GenCon Schedule

My GenCon schedule is now finalized, complete with the times I’ll be joining the friendly folks at the Paizo booth in the Great Hall.

I know I’ve said this in public before, but it bears repeating. GenCon itself is great fun and the Writer’s Symposium is one of its best kept secrets. There are hours and hours worth of panels on great topics that should be of interest to writers (and readers), with guests that range from talented semi-professionals to seasoned and famous industry leaders, like Lou Anders, Patrick Rothfuss, Mary Robinette Kowal, Scott Lynch, Brandon Sanderson… I could go on and on. To top it all off, things are well-run and organized. Last year was my first year to be involved with the symposium and I had such a fine time that I’ve enthusiastically recommended it to many friends, and decided to attend GenCon for all all four days so that I could participate more fully.

If you’re in the neighborhood, I hope you’ll stop by, and if you’re already coming, I hope you’ll swing by the rooms in the convention center where the symposium is under swing.

Here’s my schedule. Some of the names on the panels below may change depending upon the schedules of the other participants, but I think this is mostly accurate.

Thursday, August 15

9:00 ROOM 1 Memorable Characters

Scott Lynch, Mary Robinette Kowal, Erin M. Evans

Learn how to create compelling characters that readers will never forget.

12:00 ROOM 2 Beating Writer’s Block

Kelly Swails, Jerry Gordon, Paul Genesse

We’re here with advice that will help you break the block and get writing again!

1:00 – 2:00 GREAT HALL/PAIZO BOOTH Signing

I’ll be in the hall of treasures at multiple times over the convention, and I hope you’ll swing by to chat about writing, get a book signed, or simply to wave hello as you’re picking up various Paizo goodies at their booth.

4:00 GREAT HALL/PAIZO BOOTH Signing

5:00 ROOM 3 Reading

I’ll be sharing a reading with the talented Matt Forbeck. I’m not sure what he’ll be reading from, but I’ll probably select an unpublished short story.

Matt Forbeck

Friday, August 16

8:00 ROOM 2 Worldbuilding for Writers

Richard Lee Byers, Dave Farland, Lou Anders

A crash course in the art of building an amazing world to support your stories.

9:00 ROOM 2 Fantastic Geography

Lou Anders, Erik Scott de Bie, Daniel Myers

Cartography tips for authors to help you build an incredible world for your fiction.

10:30 — 11:30 GREAT HALL/PAIZO BOOTH Signing

I’ll be over at the Paizo booth. I hope you’ll swing by and say hello!

12:00 ROOM 2 Governments & The Rule of Law

Richard Lee Byers, James Sutter, Jim C. Hines

Explore ways to build governments and laws that support your story and drive your plot.

4:00-5:00 GREAT HALL/PAIZO BOOTH Signing

I’ll be over at the Paizo booth. I hope you’ll swing by and say hello!

Saturday, August 17

9:00 ROOM 1 RPG Fiction

James L. Sutter, Lou Anders, Howard Tayler

Discover the art of writing amazing RPG tie-in fiction from RPG industry experts.

11:00 ROOM 3 VIP Character Motivation

Deep dive into the art of character motivation in this exclusive 8 seat, round-table style panel.

1:00 – 3:00 GREAT HALL/PAIZO BOOTH Signing

I’ll be over at the Paizo booth. I hope you’ll swing by and say hello!