Replay the Nebula Conference

Inventing Language

May 12, 2023 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Authors, code-breakers, language lovers (and haters): It’s not as hard as you think to begin crafting a new language. Using simple approaches, we’ll begin building a language together, looking at culture, grammar, alphabets, and more. Tools anyone can use!

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Sauúti: An Afro-centric universe

May 12, 2023 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

The Sauútiverse is an African collective initiative, drawing from the Swahili word ‘sauti’ that means ‘voice’ to create a five-planet system orbiting a binary star. A world rooted deeply in a variety of African mythology, language, and culture. Sauúti weaves in an intricate magic system based on sound, oral traditions and music.

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Authors Growing through Gaming

May 12, 2023 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Video and tabletop games offer their audiences the unique opportunity to engage in the character development, worldbuilding, and direction of a narrative. Game writers and enthusiasts discuss how designing, writing for, and even playing games can improve an author’s skills and imagination.

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Writing a Moving Target: AI for the Bewildered

May 12, 2023 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

One of the most startling aspects of today’s artificial intelligence landscape has been the rapidity with which it has recently developed. What is a science fiction writer to do when new breakthroughs arrive faster than submission responses? Our panel brings you the basics you need to understand and write about what you’re seeing, their thoughts on trends to watch, and developments that are (probably) still safely far off.

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Choose Your Happily Ever After: Writing the Interactive Novel

May 12, 2023 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Panelists: Rebecca Slitt, Sydney Meeker, SL Huang and Ruth Vincent (moderator)

What is an interactive novel? How does modern interactive fiction differ from the choose-your-own-adventure books of our childhood? How do we make readers/players feel like their choices matter in the story? Join us to explore how interactive fiction can be a bridge between gaming and reading, change the way we think about linear story structure, and give readers the satisfaction of having agency in creating their own story.

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All Things Critique Groups

May 12, 2023 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm

A discussion about all things critique group: How to find one, how to make start one, and how to maintain one successfully. Let’s talk about how to find participants and set expectations. Let’s consider different options for how critiques are approached. What steps can you take to ensure that everyone is welcome and comfortable, especially members of marginalized groups?

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Southern California Science Fiction History

May 12, 2023 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Panelists: Jacob Weisman and David Sandner

From Philip K. Dick in Orange County, Frank Herbert, Ray Bradbury, and Steampunk’s origins in SoCal, to ‘zine history and more. Join us for an overview of Science Fiction history in the Nebula’s home state.

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Prep Tips for Your Debut Indie Book Launch

May 12, 2023 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Panelists: Kyle Massa, Jonathan Brazee, T.J. Deschamps and KC Grifant (moderator)

Whether publishing a small-press or publishing on your own, the debut novel can be intimidating. Learn about tips for marketing, social media, and “must-dos” to prepare for your book launch.

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Perfecting the Pitch: Queries, One-Liners, and More

May 12, 2023 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Writing a novel and marketing a novel are entirely separate skillsets, but all authors must pitch their books at some point – to agents, to potential readers, and other professional connections. Join us to discuss how to distill your narrative into a memorable, compelling concept you can easily deliver.

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Author Branding for Introverts and Imposters

May 12, 2023 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Authors in traditional publishing, indie publishing, and self-publishing are all expected to do a tremendous amount of the lifting in their own promotion. This part of the job of being an author stirs lots of emotional issues for many authors. This session will explore how to identify your own brand as an author and harness the power of enthusiasm to bypass imposter syndrome and prioritize self-care while finding your audience. This course is taught by a painful introvert who manages to read as gregarious extrovert.

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The Middle Path: Small-Press Publishing

May 12, 2023 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm

In between traditional publishing and self-publishing lies the land of small press. Authors who’ve been published by small publishers and editors or directors of small publishing companies discuss the joys and stresses of taking part in this alternative path to publication.

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The Queer Imagination: Using SFF to Explore LGBTQ+ Identities, Relationships, and Experiences

May 12, 2023 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Join us to explore how science fiction, fantasy, and other speculative genres can be used to challenge heteronormative assumptions and envision new possibilities for queer representation.

