Nebula Conference 2018: Full Schedule

1:00pm EDT

Convention Mentor meetup

The SFWA mentor program pairs established writers with early career writers, or people attending the Nebula Award Conference for the first time. Participants will attend a brief orientation explaining the weekend, and then be paired with a peer who will help introduce the writer to people.

Thursday May 17, 2018 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom

SFWA function

Company Agents, Art Directors, Early Career Writers, Editors, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional

2:00pm EDT

Prepare for the Press Like a Pro

There's an art and a craft to conducting a good media interview. Preparation is key to conveying the message you want to present and getting your points across without letting the interviewer sidetrack you. Learn the same tricks corporate executives use for dealing with the press from a former media trainer for a major public relations firm. Participants will work on developing their key messages, using bridging techniques, and keeping cool under pressure. Depending on time/interest, there may be opportunity for a demonstration with a willing participant.

Moderators

Shanna Swendson

Shanna Swendson earned a journalism degree from the University of Texas but decided it was more fun to make up the people she wrote about. She’s written a number of fantasy novels for teens and adults and spends her spare time on knitting and music.

Thursday May 17, 2018 2:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Marquis B

Career Management, Solo presentation

Company Early Career Writers, Game Writers, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional, Agents, Art Directors, All welcome, Editors, family members too.

2:00pm EDT

Business and Pleasure: The not-so-secret handshakes of convention life

When you are an early career writer, how do you get the most out of a convention without seeming pushy? Everyone knows that you shouldn't give an editor your manuscript in the bathroom (except for the guy who did it) but you also know that business takes place at conventions. What are the tricks and secrets?

Speakers

Bill Campbell

Bill Campbell is the author of Sunshine Patriots, My Booty Novel, and Pop Culture: Politics, Puns, "Poohbutt" from a Liberal Stay-at-Home Dad and Koontown Killing Kaper. Along with Edward Austin Hall, he co-edited the groundbreaking anthology, Mothership: Tales from Afrofuturism and... Read More →

Susan Forest

Laksa Media Groups

Susan Forest writes SF, fantasy and horror, and is an award-winning fiction editor for Laksa Media. Her novel, Bursts of Fire, came out in 2019, to be followed by Flights of Marigolds. She has published over 25 short stories, contributes to When Words Collide, and has appeared at... Read More →

Laura Anne Gilman

d.y.m.k. productions

Relapsing Editor, Recurrent Novelist, Occasional Short Story Writer. Proud Hybrid. Never met a sub-genre she didn't flirt with.

Barry Goldblatt

Literary Agent, Barry Goldblatt Literary

Thursday May 17, 2018 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Marquis A

Career Management, Panel

Company Agents, Art Directors, Early Career Writers, Editors, Game Writers, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional

2:00pm EDT

How to fail gracefully

It's not a question of IF you will make a mistake, but one of when. More important is the question of how you will handle the mistake. Mistakes are oppotunities to learn, while failure is a refusal to learn. Learn practical techniques for defusing your own desire to become defensive and, hopefully, learn to fail gracefully enough that it becomes a simple mistake.

Moderators

Annalee Flower-Horne

@leeflower

Speakers

Carrie DiRisio

Author

Carrie Ann DiRisio runs multiple popular social media accounts including @BroodingYAHero, and has worked for Serial Box Publishing. She is the author of the upcoming YA Parody novel BROODING YA HERO'S GUIDE TO ACHIEVING MAIN CHARACTER STATUS.Her speaking engagements include talks... Read More →

Vanessa Rose Phin

Associate Editor, Strange Horizons

Ness is a developmental editor, learning designer, writer, sensitivity reader, and calligrapher--sometimes all at once. Ve is a Midwestern transplant to Baltimore, where ve somehow earned a history degree writing about crossdressing sailors and genderqueer deities.

Michael R. Underwood

Attendee

Michael R. Underwood is an author, podcaster, and publishing professional. Mike's books include space opera Annihilation Aria, the Ree Reyes Geekomancy books, the Stabby Award-finalist Genrenauts series, and Born to the Blade (written with Malka Older, Cassandra Khaw, and Marie Brennan... Read More →

Thursday May 17, 2018 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Marquis C

Career Management, Panel

Company Agents, Art Directors, Early Career Writers, Editors, Game Writers, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional

2:30pm EDT

Archivos

ARCHIVOS - a new online story development app - introduces a new dimension to the organization and documentation of stories and narratives. By linking people to places and events - and "tagging" those connections according to the storyteller's unique criteria - the app unlocks new perspectives on the way story elements interact that provides a whole new way to examine and analyze stories. During this presentation, ARCHIVOS Creator Dave Robison will explore how the application can be applied to education, gaming, writing, and genealogy, and how users can leverage the unique interactive displays to reveal unexpected insights into the stories they love.

Speakers

Dave Robison

Evil Genius, ARCHIVOS

Dave Robison is an avid Literary and Vocal Alchemist who pursues a wide range of creative explorations. A Brainstormer, Keeper of the Buttery Man-Voice, Pattern Seeker, Dream Weaver, and Eternal Optimist, Dave's efforts to boost the awesomeness of the world can be found through his... Read More →

Thursday May 17, 2018 2:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
Marquis B

Expert Knowledge, Solo presentation

Company Art Directors, Editors, Hybrid, Indie, Game Writers, Early Career Writers

3:30pm EDT

How to Investigate a Publishing Partner

In an age of misinformation, it's important to ask questions before signing a contract with a publishing partner. Whether you are an indie author or traditional, understanding how to spot red flags is important. Panelists will offer insight as to why you shouldn't believe everything that's posted on the internet, and also offer suggestions to find better sources of information.

