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Penguicon 2026

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3:00pm EDT

Avoiding Problematic Stereotypes and Tropes

Friday March 27, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT

Tropes and stereotypes in your books can be upsetting to readers if they're not carefully handled. Authors discuss how to avoid using stereotyped characters and offensive tropes, and also how to turn them on their heads to write better fiction.

Moderators

Valtinen Erik Karille

Speakers

Leslie Gulvas

I'm a collector of experiences and writer of both fact and fiction. I live on a farm with a giant wolf hound, a disgruntled guard pig, silly cats and an old gray horseMy books are:
Carnival Charlatan an urban fantasy,
Brenda's House a middle grade ghost story, and
Off the Reservatio... Read More →

Jennifer Blackstream

Author

"Jennifer Blackstream is a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and fantasy romance. She is amazed and grateful to have made a writing career out of a Master’s degree in Psychology, hours of couch-detecting watching Murder She Wrote, and endless research into mythology... Read More →

Ryan Rose

Friday March 27, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Algonquin A

Writing

4:00pm EDT

The Art of the Short Story

Friday March 27, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT

Short story writers discuss how ideas can be turned into short stories that sell for cold, hard cash.

Moderators

Leslie Gulvas

I'm a collector of experiences and writer of both fact and fiction. I live on a farm with a giant wolf hound, a disgruntled guard pig, silly cats and an old gray horseMy books are:
Carnival Charlatan an urban fantasy,
Brenda's House a middle grade ghost story, and
Off the Reservatio... Read More →

Speakers

Paul Michael Peters

Paul Michael Peters is an American author known for his genre-blending narratives that span thrillers, suspense, science fiction, and literary fiction. His stories often delve into the unexpected, exploring life's quirky tangents with a unique voice that combines humor and darkness... Read More →

Ken MacGregor

Ken is a Speculative Fiction (mostly Horror) author with four story collections, an award-winning YA/MG novella, and a novel he co-wrote with Kerry Lipp. He has edited three original anthologies (one co-edited with Douglas Gwilym), one of which was a finalist for the Shirley Jackson... Read More →

Jean Davis

Sci-fi & Fantasy Author

Jean Davis writes an array of speculative fiction and plays with chickens. She has written short story collections, a space opera series, stand-alone novels, children’s books about her chickens, many projects that aren’t yet finished, and a lot of pages that you will never se... Read More →

Storm Humbert

Friday March 27, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
Algonquin A

Writing

5:00pm EDT

The Evolution of Science Fiction

Friday March 27, 2026 5:00pm - 5:50pm EDT

Science fiction novels used to be short, what we'd now call novellas or even novellettes. Hard science was prioritized, with characters like cardboard cutouts, and now characters and their story arcs are critical to Science Fiction stories. In what other ways has Science Fiction changed since its inception? Why did these changes come about, and what do they mean for authors now?

Speakers

Paul Michael Peters

Paul Michael Peters is an American author known for his genre-blending narratives that span thrillers, suspense, science fiction, and literary fiction. His stories often delve into the unexpected, exploring life's quirky tangents with a unique voice that combines humor and darkness... Read More →

Katie Spina

Author, Awesome Authors Kids

Ms. Katie is an award-winning kidlit author who writes stories for kids where finding your fit means trusting in who you are. An avid reader, she loves all sorts of books across a wide spectrum. With a Bachelor's degree in Writing from the University of Michigan-Flint, she is a professional... Read More →

Ray Tabler

Author, Science Fiction You Can Enjoy

My aim is to write science fiction you can enjoy. So far that's manifested as what I call Light Space Opera. Imagine Starship Troopers, hijacked by Monty Python, or space opera as produced by Gilbert and Sullivan, while bankrolled and bullied by Flo Ziegfeld. Additional links:
Ray... Read More →

Evan Dicken

By day, EVAN DICKEN studies old Japanese maps and crunches research data at The Ohio State University. By night, he does neither of these things.

His short fiction has appeared in: Analog, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, and Strange Horizons, and he has written a hefty fistful of media tie-in novels for properties such as: Warhammer, Legend of the Five Rings, Banner Saga, and Arkham Horror... Read More →

David Weber

Friday March 27, 2026 5:00pm - 5:50pm EDT
Algonquin A

Writing

7:00pm EDT

Making Toys with High-voltage Electronics. Nixies, and CRT, and Magic eyes

Friday March 27, 2026 7:00pm - 7:50pm EDT

Interested in Nixies but don't know where to start? Did you ever wonder if you could make one those glowing vacuum tubes displays? Or do you just want to see lots of really interesting old display technologies. This interactive session covers the basics of these devices and how to use them. Dozens of hands-on toys and components will be shared. Resources and recommendations will be shared so that you can go away and make your own fun high-voltage devices.

