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Below, you will find the full agenda for NerdCon: Stories 2016! 

Feel free to browse around, build your customized schedule, and study up on our featured guests.

Some small changes to this schedule may happen.

Learn more about NerdCon: Stories 2016 and get tickets at nerdconstories.com.
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Thursday, October 13
 

12:00pm CDT

Registration Check-In
Come check in for the event! Bring your ID or a printed out copy of your ticket.
Thursday October 13, 2016 12:00pm - 8:00pm CDT
Lobby B
 
Friday, October 14
 

7:00am CDT

Registration Check-In
Come check in for the event! Bring your ID or a printed out copy of your ticket.
Friday October 14, 2016 7:00am - 6:00pm CDT
Lobby B

8:00am CDT

Dungeons & Dragons Yoga Adventure
It's a critical hit! You and your party face the forces of evil in this Dungeons and Dragons-themed narrated yogic adventure. Your YogaQuest is guided by a narrator and a certified yoga instructor, as the class embarks on an epic, and often ridiculous, journey through a popular fandom. No previous yoga experience, special clothing or mats necessary. Pose nerdy with us!
Friday October 14, 2016 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Room M100 G
  Activity

8:00am CDT

Expo Hall Open
The Expo Hall is open from 8 AM - 6 PM on both Friday and Saturday.

Things that are in the Expo Hall include:
- Vendors of art, books, and more
- A board game zone stocked with a supply of storytelling-based games
- A community wall with lots of writing prompts
- The Depict-O-Mat, a magical storytelling machine
- A zine-making station
- The Harry Potter Alliance's Apparating Library - A progressive, community-generated library built by fans around the world. On Friday, bring one book to be catalogued into the HPA's global library system. Pick out a book you love that you want to share with someone else and feel free to leave notes or annotate the book for its next reader!  In exchange, on Saturday, you'll get to leave with a book brought by someone else. 
- And MORE! 
Friday October 14, 2016 8:00am - 6:00pm CDT
Expo Hall

8:00am CDT

Quiet Room Open
The Quiet Room is a space for attendees to take a break, get some writing done, or otherwise chill out...quietly!
Friday October 14, 2016 8:00am - 10:00pm CDT
Ballroom B

9:00am CDT

Friendshipping
Join Jenn and Trin of Cards Against Humanity in a live discussion about friendship. They’ll take audience questions and do their best to answer the tricky stuff, like how do I stop feeling jealous of successful friends? What if I have a crush on my BFF? Should I ask my friend why she unfollowed me on Twitter?
Speakers
avatar for Jenn Bane
avatar for Trin Garritano

Friday October 14, 2016 9:00am - 10:30am CDT
Ballroom A
  Live Podcast

9:00am CDT

Friday Morning Variety Show
Hosted by Dessa Darling and Darin Ross
Featuring:
- A welcome video from Hank
- Poetry by Rachel Kann
- A reading by Saladin Ahmed
- A reading scored live by Daniel José Older and Kevin MacLeod
- Juvenilia read by Cindy Pon, Nalo Hopkinson, and Paul DeGeorge
- A talk by Julián Gómez
- Leslie Datsis and Patricia Wheeler in conversation
- A talk by Kate Rudd
Speakers
avatar for Saladin Ahmed

Saladin Ahmed

Saladin Ahmed's novel THRONE OF THE CRESCENT MOON, praised by George RR Martin as 'a rollicking swashbuckler,' was nominated for the Hugo and Nebula awards, and won the Locus Award for Best First Novel. His nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times, BuzzFeed, and Salon. He lives... Read More →
avatar for Leslie Datsis

Leslie Datsis

Leslie Datsis’s work focuses on how stories contribute to community building. She has been hosting story circles at conferences all over the country since 2013, and her newest project Story Circle DC is a year long experiment with story circles in the Washington, DC area. Leslie... Read More →
avatar for Paul DeGeorge
avatar for Dessa

Dessa

Dessa is a rapper, writer, speaker, and a proud member of the Minneapolis hip hop collective, Doom.t.ree. The Utne Reader calls her, “A one-woman powerhouse…with a literary sensibility and an aversion to genre clichés.” Her most recent album, Parts of Speech, debuted at #76... Read More →
avatar for Julián Gustavo Gómez

Julián Gustavo Gómez

Julián Gustavo Gómez is the Campus Engagement Manager at Define American, where he works on growing the Define American College Chapters program. The chapters are student-led initiatives using the power of stories to change the conversation on immigrants and identity in college... Read More →
avatar for Nalo Hopkinson

Nalo Hopkinson

Nalo Hopkinson, born in Jamaica, is the author of eight books of fiction and a chapbook, and the editor/co-editor of four fiction anthologies. She is a recipient of the John W. Campbell Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Andre Norton Award, and a two-time recipient of the Sunburst... Read More →
avatar for Rachel Kann

Rachel Kann

Rachel Kann is a Write Club Los Angeles champ and resident writer for Hevria and resident performing artist on The Hevria Sessions. Her poetry has been featured at TEDx, on Morning Becomes Eclectic on NPR and as The Weather on the podcast phenomenon, Welcome to Night Vale. She’s... Read More →
avatar for Kevin MacLeod

Kevin MacLeod

Kevin MacLeod, a composer known for his Creative Commons licensed royalty-free music, has a catalog of more than two thousand songs. By giving away his music, he has unwittingly become one of the most heard composers in the world. From KFC commercials to Martin Scorsese’s Hugo... Read More →
avatar for Daniel José Older

Daniel José Older

Daniel José Older is the author of the Bone Street Rumba urban fantasy series from Penguin’s Roc Books and the New York Times bestselling Young Adult novel Shadowshaper (Scholastic, 2015), which was nominated for the Kirkus Prize in Young Readers’ Literature, the Norton Award... Read More →
avatar for Cindy Pon

Cindy Pon

Cindy Pon is the author of Silver Phoenix (Greenwillow), named one of the Top Ten Fantasy and Science Fiction Books for Youth by Booklist, and one of 2009′s best Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror by VOYA. Her most recent novel, Serpentine (Month9Books), is a Junior Library Guild... Read More →
avatar for Darin Ross

Darin Ross

Darin is the creator of the storytelling project Find the Starlight and the party games Superfight and Red Flags. His work can be found at FeatherAndMatch.com.
avatar for Kate Rudd

Kate Rudd

Kate Rudd, winner of the 2013 Audie and Odyssey Awards for her narration of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars and multiple Audiofile Magazine Earphones award recipient, has narrated over 300 titles across a variety of genres. Kate can be found at katerudd.com.
avatar for Patricia Wheeler

Patricia Wheeler

Patricia is a writer, storyteller, and producer from Hell, Michigan. Her work centers on trauma, relationships, and other lightweight subjects. She is The Moth’s Michigan StorySLAM producer.

Friday October 14, 2016 9:00am - 10:30am CDT
Auditorium
  Variety Show

9:30am CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Alyssa Wong
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Alyssa Wong

Alyssa Wong

Alyssa Wong studies fiction in Raleigh, NC, and really, really likes crows. Her story, “Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers,” won the 2015 Nebula Award for Best Short Story, and her short fiction has been nominated for many other awards, including the Pushcart Prize, the Bram... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
Room M100 E
  Kaffeeklatsch

9:30am CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Ben Acker & Ben Blacker
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Ben Acker

Ben Acker

Ben Acker and Ben Blacker are the creators and writers of the Thrilling Adventure Hour, a staged show in the style of old time radio, which is also an award-winning podcast. They’ve written for television (including Supernatural and Cassius and Clay) and comic books (including Flash... Read More →
avatar for Ben Blacker

Ben Blacker

Ben Acker and Ben Blacker are the creators and writers of the Thrilling Adventure Hour, a staged show in the style of old time radio, which is also an award-winning podcast. They’ve written for television (including Supernatural and Cassius and Clay) and comic books (including Flash... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
Room M100 F
  Kaffeeklatsch

11:00am CDT

Mental Health in Young Adult Literature
The importance of stories takes on added significance when we look at how mental health issues are depicted in young adult novels. 1 in 5 teens will be diagnosed with some type of mental health issue; seeing their stories told and knowing they’re not alone can be powerful. These narratives, combined with personal stories of authors and other teen advocates, are helping remove some of the stigma and isolation that can come with this topic.
Speakers
avatar for Amanda MacGregor

Friday October 14, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 101 A
  Community Programming

11:00am CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Blue Delliquanti
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Blue Delliquanti

Blue Delliquanti

Blue Delliquanti is a comic artist based in Minneapolis. She is the creator of the Ignatz- and Lambda-nominated webcomic O Human Star. Her work has also appeared in multiple comics anthologies, including Beyond, Smut Peddler, and New World.

Friday October 14, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Room M100 F
  Kaffeeklatsch

11:00am CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - John Scalzi
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for John Scalzi

John Scalzi

John Scalzi writes science fiction. He like pie. HE BREATHES FIRE. One of these previous statements is false. Which one might surprise you.

Friday October 14, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Room M100 E
  Kaffeeklatsch

11:00am CDT

Listen Up!
Creating a compelling story without written words or images can be challenging. How do you weave a gripping narrative with sound? Which storytelling methods work in audio-only formats, and which are universal across mediums? Where is the future of audio-based storytelling headed?
Moderators
avatar for Leslie Datsis

Leslie Datsis

Leslie Datsis’s work focuses on how stories contribute to community building. She has been hosting story circles at conferences all over the country since 2013, and her newest project Story Circle DC is a year long experiment with story circles in the Washington, DC area. Leslie... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Ben Acker

Ben Acker

Ben Acker and Ben Blacker are the creators and writers of the Thrilling Adventure Hour, a staged show in the style of old time radio, which is also an award-winning podcast. They’ve written for television (including Supernatural and Cassius and Clay) and comic books (including Flash... Read More →
CF
avatar for John Green

John Green

John Green is the award-winning, #1 bestselling author of Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, Will Grayson, Will Grayson (with David Levithan), and The Fault in Our Stars. His many accolades include the Printz Medal, a Printz Honor, and the Edgar Award. He... Read More →
SK

Sean Kelley

Improvised Star Trek

Friday October 14, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Ballroom A
  Panel

11:00am CDT

Sotto Voce: Finding Your Voice
Voice is an amorphous term, which can mean either the aesthetic voice of a piece or the personal voice of the creator. How much overlap is there between the two voices? How do you develop one without ignoring the needs of the other?
Moderators
avatar for Rives

Rives

Rives is a poet from NYC. He was a cast member on “HBO’s Def Poetry Jam” and has six talks on TED.com (but who doesn’t?). Rives favors what everybody favors: wordplay, romance, house plants, motorcycles and the National Register of Historic Places.

Speakers
avatar for Wesley Chu

Wesley Chu

Wesley Chu is an award-winning science fiction author with published seven books. He won the 2015 John W. Campbell Best New Writer Award. His debut novel, The Lives of Tao, earned him the Alex Award by the Young Adult Library Services Association and was selected by Goodreads as a... Read More →
avatar for Rachel Kann

Rachel Kann

Rachel Kann is a Write Club Los Angeles champ and resident writer for Hevria and resident performing artist on The Hevria Sessions. Her poetry has been featured at TEDx, on Morning Becomes Eclectic on NPR and as The Weather on the podcast phenomenon, Welcome to Night Vale. She’s... Read More →
avatar for Raghav Mehta

Raghav Mehta

Raghav Mehta is an aggressively nervous comedian and writer living and breathing in the frosty metropolis of Minneapolis, MN. He has performed at the prestigious Bridgetown Comedy Festival in Portland, OR and was named one of Growler’s ‘Top 5 MN Comics To Watch’ in 2015. He’s... Read More →
avatar for Sandeep Parikh

Sandeep Parikh

Sandeep is a talented writer/director/actor. He is best known for playing the affable stalker Zaboo on multi-award winning web series THE GUILD. His TV appearances include NEW GIRL, CALIFORNICATION, COMMUNITY, and THE CRAZY ONES. He is also known for his involvement in Comedy Central's... Read More →
avatar for Patricia Wheeler

Patricia Wheeler

Patricia is a writer, storyteller, and producer from Hell, Michigan. Her work centers on trauma, relationships, and other lightweight subjects. She is The Moth’s Michigan StorySLAM producer.

