Saturday, August 29, 2026

Dark Academia: More Than the Aesthetic
252AB (ACC North),10:30 PT
Aparna Verma, BenTalksBooks (moderator), E. J. Wenstrom, Katie Wu, Leigh Bardugo

Hallowed school halls, pleated skirts, tea, murder: is the mere aesthetic of academia enough, or must the story engage with certain themes and tropes to truly be considered dark academia? If so, which tropes and themes? Join this inclusive group of authors as they discuss the hallmarks of this dynamic sub-genre and where, if at all, subversion and reinterpretation come into play.

Sunday, August 30, 2026

Author Branding for Introverts and Imposters

254 (ACC North), 10:30 PT, Andrea Stewart, Andrew Rubin, Dennis K. Crosby (moderator), E. J. Wenstrom, Robin Hobb

Whether traditionally published, indie published, or self published, every author is expected to do a tremendous amount of the lifting required to successfully promote their own books. For many authors, especially those of us who are introverts or struggle with imposter syndrome, this part of the job stirs up a lot of emotion. This session will explore how to build your own brand as an author and how to harness the power of enthusiasm to bypass the imposter syndrome and prioritize your own self-care as you find your audience.

Social Media and the Writer--2026

253B (ACC North), 12:00 PT

Andrew Givler, Claire E. Jones, E. J. Wenstrom, John Scalzi, KC Grifant (moderator)

The panel of creatives of writers will discuss the pros and cons of social media. What is your social media presence for? How do you decide which platform and what are the best ways to choose social media?