic, Machines, and Mental Health
Room 321, –
YA and middle grade novels are a way to address mental health issues with younger readers. We will explore how speculative YA/MG novels address mental health through fantastical or futuristic lenses and offer young readers tools for understanding and coping with their own challenges.
Victoria N. Shi (M), Amanda M. Helander, Jenna Lee-Yun, M.T. Zimny, Shana Targosz
Conlangs 101: How to Get Started Making Your Own Language
Room 322, –
Building language goes beyond just putting funny sounds together or making a word that looks cool. Learn what’s needed to make a basic constructed language and how to find the resources and tools to get started in language creation.
Leigh Harlen (M), Frauke Uhlenbruch, Heather Rose Jones, Joseph Malik, Ron Oakes
Terrible Craft Club
Room 327, –
Make something terrible! Choice of projects, like “participation trophy,”“ “ugly vase,” “box to put stuff in,” or “hideous accessory.” Mostly hot glue, plastic gems, beads, and pompoms.
Theresa Halbert (M)
Writing Mash-ups
Room 329, –
Mash-ups, where two genres meet each other and create a brand-new form, can be a lot of fun to write. How do you know what to pick to mash-up as well as what to do with it? Is any combination too outrageous or weird? What happens if you throw a third in the mix? This class will answer these questions and more. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Curtis C. Chen (M)
Ship It Safely
Room 334, –
You’ve completed your masterpiece or maybe just printed another copy of something that’s in demand, and now it’s time to ship it to the customer. What are the cost-effective strategies and techniques for making sure that it arrives undamaged? What are your shipping horror stories?
Vandy H. Hall (M), Ctein, Hannah Swedin, Lizzy D. Hill, Jeff Sturgeon
Lowering the Lake: Seattle’s Marine Engineering Marvel
Room 335-336, –
Around the turn of the century, an eight-mile canal was built, enabling tall ships of the age to travel between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington. This project involved cutting two deep trenches, dismantling and reassembling bridges, and engineering a set of locks to prevent the mixture of salt and fresh water and elevate vessels over 20 vertical feet. Let’s discuss how such a massive endeavor was undertaken and consider how it might have been done differently today.
Wm Salt Hale (M), Dave Hook, Larry Lewis, Mike Brennan, Morgan Smathers
Our Friend, the Satellite
Room 343-344, –
In the last 60 years, human civilization has increasingly come to rely on satellites, not just for communication but also for weather forecasting, navigation (GPS), scientific research, Earth observation, surveillance, even setting our clocks. A look at all that satellites do for us and the possible consequences if something were to eliminate this resource, be it war, calamity, or something else.
Stephen Granade (M), Diana Fedorak, G. David Nordley, Howard Davidson, Lee Ricci
Fantastical Paths Not Taken—Books That Could Have Spawned Subgenres
Room 345-346, –
The genealogy of the last 50 years of fantasy zigzags in a series of reactions and rebuttals: Tolkien imitations in the ’80s, followed by early 2000s novels shorn of heroism, followed by feminist and utopian rejections of grimdark. This panel focuses on lesser-known and underappreciated authors of the past 50 years whose fantasy work should have had a greater influence.
Laura Anne Gilman (M), Ash Charlton, Glen Engel-Cox, Jared Pechaček, Rebecca Fraimow
Films That Still Hold Up 50 Years Later
Room 347-348, –
Join us as we travel back five decades and more to remember cult classics like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the mindless violence of Death Race 2000, and the shivering satire of The Stepford Wives. What are your favorites or most forgettable films from 1975? Come and discuss with us! Handout: Films That Still Hold Up 50 Years Later (425 KB .pdf).
Randee Dawn (M), Adam-Troy Castro, Dr. Heather O. Petrocelli, Ian K. Hagemann, Janna Silverstein, Nick Fraser
Isms and Phobias in Gaming
Room 420-422, –
Gamer communities—both video games and TTRPGs and both players and publishers—have rampant problems with exclusionary practices and, often, active harassment against marginalized people. How can we build a more diverse, more welcoming gaming community?
Rebecca A. Demarest (M), Erik Scott de Bie, Raven Oak, Sandra Rosner, Stephanie Wood Franklin
Beyond Bridgerton: Reimagined Historical Costuming
Room 423-424, –
In film and television, historical fiction has, in some instances, used anachronistic costuming choices. We will look into when and where historically accurate costuming serves the narrative, and where using modern sensibilities elevates the art form. Rather than seeing anachronistic costuming as a failing of being “by the book” or historically accurate, we look to see how these costumes tell us a story of who these characters are and how they inform the audience.
Seaboe Muffinchucker (M), Arlin Robins, CJ Hosack, Natania Barron, Rowenna Miller
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Erin Cairns, Jeff Brown, Kestrel Michaud, Marshall Ryan Maresca, Rebecca H. Lee, Anthony W. Eichenlaub
Reading: Eileen Gunn
Room 428, –
Lighting Out. Eileen reads the first chapter of the novel she is working on.
Eileen Gunn
Reading: Sara K Ellis
Room 429, –
If the Stars are Lit. A sapphic Solaris survival story. Joss Carsten finds herself lost and adrift in deep space and is confronted by a holographic AI simulation scanned from her memories. The catch? Thanks to her lonely rumination, it just so happens to be a ringer for her estranged wife, Alice.
Sara K Ellis
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Diana Pharaoh Francis, Michelle Ruiz Keil, Ada Palmer, Jake Stein, Henry Lien, Sara Hashem
The Medieval Night Sky—The State of Astronomy in the Middle Ages
Room 431-432, –
Gazing at the stars is both profound and profoundly human. How have different cultures viewed what we call the Big Dipper and other familiar constellations? How did different Medieval cultures’ cosmology work? Handout: The Medieval Night Sky (208 KB .pdf).
E. C. Ambrose (M), Eric G. Swedin, Johanna Wittenberg, Mark Olson, Richard Chwedyk
AI Commanders?
Room 433-434, –
AI has created a tectonic shift in weapons, operations, and logistics. In fact, AI is laying down the foundations for replacing humans, including commanders and command staff. We’ll investigate and discuss how AI commanders are structured and how they operate in tactical, kinetic scenarios. Are we ready for autonomous AI commanders? Handout: AI Commanders (405 KB .pdf).
Bob Hranek (M), AK Llyr, Lincoln Peters
Hive Minds in Science and Science Fiction
Room 435-436, –
Hive minds are a popular trope in science fiction and horror. How might this work? What do we see that is close to a hive mind in reality and what would need to be different to have a true hive mind?
Steven Popkes (M), Daryl Gregory, Marie Vibbert, Michael Nayak, August Clarke
When Everything Has Rights
Room 443-444, –
There are movements afoot to give rights to ecosystems, non-human species, and even AIs. How will expanded rights impact our future?
Mary G. Thompson (M), Alex Kingsley, Annalee Newitz, Avani Vaghela, Clara Ward
What *Is* Fanfiction, Anyway?
Room 445-446, –
What is fanfic, and why is it important to science fiction fandom? Panelists will discuss the history of fanfiction and its connections to SFF fandom, what makes it different from authorized spinoffs, and how the fanfic community perceives itself.
Rachael Sabotini (rache) (M), Aaron Feldman, Anne Stewart, Dana Bell, Linda Deneroff
Hooking Readers With a Series
Room 447-448, –
Readers love to get immersed in a rich world and engrossing story—it’s no wonder there are so many well-loved series in sci fi and fantasy! Our panelists will discuss the strategies, considerations, and pitfalls of writing in series, from managing all those characters to keeping your plots engaging.
Maquel A. Jacob (M), Dan Moren, Michael Michel, Richard Flores IV, Timothy W. Long
Poetry Mad Libs for Teens
Teen Lounge (Room 442), –
Noun? Verb? Adjective? Bring them all with you for Poetry MadLibs! We will write works worthy of wonder, and we won’t worry about alliteration. What is that, anyway? Bring your pen and crack open the rhyming dictionary with us!
Kate Ristau (M)
Solidarity Meet-Up
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
Are you a rank-and-file member of a union? Let’s meet up and talk about how “hot labor summer” has been treating you. Have some good recommendations for labor-oriented speculative fiction? Let’s hear them. And who knows, we may also break out into a rousing rendition of “Solidarity Forever” if we can remember all the words.
Kathy Bond (M)
Ink to Film Podcast: Martha Wells on Murderbot Season 1
Terrace Suite (4F), –
Author Martha Wells joins the Ink to Film podcast to reflect on having her work adapted by Apple TV. From Murderbot’s origins to seeing Alexander Skarsgård portray it on the silver screen, come get the inside scoop on the adaptation journey.
Luke Elliott (M), James Bailey, Martha Wells
Writing for TV and Film: Turn your story into a script
Virtual Room 1, –
Cat Girczyc shares some general principles of analysis to use in retooling a story for the screen.
Cat Girczyc (M)
5 p.m. PDT (8 p.m. EDT / midnight GMT)
Dystopia Now: The Uses of Disenchantment
Room 320, –
What are dystopias good for? Do they offer consolation or justification to those who despair of positive change? Are they mere entertainments, taking pleasure in darkness in the same vein as horror? If you sense yourself living on the slippery slope to dystopia, what could you do about it?
Stephen W. Potts
Reading: Carrie Vaughn
Room 428, –
The Glass Slide World. 20 years after The Naturalist Society, Ava Stanley is all grown up and setting off on her first solo trip. She’s a budding doctor, bacteriologist, and arcane taxonomist, and she’s going to need all those skills to get through this adventure.
Carrie Vaughn
Reading: Caroline M. Yoachim
Room 429, –
"We Will Teach You How to Read | We Will Teach You How to Read." In writing this story, Caroline wanted to trick the reader's brain into doing something human brains do not generally do: read two streams of text at the same time. Want to learn a whole new way to read? "This is our story, simplified: Life. Loss. Transformation. Love. Death. Iteration…"
Caroline M. Yoachim
6 p.m. PDT (9 p.m. EDT / 1 a.m. August 16 GMT)
Autographs
Garden Lounge (3F), –
The listed creators are available to sign autographs this hour.
Bridget Landry, Amanda M. Helander, Andi Weilgart, Ben Thompson, George R.R. Martin, Jean Lamb, Nathaniel Williams, Nicole Glover, Michael Swanwick
SF/F Kabalat Shabat
Interfaith Lounge (Room 337), –
Jonah Baskin (M)
Alternate Histories of the Space Program
Room 320, –
More than 50 years after the race to the moon, how might space exploration have gone differently? Which contemporary writers are giving us more hopeful, or more distressing, versions of what might have been? Where might we be today? (The Sidewise Award for Alternate History will be presented at this panel.)
Olav Rokne (M), Dr. Laura Woodney, Elektra Hammond, Mary Robinette Kowal, Rosemary Claire Smith
Book Bans and Queer Erasure
Room 321, –
With book bans sweeping the nation, libraries are being more selective with which books they buy, especially for children and young adults. Join a panel of authors, librarians, and activists to discuss how this cycle breeds erasure of diverse voices in publishing.
Marta Murvosh (M), Christine Sandquist, Nino Cipri, Paul Michael Winters, Valerie Estelle Frankel
From Soloist to Ensemble
Room 322, –
Lone heroes have often been the center of speculative fiction, but more recent years have brought an increasing focus on the ensemble as hero—groups or found families working together for common purpose. What are the benefits of these ensemble heroes, and how can authors more effectively write them?
Gregory A. Wilson (M), Christine Taylor-Butler, Emily Paxman, Sara Hashem, Rhiannon/R.Z. Held
Let’s Make a Movie: Break It Down!
Room 327, –
It’s one thing to read a script and imagine epic space battles across 35 planets, seven historical periods, three different kinds of airships, and an underground lizard-man lair. It’s quite another to break that script down and figure out exactly what needs to happen to go from paper to “Okay, roll camera!” Our experts walk you through the process using examples from their own movies and maybe something we make up just for this event! (Note: You don’t have to attend all the parts to enjoy the workshop, but doing so gets you the best possible experience!)
Eric Morgret (M), Edward Martin III, Taunya Gren, dQ Kaufman
Science Fiction and Fantasy Gliders
Room 329, –
Agathon McGeachy will guide you through making a glider out of inexpensive craft materials that looks like a starship, dragon, or fairy. You’ll learn the best tools to use and how to balance a glider for flight. Children must bring an adult to share the fun with. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Agathon McGeachy (M)
Writing Humor
Room 330, –
Humor, whether subtle or broad, can be one of the hardest modes to write in. How do you manage to be genuinely funny while avoiding going over a reader’s head or accidentally treading on sore toes? In this workshop, you’ll learn some of the basics of writing funny fiction. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Alex Shvartsman (M)
Best of Crypticon Seattle Film Festival: Block B
Room 331-332, –
Welcome to Cahokia
Room 334, –
Indigenous speculative fiction is on the rise in America, from games like Coyote & Crow to works by authors like Rebecca Roanhorse. Join us as we discuss our favorite creators and how Indigenous speculative fiction is decolonizing fantasy, science fiction, and more.
Leon Perniciaro (M), Daphne Singingtree, Shay Kauwe, Talulah J. Sullivan
The Rainbow Connection: A Muppets Singalong
Room 335-336, –
The nostalgia! Join us for a Muppets singalong of all our favorites.
Selena A. Naumoff (M), Amanda Cherry, Callie Hills, John Hedtke, Mollylele
The Untapped Literary Possibility of Virtual Worlds
Room 343-344, –
People will often read a book and think, “Wouldn’t that make a great movie?” or “This would be a cool video game!” But what if we could tap into the idea of visiting virtual worlds without needing a screenwriter or gameplay? What would that look like, and how could it change how we approach books?
Eleri Hamilton (M), Justin Bortnick
SH@25 Live: Celebrate 25 Years of Strange Horizons
Room 345-346, –
Join the Strange Horizons team and their special guest for a live recording of an episode of the Strange Horizons @ 25 podcast. The team will discuss what has helped the magazine endure for so long, how their 25th year has been going, and even host a mini tea party at the end! Special guest Shiv Ramdas will join us to talk about his contributions to SH, and his career before and after.
Michael Ireland (M), Kat Kourbeti (M), Shiv Ramdas
In Memoriam
Room 347-348, –
A look back at writers and fans who have died over the last year.
Laurie Mann (M), Michael J. Walsh, Rev. Randy Smith
Quantum Computing
Room 420-422, –
We haven’t climbed the AI learning curve yet. But quantum computing is coming right along. How are quantum computing and AI complimentary, and how are they different? What will the compute landscape be in 2035? Who are the players, what is the game, and what’s the risk?
Kevin Roche (M), David Tucker, John G. Cramer, Stephen Granade, Todd Brun
Barter and Trade—An Economic Impact through the Years
Room 423-424, –
What importance has trade played throughout history? How did people interact and place value upon things? What triggered the creation of different trade routes, and how were things paid for?
Wm Salt Hale (M), Ada Palmer, Jennifer Rhorer, Gibbitt Rhys-Jones
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Dean Wells, Mary Turzillo, Mena Nizam, Isabel J. Kim
Reading: Sumiko Saulson
Room 428, –
Melancholia: A Book of Dark Poetry. Sumiko reads from her Bram-Stoker-nominated book of dark poetry. Dark rhymes and deep thoughts send you on a dive through the void as you read this intensely personal poetry collection. Melancholia will send you into worlds both beyond and within, opening your eyes to truths often left untold in this world and challenging you with the harsh realities and injustices of life, without abandoning the darkly comforting magic that can be found in the shadows.
Sumiko Saulson
Reading: Sarah Pinsker
Room 429, –
Two-time Hugo Award-winner and current best novelette finalist Sarah Pinsker reads from her recent work.
Sarah Pinsker
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Mary-Michelle Moore, Mari Ness, Robin Jeffrey, Sarah L. Stewart, Silvia Park
Life in a Universe Full of Planets
Room 431-432, –
In this live event kickoff for the podcast sponsored by Lowell Observatory and Victoria University of Wellington, scientists and science fiction authors debate and discuss how fiction and science help us understand the universe around us.
Doug Van Belle (M), David Brin, Gerard van Belle, James Davenport, Joan Slonczewski, Melinda Snodgrass
Why Do Writers Need Editors?
Room 433-434, –
What do editors do? How many kinds of editor are there, anyway? Who pays them, when and why? This panel discusses the differences between developmental editing, copy editing, and proofing and how each is used.
Dana Bell (M), Lezli Robyn, Louise Marley/Louisa Morgan, Meagan Maricle, Sarah Chorn
Worldbuilding Through Mythos, Magic, and Beliefs
Room 435-436, –
Beyond the foundations of the world, the unique expressions of arts, rituals, and magic set the stage of your fantasy story. Join our authors as they explore how to set these apart from one another and weave them together into your world-building.
Carol Berg, Holly Black, Lindsey Byrd, Zack Argyle
Interspecies Military Alliances and Conflicts
Room 443-444, –
Compelling storytelling demands we provide clear relationships and boundaries between species and how conflicts are handled. This includes articulating communication modes, such as telepathy, physical, and paranormal skills, e.g. telekinesis. We’ll discuss how they impact our interactions, who has done it well, and where some authors have fallen short.
Blaze Ward (M), Jonathan Brazee
Let’s Get Weirder Now—Dare to Join Us?
Room 445-446, –
A new wave of weird is emerging from the margins, one that doesn’t just borrow exclusively from Lovecraft or Western horror, but rather draws from ancestral nightmares, surreal landscapes, and uncanny traditions from around the world. In this panel, writers from the Global South and beyond explore the rise of a New-New Weird—a mode that rejects easy genre boundaries in favor of the ritual, the grotesque, the ecstatic, and the uncomfortably unknown. Get ready to get truly weird, or just weirder!
Leonardo Espinoza Benavides (M), Henry Lien, Mallory Craig-Kuhn, Michelle Ruiz Keil, Tashan Mehta
You Aren’t a Fun Guy… or Fungi for That Matter
Room 447-448, –
Blue cheese, mushrooms… You have no idea how far this odd kingdom of life extends and how it affects the world around us. What funguses are among us right now that make daily life worse—and better?
David Walton, Dawn R. Schuldenfrei, Dr. Jasmin Kirkbride, J.S. Fields, Natania Barron
Literary Open Mic Hosted by Brandon O’Brien
Sheraton: Issaquah, –
A wide and welcoming open mic. Readers and listeners of all varieties will enjoy the eclectic mix of work assembled for an experience that cannot be recreated. Share your poetry, fiction, and other literary words. Your work may be fresh, polished, published, unpublished, or arriving from any plane of existence. Come to perform, or just sit back and enjoy. All are welcome!
Brandon O’Brien (M)
Friends of Bill W.
Sheraton: Kirkland, –
AMA: We are the r/Fantasy Moderators - Ask Us Anything!
Sheraton Ravenna, –
Join the r/Fantasy moderator team for a Reddit-style AMA! Hello from your lovely mod team. You may remember us from such classics as: Stickied Post, Be Kind Reminder, and the ever-iconic Monthly Megathread. There will be snacks, zines, and book rec lists! Ask us about the subreddit, book bingo, our hottest takes on speculative fiction, knitting Shetland lace, our pets, Microsoft Excel, mountain climbing, and more! Or go beyond the surface level...we will even tackle deep philosophical questions like whether the opposite of fire is water or no fire and if popcorn is or is not crunchy.
Lauren Mulcahy (M), Megan Creemers (M), Ashley Rollins (M), Amanda E. (M), Lisa Richardson (M), Kristina (M), Alexandra Forrest (M), Christine Sandquist (M), Melissa S. (M)
Concert Star Cluster: The Faithful Sidekicks, Cathy McManamon, Jeff and Maya Bohnhoff, and Dr. Mary Crowell
Signature Room (5F), –
The Faithful Sidekicks are the award-winning acoustic geek comedy rock duo of Eric and Jen Distad. They are also members of the Filk Hall of Fame. (–)
Cathy McManamon is a singer/songwriter and multiple Pegasus Award-winner who plays a wide variety of instruments in multiple bands. She has recently relocated to the Pacific Northwest. (–)
Jeff and Maya Bohnhoff are a Silicon Valley-based duo whose music ranges from uproariously funny parodies to the hauntingly beautiful. One way or another, their music will create strong emotions. (–)
Dr. Mary Crowell is a singer/songwriter and piano teacher with a Ph.D. in music composition who loves mythology and playing Dungeons & Dragons. She has won multiple Pegasus Awards as a performer and songwriter and is a member of the Filk Hall of Fame. (–)
Cathy McManamon, Dr. Mary Crowell, Eric Distad, Jeff Bohnhoff, Jen Distad, Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff
The History of Hanford
Terrace Suite (4F), –
The Atomic Age started at Hanford (okay, a few other places may have had a part), with the first “real” nuclear reactors making plutonium, one atom at a time. Amazing science, incredible engineering, and breathtakingly bad managerial decisions. Join our panelists as we reminisce about the “rad ol’ days” along the Columbia River in Eastern Washington.
Mike Brennan (M), Jill Engel-Cox, Morgan Smathers, Z.D. Gladstone
Reading: Becky Chambers
Room 428, –
Come join Becky for a live reading from her brand-new work-in-progress.
Becky Chambers
Reading: Jordan Kurella
Room 429, –
The Death of Mountains. The Death of Mountains has come for a middling hill in the Appalachians that does not want to die. To stave off the inevitable, the mountain uses the oldest game she knows of: telling stories. The Death of Mountains is a novella from Lethe Press, published in March 2025.
Jordan Kurella
7 p.m. PDT (10 p.m. EDT / 2 a.m. August 16 GMT)
Friday Night Magic
Sheraton Kirkland, –
Edge of Eternities! Magic: The Gathering has gone to space with this beautiful set. Draft artifacts, robots, and spaceships and battle them against others in this unique magic set. 40 people max, sign-up in game library. $30 per person. Sign-up sheet will be at the Dragonflight daytime games library on the 5th floor at the Olympic View Lounge, or sign up at the door. Space is limited. Exact change or card is accepted at the door.
Maghrib Sundown Call to Prayer
Interfaith Lounge (Room 337), –
Why Does the Alt-Right Love Science Fiction?
Room 320, –
Over the past few decades, there have been attempts to co-opt science fiction in support of racist, sexist, and classist political movements. Even works such as Star Trek, Neuromancer, and The Disposessed have been claimed by alt-right leaders as foundational texts for their awful worldviews. Why does the alt-right love science fiction, and what problematic assumptions are coded into the genre that cause it to be open to these interpretations?
Rachel A. Rosen (M), Jordan S. Carroll, Joseph Malik, Naomi Kritzer, Sam Asher
Doctor Who in Seattle
Room 321, –
Doctor Who has a long history in Western Washington, stretching as far back as the 1980s. Our panel will look back on local fandom and fan groups and how the show has been presented on local television. Plus, tales from conventions and other events. Brought to you by BritCon.
Dawn Shaw (M), Eric Gjovaag, J. Spyder Isaacson, Ryan K. Johnson
Let’s Make a Movie: “What’s My Motivation?” and Working with Actors
Room 327, –
They are the heart and soul of your production and yet they also have feelings and desires and needs to make their own mark, too. In between tyranny and chaos lies the perfect balance of working well with your actors, and our panel will walk you through how they went from a character on paper to a terrifying screen presence. (Note: You don’t have to attend all the parts to enjoy the workshop, but doing so gets you the best possible experience!)
dQ Kaufman (M), Edward Martin III, Eric Morgret, Taunya Gren
The Road Goes Ever On—Writing Series
Room 330, –
What does a writer need to keep in mind when writing a series? Can you write it even if you don’t know how the series will end? How do you keep plots going from book to book without frustrating readers? Come discover the ins and outs of creating a series. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Carol Berg (M)
Adventures in Mixed Media
Room 334, –
Glass and metal, fiber and stone, and leather and wood are all traditional combinations of materials for art and craft. What are more unusual or experimental combinations, and how do they work?
