Laughing Along the Way
Not every story needs to be grim to have weight. Sometimes the best way to explore big ideas is with a wink and a laugh. In this session, three masters of wit: Edward Ashton, Julie Leong and John Scalzi, will discuss the art of weaving humor into speculative fiction without losing emotional stakes or narrative tension.
| Where: | Student Union Kachina (Seats 100)  |
| When: | Sun, Mar 15, 2:30 pm - 3:25 pm |
| Signing area: | UA Campus Store Book Sales (Mall) (following presentation)
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| Genre: | Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Horror |
| Moderator: | Vickie Lan |
Panelists
Edward AshtonEdward Ashton is the author of seven novels, including "Mickey7," now a motion picture directed by Bong Joon-ho, starring Robert Pattinson and Mark Ruffalo, "Antimatter Blues," "The Fourth Consort," and "After the Fall....
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Julie LeongJulie Leong is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author of "The Teller of Small Fortunes" and "The Keeper of Magical Things." The daughter of Malaysian Chinese immigrants, she studied economics and political science at Yale University, and currently works in tech....
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John ScalziOne of the most popular science fiction authors, John Scalzi's debut, "Old Man's War," won him the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His New York Times bestsellers include "The Last Colony," "Fuzzy Nation," "Redshirts," which won the Hugo Award for Best Novel, "The Kaiju Preservation Society," and "Starter Villain....
Books:
After The Fall
Edward Ashton
Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Horror
St. Martin's Publishing Group
February 2026
ISBN 9781250375650
288 pages
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The Keeper of Magical Things
Julie Leong
Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Horror
Penguin Group
October 2025
ISBN 9780593815946
368 pages
Buy nowAn almost-mage discovers friendship—and maybe something more—in the unlikeliest of places in this delightfully charming novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Teller of Small Fortunes.
Certainty Bulrush wants to be useful—to the Guild of Mages that took her in as a novice, to the little brother who depends on her, and to anyone else she can help. Unfortunately, her tepid magic hasn’t proven much use to anyone. When Certainty has the chance to earn her magehood via a seemingly straightforward assignment, she takes it. Nevermind that she’ll have to work with Mage Aurelia, the brilliant, unfairly attractive overachiever who’s managed to alienate everyone around her.
The two must transport minorly magical artifacts somewhere safe: Shpelling, the dullest, least magical village around. There, they must fix up an old warehouse, separate the gossipy teapots from the kind-of-flaming swords, corral an unruly little catdragon who has tagged along, and above all, avoid complications. The Guild’s uneasy relationship with citizens is at a tipping point, and the last thing needed is a magical incident.
Still, as mage and novice come to know Shpelling’s residents—and each other—they realize the Guild’s hoarded magic might do more good being shared. Friendships blossom while Certainty and Aurelia work to make Shpelling the haven it could be. But magic is fickle—add attraction and it might spell trouble. More/less
The Shattering Peace
Old Man's War Book 7
John Scalzi
Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Horror
Tor Publishing Group
September 2025
ISBN 9780765389190
288 pages
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