My Schedule for Capclave 2021

 Finally, I’m going to a real, live convention this weekend (October 1-3)! Capclave 2021 will be the first in-person con I’ve participated in since…well, since Capclave 2019. But the wait will totally be worth it, because this year’s Capclave will be two conventions in one. Not only does the con boast Guest of Honor Peter S. Beagle, but it will also be hosting Eric Flint and the 2021 Ring of Fire Con.

You just can’t go wrong with that. Check it out at the Rockville Hilton and Executive Center in Rockville, Maryland. For a taste, check out my panels:

Friday

5 PM: Reading (Monroe Meeting Room)
Yes, there will be chocolate, a soupcon of Dionysus, and possibly the opening of the story where I bellow “Struuuuudel!” at random intervals. Join us and find out!

Saturday

5 PM: What I Did to Survive the Great Pandemic (Washington Theater)
Participants: Mary Fan, Natalie Luhrs, Suzanne Palmer, Jean Marie Ward, Ted Weber (Moderator)
What did people do to survive the pandemic? What changed in their lives? How are they adjusting to getting their lives back? How comfortable are you with post-pandemic conditions? What does normal mean? How will your life be different? When will you give up your mask?

7 PM: How Do I Use History Without a Ph.D. in It? (Eisenhower Meeting Room)
Participants: Tom Doyle, Eric Flint, Alan Smale (M), Jean Marie Ward, Ted Weber
Okay, Harry Turtledove and Arkady Martine have advanced degrees in history. What can other authors do to get historical information? What are the best and most reliable sources? Should writers do all their research before outlining or just leave blanks to research later? Which sources are best for inspiring ideas, and which are helpful inwriting? How do you identify biased sources, and can you still use them? What if your sources conflict? How much history do you put in your novel?

Sunday

Noon: Magic’s Price (Truman Meeting Room)
Participants: Donald S. Crankshaw (M), Carolyn Ives Gilman, Karlo Yeager Rodriguez, Jean Marie Ward
In many stories there is a cost to doing magic. What are the costs of doing magic: physical, mental, societal, or other? When are the gains worth the price, and when is this in question? What books show this well?

1 PM: Twice Upon a Time—Revisiting Classic Tales (Washington Theater)
Participants: Leah Cypess, Mark Huston, Jean Marie Ward (M), A.C. Wise
Disney was not the first to redo fairy tales. As part of an oral tradition, they were never static but were altered by every storyteller. Re-tellers have remixed archetypes and traditional elements down to the present day. So how can writers give new life to these old stories? And given that everyone knows how the original stories went, what can authors do to make their version stand out?

If you like what you read, check out the Capclave website <https://www.capclave.org/capclave/capclave21/> for more program goodness and join us at the Rockville Hilton, Friday through Sunday, October 1-3. Looking forward to seeing you there!

My 2021 Balticon Schedule

 

All hail the SFF highlight of my Memorial Day weekend: Balticon! This year my panels span bureaucracy, history, worldbuilding, monsters and a reading. Hope you’ll check them out, as well as all the other wonderful programming available for free! Panel registration and links can be found here. While you’re there, I hope you’ll consider supporting the con’s GoFundMe to ensure all this fannish goodness is available in person in 2022.

 

 

Friday, May 28

 

Beyond Red Tape: Why Bureaucracy Happens

Time: 5:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Location: Watertable
Panelists: Brick Barrientos (Moderator), Doc Coleman, Monica Louzon, Beth Morris Tanner, Jean Marie Ward

Description: Bureaucracy can be more than a comical obstacle for characters or a Kafkaesque nightmare. Societies and organizations create bureaucracy as a tool to solve specific problems. How can bureaucracy and governance structures be a part of good worldbuilding and good problem solving?

 

 

Sunday, May 30

It's A Novel, Not History Class

Time: 1:00 PM ET

Location: Mount Washington
Panelists: Gail Z. Martin (M), Doc Coleman, R.F. Kuang (2019 Compton Crook Award winner), Wendy Van Camp, Jean Marie Ward

Description: When writing in a historical setting creators can greatly over- or underestimate how much information they’ll need to incorporate for their audiences to understand what’s going on. We will explore how to immerse audiences in the past without losing focus on plot and characters. How can a creator tell how much the audience already knows, and how much needs to be explained?

 

The Motivations of Monsters
Time: 2:30 PM ET

Location: St. George

Panelists: Jean Marie Ward (M), John L. French, Lee Murray, John Walker, Sherri Cook Woolsey

Description: Science fiction and fantasy have always featured "monsters," going all the way back to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. While some are mindless destroyers, many are written with relatable motivations and desires. What are some monsters who have connected with audiences, and what are ways creators can make their monsters sympathetic while keeping them in an antagonistic role?

 

Writing Characters with Agency
Time: 8:30 PM ET

Location: Mount Washington

Panelists: Jean Marie Ward (M), Brenda Clough, Micaiah Johnson (2021 Compton Crook Award winner), Karen Osborne, Ryan Van Loan

Description: How do we give characters the power to make their own choices (and make those choices feel natural) while also moving the plot where it needs to go? What are some common mistakes that can take agency from a character without the author intending it? How does this problem affect audience investment?

 

 

Monday, May 30

 

Reading

Time: 1:30 PM ET

Location: Readings Break-out Room in the Con Suite

Panelists: Meeeeeeeeeee!

Description: According to the schedule, I’ll be reading urban fantasy, Steampunk and historical fantasy. Hmm, guess I’d better rehearse.

 

Hope to see you there!