Vandy H. Hall (M), Brian Grinnell, Kestrel Michaud, Scott Lefton, Meg Frank
SF in Japan 2025: Writers, Critics and Translators
Room 335-336, –
Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of Japan celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2023. This panel focuses on its history, ranging from the first generation writers (Hoshi Shin’Ichi, Komatsu Sakyo, Tsutsui Yasutaka, Mitsuse Ryu, Aramaki Yoshio, etc.) down to the current generation writers (Project Itoh, Yoshinaga Fumi, Hase Satoshi, Ogawa Satoshi, Fujii Taiyo, etc.) and the recent winners of Seiun Award (Japanese Hugo) and Japan SF Grand Prize (Japanese Nebula). We will also highlight the achievements of Japanese translators without which today’s mainstream writers including Haruki Murakami could not have created their original styles.
Takayuki Tatsumi (M), Hirotaka Osawa, Mari Kotani
Film: HWJN
Room 343-344, –
In a world where Jinn live invisibly among humans, HWJN, a kind-hearted Jinn, has his life turned upside down when a human family moves into his home. Forbidden by ancient laws from interacting, he becomes fascinated with the family and falls in love with their daughter, Sawsan, a medical student. The film is a fantasy-romance based on a best-selling Saudi novel, following HWJN's journey as he navigates life between two worlds and uncovers his royal lineage.
Yasser Bahjatt
Dash of Dread
Room 345-346, –
Horror isn’t limited to the horror shelf. Together we will discuss works that masterfully blend horror elements with fantasy and offer ideas for infusing your own writing with a touch of the creepy.
Wendy N. Wagner (M), Erik Grove, J.T. Greathouse, Sarah Pinsker, Tegan Moore
Fairwood and Friends Book Launch
Room 347-348, –
Patrick Swenson’s Fairwood Press is launching multiple books just for Worldcon. Come hear short readings and have a great conversation with some of your favorite authors. Featuring Sharon Shinn, Tina Chan, Mathew Kressel, Ken Scholes, Darragh Metzger, Fran Wilde, and Rich Larson.
Patrick Swenson, Brenda Cooper, Fran Wilde, Ken Scholes, Matthew Kressel, Rich Larson, Sharon Shinn
Writing Excuses
Room 420-422, –
Writing Excuses is a fast-paced, educational podcast for writers and by writers. Our goal is to help our listeners become better at their craft. Whether they write for fun or for profit, whether they’re new to the domain or old hands, Writing Excuses has something to offer. We love to write, and our listeners do, too. Join our panel for a live Q&A—no excuses!
Mary Robinette Kowal (M), Erin Roberts, Howard Tayler, Writing Excuses
Getting the Science Right, Even if It’s Magic
Room 423-424, –
How important is it for authors to get their science right, in science fiction and fantasy? What does “right” even mean for speculative fiction? How is genre convention tied into those answers? Does science have a role in magic?
Joshua Palmatier (M), Christine Taylor-Butler, Jennifer Brozek, Scott H. Andrews, Max Goller
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Judy I. Lin, Anne Harlan Prather, Julie Nováková, Somto Ihezue
Reading: Holly Black
Room 429, –
Thief of Night. Holly reads an excerpt from Thief of Night, in which messy, washed-up con artist Charlie Hall has to navigate the world of shadow magicians, as well as their terrifying shadows.
Holly Black
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Steve Edmiston
Licensed TTRPGs as Fanfic
Room 433-434, –
TTRPGs have a long history of media-licensed game systems: Call of Cthulhu, Marvel Universe, Middle Earth Role-Playing, and dozens of lesser-known games for TV shows or movies. Panelists will explore the connections and differences between “Let’s play a game in this setting” and “I want to write a story in this setting.”
James Mendez Hodes (M), Erica L Frank, Lisa Padol
The Importance of Queer Horror
Room 435-436, –
In a climate increasingly hostile to queer and trans people, it’s more important than ever that we’re able to tell our stories exactly how we want to tell them. For a long time, and for lots of people, this has meant exploring sexuality and gender identity through the lens of horror, the ultimate investigation into taboos and what makes people afraid. What makes a horror story queer? Who are some of the best modern writers of queer horror? Is there anything off limits in this genre?
Arley Sorg (M), August Clarke, Ben Wallin, Nino Cipri, Rath Mercury
Feminist Futurism Versus Project 2025: An Empowering Speculative Salon
Room 443-444, –
As the nation contends with the implications of Project 2025—a sweeping political agenda with the potential to redefine American life—these visionary authors invite us to imagine bold alternatives rooted in justice, joy, and community.
Isis Asare (M), Ada Palmer, Andrea Hairston, Annalee Newitz, Charlie Jane Anders
Bridging The Expanse: The Villains
Room 445-446, –
The Expanse universe is full of complex, flawed characters. The lines between villains and heroes are a matter of perspective. We explore how the concept of villainy is a central focus of the Expanse series. Handout: Bridging The Expanse The Villains (706 KB .pdf).
Bob Hranek (M), EB Helveg, Greg L Johnson
The Power of BookTube and Long-Form Video Content
Room 447-448, –
In this world of short attention spans, people still like deep dives on content that interests them—and content creators on YouTube have emerged as an influential force for readers, authors, and publishers. There are many BookTubers with vastly different styles, and the phenomenon is only growing. Come learn what makes a good BookTube channel and how this format lends itself to book promotions for publishers and indie authors.
Palmer Pickering (M), Bookborn, Joe (JCM) Berne, John Minton
Tech in Law
Terrace Suite (4F), –
The year is 2088. Things are different, but there still is tech, and there still is law. Join our panelists as they propose cases they think could be before the U.S. Supreme Court (or maybe a higher court?) and discuss the decisions. Join us for their deliberations.
Mary G. Thompson (M), D. Wes Rist, Nikhil Prabala, Will Frank
Friday Poetry Reading (Virtual)
Virtual Room 1, –
Join several poets for a virtual reading.
Ennis Rook Bashe (M), Juan Perez, Alicia Hilton, Akua Lezli Hope
8 p.m. PDT (11 p.m. EDT / 3 a.m. August 16 GMT)
Seattle Worldcon Masquerade
Ballroom 1, –
Dressing up in costumes to celebrate fandom has been a part of Worldcons since the very first one. The Seatle Worldcon Masquerade will offer a venue to show off those costumes with great lighting and sound, and the stage to display them to their maximum effect. Using International Costumers Guild guidelines, entrants in the novice, journeyman, masters, and young fan categories will compete for awards in both presentation and workmanship.
Dan Murphy (M)
Reading: Alison Clarke
Room 428, –
An excerpt from Circle, the third book of the Sisterhood series. This excerpt follows the journey of one of the main characters in the young adult fantasy novel, Circle. It is a piece chronicling art, magic, and the magic of architecture and the imagination.
Alison Clarke
Reading: Cecilia Tan
Room 429, –
Bound by the Blood. Bound by the Blood is the first book in the erotic, BDSM-themed urban fantasy series The Vanished Chronicles, which Cecilia Tan has been serializing at her Patreon.
Cecilia Tan
From Pub Songs to Sea Shanties
Sheraton: Issaquah, –
Song leaders bring songs and shanties that encourage spontaneous multi-part harmonies, and they take turns leading everyone in song.
Cecilia Eng (M)
Friday Night Dance Party With John Scalzi
Sheraton: Metropolitan Ballroom, –
Dance your feet off as John Scalzi spins stone cold dance hits across the decades, from “Staying Alive” to “Soda Pop” and everything in between! No slow dances! Get ready to move!
John Scalzi
9 p.m. PDT (midnight EDT / 4 a.m. August 16 GMT)
Dave O’Neill’s SF Pub Trivia Extravaganza—Worldcon Edition
Sheraton: Ravenna, –
This is the definitive pub quiz for SF fans. There will be six rounds with questions on Worldcons, Hugo Awards, a sound round, a picture round, and so much more.
Dave O’Neil (M)
Southeast Asian Queer Art & Comics
Virtual Room 1, –
Comic writers and illustrators from Southeast Asia discuss making queer comics and art.
Ng Yi-Sheng (M), Cat Aquino, Cin Wibowo, Dominique Duran, Jes Wibowo, Nadhir Nor
Reading: Wole Talabi
Virtual Room 2, –
Wole will read from his Nommo Award-winning novel Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon, a story of African gods liberating an item of power from the British museum. The novel was also nominated for the Nebula, Locus, World Fantasy, and several other major awards and will be out in U.S. paperback November 2025.
Wole Talabi
10 p.m. PDT (1 a.m. August 16 EDT / 5 a.m. August 16 GMT)
Writing the Inhuman
Virtual Room 1, –
Some characters just aren’t human. They may have inhuman bodies, or inhuman powers. They may be different species, or they may have been changed, or lost touch with their humanity. This panel discusses the thrills and challenges of portraying characters that are no longer people, or never were.
Daniel O'Malley (M), Aaron Dries, Davinia Evans, T R Napper
Podcasting Folklore
Virtual Room 2, –
Join podcasters from The Gods Must Be Crazy and Ghost Maps to hear about how they incorporate folklore from their countries to create really interesting content based on horror and fantasy.
Ng Yi-Sheng (M), Anama Dimapilis, Ice Lacsamana, Wayne Rée
6 a.m. PDT (9 a.m. EDT / 1 p.m. GMT)
Reading: Khaya Maseko
Virtual Room 1, –
Reading excerpts from my story, Acceptance as well as supporting literature. Acceptance is the story of a revolutionary who accepts a mysterious bomb.
Khaya Maseko (M)
7 a.m. PDT (10 a.m. EDT / 2 p.m. GMT)
SFF's Role in Revolution on the African Continent
Virtual Room 1, –
A discussion on how speculative fiction captures the spirit of resistance, reflecting uprisings and protests across the African continent, and reimagining paths to liberation.
Naomi Eselojor (M), Gabrielle Emem Harry, Khaya Maseko, Ngozi Anuoluwa, Nkereuwem Albert, Soila Kenya
8 a.m. PDT (11 a.m. EDT / 3 p.m. GMT)
9 a.m. PDT (noon EDT / 4 p.m. GMT)
Alien Christs/Warrior Nuns: Religion in Spanish SF
Room 320, –
In Spanish SF, extrapolation and speculation about the future of humanity and its posthuman descendants often includes depictions of religion: alien religions and cults, human proselytism to aliens, artificial intelligences serving as popes or prophets, and even alien incarnations of Christ. Profound questions about how God’s plan (or the plans of the gods) function(s) on a galactic scale among many races of sentient aliens illuminate the ironies involved when faith leading to action runs counter to the will of a God or teachings of a religion whose “image” utterly diverges from human expectations. Handout: Alien Christs Warrior Nuns (148 KB .pdf).
Dale J. Pratt
Let’s Make a Movie: Shoot It!
Room 327, –
You were there for the previous parts, right, where we figured out what we needed and planned this movie all out? Quick! Time travel! Or drop in anyway and become a valued actor person. In this part, we shoot like mad weasels because there’s not much time, and if we’re going to make a movie at light speed, then we have to move like light! So, don’t be late, or you’ll just see red-shifted versions of us. The key to making a movie, of course, is to get the footage in the can! Or, hard drive, actually, because we’re shooting video. But you know what we mean. (Note: You don’t have to attend all the parts to enjoy the workshop, but doing so gets you the best possible experience!)
Ryan K. Johnson (M), Brian D. Oberquell, Edward Martin III, Eric Morgret, Taunya Gren, dQ Kaufman
Calm Your Mind with Needle and Thread
Room 328, –
Learn how two forms of embroidery, cross-stitch and blackwork, can help soothe an anxious mind and focus chaotic thoughts while making something beautiful! Attendees will be supplied with basic supplies and patterns, and Stephanie Wood Franklin (she/her) will give instructions while providing some basic history on this time-honored tradition. It ain’t just for grandmas anymore! Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Stephanie Wood Franklin (M)
My First Novel: Story-Builder for Teens
Room 329, –
My First Novel: a story-builder workshop designed for young and ambitious writers to explore the four-act structure of story development. You will learn how to plan out your plot points and story beats. You’ll leave with the tools to start outlining your story—and have fun doing it!
Brittany Tucker (M)
Writing While Neurodiverse
Room 330, –
Neurodiverse writers have always been around and frequently approach the art of fiction in ways that are different from neurotypical writers. For authors who have autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, dyslexia, bipolar disorder, and other diverse ways of experiencing the world, traditional advice on how to write fiction may actually be harmful or counterproductive. In this workshop, neurodiverse author Jason Sanford will explore the tips and strategies he’s found that help him, and he’ll also discuss strategies and tips other neurodiverse writers have shared with him. In addition, he’ll cover how some of the typical advice given to writers, such as “put your butt in a chair and write” or to “write 1000 words each day,” can actually be harmful to neurodiverse authors. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Jason Sanford (M)
SWFF G—A Morning of Science Fiction Films
Room 331-332, –
Start your morning with some science fiction and superheroes. Feature Film: Surge of Power: Where There's Smoke, directed by Vincent J. Roth, Jeff Rector, Mario DeAngelis. Short Films: Always Forever, Kontaminate You (Variant), Lifeboat, Megaville—After Hours, Paprika, Voyager.
So You’re Caught in a Time Loop?
Room 335-336, –
Happy death day! Or maybe it’s Groundhog Day. You are now caught in a time loop, so what do you do? A look at the various time loops movies, shows and literature and what the best approaches are for dealing with your dilemma.
Anne Keck (M), James Bailey, Marshall J. Moore, Mary G. Thompson, Melissa Kocias
Can Speculative Poetry Change the World?
Room 347-348, –
The speculative provides a lens through which to view the strangeness of the real world. While science fiction, fantasy, and horror have often been accused of escapism, poetry’s metaphors provide a unique way for writers to comment on how the world might be different or even better. The intimacy of a poem invites us into the speaker’s world, allowing us to vividly experience another way of being. From climate change to war to global pandemics, speculative poets are at the forefront of reflecting on the world’s problems and imagining better futures. But can poetry change the world?
Luka Dowell (M), Holly Lyn Walrath, Lilith Acadia, Miguel O. Mitchell , R. Thursday
Seattle: An Industry Incubation Nexus
Room 423-424, –
The greater Seattle area has a long history of innovation across numerous fields. Who got their start here? Who’s headquartered here now? What’s just over the horizon, and will it continue this trend?
Jon Lasser (M), Frank Catalano, Larry Lewis
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Emily M. Bender, Amanda Cherry, Annie Carl, M.T. Zimny, Rich Larson, Sarah J. Daley
Reading: Michael Haynes
Room 428, –
A reading of one or more stories from Michael’s new short story collection Three Things Cameron Couldn’t Tell You.
Michael Haynes
Reading: Henry Lien
Room 429, –
Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird: The Art of Eastern Storytelling. Discussions in the West around diversity in the arts often focus on the identities of characters and creators. Speculative fiction author and writing instructor Henry Lien makes the pathbreaking argument that diversity is about more than just plopping different faces into stories that are 100 percent Western in spirit; it can—and should—encompass diverse structures, themes, and values. This presentation will include a lecture, audience participation, and live performance of a theme song the author wrote for the book.
Henry Lien
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
CJ Hosack, Dave Hook, Emily Varga, James Hinsey, Lee Ricci, Max Goller
Writing in a Neurodiverse Universe
Room 431-432, –
Join our panel of experts as they discuss the ways in which neurodiverse writers frequently approach science fiction and fantasy in ways that are different from neurotypical people and how neurodivergence can enrich created works.
Liz Coleman (M), Amanda M. Helander, Beth Cato, Rebecca A. Demarest, Sam Asher
Advice I Would Give My Past Writer Self
Room 433-434, –
A panelist discussion on all the things authors would tell their past selves to smooth out the bumpy road to publication. Equal parts inspiration, sage wisdom, and hilarious missteps that we still shake our heads about, this event will either fortify your resolve to be a writer, or leave you looking for the nearest exit ramp.
Gwendolyn N. Nix (M), Alexandra Nica, C.N. Kuster, Guy Morpuss, Lauren C. Teffeau
Dystopias: Science Fiction as a Warning
Room 435-436, –
Science fiction writers are often the first ones to raise flags about social and scientific change. This panel looks at some of the landmark books—Animal Farm, The Man in the High Castle, and The Forever War and the cyberpunk genre.
Doug Van Belle (M), Ada Palmer, Lia Holland, Sara Light-Waller, Stephen W. Potts
Alternate Cognitions
Room 443-444, –
One of the best things about science fiction is how it can encourage readers to accept that other ways of being—and of thinking—are valid. In recent years, numerous authors have explored alien consciousness as a metaphor for neurodivergence. This panel will discuss successful depictions of alien thought as well as celebrating neurodivergence in fiction.
Jake Casella Brookins (M), Caroline M. Yoachim, Kaitlyn Casimo, Ph.D., M.Ed., Nancy Kress, Ray Nayler
War—From Star Trek to The Expanse
Room 445-446, –
We’ll be presenting and discussing many of the great science fiction literature and TV/movie franchises to explore how and why space warfare has evolved and where it is going. We’ll look at key advancements and challenges. Especially, what needs to come next. Finally, we’ll discuss how to keep stories fresh and contemporary without compromising innovation.
Chris Gerrib (M), Ben Wallin, Frank Wu, Gina Saucier
Biology and Evolution of the Dog
Room 447-448, –
Human’s best friend, best creation, and best companion: What was the evolutionary path of the household dog? Was humanity the worst thing to happen to wolves?
Angela Hughes (M), Kathryn Michels, Ph.D., Sam Scheiner, Steven D. Brewer, Tegan Moore
Who Needs Gravity Wells?
Terrace Suite (4F), –
We are finally, laboriously, expensively, able to climb out of Terra’s gravity well. Why go jump into another? Come hear the arguments for living in comfort and convenience in space and what it will take to achieve that goal. Handout: Who Needs Gravity Wells (11 MB .pdf).
Judy R. Johnson (M), AK Llyr, Gideon Marcus, Manjula Menon, Peter Glaskowsky
Nommo Awards Shortlist 2025: Celebrating African Speculative Fiction
Virtual Room 1, –
Join us for the official announcement of the 2025 Nommo Awards shortlist, celebrating the best in African speculative fiction. The Nommo Awards, presented by the African Speculative Fiction Society, honor outstanding works of speculative fiction—fantasy, science fiction, and horror—by African writers. This session will feature: the announcement of shortlisted works across categories including best novel, novella, short story, and graphic novel; live or recorded readings by some of the nominees; and a discussion on the evolution and global impact of African speculative fiction. Now in its eighth year, the Nommo Awards have become a vital platform for spotlighting African voices reimagining the future, reframing the past, and transforming the present through bold, imaginative storytelling. Hosted by Wole Talabi and introduced by Muna Khogali.
Wole Talabi (M), Muna Khogali
Klept Means Theft: Billionaires and Our Utopias
Room 320, –
Billionaires appropriate the image and reality of our science fiction futurity and leave the rest of us pounding sand in the desert of the real. They make bank, bunkers, and bunkum. A pilfered public cheers the husk of our stolen, storied tomorrows and lines up to serve global kleptocrats. Or not? This critique of the cultural moment bridges concepts of tomorrow by science fiction greats like Iain M. Banks’s Culture novels and the real-life theft of utopian tropes for the service of what promises to be a corporatist economic dystopia at odds with the literary source material’s ideals.
Ed Carmien
Misrepresenting The Gothic Tropes and You
Room 343-344, –
The gothic tropes are pervasive throughout genre fiction, and perhaps no more so than in Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Comics. Audiences LOVE a trope, but with tropes come audience expectations. What happens when you misrepresentation the audience's favorite trope, then rip the rug out from under your main character at the end of her Heroine's Journey? Using Marvel's 'Agatha All Along' as a lens, this presentation looks at fandom reaction to the misrepresentation of gothic tropes and posits how not to upset your audience by going too far!
T. M. Kuta
Future Remote Medical Sensing and Privacy Concerns
Room 420–422, –
While wirelessly powering sensors, body area networks collect information from sensors positioned on your body, and cameras diagnose organs inside your body; remote sensing can get your vital signs such as temperature, heartbeat, and respiration, and patches can measure your skin parameters and administer drugs. Remote surgery and teleoperations have been paired with global navigation satellite systems and global cellular data. Will you ever need to go and see your doctor in person again? Are doctors needed at all? Can AI advise you and prescribe you medication on the go? Is your medical data public?
Alon Newton (M), Thomas Coughlin, Dr. Natalie Bloch Isenberg, David Michelson, Ljiljana Trajkovic, Senator Lisa Wellman
Reading: Natania Barron
Room 428, –
Queen of Mercy. Natania reads the gorgeous final chapter in the critically-acclaimed female-led Arthurian fantasy romance trilogy. “The first born of Arthur will bring his end.” When the high priestess Vyvian du Lac dies, Morgen le Fay—acolyte to the priestess, midwife to queens, apprentice to Merlin—is left mysteriously bereft of magic. She finds herself transported to the wild, ancient forest of Brocéliande, which she must cross—and survive—to save Carelon from disaster. And death itself, it seems, is close on her heels. Merlin’s darkest prophecy looms, the Council of Nine—Morgen’s secret council of sorceresses—is broken, and the battle for Arthur’s legacy has just begun…
Natania Barron
Reading: Erik Scott de Bie
Room 429, –
Fallen Angel. After a snafu where she’s cast to play her own mother in a biopic about Supergroup, the superheroine A-Girl is trapped, alone and powerless… and even the younger generation of heroes has a rogue’s gallery of its own.
Erik Scott de Bie
10 a.m. PDT (1 p.m. EDT / 5 p.m. GMT)
Scott Lynch Signing at the Book Bin
Dealers' Room/The Book Bin, –
Scott Lynch is signing books this hour at The Book Bin in the dealers' room.
Story Starts
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Sometimes half the work of writing is just getting started! Join us as we create and imagine new beginnings. You’ll leave with a list of inspiration to get your work out of your head and onto the page.
Kate Ristau (M)
Autographs
Garden Lounge (3F), –
The listed creators are available to sign autographs this hour.
F. Brett Cox, Brandon Ketchum, Caroline M. Yoachim, Ehigbor Okosun, Jason Pchajek, Joseph Brassey, Julia Vee, Martha Wells, Stefan Rudnicki, Sumiko Saulson, Thea Prieto, Veronica G. Henry, Wendy N. Wagner, Yume Kitasei
Tai Chi
Garden Terrace, –
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art. In these modern times, Tai Chi can help you to navigate the stress in life and become a healthier you. We will practice some Yang Tai Chi moves. All levels and all styles are welcome. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
Richard Man
Morning Shabbat Service
Interfaith Lounge (Room 337), –
Majestic Adventures Boffer Arena
Majestic Lounge (5F), –
Be the Hero of an epic Adventure! Majestic Adventures is a live action role-playing company that leads summer camps and after school programs for kids aged six through 17 and birthdays and special events for all ages. Join with friends to fight against fearsome foes, solve challenging puzzles, and complete formidable challenges while you play as personalized heroes. Raise your sword and start your mythic journey!
The Black Pasadena Childhood Archives of Octavia E. Butler
Room 320, –
This talk will reflect on the process of yearslong archival research into the childhood and teenage writings of Black science fiction writer Octavia E. Butler. Growing up in the segregated landscape of Pasadena, California, young Octavia loved horses, which became her first aliens and shaped her understandings of the legacy of slavery and racism as well as her environmental consciousness. As illustrated in the new book, Octavia E. Butler: H is for Horse (2025), Butler’s teenage consumption of popular culture, including westerns and comics, indelibly shaped her later science fiction writings.
Chi-ming Yang
Where Are Your Parents?
Room 321, –
Middle grade and YA books often suffer from the parent problem: If the protagonist had a responsible adult in their lives, they might not go on an adventure in the first place. Authors discuss their favorite ways to solve this problem, the narrative purpose adults serve when they are present, and how to strike a balance that empowers young protagonists while keeping adult characters meaningful.
Nino Cipri (M), Cassidy Ellis Salter, Michelle Knudsen, Naomi Kritzer, Shana Targosz
Welcome to the Worldcon (Saturday edition)
Room 322, –
A Welcome to the Worldcon panel, where we will answer your questions, make loads of suggestions, and be generally helpful. Worldcon has a lot to see and do and some of us try to do it all. We will share tips on how to attend the con without wiping out, whether you’re new to cons or have been going to cons for years. We’ll explain the importance of the 5-2-1 rule, er, guideline. Extroverts, introverts, and everyone in between are all welcome.
