Leviosa: Full Schedule

A new way to get YA stories from your favorite authors: online web serials. Join Lindsay Cummings and Sasha Alsberg to learn about their new sci-fi YA serial ZENITH about female space pirates defending a galaxy & why they wrote it, and chose to release it as a serial.

Speakers

Sasha Alsberg

Sasha Alsberg is also known as Abookutopia, her popular booktube channel, which boasts 248,000 subscribers and counting. Known for her enthusiasm for books, as well as her uncanny resemblance to Lily Collins (naturally, Sasha is a Mortal Instruments fan), Sasha’s current obsessions... Read More →

Lindsay Cummings

Lindsay Cummings writes Young Adult and Middle Grade fantasy and science fiction at HarperCollins. Her debut YA novel, THE MURDER COMPLEX, was published in June 2014, quickly followed by her first middle grade series, THE BALANCE KEEPERS in September. She’s the creator of the... Read More →

Friday July 8, 2016 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
Del Sol

YA Literature

Type Panel

10:00am PDT

Don't Harsh My Squee

Ship what you ship, love what you love, respect your fellow fans pairings! We will be discussing your favorite pairings, canon, non-canon, slash, and crack. We'll discuss the merits and problems of pairings in canon and in fanfic! Come join in, but remember not to harsh the squee!

Speakers

Krista Domin

Krista Domin is an avid Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Sherlock and Downton Abbey fan. She is a graduate of the MA in Educational Leadership program at the University of Central Florida. Prior to that she received her BA in English Literature from the University of New Hampshire.

Friday July 8, 2016 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Del Sol

Fandom

Type Roundtable

11:00am PDT

Roundtable: Next-Gen Slash and Femmeslash

Curious about the phenomenon that is Albus Severus/Scorpius or ready to flail about Lily Luna/Rose? Join us as we talk about all manner of Next Gen ships in Harry Potter, both slash and femmeslash!

Moderators

Gracerene

Grace is a fanfiction writer who's written countless stories, primarily in the Harry Potter fandom. She is mostly a slash writer, with a particular love of H/D, but she's been known to write other pairings and pairing types as well. In addition to writing, she also reads and recommends... Read More →

Friday July 8, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Del Sol

Slash-Queer Lit

Type Roundtable

1:00pm PDT

Planning Your Book As A Series

How do you plan a series, whether it's a duology, trilogy or more... and how do you write book one so it stands alone, but still can work as a series? Where do digital novellas come into play?

Speakers

Stephanie Diaz

Twenty-two-year-old Stephanie Diaz wrote her first novel, EXTRACTION, when she should’ve been studying and making short films at San Diego State University. She has since written the next two books in the Extraction series, REBELLION and the forthcoming EVOLUTION, out September 8, 2015. When she isn’t lost in books, she can be found singing, marveling... Read More →

Tobie Easton

Author

Award-winning author Tobie Easton was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where she's grown from a little girl who dreamed about magic to a twenty-something who writes about it. Her Mer Chronicles series (Emerge, Submerge, and Immerse) follows the descendants of the Little... Read More →

CL Gaber

AUTHOR, ASCENDERS SAGA

Hello everyone! I'm CL Gaber, author of ASCENDERS and the new ASCENDERS: SKYPUNCH. ASCENDERS is a new book series about a 17-year-old girl named Walker Callaghan who finds herself in an epic romance and adventure of an after-lifetime. Some great big exciting news about ASCENDERS will... Read More →

Mark Oshiro

Mark Oshiro is the force behind Mark Reads and Mark Watches, where he chronicles his unspoiled journey through various television and book series. Since 2009 when Mark discovered Harry Potter, Mark has been subjecting himself to the emotional journey that one takes when they enter... Read More →

Michelle Schusterman

Author

Michelle Schusterman is the author of over a dozen books for kids and teens, including SPELL & SPINDLE, OLIVE AND THE BACKSTAGE GHOST, and the series THE KAT SINCLAIR FILES and I HEART BAND. She co-authored the YA novel THE PROS OF CONS with Alison Cherry and Lindsay Ribar, and co-authored... Read More →

Friday July 8, 2016 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Del Sol

Writing

Type Panel

2:00pm PDT

Transitioning from Fan Writing to Pro Writing

Writing fanfic and writing novels are two different animals. How do you make the transition from fan writers to pro--what are the biggest pitfalls and how can you overcome them? What special skills do fanfic writers have that make them good at novel-writing?

