Friday Schedule

Join us for early morning Lazer Tag with a round-robin format. All equipment provided. We will play with vintage Star Wars Lazer Tag equipment from Tiger Electronics.

A dedicated place for BIPOC and AAPI members of the Norwescon community to gather, rest, and refresh.

BIPOC=Black, Indigenous and People of Color. AAPI=Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Social time for families with babies and children ages 0-3.

The Devil of Misty Lake. J.P. Barnett reads an excerpt from his horror-adventure novel, The Devil of Misty Lake. Rated PG.

Panelists discuss these age-old conflicts and consider ways to give them new twists.

NOOOOOO, don’t throw that away—you can put it on a costume! Maybe you thought there was a limit to what you could use to embellish a costume? Bring your ideas. Join the fun and creativity.

Today there is just about every flavor of historical re-enactment. From mesolithic to Gulf War, someone will put together the garb, find the equipment, find friends to play with, and go back in time. Some of the best examples are the Society for Creative Anachronism, which covers medieval to Renaissance times, and the PNW Norse Shield Wall folk. Find out what it is like to be a reenactor and how to get started.

It’s back! Norwescon’s own movie-making workshop that ran from 2000 to 2017 returns to show you how to make a movie on a shoestring in just a few hours! First, we’ll talk basics: what equipment do you need to make a movie (hint: it’s already in your pocket)? Then, we open it up to you, our audience, to come up with an idea, develop it into something doable at a con, plan the shoot, do some quick casting, and get ready to get shooting! This is your chance to be a part of this unique workshop and learn how to make a movie on a budget so tiny calling it “tiny” makes tiny feel insulted. The key to making a movie, of course, is good planning! If you want to get in on the action tomorrow, you’ll want to be here for the planning.

From the Djinn of Arabic legends to the Cluricaun of Irish myths, entities who grant wishes are a powerful storytelling device. Let’s explore it. Why is it always three? Do wishes always cause disaster? Do they differ from culture to culture? How does one lawyer-up when making a deal with the devil? Panelists will advise.

The Sandman, Good Omens, Neverwhere—the Gaiman pipeline seems never-ending, as one after the other of his novels, short stories, and comics make their way to the screen. Let’s talk about what we love and what we want to see next! Presented by Britcon.

The constraints of budget and technology made it commonplace for most alien races to appear humanoid in visual media. Even with CGI or excellent practical effects, most sci-fi fandoms have used people in makeup to play alien characters. Let’s explore the possibilities of sentient species, not only “life as we know it,” but intelligent life arising from conditions very different than our planet. This is a generative class for writers, artists, and RPG players. Ages 13+.

Short story magazines have shaped science fiction, horror, and fantasy since the beginning, and their editors have reshaped the genre in this century. What trends do editors see in short fiction? Who are the best short-story writers writing and reshaping fiction today? Is the short story still relevant?

This panel will look at some of the emerging trends in artificial intelligence research, including the ability to create artificial portraits, paint pictures from suggestions, build 3D models from photographs in seconds, decision-making on a chip, the omniverse, GPU farms, and more.

Secret codes are FUN! We’ll teach simple codes and ciphers and provide messages to decode. Youth ages 0-8.

Cinderella is a shoemaker. Elsa catches frostbite. The seven dwarves are on the run from Little Red Riding Hood. Create a fairytale of your own by mixing classics and adding original twists! For tweens and teens.

Come check out games from our lending libraries. We have role-playing games, card games, board games, and so much more! An official state license or state ID is needed to check out games. There will be tables to play the games you bring or the ones you borrow. Do you need accommodation related to a disability? Please speak to our staff so we can be sure to meet your needs. Maxi’s Ballroom is located on the top floor of the tower.

Come sign up for a game! We have Pathfinder Society, Adventures League, role-playing games, card games, and so much more! After scheduled games closes, this area is available for open games. Do you need accommodation related to a disability? Please speak to our staff when you sign up so we can be sure to meet your needs. The salon is located on the Maxi’s level (top floor) of the tower.

