Join me at Capclave

 

Heading to the DC area this weekend? Have I got the event for you! Capclave, the con where reading is not extinct, will take over the Hilton Executive Conference Center in Rockville, Maryland, September 19-21. There will be panels and guests galore, to say nothing of great programming.

We’ll also be doing The Eye of Argon, but don’t let that deter you. Check out my other panels:

Friday, 9 PM, Washington Theater
Fractured Fairy Tales (Ends at: 9:55 PM)
Participants: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Jim Freund, Michael Swanwick, Jean Marie Ward (M)
From Disney to Alix Harrow to T. Kingfisher, people have twisted fairy tales into new works with new interpretations. What’s the appeal of reinterpreting Snow White and her peers? How can adaptation reinterpret traditional stories to provide new perspectives for new audiences and new times? What variants work and which ones have not? Is this a case of authors being lazy, relying on what others have done? Or is this using the power of fairy tales, and our connection to them forged in childhood, to make a greater statement?

Friday, 10 PM, Washington Theater
Eye of Argon (Ends at: 10:55 pm)
Participants: Íde Hennessy, Ian Randal Strock, Jean Marie Ward
The Eye of Argon is a story so bad it’s good. Legend has it that no one can read more than a page without exploding in laughter (or tears). Our bold assembly will attempt to read the story and act it out. Can they survive the reading? 

Saturday, Noon, Adams
Author Reading — Jean Marie Ward (Ends at: 12:25 pm)
Author Jean Marie Ward reads from recent and upcoming work.

Saturday, 3 PM, Jackson
Book Promotion (Ends at: 3:55 pm)
Participants: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Michael Capobianco, Jim Freund, Nate Hoffelder, Michael J. Walsh, Jean Marie Ward (M)
What do writers really need to know about marketing? Podcasts, e-radio, BookTube, Kickstarter, Patron, and discount book sites are some of the ways you can promote your book. How can new writers tap into these options? What are some dos and don’ts? How much should writers invest in promotion and how do they measure results? 

Saturday, 7 PM (Ends 8:55 PM)
Mass Signing and Award Ceremony
(Everyone is invited to participate in the Mass signing.  Participants should grab a name tent and pile any books for sale on a table. Everyone can bring books to be signed (or make our dealers happy and buy them here).  Then stay to learn the winner of the WSFA Small Press Award. 

Sunday, 2 PM, Monroe
Point of View (Ends at: 2:55 pm)
Participants: Kel Coleman (M), Nicole Glover, Diana Peterfreund, Jean Marie Ward
Writers can write in the first person (I did that), third person (John did that), and (rarely) second person (you did that). What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? When do writers decide what POV to use and why might they make that choice? Have you written a story in one person (or one POV) and rewrote it with a different one? Under what circumstances would you choose not to write in the typical third person? Are there some subgenres or markets that lend themselves to a particular approach?

See you there!

 

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My 2025 Dragon Con Schedule

The highlight of my summer is almost here. I’ll be flying to Atlanta and Dragon Con in less than three weeks! I hope you’ll join the fun – and check out my Dragon Con events:

Title: Fantasy Gather
Description: Find your new favorite books and meet the authors at the Gather. Commerce will be committed, and libations will be available at a cash bar. The Gather will the last event of the evening in the International Ballroom, so the fun can continue for hours.
Panelists: Lots!
Time: Fri 08:00 pm
Location: International Ballroom (Length: 4 Hours – or more!)

Title: Weird Facts & Stories Hiding Behind Our Tea
Description: Coffee drinkers might convince you that hot-leaf water is nothing special. But the history of the world's favorite beverage is weirder than you know. From the real Earl Grey to the creation of tea bags to the unexpected origins of some modern tea brands, the tea industry holds a lot of secrets.
Panelists: Professor Upsidasium(M), Jean Marie Ward, Jason R Merrill, Macklyn Butler
Time: Sat 01:00 pm
Location: Macon Courtland Grand (Length: 1 Hour)

Title: Shifter Psychology
Description: Shifters of all types have to learn to deal with essentially two different natures, which can result in a wide range of personality traits. Our panel of authors will discuss how the shifters in their works deal with this dichotomy, and how that response affects the narratives of their stories.
Panelists: Ben Meeks, Stephanie Mirro, Jean Marie Ward, Sean Fletcher, Jasmine Walt, Lea Murphy(M)
Time: Sat 05:30 pm
Location: Chastain 1-2 Westin (Length: 1 Hour)