Jeanne Mealy (M), Wm Salt Hale
Costumes for the Stage Versus the Hall
Room 334, –
What are the differences in approach and decisions being made as you go between these two goals? For example, a hall costume is going to be seen up close whereas a competition costume can focus more on how it looks on stage, farther away, and under those bright lights. How does this change your choices about how you build your costumes, or does it change your choices at all?
Melissa Quinn (M), Miri Baker, Pierre E. Pettinger, Jr., Richard Stephens, Sandra Manning, Torrey Stenmark
I Don’t Paint: Artists in Other Media
Room 335-336, –
We can’t all be Burnes-Jones. Many of us don’t want to be. Science fiction and fantasy art comes in a whole host of different and unusual materials. Come hear from our panel of multi-dimensional artists who have found success in media other than painting.
Meghan Lancaster (M), Agathon McGeachy, Brittany Torres, Hannah Swedin, Joy Alyssa Day
Where Are All the Boogeywomen?
Room 343-344, –
Must women always must have some reason, justification, emotional trauma, or Achilles’ heel that leads them down a path of darkness? Do only male monsters and villains get portrayed as evil without their motives or histories being questioned? Where are all the boogeyladies? In this panel, we will discuss both horror creators and characters who identify as female and kick ass on and off the page, all across the genre. This exploration of the ever-growing feminine persuasion in horror is sure to be as entertaining as it is terrifying.
Tamara Kaye Sellman (M), C.S. Humble, Daytona Danielsen, Elizabeth Guizzetti, Michelle Ruiz Keil, Sadie Hartmann
Oz: America’s First Multimedia Franchise
Room 345-346, –
Known around the world for the famous film adaptation, The Wizard of Oz is back in everyone’s minds thanks to the current two-part Wicked movie. But Oz started life as a popular novel, which then spawned a Broadway musical, a series of other books, early silent movies, and more. Oz is a franchise that always grows and changes with the times. Learn more about the origins of The Wizard of Oz and how it has been reinterpreted on stage, television, and computers and in movies, comics, toys, games, and more from 1900 to the present day. Brought to you by Britcon.
Eric Gjovaag (M), A. J. Hackwith, J.R. Dawson, Mari Ness, Terri Ash
What if Everyone Had a Roof and Two Meals?
Room 347-348, –
Even the good billionaires mint more money every day than they can spend or give away. The top 1% own more than the bottom 99%. How do we fix this? This panel will explore alternative future economies and the choices we can make today to influence a fairer future.
Andrea Hairston (M), Allan Dyen-Shapiro, Beth Plutchak, Jesper Stage, Yasser Bahjatt
Why, Yes, That Is How We Judge Your Book
Room 420-422, –
Published book cover artists and art editors discuss what it takes to get noticed and make that first book cover sale.
John Picacio (M), Maurizio Manzieri, Donato Giancola, Micaela Alcaino, Todd Lockwood
The X-Men Panel
Room 423-424, –
The X-Men started as a way to break the mold for what could be considered a “superhero comic book” but, over time, became a standard which spoke to millions of fans all over the world. How did they come to speak for generations of fans and become a phenomenon? Let’s talk about their history and celebrate what makes them both endearing and enduring!
Evan J. Peterson (M), LP Kindred, Sara K Ellis, Seanan McGuire
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
J.T. Greathouse, Elizabeth (Libby) Schultz, Mason A. Porter, Matt Dinniman, Ed Carmien, Nicole Glover
Reading: K.C. Aegis
Room 428, –
Her Gilded Voice. Imagine a future where everyone has a virtual assistant wired into their head. These “voyces” give us companionship and advice. They protect us from the harsh realities of life by altering what we see, what we hear, and even what we believe. But what if that protection is unexpectedly taken away? This is what happens to Lacey Clarke. And without the voyces’ augmented reality, she’ll discover her world is not what it seems. And the voyces are not at all what they claim to be.
K.C. Aegis
Reading: Melinda M. Snodgrass
Room 429, –
Turn of the Dice. A story of the god Loki living in the modern world.
Melinda M. Snodgrass
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Jan Kotouč, Michael Ravine, Rebecca Roanhorse, Scott Edelman, Luis Carlos Barragán Castro, Dan Moren
Writing Novels That Take Years to Complete
Room 431-432, –
A panel exploring the challenges and rewards of writing novels that take years to complete. Panelists discuss staying motivated over long timelines, managing life changes while focused on writing, and revisiting early material with fresh perspective. Learn to balance creative passion with obligations, handle feedback after years of effort, and know when a manuscript is ready.
Arley Sorg (M), Gregory A. Wilson, Sarah Pinsker, Shweta Adhyam, Stephen R. Donaldson
Fanfic Community as Gift Economy
Room 433-434, –
The pros and cons of an artistic community with a strong non-economic, even anti-commercial, bias. How fanfic works outside of writing markets, and what happens when fanfic writers go pro. This will be a moderated group discussion, rather than a regular panel—everyone can participate.
Janice L. Newman (M), Erica L Frank
Worldbuilding Through Structures of Society
Room 435-436, –
Together we explore how secret societies, formal institutions, and war shape world history and add flavor to your world-building. Join our authors as they provide insights into how to integrate these qualities while avoiding the dread info dump.
Lindsey Byrd (M), Carol Berg, Cass Morris, Claire Jia-Wen, Fonda Lee
Kickstarter for Authors: Finding Success in Crowdfunding
Room 443-444, –
Kickstarter is becoming a powerful platform for connecting indie authors with readers. Join our Kickstarter experts to learn what projects work best, how Kickstarter backers are different from readers on other marketplaces, and how to set your project up for success.
Joshua Palmatier (M), Anthea Sharp, Kel McDonald, Oriana Leckert, T. Thorn Coyle
Our Post-AGI Future
Room 445-446, –
Just for a moment, imagine it’s 2050 and artificial general intelligence (AGI) is here. What might go very right? What should we be afraid of?
Brenda Cooper (M), Avani Vaghela, Cliff Winnig, David Brin, Ramez Naam
Science Non-Fiction (Poetry)
Room 447-448, –
Science poetry uses fact to inform and delight the reader. From geography to nature studies to space—science poems dive into a wide variety of topics. As Jane Hirshfield says: “The work of a poet and the work of a scientist share many things. Both are investigations, both set out to answer a question that has not been framed in exactly this way before. The questions of poetry are not frameable by any other form of thinking than that of poetry, just as the questions of science cannot be framed without the techniques, ethics, and instruments of science.”
Brian U. Garrison (M), Betsy Aoki, Emily Hockaday, Geoffrey A. Landis, Ursula Whitcher
Couple Dancing 103: Cross-Step Waltz
Sheraton Ballroom B, –
So you think you can’t waltz? Prove yourself wrong with this very easy modern waltz suited for slow-tempo waltz music, found in everything from anime soundtracks to “Rainbow Connection.” This is a gentle introduction to couple dancing for people who are a little anxious about the idea. No experience necessary, no partner needed; just wear something you can dance comfortably in.
Susan de Guardiola (M)
In-Person Site Selection Business Meeting
Signature Room (5F), –
The site selection business meeting will reveal the results of the site selection for 2027’s Worldcon.
Jesi Lipp (M), Olav Rokne
Discussion Group: Women Creators for Women Creators
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
A panel and discussion group to for woman-identifying creators address the challenges specifically faced by woman-identifying creators of all types.
Marta Murvosh (M)
Magazines in the Modern Age
Terrace Suite (4F), –
Short fiction magazines are a vibrant and crucial area of our field, showcasing new and veteran writers, bold fiction, and a broad range of authors, stories, themes, and ethea. For magazines seemingly always clinging to survival, the past year has brought new challenges in publishing, revenues, and even ownership, along with new voices and brilliant stories. Panelists will discuss how they see short fiction magazines in the current age and going forward.
Scott H. Andrews (M), Neil Clarke, Mur Lafferty, Lynne M. Thomas, Sheila Williams
Puerto Rican Speculative Fiction
Virtual Room 1, –
For Puerto Rican writers living in the archipelago or the diaspora, fiction is a vehicle for time travel. Our stories imagine alternate pasts and novel futures, drawing inspiration from the beauty and tragedy of the Boricua experience. In this panel, writers discuss how Puerto Rico (Borikén) influences their speculative imagination and writing practice. From Bad Bunny to Bomba; Carnival and Cimarrones; Taínos and Tostones, the writers on the panel draw from the rich and painful tapestry of Puerto Rican heritage to remix and remake pasts and futures.
E.G. Condé (M), Ben Francisco, Carolina Cardona, Karlo Yeager Rodriguez
Reading: Catherynne Valente
Virtual Room 2, –
Catherynne Valente
11 a.m. PDT (2 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. GMT)
The Cognitive Science of Scenes and Sequels
Room 320, –
Scenes and sequels are a writing technique formalized by writing instructor Dwight Swain as a way to focus plotting, control pacing, and sustain tension in stories. But there are deep parallels between scenes and sequels and the cognitive science of story comprehension. From classical story understanding models of scripts, plans, and goals to modern cognitive analyses of narrative coherence in reading, structures like scenes and sequels appear to help writers and readers organize concepts. In this paper, we will review scene-sequel theory in writing technique and identify its parallels in the cognitive science of story understanding, and will present evaluations of the usefulness of scene-sequel theory for extracting useful information from stories.
Dr. Anthony G. Francis, Jr.
Reading: Catherine Lundoff
Room 428, –
Blue Moon. Blue Moon is the third novel in Catherine’s Wolves of Wolf’s Point series, about a group of women from different backgrounds who turn into werewolves as they enter menopause. Blue Moon picks up where Blood Moon left off and traces the origins of the Wolf’s Point Pack. The books are sapphic dark fantasy.
Catherine Lundoff
Reading: David Gerrold
Room 429, –
David Gerrold reads his short story, “The Bag Lady.”
David Gerrold
Noon PDT (3 p.m. EDT / 7 p.m. GMT)
John Picacio Art Show Hour
Art Show, –
John Picacio is available in the art show to preview The Invisible Parade, sign your books and cards, and talk to members about his art.
John Picacio
Monster Drawing
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Mish-mash your favorite monsters in a brand new magical creature.
Nikki Rossignol McCoy (M)
Autographs
Garden Lounge (3F), –
The listed creators are available to sign autographs this hour.
Catherine Asaro, Leigh Bardugo, Mary Robinette Kowal, Mary Turzillo, Matthew S. Rotundo, Naomi Kritzer, Palmer Pickering, Paul A. Dixon, Randee Dawn, Raven Oak, Rhiannon/R. Z. Held, Rosemary Claire Smith, Sandra Rosner
Christian Genre Fans Meetup
Interfaith Lounge (Room 337), –
Rev. Randy Smith
Discussing the Finalists for the 2025 Hugo Award for Best Novel
Room 320, –
The past year has welcomed numerous brilliant books into the world. Our panel of critics and authors will discuss what they thought of this year’s Hugo ballot, what this slate says about the state of the genre, and what they might have liked to see honored.
Lilith Acadia (M), Jake Casella Brookins, Juan Sanmiguel, Rich Horton, Shweta Adhyam
Where Do Editors Come From?
Room 321, –
Book editing is one of the last redoubts of the un-credentialed autodidact. While there are training programs for book-editing skills, most book editors come into the job with an enormous diversity of backgrounds. Many editors are successful without any specific training or academic credentials. How does the novice editor become a success in such an unregulated industry? How would they even start to become a professional editor?
Sheila Williams (M), Emily Hockaday, Trevor Quachri, Jennifer Brozek, Carl Engle-Laird
Visibility in an Oppositional World
Room 322, –
Let’s be honest: It’s hard to be a creator from a minority group. How do you keep yourself safe while simultaneously living your truth and publishing your work? Our panelists have been there and suffered the trolls, which they will discuss in order to help you avoid them in the future.
Shay Kauwe (M), Andrea Hairston, Claire E. Jones, Sophia Babai, Victor Manibo
Felted Tentacles
Room 327, –
Create your own tentacles using a simple armature, wool, and needle-felting tools. All the tools and materials you need to complete your tentacle(s) are included as part of the workshop, and they will go home with the student to keep. There is a $25 fee for this workshop. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Vandy H. Hall (M)
Paper Circuits (for Teens)
Room 328, –
Crafting with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), lithium-ion button cells, copper tape, and card stock. With a little bit of practice, you can make light-up cards. Be creative… use your imagination!
John Wardale (M)
The Basics of Woodturning: Dice Boxes Without a CNC
Room 329, –
We all love the woodware we see in vending halls, but much is made on a computer numerical control machine (CNC) or utilizes resin molds. This work is accessible to new hobbyist crafters but often lacks the skill of handwork. Although it may seem daunting, wood lathes are incredibly simple to operate, and basic forms like dice boxes are beginner projects that can be done, start to finish, in under an hour. Home lathes are far cheaper than CNCs and much more versatile. Join professional woodturner J.S. Fields for a workshop covering the basics of wood lathes, and learn how to make several forms of dice boxes and towers. Audience participation encouraged! Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
J.S. Fields (M)
Flash Fiction Workshop
Room 330, –
Flash fiction can delight a heart or deliver a punch in the space of 500-1000 words, which may be why it’s one of speculative fiction’s favorite and most sellable forms. Learn how to write, edit, and submit your own flash fiction. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Michael Swanwick (M)
SWFF H—An Afternoon of Sci Fi and Fantasy
Room 331-332, –
Enjoy an afternoon of science fiction and fantasy films. Feature Film: Breaking Infinity, directed by Marianna Dean. Short Films: Afternoon Snack, Come Out, Wherever You Are, In Lieu of Longing, Superior Subject, The Last Fairy Tea Party. Followed by Q&A from filmmakers.
Music Festivals on Zoom
Room 334, –
Within one month of the pandemic lockdown, The Festival of the Living Rooms was open for sharing filk music on Zoom. Soon the folk communities followed suit. The 24-hour New Year’s filk circle on Zoom celebrated the end of 2020 from time zone to time zone around the globe. Five years later, people are still singing on Zoom with friends they have made on other continents. Where can you find these festivals and song circles?
Cecilia Eng (M), Blind Lemming Chiffon, Eric Distad, John G. McDaid, Sunnie Larsen
The Maury Island Incident: Washington’s UFO Sighting
Room 335-336, –
On June 21, 1947, Harold Dahl allegedly saw an unidentified flying object (UFO) over Puget Sound. This story has spawned mystery, lore, conspiracies, and even a documentary. Our panel discusses the facts, the lore, and the interest that has garnered an entire day of celebration and local interest.
Steve Edmiston (M), Berlynn Wohl
Size Matters… Or Does It?
Room 343-344, –
What size and format of story is best for horror? Is it the novel? The trilogy? The short story or the film? Why do feature horror films out-gross most other genres in the genre fiction sphere each year but horror novels often undersell? Is the short form more productive for horror fiction than, say, sci-fi and fantasy or romance? Why would that be? Our panelists break down the ins and outs of considering the length of your creative work when slotting it into the horror genre and the specific considerations all creators must make when deciding how long their horror stories should be to flourish and thrive in the world.
Annie Carl (M), David Demchuk, Maquel A. Jacob, Mariah Southworth, Shauna Lawless
The Future of Fannish Conventions
Room 345-346, –
How can fannish cons co-exist with media/comic cons and keep the nature of fan cons alive by celebrating writers, artists, scientists, game developers, and other guests related to SFF? How do real-world events like pandemics, politics, and global economic fluctuations change how we gather as fans?
Bradford Lyau (M), Marina Martinez, Gibbitt Rhys-Jones, T. M. Kuta, The Grand Arbiter
The Future Was Already Broken: Non-Western Dystopias
Room 347-348, –
For many writers from the Global South and other non-Western regions, dystopia isn’t speculative—it’s autobiographical. This panel explores dystopian fiction that doesn’t imagine disaster from afar, but emerges from lived experiences of inequality, violence, censorship, and collapse. From slums and droughts to bureaucracies and broken dreams, how do these dystopias speak truth to power, and what strange, tender futures still grow in their ruins?
Leon Perniciaro (M), Andres Olave, Stephen W. Potts, Zoha Kazemi, Weyodi OldBear
Interactive Fiction: Video Game Storytellers
Room 420-422, –
Interactive Fiction (or IF) is narrative storytelling through computer text adventures, where players navigate the story, influence the scene, and converse with characters using text commands. With its origins in classic Infocom games like Zork and Planetfall, the IF community is alive and well today, creating adventures that have even been called “Game of the Year” by Time Magazine.
Justin Bortnick (M), Andrew Plotkin, Langley Hyde, Stephen Granade, Tina Connolly
Macro, Micro, and Meso: Cascadia’s Many Climates
Room 423-424, –
Home to the largest temperate rainforest in the northern hemisphere, the Cascadia bioregion encompasses all of Washington state and portions of the surrounding areas. Its numerous distinct ecoregions afford a robust outdoor recreation community and have sprouted several calls for independence. How will climate change impact this evergreen nature? What does the current political landscape mean for these movements? Join us in discussing these questions and more!
Aaron Scott (M), Melissa Shumake, Peter Crozier, Susan Weiner
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Alison Clarke, Amy Wolf, Anthea Sharp, Brenda W. Clough, Chris M. Barkley, Kathryn Michels, Ph.D.
Reading: August Clarke
Room 428, –
Metal from Heaven. August reads a selection from his 2024 novel, which Rebecca Roanhorse calls “a thunderous, visceral, Sapphic fever dream of a book.”
August Clarke
Reading: Nancy Kress
Room 429, –
The Queen’s Witch. Alysoun, an unfledged witch in Tudor England, finds herself bound to future Queen Anne Boleyn, a situation neither of them wants—especially when their goals begin to sharply diverge.
Nancy Kress
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Claire McCague, Dr. Corey Frazier, Josh Wilson, Kim Iverson Headlee, Lindsey Byrd, Madame Askew
Writing Commercial Intellectual Property (IP) for Fun and Profit
Room 431-432, –
Writing under the umbrella of existing commercial properties can be a way to build legitimacy and make money in a competitive publishing market. What’s it like working in worlds owned by big companies like Marvel, Hasbro, Lucasfilm, and Microsoft? What are these companies looking for in a writer? How much creativity can you bring to a project when the world is already built? Panelists discuss these topics and more!
Curtis C. Chen (M), Diana Ma, G. Willow Wilson, Rebecca Roanhorse
Costuming From Conception to Convention
Room 433-434, –
You have an idea for a costume but aren’t sure how to progress? Check this panel out. Costumers will discuss taking an idea from beginning to completion, and all the steps in between. Various avenues will be explored from utilizing already made items to making something from scratch and everything in between.
Pierre E. Pettinger, Jr. (M), Joy Alyssa Day, Miri Baker, Sandy Pettinger, Taylor Tomblin
Not Just Training Wheels
Room 435-436, –
Fanfic is often claimed to be “good practice” on one’s route to becoming a professional author, but this is not the only reason people write fanfic. Panelists will discuss some of the others: bonding with a community, exploring story concepts with very niche appeal, enjoying a personal fantasy, and more.
Dana Bell (M), Faye Gabriel, Hana Lee, Kamilah Cole, Reed Mingault
The Grand Finale: Fantasy Writing 203
Room 443-444, –
Join us as we focus on the climatic conclusion to all the questions and plots of your fantasy story and landing it firmly in the minds of your readers for years to come. Or, at the least, some techniques to help elevate your work and get the most out of this final part of your story.
G.R. Theron (M), Daryl Gregory, Jason Denzel, Leah Cutter, Randy Henderson
Military Logistics
Room 445-446, –
“Amateurs talk about tactics, but professionals study logistics.” The heart of military operations is logistics. The winner gets there first with most. It’s all about “beans, bullets, and Band-Aids.” We’ll look at the how and why of supporting operations in the field and how logistics both drives and impacts storytelling. Handout: How Logistics Shapes Space Fantasy Science Fiction Narratives (816 KB .pdf).
Jonathan Brazee (M), Clayton Mann, Morgan Smathers
Who Wants to Live Forever?
Room 447-448, –
Mankind has been searching for the Fountain of Youth for hundreds of years, but what would happen if we found it? How would society change? Are we talking about brains in jars or a 330-year-old with the body of a 30-year-old? (Both are super creepy, right?)
Diana Xin (M), CJ Rivera, Emily C. Skaftun, John G. Cramer, Mary G. Thompson
Spilling the Tea and Coffee: Women in the Industry Meetup
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
For industry pros only. Bring a beverage and let’s network!
Sandra Tayler (M)
Europa Clipper: NASA Investigates an Icy Ocean
Terrace Suite (4F), –
Europa, one of Jupiter’s four biggest moons, appears to harbor a liquid ocean not far beneath its bright, icy surface. NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft launched in October 2024 and is currently en route. It will orbit Jupiter and make frequent flybys of Europa to study the satellite’s composition, surface geology, and subsurface ocean. It seems possible but far from certain that Europa might harbor life. Learn about the mission, its scientific objectives, and the suite of sophisticated instruments it will employ in the decade to come.
Bill Higgins (M), Bridget Landry, Dan Dubrick, Krys Blackwood, Lee Ricci
Film Screening with Dilman Dila
Virtual Room 2, –
A screening of two short films followed by a Q&A with Ugandan writer/director Dilman Dila. In Kimuli: Fear The Flower (2025), a ghastly flower haunts a woman after her cheating husband goes missing. In Little Red Eve (2025) a struggling scientist accepts work for the military and uses gene-editing technology against a politician campaigning for direct democracy.
Dilman Dila
Reading: Terese Mason Pierre
Room 428, –
Myth. Myth is a collection that weaves between real and imaginary worlds, unearthing the unsettling: our jaded and joyful relationships to land, ancestry, trauma, self, and future. In three movements and two interludes, the poems in Myth move symphonically from tropical islands to barren cities, from lucid dreams to the mysteries of reality, from the sea to the cosmos. Myth is a dynamic mix of speculative poetry and ecstatic lyricism, the otherworldly and the sublime.
Terese Mason Pierre
Reading: David Brin
Room 429, –
The Ancient Ones: A Space Comedy. What if WE had to be the (never have any fun) Vulcans, because another race out there is so much more “Kirk-like” than any human? Worse… going down to a planet where vampires, werewolves, zombies are all part of the normal life process? Oh, and “beaming down” is so old-hat.
David Brin
1 p.m. PDT (4 p.m. EDT / 8 p.m. GMT)
Fiber Arts Meetup in the Crafting Lounge
Crafting Lounge, –
Calling all fiber artists! Felters, spinners, weavers, yarn-bombers and more are welcome! Come show off your in-progress macramé, or whip up a friendship bracelet—it’s all fair game. Come hang out with fellow fiber enthusiasts in the Worldcon Cantina.
Meg Frank
Kameron Hurley Signing at the Book Bin
Dealers' Room/The Book Bin, –
Kameron Hurley is signing books this hour at The Book Bin in the dealers' room.
Fantasy Storytime
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Join us for magical stories, enchanting songs, and a daring quest.
Cat Rambo
Autographs
Garden Lounge (3F), –
The listed creators are available to sign autographs this hour.
Alexander James Adams, J.R. Dawson, James Patrick Kelly, Jared Pechaček, Jonathan Brazee, Joseph Malik, Joshua Palmatier, Kylie Lee Baker, L.J. Melvin, Laura Anne Gilman, Lawrence Watt-Evans, David Brin
Discussion Group: Trans Creators for Trans Creators
LGBTQ+ Lounge (Room 340), –
A panel and discussion group for trans creators to address challenges faced specifically by trans creators of all types.
