Friday Schedule

Join us for an early morning session of round robin Laser Tag.

Come check out games from our lending library. We have card games, board games, and so much more! Need accessibility assistance for a game? Please speak to our staff so we can be sure to meet your needs.

Come sign up for a game run by our volunteers. We have role-playing games, LARPs, card games, board games, and so much more! Need accessibility assistance for a game? Please speak to our staff when you sign up so we can be sure to meet your needs.

Tons of fans from the Pacific Northwest go to Worldcon, the World Science Fiction Convention, every year. And yet it has only been held three times in this region: Spokane in 2015, Portland in 1950, and Seattle in 1961. Worldcon members vote on the Hugo Awards and rub shoulders with the best and brightest stars of our field. Come learn how Worldcon operates, find out why you should go, and learn what it will take to bring Worldcon to Seattle in 2025.

Come for the book recommendations, stay for the thoughtful conversation!

From Frankenstein to Murderbot, artificially created life has been a mainstay of science fiction. With technological advances threatening to turn AI fiction into AI fact, how have authors’ and artists’ depictions changed? The panel will discuss the earliest depictions of artificial life and how they might or might not have presaged current technology.

What does identity first language mean? How does it compare to person first language? Join panelists as they unpack the differences and discuss the importance of both approaches.

Impostor syndrome—internalized fear and doubt about personal accomplishments—plagues creative people of all varieties, no matter how skilled or successful. Our panelists will discuss how these insecurities manifest, and share techniques for how to defeat them.

It’s fun to dress up. Learn how to make a costume without having to break your piggy bank! (Ages 11-19)

Ever been curious how textile artists, quilters, and costumers add detailed images that look like paintings, but, on closer inspection, you find the image was created with fabric? If you ever wanted to learn this technique, this workshop is for you. We will cover the basics of fabric collage, and by the end you will have a fabric postcard you can quilt and mail. Kits are provided. A $5 donation is accepted, but not required. Limited to 16 participants. Sign up at the Info Booth in the lobby.

Whether you are a career writer or a complete newbie, writing diverse characters can quickly cross into cultural appropriation. Can new writers learn where that line is and learn how to avoid crossing it before they start writing? Writers and other professionals will discuss their experiences creating works of solid, meaningful cultural representation.

“Blades, Stones, and the Weight of Centuries.” Izzy reads an unpublished queer sword-and-sorcery story appearing in his forthcoming collection. Rated R.

The Great Witch of Brittany. Louise reads from a prequel to her novel A Secret History of Witches (written as Louisa Morgan). Rated G.

Guess what? It’s still happening. How do we think we got here?

After hearing a short reading, two artists compete to come up with a cover for the story, and the audience gets to cheer them on.

Gene Roddenberry said Star Trek “was an attempt to say that humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day that it begins not just to tolerate, but take a special delight in differences in ideas and differences in life forms.” His vision challenged social mores, but couldn’t be fully realized in the 1960s. How has Star Trek evolved over the past 50 years, from the original series to Discovery? Has the representation of race, gender, orientation, ability, and neurodiversity matured? What would Gene think?

Kit bashing, or taking bits of various model kits and assembling them into something new, is old hat in the props world. But what about costumes? How can you take the trim from one outfit, the bodice from another, and the skirt from a third and combine them into something new and amazing? When does it make more sense to hit the thrift store or Spirit Halloween for spare parts than to make it from scratch? What are the best sources for bits and pieces that come together in something new?

The Artemis program may represent the end of NASA’s involvement in human spaceflight. By the time Artemis III lands on the moon, there could be four other human-rated launch systems in the U.S., and several more internationally. After being first to reach the moon, will NASA be content to retire, or will it find new reasons to keep flying astronauts?

