TWISTING THE TWIST WITH JOHN LANGAN

9:00 — 10:00 A.M. CST

Many beginning writers love the twist ending. Many writing teachers hate it. What if there were a better way to use the twist, one that would open up a story instead of closing it down? We'll consider some of the ways this might be accomplished.

WRITING SEX JACKLYN DRE MARCEAU

10:00 — 11:00 A.M. CST

Incorporating sexual (and sensual) situations into written work often proves difficult for even the most skilled writers. This session is designed to guide writers through difficulties in crafting scenes of a sensual and sexual nature.

THE ART OF THE COLLECTION WITH LIVIA LLEWELLYN

11:00 A.M.—12:00 P.M. CST

So you’re ready to put together your first short fiction collection—but where to begin? Learn how to arrange your stories in way that creates the maximum emotional impact with your readers.

Break for Lunch.

12:00— 1:00 P.M. CST

HOW I READ SLUSH WITH SARAH READ

1:00 — 2:00 P.M. CST

One editor's perspective on how she combs through her submission piles looking for treasures. What she’s looking for, how long she reads, and how she thinks about a story's potential.

BUILDING A BETTER WORLD WITH LUCY A. SNYDER

2:00 — 3:00 P.M. CST

How to create and establish a believable setting in fiction and games. If you’re writing supernatural horror, fantasy or science fiction, grounding your story in believable details is critical to “sell” your reader on the speculative elements of your narrative. One way to do this is through excellent world building. In this workshop, students will learn how to create and establish a richly believable world for their fiction that engages and immerses readers.

EDITING AND AUDITING THE SHORT STORY WITH ANGELA SLATTER

3:00 — 4:00 P.M. CST

A critical part of writing is keeping your short story short—knowing what to look for in editing and auditing the text is half the battle.

VIOLENCE, SYNCRETISM, AND HORROR: WRITING BARRIO NOIR WITH GABINO IGLESIAS

4:00 — 5:00 P.M. CST

In this class we will work on bringing together horror, noir, and magical realism while incorporating elements of multilingualism, multiculturalism, border crossing, memory, personal experiences, and syncretism to create powerful narratives that reflect the truly strange and diverse world we live in.

Moderator.