Norwescon 41 Saturday & Sunday Pocket Program

Norwescon 41

The Saturday and Sunday pocket program for Norwescon 41.

Cheryl Dyson

Norwescon

March 31–April 1, 2018

Except where noted, contents are copyright ©2018 Norwescon for the contributors.

English

Norwescon 41 Pocket Program Saturday & Sunday

[Art by Galen Dara of a woman in armor with arms spread with ghostly wings behind her riding a horse galloping over waves.]

Norwescon 41

Welcome to Norwescon 41: Uncovering Mysteries
The Forty-first Annual Northwest Regional Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention

Writer Guest of Honor - Ken Liu
Artist Guest of Honor - Galen Dara
Science Guest of Honor - Mathew Wedel
Publisher - Green Ronin (Nicole Lindroos & Chris Pramas)

Except where noted, contents are copyright ©2018 Norwescon for the contributors.

All opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Science Fiction Northwest, Norwescon, or the Northwest Science Fiction Society.

all pocket program art © galen dara

Programming

Your pocket program contains all kinds of cool stuff. It has Norwescon's policy for attendance, including our harassment policy. There are schedules for events, information on those events, services available, maps, and convention hours.

For further information about the convention, go to the Information Table located in the convention space lobby.

The most up-to-date information can be found in the Guidebook app, as updates are made frequently during the convention. Feel free to download the app on your phone or other mobile device.

Your pocket program and event descriptions are broken up into three books for easier transportation. The first book contains the Member's Guide, convention hours, and panels and events by subject.

The second book contains Thursday and Friday event programming.

The third book contains Saturday and Sunday event programming.

Convention Hours

Registration
Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Convention Office (wing 7 - Room 7106)
Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. - Noon

Cloak Room (wing 7 - Room 7101)
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m. - midnight
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m. - midnight
Sunday 10:00 a.m. - noon

Convention Lounge (wing 7 - Rooms7106 and 7108)
Thursday noon - 7:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Green Room/Pro Check-In and Stage Management (Cascade 1)
Thursday noon - 10:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Security & Lost and Found (Olympic 3)
Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.
Saturday 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.
Sunday 7:00 a.m. - noon

Security is still available when the office is closed (3 a.m. - 7 a.m.) by dialing 77108 from any hotel phone.

Dealer's Room
Thursday 4:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Art Show
Friday 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Art in Action
Thursday 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Volunteeer Booth (Convention Lobby)
Thursday noon. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 8:30 a.m. - noon

Workshop and Koffee Klatch Signups (Cascade 1)
Thursday noon - 10:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Scheduled Gaming
Maxi's Ballroom
All ages:
Thursday 2:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

21 and older:
Friday 9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Saturday 9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.

Scheduled Gaming
Evergreen 1 & 2
All ages:
Friday 9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Saturday 9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.

Saturday, 3/31	9	:30	10	:30	11	:30	12	:30	1	:30	2	:30	3	:30	4	:30	5	:30	6	:30	7	:30	8	:30	9	:30	10	:30	11	:30	12	:30	1	:30
Cascade 1&2
Cascade 3			Artemis
Cascade 4			Reading: Meg Elison	Reading: Carrie Vaughn	Reading: Tim Pratt	Reading: Curtis C. Chen	Reading: Nancy Kress	Reading: Barth Anderson	Reading: Nisi Shawl	Reading: Scott James Magner	Reading: Patrick Swenson	Reading: Randy Henderson	Reading: Elsa Sjunneson-Henry	Reading: Tod McCoy	Reading: K.G. Anderson	Reading: Greg Bear	Reading: Evan J. Peterson	Reading: Jon Lasser	Reading: Eva L. Elasigue	Reading: Caren GS	Reading: Sierra Saint-Cyr	Reading; Jeremy Zimmerman	Reading: Kim Ritchie				Friends of Bill W.
Cascade 5&6			Ethnobotany		Beyond Rebellion in Young Adult Fantasy		Single Pattern Contest Judging		Single Pattern Contest Show & Share		I Am A Teenage Geek		Gothic Literature - 1820 to the Present Day		Abe Lincoln Was a Sorcerer		Kids Masquerade		Leveling Up Your Art		Horror in Gaming		Ask Me About My Feminist Agenda		Getting it Wrong - A Panel for Allies
Cascade 7&8			Check Your Writer Privelege		The Works of Philip K. Dick		Writing Comics		Your Story's Engine				The Sounds of old Norse		200 Years of Science Fiction: An Appreciation of Mary Shelley		Writer Talk: He Said/She Said		Whither the Aerospike?		GMO=NO GO		Early History of the Personal Computer		So You Want to Paint for Paizo
Cascade 9			Pardon Me, Are You Aaron Burr, Sir?		Legacy of Star Trek		Book Covers, Advertising, and Sales Tracking		Back to Baroque		Is Fandom More Diverse & Accepting?		The Slippery Slope From YAY to EWW!		Mental Health Is Not Responsible for Evil		Science Fiction Worldbuilding		Science Fiction in the Time of President Trump		Death is Easy, Comedy is Hard
Cascade 10			Writer Talk: Dig That Rhythm		Creating Inclusive Gaming Groups & Events		Out of Alignment: Moral Ambiguity in Gaming		Evolution and Humans		How to Be a Better GM		Mermaid Bras, Headpieces, and Jewelry		Biology Doesn't Care What You Believe		Dragon Age: A Love Story		The Horror of Being Twelve		Pop Culture and Social Media		Twin Peaks		The Elements of Slash
Cascade 11			The Truth About Fake News		Why Agent?		Identifying Fabric		Body Horror		Warrior's Role in Society		Use Reference, Dammit!		Organs of Control: The Totalitarian State		Ready, Set, Practice That Pitch!		Thinking of Starting Your Own Press
Cascade 12			A Band of Travelers Meets in A Tavern		The Rest of the World in Space		Writer Talk: Lost in Translation		I Love This, I Own This, I Control This		Created Languages		The Future of Military Aviation		Prop Contest Judging		Historical Costuming: Fantasy or Reality		What Responsibility Do We Have as Writers		The Spaceship Concept Graveyard		Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading
Cascade 13			Jumpstart Your Novel				Making Your Speculative Fiction World Real			Worldbuilding: Layer Like an Onion			The Magic of Plotting			Writing Emotionally Powerful Characters Beyond Your Framework					Home Recording 101		Digital Cartography Workshop
Evergreen 1&2			Writer Guest of Honor Ken Liu Reading		The Art of Galen Dara		Hugo Announcement		YA's Role in Genre		Liar's Panel		Asteroid Impact Simulation				US Military - Women in Tactical Combat		Tales of the Atomic Briquettes		Make a Villain - Fantasy Edition				All-Ages Gaming
Evergreen 3&4			Crossing the Streams: SF, Fantasy, and Honorary Cross-Genres		Worlds That Never Were		Science Guest of Honor Matthew Wedel Interview & Q&A		Star Wars' Ever Expanding Universe		Anatomy of a Pandemic		The Great Ancient Tales, Epics and Voyages: Fuel for Fantasy		The Nature of AI				Blue Rose						Filk
Olympic 1	Saturday Morning Cartoons			Monster Mash for Kids				Story Time With Lisa Mantchev	Baby and Toddler Social Hour		Kookie Klatch: Kate Ristau	Arts & Crafts Open House: Superheroes			Themyscrian Training Academy	Sensory Open House					Pajama Party
Olympic 2			Create Your Own Worlds		Your Online Image as an Artist		Star Wars Felties				Hand-Sewing Basics 101				Hero Corps		Beginning Leatherworking Workshop				Monster Mash for Mature Mad Scientists
Grand 1			Art Show
Grand 2		Superhero Yoga	Norse Sword, Shield, and Tactical Combat		Roman Legionary Gladius and Scutum Tactical Combat		Killing Men & Horses: Hands-On Ren Pike & Shot		The First 10 Steps to Understanding Sword Work		Autograph Session 1		Autograph Session 2						Doors	Masquerade					Nerf Zombie Maze
Grand 3	Pre Masqurade Meeting 8AM	Masquerade Setup/Rehearsal							Concert: Megathruster		Concert: Leannan Sidhe		Concert: Vixy & Tony		Putting Together Performance										Dance
Maxi's Ballroom	All-Ages Scheduled Gaming																						Floor Closed		21+ Gaming
Maxi's Salon	All Ages Gaming Demos/Dealers
Mt. Baker
Mt. Rainier
Rotunda 1
Rotunda 2
Presidential Suite					Harry Potter Meetup		Kandy Klatdches
Poolside							Makeup and Wigs for Mermaids		Mermaid Swim

Saturday Panels

Pre-Masquerade Meeting
8–9 a.m. Grand 3
If you plan to enter the masquerade, you must come to one of the three pre-masquerade meetings (Thursday at 9 p.m., Friday at 5 p.m., or Saturday at 8 a.m.) to get all the information you need to compete and turn over your music. If you have not already registered online, we will have a computer available for you to do so. If you are just curious and have some questions, we will have the answers.

Saturday Morning Cartoon Pajama Party with PBS Kids Cartoons
9–10 a.m. Olympic 1
Saturday morning cartoons and coloring in your jammies! Ease into Saturday with PBS Kids. We'll have cartoons on and character coloring sheets available courtesy of KBTC Public Television. Kari Ann Ramadorai, Danielle Gembala

All-Ages Scheduled Gaming
9 a.m. –8 p.m. Maxi's Ballroom
Come sign up for a game run by our DMs or check out games from our lending library. We have RPGs, computer games, LARPs, card games, board games, and so much more! Need ADA access for a game? Please speak to our staff when you sign up so we can be sure to meet your needs.

All-Ages Game Demos
9 a.m.–8 p.m. Salon
All weekend there are dealers and game developers running demos of games in Maxi's Salon. Come up and see the latest and greatest games and talk to game developers.

Pathfinder and D&D AL
9 a.m.–1 a.m. Rotunda 1
Pathfinder Society and Dungeons and Dragons' Adventurers League will be running games throughout the weekend. Check the gaming schedule for details.

Superhero Yoga
9:30–10 a.m. Grand 2
Start off your super day! Gain strength and confidence from power poses, sometimes correlating to traditional yoga or martial arts, yet straight from the panels or scenes. Breathe deeply. Relax and loosen those muscles like the hero you are. Go boldly into your Norwescon Saturday energized for the day's activities. (Wear comfortable clothes. This is a low-impact physical activity.)
Eva L. Elasigue (M)

Artemis
10 a.m.–midnight Cascade 3
Be the crew, report to the bridge! Artemis is a spaceship bridge simulator where players assume the jobs of captain, helm, science, communication, engineering, and weapon control. Together you operate your ship and defend the sector from evil aliens. Artemis simulates spaceship bridges by networking several computers together. One screen acts as the main screen of a bridge, while others serve as stations for the normal jobs a bridge crew might do. Artemis is a social game where several players work together on each bridge, and one player plays the captain, who doesn't have a station but tells everyone else what to do. Multiple bridges can participate together in cooperative multi-ship missions.

