Writer's Workshop at Pi-Con (July 31-Aug 2, 2015, Windsor Locks, CT)

Pi-Con is a diverse collection of geeks held annually in August, in the Springfield, MA area. Attendees are fans of books, movies, gaming, webcomics and print comics, tech and gadgetry, costuming, anime, and music. You’ll find people who are into steampunk, space opera, vampires, ren faires, superheroes, and dozens of other genres in various combinations.

Writerly subjects also abound. Starting at 9 AM on Friday, July 31st, Pi-Con will be hosting a fantastic Writer’s Workshop. Editors, agents and other industry professionals will be available to support and advise aspiring writers. This workshop is included in the regular full weekend admission for 9Pi-Con.

Professionals who will be presenting at Pi-Con include

	Bianca D’Arc is a former chemist, lawyer and librarian who has been published since 2006. She writes mostly sci fi, fantasy and paranormal romance and has won two EPPIE Awards, has twice been nominated for a prestigious RT Magazine Award, and had her first werewolf book, Lords of the Were, voted the Favourite Erotic Romance eBook of 2008 in all of Australia. A hybrid author, she has been published traditionally, by small press, and indie.
	Susan Hanniford Crowley is an Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance and writes science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal romance, specializing in vampires and rare supernaturals. Susan is an active (professional) member of SFWA, a PAN member of RWA, and an Associate Editor with Space and Time magazine. Susan’s fantasy work appeared in Sword & Sorceress anthologies. Her science fiction “She Came to Sing” appeared in Beyond Centauri magazine. Susan founded the Nights of Passion blog and authored the Vampires in Manhattan series including The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais. Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room is her steampunk romance. Soul Mate Publishing published Vampire King of New York.
	Gordon Linzner founded Space and Time magazine in 1966 and now functions as editor emeritus. He is the author of three published novels and over a score of short stories. He resides in his naive New York City. His freelance work includes copy-editing, tour guiding, sound engineering, and heading up the Saboteur Tiger blues band.

Pi-Con will be held July 31-August 2, 2015. The registration cost is $35 until June 20, 2015. The venue is the Sheraton Hotel at Bradley Airport, Windsor Locks, CT. A group rate of $99 per night is available until July 1, 2015, subject to availability. For more information and the link to the hotel rate, visit the Pi-Con web site at http://pi-con.org/ or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PiConSF?fref=ts

Celtic Mythology and Its Influence on Fiction

Looking for a different way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year? How about attending a panel discussion where two New England authors discuss Celtic mythology and its influence on fiction.

"If you like stories featuring Druids, fairies, banshees, leprechauns, pookas, or silkies, then you won't want to miss this one!" says author Terri Bruce, who has always been fascinated with the origins of myths and legends, especially those featuring the afterlife or King Arthur. Her Paranormal/Contemporary Fantasy series, Afterlife, draws heavily on Celtic burial and afterlife beliefs and features pookas, hobs/brownies, banshees, and various other folklore creatures.

She'll be joined by author Helen Collins, who has a long-standing love of myth and legends, which she has formally studied. Helen has been on archeological trips through remote regions of Ireland and is the author of several science fiction novels, including Mutagenesis and Neurogenesis.

This event is free. Join them Saturday, March 16, from 1-3 pm at 

Books and Boos
514 Westchester Road
Colchester, CT 06415

(Note that the driveway is on Loomis Road.)

See their website for more information.