SCHEDULE FOR CON.TXT 2020

Friday, July 24th

8:00-10:00 pm:     Pre-con hangouts and Small Fandom Speed Dating

Saturday, July 25th

9:30-9:45 am:     Welcome panel

10:00 am-6:50 pm:     Panels tracks

7:30-9:30 pm:     Vid show

9:30-9:45 pm:    Wrap-up panel

PANELS SCHEDULED FOR CON.TXT 2020

The full schedule is available for registered CON.TXT users on Conline (registration information).


META PANELS

Autistic Characters and Fans
Mod(s): Dee Laundry, multiscorn, ipreferaviators
Autistic characters are getting more of the limelight recently. Let's talk about our #actuallyautistic faves, whether canon or Word of God; about our autistic headcanons for other human characters; and about which canons lend themselves to autistic original characters. Let's also talk about fandom spaces that are most welcoming to autistic fans, and any unspoken NT rules we've sussed out for interaction. If there's time at the end, we'll close with rhapsodies about iconic characters we identify with that aren't technically autistic due to being androids, aliens, or ineffable beings (e.g., Data, Spock, Janet, Aziraphale).

Bring Your Fandom to Work
Mod(s): noxelementalist, stifledlaughter
It's always that one detail about your job/school/hobby that throws you out of a story. It's time for you to share your expertise to save a writer! Bring your pet peeves that Everyone Gets Wrong in fic, and show us how it's really done.

F*** This Grim Cyberpunk Dystopia, Bring Us Luxury Queer Space Communism!
Mod(s): Sanj, bishakespeare
Enough with the dystopian, desaturated sci-fi, superheroes, schools of magic, and, frankly, real life. Let’s ride a technicolor rainbow to a better, gayer future. Preferably in space. We’ll talk about the canons and fanons that imagine how things could suck less, from escapism to utopia. Why is it important to dream a better future, and what is that future like?

Financial Crime for Fun and Profit
Mod(s): celli, caorann
Ever wondered how the characters in that mobster AU laundered their money? Writing a villain who doesn't pay taxes? Does your fandom have a thief or other criminal? We're here to help! 2 accountants and tax professionals will explain to you the basics of financial fraud, money laundering, hiding assets internationally, sovereign citizens and tax evasion. NO ADVICE WILL BE GIVEN. This is strictly theoretical.

Found Family
Mod(s): ktnb, FairestCat, Dee Laundry
Found family is a common and popular theme in fiction generally and fanworks specifically. It's also a reality for lots of us who have experienced marginalization in society or alienation from our families of origin. What does it mean to be part of a found family? What are some of our favorite fictional found families? How have we enjoyed seeing this theme explored in fandom, and what kind of things would we like to see next?

Omegaverse
Mod(s): Marina, merisunshine36
Is a/b/o a trope or a genre? Fans of a/b/o talk about what they like and dislike about it, what they'd like to see more of, what ideas and concepts a/b/o has introduced that might not be well known in the mainstream of fandom and where they see the trope going next, in fandom and beyond.

Poly poly poly poly poly
Mod(s): FairestCat, stifledlaughter, Chaneen
Poly ships are great! Let's talk about our favorites.

We Hurt the Ones We Love
Mod(s): ktnb, poppyseedheart, multiscorn
Writer: Hello, I'm a writer... and I love hurting my characters.
Group: Hello! Let's talk about the hurt/comfort genre including various types of H/C, tropes, most whump-able characters, and favorite recs.

Werewolf Torts and Undead Annuities III
Mod(s): v_greyson, alpheratz
Returning for Episode III of supernatural legal and actuarial hypotheticals! Should zombies get undeath insurance? Is a vampire's familiar an employee or an independent contractor? Do mermaids have standing to bring citizen suits under the Clean Water Act? Does not contain any actual legal or actuarial advice. Results may vary. Please contact your local coven before attempting to bargain with the fae.


HOW-TO/ACTIVITY PANELS

A Quest May Not Simply Be Abandoned: Advanced Fic Finding
Mod(s): melannen, libraralien
Have the basics of Ao3 tags and filters down but want to learn more? Prepare for your quest by learning about Advanced Search, hidden search operators, and tips on using tools like Google, the Wayback Machine, and Fanlore to find the fic of your heart.

Canon, Fanon, Fever Dream
Mod(s): corbae, Marina
Based on @svy_fish's tweet, in this quiz game participants will guess whether "something is official information, widely accepted fan interpretation or just bullshit." Fanon, canon, fever dream sets will be collected beforehand but participants are also welcome to take a turn as the host with a set they create during the panel.

Catharsis - Vid Show
Mod(s): cinco, Rosemary
It sure has been a... time, and maybe you could use an opportunity for a nice, satisfying cry? We could! In the first twenty minutes we'll destroy you through the artistic medium of vids, and in the second twenty minutes we will put you back together. You'll need tissues, a bottle of water, and all of your feelings. This is a unique opportunity to have this experience where you don't have to do any work and no one can see you (it's a feature, not a bug)!