Speakers

Keith Moore

Jack of no trades. Master of some. Proud father husband.,
Too many interests and hobbies to mention. Old computers, electronics, software, pre-war cars, pinball machines, pre-sound films, music, bee keeper, and more.

Friday March 27, 2026 7:00pm - 7:50pm EDT
Algonquin A

DIY Science Technology

8:00pm EDT

Transhumanism: How Close are we to Cyberpunk?

Friday March 27, 2026 8:00pm - 8:50pm EDT

This panel is entirely educational and is meant to teach about subjects such as biotechnology and genetic modification through the lens of Cyberpunk anime.

Speakers

Sergio Bermudez

So You Think You Can Fanon

Friday March 27, 2026 8:00pm - 8:50pm EDT
Algonquin A

Science Speculative Fiction

10:00pm EDT

Fine Art Nude Photography with a Cell-Phone

Friday March 27, 2026 10:00pm - 11:00pm EDT

You don't need a fancy camera to do great photography. I'll show you how to do Fine Art Nudes with your cell phone and some inexpensive equipment.

Speakers

Kevin Nickerson

Programmer, Photographer, Burner, and geek. I also have strong feelings on the correct formulation of a martini and brew beer.

Friday March 27, 2026 10:00pm - 11:00pm EDT
Algonquin A

After Dark

10:00am EDT

Fiction Writing: Where to Begin

Saturday March 28, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

Got an idea you want to turn into a story? Seasoned pros will walk you through the process of turning an idea into a story with all the necessary elements.

Moderators

Stephanie Loree

Freelance Writer & Copy Editor, Jinx Publishing LLC

Born and still based in Ohio, Stephanie Lorée writes fantasy fiction and occasionally moonlights as a rock star. Her stories have appeared in places like Abyss & Apex and as tie-in fiction for the Pathfinder RPG. In 2013, she was a finalist for the Writers of the Future award... Read More →

Speakers

Paul Michael Peters

Paul Michael Peters is an American author known for his genre-blending narratives that span thrillers, suspense, science fiction, and literary fiction. His stories often delve into the unexpected, exploring life's quirky tangents with a unique voice that combines humor and darkness... Read More →

Jean Davis

Sci-fi & Fantasy Author

Jean Davis writes an array of speculative fiction and plays with chickens. She has written short story collections, a space opera series, stand-alone novels, children’s books about her chickens, many projects that aren’t yet finished, and a lot of pages that you will never se... Read More →

Ray Tabler

Author, Science Fiction You Can Enjoy

My aim is to write science fiction you can enjoy. So far that's manifested as what I call Light Space Opera. Imagine Starship Troopers, hijacked by Monty Python, or space opera as produced by Gilbert and Sullivan, while bankrolled and bullied by Flo Ziegfeld. Additional links:
Ray... Read More →

Jennifer Blackstream

Author

"Jennifer Blackstream is a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and fantasy romance. She is amazed and grateful to have made a writing career out of a Master’s degree in Psychology, hours of couch-detecting watching Murder She Wrote, and endless research into mythology... Read More →

Saturday March 28, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Algonquin A

Writing

11:00am EDT

What I Wish I'd Known

Saturday March 28, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT

Authors discuss what they've learned about writing, publishing, and marketing they wish they'd known when they first started.

Speakers

Paul Michael Peters

Paul Michael Peters is an American author known for his genre-blending narratives that span thrillers, suspense, science fiction, and literary fiction. His stories often delve into the unexpected, exploring life's quirky tangents with a unique voice that combines humor and darkness... Read More →

Jean Davis

Sci-fi & Fantasy Author

Jean Davis writes an array of speculative fiction and plays with chickens. She has written short story collections, a space opera series, stand-alone novels, children’s books about her chickens, many projects that aren’t yet finished, and a lot of pages that you will never se... Read More →

Katie Spina

Author, Awesome Authors Kids

Ms. Katie is an award-winning kidlit author who writes stories for kids where finding your fit means trusting in who you are. An avid reader, she loves all sorts of books across a wide spectrum. With a Bachelor's degree in Writing from the University of Michigan-Flint, she is a professional... Read More →

Ray Tabler

Author, Science Fiction You Can Enjoy

My aim is to write science fiction you can enjoy. So far that's manifested as what I call Light Space Opera. Imagine Starship Troopers, hijacked by Monty Python, or space opera as produced by Gilbert and Sullivan, while bankrolled and bullied by Flo Ziegfeld. Additional links:
Ray... Read More →

Ryan Rose

Saturday March 28, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Algonquin A

Writing

1:00pm EDT

Effective Worldbuilding

Saturday March 28, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT

Fiction requires creating interesting, immersive worlds, especially in Fantasy, SciFi, and Horror. Panelists discuss the most popular worlds in fiction and why they stand out, as well as how the panelists create the worlds they use in their fiction.

