| Workshops at Capclave | ||
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| Capclave 2026 is pleased to once again host a number of interesting workshops.
The workshops are available to any member of Capclave and do not have an additional cost beyond the normal membership. However, seating at the workshops is limited. See the individual descriptions for details. |
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| Please note: The details of our workshops are mostly stable but, due to circumstances beyond our control, changes to the program can occur throughout the convention. | ||
| Friday 5:00 pm | Upstairs Library | Send Your Characters to Therapy! Character Arcs & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Ends at: 6:55 pm) Panelists: Zack Be (M) Description: In this special presentation, licensed psychotherapist and award-winning SFF author Zack Be will take you through his method of deepening character arcs in fiction by applying tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy! Part science, part art, you will leave this workshop with tools that can help guide you toward writing amazing characters in your science fiction. |
| Saturday 10:00 am | Upstairs Library | Workshop – Brainstorming and Designing a Story (Ends at: 11:55 am) Panelists: Charles Oberndorf (M) Before there’s even a clear story with a through-line, there’s a dynamic between ideas involving story, character, and the fantastical world at the heart of every sf and fantasy story. We will use a series of prompts and guidelines to make intentional those things writers by developed instinct. We will look at the interaction between character, plot, and worldbuilding and how they are influenced by both the type of story you’ve chose to tell and the sub-genre you are working in. We will look at where to begin and end a story and how to maintain focus. Charlie Oberndorf will share Word documents, so bring either a laptop, a tablet, or a notebook so you can sketch out some thoughts on your own projects. |
| Saturday 1:00 pm | Upstairs Library | Workshop – Basics of Publishing Contracts (Ends at: 2:55 pm) Panelists: Michael Capobianco (M), Rosemary Claire Smith This workshop will review the basics of publishing contracts for both novels and short fiction with a special emphasis on small press contracts. We’ll discuss best practices and common problems found in grant of rights, AI clauses, copyright registration, payment (advance if any, royalties), delivery and acceptance, options, warranties and indemnities, subsidiary rights, and termination. Although contracts can be daunting, it’s very important for an author to understand what they’re signing and we’ll briefly cover how to negotiate if a publisher unacceptable elements in their contract. There will be a Q&A session if there’s time. Attendees are encouraged to bring in questions about the contracts that they have signed or are thinking of signing. |
| Saturday 4:00 pm | Upstairs Library | Workshop: Poetry in Space and Magic Realms (Ends at: 5:55 pm) Panelists: Miguel O. Mitchell (M) Poetry workshop – come try your hand creating poetry across all types of writing genres! Learn how to add poetry or lyrics to SFF prose. |
| Sunday 11:00 am | Adams | Miniatures Painting Workshop (Ends at: 12:55 pm) Panelists: Zenlizard (M) This is a hands-on workshop: bring yourself, and a desire to learn painting techniques for fantasy or military miniatures. You need bring only yourself: there is no materials fee, and at the end, you will take home the mini you’ve painted. Zenlizard will go over the steps towards painting your miniature, from primer to finish. Note: This workshop will be in the gaming room. |
| Page Update: October 5, 2026 |