If you plan to enter the masquerade, you must come to one of the three pre-masquerade meetings (Thursday at 9 p.m., Friday at 5 p.m. or Saturday at 8 a.m.) to get all the information you need to compete and turn over your music. If you have not already registered online, we will have a computer available for you to do so. If you are just curious and have some questions, we will have the answers.

Saturday morning cartoons and coloring in your jammies! Ease into Saturday with PBS Kids. We’ll have cartoons on and character coloring sheets available courtesy of KBTC Public Television.

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.

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.

Pathfinder Society and Dungeons and Dragons’ Adventurers League will be running games throughout the weekend. Check the gaming schedule for details.

Start off your super day! Gain strength and confidence from power poses, sometimes correlating to traditional yoga or martial arts, yet straight from the panels or scenes. Breathe deeply. Relax and loosen those muscles like the hero you are. Go boldly into your Norwescon Saturday energized for the day’s activities. (Wear comfortable clothes. This is a low-impact physical activity.)

Be the crew, report to the bridge! Artemis is a spaceship bridge simulator where players assume the jobs of captain, helm, science, communication, engineering, and weapon control. Together you operate your ship and defend the sector from evil aliens. Artemis simulates spaceship bridges by networking several computers together. One screen acts as the main screen of a bridge, while others serve as stations for the normal jobs a bridge crew might do. Artemis is a social game where several players work together on each bridge, and one player plays the captain, who doesn’t have a station but tells everyone else what to do. Multiple bridges can participate together in cooperative multi-ship missions.

Tim reads from The Dreaming Stars.

Did we make the plants, or did the plants make us? Parallel, almost symbiotic evolution has happened often between plants and animals. Are we exempt, or are plants guiding what we do?

Writers have been wrong before and they’ll be wrong again. A bad blog post, a great tweet—it’s part of the job to take risks. But even if you’re writing well, you’ll make mistakes. Join us as we discuss potential appropriation issues and how to handle these writing and professional snafus, both within yourself and your audience, and how to grow from the experience.

Lin-Manuel Miranda is breathing life into a whole new generation of theater/film, from Hamilton to Moana, to the development of The Kingkiller Chronicles. A discussion of what he’s done right and how he could do better in the future.

All writing must have rhythm: a balance between dialogue, internal monologue, action, and narrative. Without rhythm, a story bogs down and loses the reader’s interest. Tone is often tied to this rhythm, but authorial voice and theme can impact rhythm too. Chat with pros about how they find this music in their writing.

Increasingly, people are dealing with the challenge of fake news, disinformation campaigns, and segmentation. What’s being done to combat this, and what are the dangers in doing so? Whose responsibility is it for ensuring accurate news? Is bias in news impossible to avoid? How can you be a better info-vore?

Powerful gods, magic, quests, and/or monsters: when writing a fantasy series, it’s easy to fall into well-known clichés. How do you take tropes and make them your own? What is the freshest fantasy you’ve read recently? Which authors are mining new gold? Is there room for ancient gods in the Internet Age?

What’s the easiest thing about being a writer? Sitting in a chair! What’s the second easiest thing about being a writer? Putting your hands on a keyboard! What’s the hardest thing about being a writer? Making words come out of your brain! It doesn’t matter if you’ve just started thinking about writing a novel or have done a dozen of them; getting started on a new project is always the hardest part. Learn a technique that will help you outline an entire novel in a little under two hours. Idea stacking, plot spinning, pants wearing: all these tools will be at your disposal as you settle into that writing chair and start your brain fire! Ages 18+. Space is limited and advance sign-up is required in Cascade 1.

Journey to The Legends of Luke Skywalker: GoH Ken Liu will read from his tie-in fiction, tell the story of how he ended up working with Lucasfilm Publishing, and show you funny pictures about Star Wars.

Is it easier or more difficult to sell work that crosses the genre boundaries—and, if so, why? The boundary is hazy and artificial, arguably, but bookstore categories are not. Are people concerned that the pure genres will be contaminated, or do readers simply want to know where to find their favorite kinds of books? When and why does the writer enter the spaces between science fiction and fantasy and horror? What are the pitfalls, tragedies, or rewards of exploring these unmarked territories? Bring examples of successes to discuss.