Izzy Wasserstein (M)
Could Robots have Rights? An Intersection of Science Fiction and Philosophy
Room 320, –
Could robots have rights? Or, to quote the title of a paper by Anand Vaidya, “Can machines have moral standing?” This talk will summarize Vaidya’s paper in which he argues that machines can have moral standing in light of his claim that sentience is not a necessary condition for moral standing. The panel will think through the paper’s examples of zombies, Vulcans, and robots from a science-fictional point of view informed by sources like The Walking Dead, Star Trek, and Blade Runner. Also under consideration will be Vaidya’s mention of Buddhism, engaging a deeper analysis of the role of suffering in Buddhist philosophy. The panel will end with questions designed to elicit engagement from the audience: Do philosophers’ uses of zombies, Vulcans, and robots make sense to us as science fiction fans? What can non-Western traditions like Buddhism and Jainism add to these conversations? Could robots, AI chatbots, machines, animals, or aliens have, at least, some rights? Does science fiction help us find the answers, or at least help us ask better questions? This presentation will be organized by the Science Fiction and Philosophy Society, of which Vaidya was a co-founder. The goal of this panel is to continue Vaidya’s conversation in his honor.
Ethan Mills
Twenty Years of Twilight
Room 321, –
It’s been two decades since Twilight first sank its teeth into the YA scene—and its impact is still being felt. In this panel, we’ll reflect on how Twilight helped reshape the YA publishing landscape from the explosion of paranormal romance to the rise of fandom-driven storytelling. We’ll explore its cultural legacy, the criticism and love it continues to receive, and how it paved the way for new voices in YA. We’ll also take a closer look at the series’ strong ties to the Pacific Northwest and the lasting connection between Forks, Washington, and the global vampire phenomenon.
Valerie Estelle Frankel (M), Annie Summerlee, Kaitlin Schmidt, Kamilah Cole, Mary G. Thompson, Maya Prasad
Worldcon Mark Protection Committee Meeting
Room 322, –
The organizational meeting of the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS) Mark Protection Committee (MPC) for its 2025/2026 year. Election of MPC Officers and any other business. This meeting is open to Seattle Worldcon attendees, but only MPC members have the right to vote and introduce or debate business.
Donald Eastlake (M), Linda Deneroff, Olav Rokne
Let’s Make a Movie: The Other Two-Thirds: Lights and Sound
Room 327, –
If there’s anything that marks out an amateur movie production as amateur, it’s the lighting and the sound. A simple lighting setup done right can do more for a mood than all the scary music in the world. Come join our filmmakers for a hands-on demonstration of lighting tricks, a chat about good sound versus bad sound, and answers to almost every question you might have. (Note: You don’t have to attend all the parts to enjoy the workshop, but doing so gets you the best possible experience!)
Eric Morgret (M), Taunya Gren
Tiara Workshop
Room 328, –
Make a tiara with Sara Felix. A kit is provided that contains all the materials, and she will have glue and pliers to share. Kits are $15 per person, and space is limited to 15 per session! Sign up in the Teen Lounge (442).
Sara Felix (M)
Technology and Art
Room 334, –
Many forms of art and craft are in the middle of a revolution right now, driven by a wealth of new technology. These new technologies can be empowering, disruptive, or both. Our panelists will discuss using technology as a tool to enhance an artist’s ability to create, as well as how/what it’s like to innovate new processes in an already well-established field.
Scott Lefton (M), Dr. Ricky, Jeff Brown, Kestrel Michaud, Lincoln Peters
Cosplay 101 and 201
Room 335-336, –
Getting into cosplay for the first time can be quite overwhelming, not to mention expensive! Listen to some experienced veterans discuss their experiences of and tricks for getting the best bang for your buck, as well as common pitfalls to avoid.
Crystal Lloyd (M), Hannah Swedin, Melissa Quinn, Miri Baker, Torrey Stenmark
Writing Comics and Graphic Novels
Room 343-344, –
Comics are bigger than ever, and the publishing industry is wild for graphic novels and manga, but writing a comics story is its own skill—different from prose or a screenplay. Gain valuable insight about the medium of comics: pitching, script formatting, collaborating with artists, and common pitfalls many new comic writers make as they get their start. Handout: Writing Comics and Graphic Novels (2 MB PDF).
Moriko Handford (M), G. Willow Wilson, Jim Zub, Kel McDonald, Ryan North
Last Chance to See: Biodiversity in Science Fiction
Room 345-346, –
The planet is facing a crisis in biodiversity as humans encroach on wild habitats. This panel will discuss how science fiction depicts species loss, as well as bringing species back from the brink through bioengineering.
Dr. Jasmin Kirkbride (M), Ian K. Hagemann, Jesper Stage, Ray Nayler
You’re Looking at It: The Future of Phones
Room 347-348, –
You are likely reading this on a device with more computing power than existed in the state of Washington in the 1960s. It has a better photo camera, movie camera, and clock than were readily available. And it is a better phone than the president had. So what more is left? Where do personal electronics go from here? Our panelists will answer the call on the future of phones.
Lauren C. Teffeau (M), Alon Newton, Dave O’Neill, Gregory Gadow, Tim Chawaga
Q&A with Martha Wells
Room 420-422, –
Guest of Honor Martha Wells just answers your burning questions, for an hour. You never know what you might find out!
Martha Wells
Revealing Your Invented World on the Page
Room 423-424, –
Fantasy and science fiction writers spend hours and brain cells developing fascinating settings for their stories, whether through elaborate histories, complex environments, or intricate technologies. Panelists share tips on how to explore complex worlds without burdening their readers with endless prologues or opening pages bogged down with infodumps.
Carol Berg, Gregory A. Wilson, Marshall Ryan Maresca, Paolo Bacigalupi, Rachael K. Jones
Dublin 2029 Meet and Greet
Room 427, –
Join the Dublin 2029 Worldcon bid team for a non-alcoholic event where you can meet the team, hear about our plans for the bid, ask us any questions, and maybe even volunteer!
Dublin 2029 Worldcon Bid
Reading: R.W.W. Greene
Room 428, –
Mercury Rising. Even in a technologically-advanced, Kennedy-didn’t-die alternate history, Brooklyn Lamontagne is going nowhere fast. The year is 1975, 30 years after Robert Oppenheimer invented the Oppenheimer Nuclear Engine, 25 years after the first human walked on the moon, and 18 years after Jet Carson and the Eagle Seven sacrificed their lives to stop the alien invaders.
R.W.W. Greene
Reading: Fonda Lee
Room 429, –
The Last Contract of Isako. Fonda Lee reads from her upcoming science fiction novel.
Fonda Lee
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
LP Kindred, Matt Baume, Sarah Rees Brennan, Scott H. Andrews, Todd Lockwood, Stephen R. Donaldson
An Academic, a Scientist, and a Writer Walk Into a Bar
Room 431-432, –
The Arizona State University Center for Science and the Imagination publishes a lot of science fiction. It connects writers, teachers, and researchers in interesting ways. Come learn about a unique approach to telling the future’s stories.
Brenda Cooper (M), Ed Finn, Eileen Gunn, Jenna Hanchey, Joey Eschrich
Your Novel Became a Movie/Show. How Did It Go?
Room 433-434, –
Science fiction and fantasy authors talk about the experience of having their novels made into movies or other visual media. What parts translated best (or worst) into film? How much input did the author have with the screenwriter? What did the author learn from the process? How did the experience influence their subsequent or future writings? More importantly, would they do it again?
Luke Elliott (M), Caitlin Rozakis, Holly Black, Matt Ruff, Nicholas Binge, Leigh Bardugo
Evolution of Families
Room 435-436, –
How has the concept of family changed through the centuries and why? What differences are there between different cultures and eras on what makes a family?
Diana Xin (M), Emily Paxman, Gregg Castro, Tashan Mehta, Van Hoang
Newsletter Marketing for Indie Authors
Room 443-444, –
Owning your own email list is more important than ever, but how do you get people to sign up, and what do you say once they’re there? This panel will give you all the tips and tricks.
Jessie Kwak (M), Casey Blair, Deleyna Marr, Gail Carriger, Jo Miles
From the Vast Latin American Skies We Imagined, the World Might Listen: Latin American SF
Room 445-446, –
Latin American science fiction isn’t a monolith. From the Andean imagination to the Caribbean coastal futures, each country’s SF emerges with its own voice, history, and concerns. In this panel, writers, scholars, and readers explore the differences—and surprising echoes—across the region, reflecting on how each nation envisions the future in its own language of imagination.
Mallory Craig-Kuhn (M), Isabel Schechter, Luis Carlos Barragán Castro, Andres Olave, Paz Pardo
The Many Languages of Poetry
Room 447-448, –
A discussion of poetry created in languages beyond English: translated, not yet translated, existing between languages, or expanding what’s possible. What can poetry do that makes other writing formats jealous? What freedoms does a translator have, and when might we say that a translator has trampled the flowers? Hear from the expertise of our panelists about poetry that speaks to them, whether there is an English translation or not.
EB Helveg (M), Judy I. Lin, M V Soumithri, Sue Burke
Sadie Hartmann Book Launch Party
Sheraton: Ravenna, –
Mother Horror is back with the ultimate compendium, Feral and Hysterical: Mother Horror’s Ultimate Reading Guide to Dark and Disturbing Fiction by Women. With a foreword by prolific horror writer Ania Ahlborn and five new essays from leading voices in horror, readers are not going into the dark alone as they explore the horror genre. This collection of curated lists is the perfect helper for readers looking to bulk up their reading with women and marginalized voices in the genre, banish the dreaded reading slump, and quell their mood reader tastes. Within these pages horror lovers will find more than just the well-known names of Shirley Jackson and Daphne du Maurier, but contemporary indie authors as well. Get ready to scream with the queens of horror and diversify your shelves!
Sadie Hartmann (M)
Concert Star Cluster: Tunesters Union and TJ & Mitchell Burnside-Clapp
Signature Room (5F), –
Tunesters Union is the duo of Carol Ferraro and Barisha Letterman. They hail from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and are bringing their gorgeous harmonies to our music space! (–)
TJ & Mitchell Burnside Clapp are based in the Washington, D.C. area. Mitchell is an Australian-American aerospace engineer and former test pilot; TJ is a longtime award-winning filker. They met at a filk con in 1988 where both were performing separately, and have been delighting folks around the world as a duo ever since. (–)
Barisha Letterman, Carol Ferraro, Mitchell Burnside-Clapp, TJ Burnside-Clapp
A Song of Ice and Fire Fan Meetup
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
Join fellow A Song of Ice and Fire fans for a lively meetup filled with theories, debates, and maybe even a deep dive into Westeros lore! Come share your love for George R. R. Martin’s epic world. Expect trivia, theories, and maybe a little tinfoil. All readers welcome—but there will be spoilers….
Laura Antoniou (M)
Fan Fund Auction
Terrace Suite (4F), –
The TransAtlantic Fan Fun (TAFF) and Down Under Fan Fund (DUFF) jointly run an auction to raise money to help send fans around the world.
Geri Sullivan, Mikołaj Kowalewski, Paul Weimer, Sarah Gulde
2 p.m. PDT (5 p.m. EDT / 9 p.m. GMT)
R. U. R. Rossum’s Universal Robots
Ballroom 2, –
A radio play production of R.U.R: Rossum’s Universal Robots, Karel Čapek’s 1921 influential and perhaps prophetic play, which introduced the word “robot” to the science fiction world and remains relevant, concerned as it is with artificial intelligence and the definitions of “human.”
J. Spyder Isaacson
Magic: The Gathering Draft
Overlook Lounge (5F), –
Teen/tween only Magic: The Gathering draft. $25 fee. Sign up in the Teen Louge (Room 442).
(re)Design (re)Search: Perfecting Design through Concept-Driven Investigation
Room 320, –
As a design-based response to the formality and conservative layout of most academic posters, this one is designed to illustrate the less-than-organized quality of artistic research. It tracks the creative, intellectual, and physical journeys made during the design, creation and presentation of “Queen of the Killer Bees,” a Worldcon Masquerade-winning fantasy costume. The poster was previously presented on-line at the 2020 Design Principles and Practices Conference.
Meghan Lancaster
Reading: Palmer Pickering
Room 428, –
Heliotrope is a standalone epic fantasy story of a retired warrior, found family, animal companions, and ancient magic: familiar tropes told in a slow-burn, descriptive style, with compelling magic systems. The writing has been compared to Robin Hobb, Robert Jordan, and L.E. Modesitt, Jr.: “…the tone cuts a fine line between a leisurely escape read and tense action with well spun suspense,” says Janny Wurts. Palmer will be reading the opening chapter.
Palmer Pickering
Reading: Jennifer Brozek
Room 429, –
Citizen, Scion, Savior, Singularity. Sophia Nyland risks all to make the discovery of a lifetime. After she breaks through what is supposed to be an impenetrable barrier, she discovers that her world is much larger than she thought it was—as is her place within it.
Jennifer Brozek
Bridgerton Timey-Wimey Ball
Sheraton Ballroom B, –
Enjoy a one last bit of timey-wimey dancing at our Bridgerton-theme ball, featuring dances in the over-the-top romantic style of the alternate-history television series Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte as well as the Regency-themed Doctor Who episode “Rogue!” Fantastical late 18th century-to-Regency costumes encouraged and admired, but any clothes you feel comfortable dancing in and can move easily are welcome. No partner is needed and no experience is required—all dances will be taught on the spot by our professional dance caller, Susan de Guardiola. Note: some of the dances for the timey-wimey balls will also be taught in the earlier sessions “Learn the Rogue Tango” and “Learn Bridgerton Dancing”, which those looking for extra practice may wish to attend.
Susan de Guardiola (M)
Carl Brandon Society Meetup
Sheraton: Issaquah Room, –
Do you love reading N. K. Jemisin, Premee Mohamed, Caroline M. Yoachim, Usman T. Malik, Octavia E. Butler, Stephen Graham Jones, and Suzan Palumbo? Then join the Carl Brandon Society for a celebration of BIPOC speculative fiction writers and illustrators. Carl Brandon Society members, guests, and readers of all backgrounds are welcomed to attend. Masks are strongly encouraged and will be provided if needed.
Isis Asare (M)
3 p.m. PDT (6 p.m. EDT / 10 p.m. GMT)
Discussion Group: Indigenous Creators for Indigenous Creators
BIPOC Lounge (Room 339), –
A panel and discussion group for Indigenous creators to address challenges faced specifically by Indigenous creators of all types.
Daphne Singingtree (M)
Matt Ruff Signing at the Book Bin
Dealers' Room/The Book Bin, –
Matt Ruff is signing books this hour at The Book Bin in the dealers' room.
What You Shouldn’t Say to a Fairy
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
What’s in a name? Everything. We’ll give you the do’s and don’ts for talking with the fey folk. Heads up: They really like bread.
Kate Ristau (M)
Autographs
Garden Lounge (3F), –
The listed creators are available to sign autographs this hour.
Ken Bebelle, Bethany Jacobs, Cecilia Tan, Christine Taylor-Butler, Ctein, D.L. Solum, Dan Moren, Dana Bell, David D. Levine, Edward Martin III, Fonda Lee, Henry Lien, Nancy Kress, Rebecca Roanhorse, Robin Hobb, Sonia Orin Lyris
New and Emerging Voices in Science Fiction
Room 320, –
A genre that imagines the future should always be aware of its next generation of talent. Who are the authors who are pushing SF in new directions? What are the exciting new conversations that younger authors are bringing to the genre?
Curtis C. Chen (M), Emily Hockaday, Josh Wilson, Priya Sridhar, Yume Kitasei
Decoupling the Military from YA SFF
Room 321, –
Why do so many YA science fiction and fantasy stories center on teen soldiers, cadets, or chosen ones training for war? Let’s imagine what YA SFF can look like when it’s not rooted in combat training or hierarchical command. We’ll discuss alternative narratives—explorations, rebellions, quiet revolutions, community building, science, art, and care—and how broadening our lens can open the genre to new kinds of heroes and fresh storytelling.
Marta Murvosh (M), Ehigbor Okosun, Judy I. Lin, L.J. Melvin
Geek Travel
Room 322, –
Explore traveling to geek-related destinations to see where your favorite shows and/or movies were filmed (i.e., Hobbiton) or places where your favorite author lived, etc. Let’s discuss what trips we’ve done, how to do it, where to go, and more.
Heather Tracy (M), Corrina Lawson, Gina Saucier, Glen Engel-Cox, Peter Crozier
Frankenstuffies
Room 329, –
Don your best mad scientist outfit and come create marvelous monsters and creative chimera! We will take cute fluffy stuffed animals and hack them into pieces only to reassemble them in wholly unnatural ways. Warning: Not for children or the easily distressed! We will be working with scissors and needles, and only mature mad scientists will be allowed to participate. The only skills required are rudimentary sewing skills (plush is very forgiving) and a sick sense of humor. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Kathryn Brant (M), V. Lacquement, Wyn Jones
Foundations of Effective Prose
Room 330, –
This class will focus on the understanding of rhetorical stance (more commonly known as point of view, or POV). Let’s talk about how to choose a stance and why choosing the right stance matters. Along the way, let’s discuss some of the many implications of rhetorical stance (e.g., sequence, internal consistency, and respect) and get into a few of the predictable problems and challenges. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Stephen R. Donaldson (M)
George R.R. Martin Presents: Three Short Films Based on Stories by Howard Waldrop
Room 331-332, –
George R.R. Martin told The Hollywood Reporter he broke “the cardinal rule of Hollywood” by using his own money to produce three short films based on stories written by his friend Howard Waldrop, celebrated short story writer and recipient of the 2021 World Fantasy lifetime achievement award. They are Night of the Cooters (2022, directed by and starring Vincent D’Onofrio), Mary Margaret Road Grader (2024), and The Ugly Chickens (2024, starring Felicia Day). In May of this year THR announced a production deal between George and Lion Forge Entertainment to produce a feature length animated film based on Waldrop’s “A Dozen Tough Jobs.” Howard Waldrop died in January 2024. George will conduct a Q&A after the screening.
George R.R. Martin (M)
Fun with Astrophysics
Room 334, –
Our understanding of the solar system has changed repeatedly as we build better telescopes and probes. If you know enough, you can see the funny parts and write about them.
Larry Niven (M), Frank Wu, Gregory Gadow, Howard Tayler, Todd Brun
“As You Wish”: Cult Classics and Why We Love Them
Room 335-336, –
Cult classic movies didn’t make money at the box office; we fell in love with them on VHS, DVD, and now on streaming platforms. Let’s talk about what makes these films iconic.
Crystal Lloyd (M), Andrew Penn Romine, J.R. Dawson, Janna Silverstein, Lisa Padol, Terri Ash
Is it Appropriation? Writing the Other
Room 343-344, –
Is it cake? I mean, appropriation? How do you respectfully create characters of diverse backgrounds while also “staying in your lane”? Hear from the experts on their tips and tricks for respectful character and cultural creation.
James Mendez Hodes (M), Annie Carl, Gregg Castro, K. Tempest Bradford, Shay Kauwe
The Warrior Ethos
Room 345-346, –
The foundation of the warrior is ethos, the warrior’s code. Let’s explore similarities and differences between warriors across time and cultures. Then let’s delve into their attributes, their effectiveness, and some examples of great warriors. Finally, we’ll look at anti-warriors—cowards, shirkers, and non-warriors.
Russell Ervin (M), Clayton Mann, Jonathan “JD” Davenport, Jonathan Brazee
Who Would Win?
Room 347-348, –
Decide who will win each contest from our bracket of various characters and determine who will take home the crown!
A. L. Kaplan (M)
Solo TTRPGs as Writing Exercises
Room 420-422, –
Solo tabletop role-playing games have exploded over the last few years. Journaling games can work as writing exercises, either as inspiration for a story or as character practice by running a character through the game. Panelists will discuss what makes a good writing-focused game and give some recommendations, along with suggestions on how to find what works for you.
Mur Lafferty (M), A. J. Hackwith, Rath Mercury, V.M. Ayala, Bob Taylor
Beyond the Frame; Past the Page
Room 423-424, –
Dive into a dynamic conversation that explores the interplay between visual art and written words, focusing on how each medium invites the viewer or reader to imagine the unseen. Artists and authors will discuss how their particular approaches to storytelling engage their audience’s imagination and encourage them to think beyond the page, canvas, or screen.
Scott Lefton (M), Celeste C. Tyler, Donato Giancola, John Picacio, Sara Light-Waller
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Shana Targosz, Cody Sisco, Diana M. Pho, T. A. Chan, Tom Francis, GregRobin Smith
Reading: K.G. Anderson
Room 428, –
K.G. Anderson reads from her new collection Patti 209: Fifteen Tales of the Very Near Future, containing stories of awakening, courage, and resistance.
K.G. Anderson
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Ray Nayler, Jim Zub, Meghan Lancaster, Moriko Handford, Jason Sanford, Terilee Edwards-Hewitt
Using Tarot in Creative Writing
Room 431-432, –
Have you been tempted by the gorgeous tarot decks for sale in the dealer’s room? Learn how to tap into the rich imagery of tarot cards to create characters, inspire storylines, build worlds, and even revise your stories!
Remy Nakamura (M), Julia Vee, Shannon Page, Tom D Wright, W. Jade Young
Writing and Publishing in Different Genres
Room 433-434, –
How might authors approach writing and publishing in multiple genres? What are the challenges of marketing to different types of readers? How can we navigate the tricky waters of finding new editors and publishers (much less, agents)? Is it better to publish under different nom de plumes for different audiences? Will audiences from one series or genre try a book from a different genre? This panel aims to unpack this broad strategy to writing and publishing, one that brings with it many challenges and many opportunities.
Coral Alejandra Moore (M), Ash Huang, Gail Carriger, Sandra Tayler, Van Hoang, Victor Manibo
Women Write: An Overview of Women in SFF History
Room 435-436, –
It’s a well-discussed trope that women were largely shut out of SFF publishing for years, but in reality, they were there, writing great stuff. Let’s look the women in the field, the contributions they made as writers and editors, and the ways they shaped the genre from the very beginning. Why were their contributions forgotten by history? Let’s talk about that as well.
Madame Askew (M), Courtney Floyd, Dave Hook, Eileen Gunn, Sarah J. Daley
Reading: Mary Robinette Kowal
Room 443–444, –
The Martian Contingency. Years after a meteorite strike obliterated Washington, D.C.—triggering an extinction-level global warming event—Earth’s survivors have started an international effort to establish homes on space stations and the Moon. The next step: Mars. Elma York, the Lady Astronaut, lands on the Red Planet, optimistic about preparing for the first true wave of inhabitants. The mission objective is more than just building the infrastructure of a habitat—they are trying to preserve the many cultures and nuances of life on Earth without importing the hate. But from the moment she arrives, something is off. Disturbing signs hint at a hidden disaster during the First Mars Expedition that never made it into the official transcript. As Elma and her crew try to investigate, they face a wall of silence and obfuscation. Their attempts to build a thriving Martian community grind to a halt. What you don’t know CAN harm you. And if the truth doesn’t come to light, the ripple effects could leave humanity stranded on a dying Earth…
Mary Robinette Kowal
What the Hell Is “Weird Horror”?
Room 445-446, –
This one is gonna be weird… in the best possible way. The subgenres of horror called “New Weird” and “Bizarro” have emerged as two increasingly popular alleys modern horror authors love to explore. Yet, despite the growing popularity of these sub-categories, few are able to truly describe it, other than as “You know it when you see it.” Though this is true, we will seek to explore what you can look for and where you can find great examples of these emerging subgenres from some of the industry’s best minds in the craft.
Lark Morgan Lu (M), David Sandner, Gordon B. White, Jordan Kurella, Wendy N. Wagner
Trains, the Answer Is Always Trains
Room 447-448, –
If the question is how to move a lot of stuff, whether people or cargo, efficiently and cost-effectively, the answer is trains. Unless it’s ships, and even then trains might be involved. But what kind(s) of trains, and how could they be different in the real-world future, in alternative pasts, and in fiction?
Erin Roberts (M), Alex Kingsley, Dan Dubrick, Ed Buchan, Ric Bretschneider
The Emerald City in the Atomic Age: Costume Meetup
Signature Lobby, –
Want to be part of a costume group but don’t have a bunch of costumer friends? Join us! Everyone is welcome! Wear your best retro-futuristic duds to the group costume meetup. Let’sl show off our sartorial splendor together, take some photos, and generally raise the level of fabulous at the convention.
