Life, the Universe, & Everything 38 - Bobby Cody Howard Lyon Brad R. Torgersen - LTUE
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Life, the Universe, & Everything 38 Guests of Honor Bobby Cody Howard Lyon Brad R. Torgersen The Marion K. “Doc” Smith Symposium on Science Fiction and Fantasy February 13 –15, 2020 Provo Marriott Hotel and Conference Center Utah Valley Convention Center ltue.net Vev © Howard Lyon; used by permission
Letter from the Chair
Hi everybody and welcome to another great year at As we come away, however, it can be hard to maintain
LTUE! We are so excited to have you with us! We’ve had that excitement and creative high throughout the year. It
a great time putting this year’s symposium together for is important to maintain the relationships we make by
you and we can’t wait to experience it with you. What continually coming together to inspire and motivate each
brings me back to LTUE every year is the amazing com- other to keep creating. As Chair I would like to thank my
munity it is built upon. Seriously, you guys are awesome amazing committee, who kept me mostly sane and were
and I really appreciate each and every one of you and truly the ones who made everything happen. Good luck
the impact you have on the creative community. I know to everyone this year as you explore the galaxy in an effort
I’m not the only one who feels this way; since joining the to finally determine once and for all what is the meaning
committee I’ve received comments every year from both of Life, the Universe, and Everything!
guests and attendees about the wonderful connections
they make here at LTUE. JJ Safley
This is a place of creativity and inspiration where we Chair 2020
come to learn from each other and share our experience.
Symposium Committee
Chair: JJ Safley Game Room Coordinator: Andrew Owens
Assistant Chair: Spencer Merrell Guest Services Coordinator: Jack Setzer
Secretary: Erin Kearsley Hospitality: Dave Doering
Schedule Coordinator: Mike Bishop Information Analyst: Erin Kearsley
Academics Track Head: Marny K. Parkin Legal Counsel: Steve Setzer
Art Track Head: Renae Kingsley, Assistant: Logan Kearsley Marketing Coordinator: Kate Jenkins
Books Track Head: Ben Pistorius Pitches Coordinator: Micheal Johnson
Gaming Track Head: Andrew Owens Publications Coordinator: Marny K. Parkin
Professional Development Track Head: Micheal Johnson Recordings Coordinators: Logan Kearsley, Jeff Jensen
Readings Track Head: Kira Harris Registration Coordinators: Spencer Merrell, Mike Bishop
Theater & Media Arts Track Head: Alex Hall, Assistant: Joe Monson Social Media Team: Kate Jenkins, Kira Harris, JJ Safley, Jeff Jensen
Worldbuilding Track Head: Alpheus Madsen Special Events Coordinator: Joe Monson
Writing Track Head: Stephan Fassmann Trustees: Dave Doering, Marny Parkin
Accessibility: Kira Harris Vendor Coordinators: Maggie Garbe, Bobbie Berendson W., Logan
Anthology Managing Editor: Joe Monson Kearsley
App Developer: John Harris Volunteer Coordinator: Diana Parkin, Assistant: Deidre Logan
Art Show & Artist Alley Coordinators: Logan Kearsley, Maggie Garbe Website Team: Jeff Jensen, Logan Kearsley, Michael Clark, John Harris
Attendee Coordinator: Kira Harris YouTube Team: Jeff Jensen, Nephi Jenks
Blog Coordinator: Spencer Merrell Additional Committee: Aaron Porter, Alicia McIntire, David Halliday,
Creative Director: Jeff Jensen Rebecca Tayler, Troy McIntire, Wade Edwards
Film Festival Coordinator: Alex Hall
Special Thanks to Calvin Bishop for creating the scheduling database
Anyone can join our staff! Students are especially needed, from both UVU and BYU. If you are interested in helping
make the next symposium bigger and better, come to our first staff meeting for LTUE 39 on Saturday, February 22,
on UVU campus at 10 am. Watch our Facebook page for location and more details.
1Center Street
South Doors South
Doors
Birch
Café
Aspen South
(Gaming) Stairs
Stairs
Center
(Vendors) Maple
Visitors
Cedar
Oak
Am
First Floor
ph
Elm Sycamore
(Quiet Room)
West
ith
Doors
ea
te
r Willow
Mezzanine Level
Juniper
Elevators
Landing Landing
Boardroom Elevators Elevators
Freedom Boulevard (200 West)
Room
Exhibit Hall B
Restaurant
Elevators
Utah Valley Convention Center
R
Zion
H ece
ot p
Bryce
el ti
Arches
on
Canyon
Bar
N Exhibit Hall C
E
D
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Registration
N T
W (A im Elevators
Café
D rt pa
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Marriott Hotel
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North Doors
100 NorthWonder about the different badge colors? Contents
Orange Committee member
Pink Volunteer Letter from the Chair 1
Dark Blue Guests of Honor, Toastmaster, and Symposium Committee 1
Special Guests Guests of Honor 4
Light Blue Panelists and presenters Toastmaster and Special Guests 5
Green Vendors Etiquette with the Pros 5
Participant Bios 7
White Attendee
Art Show and Artists Alley 15
Listing of Events with Participants 17
Chairs Emeritus are indicated by a gavel icon in the upper
right corner. What’s a Creator Chat? 18
Readings 18
Game Room Sessions 25
Film Festival Screenings 26
Book Signing Event 33
Grid Schedule 21
Acknowledgments 38
Please Note “filking.” Bring your guitar, lute, or simply your voice and
make musical magic with us. Participants may perform
Please review our Child Policy, Accessibility Policy, and their own tunes or bring copies of music for fellow filkers
Harassment Policy, as well as the hotel’s alcohol policy, to join in a jolly sing-along.
located on our website at http://ltue.net/policies/
Quiet Room Vendor Room Hours
LTUE is pleased to announce the addition of a Quiet Aspen Room
Room this year to allow respite from the noise and bustle Thursday: 10 am to 7 pm
of the conference. This will be located on the mezzanine Friday: 10 am to 7 pm
floor of the conference space in Sycamore. When using Saturday: 10 am to 7 pm
the Quiet Room, please do not talk to or attempt to inter-
act with any others who are there; those who do not fol- Art Show Hours
low these guidelines will be asked to leave. Timpanogos Room
The Quiet Room will be stocked with a variety of
sensory-friendly tools and educational information, such Thursday: 11 am to 7 pm
Friday: 9 am to 7 pm
as fidget toys, head phones, sunglasses, ear plugs, etc., pro-
Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
vided by Carolyn Nicita.
