ConDFW is tomorrow! I knew that, but somehow that didn’t translate to sharing my programming schedule with anyone.  I’ll have copies of Cats in Space AND Funny SF with me for my signing, and there will most definitely be cookies at my reading. (Likely chocolate chip. The soft, super chewy kind, like a cookie should be.) It’s possible I’ll have them ready for my signing as well, but we’ll see how tomorrow morning with my toddler goes.

Friday

3pm: Jeff Dawson, Dantzel Cherry

MAIN PROGRAMMING (JEFFERSON)

Friday, 4pm: World Building in Steampunk

Panelists: Shanna Swendson (M), Rachael Acks, Stephen Sanders, Rie Sheridan Rose, Ava Morgan, Dantzel Cherry

The steampunk genre usually covers an alternate version of Victorian England, but it has been used to create versions in Imperial Japan, and in a straight fantasy setting. Our steampunk experts discuss how to build a world that incorporates steampunk elements into it.

Saturday

MAIN PROGRAMMING (JEFFERSON)

Saturday, 1pm: How to Brainstorm a Story

Panelists: Julia S. Mandala (M), KM Tolan, Rachael Acks, Michelle Muenzler, Dantzel Cherry

You’ve just finished the blockbuster of your dreams. Your fans are clamoring for more! Then you wake up and realize you haven’t got any ideas. Our writers discuss how they came up with their original stories. Perhaps you too can realize your dream!

PROGRAMMING 3 (HAMILTON)

Saturday, 2pm: The Short Story: Advantages and Benefits.

Panelists: David Gray (M), Mary Gearhart-Gray, Rhonda Eudaly, Barbara Ann Wright, Larry Atchley Jr., Dantzel Cherry

The short story is often overlooked by the average reader unless they read certain literary magazines or short story collections. However, they are a gem that should not be discounted so readily. Our short story writers talk about the benefits of writing short stories as opposed to writing novels.

Also, the programming includes the 1st Annual Adventure Poetry Slam, Saturday at 8PM.

I CAN’T EVEN. I love slam poetry. I have a piece that should be tweaked and ready to read by then, so barring any unfortunate scheduling conflicts that kills my editing time, I should be up there competing for the $50 first prize. Or the 3rd place box of Girl Scout cookies – as long as they’re Thin Mints or Samoas.

Clearly this is all right up my alley. Great panels combined with great authors is going to make for a lovely weekend. Hope to see you there!