3:00 pm Films/Videos begin
3:00-3:55 pm. Panel: Improving Your Fanfic: Pros Who Write Fanfic Share Some Secrets Main Stage/Studio 2
Fan writing can lean hard into established characters and settings--that's part of what makes it fun. But what is some advice for folks who'd like to up their fanfic game or make that fabled leap from fanfic writing to publishing? Let's listen to some professional writers talk about some things that writing classes don't necessarily teach.
Naomi Kritzer, moderator.
4:00-4:55 pm. Queens of the Apocalypse Main Stage/Studio 2
Do our coping mechanisms, particularly around cooking, crafting, and gardening, inform our fiction about the end of the world?
Lyda Morehouse, moderator; anyone else who's interested.
5:00-7:00 pm. Dinner Break
7:00-7:30 pm. Opening Ceremonies Main Stage/Studio 2
Chair/MC, Scott Lohman, Programming Director, Eric M. Heideman. Guests of Honor Lyda Morehouse & Naomi Kritzer. Posthumous Guests of Honor Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. & Andre (Alice Mary) Norton.
7:40-8:35 pm. Guest Interviews Main Stage/Studio 2
Naomi Kritzer and Lyda Morehouse are interviewed by Scott Lohman
8:45-9:40 pm. Discussion: Superman, Sinners, and Substance Oh My! Main Stage/Studio 2
The year (more or less) in fantastic films.
Anna Waltz, moderator
9:00-Midnight: Party for Readers Hospitality
Meet fellow readers. Talk about great SFF!
9:00-9:55 am
Scott's Saturday Morning Cartoons Altair 4/Studio 5
Join me for a variety of cartoon goodness.
9:00-9:55am Latte Barada Nicto Hospitality
Rich Brown's wonderful latte coffee.
10:00-10:55 am
SFF Writers and D&D Main Stage/Studio 2
Ghost of Honor Andre Norton tried Dungeons and Dragons in 1976, at Gary Gygax's invitation, and went on to write the first tie-in novel. Let's talk about our experiences with D&D and other TTRPGs, and whether and how it has influenced our writing and our reading.
(Naomi, Lyda, others?)
10:00-10:55 am Poetry Reading Altair 4/Studio 5
Open Poetry session.
11:00-11:55 am
Panel: Dark Academia Main Stage/Studio 2
There is a sub-genre in fantasy about schools for training of all sorts. There are some where the schools are dark and training people for the dark arts. Let's look at schools for all sorts.
David Lenander, moderator
11:00-11:55 am
Reading: Naomi Kritzer Altair/Studio 5
GOH Naomi Kritzer reads from her works.
12:00-12:55 pm
Panel: Wicked and Oz Main Stage/Studio 2
With the new movie Wicked Part 1 being released, interest in L. Frank Baum’s Oz universe is again in vogue. Let’s look at what the new movie and books are adding to the Oz universe.
Ruth Berman, moderator, David Lenander
12:00-12:55 pm Panel: Space Exploration: The Year in Trump Space. Altair 4/Studio 5
Ben Huset, moderator
1:00-1:55 pm
Podcasts & Podcasting Main Stage/Studio 2
Lyda is the regular guest on the podcast Mona Lisa Overpod, about cyberpunk, and listens to a lot of fiction podcasts. Let's talk about the podcasts we love.
Lyda Morehouse moderator, Terry Faust
1:00-1:55 pm Panel: Welcome to the Monkey House: Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Altair 4/Studio 5
Onimaginative and controversial Vonnegut (1922-2007), author of The Sirens a of Titan, Cat's Cradle, and Slaughterhouse Five.
Eric M. Heideman, moderator, Anna Waltz
2:00-2:55 pm
Readings: Drown & Kathryn Sullivan Main Stage/Studio 2
Aaron Christopher Drown and Kathryn Sullivan each read from their work.
2:00-2:55 pm Panel or Discussion: The Many Worlds of Andre Norton Altair 4/Studio 5
On the Prolific and influential Alice Mary Norton (1912-2005), author of Star Man's Son, Witchworld, Catseye, and The Book of Andre Norton.
David Lenander, Moderator
3:00-3:55 pm
Panel: The 25th Annual Yugo Awards. Main Stage/Studio 2
Created by Laura Thurston, the Yugo celebrates classic SF that should have been written.
Carole Ashmore, moderator.
3:00-3:55 pm Panel: The Year in Star Trek Altair 4/Studio 5
A review of what's going on in the Star Trek universe in 2025.
Scott Lohman, moderator Ben Huset
4:00-4:55 pm
Panel: Local Politics Main Stage/Studio 2
Locally, Naomi is probably better known for her election writing than for her science fiction. Come spend an hour talking about local politics.
