I’m excited to be on these Origins Game Fair panels! The rest of the time, we’ll be selling and signing books in the Authors’ Alcove.
Carlos will have copies of his Marvel omnibus THE STRANGE ACADEMY: A DEADLY FIELD TRIP, as well as his SAL AND GABI books from Disney Books.
And me? I’ll have copies of SAINT DEATH’S DAUGHTER (Solaris Books), THE TWICE-DROWNED SAINT (Mythic Delirium), DESDEMONA AND THE DEEP (Tordotcom), DARK BREAKERS, BONE SWANS, and even HOW THE STATUE LEARNED TO DREAM.
We will also have the prototype of NEGOCIOS INFERNALES to show off, and perhaps a secret sign-up sheet to play a game or two! (Logistics pending!)
So, swing by, say hi, pick up some books, and don’t forget that all the authors at Origins—including us—have brand new stories in the exclusive Origins anthology: LEGACIES. (Mine is based on a character I came up with during a game of Negocios Infernales: a poet in a bird cage.)
CLAIRE
Thursday
2pm: Research for Now and Later
SF and Fantasy can require an enormous amount of research. How do we organize the facts we find, whether for works in progress or as a vague, “That’s cool, maybe I’ll use it someday” tidbit?
A212
Jeri “Red” Shepherd, J. Rosenberg, C. S. E. Cooney, Beth Cato
Friday
2pm: Writing Habits
Are you an outliner or an improviser? Feast-or-famine or steady-as-she-goes? Do you have a dedicated writing space, or do you prefer the couch? There’s no one “correct” way to write, and finding out what works for you is a matter of settling into your groove. Authors with various habits will share what works for them, and discuss how they arrived there.
A212
Mary Fan, Kelli Fitzpatrick, K. DeCandido, C. S. E. Cooney
4pm: The Rewards and Challenges of Writing Series
What makes some authors decide to start series? What makes a series worthwhile? What are some of the unique challenges that come with writing multiple books in a single universe? How do you start, how do you keep it going, and how do you wrap things up? Let’s discuss!
A212
Mary Fan, C. S. E. Cooney, Carlos Hernandez, Addie J. King
Saturday:
1pm: Just Enough Worldbuilding
When writing a novel–or a story–when does worldbuilding interfere with the work of getting a novel done? When does too much detail alienate rather than invite the reader in? Panelists will talk about the ways in which they build their worlds.
A213
Carlos Hernandez, Beth Cato, Storm Humbert, C. S. E. Cooney, Jason Sanford
Sunday:
11am: Readings
Some authors love doing readings. Others hate them. Find out how to make the most of a reading, and how to give it your best.
A213
Jennifer Brozek, J. Rosenberg, K. DeCandido, C. S. E. Cooney
1pm: Fiction and Food
Authors dish on writing about food in genre fiction, from fantasy feast scenes to hot Earl Grey tea. How onerous is the research? How can familiar food themes be made fresh and innovative?
A213
K. DeCandido, Daniel Myers, C. S. E. Cooney
CARLOS
Thursday:
5pm: The Line Between Novelty and Gimmicks
Stories centered on novel or original things often draw readers in, but gimmicky writing often turns them off. Where is the line, and how do we learn to feel when we’ve crossed it?
A213
Storm Humbert, Carlos Hernandez, Addie J. King
Friday:
4pm: The Rewards and Challenges of Writing Series
What makes some authors decide to start series? What makes a series worthwhile? What are some of the unique challenges that come with writing multiple books in a single universe? How do you start, how do you keep it going, and how do you wrap things up? Let’s discuss!
A212
Mary Fan, C. S. E. Cooney, Carlos Hernandez, Addie J. King
Saturday:
10am: From Game to Story
What is the difference between running a campaign and writing a novel? Where is there crossover? Panelists will discuss the pitfalls of not realizing the discrepancies between the two, and the felicities that come from jumping formats!
A212
Jeri “Red” Shepherd, Matt Forbeck, Kelli Fitzpatrick, K. DeCandido, Carlos Hernandez
1pm: Just Enough Worldbuilding
When writing a novel–or a story–when does worldbuilding interfere with the work of getting a novel done? When does too much detail alienate rather than invite the reader in? Panelists will talk about the ways in which they build their worlds.
A213
Carlos Hernandez, Beth Cato, Storm Humbert, C. S. E. Cooney, Jason Sanford
5pm: Breaking the Rules!
Like a t-shirt, writing advice isn’t one size fits all. Our panelists will go through their favorite writing rules to break, the writing rules they use as their old reliables, and why. Come hear why advice isn’t for everyone!
A213
Jennifer Brozek, Storm Humbert, Carlos Hernandez
Sunday:
12pm: The Intersection of Games and Books
How gaming prepares you for authoring books and how books can move into the world of games. Join panelists who find that their work thrives at the cross-section of these two creative areas.
A212
Jeri “Red” Shepherd, Matt Forbeck, Carlos Hernandez, James Lowder
C.S.E. Cooney 
Does it benefit you more or less if we buy a book direct at a signing vs at a local book shop?
-Curious Fan (Anticipating Origins)
What a sweet question! It benefits us because we get to MEET OUR READERS in person, and lug fewer books home. 😉
We get our books from our local indie bookstore, who cuts us a little break on price, so the books we buy to sell actually do count toward our royalties, I believe.
And it’s great to meet new friends!