You’ve read Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and The Hobbit. You’ve read so many books this year, or even drawn or written your own stories. But characters don’t sit around in big white rooms. How do authors create worlds that take on a life of their own? Join us for a lesson in worldbuilding. We’ll work on a list of tips and tricks to turn your words into worlds. Presented by Willamette Writers. Ages 9-12. Space is limited and advance sign-up is required in Cascade 1.

Groups of 20+ participants, equipped with wooden swords, spears, and shields, will learn and practice basic Norse weapon combat skills in a safe, controlled environment. What is it like standing in the shield wall? Instructors will provide training swords, shields, and spears to be used by participants. The audience will play an important part in the experience.

This is a prequel short story to the PK Dick finalist novel Bannerless.

Monster Mash for Families with Kids. We will start with stuffed animals hacked to pieces, working together with your parents, assemble the pieces to create your own glorious creature using materials of your choice (thread and needles, duct tape, and pins) There will be a $5 materials fee per family to cover the cost of supplies.

“Ripping.” A short noir Victorian re-telling of a popular true crime story, with a feminist perspective on one of history’s most notorious killers of women. Rated: R.

We all know the story of teen disaffection and rebellion, but there are plenty of young adult fantasies that maintain strong family ties, with rational adult role models, such as L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, Steven Gould’s Impulse, and even Suzanne Collin’s The Hunger Games. A look at books that don’t always have a hero with an unhappy home, and discussion about why this can make an intriguing story.

In this panel we will discuss the imaginative world and mindset of author Philip K. Dick, whose stories Hollywood has adapted recently to screens big and small in great number (Man in the High Castle, Blade Runner 2049, and the new television series Electric Sheep). What makes PKD such a defining voice and viewpoint at this moment in time? Why not when he was alive?

To boldly go where no man has gone before. These immortal words spoken over 50 years ago gave rise to the Star Trek franchise. Let’s talk about the TV show, movies, and Star Trek’s impact on popular culture.

Enjoy board games? Love the idea of painting miniatures? Want to know how to find inclusive groups for gaming? How do you create your own gaming meet-ups? Our panelists will give you tips on creating game groups, finding public game meet-ups, and enjoying gaming conventions as a newbie. Want to be a better organizer? We’ll work with you to build positivity in your current groups, find new players, and encourage their participation.

What’s your agent’s role, and what’s your role as an author? How might an agent help you negotiate for more money or help your career? How might they hold you back if you don’t align in your career visions? Talk with pros about professional ways you can talk to your agent to be sure you both have the same vision for your career in mind.

News from the past year from the Non-U.S. space agencies. With pictures!

Galen Dara shows you her art and talks about her portfolio and process.

Alternate history is a genre of stories where history has changed from the actual course of the real world’s history. From Philip K. Dick’s The Man in the High Castle to Kim Stanley Robinson’s The Year of Rice and Salt, this genre asks hard questions about climactic moments in history. Come with a list and discuss your favorites. As a reader, what makes a great alt-history story in your eyes? What distinguishes alt-history from a simple reimagining of history? What are some great titles you’d like to share with other readers?

Where should you display your art? Do you need an online portfolio, or is DeviantArt enough? Panelists will discuss how they create and maintain an online presence.

Teams of 20 or more participants, each equipped with a wooden gladius (sword) and regulation scutum (shield) will learn and practice basic Roman legionary combat skills in a safe, supervised environment. Learn what it’s like to stand in the Roman line. Instructors will provide training swords and shields, to be used by each group of participants. The audience will play an important part in the experience. Legionaries might expect to be attacked by barbarians.

Are you a rabid Harry Potter fan? Do you routinely correct people when they get HP facts wrong? Wear your house colors and come to this magical meetup!

Kangaroo Too. Kangaroo’s back! And this time it’s personal… maybe? Come hear an excerpt from the sequel to Waypoint Kangaroo, in which our hero travels to the moon in search of information and ends up digging up long-buried secrets from the past that will make his future very complicated. Rated: PG.

From new book If Tomorrow Comes. This is the brand-new sequel to last year’s Tomorrow’s Kin (Tor). In the first book, aliens—who are not what they seemed to be—have come to Earth. In the sequel, Terrans go to their planet, where things also are not as expected and a crisis looms. Marianne Jenner, a virologist, and Leo Brody, an ex-Army Ranger, are faced with planet-wide disaster, and neither has enough needed resources to combat it. Rated: G.

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

How does comics writing differ from traditional storytelling? Are there differences in pacing and plotting? How hard is it to convey your story to an artist and have the panels come out looking like you want them to? How much control do you have over character appearance? Or if you draw your own, is there ever a disconnect between your head and the image on the page?

