Hey there!

Thanks to everyone who took advantage of my birthday sale last weekend — it was very fun packing up orders and shipping them out. I recently bought one of those thermal label printers and a bunch of fun bubble mailers, so I'm basically unstoppable. :)

I'm gearing up for my first in-person conference of 2025 in April (Norwescon, our local PNW sci-fi/fantasy convention), and it occurred to me that I'm going to be traveling a LOT for conferences this year! Some are old faves, like Norwescon. Some are brand new to me, like ThrillerFest. Some I'm teaching at, some I'll just be attending.

But all are opportunities for me to connect with awesome readers like yourself!

If you'll be at any of these conferences or conventions, please let me know. I'd love to say hi.

(And if you have a favorite local con that you think I should put on my radar, let me know! I love visiting new places, especially when it's for work.)

Here's the list:

The Trope Conference​
​Dates: April 5-6, 2025
​Location: Virtual
​Role: Attendee
​Overview: Jennifer Hilt (author of The Trope Thesaurus) is putting on this fantastic 2-day virtual conference dedicated to using tropes in your writing and marketing. I'm just attending this one, and am extremely excited about the speakers she's lined up! If you're an author, definitely check it out. Even if you can't make the dates, the recordings will be available afterward. Register here (affiliate).

Norwescon 47​
​Dates: April 17–20, 2025
​Location: SeaTac, WA
​Role: Panelist
​Overview: I've attended Norwescon—the Pacific Northwest's premier science fiction and fantasy convention—the last few years, and I always have a great time. It's a fun conference for fans and authors alike, and it's always a blast to see everyone in costume! Register here.

ThrillerFest​
​Dates: June17-21, 2025
​Location: New York, NY
​Role: Attendee
​Overview: I have wanted to go to ThrillerFest for ages, but didn't feel like I could justify the cost of a NYC trip as a sci-fi author. But now that I'm working on a thriller series, I'm all in! This con is for authors and thriller enthusiasts alike, offering attendees the chance to network with bestselling authors, attend workshops, and explore the latest trends in the thriller genre. Register here.

Cascade Writers Workshop​
​Dates: July 11-13, 2025
​Location: Bremerton, WA
​Role: Critique Group Instructor
​Overview: I first attended Cascade Writers Workshop over a decade ago, where I workshopped the first chapter of the novel that eventually became From Earth and Bone. Now, I'm returning for my second year in a row as a critique group instructor, and I couldn't be more delighted. It's a fantastic conference, dedicated to helping writers improve their craft through intensive critique sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities with industry professionals. Register here.

Willamette Writers Conference​
​Dates: July 30-August 3, 2025
​Location: Portland, OR
​Role: Instructor
​Overview: I'll be speaking at the Willamette Writers Conference this year, on the topic of crafting a long-term author career that's productive without burning yourself out. WWC is a fantastic conference focused on writing craft and community, where writers can hone their skills, pitch their projects, and connect with fellow authors and industry experts. Register here.

Worldcon 83 (Seattle Worldcon 2025)​
​Dates: August 13–17, 2025
​Location: Seattle, WA
​Role: Panelist & Indie Publishing Track Lead
​Overview: Worldcon is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society, and this year it's coming to Seattle! I'm helping organize the indie publishing track, which is going to be super fun—and I'll also be attending as a panelist. The 83rd Worldcon will feature esteemed guests like Martha Wells, Donato Giancola, Bridget Landry, and Alexander James Adams. Register here.

Author Nation ​
​Dates: November 3–7, 2025
​Location: Las Vegas, NV
​Role: Attendee
​Overview: Author Nation is a phenomenal conference for indie authors, and even though Vegas isn't normally my jam, I brave it every year to attend. :) If you're an author, I highly recommend checking it out. If you're a reader, the final day is the Readers & Authors Vegas Event (RAVE), where you can find many of your favorite indie authors in one place, selling books! Register here.

Friends, I'm tired just typing all that out. But I'm also energized—because even though I do love my introvert time, being among other authors and meeting readers always fires me up and gets me excited to continue the work.

Will I see you at any of these events? Let me know.

And don't forget, the Sci-fi and Fantasy Boxed Sets promo is still running all this month!

Happy reading,

Jessie