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The Case for the Awkward Length

May 12, 2023 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Panelists: William Ledbetter, S.B. Divya, LP Kindred and Marie Vibbert (moderator)

How do you know when a story shouldn’t be inflated or deflated simply to fit traditional market standards? What happens when a manuscript is too long for the short story markets, but too short to be considered a novel? This panel will blend craft and business to explore how authors can approach novella and novelette projects, as well as publication paths in an area with limited opportunities.

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Funding & Crowdfunding your Project

May 12, 2023 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Confused about how crowdfunding works and wondering if there are other options? This panel will discuss current and emerging strategies, crowdfunding campaigns, and other ideas for financing your creative projects.

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Caribbean Futurisms

May 13, 2023 9:00 am to 10:00 am

Panelists: Glenn Parris, Premee Mohamed, R.S.A. Garcia and E.G. Condé (moderator)

What is the future of the Caribbean? What kinds of futures are Caribbean writers imagining from the rich, complicated history of archipelagoes they call home? How are the African, European, Asian, and Indigenous aspects of Caribbean history, identity, and heritage incorporated in the stories and worlds of Caribbean creators? In this panel, we celebrate Caribbean writers and discuss the promise, challenges, and politics of speculative fiction set in or inspired by the Caribbean. We use an inclusive definition of the Caribbean to include everyone from indigenous peoples like the Kalinago, Taíno, Ciguayo, Guanahatabey, and Garifuna, to diasporic African peoples like the Yoruba, migrants from South and East Asia, and the European powers that colonized the region. Topics discussed include the race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and the legacies of past and ongoing colonialisms in the region.

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Navigating the Debut Year: Insights from Middle Grade and YA Authors

May 13, 2023 9:00 am to 10:00 am

Panelists: Refe Tuma, Sylvia Liu, Elisa A. Bonnin and Judy I. Lin (moderator)

Our panel of debut middle grade and YA SFF authors share their experiences and insights on how to navigate the debut year. Tips for marketing to libraries and bookstores, how to set up launch events, and how to avoid marketing burnout.

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Beyond the 99¢ eBook: Producing Quality Indie SFF Novels

May 13, 2023 9:00 am to 10:00 am

Panelists: Mark Coker, S.G. Blaise, James Kennedy and Kyle Massa (moderator)

Hear from a panel of seasoned indie and small press published authors about their tips for creating a high-quality SFF book that rivals books produced by corporate publishing. Where do they source editors? What steps do they take to produce a book? Hear tips for when to do-it-yourself and what is best hired out to a professional.

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Creating Vast Worlds and Keeping Track of Them

May 13, 2023 9:00 am to 10:00 am

Building a big world? Learn ways authors can make their worlds feel vast and immersive for readers without losing track of the details.

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Indie Publishing: Go Your Own Way

May 13, 2023 10:30 am to 11:30 am

Everyone talks about all the things that authors *should* do, especially when it comes to indie publishing. But everything doesn’t work for everyone. Get some tips, tricks, and insights from authors who have gone their own way when it comes to indie publishing.

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Unusual Short Story Formats

May 13, 2023 10:30 am to 11:30 am

As a medium, the short story offers the unique opportunity for experimentation. Join us as we explore unconventional and unique narrative techniques in notable short stories.

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Feeling Optimistic? Imagining Brighter SFF Futures

May 13, 2023 10:30 am to 11:30 am

Are you feeling the call to write more optimistic science fiction? You’re not alone. Join this panel to discuss stories that envision a brighter world and how we can build it.

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Editing Games

May 13, 2023 10:30 am to 11:30 am

Writing for videogames, RPGs, and boardgames draws on some of the same skillset as writing fiction, but it can also include technical writing, specialized types of dialogue, and more. So what does it mean to _edit_ this kind of text? What techniques do editors use to ensure that the text of a game is clear, vivid, and effective?