You scream, I scream, we all scream for horror stories! Come learn some tips and tricks for writing scary stories, especially for teens. (Ages 11-19)

Explore the treatment of war in fantasy. How has its presentation changed over the years? Depictions range from epic war saga in The Lord of the Rings to a modern-day supernatural war in The Dresden Files, to the alternate steampunk civil war in Cherie Priest’s The Clockwork Century. Are readers ready for stories about recent wars, such as the alternate history of the War on Terror in Matt Ruff’s The Mirage, or stories about Afghanistan and Iraq? Have any fantasy stories changed cultural opinions about war?

Come to an interview and Q&A session with Special Guest of Honor Lydia K. Valentine. Lydia will also read selections from her poetry collection, Brief Black Candles.

Paper Elephants. Rated G.

Vaudevaliens. In 1910, two down on their luck vaudevillians encounter a couple of very strange guys from way, way out of town. Together they could hit the big time … or destroy the planet! Rated PG.

If you would like to enter the Masquerade, you must come to one of the three pre-masquerade meetings: for regular entrants Friday at noon, or Saturday at 8 a.m.; or for children Saturday at 5 p.m. We will discuss your tech needs, introduction, and confirm the details of what the master of ceremonies should to say about your entry. If you are curious and have questions, we will have the answers.

Paranormal stories, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Supernatural, and Wynonna Earp, often feature slayers and hunters of vampires, demons, and other supernatural monsters. But if that sort of thing happened in the real world, would vampires have due process? Is the exorcist liable if a demon’s host dies during an exorcism? Is being chosen or cursed a plausible legal defense for murder? Could ghosts have property rights?

Were the original Sherlock Holmes stories steampunk or straight-up detective stories? What about The Hound of the Baskervilles? Horror or supernatural mystery? What is it about Sherlock Holmes that allows the great “consulting detective” to slip in and out of so many genres? Let’s discuss the many books of science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, etc. that use Sherlock Holmes as a character.

How do you manage consent at your table? Have you even talked about it? Tabletop role-playing games can enter a lot of difficult, amazing, and edgy psychological territory. It’s part of what makes it fun and interesting. There are ways to make the game and the exploration that goes with it deeper, more open, and safer. Join our panelists as they discuss ways to make things more consensual at the table and how this will help you can create even more amazing sessions.

How do historical novelists decide when to stick to the facts and when to split from history? Veering from history is usually frowned upon, but panelists will discuss how “breaking history” can help modern readers understand the past, and why some historical novels are actually better for not sticking too close to the record.

Are tabletop games your thing? Play board and card games here! (All ages)

Many popular books, movies, and shows present bleak, gritty settings where hope is scarce. But hope remains an important part of young adult novels and coming-of-age storytelling. Hope connects us with characters and the world around us. Join our panelists to discuss how hope can move a story forward, help characters grow, offer a satisfying ending, and provide balance between challenges and obstacles as part of every character’s journey.

Come to an interview and Q&A session with Rob Carlos, our artist guest of honor.

Steen Schuler of Steenworks Illustration demonstrates how she uses Photoshop to illustrate Jobbing About the Fort, a board game showing what life was like for kids living at a Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading fort in the 1850s.

“Storytellers.” Benjamin will read a science fiction short story appearing in a forthcoming (as yet unnamed) anthology, narrated by interstellar long-haul trucker Zora, who is recounting stories her grandfather used to tell her on their homeworld of Luyten B. Through Grandpa Vic’s stories, she reveals the most important thing she has learned: The secret to understanding the entire universe. Rated G.

Metaflesh: Poems in the Voices of the Monster. Evan J. Peterson’s latest book is a story of what really happened to Dr. Frankenstein’s creature, told through poetry and hybrid fiction. The monster watches themself portrayed in Hollywood films and responds. Rating PG.

When someone was shot in old movies, they would crumple and fall to the ground. In modern movies, the gunshot victim flies backward. How can a writer realistically write an accurate scene and depict the impact of gunshots?

Or: Nobody Told Me My Masquerade Entry Needed a Presentation! How to write a presentation, move on stage, pick your music, and generally look like you know what you are doing, even if it’s your first time on stage.

Magical stories often have magical beasties. But magical beasts need to fit your narrative in organic and fantastic ways. Who writes the best beasts? Why do we like them so much?