Filking Gaming Room
Join your fellow bards each evening for memorable music. Birch Room
Filking (also known as Bardic Circle) has been a tradition (see full schedule on page 25)
since before hobbits walked Middle Earth. Folk songs and Thursday: 10 am to 7 pm
poems have been set to music, changing lyrics at times Friday: 10 am to 7 pm
to creatively fit science fiction and fantasy themes—thus, Saturday: 10 am to 7 pm
3Guests of Honor
Bobby Cody wife, Shari Lunt. They now have three children and reside
Bobby Cody leads the in Utah.
creative team of Ever- Howard began his career studying illustration at
more Park on matters Brigham Young University working with artists such as
directly concerning nar- Robert Barrett, Don Seegmiller, Richard Hull, and Ralph
rative and production. Barksdale. Over the past twenty years, he has worked in
As the showrunner, he the video game industry as an art director, concept art-
ensures that actors are ist, and freelance illustrator. For much of his career, he
prepared, writers are has painted dragons and trolls or scenes from science fic-
meeting deadlines, and tion. His work can be found in products from Dungeons
department directors and Dragons books, World of Warcraft cards, Magic:
have the creative input The Gathering, and Star Wars. He also writes for the fan-
to create all the magic tasy art blog Muddy Colors and has recently been doing
that goes into Evermore. work for Brandon Sanderson’s books including Mistborn,
Supported by a talented team of artists, he is in charge Warbreaker, The Stormlight Archive, and the covers for
of every single aspect of the show, from ideation to pre- Dreamer and Snapshot.
production to production and performance. Bobby has “I choose to paint that which is beautiful and interest-
worked in the entertainment industry since 1987 in a ing. I find in nature, truth, and in humanity an endless
myriad of roles and titles for theatre and film. Combin- stream of stories and narratives that capture my imagina-
ing that knowledge with his work in the gaming industry, tion and attention. My goal is to take those moments and
Bobby leads his team to pioneer an entertainment experi- convey them through my work.”
ence unlike any in the world. howardlyon.com
Evermore Park is an experience park where guests of all
ages can escape to a new realm—the fantasy village of Ever- Brad R. Torgersen
more. The park is themed like a European village with its Brad R. Torgersen is a
own buildings, citizens, and epic story. Guests interact with healthcare tech super-
characters, go on quests, and become a part of the world of visor by day, U.S. Army
Evermore. Reserve chief warrant
evermore.com officer on weekends, and
always a science fiction
Howard Lyon and fantasy author.
Howard Lyon is an artist Brad’s novel A Star-
that was born and raised Wheeled Sky won the
in Mesa, Arizona. He is Best Science Fiction
the youngest of five chil- Novel Dragon Award
dren. Howard had very at the 2019 DragonCon
supportive parents, who Convention in Atlanta,
even when he was very Georgia. The trophy for Best Science Fiction Novel was
young, made sure he had given by best-seller, multiaward winner, SF Grand Master
the materials and educa- Larry Niven. Brad was also nominated for the 2012 Camp-
tion to hone his talents. bell, Hugo, and Nebula awards, won the Association of
While attending high Mormon Letters (AML) award for best short fiction, and
school, Howard met his won a Writers of the Future award. He has published two
4novels with Baen Books, and numerous stories, novelettes,
and novellas through several anthologies and magazines,
Toastmaster
such as Orson Scott Card’s InterGalactic Medicine Show and
Michaelbrent Collings
Mike Resnick’s Galaxy’s Edge, with special appearances
in Analog Science Fiction and Fact—three of which each One of the most versatile writers around, Michaelbrent
received the Analog “AnLab” Readers’ Choice award. Collings is an internationally best-selling novelist, pro-
Brad has been an airplane and aerospace geek almost all duced screenwriter, and multiple Bram Stoker Award
of his life and is forever fascinated by history—especially finalist. While he is best known for horror (and is one of
military history. Being a chief warrant officer in the U.S. the most successful indie horror authors in the United
Army Reserve gives him a chance to serve the country he States), he has also written best-selling thriller, fantasy,
admires while keeping his civilian shoes on. He has undy- science fiction, mystery, humor, young adult, and middle
ing respect for U.S. military servicepeople and veterans, grade works, and Western romance. writteninsomnia.com
and he suffers severe allergic reactions to criticism of same.
“I write fiction and I sell it, believing that the primary
purpose is to entertain the reader—and to make me a lit-
tle money. I’m not in it to educate you, nor confront you, Special Guests
nor (God help us!) raise your awareness. I simply want
to let you have some worthwhile fun in the world(s) of Kevin J. Anderson
my imagination, just as the venerable authors I love and Kevin J. Anderson has published more than 140 books,
adore have always done for me. If you’re not having fun 56 of which have been national or international best-
in my stories, or aren’t coming away saying, wow, I really sellers. He has written numerous novels in the Star Wars,
enjoyed that, then I’m not doing my job!” X-Files, and Dune universes, as well as unique steampunk
bradrtorgersen.com fantasy novels Clockwork Angels and Clockwork Lives,
Etiquette with the Pros
One question any symposium-goer inevitably asks is, When you want to meet the authors or artists, wait for
“How do I talk to authors and artists?” Getting to know a good moment when they aren’t busy. If they are talking
them takes a few common sense rules of etiquette that with someone else, wait patiently for them to finish, then
will make the experience enjoyable for both of you. introduce yourself. Try to say something nice before you
First, remember that the authors and artists are only fire away with criticism. Remember, they may be as shy
human. Just because they write fantastic books or draw of meeting you as you are of meeting them.
fabulous pictures doesn’t mean they are ready to be on Most importantly, don’t monopolize! Share with o thers
stage at any moment. An author or artist may have just these marvelous people you’ve just met. Rather than say-
had a lousy night or be suffering from something the sym- ing everything at once, try talking to them on several
posium committee fed them at lunch. Don’t take it per- occasions. (Even your mother would rather hear from
sonally if they don’t want to talk to you right then. you for three minutes once a week than for three hours
Also, don’t try to dazzle them with your latest story once a year.)
idea or pet project. Many are paid to critique material; Just remember to be courteous. Respect their privacy
don’t expect them to do it for free. and respect their time. They have come to the symposium
And don’t make the mistake that one convention to meet people, though, so don’t be afraid to approach
attendee made when he tried to discuss the wage differ- them. That is why they came!
ences between British and American actors with a main
guest. We promise you, brilliant as they may be, authors
and artists don’t know everything.
5written with legendary rock drummer Neil Peart, based Diana Glyer
on the concept album by the band Rush. His original
Dr. Diana Pavlac Glyer is intrigued by the creative process,
works include the Saga of Seven Suns series, the Terra
particularly the way that creativity thrives within small
Incognita fantasy trilogy, the Saga of Shadows trilogy,
groups and creative clusters. She is an award-winning
and his humorous horror series featuring Dan Shamble,
writer whose books focus on C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolk-
Zombie PI. He has edited numerous anthologies and
ien, and the Inklings. Her latest book is Bandersnatch: C. S.
written comics, games, and the lyrics to two rock CDs.
Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and the Creative Collaboration of the
Anderson and his wife Rebecca Moesta are the publish-
Inklings (2015). She is best known for The Company They
ers of WordFire Press. wordfire.com
Keep: C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien as Writers in Commu-
nity (2008). She is a professor at Azusa Pacific University.