Naomi Kritzer
4:00-4:55 pm Panel: Astronomy: Sol System and Beyond Altair 4/Studio 5
Michael Kauper, moderator
5:00-5:55 pm
Massive Autographing Main Stage/Studio 2
Come get your books signed.
6:00 pm Dinner Break
7:00 pm
Diversicon Auction Main Stage/Studio 2
The proceeds for this auction help keep Diversicon afloat.
7:00-7:30 pm --
Preview
7:30-9:15 pm --
Main Auction
Shareif Eisa, auctioneer; Eric M. Heideman, Scott Lohman, Rich Brown, Polly, Martha A. Hood?
9:30 pm Party Hospitality
9:00-9:55 am
Scott's Sunday Morning Cartoons Altair 4/Studio 5
More cartoon wonderfulness
9:00-9:55 am Latte Barada Nicto Hospitality
Rich Brown's wonderful nectar of life.
10:00-10:55 am
Keeping On Keeping On (Diversity in SF/F) Altair 4/Studio 5
Why we still care about diversity and representation in our writing.
(Naomi, Lyda, others?)
10:00-10:55 am
Panel: Never Listen Altair 4/Studio 5
"Never Listen to Anyone Offering Advice on How to be a Writer" is a stack-style presentation in three parts: the joys and pain of being a writer; a little about publishing and how to have your best foot forward when engaging with publishers; and the importance of design in book publishing.
Aaron Christopher Drown, moderator.
11:00-11:55 am
Hacking, Hackers, & Heists Main Stage/Studio 2
Both Naomi and Lyda have written about sentient AIs. Let's talk about hackers, AIso, fictional computers, and maybe the lingering influence of cyberpunk.
(Naomi, Lyda, others)
11:00-11:55 am Crafts: Altered Moments Altair 4/ Studio 5
Small ceramic figurines were once as collectible as Funko Pops. Nowadays, they're available for a few dollars each. Let's make them more original! Some figurines, paint, air-dry clay, and other bits and bobs will be provided. Children that need supervision must be supervised.
Emily Stewart moderator
12:00-12:55 pm
Panel: End of the World Fiction and/or Hope Punk Main Stage/ Studio 2
The end of the world has long been an inspiration for fiction and movies. What is appealing about this idea with a look at both dystopia and the re-birth of civilizations after an apocalypse. Let's look at fiction and movies on the topic.
Greg L. Johnson, moderator, Scott Lohman
12:00-12:55 pm Reading: Lyda Morehouse Altair 4/Studio 5
Our GOH reads.
1:00-1:55 pm
Panel: Second Foundation/Rivendell Group Discussion of the Works of Lyda Morehouse and Naomi Kritzer Main Stage/Studio 2
Two local discussion groups review and discuss the works of our GOHs.
David Lenander, moderator; Eric M. Heideman
1:00-1:55 pm Panel: Con Suite Recipes Altair 4/Studio 5
A look at the possibles of food options for a hospitality suite.
Emily Stewart, moderator
2:00-2:55 pm
Panel: What Should I Read Next? Main Stage/Studio 2
This beloved panel, created by Michael Levy, examines SF/F n novels and series published in the last year or so.
Greg L. Johnson, David Lenander
2:00-2:55 pm Panel: The Year in SF TV Altair 4/Studio 5
The annual look/review of SF/F TV on TV and streaming services.
Ben Huset, moderator
3:00-3:55 pm
Panel: Two Person Book Club Main Stage/Studio 2
Our two GOHs have been reading and talking books for a long time, find out what they like and what they don't.
Lyda Morehouse and Naomi Kritizer
3:00-3:55 pm Panel: Kaos and Greek Mythology Altair 4/Studio 5
Kaos was a short-lived Netflix show putting Greek mythology in the modern world; Zeus was played by Jeff Goldblum. Let's talk about the show, and how it fit into the tradition of retellings of Greek mythology, and how mad we are that it wasn't renewed.
(Naomi, Lyda, David Lenander? who else is interested in Greek myths?)
4:00-4:30 pm
Panel: Andor and Rogue One: Star Wars for Adults Main Stage/Studio 2
The two season run of Andor just finished up. This is Star Wars for adults rather that pulp style adventure. Find out why you should watch them ASAP.
Scott Lohman, moderator, Ben Huset
4:00-4:55 pm Panel: Generic Panel Altair 4/Studio 5
A general and open panel, pick a topic and/or ideas.
open moderator
5:00-5:55 pm
Closing Ceremonies Main Stage/Studio 2
Chair/MC, Scott Lohman, Programming Director, Eric M. Heideman. Guests of Honor Lyda Morehouse & Naomi Kritzer, Posthumous Guests of Honor Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. & Andre (Alice Mary) Norton.
6:00 pm
After Con Dinner
At a local restaurant.
7:30 pm There's Still Life in the Old Dog Hospitality