What kinds of things need to be considered when creating a book cover? Is it attractive in a thumbnail? How do you write good copy for the back? What are sales ranks and how do they affect our books? Do reviews make a difference?

Sure, unwavering righteousness can be fun; but infallible heroes are boring—and the real world rarely breaks down into strictly good and evil. Why not make your players wrestle with moral issues? Do the ends ever justify the means? Is the enemy of your enemy your friend? Is the villain evil, or just different? What happens when your players “murder a hobo” in the world, and how do you introduce consequences?

You found some great stuff at the thrift store or the remnant table. What is it, how do you handle it, and can you dye it? Learn multiple ways to identify mystery fabrics, including by touching it, dissolving it, and setting it on fire.

There’s a global community of genre fiction that is closed to many eager American fans until the work is translated into English. How does one translate “ansible,” “warp drive,” or the context around supernatural beings of another culture? The panel will look at the difficulties of successfully translating foreign genre fiction into English and what is involved in this process.

We’ll explore some great examples of world building and give you a chance to work on refining your own worlds. This session will be part lecture and partly interactive—bring paper and pen or your laptop. Appropriate for all genres. Ages 13+. Space is limited and advance sign-up is required in Cascade 1.

The Hugo Awards, presented annually since 1955, are science fiction’s most prestigious award. The Hugo Awards are voted on by members of the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), which is also responsible for administering them. Come hear the shortlist of five finalists in each category announced before ballots are sent out to the San Jose: Worldcon 76 members to be voted upon.

Come join us for an interview with Norwescon 41’s science guest of honor, Mathew Wedel, and get a chance to ask your own questions during the Q&A.

Join us for a hands-on class making your favorite old-school Star Wars characters out of felt. Materials provided. Limited to 20 participants—sign up in Cascade 1.

Men, orcs, and weirder things have this in common: They all bleed when you stab them. Take up the weapons of a 16th-century soldier—the pike, the halberd, and the matchlock musket—as a recruit of Goode’s Company of Foot. You will learn to work in formation, using techniques derived from historical sources, to meet the forces of Evil (or Good, if the pay is right) with a forest of pikes and a volley of hot lead. As well as hands-on work in formation for attendees, there will be demonstrations of individual combat with weapons of the era by trained combatants. Attendees will not be asked to participate in actual combat or to handle black powder.

Doing good hair and makeup is one thing, but what if you want to go underwater? Can you make scales using makeup? What products should you use if you want to be submerged without it washing off? How do you create and wear wigs or hairpieces/falls that not only look good on land but are suitable for underwater swimming? Our professional mers spill their beauty secrets.

A chance for teens and tweens to meet with rocket scientist Cathy Plesko and load up on sugar. Space is limited—sign up in Cascade 1.

A chance for teens and tweens to meet with comics expert Brenna Clarke Gray and load up on sugar. Space is limited—sign up in Cascade 1.

The Mad Queen’s Game. A silent war of assassinations and poisoning pushes Spain to the brink of chaos, and the nation’s only hope is its royal princess: Juana the Mad. Rated: PG.

Bring your family over to Olympic 1 for some stories read by children’s author Lisa Mantchev.

A chance for teens and tweens to meet with author Cat Rambo and load up on sugar. Space is limited—sign up in Cascade 1.

A chance for teens and tweens to meet with author Lish McBride and load up on sugar. Space is limited—sign up in Cascade 1.

The Day and Night Book of Mardou Fox. A novella dealing with the relationship between Jack Kerouac and “Mardou Fox,” his African-American lover and a proponent of the imaginary social movement The Five Petals of Thought. Rated: PG.

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

Your story can be plot-driven, character-driven, or even author-driven in a voice piece or more poetic work. Learn to recognize what’s driving your story, how to play to your strengths, and how to strike a balance that keeps your story moving forward.

Beauty and the Beast, Versailles, and Outlander remind us of the stylish elegance of the 18th century. We review the fashion highlights of the 1700s and why they continue to inspire us today.

“Survival of the fittest.” Darwin, Mendel, and others made great contributions to the science of biology and our understanding of how species change. Are we still changing? Are we in control of it, or is it still beyond us, and uncontrollable?

Our own bodies are mysterious and terrifying. How has this been used effectively in horror? Are there lines of grossness we shouldn’t cross?