Friday October 14, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 101 DE
  Panel

11:00am CDT

Why Do I Feel Like the Rules Keep Changing?
As conversations about race, gender, and sexuality continue to evolve, it often can feel like the "rules" for what is acceptable change. Why does this happen, and how can we respond to those changes?
Moderators
avatar for Julián Gustavo Gómez

Julián Gustavo Gómez

Julián Gustavo Gómez is the Campus Engagement Manager at Define American, where he works on growing the Define American College Chapters program. The chapters are student-led initiatives using the power of stories to change the conversation on immigrants and identity in college... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Nalo Hopkinson

Nalo Hopkinson

Nalo Hopkinson, born in Jamaica, is the author of eight books of fiction and a chapbook, and the editor/co-editor of four fiction anthologies. She is a recipient of the John W. Campbell Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Andre Norton Award, and a two-time recipient of the Sunburst... Read More →
avatar for Mikki Kendall

Mikki Kendall

Mikki Kendall aspires to be an over-educated loudmouth with deep pockets. Failing that she manages to be a periodic cyborg who masquerades as a person with a spouse, kids, and all the trappings of quasi respectability. Once gainfully employed by an unnamed agency, she now invests... Read More →
avatar for Daniel José Older

Daniel José Older

Daniel José Older is the author of the Bone Street Rumba urban fantasy series from Penguin’s Roc Books and the New York Times bestselling Young Adult novel Shadowshaper (Scholastic, 2015), which was nominated for the Kirkus Prize in Young Readers’ Literature, the Norton Award... Read More →
avatar for Cindy Pon

Cindy Pon

Cindy Pon is the author of Silver Phoenix (Greenwillow), named one of the Top Ten Fantasy and Science Fiction Books for Youth by Booklist, and one of 2009′s best Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror by VOYA. Her most recent novel, Serpentine (Month9Books), is a Junior Library Guild... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 101 BC
  Panel

11:00am CDT

Signing - Alyssa Wong
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Alyssa Wong

Alyssa Wong

Alyssa Wong studies fiction in Raleigh, NC, and really, really likes crows. Her story, “Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers,” won the 2015 Nebula Award for Best Short Story, and her short fiction has been nominated for many other awards, including the Pushcart Prize, the Bram... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 1
  Signing

11:00am CDT

Signing - Keef Cross
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Keef Cross

Keef Cross

My name is KEEF CROSS and I was born in Gary, Indiana, and raised in Atlanta Georgia. I attended the Columbus College of Art and Design, and after graduation, I began my tattoo apprenticeship. Sixteen years later I am still working as a tattooist, along with being a fine artist and... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 2
  Signing

11:00am CDT

Signing - Kevin MacLeod
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Kevin MacLeod

Kevin MacLeod

Kevin MacLeod, a composer known for his Creative Commons licensed royalty-free music, has a catalog of more than two thousand songs. By giving away his music, he has unwittingly become one of the most heard composers in the world. From KFC commercials to Martin Scorsese’s Hugo... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 3
  Signing

11:00am CDT

Signing - Patrick Rothfuss
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss was born in Madison, Wisconsin to awesome parents. After nine years at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, he accidentally had enough credits to graduate with an English degree. Patrick then went to grad school. He’d rather not talk about it. In March 2007... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 4
  Signing

11:00am CDT

How to Read Aloud
Glossophobia, the fear of public speaking, is one of the most common phobias in the world — above spiders or heights. Think of that… people would rather face a possibly poisonous, eight legged creature than have to express well wishes to a newlywed couple during a toast.  Expert talkers Mary Robinette Kowal and Kate Rudd will teach you how to say words in public with proper enunciation, projection, and confidence!
Speakers
avatar for Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Lady Astronaut series and historical fantasy novels: The Glamourist Histories and Ghost Talkers. She’s the president of SFWA, a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer... Read More →
avatar for Kate Rudd

Kate Rudd

Kate Rudd, winner of the 2013 Audie and Odyssey Awards for her narration of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars and multiple Audiofile Magazine Earphones award recipient, has narrated over 300 titles across a variety of genres. Kate can be found at katerudd.com.

Friday October 14, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 101 J
  Workshop

11:00am CDT

Improv Workshop - Friday
We can’t make you funny, but we can make you funnier. During this interactive session, the hosts of Improvised Star Trek and other Chicago comedians will teach the basics of improv with an emphasis on how to build narrative. Sessions will last an hour, please wear clothes that allow movement. 
Speakers
avatar for Improvised Star Trek

Improvised Star Trek

Improvised Star Trek
Improvised Star Trek is an audio sitcom that takes as it's starting point Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek. For over five years the crew of the USS Sisyphus has combined absurdist parody, character-based comedy, and sparkling audio production to discover what human stories can be found... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Room M100 G
  Workshop

12:30pm CDT

Harry Potter and the Banned Books
Did you know that the Harry Potter series is reigning champion for the most challenged books of the 21st century? This session will cover a brief history of Banned Books, including Harry Potter, from a librarian’s perspective. We’ll talk about recent attempts at book banning & author censoring that have been in the news. And finally, some tips on how to respond when a book is challenged in your school or community.
Speakers
avatar for Barb Bergman

Barb Bergman

Media Services & Interlibrary Loan Librarian, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Barb has been a librarian at Minnesota State University Mankato for twenty years. Her primary area is the video collection, with additional responsibilities as Public Access library (circulation, interlibrary loan, equipment services) and with the K-12 education collections.

Friday October 14, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Room 101 J
  Community Programming

12:30pm CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Cindy Pon
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Cindy Pon

Cindy Pon

Cindy Pon is the author of Silver Phoenix (Greenwillow), named one of the Top Ten Fantasy and Science Fiction Books for Youth by Booklist, and one of 2009′s best Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror by VOYA. Her most recent novel, Serpentine (Month9Books), is a Junior Library Guild... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Room M100 F
  Kaffeeklatsch

12:30pm CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Daniel José Older
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Daniel José Older

Daniel José Older

Daniel José Older is the author of the Bone Street Rumba urban fantasy series from Penguin’s Roc Books and the New York Times bestselling Young Adult novel Shadowshaper (Scholastic, 2015), which was nominated for the Kirkus Prize in Young Readers’ Literature, the Norton Award... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Room M100 E
  Kaffeeklatsch

12:30pm CDT

How to Write Straight Characters
So often, straight characters are defined by their romantic relationship with someone who is the opposite sex. How do you keep a story from being overwhelmed by the sexuality of your main character? Is it possible to have a straight character in a story, without having a romantic relationship to demonstrate their straightness? And how does an LGBTQ storyteller include straight characters, while remaining true to their own values and ideals?
Moderators
avatar for Alyssa Wong

Alyssa Wong

Alyssa Wong studies fiction in Raleigh, NC, and really, really likes crows. Her story, “Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers,” won the 2015 Nebula Award for Best Short Story, and her short fiction has been nominated for many other awards, including the Pushcart Prize, the Bram... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Blue Delliquanti

Blue Delliquanti

Blue Delliquanti is a comic artist based in Minneapolis. She is the creator of the Ignatz- and Lambda-nominated webcomic O Human Star. Her work has also appeared in multiple comics anthologies, including Beyond, Smut Peddler, and New World.
avatar for Nalo Hopkinson

Nalo Hopkinson

Nalo Hopkinson, born in Jamaica, is the author of eight books of fiction and a chapbook, and the editor/co-editor of four fiction anthologies. She is a recipient of the John W. Campbell Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Andre Norton Award, and a two-time recipient of the Sunburst... Read More →
avatar for Amanda Neumann

Amanda Neumann

I'm hosting a community panel on feminist publishing! Let's talk on twitter, become best friends, and make the world a better place together! I volunteer for the Harry Potter Alliance, do freelance writing & editing, and work as the Director of Operations at a local nonprofit arthouse... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Room 101 BC
  Panel

12:30pm CDT

Self-Promotion: Getting the Word Out
Without an audience, art might as well stay in your closet. How do you connect your creative work with your audience? And how do you do it without coming off like a self-important jerk?
Moderators
avatar for John Scalzi

John Scalzi

John Scalzi writes science fiction. He like pie. HE BREATHES FIRE. One of these previous statements is false. Which one might surprise you.

Speakers
avatar for Saladin Ahmed

Saladin Ahmed

Saladin Ahmed's novel THRONE OF THE CRESCENT MOON, praised by George RR Martin as 'a rollicking swashbuckler,' was nominated for the Hugo and Nebula awards, and won the Locus Award for Best First Novel. His nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times, BuzzFeed, and Salon. He lives... Read More →
avatar for Joe DeGeorge
avatar for MariNaomi

MariNaomi

MariNaomi is the award-winning author and illustrator of Kiss & Tell: A Romantic Resume, Ages 0 to 22 (Harper Perennial, 2011), Dragon's Breath and Other True Stories (2dcloud/Uncivilized Books, 2014), Turning Japanese (2dcloud, 2016), I Thought You Hated Me (Retrofit Comics, 2016... Read More →
avatar for Zak Sally

Zak Sally

Zak Sally is an Eisner-Nominated cartoonist (Recidivist and Sammy The Mouse), writer, musician (Low, The Hand), educator, and he is not an actor but was in some movie pretending to urinate. He is the founder and owner of La Mano 21, a “micro-press” publishing house obsessed with... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Room 101 DE
  Panel

12:30pm CDT

Signing - Eileen Cook
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Eileen Cook

Eileen Cook

Eileen Cook is a multi-published author with her novels appearing in eight different languages. She spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer. Her newest book, WITH MALICE, came out in June 2016 and was chosen... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 5
  Signing

12:30pm CDT

Signing - Leslie Carrara-Rudolph
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Leslie Carrara-Rudolph

Leslie Carrara-Rudolph

Leslie Carrara-Rudolph is an Emmy-nominated multifaceted entertainer/artist/puppeteer best known for performing Abby Cadabby on Sesame Street. She has received an UNIMA Citation of Excellence and two Jim Henson Foundation Grants for her stage show "Wake Up Your Weird" which premiered... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 1
  Signing

12:30pm CDT

Signing - M.T. Anderson
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for M.T. Anderson

M.T. Anderson

M.T. Anderson has written stories for adults, picture books for children, adventure novels for young readers, and several books for older readers (both teens and adults). His satirical book Feed was a Finalist for the National Book Award and was the winner of the L.A. Times Book Prize... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 2
  Signing

12:30pm CDT

Signing - Paul & Storm
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Storm DiCostanzo

Storm DiCostanzo

Paul and Storm (Paul Sabourin and Greg “Storm” DiCostanzo) are known internationally and across the Internet for their original comedy music (often with a “nerd-ish” bent). In addition to their own live performances, they are co-founders of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock... Read More →
avatar for Paul Sabourin

Paul Sabourin

Paul, Paul and Storm
Paul Sabourin is one half of comedy/music duo Paul and Storm. He is a co-founder of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock (along with Storm, Wil Wheaton and Adam Savage), and a co-producer of the annual JoCo Cruise. He is a staff writer and co-producer on the past two seasons of... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 3
  Signing

12:30pm CDT

How to Podcast
The difference between a good show and a great show can be nothing more than patience and some basic knowledge. Join indie podcasters as they go over everything from mic technique to producing a finished show in this hands-on workshop. 
Speakers
JT
avatar for Max Temkin

Max Temkin

Max Temkin is a designer from Chicago, Il. His clients include Barack Obama, Jonathan Coulton, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. He makes the games Cards Against Humanity, Secret Hitler, and Humans vs. Zombies. Max hosts a weekly podcast with NYT-Bestselling author Patrick Rothfuss... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Room 101 A
  Workshop

2:00pm CDT

A Brief Exploration of Feminist Publishing
Let's talk about feminist publishing! Its history, its impact, its reason for existing (though, unfortunately, it's pretty obvious). While feminist publishing began by rescuing 'lost' works by female authors, it has grown into so much more. So, let’s keep it going with discussions, writing prompts, and fearless feminism. All are welcome to learn about the history and to create the future!
Speakers
avatar for Amanda Neumann

Amanda Neumann

I'm hosting a community panel on feminist publishing! Let's talk on twitter, become best friends, and make the world a better place together! I volunteer for the Harry Potter Alliance, do freelance writing & editing, and work as the Director of Operations at a local nonprofit arthouse... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room 101 J
  Community Programming

2:00pm CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Jonathan Ying & Katrina Ostrander
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Katrina Ostrander

Katrina Ostrander

Katrina Ostrander is a gamer chick, game master, and fiction editor working at Fantasy Flight Games. She is also a member of the story groups for the Android, Arkham Horror, Legend of the Five Rings, and Runebound universes. Her previous credits include work as a developer on the... Read More →
avatar for Jonathan Ying

Jonathan Ying

Jonathan Ying graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in New York with a Liberal Arts Degree, since then he’s worked with Dreamworks Animation Studios, Fantasy Flight Games, and Harper Collins on a variety of projects. He has designed several popular board games including Star Wars... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room M100 F
  Kaffeeklatsch

2:00pm CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - M.T. Anderson
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for M.T. Anderson

M.T. Anderson

M.T. Anderson has written stories for adults, picture books for children, adventure novels for young readers, and several books for older readers (both teens and adults). His satirical book Feed was a Finalist for the National Book Award and was the winner of the L.A. Times Book Prize... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room M100 E
  Kaffeeklatsch

