Readers rarely quit a book for just one reason. Bradley Harper draws on neuroscience and his experience as a contest judge to explain what causes readers to disengage and what keeps them turning pages. This session explores the psychology behind narrative connection, highlighting common craft missteps that break immersion and the techniques that help stories hold attention longer.
Struggling to Live in a Doomed World: Why Film Noir Still Shapes Crime Stories
This session dives into the dark, fatalistic world of classic film noir from the 1940s and 1950s. It explores the unforgettable men and women who inhabit these stories, the moral ambiguity that defines the genre, and why noir’s themes and characters continue to...