Larry Correia
dianaglyer.com
Larry Correia is the New York Times best-selling author
of the Monster Hunter International series, the Dragon Megan Lloyd
Award–winning Saga of the Forgotten Warrior series, the
Megan Lloyd is a story artist and screenwriter for anima-
Audie-winning Grimnoir Chronicles trilogy, the Malcon-
tion. This makes her one of the first wizards on-call when
tents novels for Warmachine, the Dead Six series (with
it comes to creating movie magic. Currently she’s enjoying
Mike Kupari), and more. He lives in northern Utah.
a dream job at DreamWorks storyboarding for Jurassic
monsterhunternation.com
World: Camp Cretaceous. thirdchildstory.blogspot.com
Devon Dorrity
Logan Long
Devon Dorrity is a sculptor of fantastic beasts and beau-
Logan Long, creative director at Evermore Park, is a
tiful creatures. His sculpture and design work has been
native of Utah. While serving in the US Air Force, he felt
included in the Spectrum Art Annual four times and his
called to do something more. His gift for sculpture, aided
Queen of the Seas bronze sculpture has been on exhibit
by his wife’s prophetic prodding, led him to enter as an
in NYC museums and won the 2014 Chesley Award for
artist in the celebrated Face-Off competition on the SyFy
Dimensional Art. He has been nominated for the Chesley
channel. To his surprise, he was selected. While he placed
three times. He has done graphic design for over twenty
and did not win in season 8, he found that this was a gift
years and has done numerous professional book cover
in disguise. It allowed him to return on season 11 for a
designs. artofdevon.com
second chance. Face-Off showcased his skills as a sculptor
and a makeup artist and he soon garnered international
Natasha Ence
fame. He was rewarded by working with the best film-
Natasha Ence has been playing Tabletop RPGs since she makers in India eight times, then in China. It was during
was seven years old. Tabletop gaming and a voracious love his last sojourn in Asia three years ago that he received a
of stories lead her to study literature, teaching, and cre- call from Utah. It was from Evermore’s Ken Bretschnei-
ative writing at university; this gave her the solid founda- der asking him to head up Evermore’s Creature Shop—a
tion she needed to become a full-time professional Game task that visitors say he’s clearly excelled at. His advice
Master, RPG writer, and game designer. When not writ- to fellow artists? “Just do it!” he says. “Just produce. Your
ing or gaming, Tasha can be found in the kitchen whip- creativity will always shine through.”
ping up one of her favorite dishes or in the yard training
and playing with her dog, Captain. talesoffthetable.com
6Participant Bios
Nicholas P. Adams grew up in the small, rural Bahnmiller set out to create an ambitious album, the art, formatting, and publication process for
town of Boring, Oregon, with his six brothers and Kaladin, based on Brandon Sanderson’s interna- both digital and print. Best known for his world
sisters. He studies pre-med to become a surgeon tional best-selling novel The Way of Kings. With of Wanted Hero, Jaime has published comics,
before realizing he doesn’t handle being around eleven composers working on the project, Bahn- novels, blogs, and podcasts and streams on Twitch.
sick people well. Instead, he received a master’s of miller worked as the lead composer, producer, jaimebuckley.com
architecture from the University of Utah and now orchestrator, and post production supervisor.
designs buildings. He has received four honorable Kaladin released at the end of 2017 and made it to D. J. (Dave) Butler has been a lawyer, a consul-
mention awards from Writers of the Future with Google Play’s top six film scores. theblackpiper.com tant, an editor, and a corporate trainer. His novels
aspirations of winning the Golden Pen. nicholas include Witchy Eye and sequels and The Cunning
adamswrites.com A freelance game designer, Michael Barbeau has Man (cowritten with Aaron Michael Ritchey)
worked on several projects in both rules design from Baen Books, The Kidnap Plot and sequels
Courtney Alameda is a novelist and comic book and miniature production. His game Guardians from Knopf, and City of the Saints from WordFire
writer. Her debut novel, Shutter, was nominated of Umbra has recently funded on Kickstarter. Press. He plays guitar and banjo whenever he can
for a Bram Stoker Award and hailed as a “standout and likes to hang out in Utah with his children.
in the genre” by School Library Journal. Her novel Jay Barnson writes speculative fiction across mul- davidjohnbutler.com
Pitch Dark was a Junior Library Guild selection, tiple genres. His stories and nonfiction articles
and she writes the comic book series Sisters of have appeared in several anthologies and maga- Justin T. Call is a graduate of Harvard University
Sorrow with Sons of Anarchy screenwriter Kurt zines, and he is the author of the Blood Creek and the author of Master of Sorrows, book 1 of The
Sutter. Her latest novel, Seven Deadly Shadows, is novels of fantasy and folklore set in West Virginia. Silent Gods series. In addition to being a novice
a retelling of Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai cowritten He worked in the video games industry for many screenwriter, English teacher, and voice-actor, Jus-
with Valynne Maetani. courtneyalameda.com years, developing multiple best-selling (and not- tin is also the CEO of Broomstick Monkey Games
so-best-selling) video games on consoles and PC. and codesigner of the board games Imperial Har-
Mason Allan was raised reading books and com- Currently he develops heavy equipment training vest and Royal Strawberries. justintcall.com
ics, watching cartoons, and traveling round the simulators for traditional and virtual reality plat-
world. Now he’s an author who recently released forms. rampantgames.com/blog/ Blake Casselman is a screenwriter, comic book
his first novel, the first book in the Rebellion writer, and film producer. He coauthored the
series. In many ways, the book is an homage to Christopher Baxter is an author, editor, podcaster, graphic novel Devil’s Triangle, writes the Scepter
some things Mason has loved since he was a kid: and (why not) yes, a game designer. He shares sto- Squad webcomic, and cowrote and produced the
superheroes, dystopian literature, science fiction, ries and writing tips at writerinthehat.com and is award-winning comedy film Adopting Trouble. He
and the zombie apocalypse. mrmasonallan.com a host of A More Civilized Podcast. teaches screenwriting. He obtained his bachelor’s
degree in film from the University of Utah and a
Dan Allen is fantasy/science fiction writer and David Baxter is a participant in NASA Break- master of fine arts in education from the Univer-
physicist. He has a grundle of recent books from through Propulsion Workshop and is a founder sity of Phoenix. rarelegend.com
Future House (The Exalting and Super Dungeon), of the Utah Space Association. He submitted
Dragon Scale (forthcoming), Writers Digest (Put- a grant to NASA for propellantless propulsion. Kaylee Casutt has been nonstop writing since
ting the Science in Fiction) and Jolly Fish Press (Fall utahspace.org she was eleven and enjoys teaching classes to
of the Dragon Prince). He is an enthusiast for sci- teenagers about the love of creativity. She not
Dr. Kent R. Bean received his bachelor’s degree in only loves the pen but also enjoys crafting, draw-
ence and writing education and enjoys the out-
English from USU, master’s in English from BYU, ing, and acting out her characters and plot and
doors, game design, cosplay, and general geekery.
and PhD from Bowling Green State University. writes weekly in her blog: agreaterdestiny.weebly.
