Today’s heroes are complicated, flawed, and often uncomfortable in their own skin. In this panel, authors explore how modern protagonists have moved far beyond traditional heroic archetypes, reflecting changing values, diverse backgrounds, and moral ambiguity. The discussion looks at why these imperfect heroes feel more real to readers and how writers can create characters who resonate deeply with contemporary audiences.
Building a Novel from Big Picture to Scene Level
A strong novel works at both the big-picture and scene level. John DeDakis offers a two-part masterclass that first examines overall story architecture and then zooms in on scene construction. This session helps writers strengthen pacing, emotional flow, and narrative...




