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While we are waiting for the full schedule to be posted, here is a sample of some of the program items we will offer. All items listed should be considered preliminary and subject to change. The full official schedule should be available sometime the week of September 19th and will contain times, locations, and participants.

Panels
21st Century Fairy Tales Whether it's a reimagining of an old story or the crafting of something new altogether, fairy tales still capture the imagination of readers. What kind of stories do we consider true fairy tales and has this changed over time? What are classic fairy tale themes that still resonate today? What new spins are giving fairytales new life? A Climate Change: Environmentalism in Fiction Environmental themes have appeared in science fiction and fantasy stories for many years. How have these stories evolved and what are the most compelling trends of today? What range of topics are writers addressing in these stories, especially in short fiction? What are some of the best examples of writers exploring environmental issues in their work? Ask the Authors Here's your chance to ask our panelists all your burning questions about being an author. Our panelists will give an overview of their role and then turn it over to you. Ask the Editors Here's your chance to ask our panelists all your burning questions about being an editor. Our panelists will give an overview of their role and then turn it over to you. Alternatives to Traditional Publishing With the rise of self-publishing, small presses, and independent publishers, there's a changing landscape for how stories are vetted and promoted for publication. In what ways are we reexamining traditional gatekeepers in publishing? What are the benefits and cautions of alternative publishing models and how are traditional publishers responding? What is the future outlook for wider access to new stories and authors? Anthology Builder Your anthology questions answered! How do you come up with a theme and properly curate your anthology? How do authors produce readable fiction in the confines of an original themed anthology? How do the stories get picked? What sells and what doesn't? Anthropomorphic Animals Some of our most beloved stories feature animals showing their more human sides. What stories can you uniquely explore with anthropomorphic animal characters? How do you choose which human-like qualities to adopt? What are the differences in creating a full alternate world versus anthropomorphic animals living among humans? Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe? News about artificial intelligence often seems taken from the pages of your favorite sci-fi author. Yet there's still a wide range of opinions about the utility of A.I. in our daily lives. What questions should we be asking about artificial intelligence? What counts as A.I. in today's world? What are the most interesting ways that science fiction is exploring the range of perspectives on A.I.? Brave Spaces: Writing Outside Your Comfort Zone Writing what you know is hard enough. But what are the considerations of writing outside of your comfort zone? How do you approach research and specialty readers? What can be learned from writing about identities, themes, or concepts that test your boundaries? How do we approach risk-taking in fiction that respects both creativity and accountability? And how do you handle critique or unintended harm in the attempt? But I Don't Like Horror! Those who say that they don't like horror or scary stories may unwittingly already enjoy one of horror's many subgenres. Panelists discuss the wide range of stories that fall into the category of horror and how skeptics might just find something they like after all. Calling All Earth Intelligences Human intelligence is only a fraction of our planet's story. What are examples of intelligences other than humans? How do we define what is and is not intelligent? How can we rank or rate intelligences? And what about slime molds? Community-Building: Making Space for New Perspectives Science Fiction and fantasy have conquered culture! And it opened up more opportunities for fandom to celebrate together the things they love online and in person. But it's also created challenges for new people coming into an established community and for long-time fans to accommodate new voices and perspectives. How can we ensure these environments grow in a way that's respectful and inclusive for all? Critical Reading Reading critically is a valuable skill, whether you're a beta reader, reviewer, professional editor, or avid reader. How do you process the elements of a story as you read? What techniques help build these skills? Panelists discuss the art of reading beyond just pleasure. Facing Mortality: Writing Death and Dying in Fiction Death is often inevitable in storytelling. But how can we make it meaningful and not gratuitous or an empty plot device? Panelists discuss what makes for a good exploration of mortality and death in a story. From Amazon to Zines - Publishing in the 2020s The publishing industry continues to evolve in surprising ways. How has Amazon, self-publishing, technology, the internet, or other factors changed the way books get made? What direction might publishing go in the near future? What do authors and readers need to know about publishing trends? Gaming and SFF Gaming -- from RPGs to videogames -- has emerged as a source of rich worldbuilding and storytelling that rivals any beloved epic fantasy. Panelists discuss the unique storytelling opportunities in gaming and their recommendations. Grammar Wars and Pedantry If arguments over the serial comma, split infinitives, or the evolving definition of "literally" gets you riled up, then this is a conversation for you. Panelists discuss their favorite pedantic hills to die on and whether language is evolving too quickly or too slowly for their liking. History Through Another Lens History is written by the victors, but we're seeing a growing number of historical stories told through other, lesser explored perspectives. What are the challenges and opportunities of shifting perspectives on prominent historical events? What are exciting examples of stories or authors upending the history we think we know by presenting new voices? HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Discussion Group Now that we have a new HBO series based in Westeros, it's time to get together once again to discuss it. Humor in Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing humor into a story can make a plot or character come alive - but it's not easy. What makes writing humor so challenging? What techniques for infusing humor work and which don't? What are the best and most surprising examples of humor done well? Incorporating Science into Your Fiction Stories that keep the science front and center can be tricky to pull off and deeply satisfying when done well. What are some common errors and successful strategies for telling a good science-based story? How do you write science authentically into a story while also making it a compelling read? In Defense of the Standalone Novel In a sea of book series, the standalone novel can be a breath of fresh air. What are the virtues of the standalone novel and what makes for a good one? Might there be a resurgence of the standalone novel in the near