It’s time for Philcon, Philadelphia’s oldest literary convention. It’s in New Jersey. (Look, it was cheaper, okay?)
I’ve been a guest at Philcon for years, and it’s always great to go back there and see so many of my friends. This year’s event will be on the weekend of November 20-23.
If I’m not on a panel, you’ll probably find me at the Fantastic Books table in the Dealer’s Room.
Here’s my schedule.
The Avatar Renaissance: What’s Happening in the Four Nations? (Friday 7 pm): The world of Avatar: The Last Airbender is bigger than ever. With the original animated series continuing to inspire new generations, Netflix’s live-action adaptation releasing its second season, and Avatar Studios expanding the universe with comics, novels, new animated films and series, there’s a lot happening across the Four Nations. Take a look at where the franchise stands in 2026, what’s new, what’s coming next, and how the various Avatar projects are expanding or reimagining the world fans have loved for more than 20 years. We’ll discuss the challenges and opportunities of keeping a beloved franchise alive while introducing it to a new generation. With Katrina S. Forest
Opening Ceremonies and Meet the Pros Party (Friday 8 pm): I’ve been asked to host this and introduce everyone while celebrating Philcon’s 90th event!
Ninja, Pirate, Monkey, Robot (Saturday 1 pm): Four panelists are assigned character archetypes and presented with questions about how they’d handle different situations in an hilarious competition of wit, humor, and knowledge. The audience decides who wins for the year based on the ingenuity – and humor – of their responses. (I’m the pirate! Arr!) With Tobias F. Cabral, Melody Cryptid, Shara Donohue, and Odele Pax.
The Masquerade (Saturday 8 pm): The Masquerade entrants take to the stage to show off all their hard work and creativity. Recreation costumes and cosplay, original designs, and historical recreations will all be on display. Our Young Fan Division will present first, with awards to follow immediately, then the adults will have their turn to shine. I’m the master of ceremonies, so expect a lot of bad jokes. With Elektra Hammond, Heidi Hooper, Diane Kovalin, and Abigail Welsher
Social Media for Writers: How to Avoid Getting Overwhelmed (Sunday 10 am): How can writers keep up with changing algorithms to take part in the ever-evolving landscape of social media? Where is the line between keeping yourself relevant, and exhausting yourself over diminishing returns? With Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Katrina S. Forest, and David Simms
Working with Editors (Sunday 12 noon): Let’s discuss what you should expect – and what you shouldn’t – when working with a professional editor. How do you incorporate feedback when it goes beyond fixes for grammar or punctuation, and straight to the heart of your story? With Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Barbara Krasnoff, Hildy Silverman, and Ann Stolinksy
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