Social media and the collapse of the fourth wall mean that fans are more in touch with each other—and with content creators—than ever before. But when some fans realize that they cannot control the thing they love, why is it that so many then set out to destroy it and excoriate the fans who do not wish to join them? In this panel, we will examine the origins of toxic fandom and the implications for creators and their content.

Norwescon welcomes YA as its newest writing track! It’s been said that young adult fiction is the most important genre in literature because of how much it can impact its group of readers, whose ages range anywhere from 12 to 20. Let’s hear from YA authors what the expectations of the genre are and what expectations they place on themselves.

Let’s look at Star Wars and its impact on popular culture. What is in store for the future? Movies, comic books, TV, books, and more.

Drop by Olympic 1 to meet and play with fellow families of babies and toddlers.

Did you hang out with Trekkies in the ‘70s and ‘80s? Want to meet up with the old crowd again? Come reminisce about the fun times!

This will be a hands-on group exercise. Weapons and shields will be provided. You won’t leave an expert, but we guarantee you will learn something new. We will address how to breathe, how to stand, how close you should stand, how to move, how to hit, how to not get hit, and more.

Megathruster is two geeks from Oregon, armed with acoustic guitars to bring their special blend of funny pop culture nerd rock to the masses. Described as “Tenacious D meets Jonathan Colton,” the duo has taken their funny and energetic stage show all over the Pacific Northwest, as well as to events such as FuMPFest in Chicago and Gen Con in Indianapolis. Their latest album, Wands at the Ready, features songs about Star Wars, punching Nazis, and of course, Alan Tudyk.

Magic in the pool. Come swim with the mermaids, or just sit and interact.

Empire of the Night. Scott James Magner reads from his latest novel, Empire of the Night, Book Two of the Hunters Chronicle. Time permitting, he may also sample other recent works. Rated: PG.

Layering information context for plot and clue development and world building. See examples of how Kat Richardson layers clues and information into her timelines and outlines to create an arch and achieve follow-through. This method will help whether doing traditional world building or in the case of mysteries, where the clues make the story and the writer must ensure that each clue hits its intended marker. Attendees will be able to ask questions after the lecture portion and get input on ways to layer their own information throughout their story/novel. Presented by Cascade Writers. Ages 18+. Space is limited and advance sign-up is required in Cascade 1.

TBA. Rated: PG.

Sometimes parents just don’t understand. What is it like to be a geek teenager in the 21st century? Come join your teenagers and discuss what is cool today, what you need to be playing, watching, and reading, and what you want your pop culture future to be.

SWOC is a local umbrella organization for helping, and sometimes, sponsoring local conventions. It is currently sponsoring Conflikt, ComConCom and a Westercon 73 bid. Come find out more…

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?

Has your current campaign reached a dead end? Not sure how to keep your players happy? Have a problem player that you need to deal with? Want to add some house rules to your game, but unsure how to make them work? Come to this panel with questions about your RPG campaign.

Throughout time, warriors have had varying cultural status. We’ll look at differing historical examples to build a context, compare, and contrast how our culture views its warriors and their place within our society. Cultural context is a critical success factor for your writing. Come gather tips for accurately writing about warriors in their time and culture in past, present, and future societies.

Foreign languages are often used in fantasy literature to add atmosphere, to show cultural backgrounds, and to bring a richness to the world, as can be seen in Anthony Burgess’s A Clockwork Orange and Richard Adams’ Watership Down. Some authors rely on real languages, while others, such as Tolkien, have invented entirely new tongues. Which stories incorporate other languages successfully, and where have authors stumbled, making much of the work incomprehensible? Where does a writer begin when taking on such a huge task?

Put our panelists on the spot! You ask the questions and they come up with outrageous answers.

Pandemics make frequent appearances in SF, but are outbreaks in books or on the screen anything like real pandemics? The panel will discuss how real pandemics take place, how they are likely to play out, and how fictional outbreaks compare with their depiction in fiction.

Enjoy some milk and cookies while our Youth Pros interview author Kate Ristau.

Ever wanted to know the difference between a running stich and a whip stitch? Or how to sew on a button or snap so it stays on? Gain confidence in your own hand sewing skills in this beginning hands-on workshop covering the basics of hand sewing. Each participant will get a kit that they can take with them to practice the different stitches.

Want to meet up with other fans of color? This is the meet-up for you.

