Missoula's Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention

Dean Wells

MisCon 40 Attending Professional

Dean Wells is an author, educator, and workshop leader. His published work has appeared in Queer Sci Fi, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, 10Flash Quarterly, and other fine venues of speculative fiction, including the anthologies Ink, Ceaseless Steam, and The Best of BCS. He has also written for the performing arts in various media, and is an active member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association. Dean and his wife live in the Pacific Northwest with a cat, rabbits, mountain beavers, and a socially indifferent family of raccoons.

Scheduled Panels and Games:

Key: =On a Panel =Moderating =GMing

(Tentative)

• 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.

• Fri 2:00 - 2:50 PM, What is Your Why?, Great Hall 2
  Panelists: Esther Jones, Gwendolyn Nix, AM Scott, Dean Wells

  The reason creatives do what they do provides a valuable insight not only into themselves, but also the underlying strength of their work. Panelists will discuss their “why” and how you can tap into this for your own development.

• Fri 3:00 - 3:50 PM, Worldbuilding: Designing Belief Systems, Monster Tent
  Moderator: Sanan Kolva; Panelists: Sanan Kolva, Danith McPherson, Theresa Miller, Dean Wells

  Part of what defines a culture is its system of shared beliefs--not only religious, but also secular. Designing and understanding the belief systems of your characters adds depth to the world in which they live, so let's discuss how to do so.

• Break Fri 3:50 - Sat 11:00
• Sat 11:00 - 11:50 AM, Basics of Building a Story (Teen/Young Writers Workshop), Great Hall 2
  Moderator: Dean Wells; Panelists: Dean Wells

  In this hands-on class, beginning writers will explore the structure and best practices of what goes into crafting a work of fiction. Stories will be built together in class, so be prepared to be creative!

• Break Sat 11:50 - Sat 3:00
• Sat 3:00 - 3:50 PM, Dash of Dread, Dragon Pavilion
  Panelists: Bruce Brenneise, Katie Cross, Laramie Dean, Dean Wells

  Horror isn’t limited to the horror shelf. Join our panelists as they discuss fantasy, sci fi, and other genres that blend eerie elements, and offer ideas for infusing your own writing with a touch of creepy.

• Sat 4:00 - 4:50 PM, Queer/Trans Representation for Writers , Great Hall 2
  Panelists: Laramie Dean, Lynsey Griswold (Lynsey G), Dean Wells

  What counts as “good” representation when crafting a story? speculative fiction? What does “queernorm” mean? And what’s up with pronouns? Join our panelists as they discuss and share representation in their own work, starting at the basics.

• Break Sat 4:50 - Sun 10:00
• Sun 10:00 - 10:50 AM, I’ve Started a Novel but Now My World is Broken, Rocket Tent
  Panelists: Manny Frishberg, Tod McCoy, Gwendolyn Nix, Dean Wells

  Ever start a novel then realize your world makes no sense? In this panel, pros will discuss how to create believable worlds and the questions to ask yourself before you start writing.

• 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.

• Sun Noon - 12:50 PM, Romantasy, Great Hall 1
  Moderator: Danica Winters; Panelists: Esther Jones, Hunter Kay Wallace, Dean Wells, Danica Winters

  What exactly is “romantasy” and why is it different than simply having romance in a story? Our panelists will explore definitions and differences, why romantasy has found resonance with readers, and where to get started with your own.

• Break Sun 12:50 - Sun 2:00
• Sun 2:00 - 2:50 PM, Writing Stories without Heroes and Villains, Dragon Pavilion
  Moderator: Manny Frishberg; Panelists: Laramie Dean, Manny Frishberg, Joseph Malik, Dean Wells

  "Nobody is the villain in her own movie" (except some sociopaths). But more often than not we are kind and decent sometimes, thoughtless or cruel at others. And, sometimes, even good people are left with nothing but bad choices. Can you write satisfying adventure stories without twirling mustaches and capes flapping in the breeze?

• Sun 3:00 - 3:50 PM, An Inch or a Mile: Short vs Long Form Storytelling, Monster Tent
  Panelists: Esther Jones, Tod McCoy, Hunter Kay Wallace, Dean Wells

  What's the difference in structuring short stories, novellas, novels, and sprawling series? Which form does your story idea lend itself to? How can you adapt a short story into a novel or vice versa?