XM Moon

Panelist, Moderator

XM Moon

XM Moon is an author living in the middle of nowhere with their spouse and a 1:1 ratio of pets to computers. They write queer speculative fiction with an intimate focus on relationships, identity, and trauma, set against the backdrop of worlds that are fantastical and fascinating. A capacity for serious, thoughtful works and stories imaginative or monstrous keeps their portfolio diversified. When they’re not “writing” – opening and closing documents, outlining endlessly – the bulk of their time is spent keeping up with their business, Moon Enterprise, which provides design and web services to authors and other artists. Find them online on their website.

Sessions by XM Moon

1st Day

June 7, 2024

Monsters and Robots: Queer Reclamation

For a very long time, monsters in fiction were queer-coded because straight cis artists saw their differing identities as a source of fear–but not any more. Our panel will discuss the history of this trope as well as the reclamation of the trope for and by the queer community. | Moderated by Basil Wright

9:30 - 11:00 PM #monsters-and-robots-queer-reclamation

2nd Day

June 8, 2024

LGBTQ+ Traditional vs. Self Publishing

Different types of stories sell better in different venues, and in that way, self-publishing and traditional publishing could serve different purposes for writers at various points of their careers. But if you’re an LGBTQ+ author, are there advantages to traditional or self publishing? Our panel discusses the various paths and what it could mean for your career. | Moderated by XM Moon

6:30 - 08:00 PM #lgbtq-traditional-vs-self-publishing

3rd Day

June 9, 2024

Show and Tell: What Works and What Writers Get Wrong

“Show, don’t tell” isn’t something you learn when you’re younger and ultimately don’t use later in life – like calculus. If you’re a writer, this rule is very much relevant in your everyday life. Sometimes we execute it well, and sometimes we need to work on it. Let’s talk about it in this panel discussion to help us continuously improve. | Moderated by XM Moon

2:30 - 04:00 PM #show-and-tell-what-works-and-what-writers-get-wrong

3rd Day

June 9, 2024

Marginalized Genders in Fiction

Representation is so important in fiction, and marginalized genders have always existed, though rarely been represented in media. Our panel discusses the history of marginalized genders in fiction, discusses what is required for good representation and gives examples of existing positive rep. | Moderated by XM Moon

4:00 - 05:30 PM #marginalized-genders-in-fiction