Moderators

Monica Valentinelli

Monica Valentinelli is a writer, artist, and game developer who lurks in the dark. She is a hybrid author who writes both original and media tie-in fiction and works on games, essays, comics, too.A frequent guest at conventions, Monica is best known for creating the Make Art Not War... Read More →

Speakers

Colin Coyle

Publisher, Parvus Press

Colin is the co-founder of Parvus Press. He is a technologist with an education in theater, a more comprehensive but less interesting education in business, and a background in enterprise network design who turned to the dark side of sales and marketing.He fell in love with genre... Read More →

Michael R. Underwood

Attendee

Jacob Weisman

Publisher, Tachyon Publications

Jacob Weisman is the editor and publisher at Tachyon Publications, which he founded in 1995. He has been nominated for the World Fantasy Award three times for his work at Tachyon and is the series editor of Tachyon’s Hugo, Nebula, Sturgeon, and Shirley Jackson Award-winning novella... Read More →

Thursday May 17, 2018 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Marquis C

Career Management, Panel

Company Agents, Game Writers, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional, Early Career Writers, Art Directors

3:30pm EDT

Ignite Talks

Get snapshot talks on a variety of subjects, geared toward jumpstarting your brain. Presenters get 20 slides, which automatically advance every 15 seconds. The results are fast and fun presentation each of which lasts just 5 minutes.

http://www.ignitetalks.io/

Topics include:
Senses of Sailing - Rekka Jay
Poetry in Science (119 times) - Mary Soon Lee
How to Accurately Portray Mental Illness - Dr. Shana Feibel
Medieval European Swordsmanship - John Appel
how covers differ between countries and genres, and how readers interpret them - Claire Humphrey
Ghost Hunting - J.R. Dawson
The Emotions of Salvage Archaeology - Jason Sanford
SF and Rock and Roll - Larry Ivkovich
Elementary Particle Physics - Lesley L. Smith

Moderators

Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Lady Astronaut series and historical fantasy novels: The Glamourist Histories and Ghost Talkers. She’s the president of SFWA, a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer... Read More →

Speakers

John Appel

Author

John Appel volunteered to jump out of planes before he’d ever been in a plane; his friends and family say this sums up his approach to life pretty well. He writes science fiction and fantasy and the occasional tabletop RPG adventure. A lifelong Marylander, he lives in the Baltimore... Read More →

J. R. Dawson

Writer

Dawson (she/they) has been seen in places like The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Escape Pod, Lightspeed, and DSF. Her debut novel, The First Bright Thing, is now available from Tor. Find her at www.jrdawsonwriter.com and on twitter @j_r_dawson.

Dr. Shana Feibel

Psychiatrist, Lindner center of Hope, mason ohio

Claire Humphrey

Larry Ivkovich

Writer, Myself

I love talking about all things SF, both in literature and media, and enjoy discussing with other writers about their writing and publishing experiences. SF and Rock and Roll is a favorite niche subject of mine.My own speculative fiction has been published in over twenty online and... Read More →

Rekka Jay

Attendee, R J Theodore

SFF author of Peridot Shift and Phantom Traveler series. She/her. Early riser. Graphic designer by profession. Co-host of WE MAKE BOOKS podcast (wmbcast.com) with Kaelyn Considine of Parvus Press. Contributor to Glitter + Ashes anthology.

Mary Soon Lee

Author

Mary Soon Lee was born and raised in London, but now lives in Pittsburgh. She writes both fiction and poetry, and has won the Rhysling Award and the Elgin Award. Her two latest books are from opposite ends of the poetry spectrum: "Elemental Haiku," containing haiku for each element... Read More →

Jason Sanford

Author

Jason Sanford is an award-winning author of short stories, essays, and articles. A two-time finalist for the Nebula Award, Jason has published more than a dozen stories in the British SF magazine Interzone, which also devoted a special issue to his fiction. He has also published numerous... Read More →

Lesley L. Smith

Physicist & SF Author

By day, Lesley L. Smith is a Ph.D. physicist. By night, she's an M.F.A. author and a founder and editor of the speculative fiction ezine Electric Spec. Her speculative short fiction has appeared in a variety of venues including Analog Science Fiction and Fact. She's published seven... Read More →

Thursday May 17, 2018 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Marquis B

Expert Knowledge, Solo presentation

Company Agents, Art Directors, Editors, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional, Early Career Writers, family members too., Game Writers, All welcome

4:15pm EDT

The state of publishing in China

Learn about Chinese science fiction and the adaptation situations in China.

Speakers

Regina Kanyu Wang

International PR Manager, Storycom

Born in 1990, Regina Kanyu Wang is a writer from Shanghai and member of Shanghai Writers’ Association. She has been invited as a guest for Shanghai-Taipei Writing camp, Melon HK, Shanghai International Literary Week and Euro-Asia Economic Forum. She is a multi-winner of Xingyun... Read More →

Thursday May 17, 2018 4:15pm - 4:45pm EDT
Marquis B

Career Management, Solo presentation

Company family members too., Traditional, Agents, Early Career Writers, Editors, Hybrid, Indie, Art Directors

5:00pm EDT

Shape of Narrative Arcs in Gaming

Stories can be found in games just as much as fiction. Panelists will discuss how they emerge in games, how the type of game affects the narrative arc, and how writers impact the story. The panel will also highlight techniques to evaluate the narrative arcs in published games.

Moderators

Monica Valentinelli

Speakers

John Appel

Author

Jason Stevan Hill

Chief Operating Officer, Choice of Games

Hill is the author of two interactive fictions (Choice of the Vampire, Choice of the Vampire: Fall of Memphis). He spends most of his time as an editor and managing partner for Choice of Games.

