Melinda LaFevers
Melinda LaFevers is a Renaissance woman of many crafts and hobbies. She writes poetry, stories, songs, and plays music on a variety of instruments. She strongly believes in arts integration in education, and helps train teachers both as an Arkansas A+ Fellow and as an Arkansas Arts in Education residency artist. She incorporates music and storytelling in her historical interpretation programs, “Life in a Castle” and “Life in a Log Cabin.” She occasionally blogs “Melinda’s Obscure Thoughts.”
Follow Melinda LaFevers online at
2:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: JQH Boardroom
Professional Development for Teachers: Integrating Math with Art
This is a creative approach to basic geometric shapes and graphing. Part 1: Learn to draw Celtic knot work with graphs. Part 2: Use the Victorian art form of quilling to explore geometric shapes. Professional development certificates for educators will be available on request. Ages 12 and up. (2 hours. Limit 14 participants.)
Moderator: Melinda LaFevers
Panelists: Melinda LaFevers
Tracks: STEM, Professional Development, Art, Workshop
5:00 PM | Location: Noble
Author Readings
Authors read selections from their various works.
Moderator: Tim Frayser
Panelists: Tim Frayser, Jan S. Gephardt, Melinda LaFevers, Selina Rosen
Tracks: Writing & Publishing
8:00 PM | Location: University AB
Performance: Bad Bards and Beyond
Enjoy the acoustic and vocal stylings of the Bad Bards during the World Peace Through Chocolate Art Show Reception.
Moderator: Melinda LaFevers
Panelists: Mel. White, Melinda LaFevers, Margaret Middleton, Rie Sheridan Rose
Tracks: Music, Performing Arts
Noon | Location: Sooner A
Fantastic Connections
Stories explore the human condition in ways that help us think. Allegories analyze us and society. How does this work? Why are we so connected with fantastical people/places/stories? Can escaping into speculative fiction help us heal in the real world?
Moderator: Rhonda Eudaly
Panelists: Rhonda Eudaly, J.H. Fleming, Melinda LaFevers, Bradley H Sinor, Tommy B. Smith, Craig Wolf
Tracks: Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Writing & Publishing, Film & TV
2:00 PM | Location: Oklahoma HIJ
Pirate Sing Along with Bad Bards and Beyond
Avast ye fen, there be filking and sea shantying in the main hall! Join the gleewomen of the Bad Bards and Beyond for this jaunty hour of music and more.
Moderator: Melinda LaFevers
Panelists: Melinda LaFevers, Margaret Middleton, Rie Sheridan Rose, Mel. White
Tracks: Performing Arts, Music
3:00 PM | Location: University C
Poetry Readings & Open Mic
Two poems, or six minutes. Come share your poetry and listen to fellow poets in this open-mic forum reading session. Featuring readings from featured guest, Muriel Fahrion.
Moderator: Daniel Erickson
Panelists: Daniel Erickson, Mark Alfred, David Carrico, Muriel Fahrion, Melinda LaFevers, Rie Sheridan Rose
Tracks: Writing & Publishing
4:00 PM | Location: University C
Open Filk Jam
Calling all filkers to join in for this round-robin filk music jam session! Listeners very welcome, too.
Moderator: Melinda LaFevers
Panelists: Melinda LaFevers, Tim Frayser, Mel. White
Tracks: Fandoms, Performing Arts, Meetup, Music
7:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Atrium
Literary Beers
Join panelists in the hotel lounge for lively conversation. BYO beverages, please.
Moderator: Rosemary Clement-Moore
Panelists: Rosemary Clement-Moore, Daniel Erickson, Everyday Futurist, Shai Fenwick, Mark Finn, Dara Fogel, PhD, Tyrell Gephardt, Sally Hamilton, Sheila Hartney, Carolyn Kay, Chaz Kemp, vickey malone kennedy, Melinda LaFevers, Julia S. Mandala, A. Lee Martinez, Tracy S. Morris, Michael Mosley, Ethan Nahté, Ted Pennella, Rook Riley, Rie Sheridan Rose, Seth Skorkowsky, Karen Thrower, Mel. White, Craig Wolf
Tracks: General Interest, Food & Drink, Writing & Publishing, Meetup
9:00 AM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Fountain
Koffeeklatch
Join panelists in the hotel breakfast area for morning networking and conversation. BYO coffee, please.
Moderator: Mitzi Bartlett
Panelists: Mitzi Bartlett, Matt Cavanaugh, Charles Dane Clark, Cal Custard, Brenna Deutchman, Pete Dixon, Phillip Drayer Duncan, Muriel Fahrion, J.H. Fleming, Dara Fogel, PhD, Tim Frayser, Hall of Femme, Amber Hanneken, James Hollaman, Carolyn Kay, Chaz Kemp, Mike Kennedy, Kimber, Melinda LaFevers, Elizabeth Leggett, Lollalotus, Luna Reign Cosplay, Madi, Dennis McDonald, Mimic Rae, Harold Neal, Pigeon, Alan J Porter, Jeff Provine, R Karch Photography, Rook Riley, Rie Sheridan Rose, Rynaga, Bradley H Sinor, Sue Sinor, WandererTJ, Mel. White, Craig Wolf
Tracks: General Interest, Food & Drink, Meetup
11:00 AM | Location: Boomer B
How to Turn Fandom into Your Job
There's money to be made in being a geek artist/maker/writer etc., if you can turn your passion into your profession. Join our panelists as they discuss tips, tricks, and how-tos on how to turn your interests into income.
Moderator: Amber Hanneken
Panelists: Amber Hanneken, JR Daniels, Bekah June, Melinda LaFevers, Tracy S. Morris, David J. Pedersen
Tracks: Maker, Writing & Publishing, Podcasting, Art, Gaming, Business & Marketing, Cosplay
Noon | Location: Sooner A
Loving Loki: Tricksters and Other Cosmic Jokers
Sufi storytellers instruct with misleading tales; other fibbers just like to trick you, like Br’er Fox or Loki. Discuss those who itch to lead you astray, from dat ole debbil to America’s Coyote.
Moderator: Craig Wolf
Panelists: Craig Wolf, Rhonda Eudaly, Ash King, Melinda LaFevers, Ethan Nahté
Tracks: Writing & Publishing