Tommy B. Smith
Tommy B. Smith is a writer of dark fiction, award-winning author of The Mourner’s Cradle, Poisonous, the short story collection Pieces of Chaos, and the forthcoming Black Carmenia series. His presence currently infests Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he resides with his wife and cats. More information can be found on his website at http://tommybsmith.net.
Noon | Location: Boomer A
Going Indie After a Lifetime of Trade
Got a passion project no publisher wants? A short-story collection languishing in your old file?. New stories, but no place to sell them? Thanks to changing tech, an indie writer can get the same level of distribution as any NY Times bestseller, and release their works far faster than the glacially slow trade market. This panel discusses the pros and cons of independent publishing.
Moderator: vickey malone kennedy
Panelists: J.H. Fleming, Phillip Drayer Duncan, Steven E. Wedel, Tommy B. Smith, vickey malone kennedy
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Business & Marketing
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
11:00 AM | Location: Boomer B
Yin/Yang, Good/Bad, Light/Dark
It has been said that there could be no good without evil. But which is which? Are they two sides of a coin, never to meet, or are there degrees of each? What of the concept of a “necessary evil”?
Moderator: Julia S. Mandala
Panelists: A C Smart, Chaz Kemp, Julia S. Mandala, Laura J. Underwood, THE james k burk, Tommy B. Smith
Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Writing & Publishing, Art
5:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: JQH Boardroom presented by Morningstar Storage
Author Readings
Authors read selections from their various works.
Moderator: Ted Pennella
Panelists: Karen Thrower, Selina Rosen, Ted Pennella, Tommy B. Smith
Tracks: Writing & Publishing
2:00 PM | Location: Sooner A
Helpful Peer-Review Critique Techniques for Writers
As writers, we often depend on each other for critique. It's not always comfortable or easy to give constructive criticism about someone's pride and joy. Join us to discuss how we, the writing community, can help each other improve our works in a pleasant and constructive way. Writers groups and beta readers welcome!
Moderator: Allison Stein
Panelists: Allison Stein, Craig Wolf, Julia S. Mandala, Sally Hamilton, Tommy B. Smith
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Business & Marketing