Workshops

But you’ll feel alive! Alive!

Take a little break, meet some folks, learn a lot

Jump to a Workshop

Adam Kubert - Narrative Techniques in Comics The Art of Magic Director Workshop with Shiri Appleby Figure Drawing Cosplayers with the Pros (FREE)SWORDPLAY & STAGE COMBAT TAI CHI WRITER'S HOURLY WRITER'S TWO DAY

Adam Kubert - Narrative Techniques in Comics

After 35 years of working on some of the most notable comics titles and teaching narrative art for 20 at the Kubert School, Adam Kubert has a unique perspective as both an instructor and craftsman.

The lecture will cover narrative techniques that Adam often employs in his work. Using examples from the popular titles he has worked on, you’ll get an up-close and personal experience and insight into his process. The workshop concludes with some suggested narrative art exercises for personal improvement.

Whether you are looking to improve your storytelling skills as a creator or just your enjoyment of comics as a reader, this workshop will improve your understanding of narrative art.

In addition to the lecture, all attendees will receive a signed hardcover copy of The Marvel Art of Adam Kubert.

Where: Hyatt Regency Kennesaw Room

When: Sunday, 11 am

Cost: $125

Duration: 1.5 hours

Minimum requirement of participants: 8

The Art of Magic with Curt Anderson and Jon Armstrong

Beginner Magic Workshop

World-renowned magicians Jon Armstrong and Curt Anderson are teaming up once again to teach two small groups of Dragon Con members the art of magic!

The first one-of-a-kind class is the Beginner Magic Workshop, where you’ll not only learn the secrets behind some mind-blowing magic, but also how to perform these effects for maximum amazement! Curt and Jon will teach you everything you need to know to wow your friends and family, and will provide one-on-one instruction to ensure you’ve got everything down before the workshop ends.

The Beginner Magic Workshop will be two 90-minute sessions. The first session is on Friday at 11:30am. and the second session is on Saturday at 11:30am. No magic experience is necessary to take part, though those who are already magic fans will get to improve their skills and hear two pros talk shop.

In the first session, participants will learn the foundation of illusion, how to perform the mechanics and basic sleight-of-hand behind some incredible feats of magic, the psychological structure of building deception, and how to best perform in front of an audience. The second session will delve into more advanced techniques and skills, and Jon and Curt will review and help you perfect your work from the first session.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED WILL BE PROVIDED! In addition, you will have access to digital instructions to brush up on what you learned after Dragon Con is over. As a special thank you for attending the workshop, you’ll also be given access to additional tricks to learn from the comfort of your own home. The workshop is open to almost all ages (10 years young or older) and skill levels.

Sign up fast! This will be a very limited seating workshop to ensure every participant gets the personal instruction they need.

Jon Armstrong and Curt Anderson are award-winning professional magicians whose combined credits include performing on The Today Show, Penn and Teller’s Fool Us, and Masters of Illusion as well as being a magic consultant on several shows, including Supernatural, Arrested Development, The Mentalist, and Shut Eye. You can learn more about Jon at cardjon.com and Curt at magicurt.com.

Intermediate Magic Workshop

World-renowned magicians Jon Armstrong and Curt Anderson are teaming up once again to teach two small groups of Dragon Con members the art of magic!

The second one-of-a-kind class is the Intermediate Magic Workshop. Are you already able to do some magic, or did you take the workshop before? This workshop will teach you some brand new tricks, improve your skills, and help you grow in the art of magic. Not only will you learn more amazing new routines, but you will also learn ways to make the magic you already know present much better. This Intermediate Workshop will also teach you how to better learn magic in general, so your magic journey can continue on your own.

The Intermediate Magic Workshop will be two 90-minute sessions. The first session is on Friday at 2:30pm. and the second session is on Saturday at 2:30pm.

In the first session, participants will learn the how to take the foundations of illusion, sleight-of-hand and presentation learned in the first session (or elsewhere) and build on them to help bring your magic to more of a professional level.

The second session will delve into more advanced techniques and skills, and Jon and Curt will review and help you perfect your work from the first session.

Sign up fast! This will be a very limited seating workshop to ensure every participant gets the personal instruction they need.

The Beginning Workshop will be in 2 – 90 minute parts.