Goin' to Dragon Con, 2018 Edition

Dragon Con is almost here! I’ll be heading out Wednesday, abandoning spouse and house panther to their own devices. (They’re afraid…very afraid. ;-) ) I can’t wait to see my friends—and learn what author and Falstaff Books publisher John Hartness is planning for the threatened Virgo birthday bash. (The Westin Bar may never recover.) In addition, this will be author Joshua B. Palmatier’s first time in the Merchandise Mart as the publisher of Zombies Need Brains. Drop by and say hello if you’re going in that direction.

I hope you’ll drop by a few of my panels, too. This year I have twelve. From the subjects and the other guests, they’re sure to be grand!

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Title: Social Media as an Effective Tool for Authors
Description: Social media can launch your career--or kill it. What's effective? What isn't? Learn how to navigate the tricky waters of social media.
Time: Fri 01:00 pm Location: Embassy CD - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Tyra A Burton, Denise Baker Camacho, Michael Chatfield, Jean Marie Ward, Lee Martindale, Aleron Kong)

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Title: A Genre Is a Genre Is a Genre: The Proliferation of Genres
Description: Every time you turn around, it seems there's a new genre on the bookshelves--or a sub-genre. Whatever happened to just science fiction or just fantasy or just...any genre you'd care to name? Our panelists discuss this. Is there any end in sight?
Time: Fri 04:00 pm Location: Embassy AB - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Moderator / MC for panel
(Tentative Panelists: Jean Marie Ward, Claire M. Eddy, Bill Fawcett, Henry Vogel, Dr. Charles E. Gannon)

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Title: Readings in Honor of Kathryn Fernquist Hinds
Description: Writers & friends celebrate the life of author, bard, poet, & teacher Kathryn Hinds with reminiscences & readings from her work.
Time: Fri 07:00 pm Location: Techwood - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Moderator / MC for panel
(Tentative Panelists: Jean Marie Ward, Gail Z. Martin, Jeanne P Adams, James Palmer, Trisha J. Wooldridge, Catherine M. Scully)

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Title: Ahoy, Mateys! Pirates in Popular Culture
Description: The drama and adventure of pirate history have inspired imaginations for centuries. Join us for some of our favorite pirate stories, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Black Sails, Treasure Island, Treasure Planet, The Goonies - even Cutthroat Island! No, we don't know where the rum has gone.
Time: Fri 08:30 pm Location: Athens - Sheraton (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Tim Powers, Darin M. Bush, Michael J. Martinez, Jean Marie Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon)

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Title: Reading Session: Jean Marie Ward
Time: Sat 01:00 pm Location: Marietta - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Jean Marie Ward)

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Title: Her-storically Speaking
Description: Well-behaved women rarely make history, as they say. So we'll be talking about some of the women who made waves, with a focus on pirates, Vikings, and detectives. History professors, writers, and all-around smart ladies talk about the stories we may not have been taught in history books.
Time: Sat 07:00 pm Location: Athens - Sheraton (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Octavia Randolph, Jean Marie Ward, Leanna Renee Hieber, Nancy Holzner)

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Title: The Oldest Profession: History's Most Famous Working Women
Description: History has a lot of unsung heroes, specifically in this profession. Contrary to what you may have read, some of the most notorious and celebrated madams and working women have shaped and often guided our history. This survey panel showcases some you should know about.
Time: Sat 11:30 pm Location: Athens - Sheraton (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Cecilia Dominic, Jean Marie Ward, Gail Z. Martin, Austin Sirkin, Valerie Hampton)

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Title: Oops, I Sold My Novel. Now What?
Description: Selling your novel is Step One. Presenters will discuss what happens next. How do you make your first novel the success you dreamed about?
Time: Sun 04:00 pm Location: Embassy CD - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: John L. Flynn, Lucienne Diver, Leanna Renee Hieber, Michael J. Martinez, Scott Sigler, Jean Marie Ward)

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Title: Ursula K. Le Guin: Honoring a Grand Master
Description: The field lost a great voice last year when Ursula K. Le Guin passed. We will be honoring the author of The Left Hand of Darkness and Wizard of Earthsea (among others) by discussing her work and life.
Time: Sun 05:30 pm Location: International South - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Moderator / MC for panel
(Tentative Panelists:) Erika A. Domeika, Jean Marie Ward, Trisha Wooldridge

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Title: Broad Universe Rapid-Fire Readings
Description: Tasty bite-sized readings from some of your favorite & soon-to-be-favorite authors.
Time: Sun 07:00 pm Location: Techwood - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Moderator / MC for panel
(Tentative Panelists: Jean Marie Ward, Gail Z. Martin, John G. Hartness, K.M. Herkes, Linda Robertson, Trisha J. Wooldridge, Jeanne P Adams, Nancy Northcott)

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Title: Win, Lose, or Draw
Description: Our annual try at getting our fellow fans to figure out what you're drawing. There will be prizes for the winning team.
Time: Mon 01:00 pm Location: Embassy AB - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Moderator / MC for panel
(Tentative Panelists: Jean Marie Ward)

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Title: The Devil in the Details: A Lucifer Fan Panel
Description: A moderated fan-panel discussion of the hit show's third season
Time: Mon 02:30 pm Location: Chastain 1-2 - Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Kevin Bachelder, Eric R. Asher, Jean Marie Ward, Kristin Jackson, John G. Hartness)

All the cool kids posted their Dragon Con schedules last week. But I held out until I could be sure I had a reading. Thanks to John Hartness of Falstaff Books, now I do! On Saturday afternoon at one o’clock you can hear me read a teaser from “Blood and Strawberries”, the urban fantasy novella Falstaff will be publishing in 2018!

