Saturday Schedule

Join author and martial artist Steven Barnes in this hour of gentle Chinese exercise, suitable for all fitness and experience levels.  Wear loose clothes!

Get your heart pumping by dancing and moving to kid-friendly music.

Come bring a game and play it with friends!

Come bring a game and play it with friends!

All weekend there are dealers and game developers running demos of games in Maxi’s Salon. Come up and see the latest and greatest games and talk to game developers.

Come sign up for a game run by our DMs or check out games from our lending library. We have RPGs, computer games, LARPs, card games, board games, and so much more! Need ADA access for a game? Please speak to our staff when you sign up so we can be sure to meet your needs.

Shadrach and the City of Angels. A Dreadpunk novella set in early Los Angeles with the diminutive spiritualist Shadrach Plum. Rated PG.

Welcome to the jumping, running, hopping, and the fast-acting part of the Hellbender Filmmaking Workshop. Today is when we shoot like mad weasels, because there’s not much time. And if we’re going to make a movie at light speed, then we have to move exactly like light – only faster! So, don’t be late, or you’ll see only red-shifted versions of us. Although this is a multi-part workshop, you don’t have to attend every part to enjoy it. Although you should, if you want the best filmmaking experience possible!

If you plan to enter the Masquerade, you must attend this meeting if you did not attend the Friday night meeting. You will be provided all the info you need to compete, and we will be there to answer any questions you have. Please make sure to bring your music to turn in. We will have a computer for you to sign up online to compete if you haven’t already done so.

B*tch Planet has so many more body types than you usually see in comic books, superhero comics or not. Faith, a title coming soon, is a spin-off from Harbinger featuring plus-size heroine Zephyr. But the ladies of B*tch Planet and Faith are a tiny minority in a sea of female comic characters whose bodies defy physics and biology. What do images in comics say about women’s bodies?

Asexual, transgender, pansexual, biromantic, gay, lesbian, queer, cisgender, and many more. Why are these terms important, and what do they mean? How do they help both our youth and adults take control of their lives and move forward? Why is it important to have terms like full spectrum or quiltbag that are more inclusive than the previous LGBT? Come learn about new terms and experiences!

In any kind of game that attempts to simulate a situation, be it reality or a fictional realm, there is a balance between this simulation and the key element of what you’re doing: playing a game. When does reality get in the way of fun, and when does it reinforce it? This is a game design discussion across game genres from electronic to role-playing.

After a long wait, Star Wars finally came! What was your favorite costume and how would you build your favorite character? Our avid fan panel will talk about solutions to bring the galaxy far, far away to glorious life.

Take time to get down to the arty basics. Fantasy and science-fiction themed coloring pages at various difficulty levels. Markers and colored pencils will be provided. Actual kindergarteners also welcome.

A discussion of the dos and don’ts in writing firearm usage. We’ll cover common mistakes, misconceptions, and apocrypha that will help a budding author/screen writer/game master better incorporate firearms into their settings. Come with questions!

Norwescon 39 Artist Guest of Honor Janny Wurts presents a slideshow and Q&A featuring recent artwork and the creative processes, decisions, and inspirations that made them.

Join our panelists as they discuss the boundaries of young adult fantasy and how to maintain a compelling story while still hitting the target audience.

Come experience for yourself what it is like to stand as part of a Norse Shield Wall. Learn and practice basic Norse weapon and combat skills in a SAFE, SUPERVISED environment. Participants will be equipped with wooden swords, spears and shields. Receive one-on-one and team-based instruction from experienced practitioners.

Do you have costume pieces you have outgrown? Grown tired of? Do your kids? Do your STUFFIES? Bring your things! We’ll have five sections: Doll, small, medium, large, and other. The room will be set up with chairs, and you can lay out your things in the appropriate sections and then browse the areas that interest you. At 11 a.m. we gather in the doll area to introduce our stuffies and prepare them for a Teddy Bear Parade through the lobby. We will end back up in Grand 3 to gather up our acquisitions and any un-taken clothing. Any clothing left behind will be donated to either a shelter or charity organization.