authordanallen.com
He has been teaching at Snow College since 2005. com. She enjoys stage sword combat, Shakespeare,
Bruce H. Allred has spent the past twenty-six Kent is a big science fiction fan and watches way studying about World War II, and reading Laurie
years as an investment banker. His training is in more movies than is advisable. Halse Anderson.
finance and economics but he loves all types of
C. David Belt graduated from BYU with a bach- Ann Chamberlin is the author of many published
fantasy and science fiction. He cut his teeth read-
elor’s in computer science, managing to bypass all books, mostly historical novels, many set in the
ing E. E. “Doc” Smith and Isaac Asimov. He lives
English or writing classes. He served as a B-52 pilot Middle East, including a trilogy published by
with his wife, Margie, in Fruit Heights, Utah, try-
in the US Air Force. When he is not writing, he Forge set in sixteenth-century Turkey. This trilogy,
ing to understand the cosmic hum.
sings in the Tabernacle Choir and works as a soft- in translation, spent almost a year on the Turk-
Nicole Amare is a master’s student at University ware engineer. He collects, researches, and teaches ish best-seller list. Her most recent publication is
of South Alabama. about swords, spears, and axes (oh, my!), and other Clogs and Shawls, a memoir of her grandmother.
medieval weapons and armor. unwillingchild.com She has also written many plays, including Jihad,
Shannon Babb is your average historical fiction which won the best off-off Broadway new play of
writing, polar exploring, earth scientist. As the Micheal Boudreaux is a medievalist specializing
1996. annchamberlin.com
lead curriculum writer for Thalweg Education, in the early Middle Ages, particularly the inter-
she works on translating difficult scientific con- section of emotions, violence, and conversion in Kristen Chandler is the author or three contem-
cepts into language everyone can understand. In the Carolingian Saxon Wars. porary young adult novels (Wolves, Boys and Other
her spare time, she writes disability fiction, volun- Things That Might Kill Me; Girls Don’t Fly; Thief of
Jay Boyce is the author of A Touch of Power
teers with the Civil Air Patrol, and trains for an Happy Endings). She is a creative writing instruc-
series published with Mountaindale Press. She is
upcoming women’s Antarctic expedition. tor at Brigham Young University. Her books have
an editor-turned-author who also spends her time
been nominated for a number of honors including
Michael Bahnmiller is a composer whose work working with deaf students at her local university.
the Elizabeth Walden Book Award. KristenChan
has been used in film, TV, podcasts, and book
Jaime Buckley is a professional illustrator and dlerBooks.com
soundtracks. Determined to learn by doing,
author, making his living assisting authors with
7Quiana Chase creates simulations. She has helped Stargate SG-1 roleplaying game, Spacemaster, and David Farland is a New York Times best-selling
produce large-scale simulations put on by Heroic critically acclaimed setting The Echoes of Heaven. author with over fifty novels to his credit. He is
Youth, Simulations Week, and others. Her jobs He was featured in Writers of the Future XIX and the lead judge for one of the world’s largest writ-
include working at the Lion’s Gate space center, When Darkness Comes. He’s in several antholo- ing contests and he has helped train dozens of
as an elementary school educator, and heading gies. Death by Cliché is his first published novel. authors who have gone on to become best sellers.
the Que Branch, which exclusively publishes work RobertJDefendi.com mystorydoctor.com
written by teens. Oh, and she writes novels. She
also has a YA science fiction novel in the process Dr. Nikhil Rao, MD, MSc (AKA Vindaloo Diesel) Angie Fenimore is a NYT best-selling author.
of publication that will be released by the time is a child psychiatrist specializing in working with She’s landed six-figure book deals with the big-five
LTUE hits. critically ill children, where it’s not unusual to and signed with top deal-making literary agents.
see him dress up like Batman and claim it’s “for Her current project is in negotiation for an HBO
Travis Lee Clark is a lecturer in art history at the kids.” Nikhil has also been active as a fitness long-form TV series. But coaching writers to suc-
Utah Valley University. where he specializes in and nutrition professional. Prior to medicine, he cess is her superpower. Her students are on the
non-Western topics and contemporary art. studied the evolution of intelligence and social USA Today best-sellers list, #1 on Walmart’s list,
systems in monkeys, which are a lot like children, #1 best-sellers on Amazon, and have signed big-
Daniel Coleman is a fantasy and urban fantasy albeit hairier. He is working on a media presence, budget movie deals starring Hollywood A-listers.
author with a decade of publishing experience. He reflecting on science, health, and culture. calliopewritingcoach.com
has launched multiple books in the Amazon Top
200. Daniel is also a developmental editor and has Alicia Morley Dodson is the author of The Lunar Max Florschutz was born in the distant wilds of
edited dozens of Amazon Top 100 books. His day Phases series, Spider Face, and other adventure fai- Alaska many years ago. Upon surviving to adult-
job consists of driving a fire engine and paramedic- rytale retellings. She’s a warrior in the war against hood he attended college in Utah, graduating in
ing in Big Cottonwood Canyon. dcolemanbooks.com mental illness. A lover of food, music, art, and 2011. Two years later he published his first book,
other creepy things. She writes about mental ill- soon followed by another, and then a whole string
Author of six novels and an anthology, Stan Crowe ness to provide hope and understanding. She’s a of releases! Today he continues to delight audi-
wrote his first book at age five. Stan splits his time graphic artist and the owner of Do Not Disturb ences of science fiction and fantasy with every-
among writing, a day job, his wife, ten children, Publications. aliciamorleydodson.wordpress.com thing from space battles to wild west adventures
and a cat. He also presides over the Moab, Utah, while also running the weekly writing advice series
chapter of the League of Utah Writers. Because, Dave Doering is a “doer,” hence his last name. He “Being a Better Writer” on his website, Unusual
really, if you’re going to write awesome stuff, why is the founder of LTUE and BYU’s Leading Edge, Things. maxonwriting.com
not live somewhere awesome, too? st4nj9.wixsite a podcaster, and supporter of the arts and media.
