EnchantiCon 2025: Full Schedule

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10:00am CDT

Story Structure in Fantasy: How and Why We Tell the Stories We Love

Sunday August 17, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT

What makes a hero different from a protagonist? Does a fantasy require a magic system? What the heck is world building, and why would it be soft? That doesn’t sound right.

Welcome authors, dungeon masters, and storytellers of all types and backgrounds, to a program where we’ll discuss the defining characteristics of story structure as it relates to fantasy and how to use these tools to make your own stories shine.

Presenters

Briland Schack-Farnell

Briland Schack-Farnell is a lifelong fantasy enthusiast, constantly intrigued by the art of how and why we tell stories. In his life he has been a circus performer, an award-winning bartender, a collegiate guest lecturer, and much more. At EnchantiCon he will be representing Center... Read More →

Sunday August 17, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
Midway Suite 5

Panel

11:15am CDT

Really Big Lizards: Dinosaurs, Dragons, and You

Sunday August 17, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

Midway Suite 5

Why are we so captivated by monsters? What do dragons and dinosaurs have in common, and what does our universal interest in really big lizards tell us about our shared primeval human experience?

In this educational presentation, we’ll learn how the oldest of dragon myths were inspired by real-life fossils and explore the philosophical implications of mankind’s fascination with dinosaurs and dragons. Dino nerds and dragon riders welcome!

Presenters

Geoff Hutton

Geoff Hutton, aka “Dream Quaffle,” has been performing and presenting in various fandom spaces for several years. If you’ve ever been to a convention, or any other gathering of nerds in festive outfits for that matter, you’ve probably met them. In addition to their wizard... Read More →

Abby Evangelisto

Abby Evangelisto is a YouTuber, cosplayer, and performing artist from Fort Worth, Texas. When they’re not playing accordion or working on their latest artistic project, they can be found reading kid lit, listening to 80’s new wave, and over-analyzing satirical media—sometimes... Read More →

Sunday August 17, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
Midway Suite 5

Panel

11:15am CDT

Translating Harry Potter Around the World: Humlesnurr’s Zweinstein

Sunday August 17, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

Regency A

This session delves into the fascinating realm of translating the Harry Potter series, exploring both the linguistic challenges and the growing hobby of collecting Harry Potter books in various languages. We will investigate the importance of translations, the specific difficulties of translating such a beloved work, and highlight some memorable mistranslations and revisions.

Presenters

Celia Buell

Celia is a reader, wizard rocker (The Bookish Hufflepuff), and longtime fantasy fan. She loves fairy tales and stories about people who rise up against established norms and rebel against tyranny, especially when there's a some romance involved as well.

Harrison Tu

Harrison is a Ravenclaw polyglot who has loved Harry Potter since the series began. Tech nerd by day, wrocker by night, and always striving to do what's right. He is passionate about Harry Potter and producing the best content related to the genre for everyone!

Sunday August 17, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
Regency A

Panel

12:30pm CDT

Fantasy and Faith: How Religious Belief and Doubt Shaped Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Sunday August 17, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT

Midway Suite 5

Faith and doubt inspired fantasy long before Lewis and Tolkien! Discover how new perspectives on religion influenced the very first fantasy and science fiction novels, from Frankenstein to Alice to Dr. Moreau.

Presenters

Eliza Sanders

Dr. Eliza Sanders earned a Ph.D. in English literature at the University of Iowa and is the author of Genres of Doubt: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and the Victorian Crisis of Faith. She has published her writing on motherhood at "Her View From Home" and is developing her first novel... Read More →

Sunday August 17, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Midway Suite 5

Panel

3:45pm CDT

The Flame Haired Stars: A History of Comets Before the Telescope

Sunday August 17, 2025 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT

Regency A

Explore the history of comets as understood before the invention of the telescope. Discover how early astronomers observed and interpreted these celestial phenomena, often viewing them as omens, portents, or divine messages. Early efforts to record and explain cometary appearances are examined through the lens of the observational tools and philosophies of the time. Through texts, art, and historical accounts, trace humanity's evolving relationship with the night sky.

Presenters

Jon Voisey

Jon is an independent historian of pre-telescopic astronomy. His primary area of interest is the development of the geocentric model as laid out in Claudius Ptolemy's 2nd century "Almagest". He has a BS in Astronomy from the University of Kansas and runs the YouTube channel @Astr... Read More →

Sunday August 17, 2025 3:45pm - 4:45pm CDT
Regency A

Panel