Sample Program Items
We are in the process of finalizing Capclave 2025’s program. Here are some program items we are tentatively planning on running:
Are Shorts Still the Heart? – It has been said that short stories are the heart of the science fiction field. Shorts can be more creative and more experimental than novels. Is this still true? Why should people still read short stories? And what is happening to the digest magazines? Panelists discuss the role of short stories in SF and why they are still important in the modern world.
Benevolent AIs – Not all artificial intelligences (AI) are violent SkyNets. Some just want to rearrange your life to make you happier (perhaps in exchange for cat pictures). What makes an AI benevolent? Can an AI understand humanity well enough to be really good for people? Can we depend on benevolent AIs? How can we be sure it will stay benevolent? Can a benevolent AI still be harmful? Let’s discuss the world of AI.
Building Your Worlds from the Ground Up – SF and Fantasy frequently take place in invented worlds/societies. How do authors design worlds and reveal them to the reader? How much detail is needed? And how much info should the writer give the reader before it becomes too much infodumping? How do you create fully realized worlds that their readers can almost see, touch, and smell?
Can Humanity Colonize Other Worlds? – Much science fiction depends on humanity going into outer space and living on other planets. But how realistic is such a goal? Whether solving challenges of terraforming or even finding worlds that support human life, colonization offers more practical and ethical problems than solutions. What scientific advancements or cultural shifts have to happen to make colonization possible, and how long would it take? What books have the best colonization stories, and what have authors done to make settling worlds seem plausible?
Common SF/Fantasy Tropes – Authors often use tropes as shorthand to push the plot forward. But when overused, they can make a story feel too predictable. Should writers avoid tropes entirely, or can authors strike a balance between creativity and genre expectations? Which tropes are overused, and what are examples of beneficial tropes in current novels, short stories, films, or TV? How can (or should) writers free a story from tropes and create more complex and original works?
Genre vs Literary Fiction – Genre is mostly a marketing tool; yet, for many years, reviewers and academics have seen genre fiction as inferior. They even denied that literature-oriented SF was SF (such as 1984 or The Handmaid’s Tale). Is this still true? Has this changed since many respected literary authors are incorporating science fictional and fantasy elements? Is SF/Fantasy still in the literary ghetto?
Hopeful Fiction in Dark Times – The world seems to be in a dark place, such that “peddling hope” could appear irresponsible. Panelists will talk about hopepunk, cozy fantasy, and other forms of “lighter” fiction, giving examples, and talking about how hope is particularly important.
Humor and Satire in SF/Fantasy – Funny fantasy and humorous SF have long been a part of these genres, frequently in short-shorts ending in a groan-worthy pun. Then came writers like Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett who made careers out of writing novels with laughter. How can writers use humor and satire as the main course of a novel, not just occasional comic relief? What is the role of humor in SF/Fantasy today, and how has it changed? Is there a reason why so many genre humorists are British? Is there still a stigma against writing humor?
Learning the Craft – How do writers learn to become writers? There are options like an MFAl; workshops like Clarion, Odyssey, or StarCoast; or even writing fanfiction. What worked for you and what would you recommend for others? What are the roles of groups like SFWA or critique groups and writing circles?
Morally Grey Characters – Not every protagonist is all good. There are anti-heroes, redeemed former villains, flawed heroes, and others who are not evil but not the conventional good guy. What makes morally gray characters catnip to many fiction readers? How do these morally grey characters balance the tightrope between the traditional hero and the traditional villain? Who are some of the best morally grey characters and what makes them work?
Small Press or Self-Publishing or Big Press – Authors have options for their publisher — small press, self-publishing, or big press. What are the advantages and drawbacks of each method? How can an author choose which to try? How can a new writer get started with each?
Turning Points in Alternate Histories – In alternate histories, one detail can lead to entirely new histories. Yet there are numerous ways to achieve that divergence, from changing historical details to adding new significant characters to the setting. What are the techniques for deciding these turning points, and what makes them work? What works have used turning points effectively?
Writing at Different Lengths – How does an author approach writing a short story from writing a novella, to writing a novel? Do you know what length a piece of writing will be when you start? Or does this change in the editing? What can you do in a short story that you cannot in a novel and vice versa?
Writing Both Fantasy and SF – Many writers write both science fiction and fantasy. How are these two genres similar, how different? What do you do differently as writers when you write one rather than the other? At what point do you decide if a work will be fantasy or science fiction? Or do you just write it and then decide on a genre?