Reading: Tim Pratt
10–10:30 a.m. Cascade 4
Tim reads from The Dreaming Stars.
Tim Pratt (M)

Ethnobotany
10–11 a.m. Cascade 5&6
Did we make the plants, or did the plants make us? Parallel, almost symbiotic evolution has happened often between plants and animals. Are we exempt, or are plants guiding what we do?
Jake McKinzie (M), Cynthiann Heckelsmiller, DameRuth, Eva L. Elasigue

Check Your Writer Privilege
10–11 a.m. Cascade 7&8
Writers have been wrong before and they'll be wrong again. A bad blog post, a great tweet—it's part of the job to take risks. But even if you're writing well, you'll make mistakes. Join us as we discuss potential appropriation issues and how to handle these writing and professional snafus, both within yourself and your audience, and how to grow from the experience.
Jason Vanhee (M), J. F. High, Sheye Anne Blaze, Sandra M. Odell

Pardon Me, Are You Aaron Burr, Sir?
10–11 a.m. Cascade 9
Lin-Manuel Miranda is breathing life into a whole new generation of theater/film, from Hamilton to Moana, to the development of The Kingkiller Chronicles. A discussion of what he's done right and how he could do better in the future.
Spencer Ellsworth (M), Lisa Mantchev

Writer Talk: Dig That Rhythm
10–11 a.m. Cascade 10
All writing must have rhythm: a balance between dialogue, internal monologue, action, and narrative. Without rhythm, a story bogs down and loses the reader's interest. Tone is often tied to this rhythm, but authorial voice and theme can impact rhythm too. Chat with pros about how they find this music in their writing.
Tod McCoy (M), Jack Skillingstead, E. Lily Yu, Curtis C. Chen

The Truth about Fake News
10–11 a.m. Cascade 11
Increasingly, people are dealing with the challenge of fake news, disinformation campaigns, and segmentation. What's being done to combat this, and what are the dangers in doing so? Whose responsibility is it for ensuring accurate news? Is bias in news impossible to avoid? How can you be a better info-vore?
Sar Surmick (M), Kurt Cagle, Shweta Adhyam

A Band of Travelers Meets in a Tavern
10–11 a.m. Cascade 12
Powerful gods, magic, quests, and/or monsters: when writing a fantasy series, it's easy to fall into well-known clichés. How do you take tropes and make them your own? What is the freshest fantasy you've read recently? Which authors are mining new gold? Is there room for ancient gods in the Internet Age?
David Anthony Durham (M), John (J.A.) Pitts, Cory Skerry

Jumpstart Your Novel: Writing Workshop
10–noon Cascade 13
What's the easiest thing about being a writer? Sitting in a chair! What's the second easiest thing about being a writer? Putting your hands on a keyboard! What's the hardest thing about being a writer? Making words come out of your brain! It doesn't matter if you've just started thinking about writing a novel or have done a dozen of them; getting started on a new project is always the hardest part. Learn a technique that will help you outline an entire novel in a little under two hours. Idea stacking, plot spinning, pants wearing: all these tools will be at your disposal as you settle into that writing chair and start your brain fire! Ages 18+. Space is limited and advance sign-up is required in Cascade 1.
Mark Teppo (M)

Reading: Guest of Honor Ken Liu
10–11 a.m. Evergreen 1&2
Journey to The Legends of Luke Skywalker: GoH Ken Liu will read from his tie-in fiction, tell the story of how he ended up working with Lucasfilm Publishing, and show you funny pictures about Star Wars.
Ken Liu (M)

Crossing the Streams: SF, Fantasy, and Horror Cross-genres
10–11 a.m. Evergreen 3&4
Is it easier or more difficult to sell work that crosses the genre boundaries—and, if so, why? The boundary is hazy and artificial, arguably, but bookstore categories are not. Are people concerned that the pure genres will be contaminated, or do readers simply want to know where to find their favorite kinds of books? When and why does the writer enter the spaces between science fiction and fantasy and horror? What are the pitfalls, tragedies, or rewards of exploring these unmarked territories? Bring examples of successes to discuss.
Julie McGalliard (M), Greg Bear, Kat Richardson, Joseph Brassey

Create Your Own Worlds: Writing Workshop
10–11 a.m. Olympic 2
You've read Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and The Hobbit. You've read so many books this year, or even drawn or written your own stories. But characters don't sit around in big white rooms. How do authors create worlds that take on a life of their own? Join us for a lesson in worldbuilding. We'll work on a list of tips and tricks to turn your words into worlds. Presented by Willamette Writers. Ages 9–12. Space is limited and advance sign-up is required in Cascade 1.
Kate Ristau (M)

Norse Sword, Shield, and Tactical Combat
10–11 a.m. Grand 2
Groups of 20+ participants, equipped with wooden swords, spears, and shields, will learn and practice basic Norse weapon combat skills in a safe, controlled environment. What is it like standing in the shield wall? Instructors will provide training swords, shields, and spears to be used by participants. The audience will play an important part in the experience.
Bill Gruner (M), D.L. Solum, Norman K. Moss, Agathon McGeachy, Alan Andrist, Michael Ormes, Maj. James Franklin (Ret.)

Reading: Carrie Vaughn
10:30–11 a.m. Cascade 4
This is a prequel short story to the PK Dick finalist novel Bannerless.
Carrie Vaughn (M)

Monster Mash for Families
10:30–noon Olympic 1
Monster Mash for Families with Kids. We will start with stuffed animals hacked to pieces, working together with your parents, assemble the pieces to create your own glorious creature using materials of your choice (thread and needles, duct tape, and pins) There will be a $5 materials fee per family to cover the cost of supplies.
Meris Mullaley (M), Adia

Reading: Meg Elison
11–11:30 a.m. Cascade 4
"Ripping." A short noir Victorian re-telling of a popular true crime story, with a feminist perspective on one of history's most notorious killers of women. Rated: R.
Meg Elison (M)

Beyond Rebellion in Young Adult Fantasy
11–noon Cascade 5&6
We all know the story of teen disaffection and rebellion, but there are plenty of young adult fantasies that maintain strong family ties, with rational adult role models, such as L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time, Steven Gould's Impulse, and even Suzanne Collin's The Hunger Games. A look at books that don't always have a hero with an unhappy home, and discussion about why this can make an intriguing story.
Lish McBride (M), Tina Connolly, Fonda Lee

The Works of Philip K. Dick
11–noon Cascade 7&8
In this panel we will discuss the imaginative world and mindset of author Philip K. Dick, whose stories Hollywood has adapted recently to screens big and small in great number (Man in the High Castle, Blade Runner 2049, and the new television series Electric Sheep). What makes PKD such a defining voice and viewpoint at this moment in time? Why not when he was alive?
Gordon Van Gelder (M), Jack Skillingstead, Julie McGalliard, Tim Pratt

The Legacy of Star Trek
11–noon Cascade 9
To boldly go where no man has gone before. These immortal words spoken over 50 years ago gave rise to the Star Trek franchise. Let's talk about the TV show, movies, and Star Trek's impact on popular culture.
Kevin Black (M), Sarah Gulde, Ethan Siegel, Bridget Landry

Creating Inclusive Gaming Groups & Events
11–noon Cascade 10
Enjoy board games? Love the idea of painting miniatures? Want to know how to find inclusive groups for gaming? How do you create your own gaming meet-ups? Our panelists will give you tips on creating game groups, finding public game meet-ups, and enjoying gaming conventions as a newbie. Want to be a better organizer? We'll work with you to build positivity in your current groups, find new players, and encourage their participation.
Donna Prior (M), Barry Wilson, Liz Courts, Tanya D.

Why Agent?
11–noon Cascade 11
What's your agent's role, and what's your role as an author? How might an agent help you negotiate for more money or help your career? How might they hold you back if you don't align in your career visions? Talk with pros about professional ways you can talk to your agent to be sure you both have the same vision for your career in mind.
Jennifer Brozek (M), John Lovett, Susan Chang, Patrick Swenson

The Rest of the World in Space
11–noon Cascade 12
News from the past year from the Non-U.S. space agencies. With pictures!
Dan Dubrick (M)

The Art of Galen Dara
11–noon Evergreen 1&2
Galen Dara shows you her art and talks about her portfolio and process.
Galen Dara (M)

Worlds That Never Were
11–noon Evergreen 3&4
Alternate history is a genre of stories where history has changed from the actual course of the real world's history. From Philip K. Dick's The Man in the High Castle to Kim Stanley Robinson's The Year of Rice and Salt, this genre asks hard questions about climactic moments in history. Come with a list and discuss your favorites. As a reader, what makes a great alt-history story in your eyes? What distinguishes alt-history from a simple reimagining of history? What are some great titles you'd like to share with other readers?
Greg Bear (M) Nisi Shawl, Barth Anderson

Your Online Image as an Artist
11–noonOlympic 2
Where should you display your art? Do you need an online portfolio, or is DeviantArt enough? Panelists will discuss how they create and maintain an online presence.
Joy Alyssa Day (M), Adam Vick, Christen N. Sowards

Roman Legionary Gladius and Scutum Tactical Combat
11–noon Grand 2
Teams of 20 or more participants, each equipped with a wooden gladius (sword) and regulation scutum (shield) will learn and practice basic Roman legionary combat skills in a safe, supervised environment. Learn what it's like to stand in the Roman line. Instructors will provide training swords and shields, to be used by each group of participants. The audience will play an important part in the experience. Legionaries might expect to be attacked by barbarians.
Norman K. Moss, Bill Gruner, V Whitlock, Michael Ormes, Agathon McGeachy, D.L. Solum, Maj. James Franklin (Ret.)

Harry Potter Meetup
11–noon Presidential Suite 1360
Are you a rabid Harry Potter fan? Do you routinely correct people when they get HP facts wrong? Wear your house colors and come to this magical meetup!

Reading: Curtis C. Chen
11:30–noon Cascade 4
Kangaroo Too. Kangaroo's back! And this time it's personal… maybe? Come hear an excerpt from the sequel to Waypoint Kangaroo, in which our hero travels to the moon in search of information and ends up digging up long-buried secrets from the past that will make his future very complicated. Rated: PG.
Curtis C. Chen (M)

Reading: Nancy Kress
noon–12:30 p.m. Cascade 4
From new book If Tomorrow Comes. This is the brand-new sequel to last year's Tomorrow's Kin (Tor). In the first book, aliens—who are not what they seemed to be—have come to Earth. In the sequel, Terrans go to their planet, where things also are not as expected and a crisis looms. Marianne Jenner, a virologist, and Leo Brody, an ex-Army Ranger, are faced with planet-wide disaster, and neither has enough needed resources to combat it. Rated: G.
Nancy Kress (M)

Single Pattern Contest: Judging
noon–1 p.m. Cascade 5&6
Entrants in the competition will register and present their entries to the panel of judges. Entries are all based on the same pattern.

Writing Comics
noon–1 p.m. Cascade 7&8
How does comics writing differ from traditional storytelling? Are there differences in pacing and plotting? How hard is it to convey your story to an artist and have the panels come out looking like you want them to? How much control do you have over character appearance? Or if you draw your own, is there ever a disconnect between your head and the image on the page?
G. Willow Wilson (M), Donna Barr

Book Covers, Advertising, and Sales Tracking
noon–1 p.m. Cascade 9
What kinds of things need to be considered when creating a book cover? Is it attractive in a thumbnail? How do you write good copy for the back? What are sales ranks and how do they affect our books? Do reviews make a difference?
Sienna Saint-Cyr (M), Lee Moyer, Elliott Kay, Patrick Hurley

Out of Alignment: Moral Ambiguity in Gaming
noon–1 p.m. Cascade 10
Sure, unwavering righteousness can be fun; but infallible heroes are boring—and the real world rarely breaks down into strictly good and evil. Why not make your players wrestle with moral issues? Do the ends ever justify the means? Is the enemy of your enemy your friend? Is the villain evil, or just different? What happens when your players "murder a hobo" in the world, and how do you introduce consequences?
Jaym Gates (M), Amanda Hamon Kunz, Tanya D., Malcolm Sheppard

Identifying Fabric
noon–1 p.m. Cascade 11
You found some great stuff at the thrift store or the remnant table. What is it, how do you handle it, and can you dye it? Learn multiple ways to identify mystery fabrics, including by touching it, dissolving it, and setting it on fire.
Torrey Stenmark (M), Astrid Bear, Carmen Beaudry

Writer Talk: Lost in Translation
noon–1 p.m. Cascade 12
There's a global community of genre fiction that is closed to many eager American fans until the work is translated into English. How does one translate "ansible," "warp drive," or the context around supernatural beings of another culture? The panel will look at the difficulties of successfully translating foreign genre fiction into English and what is involved in this process.
Andy Dudak (M)

