Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Colorado Ballroom

Panel Name: How to Break the World With Magic—But Like, Elegantly

Panel Description: Authors discuss how to invent fresh magic systems that feel balanced and original in a LitRPG context.

Moderator: Wayne Mitchell

Guests & Panelists: Shawn Wilson, Noret Flood, Michael-Scott Earle, David North, Ryan DeBruyn

Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Sopris A

Panel Name: Roll for Outline: Plotter, Pantser, or Chaos Mage

Panel Description: Do you plan every twist like a strategist... or charge in with nothing but vibes and a vague idea of the ending? Authors discuss their writing styles, why they work (or don’t), and the wild ride of finding a process that sticks.

Moderator: Benjamin Kerei

Guests & Panelists: Drew Hayes, Adam Beswick, Shami Stovall, Jack Fields, Nicoli Gonnella

Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Sopris B

Panel Name: When Worldbuilding Gets Out of Hand

Panel Description: Crafting systems, designing dungeons, creating new worlds, it's all in a days work. How far do you go building your worlds, and where do you draw the line?

Moderator: Rose Reynolds

Guests & Panelists: Jay Krauss, Jeffrey "Falcon" Logue, Maxwell Farmer, Ryan Maxwell, Sean Hall

Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Location: Colorado Ballroom

Panel Name: Hit by a Truck, Now I'm the Chosen One

Panel Description: An Isekai Panel — because apparently getting hit by a truck is a career path now. Tired of your boring Earth life? Wish you could wake up with overpowered stats, a talking sword, and a vague prophecy hanging over your head? You're not alone. Join our panel of authors and narrators as we unpack the chaos, charm, and cringe of Isekai. From portal mishaps to overpowered potatoes, we’ll explore what makes these stories so addictive — and why so many protagonists forget how traffic works. Bonus points if you came here after touching a suspicious glowing orb.

Moderator: Miles Gallup AKA Plum Parrot

Guests & Panelists: Drew Hayes, James Hunter, Nicoli Gonnella, Sean Oswald, Eric "Gary" Ugland

Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Location: Sopris A

Panel Name: Noob to Pro: Jumpstarting Your LitRPG Career

Panel Description: Authors and narrators share what they wish they knew before hitting “start” — avoid the newbie traps and level up faster than a speedrunner!

Moderator: Justin Thomas James

Guests & Panelists: Michael-Scott Earle, Aoife Wai, RinoZ, JP "Nixia" Valentine, Jessica Threet

Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Location: Sopris B

Panel Name: Narrator AMA: Ask Me Anything (Except to Sing… Maybe)

Panel Description: An open mic session for fans to ask narrators about gear, technique, career tips, favorite roles, and whether they really record in pajama pants.

Moderator: Andrea Parsneau

Guests & Panelists: Wayne Mitchell, Neil Hellegers, J.S. Arquin, Mare Trevathan, Travis Baldree

Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Location: Colorado Ballroom

Panel Name: Cross-Genre Mashups: LitRPG Meets Sci-Fi, Horror, and More

Panel Description: Because sometimes magic, mechs, and murder just belong together.

Moderator: Shawn Wilson

Guests & Panelists: Michael Chatfield, Ryan Rimmel, Jez "Long Dong Silver" Cajiao, Benjamin Kerei, Travis Baldree

Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Location: Sopris A

Panel Name: Qi, Please!

Panel Description: Dantian busted? Qi stagnating? Don't worry—we've got pills for that. Join a panel of authors as we dive into the ever-expanding world of Cultivation stories. From martial paths and mystical realms to spirit beasts and sect drama, we'll explore what makes this genre so addictive—and how it fuses beautifully with LitRPG mechanics. Whether you're forging your spiritual root or just wondering why everyone’s obsessed with jade beauties and ancient legacies, this is the panel for you.

Moderator: Aoife Wai

Guests & Panelists: Jonathan Smidt aka Ryn Stryker, Sean Oswald, Rachel A. Cooper, Miles Gallup aka Plum Parrot, Daniel Schinhofen

Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Location: Sopris B

Panel Name: XP, Tea, and Tranquility: The Rise of Cozy LitRPG

Panel Description: Not every dungeon crawl has to be dripping with blood and existential dread. Cozy LitRPG is here for the gamers who’d rather tend a magical bakery, befriend dungeon slimes, or level up their cottage garden. Join authors who are bringing warmth, wonder, and low-stakes joy to the genre—without sacrificing progression, worldbuilding, or that sweet, sweet XP. Whether you’re into crafting, slice-of-life, or just want your quests with a side of comfort, this panel explores how cozy stories are leveling up the LitRPG space.

Moderator: Erin Ampersand

Guests & Panelists: S.L. Rowland, Justin Marks, Robert Gagnon, Haylock Jobson, David North

Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Location: Sopris B

Panel Name: Magic, Mayhem, and Mana Bars

Panel Description: What happens when dragons, dungeons, and destiny come with skill trees and stat sheets? This panel dives into the fusion of traditional fantasy with LitRPG mechanics—where spellcasting costs mana, leveling up is literal, and your fate might just hinge on your inventory loadout. Join authors who blend epic fantasy with crunchy systems to talk about building immersive worlds, balancing rules with wonder, and why swords-and-sorcery hits different when there’s a quest log involved.

Moderator: Ryan Tang

Guests & Panelists: Bosloe (Nick), Kacey Ezell, Jonathan Brooks, M. Tress, Sean Hall