2:00pm CDT

Adaptation: How Does It Work?
Hear from these creators about the rewards and challenges involved in the process of adaptation across mediums. Podcast to comics? Comics to films? Books to movies or tv? This panel will cover all these forms of transmutation and more!
Moderators
avatar for Eileen Cook

Eileen Cook

Eileen Cook is a multi-published author with her novels appearing in eight different languages. She spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer. Her newest book, WITH MALICE, came out in June 2016 and was chosen... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Ben Blacker

Ben Blacker

Ben Acker and Ben Blacker are the creators and writers of the Thrilling Adventure Hour, a staged show in the style of old time radio, which is also an award-winning podcast. They’ve written for television (including Supernatural and Cassius and Clay) and comic books (including Flash... Read More →
avatar for Keef Cross

Keef Cross

My name is KEEF CROSS and I was born in Gary, Indiana, and raised in Atlanta Georgia. I attended the Columbus College of Art and Design, and after graduation, I began my tattoo apprenticeship. Sixteen years later I am still working as a tattooist, along with being a fine artist and... Read More →
avatar for Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss was born in Madison, Wisconsin to awesome parents. After nine years at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, he accidentally had enough credits to graduate with an English degree. Patrick then went to grad school. He’d rather not talk about it. In March 2007... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room 101 BC
  Panel

2:00pm CDT

Independent Podcasting
How can you produce a great show with $200 and no starting audience? Join members of the Cards Against Humanity’s Chicago Podcast Cooperative as they share their individual stories of producing shows and building their audiences from the ground up.
Moderators
avatar for Max Temkin

Max Temkin

Max Temkin is a designer from Chicago, Il. His clients include Barack Obama, Jonathan Coulton, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. He makes the games Cards Against Humanity, Secret Hitler, and Humans vs. Zombies. Max hosts a weekly podcast with NYT-Bestselling author Patrick Rothfuss... Read More →

Speakers
AC
avatar for Trin Garritano
JT
avatar for Matt Young

Matt Young

Matt Young is an actor, improviser, producer, director, and writer based in Chicago. He’s most well known as Usidore the Wizard from the podcast, Hello from the Magic Tavern. He also leads the inept crew of the U.S.S. Sisyphus as Captain Baxter in the Improvised Star Trek podcast... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room 101 DE
  Panel

2:00pm CDT

Lightning Panels
Join our panel of experts as they talk about, well, anything you want them to. You suggest a topic, they'll talk about it, lightning round style. Who knows what gems of wisdom and hilarity will be produced in this hour!
Moderators
avatar for Storm DiCostanzo

Storm DiCostanzo

Paul and Storm (Paul Sabourin and Greg “Storm” DiCostanzo) are known internationally and across the Internet for their original comedy music (often with a “nerd-ish” bent). In addition to their own live performances, they are co-founders of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Paolo Bacigalupi

Paolo Bacigalupi

Paolo Bacigalupi is probably best known for his debut novel THE WINDUP GIRL, which was as named by TIME Magazine as one of the ten best novels of 2009, and also won the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, Compton Crook, and John W. Campbell Memorial Awards. Internationally, it has won the Seiun... Read More →
avatar for Wesley Chu

Wesley Chu

Wesley Chu is an award-winning science fiction author with published seven books. He won the 2015 John W. Campbell Best New Writer Award. His debut novel, The Lives of Tao, earned him the Alex Award by the Young Adult Library Services Association and was selected by Goodreads as a... Read More →
avatar for Joe DeGeorge
avatar for Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Lady Astronaut series and historical fantasy novels: The Glamourist Histories and Ghost Talkers. She’s the president of SFWA, a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Ballroom A
  Panel

2:00pm CDT

Signing - Rachel Kann
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Rachel Kann

Rachel Kann

Rachel Kann is a Write Club Los Angeles champ and resident writer for Hevria and resident performing artist on The Hevria Sessions. Her poetry has been featured at TEDx, on Morning Becomes Eclectic on NPR and as The Weather on the podcast phenomenon, Welcome to Night Vale. She’s... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 2
  Signing

2:00pm CDT

Signing - Saladin Ahmed
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Saladin Ahmed

Saladin Ahmed

Saladin Ahmed's novel THRONE OF THE CRESCENT MOON, praised by George RR Martin as 'a rollicking swashbuckler,' was nominated for the Hugo and Nebula awards, and won the Locus Award for Best First Novel. His nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times, BuzzFeed, and Salon. He lives... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 3
  Signing

2:00pm CDT

Signing - Sandeep Parikh
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Sandeep Parikh

Sandeep Parikh

Sandeep is a talented writer/director/actor. He is best known for playing the affable stalker Zaboo on multi-award winning web series THE GUILD. His TV appearances include NEW GIRL, CALIFORNICATION, COMMUNITY, and THE CRAZY ONES. He is also known for his involvement in Comedy Central's... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 4
  Signing

2:00pm CDT

Drawing Class
Karen Hallion is one of the best illustrators working today. Her art has been featured by Marvel Comics, Lucas Entertainment, Cartoon Network, Dreamworks Studios, Disney, DFTBA and many more. Join Karen as she teaches attendees techniques and methods on how art can convey a story just as powerfully as the written word. 
Speakers
avatar for Karen Hallion

Karen Hallion

Karen Hallion is originally from Nahant, Massachusetts, located just north of Boston. She is a 1997 graduate of Ringling School of Art and Design and holds a BFA in Illustration. Karen taught elementary school art until 2009 when she transitioned to working full-time as a freelance... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room 101 A
  Workshop

3:30pm CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Mikki Kendall
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Mikki Kendall

Mikki Kendall

Mikki Kendall aspires to be an over-educated loudmouth with deep pockets. Failing that she manages to be a periodic cyborg who masquerades as a person with a spouse, kids, and all the trappings of quasi respectability. Once gainfully employed by an unnamed agency, she now invests... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Room M100 F
  Kaffeeklatsch

3:30pm CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Rachel Kann
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Rachel Kann

Rachel Kann

Rachel Kann is a Write Club Los Angeles champ and resident writer for Hevria and resident performing artist on The Hevria Sessions. Her poetry has been featured at TEDx, on Morning Becomes Eclectic on NPR and as The Weather on the podcast phenomenon, Welcome to Night Vale. She’s... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Room M100 E
  Kaffeeklatsch

3:30pm CDT

Art as Narrative
Art and illustration are often two sides of the same coin. What are the differences between creating art that exists on its own vs. art that is intended to connect to an existing story? Our panelists discuss visual storytelling tools, choices, and goals.
Moderators
avatar for Paul DeGeorge

Speakers
avatar for Keef Cross

Keef Cross

My name is KEEF CROSS and I was born in Gary, Indiana, and raised in Atlanta Georgia. I attended the Columbus College of Art and Design, and after graduation, I began my tattoo apprenticeship. Sixteen years later I am still working as a tattooist, along with being a fine artist and... Read More →
avatar for Blue Delliquanti

Blue Delliquanti

Blue Delliquanti is a comic artist based in Minneapolis. She is the creator of the Ignatz- and Lambda-nominated webcomic O Human Star. Her work has also appeared in multiple comics anthologies, including Beyond, Smut Peddler, and New World.
avatar for Karen Hallion

Karen Hallion

Karen Hallion is originally from Nahant, Massachusetts, located just north of Boston. She is a 1997 graduate of Ringling School of Art and Design and holds a BFA in Illustration. Karen taught elementary school art until 2009 when she transitioned to working full-time as a freelance... Read More →
avatar for MariNaomi

MariNaomi

MariNaomi is the award-winning author and illustrator of Kiss & Tell: A Romantic Resume, Ages 0 to 22 (Harper Perennial, 2011), Dragon's Breath and Other True Stories (2dcloud/Uncivilized Books, 2014), Turning Japanese (2dcloud, 2016), I Thought You Hated Me (Retrofit Comics, 2016... Read More →
avatar for Zak Sally

Zak Sally

Zak Sally is an Eisner-Nominated cartoonist (Recidivist and Sammy The Mouse), writer, musician (Low, The Hand), educator, and he is not an actor but was in some movie pretending to urinate. He is the founder and owner of La Mano 21, a “micro-press” publishing house obsessed with... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Room 101 DE
  Panel

3:30pm CDT

The Writers Panel
Ben Blacker sits down with John Green to talk about the business and process of writing in this live recording of The Writers Panel. 
Speakers
avatar for Ben Blacker

Ben Blacker

Ben Acker and Ben Blacker are the creators and writers of the Thrilling Adventure Hour, a staged show in the style of old time radio, which is also an award-winning podcast. They’ve written for television (including Supernatural and Cassius and Clay) and comic books (including Flash... Read More →
avatar for John Green

John Green

John Green is the award-winning, #1 bestselling author of Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, Will Grayson, Will Grayson (with David Levithan), and The Fault in Our Stars. His many accolades include the Printz Medal, a Printz Honor, and the Edgar Award. He... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 3:30pm - 5:00pm CDT
Ballroom A
  Live Podcast

3:30pm CDT

Friday Afternoon Variety Show
Hosted by Jenn Bane and Sandeep Parikh
Featuring:
- A talk by M.T. Anderson
- A performance by Dessa
- A reading by Cindy Pon
- A talk by John Scalzi
- Stagecraft: Tips, Tricks, & Cheats by Rives
- A talk by Saladin Ahmed
- Paul Sabourin and John Scalzi in conversation
- A talk by Katrina Ostrander
- A live comic reading by MariNaomi
Speakers
avatar for Saladin Ahmed

Saladin Ahmed

Saladin Ahmed's novel THRONE OF THE CRESCENT MOON, praised by George RR Martin as 'a rollicking swashbuckler,' was nominated for the Hugo and Nebula awards, and won the Locus Award for Best First Novel. His nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times, BuzzFeed, and Salon. He lives... Read More →
avatar for M.T. Anderson

M.T. Anderson

M.T. Anderson has written stories for adults, picture books for children, adventure novels for young readers, and several books for older readers (both teens and adults). His satirical book Feed was a Finalist for the National Book Award and was the winner of the L.A. Times Book Prize... Read More →
avatar for Jenn Bane
avatar for Dessa

Dessa

Dessa is a rapper, writer, speaker, and a proud member of the Minneapolis hip hop collective, Doom.t.ree. The Utne Reader calls her, “A one-woman powerhouse…with a literary sensibility and an aversion to genre clichés.” Her most recent album, Parts of Speech, debuted at #76... Read More →
avatar for MariNaomi

MariNaomi

MariNaomi is the award-winning author and illustrator of Kiss & Tell: A Romantic Resume, Ages 0 to 22 (Harper Perennial, 2011), Dragon's Breath and Other True Stories (2dcloud/Uncivilized Books, 2014), Turning Japanese (2dcloud, 2016), I Thought You Hated Me (Retrofit Comics, 2016... Read More →
avatar for Katrina Ostrander

Katrina Ostrander

Katrina Ostrander is a gamer chick, game master, and fiction editor working at Fantasy Flight Games. She is also a member of the story groups for the Android, Arkham Horror, Legend of the Five Rings, and Runebound universes. Her previous credits include work as a developer on the... Read More →
avatar for Sandeep Parikh

Sandeep Parikh

Sandeep is a talented writer/director/actor. He is best known for playing the affable stalker Zaboo on multi-award winning web series THE GUILD. His TV appearances include NEW GIRL, CALIFORNICATION, COMMUNITY, and THE CRAZY ONES. He is also known for his involvement in Comedy Central's... Read More →
avatar for Cindy Pon

Cindy Pon

Cindy Pon is the author of Silver Phoenix (Greenwillow), named one of the Top Ten Fantasy and Science Fiction Books for Youth by Booklist, and one of 2009′s best Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror by VOYA. Her most recent novel, Serpentine (Month9Books), is a Junior Library Guild... Read More →
avatar for Rives

Rives

Rives is a poet from NYC. He was a cast member on “HBO’s Def Poetry Jam” and has six talks on TED.com (but who doesn’t?). Rives favors what everybody favors: wordplay, romance, house plants, motorcycles and the National Register of Historic Places.
avatar for Paul Sabourin

Paul Sabourin

Paul, Paul and Storm
Paul Sabourin is one half of comedy/music duo Paul and Storm. He is a co-founder of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock (along with Storm, Wil Wheaton and Adam Savage), and a co-producer of the annual JoCo Cruise. He is a staff writer and co-producer on the past two seasons of... Read More →
avatar for John Scalzi

John Scalzi

John Scalzi writes science fiction. He like pie. HE BREATHES FIRE. One of these previous statements is false. Which one might surprise you.

