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9:00 AM
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Board Room 1
- Writers Workshop: Session C
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Third session of the FenCon Writers Workshop with Special Guest Monalisa Foster. (The Writers Workshop is only for those who have paid a separate fee in advance.)
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10:00 AM
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Registration
- Autographs
D.L. Anderson
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Windsor 1
- Beyond the History of Starfleet
Beyond the History of Starfleet: Power and Propulsion Systems presentation
A. Presby
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Newbury
- Moon Bases and Mars Bases: What Will People Need to Survive and Thrive?
A panel discussion about the hardware and technologies that will be needed for people to live and work comfortably on the two primary destinations in space.
B. Kemper,
W. Ledbetter,
D. Rike,
K. Ruffin,
J. Curtis*
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Manchester 2
- Chaotic Readings: Fanfiction or Famous Fiction?
Panelists read dramatic excerpts aloud. Audience guesses: is it from a published novel… or did someone write it at 3am with a half-charge laptop and questionable life choices?
C. Conrad,
D. Erickson,
W. Waltner,
M. White,
K. Bryant*
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10:30 AM
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Churchill
- Reading
T. Harvia
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Registration
- Autographs
Autographs
A. Royer
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11:00 AM
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Registration
- Autographs
R. Howell
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Newbury
- Don’t Panic: Finding the Funny in Science Fiction and Fantasy
When people look back on their favorite moments in film or fiction, they often remember the funny ones—The Trouble with Tribbles, Indiana Jones rolling his eyes and shooting the swordsman, or Jaws, “We’re going to need a bigger boat.” Humor sticks with us. Even the darkest story needs a laugh to break the tension, reveal character, or make readers care. This panel explores how humor works in science fiction and fantasy, what writers inspired our inner comedians, and how to find the right balance between the absurd and the profound.
D. Kountz,
I. McMurtrie,
D. Rainbolt,
M. White,
K. Sullivan*
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Manchester 2
- I wrote a book! Now what?
What happens after you write "The End"?
P. Black,
Frank Hood,
A. Martinez,
J. Watson,
JL. Yarrow*
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Windsor 1
- The AI Oracle: Predictive Tech and Unpredictable Futures
Authors and technologists dive into how AI is reshaping storytelling, society, and our idea of “the future.” Which predictions will age like wine, and which will age like milk? Let’s find out.
L. Atchley,
Greg Radabaugh,
T. Morgan*
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Bristol Bar and Grill - FenCon XXI Banquet
†
Come join our Guests of Honor for the FenCon XXII banquet! Deadline to sign up is Monday evening, February 16. We will be meeting in the private area of the Bristol Bar and Grill.
D.L. Anderson,
K Anderson,
M. Foster,
B. Hendren,
A. Presby,
C. Sanderson
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Churchill
- Manufacturing supply in space
How heavy manufacturing will work in orbit, and beyond
B. Kemper,
W. Ledbetter,
K. McMurray,
J. Curtis*
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12:00 PM
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Registration
- Autographs
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Windsor 1
- Mundane to Moderator
Taking the introvert from the audience to the panel spotlight...
A. Burrows,
F. Hughes,
D. Kountz,
K. O'Brien,
D. Erickson*
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Newbury
- Explain Your Degree Using Only Sci-Fi Tropes
A multiplayer comedy panel for current and former students:
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Engineering = “I fix the hyperdrive with spit and gum”
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Psychology = “I diagnose gods”
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Biology = “I talk to mushrooms now”
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CompSci = “I have created an AI; I regret everything”
B. Jones,
D. Mayfield,
T. Morgan,
T. Patterson
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Churchill
- The Plot Thickens Live Play
Panelists live-play the storytelling game The Plot Thickens, a storytelling game for quick-thinking, imaginative folks just like you would find at FenCon! The object is to take your hand of story cards, (people, places and things) and lay out the tale of your character, and their fate! The game has card sets for Adventure, Science Fiction and Detective stories that can be mixed and matched for peak improvisational experience.
C. Conrad,
Ma. Finn,
T. Harvia,
A. Royer,
W. Waltner*
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Manchester 2
- The Great Conspiracy Build-Off
Start with one nonsense idea (“dragons run the postal service”). Every panelist must add another layer until it becomes a full-blown cinematic universe of absurdity.
L. Atchley,
L. Donahue,
R. Riley,
S. Patrick*
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Manchester 1
- Makerspace
Come check out the Dallas Makerspace! Demonstrations and information available here!
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12:30 PM
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Registration
- Autographs
P. Black
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1:00 PM
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Registration - Friend of the Fen GoH Autograph Session
Meet the FenCon XX headliners at this special autograph session for the Friend of Fen members. (Will be opened to all members, as time permits.)
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Churchill
- Reading
J. Gephardt
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Manchester 2
- Meet our Toastmaster
C. Sanderson
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Registration
- Autographs
Autographs
J. Frost
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Newbury
- 100 Best SF Movies Of All Time
Popular Mechanics released a list of the 100 best SF films. How do you feel about this list? What's missing?
H. Carter,
A. Jackson,
K. McMurray,
DL Young,
T. Morgan*
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Windsor 1
- D&D but Everyone's a Disaster
Let's build a one-shot table top game. Possible characters include:
L. Atchley,
R. Howell,
D. Mayfield,
M. Muenzler,
T. Pennella,
W. Waltner*
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1:30 PM
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Churchill
- Reading
L. Donahue
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Registration
- Autographs
Autographs
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2:00 PM
Board Room 1
- Generic Radio Workshop Auditions / Rehearsal
Be a part of a radio play performed during the Cabaret! This year's play is "The Trouble With Mars." You don't have to be a professional voice talent. Just show up and have some fun!