Speakers

J.C. Davis

Author

J. C. Davis writes all things kidlit, including Picture Books, MG and YA. Her debut novel, CHEESUS WAS HERE, a YA Contemporary, was released in 2017 by Sky Pony Press. Ms. Davis is represented by Mandy Hubbard of the Emerald City Literary Agency. In addition to writing, Ms. Davis... Read More →

Alexa Donne

Author, Leviosa

Alexa Donne is a Ravenclaw who wears many hats, including fan convention organizing, teen mentoring, college admissions essay consulting, YouTube-ing and podcasting. When she’s not writing science fiction and fantasy for teens, Alexa works in international television marketing... Read More →

Cass Morris

Cass Morris works as a writer and educator in central Virginia. Her debut series, The Aven Cycle, is Roman-flavored historical fantasy. She is also one-third of the team behind the Hugo Award Finalist podcast Worldbuilding for Masochists. She holds a Master of Letters from Mary Baldwin... Read More →

Mark Oshiro

Lindsay Ribar

Author, PenguinTeen

Lindsay Ribar is the author of the YA novels THE PROS OF CONS (co-written with Alison Cherry and Michelle Schusterman); ROCKS FALL, EVERYONE DIES; THE ART OF WISHING; and THE FOURTH WISH. She spent nine years as a literary agent, and now works in contracts at DAW Books. Ask her about... Read More →

Friday July 8, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Del Sol

Writing

Type Panel

3:00pm PDT

The Art of Critique

Whether you're writing fan fiction or professional fiction, teaming up with the right beta readers or critique partners is essential. This panel will explore the author-critique partner relationship, including topics such as how to find a good CP, how to cultivate and maintain a strong relationship, and the parallels between being a beta reader and a critique partner.

Speakers

Alexa Donne

Author, Leviosa

Laura Ferrel

Writer/Editor

Laura Ferrel has been a Harry Potter fan since 1999 and a Harry/Draco shipper since 2002. She earned a degree in creative writing, and has spent her professional career primarily as a writer and editor for a variety of publishing and media companies. Outside of work, she enjoys wine... Read More →

Mary Elizabeth Summer

Mary Elizabeth Summer contributes to the delinquency of minors by writing books about unruly teenagers with criminal leanings. She has a BA in creative writing from Wells College, and her philosophy on life is “you can never go wrong with sriracha sauce.” She lives in Portland... Read More →

Friday July 8, 2016 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Del Sol

Writing

Type Panel

4:00pm PDT

Author Signing

Meet & greet with authors & get books signed. Bring your own books, or purchase them at our on-site book sellers.

Speakers

Alexandra Bracken

Alexandra Bracken is the New York Times bestselling author of THE DARKEST MINDS trilogy and PASSENGER. Born and raised in Arizona, she moved east to study history and English at the College of William & Mary in Virginia. After working in publishing for several years, Alex now writes full-time and can find her hard at work on her next novel in a charming little apartment that’s... Read More →

Roshani Chokshi

Roshani Chokshi is a South Asian fantasy writer. Her short stories have appeared in The Feminist Wire, Strange Horizons, Book Smugglers Publishing and Shimmer Magazine. Her first YA fantasy novel, THE STAR TOUCHED QUEEN (MacMillan, May 2016), is a re-envisioning of the Hades and Persephone... Read More →

