Appearances
Upcoming workshops at Gen Con 2024!
I’m very excited to be offering three workshops at Gen Con, as well as being on two panels in the Gen Con Writer’s Symposium. Here are the places you can find me at Gen Con when I’m not at my booth. My booth is Mythic Arts by Shauna Aura Knight, #570.
Thursday
6pm – Writer’s Track: Meet the Writers (Open House)
Friday
12pm: Writer’s Track: Embrace Your Weirdness (and Find Where it Intersects with Markets)
7pm – Leadership and Community Building for Small Groups
Saturday
5pm – Facilitation and Public speaking Skills for Authors, Artists, and Creatives
7pm – Advanced Facilitation Skills for Engaging Workshops, Meetings, & More
Sunday
9am – Writer’s Track Panel: Hacking Your Habitat (So You can Write!)
Leadership and Community Building for Small Groups
https://www.gencon.com/events/258085
Friday, 7:00 PM for 1 hr 30 min Stadium : Meeting Room 10
Short Description:
Gaming and other groups can struggle with communication issues, power struggles, drama, & burnout. We’ll address group dynamics, power & structure, boundaries, communication, & more.
Long Description:
You probably never wanted to be a leader, but often there’s nobody else stepping in to do the job. This session will offer tools to help create more sustainable groups whether it’s a gaming group, geeky community, your business, or any other place people gather together. We’ll discuss everything from misconduct, gossip, and conflict to group goals, intention, and finding a shared vision for your group or community. This session can help you build a healthier group through exploring communication styles (including neurodivergence), group agreements, conflict resolution, and more.
Facilitation and Public speaking Skills for Authors, Artists, and Creatives
https://www.gencon.com/events/258111
Saturday, 5:00 PM for 1 hr 30 min Crowne Plaza : Haymarket A
Description:
You never wanted to do public speaking, but suddenly you’re on a panel. This session will address strategies to ease you into public speaking and allow you to grow your confidence.
Many folks find public speaking to be a challenge, so you’re not alone. Maybe you’re an author being asked to teach a workshop, or you’re an artist being asked to do a talk or interview, or you’re a game designer being asked to give a presentation or run a meeting. In this session we’ll first talk about different types of sessions and how a panel discussion is different from a workshop, a meeting, or a talk, and how that will impact what facilitation strategies you can employ. Then we’ll explore body language, voice, presence, confidence, authenticity, and holding attention. We’ll also address facilitation logistics including: structuring sessions, group size and space, and engaging an audience. Whether you’re on a panel, speaking solo, or facilitating a meeting or workshop, these skills will help you become a stronger facilitator.
Advanced Facilitation Skills for Engaging Workshops, Meetings, & More
https://www.gencon.com/events/258123
Saturday, 7:00 PM EDT for 1 hr 30 min Crowne Plaza : Haymarket A
Short Description:
Would you like to learn skills to be a more inspiring facilitator? We’ll explore facilitation strategies, logistics, and techniques to hold a group’s attention naturally.
Long Description:
We’ll cover structuring a session, how to choose timing for different parts of your session, and we’ll also discuss facilitation strategies that depend on the group size and the type of facilitation. The logistics for a small gaming group are different from a medium sized workshop, a large group talk, a panel discussion, or a team meeting, and how even the setup of the room can impact what you can do as a facilitator. We’ll also address techniques to engage participation such as experiential exercises, discussion, and more. We’ll explore accommodating multiple learning modalities, gracefully keeping things on time as well as enforcing other boundaries such as dealing with hecklers. Specific tools will include body language, presence, vocal quality, how to hold attention, charisma, and other ways to become a better facilitator and enchant your audience!
Writer’s Track: Embrace Your Weirdness (and Find Where it Intersects with Markets)
https://www.gencon.com/events/262355
Friday, 12:00 PM for 1 hr Marriott : Ballroom 2
Short Description:
Join our panel of writers and multi-media creators as they discuss how to effectively market authentic weirdness – and love yourself more for it!
Featuring: Cat Rambo, Akis Linardos, Briana Lawrence, Jerry Gordon, Shauna Aura Knight — #gcws #writerlife #marketing
Hacking Your Habitat (So You can Write!)
https://www.gencon.com/events/262389
Sunday, 9:00 AM for 1 hr Marriott : Ballroom 3
Short Description:
Join our panel of experts as they discuss the physical space you set up for yourself, and how it impacts your ability to produce creative work.
Long Description:
These panelists will talk about how they manage their household, set up their workspaces, and navigate sharing spaces with others. They’ll also share any life hacks they stand by and recommendations for getting started with adjusting your surroundings to fit your creative needs. Featuring: Sandra Tayler, Erin M. Evans, Richard Dansky, Shauna Aura Knight — #gcws #writerlife
Writer’s Track: Meet the Writers (Open House)
https://www.gencon.com/events/259940
Thursday, 6:00 PM EDT for 3 hr ICC : Wabash 1
Join writers of the Gen Con Writers’ Symposium to say hello, get your existing books signed, or purchase new ones here). Tickets are nice but not required during this 3hr open-house event!