Generic Radio Workshop
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Churchill
- Reading
P. Black
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Windsor 1
- The Art of Artist GoH
Join our Artist Guest of Honor as he shows off his techniques and answer your questions.
D.L. Anderson
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Registration
- Autographs
P.N. Elrod
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Manchester 2
- SF/F-Oriented Arts and Crafts
So you love SF/F. Besides collecting books, how have you branched out hobby-wise? Costuming? Models? Art? What else?
T. Harvia,
D. Kountz,
J. Laforce,
Tr. Morris,
K. O'Brien*
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Newbury
- Writing Through the Chaos: Staying Motivated When Life Gets in the Way
Between day jobs, family, and the occasional health crisis, finding time—and motivation—to write can feel impossible. This panel offers practical tips and honest conversation about balancing real life with creative goals. Learn how seasoned authors push through chaos, rediscover inspiration, and keep their stories alive when the world keeps interrupting.
K Anderson,
R. Eudaly,
K. Lansdale,
M. Muenzler,
C. Sanderson*
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2:30 PM
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Registration
- Autographs
Frank Hood
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Churchill
- Reading
Reading
C. Conrad
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3:00 PM
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Newbury
- It Came From the Home Depot
Not every prop has to be fabricated from scratch. Learn how to shop places like hardware and auto supply stores for items you can modify.
J. Hayden,
I. Miller
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Registration
- Autographs
Autographs
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Churchill
- Reading
Reading
R. Howell
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Manchester 2
- We Can't Hear You...We Have Computers in Our Ears
High-tech hearing aids are awesome. Until they're not. They can present a particular challenge in crowded spaces. Yes, like conventions. What steps can hearing aid wearers take to help? What about conventions and other venues?
L. Smith,
M. White,
J. Gephardt*
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Manchester 2 - No WiFi, No Problem! Control for Lights and Props
Techniques for controlling lights and props that don't involve messing with wi-fi access points - from off-the-shelf remote control to rolling your own code, we've got you covered! (Most code is available on Github for your hacking pleasure!)
J. Barrett
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Windsor 1
- Paws, Claws, and Tentacles: Animals and Pets in Science Fiction and Fantasy
Whether we’re talking about the wise Aslan of Narnia, the tribbles of TOS or the rabbits of Watership Down, animals enrich our favorite stories. Panelists examine the bond between humans (and non-humans) and their creatures across science fiction and fantasy—why it works, how it deepens worldbuilding, and what it says about us. Join us for a lively discussion of the furry, feathered, and fantastical companions that make other worlds feel real.
L. Donahue,
J. Frost,
B. Jones,
D. Rainbolt,
K. Sullivan*
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3:30 PM
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Churchill
- Reading
W. Waltner
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Registration
- Autographs
Autographs
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4:00 PM
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Windsor 1
- GoH Keynote Address
Come and get to know our Guest of Honor.
K Anderson
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Newbury
- The Four Redheads of the Apocalypse
Join the Four Redheads for an hour of fun and laughs. How you would you like to participate with our favorite Satan's troublemakers???? Hosted by Zoe: Death, Bunny: War , Sara Lee: Famine, Butterfly: Pestilence, plus special surprise guests.
The Four Red Heads of the Apocalypse
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Manchester 2
- Space Pirates vs. Dragon Riders Debate Club
Two teams. One topic. No intellectual honesty whatsoever.
Argue passionately, theatrically, and with props. Audience decides the winner.
L. Atchley,
K.B. Bogen,
D. Mayfield,
T. Patterson,
A. Royer,
S. Patrick*
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Churchill
- There was supposed to be an earth-shattering kaboom!
Mega weapons in Science Fiction
T. Anderson,
B. Kemper,
B. Yalow,
T. Morgan*
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Gaming - Axis and Allies
Come to the Gaming Room and play Axis and Allies 1941! There will be space for 5 players with a sign up sheet in the game room. If there are spaces available at game time, walk-ins will be considered.
R. Howell*
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5:00 PM
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Newbury
- Art Auction Setup
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Registration
- Autographs
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Manchester 2
- Judging Covers by Their Books
A bad cover can ruin a book. How can you stop it? Can you stop it?
D.L. Anderson,
P. Black,
R. Eudaly,
J. Gephardt*
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Churchill
- Writing by Gaslight: Victorian Culture for Writers
This would be a talk over the culture of Victorian Britain and America, with emphasis on writers getting that all-important "feel" to their story setting.
K. O'Brien,
D. Rike,
R. Rose,
M. Stewart,
P.N. Elrod*
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6:00 PM
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Newbury
- Art and Charity Auction
The annual FenCon Art Auction. Come bid on some rare and collectible items right here in Dallas! Support
our our artists. Bid high, bid often! And Remember a dollar more will get it for ya!
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7:00 PM
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Windsor 1
- FenCon Cabaret Setup
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Churchill
- Closed
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8:00 PM
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Churchill
- Closed
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Windsor 1
- FenCon Cabaret
Our signature Saturday night event featuring: Ravenar Belly Dance Troupe, The Generic Radio Workshop, and more!
Generic Radio Workshop,
Ravenar
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Gallery - FenCon Remembrance and Celebration
Join us in the Gallery as we share stories and celebrate the life of our FenCon Family that was lost this past year.
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Newbury
- No Shit There I was
Panel of former/retired military and LEO reprobates trying to outdo each other with outrageous tales that may or may not be true
B. Kemper,
I. McMurtrie,
Greg Radabaugh,
R. Riley,
J. Watson,
J. Curtis*
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10:00 PM
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Churchill
- Saturday Night Chaos Filk
Sing to your heart's content. Try not to scare the cleaning people.
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Manchester 2
- Saturday Night Open Bardic Filk
Filk the night away. We'll see you at breakfast.
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