Science Fiction
Noon | Location: Boomer A
Immortality in Storytelling
Would you want to live forever? If you could, what would it look like? What are the pros and cons? Our panelists discuss the timeless theme of immortality in storytelling and the art of creating believable everlasting characters.
Moderator: Stephen Patrick
Panelists: A C Smart, Madilynn Dale, Mark Alfred, Stephen Patrick
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Noon | Location: Embassy Hotel: Crimson Meeting Room
Battle of the Best SF Books of All Time
Join us for the ultimate showdown battle of the books as we pitch the best science-fiction and fantasy books against each other! Panelists will argue for their favorites and vote to see which incredible reads in the championship bracket progress and which don't. There can be only one winner, who will it be?
Moderator: Mrs. Babb
Panelists: Aaron Bossig, Britt Alfred, Buck Berlin, Mrs. Babb, Okie Space Queen
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Meetup, Fantasy, Science Fiction
02:00 PM | Location: Sooner A
The Trek of Theseus
Philosophical thought experiment: Does an object that has had all of its components replaced remains fundamentally the same object? Apply the “ship of Theseus” concept to Trek or other franchises. How much can be changed before it's not Star Trek, Star Wars, Dungeons and Dragons, or another cherished nerd franchise?
Moderator: Dara Fogel, PhD
Panelists: Aaron Bossig, Daniel Erickson, Dara Fogel, PhD, Michael Cross
Tracks: Film & TV, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction
05:00 PM | Location: Sooner A
Mad-Lib Art
Many artists – one topic – crazy results! See a Vulcan riding a seahorse in Atlantis OR a frog tossing pizza dough! Artists will be given a subject, an action, and a setting. The audience will vote which three suggestions to use, followed by a quick-draw by each artist! (Supplies provided)
Moderator: Liz Campbell
Panelists: James Hollaman, Jerry Bennett, Johnnie Johnson, Liz Campbell, Terry Southard
Tracks: Art, Comics, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Pop Culture & Entertainment
10:00 AM | Location: Boomer B
Thrifty Revisions: Adding SF Genre Elements to Thrift Store Paintings
Artists insert sf genre elements or monsters into reclaimed paintings and prints. Final works are up for sale in the Charity Raffle. (Supplies provided)
Moderator: James Hollaman
Panelists: Hall of Femme, James Hollaman, Joshua Cook, Mike Kennedy, Sherri Dean, W. J. Hodgson
Tracks: Art, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Comics
10:00 AM | Location: Oklahoma G
Essential Sci-Fi Television
This panel explores the iconic series, groundbreaking stories, and visionary filmography that have captivated audiences and left an indelible mark on the sci-fi landscape. What is your favorite and why?
Moderator: Aaron Bossig
Panelists: Aaron Bossig, Kent Cordray, Magician Michael Corley, Mrs. Babb, Tracy S. Morris
Tracks: Science Fiction, Film & TV, Pop Culture & Entertainment, STEM
11:00 AM | Location: Sooner A
Star Trek Today
There's more Star Trek on TV today than ever before. Two animated series and three live-action series for 2024 and 2025. Hope and tolerance shown in many places and ways. What attracts us to space, the final frontier?
Moderator: Busty Springfield
Panelists: Busty Springfield, Evan T. Wardwell, Neal Hallford, Paul Carlson, Sally Hamilton, Tim Chessmore
Tracks: Science Fiction, Film & TV, Pop Culture & Entertainment
Noon | Location: Boomer A
Science Fiction and Funtasy
Douglas Adams. Terry Pratchett. The names alone tell you what you're about to read will have you laughing at every page. Many authors have taken up the mantle, but humor in spec fic definitely takes a certain finesse. Who can lit fans turn to, to heal our hurts with humor? And what makes these works comedy standouts?
Moderator: Tracy S. Morris
Panelists: Aaron Bossig, Crash Thunderpants, Laura J. Underwood, Rhonda Eudaly, Tracy S. Morris
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, General Interest, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction
Noon | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Fountain
Cosplay Meetup: Fantasy & D&D
Fantasy & D&D cosplayers meet up on the hotel side.
Moderator: No Moderator
Tracks: Cosplay, Costuming & Fashion, Science Fiction, Pop Culture & Entertainment
Noon | Location: Sooner A
Yoda, the Space Wizard: High Fantasy in the World of Star Wars
Even though it's set in space, Star Wars has its share of knights, damsels, magic, and monsters. Join us in a discussion about the fantasy elements of Star Wars.