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Meeting Young Readers Where They Are: Creating Connections with Schools and Libraries

May 13, 2023 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Panelists: Risa Wolf, Angela Smith, Lisa Stringfellow and Amber Morrell (moderator)

Authors and librarians discuss the importance of building strong relationships with schools and libraries. How do you set up a school visit? How do you create an engaging program for students? How can you get your book into the library? How can authors collaborate with librarians?

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Writing and Publishing in English as Second Language

May 13, 2023 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

A discussion of challenges faced and overcome by writers for whom English is the second/foreign language.

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I Just Wrote My Sci-Fi Novel – Now What?

May 13, 2023 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

You’ve done it. Your sci-fi novel is complete and betas came back positive. But now what? Join this panel to learn about the various options, from querying to self-publishing, and get information to help you determine what the next steps in your publishing journey are.

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Writing Scripted Sci-Fi/Fantasy Podcasts

May 13, 2023 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Want to know how authors are writing podcast audio dramas and finding their audience? Join writers who have broken in to this space to discuss storytelling, casting, recording, and more!

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Black Speculative Fiction: Urban Fantasy and Beyond

May 13, 2023 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

From Octavia Butler’s “Kindred” to LA Bank’s Vampire Huntress series, Urban fantasy (fantasy that takes place in modern cities) is a subgenre frequently embraced by Black authors who write science fiction, fantasy, and horror authors, and especially by African American authors, but it is not the only thing we write. Why is the genre so popular with Black authors? And why is the popular genre, which is particularly associated with African Americans, so often maligned?

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SFF Romance: Making Tropes Work For You While Avoiding Cliches

May 13, 2023 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Whether it’s enemies to lovers, love triangles, arranged marriages or shifters, highlighting tropes is a useful tool to help connect the right readers to the right story. As writers, knowing how to break down tropes to their essential pieces and create a unique spin that avoids cliche will bring readers back for more. Join us and find out how to harness tropes in your writing and your marketing, romance or not!

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Writing for Virtual Reality

May 13, 2023 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Panelists: Kimberly Unger, Matt Toner and Rob Swigart (moderator)

Virtual reality has made the jump from a science-fictional concept to a present-day reality. While exactly what virtual reality will become is still up for debate, we can start to think about getting ahead of the game and what kinds of writing are going to thrive in a world where we are all more deeply connected.

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Navigating Short Story Markets

May 13, 2023 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Choosing markets, preparing submissions, themed anthologies, and coping with rejection.

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Career Metamorphosis: Shifting or Expanding Genres, Formats, or Focus as a Writer

May 13, 2023 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Panelists: Sarah Branson, Erin Roberts, Nicola Griffith and Walt Boyes (moderator)

Writers who have successfully changed or added to their original areas of focus (e.g., going from novels to short stories or vice versa; going from writing for kids/YA to adult or vice versa) discuss their experiences and challenges and offer advice for other writers looking to transform or expand their own writing endeavors.

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Trauma and Time Travel

May 13, 2023 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

In an era of mass shootings, violence by law enforcement, rising rates of suicide among young people, and other crises, issues of trauma and PTSD loom large. Time travel, a mainstay of speculative fiction for more than a century, can offer insight into and reflection on key aspects of trauma, such as bodily dissociation and perseverative memory. Members of the SFWA community discuss the roles sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and related genres play in conversations about trauma and PTSD.

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The State of the YA and MG Market

May 13, 2023 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Panelists: Amber Morrell, José Pablo Iriarte and Effie Seiberg (moderator)

Now that we’re in the next phase of the pandemic, how has this shifted the MG and YA market? How has the recent editorial churn affected the landscape? What does this mean for acquisitions, timing of edits, number of new releases, willingness to take a risk on debut authors, and more?

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For The Love of Short Fiction 2022

May 13, 2023 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Come celebrate the best of short fiction 2022. After reading a sample from recent works that took each panel member’s breath away, they’ll discuss the techniques, voice, or other characteristics that made the piece so great.

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Exploring Possibilities with Legal Systems in SFF

May 13, 2023 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Panelists: Amy Sundberg, Sarena Straus, Julia Vee and J.R.H. Lawless (moderator)

Exploring with authors who are also legal professionals what the choices are when it comes to legal systems, how crucial these are to worldbuilding, and how they are a major tool in exploring new speculative possibilities in terms of social organization.

