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ApolloCon 2008 Programming Schedule Descriptions
Programming Links
| Title | ||
| Day Time Room |
Participants | Description |
| 101 uses for... Obsolete Media! | ||
| Saturday 10:00PM - 11:00PM Phoenix |
John Moore, Selina Rosen (M), Krista Wohlfeil | 8-track tapes, 8" floppies... man, *any* floppies! Our panelists, specially selected for their devious minds, consider ingenious uses for rapidly growing variety of obsolete media accumulating in our homes and offices. Extra points for interesting ideas that are actually functional! Extra-extra points for uses for player-piano roles or wax recording cylinders! |
| 2001: A Space Odyssey - Yesterday's Tomorrow | ||
| Saturday 12:00PM - 1:00PM Seattle I |
Al Jackson | 2008 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Physicist Al Jackson examines the technical and operational details of the portrayal of spaceflight in Kubrick and Clarkeís remarkable cinematic glance into the crystal ball. |
| ALAMO, Inc. Board Meeting (open to the public) | ||
| Sunday 12:00PM - 1:30PM BR 3 = Rm #318 |
||
| Amtgard Mock Court | ||
| Saturday 5:00PM - 6:00PM Seattle I |
Kingdom of the Wetlands | Experience the excitement, pageantry, and role-playing of Amtgard through a visit to the King's Court. Noble or commoner, warrior or mage, priest or pirate, all are welcome. "Pray attend! The King of the Wetlands commands all in his service to the feast hall tonight." |
| Anime for the SF/F Fans | ||
| Saturday 2:00PM - 3:00PM Seattle I |
Dee Beetem, Rebecca Elsenheimer, Erika Frensley, J.M. McDermott, Lawrence Person (M), Jessica Reisman | Why do spec fic fans like anime? Because we love spec fic no matter what the channel of delivery! Our panelists provide an overview of anime that might appeal to other spec fic fans. |
| ApolloCon 2008 Dance | ||
| Saturday 10:00PM - ?? Seattle Ballroom |
DJ HawZ | Our first ever official dance, starting after the Saturday Night Masquerade and Show! Come on out and take the floor! (WoD Changeling LARP runs concurrently. Start time for dance is approximate.) |
| Archetypes in Speculative Fiction | ||
| Sunday 11:00AM - 12:00PM Tucson |
J.M. McDermott, Shanna Swendson (M), Mikal Trimm, Mel. White | Distillations of cultural responses that evoke deep resonance in our audiences: Archetypes are part and parcel of character-building in genre fiction. Our panel discusses the uses and abuses of archetypes in speculative fiction. |
| ARG WTF? An Introduction to the Concepts of Alternate Reality Gaming | ||
| Saturday 2:00PM - 3:00PM Tucson |
Maureen McHugh (M), Brandie Minchew, Victory, Dee Cook | Real-time gaming on a massive scale, interweaving the online and real worlds into a single experience, Alternate Reality Games rely on viral distribution to draw players into their artful constructs. Our ARG-savvy panel provide a generalized introduction to ARG for a fannish audience. Is it for real, or just part of the Game? |
| Art Auction | ||
| Saturday 6:00PM - 7:00PM Phoenix |
J-Mag Guthrie, Anita Haddock, Zane Melder | Voice auction sale of artwork from the ApolloCon Art Show. Your chance to take grace and beauty home. |
| Art GoH: Brad Foster Slideshow and Q&A | ||
| Saturday 3:00PM - 4:00PM Seattle I |
Brad Foster | Our fabulous Art Guest of Honor Brad Foster displays his portfolio and discusses his technique. |
| Artist Reception | ||
| Friday 9:00PM - 11:00PM BR 1 = Rm #218 |
Patti Prevett, Machael Foegelle, Alison Parker, Debbie Solomon, and Anita Haddock | Mingle with ApolloCon's artists while enjoying the goodies. Hosted by local artists and our Art Show Director. |
| Autographs | ||
| Saturday 10:00AM - 6:00PM, hourly Autograph Table |
