See You at Gen Con 2026!

Gen Con Writers Symposium

Events for this year’s Gen Con opened for registration and tickets for my events are almost sold out. You can click on Valentinelli at Gen Con Indy to find my workshops. I am running a two-hour workshop titled “Tarot for Storytellers,” and a four-hour workshop with Scott Lynch and Brandon O’Brien titled “Pitch Us Your Game Take Two.” I am also hosting a koffeeklatch, too!

If any event is sold out, please don’t be afraid to come anyway. Sometimes, people drop out our schedules shift and I’d like to make time for you. For my sold out koffeeklatch, feel free to come anyway and I will schedule extra time for you.

Don’t know what to chat about? If you’ve taken one of my workshops, I’m interested to hear how your writing is coming along. This year, I will also be bringing some enamel pins for trade. Huzzah! I am also taking recommendations for fude (also referred to as bent nib) fountain pens, witchy hats, fun vinyl stickers, and solo journaling games.

Thank you to everyone who already booked tickets for my events. I appreciate it!

To keep in touch, don’t forget to sign up for Monica’s Marvelous Musings.

Huzzah!



Presenting at World Con: Seattle

I have confirmed I will be presenting at World Con: Seattle this year. I’m pleased to share a draft schedule with you. I may have additional panels or other events, but so far these are confirmed.

Wednesday, August 13

Researching the Occult and the Paranormal
4:30-5:30 p.m. How can we research practices such as Witchcraft, Santeria and paranormal phenomena to incorporate into our stories? Reading books is one thing, but respect is paramount and caution is necessary.

Thursday, August 14

Table Talks 22
Come and chat with me and a bevy of wonderful creators from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Writing for Games Workshop

Writing for games sounds appealing – but how do you get started doing so? What do you need to know about how game systems work? What if you want to adapt your own work into a game? I’ve planned this session, which lasts from from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., to accommodate attendee’s needs so they feel confident entering the world of game writing. Does include a break!

Friday, August 15th

Gamifying your IP

10:30 to 11:30 a.m. You’ve published a book, a series, a saga… and now you’d like other people to be able to play in your world. What does it take to translate a book or video game to a Table Top RPG? I’ll be moderating this one!

If you’d like to schedule a meet-up, please reach out before the show. Thank you!

Presenting at the Gen Con 2025 Writer’s Symposium

Hello readers!

I am pleased to announce that I’m returning to the Gen Con Writer’s Symposium, and will be presenting two workshops, a koffee klatsch, and multiple panels.

Events are selling out fast, so be sure to sign up here: GCWS Events with Monica Valentinelli

Thursday, July 31st

How to Develop Your Writing Process – 11:00 am EDT

Have you ever wondered what your writing process is or why it’s important? Join us as we discuss, from idea to finished product, the different processes used and what to pay attention to in your own.

Tarot for Storytellers* – 1:00 pm EDT

In this workshop, Monica Valentinelli will show you how to use a deck of tarot cards as a storytelling tool for your stories. Includes writing exercises.

* This is a paid workshop.

Outlining 101 – 5:00 pm EDT

In this introduction to outlining, we’ll talk about all the pros and cons to the ones your know and love, why they’re important to have and the myths about pantsers and plotters.

Meet the Pros – 6:00 pm EDT

Join the creatives, editors, publishers, and agents of Gen Con’s Writers Symposium for a night of socializing, networking, and merch signing.

Friday, August 1st

Media Tie In – 11:00 am EDT

How do you get involved with tie in work and what does the process look like? Join our panelists as they discuss their media tie in work.

Writing Without Othering – 5:00 pm EDT

Want to write inclusive fiction with diverse characters but worry you’ll get it wrong? Join panelists as they discuss how they write outside their own identities and life experiences.

Saturday, August 2nd

Coffee Klatch with Monica Valentinelli and J. B. Garner – 2:00 pm EDT

Bring your own beverage and converse with a small group of like minded fans, peers, and guests of the Writers Symposium!

Pitch Us Your Game! – 4:00 pm EDT

You are a game designer who’s working on a new game. We are a panel of gaming experts who are here to help shape your draft. Come pitch us your game and get ground floor feedback!

Returning to Game Hole Con

Game Hole Con 11 logo. The words are in fancy gold text outlined in black. Sits on an orange circle.

Hello excellent and admirable readers! I will be attending GameHole Con 11 to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Dungeons and Dragons! This year, I’m speaking on panels, running adventures I designed for Pinching Tarts and Scarred Lands 5th Edition, and a fun DMsGuild.com adventure called Sweet Dreams are Made of Cheese by the amazing Jamie Chan. I can’t wait to play D&D and enjoy a little cheesy fun!

Game Hole Con XI Event Schedule – Valentinelli

All times listed are in CST. For more information, or to register for an event, please visit the Game Hole Con website.

Thursday, October 17th, 2024

10 am: Save Alice from the Red Queen for Pinching Tarts (2 hours)

1 pm: Eyes of Spiragos for Scarred lands 5th Edition (3 hours)

Friday, October 18th, 2024

10 am: Running Games at Conventions (1 hour)

2 pm: How to Speak Creator (1 hour)

7 pm: How Did You Get Published (1 hour)

Saturday, October 19th, 2024

10 am: One Page RPG Indie Game Design Jam – Dragon theme! (2 hours)

2 pm: Eyes of Spiragos for Scarred lands 5th Edition (3 hours)

7 pm: Sweet Dreams are made of Cheese for D&D 5th Edition (3 hours)

Sunday, October 20th, 2024

11 am: Save Alice from the Red Queen for Pinching Tarts (2 hours)

Hope to see you there!

The text of this image is in the post. Schedule card on a gold scale background.

New! Online Writing Workshop at Clarion West

Are you the type of writer who loves creative exercises? Do you want to collaborate with other writers and concoct amazing plots? Then my online workshop, “How to Use Tarot for Storytellers,” is perfect for you.

This two-hour workshop will be conducted online on Sunday, September 29th and will have a seasonal theme. This experience is geared for serious writers and will include both individual and small group exercises to lean into your creative instincts and help nurture collaborative skills.

Just in case you don’t know, Clarion West is a fabulous nonprofit literary organization that runs an acclaimed six-week residential workshop every summer, online classes and workshops, one-day and weekend workshops, a reading series every summer, and other events throughout the year.

For more information and to learn how to register, visit How to Use Tarot for Storytellers on the Clarion West website.

Hope to see you there!

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Looking for Monica’s books and games that are still in print? Visit Monica Valentinelli on Amazon’s Author Central or a bookstore near you.

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