Come sign up for a game! We have Pathfinder Society, Adventures League, role-playing games, card games, and so much more! After scheduled games closes, this area is available for open games. Do you need accommodation related to a disability? Please speak to our staff when you sign up so we can be sure to meet your needs. The Rotundas are located down Concourse 1 or 2 on the first and second floors.

The Gift of the Flamekeeper. J Tullos Hennig reads from the upcoming sequel to Blood Indigo, due out late 2023. Sacred ways and near-extinct blood powers are proving scant help against the incursions of the alien Chepiś. Anahli must find the outcast whose Changed blood might untangle an artifact’s long-forgotten secrets. The stalemate has broken. Invasion has begun. Rated PG.

January Fifteenth. Rachel reads from her near-future economic science fiction novella from Tor.com, nominated for the 2023 Philip K. Dick Award.

Working in small groups of interests, we will design a strict authoritarian government structure suitable for a background of a dystopian story or novel. Please leave the good side of your nature at the door.

For a genre that is supposed to imagine alternatives and look to the future, science fiction seems to spend a lot of time dealing with empires, kings, and other regressive forms of government. Let’s talk about authors such as Nnedi Okorafor, Malka Older, Ada Palmer, and Ursula K. Le Guin and how they show us ways people can work together to share decision-making power within a society.

Many older fans have read speculative fiction all their lives and now have time to try their hands at actually writing. Is it too late? Is there any point in trying to break into the crowded field of science fiction and fantasy when you attended Lollapalooza? Woodstock? Come for a discussion on the first steps and ways to get yourself off the shore and swimming.

GPT-3, GATO, and Dall E 2 are machine-leaning based systems capable of producing “original” content based upon examples or sample templates. This content is becoming sophisticated enough to be perceived as being written or painted by human beings and is even consisting of ever increasingly lifelike renderings (and videos) of people and places. What are the implications of these technologies for writers and artists? Are creatives in danger of becoming irrelevant?

Sherlock Holmes. The Phantom of the Opera. Dracula. Hamlet. Pride and Prejudice. Beauty and the Beast. We humans seem to love telling the same story over and over again. What makes certain stories so appealing to filmmakers for retelling? Can we glean anything about the time or culture that made them from the different ways a story has been adapted? What are your favorite versions of oft-told tales?

The tools of a jeweler and technician may seem surprisingly similar. What sort of inspiration can come from dismantling old tech? What sort of bounds can be broken by integrating new tech? Why stop at jewelry? If art is everything and technology is all over the place, why not explore where they come together… together!?

A family-friendly dance party in Olympic 1!

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

Authors constantly cross genres in their works, but how? What methods do they use to decide what to use from each genre? Learn in this panel about how multi-genre works are created, and the choices that must be made when straddling the world between two, or even three genres! For tweens and teens.

Come join us for an interview with Norwescon 45’s artist guest of honor, Grace P. Fong, and get a chance to ask your own questions during the Q&A.

Join Foulplay Games for a pop-up space western murder mystery game, Wanderstar! Visit the Doublestar Cantina in Lone Rock Port, a lawless port in the Outskirts of the Frontier star system, where you will partake in two hours of mystery and intrigue to figure out whodunnit! Discover friends and rivals as you play a suspect with secrets of your own while bribing and blackmailing other con attendees to find clues and gather information to solve the crime! No prior experience needed. Ages 13+ recommended. Prizes and swag for participants and super sleuths! First come, first serve. Join us at Maxi’s Lounge.

A Summoning of Demons. When an earthquake leaves the city of Cantagna on edge, philosophists blame the evils of sorcery and a monster imprisoned under the earth. Yet magic is the only way to accomplish the Chimera’s urgent new assignment: to thwart an arranged marriage. The bride, the daughter of a city official, has written an incendiary treatise that exposes the philosophists’ teachings as nonsense, while the groom, the son of a high-ranking philosophist, displays unremitting loyalty to his family’s beliefs. Trouble. Rated G.

