Missoula's Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention

Esther Jones

MisCon 40 Attending Professional

Esther is the owner of Impulsive Walrus Books, and the co-author of the Gift of Grace series and many other short stories with her husband, Frog. Esther has always loved creating fantastical stories, characters, and paintings. She loves cooking good food, watching k-dramas, and puttering around killing plants in her garden, if she’s not already too busy killing her characters

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, Critique 201: How to be a Great Critique Partner, Great Hall 1
  Moderator: Rhiannon Held; Panelists: Rhiannon Held, Esther Jones, D.L. Solum

  You may already have the basics of critiquing a fellow writer's work down, but how do you go from "okay" to "great?" Come learn strategies to make yourself the person everyone wants to read their work.

• Break Fri 3:50 - Sat 2:00
• Sat 2:00 - 2:50 PM, Many Minds, One Book, Great Hall 2
  Panelists: Esther Jones, Clare Wood

  Our panelists will discuss how they create engaging anthologies, from concept to taking submissions, then sorting, selecting, compiling, and editing them into a finished book.

• Break Sat 2:50 - Sun Noon
• 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 3:00
• 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?

• Sun 4:00 - 4:50 PM, The Writing Process, Monster Tent
  Panelists: C E Chester, Esther Jones, Danith McPherson, Danica Winters

  Let's discuss the writing process. It's different for everyone . . . isn't it? Doesn't everyone get up at 6am, shower, and get right to work? Or are we all night owls who fit in words after everyone else goes to bed? Our panelists will discuss what works for them and what doesn't.