Sunday, July 12, 2026
Panel & Workshop Schedule
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Colorado Ballroom
Panel Name: From Punching Rats to Killing Gods
Description: A celebration of one of LitRPG’s favorite tropes: starting at absolute zero and climbing all the way to absurd levels of power.
Moderator: Travis Bagwell
Panelists: Tao Wong, Will Wight, Noret Flood IV, David North, Seth Ring
***
Location: Crystal Peak
Panel Name: XP Gain: Becoming an Audiobook Narrator
Description: An interactive rotating workshop for aspiring audiobook narrators interested in LitRPG and progression fantasy. Attendees will break into small groups and rotate between professional narrators, with each station focused on a different part of the craft and business of narration.
Moderator: Daniel “Dan the Voice Man” Wisniewski
Panelists: Annie Ellicott, Corvin King, Chris Boucher, Eric Jason Martin, Ern Bennett, Katherine Grant-Suttie, Tim Lounibos
***
Location: Sopris A
Panel Name: From Brainstorm to Boss Drop
Description: Ever wonder how a random “what if…” turns into a full-blown LitRPG obsession eating your sleep schedule? Authors, narrators, and creators pull back the curtain on the chaotic journey from first idea to launch day; covering abandoned drafts, accidental character takeovers, cover disasters, recording marathons, last-minute panic edits, and everything that happens before a book finally hits your Kindle or headphones.
Moderator: Selkie Myth
Panelists: Jonathan Waters, Gary Furlong, Austin Rising, Waldo Rodriguez, Madix-3, Silas Sontag
***
Location: Sopris B
Panel Name: More Than One Way to Clear a Dungeon
Description: A playful discussion on how different perspectives lead to different approaches to systems, progression, and story structure in LitRPG.
Moderator: Greg Eckert
Panelists: Andrew Givler, Actus, Cornman8700, Nathan Ameye, Sean Dunning, Peter J. Lee
***
Location: Columbia
Panel Name: The Dao of Being Way Too Strong for This Arc
Description: A funny exploration of cultivation power scaling, where characters outgrow problems faster than the story can introduce them.
Moderator: Peter Whetzel
Panelists: C. Mantis, Ryan “RinoZ” McGrath, Travis Deverell AKA Shirtaloon, Rachel A Cooper, Jay Krauss
***
Location: Harvard
Panel Name: That Wasn’t a Mistake, That Was Fan Engagement Content
Description: A funny panel on what happens when authors forget an item, skill, or rule and fans immediately notice. Authors, narrators, and editors discuss how “continuity errors” become “lore expansions” and how the community somehow turns every mistake into canon.
Moderator: Drew Hayes
Panelists: Shawn Wilson, S.M. Boyce, Josiah Davis, R.A. Mejia, Todd Menesses
***
Location: Yale
Panel Name: I Just Started Reading This Genre, I have So Many Questions
Description: An open Q&A session of authors, narrators, and industry experts, answering your questions, such as "What is LitRPG", "What does writing have to do with wearing pants?", "Where are the bathrooms?" and more!
Moderator: Dennis Meltser
Panelists: Keoni Taylor, Sean Hall, Joshua Story, Matt Herrmann, Tommy “SourpatchHero” Kerper, Jeremy Frazier
***
Location: Princeton
Panel Name: The Perfect Build Doesn’t Exist (and That’s the Point)
Description: Authors debate character builds, optimization, and why flawed or evolving builds often make for more compelling storytelling than perfectly min-maxed heroes.
Moderator: Edie Skye
Panelists: Jonathan Brooks, Plum Parrot, Warby Picus, Joedan Worley, Robyn Wideman, Greg Tolley
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Colorado Ballroom
Panel Name: Not Every Build Needs a Sword
Description: A look at the unconventional classes in LitRPG, from crafters and merchants to summoners, alchemists, support builds, and characters whose greatest strength is absolutely not direct combat. Authors and narrators discuss why readers love creative class design, unexpected progression paths, and protagonists who solve problems without just hitting them harder.
Moderator: Benjamin Kerei
Panelists: J.R. Mathews, Brian J. Nordon, A.P. Beswick, Matt Dinniman, Jonathan Brooks
***
Location: Crystal Peak
Panel Name: Jeff Hays and Neven Iliev Live Reading and Q&A!
Description: Join Neven Iliev, author of Morningwood: Everybody Loves Large Chests, and narrator Jeff Hays for a reading and Q&A!
Moderator: Maude
Panelists: Neven Iliev, Jeff Hays
***
Location: Sopris A
Panel Name: Write It Like It’s Going to Be Read Aloud (Because It Will Be)
Description: Every line of your book will eventually live in someone’s voice. This panel focuses on writing techniques that improve readability in audio, tightening dialogue, controlling pacing, and avoiding prose that trips up even the best narrators, while also exploring how narrators shape rhythm, emotion, and character in ways that bring the story fully to life.