The Kuiper Belt Job. In a solar system well-inhabited but far from settled, a gang of grifters and thieves—the scattered survivors of a big job gone very wrong 10 years ago—must reunite to break the gang’s leader out of captivity. But after 10 years, no one is who they were… and some are not what they seem. The Kuiper Belt Job is a caper picture in space, a mash-up of Firefly, Leverage, and <i≥The Expanse. It’s an ensemble piece with complex character relationships and a twisty, compelling plot, but underneath the surface it raises deep questions about identity and personhood. In a world where minds can be copied, what does it mean to be “me?” Rated G.

From fanfic to sampling to mainstream literature and media, authors of creative works often use the intellectual property of others. This panel discusses the use of others’ IP in creative works, potential pitfalls, methods for licensing, and general legal (and market) ramifications.

On this panel, writers will discuss how to find or create a writing group, what to expect from such groups and the usual “rules of the road” for both online and face-to-face meetings.

Lately, it seems like we’re seeing a rise in horror elements in popular SFF, including recent Hugo winners and nominees. What makes horror blend well with science fiction or fantasy? Are there challenges or problems with mixing the genres? And how do cosmic horror, the Weird, and New Weird fit into this discussion?

More people than ever are dealing with a hijacked amygdala, but what does this mean? Join this panelist-led discussion and learn what this term means, as well as ways to support yourself if you find your amygdala is on red alert.

Ignoring, for now, the trolls howling about how their childhood is ruined, why do Black hobbits and a Black Ariel stir up controversy? We examine why representation matters, and how fantasy has always been a reflection of our society, where we are now as a country, and the state of the world.

Have burning questions that might help you plan your sci-fi novel? Always wanted to know something about science? Come to this open panel to ask a scientist your questions. For tweens and teens only.

Come join us for an interview with Norwescon 45’s science guest of honor, Dr. Greg Dubos, and get a chance to ask your own questions during the Q&A.

Each aspect of publishing has expectations. Hear pros share the differences between the three publishing options, and find out which is right for you.

Often people say, “Oh! You must read/listen to/watch this!” But where do you draw the line? There are only so many books one can read, so many movies or shows one can watch, so many podcasts and radio dramas to tune in to. These recommendations can be daunting. Are there actual “must” titles, or is that just a way of gatekeeping genre fiction? If you could only recommend one book, one movie, one TV show, or one podcast for a particular genre, which one would you choose?

Doctor Who is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year! Hop in the TARDIS and enjoy the ride as we chat about the episodes that incorporated this year’s convention theme “Between Two Worlds.” Presented by Britcon.

Every art medium has limitations and specific qualities. This panel will discuss those limitations, qualities, and some unusual and unexpected materials.

A picture can be worth a thousand words, or it can be worth none. This presentation by Artist Guest of Honor Grace P. Fong analyzes what a person contributes to the visual and verbal creative process, in an age of constantly advancing technology.

Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need by Blake Snyder is one of the most popular how-to writing books. In this course we’ll look at Save the Cat! as a writing tool at every stage of the writing process, from the beginning of a project through revisions. We’ll pay particular attention to creating a viable main character (hero) who transforms over the course of the novel. The workshop will include exercises to help brainstorm your hero and their journey. No prior experience with Save the Cat! or with novel writing is necessary.

In stories from Odysseus to Kirk, people figure out how to get from one place to another using the stars. How was that actually done in the past, and how is done today? Join our panelists as they discuss how celestial navigation may be done in the future.

#7 on our list will kill you, maybe. We think we are smart but are we smart enough?

Costume craft hour! Let’s make tails, tiaras, belts, hats, and other accessories using techniques like gluing, simple sewing, and stapling.