When: Friday and Saturday
Time: 11:30 am – 1 pm (both days)
Location: Hilton 315
Cost = $100 (This price covers both sessions.)
All supplies provided
Class limit – 24

The Intermediate Workshop will be in 2 – 90 minute parts.

Days: Friday and Saturday
When: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm (both days)
Location – Hilton 315
Cost = $100 (This price covers both sessions.)
Class limit – 24
All supplies provided

Creature Fur Workshop with Russ Adams

Russ Adams is an award-winning special effect artist known to world-wide audiences for his work on the SyFy network’s hit television show, Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge. Generous and grateful to his fan base, Russ is one of the most recognizable personalities on the show. Russ was selected from nearly a thousand artists to appear on Season 1 and his wit and presence quickly made him a fan favorite.

Russ is also the author of the popular how-To series, A Workshop with Russ Adams.

Name: Creature Fur Workshop

Cost: $50 – includes kit worth $55-65

(Please note that we have reached the original 2o person limit. However, we were able to obtain a larger room for the workshop and open up 20 more spots! Please note that there are no remaining complimentary kits available. Those kits were allotted for the first 20 people that signed up for the workshop.)

Hosts: Russ Adams (Creature Designer)

Date & Time: Friday, 10 am

Run Time: Approx. 1.5 hours

Objective:

The goal is to educate new creatives on the proper use and handling of faux fur/hair fabric. In this workshop, we hope to dispel any misconceptions or fears associated with fur-work. Using key techniques and quality materials can be a huge game-changer for future creations.

Discussion

National Fiber Tech Fur
How It’s Made
4-Way Stretch
Why Quality Matters.
Patterning
Fur Direction
Plotting Patterns to Reduce Waste
Fur Cutting Methods
Using Scissors
Using Razor Blade
Correcting Mistakes
Sewing Long and Short Pile Fur
Hand Stitching Methods
Machine Sewing
Trimming Fur with Scissors and Clippers
Styling Fur
Volume
Sculpting
Combing and Brushing
Cleaning Fur
Tricks of the Trade – Example: using a damp cloth to move fur/hair aside when installing or using a zipper.
Q&A

Tool Kit: A $55-65

LIMITED TO THE FIRST 20 SIGNUPS

1 Reusable Tote bag
1 sample of NFT 5-7” Fur (Random Color)
1 pair of Thread Snips
Escape Design FX Business Card
eBook copy of Creature Fur & Hair by Russ Adams

Important Information:

Cost: $50
Limited to 20 people (Please note that we have reached the original 2o person limit. However, we were able to obtain a larger room for the workshop and open up 20 more spots! Please note that there are no remaining complimentary kits available. Those kits were allotted for the first 20 people that signed up for the workshop.)
When: Friday, 10 am
Room: Galleria 8

Director: My Journey on and Behind the Camera with Shiri Appleby

Step into the fascinating world of television and film with actress and director Shiri Appleby as she unveils her remarkable journey in show business and behind the camera for the very first time.

Join us for an intimate 90-minute workshop where Shiri will captivate you with tales from her beginnings in Los Angeles to navigating the challenging landscape of Hollywood. In an era dominated by male directors, Shiri will reveal the perseverance and drive it took to carve out her path—from aspiring actress to accomplished director.

Discover the untold stories of her rise through the ranks of young Hollywood starlets while nurturing a hidden passion for filmmaking. Hear firsthand about her journey shadowing directors and the pivotal advice that propelled her towards breaking barriers in the industry.

In the second half of the session, Shiri will demystify the art of television directing, taking you through the intricate process—from pre-production to filming and editing—using her experience on “Young Sheldon” as a lens. This insider’s view into the exclusive world of directing promises to be enlightening and inspiring.

Don’t miss your chance to participate in a live Q&A with Shiri and a special screening of a “Young Sheldon” episode, where she will share insights that are sure to resonate with aspiring actors, directors, and anyone passionate about the entertainment industry.

Important Information:

When: Sunday, September 1st, 10:00am – 11:30am
Where: Hilton rm 315
Cost: $120
Capacity 25

Figure Drawing Cosplayers with the Pros (FREE Workshop)

Join Adam Kubert, Amanda Conner, and Jimmy Palmiotti for a DragonCon twist on a classic figure drawing session. Figure drawing is a great way to learn to capture action and essence of the human form by working from a live model holding different positions. And in this case, our live models are cosplayers. So bring your drawing pad or an iPad, and get ready to unleash your creative spirit. ALL SKILL LEVELS WELCOME.