Susan Dennard

Susan Dennard has come a long way from small-town Georgia. As a marine biologist, she got to travel the world—six out of seven continents, to be exact (she’ll get to Asia one of these days!)—before she settled down as a full-time novelist and writing instructor. She is the author... Read More →

Lindsay Ribar

Author, PenguinTeen

Michelle Schusterman

Author

Friday July 8, 2016 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Del Sol

Signing

5:00pm PDT

The Structural Underpinnings of Characterization in Harry Potter and How to Apply those Concepts to Your Own Writing

An in-depth analysis of the various roles that the characters in the Harry Potter novels play in creating a sound structural basis for the plotline will be discussed, followed by how to incorporate such conceptual underpinnings in your own writing.

Speakers

pir8fancier

pir8fancier is a fanfiction writer who has written many, many words in the Harry Potter fandom. She is known as a slash writer, but she also has dabbled in het-based fanfiction. Other fandoms that she written for includ, Pirates of the Caribbean, due South, Stargate Atlantis, and... Read More →

Friday July 8, 2016 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Del Sol

Writing

Type Workshop

6:00pm PDT

Meet Your Writing Soul Mate

Are you a writer? Would you love to have the support of writer friends to help you make your writing dreams come true? Then this meet-up is for you! Come connect with fellow writers who are in search of a squad. We will network, chat, play games, and get to know each other as writers. This meet-up will help you find that special someone(s) to be your beta reader, plotting buddy, critique partner, or collaborator. All genres welcome, including original and fanfic.

Friday July 8, 2016 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Del Sol

Meet-Up

9:30pm PDT

Slash: the Game!

Join us for an 18+ rendition of the card game Slash: Romance Without Boundaries. Come up with wild, wacky, and sexy ways to put random characters from dozens of fandoms into relationships!

Note: You MUST be 18 or older to participate.

Friday July 8, 2016 9:30pm - 11:30pm PDT
Del Sol

18+ Night Slash-Queer Lit

8:15am PDT

Volunteer Orientation

Want to volunteer at Leviosa? Come bright and early Saturday morning and learn all you need to know + get assigned to your tasks for the day!

Speakers

Sarai Phillips

Saturday July 9, 2016 8:15am - 9:00am PDT
Del Sol

Volunteers

9:00am PDT

Middle Grade Minded

What makes middle grade fiction so fun? What trends are taking over shelves right now? What's different with writing MG vs. YA? And what do we want to see more of?

Speakers

Kamilla Benko

Editor, Paper Lantern Lit

Kamilla Benko spent most of her childhood climbing into wardrobes, trying to step through mirrors, and plotting to run away to an art museum. When she grew up, she moved to NYC and entered into the world of children’s publishing. She now wrangles manuscripts as an editor for Paper... Read More →

Jordan Hamessley

Jordan Hamessley is the senior editor of the children's division at Insight Editions in the Bay Area. Insight is known for great licensed books including many Harry Potter projects! She is actively building the children's list. Prior to Insight, Jordan edited and developed content... Read More →

Michelle Schusterman

Author

Saturday July 9, 2016 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
Del Sol

YA Literature

Type Panel

10:00am PDT

Hermione's Summer Reading List

Librarian recommended fun and exciting reads to enjoy while taking a break from your OWLs studies. Something for every house!

Speakers

Casey Duevel

Reference Coordinator/Reference Librarian, Associate Professor, Minnesota State University, Mankato

I'm a reference librarian at a mid-sized public university. I also work with our Juvenile and Young Adult collection. I enjoy young adult novels, romances, and witty banter in most any form (book, movie, TV show) and will watch almost any adaptation of Jane Austen's works. I'm a pop... Read More →

Saturday July 9, 2016 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Del Sol

YA Literature

Type Panel

11:00am PDT

How To Hybrid

A panel of hybrid authors--both traditionally and self-published--will discuss how they ended up going hybrid, the pros & cons of a mixed-publishing model, and tips & tricks on doing both, as well as marketing.