.com/authorstanjohnson davedoering.com Lani Forbes is the daughter of an ex-drug-smug-
gling surfer and a librarian, which explains her
Els Curtis is the author of the novel Thrice-Cursed, Maxwell Alexander Drake is an award-winning passionate love of the ocean and books. She is a
Thrice-Blessed and the co-creator (with H. A. Eng- science fiction/fantasy author, graphic novel- multi-award winning member of RWA, SCBWI,
land) of the graphic short story “Lenses.” She has ist, and playwright. He was also the lead fiction and the Idaho Writers Guild. Her debut novel,
a bachelor’s degree in English from Utah State writer and game story consultant for Sony’s mas- the first in a YA fantasy trilogy, is coming in 2020
University. Wherever her next adventure is, she sive online game EverQuest Next as well as writ- from Blackstone Publishing. laniforbes.com
always carries a notebook, a pen, a sketchbook ing for the Shadowrun game. He is best known for
and at least two books. facebook.com/Curtis.Els his fantasy series, The Genesis of Oblivion Saga. Daniel C. Friend has worked as a science fiction/
Drake teaches creative writing at writers’ confer- fantasy editor in Utah for over seven years, editing
J. L. Curtis has two series, The Grey Man series, ences and fan conventions all around the world stories by authors such as Frank Herbert, Dan Wells,
current fiction with cops vs. the cartel in South and is the author of the Drake’s Brutal Writing Mary Robinette Kowal, Dave Butler, Robison Wells,
Texas, and Rimworld, a military science fiction Advice series. MaxwellAlexanderDrake.com and Brian McClellan. His short story “Launch”
series from the grunt’s perspective. He has also appeared in the inaugural LTUE benefit anthology,
published short stories and novellas in various Tom Durham is an award-winning writer, direc- Trace the Stars. dcfeditor.wixsite.com/dcfeditor
genres. He retired as a naval flight officer, then tor, and media producer who splits his time
worked as an engineer with a defense contractor between Middle Earth, Tatooine, and the Enter- Gordon E. Frye has studied history all of his life,
for another twenty+ years. He now lives North prise. His epic uber-indie sci-fi film, 95ers, went engaging in as much “experimental archaeology”
Texas and writes full time. oldnfo.org into international distribution and found exu- as to the hows and whys of the past as possible. He
berant fans all around the world, including more has worked on historical films (as an actor/reinac-
Tony Daniel is a senior editor at Baen Books. He than a few time travelers. Currently he produces tor and an advisor), been a historical interpreter at
is the author of seven science fiction novels, the a reality television series and has numerous sci- historic sites, a cavalryman, and a jouster. History,
latest of which is Guardian of Night, as well as an ence fiction and fantasy projects—books, movies, horses, and weapons are his passion. He currently
award-winning short story collection, The Robot’s radio—bubbling in his cauldrons. tomdurham.com is an adjunct professor of history at Naval Base
Twilight Companion. He’s the coauthor of two Kitsap and occasionally writes nonfiction. history
books with David Drake in the long-running Gen- James Eck wrote a book once; now he is game pundit.blogspot.com
eral series. He is also the author of two original master at least once a week and writes RPG con-
series Star Trek novels. Daniel was a Hugo finalist tent. He is best known for creating the Rotating With a BA from the University of Washington
for his short story “Life on the Moon,” which also Labyrinth. mindweaverpg.wordpress.com drama school, Nancy Frye has worked for the
won the Asimov’s Readers Choice Award. UW and Seattle Opera costume shops, Taproot
Heather England has a bachelor’s degree in Illus- Theatre, and others. While driving a wagon at a
Brendan Decicio is a student at BYU currently tration, has self published one short comic, and Civil War reenactment, she met her future hus-
pursuing a master of performance and media has a webcomic that has been up on Webtoons for band, who introduced her to the wacky world of
studies degree. Brendan is a fan of both table-top almost two years. She’s also been writing and pub- film and TV. This led to work as background cav-
games and fantasy narratives. lishing short stories online for almost two decades alry on The Postman, wagon driver on Ride with
and has over four thousand followers on some of the Devil, and assistant armorer on The Patriot.
Robert J Defendi was one of the writers for Sav- her stories. webtoons.com/en/challenge/bittersweet/
She continues to work in film both in front of and
age Seas, Exalted, Spycraft, Shadowforce Archer, list?title_no=194956
behind the camera.
8Amanda Fuesting is a certified hospice and pal- over a dozen published novels and edited dozens A Nordic Rock Opera, Take My Death Away, and
liative care nurse. She also works closely with vic- more, including multiple Amazon best-selling Bums! stephengashler.com
tims of abuse and has actively assisted over twenty titles in the speculative fiction genres. facebook.
people safely navigate out of abusive relationships, com/JBGarnerWrites Paul Genesse is the #1 Amazon best-selling
helping them escape and begin to recover. author of Sakura: Intellectual Property and the
V. J. O. Gardner is an award-winning hybrid best-selling the Iron Dragon series, including The
Jason Fuesting is a US Navy veteran, electronics author. After writing for thirty years, she has writ- Golden Cord, The Dragon Hunters, and The Secret
tech second class, and a security professional, both ten many novels and published three. Valerie is Empire. He has also sold almost twenty short sto-
civilian side and DoD. Currently, he is a college an invited speaker at conferences as an expert in ries, edited seven anthologies, and is the writer
senior majoring in physics and until recently, an character development, formatting, world build- and producer of the Star Wars and Steampunk
applied mathematics dual major. He is tolerated ing, and map making. She formats for a small rock operas. paulgenesse.com
by two cats and a woman who swears she’s his wife. press. vjogardner.com
Jessica Day George is a New York Times best-
Dr. Stephen B. Fullmer is an associate professor at Jared Garrett is a family man, full-time dad and selling author of over a dozen fantasy books, most
Utah Valley University, as well as a part-time fac- professional, and the author of the science fiction of them for young adult or middle grade readers.
ulty member of the English Department at BYU, thriller Beat series and several other books. He She likes books, movies, dark chocolate, dogs, and
teaching subjects including Tolkien, rock and grew up as an unwilling cultist and has worked knitting. Also her husband and three children.
heavy metal music, Shakespeare, and Stephen King. as a firefighter, BBQ chef, cowboy theater actor, jessicadaygeorge.com
and a bellman. After designing training solutions
M. Todd Gallowglas is a writer, storyteller, edu- for Amazon, American Express, and other com- Melva Gifford has been involved with LTUE
cator, and critic who has dedicated himself to a panies, he now works for BYU. He writes in the since its conception. She is a published author and
lifelong study of all aspects of the art and craft of margins of the day and has published seven books a professional storyteller. melvagifford.com
writing and storytelling across a variety of medi- since 2015. jaredgarrett.com
ums. As a panelist and presenter, he works to Kristy S. Gilbert of Looseleaf Editorial & Produc-
inspire others to explore the far realms of their National award-winning storyteller Stephen tion has edited science fiction and fantasy for over
imagination through development of their per- Gashler is an author, playwright, filmmaker, com- a decade and is an adjunct instructor of editing
sonal aesthetic. mtoddgallowglas.com poser, songwriter, professional cage fighter, and and print publication design at Brigham Young
compulsive liar. His works include the YA novels University. She has worked on books and short
J. B. Garner is a hybrid author and professional The Bent Sword, Prisoner of the Molepeople, Gideon fiction by best-selling authors and top science fic-
editor from Pensacola, Florida. He has written Versus the Gods of Cool, and the musicals Valhalla: tion and fantasy figures. When not working to help
November 12-14
Plein Air Hike, Writing Retreat, self-publishing seminar,
pitch sessions, writing contest, anthology submissions,
30+ breakout classes, and more. all for less than $150.