*And if you don’t feel like drawing, you’re welcome to come on in and watch the action.

Suggested materials for the session include a large (11X14) spiral-bound drawing pad, a soft (2B) graphite pencil, and a kneaded eraser if you are drawing conventionally, which is the recommended method.

If you are mainly a digital artist, an iPad with Procreate or Adobe Fresco installed will work. Both programs come with great brushes. Procreate’s default brushes, such as Peppermint, Derwent, Technical Pencil, and 6B, are good choices.

Remember, there is no wrong or right way to do this. The goal is to practice drawing, express yourself, and have fun!

Important Information:

When: Friday, August 30th, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Where: Hyatt – The Learning Center
Cost: Free

*There is no sign-up for this workshop. Just show up and enjoy the fun!

Swordplay and Stage Combat with Robert Chapin

Workshop 1: Swordplay and Stage Combat with Robert Chapin

When: Friday – 1:00 pm – 3 pm (Setup 11:30 am)
Where: Hyatt, Regency V
Class size limit: 30 people
Cost: $50 each

Robert Chapin (Ring of Steel, The Hunted) will again bring his epic sword-fighting workshop to Dragon Con! Learn the basics of swordplay and fight choreography in this hands-on two hour class.

Robert is a swordplay/stage combat instructor in Hollywood with over 40 years of experience working on films like Hook and Army of Darkness. He has also worked with stars such as Karl Urban, Robin Williams, Marc Singer, John Saxon, Dante Basco, and Richard Lynch. Robert has taught classes at ULCA, Strausberg, the Inosanto Academy, Westside Fencing Center, Gascon Academy, National Wushu Training Center, various Highlander conventions, and has been certified with the SAFD, SBFD, and FDC (societies of American, British, and Canadian Fight Directors).

Practice weapons will be provided. Bring comfortable clothes you can move in, sensible shoes, and water. Capes, puffy shirts, and a whimsical but tragic backstory are optional.

Robert Chapin (Ring of Steel, The Hunted) will again bring his epic sword-fighting workshop to Dragon Con! Learn the basics of swordplay and fight choreography in this hands-on two hour class.

Workshop 2 (Intermediate): Even More Epic Swordplay and Stage Combat Choreography with Robert Chapin!

*Note: You must have taken the basic class or prior experience with stage combat and swordplay.

When: Saturday, 1 pm – 3 pm (Setup@ 11:30 am)
Where: Hyatt, Regency V
Class size limit: 30 people
Cost: $50 each

Robert Chapin (Ring of Steel, The Hunted) will take your epic sword-fighting skills to the next level with this choreography workshop! Learn to create your own epic fight sequence in this hands-on two-hour class. Note that you must have taken the basic class or have prior experience with stage combat and swordplay.

Practice weapons will be provided. Wear comfortable clothes you can move in, sensible shoes, and water. Capes, puffy shirts, and a whimsical but tragic backstory are optional (for those who just can’t get enough cosplay at Dragon Con)!

Important Information:

Class 1

When: Friday – 1:00 pm – 3 pm (Setup 11:30 am)
Where: Hyatt, Regency V
Class size limit: 30 people
Cost: $50 each

Class 2

When: Saturday, 1 pm – 3 pm (Setup@ 11:30 am)
Where: Hyatt, Regency V
Class size limit: 30 people
Cost: $50 each

Tai Chi Workshop

“Tai Chi is a powerful healing art, a moving meditation, and a non-contact martial art all in one. Once you learn Tai Chi and Chi Kung, you can practice these ancient Chinese healing art forms anywhere, anytime, and for the rest of your life. “When I discovered Tai Chi, I found an exercise that satisfied my physical, mental and spiritual needs equally. After 40 years of practice, I feel Tai Chi contains within its structure, principles that are key to unlocking our greatest potentials.” Erin Gray

Erin Gray’s one hour workshop will be an introduction to the theory and practice behind Chi Kung and Tai Chi. The first half of the class will include 10 simple Chi Kung exercises, combining breath and gentle movements. Chi Kung, the art of energy, is also the foundation behind Tai Chi. These Chi Kung movements will open and balance the channels of energy running throughout your body and improve the function of your organs. In the second half of the class you will learn the principles behind Tai Chi, and the first five movements of the Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan short form as taught to me by Grandmaster Marshall Ho’o at National Tai Chi Chuan Association in Los Angeles. Much like Yoga, Tai Chi calms your mind, enlivens your spirit, and strengthens and relaxes your entire body. Unifying mind, body, and spirit through the practice of Tai Chi develops awareness, and awakens your true nature which brings peace, balance, and happiness into your life.

