In This Section
In this session led by author, editor, and publisher Lisa Diane Kastner, the foundational
structures that define and differentiate major fiction genres, including literary,
mystery, thriller, romance, and fantasy, will be explored. Designed for writers and
editors, the focus will be on breaking down how genre conventions shape plot progression,
pacing, character arcs, and reader expectations. Whether you are refining a draft,
developing new work, or looking for guidance through revisions, this workshop provides
a cross-genre toolkit for engaging and market-aware stories.
Comedy is an essential part of human existence, and no great work is devoid of it.
Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina has its wry and ironic descriptions of Russian life, and the
tragedy of Shakespeare’s Hamlet has its slapstick, bone-throwing antics of the Sexton and the clever wordplay of the Gravediggers. No matter what you’re writing, a little humor can add a lot to the story. Juliet McDaniel will share the different types of humor and how they can best serve your themes before having the group examine a famous piece of dramatic writing and deploy different types of comedy to see first-hand how humor can enhance or reshape a story.
tragedy of Shakespeare’s Hamlet has its slapstick, bone-throwing antics of the Sexton and the clever wordplay of the Gravediggers. No matter what you’re writing, a little humor can add a lot to the story. Juliet McDaniel will share the different types of humor and how they can best serve your themes before having the group examine a famous piece of dramatic writing and deploy different types of comedy to see first-hand how humor can enhance or reshape a story.
Suspense is key to driving any type of story, whether romance or thrillers, because
storytelling is supposed to create a "what happens next?" response. That state of
not knowing but anticipating what happens next is the core reader response your book
is supposed to create, and why readers turn the page. Christine Fairchild will share
how to layer suspense elements, from micro details like props and devices and word
choices, to macro content, like theme choices, plot points, setting, POV, and character
behavior. She'll discuss techniques like when to keep secrets and when to reveal them,
and how to drive tension using competing agendas and layering action.
In the realm of epic fantasy, more is always better. Join author Jenna Elizabeth Johnson
to explore the vast mechanics of multi-book storytelling. From intricate world building
and myth-making to creature creation, sword fighting, and inventing entirely new languages,
you will learn how to develop a rich lore database. Discover how to channel your biggest
ideas into a compelling epic story that will resonate with readers for years to come.
Apocalyptic and dystopian stories are super-hot. Find out why readers are devouring
them and why editors can’t get enough of them! In this interactive session, NY Times
bestseller Jonathan Maberry, author of 45 novels and a dozen nonfiction books, will
discuss the different categories within the genre, research and resources, the science
of how the world ends, and infinite variations on the apocalypse. You’ll learn about
crafting compelling tales, key themes, character-building, making your story unique,
balancing light and dark elements, and more.