Speakers

Kyle E Miller

Richard C. White

Original and Media Tie-in Author. I write Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Fantasy Noir, Action-Adventure, Historical Fantasy, and Non-Fiction. I will be releasing up to 4 new books in 2026 and have been a panelist/guest at MystiCon nine times in the pre-Covid shows.

My works can be found at http://www.richardcwhite.com/bibliography... Read More →

Paul Michael Peters

Paul Michael Peters is an American author known for his genre-blending narratives that span thrillers, suspense, science fiction, and literary fiction. His stories often delve into the unexpected, exploring life's quirky tangents with a unique voice that combines humor and darkness... Read More →

Ray Tabler

Author, Science Fiction You Can Enjoy

My aim is to write science fiction you can enjoy. So far that's manifested as what I call Light Space Opera. Imagine Starship Troopers, hijacked by Monty Python, or space opera as produced by Gilbert and Sullivan, while bankrolled and bullied by Flo Ziegfeld. Additional links:
Ray... Read More →

Evan Dicken

By day, EVAN DICKEN studies old Japanese maps and crunches research data at The Ohio State University. By night, he does neither of these things.

His short fiction has appeared in: Analog, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, and Strange Horizons, and he has written a hefty fistful of media tie-in novels for properties such as: Warhammer, Legend of the Five Rings, Banner Saga, and Arkham Horror... Read More →

Saturday March 28, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
Algonquin A

Writing

2:00pm EDT

The Paths to Publishing

Saturday March 28, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT

An exploration of the various paths to becoming a published author and finding your audience, whether you want to be traditionally published, published with small or medium presses, or self-published.

Speakers

Kyle E Miller

Jarod K. Anderson

Jarod K. Anderson is a writer and poet from Ohio. His new fantasy novel Strange Animals was called "a wholly captivating tale of magic and nature" by Publishers Weekly. His book about nature and mental health Something in the Woods Loves You was praised as a "brilliantly poignant... Read More →

Jean Davis

Sci-fi & Fantasy Author

Jean Davis writes an array of speculative fiction and plays with chickens. She has written short story collections, a space opera series, stand-alone novels, children’s books about her chickens, many projects that aren’t yet finished, and a lot of pages that you will never se... Read More →

Matt Betts

Writer/Poet and Programmer for the UA Library, UA Library

Talk to me about horror, pop culture, poetry, scifi, books, movies! I want it all!

I'm writer and poet, and I develop programming for the Upper Arlington Public Library.

Ray Tabler

Author, Science Fiction You Can Enjoy

My aim is to write science fiction you can enjoy. So far that's manifested as what I call Light Space Opera. Imagine Starship Troopers, hijacked by Monty Python, or space opera as produced by Gilbert and Sullivan, while bankrolled and bullied by Flo Ziegfeld. Additional links:
Ray... Read More →

Llewella Forgie

Llewella Forgie is an award-wining author who creates stories of tenacious women battling injustice and creating their own happily-ever-after. Her current work-in-progress is a pentalogy that takes place in Europe in 1802. France is planning to invade, people with psychic powers have... Read More →

Saturday March 28, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
Algonquin A

Writing

3:00pm EDT

Maintaining Motivation

Saturday March 28, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT

A lot of writers struggle to finish a first draft. Pros offer tips and tricks to stick with and finish your book, even through the dreaded Middle.

Speakers

Jarod K. Anderson

Jarod K. Anderson is a writer and poet from Ohio. His new fantasy novel Strange Animals was called "a wholly captivating tale of magic and nature" by Publishers Weekly. His book about nature and mental health Something in the Woods Loves You was praised as a "brilliantly poignant... Read More →

Katie Spina

Author, Awesome Authors Kids

Ms. Katie is an award-winning kidlit author who writes stories for kids where finding your fit means trusting in who you are. An avid reader, she loves all sorts of books across a wide spectrum. With a Bachelor's degree in Writing from the University of Michigan-Flint, she is a professional... Read More →

Evan Dicken

By day, EVAN DICKEN studies old Japanese maps and crunches research data at The Ohio State University. By night, he does neither of these things.

