Schedule

Time:

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Location:

Samus

Type:

Panel

Speakers:

Retro Lizard Cosplay (Lonnie Hammond)

Have you ever wanted to cosplay a male character, but felt like your own natural features weren’t masculine enough to “pull it off”? You’ll hesitate no more after learning these masculine makeup techniques. Learn everything from contouring to fake facial hair and even creating the illusion of age, and level up your next cosplay’s manliness!

Time:

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Location:

Uhura

Type:

Panel

Speakers:

K. Valentin, S. A. MacLean, Peyton June, Tessonja Odette, Sujin Witherspoon

Complicated protagonists make for a great read—especially in SFF where so much can go wrong. Join our authors as they explore how to make a seriously flawed main character that readers love despite the mess. They’ll discuss tips and tricks, things to keep in mind, how to balance the bad with the good, and some of their favorite messy protagonists.

Time:

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Location:

Furiosa

Type:

Panel

Speakers:

Bekah Gautrowski

Are you an educator, parent, or other trusted adult who is interested in introducing young people to Dungeons and Dragons? In this interactive workshop, we’ll equip you with some basic knowledge about being a “DM” as well as some tips and tricks specifically for working with young people and creating content that feels safe and inclusive to explore. A few changes and upgrades can make any system more appropriate for younger players and accessible for different learning styles.

Time:

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Location:

America

Type:

Panel

Speakers:

Lauryn Williams, Meredith Rawls, Erin Leigh Howard, Oge Okoronkwo, Tiara Anderson

Come meet a group of astronomers, and you can ask us anything! We’re going to talk about common misconceptions within science fiction media, our career paths and what a normal day may look like (and if it’s accurate to the movies), ways to get involved in astronomy as a career or a hobby, and you can consult with us on your own projects! Whether its art, writing, or even a worldbuillding project, we can give you tips on creating alien worlds and tackling the amazing genre of science fiction from an astronomer’s perspective!

Time:

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Location:

Uhura

Type:

Panel

Speakers:

Fic Clique

Join Fic Clique podcast for a celebration of nontraditional fanworks. We’ll explore what makes a “traditional” vs “nontraditional” work, walk through some examples we love that are innovative, and delve into what is impressive about them and how they operate. We’ll be discussing what boundary-breaking behavior looks like in fandom and why it’s crucial for the longevity and health of fannish culture. We’ll also ask for recs from the audience, and perhaps invent some new works on the spot!

Time:

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Location:

Furiosa

Type:

Panel

Speakers:

Melissa Brinks, Merri Christianson

We often think of criticism as a negative, but what if it could be a tool to help us better understand and appreciate the things we love? Join Merri and Missy, the hosts of the Fake Geek Girls podcast, and [TK] as we discuss how practicing criticism—whether formally or informally—can make us better fans.

Time:

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Location:

Storm

Type:

Panel

This is an all-ages stage show that takes place in A Galaxy Far, Far Away. Come watch members of the Jedi Order save the galaxy from the nefarious Sith and show the true power of teamwork and the Light Side of the Force.

Time:

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Location:

America

Type:

Panel

Speakers:

Joi Weaver, Tim Rodenberger

Being disabled should be no barrier to cosplay. It’s often possible to make mobility aids part of the costume! Come see examples of disabled cosplay and information about creating usable mobility aid props.

Time:

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Location:

Furiosa

Type:

Panel

Speakers:

Gina Saucier

If your Roman Empire is the Galactic Empire, journey no further! Let’s take a deep dive into our favorite fictional empires from Star Wars to Starfleet – some serious, some silly, all stellar!

Time:

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Location:

Uhura

Type:

Panel

Speakers:

Amy Paron, Jasmine Serrano, Vencenza Surprise, Devon Carver

Creating diverse and inclusive games begins with meaningful inclusion behind the scenes. In this panel, ArenaNet developers will explore how studio culture and development decisions shape the creation of more authentic, inclusive player experiences. Panelists will share how their perspectives and lived experiences have influenced and improved the way they make games. Together, they’ll highlight how developers from varied backgrounds design games and worlds that welcome everyone.