“Scientific studies show that Tai Chi helps chronic conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, & diabetes. It also improves balance, prevents falls, & reduces stress,” says Dr. Paul Lam.

Please wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move in and be prepared to be either barefoot, wearing socks or flat shoes. If you have foot problems and have to wear your tennis shoes and inner supports, that’s fine.

Important Information:

Fee includes only the class you select from the below list.
Each class covers the same material. If you want to attend more than one session, then add another Tai Chi Workshop to your Shopping Cart and pick another session.
Fee does not include a Dragon Con Membership.
No refunds for the workshop will be granted after August 1st, 2024.
Workshop sizes are limited to 25, and pre-registration is required.

The schedule is as follows:

- Fri – 4:00pm – 5:00pm Hilton 404/405
- Sat – 2:30pm – 3:30pm Hilton 404/405
- Sun – 2:30pm – 3:30pm Hilton 404/405

Voice Acting: Master Class

Voice Acting: Master Class

Who wants to be a Hero…and a Villain?! (A two-day voice over masterclass workshop for animation & video games. Presented by Voice Actors Dino Andrade, Greg Houser and for the 1st time, Special Guest Connor Elias Andrade!)

Choose either a morning or afternoon workshop Thursday, August 31st & Friday, September 1st:
MORNING Workshop: Part One: Thurs, 9am-1pm and Part Two: Fri, 9am-1pm
AFTERNOON Workshop: Part One: Thurs, 3pm-7pm and Part Two: Fri, 3pm-7pm
Cost – $80

Click here to sign up!

Dream of a career in voice over for original animation, anime & video games? Voice actors Dino Andrade (World of Warcraft, Street Fighter 6, Batman: Arkham Asylum), Greg Houser (Evangelion, One Piece, Tales of Vesperia) and special guest Connor Elias Andrade present a fun, full-participation, two-day immersive, voice over master class that covers it all!

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME for attendees with kids interested in animation voice over, new to the workshop this year, Dino’s son, 13-year old voice actor Connor Elias Andrade (Grizz from We Baby Bears and Toddler Groot from Spider-Man: Maximum Venom) will be joining Dino & Greg to work with younger participants and give his first-hand perspective and experience as a child voice actor!

Over two days you will learn the VO acting techniques you must know to make it in original animation, Anime, or video games!

Thursday (Morning or Afternoon) – Part One

Fundamentals of Voice Acting
How to Discover the Different Character Voices Within You
Visualization techniques that Make Characters & Scenes Come Alive
Video Games Acting Techniques & Styles

Friday (Morning or Afternoon) – Part Two

Anime & Live Action Dubbing Techniques
The Art of Creating Great Villains
Audition Techniques
Course Concludes with a Casting Session & Table Read of an Authentic Production Script

Whether participants have lots of acting experience or none at all, everyone is guaranteed to have a blast at this interactive, fun, informative and enlightening peek into the REAL world of Voice Over for young and old!

Your Instructors:

Actor & Animation Voice Over Teacher Dino Andrade:

Voice actor Dino Andrade is a busy guy with leading, supporting and guest role in numerous ongoing shows, movies and shorts including My Dad The Bounty Hunter, Eva The Owlett, We Baby Bears (with his son Connor), Loud House, Chickenhare And The Hamster Of Darkness, Bidoof’s Big Stand, Stillwater, The Queen’s Corgi’s, The New Looney Tunes, Sofia The First, Guardians Of OZ, Vampirina and more. In video games Dino is known for over 14 years of World Of Warcraft, plus Batman Arkham Asylum, Evil Dead The Game, Wasteland 3, Prey, Star Trek Online, Brutal Legend and the just released Street Fighter 6, Minecraft Legends and the soon-to-be released Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game.

