InConJunction 44 - SF&F Convention

Various interesting panels, sessions and events beginning Friday afternoon will be scheduled for your enlightenment and enjoyment. Subjects range from the delightfully silly to the seriously sublime.

If you would like to be part of our panels, sessions and events, or just have programming suggestions, go to the new Event Planning Dashboard and log in (or create a new account). From there you can volunteer as a Programming Participant, request a table in the Creators' Alley*, make programming suggestions and much more.

*Please note that tables in the Creators' Alley area of the Expo Hall are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are reserved specifically for authors, artists, etc. that are interested in selling, promoting, and autographing their own works and would like to have additional opportunities to meet face-to-face with their fans and other attendees of InConJunction. Authors, artists, etc. that are planning on selling any other additional merchandise must purchase vendor space in the InConJunction Expo Hall. Artists that would like to display their works and make them available for purchase (in particular artists that are not planning on attending InConJunction or who may require additional hanging/display space) are encouraged to contact the Art Show organizer to reserve space in the InConJunction Art Show.

If you have questions about InConJunction's programming, have any recommendations or suggestions that you would like to share, or need any other additional information please feel free to contact our Programming Coordinator via email at programming@inconjunction.org or write to:

Author Rob Pyatt discusses this new anthology and the classic 1970s sci-fi show.

For those interested in what's it's like to be a dealer and how it's changed over the years.

Defining Afrofuturism and discussing its importance to speculative fiction and the diversity of genre fiction.

To define Afrofuturism and discuss its importance to Speculative Fiction and the diversity of genre fiction.

Our panel teaches you the basics of the business side of being a published writer.

Houtini! Come crochet your very own Jawa as a Starfleet officer! Choose from red shirt, gold shirt, or blue to beam yourself up in this crossover class. Or stick to your roots and make a traditional alien! To cover the supplies, the cost of this class is $20.

Movies are awesome! Except when they're not. Join Dr. Rob Pyatt on this guided tour through trailers of crappy movies with horrible science.

Creating a rich mythos is a specific area of worldbuilding that can be difficult to get right. From in-world religions and legends to social constructs, our panel discusses the mythos they have created and some of their favorite mythos in speculative fiction.

Now that you've crossed the most important one (us) off your list, what other conventions are still there?

Sometimes a fictional world needs religions that belong to it. How can we create plausible fictional religions that grow organically from the rest of the fictional world, and avoid pitfalls that can create offense in actual religious communities?

Interactive workshop! Have an idea for a story that weaves together elements of more than one genre? Working on one? Tips, tricks, and examples of how to create a cohesive blend of fiction that's fresh and exciting to read (and write), plus some in-session writing activities for inspiration.

A discussion of the DCU and MCU current states of affairs and future paths forward.

Who in the industry is publishing diverse fiction in the speculative arena? How can we handle it with empathy as writers?

What's your favorite romantasy work? What about pre-romantasy work? And have we gotten to post-romantasy works?

These beautiful fingerless gloves are perfect for anyone who intends daring to tame dragons! You will be taught this intricate and stunning pattern. You'll be walked through how to make your own pair of gloves. To cover the supplies, the cost of this class is $30.

This workshop will delve into the elements of writing a fiction story, breaking down and discussing the components which make up fiction, so that attendees can use them to create their own works.

Panelists discuss how real world history can inform and inspire science fiction and fantasy. Whether you're building a new world, alternative world, or off-world story, history can be a great springboard for settings, characters, and plot elements in fiction. How much history to how much invention? Whose version of history? Blending places/cultures together to create something different altogether?

Join Rachel Frend, podcaster and author-in-progress, for a thoughtful roundtable on identity and authenticity in fandom.

Come to the writer symposium room to read your original works with fellow writers.

This presentation is a captivating journey through the significant contributions women have made to various fields, from science fiction to technology. With a focus on more than just STEM, the panel showcases the many ways in which women have shaped history through their innovative thinking, creativity and determination to make a difference in the world. Attended this panel before? You're in luck, as the list of ladies changes each year! Come for a whole new crop of amazing women!

Did you inherit your fandom from your family? And how are you trying to pass it on to the future?

Join our panel for a relaxed discussion of our favorite and least favorite tropes in fiction.

Science comedy improv. Come watch comedians riff on some of your favorite Weird Science experiments, like "Analysis of Barbie Medical and Science Career Dolls."

Who doesn't need a baby dragon to take with them on all their adventures? This crochet workshop will walk you through creating Roja the Red baby dragon. All supplies and instructions will be provided; to cover the cost, this workshop will cost $20.

The "nepo baby" phenomenon - children following their parents especially into creative fields -has been a hot topic recently. Do the backgrounds of actors - say, two generations in one series - make a difference in your enjoyment of it? Is the trend overblown, or should Hollywood worry about shutting out new talent?

No matter what genre you write, building suspense is necessary for moving the story forward. Our panel of experts discuss how they do this in their own work and what pitfalls to avoid.

Writing a novel is difficult on its own, but keeping a journal can help your writing thrive. This panel discusses how journaling can benefit authors.