This workshop helps writers visualize spaces to prepare for action/fight scenes and also choreograph engaging action so blocking is clear to readers. We’ll focus on simple movement, activities with hands (martial arts), and activities with melee weapons. William C. Tracy has taught martial arts for over fifteen years, focusing on simple body mechanics and awareness of surroundings anyone can practice. Space is limited. Sign up at the info table. Ages 18+.

Learn about popular heroines in fiction and what makes them great, as well as girl power in stories and how to integrate strong female characters into your works. For Tweens and Teens.

Artist Lynne Taylor Fahnestalk will conduct a “Make a Bot” demonstration showing how she creates her one-of-a-kind robot sculptures from upcycled metal objects. The finished robot sculpture will be available for purchase immediately after the demonstration.

Join FJoin Foulplay Games for a pop-up space western murder mystery game, Wanderstar! Visit the Doublestar Cantina in Lone Rock Port, a lawless port in the Outskirts of the Frontier star system, where you will partake in two hours of mystery and intrigue to figure out whodunnit! Discover friends and rivals as you play a suspect with secrets of your own while bribing and blackmailing other con attendees to find clues and gather information to solve the crime! No prior experience needed. Ages 13+ recommended. Prizes and swag for participants and super sleuths! First come, first serve. Join us at Maxi’s Lounge.oulplay Games for a pop-up space western murder mystery game, WANDERSTAR! Visit the Doublestar Cantina in Lone Rock Port, a lawless port in the Outskirts of the Frontier Star System, where you will partake in 2 hours of mystery and intrigue to figure out whodunnit! Discover friends and rivals as you play a suspect with secrets of your own while bribing and blackmailing other con attendees to find clues and gather information to solve the crime! No prior experience needed. Ages 13+ recommended. Prizes and swag for participants and super sleuths! First come, first serve. Join us at Maxi’s Lounge.

Speculation. Historical fantasy about family roots. Rated G.

May We Have Your Attention. A brief selection from my latest novel. Rated PG.

How do you juggle a multi-book saga, especially when the past books have already been published? How do you keep a consistent voice, characterization, and plot when you have grown as a writer during the process? And how do you keep forward momentum and engage new readers?

If the recent years of quarantine and isolation have taught us anything, it’s that sharing a space with others 24/7 requires clearer, more effective communication. Whether you’re monogamous or ethically non-monogamous, join these experts as they share important components of effective communication and how that may translate into other areas of life.

The Battle of the Little Big Horn is perhaps one of the most controversial battles of the 19th century. Theories and arguments continue to evolve as new forensic evidence is uncovered. What are the facts and conjectures about this deadly encounter?

Presented annually at Norwescon with the support of the Philip K Dick Trust for distinguished science fiction published in paperback original form in the United States. The award is sponsored by the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society and the Philip K. Dick Trust and the award ceremony is sponsored by Norwescon and the Northwest Science Fiction Society.

Daily life for the physically disabled and neurodivergent is different. They have to be aware of things that some people take for granted or ignore completely. This panel discusses how YA literature is making strides toward inclusiveness and how it can improve.

What are the elements that make a stand-alone costume more science fiction than fantasy? Without the story and setting of a movie or other context, how does one make a costume futuristic? Technological? Space-ish? Shiny? What distinguishes this genre, and how can we capture that in costume?

Stop by for some quiet time to read, color, or just rest in a quiet environment. Families with youth ages 0-8.

Hear from writers of all ages at various parts of their authorial journey as they talk about how the genres have evolved and what that means for the future. For Tweens and Teens.

Come join us for an interview with Norwescon 45’s spotlight publisher, Uncanny Magazine, and get a chance to ask your own questions during the Q&A.

Join the mers in the pool to channel your seductive, sensual side and learn a short, sultry siren’s dance. Suitable for merfolk of all genders, sizes, and abilities. No tail required! Weather permitting. Ages 16+.

“Solastalgia Meets the Alps.” What happens when despair meets a shepherd? This story appeared in Anthropocene magazine. Rated G.