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Although the con’s programming folks hope their schedules are firm and good, things can change up to the minute we start the panel. Heck, I’ve sat on panels where things continued to change even after we took our places at the table. Wild as they seem, many of the details of my story “Protective Coloring” in Gilded Dragonfly Books’ new anthology The Rise of the Phoenix were drawn straight from con life.

But enough with the shameless self-promotion. You’re here for the schedule–and a fine one it is!

The Oldest Profession: History’s Most Famous Harlots
Description: History has a lot of unsung heroes, none more surprising as its harlots. Contrary to what you may have read in the history books, our present has been shaped and often guided by some of the most notorious and celebrated madams and working women. This survey panel showcases some of the best!
Time: Fri 10:00 PM Location: Athens – Sheraton (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Faith Hunter, Cherie Priest, Jean Marie Ward, Misty Massey)

Falstaff Books Reading
Description: John Hartness and the writers of Falstaff Books read from their new and forthcoming titles.
Time: Sat 1 PM Location: Piedmont – Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: John Hartness, Darin Kennedy, Jay Requard, Joelle Reizes, R.R. Virdi, Jean Marie Ward)

No Ordinary Town: A Midnight, Texas Fan Panel
Description: A moderated fan-panel discussion of the show based on the best-selling book series by Charlaine Harris
Time: Sat 05:30 PM Location: Chastain 1-2 – Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Jeri Westerson, Jean Marie Ward)

Lost Worlds: The Science Fiction of Arthur Conan Doyle
Description: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is best known for Sherlock Holmes, but he also wrote sf. Our panelists help to shed light on these works.
Time: Sat 07:00 PM Location: Embassy AB – Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Bethany Kesler, Jaym Gates, Jean Marie Ward)

The Deviance and Depravity of Victorian England
Description: The repression of the Victorian era meant depravity of the most devious kinds behind closed doors. This panel goes over the pornography, taboos, sexuality, and gender identity of those naughty Victorians. We’ll also be including visual examples from the era for the oh so mature of audiences.
Time: Sun 01:00 AM Location: Athens – Sheraton (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Sara E Neathery, Jean Marie Ward, Karianne Gottschalk)

1632: The Ring of Fire Series Author Roundtable
Description: 1632 and the subsequent novels, anthologies, and sprawling speculative fiction work of Eric Flint, Charles E. Gannon, and other authors who have contributed to anthologies have expanded this 17th Century Alternate History work into a grand shared world to be enjoyed, explored, and discussed.
Time: Sun 04:00 PM Location: Augusta – Sheraton (Length: 1 Hour)
Moderator / MC for panel
(Tentative Panelists: Jean Marie Ward, Eric Flint, Dr. Charles E. Gannon, Griffin Barber, Toni Weisskopf)

Playing in Someone Else’s Universe
Description: The rise of indie publishing and crowdfunding has led to an increase in shared world anthologies and other projects, many in well-established fictional universes. Panelists discuss the challenges they’ve faced adapting to worlds not of their own making.
Time: Sun 05:30 PM Location: Embassy AB – Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Moderator / MC for panel
(Tentative Panelists: Jean Marie Ward, Dr. Charles E. Gannon, Kacey Ezell, Todd McCaffrey, Griffin Barber)

Collaborations, Critique Groups and Beta Readers
Description: Today’s writers find creative help in ways writers of the past didn’t have access to. What’s right for a writer depends on many things. This panel discusses whether a collaboration, critique group or beta reader is the perfect choice–and how to find them.
Time: Sun 07:00 PM Location: Embassy CD – Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Moderator / MC for panel
(Tentative Panelists: Jean Marie Ward, Jane Yolen, Jake Bible, David B. Coe, Mercedes Lackey, Richard Lee Byers)

Beyond Victorian: Alt. History in Other Cultures and Eras
Description: if you can’t bear the sight of one more crumpet, how about nativepunk, retrofuture, or “Amish sci fi”? There’s a multitude of cultures and eras and subgenres that are begging to be explored. Our panelists explore new lands and times into the various aspects of alternate history.
Time: Sun 08:30 PM Location: Athens – Sheraton (Length: 1 Hour)
Moderator / MC for panel
(Tentative Panelists: Jean Marie Ward, Margaret S. McGraw, A. J. Hartley, Michael Bunker)

Win, Lose Or Draw
Description: Our host, Jean Marie Ward, puts contestants through their paces testing out their artistic abilities in getting teammates to guess names, places, things from science fiction and Dragon Con itself. There will be prizes!
Time: Mon 01:00 PM Location: Embassy AB – Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Moderator / MC for panel
(Tentative Panelists: Jean Marie Ward)

Looking forward to seeing you there!

###

My Capclave 2016 Schedule

It’s Capclave season! If you’ll be in the Washington, DC, area this weekend (October 7-9) you couldn’t do better than to join us at the Gaithersburg Hilton for the MDV’s premier science fiction/fantasy literary convention. This year’s guests of honor will be Tim Powers and Sarah Beth Durst.

They’re even giving me some panels, too:

7 PM, Friday, October 7

Rockville/Potomac Meeting Room

Fictionalizing Real People (Ends at: 7:55 pm)
Panelists: Tim Powers, James R. Stratton, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator), Allen L. Wold
When you put a real person in a story, how much do you need to know about that person? What biographical information do you keep or leave out? What are the pro's and con's of writing such a character?