His short fiction has appeared in: Analog, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, and Strange Horizons, and he has written a hefty fistful of media tie-in novels for properties such as: Warhammer, Legend of the Five Rings, Banner Saga, and Arkham Horror... Read More →

Valtinen Erik Karille

Storm Humbert

Saturday March 28, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Algonquin A

Writing

4:00pm EDT

Creating Compelling Characters with Agency

Saturday March 28, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT

Authors explain how they come up with characters that are complex, believable, and compelling to read about.

Speakers

Christine Daigle

Christine Daigle is a multi-genre author whose latest release, Heavy Are The Stones, is a serial killer thriller co-authored with New York Times bestselling author J.D. Barker. She and Barker are also collaborating on a reboot of Flatliners, based on the original screenplay. Christine... Read More →

Fyra B. Ginn

Paul Michael Peters

Paul Michael Peters is an American author known for his genre-blending narratives that span thrillers, suspense, science fiction, and literary fiction. His stories often delve into the unexpected, exploring life's quirky tangents with a unique voice that combines humor and darkness... Read More →

Jean Davis

Sci-fi & Fantasy Author

Jean Davis writes an array of speculative fiction and plays with chickens. She has written short story collections, a space opera series, stand-alone novels, children’s books about her chickens, many projects that aren’t yet finished, and a lot of pages that you will never se... Read More →

Vera West

Saturday March 28, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
Algonquin A

Writing

5:00pm EDT

Poetry Isn't Dead, It's Undead

Saturday March 28, 2026 5:00pm - 5:50pm EDT

A discussion of how to write poetry that resonates with a broad audience and challenges traditional ideas of verse. Poets will discuss speculative poetry and how the use of science fiction and horror tropes can make it more accessible. Panelists will also detail markets and opportunities for speculative poets, and give the audience prompts to help them get started on their own poems.

Speakers

Kyle E Miller

Jarod K. Anderson

Jarod K. Anderson is a writer and poet from Ohio. His new fantasy novel Strange Animals was called "a wholly captivating tale of magic and nature" by Publishers Weekly. His book about nature and mental health Something in the Woods Loves You was praised as a "brilliantly poignant... Read More →

Sarah Hans

Sarah Hans is an award-winning writer, editor, and teacher whose stories have appeared in more than 40 publications, including Apex Magazine, Love Letters to Poe, and Pseudopod. Her debut horror novel, Entomophobia, was released in 2022. You can read Sarah’s short stories in the... Read More →

Matt Betts

Writer/Poet and Programmer for the UA Library, UA Library

Talk to me about horror, pop culture, poetry, scifi, books, movies! I want it all!

I'm writer and poet, and I develop programming for the Upper Arlington Public Library.

Vera West

Saturday March 28, 2026 5:00pm - 5:50pm EDT
Algonquin A

Writing

6:00pm EDT

How to Succeed at Vibecoding Without Really Trying

Saturday March 28, 2026 6:00pm - 6:50pm EDT

There are only three things you need to do to produce large volumes of high-quality code using robot friends, and you should be doing two of them already. This talk will explain all.

Speakers

Eric Raymond

Saturday March 28, 2026 6:00pm - 6:50pm EDT
Algonquin A

Technology

8:00pm EDT

Dance Party

Saturday March 28, 2026 8:00pm - 11:50pm EDT

Everyone can stop by and dance to epic 80's music, as well as a selection of others picked by DJ Meph.

Speakers

Norman Witte III

Software Engineer/Deejay Extrordinaire

I live in my own mind, ain't nothin but a good time.

Saturday March 28, 2026 8:00pm - 11:50pm EDT
Algonquin A

Event

10:00am EDT

Hook Your Reader: Starting Your Book

Sunday March 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT

The first page of a book is the most important one, because this is where you grab your reader. Authors explore some of fiction's most powerful opening lines and discuss how they write their own.

