elektra

I’ll be spending the weekend in Gaithersburg, MD at Capclave, and here is where you can find me (if you happen to be looking). I’ve gone to this convention for the last several years, but this is the first time I’m participating on programming officially.

I’ll also be happily waving around copies of In a Cat’s Eye edited by Vonnie Winslow Crist and Kelly A. Harmon, which contains my latest “A Familiar Story.”

FRIDAY, 7 October
5pm Suite 1209
UFO 5 & Humanity 2.0 Launch party
I’m the copyeditor on the UFO series, and I’m planning on hanging around the launch party. I hear they’ll be authentic bagels . . . .

7pm – Bethesda
Son of Steampunk
[Panelists: Doc Coleman, Elektra Hammond (mod), Elaine Stiles]
Steampunk genre caught on in ways nobody expected, spawning offspring genres (Dieselpunk, Atompunk, Clockpunk, etc.) achieve the same popularity? The panel will discuss these new subgenres, what defines them, and their staying power.

SATURDAY, 8 October
10am – Rockville/Potomac
The Martian and the Robinsonade
[Panelists: Michael Capobianco, Elektra Hammond, James Morrow, Michael D. Pederson (mod)]
What’s so intriguing and enduring about being stranded and alone? The panelists will discuss if there is room left in the reading market for variations on this theme.

11am – Frederick
The Portal Story
[Panelists: Martin Berman-Gorvine (mod), Elektra Hammond, Victoria Janssen, Sarah Pinsker]
The portal story, where the protagonist travels to another place, world, or universe, has a long history and is a mainstay in genre literature. Panelists will discuss the best and the worst tales, as well as portal stories that defy the trope yet still stays true to the sub-genre.

7:30 – Salon A
Mass Autographing session

8:30 – Salon A
WSFA Small Press Award Ceremony
Two of the stories in Cats in Space (the anthology I edited for Paper Golem) are nominated for the Award, as well as a number of the year’s other fine stories. I’ll be there cheering for the winner!

SUNDAY, 9 October
noon – Rockville/Potomac
Cats in Fantasy & Science Fiction
[Panelists: Elektra Hammond (mod), Kelly A. Harmon, Alex Shvartsman, Michelle D. Sonnier]
From CJ Cherryh’s Chanur series to Alex Shvartsman’s cat aliens who *almost* take over our planet, cats and cat-based alien species are here to stay. Why are they so popular?

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I’ve got a new gig reviewing movies at tabloid.io. Follow the link to see what I had to say about Chappie, Neill Blomkamp’s new film about the next generation of robots. Lots of good social commentary, plus explosions! What more could you ask for?

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Mirrored from Until Midnight and Occasionally Later.

I’ll be ~~on Mars~~, well, in Mars, Pennsylvania, starting on Friday (25 July) through Sunday (27 July) for Confluence, at the Sheraton Starpoint.

Here’s my preliminary schedule (*updated to included panel descriptions and add 2 panels):

FRIDAY, 25 July
6pm – Marshall
Is SFWA Still Relevant?
[Panelists: Denise Verrico (m), Sarah Goslee, Elektra Hammond, Christie Meiers]
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America – SFWA is a professional organization for authors of science fiction, fantasy and related genres. With a stated intent of supporting its members in a multitude of ways, does it manage to keep itself open to the needs of today’s writers, or has it become an exclusive club of snobs?

7pm – Pine
Why I’m a Fan
[Panelists: Elektra Hammond (m), Ken Chiacchia, Alan Katerinsky, Larry Ivkovitch]
We love the genres, whether it’s Science Fiction in all its electronic, beeping, gear-meshing wonder, Fantasy and each magical quest or Horror with every shadow lurking behind an innocent façade. How did we get here and what about it all keeps us?

8pm – Board Room
Reading
[Panelists: me!]
I’ll be reading from “In the Form of a Question,” in which Norse Gods play Jeopardy!. It appears in the parody anthology TV Gods–copies will be for sale in the Huckster’s Room from the Fortress Guys.