Friday October 14, 2016 3:30pm - 5:00pm CDT
Auditorium
  Variety Show

5:00pm CDT

Story Circle - Horrors
Come sit in a circle with your fellow NerdCon: Stories attendees and swap TRUE stories based on the same theme in a judgement free zone, or just listen! Reading aids and small props are welcome, and the time limit for each story is 6 minutes. The Story Circle is the perfect place to make new friends, dive into storytelling, and try something a little bit different.
Theme: Horrors
Scary stories are fun, and nothing is more horrifying than embarrassing stories. Share with us your mortifying experiences that will make the story circle shiver.
Speakers
avatar for Leslie Datsis

Leslie Datsis

Leslie Datsis’s work focuses on how stories contribute to community building. She has been hosting story circles at conferences all over the country since 2013, and her newest project Story Circle DC is a year long experiment with story circles in the Washington, DC area. Leslie... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Room M100 G
  Activity

5:00pm CDT

Librarian & Library Enthusiast Meetup
Are you a librarian or library enthusiast? Join us for an interactive discussion about how librarians and library patrons can harness the enthusiasm of NerdCon: Stories into programs, displays and services; engage in innovative library advocacy; and share your love for all things "library". All librarians, book lovers and library enthusiasts are welcome!
Speakers
DD

Friday October 14, 2016 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Mezzanine Lobby
  Community Programming

5:00pm CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Nalo Hopkinson
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Nalo Hopkinson

Nalo Hopkinson

Nalo Hopkinson, born in Jamaica, is the author of eight books of fiction and a chapbook, and the editor/co-editor of four fiction anthologies. She is a recipient of the John W. Campbell Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Andre Norton Award, and a two-time recipient of the Sunburst... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Room M100 E
  Kaffeeklatsch

5:00pm CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Paolo Bacigalupi
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Paolo Bacigalupi

Paolo Bacigalupi

Paolo Bacigalupi is probably best known for his debut novel THE WINDUP GIRL, which was as named by TIME Magazine as one of the ten best novels of 2009, and also won the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, Compton Crook, and John W. Campbell Memorial Awards. Internationally, it has won the Seiun... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Room M100 F
  Kaffeeklatsch

5:00pm CDT

Storytelling in Game Design: Telling More with Less
Digital and tabletop games are a wonderful ground for expressive storytelling, but they come with unique difficulties. With so many moving parts and precious little space for words how do you tell a deep and interesting story without interrupting gameplay? Jonathan Ying (Game Designer and Author) and Daniel Lovat Clark, (Lead Narrative Writer at Fantasy Flight Games) will explore the techniques such as flavor text and mechanical theming to create expressive narratives that are holistic with the art and design of a game.
Speakers
DL
avatar for Jonathan Ying

Jonathan Ying

Jonathan Ying graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in New York with a Liberal Arts Degree, since then he’s worked with Dreamworks Animation Studios, Fantasy Flight Games, and Harper Collins on a variety of projects. He has designed several popular board games including Star Wars... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Room 101 A
  Workshop

6:00pm CDT

Spoken Word Open Mic
Perform a piece of spoken word or poetry at the first ever NerdCon: Stories spoken word open mic! This format offers an awesome outlet for people of all backgrounds to express themselves in a safe, welcoming environment. Want to perform? Sign up for a 5 minute slot at the Info Desk in the lobby starting on Friday morning. Spots are first come first served, so don't wait!
Moderators
avatar for Rachel Kann

Rachel Kann

Rachel Kann is a Write Club Los Angeles champ and resident writer for Hevria and resident performing artist on The Hevria Sessions. Her poetry has been featured at TEDx, on Morning Becomes Eclectic on NPR and as The Weather on the podcast phenomenon, Welcome to Night Vale. She’s... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 6:00pm - 7:30pm CDT
Room 101 DE
  Activity

6:00pm CDT

Superfight
Superfight is a card game that’s all about arguing your way through ridiculous fights. Players are given cards with choices of characters and attributes to use to create their fighter, then must convince everyone else why they would win in a fight against another player’s fighter. But not all of the attributes are good, and not all of the characters are strong, so imagination, persuasion, and storytelling skills will be your real weapons in most fights. Watch these masters of storytelling battle it out to see who can spin the better fighting yarn!
Moderators
avatar for Darin Ross

Darin Ross

Darin is the creator of the storytelling project Find the Starlight and the party games Superfight and Red Flags. His work can be found at FeatherAndMatch.com.

Speakers
avatar for Karen Hallion

Karen Hallion

Karen Hallion is originally from Nahant, Massachusetts, located just north of Boston. She is a 1997 graduate of Ringling School of Art and Design and holds a BFA in Illustration. Karen taught elementary school art until 2009 when she transitioned to working full-time as a freelance... Read More →
SK

Sean Kelley

Improvised Star Trek
avatar for Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Lady Astronaut series and historical fantasy novels: The Glamourist Histories and Ghost Talkers. She’s the president of SFWA, a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer... Read More →
avatar for John Scalzi

John Scalzi

John Scalzi writes science fiction. He like pie. HE BREATHES FIRE. One of these previous statements is false. Which one might surprise you.

Friday October 14, 2016 6:00pm - 7:30pm CDT
Auditorium
  Evening Programming

6:00pm CDT

Unattended Consequences
See author Pat Rothfuss (Name of the Wind) and co-creator of Cards Against Humanity Max Temkin try to win at conversation. 
Speakers
avatar for Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss was born in Madison, Wisconsin to awesome parents. After nine years at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, he accidentally had enough credits to graduate with an English degree. Patrick then went to grad school. He’d rather not talk about it. In March 2007... Read More →
avatar for Max Temkin

Max Temkin

Max Temkin is a designer from Chicago, Il. His clients include Barack Obama, Jonathan Coulton, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. He makes the games Cards Against Humanity, Secret Hitler, and Humans vs. Zombies. Max hosts a weekly podcast with NYT-Bestselling author Patrick Rothfuss... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 6:00pm - 7:30pm CDT
Ballroom A
  Live Podcast

6:30pm CDT

Locative Fiction: Accessible Immersive Storytelling
Turn your stories into augmented reality experiences with locative fiction. Smartphone GPS technology makes it possible to have a seamless immersive experience through the combination of audio storytelling and real-world settings, linking your story with a particular place’s rich sensory environment. Writer Kate Gorman will take you through the opportunities and challenges of producing locative fiction, and discuss how to leverage your storytelling skills into creating memorable and immersive stories for your audience. Experience a NerdCon: Stories locative fiction piece at http://voicemap.me/nerdconstories
Speakers
avatar for Kate Gorman

Kate Gorman

I’m Kate Gorman, author of ON THE ICE: A New Antarctica Novel and INT-EXT: Using prompts to move art from inside your head to out in the world. I’m also the Art & Literature editor at the geek culture magazine Paper Droids, and I write and produce locative fiction around Washington... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 6:30pm - 7:30pm CDT
Room 101 J
  Community Programming

8:00pm CDT

Friday Open Mic
Got a story to share? A song, interpretive dance, or maybe some jokes? We're looking for attendees to show us what they've got! Sign up at the Info Desk in the lobby on Friday to claim your 5 minute slot. These will fill up fast, so don't wait!
Speakers
avatar for Jenn Bane
avatar for Trin Garritano

Friday October 14, 2016 8:00pm - 9:30pm CDT
Auditorium
  Activity

10:00pm CDT

Concert Series
Rock out at the first ever NerdCon: Stories concert, featuring Paul & Storm and Harry & the Potters!
Speakers
avatar for Paul DeGeorge
avatar for Joe DeGeorge
avatar for Storm DiCostanzo

Storm DiCostanzo

Paul and Storm (Paul Sabourin and Greg “Storm” DiCostanzo) are known internationally and across the Internet for their original comedy music (often with a “nerd-ish” bent). In addition to their own live performances, they are co-founders of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock... Read More →
avatar for Paul Sabourin

Paul Sabourin

Paul, Paul and Storm
Paul Sabourin is one half of comedy/music duo Paul and Storm. He is a co-founder of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock (along with Storm, Wil Wheaton and Adam Savage), and a co-producer of the annual JoCo Cruise. He is a staff writer and co-producer on the past two seasons of... Read More →

Friday October 14, 2016 10:00pm - 11:30pm CDT
Auditorium
  Evening Programming
 
Saturday, October 15
 

8:00am CDT

John Green Yoga Adventure
Seeking a Great Perhaps and the fate of Sisyphus the Hamster? Find out what happens when John Green's characters find themselves outside of their own stories and all mixed up together in this narrated yogic adventure. Your YogaQuest is guided by a narrator and a certified yoga instructor, as the class embarks on an epic, and often ridiculous, journey through a popular fandom. No previous yoga experience, special clothing or mats necessary. Pose nerdy with us!
Saturday October 15, 2016 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Room M100 G
  Activity

8:00am CDT

Expo Hall Open
The Expo Hall is open from 8 AM - 6 PM on both Friday and Saturday.

Things that are in the Expo Hall include:
- Vendors of art, books, and more
- A board game zone stocked with a supply of storytelling-based games
- A community wall with lots of writing prompts
- The Depict-O-Mat, a magical storytelling machine
- A zine-making station
- The Harry Potter Alliance's Apparating Library - A progressive, community-generated library built by fans around the world. On Friday, bring one book to be catalogued into the HPA's global library system. Pick out a book you love that you want to share with someone else and feel free to leave notes or annotate the book for its next reader!  In exchange, on Saturday, you'll get to leave with a book brought by someone else. 
- And MORE! 
Saturday October 15, 2016 8:00am - 6:00pm CDT
Expo Hall

8:00am CDT

Registration Check-In
Come check in for the event! Bring your ID or a printed out copy of your ticket.
Saturday October 15, 2016 8:00am - 6:00pm CDT
Lobby B

8:00am CDT

Quiet Room Open
The Quiet Room is a space for attendees to take a break, get some writing done, or otherwise chill out...quietly!
Saturday October 15, 2016 8:00am - 10:00pm CDT
Ballroom B

9:00am CDT

Dear Hank and John
Join John Green and Karen Hallion for a rare Hank-less live recording of Dear Hank and John!
Speakers
avatar for John Green

John Green

John Green is the award-winning, #1 bestselling author of Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, Will Grayson, Will Grayson (with David Levithan), and The Fault in Our Stars. His many accolades include the Printz Medal, a Printz Honor, and the Edgar Award. He... Read More →
avatar for Karen Hallion

Karen Hallion

Karen Hallion is originally from Nahant, Massachusetts, located just north of Boston. She is a 1997 graduate of Ringling School of Art and Design and holds a BFA in Illustration. Karen taught elementary school art until 2009 when she transitioned to working full-time as a freelance... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 9:00am - 10:30am CDT
Ballroom A
  Live Podcast

9:00am CDT

Saturday Morning Variety Show

Hosted by Liz Hara and Leslie Carrara-Rudolph

Featuring:

- A talk by Patricia Wheeler

- A performance by Rives

- A talk by Storm DiCostanzo

- A talk by Mikki Kendall

- Patrick Rothfuss and Wesley Chu in conversation

- A talk by John Darnielle

- A reading by Ben Acker

- Who Killed Hank Green? - a puppet murder mystery written by Mary Robinette Kowal, featuring Eli Mandel, Kate Rudd, Keef Cross, Liz Hara, Mikki Kendall, Saladin Ahmed, and M.T. Anderson

Speakers
avatar for Ben Acker

Ben Acker

Ben Acker and Ben Blacker are the creators and writers of the Thrilling Adventure Hour, a staged show in the style of old time radio, which is also an award-winning podcast. They’ve written for television (including Supernatural and Cassius and Clay) and comic books (including Flash... Read More →
avatar for Saladin Ahmed

Saladin Ahmed

Saladin Ahmed's novel THRONE OF THE CRESCENT MOON, praised by George RR Martin as 'a rollicking swashbuckler,' was nominated for the Hugo and Nebula awards, and won the Locus Award for Best First Novel. His nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times, BuzzFeed, and Salon. He lives... Read More →
avatar for M.T. Anderson

M.T. Anderson

M.T. Anderson has written stories for adults, picture books for children, adventure novels for young readers, and several books for older readers (both teens and adults). His satirical book Feed was a Finalist for the National Book Award and was the winner of the L.A. Times Book Prize... Read More →
avatar for Leslie Carrara-Rudolph

Leslie Carrara-Rudolph

Leslie Carrara-Rudolph is an Emmy-nominated multifaceted entertainer/artist/puppeteer best known for performing Abby Cadabby on Sesame Street. She has received an UNIMA Citation of Excellence and two Jim Henson Foundation Grants for her stage show "Wake Up Your Weird" which premiered... Read More →
avatar for Wesley Chu