Additionally, Andrade has lent his voice to such high-profile properties as The New Looney Tunes (as Speedy Gonzales), Fortnite, Demon Souls, Dishonored 2, Shimmer and Shine, Call of Duty, Dungeons & Dragons: Neverwinter, and Guitar Hero. Anime fans know him for his starring roles as Ya-Ya Ma in Jo-Jo’s Bizarre Adventure, Willy in MFKZ, Kenshin in Sengoku Basara and Ragou in Tales of Verperia, as well as his guest appearances in Weathering With You, Night is Short, Shironeko Project: Zero Chronicle, Hellsing Ultimate, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and the upcoming FLCL Grunge.

Online Dino recently starred in Zuzabaland as Zuzu, Dutch the Dog in Get My Goat for the Dreamworks TV YouTube Channel, and Enormous Coal in Hanazuki. On television, Dino has provided sound-a-likes for both the short-lived CBS series $h*! My Dad Says and ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live. Dino has also been heard in both radio and television campaigns for Kellog’s Rice Krispies as the iconic voice of Pop of Snap, Crackle and Pop fame!

Voice Actor Greg Houser

Greg is proof that anyone from any background can become a voice actor. He originally joined the voice acting ranks through his background in IT and Engineering (no, seriously). Earning advanced degrees from Pennsylvania State University and studying drama with the Walnut St. Theatre, the Wilma Theatre, and the People’s Improv Theatre.

Without ever leaving his native Philadelphia, Greg has had a fun career behind the mic for over 18 years providing vocal talent for companies such as American Express, Dupont, Lockheed Martin, CBS, Honda of America, Virgin Mobile, Petsmart, and both the MBA & NBA. In the anime world, he’s had the privilege to be cannon fodder for titles such as Evangelion, Ikki Tousen, One Piece, Shiki, and Tales of Vesperia. (alongside Dino Andrade).

The need to relocate to Hollywood (and/or any of those other entertainment centers of the world) for a career in voice over is rule #1. Greg is living proof that rules are made to be broken!

Child Voice Actor Connor Elias Andrade

The son of voice actor Dino Andrade, Connor has been voice acting since he was 8 years old. Connor stars as Grizz on the Cartoon Network hit series We Baby Bears. Connor also stars in AppleTV’s Duck & Goose as Duck, as well as lead roles in Disney’s Eureka, and Nickelodeon’s Deer Squad & Casagrandes and guest roles in Disney’s Amphibia. Connor has also voiced such iconic characters as Toddler Groot for Marvel’s Spider-Man: Maximum Venom and Baby Shark in Pink Fong and Baby Shark’s Space Adventure and Linus of the Peanuts Gang on the Conan O’Brien Show. Connor also voiced Golden Boy on Superwings and Petey for Blaze and the Monster Machines. Feature work includes Perdito in The Big Wish, Sweatpea in Sam Sam, and the Funk Kid in the Trolls 2: World Tour short Tiny Diamond Goes Back to School. A second generation voice actor, Connor has worked on numerous additional projects from commercials for Kellog’s, Google and TurboTax to video games such as Shenmue III,where he worked side-by-side with his father, voice actor Dino Andrade.

Actor & Animation Voice Over Teacher Dino Andrade

Voice actor Dino Andrade is probably best known to video game fans as The Scarecrow fromBatman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham Underworld. Dino is also known as the voice behind Professor Putricide, Mimiron, High Tinkerer Mekkatorque, The Mad Bomber, The Death Knight Gnomes, and more from World of Warcraft & Hearthstone!

Additionally, Andrade has lent his voice to such high-profile properties as Dishonored 2, Prey, Star Trek Online, Goldie & Bear, Sophia The 1st, Shimmer and Shine, Call of Duty, Dungeons & Dragons: neverwinter, Brutal Legend, Guitar Hero, Pocket God, and Nerf-N-Strike. Anime/gamer fans know him for his starring roles as Kenshin in Sengoku Basara and Ragou in Tales of Verperia, as well as his guest appearances in Hellsing Ultimate and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.

Online Dino recently starred as Dutch the Dog on Get My Goat for the Dreamworks TV YouTube Channel. On television, Dino has provided sound-a-likes for both the short-lived CBS series $h*! My Dad Says and ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live. Dino has also been heard in both radio and television campaigns for Kellog’s Rice Krispies as the iconic voice of Pop of Snap, Crackle and Pop fame!