“For Want of Milk.” Set in Nebraska in the 1880s, reclusive Pearl and her mother are ranchers, but they’re used to being called witches. When two strangers from the East come in to town, she discovers what magic she can really do. (cw: miscarriage, animal death). Rated PG.

We know that the wealthy feasted on the best foods available for their time in history. But what did the not-so-wealthy and poor typically eat? Did diets improve through the ages? And what was that pease porridge rhyme about? Perhaps there will be samples!

No matter where we are in our careers, getting constructive feedback can help us grow and become better at our craft. But how do you take critique effectively? What do you implement from feedback, and what should you set aside? How valuable is learning to give critique? Can analyzing the art of others help us improve our own?

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, we will have 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.

Panelists discuss what using multiverses does to individual works and science fiction and fantasy as a genre, and talk about texts where it works great, and others where it falls flat. They will ask why multiverses are having such a moment in Marvel, the Spider-verse, and Everywhere All At Once, and contemplate how this panel compares to the infinity of panels happening at parallel moments.

Some days the words just flow—but other days writing can feel like a grind. You get stuck, motivation falters, and life gets in the way. We bear good news: this is a normal part of the writing process! Come hear how other writers have written their way through—and out of—the tough writing spells we all face.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 is famous for its enduring and dedicated fanbase. What can the show tell us about how fandom works and what its purpose is? This presentation will discuss how MST3K is more than just a window into the not-too-distant future, but a reflection of who fans are and why we do what we do.

A whole genre exists for poets who need more than just realism! In this workshop, you will learn about speculative poetry and the history of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association (SFPA), read examples of award-winning speculative poetry, and learn the difference between metaphors and new realities. At the end, you will be invited to generate your own speculative poem. Bring your imagination. This presentation will be more thrilling than Voyager’s slingshot maneuver around Jupiter! Ages 18+.

Speculative fiction and mystery have a lot in common: they’re both about digging down to the truth of matters. It’s hard enough to write a mystery, so why would writers choose to combine it with the complexity of science fiction or fantasy? What elements of detective fiction make satisfying fantasy for readers? What elements of fantasy make for satisfying mysteries?

Working from a pre-written story, kids will illustrate the story and take their book home with them. For youth ages 0-8.

Have you ever wanted to be the cosplay character of your dreams, but didn’t have the dream budget to create it? Come to this panel to learn how to create costumes on an allowance. For tweens and teens.

Come join us for an interview with Norwescon 45’s writer guest of honor, P. Djèlí Clark, and get a chance to ask your own questions during the Q&A.

Join Foulplay Games for a pop-up space Western murder mystery game, Wanderstar! Visit the Doublestar Cantina in Lone Rock Port, a lawless port in the outskirts of the Frontier star system, where you will partake in two hours of mystery and intrigue to figure out whodunnit! Discover friends and rivals as you play a suspect with secrets of your own, while bribing and blackmailing other con attendees to find clues and gather information to solve the crime. No prior experience needed. Recommended for ages 13+. Prizes and swag for participants and super sleuths. First come, first served!

Better Living Through Alchemy. Esoteric detective Kelly Munn is hired to investigate a new, magical drug causing strange mutations on the streets of Seattle. What she learns leads her to face off against demons, an occult crime boss, goddesses that never existed, and her own past. Rated PG.

Of Dust and Jasmine. Shweta will read the first chapter of her YA fantasy novel. Rated G.

Since the 13th century, cannons have increased in caliber and capability. Improved materials have played a crucial role in artillery’s evolution. The Industrial Revolution made it possible to mass artillery in large numbers and greatly increase their range and accuracy. This panel will examine land-deployed artillery: its types, ammunition, and missions.

The crowning glory of any costume or cosplay is what you put on your head. Learn tips for making the underlying structure and then adding fabric, feathers, trims, and other embellishments for hats and smaller headpieces. Materials, tools, and sources will be discussed, as well as how to pack them for travel.

