Well this coming weekend, October 7-9, I go to Detroit, Michigan for my first Con as an Author Guest. The Con people have been very welcoming and helpful, even though it took a while to get in touch, including hooking me up with a dealer to sell my books for me (so a) I don’t have buy a dealer table and b) I don’t look silly with my one book, 2 anthologies). They offered me a reading, a membership discount, and a good price on a program book ad, which is prominently displayed. And they also put me on four interesting panels. So, for those who can make it or are otherwise curious, here’s my schedule:
ConClave XXXVI
Science Fiction Convention
October 7-9, 2011–Romulus, Michigan
| Literary Guest of Honor |
Seanan McGuire |
| Filk Guest(s) of Honor | Wild Mercy |
| Fan Guest(s) of Honor | Ray and Barb VanTilburg |
Other expected attendees include: Jim C. Hines, Juanita Coulson, and more.
Friday, Oct. 7, 2011
5:00 pm – Dealer’s Room Setup/Supper
6:30-8:00 pm – Ballroom 5: The Death Of The American Author? (Panel)
Panelists: Bryan Thomas Schmidt, Jim C. Hines, Doug Lugthart, Gary W. Olsen
Ebooks. Anyone with a computer can format a novel and sell it on Amazon for download. What does this mean for the future of books, for the future of publishing? Why should it matter? Do we need to redefine what constitutes of literature? And will the democratizing of publishing redefine what is what it means to be a writer and a reader?
8:00-9:30 p.m. – Ballroom 5: Self-Promoting And Networking (Panel)
Panelists: Bryan Thomas Schmidt, Jim C. Hines, Gary W. Olsen
It’s not just about the promoting writing, it’s about promoting yourself, whether it’s in search of a new job, or keeping the one you have. What is your digital footprint? How can you clean it up? How can you get people to “like” you online? What are some do’s and don’ts for Twitter and Facebook? How can you build a circle of professional and personal contacts?
9:30-11:00 pm – Dealer’s Room (Signing, hanging, etc.)
Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011
10:00 a.m. – Dealer’s Room (Signing, hanging, etc.)
11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – Ballroom 5: Keeping In Character (Panel)
Panelists: Seanan McGuire, Doug Lugthart, Bryan Thomas Schmidt,
Emmy Jackson, Charles P. Zaglanis, Christian Klaver, Joe Ponepinto
All good stories center around character. If this is a truism of writing, then why is it so many authors seem to struggle with building believable characters and having them do believable things? What are some short-cuts for character building, and what are some of the absolute must-haves? What elevates a character from a stereotype to a memorable literary figure? How do you develop internal and external conflict? What about Point of View?
1:00-2:30 p.m. – Lunch Break
2:30-3:25 pm. – Dealer’s Room (Signing, hanging, etc.)
3:30-5:00 p.m. – Ballroom 5: Writing Groups (Panel)
Panelists: Bryan Thomas Schmidt, Emmy Jackson, Jim C. Hines, Joe Ponepinto
The good, the bad, the unattractive. The first part of this panel is a discussion on the group process as it applies to critiquing; panelists will discuss some of the basics, and then role-model the critique process by critiquing LIVE the work of someone present. Be ready for much crying and whining.
5:00-6:00 p.m. – Dinner Break
6:00-7:30 p.m. – Ballroom 6: Reading
7:30-9:00 p.m. – Ballroom 6: Saladin Ahmed Reading (attending)
9:00-11:00 p.m. – Dealer’s Room (Signing, hanging, etc.)
11:00 pm. -? – Party, Party, Party
Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011
10:00 – 11:45 a.m. – Dealer’s Room (Signing, hanging, etc.)
11:45-12:45 a.m. – Check out/Lunch
12:45-1:15 p.m. – Dealer’s Room (Signing briefly then pack up and head to airport)
They have gaming, filk concerts, and much more as well. Really looking forward to my first Con this year, especially go launch a book. It’s a privilege to get to go. So if you’re in the area, please come out!
Bryan Thomas Schmidt is the author of the space opera novel The Worker Prince, the collection The North Star Serial, and has several short stories forthcoming in anthologies and magazines. He’s also the host ofScience Fiction and Fantasy Writer’s Chat every Wednesday at 9 pm EST on Twitter, where he interviews people like Mike Resnick, AC Crispin, Kevin J. Anderson and Kristine Kathryn Rusch. He can be found online as @BryanThomasS on Twitter or via his website. Excerpts from The Worker Prince can be found on his blog.