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Neurodiversity and Writing: There’s No One Correct Way to Write

May 13, 2023 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Neurodiverse authors have always been around. However, some of the most famous writing advice out there — such as put your butt in a chair and write, or write 1000 words a day — can actually be harmful to or counterproductive for neurodiverse writers. In this panel, a group of neurodiverse authors will share writing advice that works for them and may also work for other writers who are autistic, have ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia, bipolar disorder, or other diverse ways of experiencing the world.

If you do not see the stream window, be sure to login at the top of this page. Registered attendees of the 2023 Nebula Conference will be able to participate upon logging in. If you still need to register, visit the home page!

Mothers and Strong Women in Speculative Fiction

May 14, 2023 9:00 am to 10:00 am

Panelists: Fiona Moore, Natalie Wright, April White and Corrine Kumar (moderator)

Strong female protagonists drive stories and their own fates in speculative fiction. This panel discusses work that features hero-women as mothers and protagonists with agency.

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The Rise of the Unquiet Voice

May 14, 2023 9:00 am to 10:00 am

“The Rise of the Unquiet Voice.” Panelists discuss the success of Asian voices in popular media. From the success of recent books like Black Cranes, Tortured Willows and now Unquiet Spirits, to recent award sweepers like Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. It seems obvious that people are hungry for more variety. Are publishers listening?

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An Analysis of Popular 2022 Novel Titles and Covers

May 14, 2023 9:00 am to 10:00 am

Panelists: M. S. Ewing

Ever feel like all book covers are starting to look the same? Or that book titles are using the same formula? But… does the data actually support this? Join in for a discussion of the results of a meta-analysis of the covers and titles of the most popular books in 2022.

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Branding and Marketing: Finding That Return on Investment

May 14, 2023 9:00 am to 10:00 am

When authors attempt to brand and market themselves, there’s no shortage of ads, programs, promos, offers to help you. It can be exhausting to do it all, but you also don’t want to miss any opportunities. What works? What’s worth your time? What will give you the greatest return on your investment?

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Latine/x and Indigenous Perspectives

May 14, 2023 10:30 am to 11:30 am

Panelists: Sydney Meeker, E.M. Markoff, E.G. Condé and Ruth Joffre (moderator)

This panel will focus on creating community, bridging difference, and challenging racism from within and without, from Latine/x and Indigenous perspectives.

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Sating the Need: Writing a Satisfying Romantic Subplot

May 14, 2023 10:30 am to 11:30 am

Want to perfect that romantic subplot to add character depth and, potentially, heat to your story? Panelists will discuss the purpose of romantic subplots, how to use them effectively, and what makes them satisfying for cross-genre readers.

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The Rise of AI and the Impact on Writers

May 14, 2023 10:30 am to 11:30 am

Panelists: Anna Ziegelhof, S.B. Divya, Tom Taulli and Kagan Tumer (moderator)

This panel will include discussions of AI tools—how they are developed, presented, and advanced—and how they could, should, or should not change the writing industry.

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The Landscape for Authors and Agents

May 14, 2023 10:30 am to 11:30 am

Learn what agents care about, how SFF markets have shifted, how authors looking for representation can best frame their projects and current body of work, and what to expect from an author/agent relationship.

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The Work of Robin McKinley

May 14, 2023 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Discuss the works of this year’s new grandmaster and her influence on the field.

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Miscellaneous Madness: Designing, Editing, and Publishing a Fantastic Fiction Anthology

May 14, 2023 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Interested in publishing an anthology but unsure of how to get started? Find out how these panelists planned their anthologies and worked with their writers. Learn about the challenges of editing, organizing, and publishing a gripping collection of speculative fiction.

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Welcome to the Writers’ Room

May 14, 2023 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Come meet our panel of experts who explore the collaborative environment of the TV writers’ room, what it’s like to write for TV, and other considerations when writing for the screen.