Everything you need to know will be taught to you for crochet - how to hold the hook, tension and how to read a pattern. All the while you'll make your very own two-colored scarf! All supplies are provided; to cover the cost, this panel costs $25.

The InConJunction tradition continues with fun-packed rounds of questions. Bring a team (3-4), or come alone and join an ad hoc one. We'll have prizes prizes prizes.

Going along with this year's theme, when you're inventing monsters/creatures/cryptids for your fiction, what's your inspiration? Local legends, childhood nightmares, mythological creatures? Should you stick with tradition, or put your own spin on a creature? Let's discuss!

Topics will include shows such as "Daredevil: Born Again," "Creature Commandos" and "Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths," and movies like "Captain America: Brave New World," "Thunderbolts*," and the new Superman and Fantastic Four films that will be released this summer.

Writing mystery and thriller novels can be complicated. Our panel of experts share the methods they use to excite and surprise their readers.

Obscure Legends, Myths and Cryptids: Things That Go Bump a Little More Softly in the Night

Bigfoot and the Mothman get a lot of attention, but what are your favorite lesser-known mysterious creatures?

Before "Under the Dome" and "The Simpsons Movie" there was "Midwestern Hemisphere: A Suburban Metaphysical Comedy," about a neighborhood inexplicably covered by an invisible dome. Featuring a cast of acting professionals.

A look at the spectrum of plotting vs. pantsing in writing and how to use techniques and tools from either side in your writing.

This panel will take experts across the industry and put them together to discuss the differences among the three main types of publishing and their upsides and downsides.

Join Eckhart as she reads from and answers questions about her science-fiction dark-romance "Almost Partners" series. Book 2, "Almost Partners: New Rules," will be available for the first time at InConJunction, but it came out in mid-April. Even folks who haven't read it or the first book are welcome to come and learn more.

How did you like this year? What can we do better next year? And what on earth is the Circle of Janus?

Come to the writer symposium room to read your original works with fellow writers.

Most people think of structure as a series of plot points occurring in the story at specific spots. Structure is so much more and can be used in various ways to affect the story. We will look at other ways beside plots points to use structure to impact the story being told to the reader.

This panel goes over ways to make cosplay more affordable and sustainable, through recycling, upcycling and more. It is applicable for cosplayers at any skill level, from absolute beginners to those who have been in the scene for years!

Join this panel with author and publisher W. Jade Young as she details her method for concepting, writing, and editing a short story all within 24-hours.

Join Eckhart and a handful of other readers as we discuss our top books that we've read since the 2024 con. This is a panel Eckhart has been organizing for more than a decade, and it has become a tradition, so plan to join us. We'll have a handout with the titles, authors and years for attendees, but we know you like to take your own notes too.

Topics will include "ST: Strange New Worlds," "ST: Lower Decks Season 5," "ST: Section 31" and "ST: Prodigy."

Are franchises like Star Trek and Star Wars spreading their universes and stories too thin with several series at one time?

It's so fluffy, you're going to love it and squeeze it and be the envy of all your friends! Crochet your very own unicorn! To cover the supplies, the cost of this class is $20.

From the angsty, to the conflicted, to the monsters, to the sexy, Vampires are still a huge segment of the horror, urban fantasy, romance and even science fiction genres that the public eats up. Hear what a group of self-proclaimed vampire fans love about them and which tropes we want to see die that final death.

Another round of the strangest science studies ever conducted, like "Assessment of Cat's Behavior During a Cat Show." Science comedy: you'll laugh and learn something too.

Shows to be discussed include "Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths," "Creature Commandos" and "Invincible Season 3."

Have you ever wondered how cosplayers make spikes, swoops and other animated hairstyles using wigs? This panel takes you through some of the basics of sculpting wigs, introducing you to the tools and techniques needed to make synthetic wigs go from average to amazing. Great for beginner-intermediate cosplayers and anyone interested in an art form they may not know much about.

Worldbuilding beyond the boundaries of one genre doesn't have to be harder! It can open up a host of possibilities, new plot lines, and fresh ideas for settings. Join us for a discussion on how to craft a cross-genre world and have fun with it!

Would you like to volunteer to help out with the convention? Do you want to apply to be a participating guest, artist, or vendor? Do you have promotional items you want to provide or items that you'd like to donate to our charity auction? Want to receive the latest convention flyer and be kept informed of upcoming events? You can do all this and more via our Online Address Book form. All InConJunction participants (both approved and those pending approval) can login and update their Participant Profile and Settings via the new Event Planning Dashboard.

Send an E-Mail to the current Convention Chair-Person at conchair2025@inconjunction.org if you would like any additional information about InConJunction. Send an E-Mail to the convention webmaster at webmaster@inconjunction.org with questions or comments about the InConJunction web page.

InConJunction is dedicated to providing a harassment-free convention experience for everyone. This policy applies to all participants, whether Convention Committee members, volunteers, vendors, invited guests or paying attendees.

Follow @InConIndy

Share this page via:


InConJunction, The Circle of Janus, and their respective logos are trademarks of The Circle of Janus, Inc. Note: This information is tentative and is subject to change without notice! Copyright 2025 InConJunction and The Circle of Janus.