Pi-Con Panel Schedule

The last Pi-Con will be held in Windsor Locks, Connecticut July 31-August 2, 2015.

Guest of Honor: Tanya Huff
Guest of Awesome: Vikki Ciaffone
Location: Sheraton Hotel at Bradley Airport, Windsor Locks, CT

I'll be on the following panels:

Paranormally Yours–Writing the Paranormal Tale or Novel

Friday, July 31, 2:00 PM
Debi Chowdhury, Susan Hanniford Crowley (M), Bianca D’Arc, Tanya Huff, Morven Westfield
The panelists will examine the many aspects of writing the paranormal tale from setting to character. What qualities are in every paranormal from sheer horror to paranormal romance that define the genre?

Building Strong Characters

Friday, July 31, 4:00 PM
Grant Carrington, William Freedman, Tanya Huff, Kristi Petersen Schoonover, Morven Westfield (M)
The panelists will discuss how hero, heroines, and villains must be of equal strength, while secondary characters must move the story forward. You’ll learn how to make your character strong, believable, memorable and beloved by readers.

The Day Job and Your Passion - What works for you?

Friday, July 31, 8:00 PM, in McLean
Ken Kingsgrave-Ernstein, Lisa Evans, Jennifer Pelland, Morven Westfield (M)
We all have to earn a living. Do we get a day job that earns a lot of money, in the hope that we can afford to retire early, or save up to take some time off? Or do we just do our creative stuff nights and weekends? What are the best jobs for inspiration? Is it better to have a job that doesn't use up most of your brain?

Building a Better Character

Saturday, August 1, 1:00 pm, in Ellsworth
Vikki Ciaffone, Tanya Huff, Morven Westfield, Trisha J. Wooldridge (M)
Whether you are creating characters for a novel, a play, a television series, or an RPG the person you are making should have a background that makes sense, motivations beyond the plot of your story and be a balanced, even if broken, human being (or whatever). Come and discuss how this is achieved.

The Evolution of the Vampire

Saturday, August 1, 5:00 PM, in Parsons
Susan Hanniford Crowley (M), Mario DiGiacomo, Heather Dawn, Morven Westfield
How have vampires changed in the media? A fun look at the large variety of vampires, from that first Nosferatu to young adult vampires in Vampire Academy and more. Come for the laughs to discuss all in fun. Don't forget your fangs!

Interpreting the Critique

Sunday, August 2, 10:00 AM, Ellsworth
Shuvom Ghose (M), Michael McAfee, Morven Westfield, Trisha J. Wooldridge
You've finished the draft and shared it with your beta readers or writers group. It comes back with edits and criticisms. How do you judge which are valid? When should you change something and when should you stick to your guns? How about when those criticisms come from a professional editor? How about when publication hinges on a particular change which your gut says is wrong? Do you trust yourself or your critic?

Boskone 52 (February 13-15, 2015)

Boskone is a regional Science Fiction convention focusing on literature, art, music, and gaming. They're not just SF, though; there's a good amount of Fantasy and some horror representation in panels and author signings.

I won't be doing any readings, signings, or panels, but you can find me hanging out with members of Broad Universe.

Boskone 52 (February 13-15, 2015)

Boston Westin Waterfront hotel
425 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210

Guests

Steven Brust, Guest of Honor
Charles Lang and Wendy Snow-Lang, Official Artists
Maya and Jeff Bohnhoff, Featured Filkers
Robert K. Wiener, Special Guest
Dave Clements, Science Speaker
Vincent DiFate, NESFA Guest

Arisia and Boskone: How New England Genre Writers Survive the Darkest Months

Though December has the shortest day of the year, January and February typically have the coldest weather.

Fortunately, those of us in New England who love science fiction, fantasy, horror, or just want to learn more about writing in those genres, have two Science Fiction conventions to keep us warm -- and sane.

I'll be attending both this year (weather willing).

Arisia (January 17-20, 2014)
Westin Waterfront
425 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210

Arisia is a volunteer-run convention that covers all aspects of science fiction and fantasy literature and media.

I'll be hanging out at the Broad Universe table, signing and selling books. Stop by and say hello.

Boskone 51 (February  14-16)
Westin Waterfront
425 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210

Boskone is a regional Science Fiction convention focusing on literature, art, music, and gaming. They're not just SF, though; there's a good amount of Fantasy and some horror representation in panels and author signings.

Once again, I won't be doing any readings, signings, or panels, but you can find me hanging out with members of Broad Universe.

Upcoming events for 2009

I thought that this year I'd not go to as many conventions and just stay home and write. Yup, I really thought that. Then I started looking at each one and I always had a reason why I'd make an exception for just this one. Boskone, Conbust, Readercon, Pi-Con, and Necon are all under two hours' drive. How could I say no to those? And WisCon, besides being unique in that it's feminist, is where Broad Universe has its roots. I just couldn't say no to that.

Here's what I've got for upcoming events so far. I'm not doing any panels or readings for Boskone or Conbust. I don't know what I'll do for the others, though I do know I'll be participating in a Broad Universe board meeting just before WisCon starts.

Boskone 46 (February 13-15, 2009)
Conbust (March 28-30, 2009)
WisCon 33 (May 22-25, 2009)
Readercon 20 (July 9-12, 2009)
Necon 29 (July 16-19, 2009)
Pi-Con (August 21-23, 2009)