Mary Robinette Kowal

Todd Sanders

Director, Air and Nothingness Press

I have run my own press - Air and Nothingness Press - since 1997. I’ve published five books of the translated poetry of Robert Desnos, three of my own books of poetry and am now publishing the writing of Jamie Lackey and UK fantasy authors Steph Swainston and Jonathan L. Howard.I... Read More →

Thursday May 17, 2018 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Marquis B

Professional Development, Panel

Company Art Directors, Editors, Hybrid, Indie, Game Writers, Early Career Writers

9:30pm EDT

Tour of Allegheny Observatory

Limited Capacity seats available

Allegheny Observatory (159 Riverview Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15214) belongs to the University of Pittsburgh and is over 100 years old. It houses three telescopes in white domes standing high on a hill in Riverview Park, 4.4 miles from the Marriott. Tours of the building include the three-floor, glass-roofed library and a crypt set in the sub-basement pier of one of the telescopes where the remains of former astronomers have been laid to rest.

Use the online app to sign up by clicking to add it to your schedule. Or, visit the registration desk to use the paper sign-up sheet.

Speakers

Diane Turnshek

Carnegie Mellon University

Diane Turnshek is an astronomer at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. She has been on the Board of Directors for both the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and Parsec, Pittsburgh’s premier science fiction organization. For nine years, she mentored graduate... Read More →

Thursday May 17, 2018 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Registration - Grand Foyer Lobby

Social, Off-site tour

Company Agents, Art Directors, Early Career Writers, Editors, Game Writers, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional

10:00am EDT

Disclosure in the Age of #MeToo

Current events are inspiring harassment and abuse victims to stop whispering and start publicly naming bad actors in our industry, but these public disclosures remain difficult and risky. Community manager and code of conduct consultant Annalee Flower Horne walks through some best practices for protecting yourself and others when speaking up.

Outline:

Personal and Digital Security
Legal Liability
The Costs and Benefits of Disclosing Anonymously
Writing Your Disclosure
Handling Backlash

Speakers

Annalee Flower-Horne

@leeflower

Friday May 18, 2018 10:00am - 10:30am EDT
Marquis B

Professional Development, Solo presentation

Company Agents, Art Directors, Editors, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional

10:00am EDT

We're New Here: How to Navigate Being an "Emerging Author"

At some point, every published creator was a newcomer to their field. This panel will bring together both established creators and those in the early years of their careers to talk about the challenges they've faced in the publishing world and what they've learned about navigating through them.

Moderators

Fonda Lee

Author

Fonda Lee is the author of the epic modern fantasy Green Bone Saga, consisting of Jade City, Jade War, and Jade Legacy. She is a winner of the World Fantasy Award, the Locus Award, a four-time winner of the Aurora Award, and a finalist for the Nebula Award and the Hugo Award. The... Read More →

Speakers

Vera Brook

Writer

Vera Brook is a neuroscientist turned science fiction & fantasy writer, braving the indie publishing route. Her debut novel, Sand Runner, was published in June 2017, and Cage Runner, book 2 in the series, followed in February 2018. She's also working on several short stories, but... Read More →

Peng Shepherd

Writer, HarperCollins

Peng was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, where she rode horses and trained in classical ballet, and has lived in Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, London, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and New York. Her first novel, The Book of M, won the 2019 Neukom Institute for Literary Arts Award for... Read More →

Rebecca Thorne

Writer

R.K. Thorne writes science fiction and fantasy with strong romantic subplots and an all too frequent theme of baked goods. She's a full-time indie who works from the hills of Pennsylvania with her two gray cats at her side.

Tracy Townsend

Writer, English Instructor

Tracy Townsend is the author of The Nine, book one of the Thieves of Fate series (Pyr), a gaslamp fantasy debut set in a world where theology is a science, three sentient species live in an uneasy truce, and the fate of humanity rests on the shoulders of nine unsuspecting individuals... Read More →

Friday May 18, 2018 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Marquis C

Professional Development, Panel

Company Agents, Art Directors, Early Career Writers, Editors, Game Writers, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional

11:30am EDT

Makeup for Writers

You're at a con, you're exhausted and have to look like you're in top form. Learn tricks for femme, ace, masc, and everyone on the gender spectrum to spackle over the fatigue. This isn't about conforming to media stereotypes but about using a tool to look like the best version of you.

And if you're a nominee wanting a little extra sparkle... this is a hands-on workshop.

Moderators

Meg Frank

Speakers

Mary Robinette Kowal

Arkady Martine

Arkady Martine is speculative fiction writer and, as Dr. AnnaLinden Weller, a historian of the Byzantine Empire and a city planner. She is currently a policy advisor for the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, where she works on climate change mitigation... Read More →

Friday May 18, 2018 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Marquis C

Career Management, Solo presentation

Company Early Career Writers, Game Writers, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional, Agents, Art Directors, All welcome, Editors, family members too.

11:30am EDT

An hour with Peter S. Beagle, SFWA's newest grandmaster

Patrick Rothfuss sits down with SFWA's newest grandmaster, Peter S. Beagle, and asks him all the questions.

Speakers

Peter Beagle

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) is pleased to announce that Peter S. Beagle has been named the 34th Damon Knight Grand Master for his contributions to the literature of Science Fiction and Fantasy.The Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award is given by SFWA... Read More →

Patrick Rothfuss

Friday May 18, 2018 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Marquis A

Expert Knowledge, Solo presentation

Company Agents, Art Directors, Editors, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional, Early Career Writers, family members too., Game Writers, All welcome

11:30am EDT

How to decolonize your fiction

The history of western colonialism is integrated into the foundational texts of the genre. From Verne to Tolkein, empire has been at the forefront of our visions of the future and of fantastical worlds. But change is here. The recent success of Black Panther provides a vision of an afrofuturistic society untouched by colonial powers. How, then, do we tell stories that build on these beginnings that gesture towards alternative paths forward? How can we envision futures that celebrate cultural difference while acknowledging violent histories and the realities of our shared present?