Let’s talk about all the ways that movies and television make a hash of science. From evolution, the laws of motion, and the conservation of energy/matter, science fiction can and does take a lot of liberties with how things really work. Which are the worst offenders? What sort of science gets misused the most? Are there any good examples?

“Mad” villains are an unfortunate cliche, and centuries of mentally ill antagonists have made it difficult for some to accept neurodivergent heroes. What are some sad cliches that continue to make aliens of neurodivergent folks? Are there stories about people working around neurodiversity or even using their unusual minds to save the world or live happily? What would neurodivergent fiction look like?

With the advent of conductive thread, interest about incorporating electronics into fabric has grown. This has the potential of enabling much more than a resurgence of Tron-like suits. Would a nametag be able to identify its wearer, filling in the display itself? Could shoes move themselves to music, making great dancers of all? And really, how far are we from owning invisibility cloaks?

Come and meet Norwescon 44 Spotlight Publisher Representative Patrick Swenson of Fairwood Press.

Victoria Shaffer demonstrates her hand-embroidering techniques featuring mythical, science-fiction, and fan-favorite motifs.

Bones of Starlight. This epic fantasy space opera trilogy is nearing the end of its serialization! Dear characters, major and minor, see events unfold from within their piece of the puzzle as intergalactic civilization undergoes the change of an era. Rated PG.

Leigh Harlen reads from their forthcoming novel, A Feast for Flies. Set in a distant future where humanity has taken to the stars but failed to find anywhere to settle. Onboard the Golden Nova, Zira has a unique ability. She can read and erase memories. Forced to use her ability to aid corrupt law enforcement, she stumbles across information that puts her in the crosshairs of her colleagues and the rival criminal empires that rule the ship. And one of them has framed her for murder. With only her support dog and a justifiably angry ex-girlfriend, Zira must either clear her name and take down two all-powerful crime lords or find a way off an impossible to escape ship. Rated R.

A look forward at what to expect from the substantial and fast-growing space programs around the world. With 95 countries operating satellites, and several developing their own orbital launch capabilities, there’s a lot to talk about.

What defines a small press, and what are the advantages of working with one? What can they offer that you can’t get with self-publishing? What are some questions to ask to make sure you’re getting into business with a publisher that meets your needs?

How do you create an iconic character visually? What can you tell a viewer about their history, status, skills, or motivations? From costuming and props to colors and poses, learn how artists create characters with depth.

Does your story have a strong moral? Is a certain faith or philosophy (real or fictional) key to your story? How do writers portray faith and morality effectively, and what role does theme play in such stories?

There can be a spiritual relationship between individuals and horses. Why do horses bond with particular people? Horses can provide your story with rich moments of absolute pleasure and instant terror. Participate in a discussion of equine character and how to write about horses.

We all know the old stories from the point of view of the princess or prince, but what happens when you retell the story from the perspective of the villain, a sidekick, or even the basket? We’ll work together to rewrite our favorite stories in an entirely new way. Younger writers are welcome with the help of an adult. Sign up in Olympic 1. (Ages 11-19)

Near-term science fiction tells stories that feel relevant to our daily lives and world. Current social and technological trends make us ask “what if” and write a future that might be just around the corner. How do we avoid writing stories that are out of date before they’re even published? Where will we find the ideas to write such stories, and how will we shape them?

Come and meet our writer guest of honor Cat Rambo and learn about her work and process.

Scott Simmons of RedTurkey Spray Art demonstrates stencil cutting, an integral part of his spray art process.

“Emotional Support” (from The Phone anthology). Emotional support dragons, accessibility squirrels, and more are on hand to help manage a classroom of students ranging from eight to 18 as they deliver book reports and prepare for final essays on the Phone. After their teacher sends them home, her mood takes her on a walk along the beach. There, she is greeted by the Phone and has a deeply personal, if bittersweet, conversation with a deceased loved one. Rated PG.

Gordon B. White reads a piece of horror flash fiction. Rated PG.