SATURDAY, 26 July
5pm – Marshall
Why did Steampunk?
[Panelists: Matt Betts (m), Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Elektra Hammond, Jeff Young]
Lately, it is being recognized as a separate and distinct genre of fiction. Why did it happen, what about it captured the imaginations of so many, what about it continues to gather forward momentum (build up a head of steam?)?

8pm – Pine
SF Series – What’s worth it and what doesn’t make the grade
[Panelists: David Hartwell (m), Eric Leif Davin, Elektra Hammond, Charles Oberndorf]
Not specifically SF — all series are fair game here. Writers have done multiple visits to the same worlds/universes. From John Carter and Tarzan to Game of Thrones, which ones are worth the time and which are a questionable use of paper or digital memory?

9pm – Marshall
Movies as Series – good and bad
[Panelists: Elektra Hammond (m), Michael Arnzen, Ken Chiacchia, Jon Sprunk]
Just as there are novels that are series, there are movies that were series. A discussion of good series, bad series and OMG-I-can’t-believe-there-was-a follow-up-to-that-dog.

9pm – 525
There is a book launch (yes, I know it conflicts with my panel!) for Fortress Publishing’s latest endeavor TV Gods. I’ll be dashing there after the panel is over.

SUNDAY, 27 July
12 noon – Marshall
How do you find the Right books to read? (Needle in a haystack?)
[Panelists: Elektra Hammond (m), Tim Liebe, Jeff Young, Alan Katerinsky]
With all the choices available now, where can you find the right mix of Hard SF and character, how about suspense and break-neck plotting, whimsical fantasy and learning from mistakes? You can’t always trust the back blurbs and sometimes the covers have nothing to do with what’s on the inside. Is there a resource or group you can trust?

1pm – Crawford/Venango
Tom Smith Live!
If you’re looking for me–I’ll be here, listening to the World’s Fastest Filker.

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Darkovercon 36 (the very last Darkovercon ever) is this weekend.

Here’s where you’ll find me:

FRIDAY, 29 November
6pm – Greenspring Ballroom 3 -5
The Romance Invasion
[Panelists: Elektra Hammond(mod), Margaret L. Carter, Stephanie Dray, Katherine Kurtz, Rosemary Edghill]
How has the “Romance” genre affected the F&SF genres? What Romance themes or motifs have become a part of F&SF art and literature? Has this inclusion changed, spoiled, or widened the possibilities for the F&SF genres? If so, how?

7pm – Board Room
Kaffeeklatch – Rosemary Edghill
I’ll be a non-participatory attendee, with a large selection of Rosemary’s rare and out-of-print books available for a small donation to the convention. Rosemary has generously donated these books from her personal stock.

9pm – Atrium
Don Sakers & Thomas Atkinson get married in Maryland

SATURDAY, 30 November
11am – Greenspring Ballroom 3 -5
Looking for [X] in All the Wrong Places
[Panelists: Carl Cipra(mod), Danielle Ackley-McPhail, D.H. Aire, Elektra Hammond, Melissa Scott, Leona Wisoker]
Writers and artists discuss the concept of “research” for their creations. Discussion will include: why research is important; typical and/or unusual sources they’ve used; sources they recommend for different types of creations; sources to avoid; etc.

1pm – Greenspring Ballroom 3 -5
Author Guest of Honor Speech
[Panelist: Rosemary Edghill]
I’ll likely be in the back of the room, listening to my mentor, the amazingly awesome Rosemary Edghill, with a large selection of her rare and out-of-print books available for a small donation to the convention. Rosemary has generously donated these books from her personal stock.

3pm – Chesapeake 3 -5
Stick a Gear on it and call it Steampunk
[Panelists: Elektra Hammond(mod), Rosemary Edghill, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Michelle Sonnier, Jonah Knight]
A discussion by writers of cross-genre mixes of Steampunk with, well, everything. Romance, Lovecraftian horror, science fiction, mystery, westerns.

4pm – Greenspring Ballroom 3 -5
Mass Autographing Session
I’ll be with our Author Guest of Honor, Rosemary Edghill, with a large selection of her rare and out-of-print books available for a small donation to the convention. Rosemary has generously donated these books from her personal stock.