Dragon Age Meetup
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
Dragon Age! The popular video game franchise released its latest edition in late 2024. Let’s talk about it! The companions, romances, plot twists, series continuity—we’ll cover it all. Author Deby Fredericks moderates. Caution, there may be spoilers.
Deby Fredricks
Reading: Brandon Sanderson
Terrace Suite (4F), –
Join us for a rare and exclusive spotlight session with Brandon Sanderson, where he will present the very first public reading from Ghostbloods, the eagerly anticipated Mistborn Era Three. After two decades of buildup, Brandon's bringing a first look at this new chapter in the Cosmere, set roughly 50 years after Era Two, to Worldcon. Recorded live, this spotlight will be a peek into Brandon’s creative process, bridging past eras of Mistborn and setting the tone for what fans can expect over the next five years.
Brandon Sanderson
Edmonton in Virtual Bid Party
–
Edmonton in Virtual Bid Party: Celebrating Science Fiction and Fantasy from Canada: join us online for four hours of reading, discussion, and general chat with writers from across Canada, and a chance to hear from the chairs and other team members of the Edmonton bid. The program runs from – A full schedule will be available at EdmontonIn2030.org. There will be four chat rooms, a games room, and a social room. All rooms are moderated and the Seattle Code of Conduct will be strictly enforced. Anyone engaging in harassment or microaggression will be excluded immediately and a report made to the Convention. The Meeting “room” holds 100 people. Join on Zoom: Meeting 729247.
Reading: Matt Youngmark
Room 428, –
Dungeon Dogs. Matt reads from the long-awaited sequel to his novel Tavern Rats, about a sorcery student who must head out adventuring to pay her crippling student debt.
Matt Youngmark
Reading: Raven Oak
Room 429, –
The Eldest Silence. Families collide when a genderless society promises peace.
Raven Oak
4 p.m. PDT (7 p.m. EDT / 11 p.m. GMT)
Jackbox Games - Saturday
Discord, –
Jackbox games are online party games for participants (and possibly an audience). To play, all you'll need is a web browser. Drop in and drop out any time. Meet in the Discord.
Virtual Gaming
Cosmic Spy
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
This is a drop-in anytime 15-minute Star Wars Aurebesh decoder puzzle game, including a prize, for ages 5 and up.
Autographs
Garden Lounge (3F), –
The listed creators are available to sign autographs this hour.
Alex Shvartsman, Alison Clarke, Alma Alexander, Andrea Hairston, Blaze Ward, Brittany Tucker, CJ Hosack, Michael Michel, Rosemary Jones, Ryan North, Usman T. Malik, Vincent Roth, Brandon Sanderson, Nino Cipri
Asr Afternoon Call to Prayer
Interfaith Lounge (Room 337), –
Flying Cars: Technostalgia in Science Fiction Movies and TV
Room 320, –
It’s 2025—where is my flying car? It seems difficult to imagine the future without cars. Flying cars fit into our concept of “automobility” which has a profound effect on U.S. culture, evoking nostalgia for the past and the present. While flying cars were first described in 1923, it took 38 years before they appeared in movies. Many s-f tv shows and movies with flying cars are dystopian, with only a few occurring in societies which could be considered utopian or neutral. What do these imagined forms of transportation say about U.S. culture now and about an idealized nostalgic past?
Terilee Edwards-Hewitt
The Keys to Creative Collaboration
Room 321, –
Writing is a notoriously isolating activity, and writers defend their independence fiercely. But writing collaborations have a long, rich history and can combine the strengths of both authors in one package. Every collaboration is different, but there are some universals truths. Panelists discuss their own experiences and the pros and cons of collaborative writing.
Faye Gabriel (M), Erin Hardee/MK Hardy, Holly Black, Morag (MK Hardy), Tina Connolly
So, You Want to Be in a Sci-Fi Con Art Show
Room 322, –
You’ve seen the art show and thought to yourself, “I make fantasy and/or sci-fi artwork, and it would be so cool if I could show like all these amazing creators.” Art show artists, old and new, discuss how to research, apply to exhibit at, and show work at conventions. Learn the ins and outs from portfolio development and applications to con weekend setup and breakdown. Find out how to research for a convention, what to look for in rates and spaces, and get the scoop on your local conventions, as well as those farther away.
Melissa Kocias (M), Bob Hranek, Brian Grinnell, Brittany Torres, Jeff Sturgeon
Digital Accessibility Basics for Conventions
Room 327, –
Conventions are getting more used to considering the physical accessibility of their hotels and convention centers, but how are we doing with digital accessibility? Ensuring that websites and web applications, email marketing, and distributed documents are set up to be compatible with assistive technology keeps our members with disabilities included throughout the year. Learn about the basics of document accessibility and get a grounding of what your publications and marketing volunteers should be aware of in order to make sure your convention’s materials are accessible to everyone. Handout: Digital Accessibility Basics for Conventions (407 KB .pdf) or Digital Accessibilty Basics Google Drive folder with more material.
Michael Hanscom (M)
Shrinky Dinks!
Room 328, –
Have you heard of shrinky dinks? The plastic that you draw on, and then it shrinks to about half the size? Shrink-plastic art has come a long way from making keychains in school! Come and make a pin or earrings with shrink plastic. Learn the best way to color and outline your design, how to cut and shrink it down with a heat gun, and then how to seal the piece to make it more durable. Leave with your own shrink-plastic creation! Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Sara Felix (M)
Writing Hard SF
Room 330, –
Hard SF emphasizes scientific accuracy, plausibility, and technical detail and is often grounded in real-world scientific principles and knowledge. How do you write science and keep it interesting? How much do you research? What happens when you get it wrong? In this workshop, participants will learn the ins and outs of writing hard SF. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
David Brin (M)
Found Filk and Filk Found
Room 334, –
A discussion about found filk in the Mundane Music community, as well as the places where filk can be found away from the filk community. Is Stan Rogers’ “White Collar Holler” filk? What about Fred Small’s “Hot Frogs on the Loose”? Why are people at folk festivals singing songs by Leslie Fish and Cat Faber?
Callie Hills (M), Carole I. Parker, Cecilia Eng, Sunnie Larsen, Taunya Gren
Costuming for Every Body
Room 335-336, –
Back before fast fashion and cheap imported clothes, the fashionable silhouette was achieved through underpinnings, padding, and optical illusions. Knowing that, how can we adapt our ideal costumes for the bodies we have? Explore the ways in which we can make costumes more accessible and how we can create a costuming community that welcomes diverse bodies, kinder connections, and more welcoming convention experiences.
The Grand Arbiter (M), Madame Askew, Sumiko Saulson, Taylor Tomblin
The History of the Future
Room 343-344, –
Where (and when) have futurist and science fictional visions of social transformation collided with real-world political movements and public policy? Examples include cyberpunk, feminist utopias, and garden cities. How have images of the future catalyzed real-world action in the past, and how can we harness these visions to shape our paths forward?
Joey Eschrich (M), Ada Palmer, Annalee Newitz, Doug Van Belle, Ed Finn
Dalek Making
Room 345-346, –
Fabricate! FABRICATE!! The nuts and bolts of building your very own evil killing machine. From the chassis up, a Dalek needs a variety of specialized parts, many of which can be sourced from your local hardware store, but some are harder to find. Brought to you by Britcon.
Charlie Logan (M), Matt Ravenmore
Writing to Trend or Writing the Book of Your Heart
Room 347-348, –
You may have heard the advice to write to the market if you want to be successful. But does that mean you have to ignore the book of your heart? Why not write both? Let’s talk about the pros and cons of writing to market versus writing whatever you want and how to fuse your love of writing with marketability to create a unique work of art that also sells well.
Chris Gerrib (M), Elizabeth Guizzetti, Elliott Kay, Joe (JCM) Berne
Women in Combat
Room 420-422, –
There are many notable women in history or tales who were involved in combat: Boudicca, Mulan, Joan of Arc, and more. Plus, there are examples of possible non-binary warriors, including that derived from new evidence in a grave found in Finland.
Mena Nizam (M), Kim Iverson Headlee, Rowenna Miller, Jan Kotouč
The Holocaust in Comics
Room 423-424, –
Holocaust education has become increasingly important as those who witnessed it have continued to pass on. Many comic book artists used their craft to remember these tragic events and we will be discussing those comics and more in this panel. Captain America, Hellboy, Maus, Chutz-POW, supermensches, and more! Many schools now require the satisfactory completion of a course that include Holocaust and genocide studies as a condition of high school graduation from public schools. You’ll leave this panel with a list of comic books and graphic novels for educators to take into their classrooms.
D. Wes Rist (M), Elsa Sjunneson, Selena A. Naumoff, Valerie Estelle Frankel
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Carol Berg, R. Thursday, John Hedtke, Krys Blackwood, Robin Hobb, Hugo, Girl! Podcast
Reading: Daryl Gregory
Room 428, –
When We Were Real. Seven years ago we learned we were all living in a simulation—and none of us got superpowers. Two old friends join a bus tour to see America’s Impossibles—glitches in the landscape—and figure out what really matters. Locus called it a tour de force.
Daryl Gregory
Poetry Readings Saturday
Room 429, –
Come bask in the poetic wonders of strange worlds, fantastic narrators, and imaginary perspectives! Hear the poetry of Grand Master Linda D. Addison, Ai Jiang, Devin Miller, Geoffrey A. Landis, Vanessa MacLaren-Wray, and Katherine Quevedo.
Ai Jiang (M), Devin Miller, Geoffrey A. Landis, Katherine Quevedo, Linda D. Addison, Vanessa MacLaren-Wray
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Lezli Robyn, Lynne M. Thomas, Michael Nayak, Sheila Williams, Shiv Ramdas
To Live or Die in the Space Biz: Lessons From a Wild Ride Through the Technology Valley of Death
Room 431-432, –
As the founding CEO and chief scientist of Seattle-area aerospace startup Tethers Unlimited, Rob Hoyt has worked on over a hundred projects with commercial, government, and military customers, so he has a lot of great stories to tell. Come early to get a good seat.
Dr. Rob Hoyt (M)
You Ask; We Build
Room 433-434, –
Audience participation required! You set the parameters and we make them live. Vampires, dragons that can actually fly, and intelligent, tool-wielding apes, go wild!
BE Allatt (M), Allan Dyen-Shapiro, Amy Thomson, Dr. Ricky, Steven Popkes
AI and Creativity
Room 435-436, –
Explore the impacts of artificial intelligence on publishing, disabled creators, and the larger creative economy. What do artists need to do to band together and make a better future for creators?
Dr. Corey Frazier (M), Alex Hanna, Emily M. Bender, Lia Holland, Shiromi Arserio
Do Your Damn Job: Writing Professions Accurately
Room 443-444, –
We all have jobs and therefore, we all know how it feels when our job is depicted badly in fiction. We’ve all thrown a book down in outrage, shouted, “That would never happen!” and checked right out of a story. So, how do we, as writers, avoid irritating our readers by depicting professions inaccurately? This panel of various multi-profession, publishing creatives can shine a light on how to accurately portray professions in your horror prose.
Clay Vermulm (M), Rhiannon/R. Z. Held, Jack Skillingstead, Z.D. Gladstone, Nicole Kimberling
Fanfic on Paper
Room 445-446, –
From mimeograph with staples or comb-binding to small runs of offset printing and artisanal fanbindings with custom covers, fanfic has never been published like other literature. Find out how it used to be done, how it shifted to digital publishing, and how it’s shared on paper now. We’ll look at the history of fanzines and the current fanbinding hobby, the ethics of publishing in a niche community, and the controversies of commercialization.
Linda Deneroff (M), Berlynn Wohl, Desmothene, Jean Lamb, Rachael Sabotini (rache)
Reading: Rebecca Roanhorse
Room 447–448, –
Rebecca Roanhorse reads an excerpt from her Hugo-nominated series, Between Earth and Sky.
Rebecca Roanhorse
Memories of Aussiecon Meetup
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
It’s been 50 years since Aussiecon 1! Let's talk about the first Aussiecon in 1975, the bidding and publicity for the first Worldcon outside of North America and Europe, and of the fans, attendees, award winners, and the lifelong connections and friendships made. Aussiecon 1 was a unique convention with pros, fans, and others participating in a smaller scale but enthusiastic and very successful World Science Fiction Convention.
James Joseph Styles (M)
Interview and Q&A with Bridget Landry
Terrace Suite (4F), –
Come learn about Seattle Worldcon Guest of Honor Bridget Landry, with a Q&A included.
Aaron Scott (M), Bridget Landry
aUI - The Language of Space Workshop (Virtual)
Virtual Room 1, –
aUI, the language of space, perhaps an experimental language of the noosphere, will be introduced and described in the first part via PowerPoint presentation: its creator, background, incentive, purpose, and further, its unique characteristics that set it apart from other conlangs. In the second part, the basics of aUI will be taught: the audience will be challenged to memorize its 31 symbols, sounds, and meanings within the time it takes to briefly describe them, and then basic words and phrases will be introduced and practiced in an interactive session. Handout: aUI The Language of Space Workshop (3 MB .pdf).
Andi Weilgart
5 p.m. PDT (8 p.m. EDT / midnight GMT)
Using Cyber-Physical Systems in Realizing a New Energy Technology Development Paradigm
Room 320, –
Currently, the linear and sequential technology development paradigm requires at least two decades to implement a new power generation technology. What if it only took two years? If novel hybrid power systems capable of doubling generation efficiency with robust dynamic performance could be realized on this time scale, in two years, consumption of fuel could be cut in half, and emissions could be cut by 99%. Recent research by the U.S. Department of Energy in cyber-physical systems suggests that such a paradigm change is possible using intelligent hardware.
David Tucker
Reading: C.N. Kuster
Room 428, –
The Bloodweaver (Podium, 2026). The Bloodweaver is an epic fantasy set in a gothic, age-of-sail world where siblings Mel and Kerick are caught on opposite sides of a brewing war over a newly discovered magic, exploring how we respond to new technology with hope, wonder, fear, and violence.
C.N. Kuster
Reading: Marie Brennan
Room 447–448, –
“Embers Burning in the Night.” A fantasy short story in which a prisoner testifies about the shocking coda to a revolution.
Marie Brennan
SFWA Pre-Hugo Awards Networking Reception
Sheraton Ravenna, –
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association invites members and guests to a pre-Hugo Awards networking event. Connect with your next writing partner, editor, or agent with structured speed networking facilitated with fun and engaging ice breaker questions and prompts. We recommend downloading Blinq ahead of time for sharing contact information!
6 p.m. PDT (9 p.m. EDT / 1 a.m. August 17 GMT)
Imaginerial
Ballroom 2, –
Imaginerial Arts & Entertainment creates unique presentations engaging your imagination using theater, music, art, and literature. We are a collection of artisans and business people who believe in creating a better life perspective for those seeking self-empowerment and unity with all that surrounds us. Believe! The Magic is Real!
Alexander James Adams, Lia Graf, Fox Amoore, Mark Armstrong, Maya Bohnhoff, Jeff Bohnhoff
Jackbox Games - Saturday
Discord, –
Jackbox games are online party games for participants (and possibly an audience). To play, all you'll need is a web browser. Drop in and drop out any time. Meet in the Discord.
Virtual Gaming
Spooky Scary Story Hour
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Let’s enjoy a spooky scary story hour around the campfire.
Clay Vermulm (M), Randee Dawn
Autographs
Garden Lounge (3F), –
The listed creators are available to sign autographs this hour.
Ada Palmer, Annalee Newitz, Brandon O’Brien, Brenda W. Clough, Carrie Vaughn, Casey Blair, Daphne Singingtree, Elijah Kinch Spector, Julie Leong, Priya Sridhar, Sandra Tayler
The Black Egg
Interfaith Lounge (Room 337), –
Join us for a tradition-nonspecific Pagan ritual of hope and creativity. Alcohol- and gluten-free. All are welcome to participate.
Rebecca Lynn Scott)
Discussion Group: Gender Diverse Creators for Gender Diverse Creators
LGBTQ+ Lounge (Room 340), –
A panel and discussion group for gender diverse creators to address challenges faced specifically by gender diverse creators of all types.
Jae Steinbacher (M)
Spaceships and Sasquatch: An Evergreen Setting for SFF
Room 320, –
Washington, nicknamed the Evergreen State, has been the backdrop for plenty of genre art, media, and stories. The history, natural environment, and technological innovation seem to spark creativity. Let’s highlight some of the interesting things that make this place so special.
Tim Bennett (M), Kat Richardson, Larry Lewis, Randy Henderson, Steve Edmiston
Skibidi What? How Teens Talk
Room 321, –
Whether it’s snappy banter between best friends, a villain’s chilling threat, or a heartfelt confession under the stars, great dialog can make young characters leap off the page. In this panel, let’s explore how to craft voice-rich, authentic dialog that captures the energy of middle grade and teen characters, moves the story forward, and brings speculative worlds to life.
Holly Black (M), Diana Ma, M.T. Zimny
Feedback Session #3
Room 322, –
Come share your feedback with us! Something going really well? We’d really like to hear about it. Something we can help make better? We’d really like to hear about it. Not sure why something is the way it is? We’d really like an opportunity to answer your question.
Kathy Bond (M)
Let’s Make a Movie: Direct It!
Room 327, –
Directing is either eye-wateringly esoteric or shamefully pedestrian, but that’s a question you can answer for yourself later. Meet with a group of four film directors who will compare notes on how to approach directing, how to solve issues, and how to get a movie across the finish line. This is the first time this segment has been offered as part of the Let’s Make a Movie workshop, and it’s all very excitig to welcome such a talented team. (Note: You don’t have to attend all the parts to enjoy the workshop, but doing so gets you the best possible experience!)
Taunya Gren (M), Edward Martin III, Eric Morgret, Ryan K. Johnson, dQ Kaufman
Kansahi: Japanese Folded-Fabric Flowers
Room 328, –
Learn how to turn fabric scraps into two floral hair pieces or brooches. Basic hand-sewing skills are required. Kits available for $20 fee, due to instructor at time of workshop, cash or Venmo. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Janine Wardale (M)
Custom Plush Pattern-Making Workshop
Room 329, –
Have you ever wanted to create your own custom stuffed animal, but you had no idea where to start? It’s easier than you think! Join this workshop to learn how to create a custom pattern using cheap common household supplies. (Note: While we may discuss sewing techniques, the focus of this class is creating the pattern itself. No actual sewing is needed during the workshop. All ages are welcome, but we do use craft knives in the workshop.) Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Hannah Swedin (M)
SWFF I—Campy, Zany, and a Demon Sword
Room 331-332, –
An evening of strange, bizarre, and very funny films. Feature Film: The Old Man and the Demon Sword (O Velho e a Espada), directed by Fábio Powers. Short Films: A Necessary Evil, Bad Specimen, Dark Forest, I Dream of a Day, Icebreaker, Insanely Perfect, Lupe Q and the Galactic Corn Cake, Mando Mercs Five-0 Clan Celebration.
That’s a Natural 20: D&D in Pop Culture
Room 334, –
Dungeons & Dragons is a role-playing game that started in the 1970s. Since then, D&D has gone from an obscure hobby into a pop culture icon. Let’s look at the history, the movies, books, comics, and comedy of this iconic game.
Greta Kelly (M), Alina Pete, Ed McCutchan, Ron Oakes
The Tea on Afternoon Tea
Room 335-336, –
Afternoon tea is a staple of many a romantic novel, striking adventure, and delightful gossip session, but so little do we get to gossip about the afternoon tea itself. Let’s discuss what makes a perfect pastry, a salivating sarnie, and a captivating cuppa. Know what to look for and what to avoid as you partake in the most British of pastimes.
Madame Askew (M), Carolina Gomez Lagerlöf, Christine Merrill, Z.D. Gladstone
Need a Hand? Transhumanism and Prosthetics
Room 343-344, –
Prosthetics today are advancing faster than we thought possible. What do they look like in the future? What happens when folks are choosing to be modified above and beyond what’s needed to function on a day-to-day basis? How do we approach transhumanism and advanced prosthetics without erasing disability or relegating it to a character quirk rather than an integral part of a character’s identity?
Benjamin C. Kinney (M), Ken Bebelle, Sho Glick, Zoha Kazemi, Catherine Asaro
The (More Than Human) Eye of the Beholder
Room 345-346, –
What happens when human beings go from subject to object, from observers to the observed? Could the point of view of other creatures we share a planet with be even more alien than that of a creature from the stars? Let’s discuss how writing from the perspectives of objects, plants and animals, ancient beings, and entirely new organisms can reveal deeper truths about what it means to be human. Let’s examine how to de-center human biases and priorities to unlock new more-than-human realities.
Tara Campbell (M), Beth Cato, Eva L. Elasigue, Jessie Kwak
History of Czech Science Fiction
Room 347-348, –
Whimsical, as well as dark, and rooted in science and technology of its time, as well as showing unconstrained imagination, historical Czech SF—including its connections to international SFF of the 19th and early 20th centuries—was doing it all, and doing much more than “just” introducing the word “robot” in Karel Čapek’s 1920 drama, R.U.R.
Carleton Bulkin, Václav Pravda, Jan Vaněk
Makerspaces: For When You Can’t Own All the Tools
Room 420-422, –
A makerspace is shared workshop or group of workshops where people can use the tools and facilities to work on their own projects. Some are membership-based, and some are in public libraries. Assume that any major city will have at least one. Our panelists will discuss their involvement with makerspaces, what they recommend, and how the user can get the best experience from a makerspace.
Wm Salt Hale (M), Agathon McGeachy, Steven D. Brewer, Vandy H. Hall
Video Games for People Who Don’t Think They Are Gamers
Room 423-424, –
Video games? So what? So much! This panel will look at dipping your toes into the world of playing video games, even if you haven’t played anything since Pong.
Eleri Hamilton (M), Becky Chambers, Kathleen De Vere, Martin Klima, Sam Stark
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Terry Gant, Craig Miller, Jon Lasser, Stephen Granade, Dan Murphy, Remy Nakamura
Reading: Alex Shvartsman
Room 428, –
The Best of All Possible Planets. Alex Shvartsman read from his new novel: a comedy lampooning space opera tropes, inspired by Candide and told as a series of Futurama episodes.
Alex Shvartsman
Reading: Nino Cipri
Room 429, –
Excerpt from Dead Girls Don’t Dream. There are rules for Voynich Woods: Always carry a whistle. Never go alone. Always come home before dark. And if anyone calls your name, don’t answer. Because everyone who wanders from the path is never seen again.
Nino Cipri
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Jordan Kurella, Melissa Caruso, Rowenna Miller, Shiromi Arserio, Richard Chwedyk
Where’s the Money in Indie Publishing?
Room 431-432, –
Publishing gurus can make it seem like publishing your own novel is a fast path to riches. But the rising number of independent authors has caused a rise in related businesses: courses on writing books and ads, formatting tools, marketing tools, and tools to teach you how to use other tools. The self-publishing game has its share of downsides and pitfalls. This panel will talk candidly about the very real challenges—and rewards—of self-publishing.
T. Thorn Coyle (M), Elliott Kay, Gregory Amato, William C. Tracy, Zack Argyle
Making It Gay… or Trans, Neurodivergent, BIPOC, and More
Room 433-434, –
In a media world that too often does not represent women, queerness, BIPOC identities, neurodivergence, or people with disabilities, it’s no wonder we choose to represent ourselves and/or our desires in the fanfic we write. This panel isn’t about why we take cishet characters and make them gay, trans, or a dozen other things; it’s about why we should and the freedom and joy that goes with knowing we can.
Atlin Merrick (M), Clara Ward, Hana Lee, Maeve MacLysaght, Sarah Rees Brennan
The Radical Fiction of Joanna Russ
Room 435-436, –
Joanna Russ, author of The Female Man, wrote some of the most radical fiction of the 1960s and 1970s. The Female Man has remained consistently in print and is one of the most experimental and challenging books of our genre. This panel will discuss her short stories and novels and their effects.
