What does it mean to be an artist with the rise of AI? How do you protect your work? How do you market your skills against a machine? Participants: Geoffrey D Williams, Charles Urbach, Amber Raden (mod)
Get your questions answered about participating in the Masquerade by the Masquerade director and staff. Participants: Donald Kaiser (mod), Patrick Cool, Ben Livingston
Popularity of the "cozy" board game has risen over the last couple of years. What constitutes a cozy board game? Why are they so popular? What are some go-to titles? Participants: Brandy McQueen, Erik Nyberg, Renate Fiora (mod), Philip D Henry
Learn about how the archetypal heroine's journey differs from the hero's journey and how to spot it in the wild in your favorite books, TV shows, and movies. Participants: Jody Wurl (mod), Sherry Merriam, Stephanie Olson, Randee Dawn, Dana Baird
Let's talk about being fat at CVG! What are the intersectionalities that come with being a fat nerd/geek, and how does the media we love represent and demonize us? What does CONvergence do well to support us, and what can it do better? Participants: Mordecai Mika, Renate Fiora, Nikki Armstrong (mod), AJ Pete, Jessi Fox
What's the appeal of TV and films that never end? How much is our need to ease into a familiar place without a season of worldbuilding and how much of it is about a shared social experience? What are other reasons we like long-lived shows and franchises? Participants: Nathan Michael Anderson, Wes Huntington, Randee Dawn, Assad Khaishgi (mod), Janelle Kloth
This is a big, busy convention and we can offer suggestions on how to enjoy it without wiping out. Participants: Hawthorne Fasching, Rhea Wessendorf (mod), Brian Etchieson, Samantha Bitner, Rachel Poleke
How can you use your volunteer experience on your resume or college application? What skills are transferable? Participants: Cat Beltran, Heather L Heim, Cetius d'Raven, Katarina R Larsen (mod), Ashley M Mages
Step by step walk-through of a typical art assignment for tabletop game companies like Wizards of the Coast, Fantasy Flight Games, Wizkids, and other major game publishers. A basic introduction for students, aspiring pro artists, and curious gamers. Participants: Charles Urbach (mod), Lauren Addy, Christine Mitzuk
Historybounding, historically-inspired fantasy settings, "[character design] but make it [time period]", sheer flights of fancy--let's talk about the joys of purposefully playing around with historical authenticity in the service of art and storytelling. Participants: skazka 9000, Alex V Bender (mod), Elizabeth Merritt, Dana Baird, Kendrick Edmund Cronin
A lot of people think streaming is easy, just turn on the console, PC, camera, and go! We'll have some real talk on what actually goes into streaming and the harsh reality that you need to be in it for the love of it, and if you earn some money...bonus! Participants: Tanya DePass (mod), Chris Kluwe
How can you incorporate geeky things into your professional life? How can you decide whether it's safe to share your authentic self with your coworkers? Participants: Kiki Joy Latham, Natalya Rose, KitKat, Alex V Bender (mod), Renate Fiora
What makes readers love a character? Let's discuss some of our favorite stories and why the characters live on in our minds. Are series characters more likely to stand out? Participants: Jaymie Delia Wagner, Barbara Gregorich, Randee Dawn (mod), C.S.E. Cooney, Prof Brown
The works of Jane Austen have been translated into multiple other contexts--Regency romance, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Clueless, and others. How is this still relevant today? Participants: Stephanie Cranford, Kirsten Hazel Roepke-Larsen, Sarah Barsness, Elizabeth Merritt (mod), Tina Connolly
The world of role-playing can sometimes be overwhelming for newcomers. How can we teach the genre in a way that's fun instead of confusing? How can a Storyteller adjust the rules to the players' comprehension level? Participants: Molly Elizabeth Cornelius, Kenneth Joel Justiniano (mod), John Gary Leppik, Chris J Mortika, Amanda Larsen
Practice makes perfect, but why is perfection the goal? Art is about self-expression and you don't need perfection to be able to speak your truth. Learn how to appreciate where you are in your artistic journey with those who've already walked that road. Participants: Sonni de Soto, Erin Wilaby, Sarah Pierce, Viga (mod), Kerry Peterson