Moderators

DongWon Song

Agent, Howard Morhaim Literary Agency

DongWon Song is an agent at Howard Morhaim Literary Agency representing science fiction and fantasy for adults, young adult, and middle grade readers as well as select non-fiction. They were formerly an editor at Orbit and a product manager for the ebook startup, Zola Books and has... Read More →

Speakers

Bill Campbell

Fonda Lee

Author

Rebecca Roanhorse

Author

Rebecca Roanhorse is a Nebula/Hugo/Sturgeon/Locus Award Finalist for her short fiction and a 2017 Campbell Finalist. Her debut novel TRAIL OF LIGHTNING Book #1 in the SIXTH WORLD SERIES (Saga Press) drops June 26th, 2018. She lives in Northern New Mexico with her husband, daughter... Read More →

JY Yang

JY Yang is a Hugo/Nebula/Locus award finalist and the author of the Tensorate novellas from Tor.Com Publishing (The Red Threads of Fortune, The Black Tides of Heaven and the forthcoming The Descent of Monsters). A graduate of the Clarion West class of 2013, they live in Singapore... Read More →

Friday May 18, 2018 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Marquis B

Professional Development, Panel

Company Hybrid, Traditional, All welcome, Agents, Art Directors, Early Career Writers, Editors, Game Writers, Indie

2:00pm EDT

Building Safer, More Inclusive Spaces in Writing Groups

Writing groups, critique circles, and other creative communities are critical to building a writing practice. How do you form, nurture, and evolve an inclusive writing group? What do you do with problem members? Learn practical, actionable tips that you can apply to either starting or growing your writing group!

Speakers

Jane Pinckard

Attendee

Miyuki Jane Pinckard is a writer, critic, and educator who has studied the culture of video games for fifteen years. She's spoken about building safer, more inclusive spaces at conferences including the Game Developers Conference and the Queer Games Conference. She's served as Vice... Read More →

Friday May 18, 2018 2:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom - Salon 1

Career Management, Solo presentation

Company Agents, All welcome, Art Directors, Early Career Writers, Editors, family members too., Game Writers, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional

3:30pm EDT

The Money is in Your (back)List

Your backlist has the potential to contain found money. The work of writing them is already done, so all that's left is continuing to connect that work with an audience. What are the aspects of reviving your backlist, whether traditionally published or indie published, and how do you acquire the contacts necessary to get the core competencies together to accomplish selling your work? This panel will also look at the mechanics of rights reversion of backlist books

Moderators

Margot Atwell

Head of Publishing, Kickstarter

Margot Atwell is the Head of Publishing at Kickstarter, where she helps authors and publishers build community and find support for their creative projects. Previously, Margot was Publisher at Beaufort Books, an independent publisher of fiction and non-fiction books. Her first book, The... Read More →

Speakers

Michael Anderle

CEO, LMBPN Publishing

SFWA Member and Science Fiction and Fantasy Author and a bestselling top #100 Author on Amazon.com.Known for his bestselling Kurtherian Gambit series, Michael is also the co-creator of the Oriceran Universe and collaborates with well over a dozen other authors.His publishing company... Read More →

Jonathan Brazee

Writer

I am a retired Marine infantry colonel and now a full-time hybrid writer living in Colorado Springs with my wife Kiwi and twin pre-school-age girls, Danika Dawn and Darika Marie. I am a two-time Nebula Award Finalist, a two-time Dragon Award Finalist, and a USA Today Bestselling... Read More →

Cat Rambo

DongWon Song

Agent, Howard Morhaim Literary Agency

Friday May 18, 2018 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Marquis A

Career Management, Panel

Company Art Directors, Early Career Writers, Editors, Game Writers, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional, Agents, All welcome

4:00pm EDT

Draft 2 Digital

Join the Draft2Digital team to learn about the free tools they've built to help indie authors run their business and how they can help make your book available to retailers and libraries worldwide.

Moderators

Draft2Digital - Dan Wood

Director of Author Relations, Draft2Digital

Dan Wood is the Director of Operations and Author Relations at Draft2Digital. Prior to this he spent many years as a technology advisor in the energy industry and served two years as an AmeriCorps Vista volunteer. Draft2Digital gives over 53,000 authors simple tools to format and... Read More →

Speakers

Kris Austin

Chief Executive Officer, Draft2Digital

Kris Austin is the CEO and Co-Founder of Draft2Digital, the top ebook distribution platform online. Founded in 2012 and proudly based in Oklahoma City, D2D offers an ever-expanding array of tools and resources to help authors start and grow their indie publishing careers, allowing... Read More →

Friday May 18, 2018 4:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Marquis B

Career Management, Solo presentation

Company Art Directors, Game Writers, Hybrid, Indie, All welcome

4:30pm EDT

Convention Mentor Meetup

Friday May 18, 2018 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom

SFWA function

Company Agents, Art Directors, Early Career Writers, Editors, Game Writers, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional

5:00pm EDT

Language to use when writing and speaking about disability

From the outside, disability is something people observe at a distance. People stare, or they look away, but to talk about it can be somewhat daunting. This panel will address the language of disability in order to enable writers to be more inclusive of disabled people within their work, and to acknowledge disabled writers within their communities.

Moderators

John Wiswell

John (@Wiswell) is a disabled writer who lives where New York keeps all its trees. His work has appeared at Uncanny Magazine, Weird Tales, Fireside Magazine, Daily Science Fiction, Pseudopod, Podcastle, and Flash Fiction Online.