The Adventures of Useless Lump: Cleric. Reading from my ongoing serialized novel. Swords and sorcery. Rated PG.

Ramez Naam reads from his latest science fiction novel, Apex.

There are chances to still get enough points to win a prize. Pick up the list and get photographing.

So Jurassic World happened, which makes us wonder: could we really do it? Could we resurrect pterosaurs and velociraptors? Could we combine the DNA of long-dead predators to create a smart, vicious and very deadly Indominus? Or is it all just a steaming pile of McGuffin?

There is something deep and meaningful in fantasy that speaks to the dreamer in all of us. Be it a safe harbor during the storms in our life, a reminder that heroes do exist to fight dragons, or an ensemble of friends to accompany us on an adventure, we come to fantasy for many reasons. Join us as our pros talk about what fantasy means to them and what they hope it means to you.

And how not to be. Navigating social media as a professional can be challenging, but it can also be a fun way to bring a human face to your “brand”—as long as you don’t come off like a spambot trying to sell your book. Our experts talk about common mistakes and pitfalls authors make on social media and how to avoid them, as well as best practices for utilizing social media, email, and blogs, and creative ways to help you connect with—not alienate—readers.

Witches have never really left popular imagination, but they are back in force in several popular movies and TV shows. Gone is the old image of a crone in black. From The Last Witch Hunter, Game of Thrones, Macbeth, Avengers, and more, we look at various recent iterations of the makers of magic.

Do you have a story you’d like to workshop with other fandom writers? Do you want to see what the writing process is like for others? This session will involve small-group workshop sessions led by some of our panelist writers. Participants can share in-progress stories, experiment with prompts, and will have the opportunity to give and receive feedback and advice.

Join the artists behind the Loncon and SpoCon Hugo rockets (and other major award pieces) as they talk about the process of bidding and making sets of award sculptures.

Hugo and Chesley winning artist (and Norwescon 7 Artist Guest of Honor) Don Maitz presents a slideshow of his artwork followed by a Q&A.

You’ve decided that one form or another of non-monogamy is the way to go, so now what? What types are there? What might your relationships’ structures look like? What about negotiating (and re-negotiating) boundaries? How do you handle ethical dilemmas and limited time? What do you do when there are conflicting needs? And what if you figure out it’s just not working? Our panelists have a wide variety of experiences, observations, and suggestions to share.

Attending a convention with small children can be challenging. Panelists and audience members will share what worked for them. While the adults are talking, little ones can hang out in the play area in the same room.

This is your chance to learn and practice basic Roman Legionary combat skills in a SAFE, SUPERVISED environment. Stand in the Roman line equipped with a (provided) wooden Gladius (sword) and Scutum (shield). No better way to understand what it meant to be a Roman Legionnaire than to participate in Roman infantry drills. In groups of twenty, instructors will walk you through the drills. Come learn how to describe both the actions and what it felt like to be a Roman Legionnaire!

Coyote Song. A CSI tech who’s half Native American, and her boss, who knows more than he should about Voudoun, encounter a supernatural being from Southeast Asia while investigating a possible murder in one of the city’s larger refugee communities. It’s all about Sudden Death, which can come from more than one source, including the Animal People. Appearing in March/April 2016 issue of F&SF. Rated G.

Have you always wanted to write fanfiction, but just don’t know where to start? Do you have some great ideas but don’t know how to flesh them out? This panel will help new fanfic writers get past some of their fears about writing by tackling the basics—finding inspiration, plot development, creating compelling characters, and showing rather than telling your audience your story. Let us help you break through your fears and start writing stories!

Entrants in the competition will register and present their entries to the panel of judges. Entries are all based on the same pattern.