Making Your Speculative Fiction World Real: Writing Workshop
noon–1:30 p.m. Cascade 13
We'll explore some great examples of world building and give you a chance to work on refining your own worlds. This session will be part lecture and partly interactive—bring paper and pen or your laptop. Appropriate for all genres. Ages 13+. Space is limited and advance sign-up is required in Cascade 1.
Brenda Cooper (M)

2018 and 1943 Hugo Award Finalist Announcement
noon–1 p.m. Evergreen 1&2
The Hugo Awards, presented annually since 1955, are science fiction's most prestigious award. The Hugo Awards are voted on by members of the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), which is also responsible for administering them. Come hear the shortlist of five finalists in each category announced before ballots are sent out to the San Jose: Worldcon 76 members to be voted upon.
Linda Deneroff, Kevin Standlee

Interview and Q&A with Matthew Wedel
noon–1 p.m. Evergreen 3&4
Come join us for an interview with Norwescon 41's science guest of honor, Mathew Wedel, and get a chance to ask your own questions during the Q&A.
Rob Stewart (M), Mathew Wedel

Star Wars Felties
noon–2 p.m. Olympic 2
Join us for a hands-on class making your favorite old-school Star Wars characters out of felt. Materials provided. Limited to 20 participants—sign up in Cascade 1.
Kathryn Brant (M)

Killing Men & Horses: Hands-on Renaissance Pike and Shot
noon–1 p.m. Grand 2
Men, orcs, and weirder things have this in common: They all bleed when you stab them. Take up the weapons of a 16th-century soldier—the pike, the halberd, and the matchlock musket—as a recruit of Goode's Company of Foot. You will learn to work in formation, using techniques derived from historical sources, to meet the forces of Evil (or Good, if the pay is right) with a forest of pikes and a volley of hot lead. As well as hands-on work in formation for attendees, there will be demonstrations of individual combat with weapons of the era by trained combatants. Attendees will not be asked to participate in actual combat or to handle black powder.
Agathon McGeachy, Bill Gruner, Michael Ormes, Norman K. Moss, Ann Shilling, William Elder

Makeup and Wigs for Mermaids
noon–1 p.m. Poolside
Doing good hair and makeup is one thing, but what if you want to go underwater? Can you make scales using makeup? What products should you use if you want to be submerged without it washing off? How do you create and wear wigs or hairpieces/falls that not only look good on land but are suitable for underwater swimming? Our professional mers spill their beauty secrets.
Yl'luria WaterSong (M), Orchid Cavett, Triton Mahtlinnie, Melissa "Merlissa" Thomas

Kandy Klatch with Cathy Plesko
noon–12:30 p.m. Presidential Suite 1360
A chance for teens and tweens to meet with rocket scientist Cathy Plesko and load up on sugar. Space is limited—sign up in Cascade 1.
Cathy Plesko (M)

Kandy Klatch with Brenna Clarke Gray
noon–12:30 p.m. Presidential Suite 1360
A chance for teens and tweens to meet with comics expert Brenna Clarke Gray and load up on sugar. Space is limited—sign up in Cascade 1.
Brenna Clarke Gray (M)

Reading: Barth Anderson
12:30–1 p.m. Cascade 4
The Mad Queen's Game. A silent war of assassinations and poisoning pushes Spain to the brink of chaos, and the nation's only hope is its royal princess: Juana the Mad. Rated: PG.
Barth Anderson (M)

Story Time With Lisa Mantchev
12:30–1 p.m. Olympic 1
Bring your family over to Olympic 1 for some stories read by children's author Lisa Mantchev.
Lisa Mantchev (M)

Kandy Klatch with Cat Rambo
12:30–1 p.m. Presidential Suite 1360
A chance for teens and tweens to meet with author Cat Rambo and load up on sugar. Space is limited—sign up in Cascade 1.
Cat Rambo (M)

Kandy Klatch with Lish McBride
12:30–1 p.m. Presidential Suite 1360
A chance for teens and tweens to meet with author Lish McBride and load up on sugar. Space is limited—sign up in Cascade 1.
Lish McBride (M)

Reading: Nisi Shawl
1–1:30 p.m. Cascade 4
The Day and Night Book of Mardou Fox. A novella dealing with the relationship between Jack Kerouac and "Mardou Fox," his African-American lover and a proponent of the imaginary social movement The Five Petals of Thought. Rated: PG.
Nisi Shawl (M)

Single Pattern Contest: Show & Share
1–2 p.m. Cascade 5&6
Come and watch as the competitors introduce their entries. Your votes will decide the winner of the Fan Favorite award.

Your Story's Engine
1–2 p.m. Cascade 7&8
Your story can be plot-driven, character-driven, or even author-driven in a voice piece or more poetic work. Learn to recognize what's driving your story, how to play to your strengths, and how to strike a balance that keeps your story moving forward.
Mark Teppo (M), Jack Skillingstead, Andy Dudak, Cory Skerry

Back to Baroque
1–2 p.m. Cascade 9
Beauty and the Beast, Versailles, and Outlander remind us of the stylish elegance of the 18th century. We review the fashion highlights of the 1700s and why they continue to inspire us today.
Melissa Quinn (M), Bethany Roullett, Richard Stephens, Carmen Beaudry

Evolution and Humans
1–2 p.m. Cascade 10
"Survival of the fittest." Darwin, Mendel, and others made great contributions to the science of biology and our understanding of how species change. Are we still changing? Are we in control of it, or is it still beyond us, and uncontrollable?
Vicki Wedel (M), Cynthiann Heckelsmiller, PJ Manney, Alan Andrist

Body Horror
1–2 p.m. Cascade 11
Our own bodies are mysterious and terrifying. How has this been used effectively in horror? Are there lines of grossness we shouldn't cross?
Evan J. Peterson (M), Jon Lasser, Sandra M. Odell, Alexandra Renwick

I Love This, I Own This, I Control This
1–2 p.m. Cascade 12
Social media and the collapse of the fourth wall mean that fans are more in touch with each other—and with content creators—than ever before. But when some fans realize that they cannot control the thing they love, why is it that so many then set out to destroy it and excoriate the fans who do not wish to join them? In this panel, we will examine the origins of toxic fandom and the implications for creators and their content.
Berlynn Wohl (M), Liz Barlow, DameRuth, Minim Calibre

YA's Role in Genre
1–2 p.m. Evergreen 1&2
Norwescon welcomes YA as its newest writing track! It's been said that young adult fiction is the most important genre in literature because of how much it can impact its group of readers, whose ages range anywhere from 12 to 20. Let's hear from YA authors what the expectations of the genre are and what expectations they place on themselves.
Marta Murvosh (M), Jennifer Brozek, Tina Connolly, Susan Chang, Fonda Lee

Star Wars' Ever-Expanding Universe
1–2 p.m. Evergreen 3&4
Let's look at Star Wars and its impact on popular culture. What is in store for the future? Movies, comic books, TV, books, and more.
Dawn Vogel (M), Donna Prior, Patrick Hurley

Baby and Toddler Social
1–2 p.m. Olympic 1
Drop by Olympic 1 to meet and play with fellow families of babies and toddlers.
Kari Ann Ramadorai (M)

Puget Sound Star Trekkers Meetup
1–2 p.m. Convention Lounge
Did you hang out with Trekkies in the '70s and '80s? Want to meet up with the old crowd again? Come reminisce about the fun times!

The First 10 Steps to Understanding Sword Work
1–2 p.m. Grand 2
This will be a hands-on group exercise. Weapons and shields will be provided. You won't leave an expert, but we guarantee you will learn something new. We will address how to breathe, how to stand, how close you should stand, how to move, how to hit, how to not get hit, and more.
D.L. Solum (M), Agathon McGeachy, V Whitlock, Ann Shilling, Bill Gruner, Norman K. Moss

Concert: Megathruster
1–2 p.m. Grand 3
Megathruster is two geeks from Oregon, armed with acoustic guitars to bring their special blend of funny pop culture nerd rock to the masses. Described as "Tenacious D meets Jonathan Colton," the duo has taken their funny and energetic stage show all over the Pacific Northwest, as well as to events such as FuMPFest in Chicago and Gen Con in Indianapolis. Their latest album, Wands at the Ready, features songs about Star Wars, punching Nazis, and of course, Alan Tudyk.
Dr. Owl (M), Chriss Waffle, Joel Maciela

Mermaid Swim
1–2 p.m. Poolside
Magic in the pool. Come swim with the mermaids, or just sit and interact.
Triton Mahtlinnie, Melissa "Merlissa" Thomas, Orchid Cavett, Yl'luria WaterSong

Reading: Scott James Magner
1:30–2 p.m. Cascade 4
Empire of the Night. Scott James Magner reads from his latest novel, Empire of the Night, Book Two of the Hunters Chronicle. Time permitting, he may also sample other recent works. Rated: PG.
Scott James Magner (M)

Worldbuilding—Layer Like an Onion: Writing Workshop
1:30–3 p.m. Cascade 13
Layering information context for plot and clue development and world building. See examples of how Kat Richardson layers clues and information into her timelines and outlines to create an arch and achieve follow-through. This method will help whether doing traditional world building or in the case of mysteries, where the clues make the story and the writer must ensure that each clue hits its intended marker. Attendees will be able to ask questions after the lecture portion and get input on ways to layer their own information throughout their story/novel. Presented by Cascade Writers. Ages 18+. Space is limited and advance sign-up is required in Cascade 1.
Kat Richardson (M)

Reading: Patrick Swenson
2–2:30 p.m. Cascade 4
TBA. Rated: PG.
Patrick Swenson (M)

I Am a Teenage Geek
2–3 p.m. Cascade 5&6
Sometimes parents just don't understand. What is it like to be a geek teenager in the 21st century? Come join your teenagers and discuss what is cool today, what you need to be playing, watching, and reading, and what you want your pop culture future to be.
Marta Murvosh (M), Gabe

Is Fandom More Diverse & Accepting?
2–3 p.m. Cascade 9
The idea that fandom and SF/F is more accepting and diverse is often bandied around. Is that true? How do we move beyond the oppressive tropes? And what can we do to be aware of creating a truly accepting environment? How do we build inclusive communities?
Sheye Anne Blaze (M), Gabriel de los Angeles, Tanya D., Cheryce Clayton

How to Be a Better GM
2–3 p.m. Cascade 10
Has your current campaign reached a dead end? Not sure how to keep your players happy? Have a problem player that you need to deal with? Want to add some house rules to your game, but unsure how to make them work? Come to this panel with questions about your RPG campaign.
Amanda Hamon Kunz (M), Joseph Carriker, Kiva Maginn, Crystal Frasier

Warrior's Role in Society
2–3 p.m. Cascade 11
Throughout time, warriors have had varying cultural status. We'll look at differing historical examples to build a context, compare, and contrast how our culture views its warriors and their place within our society. Cultural context is a critical success factor for your writing. Come gather tips for accurately writing about warriors in their time and culture in past, present, and future societies.
Russell Ervin (M), Mike Schindler, Mary Forbes, Elliott Kay

Created Languages
2–3 p.m. Cascade 12
Foreign languages are often used in fantasy literature to add atmosphere, to show cultural backgrounds, and to bring a richness to the world, as can be seen in Anthony Burgess's A Clockwork Orange and Richard Adams' Watership Down. Some authors rely on real languages, while others, such as Tolkien, have invented entirely new tongues. Which stories incorporate other languages successfully, and where have authors stumbled, making much of the work incomprehensible? Where does a writer begin when tak.ing on such a huge task?
Matt Vancil, keerawa

Liar's Panel
2–3 p.m. Evergreen 1&2
Put our panelists on the spot! You ask the questions and they come up with outrageous answers.
Caren GS (M), Lilith Dawn, Brian D. Oberquell, K. C. Alexander, Lee Moyer

Anatomy of a Pandemic
2–3 p.m. Evergreen 3&4
Pandemics make frequent appearances in SF, but are outbreaks in books or on the screen anything like real pandemics? The panel will discuss how real pandemics take place, how they are likely to play out, and how fictional outbreaks compare with their depiction in fiction.
Barth Anderson (M), Nancy Kress, Jake McKinzie, Cynthiann Heckelsmiller

Kookie Klatsche: Kate Ristau
2–2:30 p.m. Olympic 1
Enjoy some milk and cookies while our Youth Pros interview author Kate Ristau.
Adia (M), Kate Ristau

Hand-Sewing Basics 101
2–3:30 p.m. Olympic 2
Ever wanted to know the difference between a running stich and a whip stitch? Or how to sew on a button or snap so it stays on? Gain confidence in your own hand sewing skills in this beginning hands-on workshop covering the basics of hand sewing. Each participant will get a kit that they can take with them to practice the different stitches.
Theresa Halbert (M), Astrid Bear, Anita Taylor

POC Meetup
2–3 p.m. Convention Lounge
Want to meet up with other fans of color? This is the meet-up for you.

