Workshop: World-building in Fantasy and/or Sci Fi

UntitledTown Book and Author Festival returns to Green Bay September 25-27th, 2026. Filled with over 80 speakers, 11 locations and more than 80 different events to choose from, there's something for literally everyone. Whether you're a reader, part of a vibrant fandom, a parent or a writer yourself, you'll find your home in UntitledTown. Best part? Everything is completely free to attend! Share the word by inviting your friends and neighbors and help us celebrate stories and reading in Northeastern Wisconsin.
This workshop is one of over 80 free events at UntitledTown. Here are the details:

Ready to construct galaxies and weave magic systems that feel undeniably real? In “World Building in Sci-Fi and Fantasy,” we move beyond the map-making to focus on the heart of immersive storytelling. You might be wondering: “How do I avoid the ‘info-dump’ trap?” or “Do I need to be a history professor to make my culture believable?” We’ll explore how recent hits like Piranisie by Susannah Clark and Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros craft worlds that feel lived-in and vital. Let’s turn your wildest imaginings into a solid foundation for your next masterpiece.
Attendees will learn to:
Design consistent magical or technological systems that drive your plot forward.
Integrate “micro-details” of daily life to make your fictional cultures feel authentic.
Balance expansive world-building with necessary pacing to keep your narrative moving.
Avoid the dreaded info-dump by weaving world-specific details into character experiences.
Develop a distinct “cultural geography” that informs your story’s conflict and themes.
Where: The Art Garage Open Doors Workshop, 1400 Cedar Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Workshop Leader: Gregory Kompes
When: Saturday, September 26, 2026 from 9 am until 10:15 am
Admission: FREE! Space is limited.
Gregory A. Kompes (MFA, MS Ed.) has authored 19 books (fiction, poetry, nonfiction), contributed to over a dozen anthologies (including 4 Chicken Soup for the Soul volumes), and written hundreds of published articles and essays on a wide range of topics.
Gregory is the founder and facilitator of The Writer Workshop and teaches for Southern New Hampshire University’s MFA program.
Gregory holds a BA in English Literature from Columbia University, New York, a Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning and an MS Ed. from California State University, East Bay, and an MFA in Creative Writing from National University. Other favorite accomplishments include:

Being a member of the Nevada Arts Council’s Artist in Schools Roster;
Serving as Artist in Residence for the Gibson Public Library funded with National Endowment for the Arts/Nevada Arts Council Grants (2017-2019);
Serving as Artist in Residence for the Gay and Lesbian Center of Las Vegas funded with National Endowment for the Arts/Nevada Arts Council Grants (2018);
Walking the 1000km Via de La Plata route of the Camino de Santiago (2013);
Serving as President of the Henderson Writers’ Group (2013-2017);
Serving as Conference Coordinator for the Las Vegas Writer’s Conference (2006-2007); and,
Touring the US & Far East as a bass player for Broadway tours from 1990-1993 (Hello, Dolly!, 42nd Street, and Annie).