Your chance to get your books and memorabilia signed and to chat with our guests. Please, if the line is long, limit the number of items signed to 3. (We reserve the right to enforce the limit.) For names, times and locations check the pocket program and any posted Programming Updates. | |
| Balloons of War and Pearl-handled Ray Guns: Steampunk Rampant | ||
| Saturday 5:00PM - 6:00PM Tucson |
Lou Anders, Matthew Bey (M), Scott Cupp, Stina Leicht, Chris Roberson, Martha Wells | Steampunk is on the rise in fiction, media, art, gaming, and even costuming. Where did it come from and where is it going? Our panelists discuss this fascinating hybrid. |
| Besides Blood, Sweat, and Inspiration: What Does It Take to Be a Writer | ||
| Saturday 1:00PM - 2:00PM Seattle II |
Jayme Lynn Blaschke, Bill Crider, Maureen McHugh, C. J. Mills (M), Gail Dayton, Martha Wells | Have you got what it takes? Writers explore some of the talents, personality traits, lifestyle factors, and circumstances that "make" a writer, or at least aid a writer's development. |
| Body Politics & Bawdy Politics: Sex, Safety, & Social Mores in Fandom and the World at Large | ||
| Friday 10:00PM - 11:00PM Phoenix |
Kandy Jarvis, Bart Kemper (M), John Moore, Anne K.G. Murphy, Kathy Thornton, Krista Wohlfeil | Why is fandom so touchy-feely? Is it *really* that touchy-feely, or is that a myth? Do different sets of fans or fans in different places have different standards for personal space and safety? How do we learn what the community will tolerate and how do we communicate what is personally acceptable? |
| Broad Universe Rapidfire Reading | ||
| Friday 8:00PM - 9:00PM Phoenix |
Diana L. Driver, Rhonda Eudaly, Pauline B. Jones, Alexis Glynn Latner, Stina Leicht, Linda Lindsey (M), Kelli Meyer, Jessica Reisman | Eight Broad Universe members read brief segments of their work. |
| Chocolate 101: Beginning Tasting | ||
| Friday 10:00PM - 11:00PM Consuite --AND-- Saturday 10:00PM - 11:00PM Consuite |
Chuck Coshow, Val Villarreal | Resistance is futile. You don't know the power of the Dark Side. Explore the rich world of chocolate as we take you through the history and process to a sampling of a wide range of fine, dark chocolates. (Advance sign up required. Check Ops Office. Sessions on both Friday and Saturday. For your health, no more than one chocolate tasting per day. Thanks!) ) [Note: Food allergy warning.] |
| Chocolate 201: Chocolate with Food | ||
| Friday 11:00PM - 12:00AM Consuite --AND-- Saturday 11:00PM - 12:00AM Consuite |
Chuck Coshow, Chuck Coshow, Val Villarreal, Val Villarreal | Chocolate and. . . Two (or more) great tastes that go great together. Explore the wonderful world of chocolate mixed with other flavors. (Advance sign up required. Check Ops Office. Sessions on both Friday and Saturday. For your health, no more than one chocolate tasting per day. Thanks!) [Note: Food allergy warning.] |
| Clothing Cultures in America: Traditional Japanese Clothing | ||
| Sunday 1:00PM - 2:00PM Scottsdale |
Kazuko Adams | Kazuko Adams of Kazuko's Crafts demonstrates traditional Japanese clothing and tells us about the history and current state of Japanese dress. |
| Club Meet and Greets | ||
| Saturday various (between 10AM and 1PM) BR 2 = Rm #217 |
Meet some of the folks involved in Houston's varied genre club community. Satisfy your curiosity and explore new organizations. Enjoy a conversation, and maybe find something you'd like to join! | |
| Comparing SF Lit & SF in other Media | ||
| Saturday 10:00AM - 11:00AM Tucson |
Jayme Lynn Blaschke (M), Rosemary Clement-Moore, Maureen McHugh, Tim Miller, C. J. Mills, Patrice Sarath | Does the format or channel affect the story being told? Our panelists compare SF lit to SF in other media (film, TV, anime, comics, etc.) and discuss what differences they find. |