Civic Engagement for Introverts
Mod(s): Ellen Fremedon, Likeadeuce, ainsley
A crash course in How To Politics, even if you’re still figuring out How To People. Likely topics include:
—Ballot research: How to find information on your local elections, candidates, and ballot issues.
—Volunteering 101: How to connect with local campaigns and volunteer organizations; kinds of work you can do with them; the difference between canvassing and fundraising.
—Typical interactions for phone bank and door-knock conversations, and how the scripts, data collection, and target audiences change from early campaign through Get Out The Vote.
—and more

Hey, how would you pronounce ❤?"
Mod(s): kate/kisahawklin, jellyfishfire, frecklebombfic
Multi-voices, music, sound effects, oh my! The definition of "podfic" is ever-expanding; let's talk about all the "extras" that can go with the text. Whether it's adding opening/closing music, sound effects for a texting conversation, or a whole gaggle of both, let's talk about how to spice up readings with different resources! Where to find them, when to use them, how to add them, with great examples- anything and everything about music and sound effects in podfic.

How Is This So Hot? aka The Workshop No Writers' Center Will Offer
Mod(s): Marina, Dee Laundry
Did you melt over the last bit of PWP you read? How did that author do it? We'll review and dissect outstanding erotic passages in fic and published work to explore what hits that spot just so, what makes a scene work, how to steam up a room if you can't get graphic, and more. This is a writing style and craft workshop, so bring your kink tomato and hold it tight, oh yeah babe, just like that.

Singalong Vid Show 3
Mod(s): cinco, corbae
We're getting the band back together! Join us online as we sing our hearts out to some fantastic vids, with an emphasis on feel-good, upbeat tunes. Fandoms and songs spanning several decades will be included, and all vids will be subtitled.

So You Want to Make a Vid
Mod(s): alpheratz, corbae
Want to make a vid but not sure how to start? Join two recent vidding converts for a discussion of how to get over mental and technical roadblocks and put everything in place for a smooth start to your new creative hobby!


MULTI-FANDOM PANELS

Baby's First Fanfic
Mod(s): Sanj, celli, roga
Whether a friend who's never read fic wants to see what it's all about, or you're the one who's on a crusade to convince someone fic can be amazing - not every fic is the perfect introduction to fandom. In this panel/discussion, we'll try to source fic recs that are good 101 fics, for a variety of fandoms, genres and fic-lengths.

C-Novels that Aren't MDZS
Mod(s): alpheratz, tassos
An introduction to Chinese webnovels that aren't Mo Dao Zu Shi! Join us to discuss what else is out there — genres, tropes, authors — and where to find it all. Bring your recs! Discussion will be focused on BL (m/m) and GL (f/f).

f/f forever: Queer Women Represent!
Mod(s): queercore_curriculum, Kelly
With the L Word reboot, the mainstream popularity of shows like Killing Eve, and the rise of writers like Lena Waithe and Alice Wu, there’s more representation of queer women in the media than ever before. How has the depiction of queer women’s sexuality and relationships changed in recent years? Why do we need queer women behind the scenes just as much as we need them to appear on camera? Is slash fandom's occasionally strained relationship with f/f evolving? And let’s squee over our f/f ships, canonical or otherwise!

Kink 302 : Negotiation and Consent in fiction
Mod(s): author_abz, ktnb
Examples of how to write sexy negotiation when it's obvious. Guide to recognizing negotiation when it's subtle. Fiction opens up worlds of opportunities.

Let's do the Fanwarp Again
Mod(s): Noxelementalist, Diana Williams
Now that we're living in the so-called "Golden Age" of TV, it's easier than ever to find and revisit the fandoms you thought nobody else remembered or got around to seeing. so let's talk about some of these "lost but not forgotten" fandoms who are just waiting for the right folks to find it again- rare shows/rare pairing shippers welcome!


SINGLE FANDOM PANELS

Best Friends Squad! She-Ra Wrap-Up Feels
Mod(s): cinco, Sanj, Ellen Fremedon
She-Ra ended this spring with All The Feelings. Let's chat about found family, identity, romance in all its forms, war and its aftermath, and what redemption means... and doesn't.

I, Murderbot
Mod(s): everyfragment, v_greyson, la_dissonance
Let's talk about Martha Wells' The Murderbot Diaries and the newest installment, Network Effect. Discussion topics include: The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon, robots having feelings about robots, #relatable Murderbot content, hacking your governor module, and more.

Introduction to Starfleet Legal Principles
Mod(s): v_greyson, ipreferaviators
1.0 credit hours. An overview of fundamental statutory law in the United Federation of Planets, including the Articles of Federation and the Statute of the Interplanetary Supreme Court of Justice. Survey of recent Starfleet common law jurisprudence, with an emphasis on interpreting "intelligent life-form person" under the Articles of Federation. Optional pre-course reading material will be available via Starfleet Academy PADD. Satisfies Laws and Regulations requirement for Starfleet cadets in the Command track.

Star Wars: Darth Disney
Mod(s): neotoma, Kat Overland
What hath Darth Disney wrought? Rise of Skywalker - did it fly or sink? The rest of SW - Mandalorian, animations, potential future offerings? Are you still strong with the Force because of or in spite of Darth Disney? What still turns you on about the Star Wars universe, old or new? What's happening in fandom? Do we believe the Force is still strong with Disney or have they turned to the Dark $ide?

The Untamed Discussion Conference
Mod(s): multiscorn, amedia, kitschful
I love these ancient gay Chinese necromancers and you might, too. Discussion topics include: our favourite characters, which adaptation we jived with most, and WangXian?! WangXian!! (but really, all ships welcome). Discussion of the actors limited to the last segment of the panel.