ConGregate 11

Some of the best fantasy novels are inspired by real world history. We'll talk about how easy it can be to find the magic behind the reality in real-world settings, and suggest some of the best examples for readers to immerse themselves in.

requests:

Modern fantasy novels like "Legendborn," "Cruel Prince," "Powerless," "Six of Crows," and "A Court of Thorn & Roses" challenge traditional genre conventions with morally ambiguous characters, intricate political intrigues, and diverse representations of race, gender, and sexuality. Authors like Holly Black, Leigh Bardugo, and Sarah J. Maas explore themes of power, identity, trauma, and desire while blending elements of romance, mystery, and horror in their storytelling. These contemporary works contrast with classic fantasy tales by J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, such as "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Chronicles of Narnia," which focus on archetypal heroes and clear moral binaries. Let's discuss how the evolution of modern fantasy literature reflects shifting societal values and showcases diverse voices reshaping the genre.

requests:

Years of book covers showing warrior women in chain mail bikinis and barbarian men in fur loincloths tricked generations of readers into thinking the clothes don't matter. But they do! On this panel, we'll explore the ways clothing defines social roles in fantasy worlds, and the uses of different garments

Join our some of our experiences self-published authors as they talk about their years in the self-publishing world.  What they wish they had known when they started?  How has self-publishing changed in the last 15-20 years.



requests: Angela Giddings, JE Pittman, Kevin Davis, Darin Kennedy, Stuart Jaffe, Bill Tracy

How to get out of your own way when it comes to taking feedback from editors, beta readers, peers, and getting over your emotions long enough to understand what you're being told and why.

requests: Misty Massey, Kevin Davis, Dennis Myers, Stuart Jaffe, Bill Tracy

 Authors share their unusual tools, tricks, resources and ways of helping nudge their storytelling muscles when they get stuck or feel uninspired.  

requests:

SF, fantasy, horror or crime...the best stories set their reader on a mission to figure out what's really going on right along with the characters. But how do you set up a mystery without giving everything away in Chapter Two? We'll discuss misdirection, red herrings, and weaving clues into the narrative without making things too obvious.

requests: Misty Massey, JE Pittman, Sarah Sover, Kevin Davis, Jason Roach, Darin Kennedy