Our attending professionals are available to sign autographs. Please note that so as many fans as possible can participate, we will be enforcing a three-items-at-a-time (or single-sketch) autograph limit.

Leannan Sidhe is a fey musician with wandering gypsy feet and a shimmering soprano voice. She writes music that tends to the bittersweet.

Randy’s Brainsplodey New Project. Be the first to hear Randy read from his exciting new book full of words and characters and plot (not to mention punctuation)! There will be laughs, and dancing, and Q&A, and probably goodies. Rated: PG.

Drop by for superhero-themed crafts and activities for our young members.

The Livelong Night. Blind NYCer experiences a supernatural attack of her city. Rated: PG.

From Frankenstein to Penny Dreadful, Gothic storytelling is still popular. What is the enduring appeal of this horror cousin? What makes a work “gothic”? (Ages 13+)

We have heard modern Scandinavian spoken in movies or even by relatives, but what did the root language, Old Norse, sound like? How many of our words come from Old Norse? Hear the old words spoken and speak a few yourself.

…or When Kids’ Fandoms Get Appropriated by Adults and Vice Versa! Round table discussion about how popular franchises like My Little Pony and Suicide Squad shift between age groups and the resultant battle-cry of, “Whatever you do, don’t Google that.”

Learn to make your own DIY bra and other options for tops to go with your mer tails. We’ll also cover how to make lovely headpieces and jewelry ideas for embellishing your mer costume.

Often one of the most overlooked artistic necessities, good reference is essential to any serious artist. You can’t draw something if you don’t know what it looks like. Here panelists will discuss the importance of reference material and where to find it.

From today’s planning horizon to speculations on the distant future, what is the future of military aviation? Military aviation experts will lay out the aviation battlespace, technologies, and aerospace ecosystem/culture. Bring your questions and learn how to write convincingly about military aviation issues.

How do you develop a novel’s plot? Is it luck, trial and error, or are there classic approaches you can use to bring out your best story? Learn to bring forth the magic within—your creativity—and give it form in the world: your story! Kay Kenyon is the author of 14 SFF novels, including a new fantasy trilogy from Simon & Schuster/Saga. She will focus on idea generation, rising action, and the interplay of major character and antagonist. Ages 13+. Space is limited and advance sign-up is required in Cascade 1.

This is a simulation of a potential asteroid impact developed by JPL which has been run in several venues around the world. In it, we will explore the astronomy, engineering, political, and media response to an asteroid impact. The audience will get a chance to see the sort of discussions, decisions, and compromises required to mount a response to what could be a devastating impact scenario.

Odysseus and Jason traveled their known worlds. We traveled with them. And now, we use their voyages (and those of others of the ancient eras) to give us archetypes and ideas. Which are under- and/or overused? What are the best examples in fantasy that mine the ancient world? Which don’t work as well and why?

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.

Vixy & Tony’s lighthearted folk/rock musical style combines with science fiction and fantasy lyrics to tell engaging and beautiful stories. Their energetic performances can be enjoyed by both sci-fi fans and mainstream music fans alike, earning them the Best Performer Pegasus Award in 2008. Michelle “Vixy” Dockrey and Tony Fabris have joined forces with cellist Betsy Tinney and violinist Sunnie Larsen to form a “four-person duo” with a lush, amazing sound. Their music can be found at VixyAndTony.com.

The Mischief of Warlocks. A section of my work in progress. Rated: R.

“Patti 209.” A group reading with four or five authors from the anthologies Alternative Truths and More Alternative Truths. These might include Manny Frishberg, Edd Vick, Janka Hobbs, Blaze Ward, Irene Radford, Stephanie Weippert, and Louise Marley. Rated: PG.

History is concocted from trusted sources, reliable texts, a history of historians, and even a bit of reasonable conjecture (at times). But historical fiction is not so collaborative: It’s one author’s vision of the past. Introducing fantasy to historical fiction adds wonder and magic to a literature that otherwise seems rooted in fact. Are fantasy and history opposites? Or are they created through identical processes of spinning events and perceptions into narrative? If a history turns out be incorrect, was it fiction? Was it historical fiction? What role does the introduction of magic play in this process? Should historical fiction be free of magical happenings, or, in the end, is historical fiction the same as historical fantasy?

