Rainbow Readers Cruise 2024 Panel Schedule
All sessions taking place at: The Conference Center and Celebrity Central, Level 4
August 20, Key West
3:00 pm to 3:40 pm
WHODUNNIT? HOW-DO-IT! (Room 1)
With Josh Lanyon, Christopher Rice, Rick R. Reed, and S. Bolanos. Moderated by Joel Leslie.
A deep dive into the unique challenges of crafting a compelling mystery. From detectives to amateur sleuths, how do they create a compelling and captivating hero and a tangled web for them to unwind? And… the biggest mystery of all… do they know the culprit when they start Chapter One!?
BELIEVE IT OR KNOT – THE SHIFTER PANEL! (Room 2)
With Victoria Sue, Kelex, KC Burn, and Nora Phoenix. Moderated by Mo Sytsma.
From folklore right into our fantasies – we love a shifter. hese captivating creatures come out a lot more often than Halloween! We’ll discuss our deep fascination with howling hotties and their terrifically talented tongues! How does an author brings their own stamp and mythology to the omegaverse (and the sexy times that ensue). From Beta to the Beast – and we’ll tackle it all – including where the heck they keep their clothes!
3:50 pm to 4:30 pm
PUTTING WORDS IN MY MOUTH – THE NARRATOR/AUTHOR RELATIONSHIP (Room 1)
With Kim Fielding, Kiernan Kelly, AJ Sherwood, and Jordan L. Hawk. Moderated by Joel Leslie.
Joel has an intimate chat with four fabulous authors with whom he has narrated over 20 titles. Learn all about the narrator/author relationship and the behind-the-scenes balance of this deeply intimate artistic collaboration.
WE’RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BED! TRIPLE-PLAYS AND POLY GAYS (Room 2)
With Isla Olsen, Trina Lane, K.M. Neuhold, and JS Harker. Moderated by Jay of Joyfully Jay Reviews.
The books that make us go yummm/m/m/m! Let’s talk about the real challenges of writing complex relationships when there’s more than two hearts involved. Established relationships or brand-new pairings – how do authors create balanced relationships that ring with authenticity and vulnerability? Never mind tracking where all those limbs go during the spicy scenes!
4:40 pm to 5:30 pm
THEY GIVE GOOD HEAD(PHONES) – THE NARRATOR PANEL (Celebrity Central)
With Kirt Graves, Declan Winters, Joel Leslie, Cole Michael Kurcz, and Kevin Earlywine. Moderated by Mo Sytsma.
Our fabulous narrators convene to chat all about how they make choices and create memorable voices. Listen to them live read from some of your favorite stories and talk narration nitty gritty.
August 21, Coco Cay
3:00 pm to 3:40 pm
FAE FOR PAY - THE FABULOUS FACES OF QUEER FANTASY! (Room 1)
With Ryan La Sala, Kim Fielding, and Jordan L. Hawk. Moderated by Joel Leslie.
We’re enchanted… by the brilliant world building and word-wizards of fantasy writing. How do authors create whole new worlds filled with fantastical creatures and magical beings? From the logistics of lore and legends to mystical minutiae – we’ll learn all about the stories that cast a spell on us.
SPANKS FOR THE MEMORIES (Room 2)
With Victoria Sue, Cara Dee, and Ari McKay. Moderated by Mo Sytsma.
A discussion with the kink-positive creators who encourage us to explore our deepest desires. BDSM stories are about so much more than what happens in the bedroom (and the dungeon!)… they feature a sense of community and found family requiring significant research and respect. How do these authors craft some of the most complex psychological and intimate relationships in romance?
3:50 pm to 4:30 pm
THE AMAZING ANTI-ALPHA (Room 1)
With Christopher Rice, Dominic Lim, Lynn Van Dorn, and Chloe Archer. Moderated by Joel Leslie.
We all love those deep voiced growly muscle men who make us weak in the knees… but what about those unicorn, glitter-tastic characters who are femme, feisty and fabulous. How do you celebrate and sell those characters that go against the romance grain with sass and sparkle? An important discussion on why we need these characters and why they have such an impact on queer readers.
THE REMARKABLE READER/WRITER RELATIONSHIP (Room 2)
With Ana Ashley, Nora Phoenix, K.M. Neuhold, and KC Burn. Moderated by Jay of Joyfully Jay Reviews.
In todays’ world of social media, it’s easier than ever to have a real relationship with the brilliant minds behind our favorite stories. From beta and sensitivity readers to Facebook fans or twitter trolls… how do authors embrace and enrich their audience while maintain healthy boundaries?
4:40 pm to 5:30 pm
Y/A ALL THE WAY! (Room 1)
With Ryan La Sala, Alexander Eberhardt, Addison Lloyd, and Dakota Chase. Moderated by Joel Leslie.
What compels authors to craft stories that inspire, embrace and enrich young LGBTQ+ readers? From characters that heal our hearts to reliving their awkward teenage years – what is it about y/a that we love and captures one of the widest audiences in gay fiction.
SEXY MALES WITH SHIMMERING SCALES (Room 2)
With AJ Sherwood, Lynn Van Dorn, Ari McKay, and J.L. Gribble. Moderated by Jay of Joyfully Jay Reviews.
Dragons are hot, hot, hot – and not just their breath! How do authors create their own unique spin on this wildly popular genre and manage to sustain our fascination through sprawling epic series? From origin stories, social strata and fated mates, how do they fashion their own delicious brand of dreamy dragons.
Pre Cruise Panels
July 29, 7 pm Eastern via Zoom and recorded An email has been sent to registered conference attendees with link to registration.
FRESH FACES! NEW VOICES ON THE CON SCENE!
With Harper Robson, Rory Maxwell, and Evie McGlynn. Moderated by Joel Leslie and Mo Sytsma.
Who doesn’t love a virgin!? Come and support these fab fresh voices as we pop their panel cherry! These faces are new to the con-scene, so we want to make extra sure when you get on board you’ll recognize them and be hungry to add to your TBR pile! In this special pre-embarkation zoom panel we’ll ask them all about their inspirations and aspirations. How did they find their voice, and what will make us fall in love with their words? How are they forging their own way in the industry, engaging readers and that age old question – how do you climb that manuscript mountain and manage to type “the end” for the very first time!
August 5, 7 pm Eastern via Zoom and recorded An email has been sent to registered conference attendees with link to registration.
PRE-CRUISE ORIENTATION WITH RICH
With Rich Najuch, your Certified Cruise Coordinator and Cruise Planners Franchise Owner.
This is the session for answers to all your cruise and conference questions! What to expect, what to pack, what NOT to pack, and anything else you can think of. Rich loves to bring new people on cruises, and he became a travel agent specifically to help those new cruisers have the best time on their cruises!