Wesley Chu

Wesley Chu is an award-winning science fiction author with published seven books. He won the 2015 John W. Campbell Best New Writer Award. His debut novel, The Lives of Tao, earned him the Alex Award by the Young Adult Library Services Association and was selected by Goodreads as a... Read More →
avatar for Keef Cross

Keef Cross

My name is KEEF CROSS and I was born in Gary, Indiana, and raised in Atlanta Georgia. I attended the Columbus College of Art and Design, and after graduation, I began my tattoo apprenticeship. Sixteen years later I am still working as a tattooist, along with being a fine artist and... Read More →
avatar for John Darnielle

John Darnielle

John Darnielle is the author of Wolf in White Van (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) and plays in the Mountain Goats. He reflects often on how his life might have been different had he succeeded in his quest to finish the NES side-scroller Ninja Gaiden III: the Ancient Ship of Doom, the... Read More →
avatar for Storm DiCostanzo

Storm DiCostanzo

Paul and Storm (Paul Sabourin and Greg “Storm” DiCostanzo) are known internationally and across the Internet for their original comedy music (often with a “nerd-ish” bent). In addition to their own live performances, they are co-founders of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock... Read More →
avatar for Liz Hara

Liz Hara

Liz Hara is a writer, builder, and puppeteer. She and her team won the 2015 Emmy Award for their Costume Design on Sesame Street. She currently works for Sesame as a puppet builder and wrangler, and began writing for the show in Season 46. She has written other children’s entertainment... Read More →
avatar for Mikki Kendall

Mikki Kendall

Mikki Kendall aspires to be an over-educated loudmouth with deep pockets. Failing that she manages to be a periodic cyborg who masquerades as a person with a spouse, kids, and all the trappings of quasi respectability. Once gainfully employed by an unnamed agency, she now invests... Read More →
avatar for Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Lady Astronaut series and historical fantasy novels: The Glamourist Histories and Ghost Talkers. She’s the president of SFWA, a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer... Read More →
EM
avatar for Rives

Rives

Rives is a poet from NYC. He was a cast member on “HBO’s Def Poetry Jam” and has six talks on TED.com (but who doesn’t?). Rives favors what everybody favors: wordplay, romance, house plants, motorcycles and the National Register of Historic Places.
avatar for Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss was born in Madison, Wisconsin to awesome parents. After nine years at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, he accidentally had enough credits to graduate with an English degree. Patrick then went to grad school. He’d rather not talk about it. In March 2007... Read More →
avatar for Kate Rudd

Kate Rudd

Kate Rudd, winner of the 2013 Audie and Odyssey Awards for her narration of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars and multiple Audiofile Magazine Earphones award recipient, has narrated over 300 titles across a variety of genres. Kate can be found at katerudd.com.
avatar for Patricia Wheeler

Patricia Wheeler

Patricia is a writer, storyteller, and producer from Hell, Michigan. Her work centers on trauma, relationships, and other lightweight subjects. She is The Moth’s Michigan StorySLAM producer.

Saturday October 15, 2016 9:00am - 10:30am CDT
Auditorium
  Variety Show

9:30am CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Joe & Paul DeGeorge
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Joe DeGeorge
avatar for Paul DeGeorge

Saturday October 15, 2016 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
Room M100 E
  Kaffeeklatsch

9:30am CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Leslie Datsis & Patricia Wheeler
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Leslie Datsis

Leslie Datsis

Leslie Datsis’s work focuses on how stories contribute to community building. She has been hosting story circles at conferences all over the country since 2013, and her newest project Story Circle DC is a year long experiment with story circles in the Washington, DC area. Leslie... Read More →
avatar for Patricia Wheeler

Patricia Wheeler

Patricia is a writer, storyteller, and producer from Hell, Michigan. Her work centers on trauma, relationships, and other lightweight subjects. She is The Moth’s Michigan StorySLAM producer.

Saturday October 15, 2016 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
Room M100 F
  Kaffeeklatsch

11:00am CDT

Finding Your Origin Story
Every hero has a great origin story that helps them figure out what they believe and what motivates them to change the world. You can be a hero, too! But how does a hero start to identify the issues they want to tackle? It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the amount of injustice in the world, but this workshop will help you explore what you want to work on and what values guide you in your quest for social justice and in the rest of your hero's story.
Speakers
KB

Saturday October 15, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 101 J
  Community Programming

11:00am CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Keef Cross
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Keef Cross

Keef Cross

My name is KEEF CROSS and I was born in Gary, Indiana, and raised in Atlanta Georgia. I attended the Columbus College of Art and Design, and after graduation, I began my tattoo apprenticeship. Sixteen years later I am still working as a tattooist, along with being a fine artist and... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Room M100 F
  Kaffeeklatsch

11:00am CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Rives
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Rives

Rives

Rives is a poet from NYC. He was a cast member on “HBO’s Def Poetry Jam” and has six talks on TED.com (but who doesn’t?). Rives favors what everybody favors: wordplay, romance, house plants, motorcycles and the National Register of Historic Places.

Saturday October 15, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Room M100 E
  Kaffeeklatsch

11:00am CDT

Centering Women in Fiction: Removing Your Unconscious Bias
Ursula Le Guin has said that she made mistakes with the way she handled women in Wizard of Earthsea. She attributes this to having grown up reading fiction that was written by men, for men. It took her years to deprogram herself so that she was able to write fiction for women. Likewise, romance has the biggest market share of any form of fiction, and yet is often dismissed, even by its most ardent fans. What are the ways in which we internalize biases and how can we combat them?
Moderators
avatar for Eileen Cook

Eileen Cook

Eileen Cook is a multi-published author with her novels appearing in eight different languages. She spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer. Her newest book, WITH MALICE, came out in June 2016 and was chosen... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Liz Hara

Liz Hara

Liz Hara is a writer, builder, and puppeteer. She and her team won the 2015 Emmy Award for their Costume Design on Sesame Street. She currently works for Sesame as a puppet builder and wrangler, and began writing for the show in Season 46. She has written other children’s entertainment... Read More →
avatar for Rachel Kann

Rachel Kann

Rachel Kann is a Write Club Los Angeles champ and resident writer for Hevria and resident performing artist on The Hevria Sessions. Her poetry has been featured at TEDx, on Morning Becomes Eclectic on NPR and as The Weather on the podcast phenomenon, Welcome to Night Vale. She’s... Read More →
avatar for Alyssa Wong

Alyssa Wong

Alyssa Wong studies fiction in Raleigh, NC, and really, really likes crows. Her story, “Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers,” won the 2015 Nebula Award for Best Short Story, and her short fiction has been nominated for many other awards, including the Pushcart Prize, the Bram... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 101 BC
  Panel

11:00am CDT

Musical Storytelling: Messing with Other People's Emotions
Like nothing else in the world, music has the ability to change how we feel. Notes and words are just the start. We are going to talk about how things fit together: notes, words, pacing, instruments, venue, personality, volume, tension, beauty, and half a hundred other things all go into making an experience that changes how people feel. What exactly goes into effective musical communication? Let's find out!
Moderators
avatar for Kevin MacLeod

Kevin MacLeod

Kevin MacLeod, a composer known for his Creative Commons licensed royalty-free music, has a catalog of more than two thousand songs. By giving away his music, he has unwittingly become one of the most heard composers in the world. From KFC commercials to Martin Scorsese’s Hugo... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for John Darnielle

John Darnielle

John Darnielle is the author of Wolf in White Van (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) and plays in the Mountain Goats. He reflects often on how his life might have been different had he succeeded in his quest to finish the NES side-scroller Ninja Gaiden III: the Ancient Ship of Doom, the... Read More →
avatar for Dessa

Dessa

Dessa is a rapper, writer, speaker, and a proud member of the Minneapolis hip hop collective, Doom.t.ree. The Utne Reader calls her, “A one-woman powerhouse…with a literary sensibility and an aversion to genre clichés.” Her most recent album, Parts of Speech, debuted at #76... Read More →
avatar for Paul Sabourin

Paul Sabourin

Paul, Paul and Storm
Paul Sabourin is one half of comedy/music duo Paul and Storm. He is a co-founder of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock (along with Storm, Wil Wheaton and Adam Savage), and a co-producer of the annual JoCo Cruise. He is a staff writer and co-producer on the past two seasons of... Read More →
avatar for Zak Sally

Zak Sally

Zak Sally is an Eisner-Nominated cartoonist (Recidivist and Sammy The Mouse), writer, musician (Low, The Hand), educator, and he is not an actor but was in some movie pretending to urinate. He is the founder and owner of La Mano 21, a “micro-press” publishing house obsessed with... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 101 DE
  Panel

11:00am CDT

The Moral Responsibility of the Storyteller
We're back with this panel for a second year! Books are banned and movies are rated with the understanding that information, ideas, and narratives are occasionally dangerous. What responsibility, if any, do storytellers have to their audiences? Is it hubris to assume a narrative can influence people at all? Join us for discussion, friendly disagreement, and potential descent into an ethical quagmire from which we may not emerge unscathed.
Moderators
avatar for Leslie Datsis

Leslie Datsis

Leslie Datsis’s work focuses on how stories contribute to community building. She has been hosting story circles at conferences all over the country since 2013, and her newest project Story Circle DC is a year long experiment with story circles in the Washington, DC area. Leslie... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for M.T. Anderson

M.T. Anderson

M.T. Anderson has written stories for adults, picture books for children, adventure novels for young readers, and several books for older readers (both teens and adults). His satirical book Feed was a Finalist for the National Book Award and was the winner of the L.A. Times Book Prize... Read More →
avatar for Leslie Carrara-Rudolph

Leslie Carrara-Rudolph

Leslie Carrara-Rudolph is an Emmy-nominated multifaceted entertainer/artist/puppeteer best known for performing Abby Cadabby on Sesame Street. She has received an UNIMA Citation of Excellence and two Jim Henson Foundation Grants for her stage show "Wake Up Your Weird" which premiered... Read More →
avatar for Sydney Freeland

Sydney Freeland

Sydney Freeland is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker. Her debut feature film, Drunktown’s Finest, premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and went on to win a number of awards, including the Grand Jury Prize and HBO Outstanding First Feature awards at LA Outfest 2014, as well as... Read More →
avatar for Max Temkin

Max Temkin

Max Temkin is a designer from Chicago, Il. His clients include Barack Obama, Jonathan Coulton, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. He makes the games Cards Against Humanity, Secret Hitler, and Humans vs. Zombies. Max hosts a weekly podcast with NYT-Bestselling author Patrick Rothfuss... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Ballroom A
  Panel

11:00am CDT

Signing - Blue Delliquanti
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Blue Delliquanti

Blue Delliquanti

Blue Delliquanti is a comic artist based in Minneapolis. She is the creator of the Ignatz- and Lambda-nominated webcomic O Human Star. Her work has also appeared in multiple comics anthologies, including Beyond, Smut Peddler, and New World.

Saturday October 15, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 1
  Signing

11:00am CDT

Signing - Cindy Pon
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Cindy Pon

Cindy Pon

Cindy Pon is the author of Silver Phoenix (Greenwillow), named one of the Top Ten Fantasy and Science Fiction Books for Youth by Booklist, and one of 2009′s best Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror by VOYA. Her most recent novel, Serpentine (Month9Books), is a Junior Library Guild... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 2
  Signing

11:00am CDT

Signing - Daniel José Older
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Daniel José Older

Daniel José Older

Daniel José Older is the author of the Bone Street Rumba urban fantasy series from Penguin’s Roc Books and the New York Times bestselling Young Adult novel Shadowshaper (Scholastic, 2015), which was nominated for the Kirkus Prize in Young Readers’ Literature, the Norton Award... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 3
  Signing

11:00am CDT

Signing - Karen Hallion
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Karen Hallion

Karen Hallion

Karen Hallion is originally from Nahant, Massachusetts, located just north of Boston. She is a 1997 graduate of Ringling School of Art and Design and holds a BFA in Illustration. Karen taught elementary school art until 2009 when she transitioned to working full-time as a freelance... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 4
  Signing

11:00am CDT

Signing - Mary Robinette Kowal
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Lady Astronaut series and historical fantasy novels: The Glamourist Histories and Ghost Talkers. She’s the president of SFWA, a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 5
  Signing

11:00am CDT

Signing - Patrick Rothfuss
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss was born in Madison, Wisconsin to awesome parents. After nine years at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, he accidentally had enough credits to graduate with an English degree. Patrick then went to grad school. He’d rather not talk about it. In March 2007... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 6
  Signing

11:00am CDT

How to Hand-Sell Your Book
Author and publishing professional Mike Underwood shares lessons from seven years of hand-selling books to readers, booksellers, and sales reps.  Learn how to put your work into a market context, showcase what makes it special, and connect with readers when selling at conventions, festivals, and more.
Speakers
avatar for Michael R. Underwood

