If you are going to Origins Game Fair, I will be there as a panelist or in the Library section of the Dealers Room. Come by and say hello. Thursday 2pm, C223Freelancing 101What does it mean to make a living as a freelance writer or editor? Our panelists tell you how it’s done. Bryan Young, Josh Vogt, John Helfers, Jennifer Brozek, Aaron Rosenberg Thursday 4pm, C223The Novel and YouSo you’ve written a few (or a few hundred) short stories. A novel should be easy, right? Wrong! It’s a whole different skill set. Our panelists discuss writing a novel from inception to completion. John Helfers, Josh Vogt, Tracy Chowdhury, Jennifer Brozek, Gregory A. Wilson ————————————————————Friday 2pm, C223Writing for RPGsWhat goes into writing a campaign or an entire game setting? These authors have traveled that road and can show you the map. 90 minutes. Aaron Rosenberg, Jennifer Brozek, Josh Vogt, Richard C....

Rusty Zimmerman is a friend and peer of mine, working in the word mines of Catalyst Game Labs. Today, he tells me what he’s done to try to change the perceptions of Shadowrun fans (and wanna-be gatekeepers) about what “does” and “does not” belong in the Sixth World. ===The catalyst for my latest Jimmy Kincaid yarn, Chaser, came from the real-life political climate and how it all-too-often shows itself in geek spaces. I’m a moderator for a sprawling (8,000+ member) Shadowrun Facebook community, the Shadowrunner’s Union. While the vast majority of our users are terrific, and while we do everything we can to keep the place inclusive and welcoming, sometimes a little ugliness seeps through the cracks. That’s what happened when someone posted some artwork of their character in this magic-rich, cyberpunk/transhumanist setting; a catgirl. Only a few people commented on the artwork itself, or asked our intrepid poster for...