Laura J. Underwood has been writing stories, articles, and novels most of her life. She is a retired librarian and a former fencer whose interests range from old folklore to ball-jointed dolls to collecting old typewriters. Most of her still-published work is available from Yard Dog Press, though occasionally you will find a story by her in The Lorelei Signal. Her novel Songs of the Magister will be forthcoming from Wolfsinger Publications, and she is currently working on the next book in the Ard Magister series. She still lives in East Tennessee where she likes to go hiking now and again and has been adopted by a Feline Princess.
From the Golden Age of piracy to blockbuster films, One Piece arcs, and queer reimaginings like Our Flag Means Death, pirate stories remain a huge engine of fandom and cosplay energy. We explore the many faces of the pirate myth: rebellion and freedom, strict shipboard hierarchies, treasure-and-myth storytelling, performance and aesthetic, and cultural reworkings.
Writers love a dramatic death scene, but some are far more memorable than others. In this After Dark panel, a group of authors discuss the most brutal, inventive, and unforgettable character deaths in fiction. From historical execution methods to wildly imaginative storytelling, the panel explores what makes a fictional demise truly shocking. Expect dark humor, literary examples, and plenty of spirited discussion.
A discussion about characters who appear to be good but are the really villains in various science-fiction and fantasy stories. In The Wizard of Oz, Glinda could have sent Dorothy home at any time, but instead she used the girl to do her dirty work. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda were instrumental in turning Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader. Dumbledore's actions, or lack thereof, often put Harry Potter in danger.
Many classic myths and folktales had adult content long before modern adaptations sanitized them. This panel uncovers the darker, weirder, and more mature origins of beloved stories—and how creators use these themes in today’s fantasy, comics, and games. Creepy, clever, and very After Dark.
How do authors create meaningful and nuanced religious systems for their worlds? Panelists discuss the dos and don'ts of cultural worldbuilding.