| Con Art Shows: For the Artist | ||
| Saturday 1:00PM - 2:00PM Tucson |
David Lee Anderson (M), Brad Foster, Cat Osborne, John Picacio, Victory | Our panel of artists and art show workers reveal the sekkrit workings of con art shows and how artists can use them to show, promote, and sell art. Do's and don'ts, plus how con art promotion dovetails with the business of art in the world at large. |
| Con Art Shows: For the Would-Be Buyer | ||
| Saturday 4:00PM - 5:00PM Tucson |
David Lee Anderson, Jimmy Simpson, Cathey Osborne, Amy Sisson, Kathy Thornton (M) | From how to bid to what to do when you run out of wall space, our panel of artists and art buyers share their experiences with con art shows as a traveling gallery of spec fic art. |
| Concerts: | ||
| Various | Various | Back to back concerts by two performers. Check pocket program, website or posted schedules for names, times, and locations. |
| Costuming 101: Building, Wearing, and Loving Costumes | ||
| Saturday 4:00PM - 5:00PM BR 3 = Rm #318 |
Lauren Donaho, Mari Ferguson (M), Scott R. Padget | Whether you want to get into costuming yourself or just want to understand the folks who do, this is your panel. Our panelists discuss basic costuming topics and answer questions from the audience. In detail. With glitter. |
| Costuming Demo: Making Chain Mail | ||
| Saturday 2:00PM - 3:00PM BR 3 = Rm #318 |
Christopher O'Banion | Christopher O'Banion demonstrates the fine art of making chain mail armor, one ring at a time. |
| Dancing for Geeks | ||
| Saturday 10:00AM - 11:00AM Seattle II |
Larry Friesen, Anne K.G. Murphy (M) | Fan Guest of Honor Anne Murphy leads a short workshop on dancing for novices. Assisted by Larry Friesen, she will demonstrate the basics of social dance and share her love of movement. |
| Dead Dog Party | ||
| Sunday 4:00PM - 9:00PM Consuite |
Chuck Coshow, Val Villarreal | Not ready to go home? Neither are we! Join us in the consuite for the Dead Dog and extend the con experience as long as possible. |
| Dealing Creativity: Tarot as an Aid to Creativity | ||
| Saturday 3:00PM - 4:00PM BR 1 = Rm #218 |
Keri Bas | Use the iconic archetypes of the tarot to kick-start your creativity. Writers and artists will learn simple spreads for brainstorming, story arcs, and breaking blocks. Decks will be provided, or bring your own. |
| Editor GoH: Lou Anders Q&A | ||
| Saturday 11:00AM - 12:00PM Seattle I |
Lou Anders, John Picacio (M) | Lou Anders answers questions from the floor, and possibly off the wall. Moderated by John Picacio. |
| Fan GoH: Anne K.G. Murphy Interviewed by A.T. Campbell III | ||
| Sunday 12:00PM - 1:00PM Seattle I |
A.T. Campbell III(I), Anne K.G. Murphy | A.T. Campbell III interviews our Fan GoH Anne K.G. Murphy about her fannish life and contributions, including the Science Fiction Oral History Association and Neil-herding. |
| Fandom 101: A Newcomers Guide to the Culture of Speculative Fiction | ||
| Saturday 10:00AM - 11:00AM Scottsdale |
A.T. Campbell III (M), Margaret Middleton, Mary Miller, Kathy Thornton | New to fandom? New to cons? Or just new to ApolloCon? Come on out to this panel and learn the basics about our community, our culture, our language, our etiquette, and - of course - propeller beanies! |
| Feedback Session | ||
| Sunday 3:00PM - 4:00PM Seattle I |
ConCom | Come out and tell the concom about your ApolloCon 2008 experience. Help us improve for 2009! |
| Fibre Fans: Spin-n-Stitch | ||
| Saturday 1:00PM - 2:00PM BR 3 = Rm #318 |
