Charlie Holmberg—Magic Systems, Worldbuilding, and Characters

Part 1: Different types of magic systems and how to build them, including effects you can achieve with different styles and hands-on practice.
Part 2: Learn about developing creatures, geographies, cultures, religions, and technology; includes hands-on practice.
Part 3: How to develop characters that evolve from the rich world you've built. See how setting shapes actions, attitudes, and story. Learn to weave worldbuilding into characterization and plot in dynamic ways to shape compelling stories.

Daniel Schwabauer—What Makes a Story a Story?

Part 1: The magic of Story is usually found in emotive conflict and honest treatment of human nature. We’ll dive into the surprising elements of every good story.
Part 2: Create characters who feel alive. Explore the use of archetypal traits in character creation. Archetypes are patterns of insight into human nature—an essential part of the language of Story and key to creating characters who breathe.
Part 3: The key to developing great prose and implied themes is using tools that serve more than one purpose. We’ll pull apart examples to see what they can show us about images, concepts, hooks, story loops, moments of revelation, and a story technique used by the world’s greatest storyteller, Jesus.

Mary Driscoll—Screenwriting

Part 1: The premise is the most important element in writing a screenplay. Premise drives the entire story. Each participant will develop their own premise.
Part 2: Participants will learn how to construct a scene. Every scene tells its own story!
Part 3: Character Arcs are vital in creating an excellent screen presentation. Learn to create multi-dimensional characters who draw interest, emotion, and empathy, but have enough flaws to make them believable and relatable.

Donald Maass— The Secrets of Series Characters

Part 1 of 2

Shannon Dittemore—Tell the Truth When You LIe

Stephen King tells us fiction is the truth inside the lie. And when you know THE truth, this packs an even bigger punch. In a post-Christian culture, truth itself suffers from a lack of representation. So let's talk about truth. What it is, and how to be sure our well-written, compelling stories shine a light on it.

Parker J Cole—Why Speculative Fiction Needs Romance

This is part one of a two-part workshop. The first is a discussion of what romance is and what it isn't; how romance and romantic elements enhances a speculative fiction work and dos and don'ts.

Sara Ella— Finding Aslan: Discovering Your Novel's Spiritual Theme

We want readers to see Jesus in our stories without hitting them over the head with a Bible. Learn to weave in a spiritual theme that is subtle and powerful. We'll look at the difference between preaching and presenting spiritual truths, how to handle criticism of faith in our stories, and writing for the general versus Christian market.

Kirk DouPonce—Fonts Have Feelings

An award-winning designer talks about typography, especially how it relates to book covers. Kirk will show examples and do a live demo.

Rowena Kuo—Backstory Blowout

Have you ever been told to remove backstory from your novel, but you think your story needs it to make sense? Discover techniques to remove backstory and reincorporate it into your manuscript where and when it belongs.

Carla Hoch—From Practical to Tactical

Learn the basics of fighting through live demonstration.

Kristy Gilbert—Retelling a Fairy or Folktale with Spinning Silver

Learn to craft a nuanced novel-length retelling of a folktale by examining Naomi Novik’s Spinning Silver, which uses varied techniques to weave a new story from the threads of “Rumpelstiltskin.” This masterclass discusses tropes, cultural criticism, folk traditions, character roles &relationships, and more.

Sara Ella - Infinity Rejections and Beyond

A class for authors who need encouragement—or a swift kick in the pants. Includes coping with failure, staying motivated, and practical tips about why criticism and rejection aren't just helpful, but vital to the author's journey.

Panel: Design w/ Kirk DouPonce

A panel of authors and artists will talk about their experiences and challenges and answer audience questions.

Donald Maass— The Secrets of Series Characters

Part 2 of 2

Rowena Kuo—Discovering Your Unique Voice

We’ll discuss 5 top elements of an alluring author’s voice, techniques to develop your gifts, and effective ways to make your writing distinctive. Discover what it takes to unlock your unique voice, capture your audience at the start, and hold them until the end.

Parker J. Cole—Adding Romantic Elements in Speculative Fiction

This is part two of a two-part workshop. This will be a hands-on exercise of how to implement the romantic elements via writing exercises.

Kristy Gilbert—Live Editing Session

Learn about different types of editing and gather tools for your self-editing kit by watching an editor work on the first few pages of a manuscript in real time. The editor will take submissions from attendees and edit pages, explaining what she changes, what she doesn't, and why.