future? Mixed-Genre Stories Sometimes, the story you want to write doesn't fit into traditional genre patterns. Sometimes it fits into ALL the traditional genre patterns. What are the virtues and pitfalls of genre-bending such as finding your audience, marketing through genre-specific channels, generating industry acclaim, finding your niche, and more? Panelists discuss the stories that defy standard shelving paradigms. Networking in Publishing Networking can be a valuable part of your professional writing career. It can help you identify mentors, learn tricks of the trade, and otherwise find community in your writing career. But it doesn't come easy for everyone. How might writers address social anxiety, financial barriers, and other challenges to navigating professional spaces? Positive SF Many people are craving stories right now with gentle plots and hopeful themes to contrast the recent dystopic trends in publishing, media, and real-life dramas. Panelists discuss what makes for positive science fiction and some of their favorite examples of the brighter side of science fiction. Promoting Your Writing Whether it's social media or networking, self-promotion doesn't have to be painful. Our panelists discuss their tips for marketing your work without losing yourself or your sanity. Queer Stories Front and Center: Mainstreaming LGBTQ Voices LGBTQ+ stories are among the most successful - and most targeted - works of fiction in recent years. Panelists recognize the important visibility of queer stories and discuss the challenges that make it difficult for LGBTQ+ stories and authors to exist in the mainstream. Recommend This Book/Author! Searching for a space pirate romp with a found family story that's not afraid of a good pun? Well, our panelists just may have the book for you! Bring your prompt for panelists to help you find your next read. Religion, Secularism, and Atheism in SFF Religion has influenced literature throughout time, but what are the unique applications for science fiction and fantasy? What role does secularism and atheism play in modern storytelling? Responding to the Moment: Writing for Today's World From space-faring billionaires and a global pandemic to climate activism, cryptocurrencies, and a racial justice reckoning, there is much about today's world to inspire interesting literary questions. How does science fiction, fantasy, and horror help us navigate these political environments? What stories are useful for better understanding our current world? Our panelists talk about how societal and cultural aspects of today impact the ideas they seek to explore in their writing. Spotlight on Alternate History Alternative histories are more popular than ever. Why do historical what-ifs continue to fascinate us, and what makes a powerful (and plausible!) story? The Dark Ages in SFF The TV versions of Foundation raises an old historical question – what is a "dark age"? What are some examples from history? Are they as bad as we previously thought? How can history inform our discussion and writing of post-apocalyptic/post-collapse futures or the nasty bad times in a fantastical past? The DMV in Speculative Fiction Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia have rich histories, interesting people, and lots of weird nooks and crannies that make a great setting for a story. Panelists discuss their favorite books set in the DMV and the fun and frustrations of setting stories in and around the nation's capital. THE EXPANSE Discussion Group The book and television series both wrapped up recently. Come and talk about your favorite EXPANSE-related things. What worked and what didn't? Is there still room for more stories in this universe? The State of Small Press Publishing It's no secret that Capclave loves small press publishing. What's considered a small press today and how is it different than years past? What's new and exciting in small press publishing? The State of YA Fiction Young adult fiction has been a mainstay in publishing in recent decades. How has the genre evolved and what new trends are emerging? With so much scrutiny on YA content lately, are authors changing how they approach writing for this genre and how? Are there still taboos for YA stories, and how close can you get to breaking these rules? These Characters Are My Friends Fandom demonstrates how deeply audiences can become attached to fictional characters. They sometimes feel like family members -- we love them, cry with them when they hurt, and if we lose them, we grieve. Panelists discuss the comfort (and sometimes pain) of loving their favorite characters and what makes us latch onto fictional characters so strongly. Too Soon? Writing and Reading About Pandemics After nearly three years of living with a global pandemic, some are craving stories that reflect our daily reality. Others aren't ready to relive the difficulties of suffering through a pandemic. Panelists discuss the pros and cons of writing and reading about pandemics in 2022 Toxic Productivity Writers are familiar with juggling multiple projects on top of their daily life. There's always one more social media post or writing prompt or contact to chase down to get ahead. But how much is too much? When does hustle culture become unsustainable? How can you protect yourself from doing to much at the expense of your mental and physical health? Trauma in Speculative Fiction Science fiction, fantasy, and horror often put their characters through the ringer with not a therapist in sight. What does speculative fiction get wrong or right about the trauma inflicted on a story's characters? What are resources or strategies to deal more authentically with trauma in fiction? What Do You Call That? Creating New Worlds The basics of worldbuilding combine the familiar with the inventive. But what goes into defining a new concept or mapping a new city or planet? How do you come up with names of people and places? What about new languages? Panelists discuss the nuts and bolts of creating new worlds. What Makes a Good Character? Creating compelling characters is anything but a simple process. Do you build on a list of desired characteristics? Base them on real people? Panelists discuss their experience with developing interesting and well-developed main and supporting characters. What Makes an Effective Book Cover and How Do You Get One? What is the purpose of a book cover - is it to sell the book or illustrate it? What makes some covers more effective than others? How much control do authors have over their covers and what can authors do to get better ones? What's in a Name? James Tiptree Jr. and James S. A. Corey. Andre Norton and T. Kingfisher. Some writers have a different pseudonym for each genre in which they write. Others use the same name consistently. What are the reasons writers have opted to use a nom de plume? What are the benefits and drawbacks of using a pen name?
Special Events
Trivia Night! Ursula Vernon Kids' Signing (Sunday) Mass Autographing Session WSFA Small Press Award
Presentations
Black Holes, the Care and Feeding Thereof What be their characteristic haunts? How may they be recognized? How may they be stalked? How avoided? By what dire forces are they created? What dangers do they present? What songs do they sing? What instruction do they offer? and do Black Holes ever, ever disgorge their prey?

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