My Preliminary Schedule for Dragon Con 2022

It’s finally starting to feel real. Dragon Con just sent my preliminary schedule for this year’s con. The panels, dates, and times may change, but my final schedule will be close to what you see here. Can’t wait! I’ve been missing my friends way too long!

Hope to see you there!

Thursday, September 1

Title: Virtual: Fact or Fiction, A&HFT 2022 Edition
Description: Our historical fiction writers will refresh your memory on major historical events and goings-on. Of course, not everyone can remember history as it truly happens. Is it fact? Is it fiction? Join our cast of unlucky souls who will determine which story is FACT and which is FICTION...
Time: 10:00 am
Location: STRM_YTTC (Length: 1 Hour)

Friday, September 2

Title: Defining SF in the Era of the Sub-Genre
Description: There are so many different definitions of sf. There are an equal number of sub-genres (military sf, space opera, etc.) Our panelists discuss how definitions have changed through the years.
Time: 11:30 am
Location: Embassy AB (Length: 1 Hour)

Title: Finding Balance: Shifters & Werecreatures in UF
Description: Werecreatures & shifters of various types display a wide range of characteristics within the genre, and each deals differently with maintaining a balance between their human and non-human side. Our panel of authors will discuss their versions, as well as some of their favorites in books & media.
Time: 01:00 pm
Location: Chastain 1-2 (Length: 1 Hour)

Title: Humor in SF
Description: It takes a deft hand to imbue science fiction with humor, Whether it is subtle or slapstick, our panelists talk about how this is best done and give examples.
Time: 07:00 pm
Location: Embassy AB (Length: 1 Hour)

Saturday, September 3

Title: Herstorically Speaking: Vanishing Women in History
Description: Explore the women that changed the world as we know it, both living and dead. Where would we be without these women that seem to have vanished into the mists of time and how would the world have changed if they hadn't been erased?
Time: 05:30 pm
Location: Macon (Length: 1 Hour)

Sunday, September 4

Title: Scandalous: Historical Gossip
Description: Some of our favorite authors share secrets and stories they've uncovered as they dug deep in their research. Bring the tea, because these authors will spill it as they unearth the side of history that couldn't remain hidden forever.
Time: 05:30 pm
Location: Macon (Length: 1 Hour)

Monday, September 5

Title: If I Could Do It Over Again...
Description: Every writer makes a (some? many?) mistake. Maybe this panel will help beginning writers avoid those same mistakes.
Time: 11:30 am
Location: Embassy EF (Length: 1 Hour)

Title: Win, Lose or Draw
Description: The game show where contestants have to draw various things from sf, Dragon Con itself, and fantasy. If their team guesses it in the allotted time, they win the round.
Time: 02:30 pm
Location: Embassy AB (Length: 1 Hour)

Tags: #DragonCon #conschedule #JeanMarieWard

My Schedule for Balticon 2022

Balticon is almost here, and I can’t wait to see my friends—including you! I hope you’ll join us at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel overlooking Baltimore’s Inner Harbor May 27-30 for all kinds of fannish fun. I also hope you’ll check out one of my panels or my Sunday reading. It’s a great slate of topics and participants. See you there!

Friday

4 PM, James Meeting Room

Dark Baptism: Coming Into Her Power

How does the supernatural teenage girl trope explore important themes like coming of age, social alienation, and finding a path?

Panelists: Gwendolyn Clare, Michael N. Jones, Ryan O’Nan, Michelle D. Sonnier, Jean Marie Ward (moderator)

7 PM, Virtual Panel Room 1

Frontier Fiction

From undersea development to life in the asteroid belt, it's not just "the weird wild west" out there. What other frontiers can be sought out and explored through SFF? Why is life on the frontier an interesting setting for SFF? How do you write frontier fiction without simply reworking colonial/imperialist dogma?

Panelists: C.J. Cherryh, Monica Louzon, Gillian Polack, Jay Smith, Beth Morris Tanner (mod), Jean Marie Ward

8:30 PM, Guilford Meeting Room

Alternate History—Just Add Magic!

Starting with a well-known period of history and throwing in magical elements into the mix is a popular approach to developing a basic concept for a story. Examples of this include Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, The Enchanted Chocolate Pot, and the recent Dead Djinn Universe. We will talk about the benefits and pitfalls of this approach, how much rigor to put into the magical system, how much history you need to learn, and how to decide where to get started.

Panelists: Phenderson Djèlí Clark, Tom Doyle, JL Gribble, Michelle D. Sonnier, Jean Marie Ward (mod)

 

Saturday

1 PM, Kent Meeting Room

Most Of What You Know About History Is Wrong

False, popular "facts" about history are so widespread that people often view documented facts with skepticism and even outrage. Medieval people did actually bathe, Edison did not invent the light bulb, and more than 300 soldiers defended Thermopylae. Let's tackle examples where real history runs into false popular narratives and the problems that result.

Panelists: Tom Doyle, Ada Palmer, Alan Smale, Jean Marie Ward (mod)

2:30 PM, James Meeting Room

Getting The Most From A Writers Association

Genre association groups such as the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA) and the Romance Writers Association (RWA), as well as more local groups like the Maryland Writers Association (MWA), can offer benefits and perks. Panelists talk about what different groups have to offer and how to get the most out of your membership.

Panelists: Joshua Bilmes, Carol Gyzander, Amy Kaplan (mod), Rosemary Claire Smith, Jean Marie Ward

4 PM, Room 7029

Breaking the Hero’s Journey

There are many ways to break the established pattern while still making the journey entertaining for audiences. Panelists will examine examples of this and what makes them still satisfying to the audience.

Panelists: Sarah Avery, Carl Cipra, Robert L. Slater, Rosemary Claire Smith, Jean Marie Ward (mod)

 

Sunday

1 PM, James Meeting Room

Magic In The Ancient Mediterranean

From Greek curse tablets to Mesopotamian healing spells, the ancient world was brimming with magic, magicians, and demonic dangers. Let's discuss what evidence survives, what it tells us about who wanted to use magic and why, and how we reconstruct the magical worlds of the past.

Panelists: Tom Doyle, Rosemary Claire Smith (mod), John Robison, Rosemary Claire Smith, Jean Marie Ward, Sherri Cook Woosley

2:30 PM, St. George Meeting Room

Readings

Brian Ketchum and Jean Marie Ward

7 PM, Virtual Panel Room 1

Giving Your Work Away For Fun And Profit

Everyone loves free stuff, but authors need to pay the bills. Can you make money by giving your work away, and if so, how do you choose what to distribute for free? What tools and metrics can you use to show a publisher or business partner that the work that you give away for free is driving sales?

Panelists: Leonardo Espinoza Benavides, Brenda Clough, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, Angela Yuriko Smith (mod), Jean Marie Ward