Emerald City Comic Con, based in Seattle, was my second ever comic con. It holds a very dear place in my heart. Even though I now live in Portland, Oregon, I still make the 3 hour drive to the Seattle Convention Center on a Saturday morning to spend my day surrounded by fellow geeks. While I will walk through the Artist Alley and go to a single event on the Main Stage, my primary focus is the Literary panels. By listening to various authors discuss their passions, process, inspirations, etc., I not only leave with a longer TBR list, but with a full creative battery.
So, in very InvestiGeek fashion, I have highlighted all the literary panels for Saturday (the day I will be attending) and the books I plan on reading to prepare.
Highlighted ECCC Reading List
Before we get started, after reviewing the list of events, here are some primary books. The author of these books will be hosting a panel on Saturday and their books are currently popular in media:
The Shadowhunter Chronicles by Cassandra Clare
While this series is particularly long, the Mortal Instruments was a developmental book in many young adult readers exprience (including mine). If you were to pick up the series today, I would highly recommend the Infernal Devices trilogy as it a compelling story and is on the mature side of young adult.
The Shannara Trilogy by Terry Brooks
Terry Brooks is one of the original fathers of fantasy. He is an active member of the literary scene in the Pacific Northwest (I believe he has attended every convention I have been to) and it is a pleasure to hear him talk at all the panels he participates in. He also has a more recent series, Viridian Deep Series, that is young adult fantasy.
Legends & Lattes Duology by Travis Baldree
Want to feel even more warm hearten while sipping your morning coffee? Look no further than this duology featuring an orc who looks for retirement from fighting by opening a coffee shop.
Dungeon Crawler Carl Series by Matt Dinniman
A humorous novel set in an apocalypse, this series gained mass popularity on Kindle Unlimited. For fans of Dungeons & Dragons, you will instantly recognize media influences in this comical setting.
Ceruleann Chronicles by T.J. Klune
While Klune never intended for this to be more than one book, he returned to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerously magical children live. A beautiful novel of found family, I can’t wait to find Klune at ECCC.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
While Mexican Gothic is her most popular novel, Moreno-Garcia has a particular tale for weaving haunting tales. Her work has also spanned several genres, so be sure to check out her entire list of works for more!
ECCC Saturday Literary Panels
Disclaimer: This list is specifically the panels that I have highlighted for my own personal interests. If you are interested in viewing the entire Literary panel list, please check it out!
Note: All author links lead to their Goodreads profile. Also, all Author signings are located at Third Place Books • Booth 20627 • Level 2.
Battle of the Tropes
Time: 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Authors: Elle Tesch, Margaret Owen, Gretchen Schreiber, Stephanie Carr, Sajni Patel
Signing Time: 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
A comic con favorite is back and bringing the laughs. Whether you prefer the chosen one, the love triangle, or a good red herring, this game is for you. Teams of authors will debate to find the most beloved tropes and those we wish would disappear. Your vote will determine the winners of each round. But don’t worry: these enemies will be lovers again after the competition ends.
Romantasy and Beyond: Romance Beats for Speculative Fiction Writers
Time: 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
Authors: Jasmine Silvera
Whether you’re crafting an epic romantasy or spicing up your space opera, this workshop will show you how to use elements of the romance genre to deepen characterization, heighten conflict, and nail those all-important romance beats. Learn how to pivot well-trod tropes, explore reader expectations across genres, and troubleshoot your story with fun, hands-on exercises. From smoldering tension to “happily ever after” endings, we’ll help you make your plots sizzle! (Don’t worry, while not diving into explicit scenes, we’ll definitely tackle sex and sexuality with care.)
Lit RPG, OMG!
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
Authors: Matt Dinniman, Django Wexler, Adam Lee, Travis Baldree, Erin M. Evans
Signing Time: 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Lit RPG has exploded in the last few years. Join these acclaimed fantasy and Lit RPG authors as they discuss the genre, it’s rise in popularity, and how authors are taking their readers on unforgettable campaigns. Moderated by Travis Baldree (Legends & Lattes).
Spotlight on Cassandra Clare – Separately Ticketed Event
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Authors: Cassandra Clare, Terry Brooks
We are thrilled to welcome bestselling and critically acclaimed author of The Shadowhunter Chronicles, Cassandra Clare, to Emerald City Comic Con. Cassandra will be in conversation with legendary author Terry Brooks (the Shannara series) about her newest book, The Ragpicker King. The ticket is the cost of the book (plus tax and a small online ordering fee), and includes a photo-op with the author. Fans must have an ECCC badge valid for Saturday, March 8 to attend.