Bram Stoker famously borrowed from Romanian folklore about vampires when he wrote Dracula. What horror stories have intriguing folkloric origins? How much is real folklore and how much is pure authorial invention? When does it become problematic to borrow folklore and its tropes from a different culture?

More and more “cli-fi” novels are being published as mainstream fiction instead of science fiction. Meanwhile solarpunk and related movements seem to be solidifying new directions within the genre. Let’s talk about how the reality of global warming is changing how we read and write SFF, even when it’s not focused on the environment.

Many authors, artists, game designers, and other creatives don’t understand the potential legal rights that support their works. This presentation gives an overview of intellectual property rights commonly associated with creative works in the U.S., methods to protect these rights, and how these rights interact with the marketplace.

They think they know it all about their topic. Watch a Whose Line Is It Anyway?-style science production. Audience participation is encouraged.

From Lovecraft to Rowling and beyond, there are moments where our favorite authors express less-than-favorable viewpoints. How do we deal with this as consumers of media? Do you stop cold turkey? Pretend like the author no longer exists? Come talk about the fine line between respecting the craft and having no respect for the person.

Hear from artists of all ages, and at various stages of their artistic journeys, talking about how their mediums have evolved and what it means for the future. For tweens and teens.

Keiretsu. Steven Barnes reads the first chapter of the long-awaited addition to the Streetlethal series. Rated PG.

“Eyes.” Heather reads from her sci-fi horror story about a future in where eyes are harvested in order to maintain sight. Rated R.

The writing world can feel small and vast all at once. As a community, we can help one another grow as authors, develop connections within the industry, and lift each other up during trying times. As a team, we are stronger. Take part in this discussion about new ways we can support our fellow authors, agents, and editors.

How should authors and fans interact with each other, particularly through social media? Should you friend or follow your favorites? How do you set healthy professional and personal boundaries for interaction? Join our panelists as they navigate this complex yet common issue.

Our panel of authors will take audience input as they build a brand-new story, demonstrating story principles in the process.

For those of you missing Sakura-Con, here’s an anime panel for you. Attendees are invited to come dressed as their favorite anime characters, while our panelists share some great new shows and old favorites you might have missed. The last portion of the panel will be open for attendees to share any beloved anime we didn’t cover. All fans from newbies to seasoned veterans are welcome. Otaku unite!

Proposed satellite constellations for global phone and internet services already add over 100,000 potential objects in orbit. How many is too many? Is ground-based astronomy doomed? Is this just a secret effort to stop climate change by reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the earth?

Come in and pick out your very own glitter tattoo. They last for a few days and then wash off.

Come draw with the pros! They’ll share tips and tricks for the best ways to get those pesky details just right. For tweens and teens.

New Yesterdays, New Tomorrows holds forgotten wishes, dreams of flight, and robots of all sizes! The speculative poetry of Brian U. Garrison covers a range of science fiction and fantasy topics with humor and contemplation. Rated PG.

TBD

Wednesday brought gothic chic back in a proud way, but the goths have always been amongst us—even before they were called goths! Over the years in fannish culture we have had rave goths, industrial goths, pastel goths, and so many other iterations. In this panel we will break out the leather and lace and review goth fashion and some of our favorite looks.

The audience comes up with the clues, the artists do their best to draw them. Let the games (and silliness) begin!

Horses provide moments of absolute pleasure and instant terror as they strive to do what you ask them. Are there major differences between pleasure horses and working horses? Can a horse both carry a pack and be a trail ride horse? Join our panel of expert horse people as they share their horse sense.

There’s nothing scarier than the dark—unless you have a way to “see.” Close your eyes and come with us.

From The Languages of Pao to Native Tongue to Embassytown—books of all eras have explored the limits of humankind’s greatest invention: language. In this panel, linguists and authors discuss books about alien linguistics, which ones treat linguistics well, and where one draws the line between science and science fiction with respect to language.