Registration opens May 1
9JUST ANNOUNCED! Stephen Gallagher David Cherry Anne Groell Brandon Sanderson C. J. Cherryh Stephen Graham Jones Cindy Pon Tracy and Laura Hickman
create seamless reading experiences, she enjoys Jessica Guernsey writes contemporary fantasy throughout the US on topics related to dress as
cooking, kayaking, and krav maga. looseleafep.com novels and short stories. A BYU alumna with a communication. tattersandravelings.com
degree in journalism, her work is published in
Raised in upstate New York on the same hill Tom blogs, magazines, and anthologies. She is a slush Mikki Helmer is both a writer and a rider. When
Sawyer was born on, Tristan A. Gilmore began reader for two publishers, along with providing not working on her novels, she can be found at
reading at four years of age and never stopped. freelance feedback. Frequently, she can be found the barn teaching riding lessons, training horses,
Now an avid reader, mechanic, pyrotechnic, and at writing conferences; just look for the extrovert or galloping all over the Wasatch Mountain range.
jack-of-all-trades, he is prominently known for with purple hair. While she spent her teenage An #ownvoices writer, she resides in central Utah
beta reading and his experience cultivating exotic angst in Texas, she now lives on a mountain in and is a staunch supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and
animals and corals of all genus and species. This, in Utah with her husband, three kids, and a code- equal representation of minorities in stories with
tandem with being a medical equipment techni- pendent schnauzer. jessicaguernsey.com triumphant endings. mikkihelmer.com
cian trained in CNC machinery and 3D printing,
has made cybernetics a strange specialty. Brian C. Hailes, creator of Draw It with Me, is Cavan Helps is the GM on Dice Buddies, has
also the award-winning writer/illustrator of appeared on Enter the Hex, has written a course
Robin Glassey grew up in a small town with a Blink, Dragon’s Gait, Devil’s Triangle, Skeleton Play, on game mastering, and is one of the writers of
leaky nuclear power plant, giving her the power Heroic, Passion & Spirit, Continuum, American Girl’s Guardians of Umbra, a Savage Worlds setting.
of deactivating electronic devices. She graduated McKenna & Grace & Sylvie. hailesart.com dicebuddies.com
with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and now
analyzes her four boys, converts people to Doctor Elise Haines is a graduate student at Brigham Liesel Hill is an award-winning author who pub-
Who, and writes clean YA fantasy. In the Azetha Young University in performance studies and lishes across three genres: historical romance, science
series, Robin transports readers to a world of sor- media arts. Her work is focused on experiential fiction/fantasy, and crime/mystery. authorlkhill.com
cery and secrets. Although Robin writes about theater, which includes the study of interactive
Rafael Hohmann is an epic fantasy author whose
epic journeys, if she ever went on one, she’d most and immersive events.
SunRider series has been number one on Amazon.
likely die within the first mile. robinglassey.com
Nathan Haines is the conductor and music director His works have inspired epic musical composi-
Michael Glassford is a writer, speaker, and law- of the Utah Philharmonic Orchestra, a volunteer tions by famous composer Will Musser and his
yer. He works with small business owners to pro- orchestra based in Salt Lake Valley. He obtained his focus on monsters and lore have garnished him
tect their family, their business, and their future master’s degree from BYU’s conducting program praise by his peers. rafaelhohmann.com
so that they can have the confidence to live their and has performed with top professionals from
Charlie N. Holmberg is a Wall Street Journal and
best story. He has several new titles coming out around the world. Orchestral music and writing
Amazon best-selling author, whose debut series,
in historical fiction fantasy and self help. legallife are two of his greatest passions, and he is excited
The Paper Magician, has been optioned by the
plan.com to combine them for this year’s LTUE conference.
Walt Disney Company. Her stand-alone novel,
Ashley Goodnow has loved stories all her life. Her Alex Hall is a film enthusiast, novice screenwriter, Followed by Frost, was nominated for a 2016 RITA
favorites usually include brilliant world-building, and abstract painter. earthbound.io Award for Best Young Adult Romance, and her
snappy dialogue, or twists on tropes and arche- novel The Fifth Doll won the 2018 Whitney Award
types. Since 2010, she has analyzed and researched Michael F. Haspil, the author of Graveyard Shift for Speculative Fiction. She is a board member for
the craft of storytelling, and she’s excited that she and Umbra Case Files, is a veteran, gamer, geeky Deep Magic ezine. charlienholmberg.com
now gets to help authors hone their writing skills engineer, and nerdy artist. He hosts the story
analysis podcast Quantum Froth Dispatches and Mike Holyoak is a lifelong geek obsessed with
and improve their stories. themanuscriptdr.com
is a regular contributor to The Long War podcast. table-top RPGs, board games, and board game
Kenneth Hunter Gordon answers to “Kenny” He also collects and makes replica movie props. design. He is a three-time finalist of the SaltCon
in real life. His poetry and short fiction have Part-time amateur Egyptologist, table-top gen- Ion Board Game Design Contest and one-time
appeared in literary magazines for many years. eral, miniatures painter, antiquarian, and vampire winner. anubisnine.wordpress.com
His novel, One Bronze Knuckle, came out in 2019 hunter. michaelhaspil.com
Before becoming a professor at BYU, Dr. Larry L.
and won a Gold Quill from the League of Utah
Howell helped design the prototype of the US Air
Writers. He has a BA in English from the Univer- Marion G. Harmon is the author of the Wearing
Force F-22 Raptor. His research includes origami-
sity of Utah and lives in Sandy. Prior to that he the Cape series of superhero novels, and the cre-
inspired mechanisms, space mechanisms, and
lived in Los Angeles, where he played in a reggae ator of Wearing the Cape: The Roleplaying Game.
He promises to sooner or later write about some- medical devices. In addition to academic papers,
band and almost met Tracey Ullman.