Speakers

Kari Maaren

Author

Kari Maaren is a writer, cartoonist, musician, and academic whose first novel, the YA fantasy Weave a Circle Round, was published by Tor Books in 2017. It tied for the 2018 Copper Cylinder Award (YA category), was a finalist for the Andre Norton Nebula Award for Young Adult Science... Read More →

Jaime O. Mayer

Attendee

SFF writer based out of the Seattle area. Korean American adoptee. Soaked in tea, would rather be knitting. Fountain pen obsessed. Fiction and nonfiction at/forthcoming: Cast of Wonders, Cicada Magazine, The Learned Fangirl, Invisible 3, and Disabled People Destroy Science Fiction... Read More →

Diana M. Pho

Editor

Diana M. Pho is a queer Vietnamese-American independent scholar, playwright, and Hugo Award-nominated fiction editor. She has over a decade of experience in traditional, Big Five publishing, including Tor Books, Tor.com Publishing, and the Science Fiction Book Club. Additionally... Read More →

Elsa Sjunneson

Attendee

Hugo, BFA and Aurora award winning editor Elsa Sjunneson is a Deafblind hurricane in a vintage dress. Her written work has appeared in CNN Opinion, Uncanny Magazine, Women of Marvel #1, and many other projects and venues. Being Seen, her debut memoir on media and disability releases... Read More →

Friday May 18, 2018 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Marquis B

Professional Development

Company Agents, Art Directors, Editors, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional

5:00pm EDT

Local Beer Tasting Happy Hour

Join beer fans James J. Walton & Jim & Laurie Mann and try some local beer, cider and at least one kind of Wigle Whiskey.

Speakers

Laurie Mann

Nebula Weekend Local Coordinator 2018, 2017, 1999, co-runner of Program for Pittsburgh's Confluence for 2018, chair of Smofcon 2017, co-chair of Smofcon 2012

Friday May 18, 2018 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
SFWA's Hospitality Suite - 10th floor, Pittsburgh Room

Social

Company Agents, All welcome, Art Directors, Early Career Writers, Editors, family members too., Game Writers, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional

1:00pm EDT

How to teach classes in storytelling

Whether you are teaching peers or in public school classroom, there is an art and a science to planning a class. Finding that spark inside each student means lots of scaffolding, differentiation, and getting down to the core of what a story is. A beginning writing workshop should teach effective communication of a student’s ideas and inspire further exploration into not only writing, but self-advocacy and self-esteem. Advanced courses should help students push farther in their skills.

These two presenters will discuss how to structure a lesson plan, fit the needs of every student, and support a creative and safe space.

Speakers

J. R. Dawson

Writer

Cat Rambo

Saturday May 19, 2018 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Marquis B

Career Management, Solo presentation

Company Early Career Writers, Game Writers, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional, Agents, Editors, Art Directors

1:00pm EDT

We’re Going to Need a Bigger Ship: Uncloaking the Missing Half of the SFF Market

Join Data Guy, the pseudonymous industry analyst who cofounded AuthorEarnings.com along with mega-selling indie Sci-Fi author Hugh Howey, for a deep dive into today’s vibrant and vastly expanded Science Fiction & Fantasy market. Surprisingly, tens of millions of online SFF book purchases are going unreported each year, so come and see the hidden half of the SFF market—the half which statistics from Bookscan, Pubtrack, and the AAP are blind to. Learn for the first time what SFF genres and subgenres truly sell best, which formats and price points really generate the most revenue, and how SFF sales are trending compared to other genres—last year, last quarter, last month and even last week.

Speakers

Data Guy

Saturday May 19, 2018 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom

Career Management, Solo presentation

Company All welcome, Agents, Art Directors, Early Career Writers, Editors, Game Writers, Hybrid, Traditional, Indie

1:00pm EDT

The problem with history

History repeats itself, so it's natural to look to history for inspiration for fiction. While it's obvious that historical details should be treated in the same way as any other piece of world-building, how does the author navigate the changes in culture? Is there a responsibility to be factually accurate, even when that means replicating problematic language and attitudes from the past? Are there certain cultures' histories that we shouldn't write about? If so, why? This panel will seek to place planks over the pitfalls in writing historical fantasy fiction.

Moderators

Arkady Martine

Speakers

Lara Elena Donnelly

Lara Elena Donnelly is the author of the vintage-glam spy thriller Amberlough and it’s forthcoming sequels Armistice and Amnesty (Tor). Lara’s other work has appeared in venues including Strange Horizons, Escape Pod, Nightmare, and Uncanny. A graduate of the Clarion and Alpha... Read More →

Annalee Newitz

writer

Annalee Newitz writes science fiction and nonfiction. They are the author of three novels: The Terraformers, The Future of Another Timeline, and Autonomous, which won the Lambda Literary Award. As a science journalist, they are the author of Four Lost Cities: A Secret History... Read More →

Kat Otis

Kat Otis writes speculative fiction – everything from historical fantasy to urban fantasy, with a bit of science fiction thrown in for good measure. She lived a peripatetic life for almost two decades and is now rather bemused to be living in one place; she’s not recycling her... Read More →

Angus Watson

Writer, Angus Watson

I'm a British historical fantasy writer currently living in New York. My first trilogy, Age of Iron, is a fantastical epic adventure based around the Roman Invasions of Britain in 55 and 54BC. My current trilogy, West of West, is about Vikings crossing a fantasy North America a thousand... Read More →

Saturday May 19, 2018 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Marquis C

Professional Development, Panel

Company Early Career Writers, Game Writers, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional, Art Directors, All welcome

1:00pm EDT

Kickstarter Masterclass - registration required

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

In this Masterclass, Margot Atwell from Kickstarter, will work with participants to fine tune their projects for maximum effect. Participants will receive material before the conference and do some work before the masterclass to prepare.

You must pre-register for this class.

To do so, add this to your schedule. When the class fills, additional names will go on the waitlist.