Autograph Session 1
2–3 p.m. Grand 2
Our attending professionals are available to sign autographs. Please note that so as many fans as possible can participate, we will be enforcing a three-items-at-a-time (or single-sketch) autograph limit.
Chris Pramas, Galen Dara, Ken Liu, Mathew Wedel, Nicole Lindroos, Alexander James Adams, Brenda Cooper, Cat Rambo, Donna Barr, Echo Chernik, Ethan Siegel, Evan J. Peterson, Greg Bear, Jennifer Brozek, Jeremy Zimmerman, John (J.A.) Pitts, Julie McGalliard, Kay Kenyon, Kent Hamilton , Laura Anne Gilman, Lisa Mantchev, Django Wexler, PJ Manney, Spencer Ellsworth, Vicki Wedel, Lish McBride, Kurt Cagle, Tim Pratt, Carrie Vaughn

Concert – Leannan Sidhe
2–3 p.m. Grand 3
Leannan Sidhe is a fey musician with wandering gypsy feet and a shimmering soprano voice. She writes music that tends to the bittersweet.
Dr. Owl (M), Leannan Sidhe

Reading: Randy Henderson
2:30–3 p.m. Cascade 4
Randy's Brainsplodey New Project. Be the first to hear Randy read from his exciting new book full of words and characters and plot (not to mention punctuation)! There will be laughs, and dancing, and Q&A, and probably goodies. Rated: PG.
Randy Henderson (M)

Art and Craft Open House: Superheroes Theme
2:30–3:30 p.m. Olympic 1
Drop by for superhero-themed crafts and activities for our young members.
Meris Mullaley (M), Rei Paulsen, Kristina Paulsen

Reading: Elsa Sjunneson-Henry
3–3:30 p.m. Cascade 4
The Livelong Night. Blind NYCer experiences a supernatural attack of her city. Rated: PG.
Elsa Sjunneson-Henry (M)

Gothic Literature: 1820 to the Present Day
3–4 p.m. Cascade 5&6
From Frankenstein to Penny Dreadful, Gothic storytelling is still popular. What is the enduring appeal of this horror cousin? What makes a work "gothic"? (Ages 13+)
Amanda Hamon Kunz (M), Julie McGalliard, Emily C. Skaftun

The Sounds of Old Norse
3–4 p.m. Cascade 7&8
We have heard modern Scandinavian spoken in movies or even by relatives, but what did the root language, Old Norse, sound like? How many of our words come from Old Norse? Hear the old words spoken and speak a few yourself.
Alan Andrist, Masha Lepire

The Slippery Slope From YAY to EWW!
3–4 p.m. Cascade 9
…or When Kids' Fandoms Get Appropriated by Adults and Vice Versa! Round table discussion about how popular franchises like My Little Pony and Suicide Squad shift between age groups and the resultant battle-cry of, "Whatever you do, don't Google that."
Spencer Ellsworth (M), Amélie Mantchev, Lisa Mantchev, Sienna Saint-Cyr, Lish McBride

Mermaid Bras, Head Pieces, and Jewelry
3–4 p.m. Cascade 10
Learn to make your own DIY bra and other options for tops to go with your mer tails. We'll also cover how to make lovely headpieces and jewelry ideas for embellishing your mer costume.
Orchid Cavett (M), Yl'luria WaterSong, Triton Mahtlinnie, Melissa "Merlissa" Thomas

Use Reference, Damnit!
3–4 p.m. Cascade 11
Often one of the most overlooked artistic necessities, good reference is essential to any serious artist. You can't draw something if you don't know what it looks like. Here panelists will discuss the importance of reference material and where to find it.
Bryan Syme (M), Adam Vick, Liz Courts, Kent Hamilton

The Future of Military Aviation
3–4 p.m. Cascade 12
From today's planning horizon to speculations on the distant future, what is the future of military aviation? Military aviation experts will lay out the aviation battlespace, technologies, and aerospace ecosystem/culture. Bring your questions and learn how to write convincingly about military aviation issues.
Elliott Kay (M), Dave Davis, Wendy Wasik, Tom Gilster

The Magic of Plotting: Writing Workshop
3–4:30 p.m. Cascade 13
How do you develop a novel's plot? Is it luck, trial and error, or are there classic approaches you can use to bring out your best story? Learn to bring forth the magic within—your creativity—and give it form in the world: your story! Kay Kenyon is the author of 14 SFF novels, including a new fantasy trilogy from Simon & Schuster/Saga. She will focus on idea generation, rising action, and the interplay of major character and antagonist. Ages 13+. Space is limited and advance sign-up is required in Cascade 1.
Kay Kenyon (M)

Asteroid Impact Simulation
3–5 p.m. Evergreen 1&2
This is a simulation of a potential asteroid impact developed by JPL which has been run in several venues around the world. In it, we will explore the astronomy, engineering, political, and media response to an asteroid impact. The audience will get a chance to see the sort of discussions, decisions, and compromises required to mount a response to what could be a devastating impact scenario.
Cathy Plesko (M), Arthur Bozlee, Peter N. Glaskowsky, Dan Dubrick

The Great Ancient Tales, Epics, and Voyages: Fuel for Fantasy
3–4 p.m. Evergreen 3&4
Odysseus and Jason traveled their known worlds. We traveled with them. And now, we use their voyages (and those of others of the ancient eras) to give us archetypes and ideas. Which are under- and/or overused? What are the best examples in fantasy that mine the ancient world? Which don't work as well and why?
David Anthony Durham (M), K Tempest Bradford, Matt Vancil, John Lovett

Autograph Session 2
3–4 p.m. Grand 2
Our attending professionals are available to sign autographs. PLEASE NOTE: So that as many fans as possible can participate, we will be enforcing a three-items-at-a-time (or single-sketch) autograph limit.
Chris Pramas, Galen Dara, Ken Liu, Mathew Wedel, Nicole Lindroos, Barth Anderson, Tina Connolly, Fonda Lee, G. Willow Wilson, Joseph Carriker, Kat Richardson, Nancy Kress, Sandra M. Odell, Tanya D., Curtis C. Chen, Dawn Vogel, Nisi Shawl, E. Lily Yu, Eva L. Elasigue, Jack Skillingstead, Joseph Brassey, K. C. Alexander, Lee Moyer, Meg Elison, Pat MacEwen, Patrick Swenson, Rhiannon Held, Scott James Magner, Dean Wells, Carrie Vaughn

Concert: Vixy & Tony
3–4 p.m. Grand 3
Vixy & Tony's lighthearted folk/rock musical style combines with science fiction and fantasy lyrics to tell engaging and beautiful stories. Their energetic performances can be enjoyed by both sci-fi fans and mainstream music fans alike, earning them the Best Performer Pegasus Award in 2008. Michelle "Vixy" Dockrey and Tony Fabris have joined forces with cellist Betsy Tinney and violinist Sunnie Larsen to form a "four-person duo" with a lush, amazing sound. Their music can be found at VixyAndTony.com.
Dr. Owl (M), Michelle Dockery, Tony Fabris, Sunnie Larsen, Betsy Tinney

Reading: Tod McCoy
3:30–4 p.m. Cascade 4
The Mischief of Warlocks. A section of my work in progress. Rated: R.
Tod McCoy (M)

Reading: K.G. Anderson
4–4:30 p.m. Cascade 4
"Patti 209." A group reading with four or five authors from the anthologies Alternative Truths and More Alternative Truths. These might include Manny Frishberg, Edd Vick, Janka Hobbs, Blaze Ward, Irene Radford, Stephanie Weippert, and Louise Marley. Rated: PG.
K.G. Anderson (M)

Abe Lincoln Was a Sorcerer: History, Fantasy and Fiction
4–5 p.m. Cascade 5&6
History is concocted from trusted sources, reliable texts, a history of historians, and even a bit of reasonable conjecture (at times). But historical fiction is not so collaborative; it's one author's vision of the past. Introducing fantasy to historical fiction adds wonder and magic to a literature that seems rooted in fact. Are fantasy and history opposites? Or are they created through identical processes of spinning events and perceptions into narrative? If a history turns out be incorrect, was it fiction? Was it historical fiction? What role does the introduction of magic play in this process? Should historical fiction be free of magical happenings, or, in the end, is historical fiction the same as historical fantasy?
Barth Anderson (M), David Anthony Durham, Laura Anne Gilman, Mark Teppo

200 Years of Science Fiction: An Appreciation of Mary Shelley
4–5 p.m. Cascade 7&8
2018 is the 200th anniversary of the first novel about a post-human character. Frankenstein is often cited as the first SF novel. Are its themes of monstrosity, excess, mercy, and beauty still relevant? Or has science entered an era where new realms and even entirely new stories about science are necessary? Can Mary Shelley still bring something to add to modern discussions about gene therapy, death, AI, or gender fluidity?
Fonda Lee (M), Astrid Bear, PJ Manney, Evan J. Peterson, Julie McGalliard

Mental Health Is Not Responsible for Evil
4–5 p.m. Cascade 9
All forms of media contain villains with mental health issues. When discussing news articles, we often strive to blame mental health issues for despicable acts. Why do we still stigmatize mental illness as the source of these events? Why is this wrong and what damage does this blaming do to those with mental illness? How is this changing now and how might our approaches and viewpoints change in the future?
Sienna Saint-Cyr (M), Caren GS, Elsa Sjunneson-Henry, Sheye Anne Blaze

Biology Doesn't Care What You Believe
4–5 p.m. Cascade 10
Let's break down some "common knowledge" about biology that is widespread but wrong. Does AIDS spread by sneezes? Does getting cold get you sick? Do you lose most of your heat through your head? Does evolution have a goal? What do you believe that is wrong?
Vicki Wedel (M), Jake McKinzie, Cynthiann Heckelsmiller, Alan Andrist

Organs of Control: The Totalitarian State
4–5 p.m. Cascade 11
You and a group of loyal followers have seized control of the State from a gaggle of incompetent functionaries. Now you have to bind all aspects of civil and military life to your iron will. What will you have to do to make your control irresistible and permanent?
Bill Gruner (M), Spencer Ellsworth, Andy Dudak, Norman K. Moss

Prop-Making Contest: Judging
4–5 p.m. Cascade 12
Cosmic Ash Studios presents the 2018 prop contest. The theme is monster hunting. This year's challenge is to create a prop that's themed after taming, hunting, or farming monsters and critters. There is no specific period for design. You can go futuristic, modern, Victorian, or even prehistoric if that's what you'd like to be inspired by. For example, if you've got ghoulish fairies snatching up your favorite apples off the tree, maybe a sonic disruptor will be the humane way of taking care of them. You'll be judged by originality (have you created something that stands out in a crowd?), construction (is your prop well-made? is it painted properly?), and, the most important and my favorite criteria, back story (how does your piece fit into this world? how did it come about?). Entries are open to anyone who's also attending the convention. There will prizes for the top three finishers. All contestants will have reserved seating during the masquerade.

