L.J. MELVIN'S SCHEDULE FOR NORWESCON 46

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THURSDAY MARCH 28, 2024

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Cozy Dystopia: A Softer Apocalypse?

5:00pm - 6:00pm @ Evergreen 3 & 4

Tara Campbell (M), Shiv Ramdas, Kathy, L.J. Melvin, Brenda Cooper

Look, we all know things aren't great: climate change, political upheaval, virulent new diseases, mass extinctions, ecological collapse. But does looking into the future have to mean staring into the void? What if we're not quite certain about the optimism of Solarpunk, but still want to read about futures that don't make us fall into despair? Let's talk about "cozy dystopia": who's writing it, who's reading it, and why. Is it a way to cope, or merely copping out?

 

Young Adult vs Middle Grade

6:00pm - 7:00pm @ Olympic 2

Marta Murvosh (M), Camden Rose, L.J. Melvin, Tom Llewellyn

What's the difference between the young adult and middle grade genres? Learn from writers and readers of both about the differences and similarities, the trends in each, and what to know if you want to write in these spaces.

 

 

FRIDAY MARCH 29, 2024

Developing Your Science Fictional Novum

11:00am - 12:00pm @ Cascade 5 & 6

L.J. Melvin (M), Nancy Kress, Lezli Robyn, Mitchell Shanklin, Brenda Cooper

A novum is the heart of strangeness in science fiction, the speculative element that sets your world apart from consensus reality. Professor Darko Suvin gave it a name 45 years ago, but science fiction writers had been exploring sentient monsters, life on other planets, and changes to human biology well before then. SF readers have always expected a well-imagined novum, so how do you make sure your story delivers? We’ll talk about how a good novum reveals itself through narrative and some questions writers can ask to develop a story’s kernel into a fully functional operating system.

 

 

SATURDAY MARCH 30, 2024

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Autograph Session 1

10:00am - 11:00am @ Grand 2

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Teen Story Workshop

11:00am - 1:00pm @ Cascade 13 (writing workshop room)

 

I've Started a Novel but Now My World is Broken

4:00pm - 5:00pm @ Olympic 2

David D. Levine (M), G.R. Theron, L.J. Melvin, Sam Stark, Ken Bebelle

Do you ever start a novel, get super excited about it, then find out that your world makes no sense? In this panel, experts will talk about how to create a world, what essential questions are needed for you to start writing, and how to pick what aspects of your world should stay or go when you start putting pencil to paper.

 

Robots and Spaceships: A Science Fiction Writing Panel and Workshop

5:00pm - 6:00pm @ Olympic 2

Camden Rose (M), L.J. Melvin, Karen Eisenbrey, Marta Murvosh, Leslie Varney

Join us as we talk about the science fiction genre: what is it, how we approach it, and why should you write it. After the panel, we will brainstorm a sci-fi story or two together.

 

Found Family in YA Science Fiction

8:00pm - 9:00pm @ Cascade 9

David D. Levine (M), Kate Alice Marshall, Lezli Robyn, L.J. Melvin

So many stories employ the “found family” trope, in which a group of people come to love each other like family. From the Unstoppable trilogy by Charlie Jane Anders to the Guardians of the Galaxy, young adult science fiction is brimming with found families. What should YA writers consider when they engage with this trope? We’ll talk about what distinguishes a found family from any other fictional team or group of friends, when and how to bring the group together, and how to find the right tone for your cast.

 

SUNDAY MARCH 31, 2024

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Reading: L. J. Melvin

11:30am - 12:00pm @ Cascade 3

L.J. Melvin (M)