Open filk is a place to sing or play whatever you want to the most supportive crowd you will ever run into anywhere. An offshoot of folk, filk is the oldest form of geek music at science fiction conventions, and it has an intentionally open and deeply participatory culture. Bring your instrument and plan to stay a while.

“It’s not about the tail, it’s about the magic the mer/maid BRINGS to the tail!” But… what’s in a tail, anyway? Join our panelists for conversation about the different types of tails available on the market. Then let’s make some tail patterns you can take home to create your own custom mer/maid tails! Please wear/bring a thin pair of socks if you’d like to try on a loaner monofin. Supplies provided. An optional $2 materials fee may be donated at the time of the workshop. Space is limited. Sign up at the info desk. Ages 12+.

Sir Loren’s Song. Sir Aiken, a Saxon orphan, and Sir Loren, lately of Avalon, are the misfits of King Arthur’s Round Table. Their first encounter sparks an immediate rivalry, but when Arthur orders them to undertake a year-long quest, a companionship which at first seems impossible over time becomes inevitable. Rated PG.

Which was more terrifying: the original Cthulhu mythos where humans are helpless before uncaring, indifferent entities from the great beyond, or the modified Cthulhu mythos where there are more obvious and more graphic monsters? Let’s discuss a century of unspeakable eldritch horror and its future legacy.

The fit of your costume can make the difference between a comfortable day looking fabulous and a miserable, anxious day worrying about wardrobe malfunctions. Join us as we discuss balancing figural asymmetries and making room for comfort and movement.

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

Calling all costumers, cosplayers, and stage crew volunteers! Swing into the pre-masquerade meeting to find out the essential details for entering or assisting with this year’s masquerade. Whether you want to strut your stuff for the first time or are returning to up your game, we will cover the necessary information you need to participate in this year’s big event. If you would like to enter the masquerade, you must come to one of the pre-masquerade meetings: this meeting or the Saturday meeting at 9 a.m. in Grand 3 for regular entrants, or the Saturday meeting at 5:30 p.m. in Cascade 5 & 6 for children under 13.

Join us for another evening of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and speculative fiction short films from filmmakers across the globe. Films: #Tresdancing, A Blaster in The Right Hands: A Star Wars Story, Abducted Anonymous, Betty and Barney, Can’t Go Home Again, Present, The Forgetting Device, and The Post.

The Philip K. Dick Award for distinguished science fiction published in paperback original form in the United States is presented annually at Norwescon with the support of the Philip K. Dick Trust. The award is sponsored by the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society and the Philip K. Dick Trust, and the award ceremony is sponsored by Norwescon. Come hear readings from the nominated works and find out the winners!

Bring your projects. Successful costuming means being able to problem-solve quickly and efficiently. That’s not an easy thing to do when you are desperately trying to finish up before you go on stage, have run short of material, or you lost a sleeve, etc. Bring your challenges, your hang-ups, and your creative blocks—there may be someone who can help you with a quick fix and help you get you back on course—or just enjoy the company while you work on a project.

End your Friday evening with a wide selection of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and speculative fiction short films. Films: A Dream of Hawaii, All Is Well, Detox, Fetch, La Nueva (The Newcomer), Midas, Prisoner 818, Respirations, Sonar, The Interrogation, The Operator, The Wreckers, and When It’s Your Turn 2: Surprise Birthday.

The definitive SF&F trivia pub quiz experience! Multiple rounds of classic SF&F trivia from the worlds of media, fantasy, SF, and more. There will be a sound round, a picture round, and more. Exciting and not-so-exciting prizes will be offered. Teams of four are preferred. Use of electronic devices, external brains, or telepathy is strictly forbidden.

DJ Equus is back, shuffling through fan favorites, dance floor taps, and obscure audio draws. His musical manipulation will keep you coming back for every sonic hand, and by the end of the night, you’ll know you hit the jukebox jackpot. Send your song requests in now!