David J. Pedersen
David J. Pedersen is a native of Racine, WI who resides in his home town Kansas City, MO. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. He has worked in sales, management, retail, video and film production, and IT. David has run 2 marathons, climbed several 14,000 foot mountains and marched in Thee University of Wisconsin Marching Band. He is a geek and a fanboy that enjoys carousing, picking on his wife and kids, playing video games, and slowly muddling through his next novel.
2:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
Monsters, Villains, and Heroes
Character complexity is the spice that brings life to your page. How does understanding the motivation of villains or monsters change your readers' experiences with these antagonists? What's the secret sauce for pairing attributes like selfishness, cruelty, aloofness and megalomania with backstories, quirks, surprising moments of tenderness and the things that make audiences root for the bad guy, too?
Moderator: Mike Kennedy
Panelists: B. J. Thrower, David J. Pedersen, Mark Finn, Mike Kennedy, Tommy B. Smith
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Fantasy, Science Fiction, YA - Young Adult Fiction
9:00 AM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Atrium
Koffeeklatch
Join panelists in the hotel breakfast area for morning networking and conversation. BYO coffee, please.
Moderator:
Panelists: Craig Wolf, Crazy Red Artist, Daniel Erickson, Dara Fogel, PhD, David J. Pedersen, J.H. Fleming, John Allen Small, Julie Barrett, Kathleen M. O'Brien, Kevin Dilmore, Kimber E Chessmore, Liz Campbell, Loretta McKibben, Mace Kendu, Mel White, Mike Kennedy, Phillip Drayer Duncan, Rhonda Eudaly, Shai Fenwick, Tall Chick Cosplay, Tommy B. Smith, Trina Jacobs, vickey malone kennedy, William Ledbetter
Tracks: Meetup, General Interest
10:00 AM | Location: Boomer B
When The Story Writes Itself
Sometimes it just happens. You're writing the story, maybe you even worked out an outline, then suddenly the pen writes something else. Authors tell tales of when a book or series decided to go rogue.
Moderator: Rhonda Eudaly
Panelists: Brian A. Hopkins, David J. Pedersen, Madilynn Dale, Rhonda Eudaly, Steven E. Wedel
Tracks: Writing & Publishing
7:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Atrium
Literary Beers
Join panelists in the hotel lounge for lively conversation. BYO beverages, please.
Moderator:
Panelists: A C Smart, Aaron Bossig, Bradley H Sinor, Craig Wolf, Daniel Erickson, David J. Pedersen, Dr Paisley, Julia S. Mandala, L.L.Killjoy, Liz Campbell, Mark Finn, Michael "Gecko" Adams, Mike Kennedy, Tim Frayser, Tracy S. Morris, vickey malone kennedy
Tracks: Meetup, General Interest, Writing & Publishing, Art
11:00 AM | Location: Boomer A
Tropes & How to Use Them, A Writerly Discussion
A long time ago, in a land far away The Chosen One and the Last Girl must battle the Designated Villain. What is a Trope and how can writers use (and mutate) them to surprise and engage readers?
Moderator: Steven E. Wedel
Panelists: David J. Pedersen, John Scalzi, Mark Finn, Sally Hamilton, Steven E. Wedel, Tracy S. Morris
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Noon | Location: Embassy Hotel: JQH Boardroom presented by Morningstar Storage
Author Readings
Authors read selections from their various works.
Moderator: William Ledbetter
Panelists: A. Lee Martinez, B. J. Thrower, David J. Pedersen, William Ledbetter
Tracks: Writing & Publishing