FPS, MMO, RTS, MOBA… What do these acronyms mean? How do I select a console or platform that suits my needs? How do I manage my time and not miss dinner? How do I deal with harassment and trolls? What’s good etiquette for various online interactions? If you’ve asked any one of these questions or have similar queries, come ask our panel of experts.

You take the red pill and suddenly it seems like all the media you loved before is betraying you with its inherent sexism, racism, homophobia and ableism. How do you still enjoy media once you’ve become aware of everything that’s wrong with it? Our panelists have been through it and have some tips for you.

What is nerdcore, how did it get started, why are they rapping about videogames and Star Trek, and how can I learn more at this very convention? Come meet our nerdcore artists and learn where this came from and what all this is about.

Many alien cultures in fiction have a strikingly human feel to them. How do we create alien cultures that are unfamiliar in design without making them unrelatable? Let’s discuss the pitfalls, pros, and cons of alien culture!

Two artists compete to come up with cover art for a story idea suggested by the audience, while the audience cheers them on.

Jeff demonstrates how he makes his astronomical paintings.

From bikini chainmail to full armor, talk to women who fight in full armor as well as the writers and publisher of the new anthology, Women in Practical Armor.

Story arises from what your characters want and need, not from where they live. Learn from our panel of worldbuilders how your planet, kingdom, or landscape can inform the characters and how to keep the story apace without overwhelming the narrative with geographic or cultural details.

Wired. No Peace avenges the death of her mentor. Rated PG.

Guests of Honor Tanya Huff, Janny Wurts, and William Hartmann are available to sign autographs. Please note: So that as many fans as possible can participate, we will be enforcing a three-items-at-a-time, or single-sketch, autograph limit.

The Theogenesis Gimmick. Theo is a computer hacker who scams Nigerian scammers, until her pursuit of the ultimate scam reveals a world she had never before perceived. It will take all her wits to outwit the bad guy and become the rightful creator of God. Rated PG.

You’ve found a fan group and want to start a chapter of your own. How do you go about it? What challenges and rewards can you expect?

Entrants in the competition will register and present their entries to the panel of judges. All entries must be ray guns.

There are many different types of cancer, each with its own causes and treatments. Our experts will draw on their knowledge and personal experiences to present the facts and counter the fictions of cancer.

Science fiction is where we often find the greatest “what if” questions. What if we were all connected to a matrix? What if The Singularity decided we were extraneous? Join us as we discuss the great questions we’ve already asked and posit new questions of our own.

Feeling brave? Want to see how your first page holds up in a cold read? Send the first page of your manuscript to idol@norwescon.org to have it anonymously read aloud and critiqued by a panel of pros.

Do you love a costume from a movie or a comic or a book cover? Unsure of how to translate that from the media to your body? Come and learn how to assess the major components of a particular costume, assess proportion, decorative elements, and then fit it to your particular shape! Learn techniques for taking flat images and making them fit your 3D self!

What’s the difference? Why do comic book superheroes look like that? How do things like the male gaze effect how comics are drawn and marketed? Why does Emma Frost dress that way? And why do Nightcrawler and Gambit have such rabid fanbases?

Chesley award-winning artist (and Norwescon 36 Artist Guest of Honor) Lee Moyer presents a slideshow showcasing his recent work, followed by a Q&A.

Diversity in the ethnic, cultural, sexual identity, and socioeconomic backgrounds of characters and writers of speculative fiction has become more important to readers and writers in recent years. Where do we go to find these characters and authors? Who are the writers (no matter their background) who are penning accurate and authentic experience? Do we find these books in the SF/F sections or do we need to look to other areas of the bookstore or library?

Need a place where you can release your babies from confinement and let them socialize while you relax? Drop in and let your little ones roam in the room. Comfortable chairs are available for nursing, as is a changing table.

The Greatest Show on Mars. Scrap salvage robot animals and laboratory manufactured clone girls join a traveling circus on Mars. Rated PG.

