Missoula's Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention

Diana Pharaoh Francis (Di)

MisCon 39 Author

Diana Pharaoh Francis is the USA Today and Amazon Bestselling writer of fantastical, adventurous, and often romantic fiction. She holds a Ph.D. in Victorian literature and literary theory. She’s owned by a corgi, a mini blue heeler, and a blue-eyed corgi mix. She spends much of her time gardening, airbrush painting, herding children, and avoiding housework. She likes rocks, geocaching, horses, knotting up yarn, and has a thing for 1800s England, especially the Victorians.

For more about her books and to sign up for her newsletter, visit her at www.dianapfrancis.com or on her other social media pages


Web site: http://www.dianapfrancis.com/

Scheduled Panels and Games:

Key: =On a Panel =Moderating =GMing

(Tentative)

• Fri 3:00 - 3:50 PM, Informal Author Meet & Greet, Dragon Pavilion
  Moderator: Justin Barba; Panelists: Justin Barba, LJ Bonham, M. H. Bonham (Maggie), Jayel Draco, Diana Pharaoh Francis (Di), Manny Frishberg, James Glass, Lynsey Griswold (Lynsey G), Valerie Guyant, Rhiannon Held, Andrea Howe, Esther Jones, Frog Jones, Sanan Kolva, Tess Langston, Todd Lockwood, Jonathan Maberry, Tod McCoy, Danith McPherson, Theresa Miller, John Eric Schleicher (J.E.), Ann Marie Scott (AM), D.L. Solum, Patrick Swenson: Fairwood Press, Hunter Kay Wallace, Dean Wells, Walter Wiese, Clare Wood, Jim Wright (Stonekettle)

  Join us for an informal meet & greet/hangout with a bunch of MisCon's writers and editors. This isn't a formal panel with panelists up on the stage discussing a topic. Instead, everyone will grab chairs in the pavilion, and the moderator will get things going. Then we'll open things up so small group hangouts can happen until the end of the hour. This is your chance to informally meet a bunch of the people you'll see on panels all weekend.

• Fri 4:00 - 4:50 PM, The Writing Process, Monster Tent
  Panelists: Diana Pharaoh Francis (Di), D.L. Solum

  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.

• Break Fri 4:50 - Fri 6:00
• Fri 6:00 - 6:50 PM, Monsters Among Us: Blurring the Lines Between Urban Fantasy & Horror, Dragon Pavilion
  Moderator: Valerie Guyant; Panelists: Diana Pharaoh Francis (Di), Rhiannon Held, Jonathan Maberry

  From ancient mythological creatures to modern viral threats, monsters lurk in the shadows of our everyday world. Let's explore how to create compelling antagonists and threats in urban fantasy/horror, discussing the psychological impact, the rules of their monstrous abilities, and how they reflect societal fears.

• Break Fri 6:50 - Sat 10:00
• Sat 10:00 - 10:50 AM, Alchemy, Fireballs, & Magical Plumbing: the Art of Magic System Design, Rocket Tent
  Panelists: Diana Pharaoh Francis (Di), Tod McCoy, Dean Wells

  Mystical eye shadow? Magical toilets? Does everyone have a wand, or is magic a rare and difficult thing? Does magic come with a cost? Should it?

  In a compelling fantasy world, magic should probably be more than just fireballs and magic missiles. Magic could affect everything from daily chores to commerce, to politics, to societal structure. Let's discuss magic system design, examining how magic subtly (or overtly) transforms your world. What are some common pitfalls

• Break Sat 10:50 - Sun Noon
• Sun Noon - 12:50 PM, What Makes the "Best" Characters?, Fairy Tent
  Panelists: Diana Pharaoh Francis (Di), Rhiannon Held, Dakota Nyght, Walter Wiese

  What makes a character truly unforgettable? Is it their wit, their flaws, their journey, or something more? Our panelists will share their all-time favorite characters from across genres and dive into the alchemy that makes readers fall in love and follow them through every twist and turn of a story.

• Break Sun 12:50 - Sun 3:00
• Sun 3:00 - 3:50 PM, Harnessing History, Culture & Language for World-Building, Dragon Pavilion
  Moderator: Veronica Anguiano; Panelists: Veronica Anguiano, Diana Pharaoh Francis (Di), Rhiannon Held, Meradeth Houston

  Join veteran genealogist and historian Veronica Anguiano for a group discussion on using real-world roots to breathe life into your historical fiction, fantasy, and science-fiction settings. Whether you’re a game master crafting a new campaign or an author sketching alien civilizations, come explore how the everyday life, social interactions, and governance of your characters is influenced and changed by historical foundat

• Break Sun 3:50 - Mon 10:00
• Mon 10:00 - 10:50 AM, The Writer's Toolkit: What Works & What Doesn't, Great Hall 1
  Panelists: Diana Pharaoh Francis (Di), Manny Frishberg, Dean Wells

  The world of writing tools is vast, from outlining software like Scrivener, Bibisco, and Novel Factory to revision aids like ProWritingAid, Grammarly, and Hemingway App. But with so many options, how do you choose? Our panelists will share their experiences, discussing which tools they use, what they find effective (or not), and the big question: can you really trust these programs to enhance your writing? Join us to compare notes and discover the best tech for your writing process.

• Mon 11:00 - 11:50 AM, When Fantasy Meets Reality: Grounding the Extraordinary, Dragon Pavilion
  Panelists: Diana Pharaoh Francis (Di), 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 Mon 11:50 - Mon 1:00
• Mon 1:00 - 1:50 PM, Here There Be Dragons, Dragon Pavilion
  Moderator: Theresa Miller; Panelists: Diana Pharaoh Francis (Di), Esther Jones, Todd Lockwood, Theresa Miller

  From the formidable beasts of ancient myth to the beloved companions of modern fantasy, dragons hold a unique and powerful place in our imaginations. Let's explore the multifaceted reasons behind humanity's enduring fascination with these scaly legends. We'll delve into their symbolic power, their role as both terrifying adversaries and loyal friends, and celebrate the specific dragons that have flown their way into our collective consciousness as all-time favorites.