Horror and dark fantasy are having a real time to shine in middle grade and young adult fiction—but we all know the love of scary transcends age. Check out this discussion of how to make the story scary. What tricks and tips do authors use? How do they know it’s scary enough—or when it might be too scary? Whether an author is amplifying suspense, giving gothic flair, or just plain spilling blood across the floor, attendees are sure to shiver hearing these authors share their experience of writing scary.

With the support of SFWA’s MG/YA Committee, we are proud to host a conversation between Tracey Baptiste, Rob Costello, Gabrielle K. Byrne, and Scott Edelman.

Read more about Panel 2.5 It’s a Scream: Writing Horror Across the Ages

Ever moderated a panel where some of your panelists were seasoned pros and others were just getting started? What should panelists do to optimize their time on a bigger platform? Is there a difference in presentation style for peer-based and reader-facing industry events? And how can moderators and panelists support each other better, to provide a thrilling and memorable experience wherever they may roam in the genre? Join Day Al-Mohamed, Joyce Reynolds Ward, and Fran Wilde for a rich conversation with seasoned presenters from a range of promotions contexts, and take your panel game to the next level!

Read more about Panel 2.4 How to Give Good Panel

Where does “the poetic” begin and end? What differentiates a prose poem from flash fiction? And why are we so hung up on dividing lines in genre in the first place – and not on the power of hybrid storytelling? In this panel, members of SFWA’s Poetry Committee are in conversation with a dynamic creator of flash and other experimental SFF forms, to explore the liminal in speculative writing – and to encourage fellow writers to make full use of whatever medium best reflects the idea they wish to convey.

Join Wendy Van Camp, as she moderates a chat between Mary Soon Lee, Brian U. Garrison, Gwynne Garfinkle, and Jennifer Hudak.

Read more about Panel 2.3 Poetry, Flash, & the Power of Hybrid Storytelling

Nonfiction science writers love a good tall tale as much as anyone – but that doesn’t mean they don’t wince when a beloved subfield is poorly represented in SFF! So here’s a terrific opportunity, brought to us by the brilliant minds at the National Association of Science Writers, for speculative writers to sharpen their game. Join moderator Takara Small, in conversation with Corey Powell, Jane C. Hu, and Tara C. Smith to shake off misconceptions about a number of key scientific concepts for our most far-ranging and “out there” prose.

Read more about Panel 2.2 Science Fiction in Science Fact: Myth-Busting with the National Association of Science Writers

We’ve come a long way since early commercial science fiction, which boasted scientific components that were often wedged in as heavy-handed asides to the plot. Now, we still have SFF writers who can rock a good scientific tangent, and others who have subtler strategies for depicting scientific concepts well in their speculative prose. In this opening panel for Quasar: Day 2, we’re thrilled to talk with accomplished SFF writers who have differently blended fact in fiction. Join us to figure out which approach is right for you!

Join moderator Kemi Ashing-Gawa, in conversation with Julie Nováková, Steven D. Brewer, Gabrielle K. Byrne, and Bert-Oliver Boehmer.

Read more about Panel 2.1 Science Fact in Science Fiction: Getting It Right in SFF

Collaboration is an essential part of many SFF projects, but it’s not always easy. Whether working in video games and shared narrative worlds, or with editors and sensitivity readers, there will be challenges as well as rewards. How much expectation-setting is necessary? What can we do to keep our professional partnerships healthy and mutually rewarding? What do we do when they aren’t working out? Join our panel in talking from experience about how best to work collaboratively in the genre.

We’re collaborating with Anthony Eichenlaub, Sydnee Thompson, Darusha Wehm, and Rosemary Jones on this event!

Read more about Panel 1.4 SFF Collaboration Done Right

One of the most important lessons writers learn over their careers is adaptation. There is no “one size fits all” for creative success, especially when each of us has a different relationship to disability, illness, and neuro-variation. What happens when that relationship is further changed mid-stream? When something that worked for you for years is now affected by new challenges? For Quasar, SFF creators share their experiences with adjusted workflows, and offer insight into centering wellness all along.

We’re delighted to be in conversation with Eugen Bacon, Scott Edelman, Vanessa Ricci-Thode, and Catherine Tavares.

Read more about Panel 1.3 Centering Wellness as Creators

Sometimes art emulates life, and sometimes life emulates art. For writers who also do the work of developing stronger community networks, worldbuilding strategies show up in far more than plans for the latest story draft. What lessons for better community organizing can we take from SFF, and how does our work in community organizing improve the speculative tales we tell? This year at Quasar, four dynamic creators will invite you to think more ambitiously about how you dream up community – on the page, and in the world around you. Join us for a co-facilitated conversation between BrightFlame, Curtis Chen, and James Stegall.

Read more about Panel 1.2 Mutual Resilience: How SFF Writers Build Community On and Off the Page

Independent authors exist across mediums, publishing books, analog games, video games, comics, and more. But for all the diversity in their final products, Indie creators face many similar struggles – with distribution platforms, payment models, and promotions strategies. If you’re an indie or hybrid SFF creator, don’t miss this pragmatic industry chat across the indie landscape. We’ll explore common pitfalls and survival tactics for SFF writers who are doing most of the work alone – but in a system where indie creators are always stronger together.

Alexis Westmore will moderate our dynamic chat between Joan Marie Verba, Jessica Maison, Karrie Shao, and Richard Ruane.

Read more about Panel 1.1 Shared Challenges for Multimedia Indie Creators

If you can’t see the stream, make sure you are logged in at the top right.

This year, the Nebulas celebrated indie publishing in fine form with the Andre Norton Award going to Vanessa Ricci-Thode, an indie-published author.

Now it’s time to dive in and see what the rest of SFWA Indie is up to, with readings and author Q&As from some of our most dedicated members. This event is open to the public, and we look forward to showing you how the power of the written word transcends all publishing forms. Stop by and learn about SFWA Indie’s latest!

Read more about Indie Author Spotlight Reading