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Control Your Book Promotion

May 14, 2023 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Panelists: Michael R. Underwood, KC Grifant, S.G. Blaise and Mark Coker (moderator)

Discover how to navigate the abundance of promotional options for your book, as well as tips, insights, and lessons learned from those who cold-called bookshops.

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Virtual Reality and SFF Story-Sharing: The Meeting of Imagination and High-Tech

May 14, 2023 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Virtual reality is set to explode onto the gaming scene as is the conventional media industry in general. Writing science fiction often entails a vivid mental vision of characters engaged in a moving, very real, all-enveloping environment. So, how will this meeting of the imagination and high-tech living dreamscapes happen? Will novels step up from book, e-book, audiobook, to VR book? How can authors get their hands on (hands in!) VR products and the tech industry’s vision of the future might enlighten us all as to what to expect in our writing lifetime?

If you do not see the stream window, be sure to login at the top of this page. Registered attendees of the 2023 Nebula Conference will be able to participate upon logging in. If you still need to register, visit the home page!

Diving into Dark Academia

May 14, 2023 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

This panel will analyze this relatively new subgenre and its overlaps with SFF. What are the essential aesthetic and plot elements? What kind of commentary, if any, does this subgenre make about higher education?

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The Ecology of Worldbuilding

May 14, 2023 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Panelists: Walt Boyes, J. Dianne Dotson, Ray Nayler and E.M. Markoff (moderator)

All organisms have a physical relationship with their environment. This panel discusses how writers can incorporate ecology into SFF and horror stories.

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Surviving Revising

May 14, 2023 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Many authors considering drafting the “fun” part, there are no rules, messy parts can be glossed over, and you experience that satisfaction of typing “The End.” But without a roadmap for the first, second, and even eighth re-write, revision can seem frustrating and endless. Join us as we discuss methods of improving (and not just changing) a manuscript, maintaining energy and interest in a project, and how to recognize when a piece is “done.”

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 Sticking the Short Story Landing

July 29, 2023 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Panelists: Mia Tsai, Anna Kashina, James Beamon and Rob Hart (moderator)

The cliche is that the character dies in the end… because satisfying conclusions are so tricky with so little space? Do three act structures apply? How do you approach a short story with a strong resolution in mind? Join this session to discuss.

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Organization for Indie and Hybrid Writers

August 19, 2023 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

One of the challenges facing the indie writer, especially one with limited means, is how to organize the different roles you need to play–writer, editor, promoter, and so on. If you’re also submitting work to traditional publishers, how do you keep it all together?

 

If you do not see the stream window, be sure to login at the top of this page. Registered attendees of the 2023 Nebula Conference will be able to participate upon logging in. If you still need to register, visit the home page!

Genre Benders and Blenders: Storytelling Beyond the Tropes and Conventions

September 30, 2023 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Genre categories and conventions can set expectations with readers, but to some authors they represent limitations to the imagination. However, a story that subverts “the rules” can be challenging to place in the market–how can authors find an audience for books that break the mold? Join us as we experiment and celebrate coloring outside the lines!

If you do not see the stream window, be sure to login at the top of this page. Registered attendees of the 2023 Nebula Conference will be able to participate upon logging in. If you still need to register, visit the home page!

A Crowdfunding Case Study

December 2, 2023 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Panelists: Carrie Vaughn

Carrie Vaughn talks about her recent Kickstarter campaign for her new short story collection – How she did it, what she learned as a mid-career author running her first campaign, and what advice she has for other authors new to Kickstarter.

 

If you do not see the stream window, be sure to login at the top of this page. Registered attendees of the 2023 Nebula Conference will be able to participate upon logging in. If you still need to register, visit the home page!

Nature is Terrifying: Writing Horror in and about the Outdoors

December 9, 2023 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm

When we spend time outside, our senses tend to be on high alert. Drawing upon visceral memories (your own or someone else’s) can be absolutely fantastic fodder for horror stories. Writers who love or have have successfully used the outdoors as setting or premise for their sinister tales discuss the many horrors waiting for us right outside our flimsy doors.

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