Mary Miller (M) | Texas Fan Mary Miller demonstrates drop spindle spinning. All are welcome to learn to spin, or simply to bring their current handwork projects for a chance to work and kibbutz. Mary will also be showing her handspun yarns, some of which may be available for you to abscond with!! Folks who came to last year's Spin-n-Stitch... Bring back what you were working on and show off your results!! |
| Filk GoH Concert: Margaret Middleton | ||
| Saturday 2:00PM - 3:00PM Scottsdale |
Margaret Middleton | One hour concert featuring our Filk Guest of Honor! |
| Firing Off the Canon: The Spec Fic *Should Reads* and Why | ||
| Saturday 11:00AM - 12:00PM Tucson |
A.T. Campbell III (M), Bill Crider, Gail Dayton, Allen Steele, Mikal Trimm | With nearly 100 years under its belt, there is a lot of spec fic to catch up on. How far back should we go? Our panelists share their personal views on what they consider the early classics of science fiction, fantasy and horror. |
| Food and Fantasy; or, How Do These People Survive? | ||
| Sunday 10:00AM - 11:00AM Tucson |
Steven Brust, A. Lee Martinez, Caroline Spector (M), Kathy Thornton, Martha Wells | Waybread, dried meat, unspecified tea and omnipresent stew. . . What does food in fantasy say about characters, the genre, or the author? How unrealistic are fantasy diets and when does that matter? |
| Frak You! No! Frell You! | ||
| Friday 10:00PM - 11:00PM Tucson |
Matthew Bey (M), Bradley Denton, Selina Rosen, Amy Sisson, Jessica Reisman | Panelists discuss the invented (and inventive) words that have made it into our lexicon. |
| Friday Concert & Show | ||
| Friday 8:00PM - 9:00PM Seattle I |
Steven Brust, Margaret Middleton, Anne K.G. Murphy | Help kick start the weekend with our Friday night concert featuring Margaret Middleton and Steven Brust, with Anne K. G. Murphy as MC. Yard Dog Press Traveling Road Show follows at approximately 10pm. |
| Friday Night Dessert Party (in Consuite) | ||
| Friday 5:00PM - 9:00PM Various Locations |
Chuck Coshow, Val Villarreal | Like we need to explain? |
| The Future Ain't What It Used to Be | ||
| Friday 6:00PM - 7:00PM Seattle II |
Bradley Denton, Bennie Grezlik (M), Alexis Glynn Latner, Cathey Osborne, Derly N. Ramirez II, C. J. Mills | Panelists discuss the lack of flying cars, underwater cities, and vacations in space in the 21st Century, and how they feel about these un-met dreams. |
| Guest of Honor Reading: Allen Steele | ||
| Saturday 5:00PM - 6:00PM Scottsdale |
Allen Steele | |
| Guest of Honor: Allen Steele. Interviewed by Anne K.G. Murphy | ||
| Saturday 1:00PM - 2:00PM Seattle I |
Anne K.G. Murphy(I), Allen Steele | Author Allen Steele is interviewed by Anne K.G. Murphy and answers questions from the floor. Your chance to ask! |
| Hear This: Speculative Fiction Audio Books | ||
| Saturday 2:00PM - 3:00PM BR 1 = Rm #218 |
Allan Kaster | Allen Kaster of AudioText gives us the inside scoop on spec fic audio books. |
| How to Be a Guest Liaison | ||
| Sunday 1:00PM - 2:00PM Tucson |
Steven Brust, Brad Foster, Anne K.G. Murphy, Kathy Thornton (M) | The interface between guest and event can be handled many ways, but the job needs to get done whether handled by one person or a team. Our mixed panel of con folks and guests discuss what the job entails and how it can get done to everyone's satisfaction and success. An eye-opening introduction to one of the unsung but vital elements of con-running. |
| HSFA Meeting | ||
| Sunday 2:00PM - 3:00PM Seattle II |
Clif Davis (M), Mark B. Hall, Bill Parker | Who and what is the Houston Science Fiction Association? Find out who we are and what we do by attending the public meeting of the HSFA/FoF, the people who bring you ApolloCon! |
| "I have ridden the great Moon Worm" - The Craziest Space Travel Ideas | ||
| Saturday 2:00PM - 3:00PM Seattle II |
