Friday, July 18, 2025
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM - Colorado Foyer - Badge Pickup
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Colorado Ballroom
Opening Ceremonies
Panel Name: LitRPG: The Genre That Rolled a Nat 20 on Chaos
Panel Description: This panel dives deep into the wonderfully weird world of LitRPG: where characters grind, loot, craft, die (sometimes), respawn (hopefully), and where every emotional breakdown is followed by a stat boost. We’ll talk about where the genre came from, why readers are obsessed, and how LitRPG is leveling up faster than a min-maxed rogue on a double XP weekend. Perfect for newcomers, fans, confused parents, and that one guy in the back muttering “but is it real literature?” (Yes, Kyle. It is. Sit down.)
Moderator: Brian J. Nordon
Guests & Panelists: Jez "Long Dong Silver" Cajiao, Jeff Hays, Aleron Kong, Matt Dinniman, Travis Baldree
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Crystal Peak AKA Aethon’s Laser Palace
Workshop Name: Rolling for Creativity: Interactive LitRPG Writing Workshop
Panel Description: Bring your LitRPG snippets, character ideas, or worldbuilding challenges and get real-time feedback from fellow authors and fans!
Moderator: RinoZ
Guests & Panelists: Wayne Mitchell, Justin Marks, Nathan Ameye, Ryan Rimmel, JD Glasscock, Michael Scott Earle
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Colorado Ballroom
Panel Name: Voices in My Head (and on Your Audiobook)
Panel Description: Narrators unpack the magic (and mayhem) of switching characters on the fly. How far is too far? When is subtle best? And what happens when everyone has an accent?
Moderator: Julie Constantine
Guests & Panelists: Johnathan McClain, Justin Thomas James, Neil Hellegers, Andrea Parsneau, Heath Miller
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Sopris A
Panel Name: Writing Fights So Cool They Deserve Their Own Soundtrack
Panel Description: Strategy, spectacle, and storytelling collide in the ultimate showdown. Because epic boss battles should feel like you’re hearing drums in the distance.
Moderator: John Stovall
Guests & Panelists: Aaron Michael Ritchey, Jez "Long Dong Silver" Cajiao, TJ Lombardi, Waldo Rodriguez
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Sopris B
Panel Name: Pets, Familiars, and Mounts: The Role of Companions in LitRPG
Panel Description: A celebration of the fluffiest, weirdest, and most overpowered companions in LitRPG. Who’s the GOAT? (It might literally be a goat.)
Moderator: Shami Stovall
Guests & Panelists: Matt Dinniman, Haylock Jobson, Marsh AKA Reck Well, Sean Dunning, Ryan DeBruyn
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Location: Crystal Peak AKA Aethon’s Laser Palace
Workshop Name: ShakesRumble II: Enter the ShakesVerse
Workshop Description: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be transported directly into a different reality? And then people are immediately screaming insults in your face that you only half understand? And then you find yourself in a massive fight that could end in pain of death?? Sounds like fun, right??? Come experience this DramLitRPG event from fan-favorite Romeo & Juliet, and be sure to bring your thumbs! Everyone plays, everyone gets insulted, and everyone wins!
Moderator: Neil Hellegers
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: Colorado Ballroom
Panel Name: Crit, Quit, or Rage Quit?
Panel Description: Watch authors and narrators roast your favorite LitRPG and Fantasy characters—deciding who deserves a crit, who’s getting ghosted, and who’s causing a full-on rage quit. Expect laughs, sass, and enough shade to block out the sun. Bring your favorites and brace for the chaos!
Moderator: Rose Reynolds (Pen Name TJ Reynolds)
Guests & Panelists: Matt Dinniman, Daniel Schinhofen, Eric "Gary" Ugland, Andrea Parsneau, Jez "Long Dong Silver" Cajiao, Brian J. Nordon, K.T. Hanna, Ryan Maxwell, Gabriel L Rathweg, Jeremy Frazier, Gary Furlong
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: Sopris A
Panel Name: Tag-Team Tactics: Dual & Multi-Narrator Magic
Panel Description: Behind the scenes with pairs (or trios!) of narrators who bring ensemble casts to life. How do they coordinate tone, timing, and shared chaos?
Moderator: Andy Dodds
Guests & Panelists: Christopher Boucher, Daniel Wisniewski, Jessica Threet, Ryan H. Reid, Annie Ellicott
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: Sopris B
Panel Name: I Have 87 Side Quests and Zero Regrets (No Ragrets?)
Panel Description: How LitRPG MC's manage a thousand tasks, all the companions, managing a city, battling baddies, and quirky side quests - while you still haven't folded the laundry from last week.
Moderator: Hunter Mythos
Guests & Panelists: Aleron Kong, Nathan Ameye, Rachel A. Cooper, Aaron Michael Ritchey, Timothy McGowen
Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: Sopris B
Panel Name: XP Grind: Balancing Gameplay and Storytelling
Panel Description: Because nobody wants to read 500 pages of ‘kill 10 rats’ quests. Discuss the art of weaving game mechanics into the narrative without slowing down the plot or losing reader interest.
Moderator: Rachel Ní Chuirc
Guests & Panelists: A.F. Kay, Sean Dunning, Ryan DeBruyn, Eric "Gary" Ugland, Miles Gallup aka Plum Parrot
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Crystal Peak AKA Aethon’s Laser Palace
Workshop Name: Choose Your Own Plot: Building a LitRPG Story Live!
Workshop Description: Ever wonder how a LitRPG story comes together? Join us for a live, interactive storytelling session where you decide the twists, character choices, and epic battles. From stat rolls to skill unlocks, the audience’s votes and suggestions will shape a brand-new adventure in real time. Expect laughs, surprises, and plenty of “Wait, did we just do that?” moments. Come ready to contribute and see storytelling magic happen on the spot!
Moderator: Alex Knight
Guests & Panelists: Alex Karne, Tommy "SourpatchHero" Kerper, Daniel Wisniewski, James Osiris Baldwin, Timothy W. Long, S.L. Rowland
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Sopris B
Panel Name: Class Warfare: Picking the Perfect Build
Panel Description: Why we love berserkers, summoners, necromancers, and every broken combo in between. Fans and authors share favorites.
Moderator:
Guests & Panelists: Stuart Grosse, Troy Osgood, D. Petrie, Chris Vines, M. Tress
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Crystal Peak AKA Aethon’s Laser Palace
Panel Name: Live Reading, Q&A, Signing, and Meet and Greet.
Panel Description: Join Matt Dinniman & Jeff Hays for a live reading, Q&A, and signing event!
Moderator: Rhea Lyons
Guests & Panelists: Matt Dinniman, Jeff Hays
Time: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Location: Sopris B
Panel Name: From Royal Road to Revenue
Panel Description: What happens after you hit trending? Authors share the real talk on building your brand, navigating Amazon and Audible, and surviving the leap from free content to paid platforms.
Moderator: Mare Trevathan
Guests & Panelists: Ryan Tang, Timothy W. Long, Kacey Ezell, Noret Flood, Dakota Krout
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Sopris B
Panel Name: Dungeons & Deadlines
Panel Description: Balancing real-world author and narrator life with writing and narrating grind-heavy, stat-driven stories. Burnout, balance, and XP.
Moderator: Christopher Boucher
Guests & Panelists: Seth McDuffee, Zura Johnson, Troy Osgood, J.S. Arquin, Stephanie Németh-Parker
End of Friday Panels and Workshops
Friday Panel and Workshop Schedule