Speakers

Kamilla Benko

Editor, Paper Lantern Lit

Elizabeth Briggs

., .

Elizabeth Briggs is a full-time geek who writes books for teens and adults. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in Sociology, currently mentors teens in writing, and volunteers with a dog rescue group. She’s the author of the new adult CHASING THE DREAM series and the young a... Read More →

CL Gaber

AUTHOR, ASCENDERS SAGA

Beth Revis

Beth Revis is the New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, and IndieBound bestselling author of the Across the Universe series (Razorbill/Penguin ), as well as several in-world short stories published in various anthologies. Her latest release THE BODY ELECTRIC is a same-universe-different-characters... Read More →

Jessica Watterson

Jessica Watterson graduated from the University of California at Irvine with a degree in sociocultural anthropology and English. Jessica is most interested in all sub-genres of romance. She greatly enjoys character driven plots that pull the reader into the pages and won’t let go... Read More →

Saturday July 9, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Del Sol

Writing

Type Panel

1:00pm PDT

Author Worst Case Scenarios

It's not always smooth sailing once you're agented. From having to rewrite your book from scratch, to parting ways with your agent, submission woes and when your publisher opts not to publish the next book, our panel will discuss author worst case scenarios and how they got through.

Speakers

Alexa Donne

Author, Leviosa

Robyn Schneider

Robyn Schneider is the author of the critically-acclaimed and bestselling YA novels The Beginning of Everything and Extraordinary Means, both of which contain an embarrassing amount of Harry Potter and Doctor Who references. She is a graduate of Columbia University, where she studied creative writing, and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, where she earned a Masters of Bioethics. She lives in Los Angeles, Calif... Read More →

Michelle Schusterman

Author

Mary Elizabeth Summer

Saturday July 9, 2016 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Del Sol

YA Literature

Type Panel

2:00pm PDT

Author Signing

Meet & greet with authors & get books signed. Bring your own books, or purchase them at our on-site book sellers.

Speakers

Elizabeth Briggs

., .

Stephanie Diaz

CL Gaber

AUTHOR, ASCENDERS SAGA

Mary Elizabeth Summer

Saturday July 9, 2016 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Del Sol

Signing

3:00pm PDT

Parental Guidance Necessary?: Parents & Adults in YA

Poor parents–and other adults–usually get short shrift in YA. Why is that? Do parents have to be absent or awful in order for teen characters to have adventures? What are our favorite books that depict realistic & complex adults in YA?

Moderators

Chelsea Sedoti

Chelsea Sedoti fell in love with writing at a young age after discovering that making up stories was more fun than doing her school work (her teachers didn’t always appreciate this.) In an effort to avoid getting a “real” job, Chelsea explored careers as a balloon twister, filmmaker... Read More →

Speakers

Tobie Easton

Author

Beth Revis

Lindsay Ribar

Author, PenguinTeen

Mary Elizabeth Summer

Carlie Webber

Carlisle Webber is the founder of CK Webber Associates, an agency specializing in middle grade, YA, and adult fiction. Prior to opening her own agency, she worked for the New England Publishing Associates/Publish or Perish Agency and the Jane Rotrosen Agency. She is a graduate of... Read More →

Saturday July 9, 2016 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Del Sol

YA Literature

Type Panel

4:00pm PDT

Revision Tips & Tricks

There are many ways to skin a cat (err, metaphorically). Learn how to effectively revise a book.

