Missoula's Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention

Jessica Brawner

MisCon 40 Attending Professional

Jessica Brawner, a versatile author hailing from Southern California, delves into both non-fiction and fiction realms with finesse. Her expertise spans from topical books on improving social interactions & the business of speaking and performing at libraries, to crafting captivating urban fantasy and steampunk tales. She has a blend of traditional publishing and self-publishing experience and finds that she prefers the latter. She shares her creative journey with her husband, Steven L. Sears.

Scheduled Panels and Games:

Key: =On a Panel =Moderating =GMing

(Tentative)

• Fri Noon - 12:50 PM, Indie by Choice: Publishing Without Compromise, Great Hall 1
  Panelists: Jessica Brawner, Katie Cross, GS Jennsen, AM Scott, Matthew Yetter

  More authors than ever are choosing the independent path—but what does it take to produce professional-quality work without traditional publishing? This panel explores the realities of indie publishing, from production to distribution to maintaining high standards.

• Fri 1:00 - 1:50 PM, Informal Author Meet & Greet: Speedfriending Edition, Dragon Pavilion
  Moderator: Justin Barba; Panelists: Justin Barba, Jessica Brawner, C E Chester, Stoney Compton, Katie Cross, Laramie Dean, Jayel Draco, Manny Frishberg, James Glass, Lynsey Griswold (Lynsey G), Rhiannon Held, GS Jennsen, Esther Jones, Frog Jones, Sanan Kolva, Tess Langston, Todd Lockwood, Joseph Malik, Tod McCoy, Danith McPherson, Theresa Miller, Gwendolyn Nix, AM Scott, Steven L Sears, D.L. Solum, Jeff Sturgeon, Patrick Swenson: Fairwood Press, Hunter Kay Wallace, Dean Wells, Danica Winters, Jim Wright (Stonekettle), Matthew Yetter

  If you want to get to know some of MisCon 40's writers/editors, this is the place for you! It's like speed dating, but without the romance. We'll provide lists of question prompts to help break the ice (though you can ask whatever you want), split everyone into pairs, and run quick 3 to 5-minute rounds before rotating to a new conversation partner. Come swap stories, talk art, movies, anime, pop culture, and make a new connection.

• Break Fri 1:50 - Sun 11:00
• Sun 11:00 - 11:50 AM, When Fantasy Meets Reality: Grounding the Extraordinary, Rocket Tent
  Panelists: Jessica Brawner, Rhiannon Held, Sanan Kolva, Dean Wells

  Have you ever read a fantasy novel where the magic felt unearned, the creatures out of place, or the futuristic tech just... didn't quite make sense? Making the extraordinary believable is crucial for reader immersion. Let's examine ways to weave fantastical elements—be it magic, mythical creatures, or cutting-edge technology—seamlessly into a believable framework. We'll explore how to avoid common pitfalls like arbitrary powers, inconsistent rules, information overload, etc.

• Break Sun 11:50 - Sun 4:00
• Sun 4:00 - 4:50 PM, The Nuts & Bolts of Self-Publishing, Rocket Tent
  Panelists: Jessica Brawner

  Do you want to be an author? Have you thought about self-publishing? Haven’t tried it but are curious about what’s involved? Author Jessica Brawner talks about the gritty details involved in self-publishing, from finding an editor, to creating cover art, to seeing the book in print for the first time. She discusses marketing strategies for self-published authors, and the pitfalls to avoid. In addition she lays out the pros and cons of self-publishing vs. traditional publishing and