What is DreamCasters?
DreamCasters is a DreamForge discussion group devoted to helping our members improve their writing and storytelling through discussion and sharing expertise.
The easiest way to join is to support us on Patreon. Supporters at $3/month and above can participate in monthly DreamCaster meetings, take part in DreamCaster writing challenges, and learn from DreamCaster guest speakers.
Annual Memberships are also available through our website.
Patreon Notice
Starting in November of 2024, Apple is going to take 30% of any Patrons who sign up using the Patreon app from the app store. We recommend you sign up to Patreon online or through an Android App to make sure your donation goes to the intended recipient. (This doesn't just apply to DreamForge but any creator that you support.)
DreamCasters Discussion Group
Our goal is to form a community. We want more than other online “resources.” There are many resources out there. But we want this to be about “people as resources.”
We welcome writers of all levels that love speculative fiction or readers who are interesting in writing and storytelling. We want to improve everyone’s writing and storytelling through discussion and sharing expertise. And we want to increase everyone’s successes through awareness and sharing information about the business of writing.
We use Zoom for our meetings. All sessions are recorded, but only for the DreamCasters that can't make the meeting. We generally allow time before and after the recorded sessions for chatting and questions that fall outside the topic.
General Structure
Generally a 60-70 minute session
- Intro, DreamForge News 5 min
- Guest or topic 40 min
- Current Writing Challenge
- Giveaways!
- Story Prompts
- What's Up Next Month?
Become a Member
Visit the DreamCasters Library
We're so proud of our DreamCasters! Check out the DreamCasters Library to get links to stories by many of our Dreamcasters from magazines and anthologies.
Why Join DreamCasters?
Guests
- Authors
- Editors from other publications
- Business oriented guests
- Science/technology guests
If the Q&A keeps going, can move it to discord or bring the author back for another session.
Our guests have included: Jonathan Mayberry (author), Scott Andrews (editor of Beneath Ceaseless Skies) Mary Robinette Kowal (author and coach), Bruce McAllister (author and coach), Jane Lindskold (author), John Goodwin (Galaxy Press and Writers of the Future), Marie Brennan (author), Marie Vibbert (author), Justine Norton-Kertson (Solarpunk Magazine) Teresa Milbrodt (author and disabilities scholar) , Donald Firesmtih (Realism in Science Fiction), Wulf Moon (Importance of Story Structure), Angela Yuriko-Smith (Writing Press Releases), Scott Edelman (authro), Danny Hanker (editor of Story Unlikely) and EE King (author.)
Times
One Session/Month to start. We do have some interest in a second time slot that would work better for members across the world.
Currently we're working meeting on Saturdays or Sundays at 1PM EST.
We make recordings available for those that cannot attend.
By Fiona Jayde Media
by Frank Schurter
Topics and Ideas
Writing Topic Ideas
- Converting a short story to a novel (or novella)
- Moving from short stories to novels (or novellas)
- Optimism vs Utopia
- World building in short fiction
- Making your story stand out
- Creating inclusive stories and characters
- How do you know how long a story should be
- Using tropes and turning them upside down
- Researching
- The appeal of anti-heroes
- Tricks to avoid infodumps
- Getting started when you’re blocked
- Race and class in speculative fiction
- How much science do you need in your SF?
- Comparisons of methods like Save the Cat, Story grid, etc. Peoples thoughts and experiences.
Join the DreamForge Adventure!
At DreamForge Magazine, we welcome readers with a passion for positive fantasy and science fiction. Here you will find stories where characters endure, overcome, and embrace that spirit of wonder and discovery through which sentient beings invest the universe with meaning and purpose.
Our DreamCasters Discussion Group is waiting for your support and engagement. Support us on Patreon Today! https://www.patreon.com/DreamForgePress