Are you an Avatar fan? No, not the blue people one--Avatar: the last Airbender. Cartoons, comics, books, and the live action...but not *that live action! Get together will other fans and discuss what you like about the series and hope to see! Participants: Samuel T. Weston, Lisa Marie Deguiseppi, Cetius d'Raven (mod), Michael S Shappe
A discussion on how to create inclusive and welcoming gaming environments. Learn about the importance of diversity in games, strategies for fostering inclusivity at your gaming table, and how to address and prevent toxicity in gaming communities. Participants: Jaymie Delia Wagner, Grace Holdinghaus, Kerry Peterson, Katarina R Larsen (mod), Tanya DePass
Why do books get banned? Why should you read the stuff people are trying to ban? Participants: Renee Petersen, Elizabeth Ess, Danith McPherson, nick A jaworski, Crystal Lynn Kelleher (mod)
By now, you've probably seen folks in black shirts and berets wandering around the con. Ever wondered who they are, what they do, and what organization they belong to? We'll share what the TRMN is all about and explain how you can participate. Participants: Commander Cate Hesser, Lt. Commander Chuck Kelly (mod), General John Neitz, Sir John Fairbairn
If you want to get away with evil deeds, you have to seem virtuous to outsiders. We discuss our favorite fictional villains who spun their public image to hide their intent, the tactics they used, and how we can learn from them to avoid real propaganda. Participants: Lathan Murrell, T. Aaron Cisco (mod), Lauren Crabtree, Naomi Kritzer
What chapter books are popular among young readers? Let's hear from the real experts--the kids themselves. Participants: Dani Mayville, Mackenzie Fleschner, Becca Justiniano (mod), Rose Grumdahl, Gwen McCabe
There is a current trend of giving antagonists backstories to make them sympathetic. Is this something we need? Does it add or subtract from their character? Participants: Barbara Gregorich, Lisa Hario (mod), Kate Dane, Jamie Riedesel, Becca Justiniano
Kids and teens discuss how to save the planet. Participants: Dani Mayville, Mackenzie Fleschner, Rose Grumdahl, Gwen McCabe, Kenneth Joel Justiniano (mod)
From the original manga to the new Cosmos movies, it's the series that keeps on giving! Which generation of fan are you? Let's take a quick trip through the legendary series that introduced so many of us to anime. Participants: Heather Bufkin
People obsessed with sports are just as nerdy as people into video games or RPGs. Research shows that being a fan fills an innate human need to belong. Why isn't that brand of fandom given the same treatment in society? Participants: Chris Kluwe, Erik Nyberg (mod), Stephanie Cranford, Kendrick Edmund Cronin, Janelle Kloth
What do you consider when selecting fabrics for a costume? How has this changed as you've advanced as a costumer? What tips do you have for beginners (e.g. notoriously difficult materials, things that look good on a budget, etc.)? Participants: Sara Spookystitch, Haruka, Elizabeth Merritt (mod), Dana Baird, Jen Schultz
Music and theater for the spec fiction geeks! How does one write and collaborate on such a thing? Find out from writers and musicians who have done just that. Participants: C.S.E. Cooney, Mary Crowell, Tina Connolly, Jeremy Cooney, Carlos Hernandez
Get an update on the latest with the organization that runs CONvergence with members of the Convergence Events Board of Directors. Participants: Tim Wick, Charmaine Parnell, Courtney Azar, CJ Mantel, Eric Knight, William Verburg-Cunningham, Rachel Poleke, Allen Tipper, David Bianchi
Join panelists for a discussion about geek-themed cookbooks and getting nerdy in the kitchen. Topics covered may include: what makes a good geek cookbook, where to get your hands on them, and how to use geeky interests to make cooking more fun! Participants: KitKat (mod), Scott Grandt, KN Hamann, Renee Petersen, Dani Mayville
How do we create art that is authentic while navigating the economic pressure of paying our bills? What are the downsides of monetizing our passions? Is there inherent privilege in participating in artistic hobbies without monetary compensation? Participants: Ren Nonnweiler, Sonni de Soto, Christopher J. Daniels, Elizabeth Merritt, Amber Raden (mod)
Come discuss some of your favorite musicals and stage productions! How has Broadway changed since Hamilton, and what new shows are taking center stage? What local theaters and productions deserve recognition? Participants: Haruka, Dawn Krosnowski (mod), Melissa J Arbuckle, Paige Elisabeth Erickson, Crystal Lynn Kelleher