Every budding mad scientist needs to start somewhere… and this is where! We will take cute, fluffy stuffed animals and hack them into pieces only to reassemble them into marvelous monsters and creative chimera! Please bear in mind that to attend this workshop, one must be capable handling scissors and needles safely, and if you cannot personally sew together your monster’s various bit and pieces you must bring a minion (aka “parent”) to do the dirty work for you! All you need are rudimentary sewing skills and a sick sense of humor (plush is very forgiving). A $5 materials fee per participant will cover the cost of DNA splitters, splicers, and experimental specimens. WARNING! Adults MUST be accompanied by a young Scientist in order to attend!

The Dawn Probe has done what no other probe has done before: it has left one asteroid and is now in permanent orbit around Ceres. What has it reported about both bodies so far? Is asteroid mining the future? And what are those bright spots on Ceres? Water ice? Salt deposits? Alien bases? Come find out!

The tech and the law seem to be at odds over drones. Are they a boon to mankind, the end of civilization as we know it, or something in between (or perhaps above)?

Our panelists will take your questions about biology, evolution, language, medicine and more!

You’re an independent writer. You’re an independent musician. You’re an independent artist. You make indie games. How big do you need to be to make a sustainable living? The traditional track to success has involved the large imprints and labels, but that’s not working so well anymore, particularly not for musicians. Is there a way forward? Come listen to our independent creatives talk about forging new paths in their industries.

In which we discuss the impact the movie Ghostbusters made, and continues to make, on horror over the past three decades, from an increase in interest in parapsychology to a more open inclusion of humor in horror.

Come join our panel of seasoned costuming pros as we discuss what foundational practices and steps we take to make sure our costumes are successful. Learn why it’s important to make a preliminary drawing, why washing fabric is one of the most important steps (sometimes), and why the iron is probably the second most important tool in your sewing space.

Myths and reality. Amazons, Boadicea, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and other strong women warriors. Explore the history of shield maidens with our panelists and discuss recent discoveries that may change how we think about women on the battlefield. What was required of these warrior women? Were they rare or commonplace? Join our conversation as we investigate the truth about shield maidens and explore their implications. How can you use these ideas in your writing to make a richer, more fulfilling story?

William Hartmann was the first winner of the Carl Sagan Medal from the American Astronomical Society for communicating scientific research to the public. He has published several popular science books, two novels, and three college texts. His latest is a non-fiction history of the Spanish explorations from Mexico into America in the 1500s. His astronomical paintings are internationally known; he was inspired as a boy by Chesley Bonestell, whom he later came to know as a friend. Bill will talk about his adventures in art and current publishing, and host a Q&A session.

2016 is the 50th anniversary of Star Trek, and the venerable franchise has had a profound impact on fans, creators, scientists, and popular culture. Come discuss what Star Trek means to you, and what might lie in store for the next 50 years of the final frontier.

Learn how to create a magic wand using paper, paint, and glue! Materials provided.

Our Attending Professionals are available to sign autographs. PLEASE NOTE: So that as many fans as possible can participate, we will be enforcing a three-items-at-a-time (or single-sketch) autograph limit.

From Frodo to Rand al’Thor to Katniss Everdeen, protagonists in fantasy are exposed to horrific scenes. Listen to our pros discuss the impact on character development, methods of addressing, and the importance of characters bearing witness.

Are you interested in dusting off some things from your old collection? Have you found a treasure trove of old games somewhere and are wondering what to try and what to pass on? Is Redbox D&D actually as fun as the OSR crowd says it is? What version of Paranoia is the one you should pick up? This discussion of the elegant, the forward thinking, and the just plain outdated could just be the thing to point you in the right direction.

Military training has often been included in SF stories. How realistic is it? What different kinds of training are there, and why?

How does the imperialism of American culture affect our fannish lives? How can we branch out into non-American fandoms without fetishizing another culture? How do we express our appreciation of other cultures through costumes and everyday activities without negatively appropriating from other people and groups?

As a beta reader, how do you provide the best feedback? And as a writer, how do you use critique to improve your work? This panel will discuss the art of giving helpful critique, as well as what writers can do with the critiques they’re given, and how to sort useful feedback from less helpful notes.

