Reserve a seat or join the waitlist.
From 5 PM to 8 PM, the lobby will be open for playtesting local board games!
Please consider donating to our generous host for the Rose City SFF WinterCon: Sellwood Community House.
Hosted by: Stumptown Game Crafters
A fun lecture-style introduction to three scientific areas: paradoxes, modality, and ethics as presented through common thought experiments used in Doctor Who, the MCU, and Superman.
Hosted by: Madalena Lamadrid
Some people hate writing to prompts or themes. I LOVE them.
Over the past two years, I’ve written over 80 stories, articles and a novella (30 of which are published or pending publication). I wrote many of them by answering themed calls, free prompts and contests. There are two advantages to themes and contests:
1 - You are writing something the magazine wants—they literally asked for it.
2 - Surprising new story ideas to get the juices flowing.
In this workshop, I’ll teach you the tricks improvisers use on stage to generate story ideas from audience suggestions and some techniques to shape your ideas into stories.
I have studied at Second City in Chicago, and with Avery Schrieber, IMPRO and Improvitorium in Los Angeles, where I produced my own sketch/improv company, “The Moving Targets.” I also had the joy of workshopping with Henson’s adult puppet improvisation company, “Puppet Up.”
Hosted by: Deborah Sale Butler
Writing is only one of the many hats an indie author wears. Our panelists will share their experiences with what goes on behind the scenes to get a book ready for launch, the ups and downs of a career in self publishing, and how to stay sane through it all. Come with questions, fears, and hopes.
Hosted by: A.J. Peterson, E.A. Bagby, and Giaco Ranieri
Join C.J. Switzer for an introduction and demonstration of Historical European Martial Arts. Together we’ll break down misconceptions about swords in media, discuss the best weapons for your badass characters, and research tools available to make your fantasy and sci-fi action scenes even more thrilling.
Hosted by: C.J. Switzer
What makes a romance stimulating? What makes a sex scene feel earned? Three local authors discuss their techniques for building momentum and leaving readers breathless.
Hosted by: Hannah Leigh, Chris Walters, and Avery Charlie Eller
In an era of endless information, fantasy stories provide much-needed distance from daily life. From Tolkien’s advocacy of “Fairy Stories” to contemporary SFF novels today, we’d argue there’s nothing better for your mental health than an epic quest in a magical world. Join the special live recording of the More Magic podcast at WinterCon where we share our favorite fantasy reads for when you need hope.
Hosted by: Demi Utley, Marianne Boules, and A.J. Peterson
The annual Cyber-magi Award celebrates Portland-area science fiction and fantasy. These are unpublished stories in two categories: short stories and first chapters. This award presentation ceremony will include speeches, story excerpts, and mad libs.
Active members of the Rose City Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Meetup are eligible to enter.
The submission deadline is 12/15/2025 at 11:59 PM.
Not one of our writers but enjoy reading science fiction and fantasy? Volunteer to judge this year’s competition. You can read and judge any number of stories. Active members may not serve as judges. Judging will run from 12/16/2025 through 1/18/2026.
Cyber-magi Award Submissions and Judging
Please consider donating to our generous host for the Rose City SFF WinterCon: Sellwood Community House.
Hosted by: Mick Sewell and E.A. Bagby
Come join fellow SFF writers at Ava Roastaria @ Orenco Station, located in eastern Hillsboro. This creative meetup follows the 15-45 format (socialize for 15 minutes, write for 45 minutes, and repeat until the time is up).
AVA Roasteria is a chain of upscale coffee houses located in the heart of communities around the Portland Metro (Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Lake Oswego)
Take some time out in this relaxing environment to write or edit that epic novel, short story, chapter, microfiction, back blurb, or even that all-important first sentence. Professionals, hobbyists, those just dipping their toes, and those already published frequent this group. We support storytellers at all levels working on all types of SFF. Speculative fiction writers of all backgrounds and identities are welcome.
Come join fellow SFF writers at The Clubhouse, located on Cedar Hills. This creative meetup follows the 15-45 format (socialize for 15 minutes, write for 45 minutes, and repeat until the time is up).
There are free snacks and soft drinks.
Take some time out in this relaxing environment to write or edit that epic novel, short story, chapter, microfiction, back blurb, or even that all-important first sentence. Professionals, hobbyists, those just dipping their toes, and those already published frequent this group. We support storytellers at all levels working on all types of SFF. Speculative fiction writers of all backgrounds and identities are welcome.
Come join fellow SFF writers at Rose City Coffee, centrally located in Southeast Portland. This creative meetup follows the 10-20 format (socialize for 10 minutes, write for 20 minutes, and repeat until the time is up).
