Dragon Con is the largest multi-media, popular culture convention focusing on science fiction & fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film in the universe.
Lauren's Panel Schedule:
Title: No Way Out: A From Fan Panel
Description: A fan-driven discussion about the enigmatic horror series, ranging from its mysteries to its mythology. What do we think is really going on?
Panelists: Rocky Shields, Robyn McGlotten, Tony Sarrecchia, C. Damian Allen(M), Lauren Thoman, Courtenay Cody
Time: Thu 07:00 pm
Location: Peachtree 1-2 Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
Title: Remarkably Bright Creatures Discussion: Book & Movie
Description: A moderated panel discussion over the book and its movie adaptation on Netflix, with audience involvement.
Panelists: Anna Puerta(M), Darrell Z. Grizzle, Lauren Thoman, Margaret Robbins, William Brown
Time: Fri 10:00 am
Location: Chastain F Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
Title: Pluribus: A Perfect World?
Description: A world where becoming part of something greater may be the ultimate reward—or the ultimate sacrifice. With mystery, unforgettable characters, and plenty of moral gray areas, the first season challenges what it means to belong, to choose, and ultimately, to remain yourself.
Panelists: Kevin Bachelder(M), Lauren Thoman, Felicity Kusinitz, Jason Rhode, Wendy Hembrock
Time: Fri 11:30 am
Location: M302-M303 Marriott (Length: 1 Hour)
Title: How to Get Away with Murder: Thriller in YA
Description: Mystery, Murder, and Mayhem..oh my! Crafting a murder (in a book of course) that thrills, chills, and keeps readers on the edge of their seat takes an incredible amount of talent. Let's talk about what it takes to write the perfect murder.
Panelists: Diana Peterfreund, Lauren Thoman, Clay McLeod Chapman, Sarah Brown(M), Madeleine Roux
Time: Fri 07:00 pm
Location: A707 Marriott (Length: 1 Hour)
Title: Is the End Near? A Good Omens Fan Panel
Description: A moderated fan panel discussion over the final season of the show.
Panelists: JM Paquette, Ben Meeks, Lauren Thoman, Wayland Smith, Elliot DuPree, Carol Malcolm
Time: Fri 08:30 pm
Location: Chastain 1-2 Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
Title: End of the World As We Know It: Dystopian YA
Description: Dystopian YA Lit captivates us by asking one timeless question: What happens when the world goes wrong? Join us as we discuss crafting unforgettable worlds, creating resilient protagonists, and using speculative fiction to explore real-world issues such as power, inequality, survival, and hope.
Panelists: Sarah Brown(M), Lauren Thoman, Megan O'Russell, A. J. Hartley, Jessi Ann York, Andrew Najberg
Time: Sat 01:00 pm
Location: A707 Marriott (Length: 1 Hour)
Title: The Silo Symposium
Description: Descend into the mysteries of Silo as fans uncover its secrets, power structures, and claustrophobic tensions. Explore rebellion, truth, and survival beneath the surface in a lively discussion of life inside a post-apocalyptic world built on control, fear, and buried truths.
Panelists: Lauren Thoman, Michael Frost, Aaron Dunne(M), Tara Lynne Walker
Time: Sat 04:00 pm
Location: Chastain G Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
Title: YA Book Club: I'll Stop the World - Lauren Thoman
Description:
Panelists: Lauren Thoman, Sarah Brown(M)
Time: Sat 07:00 pm
Location: A707 Marriott (Length: 1 Hour)
Title: The Plot Thickens: Mystery & Suspense in UF
Description: Key components of Urban Fantasy, mystery and suspense add an extra layer to the narrative, and often are the main focus of a story. Our group of authors will discuss how they use these elements in their work.
Panelists: Ernest Dempsey, Beth Dolgner, Lauren Thoman, Shannon Clute(M), R.R. Virdi, Diana Peterfreund
Time: Sun 10:00 am
Location: Chastain 1-2 Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
Title: Mental Health in YA
Description: Stories have the power to help us know ourselves and our world more clearly. Join us as we discuss stories that explore mental health, resilience, identity, and more. We'll discuss the responsibility of portraying sensitive topics and the impact these stories can have on young readers.
Panelists: Becky Albertalli, Megan Linski, Lauren Thoman, Jess Lyles(M), Sean Fletcher, A. J. Hartley
Time: Sun 01:00 pm
Location: A707 Marriott (Length: 1 Hour)
Title: Welcome to Widow's Bay: A Fan Panel
Description: A fan-powered discussion about Apple's surprise hit. We'll discuss our favorite characters, how the show balances horror and comedy, and it's offbeat, cozy charm.
Panelists: Christopher G Moore, Jotham R Austin, II, Aaron Michael Ritchey, Jen "Lil' Bit" Schleusner(M), Lauren Thoman, Whiskey Vixen
Time: Sun 04:00 pm
Location: Peachtree 1-2 Westin (Length: 1 Hour)