Title: Historical Romance: Here for the Love, Not as Much the Spice
Description: The Romance genre is not new to the book world. It's been a popular genre since the 1800s, but recently we've seen a celebration of the genre. If you're more glimpses and kisses behind closed doors than hot and spicy, our panelists will dive into what the Romance genre has for you.
Panelists: Jean Marie Ward, Nancy Northcott, Valerie Willis, Kate McNeil(M)
Time: Sun 04:00 pm
Location: Augusta Courtland Grand (Length: 1 Hour)

Title: Eye of Argon Continued
Description: The Eye of Argon Experience is not to be missed. Regarded by many as the worst sf ever written, our intrepid panelists (and audience) will take turns reading it and acting it out.
Panelists: Keith R.A. DeCandido, Ian Randal Strock(M), Jean Marie Ward
Time: Sun 10:00 pm
Location: Embassy AB Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)

Title: Win, Lose or Draw Dragon Con Edition
Description: Traditionally the last panel of our convention, contestants attempt to get their teammates to guess what they are drawing. Jean Marie Ward once again hosts.
Panelists: Jean Marie Ward(M)
Time: Mon 01:00 pm
Location: Embassy AB Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)

See you there!

#

INTERGALACTIC REJECTS is an Amazon bestseller!

 

Okay, it’s only in one category (Fantasy Short Stories) in one format (Paper). But there it is, proof in the pixels, Intergalactic Rejects made the Amazon Top 100. And I plan to take all the evening’s fireworks as my due. :D

Balticon Recap , 2025 Edition

 

It was raining from a blue sky when I drove up to Baltimore last Thursday. The Japanese call a sunshower “Yokai Wedding.” It seemed a really appropriate way to arrive at Balticon. The con lived up to the name in more ways than one.

It was a great party. I got to hang and panel with so many of my con friends.

I ran into Laurie Toby Edison, John L. French, and Sally Kobee, who were setting up in the Dealers Room. Shortly thereafter, I connected with Amy Kaplan and Jennifer Povey. We immediately made plans to attend the Wine Village at the Inner Harbor the following night. There was music. There was wine. There was bacon—and a lot of giggling to be heard. :D I’d hoped we could add J.D. Blackrose to the party. This was her first Balticon, but we didn’t connect until later. Next year, J.D. Next year!

Next year, I may finally get to the Death Metal festival down the street or the arts festival near the museum. But I keep getting distracted by the food. This year’s discovery was Costiera in Little Italy. Between there and Mo’s, I ate very well indeed. One word of warning, though. Do NOT eat the broccoli. It’s the worst crime against vegetable-com since my mom last opened a can—and she was the unquestioned, unchallenged Worst Cook East of the Mississippi. Stick to the seafood, pasta, and salads—with or without seafood. You can’t go wrong.

The panels were great. Carl Cipra should win a prize for the best intros ever. He also did a great job of guiding Randee Dawn, David Boop, and me through “Is it Horror or Dark Fantasy?” We didn’t come to any conclusion, but it was fun not getting there.

Randee also hosted a launch party for her new book, The Only Song Worth Singing, from Shahid Mahmud’s Arc Manor Press, in the Con Suite Saturday evening. I was all set to celebrate with her in the con suite and help demolish a thoroughly amazing cake on my way to moderating “Humorous Fantasy Is a Serious Business.” But I got distracted in the best possible way.

I stumbled onto the handfasting ceremony of Suzanne A. Buck and Charlotte, whose full name I unfortunately never caught. (I told you that sunshower was the perfect omen.) It turned out I’d met Suzanne years ago, when she was a teenager. Now she’s a zoologist, a writer, and as if that isn’t enough, a consultant on Star Trek. How cool is that?

I did manage to make it to the door of the con suite, where I finally ran into J.D. We were soon joined by others, including Elektra Hammond and Diana Peterfreund, who had some fabulous NFP news to share. (Big congrats, Diana!) We were all so giddy, I completely forgot that I was supposed to connect with Morgan Hazelwood about everything I was looking forward to about the con. (Many apologies, Morgan. I’ll try to make it up to you next year.)