1 PM, Saturday, October 8

Salon A

Humor in Science Fiction & Fantasy (Ends at: 1:55 pm)
Panelists: Doc Coleman (M), William Freedman, Larry Hodges, Alex Shvartsman, Jean Marie Ward
When is it good to have a laugh? An exploration of not only humorous books, but putting humorous elements in a dramatic story.

10 PM, Saturday, October 8

Rockville/Potomac Meeting Room

Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading (Ends at: 10:55 pm)
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Jeanne Adams, V. Hartman DiSanto, Kelly A. Harmon, Christie Meierz, Jean Marie Ward (M)
Listen to the Broad Universe Writers as they reveal their literary gems. Expect some extra members of the Universe to join the fun!

11PM, Saturday, October 8

Bethesda Meeting Room

Unused Secret Histories (Ends at: 11:55 pm)
Panelists: Tom Doyle, Bjorn Hasseler, James Morrow (Moderator), Jean Marie Ward
Tim Powers' novels frequently use secret histories in which the recorded history does not change but the reasons behind the events are rather different. What historical events would make for a good secret history and what would be your explanation?

See you there!

My Dragon Con 2016 Schedule

Almost forgot the promotional part of running away to join the circus that is Dragon Con—my schedule! Hope to see you there. This year’s con is sure to be more amazing than usual, since the Dragon is turning thirty. My, they grow so fast. I remember when it was just a little wyrm, too small and too young to vote... ;-)
Happy Labor Day Weekend, everyone!

Time: Fri 08:30 pm Location: Embassy CD - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Title: Social Media as a Tool--not a Trial
Description: Face it, savvy authors use social media to their advantage. But, it's a two-headed demon...Secrets of taming that beast.
Moderator / MC for panel
(Tentative Panelists: Gail Z. Martin, Jean Marie Ward, Debbie Viguie, Sheila English, Julie Kenner)

Time: Sat 02:30 pm Location: Embassy AB - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Title: Getting it Wrong and Living to Tell About It
Description: Writers aren't perfect. (I know, shocking, isn't it?) Sometimes, they get their research wrong, or publicly insert both feet in their mouths and try to run with them. Sometimes, they even change facts on purpose. Panelists talk about the times they screwed up, and how they fixed it.
Moderator / MC for panel
(Tentative Panelists: Jean Marie Ward, L. M. Davis, A. J. Hartley, Milton J. Davis, Roshani Hitesh Chokshi)

Time: Sat 04:00 pm Location: Piedmont - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Title: Reading: Broad Universe
Description: The ladies & gentlemen of Broad Universe read snippets from their work.
(Tentative Panelists: Gail Z. Martin, Jean Marie Ward, Trisha J. Woldridge, John G. Hartness, Clay and Susan Griffith)

Time: Sun 08:30 pm Location: Embassy AB - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Title: Kicking You Out - What Throws You Out of a Story?
Description: You're reading a really good book, caught up in the storyline. Suddenly it happens. A factual mistake, a really bad typo, a favorite character suddenly acting totally wrong...or something else. What is it that can kick you totally out of the world the writer is presenting?
Moderator / MC for panel
(Tentative Panelists: Jean Marie Ward, Trisha J. Woldridge, Chris A Jackson)

Time: Mon 01:00 pm Location: Embassy AB - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Title: SF Win, Lose or Draw!
Description: Compete with fellow fans in getting your team to decipher your drawings of words, phrases and items from around the SF world. The winners will receive prizes and accolades.
(Tentative Panelists: Jean Marie Ward)

Time: Mon 02:30 pm Location: Chastain DE - Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
Title: The End of the Line: A Lost Girl Fan Panel
Description: A moderated fan-panel discussion of the beloved series' last season, and whether or not it provided closure and a satisfying ending.
(Tentative Panelists: Kevin Bachelder, Jean Marie Ward, Valerie Hampton, E.J. Stevens)

My Schedule for Balticon 50

Taking a moment away from baking double batches of molasses cookies and pecan snowballs to share my tentative schedule for Balticon 50. Why did I tantalize you by mentioning baked goods made with butter and sugar and vanilla and all sorts of wonderful things? Because they and a lot of other homemade goodies will be waiting for you at the E-Spec Books Launch Party on Sunday night. I’m also bringing chocolate to the Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading Sunday afternoon.
This means you’re coming to Balticon, right? Right?
Can’t wait to see you there!

Saturday 1-1:50 PM, Guilford (Renaissance)
Writing: It's My Job AND What I Do For Fun—Our panelists discuss how awesome it is having their job be something they love to do: the work itself, the fan, the other authors they meet, the places they get to visit.
Panelists: Carl Cipra (Moderator), Keith DeCandido , Jody Lynn Nye, Jean Marie Ward

Saturday 6-6:50 PM, St. George (Renaissance)
Steampunk and Urban Fantasy Readings with Keith R. A. DeCandido, Christine Norris, Jean Marie Ward, and D. C. Wilson

Sunday 3-4:20 PM, Pride of Baltimore (Renaissance)
Broad Universe Rapid Fire Readings—The woman of Broad Universe are back with flash readings to tweak your appetites!
Panelists: Randee Dawn (Moderator), Roxanne Bland, Carmen Webster Buxton, LJ Cohen, Vonnie Winslow Crist, Kelly A. Harmon, Lisa Hawkridge, Tamara Siler Jones, Paula S. Jordan, Gail Martin, Jody Lynn Nye, Jean Marie Ward