Speakers

Margot Atwell

Head of Publishing, Kickstarter

Saturday May 19, 2018 1:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Three Rivers Room

Career Management, Workshop

Company Agents, All welcome, Art Directors, Early Career Writers, Editors, family members too., Game Writers, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional

2:30pm EDT

Health and Happiness for Writers

This panel begins with the radical idea that writers do their best work when they're healthy, happy, and reasonably secure: when they are not living up (or down) to the stereotype of the starving, possibly addicted, probably self-destructive artist. We will discuss what makes for a good, and hopefully productive, writing life. How can we arrange our days . . . and years? How can we cultivate healthy and productive habits, and what does that mean, anyway? How do we deal with the problems and challenges of writing--lack of time, lack of money, the inevitable criticism and rejection? The panelists will share their (positive and negative) experiences creating lives for themselves that enable and support their writing, and hopefully give you some ideas for how you can think about and create your own writing life.

Moderators

Theodora Goss

Speakers

Lara Elena Donnelly

Rekka Jay

Attendee, R J Theodore

Matthew Kressel

Full-stack developer, writer, Tyrell Corporation

Matthew Kressel is a three-time Nebula Award finalist and a World Fantasy Award finalist. His short fiction has appeared in many places, and his work has been translated into six languages. He is a full-stack developer, environmentalist, and cautious optimist. He co-hosts the Fantastic... Read More →

Erin Roberts

Attendee

Patrick Rothfuss

Saturday May 19, 2018 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Marquis B

Professional Development, Panel

Company Art Directors, Early Career Writers, Editors, Game Writers, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional, Agents, family members too., All welcome

4:00pm EDT

What science fiction can learn from archaeology

Worldbuilding requires us to imagine societies that are radically different from our own. This is also what archaeologists do when they explore ancient civilizations. What can archaeological discoveries and methods teach us as writers? What does archaeological science fiction look like? Let's talk about the science of creating fictional civilizations.

Moderators

Arkady Martine

Speakers

barbara barnett

Author

Barbara Barnett is the author of three books, including the award-winning The Apothecary’s Curse, a finalist for the prestigious Bram Stoker Award for a debut novel. As publisher and executive editor of Blog- critics (blogcritics.org), an Internet maga- zine of pop culture... Read More →

Annalee Newitz

writer

Jason Sanford

Author

Rosemary Claire Smith

Writer

Rosemary Claire Smith worked as a field archaeologist and election lawyer before turning to writing alternate history, time-travel tales, hard science fiction, guest editorials and book review columns for Analog. She has also written fantasy, horror and yet more science fiction for... Read More →

Saturday May 19, 2018 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Marquis A

Career Management, Panel

Company Early Career Writers, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional, Agents, Editors, Game Writers, Art Directors, All welcome

4:30pm EDT

The How and Why of Creative Commons licensing

You've been curious about Creative Commons, but aren't quite sure what it does and how to approach it. In this presentation, a representative from Creative Commons explains the concepts and best practices.

Speakers

Ethan Senack

Outreach and Policy Manager, Creative Commons USA

As Outreach and Policy Manager for Creative Commons USA, Ethan's focus is on crafting a message and strategy around open licensing, educating decision-makers about its potential, and expanding use of the Creative Commons licenses in the US. Previously at U.S. PIRG, Ethan worked as... Read More →

Saturday May 19, 2018 4:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
Marquis C

Career Management, Solo presentation

Company Agents, Early Career Writers, Editors, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional, Art Directors, Game Writers

11:00am EDT

Toastmaster Q&A

Sunday May 20, 2018 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Marquis A

Expert Knowledge

Company Agents, Art Directors, Editors, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional

1:00pm EDT

Mass Autographing

Speakers

Michael Anderle

CEO, LMBPN Publishing

Charlie Jane Anders

Attendee

Charlie Jane Anders is the author of the forthcoming Victories Greater Than Death, the first book in a young adult trilogy. Plus an upcoming short story collection, Even Greater Mistakes. And a collection of essays about how to make up stories during tough times, called Never Say You Can't Survive. With Annalee Newitz, she co-hosts the Hugo Award-winning podc... Read More →

Alan Bailey

Creator/Producer/Co-host, Alan & Jeremy Vs Science Fiction

barbara barnett

Author

Sue Hollister Barr

Author, SFWA

My sci fi is adult, a touch raunchy/bohemian, and an eclectic mix of sentiment and dark humor. I need help getting my books sold. I can provide help with all aspects of wordsmithing from line-edits to story structure.

Peter Beagle

Jonathan Brazee

Writer

Vera Brook

Writer

Michael Capobianco

Advisor, SFWA

Michael Capobianco has published two solo science fiction novels, Purlieu (Placeholder Press) and Burster (Bantam). He is co-author, with William Barton, of the controversial hardcore sf books Iris (Doubleday, Bantam, reprinted by Avon Eos), Alpha Centauri (Avon), Fellow Traveler... Read More →

Curtis Chen

Secretary, SFWA

Once a Silicon Valley software engineer, Curtis C. Chen (陳致宇) now writes stories and runs puzzle games near Portland, Oregon. He's the author of the Kangaroo series of funny science fiction spy thrillers and has written for the Realm originals Ninth Step Station, Machina, and... Read More →

Gwendolyn Clare

Neil Clarke

Editor, Clarkesworld Magazine

Neil Clarke (neil-clarke.com) is the editor of the Hugo and World Fantasy Award-winning Clarkesworld Magazine and several anthologies, including the Best Science Fiction of the Year series. He has been a finalist for the Hugo Award for Best Editor (Short Form) eight times, won the... Read More →

Kaelyn Considine

Acquisitions Editit, Parvus Press

Michael Cooper

Sherrie Cronin

retired geophysicist and writer

I'm a former scientist from Houston and the author of six science fiction/fantasy novels. I am interested in ways to improve my writing and alternative approaches to marketing my newest project.