Larry Friesen (M), Kandy Jarvis, John Moore, Allen Steele, Mel. White | Elevator? Cannon? Interstellar origami? How crazy does an idea have to get before it's off the space travel table? Panelists talk about real, fantastical and downright improbable ideas for space travel. |
| Illustration Workshop with Brad Foster | ||
| Saturday 10:00AM - 12:00PM BR 1 = Rm #218 |
Brad Foster | Art Guest of Honor Brad Foster leads a workshop on how to think like an illustrator. NO artistic talent is required! (Limited to 18. Advance sign up is required) |
| It's ALIVE! The Mad Scientist in Media | ||
| Sunday 1:00PM - 2:00PM Seattle I |
Larry Friesen, Bart Kemper (M), A. Lee Martinez, Mel. White | The hair, the goggles, the maniacal laugh. . . How does the media portray fictional scientists and why? And is spec fic media any better at it than the mainstream? |
| Junk Pile Wars | ||
| Saturday 6:00PM - 7:00PM BR 1 = Rm #218 |
Keri Bas | One room, one hour, one pile of junk... Can you make and/or compete a costume under those constraints? Management not responsible for really weird costumes!! |
| KaffeeKlatschen | ||
| Various | Various | Enjoy coffee and chats with our some of our guests. For names, times and locations check the pocket program and any posted Programming Updates. (Limited attendance. Sign-up may be required.) |
| LARP: Changeling | ||
| Saturday 10:00PM - ?? Seattle II |
Changeling LARP by WoD (runs concurrent with dance; start time approximate) | |
| LARP: Firefly | ||
| Friday 9:00PM - ?? Seattle II |
The Houston Browncoats | Firefly LARP by the Houston Browncoats |
| Late Night Ghost Stories | ||
| Friday 11:00PM - 12:00AM Phoenix |
Mel. White, J.M. McDermott, K. Hutson Price, Jessica Reisman | Think you can sleep easy at night? WE'LL fix THAT. Our storytellers talk about ghost stories and then they tell them, really well. Particularly that one about... |
| Libraries in the Future | ||
| Sunday 12:00PM - 1:00PM Seattle II |
John Moore, Amy Sisson (M) | Despite the stereotypes, libraries and librarians change to suit their times. Where are libraries headed in the 21st century? And what images of the future library has spec fic offered us in media or print? |
| Look Out! She's Got a Blender! Smoothie-klatsch with Anne K.G. Murphy | ||
| Friday 3:00PM - 4:00PM BR 2 = Rm #217 |
Anne K.G. Murphy | Fan GoH Anne K. G. Murphy defies convention and presides over a smoothie-klatsch... |
| Luna City or Bust! The Open-source Space Program | ||
| Saturday 1:00PM - 2:00PM BR 1 = Rm #218 |
C. D. Carson | An introduction to the Luna Project, with an explanation of the motivations and goals of the Lunar Settlement Plan, and a call to action. |
| Man of Bronze; Pages of Pulp | ||
| Friday 8:00PM - 9:00PM Tucson |
Bill Crider, Scott Cupp, Chris Roberson, Allen Steele (M), Mel. White | Doc Savage first appeared in print 70 years ago and proved to be a character far more durable than the paper he was printed on. Our panelists discuss Doc Savage and other classic pulp fictions of the 1930s/ |
| Masquerade | ||
| Saturday 8:30PM - 9:00PM Seattle Ballroom |
MCs: Kathy Thornton & Derly Ramirez II | Watch ApolloCon's costumers take their turn on the stage in our fifth annual Masquerade, showing both competitive and display entries. All participants need to pre-register (forms and rules in Ops) for the masquerade and turn out for Muster (7pm in Scottsdale). |
| Masquerade Muster | ||
| Saturday 7:00PM - 10:00PM Scottsdale |
Rich Ladewig, Mary Miller | Masquerade entrants gather in advance of the Masquerade for last minute paperwork, workmanship judging, and all the usual back-stage hoo-haw. Last chance to register for the masquerade. |
| Media Round Up 2008 | ||
| Saturday 3:00PM - 4:00PM Tucson |