Sue Burke (M), Catherine Lundoff, Langley Hyde, Michael Swanwick, Rich Horton
Steam and Blood: Effective Sex for Dark Fiction
Room 443-444, –
We’ve all heard the idea that sex is superfluous in your work and that if you don’t need it, you shouldn’t include it. However, consider what sex really is to people: It’s one of the most highly fixated-upon biological needs. Our entire society is built around the appeal of and obsession with sex, from our advertisements to our clothing and censorship structures. Not to mention, a sexual encounter is among the most vulnerable positions, both physically and emotionally, that a person can find themselves in. So, how can you use that vulnerability, that trust, and the capacity for extreme human emotion to your benefit as a horror author? This panel constructed of accomplished horror and erotica authors alike will discuss just that. Let’s steam up those windows… maybe add a splash of blood.
Evan J. Peterson (M), Berlynn Wohl, Corrina Lawson, Gwendolyn N. Nix, Luis Carlos Barragán Castro
Monsoon Season: The Southeast Asian SFF Wave
Room 445-446, –
Since the 2010s, an unprecedented number of Southeast Asian writers, editors, and creators have become prominent in global SFF, including Hugo recipients like Aliette De Bodard, Zen Cho, and Nghi Vo. How did this wave of speculative fiction come about? Is there anything that unifies and distinguishes work from the region and diaspora? And what kinds of writing and other arts continue to be underrepresented?
Van Hoang (M), A. W. Prihandita, Salinee Goldenberg, Victor Manibo
Poetry Performance Tips
Room 447-448, –
There are many ways to read a poem out loud. Hear from experts as they describe why they do the things they do.
Terese Mason Pierre (M), EB Helveg, Katherine Quevedo, Linda D. Addison, Mary Turzillo, R. Thursday
Tom Lehrer Memorial Circle
Sheraton Ballroom B, –
Musician, singer, songwriter, satirist, and mathematician Tom Lehrer departed this stage last month, leaving behind a rich trove of musical gems. Join in, and lift your voice in remembering his contributions to music, comedy, education, and politics.
Blind Lemming Chiffon (M)
Friends of Bill W.
Sheraton: Kirkland, –
Reading: Elektra Hammond
Room 428, –
“The Boy Who Waited.” A Douglas Adams-inspired short story about finding the perfect pet.
Elektra Hammond
Reading: J.R. Dawson
Room 429, –
The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World. Nera is to be the next ferryman of the dead. But tonight, as she takes the helm of her father’s boat, she finds a live woman on board. This woman is looking for someone she’s lost, and she’s followed a song.
J.R. Dawson
7 p.m. PDT (10 p.m. EDT / 2 a.m. August 17 GMT)
Saturday Night Magic
Sheraton Kirkland, –
Commander draft Baldur's Gate. A Magic: The Gathering draft format for those more familiar to commander, draft ancient metallic dragons and your favorite characters from Baldur's Gate 3. Max 24 people, $30 per person. Sign-up sheet will be at the Dragonflight daytime games library on the 5th floor at the Olympic View Lounge, or sign up at the door. Space is limited. Exact change or card is accepted at the door.
Saturday Regular Draft: Bloomburrow
Sheraton Kirkland, –
Cute animals, beautiful art; this Magic: The Gathering set features interesting cards perfect for all ages. Draft rabbits, rats, birds, squirrels, frogs, and other woodland creatures! Max 24 people. $30 per person. Sign-up sheet will be at the Dragonflight daytime games library on the 5th floor at the Olympic View Lounge, or sign up at the door. Space is limited. Exact change or card is accepted at the door.
Maghrib Sundown Call to Prayer
Interfaith Lounge (Room 337), –
Costuming with Glasses
Room 334, –
What do you do if you want to create and wear a costume and you’re one of the 64% of the world’s population who needs their vision corrected? If you can wear contact lenses, you’re set, but what if you can’t? You can just go without, but that’s not a good idea most of the time. Our panelists will discuss the different ways you can still wear your glasses and even make them a part of your costume. Making glasses-friendly masks will also be covered.
Madame Melusine (M), Seaboe Muffinchucker
Songs Through the Ages
Room 335-336, –
Singing is a part of all human cultures, used to celebrate, to memorize important information, to heal, and to keep workers together on repetitive tasks. We will look at different kinds of songs and how they relate to the filk phenomenon.
Alex Mui (M), Anne Harlan Prather, Callie Hills, John G. McDaid
He, Her, Them, Xem, Hir, Vir, Tem, Fire
Room 343-344, –
We’ve all been there: What was that pronoun, and who did it refer to again? As your fictional species multiply, so do the possible genders and pronouns necessary to keep things straight. Or queer; you do you. But how do we handle genders in a way that is respectful of those who use alternative pronouns in their daily lives and do so in a way that is still clear for readers of all generations and cultural backgrounds?
Rath Mercury (M), Ben Francisco, Cassidy Ellis Salter, Jo Miles, Moriko Handford
Movies Based on Video Games
Room 345-346, –
Movies based on video games usually flop. Have there been any truly good ones? Why do they have such problems when movies based on books or comics are hit-or-miss but often successful? Which video games would make excellent movies, and what’s preventing that from happening?
David Ian Salter (M), Ben Wallin, Eleri Hamilton, Mark London Williams, Luke Elliott
Writing from the Periphery and Watching the World
Room 347-348, –
What does it mean to imagine stories from the so-called periphery? From places often left off the map yet deeply connected to global thought and culture? In this panel, creators reflect on the freedoms and insights that come from living and writing outside dominant cultural centers. How do distance, delay, and dissonance become tools for storytelling? In the age of instant connection and digital creation, does the edge still feel like the edge… or has it become a place of its own power? A spontaneous motto and ideal arises: On the edge of the world, with a clearer view.
Leonardo Espinoza Benavides (M), Leon Perniciaro, Shay Kauwe, Somto Ihezue
Creating Alternative History
Room 420-422, –
How, why, and when do you change history to tell your story? Verisimilitude isn’t possible, but what makes the story believable?
Van Hoang (M), Eric G. Swedin, Nick Fraser, Jan Kotouč, Rosemary Claire Smith
Reading: Keith Wiley
Room 428, –
Contemplating Oblivion. When Lysandra, a million-year-old neural configuration designer, discovers a conscious state that might solve the end-of-universe-survival-problem, galactic civilization erupts with renewed hope—but some see it as the path to oblivion, and will do anything to stop her.
Keith Wiley
The Absent S: (Fem)Slash and Sapphics
Room 433-434, –
When most people hear slash, they think man-and-man (M/M), but in modern parlance the term actually applies to any “ship” that is same-sex. In some fandoms, femslash is the main “ship”! Let’s talk about the differences between F/F and M/M fanfic and fandoms, how femslash is often overlooked or looked down upon in fandom (even when it’s the main “ship” of certain fandoms!), and what femslash means to sapphics in fandom.
Anne Stewart (M), Dyani Sabin, T. M. Kuta
Getting to Know the Outer Solar System
Room 435-436, –
Fiction Science podcast interviews Dr. Pedro Bernardinelli, from the University of Washington's Institute for Data Intensive Research in Astrophysics & Cosmology (DiRAC Institute). Learn about the latest info on comets, trans-Neptunian objects, and what else might be lurking in the deepness of space. Bring your questions for a Q&A to follow.
Dominica Phetteplace (M), Dr. Pedro Bernardinelli
You Say “Mad Scientist” and “Evil Plans” Like Those Are Bad Things
Room 445-446, –
Interest leads to knowledge, knowledge leads to obsession, and obsession leads to world domination—simple logic, Pinky. Our panelists would share their secret strategies to take over the world, but then they’d have to kill you.
Jake McKinzie (M), Dawn R. Schuldenfrei, Kathryn Michels, Ph.D., Michael Nayak, Torrey Stenmark
Current Lasers to Future Phasers!
Room 447-448, –
The last time Worldcon was in Seattle, lasers were two years old, big, expensive, and found only in labs. Now they can be tiny, cheap, and found everywhere, from the battlefield to the operating room to anywhere a cat needs to be amused. What else are they used for? What will the future bring? Join our panelists as they shed light on this topic to form a coherent picture of what is to come. Handout: Current Lasers to Future Phasers (367 KB .pdf).
Bob Hranek (M), Alon Newton, J. L. Doty, Jack Glassman, Leanna Cosplay
9-1-1 in Freefall: Medical Emergencies in Space
Terrace Suite (4F), –
What are the risks of space travel, and what are the unique challenges faced with medical emergencies in zero gravity? How are NASA and others preparing to deal with emergencies in space?
Frank Wu, G. David Nordley, Julie Nováková
Live Podcast Session: Bright Lights, Biringan City
Virtual Room 1, –
Join The Gods Must Be Crazy hosts Anama and Ice as they revisit one of their most mind-bending episodes—the tale of Biringan City, the Philippines’ very own Atlantis-meets-Wakanda. In this live recording, they’ll dive deeper into secret waypoints, first-hand witness accounts, and strange shopping mishaps that hint at a city just beyond our realm. Hear how journalists, BMW dealers, and the curious have all been lured by its mysterious charm. Come for the magic, stay for the mayhem. The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast where Filipino mythology, folklore, and the absurdity of everyday life collide. From mythical beasts to modern-day mysteries, Anama and Ice explore the strange, spooky, and spectacular with humor, curiosity, and heart.
Anama Dimapilis (M), Ice Lacsamana
8 p.m. PDT (11 p.m. EDT / 3 a.m. August 17 GMT)
Songs From a Hat
Sheraton: Issaquah, –
Song circle game: We draw random words from a hat, and attendees can earn points by being the first to hit their imaginary buzzer, then announce the name of a song with the word in the title, with extra bonus points if they can sing a portion of the song with the word in the lyrics. The points are strictly on an honor system (you keep track of your own points), and everyone’s a winner!
Eric Distad (M)
Hugo Award Ceremony
Ballroom 1, –
The Hugo Awards recognize the best works of the science fiction community in the past year. First given in 1953, the awards cover a range of professional and fan categories. Join Seattle Worldcon 2025’s hosts Nisi Shawl and K. Tempest Bradford and other special guests as they present the most prestigious awards in the science fiction and fantasy world.
Nisi Shawl, K. Tempest Bradford
Saturday Night Dance with Dancin' Dan
Sheraton: Metropolitan Ballroom, –
It's time for the Inter-Temporal Dance Party hosted by Dancin' Dan, featuring dance party hits from all time, fan favorites, and dance numbers from film & TV. Costuming encouraged but not mandatory. Requests are most welcome.
Dan Murphy
9 p.m. PDT (midnight EDT / 4 a.m. August 17 GMT)
Bowler and Spoons
Sheraton Ravenna, –
Storytellers by nature, Ted Bowler and Jebidiah Spoons share with the audience cheery tales of devastating disasters and maddening unknowable forces, accompanied by accordion, ukulele, and a beaten-up toy piano!
Open Filk
Sheraton: Issaquah, –
Come share your favorite songs of any genre—anything sung in a filk circle is filk! Or come listen and/or sing along while others sing! We're here all week!
10 p.m. PDT (1 a.m. August 17 EDT / 5 a.m. August 17 GMT)
The Works that Addicted Us to Our Genre
Virtual Room 1, –
Four writers talk about the fictional works that sparked their love of their different genres, and encouraged them to try their own hand in that particular paddling pool.
Jo Riccioni (M), Daniel O'Malley, Devin Madson/Rebecca Ide, T R Napper
6 a.m. PDT (9 a.m. EDT / 1 p.m. GMT)
The Role of African Spiritualities, History, and Mythology in Speculative Fiction
Virtual Room 1, –
A discussion on how African spiritual systems, ancestral histories, and mythologies enrich speculative fiction, grounding fantastical stories in deeply rooted traditions
Oluwatomiwa Ajeigbe (M), Ephraim N. Orji, Moustapha Mbacké Diop, Ngozi Anuoluwa, Nkereuwem Albert, Soila Kenya
7 a.m. PDT (10 a.m. EDT / 2 p.m. GMT)
Reading: Solomon Uhiara
Virtual Room 1, –
Solomon Uhiara reads from “Loom,” published in 2022, by Dark Matter magazine. It was also selected as a finalist for the Nommo Award for best short story in 2024. Kathleen Jennings described “Loom” as “the sort of story (dealing with a grandfather’s Alzheimer's) that is often a coming-to-terms/acceptance story (less often a rage-against-the-dying-of-the-light). But ‘Loom’ pulls the rather interesting trick of letting you think it will take that path, and then pulling back and showing you that the usual end point has already been achieved. In fact, what we have been seeing is a layered, cyclical, only gradually deteriorating stability.”
Solomon Uhiara (M)
8 a.m. PDT (11 a.m. EDT / 3 p.m. GMT)
9 a.m. PDT (noon EDT / 4 p.m. GMT)
Jackbox Games - Sunday
Discord, –
Jackbox games are online party games for participants (and possibly an audience). To play, all you'll need is a web browser. Drop in and drop out any time. Meet in the Discord.
Virtual Gaming
Who Gave This Robot a Gun?
Room 320, –
Historically, Western robot fiction has been concerned with the humanity of AI and how it impacts its usage as free labor. However, an emerging trend sees authors exploring perspectives outside of the human/inhuman binary. By putting the first robot literature (Rossum’s Universal Robots) in conversation with contemporary robot fiction (The Murderbot Diaries) we can ask: What does personhood look like beyond the human? And why is our concept of personhood tied so deeply to labor? What is it about AI that we’re really afraid of?
Alex Kingsley
When Low Tech Is the Right Tech
Room 322, –
In both the real world and in writing, there are times when high tech isn’t right for the job. How do you see when low and/or alternative tech is a better choice, and how do you add it to your life and/or writing?
Claire McCague (M), Lauren C. Teffeau, Mike Brennan, Steven Saltman
Let’s Make a Movie: Edit It!
Room 327, –
Let’s make a movie! You were there for the previous parts, right, where we shot video like crazy? If not, then now’s a great time to master time traveling! In this part, we show you a little about editing, how to put all that crazy footage down and make it into a movie that makes some kind of sense. Actually, the workshop hosts hope it makes some kind of sense. They never really know. If you bought a computer within the past two years, chances are excellent that you have more digital video-editing power at your fingertips than has ever been subject to the hands of ordinary people. Learn about using this power for good. Or evil. They don’t care because they only use it for fun. The key to making a movie, of course, is editing. (Note: You don’t have to attend all the parts to enjoy the workshop, but doing so gets you the best possible experience!)
Edward Martin III (M), Eric Morgret, Ryan K. Johnson, Taunya Gren
Writing for Audio
Room 330, –
There is a massive amount of prep work that goes into audiobook production. Set your narrator up for success by anchoring their performance with the important details! In this class we will go over how to compile a pronunciation guide (Are there multiple languages spoken in the text? Fake words? How do you say them??) and a character list (Your MC has a lisp? Does the dragon have a cool accent? Is the love interest’s voice breathy or deep?). These are the two most important pieces of information you can provide your narrator (besides the manuscript). Let’s build them together! Note: This information is helpful for everyone, therefore, the class is open to everyone. However, it is tailored toward writers/authors who already have a book written and are in the process of putting it in audio format. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Sam Stark (M)
SWFF J—A Morning of Animated Films
Room 331-332, –
Start your morning off with some animated shenanigans. Feature Film: Battledream Chronicle, directed by Alan Bidard. Short Films: Black Sanga: The Prototype, Howl if You Love Me, Ira, Salamander's Land, Sinag, The Last Ray of Light.
By the Numbers: Mathematics in Science Fiction
Room 334, –
When it comes right down to it, all science—and therefore all science fiction—depends on math. Which works have the most interesting depictions of mathematicians and mathematics? Which works have gotten these descriptions right? Which works have messed them up?
Ursula Whitcher (M), Eva L. Elasigue, Marie Vibbert, Mason A. Porter, Todd Brun
That’s a Super: Superheroes in American Culture
Room 335-336, –
Superheroes have crossed from comics to TV to movies and more. Are they outsiders we relate to? Or do they fulfill our dreams of being special? What’s super about being super?
G. Willow Wilson (M), Ed Carmien, Sarah J. Daley, Tia Tashiro
How The Wizard of Oz Has Shaped Science Fiction
Room 345-346, –
Since it was first published in 1900, L. Frank Baum’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has become a part of American culture. Many writers have been influenced by the Oz books or their dramatic reinterpretations, including many of the most notable writers of science fiction. Noted Oz fans include Poul Anderson, Margaret Atwood, Clive Barker, Ray Bradbury, L. Sprague de Camp, Harlan Ellison, Philip José Farmer, Robert Heinlein, Zenna Henderson, and Seanan McGuire. Come discover more about how Oz has influenced writers and how writers incorporate Oz into their works. Brought to you by Britcon.
Eric Gjovaag (M), K.C. Aegis, Matt Youngmark
Tales for Eternity: A Reading List
Room 347-348, –
Much of the early science fiction and fantasy has not aged well, but there are some books and short stories that read as if they were written yesterday, such as the works of Ray Bradbury, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Harlan Ellison. What stories still resonate with a contemporary young audience and should be on their must-read list?
Dave Hook (M), Brooks Peck, Michael Haynes, Paul Weimer
Fannish Hobbies
Room 420-422, –
We put a fannish spin on many hobbies such as craftwork, baking, gardening, and more. Let’s talk about our hobbies and hear about yours too. Samples of your hobbies are welcome at our fannish show-and-tell.
Wolfcat (M), Gregory Gadow, Marilyn S. Mauer, Melissa Kocias, Samantha Close
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Alex Shvartsman, Bradford Lyau, Caroline M. Yoachim, D.L. Solum, Heather Rose Jones, Selena A. Naumoff
Reading: Jenna Hanchey
Room 428, –
“And You and I.” Coming to terms with possible futures and loss through non-linear experiences with time
Jenna Hanchey
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Geoffrey A. Landis, Jenna Lee-Yun, Katie Wu, Larry Lewis
Rules Were Made to Be Broken
Room 431-432, –
You can’t break rules until you make them. Considering how your science fiction world structures its society might not seem like the most exciting part of novel-writing, but understanding your society’s structural foundation is a key component of writing compelling and credible science fiction. Panelists will discuss how they created social and legal structures for their novels, how much this is on or off the page (and why), and how breaking the rules they create can create the story beats that keep readers turning pages.
Henry Lien (M), Ada Palmer, Jeremy Szal, Nancy Kress
Dipping One Toe In: First-Time Fanfic
Room 433-434, –
Have you never read fanfic or are a little interested but are not sure where to start? Come to this panel, where our set of talented and friendly experts will try to give you recommendations—suggestions on which fandoms, authors, and fics might be right up your alley.
Berlynn Wohl (M), Marina Martinez
Queer Fear
Room 435-436, –
Seattle horror author Evan J. Peterson will conduct a live interview with Dr. Heather O. Petrocelli, author of Queer for Fear: Horror Film and the Queer Spectator. Petrocelli polled over four thousand LGBTQ+ horror fans as part of their doctoral research, resulting in this groundbreaking publication. Their book not only documents the opinions, habits, and tastes of the queer horror fandom but also dives deeply into how and why queer people have a distinctive relationship to the horror genre. Ever wonder what the top five most popular horror films are among LGBTQ+ fans? Come out and discover.
Evan J. Peterson (M), Dr. Heather O. Petrocelli
Building an Author Business with Multiple Income Streams
Room 443-444, –
Here’s a secret: Very few full-time authors are making their entire living from their fiction income. From editing and freelance writing to teaching and selling courses, the strongest author businesses are built on multiple income streams. Let’s talk about how to do that.
Oriana Leckert (M), Jessie Kwak, Bryce O’Connor, John Hedtke, Sara Megibow
Other Peoples’ Poetry
Room 445-446, –
Just because it’s not poem-in-your-pocket day doesn’t mean you can’t carry words to share. Attendees are encouraged to bring a favorite from the past, present, or future to share with the room, but it can’t be your own! Audience participation optional: Come to share or come to listen. (Time limits may be enforced depending on headcount.)
R. Thursday (M), Brian U. Garrison, Jennifer Rhorer, Somto Ihezue, Vanessa MacLaren-Wray
The Convent of the Future: Monasticism as Site of Historical Struggle in Contemporary Science
Room 320, –
“Why are there so many monks in space?” asks Max Gladstone in a 2019 essay, concluding that this SF trope should come as no surprise—space is, after all, a spiritual realm. In the years since, this trope has only proliferated, and a trend in queer and politically radical uptakes on it has blossomed. This paper takes two recent SF novella duologies as case studies: Becky Chambers’s Monk and Robot books—A Psalm for the Wild-Built (2021) and A Prayer for the Crown-Shy (2022)—and Lina Rather’s Our Lady of Endless Worlds, consisting of Sisters of the Vast Black (2019) and Sisters of the Forsaken Stars (2022). Chambers’ and Rather’s series exemplify two key threads in SF taking up monastic content.
Julia DaSilva
Drawing Futures—Graphic Novels in African Speculative Fiction
Virtual Room 1, –
African speculative fiction is flourishing—not only in prose, but increasingly through the vibrant, visual storytelling of graphic novels. This panel brings together African creators, writers, illustrators, and publishers who are shaping a dynamic space where myth, futurism, and visual art collide. We’ll explore questions such as: Why are graphic novels becoming such a powerful medium for African SF? What unique possibilities do they offer that prose does not? How are creators blending indigenous visual languages with global genre traditions? What are the challenges and opportunities in publishing and distributing African SF graphic novels? Whether rooted in folklore, imagining far-future Africas, or tackling climate and colonial legacy through stunning visuals, African graphic novels are transforming speculative storytelling across the continent and beyond.
Muna Khogali (M), Beserat Debebe, John Uche, Kadi Yao Tay, Murewa Ayodele
Reading: Kylie Lee Baker
Room 428, –
Japanese Gothic. Kylie reads an excerpt from her upcoming psychological horror novel about an old Japanese house haunted by the daughter of one of the last samurai, and the college student who comes to the house after murdering his roommate.
Kylie Lee Baker
Reading: Tod McCoy
Room 429, –
Raschor, The End of Days. A novel-in-progress about twins who travel to a distant asteroid to mine for their fortune, but get entangled with a self-destructive god worshiped on the asteroid. There’s also a monkey and a robot.
Tod McCoy
10 a.m. PDT (1 p.m. EDT / 5 p.m. GMT)
D&D 5e: Salvage Operation - Sunday
Discord, –
Aubreck Drallion used to be one of the wealthiest merchants in [your favorite D&D coastal city], until he lost most of his fortune in an ill-fated venture. Now his lost ship, The Emperor of the Waves, has been sighted again. He's hired all of you to search the derelict hulk and retrieve his strongbox from the hold. D&D 5e. Oneshot. Roll your own level 4 character or use a pre-generated character. Beginners welcome. Space is limited, advance signup required. Takes place virtually—you will need your own computer. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Stacey Terman
Poetry Mad Libs
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Noun? Verb? Adjective? Bring them all with you for Poetry mad libs! We will write works worthy of wonder, and we won’t worry about alliteration. What is that, anyway? Bring your pen and crack open the rhyming dictionary with us!
Kate Ristau (M)
Ecumenical Christian Service
Interfaith Lounge (Room 337), –
Siobhan Walker
Majestic Adventures Boffer Arena
Majestic Lounge (5F), –
Be the Hero of an epic Adventure! Majestic Adventures is a live action role-playing company that leads summer camps and after school programs for kids aged six through 17 and birthdays and special events for all ages. Join with friends to fight against fearsome foes, solve challenging puzzles, and complete formidable challenges while you play as personalized heroes. Raise your sword and start your mythic journey!
Building Community as a Middle Grade/YA Author
Room 320, –
Do we belong with the kid-lit crowd or the SFF orgs? Authors will discuss the challenges of finding a sense of belonging as an SFF middle grade or YA author, talk about how to get the most out of author organizations when you’re on the margins, and explore strategies for creating connections in spaces that often feel divided by genre or audience.
