Events

Welcome to CrossingsCon 2025!

Spies! Subterfuge! Back room deals and royal drama! Join Megan and Seth to talk about what inspired their own writing, crafting tales involving deception, and how to keep things interesting in a series when the universe and characters become more familiar.

Many authors pursue other creative endeavors, such as art, costuming, cooking, knitting and photography. What do they get out of these activities that they don’t get out of writing? In what ways do these other activities feed their writing? Can they be considered research or stress-reducing techniques?

Join all of our Guests of Honour as they discuss their favourite books from when they were teens, tweens, and children. Find out what books sparked their imaginations, hooked them on fantasy/science fiction, and inspired them to try writing their own stories.

What is a patent? How does it work (or not work)? Join Beth for a deep dive into American patent law and how the courts just cannot seem to figure it out.

Dive into bookbinding with Emma and Sam! Get an overview of traditional binding methods before making your very own book to take home. No experience necessary, and all materials provided.

Inspired by Dairine’s explorations in High Wizardry, join Planetary Scientist Alex for a road trip through the solar system to learn about our past and present explorations, as well as what the future holds.

Get your books (or other things!) signed by our Guests of Honor. Maximum three (3) items per Guest per turn (but you can get in line multiple times).

Join Shayna for an exploration and discussion of the interplay between astronomy and fiction, from our favorite astronomical representations in stories to worldbuilding considerations in our own writing.

Watch our Guests of Honor play a game of tall tales and collaborative storytelling that will leave you in stitches!

Open mic night returns! Bring your sing-a-longs, your poetry, your readings and filk — or, if you prefer, just sit back and enjoy the experience.

What it says on the tin! This is open space for open fun. Board games, sing-a-longs, knitting, the room is your oyster. Enjoy free time and connecting with cousins new and familiar.

Sign up for a time slot and talk about anything you like! If you have an area of expertise that you think people might be interested in, share it here! If you want to meet up with others that share your interests or passions, book a slot! From poetry slams to animal sustainability to kite flying, anything and everything is welcome.

Come and listen to our Guests of Honor have a chat amongst themselves (and with you) regarding any topics you might be curious about. Please submit your questions ahead of time using the index cards at the registration table.

Books are one of our favourite methods of storytelling, but there’s a whole wide world of other ways to tell a story. Join Seth and Jessica as they talk about worldbuilding and storytelling in non-book formats such as writing for video games and audio-dramas/podcasts.

When you’re writing multiple books with the same characters, how can they evolve without torpedoing the series? What nuances can you use? Can a character totally change during the course of a series? Which characters in published fiction live and breathe for the reader because of their emotional and/or spiritual journey?

Armed with the sword of Samwise Gamgee constructed languages, LxAD producer and Tolkien enthusiast Jenny explains the history and sociopolitics of Sindarin and Quenya.

Have you ever wanted to get down to the nitty-gritty of your craft with a published author, and really talk about what makes it work? We’ll set aside some time to write a short piece in response to a prompt, then have an in-depth Q&A session with one of our wonderful Guests of Honor.

They hold the horses, direct the hero to the treasure, sit in the back of bars drinking whiskey, hold the line in battles, and are the victims of murders. But how does a writer keep them from being two-dimensional and pulling the reader out of the story? What are the tricks to writing minor characters that are believable? How much of the weight of the story relies on these background players?

Science educator Caitlin has brought a collection of hands-on activities that combine open-ended creative exploration with living microorganisms. Join us to explore your choice(s) of:

• pH-sensitive biological pigments (make paints from plants!)
• Mushroom mycelium (put together a kit to grow your own mushrooms!)
• Alginate biopolymers (make string from kelp!)
• Kombucha biomaterials (grow your own biocellulose!)

Join your fellow Wizards for an in-person gathering of the Crossings Con Book Club moderated by our very own Megan.

Get your books (or other things!) signed by our Guests of Honor. Maximum five items per turn (but you can get in line multiple times).

How much do we know about the Speech from Young Wizards, and how does it really work? Resident linguist Sarah answered that for us in 2016 and 2017—and now she's back to do it again with nearly a decade of new linguistic experience.
No prerequisites; may be repeated for credit as the syllabus is substantially revised.

Eli and Sarah get drunk and answer your random questions about language. That’s it. That’s the panel.

In homage to our theme for 2025, this year’s Sunday “programming” is a choose-your- own-adventure-style day, with options for a variety of tastes! Looking for company for your journey? Find sign-up sheets in the common area to connect with fellow adventurers. For cousins seeking something low key, the Con space will be open for general chatting, board games, and lightning talks, as well as any other chill activities you may wish to plan/ engage in with friends new or old. For the bookworms—at least, those bookworms who still have suitcase/packing space left—consider a bookstore crawl through some of Philly’s local bookstores. For the historically minded, Philly has many must-see experiences. From the Liberty Bell to Betsy Ross House to the Old City and more, go and explore American history in what is often considered the birthplace of the USA. And finally, for our most science-inclined cousins, Philadelphia is home to the Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and the Mütter Museum to explore to your heart’s content.

Until the next time.