An Evening with the Authors - Valentine's Day Edition

The New England chapter of Broad Universe, an international association of men and women dedicated to encouraging, celebrating, and promoting women authors of fantasy, science fiction, and horror, is hosting an event in Portsmouth, NH this February.

From the meetup page:

Wednesday, February 12, 2014
5:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Portsmouth Public Library
175 Parrott Avenue, Portsmouth, NH (map)

In the Levenson Room

Join five New England authors for an evening exploring the treatment of love in all its forms--from the platonic to the erotic--in literature.

The authors--Trisha Wooldridge, Justine Graykin, Terri Bruce, Phoebe Wray, and Jennifer Carson--will read from their works and participate in a general Q&A, followed by mingling with the audience and book signings. Light refreshments will be served. This will be a chance to get up close and personal with the authors, so bring your questions and be ready to talk about your favorite books. This will be a fun and casual event and is free and open to the public.

Inanna Arthen's Talk on Vampires - Complete set of podcast episodes

In a lively talk recorded at Books and Boos in Colchester, Connecticut, on April 20, 2013, Inanna Arthen traced the history of vampires in fiction and debunked some of the common mistakes and misinformation about the genre.

I broke the talk up into three parts to fit the format of my "Vampires, Witches, and Geeks" podcast. All three parts are now posted here:


Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Pi-Con: A Celebration of Geekery

Pi-Con bills itself as "The friendliest little convention in New England" and I won't accuse them of exaggerating. They describe themselves as a "celebration of geekery" and have panels and events on Science Fiction, Fantasy, Gaming, LARPs, and Comics. They have readings, panels, parties, performances, and vendors. 

 

This year -- year number 8 -- it will be held June 27-29, 2014 at the Holiday Inn, Enfield, CT. Having made the trip a number of times myself (check out my past events page), I can attest that the hotel is easy to find, right off the highway. It's small enough to feel homey, but large enough to accommodate the con.

Here's this year's line-up of guests:

Guest of Honor
3-Time Hugo Award Winner
Allen Steele

Guest of Awesome
Justine Graykin

Artist of Awesome
Sarah Morrison

Featured Filker
Dave Weingart

Interested? Find out more here:

https://www.facebook.com/PiConSF
http://pi-con.org/

 

If you're interested in volunteering, please check out the following page. Volunteering is a great way to meet people if you're new to conventions, new to the area, or traveling solo. There's usually some sort of thank-you involved (like a cool tee-shirt), but that's not why you do it. You do it because it's FUN.

 

http://pi-con.org/get-involved/staff/

 

Broad Universe Events at Arisia (in Boston, MA) this Coming Weekend

Broad Universe is an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, encouraging, honoring, and celebrating women writers and editors in science fiction, fantasy, horror and other speculative genres.

The New England Chapter is very active, blessed by short distances and a number of fantasy, science fiction, and horror conventions all within commuting distance. One convention where the New England Chapter has a strong presence is Arisia.

Arisia, the first of the convention year, is a volunteer-run convention that covers all aspects of science fiction and fantasy literature and media. Held at the Westin Boston Waterfront hotel, it is different from other science fiction conventions in at least two respects: panels and activities run nonstop throughout the night (yes, you can attend a panel or join an event at 2 a.m. if you're still awake) and it has as many lifestyle panels as literature/media/gaming panels.

On Friday, January 17, the New England Chapter will host a party at 8 pm. All Arisia attendees are invited; you don't have to be a Broad Universe member or even a female!

On Saturday, January 18, at 1 pm, various members will read from their published works or works in progress at the Rapid-fire reading. Once again, all Arisia attendees are invited.

Some of the Broad Universe members (from the New England chapter and elsewhere) who will be reading include:

Ellen Larson
Terri Bruce
Phoebe Wray
Suzanne Reynolds-Alpert
Jennifer Allis Provost
Catherine Lundoff
Roberta Rogow
Trisha Wooldridge
KT Pinto
Gail Z. Martin
Rachel Kenley
Connie Wilkins

Other members who will be attending, some presenting on panels, include:

Elaine Isaak
Ellen Larson
Inanna Arthen
Jennifer Pelland
Justine Graykin
Morven Westfield