Christine Taylor-Butler (M), Cassidy Ellis Salter, Dr. Rachael Kuintzle, M.T. Zimny, Michelle Knudsen
Feedback Session #4
Room 321, –
Come share your feedback with us! We will also have members of next year’s Worldcon in LA so that you can directly pass along things you want to see again or things you want to never see again.
Kathy Bond (M)
The Science and Fiction of the Sail
Room 322, –
Until steam, sails were the greatest transportation technology since getting animals to carry things. Many cultures figured out how to sail, and all the best imperialists got pretty good at it. Join our panelists as they talk about sails, past, present, and could-have-been.
Mike Brennan (M), Celeste C. Tyler, Ed Buchan, Steven Saltman, Watson Ladd
Color It, Bead It, Hang It on a Wall! Part 2: Bead Embroidery Basics
Room 328, –
In this workshop, we will learn about types of beads, tools, and materials used in bead embroidery. Instruction will be given covering three stitching techniques you can use to embellish your design from the Derwent Inktense workshop. Kit includes: an assortment of beads, a beading needle, and nymo beading thread. Also included is an embroidery hoop, backing, and ribbon. For those only taking the Bead Embroidery session, a prepared design will be provided for you to embroider. Class fee: $15. Handout: Photo of samples (3 MB .pdf). Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Theresa Halbert (M)
Basic Hand Sewing
Room 329, –
Come join this hands-on workshop to learn basic stitches. Handout: Basic Hand Sewing (223 KB .pdf). Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Kathryn Brant (M)
Writing Beginnings
Room 330, –
How do you write a beginning that pulls a reader into the work? What elements are important to include? How much of the conflict needs to be signaled? Join Nancy Kress for a workshop that will get you started with beginnings. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Nancy Kress (M)
Ask a Maker
Room 334, –
Where can you get specialized fasteners if you only need a few of them? What’s the best glue for your project? How do you work with this material? Which specialty retailers (be they brick-and-mortar or online) are hobbyist- and newbie-friendly? The panelists will collaborate to create a resource list.
J.S. Fields (M), Agathon McGeachy, Hannah Swedin, Hilary Hertzoff, Meg Frank
Morally Grey Ladies and Why We Love Them
Room 335-336, –
Be it our favorite MCs, villains, or interesting side characters, the morally grey female character is having a moment. From Malini in The Jasmine Throne to Wanda Maximoff, Philippa Georgiou, and Iron Widow’s Wu Zetian, this SFF staple has come roaring back into the media in the last decade. Why do we love them so?
Madame Askew (M), Amanda Cherry, Corrina Lawson, Gina Saucier, Sara Hashem
The Doctor Is In: The Current State of Doctor Who
Room 343-344, –
Doctor Who is now bigger than ever, except that it’s not. It’s strong in the ratings yet in danger of being canceled. Who is right, who is wrong, and who is clueless? This is a pivotal time for the show, so our panel looks at what’s happening with the show right now, how things look for the near future, and the stories that you should just ignore. Brought to you by BritCon.
Dan Murphy (M), Eric Gjovaag, Moriko Handford, Neil Ottenstein
Small Starts and Big Dreams: History of Czech Cons
Room 345-346, –
Czech (and former Czechoslovak) science fiction and fantasy conventions have grown from grassroots gatherings like Parcon, navigating Communist-era scrutiny, to present-day large-scale events like Comic-Con Prague. Drawing from my decades of experience running conventions, I’ll explore their history, key milestones, fan club influence, adaptation to changing trends, and finally the future, including a bid for the Worldcon in the 2030s! Let’s journey through decades of Czech fandom, from intimate discussions to massive geek celebrations.
Václav Pravda (M), Martin Klima
The Implanted Future: What Could Go Right?
Room 347-348, –
People are being implanted with chips. It’s not all roses and not all thorns. This panel explores what could go right. Could the blind see?
Lia Holland (M), Blaze Ward, Jason Pchajek, Ramez Naam
Beyond Genre: The Stories Everyone Knows
Room 420-422, –
What SF works from authors working solidly within the SFF genres have now become part of the general vernacular? Fahrenheit 451, Lord of the Rings, Dune, The Parable of the Sower, “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas,” and The Man in the High Castle: How and why did these stories make that jump?
Nathaniel Williams (M), Robert Silverberg, Sarah J. Daley, Andrew Porter
The Vertigo Era of Comics
Room 423-424, –
Discussions of the history and legacy of Vertigo Comics. Topics range from Sandman and Air to Fables and Transmetropolitan.
G. Willow Wilson (M), Dr. Tara Prescott-Johnson, Jason Sanford, R.W.W. Greene
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Joshua Walker, Maquel A. Jacob, Neil Clarke, Paolo Bacigalupi
Reading: Gordon B. White
Room 428, –
A short story of the horror variety … to be determined!
Gordon B. White
Reading: Joseph Brassey
Room 429, –
Glassblade is a contemporary high fantasy that takes place in modern day Tacoma, featuring glass swords, emotion-based magic, and ancient dynastic politics mixed with contemporary culture and social issues. It’s basically what happens when a high fantasy takes place in the modern day and the social structures of the real world have moved forward but the genre conventions haven’t.
Joseph Brassey
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Talulah J. Sullivan, AK Llyr, Bill Higgins, Victor Manibo, Wren Handman, Yasser Bahjatt
Writing as an Act of Resistance
Room 431-432, –
With the world turning more toward censorship and book banning and with even larger companies, such as Disney, erasing marginalized narratives from upcoming projects, what does it mean to write characters whose identities are contested or erased by the powers-that-be? There have been so many times in history when storytellers fought to share a silenced narrative and/or were punished for doing so. Can we intentionally imagine and then write a future that might be better for writers and readers alike?
Andrea Hairston (M), Charlie Jane Anders, Daphne Singingtree, Darcie Little Badger, Nicole Glover
Editing Pet Peeves
Room 433-434, –
Developmental and copy editors talk about the things writers do (or don’t do) that drive them to distraction. Learn what you should do instead and how you can make yourself the apple of your editor’s eye.
Atlin Merrick (M), Elektra Hammond, Gabrielle Harbowy, Heather Tracy, William C. Tracy
Longing Look at Romantasy
Room 435-436, –
Love has a long tradition in the heart of fantasy stories, and romantasy has built upon that with wide appeal. Let’s discuss and dissect the differences between having romance in a story and romantasy itself, how it can resonate with audiences, and how to define yourself in this fantasy subgenre.
Claire E. Jones (M), Anthea Sharp, Josh Wilson, Kate Dramis, Natania Barron
Rules of Engagement
Room 443-444, –
Guiding strategy, the tactics and logistics of war, influence the rules for employing force. Let’s review military legal structures, discuss how they impact war today, and project how human and alien militaries operations may be structured in the future. Handout: Law of War (550 KB .pdf).
Jonathan Brazee (M), Alexandra Nica, Clayton Mann
Extinction Versus Survival
Room 447-448, –
Why are you really here? Bad luck or bad genes? If you are at the touchdown point of a large asteroid, none of it matters anyway! Expect a short diversion into the Drake equation.
Charlotte Lewis Brown (M), Carl Fink, H.E. Milla, Jim Kling, Sam Scheiner
Sunday Morning’s Very Relaxed Crossword Meetup
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
Let’s get together and chat about puzzles, and maybe solve one or two.
Aaron Feldman (M)
Drawing Between the Lines
Terrace Suite (4F), –
Join three-time Hugo winner Donato Giancola for a comprehensive and entertaining visual lecture on his approach to illustrating the written word. From abstract sketch to finished drawing or oil painting, interpreting a manuscript and creating complementary images which inspire is a balancing dance. Donato’s works have garnered numerous awards and graced hundreds of projects from covers and interiors for Naomi Novik, Robert Heinlein, and Tad Williams, to his work on Empathetic Robots, A Song of Ice and Fire, and visions of Middle-earth.
Donato Giancola (M)
Reading: Suzan Palumbo
Virtual Room 1, –
Suzan Palumbo reads from Countess, a queer, Caribbean, anti-colonial sci-fi novella.
Suzan Palumbo (M)
Ask the Scientist – Where African SF Meets Scientific Imagination
Virtual Room 2, –
What happens when African speculative fiction authors collaborate directly with scientists to imagine futures grounded in real-world research and urgent African realities? In this unique panel, part of the Applied African SF initiative, authors and scientists come together to share how they’re working across disciplines to shape stories that explore climate change, public health, AI, environmental justice, and more—from an African perspective, which includes ethical storytelling: avoiding extractive or colonial models in science-fiction partnerships.
Chinelo Onwalu (M), Gabrielle Emem Harry, Xan Van Rooyen, Nerine Dorman, Onesmus Mwabonje, Mercy Nyambura Mburu, Amber Abrams
11 a.m. PDT (2 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. GMT)
Reading: Leigh Bardugo
Room 428, –
Ninth House. Alex Stern’s free ride to Yale University comes with dangerous strings attached: Monitor the rituals of the campus’s (very real) secret societies. Their eight windowless “tombs” are the well-known haunts of the rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street’s biggest players. But their occult activities are more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive. They tamper with forbidden magic. They raise the dead. And, sometimes, they prey on the living.
Leigh Bardugo
Reading: P. H. Low
Room 429, –
These Deathless Shores. Jordan was once a Lost Boy, convinced she would never grow up. Now, she’s 22 and exiled to the real world, still suffering withdrawal from the addictive magic Dust of her childhood. With nothing left to lose, Jordan returns to the Island and its stories—of pirates and war and the cruelty of youth—intent on facing Peter one last time, on her own terms.
P. H. Low
Noon PDT (3 p.m. EDT / 7 p.m. GMT)
Art Hour
Elliott Bay Room, –
Join us in the Cosmic Clubhouse for some self directed art making activities. There will be a few ideas ready to go and you choose what to make.
Karin Llyr (M)
Quaker Meeting for Worship
Interfaith Lounge (room 337), –
Gregory Gadow (M)
Science Memes of Wells’ The War of the Worlds
Room 320, –
The then-young H. G. Wells, in The War of the Worlds, introduced or popularized a number of science-based themes which, allowing for what was known at the end of the 19th century, hold up fairly well today. The War of the Worlds is possibly the least fantasy-dependent of his novels. Later in life he commented that “…nothing remains interesting where anything may happen.” In The War of the Worlds we find ideas of evolution, astrodynamics, in situ resource use, invasive species, and cultural dissonance, etc., that seem disturbingly contemporary in our present time.
G. David Nordley
Building Your YA Squad
Room 321, –
From ride-or-die best friends to ragtag teams on epic quests, strong character dynamics are at the heart of so many beloved YA stories. This panel celebrates the friendships, found families, and unlikely alliances that give emotional weight to speculative fiction. Let’s talk about what makes a YA squad memorable, how to balance group dynamics, and why these relationships resonate so deeply with teen readers.
Maya Prasad (M), Diana Ma, Fonda Lee, Kamilah Cole, M.T. Zimny
Shakka When the Walls Fell: Language in Science Fiction
Room 322, –
Language and culture are inseparably linked, but the complexities of this subject are often overlooked in science fiction. Why is there only one language spoken by Klingons? What meaning gets lost through universal translators? Which works have shown linguistic diversity well?
Sue Burke (M), Ben Francisco, Frauke Uhlenbruch, Jeremy Szal, Olav Rokne
Tiara Workshop for Teens
Room 327, –
Make a tiara with Sara Felix. A kit is provided that contains all the materials, and she will have glue and pliers to share. Kits are $15 per person, and space is limited to 15 per session! Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Sara Felix (M)
Kinetic Sculpture Races
Room 329, –
Build a kinetic sculpture; attendees assemble a provided kit. A kinetic sculpture has four wheels and is propelled by a mousetrap spring. Tools provided. Minimal skills required. Children must bring an adult to share in the fun. Followed by fun for spectators and racers alike! Kinetic sculptures powered by mousetrap springs peel out and drag-race head-to-head, just like in the NHRA! Build your own before Worldcon or build from a kit at the panel before the races. Download a tutorial document (1 MB .pdf). Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Agathon McGeachy (M)
Replying to Other Stories
Room 330, –
Many stories address earlier, more influential stories, such as “The Cold Equations” or “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas.” How do you draw on other stories for inspiration without plagiarizing or over-depending on a reader’s outside knowledge? Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Isabel J. Kim (M)
Fandance Film Festival
Room 331-332, –
Since 1999, the Fandance Film Festival has been a celebration of low- and no-budget cinema brought to wondrous lurching life by amateur filmmakers from all around the Pacific Northwest. More than just the movies, this 120-minute extravaganza of entertainment also includes the filmmakers to regale you with terrifying tales of their productions. Be there or be a regular right quadrilateral! The Fandance Film Festival is the final terrifying phase of the Let’s Make a Movie workshop, in which participants walk through every step of making a movie, from conception to the premiere of the finished product.
Brian D. Oberquell (M), Edward Martin III, Eric Morgret, Ryan K. Johnson, Taunya Gren, dQ Kaufman
Home Recording for Non-Techies
Room 334, –
How does it go from the idea in your head to something you can send to others so they can hear your music? A discussion of the how-to’s, from what gear you need to how to keep the recorder from catching the truck passing by your home or “studio.” Who does this, and how can you talk to them to learn or commiserate?
Eric Distad (M), Anne Harlan Prather, Dr. Mary Crowell, Kevin Anderson, Sunnie Larsen
Costuming Hacks and Tricks
Room 335-336, –
Bet you never knew that one of the best stores for costume hackery is your local hardware store. Let’s discuss what tools and supplies are most handy to have on hand, as well as hacks you’d never realized could save you so much time and effort.
Joy Alyssa Day (M), Kevin Roche, Leanna Cosplay, Madame Melusine
Meet the Voices in Your Ear
Room 343-344, –
Join us as we discuss all things audiobook! Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an audiobook narrator? What kind of crazy does it take to sit in a small box all day, every day? Meet a group of Pacific Northwest narrators as they talk about their journeys and the highs, lows, and future of audiobooks. If you’re an audiobook listener, an aspiring narrator, or an author, you don’t want to miss this.
James Patrick Kelly (M), Gabrielle de Cuir, Richard Sparks, Shiromi Arserio, Stefan Rudnicki
Beyond the Stacks: Building a Better Book Club
Room 345-346, –
While reading may be a solitary endeavor, there is a special joy in discussing books with fellow bibliophiles. Rather than events with bickering and gatekeeping, book clubs can be an empowering community in which we find connection, support authors, and promote the genres we love. These book club hosts share their insights, tools, and techniques for building great bookish experiences in virtual and material spaces.
The Grand Arbiter (M), Beth Mitcham, Carolina Gomez Lagerlöf, Isabel Schechter, Madame Askew
The Promises and Perils of Utopian Fiction
Room 347-348, –
When the real world feels like an apocalypse, readers turn to fiction, looking for hope and optimism. Are they searching for escape, answers, or something else? Science fiction, horror, and fantasy authors consider the impulse to read and write about utopia, the varied landscape of stories that touch on idealized societies, and what dangers lurk there. Let’s discuss visionary imagination and storytelling.
Moriko Handford (M), Alex Kingsley, Amy Sundberg, Mark London Williams, Dale Ray DeForest
Reclamation Through Fanfiction
Room 420-422, –
Fanfiction often ignores the canon setting and relationships to tell stories the original creators never intended. But can it ignore the setting’s creator? From Lovecraft to Rowling to Gaiman, many authors of beloved works are later discovered to be prejudiced or predatory or both. Can fanfiction be used to take back some of these works and put distance between the author and the art?
Brian C. E. Buhl (M), Aaron Feldman, Janice L. Newman, Marina Martinez, Samantha Close
Editing as an Art Form
Room 423-424, –
Most authors know—and many quickly learn—that an editor is more than a simple curator of stories. A good editor can be the difference between a flawed gem and a brilliant masterpiece. What can we gain from viewing the work of editing as an art in its own right?
Josh Wilson (M), Ellen Datlow, Rachel A. Rosen, Rachel Sobel, Kaitlin Schmidt
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Andres Olave, Bookborn, Liza Groen Trombi, Gabrielle Harbowy
Reading: Nathan Crowder
Room 428, –
Vote for Stardust. Against the backdrop of the pending Cobalt City mayoral election, where industrialist/superhero Jaccob “Stardust” Stevens is in a tight race against Xia Lo, former fixer for the Lo crime cartel, the world’s most dangerous mentalist, Jeremy Red, is on the loose. After having been locked away for the best part of two decades, Jeremy is on a quest of self-discovery.
Nathan Crowder
Reading: Ed Buchan
Room 429, –
Blue Nose III. Alex Ross is frocked as the Kell Plate captain of the first Orion-drive spaceship for political reasons. Yes he’s super young, but so is the captain of the ship he’s hauling, with additional crew and anything else they can cram into the Blue Nose III.
Ed Buchan
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Kat Richardson, Laura Antoniou, Marc Grossman, Nick Fraser
My Brain Doesn’t Work That Way: Neurodiverse Approaches to Stories
Room 431-432, –
Neurodiverse authors and readers frequently approach the art of storytelling in unique ways. In this panel, a group of neurodiverse authors will discuss how the reading and writing of fiction helps them process and survive the world, writing advice for the neurodivergent, and how to integrate their unique approaches into their own characters and writing voice.
Jason Sanford (M), Courtney Floyd, Jake Stein, Marilyn S. Mauer, Sophia Babai
Survey of Medieval Armor and Weapons—More Than Europe Alone
Room 433-434, –
A show-and-tell (and maybe touch!) of medieval armor from a variety of cultures. Regions outside of Europe had armor during this time period, too, and the similarities and differences are illuminating. Free inspiration for your novel, game, or art!
GregRobin Smith (M), Clayton Mann, D.L. Solum, Joseph Brassey, Lincoln Peters
The Implanted Future: What Could Go Wrong?
Room 435-436, –
People are being implanted with chips. It’s not all roses, not all thorns. This panel explores what could go wrong. Big Brother in spades?
Lia Holland (M), Alon Newton, Benjamin C. Kinney, L. Ana Ellis, Ramez Naam
Pitch Perfect: Developing a Solid Book Pitch
Room 443-444, –
Whether querying agents and editors or handselling to readers, every author needs to have a solid pitch for their book. Learn the tips and tricks successful authors use to develop a captivating and engaging book pitch.
K.C. Aegis (M), Amanda Cherry, Deanna Sjolander, E. C. Ambrose, Robin Jeffrey
Recent History, Near History, and Ancient History
Room 445-446, –
Flannery O’Connor says, “Anyone who survived childhood has enough material to write for the rest of [their] life.” But how do you write speculative poetry if you’ve never met a Tyrannosaurus rex? Take a peek at the wild imagination of speculative poets as they discuss where they dig up their ideas.
Dana Bell (M), Dawn Vogel, Marie Brennan, Mary Turzillo, R. Thursday
Nuclear Rockets—An Idea Whose Time Has Gone?
Room 447-448, –
Development of the DRACO nuclear rocket is facing delays since testing an “open” nuclear reactor in Earth’s atmosphere has become untenable. Are there any options? Handout: Nuclear Rockets—An Idea Whose Time Has Gone? (792 KB .pdf).
Manjula Menon (M), Bob Hranek, Charles J. Walther, Dan Dubrick, Mark Olson
Concert Star Cluster: Douglas Davidson, John McDaid, and Roy Torley and Joan Gaustad
Signature Room (5F), –
Douglas Davidson is a singer/songwriter based in the San Francisco Bay Area. (–)
John McDaid is a singer/songwriter from Portsmouth, Rhode Island. He's played his geek-inflected songs at political events, science fiction conventions, and New York City venues including Speakeasy and Folk City. (–)
Roy Torley and Joan Gaustad perform English-language and Eastern European folk music and filk music. Roy plays many stringed instruments, from string bass to the Russian balalaika to the Croatian prim tamburitza, but currently he focuses on the 55-stringed Ukrainian bandura. Joan plays the vocal cords, mostly using alto folk voice but occasionally dragging her classical voice training out of the closet. She has performed in 16 languages, but is most experienced with Ukrainian and Transylvanian–Hungarian folk styles. She also gives presentations on bandura history. Possessing a doctorate in geology, Roy gives science lecture demos and bandura concerts at retirement communities in the Portland, Oregon Metro area, sometimes joined by Joan. (–)
Douglas Davidson, John G. McDaid, Roy Torley, Joan Gaustad
The Parasol Protectorate Meet-up
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
The Parasol Protectorate Meetup is for everyone who loves the books by author Gail Carriger! Even if your favorite book of hers is not in The Parasol Protectorate. Come by with your tea and chat about what you love about these books. Feel free to wear your cosplay as well. Moderator: Debbie Bretschneider
Debbie Bretschneider (M)
Everyone Should Come Back to Tumblr
Terrace Suite (4F), –
Twitter is a dumpster fire. Substack allows Nazis. Patreon keeps raising the amount they take from creators. Pour one out for Geocities. Where can people go to interact, learn, and enjoy the weirdness of the internet without worrying about trolls, Nazis, etc.? Come on back to Tumblr, y’all. It’s still here, full of cat pictures, adorable animals, the ridiculousness we all need, and the only thing missing is… you!
K. Tempest Bradford (M), Seanan McGuire, Charlie Jane Anders
Virtual Feedback Session 2
Virtual Room 2, –
How was your experience with the virtual side of Worldcon?
Jennifer Rhorer (M), Anna Bradley, Gail Terman
Challenges in Sustaining Space as a Resource
Room 320, –
In theory, space in infinite. In practice, it is not—especially around Earth orbit. Physics places limitations on orbital regimes and radio frequency (RF) spectrum. The increasing exploitation of space is resulting in growing RF interference, orbital congestion, and debris fields. International cooperation, industry-wide standards, and thoughtful regulations are required to preempt the potentially devastating effects of unsustainable practices.
Keith Gremban
Reading: Dr. Rachael Kuintzle
Room 428, –
The Surface of the Sea and Other Inviolable Borders. A solar-punk novelette with strong elements of ecological horror. Mariana is the only mermaid in the world, created in the late twenty-first century and hidden in a San Diego fertility clinic’s freezer for two hundred years until a would-be mother implanted the mislabeled embryo. But Mariana is no longer the only bioengineered mutant in La Jolla.
Dr. Rachael Kuintzle
Reading: Angela Liu
Room 429, –
“Brainstem Disco, 2191.” Angela Liu presents a sci-fi short story about love and the association of music with memories—a reading with musical interludes.
Angela Liu
1 p.m. PDT (4 p.m. EDT / 8 p.m. GMT)
Virtual Games - Codenames
Discord, –
In Codenames, two teams compete by each having a “spymaster” give one-word clues that can point to specific words on the board. The other players on the team must attempt to guess their team's words while avoiding the words of the other team as well as an assassin square; if the latter is selected, then the team which selected it instantly loses. Victory is achieved when one team guesses all of their spymaster's assigned words. Meet on the Discord.
Virtual Gaming
Music Games
Elliott Bay Room (4F), –
Would you rather be a troll or a fairy? Use your imagination, move your body, and play some games.
Karin Llyr (M)
Interfaith Sci-Fi and Fantasy Conversation
Interfaith Lounge (Room 337), –
This conversation is for fans of varying faith traditions (including atheists) to discuss our favorite stories and the questions they raise about faith and lack of faith in our lives, and depictions of religious traditions and atheism within various works.
Paul Schneider
Science Fiction in the Classroom
Room 320, –
While many authors have written science fiction material that can be used in the classroom, the educators do not seem to find these materials nor understand how to utilize them. In today’s world there is one thing that connects everyone, the internet. The internet can be used to connect producers of science fiction, educators, and fans to increase the use and interest in these fields of study. It is a source where educators and science fiction producers can find and share language to get students excited about STEM.
Leadie Jo Flowers
How to Start an Art Collection
Room 321, –
In this panel, artists, art experts, and enthusiasts discuss how to build and curate an art collection, how to keep and care for artwork from prints to sculpture, and what to think about when furnishing a space with art. The panelists will discuss every part of the art collection process, from purchase to presenting art in your home. So whether you have more prints than you know what to do with, or are staring down that blank apartment wall, this panel will have some guidance.