Sunday 7-9 PM, MD Salon B (Renaissance)
E-Spec Books Launch Party—The authors contributing to Gaslight and Grimm, The Weird Wild West, The Side of Good/The Side of Evil and Defending the Future invite you to help them celebrate! Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, R. S. Belcher, Danny Birt, Keith DeCandido, John L. French, Eric Hardenbrook, Kelly Harmon, Chris Hiles, Emily Leverett, Diana Bastine, Gail Z. Martin, Mike McPhail, Bernie Mojzes, Christine Norris, Jody Lynn Nye, Ken Schrader, Bud Sparhawk, David Lee Summers, Jean Marie Ward, Robert Waters, Jeff Young

Monday 12:00 - 12:50 PM, Parlor 8029 (Renaissance)
What's Hot Short Fiction?
Panelists: Sarah Pinsker (Moderator), Alex Shvartsman, Michael Underwood, Scott Edelman, Jean Marie Ward

My Dragon Con Schedule, 2015 Edition

It's that time again--Dragon Con time. Starting this afternoon, Greg and Pumba will be on their own for the better part of a week, and I'll be working panels and catching up with friends at the world's number one summer camp for wayward adults. If you're going to be there, too, I hope you'll join me at one of my panels:

Title: And, That's the Truth!
Time: Fri 02:30 pm Location: Embassy D-F - Hyatt
Panelists: Mike Bara, Michelle Belanger, Dr. Bob Blackwood, Mike Faber, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator)
Description: How to build a career, or supplement your fiction career, writing non-fiction.

Title: Broad Universe Reading
Time: Fri 07:00 pm Location: Embassy A-B - Hyatt
Panelists: Trisha Wooldridge, Gail Martin, Kathryn Hinds, Jean Marie Ward and more
Description: The ladies of Broad Universe read snippets from their work.

Title: Navigating the Media/Online Frenzy
Time: Sat 11:30 am Location: Embassy D-F - Hyatt
Panelists: Gail Z. Martin, Tom Merritt, Michael Z. Williamson, Mike Faber, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator)
Description: What else is out there besides Facebook? How to generate "buzz" about a book to promote sales.

Title: The Source: Folklore & Mythology in UF
Time: Sun 01:00 pm Location: Chastain ED - Westin
Panelists: Alethea Kontis, Leanna Renee Hieber, Jean Marie Ward, Jonathan Maberry, Valerie Hampton, Samantha Sommersby
Description: Urban fantasy is rooted in age-old myth, legend, and folklore. Authors discuss influences.

Title: Showcase: Todd McCaffrey
Time: Sun 08:30 pm Location: Embassy A-B - Hyatt (Length: 1)
Description: Todd McCaffrey discusses his life and work with Jean Marie Ward (Moderator) and answers questions from the audience.

Title: Win, Lose, or Draw, SF Style
Time: Mon 01:00 pm Location: Embassy A-B - Hyatt (Length: 1)
MC: Jean Marie Ward
Description: The game of drawing & guessing returns to the Lit track. Prizes & glory!

But even though I'll be away from my keyboard for the next week, you can still participate the great Zombies Need Brains Kickstarter for two (count 'em) new anthologies, Alien Artifacts and Were- featuring authors like Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Phyllis Ames, Jacey Bedford, Patricia Bray, David B. Coe, David Farland/Dave Wolverton, C.S. Friedman, Walter H. Hunt, Faith Hunter, Katharine Kerr, Gini Koch, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, Gail and Larry N. Martin, Seanan McGuire, Juliet E. McKenna and me. Click here for the details on two of the best anthologies you'll read in 2016. The Kickstarter will be ending just about the time I return, so don't miss out!

My Capclave Schedule

It’s almost here! Capclave, the Washington DC-area science fiction, fantasy and horror convention will run from Friday through Sunday, October 11-13, at the Hilton Washington DC North in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

This is a big thing—not just for me, but also for fans of Guest of Honor George R.R. Martin. I can’t remember the last time he and fellow Guests of Honor—editor Sharyn November, writer Harold Waldrop—have graced an East Coast con.  Putting on my reporter’s hat, I have no idea how much Game of Thrones/Wild Cards/Old Mars gossip I’ll be able to wheedle out of them. But I plan to give it my best shot.

And par-tay! At least, when I’m not on a panel. I think you’ll agree my schedule (below) is choice. Hope to see you there!

Friday

4 p.m. Salon A

The Darker Side of Fae (Ends at 4:55 p.m.)
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Alethea Kontis, Michelle D. Sonnier (M), Jim Stratton, Jean Marie Ward
Not everyone can be Tinkerbell, sometimes the world is a little less clean and pure. Is the darker fae a return to time when the fae were strange and alarming?

10 p.m., Salon B

Nice Shoes … (Ends at: 10:55 p.m.)
Panelists: Judi Fleming, Jason Jack Miller, Betsy A. Riley, Patrick Scaffido, Jean Marie Ward
Shoes, do they make the character? What are the tricks to subtly tell the reader about the character through clothes, furniture, job, and hobbies. Is this just a chic lit trait or a common tool?

11 p.m., Salons CDE

I'm Just Borrowing the Characters… Writing Fanfic (Ends at: 11:55 p.m.)
Panelists: Janine Spendlove, Elaine Stiles (M), Jean Marie Ward, Steven H. Wilson
Why do people write fanfic? Is it fair use or unfair abuse? How is it different from retellings of Greek myths or King Arthur? Is using familiar characters and settings "training wheels" for beginning authors or a dangerous crutch that will engrain bad habits? Where are the lines?

