Jared Austin is a young adult science fiction author. With his Space City series, he hopes to show and inspire his daughter and son, as well as all of his readers, that science and technology are not dull subjects, but gateways to a brighter, exciting future.
Navigating the internet as a fiction writer has shifted dramatically from casual banter to managing algorithms, building boundaries, and balancing commercial expectations. On Sunday at 2:30PM, the Young Adult (YA) Literature track brought together authors with vastly different approaches to the online world for “YA Literature in the Social Media Age,” in Marriott A707. Moderator Marianne Danneman led a candid… Read more →
In audio drama, what happens between the sounds is just as terrifying as the gore itself. On Sunday at 1PM, the Westin Peachtree 1–2 hosted “Sounds Frightening: Audio Horror & Suspense,” exploring how creators use pacing and volume to build intimate nightmares. Moderator Alledria Hurt led an animated discussion with New York Times bestselling author and podcasting pioneer Scott Sigler… Read more →
For generations, the traditional view of reading has been tied strictly to prose in a book, and libraries are a place for quiet; if you made too much noise a stern librarian shushed you. On Sunday at 11:30 AM, the panel “Libraries & Comics: Making Comics Easy to Access” on the Comics and Pop Art track turned that notion on… Read more →
Aspiring content creators are often bombarded with questionable online advice, such as chasing algorithm trends. On Saturday at 4PM, the Digital Media track addressed these misconceptions in the Hilton Galleria 7 with “Creator Myths vs Marketing Reality.” Casey Morris, who specializes in digital marketing solutions for small businesses, moderated a panel featuring Kennesaw State University marketing professor and Be Awesome… Read more →
WARNING: Gross stuff ahead. Late-night programming at Dragon Con is where squeamish boundaries are pushed, and the Science Track’s most unapologetically graphic tradition did not disappoint. On Friday at 10PM, fans packed the Hilton 209–211 for “Science is Gross (Vol. 3): Into the Gross,” moderated by Science Track director Matthew Jarrett. The panel featured forensic entomologist Brandon H. Strauss, clinical… Read more →
For attendees eager to trade lecture seats for active discovery, the Science Track transformed Marriott A601–A602 into an interactive laboratory on Saturday at 11:30 AM with “Science Fair! Hands-On Science Power Hour!” Fans moved exhibit by exhibit, getting up close with live specimens, historical fossils, and physics experiments guided by working researchers and educators. “Tuning In to the Cosmos with… Read more →
Getting a payload off the launchpad is only the first step in a complex chain of engineering and mission planning required to explore space. On Friday at 2:30 PM, the Hilton 212–214 hosted “Space Flight Operations 101,” a practical walkthrough of what it takes to fly in space. The panel featured Georgia Tech PhD students Bec Palmer, who specializes in… Read more →
Pop culture makes cloning look as simple as tapping into amber-trapped mosquitoes or an overnight transformation through injection. The reality inside the lab is messier, far more expensive, and humbled by the intricacies of reproduction that we still do not understand well. On Friday at 10AM, the Science Track hosted “30 Years of Real-Life Cloning: Where Are We Now?” in… Read more →