The Nature of AI
4–5 p.m. Evergreen 3&4
Lately, computers have been getting awfully smart. From practical image recognition to creating their own languages, computer systems are now doing things that had once been firmly in the realm of science fantasy. This panel looks at the various flavors of AI, what they are (and aren't), and how this is affecting society and science fiction writing.
Shweta Adhyam (M), Brenda Cooper, Kurt Cagle, Django Wexler

Themysciran Training Academy
4–4:30 p.m. Olympic 1
Come try out some of the basic exercises and activities of Themysciran warriors. Open to warriors of any and all genders and abilities.
Eva L. Elasigue (M), Meris Mullaley, Elizabeth "Liz" Vann-Clark

Herocorps
4–5 p.m. Olympic 2
Herocorps needs champions. Born out of the conflict of last year, Bes and Fortuna can't get along! Unfortunately, Loki isn't a good mediator! Can you rise to the occasion and settle the dispute? Come be a champion or cheer the brave few on as they attempt to solve the riddles and pass the tests of the gods in an elimination tournament. This is a game of wits and sportsmanship rooted in mythology. If you like survivor elimination challenges, you will love this.

Putting Together Performance
4–5 p.m. Grand 3
People need to pay attention to you in order to hear your music. They will do neither if you cannot capture a crowd. Whether through dance, audience participation, or gimmicks, something needs to make you stand out. This variety of long-term performers show the attendees that there is more than just dancing, singing, strumming, and costumes in regard to the act of performance.
C0splay (M), Shubzilla, Alexander James Adams

Reading: Greg Bear
4:30–5 p.m. Cascade 4
TBD. Updated reading on work in progress. Rated: G.
Greg Bear (M)

Writing Emotionally Powerful Characters Beyond Your Framework: Writing Workshop
4:30–6:30 p.m. Cascade 13
Much of the success of a good story revolves around the strength of the written character. The best characters frequently challenge our expectations. Learn how to respectfully and powerfully depict characters that are different from yourself, whether those differences concern matters of economics, social norms, cultural expectations, gender identity, and/or sexuality. After all, we're all just meat sacks reacting to electrical and chemical impulses. Come share some time with award-winning author J.A. Pitts to hear his take on writing characters that grab your reader by the throat and/or heart, depending on your genre. Presented by Cascade Writers. Ages 13+. Space is limited and advance sign-up is required in Cascade 1.
John (J.A.) Pitts (M)

Sensory-Friendly Open House
4:30–5:30 p.m. Olympic 1
Conventions can be overwhelming and difficult for everyone. Come by Olympic 1 for sensory-friendly activities and open space for stimming and being yourself.
Danielle Gembala (M), Kari Ann Ramadorai

Reading: Evan J. Peterson
5–5:30 p.m. Cascade 4
"Investment Opportunity." Coming out this year in Unspeakable Horror 2, edited by Vince Liaguno. This is a weird-horror story about a research lab that studies the occult and a queer man who has to choose between his two greatest desires. It also has a large sequence of erotic content, which can be adjusted for audience and time of day. Rated: R.
Evan J. Peterson (M)

Children's Masquerade Pre-Meeting
5–6 p.m. Cascade 5&6
If you have a little one that wishes to enter the Children's Masquerade, please come to this panel, where you will get your little one signed up, and everyone will be led down to the masquerade when the time is right. Children go on first to accommodate their early bed times.

Writer Talk: He Said/She Said/They Said?
5–6 p.m. Cascade 7&8
Masculine writing is sometimes regarded as objectively "good" while more "feminine" styles are seen as objectified "bad" writing. Is writing actually gendered this way? Discuss the issues suggested in masculine (terse, tight prose) vs. feminine writing (florid, revelatory prose). Is there more to it? A pulled-back style of wording as opposed to a warmer, zoomed-in style?
Cat Rambo (M), K. C. Alexander, Fonda Lee, K.G. Anderson

Science Fiction Worldbuilding
5–6 p.m. Cascade 9
Getting lost in a believable imaginary world is one of the greatest delights of reading SF. Are there elements of worldbuilding that are unique to science fiction? Are there elements that "need" to be in every story for it to be considered SF? What are some of the traits common to excellent science fictional worlds as in Dune, Beggars in Spain, or Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea? Which books have advanced the genre as a whole through their superior and completely unique depictions of world?
Greg Bear (M), Brenda Cooper, Nancy Kress, Patrick Swenson

Dragon Age: A Love Story
5–6 p.m. Cascade 10
How Bioware's current three-part RPG made me fall in love with the genre again. The romances of Dragon Age are more than an online fantasy dating sim and cover a lot of moral choices in and around relationships. We're here to beat the Darkspawn, for sure, but there is more to life than war and battle.
Tanya D. (M), Crystal Frasier, Dylan Templar, Liz Courts

Ready, Set, Practice That Pitch!
5–6 p.m. Cascade 11
Are you ready to pitch an agent? What's the difference between the elevator pitch, a three-liner, and an extended pitch? Hear pros throw out some examples and listen as audience members share their elevator pitches with the pros. Find out if your pitch is worthy of a request for pages!
Curtis C. Chen (M), Susan Chang, Cory Skerry, Randy Henderson

Historical Costuming: Fantasy or Reality
5–6 p.m. Cascade 12
A discussion of the influence that modern television and movies have on historical costuming and how to discern fact from fiction.
Carmen Beaudry (M), Deborah Strub, Ann Shilling, Adrienne Carlson

US Military: Women in Tactical Combat
5–6 p.m. Evergreen 1&2
The United States is the only military in the world that deploys women in all combat roles for which they physically qualified. This topic was specifically requested by last year's attendees as a follow-on to "Women in the Military," and we are honoring your request to open this dialogue in a mature, factual, and level manner.
V Whitlock (M), Elliott Kay, Mary Forbes, Wendy Wasik

Beginning Leatherworking Workshop
5–6:30 p.m. Olympic 2
Leather is an incredibly versatile material with huge potential for costuming and geeky crafting. Learn some basic leatherworking techniques on a small leather disc medallion that could be a pendant, hair clip, or belt buckle. Very sharp knives will be used—younger fans are welcome at the discretion of their parents. Tools provided. Workshop will be limited to 24 people. Sign up in Cascade 1.
SunnyJim Morgan (M)

Reading: Jon Lasser
5:30–6 p.m. Cascade 4
"Fly Swatter." A dark tale of family board game night gone wrong, along with one or more flash fiction pieces as time allows. Rated: PG.
Jon Lasser (M)

Reading: Eva L. Elasigue
6–6:30 p.m. Cascade 4
Bones of Starlight: Fire on All Sides. This mythic intergalactic fantasy space-operatic saga follows an unusually linked group of very different characters at the turn of an age, when balances are again shifting throughout the universe. There are prices to pay, reckonings to be kept, and new futures being borne. Rated: R.
Eva L. Elasigue (M)

Levelling Up Your Art
6–7 p.m. Cascade 5&6
How to level up your art composition by avoiding common design mistakes, like edge tangents, broken eye lines, and tonal control.
Lee Moyer (M), Bryan Syme, Echo Chernik

Whither the Aerospike?
6–7 p.m. Cascade 7&8
There exists a rocket engine design that promises exceptional performance in both atmosphere and vacuum. Why aren't we using it, then? Come join us to explore the design of the aerospike engine, the history of its development, its association with failed projects, and its re-emergence as an SSTO engine favorite.
Lilith Dawn (M), Dr. Dana Andrews, Dan Dubrick

Science Fiction in the Time of President Trump
6–7 p.m. Cascade 9
Since President Trump was elected, we've seen an upsurge in dystopian science fiction novels like 1984, The Handmaid's Tale, and Parable of the Sower. Now that Mr. Trump has been in office for more than a year, what are we seeing from the science fiction field? What can we expect to see in the coming years?
Gordon Van Gelder (M), PJ Manney, Elsa Sjunneson-Henry, Nisi Shawl

The Horror of Being Twelve
6–7 p.m. Cascade 10
Stranger Things and the new movie version of It made their heroes a group of kids right on the edge of puberty. What makes that age work so well as a viewpoint in horror?
Alexandra Renwick (M), Jennifer Brozek, Susan Chang, Lish McBride, Tegan Moore

Thinking of Starting Your Own Press?
6–7 p.m. Cascade 11
Listen to small press owners and authors share their thoughts and experiences about what it takes to run a press. How many books come out in a year, what accounting software do owners use to keep track of sales, and are they an LLC or sole proprietor? Pick the brains of those running small presses.
Mark Teppo (M), Sienna Saint-Cyr, Tod McCoy, Patrick Swenson

What Responsibility Do We Have as Writers?
6–7 p.m. Cascade 12
Healthy relationships, toxic masculinity, do we have a responsibility as authors to illustrate ethical character choices and behaviors? Can we find a balance between responsible characters and ones that aren't so healthy by demonstrating character growth across their arc? Would the arc still be authentic? Take part in an open discussion about character ethics, integrity, and our role as an author.
Randy Henderson (M), K. C. Alexander, Tina Connolly, E. Lily Yu, Steven Barnes

Tales of the Atomic Briquettes
6–7 p.m. Evergreen 1&2
There are some really good reasons for building nuclear reactors out of graphite. When things go right, there are some real advantages. When things go wrong, however, they can go horribly, horribly wrong. Join our panelists as we discuss things that were absolutely NOT OUR FAULT!
Arthur Bozlee, Mike Brennan

Blue Rose—On Stage
6–9 p.m. Evergreen 3&4
A decade ago, Blue Rose shook up the RPG scene with its vision of romantic fantasy and inclusive gaming. Now the world of Aldea returns in a new edition from our spotlight publisher Green Ronin. Come and hear the Sovereign's Finest as they protect their homeland of Aldis from threats like the shadowy Kingdom of Kern and the fanatical Theocracy of Jarzon, as well as monsters and artifacts from the cruel reign of the Sorcerer Kings. Aided by the Rhydan—their psychic animal allies—the champions of the Kingdom of the Blue Rose safeguard the light of the world against the power of Shadow.
Joseph Carriker (M), Crystal Frasier, Tanya D.

Doors Open for Masquerade
6–6:30 p.m. Grand 3
Come on in and find a seat.

Reading: Caren GS
6:30–7 p.m. Cascade 4
Something in progress. Reading something with aliens, ray guns, body horror, and the like. Rated: PG.
Caren GS (M)

Masquerade
6:30–8:30 p.m. Grand 3
Join us at the pinnacle event for Saturday evening, the Norwescon 41 masquerade. Come and watch our fabulous contestants perform for your entertainment. Will your favorites match the judges'? Whether they do or not, we know the show will blow you away. So come and join us as the doors open at 6 p.m. We begin with the masquerade, followed by awards for the single-pattern and props competitions. Please stay to the end for an announcement of next year's convention guests of honor and a presentation of the winners of the masquerade.