2018 is the 200th anniversary of the first novel about a post-human character. Frankenstein is often cited as the first SF novel. Are its themes of monstrosity, excess, mercy, and beauty still relevant? Or has science entered an era where new realms and even entirely new stories about science are necessary? Can Mary Shelley still bring something to add to modern discussions about gene therapy, death, AI, or gender fluidity?

All forms of media contain villains with mental health issues. When discussing news articles, we often strive to blame mental health issues for despicable acts. Why do we still stigmatize mental illness as the source of these events? Why is this wrong and what damage does this blaming do to those with mental illness? How is this changing now and how might our approaches and viewpoints change in the future?

Let’s break down some “common knowledge” about biology that is widespread but wrong. Does AIDS spread by sneezes? Does getting cold get you sick? Do you lose most of your heat through your head? Does evolution have a goal? What do you believe that is wrong?

You and a group of loyal followers have seized control of the State from a gaggle of incompetent functionaries. Now you have to bind all aspects of civil and military life to your iron will. What will you have to do to make your control irresistible and permanent?

Cosmic Ash Studios presents the 2018 prop contest. The theme is monster hunting. This year’s challenge is to create a prop that’s themed after taming, hunting, or farming monsters and critters. There is no specific period for design. You can go futuristic, modern, Victorian, or even prehistoric if that’s what you’d like to be inspired by. For example, if you’ve got ghoulish fairies snatching up your favorite apples off the tree, maybe a sonic disruptor will be the humane way of taking care of them. You’ll be judged by originality (have you created something that stands out in a crowd?), construction (is your prop well-made? is it painted properly?), and, the most important and my favorite criteria, back story (how does your piece fit into this world? how did it come about?). Entries are open to anyone who’s also attending the convention. There will prizes for the top three finishers. All contestants will have reserved seating during the masquerade.

Lately, computers have been getting awfully smart. From practical image recognition to creating their own languages, computer systems are now doing things that had once been firmly in the realm of science fantasy. This panel looks at the various flavors of AI, what they are (and aren’t), and how this is affecting society and science fiction writing.

Come try out some of the basic exercises and activities of Themysciran warriors. Open to warriors of any and all genders and abilities.

Herocorps needs champions. Born out of the conflict of last year, Bes and Fortuna can’t get along! Unfortunately, Loki isn’t a good mediator! Can you rise to the occasion and settle the dispute? Come be a champion or cheer the brave few on as they attempt to solve the riddles and pass the tests of the gods in an elimination tournament. This is a game of wits and sportsmanship rooted in mythology. If you like survivor elimination challenges, you will love this.

People need to pay attention to you in order to hear your music. They will do neither if you cannot capture a crowd. Whether through dance, audience participation, or gimmicks, something needs to make you stand out. This variety of long-term performers show the attendees that there is more than just dancing, singing, strumming, and costumes in regard to the act of performance.

TBD. Updated reading on work in progress. Rated: G.

Much of the success of a good story revolves around the strength of the written character. The best characters frequently challenge our expectations. Learn how to respectfully and powerfully depict characters that are different from yourself, whether those differences concern matters of economics, social norms, cultural expectations, gender identity, and/or sexuality. After all, we’re all just meat sacks reacting to electrical and chemical impulses. Come share some time with award-winning author J.A. Pitts to hear his take on writing characters that grab your reader by the throat and/or heart, depending on your genre. Presented by Cascade Writers. Ages 13+. Space is limited and advance sign-up is required in Cascade 1.

Conventions can be overwhelming and difficult for everyone. Come by Olympic 1 for sensory-friendly activities and open space for stimming and being yourself.

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 everyone will be led down to the masquerade when the time is right. Children go on first to accommodate their early bed times.

Masculine writing is sometimes regarded as objectively “good” while more “feminine” styles are seen as objectified “bad” writing. Is writing actually gendered this way? Discuss the issues suggested in masculine (terse, tight prose) vs. feminine writing (florid, revelatory prose). Is there more to it? A pulled-back style of wording as opposed to a warmer, zoomed-in style?

Getting lost in a believable imaginary world is one of the greatest delights of reading SF. Are there elements of worldbuilding that are unique to science fiction? Are there elements that “need” to be in every story for it to be considered SF? What are some of the traits common to excellent science fictional worlds as in Dune, Beggars in Spain, or Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea? Which books have advanced the genre as a whole through their superior and completely unique depictions of world?

How Bioware’s current three-part RPG made me fall in love with the genre again. The romances of Dragon Age are more than an online fantasy dating sim and cover a lot of moral choices in and around relationships. We’re here to beat the Darkspawn, for sure, but there is more to life than war and battle.

