Now that the madness of Dragon Con is over, I can turn my attention to the upcoming 10th-Annual Broadleaf Writers Conference, this September 20-21 at the Decatur Library in downtown Decatur, GA. I’ll be moderating a panel:
What a World Panelists: Tra Battle, Paul Jenkins Moderator: Bill Bridges The world of your story determines everything, from the weather to how the characters behave. It becomes even more complex when you’re writing within an existing framework. From fan fiction to a place of your own creation, how do you write authentically in a world that is already built? Join our panelists as they discuss which rules should be followed, which ones can be bent, and where your creativity can take the wheel.
Below is my TENTATIVE panel schedule for Dragon Con, over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta.
Bookstore Memories Description: Step back in time to the Golden Age of Bookstores as we reminisce about B. Dalton, Waldenbooks, Borders, and even deep cuts like Tower Books. We’ll also discuss who had the best horror selection, and which bookstore finds shaped our love of the genre. Panelists: Clay Gilbert, Bill Bridges, Rachel A. Brune, Derek Tatum(M), Jessica Nettles Time: Thu 07:00 pm Location: Peachtree 1-2 Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
15 Minute Mentor Session 3 Description: A chance for budding authors to talk one-on-one with a successful industry professional about business, promotion, the writing process, & career advice. Sign up in the Writer’s Track. (Embassy E/F) Panelists: Bill Bridges, Gray Rinehart, Megan Mackie, Oriana Leckert Time: Fri 04:00 pm Location: Embassy G Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
A Cozy Conversation About Cozy Horror Description: The term “cozy horror” has gained traction in literary circles in recent years. But what is cozy horror? Let’s find out as we explore the emerging genre’s quiet menace. Panelists: Darrell Z. Grizzle, Jessi Ann York(M), Clay Gilbert, T. Kingfisher, Leanna Renee Hieber, Bill Bridges Time: Sat 02:30 pm Location: Peachtree 1-2 Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
She’s Alive! The Bride of Frankenstein at 90 Description: Director James Whale’s The Bride of Frankenstein turned 90 years old in 2025. We’ll celebrate this milestone for the classic Universal Monsters film. Panelists: Crystal Cleveland(M), Cash the Composer, Darrell Z. Grizzle, Bill Bridges, Mark Muncy Time: Sat 04:00 pm Location: Peachtree 1-2 Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
The Haunted Mind: Mental Health Through the Lens of Horror Description: Our panelists will look at how mental health is portrayed in horror literature — the good, the bad, and the scary. Panelists: Brent Abell, Nat Cassidy, Jessi Ann York, Erika Lance, Darrell Z. Grizzle, Bill Bridges(M) Time: Sun 10:00 am Location: Peachtree 1-2 Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
The Gashlycrumb Centennial: Edward Gorey at 100 Description: With ink he conjured worlds of macabre whimsy and playful dread. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Edward Gorey’s birth, our panelists will discuss the shadow he’s cast over pop culture. Panelists: Bill Bridges, Mark Muncy, Mark Braught, Charming Disaster, Kenneth Hite(M) Time: Sun 01:00 pm Location: Peachtree 1-2 Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
I’ll be paneling at Monsterama Con this year, August 8-10, at the Atlanta Marriott Northeast/Emory Area, (2000 Century Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30345). Below is my panel schedule:
• Get a Job in a Sideshow,Brewster: 40 Years of Re-Animator, Fright Night,and Splatter Comedy – B. Bridges, A. Jenner (6:30pm Friday, MEDIA)
• Folk Horror Fiction – Anya Martin, Melanie Crew, Bill Bridges (8:00pm Friday, LITERARY, ARTS, COMICS)
• A Bigger Boat – 50Years of JAWS – M. Green, B. Bridges, M. Ensley – mod (7:00pm Saturday, OPEN GENRE)
I’ll be at #StokerCon this week! (It’s in Stamford, CT.) If you see me there, say hi. Come to my panel: “Roleplaying Games and Horror”, Thursday at 3pm (Aspen 1). I hope to see everybody there!
This weekend (April 25-27) in Atlanta! Go here for details. See you there?
Here’s my panel schedule:
Gaming Build Friday April 25, 2025 4:00pm – 5:00pm EDT DeKalb A game design workshop with professionals in the industry. Come for a workshop to meet and talk about your ideas for your game. Bring a manuscript, 1,000 to 3,000 words, to discuss in detail with industry professionals. Feel free to discuss content, game design philosophy, mathematical systems, layout, and professional topics related to game design.
Let’s Make A Game! Saturday April 26, 2025 2:30pm – 3:30pm EDT La Grotta Patio An open discussion with audience participation to take an idea from concept to rough sketch. Go through the steps of how to make a game and develop it from idea to rough sketch.
Cosmic Horror Saturday April 26, 2025 4:00pm – 5:00pm EDT Azalea The Sci-Fi and Gaming crossover panel. We discuss how the meaninglessness of humanity makes a great story and how to use existential dread for stories; how dark is too grim and how to continue onward without hope.
Publishing a Game Saturday April 26, 2025 5:30pm – 6:30pm EDT La Grotta Patio A panel focused on, “you have a working game, now what?” We discuss funding, marketing, financing, logistics, play testing, and networking in pro markets.
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