Musicians, writers, and artists, can all now be their own labels, their own imprints, their own galleries. But in the modern era, how do you, a tiny fish, get noticed in the sea of information and other stage-grabbing attention whores like yourself-without being an annoying annoyance? Some of our independent musicians, writers, and artists talk about being heard on the internet stage.

Come join us in changing history! No, really… we will apply a time-tested authorial technique of asking “what if” it turned out differently. This is a highly interactive panel. Groups will be formed of 5-6 individuals and be provided with various scenarios and a background study. By altering the Political, Economic, Religious, Social, Intellectual/Artistic, or Area/Geography (PERSIA) factors of the day, authors can drive the outcome to achieve any desired, or achieve surprising and unintended consequences.

Join Norwescon 39 Writer Guest of Honor Tanya Huff for a reading of original fiction.

Batman v Superman drops THIS WEEKEND, and Captain America, the X-Men, and Dr. Strange are on the docket for the upcoming summer season. Superheroes continue to dominate at the box office, but can the party last forever? Has Marvel’s cinematic universe already begun to lose its shine? Can DC’s ambitious slate of coming attractions give them a run for their money? What we’re looking forward to, what we’re terrified at the very prospect of, and what we wish Hollywood would adapt next.

Our Attending Professionals are available to sign autographs. PLEASE NOTE: So that as many fans as possible can participate, we will be enforcing a three-items-at-a-time (or single-sketch) autograph limit.

Ravencroft Springs. David Dunbarton needed a change. Following the unexpected success of his first novel and subsequent destruction of his marriage, David wanted somewhere nice and quiet to settle down. He wanted to surround himself with art, not people, and just maybe get to work on his next book. But nothing is quite what it seems on Unaka Mountain. Rated PG.

Need the perfect shoes or boots to go with your costume, but can’t find something just right in your size? We’ve got the solution! From easy embellishments to more complex constructions, like making shoes into boots, there are plenty of tricks to modifying footwear, and we’ll share our favorites with you.

Spain was the super power of the day and England was a rising power, but did not yet “rule the waves.” What were the Political, Economic, Religious, Sociological, Intellectual/Artistic, and Area/Geography (PERSIA) factors driving the King of Spain and Queen of England to come to blows? We’ll “follow the money” leading up to the epic outcomes of this pivotal historical event. What lessons from this period of history can we apply today? How can we incorporate these lessons in our fiction and fantasy stories?

What is “Asymmetric Warfare,” and why do generals hate it? How does technology affect AW, and who does it help the most? Join our panelists as they try to bring balance to the battle.

From Gamergaters to Rabid Puppies to the person who just doesn’t think that being “PC” is important… How does this affect the real people who are being subjected to mistreatment? What can we do take a stand against it? Should we and how should we?

It used to be that fandom was a secret room that only those in fandom knew about and played in, but now the door is wide open, with a big neon sign hanging above it. How do we feel now that mainstream media is aware of our playroom and parading our works to the general public? In worst cases, companies are actively stealing and relisting our creations. In best cases, our works are being officially published. What are the wows, as well as the woes, of fandom being in the public eye?

Some stories are driven by character, some by plot. What exactly does that mean, and which will work best for the story you want to tell?

Are you a young author? Come and write a short story, then get tips from writers on how to make it even better!

Space art is where science and science fiction collaborate or collide. From the fanciful depiction of stars and planets in the early years of the last century to today’s photo realistic computer depictions of other worlds how has our depiction of alien worlds changed, and what’s happening in space art now?

Norwescon 39 Spotlight Publisher DAW Books gives us a tour of the great new titles coming soon!

Come and see the competition entries as the competitors introduce their entries. Your votes will decide the winner of the Fan Favorite award.

An as-yet-untitled novel excerpt. Rated PG.