Reading: Sienna Saint-Cyr
7–7:30 p.m. Cascade 4
"Possessed." A tragic story of love and loss with some sexiness in between. Rated: R.
Sienna Saint-Cyr (M)

Horror in Gaming
7–8 p.m. Cascade 5&6
Horror gaming can go beyond Lovecraft and tentacles. Sometimes the most frightening moments in RPGs can come from obscure references and mundane moments.
Amanda Hamon Kunz (M), Kiva Maginn, Jaym Gates

GMO=NO GO
7–8 p.m. Cascade 7&8
Why? What do you know about GMOs that make you against them? What misconceptions do you have? We are surrounded by GMOs that we have made for centuries. What now?
Jake McKinzie (M), Cynthiann Heckelsmiller, Barth Anderson, Nancy Kress

Death Is Easy, Comedy Is Hard
7–8 p.m. Cascade 9
The principles of comedy and drama may be identical (timing, foreshadowing, characterization, etc.), but learning to write drama is completely different than learning to write comedy. Can comedy even be taught? If comedy changes from region to region and generation to generation, how do writers learn to be funny in print? Who are the best comic writers in genre fiction, and what makes them so funny?
Spencer Ellsworth (M), Matt Vancil, Lish McBride, Tegan Moore

Pop Culture and Social Media
7–8 p.m. Cascade 10
Has social media changed how we look at pop culture? With everything from Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and the internet, information is at our fingertips quicker than it has been in the past. Is this a good or a bad thing?
Gabriel de los Angeles (M), Donna Prior, Brenna Clarke Gray

The Spaceship Concept Graveyard
7–8 p.m. Cascade 12
There are numerous real-world spacecraft proposals that didn't quite work out. Perhaps the required technology is speculative, or there were engineering challenges that could not be solved. Come share your favorite spacecraft concept that never happened, tell us why you loved it, and if you dare, tell us why it never happened or might never happen. It's okay. We're all friends here.
Lilith Dawn (M), Dan DeLong

Home Recording 101
7–8 p.m. Cascade 13
Everybody wants to make a music demo, and many want to record podcasts or livestream a show. What can you do with what you've got? If that won't do—and it probably won't—what do you really need to create a good demo or show? How little can you get away with, or, if you have even a small budget, what can you do to turn a spare bedroom into decent recording space? Hardware and software solutions are discussed.
Dara Korra'ti (M), Bill Beats

Make a Villain: Fantasy Edition
7–8 p.m. Evergreen 3&4
Back by popular demand! Join our panelists as they work with the audience to create a relatable, compelling antagonist.
Joseph Brassey (M), Cory Skerry, Patrick Hurley, Kat Richardson

Pajama Party
7–8 p.m. Olympic 1
Bust out the kigurumis and join us for a late-night hangout with the 18-and-unders. Meet, greet, and eat! Snacks provided.
Lisa Mantchev (M), Amélie Mantchev, Marta Murvosh

Monster Mash for Mature Mad Scientists
7–9 p.m. Olympic 2
Don your best mad scientist outfit and come create marvelous monsters and creative chimera! We will take cute, fluffy stuffed animals and hack them to pieces, only to reassemble them in wholly unnatural ways. WARNING! Not for the easily distressed or children! We will be working with scissors and needles, and as such, only mature mad scientists will be allowed to participate. The only skills required are rudimentary sewing skills (plush is very forgiving) and a sick sense of humor. $5 materials fee per participant to cover the cost of DNA splitters, splicers, and experimental specimens.
Mimi Noyes (M)

Reading: Jeremy Zimmerman
7:30–8 p.m. Cascade 4
Kensei 3. An excerpt from the next Kensei novel in progress. Rated: PG.
Jeremy Zimmerman (M)

Reading: Kim Ritchie
8–8:30 p.m. Cascade 4
"Stick." An alien-invasion story. Rated: G.
Kim Ritchie (M)

"Ask Me About my Feminist Agenda"
8–9 p.m. Cascade 5&6
Comic books, contrary to popular belief, have always had a political element to them. Captain America was created as a protest against the U.S. refusal to join WWII. Wonder Woman was created to be an image of the ideal woman who should be in charge, according to her creator. Why, all of a sudden, is there a hue and cry over things like Mockingbird's eponymous t-shirt? Or the existence of Ms. Marvel?
Minim Calibre (M), Sarah Gulde, Brenna Clarke Gray, Joseph Brassey

Early History of the Personal Computer
8–9 p.m. Cascade 7&8
Most of us are carrying a globally connected computer in our pockets, but how did we get here? Our panelists lived through the early development of computer technology, and will share their experiences with you. We'll even show you a simulation of the (arguably) first fully developed personal computer: the HP 9830A "Calculator."
Kurt Cagle (M), Peter N. Glaskowsky, Adrienne Carlson, Ann Shilling

Twin Peaks
8–9 p.m. Cascade 10
This iconic '90s surrealist noir thriller television series just completed a strange, controversial new season, 25 years after the original. What worked? What didn't? What does the new season tell us about the last 25 years?
Julie McGalliard (M), Jeremy Zimmerman

Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading
8–10 p.m. Cascade 12
Come and find your new favorite author at this fast-paced reading featuring the excerpts from stories and novels written by members of Broad Universe. As always, there will be chocolate and drawings for books. Broad Universe is a nonprofit organization that accepts members from all genders and has supported women who write, edit, and publish speculative fiction since 2000.
Marta Murvosh (M), Dawn Vogel, Amanda Cherry, Jude-Marie Green, J Tullos Hennig, Janka Hobbs, Tina LeCount Myers, Chrysoula Tzavelas

Digital Cartography Workshop
8–10 p.m. Cascade 13
Interested in digital mapmaking but not sure where to start? Bring your laptop, and we'll walk through the step-by-step process of digital cartography. Create your own world map from scratch, using only your laptop, mouse, and GIMP. Let's build a better world! Space limited to 24 participants. Please sign up in Cascade 1. You will need to download GIMP, a free graphic program, before the workshop to ensure it is working correctly: https://www.gimp.org/downloads.

Getting It Wrong: A Panel for Allies
9–10 p.m. Cascade 5&6
As allies for marginalized groups (and as members of marginalized groups), we're going to make mistakes. We all do. How do you stop it from turning into something worse? How do you react to being called out with grace and compassion? What does it mean to be an ally? What can you do to help without silencing others or co-opting the voices of marginalized people? Suggested pre-panel Googling: Derailing for Dummies and "Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack."
Amber Clark (M), Sienna Saint-Cyr, Sarah Gulde, Sheye Anne Blaze

So You Want to Paint for Paizo?
9–10 p.m. Cascade 7&8
How do you get work in the RPG field? Where should you look, and what are art directors looking for?
Bryan Syme (M), Christen N. Sowards, Kent Hamilton , Adam Vick

The Elements of Slash
9–10 p.m. Cascade 10
Writing adult material is a skill, much the same as writing any other genre, and adult-oriented slash fanfiction is no exception. This panel examines what makes slash good—and fun—for writers and readers. (18+ only)
Berlynn Wohl (M), Minim Calibre, Elliott Kay, Liz Barlow

All-Ages Scheduled Gaming
9 p.m.–2 a.m. Evergreen 1&2
Come sign up for a game run by our DMs or check out games from our lending library. We have RPGs, computer games, LARPs, card games, board games, and so much more! Need ADA access for a game? Please speak to our staff when you sign up so we can be sure to meet your needs.

Nerf Zombie Maze
9 p.m.–2 a.m. Grand 2
Can you survive the Zombie Maze? Make your way through solo or in groups, armed with a Nerf blaster and your wits, with zombies just around the next corner. This game is played only in the provided area. Underage players must have a parent present to play. Equipment is provided at the play area.

21+ Scheduled Gaming
9 p.m.–2 a.m. Maxi's Ballroom
Come sign up for a game run by our DMs or check out games from our lending library. We have RPGs, computer games, LARPs, card games, board games, and so much more! Need ADA access for a game? Please speak to our staff when you sign up, so we can be sure to meet your needs. 21+ ONLY WITH PHOTO ID

Saturday Night Dance: Prehistoric
9:30 p.m.–2 a.m. Grand 3
Get your roar on and shake your armored tail as we uncover the mystery of which song will be played next! Cosplaying your favorite dinosaur or prehistoric creature is optional, but highly recommended.

Friends of Bill W.
10–11 p.m. Cascade 4

Using Your Privilege for Good: Intervening and Amplifying Voices
10–11 p.m. Cascade 5&6
How or when do you intervene in situations of harassment or other poor behavior? What are tips on doing so safely? How do you amplify the voices of marginalized communities instead of taking over? How can we all make our communities safer and more inviting for all people to enjoy what fandom has to offer?
Sheye Anne Blaze (M), Sar Surmick, Brenna Clarke Gray, J. F. High

Erotic Fanfiction as Social Commentary
10–11 p.m. Cascade 7&8
What do you do if you aren't seeing the kinds of romantic relationships you want in mainstream media? For fanfic authors the answer is: write it yourself! In the process, consciously or not, many adult-rated fanfics explore their subject in a way that recasts and reexamines social attitudes and behavior, through the lens of transformative works. (18+ only)
Minim Calibre (M), Berlynn Wohl, keerawa, DameRuth

Sunday, 4/1	9	:30	10	:30	11	:30	12	:30	1	:30	2	:30	3	:30	4	:30	5	:30
Cascade 1&2
Cascade 3			Artemis
Cascade 4			Reading: Pat MacEwen	Reading: Renee Stern	Reading: Dean Wells	Reading: John Lovett	Reading: Peter N. Glaskowsky	Reading: Gregory A. Wilson	Reading: Russell Ervin	Reading: Scott Shweta Adhyam	Youth Programming and Ribbons Round-Up
Cascade 5&6			Is Disney Taking Over the Pop Culture Universe		What is SFWA (Science Fiction Writers of America)		Alien Sex on Earth		Tools of the Trade: How to Write Time Travel Fiction		Beyond the Chain Maille Bikini		Regency Revival
Cascade 7&8			The Influence of Table Top Games on Video Games		Women and Girls in STEM Fields		How Old Is It?		The Undiscovered Country: In Memorium		Building Group Costumes		Extinction - What Is It, Really?
Cascade 9			War Horses: Knights to Cavalry		Food as Science Fiction		Why Nerd Community Matters		Cosplaying While Fat		Econo-Tech, and Economy and Technology		Bullying and Bullsh**t
Cascade 10			Tools of the Trade: Writing Prompts		Elementary My Dear Bilbo		Your Trolls Are Not My Trolls (And That's OK)		Gaming for Grownups		What Happened to the Russian Space Program?
Cascade 11			Freelance Chaos		Tips for Small Press Authors		Writing LGBT Character in the Post-Patriarchy		Burn All the Witches! I Mean, Make Them Comfy!		Tools of the Trade: World Building		Social Media for Authors
Cascade 12		Strategies for Submitting Your Short Fiction			Why So Serious?		Video Games		Creature Drawing		Don't Read the Cursed Book
Cascade 13			Drabble Writing Fanfic Workshop		Where to Sell Your eBook Online				Choosing Good Ground
Evergreen 1&2			Masqurade Viewing				Movie Previews				Fannish Olympics
Evergreen 3&4			Giving that Fight Scene the Proper Punch		Genre TV		Evolution of Nerd Music		The Business of Music		Mermania				Closing Ceremonies		Onions & Roses
Olympic 1	Easter Egg Hunt for Newest Fen	Easter Egg Hunt for Pre-Fen	Easter Egg Hut for Kid Fen	Easter Egg Mystery Hunt	Storytime for Families		Arts & Crafts: Magical Animals				Dino Romp
Olympic 2			Coloring for All Ages		Victorian Ribbon Flowers Workshop								Glass Fusing Workshop Part 2
Grand 1			Art Show
Grand 2						Art/Charity Auction
Grand 3
Maxi's Ballroom
Maxi's Salon	All-Ages Scheduled Gaming
Mt. Baker	All Ages Gaming Demos/Dealers
Mt. Rainier
Rotunda 1
Rotunda 2	Pathfinder/D&D AL
Presidential Suite
Poolside

Sunday Panels
Easter Egg Hunt Newest Fen
9–9:30 a.m. Olympic 1
Baby- and toddler-friendly filled eggs will be placed around for our youngest fen and their helpers to find. Sign-up sheet for participation of children ages newborn to 2 will be available in Olympic 1 until Saturday evening to guarantee space and supplies.
Kate Ristau (M), Kristina Paulsen, Rei Paulsen

Morning Tai Chi
9–10 a.m. Grand 2
Join author and martial artist Steven Barnes in this hour of gentle Chinese exercise, suitable for all fitness and experience levels. Wear loose clothes!
Steven Barnes (M)

All-Ages Scheduled Gaming
9 a.m.–4 p.m. Maxi's Ballroom
Come sign up for a game run by our DMs or check out games from our lending library. We have RPGs, computer games, LARPs, card games, board games, and so much more! Need ADA access for a game? Please speak to our staff when you sign up so we can be sure to meet your needs.

All-Ages Game Demos
9 a.m.–4 p.m. Salon
All weekend there are dealers and game developers running demos of games in Maxi's Salon. Come up and see the latest and greatest games and talk to game developers.