Saturday

3 p.m., Salon B

A Survey of Kickass Animals that Probably Don't Exist (Ends at: 3:55 p.m.)
Panelists: Thomas Holtz (M), Diana Peterfreund, Norm Sherman, Howard Waldrop, Jean Marie Ward
From the Goatman to the Mothman, Yeti to Yowie, and Dodo to Ogopogo. From Bloops to Blobs, Giant Owls to Lizard men, Chupacabres to Mongolian Deathworms. From the foul smelling Skunk Ape of the Florida Everglades, to the brain eating Nandi Bears of Kenya, this course is a basic introduction into the study of absurd animals which purportedly exist based on the sightings and information gathered by stammering lunatics, drunken peasants and other researchers in the field.

7:30 p.m., Salons A-E

Mass Signing (Ends at: 8:25 p.m.)
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Catherine Asaro, Eric Bakutis, Philippa Ballantine, Matt Betts, Matt Bishop, Neil Clarke, Tom Doyle, Andrew Fox, Charles E. Gannon, Carolyn Ives Gilman, Laura Anne Gilman, Bob Greenberger, John G. Hemry, Alma Katsu, Annette Klause, John Edward Lawson, Dina Leacock, Edward M. Lerner, Marianne Mancusi, George R.R. Martin, James Maxey, Heidi Ruby Miller, Jason Jack Miller, James Morrow, Diana Peterfreund, Patrick Scaffido, Lawrence M. Schoen, Jon Skovron, Alan Smale, Michelle D. Sonnier, Bud Sparhawk, Janine Spendlove, Michael Swanwick, Michael A. Ventrella, Jean Marie Ward, Lawrence Watt-Evans, Steven H. Wilson, Leona Wisoker, K. Ceres Wright
The Saturday evening mass autographing session.

9 p.m., Salon B

Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading (Ends at: 9:55 p.m.)
Panelists: Jean Marie Ward (M), Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Day Al-Mohamed, Meriah Lysistrata Crawford, Elektra Hammond, Dina Leacock, Christine Norris, Leona Wisoker
Bite-sized readings from the writers of Broad Universe.

Dragon*Con, Here I come

It's the most wonderful time of the year...
No, silly, not the winter holiday season.  I'm talking about Dragon*Con, where you too can be surrounded by forty thousand of the closest friends and acquaintances you never met before--like these charmers.

I'll be doing my thing on five panels this year:

Friday, August 31, 1 p.m. (Hyatt, Fairlie Meeting Room)
Talking Cats and Clever Rats--Animals as symbols and characters in SF and fantasy.
Panelists: Lynn Abbey, Diane Hughes, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator)

Saturday, September 1, 2:30 p.m. (Hyatt, Greenbriar Meeting Room)
Good War/Bad War--How have recent conflicts shaped or influenced today's SF?
T.C. McCarthy, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator), Michael Z. Williamson

Sunday, September 2, 5:30 p.m. (Hyatt, Greenbriar Meeting Room)
Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading--Well-known and up-and-coming women writers read from their works.
Too many writers to count.  ;-)

Monday, September 3, 1 p.m. (Hyatt, Fairlie Meeting Room)
SF Win, Lose or Draw--The third annual Win, Lose or Draw competition comes to Dragon*Con.  Put together a team or join one when you arrive.

Monday, September 2, 2:30 p.m. (Hyatt, Embassy D-F)
Writer's Wonder Panel--Writers discuss the wonders--good and bad--of being a writer.
Lynn Abbey, Carole Nelson Douglas, Nancy Knight, Jennifer St. Giles, Jean Marie Ward, Janny Wurts

Looking forward to seeing you there!

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My Schedule for Balticon 2012

This year’s Balticon will nothing if not exciting. I’m scheduled for fifteen (fifteen!) panels. Gulp.

Friday 4:00 pm (Salon B)
Symbology of Animals in Folk and Fairy Tales (Readers Track)
Are certain animals used to symbolize certain character types. How? Why? In a modern fairy tale, what animals would you use and in what way? (M): Trisha J. Wooldridge, (S): Jean Marie Ward, Ray Ridenour, D.H. Aire, Phil Giunta

Friday 5:00 pm (Salon D)
Worst. Panel. Ever. (Fan Track)
Panelists trade stories about their worst ever panel experiences. (M): Jean Marie Ward, (S): Wayne Arthur Hall, Perrianne Lurie, Stephanie M. Burke

Friday, 10:00 pm (Parlor 1041) T
he Role of Anthologies, Roundtable Discussion (Readers Track)
As both a source of fiction and a means of promotion, what do anthologies have to offer? Fan and author panelists discuss. (M) Danielle Ackley-McPhail, (S): Michael A. Ventrella, Joshua Bilmes, C.J .Henderson, Trisha J. Wooldridge, Bernie Mojzes, Pete Prellwitz, Jean Marie Ward

Saturday, 12:00 noon (Parlor 1041)
Magical Systems in Fantasy Literature (Readers Track)
A Roundtable Discussion. Panelists look at what are some of the things we expect to see in magical systems and give examples of works that are missing those factors, but work just fine for the reader anyway. (M): Gail Z. Martin, (S): Hildy Silverman, Trisha J. Wooldridge, Myke Cole, Jody Lynn Nye (Guest of Honor, David Wood, Barba¬Friend Ish, Elektra Hammond, Bill Fawcett, Jean Marie Ward