Voice Actor Greg Houser

The need to relocate to Hollywood (and/or any of those other entertainment centers of the world) for a career in voice over is rule #1. Greg is living proof that rules are made to be broken!

Important Information:

Who wants to be a Hero…and a Villain?! (A two-day voice over masterclass workshop for animation & video games. Presented by Voice Actors Dino Andrade & Greg Houser)

Dates:
- Morning Workshop
  - Part One – Thursday, Aug 31st (9 am – 1 pm)
  - Part Two – Friday, Sep 1st (9 am – 1 pm)
- Afternoon Workshop
  - Part One – Thursday, Aug 31st (3 pm – 7 pm)
  - Part Two – Friday, Sep 1st (3 pm – 7 pm)
Cost:
- Non-Member: $180.00
- DC Member: $80.00
Location: Westin Chastain I and J

Morning Session

Afternoon Session

Writer's Hourly Workshops

The seminars cover everything from the very basics and writing in a franchise universe, up through plotting and characterization, and even cover presenting your manuscript and strategies for success in the age of digital publishing. Why hope for success when you can learn from working writers and guarantee it?

Important:
– Fee includes All eighteen seminars listed below.
– Fee does not include a Dragon Con Membership.
– Dragon Con members receive a $100 discount off fees.
– No refunds for the workshop will be granted after August 1st, 2024.

Space is limited for each workshop. First-come, first-served.

For more information, please contact the Dragon Con Office, 404-669-0773 during office hours, Monday thru Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm EST. Or email dragoncon (at) dragoncon (dot) org.

Friday Seminars

10:00 AM Foundations of Success

New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole will help you organize yourself so you have a head start on success when you sit down to begin your writing career. He will cover everything from how to plan projects, how to make time for writing and the plethora of mistakes writers make which hold them back from becoming the best writers they can be.

11:30 AM This Is How We Time/Space Travel and Other Chronological Pitfalls.

An exciting look into how to craft alternate realities, alternate histories, time-travel, and parallel universes. Historian Bethany Kesler will outline the rules and do’s and don’ts of the genre as well as equip you with all the tools needed to craft historically authentic worlds. How to pick your cascade points, avoiding the black hole of too much research, and how to keep a timeline that makes sense.

1:00 PM Building A Solid Series

In this seminar, New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole will walk you through the steps of creating the basis for an enduring series of stories. He will walk you through the different types of series, the various presentations and when each is appropriate, as well as the rules for character and story creation and growth that allows you to maximize the potential for both.

2:30 PM 101 Ideas In an Hour: Ever wonder where writers get their ideas? The Ins and Outs of Making Your Fiction Matter to More People

Join New York Times bestselling author Timothy Zahn as he guides you and your fellow workshop attendees on the path to creating characters, aliens, magic systems, and societies that you can use as jump-off points for literally hundreds of stories, novels, and even multi-book sagas.

4:00 PM Watching Movies to Make You a Better Writer

We all watch movies, but decoding, analyzing, and understanding movies can help us become better storytellers, no matter what medium we tell our stories in. In this class, Bryan Young, award-winning writer of work for Star Wars and Shadowrun to Doctor Who and BattleTech, will show you techniques used in the cinema and how you can adapt them to your writing style to make it more effective and keep you learning for your entire life.

5:30 PM Do you See What I see?

Many readers describe seeing the book in their mind as if it is a movie playing out in their own private theatre. Benji Richards, writer and educator, will walk you through techniques that help you build solid imagery for your readers. Benji will touch on using active verbs, sensory details and figurative language which will build the experience you intend for your readers. It’s showing and telling at the highest level, and knowing when to mix them.

Saturday Seminars

10:00 AM Crafting Multi-POV Narratives:

Big sprawling books with multiple point of view characters are staples in all speculative fiction genres. New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole will guide you through he process of creating such a novel, including the development of the cast, building themes and events that support a big novel and address smaller issues like completing story arcs and the all-important topic of killing characters. You’ll come away fully prepared to tackle a big and ambitious project and bring it to fruition with confidence.

11:30 AM What Does an Editor Look for?

Editors are the gatekeepers between unpublished and published writers. They choose work to publish, and work with writers to make that work the best it can be. In this discussion, New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole and editor John Helfers will go over those things that tell an editor that not only this story is one they want to buy, but that the writer is someone they think they can work with now and into the future.

