| 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM ET | Exhibit Hall Opens / In-Booth Chats 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM ET | Opening Keynote
Jerry Craft, Class Act (HarperCollins)
Moderator: Mahnaz Dar, Reference & Professional Reading Editor, School Library Journal & Library Journal 11:35 AM - 12:25 PM ET | Two Panels Running Concurrently Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy
These creators will talk about the power of speculative fiction to provide readers an escape, while also giving teens insight into the very real, day-to-day world they inhabit.
Kristin Cashore, Winterkeep (Penguin)
Cassandra Rose Clarke, Forget This Ever Happened (Holiday House)
Tyler Chin-Tanner, Maybe Someday (Diamond)
Wendy Chin-Tanner, Maybe Someday (Diamond)
Hafsah Faizal, We Free the Stars (Macmillan)
Namina Forna, The Gilded Ones (Random)
Moderator: Kristin L. Anderson, Jackson County Library Services, OR, School Library Journal Reviewer Speculative Adult Titles
Alternative histories and catastrophic futures collide in this panel featuring longtime masters of the genre and groundbreaking debut authors.
Chuck Brown, On the Stump (Image)
Nicole Glover, The Conductors (HMH Adult)
Joe Hill, Locke & Key (IDW)
Josh Malerman, Goblin (PRH)
François Vigneault, Titan (Oni Press)
Moderator: Anja Webb, Assistant Editor, School Library Journal & Library Journal 12:25 PM - 12:55 PM ET | BREAK 12:55 PM – 1:45 PM ET | Two Panels Running Concurrently Middle Grade Speculative Fiction
From high-adrenaline adventures to creepy teddy bears and sweeping space sagas, these works run the gamut of speculative fiction. The authors will chat about the writing process, the genesis of these projects, and why middle grade is the perfect age for sci-fi, fantasy, and horror.
Justina Ireland, The High Republic: A Test of Courage (Disney)
Clayton Junior, Wild Thing, Or: My Life as a Wolf (Ablaze)
Daniel Kraus, They Threw Us Away (Macmillan)
Christine Taylor-Butler, The Lost Tribes: Trials (Move Books)
Judd Winick, Hi-Lo: Gina: The Girl Who Broke the World (Random)
Moderator: Alea Perez, Elmhurst Public Library, IL, School Library Journal Reviewer Finding Ourselves: How Comics Let Us Grapple with Identity
These graphic novelists will discuss how they use their work to explore deep-seated issues, including race, gender, and consent.
Julia Kaye, My Life in Transition (Andrews McMeel)
Edanur Kuntman, Tales from Behind the Window (Europe Comics)
L.L. McKinney, Nubia: Real One (DC)
Gabby Rivera, Juliet Takes a Breath adaptation (BOOM! Studios)
Isabella Rotman, The Quick and Easy Guide to Consent (Oni Press)
Moderator: Thomas Maluck, Richland Library, SC, School Library Journal Reviewer 1:50 PM - 2:20 PM ET | Two Programming Sessions Running Concurrently Fast Learning Session I
Jeremy Brett and Sierra Laddusaw will discuss Texas A&M’s Science Fiction and Fantasy Research Collection, which houses fan-created works, thousands of books and monographs, and archives from creators such as George R.R. Martin and Elizabeth Moon.
Jeremy Brett, Curator of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Research Collection, Cushing Memorial Library & Archives, Texas A&M University
Sierra Laddusaw, Maps Curator, Cushing Memorial Library & Archives, Texas A&M University
Moderator: Mahnaz Dar, Reference and Professional Reading Editor, School Library Journal & Library Journal Fast Learning Session II
Two public librarians offer tips for mounting a digital comic convention.
Bonnie Domingos, Library Art & Culture Exhibitions Manager, San Diego Public Library
Maria Fonseca, Digital Information Services Librarian, Matteson Area Public Library District, IL
Moderator: Ashleigh Williams, Assistant Editor, Chapter Books & Middle Grade, School Library Journal 2:20 PM - 3:00 PM ET | BREAK 3:00 PM - 3:50 PM ET | From Prose to Comics: Adapting Material into Comics Format
Panelists will discuss the challenges of adapting works into a new medium, exploring both stories inspired by existing properties and tales that follow their source material more closely.
Anthony Del Col, Death of Nancy Drew (Diamond)
Alex de Campi, Dracula, Motherf**ker (Image)
Erica Henderson, Dracula, Motherf**ker (Image)
Erik Ho, Editor in Chief of Manga Classics / Anne of Green Gables (Diamond)
Ryan North, Slaughterhouse Five (BOOM! Studios)
Moderator: Crystal Chen, New York Public Library 3:55 PM - 4:25 PM ET | Closing Keynote Conversation
John Jennings, Parable of the Sower (Abrams)
Moderator: Shelley Diaz, Reviews Editor, School Library Journal 4:25 PM - 5:00 PM ET | Exhibit Hall / In-Booth Chats | 
