ConGregate 11: Full Schedule

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OUR WEBSITE: CON-GREGATE.COM

**** The temperature in the con spaces varies greatly from room to room. Bring layers! ****

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9:00am EDT

PDLS: Plotting

Saturday July 12, 2025 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

ta-Winston (Marriott) (temporary layout)

Part of the Professional Development Lecture Series for Writers

Michael A. Stackpole unravels the mysteries of creating compelling plots. A novel is a huge undertaking, written over weeks or months, and the plot has to hold it all together. From creating an outline to maintaining flexibility, this seminar gives you the insider knowledge that will separate you from all of your peers.

*Additional Fee, please see website/registration

Speakers

Michael A. Stackpole

Guest of Honor

Michael A. Stackpole is the multiple New York Times bestselling author of over forty fantasy and science fiction novels, his best known books written in the Star Wars® universe, including I, JEDI and ROGUE SQUADRON, as well as the X-Wing graphic novel series. He has also written... Read More →

Saturday July 12, 2025 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
ta-Winston (Marriott) (temporary layout)

Professional Development Lecture Series

11:00am EDT

PDLS: Business One w/John Hartness

Saturday July 12, 2025 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

ta-Winston (Marriott) (temporary layout)

Part of the Professional Development Lecture Series for Writers

Traditional publishing, independent publishing, small presses, self-publishing...which one is right for you? Do you even have to stick with one style? These days more authors than ever are working in a hybrid model, blending different publishing styles to maximize their career efforts. Writer and publisher John G. Hartness will lay out the pros and cons of all the publishing paths you can follow, and ways to make them all work in your favor.

*Additional fee, please see website/registration

Speakers

John G. Hartness

Literary Guest

John G. Hartness is a teller of tales, a righter of wrong, defender of ladies’ virtues, and some people call him Maurice, for he speaks of the pompatus of love. He is also the award-winning author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles, the Bubba the Monster Hunter... Read More →

Saturday July 12, 2025 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
ta-Winston (Marriott) (temporary layout)

Professional Development Lecture Series

1:30pm EDT

PDLS: How to Write Urban Fantasy w/ Gail Z. Martin

Saturday July 12, 2025 1:30pm - 3:00pm EDT

ta-Winston (Marriott) (temporary layout)

Part of the Professional Development Lecture Series for Writers

During the 90-minute session, Gail Z. Martin will introduce you to the fundamentals of urban fantasy writing and provide practical insights that can be applied to your own writing projects. You will delve into the world of urban fantasy storytelling, exploring key elements and techniques specific to the genre. We will guide you through the process of crafting compelling narratives, focusing on aspects such as developing settings and creating memorable characters.

*Additional fee, please see website/registration.

Speakers

Gail Z. Martin

Literary Guest

Gail Z. Martin writes urban fantasy, epic fantasy, steampunk and more for Orbit Books, Falstaff Books, SOL Publishing and Darkwind Press. Urban fantasy series include Deadly Curiosities and the Night Vigil. Epic fantasy series include Darkhurst, the Chronicles Of The Necromancer... Read More →

Saturday July 12, 2025 1:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
ta-Winston (Marriott) (temporary layout)

Professional Development Lecture Series

3:30pm EDT

PDLS: Advanced Characterization

Saturday July 12, 2025 3:30pm - 5:00pm EDT

ta-Winston (Marriott) (temporary layout)

Part of the Professional Development Lecture Series for Writers.

If Characters are king, these techniques will teach you how to establish a dynasty. Michael A. Stackpole reveals the advanced techniques he uses for creating characters of depth, intrigue and humanity, who manage to grow in realistic but seldom predictable ways. You’ll learn how to create the sort of characters that can carry whole sagas and keep readers locked in and waiting for each new book’s release.

*Additional fee, please see website/registration

Speakers

Michael A. Stackpole

Guest of Honor

Saturday July 12, 2025 3:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
ta-Winston (Marriott) (temporary layout)

Professional Development Lecture Series

5:30pm EDT

PDLS: Crisis Clinic

Saturday July 12, 2025 5:30pm - 7:00pm EDT

ta-Winston (Marriott) (temporary layout)

Part of the Professional Development Lecture Series for Writers

Writers all hit kinks in the story that sometimes seem insurmountable. In this session people get to describe problems that are killing their stories, and our experts will offer practical solutions and work-arounds for everything from writer’s block to that pesky side character who just ups and wants to take over the whole story.

*Additional fee, please see website/registration

Speakers

Professional Development Lecture Series