A big THANK YOU to all our amazing friends and fans who joined us for TorCon 2021. We hope you had an amazing time and hope to see you again for our next virtual event!
If you’re bummed you couldn’t make it to all of the activities, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. You can see the recordings of almost all of TorCon PLUS some short recaps here!
Gillian Flynn and Catriona Ward, in conversation
Catriona Ward’s twisty and terrifying opens in a new windowThe Last House on Needless Street is one of the most anticipated books of the fall–and who better to join her to discuss all things thrilling and chilling than #1 New York Times bestselling author Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl, Dark Places, Sharp Objects)? Check out this powerhouse duo here! Thank you to Den of Geek for co-hosting.
Rewatch below via Facebook:
Chaotic Storytelling–Take 2!
It’s time for Chaotic Storytelling: 2 Chaotic, 2 Furious! Christopher Buehlman ( opens in a new windowThe Blacktongue Thief), J.S. Dewes ( opens in a new windowThe Last Watch), Andrea Hairston ( opens in a new windowMaster of Poisons), Jenn Lyons ( opens in a new windowThe House of Always), and Neil Sharpson ( opens in a new windowWhen the Sparrow Falls) incorporated writing prompts from the audience to create a brand new story—and talk about their craft and inspirations along the way. This panel was co-hosted by LitHub and moderated by Drew Broussard.
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Nightfire Family *Blood* Feud
Our new horror imprint, Nightfire, brought together some of your favorite horror and gothic authors as they went head-to-head in a horror-inspired version of the favorite game show… What tropes are fan favorites? Which movie franchise is the scariest? Check out Gretchen Felker-Martin ( opens in a new windowManhunt), Cassandra Khaw ( opens in a new windowNothing But Blackened Teeth), Thomas Olde Heuvelt ( opens in a new windowHex, opens in a new windowEcho), Silvia Moreno Garcia ( opens in a new windowCertain Dark Things), and host Lee Mandelo ( opens in a new windowSummer Sons) as they found out during Nightfire’s Horror Feud!
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Holly Black & James Rollins in conversation
Holly Black joined James Rollins to discuss his new epic novel, opens in a new windowThe Starless Crown–plus an exclusive announcement for Holly’s fans! Check out these two #1 New York Times bestsellers as they talked bringing the thrills to fantasy, fighting the moon, stealing a god, new projects…and even a sneak peek at some of their latest work. Holly announced her adult debut from Tor, coming next summer, Book of Night. This panel was co-hosted by Den of Geek.
Rewatch below via Facebook:
All the Feels: Emotional Storytelling in SFF
SFF has the coolest story elements, but the *real* reason we love these books is that they hit us right in the feels. Becky Chambers ( opens in a new windowA Psalm for the Wild-Built), Kerstin Hall ( opens in a new windowStar Eater), T.L. Huchu ( opens in a new windowThe Library of the Dead), Alex Pheby ( opens in a new windowMordew), Lucinda Roy ( opens in a new windowThe Freedom Race), and moderator TJ Klune ( opens in a new windowUnder the Whispering Door) joined us to discuss making stories more than just words on a page, and mastermind an evil plot to make us have FEELINGS!
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Ethereal & Eerie: A Glimpse at Captivating Fall Reads
Catch a glimpse of fall’s most ethereal and eerie reads from authors Alix E. Harrow ( opens in a new windowA Spindle Splintered), Freya Marske ( opens in a new windowA Marvellous Light), Lee Mandelo ( opens in a new windowSummer Sons), Zin E. Rocklyn ( opens in a new windowFlowers for the Sea), and Catherynne M. Valente ( opens in a new windowComfort Me With Apples). Moderated by Seanan McGuire ( opens in a new windowWhere the Drowned Girls Go).
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Charlie Jane Anders & TJ Klune in conversation
Check out internationally bestselling author Charlie Jane Anders ( opens in a new windowVictories Greater than Death, opens in a new windowNever Say You Can’t Survive) in conversation with New York Times and USA Today bestselling author TJ Klune ( opens in a new windowThe House in the Cerulean Sea, opens in a new windowFlash Fire) as they discussed writing SFF for adults and teens, crafting authentic queer narratives, and everlasting fictional characters that stay with readers long after they’ve finished the book. This panel was co-hosted by Den of Geek.
Rewatch below via Facebook:
Space is Gay!
Only two things are infinite: Space and Gay. Check out Charlie Jane Anders ( opens in a new windowVictories Greater than Death), Ryka Aoki ( opens in a new windowLight From Uncommon Stars), A.K. Larkwood ( opens in a new windowThe Unspoken Name), Everina Maxwell ( opens in a new windowWinter’s Orbit), and moderator K.M. Szpara ( opens in a new windowFirst, Become Ashes) as they discussed queer science fiction spaces, extraterrestrial OTPs, and how in space, no one can hear your gay pining. Attendees were able to enter for a chance to win one of Tor’s limited edition Space is Gay pins.
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Conjuring the Diaspora: Myths, Legends, and Classics Reimagined
Check out authors Ryka Aoki ( opens in a new windowLight From Uncommon Stars), Aliette de Bodard ( opens in a new windowFireheart Tiger), Shelley Parker-Chan ( opens in a new windowShe Who Became the Sun), and Nghi Vo ( opens in a new windowThe Chosen and the Beautiful) for a discussion of how the Asian diaspora intersects with storytelling in the speculative fiction space. This panel was co-hosted with the Bronx Book Festival.
Rewatch below via Facebook:
Jo Firestone & Joe Pera in conversation
Joe Pera, from the Adult Swim show Joe Pera Talks With You, has been lauded for his warmhearted comedic stylings. Now, check out him and Jo Firestone to present a preview of his first book! opens in a new window A Bathroom Book for People Not Pooping or Peeing but Using the Bathroom as an Escape is a funny and sincere guide to regaining calm and confidence when you’re hiding in the bathroom from life’s stresses. This panel was co-hosted by Den of Geek. It is not available for rewatch.
TorCon 2021 Presents: Cooking the Books!
As a special treat, we asked three of our authors to share some of their favorite food-related tidbits. Check out their choices below!
Becky Chambers, author of opens in a new windowA Psalm for the Wild-Built, shared some of her favorite teas with the audience, DRAMATIC READING STYLE.
J. S. Dewes, author of opens in a new windowThe Last Watch, shared her quest to find the best gum! Do you agree with her choices?
Aliette de Bodard, author of opens in a new windowFireheart Tiger, made a strong cup of tea to give a ‘cheers’ to the final day of the convention.