What is one sci-fi or fantasy problem you want to be solved? Yeah, we totally got this.

From Daniel Jose Older’s Dactyl Hill Squad (Civil War with dinosaurs), to Naomi Novik’s His Majesty’s Dragon (Napoleonic wars with dragons), to Dan Simmon’s The Terror (19th century Arctic expedition), to Mary Robinette Kowal’s Glamourist Histories (Regency England), magical histories are more popular than ever. What questions do we want these stories to answer, and what are some of your favorites?

Kickstarter is HUGE in tabletop games. From role-playing games to dice to board games and miniatures, there are a ton of games using crowdfunding. Let’s talk about the reality vs. perception, and how it affects creators.

There are reasons that neurodiverse youth and teens are drawn to the world of SFF. Neurodiverse people make up a large percentage of the fandom. Neurodiverse panelists and attendees discuss what drew them into the world of SFF, what keeps them there, and what can be done better.

Models in costume will do a variety of short- and medium-length poses (3–10 minutes). Everyone is welcome to come and sketch or paint. Please bring your own drawing and painting supplies.

To write, how much do you have to have read, and how much do you have to continue to read? Should you consciously steer your reading in one direction or another? Are there books you should avoid? How do you avoid unconscious plagiarism? What do you read to inspire yourself and teach yourself new techniques? How can you do this and avoid spoiling your pleasure in reading? Join writers to hear them argue about the multitude of possibilities for self-education that reading can provide.

Marjorie Stratton demonstrates painting on glass, and explains her technique of how she will fuse the painting into the glass.

Pure Motives. A space opera novella with themes of self-identity in the face of technology. Rated PG.

Patrick Swenson will read from his forthcoming 3rd novel in the Union of Worlds series. Rated PG.

What would it take for your favorite monster to really exist?

How should we react if we discover that our favorite novels are rife with colonialism, racist ideologies, or sexism? Does it matter if these problematic areas are in the text or post-publication proclamations of the author? How important is authorial intention? Come listen to our panel discuss these thorny questions and provide insight into where their personal lines are drawn to help you reflect on where to draw yours.

Characters need to have motivations that make sense to readers. Without realistic motivations, your characters can come off as flat or cliche. How do writers make readers connect with a character through motivation? Does every character in a story need a motive? How can a writer tell if their characters have relatable motivations or not?

Across the numerous subgenres of science fiction, a trend has become clear: Worlds based on extrapolating a single technological theme are popular. Let’s talk about some of the more (and less) commonly used technologies. What makes them interesting? What makes them punk? Which will be explored next?

Science fiction literature can introduce the public to current research and depict scientific advances before they appear in the public eye. The world is in the middle of a genetic debate. Can science fiction flesh out the debate, teach, and warn about pitfalls of genetic modification technologies? Is this really a brave new world?

Powerful female main characters are where it’s at! Come talk about all your favorite female and non-binary lead main characters in media and what makes them work. (Ages 11-19)

Artist guest of honor Rob Carlos will share his 20-minute painting technique. Pitch him your suggestions and watch as he paints live on stage.

With a mix of filk, rock, country, blues, blended with dreams and a healthy dose of humor and harmony, Starlight Filk Band is sure to have something to please everyone.

Norwescon’s Bibliophiles is the official book club of Norwescon. We can ordinarily be found organizing through our Facebook group or holding monthly meetings online. Today we are discussing our April book, Dead Space by Kali Wallace, one of this year’s P.K. Dick nominees. Come join the discussion in person or online through the link posted on the Facebook group!

Song of the Traveler. A teenage violin prodigy has the ability to traverse a musical portal to another dimension. She loves it there, but after she breaks the law, consequences range from banishment to unraveling the fabric of the universe. Can she fix her mistake before it’s too late? Rated G.