In Our Cozy Era
Time: 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Authors: Annalee Newitz, Travis Baldree, TJ Klune, Shawn Speakman
Signing Time: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Take a walk on the lighter side! Sometimes you just want to escape from the real world and dive into a book that’s fun, magical, and uplifting. Join authors Travis Baldree (Legends and Lattes), TJ Klune (Somewhere Beyond the Sea), and Annalee Newitz (Automatic Noodle) for a discussion of why escapism is a valid reason to read anything from science fiction with heart to rom coms with magic.
Horror Authors Using Horrifying Things to Inspire
Time: 4:15 PM – 5:00 PM
Authors: Cherie Priest, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Alexandra Oliva, Delilah S. Dawson
Signing Time: 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM
Horror is a universal experience that typically is something we avoid. Why then do some enjoy reading horror fiction? Hear authors who write horror fiction discuss how they find inspiration in everyday horrors and how their interpretations could provide entertainment, comfort, and maybe even solace.
Maximizing Social Media to Promote Your Indie Publishing Brand and Sell Books
Time: 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM
Authors: Lauren Jankowski, Andy Peloquin, Tracey Shearer, MT Zimny, Kayla Hansen
From TikTok to Instagram to BlueSky, bibliophiles are finding their communities online. In this session, hear a group of experts talk about how to maximize social media to build awareness for your brand as an indie published author, and how to drive sales.
Get Rizzed up by Fictional Characters (18+)
Time: 6:45 PM – 7:15 PM
Books aren’t the only things library staff check out. This panel will have librarians share their favorite romance books and tropes.
ECCC Saturday Author Signings
Are you thrilled as me for these authors? I am so excited to read these books asap and meet these authors on March 8th!
For each author with a panel on Saturday, I have collected their notable books, upcoming publications, their panel schedule, and their signing times.
Note: All signings take place at Third Place Books • Booth 20627 • Level 2.
Alexandra Oliva
Notable Works: The Last One (2016)
Panel: Horror Authors Using Horrifying Things to Inspire
Signing: 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM
Annalee Newitz
Notable Works: Autonomous (2017), The Future of Another Timeline (2019), Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age (2021), The Terraformers (2023)
Panel: In Our Cozy Era
Signing: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Cherie Priest
Notable Works: Boneshaker (2009)
Panel: Horror Authors Using Horrifying Things to Inspire
Signing: 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM
Delilah S. Dawson
Notable Works: Phasma (2017), Kill the Farm Boy (2018)
Panel: Horror Authors Using Horrifying Things to Inspire
Signing: 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM
Django Wexler
Upcoming Publication: Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me (27 May 2025)
Notable Works: The Thousand Names (2013), How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying (2024)
Panel: Lit RPG, OMG!
Signing: 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Elle Tesch
Upcoming Publication: What Wakes the Bells (11 Mar 2025)
Notable Work: Awakenings: A Cute Mutants Anthology (2022)
Panel: Battle of the Tropes
Signing: 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Gretchen Schreiber
Upcoming Publication: All the Stars Align (1 Apr 2025)
Notable Work: Ellie Haycock Is Totally Normal (2024)
Panel: Battle of the Tropes
Signing: 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Jasmine Silvera
Notable Works: Death’s Dancer (2016), Binding Shadows (2020)
Panel: Romantasy and Beyond: Romance Beats for Speculative Fiction Writers
Margaret Owen
Upcoming Publication: Holy Terrors (1 Apr 2025)
Notable Works: Little Thieves (2021) and The Merciful Crow (2019)
Panel: Battle of the Tropes
Signing: 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Matt Dinniman
Notable Work: Dungeon Crawler Carl (2020)
Panel: Lit RPG, OMG!
Signing: 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Sajni Patel
Newest Publication: A Touch of Blood (25 Feb 2025)
Notable Work: The Trouble with Hating You (2020)
Panel: Battle of the Tropes
Signing: 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Notable Works: Mexican Gothic (2020), Gods of Jade and Shadow (2019), The Daughter of Doctor Moreau (2022)
Panel: Horror Authors Using Horrifying Things to Inspire
Signing: 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM
TJ Klune
Newest Release: Somewhere Beyond the Sea (2024)
Notable Works: The House in the Cerulean Sea (2020), Under the Whispering Door (2021)
Panel: In Our Cozy Era
Signing: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (Ticket purchased seprately)
Travis Baldree
Notable Works: Legends & Lattes (2022), Bookshops & Bonedust (2023)
Panel: Lit RPG, OMG!, In Our Cozy Era
Signing: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
See You Soon!
Any convention wouldn’t be finished without notes! Throughout Saturday, I will be taking notes at the panels I have listed above. In the coming weeks, you can expect various posts where I will share my discoveries.
Stay tuned and I promise some juicy details from these authors!
InvestiGeek 
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