For much of the early history of SFFH the operative terms for the genre were fantasy and sword and sorcery. But, today we have YA, Epic Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, High Fantasy, Dystopian, Dark Fantasy, Heroic Fantasy and upwards of 50 more subgenres. Are they really that distinct or are they simply marketing tools? The panel will discuss the state of the genre and talk about the development of the subgenre.
Sorcerers, mages, wizards, witches, thaumaturges, the Maiar, wielders of the One Power? Check! Warders, African-inspired Mfundishi, Mesopotamia-inspired Akkadians, Norse inspired berserkers, Asian inspired Shifu and Samurai, European knights and rogues, Islamic Nizari Ismailis-inspired Assassins? Check! Thieves, bards, cavaliers, and clerics? Yes! Dragons, Myrddraal, Trollocs, Nazgûl, Soulcatchers, giant birds, and shadow creatures? Sure, we’ve got all that… but so much more too! From Epic Fantasy to traditional Sword and Sorcery, from Urban Fantasy to Sword & Soul to Dark Fantasy and Magical Realism - come experience all the weird, wonderful, and fantastical worlds the Fantasy track has to offer!