1:00 PM 21 Days To A Novel

New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole presents his three week program for preparing yourself to write a novel. This set of 21 exercises is broken down to give you everything from character creation to world building, practical plotting devices, dialogue development and character voice creation tools. This program is a practical, kick-in-the-pants place to start your career.

2:30 PM Faery Circles and Bloody Mary: How Folklore, Urban Legends, and Fairytales Can Transform Your Worlds.

What if the legend of Bloody Mary was in fact a device to select new warriors for the eternal cosmic struggle between Order and Chaos? What if Faery Circles were really a way to anchor the Fae Realm and Human Realm together? How do you take an age-old tale and make it new? You change the setting or change the ending. You think outside the box. Bethany Kesler teaches this workshop that will show you how to take elements and structures from fairytales and folklore and use them to make new stories or to add depth and color to existing fictional universes.

4:00 PM Exposition: The Art of Restraint

Including exposition in your story is one of the most difficult balancing acts a writer can make. How much is too much? How much is too little? In this class, Bryan Young, award-winning writer and writing teacher at the University of Utah, walks you through strategies to keep exposition to a minimum and helps you find ways to layer it in naturally, making your story or script better and more readable.

5:30 PM Plotting

New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole unravels the mysteries of creating compelling plots. A novel is a huge undertaking, written over weeks or months, and the plot has to hold it all together. From creating an outline to maintaining flexibility, this seminar gives you the insider knowledge that will separate you from all of your peers.

Sunday Seminars

10:00 AM Finding the Story:

New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole takes you through a series of exercises that will let you build a story from the barest spark through twists and turns. He’ll give you several story recipes and show you how you can work from them to create delightfully complex and engrossing stories.

11:30 AM Building Tension – Surprise Vs. Suspense:

Building tension in stories can be a difficult balance between competing drives in your story. How do you know when a surprise will be more effective for the audience than the slow burn of suspense. How do you accomplish them? This class Bryan Young, award-winning author who has worked in universes ranging from Star Wars and Shadowrun to Doctor Who and BattleTech, will walk you through the process to create astounding results.

1:00 PM Advanced Characterization

If Characters are king, these techniques will teach you how to establish a dynasty. New York Times Bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole reveals the advanced techniques he uses for creating characters of depth, intrigue and humanity, who manage to grow in realistic but seldom predictable ways. You’ll learn how to create the sort of characters that can carry whole sagas and keep readers locked in and waiting for each new book’s release.

2:30 PM How Shall I Kill Thee?

Action, combat, and the miraculous (magic and high tech) are staples of speculative fiction. Author and educator Benji Richards will explore the world of weapons, choosing the right weapons for your characters or the situation they’re in. Included will be building fantastic weapons, crafting magic/tech systems, and what you need to include to make sure your characters can actually use them as intended.

4:00 PM Freelancing 101

Want to learn how to get paid to write as a freelancer? Professional writer and freelancer Bryan Young will show you how to get started, how to pick a niche, and give you a direction to head on your journey to become a professional.

5:30 PM Making The Next Draft The Best

New York Times bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole gives you a tool kit which will allow you to break down your novel, diagnose issues and substantially improve your next draft. He’ll cover the basics from how to know if you want to do one more draft, on through how to produce and package your book for sale. If you think your book isn’t quite there yet, or if you want to make sure everything is working the way it should, this seminar will provide you with techniques to answers to all your questions.

Important Information:

Cost for ALL seminars:

$140 + tax (member price) (pre-purchase)
$240 + tax (non member price) (pre-purchase)
$150 + tax (member price) (onsite-purchase)
$250 + tax (non member price) (onsite-purchase)

Cost for individual seminars:

$8 + tax (member price) (pre-purchase)
$108 + tax (non member price) (pre-purchase)
$10 + tax (member price) (onsite-purchase)
$110 + tax (non member price) (onsite-purchase)

Writer's Two-Day Intensive Workshop

Best-selling science fiction and fantasy writer Jody Lynn Nye directs this two-day workshop sponsored by Dragon Con. Jody has more than 50 published books and over 200 short stories to her credit, including collaborations with Anne McCaffrey, Piers Anthony, John Ringo, and Robert Asprin. She has taught at Columbia College Chicago and at numerous writing workshops for more than twenty years and is now the Coordinating Judge for the Writers of the Future contest.