Saturday, 1:00 pm (Salon B) The Effects of War on SF & F (Readers Track)
How has our war torn era shaped fantasy and SF? (M): Myke Cole, (S): Charles Edward Gannon, Bill Fawcett, Jon Sprunk, Jean Marie Ward

Saturday, 2:00 pm, (Maryland Foyer)
Autographing: Jaclyn Dolamore, Christine Norris and Jean Marie Ward

Saturday, 7:00 pm (Parlor 1041) Modern Fae Book Launch (Readers Track)
Come join editor Joshua Palmatier and contributing author Jean Marie Ward as they celebrate the release of the anthology The Modern Fae’s Guide to Surviving Humanity from DAW Books, containing tales of the fae and how they have adapted to fit into modern society. From leprechauns on Wall Street to Selkies at Sea World, see how the fae have learned to live with the infestation that is humanity. Drinks and snacks available, along with books for purchase and Autographing at the event. (M) Joshua Palmatier/Benjamin Tate, Jean Marie Ward

Saturday, 12:00 midnight to Sunday 1:00 AM (Pimlico) The Wild Hunt and the Payment To Hell (Readers Track)
Fairies Are NOT Nice! Panelists discuss the ugly side of the beautiful Fae. (M): James Daniel Ross, (S): Elaine Corvidae, Jagi Lamplighter, Stephanie M. Burke, Jean Marie Ward

Sunday, 1:00 pm, (1 hr, 20 mins) (Salon B)
Broad Universe Reading (Readers Track)
Rapid Fire readings from some amazing women/authors. (M): Jean Marie Ward, (S): Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Emilie, P. Bush, Elaine Corvidae, Roxanne Bland, Jody Lynn Nye (Guest of Honor)

Sunday, 7:00 pm (Belmont Room)
History as a Source of Fantasy (Readers Track)
Panelists discuss the use of history to develop fantasy and which sources are good ones. (M): Jagi Lamplighter, (S) Walter H. Hunt, Bill Fawcett, Pete Prellwitz, Jean Marie Ward

Sunday, 8:00 pm (Parlor 3041)
Which Comes First: Main Character or Supporting Cast? (Readers Track) Do you start with a main character and build the rest around them? Or do you start with a cast of characters and wait for the most compelling to ""become" the main character? What do you do when you start with a main character in mind and another character steals the show? (M): David Wood, (S): Jean Marie Ward, Barbara Friend Ish, James Maxey, Elaine Corvidae, David Sherman, Pete Prellwitz

Sunday, 9:00 pm (Parlor 3041)
'Fessing Up to the Adult Themes in YA Literature (Teen Track)
Young adult literature is growing up, tackling such hard issues as good and evil, abuse, abandonment, grief and loss. And then there's sex. Is there a line that shouldn't be crossed or is no subject taboo for today's teens? A roundtable of teens and YA authors discuss these topics and takes questions and comments from the audience. (M): Jean Marie Ward, (S): Sarah Taylor, Janine K. Spendlove, Michael Andrew D'Ambrosio, Daniel Hack, Sarah Sexton, Christine Norris

Sunday, 10:00 pm (Parlor 3041)
Films, Books and TV Shows That Everyone Likes, But I Don't (Film, TV, Film-making Track)
Panelists bash the things we hold dear. (M): Joshua Bilmes, (S) Daniel M. Kimmel, Ian Randal Strock, Trish Wilson (Elizabeth Black), Jean Marie Ward

Monday, 11:00 am, (Salon C)
Old Fandoms and Favorite Cancelled Shows (Fan Track)
Star Trek, Farscape, Lexx, Firefly: What keeps their fans hanging on? What are some other series that still have strong fan follow¬ings? (M): Billy Flynn, (S): Zan Rosin, Yoji Kondo/Eric Kotani, Hildy Silverman, Jean Marie Ward, Lisa Adler-Golden

Monday, 12:00 noon (Salon D)
The Discreet Charm of the Historical Fantasy (Readers Track)
What prompts otherwise sane writers to spend years research¬ing the Imperial Japan, the Silk Road, or the Ripper's London? How do they know when they've gotten it right? (M): Christine Norris, (S): Diane Weinstein, Patrick Scaffido, Bill Fawcett, D.H. Aire, Jean Marie Ward

Looking forward to seeing you there!

RavenCon Schedule

RavenCon is this weekend!  I can’t wait, and when you see the schedule they’ve given me, you’ll know why.  And this is only the tip of their programming iceberg.  Glen Cook and Matthew Stewart are the writer and artist guests of honor, respectively.  This year the con hosts its first media guest, Battlestar Galactica’s Nicki Clyne. Not to mention an all-new Masquerade and a concert by Bella Morte, whose lead singer Andy Deane is also a writer and on the program.   And so am I:

Friday, April 14

4 p.m.

Space Cowboys and Fantasy Noir: From Shadowrun to the Garret Files to Priest, mixing genres can result in some interesting stories.  What genres mix well?

John Betancourt Glen Cook, S. Reesa Herberth, Stuart Jaffe, Michelle Moore, Jean Marie Ward

5 p.m.

Creating a Timeline: How carefully should an author keep track of what happens, when, and where?  What are some techniques to make this easier?

Day Al-Mohamed (m), Pamela K. Kinney, Bud Sparhawk, Jean Marie Ward, Robert E. Waters, Steve White

Saturday, April 15

2 p.m.

Broad Universe Rapid-Fire Reading: Tasty, bite-sized readings from the authors of Broad Universe, an international organization dedicated to promoting science fiction, fantasy and horror written by women.