When I could finally tear myself away, I was already about to be late. Then I discovered I didn’t know where to find the room. Fortunately, Programming Chair Extraordinaire Yakira Heistand pointed me in the right direction. Yeah, I was late. To “Humorous Fantasy is a Serious Business,” the panel I was moderating. The shame! Really. I hate being late, but Alex Shvartsman and Doc Coleman kept things going until I arrived. The fourth participant, Martin Berman-Gorvine, wasn’t able to make it. But he did join us for “The Eye of Argon” reading/performance Sunday night.

I planned to head directly to the Masquerade. But one of the pleasures of a con is you never move in a straight line. I had a wonderful hall chat with Carolyn Ives Gilman that only broke up when she had to dash to a panel of her own.

Sunday was my busy day, starting off with “Juggling POV.” Alan Smale did an amazing job of wrangling Catherine Asaro, Ken Altabef, and me. It turned into one of the best craft panels ever.

Next up was one of my personal highlights—sharing an hour’s reading time with 2025 Heinlein Award winner and living SFF legend Sharon Lee. Her reading was wonderful—a story within a story. But the audience seemed to enjoy my snippets, especially “Burning Down the House” and the opening of “Brigid and the Snakes,” one of the stories in Intergalactic Rejects, coming from Calendar of Fools June 20. (Another good omen, don’t you think, Zach Be?)

High as that was, my next panel, “Orpheus, Again?” chaired by Rosemary Claire Smith, featuring Tom Doyle, Sherri Woolsey, and me. It was a satisfyingly deep dive into the Orpheus mythos, old and new.

Then, the fitting cap to my con, “The Eye of Argon.” Ian Randal Strock was the unenviable task of herding cats—I mean leading Amy Kaplan, Mary G. Thompson, and me through our paces as readers and performers of the beloved “Worst SF Story of All Time.” (Honestly, it really isn’t that bad.) I don’t think he was expecting the enthusiasm with which Amy, Mary, and I—ably assisted by Sarah Avery and the rest of our studio audience—approached our roles. And it is ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE that the undulating tavern wenches and belly-fluttering prince had anything to do with Ian calling time and personally reading the last three paragraphs of Chapter three-and-a-half. Untrue, I say!

The only thing that could cap that was a debrief in the hotel bar with Amy and her husband Bruce. My French 75 was surprisingly great. The other folks’ cocktails…Hey, it was the company that mattered.

My only regret is I should have taken more pictures, especially of the Masquerade. The costumes were spectacular. But so was the con. Big thanks are due to everyone involved, directors, staff, volunteers, participants, and attendees. And apologies to anyone whose name I forgot, because you know you always forget someone.

Can’t wait to do it all over again next year! Without the forgetting part, that is. 😉

My 2024 Capclave Schedule

Come one, come all to Capclave, DC’s hometown con. The festivities start Friday afternoon (September 27) and run all the way until 4 PM Sunday (September 29) at the Hilton Washington, DC/Rockville, MD, Meeting Center. I’ll be there, participating in the six great events listed below. Hope you’ll join me and share the fun

 

Friday

 

4 PM, Washington Theater

An Offline Discussion of Online Events (Ends at: 4:55 PM)

Participants: Andy Duncan, Morgan Hazelwood (M), Sarah Mitchell, Jean Marie Ward
Costs are rising, volunteers are hard to get, and people are firm in their beliefs. A few years removed from the rise of online and hybrid events, panelists discuss the advantages, disadvantages, and future of these events.

 

8 PM, Washington Theater

This One Time... (Ends at: 8:55 PM)

Participants: Morgan Hazelwood, Ian Randal Strock, Michael A. Ventrella, Jean Marie Ward (M)
It may not have been at band camp, but we are involved in stories our whole life. From a young age to the current day, something is almost always happening. Panelists tell brief funny stories from their life, career, and friends.

 

10 PM, Eisenhower

Hold My Beer (Ends at: 10:55 PM)

Participants: Danian Jerry, Jennifer R. Povey, Sheree Renée Thomas, Michael A. Ventrella, Jean Marie Ward (M)
Just when you thought the world couldn't get any stranger, this happened. A discussion of the current world. No topic off the table. Trigger Warning.

 

Saturday

 

7 PM, Mass Signing and Awards Ceremony (Ends at: 8:55 PM) Atrium

The annual gathering of Capclave attendees with presentation of the Guest of Honor Gifts, the WSFA Small Press Award, and the Baltimore Science Fiction Society's Amateur Writers Award.