Siphon. Jade has spent her life fighting boredom in the terminal illness ward. Surfing the net or reading, she envies the ability of others to experience the world. She knows her wish to live a normal life is beyond her reach, until she awakens without the sounds of her life support, with a weak but healthy body in a magical world. As blue gamelike system notifications fill her vision, she knows that she must adapt quickly to survive. This is all she ever dreamed of, but Jade will soon realize that you need to be careful what you wish for. This is Andara, where her true adventure finally begins. Rated G.

For decades, space enthusiasts have focused on low-cost access to space. Now, with reusability becoming a requirement rather than a slogan, we’re getting it. How low can costs go? Who’s leading the way? And what are we going to do with it?

Back by popular demand! Time to make an antagonist who everyone wants to play with. Join our panelists as they create a villain with audience participation.

There are so many different ways to publish, which one should you choose? What are some of the ups and downs of the types of publishing? How are the processes different? Do you have to pick just one?

A universe isn’t just a series of sequels, but having characters and storylines intersect from one movie to the next. Marvel isn’t the only one! Universal monsters were a thing way back in the 1940s, Toho kaiju movies in the ‘60s and ‘70s intersected, and the films Unbreakable, Split, and Glass toe that line. What other cinematic universes are there to be explored? Come and find out!

Masks both disguise and reveal. There are many ways to create masks! From decorating purchased forms with glitter to sculpting original works of art, we will showcase a variety of techniques and inspire you to create your own.

Come and meet Special Guest of Honor Connor Alexander and learn about 2022 Nebula Award-nominated role-playing game Coyote and Crow.

Scott Kalama was born and raised on the Warm Springs Nation in central Oregon. With the tragic passing of his older brother, a healing ceremony took place where he derived the name Blue Flamez for his musical project. A career sparked which led to winning the 2016 Native American Music Award (NAMA) for best music video – Rez Life! Despite his success, Blue Flamez decided to stay on his home turf of the Warm Springs Nation. It has been his passion for helping others, inspiring resilience, and empowerment which fuels the blue flames in Scott Kalama’s heart.

Diaries of a Dwarven Rifleman. Military-oriented heroic fantasy. Rated PG.

Shiplah’s Eyes. A marauding warlord demands tribute from a city grown wealthy from caravan trade, disturbing a sleeping god. Rated PG.

Vivid settings are a key component of horror. What are some of our favorite uses of setting? What makes a particular setting work or not work for a particular story? What underused settings would we like to see explored?

As the role-playing game and story gaming hobby grows, we need to know how to create a warm, inviting, and safe atmosphere for new players. How do we do our best to make sure these players have fun and come back?

With series like Jessica Jones and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, even the mighty Marvel Cinematic Universe has now fully acknowledged the existence of non-costumed Avengers and villains in heroes’ clothing (respectively). Let’s talk about characters who do good deeds without dressing up, or who claim to be heroic but fall short of the responsibilities that come with their powers. From HBO’s Watchmen to NBC’s Heroes to Avatar: The Last Airbender, what do these stories have to say about coming to terms with what makes one special?

A place of meditation and discussion, contemplation, and thought for those who have passed since the last Norwescon. Honor those who have passed on with a thought, memory, or a simple prayer to whatever you wish. Leave the name of someone you remember.

Just as one can get worn down and out of shape physically, one can also get worn down and out of shape mentally. Come to this panel and indulge in some fun and wacky exercises as our panelists help give your brains a fun workout that will get those neurons firing. Bring your sketchbook and a pencil.

Ever wish you could be somebody else for a while? Craft a whole new you? Or enhance the things you already love about yourself? With the power of drag, all these things are possible! Join Mercury Divine for this three-part drag academy and Sunday showcase! Come for some or all of the sessions, ready to PLAY! In Part 2: Costuming, nothing says showstopper like some dramatic or unique garb! You’re going to fall in love with the hot glue gun and learn how to turn trash into treasure. Drag artists are real MacGyvers, and anything can be a costume piece. Don’t believe us? Let’s make something together! You’ll look at the Dollar Store in a whole new light when we’re done. When in doubt, add sparkle! Feel free to bring something wacky from your wardrobe if you’d like to incorporate it into your look.