Danielle Ackley McPhail, KT Pinto, Gail Z. Martin, Jean Marie Ward, Leona Wisoker (m)

3 p.m.

Design a Superhero: What makes a superhero great? Panelists describe what they think makes a memorable superhero.

Butch Allen, Billy Flynn, CJ Henderson, Patrick A. Vanner, Jean Marie Ward

5 p.m.

Modern Fairy Tales: Lost Girl, Grimm, and Once Upon a Time all bring fairy tales to the TV screen.  What makes some shows work, and others not?

Butch Allen, Flynnstress, Warren Rochelle, Suzanne Rosin, Michelle D. Sonnier, Jean Marie Ward

Sunday, April 16

11 a.m.

Are Panels About Vampires Played Out?  Every year, we have a panel asking if vampires are passé.  Are panels asking if vampires are passé…passé?

Scott M. Baker, Keith R.A. DeCandido, KT Pinto, Jim Stratton, Jean Marie Ward, Robert E. Waters

2 p.m.

Military Science Fiction and Fantasy: Panelists discuss the various subgenres of military SF and fantasy, from Star Trek to Battlestar Galactica to the Black Company.
Glen Cook, Mike McPhail, Tony Ruggerio, Janine K. Spendlove, Patrick A. Vanner, Jean Marie Ward (m)

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My Schedule for Balticon 45

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

No, not the big Red/Green holiday. I mean con season! For me it’s kicking off in a big way with Balticon 45 at the Marriott in Hunt Valley, Maryland, this weekend, May 27-30. So far, my schedule includes six panels and events:

Friday, May 27
7 p.m. , Salon B – Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading
Join us for a selection of sweet and savory readings by seven exciting women authors.
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, D. Renee Bagby, Vonnie Winslow Crist, Gail Z. Martin, Roberta Rogow, Jean Marie Ward (moderator), Phoebe Wray.

10 p.m., Parlor 1041 – Anime: Why Do We Love It?
Anime fans in self-analysis. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Panelists: D. Renee Bagby, Ruth Lampi, Grig “Punkie” Larson, Jean Marie Ward (moderator).

Saturday, May 27
1 p.m., Salon B – Whose Program Is It Anyway?
Panelists—and audience members—behaving badly at cons. What’s the worst thing that ever happened to you or somebody you know at a con? Those are the best stories EVAH!
Panelists: Hildy Silverman, Jennifer Stone, Michael Swanwick, Jean Marie Ward, Leona Wisoker (moderator)

7 p.m., Belmont – Clark Ashton Who? Great Forgotten Science Fiction Authors
So much great literature, so little time. Panelists discuss their favorites among yesterday’s greats and their candidates for that great File 13 in the sky.
Panelists: Marc “Grailwolf” Bailey, Carl Cipra (moderator), Michael Swanwick, Jean Marie Ward, Diane Weinstein.

Sunday, May 28
4 p.m., Salon D – Best SF TV Shows
The audience is invited to help the panel decide which science fiction television shows (a) are really science fiction and (b) the best.
Panelists: Marc “Grailwolf” Bailey, T.J. Perkins, Hildy Silverman (moderator), Suzanne Rosin, Jean Marie Ward.

5 p.m., Salon B – Science Fiction Title Chain
It’s a game! The audience provides the words for a science fiction story or novel’s title. The panelists arrange them in a more or less coherent order, and each panelist comes up with a descriptive synopsis. The audience votes on the synopsis they like best.
Panelists: Lisa Adler-Golden (moderator)Nancy Brauer, Brian Koscienski, Grig “Punkie” Larson, Jean Marie Ward.

And if I’m lucky, I may be added to two more:

History as a Source of Fantasy, 4 p.m. Saturday, Belmont Room.

Ghosts, 5 p.m., Saturday, Salon C.

See you in Hunt Valley!

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SynDCon Schedule

As you probably guessed from my silence on the blog-waves, I’m lost in the writing cave again. But I’ll emerge for two days this weekend to participate in the seminars and wonderfulness that is SynDCon, the Washington DC area’s premier gaming convention.
My schedule comprises three panels in the auditorium of the con hotel, the Hilton Conference Center in Rockville, MD. (It really is only steps away from the Twinbrook Metro!)

Saturday, April 2
Noon – 2 p.m.
Getting Published in Fiction
Four crazy writers tell you how they convinced people to pay them for doing what they’d do for free. I suspect there will be some funny rejection stories, too. After all, misery does love company.
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail (moderator), Vonnie Winslow Crist, Jean Marie Ward & Diane Whiteside

6 – 8 p.m.
The Literary Handyman Mini-Writer’s Workshop
This is where Dani puts on her editor’s hat and gets to the guts of what makes a good, saleable story, with Vonnie and I sharing our scars--er, learning experiences.
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail (moderator), Vonnie Winslow Crist & Jean Marie Ward

Sunday, April 3
Noon – 2 p.m.
Broad Universe Rapid-Fire Reading
Join the women writers of Broad Universe for a selection of small yet tasty bites of fiction. The current plan calls for each of us to read twice. I’m planning a selection from “Personal Demons” (my contribution to Hellebore & Rue) and the first unveiling of a Sooper Sekrit ProjeK, which will not be mentioned in paper or pixies--er, pixels until the anthology table of contents is announced…by somebody else. But I can tell you this: There will be cats. And of course, chocolate. Can’t have an RFR without chocolate!
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Kelly A. Harmon, Jean Marie Ward (moderator) & Diane Whiteside.

Looking forward to seeing you there!