5pm – Chesapeake 3 -5
Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading
[Panelists: Sarah Pinsker(mod), Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Margaret Carter, Meriah Crawford, Elektra Hammond, Kelly A. Harmon, Erika Satifka, Vonnie Winslow Crist, Leona Wisoker]
Short readings from a selection of authors, all members of Broad Universe. I’ll be reading from my story “In the Form of a Question,” to be published by Fortress Publishing Inc. in parody anthology TV Gods in May 2014.

SUNDAY, 1 December
noon – Timonium Room
Reading – Rosemary Edghill
I’ll be a non-participatory attendee, listening to Rosemary read, with a large selection of her rare and out-of-print books available for a small donation to the convention. Rosemary has generously donated these books from her personal stock.

1pm – Chesapeake 3 -5
Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction: New Stuff, Good Stuff
[Panelists: Don Sakers(mod), Vonnie Winslow Crist, Elektra Hammond, Mike McPhail]
Panelists discuss what’s new in the world of YA (Young Adult) F&SF and make recommendations of their favorites (past and present).

2pm – Greenspring Ballroom 3 -5
Q&A for Authors
[Panelists: Jennifer Heise(mod), Rosemary Edghill, Don Sakers, Warren Rochelle, Margaret L. Carter, Melissa Scott, Leona Wisoker, D.H. Aire, Scott MacMillan, Stephanie Dray, Alanna Morland, Erica Satifka, Katherine Kurtz, C.S. Friedman, Meriah L. Crawford, Heather Rose Jones, Sarah Pinsker]
Is there something you’ve really wanted to ask one of the attending authors but haven’t had a chance to ask yet? Well, here’s your chance to ask!
Again–I’ll likely be in the back of the room, listening to the panel, offering a last chance for anyone to pick up rare and out-of-print books by Rosemary Edghill (for a small donation to the convention). Rosemary has generously donated these books from her personal stock.

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The DarkoverCon memorial book, honoring our late con chair Jaelle of Armida aka Judy Gerjuoy, is now available on amazon.

A number of Jaelle’s friends wrote remembrances of her and/or stories. It contains my short (flash) story “Come Now to War.” Copies will be available at the convention, and all proceeds go to support DarkoverCon.

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Philcon is this weekend! I’ll be busy, busy, busy, right here in Cherry Hill. Look for me sitting in the main convention lobby at the Masquerade Table (I’m Masquerade Director this year) if you need me or in Operations (I’ll be helping with the cashy money). Come by and volunteer to help with either the Masquerade or my sanity.

Here’s my panel schedule:

FRIDAY, 8 November
6pm – Plaza III (Three)
Cosplay in the Anime World versus International Costumers Guild (ICG) Competition
[Panelists: Elektra Hammond(mod), Aurora Celeste, Byron Connell, Raven Stormbringer, Laura Kovalcin]
Masquerades at science fiction conventions began in the 1950s–how do they differ from the cosplay competitions at anime conventions? A lively discussion to dispel myths, clear up confusion and help integrate two compatible groups.

SATURDAY, 9 November

11am – 1pm (2 hours!) – Grand Ballroom A
Masquerade Rehearsal

1pm – Plaza III (Three)
Editing Anthologies: Beyond the Gimmick
[Panelists: Elektra Hammond (mod), Brian Koscienski, Alex Shvartsman, Keith R.A. DeCandido]
Anthologies are often sold on the basis of a gimmick or concept that connects the stories, such as “Killer Rutabagas from Space”. How do you get beyond the gimmick to a work of substance. Note: This follows right on the main Masquerade rehearsal. Alex Shvartsman will start moderating the panel if I’m late . . .

SUNDAY, 10 November
11am – Plaza V (Five)
The Summer of Science Fiction
[Panelists: Jay Smith (mod), Tony Finan, Orenthal Hawkins, Mark Leeper, Elektra Hammond]
2013 had an impressive line-up of genre films, from Star Trek Into Darkness and Elysium to Man of Steel and The Wolverine. Did this summer’s blockbusters fulfill our geeky needs? Discuss with the
panelists the pros and cons of this summer’s movies and which ones you would buy on DVD Note: This panel is opposite the Broad Universe Rapid-Fire-Reading, which I also really wanted to do . . . but I am a movie critic.