A.T. Campbell III, A. Lee Martinez, Tim Miller, Katy Pace (M), Derly N. Ramirez II | If it flickers and moves. . . Our panelists discuss the best and the worst of recent and current spec fic media, whether big screen, TV, straight to DVD, or web-only. |
| Muster Photography | ||
| Saturday 7:00PM - 10:00PM Tucson |
Todd Caldwell | |
| One Laptop Per Child: XO Mesh Demo | ||
| Saturday 4:00PM - 5:00PM BR 1 = Rm #218 |
David H. Brummel, Mark B. Hall | You've heard of the XO, the $200 laptop from the OLPC, but you've never seen one. Curious? Come see at least three! Our local geeks let you try the XO for yourself. Don't worry; they're robust. That's the *point*. |
| Open Filk | ||
| Friday 10:00PM - ?? Scottsdale --AND-- Saturday 10:00PM - ?? Scottsdale |
Joseph "Fax" Abbott, Lee Billings, Margaret Middleton, Mel. White | "Pick, Pass, or Perform" circle. Listeners as well as performers welcomed. Saturday's Open Filk is dedicated to Robert Lynn Asprin. |
| Opening Ceremonies | ||
| Friday 7:00PM - 8:00PM Seattle I |
Lou Anders, Brad Foster, Mark B. Hall (M), Margaret Middleton, Anne K.G. Murphy, Allen Steele | Celebrate science fiction and fantasy! Join the concom, our Guests and the Guests of Honor in the official opening of ApolloCon 2008. |
| Other Show Item | ||
| Saturday 8:00PM - 8:30PM Seattle Ballroom |
Bland Lemon and the Lemon Aides kick off our Saturday Night Masquerade and Show! | |
| The Politics of Writing Groups | ||
| Friday 6:00PM - 7:00PM Tucson |
Linda Donahue, Rebecca Elsenheimer, Amy Sisson (M), Mikal Trimm, J. M. McDermott | Writers groups are based on that most volatile of elements: human interaction. What makes a group work and what makes another tank? Our panelists share their opinions, experiences, and possibly even scurrilous stories! |
| The Portrayal of Texas and Texans in Spec Fic | ||
| Saturday 4:00PM - 5:00PM Scottsdale |
Jayme Lynn Blaschke, Scott Cupp, Bradley Denton, Lawrence Person, K. Hutson Price, Derly N. Ramirez II (M) | How does speculative fiction portray Texas and Texans? Where have Texans appeared in spec fic and why? |
| Readings | ||
| Various | Various | Authors read from their own work, new or old. Note the featured reading by Guest of Honor Allen Steele, the Broad Universe Rapidfire reading and our "New Houston Voices" themed reading. For names, times and locations check the pocket program and any posted Programming updates. |
| Remembering Robert Lynn Asprin: Rhyme and Pun-ishment | ||
| Saturday 4:00PM - 5:00PM Seattle II |
Margaret Middleton, Mel. White | Remembering Robert Lynn Asprin: man, fan, writer. |
| Research for Fiction Writing: Why What You Don't Know CAN Hurt You | ||
| Sunday 1:00PM - 2:00PM Seattle II |
Linda Donahue, A. Lee Martinez, Jessica Reisman, Selina Rosen (M), Allen Steele | Sometimes it isn't enough to just "make it up". . . What do you do then? Our panelists discuss the ins and outs of research for writing spec fic, including how to decide what to leave out! |
| Saturday Night Masquerade & Show | ||
| Saturday 8:00PM - 10:00PM Seattle Ballroom |
Order of show with approximate start times: Introduction (8pm), music by Bland Lemon and the Lemon Aides (Brad Denton, Caroline Spector & David Lee Anderson) (8:10pm), Masquerade (8:30pm), Skip Thruster (9pm), Awards (9:30pm) | |
| The Science Fiction Oral History Association | ||
| Saturday 12:00PM - 1:00PM Tucson |
Anne K.G. Murphy | Fan Guest of Honor Anne K. G. Murphy speaks on the Science Fiction Oral History Association, dedicated to preserving the past of speculative fiction. Learn more about this unique organization. Found out how to get involved! |
| Scientific Data: How the heck did they get those answers? | ||
| Saturday 4:00PM - 5:00PM Seattle I |