Are you ready to pitch an agent? What’s the difference between the elevator pitch, a three-liner, and an extended pitch? Hear pros throw out some examples and listen as audience members share their elevator pitches with the pros. Find out if your pitch is worthy of a request for pages!

A discussion of the influence that modern television and movies have on historical costuming and how to discern fact from fiction.

The United States is the only military in the world that deploys women in all combat roles for which they physically qualified. This topic was specifically requested by last year’s attendees as a follow-on to “Women in the Military,” and we are honoring your request to open this dialogue in a mature, factual, and level manner.

Leather is an incredibly versatile material with huge potential for costuming and geeky crafting. Learn some basic leatherworking techniques on a small leather disc medallion that could be a pendant, hair clip, or belt buckle. Very sharp knives will be used—younger fans are welcome at the discretion of their parents. Tools provided. Workshop will be limited to 24 people. Sign up in Cascade 1.

“Fly Swatter.” A dark tale of family board game night gone wrong, along with one or more flash fiction pieces as time allows. Rated: PG.

Bones of Starlight: Fire on All Sides. This mythic intergalactic fantasy space-operatic saga follows an unusually linked group of very different characters at the turn of an age, when balances are again shifting throughout the universe. There are prices to pay, reckonings to be kept, and new futures being borne. Rated: R.

How to level up your art composition by avoiding common design mistakes, like edge tangents, broken eye lines, and tonal control.

There exists a rocket engine design that promises exceptional performance in both atmosphere and vacuum. Why aren’t we using it, then? Come join us to explore the design of the aerospike engine, the history of its development, its association with failed projects, and its re-emergence as an SSTO engine favorite.

Since President Trump was elected, we’ve seen an upsurge in dystopian science fiction novels like 1984, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Parable of the Sower. Now that Mr. Trump has been in office for more than a year, what are we seeing from the science fiction field? What can we expect to see in the coming years?

Stranger Things and the new movie version of It made their heroes a group of kids right on the edge of puberty. What makes that age work so well as a viewpoint in horror?

Listen to small press owners and authors share their thoughts and experiences about what it takes to run a press. How many books come out in a year, what accounting software do owners use to keep track of sales, and are they an LLC or sole proprietor? Pick the brains of those running small presses.

Healthy relationships, toxic masculinity, do we have a responsibility as authors to illustrate ethical character choices and behaviors? Can we find a balance between responsible characters and ones that aren’t so healthy by demonstrating character growth across their arc? Would the arc still be authentic? Take part in an open discussion about character ethics, integrity, and our role as an author.

There are some really good reasons for building nuclear reactors out of graphite. When things go right, there are some real advantages. When things go wrong, however, they can go horribly, horribly wrong. Join our panelists as we discuss things that were absolutely NOT OUR FAULT!

A decade ago, Blue Rose shook up the RPG scene with its vision of romantic fantasy and inclusive gaming. Now the world of Aldea returns in a new edition from our spotlight publisher Green Ronin. Come and hear the Sovereign’s Finest as they protect their homeland of Aldis from threats like the shadowy Kingdom of Kern and the fanatical Theocracy of Jarzon, as well as monsters and artifacts from the cruel reign of the Sorcerer Kings. Aided by the Rhydan—their psychic animal allies—the champions of the Kingdom of the Blue Rose safeguard the light of the world against the power of Shadow.

Come on in and find a seat.

Something in progress. Reading something with aliens, ray guns, body horror, and the like. Rated: PG.

Join us at the pinnacle event for Saturday evening, the Norwescon 41 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 6 p.m. We begin with the masquerade, followed by awards for the single-pattern and props competitions. Please stay to the end for an announcement of next year’s convention guests of honor and a presentation of the winners of the masquerade.

“Possessed.” A tragic story of love and loss with some sexiness in between. Rated: R.

Horror gaming can go beyond Lovecraft and tentacles. Sometimes the most frightening moments in RPGs can come from obscure references and mundane moments.

Why? What do you know about GMOs that make you against them? What misconceptions do you have? We are surrounded by GMOs that we have made for centuries. What now?

The principles of comedy and drama may be identical (timing, foreshadowing, characterization, etc.), but learning to write drama is completely different than learning to write comedy. Can comedy even be taught? If comedy changes from region to region and generation to generation, how do writers learn to be funny in print? Who are the best comic writers in genre fiction, and what makes them so funny?