Michael R. Underwood

Michael R. Underwood is the author of the Ree Reyes Geekomancy books, the Genrenauts series of novellas, and more. He is currently the North American Sales & Marketing Manager for Angry Robot Books. Mike has been a bookseller, publishers’ representative, and teacher. He is a co-host... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 101 A
  Workshop

11:00am CDT

Improv Workshop - Saturday
We can’t make you funny, but we can make you funnier. During this interactive session, the hosts of Improvised Star Trek and other Chicago comedians will teach the basics of improv with an emphasis on how to build narrative. Sessions will last an hour, please wear clothes that allow movement. 
Speakers
avatar for Improvised Star Trek

Improvised Star Trek

Improvised Star Trek
Improvised Star Trek is an audio sitcom that takes as it's starting point Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek. For over five years the crew of the USS Sisyphus has combined absurdist parody, character-based comedy, and sparkling audio production to discover what human stories can be found... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Room M100 G
  Workshop

12:30pm CDT

Tell Your Story
Everyone has a story to tell. What's yours? Tanya Eby, narrator and writer and previous professor, will run through several writing prompts to get you started on telling your own story. Whether you're new to writing or have been writing your whole life, this interactive, fun activity will get you thinking in new ways and help fire your synapses to put your story into words. Bring something to write on and with...and magic will happen. 
Speakers
TE

Saturday October 15, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Room 101 J
  Community Programming

12:30pm CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Paul & Storm
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Storm DiCostanzo

Storm DiCostanzo

Paul and Storm (Paul Sabourin and Greg “Storm” DiCostanzo) are known internationally and across the Internet for their original comedy music (often with a “nerd-ish” bent). In addition to their own live performances, they are co-founders of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock... Read More →
avatar for Paul Sabourin

Paul Sabourin

Paul, Paul and Storm
Paul Sabourin is one half of comedy/music duo Paul and Storm. He is a co-founder of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock (along with Storm, Wil Wheaton and Adam Savage), and a co-producer of the annual JoCo Cruise. He is a staff writer and co-producer on the past two seasons of... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Room M100 E
  Kaffeeklatsch

12:30pm CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Wesley Chu
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Wesley Chu

Wesley Chu

Wesley Chu is an award-winning science fiction author with published seven books. He won the 2015 John W. Campbell Best New Writer Award. His debut novel, The Lives of Tao, earned him the Alex Award by the Young Adult Library Services Association and was selected by Goodreads as a... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Room M100 F
  Kaffeeklatsch

12:30pm CDT

Doing All the Things
Listen as some super talented people talk about doing ALL THE THINGS! Editing, writing fiction, nonfiction, puppetry, acting, teaching, podcasting... these panelists have done it all. How do stories and narratives operate across different mediums, and what are some of the challenges inherent in creating for different audiences with different goals in mind?
Moderators
avatar for John Scalzi

John Scalzi

John Scalzi writes science fiction. He like pie. HE BREATHES FIRE. One of these previous statements is false. Which one might surprise you.

Speakers
avatar for Leslie Carrara-Rudolph

Leslie Carrara-Rudolph

Leslie Carrara-Rudolph is an Emmy-nominated multifaceted entertainer/artist/puppeteer best known for performing Abby Cadabby on Sesame Street. She has received an UNIMA Citation of Excellence and two Jim Henson Foundation Grants for her stage show "Wake Up Your Weird" which premiered... Read More →
avatar for Mikki Kendall

Mikki Kendall

Mikki Kendall aspires to be an over-educated loudmouth with deep pockets. Failing that she manages to be a periodic cyborg who masquerades as a person with a spouse, kids, and all the trappings of quasi respectability. Once gainfully employed by an unnamed agency, she now invests... Read More →
avatar for Javier Morillo

Javier Morillo

Javier Morillo is a labor leader, activist, podcaster, writer and storyteller based in Minnesota. In his day job, he is the president of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 26, which unites close to 6,000 property service workers in the Twin Cities metro area. As president... Read More →
avatar for Sandeep Parikh

Sandeep Parikh

Sandeep is a talented writer/director/actor. He is best known for playing the affable stalker Zaboo on multi-award winning web series THE GUILD. His TV appearances include NEW GIRL, CALIFORNICATION, COMMUNITY, and THE CRAZY ONES. He is also known for his involvement in Comedy Central's... Read More →
avatar for Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss was born in Madison, Wisconsin to awesome parents. After nine years at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, he accidentally had enough credits to graduate with an English degree. Patrick then went to grad school. He’d rather not talk about it. In March 2007... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Room 101 DE
  Panel

12:30pm CDT

How to Create and Also Eat
Regardless of medium, artists face many of the same challenges. What choices do creators face when trying to make art in today's economy? What common ground strategies are there for balancing art and budget needs?
Moderators
TM

Speakers
avatar for Saladin Ahmed

Saladin Ahmed

Saladin Ahmed's novel THRONE OF THE CRESCENT MOON, praised by George RR Martin as 'a rollicking swashbuckler,' was nominated for the Hugo and Nebula awards, and won the Locus Award for Best First Novel. His nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times, BuzzFeed, and Salon. He lives... Read More →
avatar for Keef Cross

Keef Cross

My name is KEEF CROSS and I was born in Gary, Indiana, and raised in Atlanta Georgia. I attended the Columbus College of Art and Design, and after graduation, I began my tattoo apprenticeship. Sixteen years later I am still working as a tattooist, along with being a fine artist and... Read More →
avatar for Liz Hara

Liz Hara

Liz Hara is a writer, builder, and puppeteer. She and her team won the 2015 Emmy Award for their Costume Design on Sesame Street. She currently works for Sesame as a puppet builder and wrangler, and began writing for the show in Season 46. She has written other children’s entertainment... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Ballroom A
  Panel

12:30pm CDT

Storytelling in Tabletop Games
Role-playing and other tabletop games are a fantastic catalyst for collaborative storytelling. Creating narrative frameworks and game rules that allow players to have enough control over both story and interaction can be a tricky business. How do game designers do this, and what makes a game truly great?
Moderators
avatar for Jonathan Ying

Jonathan Ying

Jonathan Ying graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in New York with a Liberal Arts Degree, since then he’s worked with Dreamworks Animation Studios, Fantasy Flight Games, and Harper Collins on a variety of projects. He has designed several popular board games including Star Wars... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for John Darnielle

John Darnielle

John Darnielle is the author of Wolf in White Van (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) and plays in the Mountain Goats. He reflects often on how his life might have been different had he succeeded in his quest to finish the NES side-scroller Ninja Gaiden III: the Ancient Ship of Doom, the... Read More →
avatar for Karen Hallion

Karen Hallion

Karen Hallion is originally from Nahant, Massachusetts, located just north of Boston. She is a 1997 graduate of Ringling School of Art and Design and holds a BFA in Illustration. Karen taught elementary school art until 2009 when she transitioned to working full-time as a freelance... Read More →
avatar for Katrina Ostrander

Katrina Ostrander

Katrina Ostrander is a gamer chick, game master, and fiction editor working at Fantasy Flight Games. She is also a member of the story groups for the Android, Arkham Horror, Legend of the Five Rings, and Runebound universes. Her previous credits include work as a developer on the... Read More →
avatar for Darin Ross

Darin Ross

Darin is the creator of the storytelling project Find the Starlight and the party games Superfight and Red Flags. His work can be found at FeatherAndMatch.com.
avatar for Michael R. Underwood

Michael R. Underwood

Michael R. Underwood is the author of the Ree Reyes Geekomancy books, the Genrenauts series of novellas, and more. He is currently the North American Sales & Marketing Manager for Angry Robot Books. Mike has been a bookseller, publishers’ representative, and teacher. He is a co-host... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Room 101 BC
  Panel

12:30pm CDT

Signing - Dessa
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Dessa

Dessa

Dessa is a rapper, writer, speaker, and a proud member of the Minneapolis hip hop collective, Doom.t.ree. The Utne Reader calls her, “A one-woman powerhouse…with a literary sensibility and an aversion to genre clichés.” Her most recent album, Parts of Speech, debuted at #76... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 1
  Signing

12:30pm CDT

Signing - Kate Rudd
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Kate Rudd

Kate Rudd

Kate Rudd, winner of the 2013 Audie and Odyssey Awards for her narration of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars and multiple Audiofile Magazine Earphones award recipient, has narrated over 300 titles across a variety of genres. Kate can be found at katerudd.com.

Saturday October 15, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 2
  Signing

12:30pm CDT

Signing - MariNaomi
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for MariNaomi

MariNaomi

MariNaomi is the award-winning author and illustrator of Kiss & Tell: A Romantic Resume, Ages 0 to 22 (Harper Perennial, 2011), Dragon's Breath and Other True Stories (2dcloud/Uncivilized Books, 2014), Turning Japanese (2dcloud, 2016), I Thought You Hated Me (Retrofit Comics, 2016... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 3
  Signing

12:30pm CDT

Signing - Nalo Hopkinson
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Nalo Hopkinson

Nalo Hopkinson

Nalo Hopkinson, born in Jamaica, is the author of eight books of fiction and a chapbook, and the editor/co-editor of four fiction anthologies. She is a recipient of the John W. Campbell Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Andre Norton Award, and a two-time recipient of the Sunburst... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 4
  Signing

12:30pm CDT

Signing - Paolo Bacigalupi
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Paolo Bacigalupi

Paolo Bacigalupi

Paolo Bacigalupi is probably best known for his debut novel THE WINDUP GIRL, which was as named by TIME Magazine as one of the ten best novels of 2009, and also won the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, Compton Crook, and John W. Campbell Memorial Awards. Internationally, it has won the Seiun... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 5
  Signing

12:30pm CDT

NerdCon: Stories Collaborative Zine Creation
Join zinemaster Claudia Morales in creating an awesome collaborative NerdCon: Stories zine!

No knowledge of zine-making practices is necessary for this activity -- just come ready to make some art. We'll supply the scissors, paper, glue, and sharpies. All you'll need to bring are your ideas and some NerdCon: Stories love.
Speakers
avatar for Claudia Morales

Claudia Morales

the Harry Potter Alliance
Claudia is a wizard punk, wizard activist, and enthusiasm enthusiast. She works for the Harry Potter Alliance, leads the Wizard Punk movement for DIY creativity in fandom, and writes things.

Saturday October 15, 2016 12:30pm - 1:45pm CDT
Expo Hall
  Activity

2:00pm CDT

Write Your Own Hamilton: Finding Your Stories in Libraries
Whether Hamilton or Lumberjanes, many stories have research behind them. Libraries and archives offer unique and amazing resources that can add telling details, dramatic tension, or new ideas to your narratives.  Level up your library use (locally and virtually), find hidden gems to add to a story, and harness the power of social media to connect with libraries and archives. We want to talk with creators, educators, and librarians and share ideas about researching stories.
Speakers
avatar for Becky Canovan

Becky Canovan

Reference and Instruction Librarian, University of Dubuque
An academic librarian who thinks shes's a teen services librarian, Becky is in charge of displays, programming, YA Book Club, and instruction. She is also obsessed with Hamilton, coffee, YA lit, and cooking...probably in that order.
avatar for Jennifer Burek Pierce

Jennifer Burek Pierce

University of Iowa School of Library & Information Science
avatar for Colleen Theisen

Colleen Theisen

Lecturer & Special Collections Certificate Administrator, University of Iowa
Special Collections Librarian turned full-time lecturer. Administrator for the Graduate Certificate in Special Collections Librarianship.