Magnetic ceramics, super light airgels, and carbon in sheets, tubes, and balls. This isn’t your grandfather’s “solid, liquid, gas” world any more. What cool materials do we have available, and what is just around the corner?

Do you have to write AND draw your own comics? How do you get paid? What goes into creating the fantasy worlds we love to inhabit? It used to involve reams of paper and white out. Now there are Wacom tablets and “Manga Studio.

As allies for marginalized groups (and as members of marginalized groups), we’re going to make mistakes. We all do. How do you stop it from turning into something worse? How do you react to being called out with grace and compassion? What does it mean to be an ally? What can you do to help without silencing others or co-opting the voices of marginalized people? Suggested pre-panel Googling: “Derailing for Dummies” and “Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.”

A natural evolution of previous Women in Horror panels, we want to celebrate and showcase horror by women and creators of color and discuss the changing face of the genre.

Every scene in your story must move the characters closer to the resolution of their goal, all the while using the language and structure that best fit the setting. Easier said than done. Learn from our pros how to recognize which scenes to keep, which to polish, or which to cut to produce a tighter narrative.

What makes a good character-driven book cover?

David Peterson, language creator from HBO’s Game of Thrones and the CW’s The 100, will demonstrate how to create a language, using Noalath, the language from MTV’s The Chronicles of Shannara, as an example. Attendees will learn what steps one takes when creating a new language.

Join multitalented Norwescon 39 Artist Guest of Honor Janny Wurts for a reading of original fiction.

Hero Corps: competitive questing. The guild seeks 20 potential heroes willing to pursue the challenges of becoming a champion. The god of time has commissioned hero corps to retrieve his lost controller. Heroes will need to use their wits, cunning, and prowess to be this god’s champion. So grab your bag of tricks and prepare to face challenges on an epic quest to earn the title of Champion!

Are you afraid of some of the PNW’s most elusive nocturnal creatures? Do bats give you the shivers, coyotes make you cringe, and owls make you shrink? Or do you love them for the furry, fluffy, big-eyed killing machines that they are? What you need is knowledge! Come learn about our favorite and not-so-dangerous denizens of the night. We’ll discuss adaptations for nocturnal survival for both predators and prey as well as dissect owl pellets, listen to coyotes sing, and explore the anatomy of bats. This panel is family friendly!

The Cold Eye. An excerpt from the forthcoming book 2 of The Devil’s West. Rated G.

Up to this point, no matter how great of a filmmaker you are, all you have is a box of digital data and a script. The magic happens when you put it all together and make your story make sense. This is where we show you how. And it’s not just tools — it’s understanding how to use the tools to tell your story in your way. Although this is a multi-part workshop, you don’t have to attend every part to enjoy it – but you should if you want the best filmmaking experience possible!

If you have a little one that wishes to enter the Children’s Masquerade, please come to this panel where you will get your little one signed up and lead you all down to the masquerade when the time is right. Children go on first to accommodate their early bed times.

All current armies are organized with officers and enlisted. Why? Is this structure really needed? How has it changed in the last couple hundred years? How might it change in the future?

The idea that fandom and SF/F is more accepting and diverse is often bandied around. Is that true? How do we move beyond the oppressive tropes? And what can we do to be aware of creating a truly accepting environment? How do we build inclusive communities?

Who would win in a fight? A fast-paced, bracket-style, breathtakingly unscientific showdown to determine this year’s Ultimate Fictional Champion. Ready…? Fight!

Outlining isn’t everyone’s favorite way of plotting their stories. Some people flat-out hate it. But there are countless ways to plot yourself a course without losing the magic of discovery writing. Learn different methods for creating an outline that can work for you, no matter your writing process.

(2 hours) Miniature figure painting for beginners. Learn the basics of priming, blocking, and detailing gaming and wargaming figures as well as the tools and materials needed. Paints and minis will be provided as well as instruction and tips for beginners and seasoned hobbyists alike.