Pathfinder and D&D AL
9 a.m.–6 p.m. Rotunda 1
Pathfinder Society and Dungeons and Dragons' Adventurers League will be running games throughout the weekend. Check the gaming schedule for details.

Strategies for Submitting Your Short Fiction: Writing Workshop
9:30–11 a.m. Cascade 12
Karen G. Anderson will cover the basics (and beyond) for submitting your short fiction to magazines, anthologies, and podcasts. Topics include matching your fiction to markets, deciding where to submit, reading guidelines, formatting submissions, writing cover letters, tracking submissions, querying about a submission's status, creating a submission plan for each story, handling rejections, and (very important!) handling acceptances. Includes lecture, handouts, and lots of Q&A. Presented by Cascade Writers. Ages 18+. Space is limited and advance sign-up is required in Cascade 1.
K.G. Anderson (M)

Easter Egg Hunt Pre-Fen
9:30–10 a.m. Olympic 1
Preschooler-appropriate candy- and toy-filled eggs will be hidden for kids ages 3 to 5 to find with their caregivers. Sign-up sheet for participation will be available in Olympic 1 until Saturday evening to guarantee space and supplies.
Kate Ristau (M), Kristina Paulsen, Rei Paulsen

Artemis
10–4 p.m. Cascade 3
Be the crew, report to the bridge! Artemis is a spaceship bridge simulator where players assume the jobs of captain, helm, science, communication, engineering, and weapon control. Together you operate your ship and defend the sector from evil aliens. Artemis networks several computers together, with one screen acts as the "main screen" of a bridge, while others serve as stations for the normal jobs a bridge crew might do. Several players work together on each bridge, with one player as the captain, who doesn't have a station but tells everyone else what to do. Multiple bridges can participate together in cooperative multi-ship missions.

Reading: Pat MacEwen
10–10:30 a.m. Cascade 4
"The Forever Boy." The Forever Boy never had to grow up. When he ran from the Trail of Tears, he was saved from the Blue Coats and their guns by the Little People of Cherokee myth. They took him in and let him forget the horror that had destroyed his whole family. They let him remain a child for 200 years. But now, thanks to climate change, it's starting all over, and the boy must decide whether to run away again or become a man and save his people. The story appears in the new anthology Children of Another Sky, out in November 2017. Rated: G.
Pat MacEwen (M)

Is Disney Taking Over the Pop Culture Universe?
10–11 a.m. Cascade 5&6
Disney owns Marvel, Star Wars, ABC, and Pixar. Does Disney control pop culture, or is the pop culture universe letting go? Let's discuss Disney and what they mean to current popular culture.
Melissa Quinn (M), Meris Mullaley

The Influence of Tabletop Games on Video Games
10–11 a.m. Cascade 7&8
Massively multiplayer online role-playing games revolutionized computer gaming, becoming the dominant mode for computer role-playing games. Certainly they learned a thing or two from tabletop gaming. Yet today, many tabletop games are borrowing concepts from video games. Join our panel in a discussion of the increasingly blurry lines of game development.
Scott James Magner (M), Kiva Maginn, Dylan Templar

War Horses: Knights to Cavalry
10–11 a.m. Cascade 9
There is nothing more exciting than a charge of mounted riders bearing down on their enemy. From the time of knights mounted on heavy horses to World War I and the Light Horsemen, horses were an essential part of warrior culture. Experienced armored riders will tell you about the horse that carries them.
Ann Shilling (M), Alan Andrist, Agathon McGeachy, Jaym Gates

Tools of the Trade: Writing Prompts
10–11 a.m. Cascade 10
A stuck writer is a writer not writing. Find your motivation in this panel! Learn how to use writing prompts to start a story, work through tough scenes, or battle the dreaded writer's block.
Mark Teppo (M), Alexandra Renwick, Tegan Moore

Freelance Chaos
10–11 a.m. Cascade 11
Balancing freelance projects can be difficult. Each has deadlines and if you're like most freelancers, you take on as much as possible because the pay is good! Hear pros share how they balance their personal, family, and freelance life so they stay healthy and able to produce good work.
Marta Murvosh (M), Laura Anne Gilman, Elsa Sjunneson-Henry, Carrie Vaughn

Drabble Writing Fanfic Workshop
10–11 a.m. Cascade 13
While the term "drabble" is sometimes used to indicate a short piece of fanfiction, in the strictest sense it means a story exactly 100 words long—which is more of a challenge than you might think. In this writing exercise you'll create a drabble of your own and learn tricks for making every word count!
DameRuth (M), keerawa, Minim Calibre

Masquerade Viewing & Debriefing
10–noon Evergreen 1&2
Join us to watch the masquerade and then have a debriefing of it. Contestants' music and any items lost and found from the backstage area will be available at this panel. Any unclaimed awards will be here also.

Giving That Fight Scene the Proper Punch
10–11 a.m. Evergreen 3&4
Whether you're writing a space fight, hand-to-hand combat in armor, or a super badass ninja fight scene, accuracy is crucial. What's the best way to know if your fight scene is realistic? If your characters wear armor, talk to some SCA members. If your character is battling in a low-gravity environment, are they trained for this? If so, are you prepared to offer your reader convincing details that only a lo-grav martial artist would know? This panel will discuss combat research sources for writers, how to choreograph a good fight, and other factors crucial to creating believable fight scenes.
Steven Barnes (M), John (J.A.) Pitts, D.L. Solum, Elliot Kay

Easter Egg Hunt Kid Fen
10–10:30 a.m. Olympic 1
Eggs filled with candy and surprises will be hidden for our bigger kids to find. Sign-up sheet for participation will be available in Olympic 1 until Saturday evening to guarantee space and supplies.
Kate Ristau (M), Rei Paulsen, Kristina Paulsen, Eric Snyder

Coloring for All Ages
10–11 a.m. Olympic 2
Come and rediscover the joy of coloring! We will have some coloring pages and a variety of pens/pencils/crayons for your use.

Reading: Renee Stern
10:30–11 a.m. Cascade 4
"Stolen." A dark tale of a lost soul trying to find its way home. Rated: PG.
Renee Stern (M)

Easter Egg Mystery Hunt for Young Fen
10:30–11 a.m. Olympic 1
Each youth who signs up will be given a clue that will lead your team to a clutch of eggs that are hidden somewhere in the con space. Sign-up sheet for participation will be available in Olympic 1 until Saturday evening. Clues will be distributed at the time of the hunt.
Danielle Gembala (M), Eric Snyder, Kristina Paulsen, Rei Paulsen, Kari Ann Ramadorai

Reading: Dean Wells
11–11:30 a.m. Cascade 4
Work to be decided. Rated: R.
Dean Wells (M)

What is SFWA (Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America)?
11–noon Cascade 5&6
Panelists will discuss the origin and history of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), what the organization does for professional SF&F writers and the genre, and what its direction will be in the coming years.
Cat Rambo (M), Curtis C. Chen

Women and Girls in STEM Fields
11–noon Cascade 7&8
Women who work in technical fields tell how they got interested in their work and what kept them going.
Bridget Landry (M), Vicki Wedel, Torrey Stenmark, Charlotte Lewis Brown

Food as Science Fiction
11–noon Cascade 9
Your food is genetically modified. From the corn fed to beef cattle to bovine growth hormones, from increased yields of grain to apples tweaked to yield different/better flavor, your grocery store is practically a SF novel itself these days. Whether you see food tech as Frankensteinian or as the counter to climate change and an exploding world population, this panel will discuss technological advances in food and farming, as well as books that address these issues: Tuf Voyaging by George R.R. Martin; Love in the Time of Global Warming by Francesca Lia Block; Make Room! Make Room! by Harry Harrison, on which Soylent Green was based.
Barth Anderson (M), Nancy Kress, Cynthiann Heckelsmiller, Meg Elison

Elementary, My Dear Bilbo
11–noon Cascade 10
Speculative fiction and detective fiction have a lot in common—they are both about digging down to the truth of matters. Fictional scientists and explorers, like detectives, follow clues and act on hunches. It's hard enough to write a mystery, so why do writers choose to combine it with the complexity of science fiction or fantasy? What elements of detective fiction make for satisfying fantasy? What elements of fantasy make for satisfying mysteries?
Kat Richardson (M), Pat MacEwen, Kay Kenyon, Eva L. Elasigue

Tips for Small Press Authors
11–noon Cascade 11
What should you expect to be doing on your own if you're being published by a small press? Are there benefits to going with a smaller press? Do you maintain more creative control? What are some downfalls?
Sienna Saint-Cyr (M), Mark Teppo, Patrick Swenson, Jaym Gates

Why So Serious?
11–noon Cascade 12
One criticism of characters like Squirrel Girl is that they aren't serious; they're too "cute" or funny. But what's wrong with that? The same folks who will tell you that comics shouldn't have politics will also tell you that they can't take Squirrel Girl or Moon Girl seriously. You almost never hear the same criticism aimed at Deadpool or Hawkeye. What's with the double standard?
G. Willow Wilson (M), Donna Barr, Brenna Clarke Gray, Erik Scott de Bie

Where to Sell Your eBook Online: Writing Workshop
11–12:30 p.m. Cascade 13
Whether you're a publisher or a self-published author, you will eventually have to address the realities of eBook distribution. Let's explore the digital landscape. Where do you send your eBook? What should you expect? What are the technical requirements? What do you need to upload it? What should you include in the eBook? We will explore the different outlets around the country and around the world. Presented by Clarion West. Ages 14+. Space is limited, and advance sign-up is required in Cascade 1.
Tod McCoy (M)

Genre TV
11–noon Evergreen 3&4
With so many shows on TV and streaming networks, what is good to watch? Let us discuss what's currently on your TV, computer, or portable device.
Mimi Noyes (M), Matt Vancil

Storytime for Families
11–11:30 a.m. Olympic 1

Storytime and activities for families in Olympic 1.
Kari Ann Ramadorai (M)

Victorian Ribbon Flowers: Workshop
11–noon Olympic 2
Flowers made from ribbons and sewn on skirts, dresses, jackets, and hats were a popular form of embellishment during the Victorian era. Though very showy and glamorous, the techniques are not difficult and once you have the concept you can create all kinds of amazing botanical beauty. Sign up in Cascade 1
Kathryn Brant (M), Melissa Quinn, Anita Taylor

Reading: John Lovett
11:30–noon Cascade 4
"Witchka." A police detective regains his self-worth and sense of place with the help of a young trainee witch—a witchka. Rated: G.
John Lovett (M)

Norwescon Art & Charity Auction
11:30–2 p.m. Grand 2
Norwescon presents a fun-filled opportunity at bidding on the hottest and most sought-after art from the Norwescon Art Show. This event also raises money for our longtime friend Norwest Harvest. Hundreds of donated items will be on display prior to the start of the event, come early to stake out a good spot for watching and bidding. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Bidding starts at noon.