Saturday October 15, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room 101 A
  Community Programming

2:00pm CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Saladin Ahmed
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Saladin Ahmed

Saladin Ahmed

Saladin Ahmed's novel THRONE OF THE CRESCENT MOON, praised by George RR Martin as 'a rollicking swashbuckler,' was nominated for the Hugo and Nebula awards, and won the Locus Award for Best First Novel. His nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times, BuzzFeed, and Salon. He lives... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room M100 F
  Kaffeeklatsch

2:00pm CDT

A Whole New World
Worlds that are not ours -- how do we make them real and believable? Authors’ imaginations and skills with the written word have created some of the most incredible, scary, shocking, and fascinating worlds in literature and other mediums. Learn about the art of worldbuilding from these creators of universes. 
Moderators
avatar for Paolo Bacigalupi

Paolo Bacigalupi

Paolo Bacigalupi is probably best known for his debut novel THE WINDUP GIRL, which was as named by TIME Magazine as one of the ten best novels of 2009, and also won the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, Compton Crook, and John W. Campbell Memorial Awards. Internationally, it has won the Seiun... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Ben Acker

Ben Acker

Ben Acker and Ben Blacker are the creators and writers of the Thrilling Adventure Hour, a staged show in the style of old time radio, which is also an award-winning podcast. They’ve written for television (including Supernatural and Cassius and Clay) and comic books (including Flash... Read More →
avatar for M.T. Anderson

M.T. Anderson

M.T. Anderson has written stories for adults, picture books for children, adventure novels for young readers, and several books for older readers (both teens and adults). His satirical book Feed was a Finalist for the National Book Award and was the winner of the L.A. Times Book Prize... Read More →
avatar for Nalo Hopkinson

Nalo Hopkinson

Nalo Hopkinson, born in Jamaica, is the author of eight books of fiction and a chapbook, and the editor/co-editor of four fiction anthologies. She is a recipient of the John W. Campbell Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Andre Norton Award, and a two-time recipient of the Sunburst... Read More →
avatar for Daniel José Older

Daniel José Older

Daniel José Older is the author of the Bone Street Rumba urban fantasy series from Penguin’s Roc Books and the New York Times bestselling Young Adult novel Shadowshaper (Scholastic, 2015), which was nominated for the Kirkus Prize in Young Readers’ Literature, the Norton Award... Read More →
avatar for Katrina Ostrander

Katrina Ostrander

Katrina Ostrander is a gamer chick, game master, and fiction editor working at Fantasy Flight Games. She is also a member of the story groups for the Android, Arkham Horror, Legend of the Five Rings, and Runebound universes. Her previous credits include work as a developer on the... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room 101 BC
  Panel

2:00pm CDT

Storytelling for Good
Let's talk about how personal stories and narratives can inspire activism. How do you use your personal story to effect change? How can we harness the magic of storytelling and focus it in positive ways?
Moderators
avatar for Claudia Morales

Claudia Morales

the Harry Potter Alliance
Claudia is a wizard punk, wizard activist, and enthusiasm enthusiast. She works for the Harry Potter Alliance, leads the Wizard Punk movement for DIY creativity in fandom, and writes things.

Speakers
avatar for Paul DeGeorge
avatar for Sydney Freeland

Sydney Freeland

Sydney Freeland is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker. Her debut feature film, Drunktown’s Finest, premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and went on to win a number of awards, including the Grand Jury Prize and HBO Outstanding First Feature awards at LA Outfest 2014, as well as... Read More →
avatar for Julián Gustavo Gómez

Julián Gustavo Gómez

Julián Gustavo Gómez is the Campus Engagement Manager at Define American, where he works on growing the Define American College Chapters program. The chapters are student-led initiatives using the power of stories to change the conversation on immigrants and identity in college... Read More →
avatar for Cindy Pon

Cindy Pon

Cindy Pon is the author of Silver Phoenix (Greenwillow), named one of the Top Ten Fantasy and Science Fiction Books for Youth by Booklist, and one of 2009′s best Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror by VOYA. Her most recent novel, Serpentine (Month9Books), is a Junior Library Guild... Read More →
avatar for Alyssa Wong

Alyssa Wong

Alyssa Wong studies fiction in Raleigh, NC, and really, really likes crows. Her story, “Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers,” won the 2015 Nebula Award for Best Short Story, and her short fiction has been nominated for many other awards, including the Pushcart Prize, the Bram... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room 101 DE
  Panel

2:00pm CDT

Wild Card Panel
What will this panel be about? Only you can decide! Go to tiny.cc/wildcard to submit your panel idea and vote on other ideas. The top-voted topic (pending moderator approval) will be what these five people spend an hour discussing.
Moderators
avatar for Paul Sabourin

Paul Sabourin

Paul, Paul and Storm
Paul Sabourin is one half of comedy/music duo Paul and Storm. He is a co-founder of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock (along with Storm, Wil Wheaton and Adam Savage), and a co-producer of the annual JoCo Cruise. He is a staff writer and co-producer on the past two seasons of... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Mikki Kendall

Mikki Kendall

Mikki Kendall aspires to be an over-educated loudmouth with deep pockets. Failing that she manages to be a periodic cyborg who masquerades as a person with a spouse, kids, and all the trappings of quasi respectability. Once gainfully employed by an unnamed agency, she now invests... Read More →
avatar for Raghav Mehta

Raghav Mehta

Raghav Mehta is an aggressively nervous comedian and writer living and breathing in the frosty metropolis of Minneapolis, MN. He has performed at the prestigious Bridgetown Comedy Festival in Portland, OR and was named one of Growler’s ‘Top 5 MN Comics To Watch’ in 2015. He’s... Read More →
avatar for Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss was born in Madison, Wisconsin to awesome parents. After nine years at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, he accidentally had enough credits to graduate with an English degree. Patrick then went to grad school. He’d rather not talk about it. In March 2007... Read More →
avatar for Kate Rudd

Kate Rudd

Kate Rudd, winner of the 2013 Audie and Odyssey Awards for her narration of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars and multiple Audiofile Magazine Earphones award recipient, has narrated over 300 titles across a variety of genres. Kate can be found at katerudd.com.

Saturday October 15, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Ballroom A
  Panel

2:00pm CDT

Signing - John Scalzi
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for John Scalzi

John Scalzi

John Scalzi writes science fiction. He like pie. HE BREATHES FIRE. One of these previous statements is false. Which one might surprise you.

Saturday October 15, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 1
  Signing

2:00pm CDT

Signing - Max Temkin, Jenn Bane, & Trin Garritano
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Jenn Bane
avatar for Trin Garritano
avatar for Max Temkin

Max Temkin

Max Temkin is a designer from Chicago, Il. His clients include Barack Obama, Jonathan Coulton, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. He makes the games Cards Against Humanity, Secret Hitler, and Humans vs. Zombies. Max hosts a weekly podcast with NYT-Bestselling author Patrick Rothfuss... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 3
  Signing

2:00pm CDT

Signing - Wesley Chu
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Wesley Chu

Wesley Chu

Wesley Chu is an award-winning science fiction author with published seven books. He won the 2015 John W. Campbell Best New Writer Award. His debut novel, The Lives of Tao, earned him the Alex Award by the Young Adult Library Services Association and was selected by Goodreads as a... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 4
  Signing

2:00pm CDT

Signing - Zak Sally
Attendees can start lining up no more than 1 hour prior to the signing session start time. Each signing session has a corresponding section of chairs - please fill in every seat. Ask a Volunteer if you have any questions.
Featured Guests are only able to meet a limited number of attendees. Volunteers will indicate when a signing is full. A few Featured Guests are doing more than one signing session, so please check the schedule.
When you meet the Featured Guest, please be mindful of the time constraints and respect the other people in line with you so as many attendees as possible can participate.
Enjoy! Have fun!
Speakers
avatar for Zak Sally

Zak Sally

Zak Sally is an Eisner-Nominated cartoonist (Recidivist and Sammy The Mouse), writer, musician (Low, The Hand), educator, and he is not an actor but was in some movie pretending to urinate. He is the founder and owner of La Mano 21, a “micro-press” publishing house obsessed with... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Expo Hall Line 5
  Signing

2:00pm CDT

Puppetry Workshop
Puppetry is classically defined as "the art of bringing to life an inanimate object." As such, puppeteers have to be versed in the way body language works. Non-verbal cues are a major part of performing, as well as in communication in general. Join top puppeteers as they teach the fundamental techniques of the art of puppetry and learn how you can apply these tools to other storytelling mediums.
Speakers
avatar for Leslie Carrara-Rudolph

Leslie Carrara-Rudolph

Leslie Carrara-Rudolph is an Emmy-nominated multifaceted entertainer/artist/puppeteer best known for performing Abby Cadabby on Sesame Street. She has received an UNIMA Citation of Excellence and two Jim Henson Foundation Grants for her stage show "Wake Up Your Weird" which premiered... Read More →
avatar for Liz Hara

Liz Hara

Liz Hara is a writer, builder, and puppeteer. She and her team won the 2015 Emmy Award for their Costume Design on Sesame Street. She currently works for Sesame as a puppet builder and wrangler, and began writing for the show in Season 46. She has written other children’s entertainment... Read More →
avatar for Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Lady Astronaut series and historical fantasy novels: The Glamourist Histories and Ghost Talkers. She’s the president of SFWA, a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room 101 J
  Workshop

3:30pm CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Max Temkin, Jenn Bane, & Trin Garritano
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Jenn Bane
avatar for Trin Garritano
avatar for Max Temkin

Max Temkin

Max Temkin is a designer from Chicago, Il. His clients include Barack Obama, Jonathan Coulton, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. He makes the games Cards Against Humanity, Secret Hitler, and Humans vs. Zombies. Max hosts a weekly podcast with NYT-Bestselling author Patrick Rothfuss... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Room M100 F
  Kaffeeklatsch

3:30pm CDT

Before Writing: Telling a Story by Speaking
Writing developed to convey the spoken language, and yet there are things that it cannot do. What does the spoken word allow us to do in storytelling that is fundamentally different from written stories? What are the overlaps in technique? And what are some of the tricks to creating compelling spoken narratives?
Moderators
avatar for Patricia Wheeler

Patricia Wheeler

Patricia is a writer, storyteller, and producer from Hell, Michigan. Her work centers on trauma, relationships, and other lightweight subjects. She is The Moth’s Michigan StorySLAM producer.

Speakers
avatar for Dessa

Dessa

Dessa is a rapper, writer, speaker, and a proud member of the Minneapolis hip hop collective, Doom.t.ree. The Utne Reader calls her, “A one-woman powerhouse…with a literary sensibility and an aversion to genre clichés.” Her most recent album, Parts of Speech, debuted at #76... Read More →
avatar for Raghav Mehta

Raghav Mehta

Raghav Mehta is an aggressively nervous comedian and writer living and breathing in the frosty metropolis of Minneapolis, MN. He has performed at the prestigious Bridgetown Comedy Festival in Portland, OR and was named one of Growler’s ‘Top 5 MN Comics To Watch’ in 2015. He’s... Read More →
avatar for Javier Morillo

Javier Morillo

Javier Morillo is a labor leader, activist, podcaster, writer and storyteller based in Minnesota. In his day job, he is the president of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 26, which unites close to 6,000 property service workers in the Twin Cities metro area. As president... Read More →
avatar for Rives

Rives

Rives is a poet from NYC. He was a cast member on “HBO’s Def Poetry Jam” and has six talks on TED.com (but who doesn’t?). Rives favors what everybody favors: wordplay, romance, house plants, motorcycles and the National Register of Historic Places.
avatar for Kate Rudd

Kate Rudd

Kate Rudd, winner of the 2013 Audie and Odyssey Awards for her narration of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars and multiple Audiofile Magazine Earphones award recipient, has narrated over 300 titles across a variety of genres. Kate can be found at katerudd.com.

Saturday October 15, 2016 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
Room 101 DE
  Panel

3:30pm CDT

Saturday Afternoon Variety Show

Hosted by Paul & Storm

Featuring: 

- A rapid-fire Q&A with Chris Rathjen, Eileen Cook, Joe DeGeorge, Jonathan Ying, Karen Hallion, Kevin MacLeod, Nalo Hopkinson, and Paolo Bacigalupi

- Daniel José Older and Nalo Hopkinson in conversation

- Ms. Pacman vs the Patriarchy - a talk by Paul DeGeorge

- A reading by Michael R. Underwood

- A lip sync battle with Blue Delliquanti, John Scalzi, Paul Sabourin, Matt Young, Mikki Kendall, and Darin Ross

- A talk by John Green

Speakers
avatar for Paolo Bacigalupi

Paolo Bacigalupi

Paolo Bacigalupi is probably best known for his debut novel THE WINDUP GIRL, which was as named by TIME Magazine as one of the ten best novels of 2009, and also won the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, Compton Crook, and John W. Campbell Memorial Awards. Internationally, it has won the Seiun... Read More →
avatar for Eileen Cook

Eileen Cook

Eileen Cook is a multi-published author with her novels appearing in eight different languages. She spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer. Her newest book, WITH MALICE, came out in June 2016 and was chosen... Read More →
avatar for Joe DeGeorge
avatar for Paul DeGeorge
avatar for Blue Delliquanti

Blue Delliquanti

Blue Delliquanti is a comic artist based in Minneapolis. She is the creator of the Ignatz- and Lambda-nominated webcomic O Human Star. Her work has also appeared in multiple comics anthologies, including Beyond, Smut Peddler, and New World.
avatar for Storm DiCostanzo

Storm DiCostanzo

Paul and Storm (Paul Sabourin and Greg “Storm” DiCostanzo) are known internationally and across the Internet for their original comedy music (often with a “nerd-ish” bent). In addition to their own live performances, they are co-founders of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock... Read More →
avatar for John Green

John Green

John Green is the award-winning, #1 bestselling author of Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, Will Grayson, Will Grayson (with David Levithan), and The Fault in Our Stars. His many accolades include the Printz Medal, a Printz Honor, and the Edgar Award. He... Read More →
avatar for Karen Hallion