A professional musician of over forty years, Alec has always used magic in his performances to transform and inspire his listeners into states of being and realms of desire. He creates places where the audience can find their unspoken secrets and address them with new inspiration. Heir to the music and legend of Heather Alexander, Alec performs her music, and his own with a style that goes beyond reality. It is his deepest desire to inspire his audience to find their inner truth and bring it into life, realize their dreams and empower their own personal magic.

If you’re bisexual, you’ve likely heard many invalidating comments over the years, especially if your partner is of the opposite sex, or someone assumes bi means only males and females. It can be difficult to fit into spaces that are predominately hetero or gay or lesbian. This is a space for bisexual folks to share challenging aspects about being bi. And, of course, share successes too!

Join us as we discuss going beyond adding basic lighting and blinking to costumes to the use of embroidery machines, 3D printing, tablet screens, arduino programming, and more to get the effect you want.

First vampires, then werewolves, now tentacled fishmen. We will discuss the changing norms of horror erotica, the appeal of pushing boundaries with monsters and fantastic creatures, and societal standards that remain stubbornly in place. (Ages 18+)

The Philip K. Dick Award is presented annually at Norwescon with the support of the Philip K. Dick Trust to recognize distinguished science fiction published in paperback original form in the United States. The award is sponsored by the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society. The award ceremony is sponsored by Norwescon and the Northwest Science Fiction Society. Doors open at 7 p.m., the show will start at 7:20 p.m.

Writing adult material is a skill, 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. Ages 18+ only.

Norwescon’s Speculative Film Festival, celebrating science fiction, fantasy, and horror short films, continues. Block C films: “The Lord of the Woods,” “Stalled Trek: The City on the Edge of Foreclosure,” “Painting by Numbers,” “TRUTH.exe,” “Dark Before Dawn,” “Such an Honor,” and “EP.” A brief Q&A with filmmakers will follow.

In open filk, you can sing or play whatever you want to the most supportive crowd you will ever run into anywhere! The oldest form of geek music at science fiction conventions is an offshoot of folk called “filk,” and it has an intentionally open and deeply participatory culture. Bring your instrument and plan to stay awhile.

Bring your sewing/yarn project and join the fun!

The Faithful Sidekicks are an award-winning comedic geek folk-pop/filk duo who write and perform original catchy songs about fandoms, gaming, and technology. The Sidekicks, winners of the 2021 Best Performer Pegasus award, have been delighting audiences at conventions, clubs, and coffeehouses around the U.S., Canada, and Germany since 2014. Whether it’s an indie-rock song about board games, an upbeat pop song about Han Solo, or a love song written in SQL code, the Sidekicks have something fun for every fan. They have released four CDs, including their latest, Sales of Interest.

Join us for a free play event! Rules for each session will be posted. Players under 13 must have a parent present to play. Equipment is provided at the play area.

Celt Check was formed from a jam session at a Renaissance faire. They have played The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire and the Seattle Scottish Highland Games, as well as Folklife Festival. This will be Celt Check’s fifth year performing at Norwescon.

Norwescon’s Speculative Film Festival continues! End your Friday evening with a wide selection of science fiction, fantasy, and horror short films. Block D films: “I/O,” “Love Conquers …,” “Creature of the Night,” “The Sands of Time,” “Mijo,” “Nova,” “Pretty,” “Patron,” “Hunger,” “Wawel Dragon,” and “Tim Travers & the Time Travelers Paradox.”

Find a seat for the show!

What happens when the guys of Big Red Button miss a rehearsal? The ladies get raunchy. You might think it’s Violet’s fault, as we know what comes out of her mouth. It could’ve been Jenn’s idea, with her wicked sense of humor. No, Glitch! After Dark is the brainchild of Beverly. It would be the actor who does Shakespeare in the park. (The Bard was a dirty old man who knew his audience.) Bring your most innocent suggestions for the troupe as they use the class game Sim City to drive an improvised tale of sex, lies, and monster attacks.