thing other than superheroes. wearingthecape.com technical books, and patents, his lab’s work has
Author and artist Rebecca J. Greenwood has also been reported in popular venues such as
worked professionally as a graphic designer in Keith Haus is an intercultural historian who stud- Newsweek, Scientific American, The Economist,
publishing. She wrote and illustrated the Scrip- ies how video games have created an international Smithsonian Magazine, and the PBS documentary
ture Princesses series and is the author of Regency culture of their own. He travels the world to find program NOVA. compliantmechanisms.byu.edu
romances The Darkest Summer and Beauty’s Rose. and study arcades. He also writes stories about
C. H. Hung writes stories founded in scientific
She loves audiobooks and constantly has a new spiders turned to clowns, elves hunting monsters
in Victorian England, and other such things. His plausibility, layered with myth and folklore—
project in mind. rebeccajgreenwood.com
most current book is about an everyday man help- mashups deriving from her stubbornly ratio-
Drea Gryphon is a sword-swinging writer/artist ing with a Mars colony—culture and technology nal soul intersecting with her irrational belief
who specializes in novels, comics, and creature can lead to some very interesting results. in magic. Her genre-spanning short fiction has
design. She graduated in illustration from BYU, appeared in multiple anthologies and magazines
where she took many concept design and creative As a professional costume designer and clothing from Wordfire Press and WMG Publishing,
writing classes. She studied directly under Jake historian for over thirty years, Jonna Hayden has including Pulphouse and Fiction River. chhung.com
Parker on how to make comics and writes/draws designed and built shows for major arts organiza-
M. K. Hutchins regularly draws on her back-
her own webcomic called Fur & Fangs. Creativity tions, including the Eugene Ballet, Eugene Opera,
ground in archaeology when writing fiction. She’s
is in her life blood and she works hard to refine her and Opera Bend. Her recent design work includes
Eugene Ballet’s The Snow Queen. She provides pro- the author of YA fantasy novels The Redwood Pal-
craft. dreagryphon.com
fessional consultation and presents at conventions ace and Drift. Her short fiction appears in Analog,
11Daily Science Fiction, Podcastle, Strange Horizons, Mackenzie Kincaid is the author of The Writer’s and poems in eight anthologies, with two more
and elsewhere. A long-time Idahoan, she now Guide to Horses, as well as a number of short stories. forthcoming. Her works have also appeared in
lives in Utah with her husband and four children. She blogs about writing and random research top- several magazines. She is a literary executor and
mkhutchins.com ics at mackenziekincaid.com and can be found on manages the works of Al Carlisle. She is a found-
Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr at @mackincaid. ing member of the Utah chapter of the Horror
Allison K. Hymas received an MFA in creative Writers Association. chlindsay.net
writing from BYU. She is the author of the Jeremy Robin M. King is the author of three young adult
Wilderson middle grade crime series with Alad- books (Remembrandt, Van Gogh Gone, and Memory Jess Lindsay loves writing, theater, and making
din and is releasing a mystery/puzzle book with of Monet) published by Walnut Springs Press. She costumes. She takes turns running D&D cam-
Macmillin in early 2021. allisonkhymas.com is a content writer/designer for three companies, paigns with her regular group and takes her hus-
as well as the social media director of the Whit- band everywhere.
Known for her action-packed historical romances, ney Awards. When she’s not writing, she uses her
Amy Jarecki has received praise throughout her teaching degree to teach writing and math to chil- Mike Lovins graduated from Utah State Univer-
writing career. Of late she won the prestigious RT dren and young adults. authorrobinking.com sity and has worked in concept design and story-
Reviewers’ Choice Award and a RONE Award boards since 1993. He is currently at work on his
for best time travel. She has a soon-to-come Renae Kingsley is a Jill-of-all-trades. Her many creator-owned comic book We Go Anywhere, cur-
fast-paced YA science fiction time travel story. roles in life have included being a board member rently selling at cons and online (wix.com/mlovins/
amyjarecki.com of two nonprofit groups, professional magician, wegoanywhere1). wix.com/mlovins/mlillustration
international humanitarian, business owner, artist,
Jodi Jensen is the author of fifteen (and count- home school mother of four, creativity coach, body Tom Lower is an amateur cartographer and actor
ing) speculative fiction short stories published in artist, interfaith advocate, character performer, with thirteen years of drawing maps, four of more
a series of anthologies with Black Hare Press and a art teacher, and youth mentor. She creates envi- serious cartographical study.
time travel romance novel, Sophie’s Key. jodijensen ronments where creativity flourishes and empow-
writes.wordpress.com Dr. John K. Lundwall holds a doctorate in compar-
ers others to confidently reach their potential.
ative myth and religious studies. He is the general
Michael Jensen is a best-selling YA and MG author Though new to writing, Cary Kreitzer has managed editor on an academic journal, a founding board
of the acclaimed fantasy novel Woven. Michael got to win silver honorable mention in the Writer of member for the Utah Valley Astronomy Club, and
his BFA in musical theater and taught voice at the Future contest and sign a contract for her book the project leader of the Archaeoastronomy Proj-
Brigham Young University before establishing his Blood Numbers with Immortal works all within this ect of Fremont Indian State Park. He is a published
own vocal instruction studio. In addition to being last year. She’s addicted to writing conferences now author and lecturer and leads tours to sacred sites
an imaginative storyteller, Michael is an accom- and loves writing angsty teen romance. around the world. johnlundwall.com
plished composer and vocalist. wovenbook.com
Troy Lambert has written over twenty books Alpheus Madsen is a mathematician who pre-
C. K. Johnson is the author of The Pied Piper tril- with eighteen of them currently published. They tends to be a software developer. He has worked
ogy, Supernaturals Anonymous series, A Touch of include The Samuel Elijah Johnson series, the on systems for electric vehicle parts, sales lead
Water, and a collaborative book universe called ongoing Capital City Murders series, the new analysis, customer and technician tracking, and
Shadow Brook. She graduated from Utah State Max Boucher series, and novellas and stories in cryptocurrency apps.
University with a degree in English literature. the Monster Marshall’s universe. fictionupdates
Growing up in Oklahoma, she loved the beauti- .troylambertwrites.com Dr. Spencer Magleby is a professor of mechanical
ful sunsets and wonderful people. Current loves engineering at Brigham Young University and is
include Star Wars, Doctor Who, old fairy tales, and C. R. Langille spent many a Saturday afternoon also the Honors Program director. Dr. Magleby
chocolate. She now lives in Utah, with her little watching monster movies with his mother. It wasn’t spent six years in the military aircraft industry
dog, Lorelai. piedpipertales.com long before he started crafting nightmares to share developing tools for advanced aircraft design and
with his readers. He is an avid hunter and amateur manufacture. At BYU, he has pursued research in
Miriam Johnson is a senior in the English pro- survivalist, a member of the League of Utah Writ- areas of product design, technology development,
gram at Brigham Young University. ers, and received his MFA in writing popular fic- and engineering education. His work has been
tion from Seton Hill University. crlangille.com sponsored by NASA, the National Science Foun-
Amy “Jonesy” Jones is a freelance editor and screen- dation, the US Air Force, the State of Utah, and a
writer who left teaching to pursue a film career Caryn Larrinaga is an award-winning mystery, variety of others. Dr. Magleby received BS and MS
and graduated from the Colorado Film School in horror, and urban fantasy author. Her debut super- degrees in civil engineering from BYU and a PhD
2012. She worked as a production assistant and as natural mystery novel, Donn’s Hill, was awarded in mechanical engineering from the University of
a script reader in LA. She dove into writing novel- the League of Utah Writers 2017 Silver Quill in the Wisconsin–Madison. He is an avid road cyclist,
to-screen adaptations, writing twenty-six episodes adult novel category and was a 2017 Dragon Award amateur architect, and design junkie.
for the web series Phonics School. Now back in finalist. Her short horror story “A Friend in Need”
Utah, she’s currently doing revisions on a science was a 2018 League of Utah Writers Award winner. Dr. Alan Manning is a professor of linguistics at
fiction film project based on Brandon Sanderson’s She is a Utah native, horror fanatic, and proud pet Brigham Young University.
short story “Defending Elysium.” parent. carynlarrinaga.com
Erika Kuta Marler is innately curious and has a
Jennifer Julander has a passion for tragic heroes Skye Larsen is part of the two-person team of Rob unique perspective into the publishing world. As
and all things magic, with a hint of mystery and the Sky Games, an indie studio working on a com- the CEO of Heads and Tails Publishing, she assists
romance. jenniferjulander.com puter game called Alkanaur. Because one medium authors and other creatives in producing amaz-
is never enough, he recently started designing for ing shared universes. She has had extensive expe-
A lifelong reader and storyteller, Ariadne Kane is
table-top games as well. Skye helps produce the rience across the country helping readers connect
the author of The Eleventh Finger and the Pirate in
popular Game Design Round Table podcast and with their favorite authors and finding new loves.