Kandy Jarvis | Ever wonder how scientists take data like pictures and spectra, process them, and come up with answers to help solve the mysteries of the universe? Come see some raw--real--data, learn about how it's processed and how it's analyzed to get the results the public sees. |
| Scotch Tasting | ||
| Saturday 11:00PM - 12:00AM BR 1 = Rm #218 |
David H Brummel, Mark B. Hall | Scotch geekery returns to ApolloCon with a special edition: All Glenfiddich, all the time! You think you've tasted Glenfiddich, but our local Scotch geeks bring you varieties you never knew existed. (Advance sign up required. Check in Ops Office) |
| Skip Thruster and the Doomsday Machine | ||
| Saturday 9:00PM - 9:30PM Seattle Ballroom |
Brian Gray, Bennie Grezlik, Anne K.G. Murphy | After the Masquerade on Saturday night, join us and join in for a live performance of "Skip Thruster and the Doomsday Machine", presented by Bennie Grezlik, his handpicked feature performers including Fan GoH Anne Murphy. In this installment, Skip and his crew of intrepid detectives match wits with Dr. Doom's latest diabolical plot, a Doomsday Machine that threatens to end life as we know it! |
| Skip Thruster Casting Call & Read Through | ||
| Saturday 3:00PM - 4:00PM BR 3 = Rm #318 |
Bennie Grezlik | Want to strut your stuff on stage in the Skip Thruster play on Saturday night? Then come out to this short, fun pre-show casting call with author Bennie Grezlik. Bennie will also provide stage and technical information to cast and potential cast. (Saturday afternoon) |
| Space Travel & Colonization by the Handicapped | ||
| Saturday 10:00AM - 11:00AM Seattle I |
Bart Kemper (M), Julia Mandala, Derly N. Ramirez II, Mel. White | Remember the Ship Who Sang? Will people already reliant on adaptive technologies prove to be a prime staffing resource for space exploration and colonization given the likely constraints on physical mobility and the need for augmentation equipment? |
| Spec Fic in the Classroom | ||
| Sunday 10:00AM - 11:00AM Seattle II |
David Lee Anderson, K. Hutson Price (M), Lynn Stranathan, Michael Teegarden | Our panelists discuss the place of spec fic in the 21st century classroom. Can fantasy support curriculum or improve reading instruction? Can sf help teach science? How can we put spec fic to work in education without making it a huge no-fun? |
| Spec Fic, Social Networking, and the Blogosphere | ||
| Sunday 10:00AM - 11:00AM Seattle I |
Jayme Lynn Blaschke (M), Rhonda Eudaly, J.M. McDermott | What are the benefits and drawbacks of community development and audience interaction in the new online environments? Does the ease and speed of feedback change the nature of the writers process and product? |
| Starbase Houston Meeting (open to the public) | ||
| Sunday 1:00PM - 2:00PM BR 1 = Rm #218 |
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| Starbase Houston Trivia Challenge | ||
| Saturday 12:30PM - 1:30PM Scottsdale |
Starbase Houston presents the Starbase Houston Trivia Challenge! Three random contestants put their trivia skills to the test for fun and prizes in this Jeopardy-style SF trivia challenge. | |
| Stars: Characteristics, Life Histories, and Potential as Hosts for Life | ||
| Friday 6:00PM - 7:00PM Scottsdale |
Larry Friesen | Larry Friesen talks about the characteristics of stars, and the implications of those characteristics for science fiction. |
| Taking the Mystery Out of Running LARPs | ||
| Saturday 12:00PM - 1:00PM BR 1 = Rm #218 |
Brian Gray, Cathey Osborne, Sly Symmank (M), Michael Teegarden | Our LARP-masters dissect the art and science of running Live Action Role Playing games. If you ever wondered what they are, how they work, and what it takes to make one happen, this is the panel! |