Moderator: Phillip Drayer Duncan
Panelists: Carolyn Kay, Johnnie Johnson, Mrs. Babb, Phillip Drayer Duncan, Ted Pennella
Tracks: Film & TV, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Writing & Publishing
03:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
Re-Covered Books, for Charity!
Artists create a new book cover for books in our charity collection. Books and their custom covers will be available for sale in the Charity Sale. (Books and cover paper provided.)
Moderator: James Hollaman
Panelists: Alice-of-Hearts, James Hollaman, Jerry Bennett, Terry Southard, Tim Chessmore, W. J. Hodgson
Tracks: Art, Comics, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Pop Culture & Entertainment
05:00 PM | Location: Sooner A
Vampires Across the Ages
Long a staple of Urban Fantasy and other speculative fiction, the vampires of folklore are markedly different from Stoker's Count – even more so from Yarbro's noble St. Germain, or the sparkles from Twilight. We discuss the influences of those early roots, and look at the many changes in the Vampyre.
Moderator: vickey malone kennedy
Panelists: Adam J. Whitlatch, Jeff Provine, Sherri Dean, Steven E. Wedel, vickey malone kennedy
Tracks: Fantasy, Writing & Publishing, Horror, Supernatural & Paranormal, Film & TV, Science Fiction, Comics, History
10:00 AM | Location: University B
Hollow Humanism?
Some happy futures like Asimov’s projections or Star Trek assure us that eventually we'll all get along and be polite. Does this square with humanity’s nature? Would material prosperity, a healthier climate, and better collaboration bring peace to the world?
Moderator: Brian A. Hopkins
Panelists: Brian A. Hopkins, Craig Wolf, Joshua Caudill, M.A., M. Scott Carter, Neal Hallford, Paul Carlson
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Science Fiction, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Comics, Film & TV
Noon | Location: Boomer A
Fantasy In My Sci-Fi?
Sure, why not? These days, fantasy elements are found in historicals, thrillers, political dramas, mysteries … the list goes on and on. Stories that borrow hallmark plot devices from other genres can delight us and create room for interesting series expansion.
Moderator: Selina Rosen
Panelists: Carolyn Kay, Chris Curtis, Rhonda Eudaly, Selina Rosen, Trina Jacobs
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Supernatural & Paranormal, Pop Culture & Entertainment, YA - Young Adult Fiction
01:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Crimson Meeting Room
Computer Art Demo
Teddy Harvia, professional cartoonist, leads a digital art demonstration. He shares his drawing process, from pencil sketches to final art. The audience will help him decide what topics to demonstrate.
Moderator: Teddy Harvia
Panelists: Teddy Harvia
Tracks: Art, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Comics
02:00 PM | Location: Boomer B
Regeneration: More Than Cheating Death?
James Bond, Spider-Man, Batman, Sherlock Holmes, Superman … these and others change actors all the time, and nobody bats an eyelid. How would Doctor Who be different if the actor changed every few years without fanfare? Is “regeneration” core to Whoniverse?
Moderator: Evan T. Wardwell
Panelists: Dara Fogel, PhD, Evan T. Wardwell, Julie Barrett, Michael Cross, Selina Rosen
Tracks: Film & TV, Science Fiction, Pop Culture & Entertainment
02:00 PM | Location: University B
Kaiju Reign Supreme
With Godzilla Minus One and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire on the big screen and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters on the small screen, our favorite giant lizard has never been more accessible and popular. We discuss what made kaiju worth our admiration.
Moderator: Mark Finn
Panelists: A. Lee Martinez, Caleb Haldane, Dawn Frost Cosplay, La Blanke, Mark Finn
Tracks: Film & TV, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction
03:00 PM | Location: University B
Agents of Chaos in Storytelling
Shakespeare’s Puck, DC’s Harley Quinn, Arcane's Jinx. Debate the indispensable character who shakes things up – the jester or class clown, even a wisecracking bad guy like Loki of Norse lore or Efnysien of Welsh mythology. Love or hate them, stories wouldn't be the same without the trickster.
Moderator: Chaz Kemp
Panelists: Ash King, Carolyn Kay, Chaz Kemp, Craig Wolf, M. Scott Carter, vickey malone kennedy
Tracks: Writing & Publishing, Pop Culture & Entertainment, Science Fiction, Fantasy