Speakers

A. Carina Spears

Author, Guild House Classic

I'm one of the Shinigami Kami. I know way too much about something most people probably aren't familiar with. If you want to talk about Shinigami/Grim Reapers, awesome.
I write horror, romance, and fantasy. I also enjoy writing challenges and to that end am playing with fan-fictio... Read More →

Ray Tabler

Author, Science Fiction You Can Enjoy

My aim is to write science fiction you can enjoy. So far that's manifested as what I call Light Space Opera. Imagine Starship Troopers, hijacked by Monty Python, or space opera as produced by Gilbert and Sullivan, while bankrolled and bullied by Flo Ziegfeld. Additional links:
Ray... Read More →

Paul Michael Peters

Paul Michael Peters is an American author known for his genre-blending narratives that span thrillers, suspense, science fiction, and literary fiction. His stories often delve into the unexpected, exploring life's quirky tangents with a unique voice that combines humor and darkness... Read More →

Jennifer Blackstream

Author

"Jennifer Blackstream is a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and fantasy romance. She is amazed and grateful to have made a writing career out of a Master’s degree in Psychology, hours of couch-detecting watching Murder She Wrote, and endless research into mythology... Read More →

Ryan Rose

David Weber

Sunday March 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Algonquin A

Writing

11:00am EDT

Finishing Strong: Writing a Great Ending

Sunday March 29, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT

The ending of a book or series can determine whether or not readers review it favorably and recommend it to others. What makes a great ending to a book or series that will leave your readers satisfied?

Speakers

Jarod K. Anderson

Jarod K. Anderson is a writer and poet from Ohio. His new fantasy novel Strange Animals was called "a wholly captivating tale of magic and nature" by Publishers Weekly. His book about nature and mental health Something in the Woods Loves You was praised as a "brilliantly poignant... Read More →

Jennifer Blackstream

Author

"Jennifer Blackstream is a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and fantasy romance. She is amazed and grateful to have made a writing career out of a Master’s degree in Psychology, hours of couch-detecting watching Murder She Wrote, and endless research into mythology... Read More →

Llewella Forgie

Llewella Forgie is an award-wining author who creates stories of tenacious women battling injustice and creating their own happily-ever-after. Her current work-in-progress is a pentalogy that takes place in Europe in 1802. France is planning to invade, people with psychic powers have... Read More →

David Weber

Sunday March 29, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Algonquin A

Writing

1:00pm EDT

How to Collaborate with Friends and Not Kill Each Other

Sunday March 29, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT

There's an old saying about not going into business with your friends if you want to remain friends. But plenty of writers have written books with their friends. Authors who have experience collaborating will discuss the process and how to maintain a friendship in the face of disagreements.

Speakers

Ken MacGregor

Ken is a Speculative Fiction (mostly Horror) author with four story collections, an award-winning YA/MG novella, and a novel he co-wrote with Kerry Lipp. He has edited three original anthologies (one co-edited with Douglas Gwilym), one of which was a finalist for the Shirley Jackson... Read More →

Katie Spina

Author, Awesome Authors Kids

Ms. Katie is an award-winning kidlit author who writes stories for kids where finding your fit means trusting in who you are. An avid reader, she loves all sorts of books across a wide spectrum. With a Bachelor's degree in Writing from the University of Michigan-Flint, she is a professional... Read More →

Vera West

David Weber

Sunday March 29, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
Algonquin A

Writing

2:00pm EDT

The Dreaded Second Draft: Editing Your Novel

Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT

You've finished the first draft of your novel—now what? Whether you plan to submit to literary agents or self-publish, the editing process is crucial to streamlining your plot, intensifying your character arcs, and sharpening your prose. Authors discuss how to use reader feedback and structure your edits to make your novel stand out.

Speakers

Jarod K. Anderson

Jarod K. Anderson is a writer and poet from Ohio. His new fantasy novel Strange Animals was called "a wholly captivating tale of magic and nature" by Publishers Weekly. His book about nature and mental health Something in the Woods Loves You was praised as a "brilliantly poignant... Read More →

Leslie Gulvas

I'm a collector of experiences and writer of both fact and fiction. I live on a farm with a giant wolf hound, a disgruntled guard pig, silly cats and an old gray horseMy books are:
Carnival Charlatan an urban fantasy,
Brenda's House a middle grade ghost story, and
Off the Reservatio... Read More →

Vera West

Stephanie Loree

Freelance Writer & Copy Editor, Jinx Publishing LLC

Born and still based in Ohio, Stephanie Lorée writes fantasy fiction and occasionally moonlights as a rock star. Her stories have appeared in places like Abyss & Apex and as tie-in fiction for the Pathfinder RPG. In 2013, she was a finalist for the Writers of the Future award... Read More →

Valtinen Erik Karille

Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
Algonquin A

Writing