It has been another busy weekend at ConFuzzled, with more writing panels than ever. Last year, we did seven, while this year there were 11 on the docket. We were able to expand our writing group, meaning the workload was a little more balanced. This also meant I was directly involved in fewer panels this year compared to last.

The two in which I was involved was the Writers’ Social on the Saturday and Monday’s Tropes in Furry Literature. The former was a roundtable discussion similar to the one we hosted last year, albeit at a much more agreeable time. Last year’s was late morning, whereas I much preferred the 6pm timeslot this time around. This contributed to a humungous attendance and a dearth of cinnamon knots. Unlike in 2024 when we all talked in one big group, this time we casually chatted with the furs sitting nearest to us. This was a different approach, but it did enable me to get to know a few more furry writers more in-depth. An interesting point to come out of this is that many furs don’t know about the Furry Writers’ Guild or key places where you can promote furry stories like The Voice of Dog. This echoed something that FWG President K.C. Shaw had mentioned in a Sofawolf Academy podcast last week, so we will need to think how we get the word out there a little more. Flyers similar to the ones that Shiloh Skye produces may be a good way to go.

I was a little apprehensive going into the Monday panel, but Huskyteer guided us through expertly (once we had finally managed to gain access to the room). She had crafted some notes which she had shared on Telegram, while she took the lead in the discussion as well. Televassi and I chipped in liberally and after my initial nerves, it all went rather well. The audience feedback was engaging and the panel became much more like a discussion, as these things often do. Afterwards, we were approached by a few authors who asked for tips on how to get published. It was a real thrill being able to offer useful advice to writers who are just starting out, even if I do still feel I’m at the start of my own writing journey.

Due to the number of panels and the packed con schedule, it was unfortunate there were a few clashes. Five-Sentence Fiction (which I was going to write something for, but struggled to get the creative juices flowing) and Writing Furry Fiction both being on at 7pm on the Sunday was the most frustrating. Hopefully we will avoid this happening next year. We may also request a separate specific track for Writing. This year, the writing events were scattered across the Creative, Panels, Social and Moonlight sections, which made it a little confusing. Indeed, I had to reference my own panel calendar, just to remind myself of where I needed to be.

I attended a few panels as a member of the audience, chipping in with questions and points whenever relevant (such as the atmospheric oxygen percentage during the Jurassic Period). I learned a great deal from Amethyst Mare’s Transformation panel in particular and will adopt many of her points in a transformation story I am in the process of editing. I am excited to get cracking as I think this will improve the piece significantly. The other panel I enjoyed from Amethyst was Creating Strong Characters and Dialogue, which was hosted alongside Huskyteer. This was very informative and I picked up a number of useful tips.

In hindsight, there were a few panels I would like to have seen, including the Writing Historical Fiction panel again. I think I will put myself forward to host this next year. I’d also like to see one concerning how to make a living as a writer, largely because it’s my long-term aspiration. I also wished I could have gotten to more, but clashes in my own schedule prohibited me (as well as getting a wee bit drunk at my own beer tasting party on Sunday afternoon). The Bedtime Story panel in particular, where we had Dylan as a guest, looked amazing.

As well as attending panels, ConFuzzled provided a great opportunity to chat with authors too. On Sunday in particular I had an in-depth conversation with Huskyteer over a few beers, utilising the quiet space in the hotel as everywhere else was so goddamn hot. As is often the case, I wish I had had the opportunity to chat more with people, but it was always good to say hi, even if it was just in passing.

So with the con done, it’s time to analyse how it went. I am really proud to be involved in the writing panels and it’s great that their number is growing. It’s also great we have more writers on board to provide a wider range of perspectives. Writing seems to have been overlooked of late, so it’s fantastic that we are growing the offering at the UK-based cons. Hopefully next year we will be back bigger and better.