| Themed Reading: New Houston Voices | ||
| Saturday 4:00PM - 5:00PM Phoenix |
Raymund Eich (M), Kim Kofmel, Kate Sanger, Garrett Bryce | Spec fic from new Houston authors. |
| Trends in Science Fiction | ||
| Saturday 12:00PM - 1:00PM Seattle II |
Lou Anders, Lawrence Person (M), John Picacio, Derly N. Ramirez II | What are the hot trends in science fiction right now? The panelists outline current trends in our genre. |
| Turkey Reading: The Eye of Argon | ||
| Saturday 10:00PM - 11:00PM BR 2 = Rm #217 |
Erika Frensley (M) | Come to our first ever Turkey Reading: fiction so bad it hurts so good. Held in a board room in case a drinking game breaks out. This year, to launch our Turkey Readings, we present the grand-turkey of spec fic: The Eye of Argon! |
| Urban Fantasy | ||
| Sunday 2:00PM - 3:00PM Seattle I |
Rosemary Clement-Moore (M), Margaret Middleton, Lawrence Person, Gail Dayton, Shanna Swendson | There's more to urban fantasy than unicorns in rush-hour traffic. Our panelists trace the roots and branches of this very modern school of fantasy. |
| What Makes a Good Book Cover | ||
| Friday 8:00PM - 9:00PM Scottsdale |
Lou Anders (M), David Lee Anderson, John Picacio, Patrice Sarath | Lou Anders leads our panel in a discussion of what makes a good book cover. Is it all about marketing? Fashion? The story inside? Come and find out! |
| What's New at Pyr | ||
| Sunday 11:00AM - 12:00PM Seattle I |
Lou Anders (M), Alexis Glynn Latner, John Picacio, Chris Roberson | Lou Anders gives us a sneak peak into what's going on at Pyr Books and what we can expect to see from them in the near future. |
| What's Your Super Power? | ||
| Friday 9:00PM - 10:00PM Scottsdale |
A. Lee Martinez, K. Hutson Price, Chris Roberson, Caroline Spector (M), Kathy Thornton | The panelists discuss the perceived resurgence of superheroes in various media. Why are superheroes on the comeback, and how have they changed? |
| When You Don't Know What Else to Do, Throw a Dead Body In | ||
| Friday 9:00PM - 10:00PM Tucson |
Jayme Lynn Blaschke, Steven Brust, Rosemary Clement-Moore, C. J. Mills (M), Gail | Even writers who outline intensively sometimes get stalled. What tricks and techniques do writers use to kick-start a stalled story? Is it true that throwing in a dead body or adding a car crash will shake things loose? |
| Working in the Space Industy (Q&A) | ||
| Sunday 11:00AM - 12:00PM Seattle II |
David H Brummel (M), David Jarvis, Kandy Jarvis, Scott R. Padget | Ever wanted to know what an SRB or NEA is? What the heck is a Z-1 truss? Why should we care about orbital debris? This panel will be an open Q and A with experts from the aerospace industry. Here is your chance to ask a real live engineer or scientist your questions about the space activities that are going on at NASA Johnson Space Center. |
| Writers Workshop | ||
| Saturday 10:00AM - 1:00PM BR 3 = Rm #318 |
Alexis Glynn Latner (M), Amy Sisson (M) | Round-robin peer-critique workshop. (Pre-registration in advance of the con required.) |
| YA Favorites | ||
| Saturday 3:00PM - 4:00PM Seattle II |
Rosemary Clement-Moore, Marianne Dyson, Alexis Glynn Latner (M), Chris Roberson, K.M. Tolan | Harry Potter or Midnighters? Keeper of the Isis Light or Have Spacesuit, Will Travel? Our panelists share their YA favorites both classic and current. |
| Yard Dog Press Traveling Road Show | ||
| Friday 9:00PM - 10:00PM Seattle I |
Selina Rosen (M),Yard Dogs | Selina Rosen and Yard Dog Press authors read from upcoming works, perform interpretive dance, and just generally put on a good show. |
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Programming and guests subject to change without notice