Speakers

Susan Dennard

Alexa Donne

Author, Leviosa

Thao Le

Literary Agent, Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency

THAO LE is a literary agent at the Dijkstra Agency. She also handles the agency’s financials and select contracts.Thao is currently looking for: Adult Sci-fi/Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade, and is selectively open to Romance, and Picture Books by authors who are also illustrators.For... Read More →

Beth Revis

Mary Elizabeth Summer

Saturday July 9, 2016 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Del Sol

Writing

Type Panel

5:00pm PDT

Patronus or Plot? How Characters’ Wants and Needs Shape Story

Kamilla Benko, editor at Paper Lantern Lit, will share the equation that PLL uses to locate the heart of (almost) any book written, and how to use this same formula to turn a vague idea into a three-act outline, then into a novel, and then into a series. Benko will use the Harry Potter books to show how this secret sentence has been applied to the Wizarding World and how writers can use it when creating their own character-driven plots.

Speakers

Kamilla Benko

Editor, Paper Lantern Lit

Saturday July 9, 2016 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Del Sol

Writing

Type Workshop

6:00pm PDT

Hamilton SingAlong

It’s the great Hamilton singalong! (Awesome. Wow.)

Are you young, scrappy, and hungry? Are you looking for a mind at work? Will you never be satisfied with the amount of Revolutionary heroism or Lin-Manuel Miranda in your life?

If the answer is yes, you know there’s only one place for you to be: the Hamilton singalong! Come share your favorite memories of the Hamilton cast and crew and your favorite stories of Hamilton and the other founding fathers! Come discuss LMM’s epic Hogwarts house sorting with Emma Watson — don’t worry, you won’t have to rap battle it out, unless you really want to! Most of all, come sing your hearts out and meet other Hamilton fans! It’s your one chance to be in the room where it happens — do not throw away your shot!

Speakers

Aja Romano

Web Culture Reporter, Vox

Aja Romano is a staff web culture reporter and film reviewer for Vox.com. A longtime member of fandom, she has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and geek culture reporter for media outlets including the Mary Sue and the Daily Dot. She is a frequent radio guest and panel... Read More →

Saturday July 9, 2016 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Del Sol

Meet-Up

9:30am PDT

Adversarial Slash Relationships and Why We Love Them

Friends to lovers is a great fic trope, but what about those ships where both individuals canonically despise each other? What is it about enemies falling in love that makes our slashy toes curl, and why is it that some of us consistently find our OTPs not in the warm and comforting sides of fandoms but rather in their more hostile, wands out, swords drawn environs? Join us as we explore the snarky, difficult aspects of slash ships where Our Lovers' path to True Love is a bit rockier--and more likely to involve a well-placed hex or two along the way.

Moderators

Bicrim

Speakers

Femmequixotic (Femme)

Slash and Queer Lit Track Director, Leviosa

Femme has been a fan writer of one stripe or another since she could pick up a pencil. Before stumbling upon online fandom in the early ’90s as an X-Phile, she spent her childhood writing Anne of Green Gables and Gilligan’s Island fanfic—juvenilia which is probably better left... Read More →

Elizabeth Minkel

Columnist, New Statesman

I'm a journalist who writes about (mostly) books and fan culture.

Aja Romano

Web Culture Reporter, Vox

Sunday July 10, 2016 9:30am - 11:00am PDT
Del Sol

Slash-Queer Lit

Type Panel

12:00pm PDT

Disney Goes to Wizarding School

An abundance of Disney characters have magic powers, where did they learn these and how? Did the ministry ever get involved? This will be a fanon discussion on how the Disney realm fits in to the wizarding world.

Speakers

Krista Domin

Sunday July 10, 2016 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Del Sol

Fandom

Type Roundtable

1:00pm PDT

Where The Wild Words Are - Generating Story Ideas for Fan & Original Fiction

One of the top questions every writer gets is "where do you get your ideas?" While answering "from a locked vault in Gringotts" is awfully fun, the truth is ideas are all around us: a family anecdote passed down for generations, a headline that catches your eye or a question that won't let you sleep at night. Come learn some tips and techniques for finding the ideas to spark your imagination.

Speakers

J.C. Davis

Author

Sunday July 10, 2016 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Del Sol

Writing

Type Workshop