the Attic, as well as several short stories. She has a
does freelance writing and edits game rulebooks kutamarler.com
passion for learning that led to jobs as an educa-
on the side. twitter.com/robthesky_games
tor and researcher. When she is not writing, she An award winning filmmaker whose films have
enjoys reading about US history, Egyptology, and C. H. (Charlie) Lindsay is a writer, award-winning played in over two hundred fifty film festivals around
folklore. poet, housewife, and mother. She has short stories the world, Jonathan Martin is also the founder and
12director of Utah’s and the Rocky Mountain’s largest “Whispers of Shadow and Steel” and other L5R currently collaborating with Brandon Sanderson
genre film festival. filmquestfest.com fiction. She has also had a smattering of fiction on an urban fantasy series. He also recently wrote
and gaming content published by Gallant Knight a full touring show in the vein of Trans-Siberian
Caitlyn McFarland is a traditionally published Games, Outland Entertainment, and Heads & Orchestra which combines music and narrative:
author, table-top RPG player, sewist, and erst- Tails Publishing. marimurdock.com The Bell Ringer. orullian.com
while podcaster. She has a bachelor’s in linguistics
from BYU. caitlynmcfarland.com Born and raised in Anchorage, M. A. Nichols is James A. Owen is a artist, author, and genius from
a lifelong Alaskan, though she did take a hiatus Arizona. An alumnus of LTUE, James is thrilled
Donna Milakovic is a journalist, investigative for a few years in Utah to get a fancy university to return. jamesaowen.com
reporter, and columnist. At Utah Valley Univer- education. She’s an eclectic reader, so she became
sity (her day job), she oversees professional writ- an eclectic author of fantasy, science fiction, and Erin Palette founded Operation Blazing Sword
ing conferences and workshops and outreach. She historical romance for young adults and adults. (a charity which teaches queer people firearm
is a facilitator and public speaker. Previous to join- ma-nichols.com safety for self-defense) and is national coordina-
ing UVU, she worked in commercializing robotics tor for the Pink Pistols, America’s largest pro-gun
and IoT technology at Utah Science Technology Sae Sae Norris is a professional literary consultant queer group. She is a frequent guest speaker on
and Research Agency (USTAR). She has an MBA whose clientele have gone on to land jobs at New the subject of gun rights, queer rights, and their
from UVU and a bachelor’s in English from BYU. Line Cinema, Fox, Columbia, Universal, Sony, Tri- intersection. She also has multiple playtest and
Star, the SyFy Channel, and The History Channel. publishing credits for various role-playing games.
Mark Minson has published a three-book series Her clients have received considerations and/or lurkingrhythmically.blogspot.com
that started as a writing prompt activity. An eclec- representation from William Morris–Endeavor,
tic reader of genres, he likes a variety of books. He Creative Artists Agency, The Gersh Agency, and L. Palmer is the author of The Pippington Tales,
has successfully implemented life with joy and Benderspink, as well as placed in the Nicholl where motorcars bump down old city lanes and
purpose. novelmage.wordpress.com Fellowship, PAGE Awards, Sundance Institute, fairy godmothers are disguised as high-society
NBC/Universal, ABC/Disney. Her novelists have gossips. In between exploring fantasy worlds,
L. E. Modesitt Jr. is the New York Times best-selling L. Palmer works in public service and lives in
landed movie options. theblackpiper.com
author of more than seventy novels, including the South Texas. She is an award-winning speaker
Saga of Recluce and The Imager Portfolio, and more Rowan North is a freelance mixed media illustra- and has lunch with dragons every Tuesday.
than fifty stories. His first story was published in tor and art educator. She has done a bit of every- lpalmerchronicles.com
Analog in 1973, and now his novels have sold mil- thing—from book covers to costume props! Her
lions of copies in the United States and worldwide. goal is to help others be brave enough to express Lehua Parker writes Pacific literature stories
His most recent book was The Mage-Fire War, the themselves. rowannorthillustrations.org for kids and adults that explore the intersec-
twenty-second book of the the Recluce Saga, and tions of Hawaii’s past, present, and future. Her
his next book is Quantum Shadows, a far-future John M. Olsen has written the Riland Throne published works include the Niuhi Shark Saga
science fantasy, to be released in August 2020 YA fantasy trilogy and has published over twenty trilogy, Lauele Chicken Skin Stories, and Lauele
from Tor. lemodesittjr.com short stories. He won the DragonComet short Fractured Folktales. As an author, editor, and
story competition in 2018 with “When Words educator trained in literary criticism and advo-
A former corporal of Marines, Jonathan LaForce Fail,” and his short story “Time to Think” is in the cate of indigenous cultural narratives, Lehua is a
(Mongo) now writes fantasy and romance. He award-winning anthology Apocalypse Utah. He is frequent presenter at conferences, symposiums,
can be plied with twelve-packs of Dr. Pepper. He the president-elect of the League of Utah Writers and schools. lehuaparker.com
loves being an artillery man because “frack your and loves to encourage writers (especially local
grid square.” authors) to excel. johnmolsen.blogspot.com Scott R. Parkin is an award-winning author with
more than fifty short story sales to a wide variety
Joe Monson co-edited Trace the Stars and A Dragon An alumna of BYU,
and Her Girl. He has published short stories in a Kaki Olsen has pub-
variety of publications and is working on a space lished stories rang-
opera trilogy set two thousand years in the future. ing from gardening
He lives in the tops of the mountains with his wife, romances to dragon-
three children, and their pet library. joemonson.com smuggling androids.
Her debut novel, Swan
Tora Moon is the author of the fantasy series The
and Shadow, was pub-
Legends of Lairheim and is working on The Sen-
lished by Cedar Fort in
tinel Witches series. As an author and a former
2016. She has contrib-
certified public accountant, she knows what an
uted articles to Authors
author needs to manage their money and business,
Publish magazine,
which has gone into her book Money Management
taught writing craft
for Authors: An Easy to Understand Guide to Busi-
at several conferences,
ness and Accounting. toramoon.com
and is a board member
Author and outdoor enthusiast Frank Morin is at the nonprofit Front
best known for his popular epic YA fantasy series, Row Reviewers.
The Petralist, as well as his historical fantasy thrill-
Peter Orullian is a
ers, The Facetakers. Frank lives in Oregon with his
published novelist
lovely wife and four kids, who are all brutal critics
and short story writer,
but die-hard fans. frankmorin.org
as well as a profes-
Mari Murdock is a gaming content and fiction sional musician and
writer based in Utah. She is probably best known composer. He has
for her work on the game Legend of the Five published epic fan-
Rings, having written the Scorpion Clan novella tasy with Tor and is
13You can also read