Beth Dawkins

Writer

David Day

Alyx Dellamonica

A.M. Dellamonica's first novel, Indigo Springs, won the Sunburst Award for Canadian Literature of the Fantastic. Their fourth, A Daughter of No Nation, won the 2016 Prix Aurora for Best Novel. They have published over fifty short stories in Tor.com, Asimovs SF, and elsewhere, along... Read More →

Rob Dircks

Writer/Editor/Designer/Narrator/Producer, Goldfinch Publishing

Rob Dircks is the Audible bestselling author of Where the Hell is Tesla? The Wrong Unit, Don't Touch the Blue Stuff!, and a member of SFWA (Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America). His prior work includes the anti-self-help book Unleash the Sloth! 75 Ways to Reach Your Maximum... Read More →

Carrie DiRisio

Author

Lara Elena Donnelly

Gardner Dozois

Scott Edelman

Author

Rebecca Gomez Farrell

Attendee, The Gourmez

Rebecca Gomez Farrell’s replicator order is "Manhattan up, three cherries." Meerkat Press released her first novel, Wings Unseen. Her shorter works have been published nearly thirty times in magazines, anthologies, and websites that include Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Helios Quarterly... Read More →

Dr. Shana Feibel

Psychiatrist, Lindner center of Hope, mason ohio

Stephanie Fink

Susan Forest

Laksa Media Groups

Luke Fredland

Todd French

Tina French

Sarah Gailey

Author

Hugo, Campbell, and Nebula award finalist Sarah Gailey lives and works in beautiful Portland, Oregon. Their nonfiction has been published by Mashable and the Boston Globe, and their fiction has been published internationally. They are a regular contributor for Tor.com and Barnes... Read More →

Laura Anne Gilman

d.y.m.k. productions

Relapsing Editor, Recurrent Novelist, Occasional Short Story Writer. Proud Hybrid. Never met a sub-genre she didn't flirt with.

Theodora Goss

Daryl Gregory

Writer

Daryl Gregory is an award-winning writer of genre-mixing novels, stories, and comics. His novels include Spoonbenders (upcoming from Knopf), Harrison Squared, Afterparty, Pandemonium, Raising Stony Mayhall, The Devil’s Alphabet, and the World Fantasy Award- winning short novel We... Read More →

A. J. Hackwith

Author

A. J. Hackwith is (almost) certainly not an ink witch in a hoodie. She’s a queer writer of fantasy and science fiction living in Seattle. THE LIBRARY OF THE UNWRITTEN, the first in her fantasy trilogy, is coming October 1 2019 with Ace. She also writes sci-fi romance as Ada Harper... Read More →

Joe Haldeman

writer, MIT

Joe Haldeman is an American science fiction author and combat veteran of Vietnam. He is best known for his 1974 novel The Forever War. That novel, and other of his works including, The Hemingway Hoax (1991) and Forever Peace (1997), have won major science fiction awards including... Read More →

Erin M. Hartshorn

SFWA Vice President

Erin M. Hartshorn did her graduate work in fish olfaction (and yes, she’s heard all of the jokes about how fish smell) before turning to words to make her living. Her freelance business makes others’ words look good through copyediting, proofreading, and indexing. Her fiction... Read More →

Merrie Haskell.

Author

Merrie Haskell’s novels are The Princess Curse, Handbook for Dragon Slayers and The Castle Behind Thorns. She won the Schneider Family Book Award (Middle Grades) and the DetCon1 Middle Grade Speculative Fiction award, and she was twice a finalist for the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award... Read More →

Claire Humphrey

Larry Ivkovich

Writer, Myself

Rekka Jay

Attendee, R J Theodore

david jennings

Michael Jones

Jeffe Kennedy

Jeffe Kennedy is an award-winning, best-selling author who writes fantasy with romantic elements and contemporary romance. She serves on the Board of Directors for SFWA as a Director at Large. Her most recent works include the high fantasy trilogy from Rebel Base books, The Chronicles... Read More →

John Kessel

Writer

Scott King

Attendee

Scott King is an author, board game photographer, and all around geek!

Ellen Klages

Writer, self

I write historical fiction for middle grade readers and SF/F for adults. I have won multiple awards in both fields. I love research. I have played poker every Tuesday night for 35 years. I collect lead civilians and other odd, old toys. I sometimes give ultraviolet tours of my dining... Read More →

Mary Robinette Kowal

Matthew Kressel

Full-stack developer, writer, Tyrell Corporation

Jamie Lackey

Jamie Lackey lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and their cats. She has had over 170 short stories published in places like Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Apex Magazine, and Escape Pod. Her debut novel, Left-Hand Gods, was published by Hadley Rille Books, and she’s created five successful... Read More →

Mur Lafferty

Writer

Mur Lafferty is a Hugo-award winning podcaster, a Hugo and Nebula award nominated writer, and co-editor of the first science fiction podcast, Escape Pod. She streams gaming and live podcasts on Twitch.

Fonda Lee

Author

jennifer lee

I teach middle school math in Baltimore. I write literary fiction, science fiction and experimental short fiction. I have lived in Greece and hope to live there again in the future. I like all people except for the mean ones.