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Mirrored from Until Midnight and Occasionally Later.

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Philcon is this weekend!

When I’m not scheduled for programming Friday and Saturday, look for me in the lobby, shilling for the Masquerade, which is 8pm Saturday.

FRIDAY, 9 November
pre-con 12:15pm – AMC Loews Cherry Hill 24 – Skyfall (hey – I’m reviewing it for buzzymag)
No scheduled programming

SATURDAY, 10 November
4pm
Plaza IV (Four)
My Best Quickie . . . Costume
[Panelists: Kimberly Ann Kindya (M), Lisa Ashton, Amy Fass, Elektra Hammond]
Our costume panelists talk about (and show pictures) of their best QUICK costumes, and talk about their shortcuts and what you could do at home to look great—for little money and time! Think thrift stores, yard sales, Grandma’s closet, and you’re there

8pm
Grand Ballroom A
Maquerade
[I'm the Assistant Director of the Masquerade this year, learning about how things run . . . ]

SUNDAY, 11 November
11am
Plaza IV (Four)
Steampunk, From Inspiration to Creation
[Panelists: Elektra Hammond (M), Robert Himmelsbach, Matt Black, Thomas Willeford]
Make outfits from scratch, or dress up thrift store clothing; what is the Steampunk dynamic for dress? Is it all about the hats, the gears, the accessories, or is a true Victorian profile a must? What historical eras are appropriate fodder? Is a persona necessary? What if you just want to dress up and have cool goggles?

12noon
Crystal Ballroom Three
A Song of Ice & Fire: The Fan Speculation Panel
[Panelists: David M. Axler (M), Elektra Hammond, James Harper, Andrew C. Murphy]
George R.R. Martin’s great fantasy series has complex characters and a tangled plot, both of which mean that there are plenty of fan theories about some things… Jon’s parentage, the fate of Benjen Stark, Young Griff’s background, and the plots of the Tyrells have all generated theories that range from the likely to the “needs-a-tinfoil-hat-to-believe”. We’ll talk about what some of the more interesting fan ideas about the series may be.

Mirrored from Until Midnight and Occasionally Later.

Philcon is this weekend!

When I’m not scheduled for programming Friday and Saturday, look for me in the lobby, shilling for the Masquerade, which is 8pm Saturday.

FRIDAY, 9 November
pre-con 12:15pm – AMC Loews Cherry Hill 24 – Skyfall (hey – I’m reviewing it for buzzymag)
No scheduled programming

8pm
Grand Ballroom A
Maquerade
[I'm the Assistant Director of the Masquerade this year, learning about how things run . . . ]

10pm (This one is likely to change–or I may not make it at all due to the Masquerade)
Plaza V (Five)
Cosplay on a Budget: Using Discount Stores and Creativity
[Panelists: Elektra Hammond (M), Stephanie Burke, Rebecca Robare]
It doesn’t matter if you can’t afford custom shoes and corsets – this panel is about using the resources within your budget to achieve awesome effects. For example, using costume pieces double as clothes you can wear to work.

SUNDAY, 11 November
10am
Plaza IV (Four)
Steampunk, From Inspiration to Creation
[Panelists: Elektra Hammond (M), Robert Himmelsbach, Matt Black, Thomas Willeford]
Make outfits from scratch, or dress up thrift store clothing; what is the Steampunk dynamic for dress? Is it all about the hats, the gears, the accessories, or is a true Victorian profile a must? What historical eras are appropriate fodder? Is a persona necessary? What if you just want to dress up and have cool goggles?

Mirrored from Until Midnight and Occasionally Later.

Philcon is weekend after next, but programming isn’t out yet. Darkovercon is my “home” con, and I’ve got my schedule, so I’ll post it now so you’all will know where to find me. I will also be at SMOFcon, likely day tripping. Darkovercon is November 23-25 (Thanksgiving weekend). I’ll be down in Timonium starting Thursday . . .

Here’s where you can find me:

FRIDAY, 23 November
6pm
Alternate Programming
Out of Control Characters
[Panelists: Elektra Hammond, Alanna Morland, Warren Rochelle, Jan Whiteley (M)]
What to do when your characters start acting like real people, and won’t do what you want them to do.