Karen Hallion

Karen Hallion is originally from Nahant, Massachusetts, located just north of Boston. She is a 1997 graduate of Ringling School of Art and Design and holds a BFA in Illustration. Karen taught elementary school art until 2009 when she transitioned to working full-time as a freelance... Read More →
avatar for Nalo Hopkinson

Nalo Hopkinson

Nalo Hopkinson, born in Jamaica, is the author of eight books of fiction and a chapbook, and the editor/co-editor of four fiction anthologies. She is a recipient of the John W. Campbell Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Andre Norton Award, and a two-time recipient of the Sunburst... Read More →
avatar for Mikki Kendall

Mikki Kendall

Mikki Kendall aspires to be an over-educated loudmouth with deep pockets. Failing that she manages to be a periodic cyborg who masquerades as a person with a spouse, kids, and all the trappings of quasi respectability. Once gainfully employed by an unnamed agency, she now invests... Read More →
avatar for Kevin MacLeod

Kevin MacLeod

Kevin MacLeod, a composer known for his Creative Commons licensed royalty-free music, has a catalog of more than two thousand songs. By giving away his music, he has unwittingly become one of the most heard composers in the world. From KFC commercials to Martin Scorsese’s Hugo... Read More →
avatar for Daniel José Older

Daniel José Older

Daniel José Older is the author of the Bone Street Rumba urban fantasy series from Penguin’s Roc Books and the New York Times bestselling Young Adult novel Shadowshaper (Scholastic, 2015), which was nominated for the Kirkus Prize in Young Readers’ Literature, the Norton Award... Read More →
avatar for Christopher Rathjen

Christopher Rathjen

Christopher Rathjen (Cdr. Hayes & Podcast Production on the Improvised Star Trek Podcast) is an actor, writer and filmmaker. During his time in Chicago he's been a member of some great groups at the iO Theater and around the city, including James Jackson, The Signatures, Ringo Starr... Read More →
avatar for Darin Ross

Darin Ross

Darin is the creator of the storytelling project Find the Starlight and the party games Superfight and Red Flags. His work can be found at FeatherAndMatch.com.
avatar for Paul Sabourin

Paul Sabourin

Paul, Paul and Storm
Paul Sabourin is one half of comedy/music duo Paul and Storm. He is a co-founder of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock (along with Storm, Wil Wheaton and Adam Savage), and a co-producer of the annual JoCo Cruise. He is a staff writer and co-producer on the past two seasons of... Read More →
avatar for John Scalzi

John Scalzi

John Scalzi writes science fiction. He like pie. HE BREATHES FIRE. One of these previous statements is false. Which one might surprise you.
avatar for Michael R. Underwood

Michael R. Underwood

Michael R. Underwood is the author of the Ree Reyes Geekomancy books, the Genrenauts series of novellas, and more. He is currently the North American Sales & Marketing Manager for Angry Robot Books. Mike has been a bookseller, publishers’ representative, and teacher. He is a co-host... Read More →
avatar for Jonathan Ying

Jonathan Ying

Jonathan Ying graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in New York with a Liberal Arts Degree, since then he’s worked with Dreamworks Animation Studios, Fantasy Flight Games, and Harper Collins on a variety of projects. He has designed several popular board games including Star Wars... Read More →
avatar for Matt Young

Matt Young

Matt Young is an actor, improviser, producer, director, and writer based in Chicago. He’s most well known as Usidore the Wizard from the podcast, Hello from the Magic Tavern. He also leads the inept crew of the U.S.S. Sisyphus as Captain Baxter in the Improvised Star Trek podcast... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 3:30pm - 5:00pm CDT
Auditorium
  Variety Show

5:00pm CDT

Story Circle - Nerdom
Come sit in a circle with your fellow NerdCon: Stories attendees and swap TRUE stories based on the same theme in a judgement free zone, or just listen! Reading aids and small props are welcome, and the time limit for each story is 6 minutes. The Story Circle is the perfect place to make new friends, dive into storytelling, and try something a little bit different.
Theme: Nerdom
We're all nerdy about something. Has something happened at a convention or a midnight release? Did you have a geek moment over physics or art history? Share with us a story that expresses your inner nerd.
Speakers
avatar for Leslie Datsis

Leslie Datsis

Leslie Datsis’s work focuses on how stories contribute to community building. She has been hosting story circles at conferences all over the country since 2013, and her newest project Story Circle DC is a year long experiment with story circles in the Washington, DC area. Leslie... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Room M100 G
  Activity

5:00pm CDT

Harry Potter Alliance Chapters Meetup
A chance for Harry Potter Alliance chapters and those interested in being a part of one to meet and collaborate in order to create a stronger community. Through an open and interactive presentation attendees will be able to have a conversation spreading tips and inspiration to each other, as well as to who are interested in joining a chapter or creating their own.
Speakers
RF
avatar for Jennah Slayton
SS

Saturday October 15, 2016 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Room 101 J
  Community Programming

5:00pm CDT

Kaffeeklatsch - Mary Robinette Kowal
All kaffeeklatsch spots will be predetermined via lottery — those who received a slot will be notified via email before the event and are welcome to come sit down and have a chat & some coffee or tea!

Enter the lottery here (you must have a NerdCon: Stories ticket to apply -- the lottery closes September 25).
Speakers
avatar for Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Lady Astronaut series and historical fantasy novels: The Glamourist Histories and Ghost Talkers. She’s the president of SFWA, a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Room M100 F
  Kaffeeklatsch

5:00pm CDT

Why Would You Say That? Creating Great Dialogue
Dialogue can be used to show character, move the plot forward and deepen conflict. Almost as important as what people say is what they don't say. This workshop will give you tips to create dialogue that keeps readers turning pages and takes your story to the next level.
Speakers
avatar for Eileen Cook

Eileen Cook

Eileen Cook is a multi-published author with her novels appearing in eight different languages. She spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer. Her newest book, WITH MALICE, came out in June 2016 and was chosen... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Room 101 A
  Workshop

6:00pm CDT

Dread

Dread is a storytelling RPG that uses Jenga instead of dice to determine successes and failures. Join our cast of brave guests as they navigate their way through a story of epic proportions! Learn more about Dread at tiny.cc/dread.

Moderators
avatar for Storm DiCostanzo

Storm DiCostanzo

Paul and Storm (Paul Sabourin and Greg “Storm” DiCostanzo) are known internationally and across the Internet for their original comedy music (often with a “nerd-ish” bent). In addition to their own live performances, they are co-founders of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for M.T. Anderson

M.T. Anderson

M.T. Anderson has written stories for adults, picture books for children, adventure novels for young readers, and several books for older readers (both teens and adults). His satirical book Feed was a Finalist for the National Book Award and was the winner of the L.A. Times Book Prize... Read More →
avatar for Wesley Chu

Wesley Chu

Wesley Chu is an award-winning science fiction author with published seven books. He won the 2015 John W. Campbell Best New Writer Award. His debut novel, The Lives of Tao, earned him the Alex Award by the Young Adult Library Services Association and was selected by Goodreads as a... Read More →
avatar for Katrina Ostrander

Katrina Ostrander

Katrina Ostrander is a gamer chick, game master, and fiction editor working at Fantasy Flight Games. She is also a member of the story groups for the Android, Arkham Horror, Legend of the Five Rings, and Runebound universes. Her previous credits include work as a developer on the... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 6:00pm - 7:30pm CDT
Auditorium
  Evening Programming

6:00pm CDT

Improvised Star Trek Live
The live comedy show that became a podcast will be live once more. Follow the crew of the USS Sisyphus as they create a completely new and improvised episode of Star Trek right before your eyes.
Host: Sean Kelley
Featuring: Matt Young, Christopher Rathjen, Irene Marquette, Griffen Eckstein, Nick Wagner, Mary Cait Walthall, Julia Weiss
Speakers
GE
SK

Sean Kelley

Improvised Star Trek
IM
avatar for Christopher Rathjen

Christopher Rathjen

Christopher Rathjen (Cdr. Hayes & Podcast Production on the Improvised Star Trek Podcast) is an actor, writer and filmmaker. During his time in Chicago he's been a member of some great groups at the iO Theater and around the city, including James Jackson, The Signatures, Ringo Starr... Read More →
NW
MC
JW
avatar for Matt Young

Matt Young

Matt Young is an actor, improviser, producer, director, and writer based in Chicago. He’s most well known as Usidore the Wizard from the podcast, Hello from the Magic Tavern. He also leads the inept crew of the U.S.S. Sisyphus as Captain Baxter in the Improvised Star Trek podcast... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 6:00pm - 7:30pm CDT
Ballroom A
  Live Podcast

6:30pm CDT

Breaking into Publishing
You've got a story to tell, a poem to share, an essay to change the world. But how do you get it OUT THERE? How do you break into publishing? These panelists--traditionally published and indy authors, paper and digital--will talk briefly about how they broke into publishing and will answer questions from audience members about how publishing works today.
Speakers
avatar for Michele Bacon

Michele Bacon

I write realistic contemporary fiction for adults and young adults. My first YA novel, LIFE BEFORE, published in spring 2016. My second YA novel will publish in autumn 2017. Talk to me about books, stories, nerdfighteria, high school, board games, Sherlock, parenting, politics, or... Read More →
HB
SB
avatar for Kate Gorman

Kate Gorman

I’m Kate Gorman, author of ON THE ICE: A New Antarctica Novel and INT-EXT: Using prompts to move art from inside your head to out in the world. I’m also the Art & Literature editor at the geek culture magazine Paper Droids, and I write and produce locative fiction around Washington... Read More →
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ML
SP
CS

Saturday October 15, 2016 6:30pm - 7:30pm CDT
Room 101 J
  Community Programming

8:00pm CDT

Saturday Open Mic
Got a story to share? A song, interpretive dance, or maybe some jokes? We're looking for attendees to show us what they've got! Sign up at the Info Desk in the lobby on Saturday to claim your 5 minute slot. These will fill up fast, so don't wait!
Speakers
avatar for Patricia Wheeler

Patricia Wheeler

Patricia is a writer, storyteller, and producer from Hell, Michigan. Her work centers on trauma, relationships, and other lightweight subjects. She is The Moth’s Michigan StorySLAM producer.

Saturday October 15, 2016 8:00pm - 9:00pm CDT
Auditorium
  Activity

9:30pm CDT

Featured Guest Showcase
Join us for a fun and lively evening of some of the coolest things our guests have up their sleeves, from spoken word, to standup comedy, and beyond!
Featuring Javier Morillo, Rachel Kann, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Raghav Mehta, and Sandeep Parikh
Speakers
avatar for Leslie Carrara-Rudolph

Leslie Carrara-Rudolph

Leslie Carrara-Rudolph is an Emmy-nominated multifaceted entertainer/artist/puppeteer best known for performing Abby Cadabby on Sesame Street. She has received an UNIMA Citation of Excellence and two Jim Henson Foundation Grants for her stage show "Wake Up Your Weird" which premiered... Read More →
avatar for Rachel Kann

Rachel Kann

Rachel Kann is a Write Club Los Angeles champ and resident writer for Hevria and resident performing artist on The Hevria Sessions. Her poetry has been featured at TEDx, on Morning Becomes Eclectic on NPR and as The Weather on the podcast phenomenon, Welcome to Night Vale. She’s... Read More →
avatar for Raghav Mehta

Raghav Mehta

Raghav Mehta is an aggressively nervous comedian and writer living and breathing in the frosty metropolis of Minneapolis, MN. He has performed at the prestigious Bridgetown Comedy Festival in Portland, OR and was named one of Growler’s ‘Top 5 MN Comics To Watch’ in 2015. He’s... Read More →
avatar for Javier Morillo

Javier Morillo

Javier Morillo is a labor leader, activist, podcaster, writer and storyteller based in Minnesota. In his day job, he is the president of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 26, which unites close to 6,000 property service workers in the Twin Cities metro area. As president... Read More →
avatar for Sandeep Parikh

Sandeep Parikh

Sandeep is a talented writer/director/actor. He is best known for playing the affable stalker Zaboo on multi-award winning web series THE GUILD. His TV appearances include NEW GIRL, CALIFORNICATION, COMMUNITY, and THE CRAZY ONES. He is also known for his involvement in Comedy Central's... Read More →

Saturday October 15, 2016 9:30pm - 11:00pm CDT
Auditorium
  Evening Programming
 
Sunday, October 16
 

12:00pm CDT

Nerdfighter Meetup
Join fellow Nerdfighters after the con in Loring Park for a picnic, games, and general awesomeness! Learn more and RSVP here.

Note: this is not an official NerdCon event, but it's rad, so we wanted to let you know about it!
Sunday October 16, 2016 12:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
TBA
 
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