ConFABulous offers a single high quality track of programming of interest to LGBTQ+ fans of fantasy and science fiction, comics, horror, and gaming.
Take a look below at our schedule of panels for 2023! If you are interested in being on a panel, please reach out to programming@confabulous.org.
Friday, October 20, 2023
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Welcome to ConFAB!
Panelists: John Till
Whether you are a first time attendee or a veteran ConFABulous attendee, please stop by and we'll do some quick introductions to each other and the convention.
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
The Queering of Good Omens
Panelists: Don Kaiser, Naomi Kritzer, Lyda Morehouse
The second season of Good Omens had an explosion of canonically queer characters and couples. There were lesbians, nonbinary demons, and queer side characters galore. Yet our mains, Crowley and Aziraphale, couldn't seem to get it together, despite "the kiss." As we prepare for the Second Coming, let's talk about the good and the bad of the second season.
7:15 PM - 8:15 PM
Joe and Jason Talk About TV
Panelists: Joe Agee, Jason Tucker
A variation on a ConFABulous tradition, Joe Agee and Jason Tucker talk about recent shows.
8:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Liberty's Daughter
Panelists: Naomi Kritzer
Meet author Naomi Kritzer and learn about her new SF novel.
9:45 PM - 10:45 PM
Lesbian Space Opera: A Reading and Q&A by Lyda Morehouse
Panelists: Lyda Morehouse
Lyda Morehouse has signed a deal for a new lesbian space opera trilogy. Come and join her for a reading and discussion about the forthcoming first novel in the trilogy.
Saturday, October 21, 2023
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
What Have You Been Reading in 2023?
Panelists: NC Gaylaxian Members, including Don Kaiser
Did you know that the Twin Cities hosts a very active monthly book club reading and discussing fantasy, SF, horror, and comics by LGBTQ+ authors and/or with LGBTQ+ themes? We’ll start by sharing the high and low notes about what the North Country Gaylaxians Book Club has been reading together in 2023, and then expand to see what others have been reading!
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Ask a DM
Panelists: Lauren Crabtree, Don Kaiser, Burl Zorn
A ConFABulous favorite returns! You can ask our GMs anything, but the focus is on running good games. An AME with our panel of experts on running RPGs.
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Yaoi and Yuri, the 2023 Edition
Panelists: Lyda Morehouse, Jason Tucker
This panel is becoming a staple of ConFABulous, so it's time to move beyond 101 definitions of this manga genre. What's new (or new to you) and fun this year? There may be some discussion of manhwa and manhua (as well as anime and dongha,) but we're sticking with 2-D for this conversation.
4:15 PM - 5:15 PM
Danmei Novels
Panelists: Lisa Freitag, David Paschall-Zimbel, John Till
Discussion of gay male romances from China, which often have martial arts or fantastic or supernatural elements. Which ones are good?
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Barbie: The Phenomenon
Panelists: Jason Tucker
Come and talk about the biggest movie of the year.
8:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Queer Stuff Streaming
Panelists: Jason Tucker
Manga/comics-based streaming series like Heartstopper and movies like Nimona with LGBTQ+ Themes.
Sunday, October 22, 2023
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Queerness in Board and Video Games
Panelists: Leander Lacy, David Paschall-Zimbel
A look at the rise in popularity of storytelling games that incorporate romantic and, at times, sexual relationships as a major or minor theme.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Local Politics with Naomi Kritzer
Panelists: Naomi Kritzer
SF&F author Naomi Kritzer publishes a blog on local politics and political candidates. Come hear her take on local politics.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Social Media? Where Is Everybody?
Panelists: Larry Sanderson
Come and talk about what social media platforms you use these days: FB, X, Mastodon, Threads, Bluesky, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Tumbler, and more.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Writing for RPGs
Panelists: Lyda Morehouse, James Satter, John Everett Till
What are some best practices when designing adventures or sourcebooks for tabletop RPGs, either for publication or for your own gaming group? Discussion topics may include sources of inspiration, research and preparation, game balance, and having fun!
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Why Do Queer Women Write So Much M/M?
Panelists: Lauren Crabtree, Naomi Kritzer David Lenander, Lyda Morehouse
This phenomenon has been true since the first Spock/Kirk slash was penned in the late 1960s. But this fan fiction trend has been mainstreamed lately with books like Everina Maxwell's Winter's Orbit, T. Kingfisher's Paladin's Hope, and an entire romance m/m genre. Why aren't these queer and straight ladies writing F/F? Where are the male, gay authors? What are some concerns about this trend--are we being mainstreamed right into heteronormativity?