Moderator: Reck Well
Panelists: Ryan H. Reid, Ben WOlf, Ryan Rimmel, Johnathan McClain, Seth McDuffee, Lars Machmüller, Justin Thomas James
***
Location: Sopris B
Panel Name: Making the System Voice Funny Without Making It Annoying
Description: How authors and narrators find a balance of personality, humor, and readability in system narration so it stays engaging during high-stakes scenes.
Moderator: Wayne Mitchell
Panelists: Daniel “Dan the Voice Man” Wisniewski, John Pirhalla, Jessica Threet, Joshua Story, David Stifel, Rebecca Brokaw-Sands
***
Location: Columbia
Panel Name: Acting Across the Character Sheet
Description: From subtle adjustments to full character embodiment, narrators break down how they approach voicing the opposite sex while maintaining authenticity and listener immersion.
Moderator: Nick Kuhns
Panelists: Andie Parsneau, Steve Campbell, Zura Johnson, Jack Fields, Laurie Catherine Winkel
***
Location: Harvard
Panel Name: Support Class, Main Character Energy
Description: In a genre built on heroes, what happens when the “support class” steals the spotlight? This panel celebrates the creatures who fight beside us, level up with us, and occasionally cause just as many problems as they solve. What makes a great animal sidekick? How do you give them personality, agency, and growth without turning them into background props or overpowered mascots? Come hear how some of your favorite furry and ferocious characters not only came to life but also stole every reader's heart.
Moderator: Andy Peloquin
Panelists: OverXelous, C. Mantis, Drew Hays, Seth Ring
***
Location: Yale
Panel Name: The Business of LitRPG Publishing
Description: A panel about what actually makes LitRPG financially viable in today’s market. Covers Kindle Unlimited, rapid release, audio growth, covers, branding, reader retention, and how the genre differs from traditional fantasy publishing.
Moderator: Jenn Bean
Panelists: Lorne Ryburn, Sean Oswald, James Hunter, Silas Sontag, A.F. Kay, Tao Wong
***
Location: Princeton
Panel Name: The Cast List Is Getting Smaller for a Reason
Description: How authors decide when a death serves the story and when it’s just cruelty disguised as tension. How do authors create tension that feels real when readers are used to respawns, healing, and overpowered protagonists?
Moderator: Justin Whitaker
Panelists: J. David Baxter, Peter J. Lee, Liam Lawless, Blaise Corvin, Nicoli Gonnella, K.T. Hanna
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: Colorado Ballroom
Panel Name: No Boss Fights Today, Just Emotional Growth
Description: Authors and narrators explore why readers connect with quieter character moments, relationships, and low-stakes progression arcs.
Moderator: Shami Stovall
Panelists: Michael-Scott Earle, Heath Miller, S.M. Boyce, Sean Oswald, S.L. Rowland, Bruce Sentar
***
Location: Crystal Peak
Panel Name: Girls Just Want to Level Up
Description: A celebratory panel with female authors in LitRPG and game inspired fiction sharing wins, creative chaos, and what makes writing in system driven worlds so much fun.
Moderator: Zura Johnson
Panelists: K.T. Hanna, Jay Boyce, Rose (TJ) Reynolds, Erin Ampersand, Allora Lee, M. Zaugg
***
Location: Sopris A
Panel Name: Writing Class Change: Evolving Your Style in LitRPG
Description: Authors talk about shifting genres, experimenting with subgenres, and how their writing style evolves over time as they find what fits them best.
Moderator: Edie Skye
Panelists: Doug Lohse, Matt Herrmann, Greg Eckert, John Cressman, Ryan Maxwell, Seth McDuffee
***
Location: Sopris B
Panel Name: The Evolution of an Audiobook
Description: From the first recording session to full cast immersion audio, this panel explores every stage of audiobook adaptation. Featuring authors, narrators, and producers discussing collaboration, performance continuity, directing ensemble casts, fan expectations, and the growing demand for cinematic audio in LitRPG.
Moderator: Andie Parsneau
Panelists: Ryan H. Reid, Travis Bagwell, David Stifel, Jeff Hays, Justin Thomas James, John Pirhalla
***
Location: Columbia
Panel Name: The Level-Up That Changed Everything
Description: Authors and narrators discuss the single progression moment in their stories that reshaped the character, the stakes, and sometimes the entire series direction.
Moderator: Jason J. Willis
Panelists: Luke Messa, Jeff Kohanek, Rachel A Cooper, Jeremy Frazier, Eric Jason Marton, Katherin Grant-Suttie
***
Location: Harvard
Panel Name: Welcome to the Starting Zone, Please Lower Your Expectations
Description: A celebration of beginner areas, starter gear, terrible builds, and the early-game chaos that makes progression satisfying.