David D. Levine

David D. Levine is the author of Norton Award winning novel Arabella of Mars (Tor 2016), sequels Arabella and the Battle of Venus (Tor 2017) and Arabella the Traitor of Mars (Tor 2018), and over fifty science fiction and fantasy stories. His story “Tk’Tk’Tk” won the Hugo... Read More →

Beca Lewis

Author, Coach, The Shift Center

BECA LEWIS thinks the world is not what it looks like, so spends her time looking for what isn’t always visible. Addicted to reading from childhood, she thought that the worlds she read about were real. Now she asks, who says they are not? Beca writes and coaches on shifting the... Read More →

Sam Linton

I am a full-time pastor, corporate trainer, and a real estate investor. I always wanted to be a writer, and I wrote my first book in 2017 during NaNoWriMo. I had every intention of going the traditional publishing route until I discovered 20Booksto50K. Now, I am Indie all the way... Read More →

Kari Maaren

Author

PJ Manney

author, PJ Manney

PJ Manney is the author of the P.K. Dick Award-nominated (R)EVOLUTION, book 1 in a trilogy with (ID)ENTITY, and the upcoming (CON)SCIENCE, out April 27, 2021. She also writes non-fiction and consults about emerging technology, future humans, empathy-building through storytelling... Read More →

Craig Martelle

Director, Craig Martelle, Inc

Craig Martelle has published well over 100 books and has sold over a million copies in his favorite genres of Science Fiction and Thrillers. He also runs the largest indie author conferences in the world along with the group that has changed innumerable authors’ lives for the better... Read More →

Kevin McLaughlin

Writer, Role of the Hero Publishing

Kevin McLaughlin is a USA Today bestselling author of science fiction and fantasy novels, with over thirty books published. He has been a speaker at DragonCon, the Nebula Conference, 20Books, WorldCon, Arisia, Boskone, and other events. He believes in giving back to the writing community... Read More →

Sam Miller

Sam J. Miller is the last in a long line of butchers, and the Nebula-Award-winning author of The Art of Starving (an NPR best of the year) and Blackfish City (a “Must Read” in Entertainment Weekly and O: The Oprah Winfrey Magazine). He lives in New York City, and at samjmille... Read More →

Terry Mixon

Author, Yowling Cat Press

#1 Bestselling Military Science Fiction author Terry Mixon served as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Army 101st Airborne Division. He later worked alongside the flight controllers in the Mission Control Center at the NASA Johnson Space Center supporting the Space Shuttle... Read More →

Mr. Nibs

Author, Fallen Kitten Productions

Dave Palmer

Author, D. Thourson Palmer

I'm about bourbon, cooking, martial arts, my blind cat Lt. Commander Geordie La Forge, and also bourbon. I wrote Ours Is the Storm and the web serial RAZE.

Sarah Pinsker

Director at Large, SFWA

Cat Rambo

Jim Reid

I am a building contractor, a fiction writer, and a romantic lover. I'm gay and live in San Francisco. The Federation of Earth is a science-fiction novel about benevolent aliens coming to Earth to create a just planet where all sentient beings have equal rights and 70% of humans... Read More →

Kelly Robson

Writer, SFWA

Kelly Robson is an award-winning short fiction writer. In 2018, her story “A Human Stain” won the Nebula Award for Best Novelette, and in 2016, her novella “Waters of Versailles” won the Prix Aurora Award. She has also been a finalist for the Nebula, World Fantasy, Theodore... Read More →

Karlo Yeager Rodriguez

Attendee, Author

Karlo Yeager Rodríguez is originally from the enchanting island of Puerto Rico, but moved to the Baltimore area some years ago where he now lives with his wife and one odd dog. His fiction has appeared in places like Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Seize the Press, Pseudopod, and khōréō. He... Read More →

Patrick Rothfuss

Jason Sanford

Author

Lawrence M. Schoen

Author, Paper Golem LLC

Lawrence M. Schoen holds a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology, is a past Campbell, Hugo, and Nebula, nominee, twice won the Cóyotl award for best novel, founded the Klingon Language Institute, and occasionally does work as a hypnotherapist specializing in authors’ issues. His science... Read More →

Nancy Schrock

Writer

I'm the author of the recently published novel Incense Rising. I worked in industry as a chemist for 25 years then left the corporate world to pursue writing and teaching. I teach at the University of West Florida.

Elsa Sjunneson

Attendee

Alan P. Smale

In addition to singing bass with the Chromatics, this year’s Musical Guests of Honor, Alan Smale writes alternate and twisted history, and occasional pure SF and fantasy. His novella of a Roman invasion of ancient America, “A Clash of Eagles”, won the Sidewise Award for Alternate... Read More →

Lesley L. Smith

Physicist & SF Author

Rosemary Claire Smith

Writer

Bud Sparhawk

CFO, SFWA, Inc

Michele Staffen

Jerome Stueart

Jerome is a writer whose work has appeared in Fantasy, Lightspeed's Queers Destroy Science Fiction, Tor.com, Strange Horizons, several Tesseracts anthologies and other magazines and journals. His 2016 self-illustrated collection of stories, The Angels of Our Better Beasts (ChiZine... Read More →

Shanna Swendson

Tom Sweterlitsch

Rebecca Thorne

Writer

Tracy Townsend

Writer, English Instructor

Michael R. Underwood

Attendee

Jamie Wahls

Martha Wells

Martha Wells has written many fantasy novels, including The Books of the Raksura series (beginning with The Cloud Roads), the Ile-Rien series (including The Death of the Necromancer) as well as YA fantasy novels, short stories, media tie-ins (for Star Wars and Stargate: Atlantis... Read More →

Fran Wilde

Author

Fran Wilde’s novels and short stories have been finalists for four Nebula awards, two Hugo Awards, and a World Fantasy Award. They include her Nebula/Andre Norton- and Compton Crook-winning debut novel, Updraft (Tor, 2015); its sequels, Cloudbound and Horizon; the double-starred... Read More →

Sheila Williams

Attendee, Asimov's

I'm a science fiction short story editor.

Connie Willis

writer

JY Yang

Caroline M. Yoachim

Author

Hugo and three-time Nebula Award finalist Caroline M. Yoachim is a prolific author of short stories, appearing in Asimov’s, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Clarkesworld, and Lightspeed, among other places. Her work has been reprinted in multiple year’s best anthologies and translated... Read More →

Peter Zuckerman

Author, Journalist, Political Advocacy, Self

Sunday May 20, 2018 1:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom

SFWA function

Company Agents, All welcome, Art Directors, Early Career Writers, Editors, family members too., Game Writers, Hybrid, Indie, Traditional