Has social media changed how we look at pop culture? With everything from Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and the internet, information is at our fingertips quicker than it has been in the past. Is this a good or a bad thing?

There are numerous real-world spacecraft proposals that didn’t quite work out. Perhaps the required technology is speculative, or there were engineering challenges that could not be solved. Come share your favorite spacecraft concept that never happened, tell us why you loved it, and if you dare, tell us why it never happened or might never happen. It’s okay. We’re all friends here.

Everybody wants to make a music demo, and many want to record podcasts or livestream a show. What can you do with what you’ve got? If that won’t do—and it probably won’t—what do you really need to create a good demo or show? How little can you get away with, or, if you have even a small budget, what can you do to turn a spare bedroom into decent recording space? Hardware and software solutions are discussed.

Back by popular demand! Join our panelists as they work with the audience to create a relatable, compelling antagonist.

Bust out the kigurumis and join us for a late-night hangout with the 18-and-unders. Meet, greet, and eat! Snacks provided.

Don your best mad scientist outfit and come create marvelous monsters and creative chimera! We will take cute, fluffy stuffed animals and hack them to pieces, only to reassemble them in wholly unnatural ways. WARNING! Not for the easily distressed or children! We will be working with scissors and needles, and as such, only mature mad scientists will be allowed to participate. The only skills required are rudimentary sewing skills (plush is very forgiving) and a sick sense of humor. $5 materials fee per participant to cover the cost of DNA splitters, splicers, and experimental specimens.

Kensei 3. An excerpt from the next Kensei novel in progress. Rated: PG.

“Stick.” An alien-invasion story. Rated: G.

Comic books, contrary to popular belief, have always had a political element to them. Captain America was created as a protest against the U.S. refusal to join WWII. Wonder Woman was created to be an image of the ideal woman who should be in charge, according to her creator. Why, all of a sudden, is there a hue and cry over things like Mockingbird’s eponymous t-shirt? Or the existence of Ms. Marvel?

Most of us are carrying a globally connected computer in our pockets, but how did we get here? Our panelists lived through the early development of computer technology, and will share their experiences with you. We’ll even show you a simulation of the (arguably) first fully developed personal computer: the HP 9830A “Calculator.”

This iconic ‘90s surrealist noir thriller television series just completed a strange, controversial new season, 25 years after the original. What worked? What didn’t? What does the new season tell us about the last 25 years?

Come and find your new favorite author at this fast-paced reading featuring the excerpts from stories and novels written by members of Broad Universe. As always, there will be chocolate and drawings for books. Broad Universe is a nonprofit organization that accepts members from all genders and has supported women who write, edit, and publish speculative fiction since 2000.

Interested in digital mapmaking but not sure where to start? Bring your laptop, and we’ll walk through the step-by-step process of digital cartography. Create your own world map from scratch, using only your laptop, mouse, and GIMP. Let’s build a better world! Space limited to 24 participants. Please sign up in Cascade 1. You will need to download GIMP, a free graphic program, before the workshop to ensure it is working correctly: https://www.gimp.org/downloads.

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.”

How do you get work in the RPG field? Where should you look, and what are art directors looking for?

Writing adult material is a skill, much the same as writing any other genre, and adult-oriented slash fanfiction is no exception. This panel examines what makes slash good—and fun—for writers and readers. (18+ only)

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.

Can you survive the Zombie Maze? Make your way through solo or in groups, armed with a Nerf blaster and your wits, with zombies just around the next corner. This game is played only in the provided area. Underage players must have a parent present to play. Equipment is provided at the play area.

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. 21+ ONLY WITH PHOTO ID

Get your roar on and shake your armored tail as we uncover the mystery of which song will be played next! Cosplaying your favorite dinosaur or prehistoric creature is optional, but highly recommended.

How or when do you intervene in situations of harassment or other poor behavior? What are tips on doing so safely? How do you amplify the voices of marginalized communities instead of taking over? How can we all make our communities safer and more inviting for all people to enjoy what fandom has to offer?

What do you do if you aren’t seeing the kinds of romantic relationships you want in mainstream media? For fanfic authors the answer is: write it yourself! In the process, consciously or not, many adult-rated fanfics explore their subject in a way that recasts and reexamines social attitudes and behavior, through the lens of transformative works. (18+ only)