Jan S. Gephardt

Jan S. Gephardt is a science-fiction novelist, fantasy artist, publisher, and longtime science-fiction fan from Kansas City. Her “XK9” books feature a pack of uplifted police dogs. She and sister G. S. Norwood co-founded Weird Sisters Publishing LLC. Jan’s books include a novella, The Other Side of Fear, and two novels so far of the XK9 “Bones” Trilogy. Bone of Contention, third in the trilogy, releases September 24, 2024! Her uplifted XK9s solve crimes and sniff out bad guys while seeking recognition of their own sapience. They live in a habitat space station (inhabited by humans and several other sapient species) in a different star’s planetary system. Jan has exhibited her fantasy artwork at sf conventions since 1981. Look for her nationally recognized paper sculpture in the Art Show. Since 2007 she’s developed a unique paper-sculpture technique. Her artwork also has been featured in regionally exhibited one-person shows, and juried into mainstream national exhibitions all over the United States. She’s a member and former officer of the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists (ASFA).

05:00 PM | Location: Boomer A

Celebrate the Weirdo

Scholar Paul Radin observed that most successful “primitive” societies readily tolerated eccentricity. In what ways do we “moderns” celebrate or censor oddball behavior? Do wild strains of thought strengthen culture, or threaten it?

Moderator: Jan S. Gephardt

Panelists: Jan S. Gephardt, Mark Alfred, Mark Finn, Rubiee Tallyn Hayes, Carolyn Kay

Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Pop Culture & Entertainment

09:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Crimson Meeting Room

Late Night Artists Chat

This is a chance for artists and fans to meet in a relaxed setting to talk all things art! Ask questions, share ideas, and socialize. (Hotel side, 45 minutes.)

Moderator: Busty Springfield

Panelists: Busty Springfield, Liz Campbell, Kimber E Chessmore, Tim Chessmore, Jan S. Gephardt, Teddy Harvia, Mike Kennedy, Stephen Patrick, Terry Southard, Evan T. Wardwell

Tracks: Art, General Interest, Meetup

Noon | Location: Boomer B

How to Design a New Creature

Drawing vampires, werewolves, and other mythological creatures. Which parts should be incorporated into our own artworks? What new traits can be added, while still making them recognizable? How do we avoid derivative or stale monsters? Let's make monsters terrifying again!

Moderator: Jan S. Gephardt

Panelists: Jan S. Gephardt, Michael "Gecko" Adams, Jacob Blackmon, J.H. Fleming

Tracks: Art, Fantasy, Supernatural & Paranormal

01:00 PM | Location: Oklahoma E - Back Wall Table