Reading: Peter N. Glaskowsky
noon–12:30 p.m. Cascade 4
Accelerator. Accelerator is a first person self-insertion time travel alternate history deus ex machina wish fulfillment journal-style info dump tuckerized political science fiction mystery set in the late 20th century. Rated: G.
Peter N. Glaskowsky (M)

Alien Sex on Earth
noon–1 p.m. Cascade 5&6
"The birds and the bees" may be a euphemism for sex, but there is almost nothing about the way birds and bees reproduce that is like the way mammals in general and humans in particular do. Same with lizards and spiders and sharks, and then there are the parakites, which are REALLY weird. How weird? Come and find out.
DameRuth (M), Andy Dudak, Cynthiann Heckelsmiller

How Old Is It?
noon–1 p.m. Cascade 7&8
Whether it is a bone, a body, a grave, a tree, a rock, or a planet, eventually someone is going to ask, "how old is it?". What are the ways we weigh the passage of time in things? Come talk the tech of time with our not particularly ancient panelists.
Cathy Plesko (M), Vicki Wedel, Pat MacEwen, Charlotte Lewis Brown

Why Nerd Community Matters
noon–1 p.m. Cascade 9
How does nerd community make our lives better? What has it given us and how do we help to keep that going and give back to others as well?
Sarah Gulde (M), Ethan Siegel, Barry Wilson, Gabriel de los Angeles

Your Trolls Are Not My Trolls (and That Is OK)
noon–1 p.m. Cascade 10
Lord of the Rings, Dungeons & Dragons, Harry Potter—a hundred different fandoms, and no two trolls are the same. Discuss overcoming generational gaps within families, and how to keep everyone in the loop instead of talking over each other's heads (or not talking at all!)
Lisa Mantchev (M), Amélie Mantchev, Kate Ristau, Barth Anderson

Writing LGBT Characters in the Post-Patriarchy
noon–1 p.m. Cascade 11
Genre fiction—be it television, movies, comics, or books—has seen a tremendous increase in the number of LGBT characters. Is this a natural maturation of the writing process, or a conscious decision in the name of diversity? Our panelists will discuss their own LGBT characters, and how these characters came to be included in the narrative.
Evan J. Peterson (M), John (J.A.) Pitts, Nisi Shawl, Crystal Frasier

Video Games
noon–1 p.m. Cascade 12
There are so many good games out there to play on different platforms. Is World of Warcraft still the top dog? Do I need a computer, or can I just play on my phone? Let us look at the different games out there; what is the best and what is needed to play them.
Erik Scott de Bie (M), Liz Barlow, G. Willow Wilson, Kiva Maginn

Keith and Alan's Movie News and Previews—This Title's a Spoiler!
noon–2 p.m. Evergreen 1&2
Your final chance for the latest previews, news, and rumors from Hollywood. Including at no additional cost the famous, "why? Why? WHY?"
Keith Johnson (M), Alan Halfhill

Evolution of Nerd Music
noon–1 p.m. Evergreen 3&4
Norwescon knows filk, but what about the rest of geek music? What about nerdcore and chiptunes? Geek rock, math rock, parody, comedy, and… how does it intersect? How do these bands intertwine? This will be a seminar on nerd music, how it got started, and how it continues to evolve now.
C0splay (M)

Art and Craft Open House: Magical Animals Theme
noon–1 p.m. Olympic 1
Drop by for magical animal themed crafts and activities for our young members.
Elizabeth "Liz" Vann-Clark (M), Kristina Paulsen, Rei Paulsen, Danielle Gembala

Reading: Gregory A. Wilson
12:30–1 p.m. Cascade 4
Renegade. The prologue from the upcoming novel Renegade, the sequel to Grayshade, published by The Ed Greenwood Group. Rated: PG.
Gregory A. Wilson (M)

Reading: Russell Ervin
1–1:30 p.m. Cascade 4
"Campfire Tales." A series of flash fiction pieces: fantasy and science fiction. Rated: G.
Russell Ervin (M)

Tools of the Trade: How to Write Time Travel Fiction
1–2 p.m. Cascade 5&6
Ever wanted to write a time travel story but you're stuck in an infinite loop of procrastination and inspiration? Join time travel authors who can talk about the challenges, the rewards, the theories, and that frustrating moment when you curse your future self because they didn't use their time machine to go back in time and just give you a completed novel.
Peter N. Glaskowsky (M), Emily C. Skaftun, Ethan Siegel

The Undiscovered Country: In Memoriam
1–2 p.m. Cascade 7&8
A place of meditation, discussion, contemplation, and thoughts about those who have passed since the last Norwescon. Honor those who have passed on with a thought, memory, or a simple prayer to whatever you wish. Leave the name of someone you remember.
Salt (M)

Cosplaying While Fat
1–2 p.m. Cascade 9
Body shaming is rife in cosplay circles, with constant cries for bigger fans to play "body appropriate" characters… because there are so many of those to choose from. What do you do if you don't have the body type of your favorite character? We'll show you why it's okay to be a plus size Wonder Woman, Power Girl, or Superman.
Minim Calibre (M), Yl'luria WaterSong, Melissa "Merlissa" Thomas

Gaming for Grownups
1–2 p.m. Cascade 10
As gamers grow up and settle down, where do games fit in? How can parents juggle gaming and parenting? How soon should you teach your kid to play Dungeons & Dragons? Come hear a discussion on gaming as adults and parents and learn how to squeeze gaming back into your schedule.
Gabriel de los Angeles (M), Kiva Maginn

Burn All Witches! I Mean, Make Them Comfy!
1–2 p.m. Cascade 11
These days, we have plenty of stories where heroes are witches, something that was unthinkable not that long ago. Is it possible today to tell a sympathetic story about a witch-burner? Are "backward" or currently socially unacceptable themes forbidden, or must readers and authors always project modern social norms onto historical fiction? How do writers of time travel, historical fiction, or even fantasy remain true to a time period without potentially offending modern readers?
Julie McGalliard (M), Elliott Kay, Renee Stern

Creature Drawing
1–2 p.m. Cascade 12
How do artists create believable fantasy and sci-fi creatures? Let's discuss points of anatomy, references, and environment.
Bryan Syme (M), Mathew Wedel

Choosing Good Ground
1–3 p.m. Cascade 13
To this day and for the foreseeable future, success in battle is largely a function of choosing the physical place that gives your force an inherent advantage and simultaneously puts your foe at a disadvantage. This is called 'good ground'. Learn what those factors are and how to both take advantage of them or decline battle and fight another day.
Bill Gruner (M), Norman K. Moss, Dave Davis, Clayton Mann

The Business of Music
1–2 p.m. Evergreen 3&4
Do bands make money anymore? Musical acts can. It is a balance of release schedules, licensing, avoiding pitfalls related to copyrights and intellectual properties, and still the hard work of the live show and the traveling act. We can discuss strategies for audience engagement, social media rollouts, etc. Learn how to make money as a musician!
Alexander James Adams (M)

Reading: Shweta Adhyam
1:30–2 p.m. Cascade 4
"A Conch-Shell Note." Every few years, a conch-shell note lures chosen youth of Anantapura to adventure. How does it change the lives of Venkatadri, Krishnan and Shyamala? Rated: G.
Shweta Adhyam (M)

Youth Programming and Ribbons Round-up
2–3 p.m. Cascade 4
Drop in to Cascade 4 to compare ribbons and let us know how our youth programming fared. What did you love? What would you like to see for next year? Who knows, there could be prizes!
Amélie Mantchev (M)

Beyond the Chain Maille Bikini
2–3 p.m. Cascade 5&6
Everybody says sex sells. But why does it have to sell only to heterosexual men? Here panelists will discuss the problem of toxic objectification in art, and what we can do to change it for the better.
Marta Murvosh (M), Christen N. Sowards, Liz Courts

Building Group Costumes
2–3 p.m. Cascade 7&8
You have a great costume idea, but it needs a dozen of your closest friends. How do you get them involved, organized, motivated, and on track? What can you do in advance to make the process easier, particularly if half of them don't sew?
Torrey Stenmark (M), Richard Stephens, Bridget Landry, Kathryn Brant

Econo-Tech, and Economy and Technology
2–3 p.m. Cascade 9
Technological changes have always impacted the economy and the way people made their living, but it used to be happen rarely, start locally, and take generations to spread. Now they happen all the time, can appear anywhere, and be global before lunch. What does this mean now? What will it mean for the future? What is the next big change that will change everything?
Kurt Cagle (M), Shweta Adhyam, Mike Brennan, PJ Manney

What Happened to the Russian Space Program?
2–3 p.m. Cascade 10
The Soviet Union was the first nation to place a spacecraft in orbit, the first to fly animals in space, the first to fly a man and later a woman in space, the first to have a cosmonaut walk in space. But today it is a shadow of its former self. Their Space Shuttle BURAN flew but once, and unmanned at that, the MIR space station was crashed into the Pacific Ocean and today it seems incapable of doing very much compared to its former glories. What happened? And is it a cautionary tale for the U.S.?
Cathy Plesko, Arthur Bozlee

Tools of the Trade: Worldbuilding
2–3 p.m. Cascade 11
"Location, location, location" as the old saying goes. It impacts everything, especially in freshly imagined worlds. Are your story's lands near water? How has that affected the language, trade, and development of people in that location? If your nation is hidden in the mountains, how do you raise their stakes if they are secluded? Land and location affect people deeply, and how thoroughly you imagine your locale will impact the depiction of your main characters, too.
E. Lily Yu, Kay Kenyon, Cory Skerry, Matt Vancil, Carrie Vaughn

Don't Read the Cursed Book
2–3 p.m. Cascade 12
Protagonists in horror movies often do things the audience knows they shouldn't—read the cursed book, stay in the obviously haunted house, give a ride to the creepy hitchhiker. What are some of the most ridiculous examples? And, let's be honest, would any of us really run screaming from the Amityville Horror house after paying $50,000 in a non-refundable down payment?
Jason Vanhee (M), Emily C. Skaftun, Julie McGalliard

Fannish Olympics
2–4 p.m. Evergreen 1&2
The Fannish Olympics is back with traditional and fun events! First you must survive the first three days of the con, then get a team of 1–8 players and compete to win three free memberships for Norwescon 42. Craft the very worst Vogon poetry; compete in the Game of Chairs; survive the Tardis Shuffle. Bring your volunteer sheets from throughout the con and get ready for some exciting fan-created sporting-like challenges.

Mermania—Now that I'm a Mer, What Next?
2–3 p.m. Evergreen 3&4
You've got your tail, your look, your mersona… now what? How do you get connected to your local pods or other mer enthusiasts? What does it take to become a paid performer? Accept your body shape, size, and gender in your mer life, and how it differs from the social constructs of the expected Ariel mer in public.
Yl'luria WaterSong (M), Melissa "Merlissa" Thomas, Triton Mahtlinnie

Dino Romp
2–2:30 p.m. Olympic 1
Come on down to learn about our prehistoric dinosaur friends, learn a dino dance, and roar some dino roars!
Danielle Gembala (M), Mathew Wedel

Regency Revival
3–4 p.m. Cascade 5&6
As we celebrate the bicentennial of the publication of Frankenstein we look back at the stunning silhouettes of the Regency era and the signature looks for men and women. Come learn about patterns, draping techniques, opportunities to dress in the Empire style, and more.
Carmen Beaudry (M), Richard Stephens, Bridget Landry

Using Vision in your Story
3–4 p.m. Cascade 7&8
Vision is one of our most valuable, largest brain usage senses. We rely on it more than we realize. But can a variation in this sense be the core of your story? Think Pitch Black.
Jake McKinzie (M), DameRuth

Bullying is Bulls**t
3–4 p.m. Cascade 9
A panel of people who have experienced bullying and found a way to end it peacefully and/or a way to cope. We will talk about what bullying is, how to recognize it, and some strategies that may help.
Sar Surmick (M), Elizabeth "Liz" Vann-Clark, Cory Skerry, Minim Calibre, Steven Barnes

Social Media for Authors
3–4 p.m. Cascade 11
Twitter, blogs, Facebook author pages, they all have merit, but some are more worth it than others. What are author groups and can they help you? Should each platform have the same bio and author pic?
K.G. Anderson (M), Cat Rambo, K Tempest Bradford, G. Willow Wilson

Glass Fusing Workshop, Part 2
3–4 p.m. Olympic 2
If you participated in the glass fusing workshop on Friday, come pick up your art! We'll discuss what worked, and what didn't, and how to fix it for next time.
Joy Alyssa Day (M)

Closing Ceremonies
4–5 p.m. Evergreen 3&4
Come send off Norwescon 41's guests of honor with fanfare. We've made it through another year and we want to celebrate the good times we've had.
Rob Stewart (M), Chris Pramas, Galen Dara, Ken Liu, Mathew Wedel, Nicole Lindroos, Vicki Wedel

Onions & Roses
5–6 p.m. Evergreen 3&4
The convention is over. Here's your chance to weigh in on what went well, and what didn't. Tell us your favorite and least favorite parts of the convention, so we can try to make it better next year. After all, as a member of Norwescon, this is YOUR convention!