 

Sunday

 

1 PM, Author Reading: Jean Marie Ward (Ends at: 1:25) Adams

 

2 PM, Companions, Pets, and More (Ends at 2:55 PM) Eisenhower

Participants: Jennifer Brinn, Randee Dawn (M), Matt Dinniman, Miguel O. Mitchell, Jean Marie Ward
Princess Donut, Lassie, and Big Dee each play a role in moving the plot forward. What is the role of the animal character? How do you convince readers of their animal nature even while they develop beyond the simple impulses of their origins.

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 

My Discon III schedule

 

I’m really going to do it this time. I’m going to attend a con, and not just any con, but DisCon III, the first Worldcon to be held in Washington, DC, since 1974. They even let me participate in the program. This may be a mistake. But you’ll only know if you check it out. All the deets can be found at DisCon3.org. Meanwhile, here are my panels:

 

Wednesday, December 15

4 PM, Forum Room (In-Person)

What to See in DC

Sarah Avery, Joshua Bilmes, Matt G. Leger (Moderator), DW “Lemur” Rowlands, Jean Marie Ward

Listen to the locals. We’ll tell you all the cool stuff to see in Washington, DC, and the close in suburbs. You don’t want to miss this!

 

Saturday, December 18

1 PM, Kress (Virtual)

Unsolved Historical Mysteries

Emad Aysha, Kate Heartfield, D.W. Rowland, Steven H. Silver (moderator), Alan Smale, Jean Marie Ward

Where is Punt? Where is Cleopatra buried? Who was Jack the Ripper? What happened to the Minoans? If you had access to time travel, which burning questions and unsolved mysteries from history would you want to solve?

 

Sunday, Dec 19

I PM, Capitol Room (In-Person)

Reading

I’ll be sharing the hour with David D. Levine, the Andre Norton Award-winning author of Arabella of Mars, its sequels, and lots of short stories. And as always, there will be chocolate.

 

Hope to see you there! 😊

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!

My 2020 Capclave Schedule

 

October isn’t just Halloween. It’s also Capclave, the Washington DC area’s hometown science fiction and fantasy convention. Like so many cons, they’ve gone virtual this year, but that doesn’t mean the guests or the programming are any less stellar. Guests of Honor from past Capclaves are returning to help the con celebrate its twenty-year anniversary—an anniversary like no other. You can check out the full schedule here.

But we know you’re all here for me. 😉 So I’ll make it easy on you. Check out these offerings:

 

Saturday, October17

1:30 PM

Panel: Magic – Obvious or Mysterious

Participants: Sarah Beth Durst, Charlotte Honigman, John Skovran, Carrie Vaughn, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator)

Some modern fantasy settings have the existence of magic and magical creatures known to the public—think True Blood or Poul Anderson’s Operation Chaos. Others have the magic secret such as Seanan McGuire’s Incryptid series or the TV show Supernatural. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach? Why might an author choose one or the other? Are some authors better than one or the other?

 

7:30 PM

Panel: Sharing a Universe

Participants: Iver Cooper, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Carrie Vaughn, Jean Marie Ward

Shared universes have been around for years. 1632 is its own cottage industry these days, and Wild Cards has experienced a rebirth. Panelists will discuss the advantages, disadvantages and what it takes to work in this type of writing. What is the appeal to authors and readers? Why do some shared universes work while others produced a handful of volumes and vanished? What caused Thieves World to turn dark and toxic, and how can other shared worlds avoid their fate?

 

Sunday

1:30 PM

Reading

 

Hope to see you in Capclave’s virtual panel rooms soon. Stay safe!

My Dragon Con 2020 Schedule

Dragon Con is going virtual this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the same wild mix of media stars, writers, artists, panels, gaming, costumes, performances, music and all the rest—even the blood drive! For everything that’s been awful about 2020, the year has given folks who wouldn’t normally make it to Atlanta over Labor Day a chance to share the fun. For free!

That’s right, Dragon Con is offering three free 24/7 streaming channels of live and pre-recorded programming at https://dragoncon.tv/virtual: Main Programming, Fan Programming and Classic Programming. In addition, each of their programming tracks will be offering a selection of live and pre-recorded programs on venues ranging from Facebook to YouTube and all the social media in between. For those of us who can’t imagine Labor Day without the camaraderie of the various hotel bars, there’s even a BarCon running on Discord. And all of that is also free.

 In addition, they’ve created the best virtual art show and vendors rooms I’ve seen so far. Artists, makers and dealers have been particularly hard hit by the loss of physical conventions. This is the perfect chance to show your love and support for the people who bring so much joy to the world.

