Come listen to disabled authors, actors, and artists talk about managing their creative lives and their daily lives. Participants: Stephanie Cranford (mod), Camryn Carey, J.R. Dawson, Christine Galey, Tania Richter
Kitchens are often cluttered with various devices. Which do you use constantly? Which gather dust? How can you find more uses for what you have or find more multi-faceted tools to replace many items at once? Participants: Alisha Srock (mod), Scott Grandt, K.N. Hamann, Tom Hyer, Erin Wilaby
The golem is a well-known figure from Jewish folklore. How has this concept and metaphor influenced science fiction and artificial intelligence (androids, cyborgs, etc.) stories throughout history and today? Participants: Jen Rogachevsky (mod), J.R. Dawson, Andrea Herman, Joe, Naomi Kritzer
A discussion on what history can teach us about the combat systems of role playing games. How accurate are they? Are the weapons appropriate for the setting? What do RPGs get right and wrong? Participants: Paul David Bates (mod), Eddie, Daniel Jay-Dixon, Kenneth Justiniano, Jamie Riedesel
A panel to discuss the prevalence of book bans and book challenges and how they affect librarianship today. Bring us your questions and concerns so we can offer suggestions and commiserate together. This will primarily be a Q&A panel. Participants: Crystal Kelleher (mod), Princess Sam Irish Lass, Josiah John Mannion, Morgan Strickland, Kellee Lee Wolf
Ok, maybe not "everything", but join our panelists as they tell you some surprising things about the world of publishing. Participants: Lee Harris (mod), Jay Gallentine, Jenny Goloboy, Laura Szatz, Madeleine Vasaly
AMC+'s adaptations of Anne Rice's novels into the Immortal Universe have gotten a lot of buzz. We'll explore the following series: Interview with the Vampire/The Vampire Lestat, The Mayfair Witches, and Talamasca: The Secret Order. Participants: Mordecai Mika (mod), skazka 9000, Brian Forrest, T'Yanna L Singleton, Jody Wurl
A mostly non-serious panel in which panelists will argue if and how gay sex would have fixed something. Would it fix a love triangle, a terrible movie ending, or maybe even the economy? **mature content** Participants: Henry Kaldhusdal (mod), Sean Eberle, Kendrick Edmund Hogue, Kiki Joy Latham, AJ Pete
Thursday July 2, 2026 11:30pm - Friday July 3, 2026 12:30am CDT Hyatt 1, Lakeshore A
Get your questions answered about participating in the Masquerade by the Masquerade director and staff. Participants: Patrick Cool, Donald Kaiser, Kori Kontz, Briar Livingston
Just because you're Minnesotan doesn't mean you need to eat like one! Come learn where to find and how to use herbs and spices to broaden your culinary horizons. Participants: Saz (Mdog) Kos (mod), Sarah Barsness, Scott Grandt, K.N. Hamann, Erin Wilaby
We've come a long way from card catalogs and encyclopedias! How do you research a topic and evaluate sources? What are the hazards when googling for your information? Participants: Laura Okagaki (mod), Sarah Barsness, Jason Brown, J.R. Dawson, John Heimbuch
Given current politics, talking about climate change can be stressful, but that may make it that much more important to bring up. What are some strategies to get folks who are less inclined to be climate-conscious on board with green(er) initiatives or policies? Participants: Arthur J Kneeland (mod), Saz (Mdog) Kos, Mordecai Mika, Erin Wilaby
Sherlock Says is a locally-produced podcast covering all things Sherlock Holmes: from Victorian history to modern adaptation. For our CONvergence debut, we're joined by special guests to discuss the influence of Holmes in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Participants: Rachael Dosen, Angela Fox, Ansel Johnson, Kamela Lise
From medieval court jesters to late night talk show hosts, it has been the comedian's role and privilege to speak truth to power. Why has the medium of comedy been granted this right? Participants: Kate Dane (mod), skazka 9000, Bobo, Brian, Janelle Kloth
The MCU is coming up on 20 years, but some aspects of the franchise have not grown over time, namely good representation of Jewish characters despite the source material and comics history. Why is that and why does it matter? Where can they go from here? Participants: Jen Rogachevsky (mod), Kelly Brimbor, J.R. Dawson, Mark Goldberg, Kendrick Edmund Hogue
Many feel existential dread regarding the current state of the world and use art as a counter or means of escape to find some catharsis. How do they channel those feelings into their creations? Participants: John Heimbuch (mod), Leslie Barlow, J.R. Dawson, John Kovalic, Springyboii
Join your favorite Villainess from Far Far Away during a night of inappropriate hijinks and debauchery as she celebrates her win over that hideous ogre Shrek. Party games, prizes, and NO OGRES ALLOWED. **mature content** Participants: Bailey Workman
Friday July 3, 2026 11:30pm - Saturday July 4, 2026 12:30am CDT Hyatt 1, Lakeshore A
As authors, we lie all the time. We have to since science is so uncooperative. That said, we often have no idea what the real science is. How do we cheat to get the story told? Participants: Kate Dane (mod), Reed Alexander, Anthony W. Eichenlaub, Naomi Kritzer, Sarah Tasz
From Godzilla and Mothra to King Kong and the Titans, giant monsters are tons of fun! Come discuss your favorites. Participants: Scott Jamison (mod), Christopher Daniels, Dzhemi, Charlene Holm, Shanna Jansen
Like Gundam? Macross? Transformers? So do we! Hang out and squee about your favorite mecha from any decade. Participants: Scott Jamison (mod), Christopher Daniels, Shanna Jansen, Viga
How does adapting a property to another medium change the story and how it's told? Are some stories better suited to certain media? Why? Participants: Amber Raden (mod), Megan Noel Johnson, Sean C Novack, SaraBeth Ray