The aim of this workshop is to help aspiring writers to learn to practice their craft at a professional level. Students of every level are welcome, from beginners to those writers who are starting to sell their work. Among the subjects to be touched on during the two-day course are story structure, character development, world-building, narrative hook, research, description, collaboration, nonfiction, format, the business of writing, marketing, and promotion.

Guest lecturers will speak during the course on topics involving their expertise. Among her past speakers are Toni Weisskopf, Publisher of Baen Books; Anne Sowards, senior editor at Ace Books; Kevin J. Anderson, publisher of WordFire Press and bestselling co-author of the Dune series; Rebecca Moesta, co-publisher and author of the Young Jedi Knights series; Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, author of the Saint-Germain cycle; Lynn Abbey, author and editor of Thieves’ World; and Courtney Sarnow Lytle, an intellectual property attorney and law professor. The students are encouraged to ask questions after the experts’ presentations.

The workshop will take place on Thursday and Friday, August 29-30, 2024, in the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, from 9 AM to 5 PM. To sign up, please visit the Dragon Con Store or contact the Dragon Con Office @ (404) 669-0773.

Each participant is asked to submit a manuscript to Jody of 2,000 to 7,000 words of a completed short story or partial novel. Novels must also include a full synopsis. All manuscripts must be submitted in standard format, double-spaced in Courier or Times New Roman 12-point type, pages numbered in the upper right corner. No handwritten manuscripts will be accepted. Your cover letter must include your name, address, e-mail address and telephone number. Jody offers an individual written critique of your manuscript. If you wish your piece to be workshopped in class by Jody and your fellow students, an electronic copy is also required, to share with other students, e-mailed as an attachment to Jody Lynn Nye, once you are notified you have a place in the workshop.

Send the manuscripts by August 1, 2024, to:

Dragon Con
Attn: 2023 Writers’ Workshop
5044 Clark Howell Hwy
Atlanta, GA 30349

Space is limited to twenty participants, first-come, first-served, at the live convention. (Jody maintains a waiting list if anyone who has been accepted drops out.) Pre-registration is required. Cost is $300.00 per person + tax, for Dragon Con members (required). Participants will need to bring pen and paper, laptop or voice recorder for taking notes, plus copies of their own work and critiques that they have made on their fellow participants’ manuscripts. (If you bring an electronic device, you may need an extension cord.) No videos of the workshop are permitted.

If you have further questions, please write to Jody Lynn Nye at jodynye@yahoo.com.

Important Information:

Day & Time: Thursday & Friday, August 29-30, 9 am to 5 pm
Where: Hyatt Regency Atlanta – Kennesaw Room
Class size is limited to 20 people, and pre-registration is required. Jody maintains a waiting list if anyone who has been accepted drops out.
Cost $300 plus sales tax
No refunds for the workshop will be granted after August 1st, 2024
Participants will need to bring a pen and paper, laptop, or voice recorder for taking notes, plus copies of their own work and critiques that they have made on their fellow participants’ manuscripts.
If you bring an electronic device, you may need an extension cord. No videos of the workshop are permitted.

If you have further questions, please write to Jody Lynn Nye at jodynye@yahoo.com

Workshops

But you’ll feel alive! Alive!

Take a little break, meet some folks, learn a lot

Adam Kubert - Narrative Techniques in Comics

The Art of Magic with Curt Anderson and Jon Armstrong

Creature Fur Workshop with Russ Adams

Creature Suit Workshop with Russ Adams

Director: My Journey on and Behind the Camera with Shiri Appleby

Figure Drawing Cosplayers with the Pros (FREE Workshop)

Practical Self-Defense with Keith R.A. DeCandido

Grab the Gauntlet: How to Write Good Genre TV for Everybody with Emily Andras

Shift your perspective; experience the difference with Lindsay Wagner

Swordplay and Stage Combat with Robert Chapin

Tai Chi Workshop

Voice Acting: Master Class

Actor & Animation Voice Over Teacher Dino Andrade

Voice Actor Greg Houser

Writer's Hourly Workshops

Friday Seminars

Saturday Seminars

Sunday Seminars

Writer's Two-Day Intensive Workshop