Rebecca Reynolds—The Art and Science of Gravedigging

Learn strategies for overcoming writer’s block through a sampling of ancient story techniques that might unlock experimentation in your writing. Examine narrative methods embedded in the classics and invite the history of story to bring new life into your own creations.

Shannon Dittemore—All My Heroes Were Failures

Failure is one of our greatest fears. Yet the act of writing a story shows both the value and necessity of failure. We'll talk about failure in the publishing industry and compare with failures of our favorite fictional heroes. Our journey has prepared us for what lies ahead.

Carla Hoch—Dealing Damage

Tactical class on how to achieve certain injuries.

Panel: Best Book Launch Ever w/ Sara Ella

Learn tactics that worked, ideas that flopped, and other pro tips on how to make a splash when you launch a book.

Panel 2—From Novel to Audiobook w/ Marilyn Kretzer

Whether your publisher is handling production or you're holding the reins, hear what you can expect when your novel gets transformed to audio. Discover your part in making sure your story is compelling to hear.

Self Publishing Q & A

Ask full time indie author Tara Grayce your indie publishing and self-publishing questions.

Pre-conference Workshop: Writing to Market and Marketing Your Writing: It's All About the Tropes

Thursday, 9 am–3 pm
Tara Grayce
Far from being clichés, tropes are the key building blocks for a successful indie author career. From targeting tropes when writing your first draft to using tropes to effectively market your books, making tropes work for you is crucial to satisfying your audience and creating your indie author career.

Post-Con Workshop: What No One is Teaching You About Characterization

Sunday, 10 am–noon
Steven James
Multi-dimensionality for all characters (including antagonists and protagonists) depends on varying their status. Characterization is brought out by showing how a character acts in relationship to other characters. Learn how to understand the dance of submission / dominance that every relationship has and how situational and substantive status affect every character in your novel.

Realm Makers Storms Six Flags! (Sunday all day)

An informal adventure to Six Flags St. Louis. Grab your tickets from us to get the group rate, then carpool over to the park for a day of thrills. Realm Makers will not provide transportation, but attendees may use the carpool/roommate matchup group on Facebook to coordinate travel to/from the park.

If you need tickets for your family or other companions, purchase them under Merchandse below.

*Price covers cost of ticket plus sales tax
**As of Feb 1st, we already have enough buy-in to secure this group rate! The activity is cleared for take-off, God willing.

Online Appointments

Have you ever wanted to rescue someone from a (virtual) dungeon? Here's your chance. You'll facilitate Zoom-based online appointments. Open to in-person and live-online attendees. Requires some training from our Appointments Coordinators. It's not hard, we promise.

In-Person Appointments

Help keep appointments running on time. 15 minutes goes by fast! These slots align with session content. No special requirements other than being calm and an encourager.

Tech Volunteers

Two people will be assigned to one room all day during sessions. Your role is to make sure the A/V equipment is working properly and Crowdcast is running (no need to be on camera). It's not hard, and we'll train you. Great for introverts who have a bit of tech savvy. No need to know soundboards or other complicated equipment.

Greeters

Station yourself at the front desk and guide people you suspect might be Realmies to the Realm (registration desk, bookstore, etc.) These slots are for early arrivers (Wednesday evening and Thursday). Great for alumni who attended Realm Makers in previous years, but that’s not a requirement. Requires a bit of extroverting but not too much.

Bookstore

Help set up and tear down the bookstore. If slots fill up, don't worry, we'll put you to work anyway. Many hands make light work! All-hands-on-deck Wednesday night and Saturday night. This is a great way to meet people or catch up with fellow Realmies.

Registration

Help Realmies check in and receive their registration packets. Registration gets busy on Thursday morning and Thursday afternoon before the keynote. Time slots vary, some align with content. No special requirements.

Hospitality Suite

Assist our hospitality caterers with keeping Realmies fed, watered, and caffeinated while they complete their quests. Additionally, for early risers, the caterers need volunteers to start the coffee before we begin serving. You will be rewarded with caffeine. These slots align with session content (except coffee duty). If you're the one in the kitchen at parties filling up the snack trays, this is the place for you.

Prayer

Not only do people have pitches with agents and editors, life goes on outside of the walls of the hotel. Be there to pray with people as needed. These slots align with session content. Ideally, we'd like to have one male and one female in each time slot, but that's not required.

Door Minders

Folks who do this job won't have to miss anything—they will just watch the door for events they choose to attend to ensure that anyone who enters has a badge. They'll just need to sit by the door when the class is in session for anyone who straggles in.

I Prefer Not to Volunteer