7pm
Main Programming
Sign of the Times
[Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Elektra Hammond, Debra Killeen, Diana Bastine (M)]
This past year has seen a lot of harsh novels written in seemingly-hopeless post-apocalyptic worlds. Is this a trend, a cycle or a reflection of difficult and depressing times?

SATURDAY, 24 November
4pm
Main Programming
Autograph Session
[Panelists: All Guests]
Not really sure what I’ll do here . . . .

5pm
Alternate Programming
The SF or Fantasy movie I’d like to see made
[Panelists: Elektra Hammond, Tim Liebe, Don Sakers, Debra Killeen (M)]
Lord of the Rings and the Star Wars movies have shown us that we now have the technical ability to make most Fantasy and Science Fiction books into a movie. Our authors discuss what they would like to see made, and why.

6pm
Alternate Programming
What Comes After Zombies?
[Panelists: Meriah L. Crawford, Scott MacMillan, Mike McPhail, Elektra Hammond (M)]
First it was werewolves, then vampires, and now zombies, as the cool monster to be. What is the next up and coming monster?

SUNDAY, 25 November
10am
Main Programming
The Romance of Steampunk
[Panelists: Diana Bastine, Elektra Hammond, Kevin M. Houghton, Tim Liebe, Melissa Scott, Carl Cipra (M)]
What is it about this genre and time period that is so appealing? Is it the machinery? The celebration of intellect? Or is it the clothes?

1pm
Alternate Programming
Small Print Press
[Panelists: D.H. Aire, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Elektra Hammond, Debra Killeen, Don Sakers (M)]

2pm
Main Programming
Questions and Answers
[Panelists: Everyone, Jennifer Heise (M)]
Come and ask questions of your favorite authors who are here this year.

Mirrored from Until Midnight and Occasionally Later.

I’m rested up after Albacon–kudos to the ConCom. Albacon is a very small convention (~150 attendees), but the panels were well-attended, the discussion was lively, the parties were fun, the con suite well-stocked, and the overall experience first rate.

I enjoyed all of the panels I was on, especially moderating “Best Summer Movies”–I should have guessed that doing movie reviews would lead to really enjoying panels about them. I also got to expound about small press, editing anthologies, and funny SF.

Visits to the huckster’s room were tempting, and in some cases, books were purchased. All the panels were tons of fun to listen to, especially Keith DeCandido’s reading (he read from his Leverage tie-in novel The Zoo Job, and from “The Ballad of Big Charlie,” his contribution to V-Wars, an anthology edited by Jonathan Maberry.

And for the first time ever I made it to the green room. The pumpkin soup was amazing.

Mirrored from Until Midnight and Occasionally Later.

Here’s my final schedule for Albacon. I hope to see you’all there!

Here’s where you can find me:

FRIDAY, 19 October
9:00am
Durand
What Editors/Publishers Want
[Panelists: Crowley, Rothman, Hammond, Arthen]

3:30pm
Cole/Church
Small Press vs. Large Press
[Panelists: Arthen, Hammond, Valerie, Crowley]

4:45pm
Cole/Church
The Gathering of the Missing Pages
[All Workshop Participants]

8:00pm
Cole/Church
Ice Cream Social
[All]

SATURDAY, 20 October
9:00am
Telecom
How do Readers find New Books?
[Panelists: Palmatier (M), Frederick, Hollmer, Laity, Hammond]
The systems readers used to rely on to discover books are either disappearing (traditional book reviews, book stores) or are being gamed by marketers, con artists and spammers so they’re useless (user reviews, keywords, subject searches, Internet ads).

12:00noon
Telecom
Best summer movies of 2012
[Panelists: Hammond (M), B. Prellwitz, Palmatier, Lievan, Silber]
Make your case

5:00pm
Telecom
Putting together an anthology
[Panelists: DeCandido (M), Sargent, Palmatier, Hammond]
Editors and authors speak

7:00pm
Cole/Church
Are remakes as good as the original?
[Panelists: Lievan (M), Drummond, Silber, Sargent, Hammond, Keener]
If not, why not? Who did it successfully? Who tried honorably and faild? Who never
really got the original?