Piercing discussion on the the myths and misconceptions behind swords and fencing. Panelists will discuss good and bad examples of historical fencing in media, and what really happens when you can't roll to hit in real life. Participants: Erica Fair, Kurt Fleschner (mod), Jamie Riedesel, Kendrick Edmund Cronin, Paul Bates
Dream of weaving tales and guiding adventurers through perilous quests? Join our panel of seasoned game masters as they share invaluable tips and tricks for running engaging and memorable campaigns. This panel is your gateway to the art of game mastering. Participants: Bob Alberti (mod), Alex V Bender, Kenneth Joel Justiniano, Eric Zawadzki, Margaret Eastman
Ever have dreams of designing your own board game? That's awesome. So did we. But it's harder than it looks. Come learn from our mistakes and let us help you take your game from a mere idea to a finished product. Participants: Kenneth Joel Justiniano (mod), Nate Metcalf, Brandy McQueen, Philip D Henry, Martin Grider
Explore the psychological aspects of gaming, including why we play, how its impacts our emotions and behavior, and its potential benefits and downsides. Delve into topics such as game addiction, games as therapy, and the social dynamics of multiplayer. Participants: John Shea, Prof Brown, Allyson Claire Cygan, nick A jaworski (mod)
A lot of costumers have had the experience of something not working out as planned. Costumers discuss the things that just did not go as planned and what they learned from it. Participants: Molly Elizabeth Cornelius, Sonni de Soto, Elizabeth Merritt, Dana Baird (mod), Kendrick Edmund Cronin
Comics are a unique medium that allow for techniques that don't work elsewhere. What are they? How do comics use them effectively? What types of story work better in comics than anywhere else? Participants: Madeleine Vasaly, Mark Lundberg (mod), Lathan Murrell, Amber Raden, Jules Porter
Do you still feel safe to be "out and proud"? This panel is an opportunity for us to come together to discuss that very issue and find comfort in one another's identities. Participants: Erin Wilaby, Eiryn Katherine, Sean Eber, Kiki Joy Latham (mod), Mordecai Mika
Behind the scenes at a haunted house. What's it really like to work as a zombie at a haunted attraction? Share stories, makeup and costuming tips, and our favorite scary phrases. Participants: Carla Hennes (mod), Cherelle-Renee Childs, Todd Murray, Beva Steinberg, Catherine Hansen
Join us for a lively discussion on the highs and lows of video game movies. We'll cover what makes a successful adaptation, analyze some of the best and worst examples, and speculate on upcoming releases. Participants: Henry Avalon Kaldhusdal (mod), Wes Huntington, Jackson Vanguard
Discussing the ins and outs of writing fanfiction. **mature content** Participants: Erica Fair, Allison Dean (mod), Jaymie Delia Wagner, Dirk Thomas Ykema, Tanya DePass
Alan Moore is known for such graphic novel classics as Watchmen, V For Vendetta, and From Hell, but recently he's focused more on prose works such as Jerusalem and The Great When. Let's gather and listen to the Voice of the Fire! Participants: Tim Uren, Patrick G Harrigan (mod), Matthew Kessen
The documentary "Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched" hit streaming and ignited renewed interest in folk horror. These stories focus on how outsiders collide with folk religion, paganism, and the dark side of nature. Let's talk about some of our favorites. Participants: skazka 9000, Ann Laabs, Bryon D Stump, Andrea Stephanie Herman, Lathan Murrell (mod)
Some movies and TV series are not cult classics or so bad they're good. Instead, they're a little cheesy and a lot of fun. Streaming services are responsible for creating or resurrecting properties that qualify. Let's talk about our favorites. Participants: Ren Nonnweiler, Nathan Michael Anderson, Katherine Jo Pysick, Kay Ericson (mod)
Friday July 4, 2025 11:30pm - Saturday July 5, 2025 12:30am CDT Hyatt 1 Lakeshore A
Ryan Coogler and company gave us a vampire movie that incorporates lore and ties it in with American experiences of "the other", assimilation, and resistance. Let's talk about this ish! Participants: Gregory Parks (mod), T. Aaron Cisco, Lathan Murrell, Damarra Atkins, Charlene Holm
Friday July 4, 2025 11:30pm - Saturday July 5, 2025 12:30am CDT Hyatt 2 Greenway FGH
Video games have had adult content since forever, but with online game stores opting to carry more adults-only games, we are in a renaissance of adult content. Join the discussion about the whats, wheres, & WHY?! **mature content** Participants: Jaymie Delia Wagner, Roger Morse (mod), TheRealGChu