For more details, head to https://dragoncon.org. The page is phenomenally easy to navigate. There’s even a link to a pdf of the Quick Start Guide we all live by at the RL con. Links to the individual track offerings can be found on p. 23.

 Or you can check out the feeds of your favorite Dragon Con participants. You can find me several places this weekend:

Friday, 7 PM

SF Literature Track

Reading: I’ll be reading from four of my science fictions: “The Wrong Refrigerator” (which has just been translated into Chinese for Science Fiction World. Squeeeeeee!), “The Wizard of Woodrow Park” from Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs. Aliens, “The Ellsberg Variations” from Lost Signals of the Terran Republic, and “Yesterday, I Will”, my shortest published work from the anthology of the same name. Check out how many times I can stumble over my own words. You’d think I’d never seen them before. Well, not for several months anyway. LOL

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173171899402965/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn6yQUcszuJFwMw1iLMnP-w

 Saturday, 2:30 PM

Alternate and Historical Fiction Track

Fact or Fiction AFHT Edition: AFHT’s 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...
Panelists: Tony Ballard-Smoot, AJ Hartley, L. Jagi Lamplighter, Michael Martinez, Tamsin Silver, Jean Marie Ward
Moderators: Liz Carpenter, Alison Helfferich, Brett Gordon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DConAlternateHistoryTrack/

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzbMmPbV4bRnRdJ2zCYkPEA/featured

 Sunday, Noon

Writers Track

Mentoring Sessions: Four opportunities for me to share all the craziness I’ve experienced over a quarter century reporting on, writing for and editing in this strange business we call publishing

Sign-up Sheet: https://form.jotform.com/202435857025050

Mentoring Schedule: https://www.notion.so/Dragon-Con-Writers-Track-Mentoring-Schedule-9c72a7a124234eee9c2913e833c6c9e8

Sunday, 2:30 PM

Alternate & Historical Fiction Track

Quarantine Reads: A laid-back face-to-face with some of our favorite panelists discussing recently released and forthcoming alternate history and historical fiction books for the next year. What should you be reading to prepare for 2021?
Panelists: L. Jagi Lamplighter, Tamsin Silver, Jean Marie Ward
Moderators: Liz Carpenter, Alison Helfferich

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DConAlternateHistoryTrack/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzbMmPbV4bRnRdJ2zCYkPEA/featured

Sunday, 8 PM

Urban Fantasy Track—Live!

Gifts, Missing Mojo, and Murder: A Lucifer Fan Panel: A moderated fan-panel discussion over Season 5A of the hit show.

Panelists: Kevin Bachelder, Susan Griffith, Lisa Harrison, Wendy Hembrock, Jean Marie Ward

Moderator: Carol Malcolm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DCUrbanFantasy/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaz0h4NfjHCTTDka26gkVpA/

 

Can’t wait to see you there!

 

June 6, Then and Now

I don't do a lot of significant day posts, because frankly, I usually forget the day is significant until it's over. But today, as I read the news, I was struck with a correspondence I couldn't ignore. Today is the sixth of June, the anniversary of D-Day, the launch of Operation Overlord whose purpose was to retake western Europe from the racist, fascistic dictators and their minions who had devastated the world.

Last night people all over the US assembled in remembrance of those we have lost, especially those black lives we have lost, to injustice and systematic racism. In DC along #BlackLivesMatterWay, houses of worship rang their bells for 8 minutes 46 seconds in memory of George Floyd. In the same way, chaplains of all faiths--not just Christian, I say this as someone who knew people who were there--prepared the soldiers, sailors and marines about to land on the beaches of Normandy.

Today unknown thousands will assemble across the country to march toward a better tomorrow. Significantly, the Department of Defense has unilaterally ordered home the active duty forces ordered to DC and disarmed the National Guard in the area. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has reminded all military personnel in writing that the military's oath is to support and defend the Constitution and all Americans exercising their Constitutional rights.

Whatever happens today, it won't be the end. D-Day wasn't the end of World War II. Evil clutches its power with the desperation born of fear. Racists and tyrants are cowards at their core, terrified of being held accountable for their deeds. What's worse, evil never stays defeated. There's always a bully or would-be dictator awaiting their opportunity to strike. And tragically, the very forces we fought in Europe and elsewhere so many decades ago are still at work today. But I can't help looking at the parallels between that June 6, 76 years ago today, and hoping.

Hoping with all my heart.