Upcoming Events
Every month, we invite senior tabletop professionals to give actionable, high-level advice on a particular challenge facing independent creators. Need a leg up on marketing? Struggling to integrate a theme or mechanic? Overwhelmed by the idea of playtesting? The Tabletop Arts fund has your back.
Presentations are broadcast live on the third Tuesday of every month at 9:00 PM EST / 6:00 PM PST, and followed by a moderated audience Q&A. Previous talks are available via YouTube.
January
How to Get Them To Talk About Your Thing
Rowan Zeoli, Rascal News
Journalists, influencers, and reviewers play an outsized role in the attention economy. And just like you, they're over-scheduled, sitting on a too-full email inbox, and struggling to decide what to play next. This talk centers on the steps you can take to get your project to the top of the list. What goes in a press release? How do you pitch your game? Which outlets are the best for your project?
February
Finding Success on DriveThruRPG
Kari Jo, DriveThruRPG
You've finished your game or scenario --- now what? The team at DriveThruRPG are here to share their data-backed best practices for standing out on the world's largest digital TTRPG marketplace, and tips to avoid common pitfalls on your quest for a coveted "best-selling" medallion.
March
Remixing Genre, Setting, and Narrative Structure in TTRPGs
Wythe Marschall, Stillfleet Studios
Tabletop designers often have interesting ideas about "worldbuilding" and "lore," but struggle to integrate genre, setting, and gameplay loop into a cohesive game experience. In this talk, Marschall provides a practical orientation to what game studies scholar Sarah Shipp calls "thematic integration," walking through the major genres, settings, and narrative structures used in games and providing examples of tight (creative) and loose (potentially confusing) integration between them.
April
Unlocking Your Show's Identity Through Audience Research
Kyle Decker, Quest Friends! Podcast
Who are your fans, and what can they tell you about your show? This presentation unlocks the power of audience surveys in shaping your actual play brand. By gathering insights directly from your listeners, you can identify key preferences, values, and interests that define your show’s unique voice. This session will guide you on how to translate this audience data into a clear brand identity that resonates with your community, opens new avenues for cross-promotion and collaboration, and helps sponsors understand your value as a creative partner.