The Rosetta spacecraft is now in orbit around the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, surely one of the oddest, wildest, most fascinating bodies in the solar system. The panel will present the latest images and science results from this exciting mission.

Authority is the ability to convince the reader that you know what you’re talking about, even when you don’t. But too much research can bog a writer down or even stifle the creative process altogether. Listen as our panelists share their favorite research methods and resources and at what point enough research is enough.

Spear of Light. The sequel to Edge of Dark, to be released in June of 2016. Rated G.

Time Travel Dinosaur. You work for the Time Travel Investigation Agency, a job which, to be honest, is mind-meltingly dull. That is, until a raving lunatic in a lab coat breaks the laws of physics and drastically alters the space-time continuum (changing your memory right along with it). Set off on a wild adventure through the Mesozoic Era, the Middle Ages, the steampunk 1880s, and the distant future in an attempt to safeguard the one, true timeline (where people evolved from DINOSAURS). Rated PG.

A cowboy show in space is silly, right? Nope. We love Firefly. Join us as we discuss cross genre mixes in science fiction. What makes them work? What may be next?

Planetart Resources, a Seattle-based company has proposed a survey of near Earth asteroids with an eye to possibly mining these objects for their resources. Is it practical? Does the technology exist to actually perform the missions at a price that allows the business case to close? And are there alternatives to such far flung endeavors?

What makes for a compelling mythos? How do characters correctly or mistakenly address these aspects in their narrative? Join our pros as they discuss the nuances of balancing these three elements in a fantasy setting.

People have always wanted to remember more, better, faster, and longer. Poetry, art, and writing—all were created as memory aids and have changed how people lived. What does the future of memory tech look like, and how will what we make remake us?

Broad Universe members will read from their latest stories and novels in this rapid fire reading. Come discover your new favorite writer and learn about an organization that supports women writers, editors, and publishers. We also offer chocolate and the chance to win prizes. Readers include S. A. Bolich, Brenda Carre, Jude-Marie Green, J Tullos Hennig, Marta Murvosh, Chrysoula Tzavelas, and Dawn Vogel.

Games like Kerbal Space Program, Orbiter, Universe Sandbox 2, and Moonbase Alpha have been embraced by educators and space agencies alike as a means to teach core concepts in space exploration. We’ll take a look at some of the ways gaming is used to teach orbital mechanics, planetary science, and astronomy, and how it helps inspire the next generation of space scientists and explorers.

From heartbreaking videos of “the doll test” and both young children and adults who feel they can’t be accepted as they are—why is it important that our books, media, games, and cultures are diverse? Why isn’t the status quo good enough? The goal is to empower people of all stripes and diverse experiences and to show characters and role models that don’t make us feel like they need to be a part our fandoms.

Join us for the pinnacle event for Saturday evening, the Norwescon 39 Masquerade. Come and watch our fabulous contestants perform for your entertainment. Will your favorites match the judges? Whether they do or not, we know the show will blow you away. So come and join us as the doors open at 7 p.m. and we begin with the Children’s Masquerade, followed by the Masquerade.

Something new and amazing! Rated PG.

Dialogue is the single best way to reveal characters and your world. Virtually everything your reader needs to know about your story can be conveyed through the spoken word. Discuss how to write dialogue that appears natural on the page while keeping lengthy and pace-killing description to a minimum.

We are used to thinking about people in binary terms, but the reality is nowhere near that simple. Join our panelists as they discuss what we know—and do not know—about the biology of sex and gender.

You completed Flirting 101, did the homework, and are ready for more advanced topics. Bi, poly, pan, no-labels, typicals, and aliens are all welcome to this advanced session. Certificates awarded to those who attended both workshops, completed homework, and took the final exam.

Is the “cloud” living up to its promises, or is it still too scary new? Will it succeed, or be overcome by something even cooler? Help our panelists peer through the mists of the future to see the future of the cloud.

The New Horizons spacecraft recently flew by Pluto after a decade long flight. Is it possible using technology available in the not too distant future to do a similar mission to a solar system around a nearby star? Or will the stars be too distant for human exploration for centuries?