Rose City Coffee Co. has been our supportive host for years. It features excellent beverages and food choices, including a great latte and BLT, which are popular with the group.
Take some time out in this relaxing environment to write or edit that epic novel, short story, chapter, microfiction, back blurb, or even that all-important first sentence. Professionals, hobbyists, those just dipping their toes, and those already published frequent this group. We support storytellers at all levels working on all types of SFF. Speculative fiction writers of all backgrounds and identities are welcome.
Come join fellow SFF writers at Bold Coffee & Books, located in the Goose Hollow neighborhood of Portland. This creative meetup follows the 15-45 format (socialize for 15 minutes, write for 45 minutes, and repeat until the time is up).
Bold Coffee & Books is a new coffee shop in Goose Hollow that serves not only good food and drinks but also local and underrepresented authors, stocking their books and hosting author events to raise their profile with the public.
Take some time out in this relaxing environment to write or edit that epic novel, short story, chapter, microfiction, back blurb, or even that all-important first sentence. Professionals, hobbyists, those just dipping their toes, and those already published frequent this group. We support storytellers at all levels working on all types of SFF. Speculative fiction writers of all backgrounds and identities are welcome.
Come join fellow SFF writers at the Oddfellows Lodge in Milwaukie. This creative meetup follows the 10-20 format (socialize for 10 minutes, write for 20 minutes, and repeat until the time is up).
Take some time out in this relaxing environment to write or edit that epic novel, short story, chapter, micro-fiction, back blurb, or even that all-important first sentence. Professionals, hobbyists, those just dipping their toes, and those already published frequent this group. We support storytellers at all levels working on all types of literature. Writers of all backgrounds and identities are welcome.
Come join fellow SFF writers at Ava Roastaria @ Orenco Station, located in eastern Hillsboro. This creative meetup follows the 15-45 format (socialize for 15 minutes, write for 45 minutes, and repeat until the time is up).
AVA Roasteria is a chain of upscale coffee houses located in the heart of communities around the Portland Metro (Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Lake Oswego)
Take some time out in this relaxing environment to write or edit that epic novel, short story, chapter, microfiction, back blurb, or even that all-important first sentence. Professionals, hobbyists, those just dipping their toes, and those already published frequent this group. We support storytellers at all levels working on all types of SFF. Speculative fiction writers of all backgrounds and identities are welcome.
Come join fellow SFF writers at The Clubhouse, located on Cedar Hills. This creative meetup follows the 15-45 format (socialize for 15 minutes, write for 45 minutes, and repeat until the time is up).
There are free snacks and soft drinks.
Take some time out in this relaxing environment to write or edit that epic novel, short story, chapter, microfiction, back blurb, or even that all-important first sentence. Professionals, hobbyists, those just dipping their toes, and those already published frequent this group. We support storytellers at all levels working on all types of SFF. Speculative fiction writers of all backgrounds and identities are welcome.
Come join fellow SFF writers at Rose City Coffee, centrally located in Southeast Portland. This creative meetup follows the 10-20 format (socialize for 10 minutes, write for 20 minutes, and repeat until the time is up).
Rose City Coffee Co. has been our supportive host for years. It features excellent beverages and food choices, including a great latte and BLT, which are popular with the group.
Take some time out in this relaxing environment to write or edit that epic novel, short story, chapter, microfiction, back blurb, or even that all-important first sentence. Professionals, hobbyists, those just dipping their toes, and those already published frequent this group. We support storytellers at all levels working on all types of SFF. Speculative fiction writers of all backgrounds and identities are welcome.
Come join fellow SFF writers at Bold Coffee & Books, located in the Goose Hollow neighborhood of Portland. This creative meetup follows the 15-45 format (socialize for 15 minutes, write for 45 minutes, and repeat until the time is up).
Bold Coffee & Books is a new coffee shop in Goose Hollow that serves not only good food and drinks but also local and underrepresented authors, stocking their books and hosting author events to raise their profile with the public.
Take some time out in this relaxing environment to write or edit that epic novel, short story, chapter, microfiction, back blurb, or even that all-important first sentence. Professionals, hobbyists, those just dipping their toes, and those already published frequent this group. We support storytellers at all levels working on all types of SFF. Speculative fiction writers of all backgrounds and identities are welcome.
Come join fellow SFF writers at the Oddfellows Lodge in Milwaukie. This creative meetup follows the 10-20 format (socialize for 10 minutes, write for 20 minutes, and repeat until the time is up).
Take some time out in this relaxing environment to write or edit that epic novel, short story, chapter, micro-fiction, back blurb, or even that all-important first sentence. Professionals, hobbyists, those just dipping their toes, and those already published frequent this group. We support storytellers at all levels working on all types of literature. Writers of all backgrounds and identities are welcome.
