Independent publishing can be empowering and overwhelming at the same time. Moderated by Michael Lewis, Eric Gardner, Jason Fort, Judith Lucci, and Karen McCullough discuss their firsthand experiences navigating the rewards and obstacles of self-publishing. This session covers freedom, visibility, marketing demands, and persistence, giving writers a realistic picture of what building an independent career actually involves.
Building a Villain Who Feels Human
Bruce Robert Coffin, D.E. Funk, Jim Nesbitt, Roger Johns, Shaun Assael, and Shirley B. Garrett explore what makes a villain truly compelling. They discuss motivation, psychology, moral ambiguity, and the challenges of writing complex antagonists who feel authentic and...




