E.D.E. Bell
Stories that work begin with characters. But crafting characters that connect with readers is difficult. In this talk, author Brad Beaulieu will discuss how to create characters that readers love or hate or love to hate. He’ll also discuss how the cast as a whole works to create a compelling story that moves the reader […]
In writing, there are many different techniques that are rarely discussed together. Foreshadowing, parallel threads, theme, tone, character building, and more. In this seminar, author Brad Beaulieu will discuss these topics from the viewpoint of strengthening the story as a whole, taking a story that feels loose and directionless and working with the material that’s […]
Plotting is one of the more difficult disciplines to master in writing. Some writers have an innate sense of what makes a story work, but most writers, particularly those early in their apprenticeships, will benefit from plotting. In this seminar, author Brad Beaulieu will focus on various plotting techniques, from basic structural concepts, initial plotting […]
Tension is one of the basic building blocks of modern day fiction. If you know how to lay the seeds of tension, and how to coax them, you can transform your fiction from merely noteworthy to exceptional. In this seminar, author Brad Beaulieu will discuss the different types of tension are discussed, as well as […]
The ability to recognize patterns is a basic human trait. We use it over and over again in our fiction. In this seminar, author Brad Beaulieu will discuss how to use patterns to your benefit by both setting and breaking expectations. Learn how to draw your reader in by challenging their expectations, and take character […]
Well-structured scenes make for compelling storytelling. How can you construct powerful scenes? And how do you string scenes together to create a vivid and stirring piece of writing? In this seminar, you’ll learn from author Join Brad Beaulieu how to structure scenes that work, whether you’re writing a short story or the next breakout novel. […]
Join Brad Beaulieu for a detailed discussion of the ins and outs of creating a compelling, vibrant world from scratch, extrapolating from history, or shading our own world slightly differently to create a unique setting for your novel. Track: GCWS Classroom.
Participating authors will be listed here, once finalized. Track: GCWS Event.
Join author and editor E.D.E. Bell for a relaxed, joyful celebration of writing. This is a no pressure, anxiety-friendly event – you can just listen and enjoy, participate silently, join the group, or change your mind part way. Hope to see you there! Track: GCWS Event.
Join our panel of expert writers as they recount stories of narrative nightmares, some hard-learned lessons earned in the process, and how they moved past them—and examine how to recognize disasters, how to recover and course correct, and what they’ve learned in the process. Panelists: Sean CW Korsgaard (moderator), Jeremy Bernstein, Richard Lee Byers, Jerry […]
The skill of networking in the writing industry is critical, especially in the small world of speculative fiction and gaming. Learn some strategies for how to organically network, and avoid missteps, with author, gamemaster, scholar, and streamer Gregory A. Wilson. Track: GCWS Classroom.
Social anxiety or imposter syndrome can affect even confident people in both overt and subtle ways, but networking doesn’t have to be hard or scary when you learn to work with your natural ways of connecting rather than trying to fit an external image of what networking should look like. This workshop with author Sandra […]
In 2023, RPG systems continue to expand, with attention to those that are narrative-driven and less rules-intensive. Join our panel of RPG writers as they discuss the range of new and emerging narrative games. Panelists: Alexander Bevier (moderator), Derek Tyler Attico, Erin M. Evans, Carlos Hernandez, Dedren Snead. Track: GCWS Game Narrative.
For those with a completed novel, we are pleased to offer this unique opportunity to have your work seen. Each attendee will get ten minutes to pitch one book to Diana M. Pho, Executive Editor of Erewhon Books. This pitch session does not mean a contract is offered, but allows the writer and the editor […]
There’s a special sort of alchemy that happens when a group of writers play a TTRPG together that can feed directly into their craft as published authors. How does practicing “yes, and” at the table, for example, flex specific creative muscles? How does the safer, relaxed space of an in-character Discord channel offer a chance […]
There’s a special sort of alchemy that happens when a group of writers play a TTRPG together that can feed directly into their craft as published authors. How does practising “yes, and” at the table, for example, flex specific creative muscles? How does the safer, relaxed space of an in-character Discord channel offer a chance […]
With: Whitney “Strix” Beltrán, Matt Forbeck, Carlos Hernandez. Track: GCWS Critique.
With: Jennifer Allaway, Jordan Jones-Brewster, Toiya Kristen Finley. Track: GCWS Critique.
How do you stay on top of the daily demands of being a writer? How do you plan—and carry out that plan—for a novel or series? How do you make sure one aspect of writing doesn’t swallow up all the rest? How can a writer stay in control of the daily chaos of existence even […]
In this fun and engaging workshop, writer Katherine Monasterio will show you how to excise fluff and power up word choices to create more effective, interesting, and pleasing prose. Track: GCWS Classroom.
Beyond building worlds where queer people exist and thrive, how can our writing and word choices make our stories more queernormative? Join our panel of writing experts as they discuss. Panelists: E.D.E. Bell (moderator), Brandon O’Brien, Cat Rambo, Dedren Snead, K.B. Wagers. Track: GCWS Writing.
Quiet fiction is often confused with level of content, mood, gentleness, or even avoiding tough topics. Discuss quiet fiction with award-winning quiet fiction writers. Are you writing quiet fiction? Would you like to? Not sure? Join our panel of quiet fiction writers as they discuss how to talk about, embrace, and explore quiet fiction. Panelists: […]
Got some writing you’d like feedback on? Join fellow writers and a panel of professional authors, editors, and reviewers for one of our longest-running features, the Read and Critique, where you’ll read from your work-in-progress for a few minutes and get some initial impressions and advice from the panel. Some of our Read and Critique […]
Got some writing you’d like feedback on? Join fellow writers and a panel of professional authors, editors, and reviewers for one of our longest-running features, the Read and Critique, where you’ll read from your work-in-progress for a few minutes and get some initial impressions and advice from the panel. Some of our Read and Critique […]
Got some writing you’d like feedback on? Join fellow writers and a panel of professional authors, editors, and reviewers for one of our longest-running features, the Read and Critique, where you’ll read from your work-in-progress for a few minutes and get some initial impressions and advice from the panel. Some of our Read and Critique […]