Time:

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Location:

Furiosa

Type:

Panel

Speakers:

Rebecca Jones, Savanna Jones, Lea Jones, Morgan Stucky

A whale dies. More than 300,000 pounds of flesh sink to the bottom of the ocean. But what happens to the whale once it’s down there? A whole new ecosystem is created in a four stage process called a “whale fall”, where organisms slowly consume each and every part of the whale carcass. But could this phenomenon happen in the Pokemon world? What could a “Wailord fall” look like? In this presentation, we’ll explore which Pokemon might be seen during each stage of the process. Who plays the role of crustaceans and mollusks and worms? Come bring your knowledge of Pokemon and learn more about whales, ecosystems and the ocean.

Time:

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Location:

America

Type:

Panel

Speakers:

Christine Assaf

Can a D&D session help you in your job? From rolling with unexpected plot twists (adaptability) to persuading the party to please not split up (communication), TTRPGs quietly train players in the exact skills employers want. This panel dives into how slaying dragons builds teamwork, running a campaign flexes leadership muscles, and creative problem‑solving is basically a required stat. No alignment required—just bring your CHA modifier and a willingness to make a few skill checks in real life.

Time:

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Location:

Uhura

Type:

Panel

Speakers:

Magical Melody, Silencio, Calliope, Celeste

Do you love Sailor Moon, Card Captor Sakura, and other Magical Girl manga and anime? Have you ever thought about bringing your very own magical girl story to life? Come join us and explore how Lyrical Rollerskater Magical Melody, a Seattle-based magical girl live action series, came to be! From concepts to filming, the cast of Magical Melody will take a look at the series, reminisce about the journey, and answer questions from the fans!

Time:

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Location:

Furiosa

Type:

Panel

Speakers:

Liz Ann Johnson, John Cummings

What happens when your dream collaboration turns into a boss battle with no save point?

Whether you’re an artist, writer, streamer, game dev, or cosplayer, contracts are the hidden mechanics shaping your creative career. This panel breaks down the real-world legal “rules of the game” from ownership of your work to getting paid on time using a fun, RPG-inspired lens.

We’ll translate intimidating legal language into clear, practical tools you can actually use. You’ll learn how to spot red flags, negotiate key terms, and protect your work without needing a law degree.

No legalese. No boring lectures. Just critical hits of knowledge so you don’t accidentally sign away your IP to the final boss.

Time:

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Location:

America

Type:

Panel

Speakers:

Jena Vallina, Elizabeth Kalen, Canelle Irmas, Madison Brooke, Jenna Zarzycki, Dallas Klein

As AI becomes ubiquitous in our culture, ethical and environmental concerns surrounding these rapidly advancing technologies are ripe for exploration in literature. KCLS Librarians will guide a discussion on cyborgs, robots, and other AI in fiction, ranging from the cute and cozy to the scary and sinister. With a book in hand, we can enter this brand-new age together!

Time:

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Location:

Storm

Type:

Panel

Speakers:

The Pocket Strings, Theresa Flores, Xin Wu, Andy Iwancio, ACTin' Up, Cordelia Specifically, Bottom Lez Fries

Gaggle of Geeks is a dazzling variety show featuring spellbinding lip syncs, out-of-this-world comedy, and enchanting music. By bringing together a diverse group of performers that also happen to be nerds, we hope this showcase inspires everyone to see themselves on stage someday.

Time:

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Location:

Samus

Type:

Panel

Speakers:

ThatCostama, RoyalBerryCosplay, Miss.Tyo

A cosplay is only as strong as its foundation, and do we have foundational garments for you! Ever wondered how to feel comfortable in a superhero suit or a big old ballgown? The secret is what lies beneath! Join award winning cosplayers and professional stitchers in discussing shapewear, binders, corsets, bum rolls, petticoats, and crinolines as we plan out the best ways to construct comfortable, long lasting garments. (And yes, we’ll even spill our secrets on fitting pockets into everything.)

Time:

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Location:

Uhura

Type:

Panel

Speakers:

Melissa Walker

Do you like magic with the mundane? Are you a fan of the fantastical but familiar? This is a presentation of book recommendations from the Mostly Urban Fantasy Book Club. We’ll highlight the most loved books from the 11-year history of the book club, talk about what we’re currently reading, and share what’s on our upcoming reads list. We’ll also share a bonus list of titles that take place in Seattle.

Time:

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Location:

Furiosa

Type:

Panel

Speakers:

Morgue Anne

We are six years into an undeniable golden age of horror, but what does it mean? Join local Gothic Royalty Morgue Anne for an exploration of the themes in modern horror films and literature as we ask ourselves what we’re really afraid of.