Brooks Peck (M), Aaron Scott, Andrew Porter
Man Versus Extraterrestrial Nature
Room 322, –
Not every novel needs a villain, because the universe is filled with inhospitable environments. From The Sands of Mars to Missions of Gravity, planetary environments have provided challenges to science fiction protagonists for decades. How difficult is it to write a believable alien environment? What are some of the best-imagined dangerous worlds?
Mary Turzillo (M), Chris Gerrib, David Gerrold, Luis Carlos Barragán Castro
Introduction to Fanbinding
Room 328, –
How to make your own books - Workshop covering the basics of fanbinding and making a small book to keep. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Desmothene (M)
Getting Into Anthologies
Room 330, –
Short stories aren’t just for publishing in magazines—there are regular crops of anthologies, each with their own story needs. How do you tailor a story to fit a particular anthology call? Is it worthwhile writing a story just for the anthology when it might not be accepted? And how do you know which anthologies to submit to? In this class, you’ll learn the tips and tricks for submitting to anthologies. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Shanna Germain (M)
Making Makers Make
Room 334, –
As anyone who’s ever tried to create something knows that the biggest hurdle is starting in the first place. How do you create and maintain the motivation to go from talking about what you want to make (armchair making) to actually building things?
Carole I. Parker (M), Carrie Vaughn, Sam Roberts, Jeff Sturgeon, Kendra Tornheim
Cosplaying Beyond Conventions
Room 335-336, –
Movie groups, concert performances, Renaissance fairs, and theater are all places where costuming is wildly accepted and encouraged. Whether you are Disney-bounding or just having fun being the weird one at the office, there are lots of ways to wear your fandom with pride.
Wolfcat (M), Bob Taylor, Gina Saucier, Torrey Stenmark
Norwescon: Local but Not Little
Room 343-344, –
Founded in 1978, Norwescon (NWC) draws thousands of Pacific Northwest SFF creators and fans each spring. But did you know that NWC grew out of a desire to bring Worldcon back to Seattle? Well, we’ve finally done it, so come hear how we got here… and what’s next!
Wm Salt Hale (M), Michael Hanscom, Taylor Tomblin, Tim Bennett
Libraries: Magical and Radical
Room 345-346, –
Public libraries are a source of power and magic, both in fiction and in our late-capitalist reality. They are radical in their accessibility and inclusion, and they have provided a safe space since before the term was coined. This panel will explore libraries in SFF and in reality to figure out where the magic begins.
Marta Murvosh (M), Ada Palmer, Isabel Schechter, Nicole Glover, Mary-Michelle Moore
1949: Stories Worth Remembering
Room 347-348, –
Any Retro Hugos would surely recognize that 1949 was a banner year for science fiction. It saw 1984 by Orwell, "The Long Watch" by Heinlein, "Opening Doors" by Wilmar H. Shiras, "Agent of Vega" by James H. Schmitz, Margaret St. Clair's first great story, “The Hierophants,” “Death is the Penalty” by Judith Merril, Ray Bradbury's “September 2005: The Martian,” and the utopian story “In the Days of Our Fathers” by Winona McClintic. This panel celebrates these 75-year-old works that endure. Handout: 1949: Stories Worth Remembering (137 KB .pdf).
Manjula Menon (M), Dave Hook, Michael J. Walsh, Marie Guthrie, Ph.D., Tom Whitmore
Livestreams and Actual Play: Gaming as Spectator Sport
Room 420-422, –
Livestreamed sessions of people playing video games and TTRPGs… how much fun could that be to watch? It turns out that it can be wildly popular, lead to media franchises, and/or just be a way to get people engaged with authors and creators. How did this become a thing, and how can you dive in as a watcher or creator?
Kathleen De Vere (M), Darcie Little Badger, Gregory A. Wilson, Brandon O’Brien
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Eleri Hamilton, Oriana Leckert, Paul A. Dixon, Randee Dawn, Reed Mingault
Reading: Matthew S. Rotundo
Room 428, –
Oathbreaker is the sequel to the novel Wet Work, about a woman who must defend her adopted hometown of Omaha from a secret monster mafia called the Unseen.
Matthew S. Rotundo
Reading: Brigitte Winter
Room 429, –
“Redo.” A woman discovers that her husband has been using time travel magic to reset their timeline whenever she tries to leave him.
Brigitte Winter
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Alex Mui, Bob Brown, David Brin
Hugo Base Show and Tell
Room 431-432, –
Join artist Joy Alyssa Day for an up-close and personal look at this year’s Hugo Award statue. Learn about the design concept and production process, and see what it takes to produce the most coveted item at Worldcon!
Joy Alyssa Day (M)
Sifting Through History
Room 433-434, –
Together let’s will dive into the historical inspirations of well-known fantasies, how to employ that in your own writing, and histories yet to be explored and celebrated.
Remy Nakamura (M), Leigh Bardugo, Natania Barron, Nisi Shawl, Paul Weimer
Ready, Steady, Flash!
Room 435-436, –
The host gives the panelists a writing prompt, and they each have five minutes in which to write a complete short story (flash fiction) based on that prompt. At the end of the five minutes, they read their works of genius to the audience, who votes on the winner. Subsequent writing prompts are given by the audience, and there usually is time for four or five rounds.
Daryl Gregory, Dr. Jasmin Kirkbride, Mariah Jean Southworth, Seanan McGuire, Tara Campbell
How Indie Authors Shape Storytelling Trends
Room 443-444, –
Indie authors have the ability to publish quickly and pivot fast, which often means they’re at the forefront of new trends. They also have the ability to write to niche audiences traditional publishing houses may not cater to. This panel will discuss the ways indie authors have shaped the science fiction and fantasy market and share thoughts on where the future might be trending.
Andy Peloquin (M), Leah Cutter, Maquel A. Jacob, P.L. Stuart, Timothy W. Long
What Is a Mind, and How Do You Control It?
Room 445-446, –
You are getting sleepier and sleepier—and you want to give me your SSN, routing number, and the keys to your Prius. Can we really control the human brain? Come find out! Now, follow this dangling watch…
Coral Alejandra Moore (M), Carl Fink, H.E. Milla, Keith Wiley, Z.D. Gladstone
Storing Energy in Fact and Fiction
Room 447-448, –
Making energy is one thing, but storing energy is another. We mostly think of batteries, which have changed a lot and are still doing so, but what other ways of storing energy are available? How viable are they in reality, and how can they be used in fiction?
Morgan Smathers (M), AK Llyr, Claire McCague, Jill Engel-Cox, Mark Olson
Balloon Animal Sculpting (Teen)
Teen Lounge (Room 442), –
Learn to make a balloon dog and then request an animal and watch it come to life. Dozens of animals and other objects from long, skinny balloons (dragons, ninja turtles, mermaids, aliens, motorcycles, the Starship Enterprise, hats, giraffes, elephants, etc.).
John Wardale (M)
World Anvil Creators Meetup
Terrace Lounge (4F), –
Come hang with fellow World Anvil worldbuilders, writers, and gamers. Share Summer Camp war stories, or maybe meet your next player/beta reader! Founder and CEO Janet (the redheaded lady who does the tutorials!) will be leading.
Janet Forbes
Somewhere With Rings
Terrace Suite (4F), –
Hear about JPL’s flagship mission by Cassini from a member of the flight team. Bridget Landry worked in commanding the spacecraft from shortly after launch through the end of the first extended mission, helping to invent the processes and procedures needed to control this incredibly complex spacecraft and achieve the mission objectives. Her talk will cover the whole mission, from the cruise phase through SOI (Saturn orbit insertion), and include the final death-defying dives between the rings and the planet, as well as the mission’s ultimate end in the atmosphere of Saturn.
Bridget Landry
2 p.m. PDT (5 p.m. EDT / 9 p.m. GMT)
Ecofictions and Techno Eutopianism
Room 320, –
With the first eco-friendly science fiction films of the early 1970s tackling controversial topics, including the way Soylent Green opens with an arresting visual and aural depiction of the Anthropocene and the Great Acceleration, the connection between eco-fictions and techno-eutopian story-telling may get lost in the mix and needs to be explored.
Mehdi Achouche
Reading: Laurence Raphael Brothers
Room 428, –
Pâtissier et Étranger. Paris, 1967. English baking student George Drake just wants to bake the perfect mille-feuille so he can get his diplôme de pâtisserie and go home to open a bakery. But the day before his final examination, he’s caught up in a whirlwind of international intrigue and mysterious phenomena, not to mention a romance with a fellow student who has something of her own to conceal.
Laurence Raphael Brothers
Reading: Shay Kauwe
Room 429, –
The Killing Spell. In a world where each language is its own branch of magic, an unlicensed spell smith with the rare ability to cast in Hawaiian is accused of assassinating a politician and must prove her innocence by tracking down the true killer.
Shay Kauwe
3 p.m. PDT (6 p.m. EDT / 10 p.m. GMT)
Managing Exponential Plots in Speculative Fiction
Room 320, –
An exponential plot has the protagonist repeatedly entering a cycle of events over the course of the story. During each cycle the protagonist encounters a challenge, recognizes that they must change in order to meet the challenge, effects the change, and defeats the challenge. In these stories the events of the cycle change the protagonist a fixed way (e.g., they face an antagonist who requires them to become X-fold stronger). This talk will review the strategies used to maintain this connection.
Paul Price
Was It Everything You Expected?
Room 321, –
If this was your first Worldcon, tell us exactly what you thought it would be. What did you expect? How could we have made the experience better for you?
Jennifer Rhorer (M)
Do Androids Dream of AI Slop?
Room 322, –
What is artificial intelligence, and how does it differ from the image and text generators that have proliferated over the past few years? Is science on the track to creating R. Daneel Olivaw, or is all of this a mirage?
Jon Lasser (M), Avani Vaghela, Chris Kulp, David D. Levine, Elektra Hammond
Alien and Fantasy Skyscapes
Room 328, –
Have you ever dreamt of colorful skies, planets and moons in the far-off horizon, and epic structures in the distance? With a little paint and some imagination, you can make your daydreams come true. Join Deanna Sjolander as she shares watercolor techniques, textures, and tricks for making your own fantasy landscape into your very own piece of art. No experience? No problem—you'll only need your imagination for this activity! Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Deanna Sjolander (M)
Lego Printmaking
Room 329, –
Especially for our Teen and Tween members: Print custom relief prints using Lego bricks as printing plates! Bring your creativity! Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Sara Felix (M)
Writing Characters With Disabilities
Room 330, –
Disabilities manifest in many ways, but one commonality is that, as writers, we want to treat them with respect. How do we write characters with disabilities in a way that does so? What common pitfalls should writers avoid? Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Elsa Sjunneson (M)
SWFF K—A Whole Bunch of Very Short Horror Films
Room 331-332, –
Bite-sized films of horror. Short Films: Are You There, Blighted, Catty Bete, Girl Dinner, In A Place Like This, Julienne of Light Bulbs, Karak, Lavenza, Let Me Know When You Arrive, Mine, Poached, The Perfect Picture, The Pretty, Tulpa, Urn, Within the Walls.
Making a Living in a Creative Field
Room 334, –
Making a living as a creative person is not easy, but it can be done. Our panelists will discuss the realities of how they’ve done it.
J.S. Fields (M), Atlin Merrick, Kestrel Michaud, Terri Ash, Jeff Sturgeon
Walk the Walk
Room 335-336, –
Let’s talk about presenting your costume through body language, acting, and mannerisms. Whether you sway like Captain Jack Sparrow or sneak like you’re in Assassin’s Creed, a costume is only as realistic as its presentation, which includes the way you walk. Come learn how to use body language, acting, and other mannerisms to level up your cosplay.
Bridget Landry (M), James H. Hay, Joy Alyssa Day, Torrey Stenmark
The Importance of Navigation
Room 343-344, –
If you can’t find the enemy, you can’t conquer them. Or trade with them. How did improvements in maritime technology change trade between nations? What similarities are there, if any, from the Phoenicians, Minoans, and other early sailors to the Vikings, the Pacific Islanders, and Asian and Indonesian sailors? How has that continued to change through the Industrial Age, and how will this possibly affect navigation to the stars and galaxies beyond?
Rosemary Claire Smith (M), Eric G. Swedin, Gina Saucier, Keith Gremban, Mike Brennan
Cancel Culture: How Social Media Influences Public Figures
Room 345-346, –
Social media has a big influence on the careers of public figures, from writers and actors to politicians and more. We take a neutral look at how these movements occur and what influence social media campaigns have on the lives of those they feature.
Ben Wallin (M), Andrew Ross, Sho Glick, Somto Ihezue, Terilee Edwards-Hewitt
Animals, AI, and Aliens, Oh My! Writing Nonhumans
Room 420-422, –
Some of the best characters aren’t humans at all. They’re animals, aliens, AI, or any number of real or imagined nonhuman species. But how do you write a believable character that senses and experiences the world in an entirely different way? This panel will talk about some of the leading science exploring how animals, computers, plants, and even fungi sense and communicate about the world. Then let’s discuss how to use that science to write rich and compelling nonhuman characters.
Aaron Scott (M), Kathryn Sullivan, Mary Robinette Kowal, Martha Wells, Matt Dinniman
The Comic Book Sommelier
Room 423-424, –
Comic books today: Even with sales numbers dropping and the distribution channel scattered and shredded, there’s never been a better time to be a comics fan. Why Marvel and DC are doing some of the best work they’ve done in years, probably under pressure from the strong stories of “second-rank” companies and the surge of independent comics publishers. This panel will cover some of the “inside baseball” of how things are going, then move to being an audience-led “comic book sommelier,” where we match an individual with a perfect comic title or two.
Ric Bretschneider (M), Terry Gant, Kel McDonald
Table Talks
Room 427, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Allan Dyen-Shapiro, Daytona Danielsen, Dr. Jasmin Kirkbride, Gregory Amato, Holly Black
Reading: Laura Anne Gilman
Room 428, –
“Thriftwitch.” A young witch in upstate New York does a favor for a friend—and finds herself caught up in the middle of a supernatural war and the unwilling and unwanted master of a powerful and annoyingly handsome monster.
Laura Anne Gilman
Reading: Shweta Adhyam
Room 429, –
“A Conch-Shell’s Notes.” A beach town, a weird conch-shell that tells the future: what could go wrong?
Shweta Adhyam
Table Talks
Room 430, –
Sign up to have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with one of the creators who is participating in the room this hour. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Jean Lamb, Kate Dramis, Larry Niven, Marie Brennan, Nikhil Prabala, Rachel A. Rosen
The Moon Is Nigh: Cislunar Exploration in 2025
Room 431-432, –
Lunar activity is ramping up, as several nations send spacecraft past the moon, around the moon, or onto the moon in a new wave of exploration. Our panelists discuss recent, ongoing, and upcoming missions—then consider their significance in a bigger picture, expanding human knowledge of the moon and extending lunar capabilities for further exploration or exploitation. Handbout: The Moon Is Nigh Cislunar Exploration in 2025 (413 KB .pdf).
Bob Hranek (M), Dan Dubrick, David Brin, Michael Nayak, Michael Ravine
Smut for Fun, Not Profit
Room 433-434, –
Fanfic erotica is so famous that many believe it’s all of fanfic. Learn how the tropes and styles of kinky and erotic topics change when they are written by and for a shared community. Let’s discuss how kinky writing changes when there’s no potential of commercial activity and it’s all about what gets you hot and what gets your readers hot.
Janice L. Newman (M), Berlynn Wohl, Hana Lee, T. M. Kuta
Isn’t It Romantic? Horror and Romance in Movies
Room 435-436, –
How many of us took someone to a first date at a horror movie, maybe hoping it would be a good segway into cuddling, providing support, and demonstrating courage? Maybe as a barometer to see if this person is really worth your time… I mean, if they don’t like horror, probably aren’t a good match, right? Regardless, the crossover of horror and romance is undeniable. The works of Haley Piper, Rae Wilde-Knowles, Brianna Malotke, Rachel Harrison, CJ Leede, Maquel A. Jacobs, and many more prolific writers come immediately to mind. Let’s discuss how these tropes not only cross over but also coincide and build upon each other. How can you, as a writer, incorporate romance into your work and use it to increase the depth of your characters, your plots, your themes—while keeping the narrative terrifying and dark?
Sam Stark (M), Elizabeth Guizzetti, Emily Smiley, Sumiko Saulson
Crit Groups—Yea or Nay?
Room 443-444, –
This panel explores the benefits and drawbacks of participating critique groups. Some people swear by them, while others are left wanting. How do you find a crit group that meets your needs and contributes to your writing joy? How do you leave a group that doesn’t suit you without burning bridges? Why do people have multiple crit groups, and how many is too many? Panelists discuss the good, the bad, and the complications of crit groups in all their myriad forms.
Tara Campbell (M), Brian C. E. Buhl, Chris Gerrib, Gabriel F. Salmerón, Wulf Moon
Giving and Receiving Feedback for Poets
Room 445-446, –
What could be more fun than spilling your heart onto the page? Having people critique your writing! Panelists will discuss approaches and pitfalls in the feedback process, what to look for in critique partners, and how to be gentle with the creative output of others. If time allows, panelists will dissect poems to point out what’s working and what’s not as they read through examples.
Rebecca A. Demarest (M), Dawn Vogel, F. J. Bergmann, Holly Lyn Walrath, Vanessa MacLaren-Wray
Military Hierarchy Versus Democratic Values in Space Forces
Room 447-448, –
There is inherent tension between the structure and restrictions of military hierarchies and personal liberty. The paradox is that democracy can’t be saved by destroying it. How can military hierarchy exist within, support, and serve democratic institutions? How can these be woven into your storytelling?
Jonathan Brazee (M), AK Llyr, Blaze Ward, G. David Nordley
Fireside Chat with SFWA Leadership
Terrace Suite (4F), –
In this intimate conversation with Kate Ristau and Isis Asare, board president and executive director of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association, attendees will have a unique opportunity to learn more about the future direction of SFWA and ask questions. The session is open to all science fiction and fantasy creators, from lifelong SFWA members to aspiring writers.
Isis Asare, Kate Ristau
Disordered Metamaterials
Room 320, –
Natural materials are often disordered, and their bulk properties are difficult to predict from their structure. This talk will discuss a pipeline that the panelist and their collaborators have developed to 3D-print materials—which they call “disordered metamaterials”—with adjustable amounts and types of disorder. They design and mathematically analyze the material configurations, which can take the form of point clouds or networks, and then they build them in the laboratory and test their physical properties. This project is a collaboration between mathematicians (including the panelist), physicists, and engineers. There will be physical samples of disordered metamaterials on display.
Mason A. Porter
Reading: Larry Hodges
Room 428, –
Three flash stories. Three humorous science fiction/fantasy flash stories, each under 1000 words long.
Larry Hodges
Reading: L. Ana Ellis
Room 429, –
The Adventures of Poppy and the Spy Cat: Theft at the Dead Letter Hotel. Talking spy cats, spy gadgets, and a fancy hotel: Poppy and her spy cat, Blackie, have to figure out who’s framing Poppy’s mother for stealing the Duchess Emerald—a necklace worth millions.
L. Ana Ellis
4 p.m. PDT (7 p.m. EDT / 11 p.m. GMT)
Closing Ceremonies
Ballroom 1, –
Nisi Shawl, K. Tempest Bradford
Asr Afternoon Call to Prayer
Interfaith Lounge (Room 337), –
Finding Exoplanets and Extreme Solar Systems
Room 321, –
Astronomer Gerard van Belle and Science Fiction Author Douglas A. Van Belle will discuss the search for exoplanets and some of the cutting edge finds announced at the 2024 Extreme Solar Systems Astronomy Conference.
Doug Van Belle, Gerard van Belle
Animal Companions in Middle Grade/YA
Room 320, –
It’s dangerous to go alone! The loyal animal (or monster) companion is a common feature of kids’ stories. These companions do more than tag along—they reveal character, deepen world-building, offer emotional support (or challenge), and sometimes even steal the show. Let’s discuss our favorites and find out what makes these furry (or scaly) friends so great.
Deva Fagan (M), A. L. Kaplan, Jenna Lee-Yun, Kathryn Sullivan, Maya Prasad
I’m Gonna Pop Some Tags
Room 322, –
Thrift store costuming. What do you do when you find an amazing piece at the thrift store? Take it home and alter the heck out of it, of course! We will cover painting, aging, distressing, dying, and other tips and tricks.
Janine Wardale (M), Carmen Beaudry, Celeste C. Tyler, Taylor Tomblin
Writing Space Opera
Room 330, –
Space opera shows us a universe full of wonder and adventure. How do you write a book that takes advantage of all the possibilities that this genre provides, and what pitfalls and perils should you watch out for? How do you handle writing an ensemble cast? Come learn how to write among the stars. Space is limited, advance sign-up required.
Becky Chambers (M)
Cultural Inspiration
Room 334, –
How do you respectfully incorporate what you’ve seen into what you make? How does one thoughtfully create work inspired by cultures other than your own without appropriation or offense? Our panelists will discuss how they’ve done this, and what they’ve learned in the process.
Claire E. Jones (M), Ash Charlton, James Mendez Hodes, Kat Kourbeti, Meg Frank
Storytelling in Song
Room 335-336, –
A discussion of songwriting to tell stories that cover historic events, evoke reactions to emotion-based tales, or encourage emotional attachments to ideas or narratives. Learn how our pros do it, and see if you can apply their techniques to your own music-based storytelling.
Cathy McManamon (M), Emily Paxman, John G. McDaid, John Hedtke, Mollylele
Great Lore in Video Games
Room 345-346, –
There are video games that are all about the gameplay—and then there are the games that pull you into deep, expressive narratives with complex world-building and fascinating lore. Let’s explore some of our favorites, old and new.
Eleri Hamilton (M), Brian Bucklew, Hana Lee, Jason Grinblat, Kathleen De Vere
Wonder and Dread: Cosmic Horror in the 21st Century
Room 347-348, –
There’s a place where science fiction, fantasy, and horror overlap—where aliens are synonymous with alienation. Ironically, cosmic horror’s foundations left out women almost entirely, to say nothing of other marginalized groups. This gender- and sexually-diverse panel will discuss what excites us about current cosmic horror, where the subgenre is headed, and how we can help it get there.
Evan J. Peterson (M), Dawn R. Schuldenfrei, Mariah Southworth, Megan Lloyd
A Needle to Space
Room 431-432, –
Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, one year after the last Seattle Worldcon, the Space Needle is a distinctive feature of the city’s skyline. Similar structures can be found in numerous cities around the world, but this is one of the oldest and tallest. Let’s explore the past, present, and future of this iconic landmark and what it inspires.
Dave Hook (M), Larry Lewis, Gibbitt Rhys-Jones
The Reading Writer
Room 433-434, –
“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that,” says Stephen King. Time to look at old axioms. This panel explores the concept that you must read well to write well. Is this correct or not? If you believe it to be correct, what do you read? Is there a difference in what you read when you are at different stages of writing? Is there anything you avoid reading when you are actively writing or editing a book? Can reading in and outside your genre(s) of choice inform/enhance your writing?
Elizabeth Guizzetti (M), Diana Xin, Alex Shvartsman, Carrie Vaughn, W. Jade Young
Indie? Trad? Why Not Both?
Room 443-444, –
From indie authors signing traditional deals to traditional authors self-publishing their back lists, more people than ever are blurring the lines between the two and dipping a toe in both worlds. Join this panel of trad-and-indie authors to discuss their diverse paths to publication, along with the strengths and considerations of various publication options.
Timothy W. Long (M), David Demchuk, Gail Carriger, Paul A. Dixon, Raven Oak
Still No Flying Cars?
Room 447-448, –
The Jetsons, whose buildings were modeled off the Space Needle, by the way, had flying cars! Why don’t we have them? When will we get them, and what will they look like? How can we get them sooner?
Ada Palmer (M), Ric Bretschneider
5 p.m. PDT (8 p.m. EDT / midnight GMT)
Fire Sale
Room 425 (Con Office), –
Everything must go! This is your chance to buy new or almost new items purchased for at-con use, cheap! Credit card, cash, and Venmo accepted.