World Fantasy and Chesley-winning artist (and Norwescon 32 Artist Guest of Honor) Todd Lockwood presents a reading and slideshow of his recent work.

There has been an awakening… Have you felt it? Arriving to Norwescon from a galaxy too close for comfort, DJ teeebone will be serving up his unique blend of classic rock, pop, mashups, and con favorites Star Wars style!

“Evensong, Having Been Answered.” Hugo turns and gazes over the post-instrumental gloom round about them and the malevolent tides beyond, then sparks his pipe aflame again. “Dying’s a bitch, mate. I don’t recommend her company.” Rated PG.

Red Litten World. The Bell Forging Cycle Book 3. Rated R.

Many well-known fanworks have kink as a defining theme. Despite this, kink is rarely discussed. Why is this? Fanworks cannot only serve as exploration of sexuality, they can also entertain controversial subject matter in a safe space. People who are already kinky find the freedom to express themselves while others can be exposed to new ideas and ways of thinking. Is there a stigma attached to kink? Can one gain an understanding of what kink is through exposure to fanwork? (18+ only)

A conversation about the limitations, luxuries, and logistics of space flight.

Come sign up for a game run by our DMs or check out games from our lending library. We have RPGs, computer games, LARPs, card games, board games, and so much more! Need ADA access for a game? Please speak to our staff when you sign up so we can be sure to meet your needs.

Cards Against Humanity tournament, with prizes. 21+ only with photo ID.

The Light Side of the Moon. Earth is a cesspool and our solar system’s colonies have failed. Nevertheless, outside our solar system, exploration has thrived. Encouraged by the conquest of Kipos, idealistic dreamers look beyond Earth to build a utopia from the abandoned Lunar Colony Serenitatis. Industrialists reconstruct the colony but struggle to turn a profit while encouraging scientific discovery. Despite intense uncertainty and physical hardship, the impoverished Ella Sethdottier follows rumors of plentiful jobs on the moon. On roads fraught with danger, she discovers Earth is a bigger place than she ever imagined, but Serenitatis is little more than a prison colony. Ella forges unlikely friendships with corrupted androids and the quixotic prison doctor, Ian Whitlatch, who champions equality and rights for inmates. Amid corruption and nobility, tragedy and victory, the fate of the colony hangs precariously in the balance. Rated R.

“A Secret Palace.” Two lovers fall headfirst into a secret, dangerous world beyond human understanding. Rated R.

Terror is all around if you learn how to look at the world differently. Join us for a discussion and tips and tricks for finding the razor’s edge in every fluffy cloud.

Three Unwise Men featuring guest host Kristi Charish will be live recording and answering questions regarding podcasting, writing, cons, and the meaning of life—not necessarily in that order. Audience participation is welcome, however we give no assurances that our answers will be meaningful or particularly insightful. May not be suitable for all ages.

Interested in BDSM? Want to find out what it’s all about? What are the limits, boundaries, and play people keep talking about? We will endeavor to answer your questions, or if we can’t, we’ll point you to a resource that can. We will also discuss BDSM etiquette and resources for you to find out more. 18+ only, please.

Player’s choice! Participants will decide whether to play Lazer Tag or Nerf, and it can change at any time.

9:30 -Kadesh Flow, 10:20 – Chronos, and 11:10 – Jonny Nero Action Hero

So you know the basics of BDSM, maybe you’ve engaged in play or had a kinky relationship. Where do you go next? And what exactly is edge play, anyway? We’ll explain all that and give suggestions on how to do the edgier things more safely and sanely. 18+ only, please.

Come and make music! Bring voices or instruments or just listen.

Fast on the tails of The Big Bad, Gotta/Enk productions brings this weird and claustrophobic dark comedy. In a near future with the world (and New York) thrashed by regular superstorms, two roomies uncover a dangerous conspiracy breeding right under their very noses. Literally breeding.