Moderator: Sean Hall
Panelists: Selkie Myth, Eric Ugland, D. Petrie, Jeffrey “Falcon” Logue, Craig Hamilton, Blaise Corvin
***
Location: Yale
Panel Name: I Wrote a Character. The Fandom Got Attached.
Description: Exploring how audiences connect deeply with fictional characters, turning them into favorites, comfort figures, and lasting attachments.
Moderator: Jack Fields
Panelists: Joshua Rettew, Cornman8700, Ryn aka Jonathan Smidt, Frank Morin, Kia Leep, Timothy McGowen
***
Location: Princeton
Panel Name: Stop Posting Into the Void: What BookTok Actually Wants to See - Workshop
Description: Creators break down what gets watched, what gets skipped, and how authors and narrators can adapt without losing authenticity.
Moderator: Aaron Renfroe
Panelists: Run Storm, Morrigan, Ginger and the Foxes, Peter Whetzel, Dennis Meltser, A.P. Beswick
Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: Crystal Peak
Panel Name: Turning Cool Ideas Into Sustainable Stories - Workshop
Description: A practical look at pacing, structure, and avoiding early burnout when your concept outgrows your outline. Not every cool idea needs to happen immediately.
Moderator: Jeremy Frazier
Panelists: Travis Bagwell, Drew Hayes, JD Glasscock, K.T. Hanna, Kia Leep, Benjamin Kerei
***
Location: Sopris A
Panel Name: More Than Hit Points: Writing Trauma and Healing
Description: Behind every hero's journey is a personal one. Join authors as they discuss writing trauma, grief, resilience, and recovery with authenticity and care, exploring how emotional struggles can create deeper characters, stronger stories, and more meaningful growth.
Moderator: Pavi Proczko
Panelists: RavensDagger, Rose (TJ) Reynolds, Travis Deverell AKA Shirtaloon, Jay Krauss, A.P. Beswick
***
Location: Sopris B
Panel Name: Avoiding the “Info Dump Dungeon” - Workshop
Description: A craft session on how to deliver worldbuilding, systems, and rules without slowing the reader down or breaking immersion.
Moderator: Aaron Michael Ritchey
Panelists: Elizabeth “SilverSidhe” Oswald, Stuart Grosse, Liam Lawless, Aoife Wai, David Niemitz, TJ Lombardi
***
Location: Columbia
Panel Name: Female Agency in Harem Stories: Writing Characters Who Choose
Description: At its best, harem fiction is about connection. This panel explores how to keep female characters emotionally active, narratively important, and fully realized within a shared romantic structure, while ensuring strong female agency, where each character makes meaningful choices, drives her own arc, and actively shapes both the relationships and the story itself.
Moderator: Nick Kuhns
Panelists: Daniel Schinhofen, Michae-Scott Earle, M. Tress, Bruce Sentar
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Crystal Peak
Panel Name: Contracts and All the Horrid Things
Description: Come read some of the worst terms and conditions put into a publishing contract. Work those legal muscles of yours and understand why and how such contract terms and terrible. Also, discuss with your peers what other potential pitfalls there might be, as you go through a presentation of real life T&C's.
Moderator: Tao Wong
Panelists: Shami Stovall, John Stovall, J.R. Mathews
***
Location: Sopris A
Panel Name: Towel, Toothbrush, and Toiletries
Description: You've been summoned, reincarnated, or transported to another world. What do you bring? Authors and narrators compare notes on the essential gear, comfort items, and modern conveniences they'd never want to leave behind, and debate which would be worth their weight in gold in a fantasy realm.
Moderator: Bosloe
Panelists: Alex Knight, Sean Duning, Seth Ring, Rachel A Cooper, Actus, Doug Lohse
***
Location: Sopris B
Panel Name: Your Magic System Is Cool, But Does Anyone Actually Live Here?
Description: A worldbuilding discussion on making fantasy worlds feel inhabited instead of existing purely for combat encounters and lore dumps.
Moderator: Sam Boyd
Panelists: Greg Eckert, Erin Ampersand, Craig Hamilton, Spencer Walther, Blaise Corvin, John Cressman
***
Location: Columbia
Panel Name: The Strongest Skill in LitRPG Is Terrible Decision Making
Description: How chaotic choices create tension, comedy, and progression faster than any optimized build ever could.
Moderator: Warby Picus
Panelists: Miles English, Liam Lawless, The LongwindedOne, Gabe Rathweg, Matt Herrmann
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Colorado Ballroom
Panel Name: Closing Ceremonies, Live Reading, and More!
Description: Join us for an exclusive Live Reading by Heath Miller of brand new content from Shirtaloon’s He Who Fights With Monsters Hardback! This will kick off our Closing Ceremonies, where we share highlights, announcements, and a few surprises as well!
Moderator: Maude
Panelists: Heath Miller, Travis Deverell AKA Shirtaloon, Jeff Hays, Jez Cajiao, Geneva Agnos, Emily Labes-Royce