SUNDAY, 21 October
2:00pm
Cole/Church
What happened to funny SF?
[Panelists: Strock (M), Lay, Laity, Hammond, Rothman]
It’s rare you see humorous SF, especially novel-length these days. Are we so serious?

Mirrored from Until Midnight and Occasionally Later.

Albacon is one of my favorite conventions. My first convention in Albany (I’m pretty sure) was Lastcon T’ree, back when I still lived in the greater Boston area. Lastcon morphed into Albacon, and I’ve gone on and off over the years. I’ve got an awesome full color “Hamsters over Schnectady” t-shirt from one year, although I think it might have been given away in the great t-shirt purge (it was from my really heavy days). Albany holds lots of good con memories for me: I attended a Costume Con there, and a great comic book show.

Albacon 2010 was particularly amazing. Albacon 2012 looks to be even better–it will be my first Albacon as a program participant.

I’ve gotten my preliminary panel schedule. Here’s where you can find me:

SATURDAY, 20 October
9:00am
How do Readers find New Books?
[Panelists: Palmatier (M), Frederick, Hollmer, Laity, Hammond]
The systems readers used to rely on to discover books are either disappearing (traditional book reviews, book stores) or are being gamed by marketers, con artists and spammers so they’re useless (user reviews, keywords, subject searches, Internet ads).

12:00noon
Best summer movies of 2012
[Panelists: Hammond (M), B. Prellwitz, Palmatier, Lievan, Silber]
Make your case

5:00pm
Putting together an anthology
[Panelists: DeCandido (M), Sargent, Palmatier, Hammond]
Editors and authors speak

7:00pm
Are remakes as good as the original?
[Panelists: Lievan (M), Drummond, Silber, Sargent, Hammond, Keener]
If not, why not? Who did it successfully? Who tried honorably and faild? Who never
really got the original?

SUNDAY, 21 October
2:00pm
What happened to funny SF?
[Panelists: Strock (M), Lay, Laity, Hammond, Rothman]
It’s rare you see humorous SF, especially novel-length these days. Are we so serious?

Mirrored from Until Midnight and Occasionally Later.

I haven’t said a lot about Chicon–probably because, well, 5 days in Chicago, not quite 3 days home, then 2 days judging a cat show in White Rock, British Columbia. I’m still catching up. There were quite a few high points: going to the bar for a nibble that first night and meeting George R.R. Martin, meeting Jim C. Hines just moments after purchasing Libriomancer and getting it signed, meeting Ferrett Steinmetz and having dinner with him, his lovely wife Gini Judd, and Amy Sundberg (and my dh Mike). I did my first ever worldcon panels, and committed to Lonestarcon (Worldcon 2013) next year and supported the Phoenix in 2014 bid for NasFic (and got an awesome Magnus and Loki t-shirt).

And, best of all, thanks to Larry Smith, Bookseller, my latest publishing effort, Galactic Creatures, was on sale in the Worldcon hucksters’ room. I have proof.

Mirrored from Until Midnight and Occasionally Later.

Here’s my Worldcon schedule. I’m arriving Wednesday evening, and leaving Monday evening, so they’ll be lots of time to socialize. I hope to meet lots of online friends IRL, and to meet up with, well, everyone!

My Schedule:

THURSDAY, 30 August
McCormick
3:00pm
Hall or Competition Costume
[Panelists: Kevin Roche (M), Aurora Celeste, David M. Stein, Elektra Hammond]
How do I determine if a costume is a competition costume or a hall costume?

MONDAY, 3 September
Grand Ballroom B
10:30am
Steampunk and Cosplaying: Boon, Threat, or Menace?
[Panelists: Kevin Roche (M), Elektra Hammond, Leigh Ann Hildebrand, Richard Dutcher, Sarah Hans]
Everybody’s seen the steampunk and cosplaying enthusiasts who’ve become a major part of SF conventions and fandom in general; is this new rise of organized costumers a benefit to SF fandom, or is it just a ephemeral trend that won’t amount to anything permanent?

And there you have it.

Mirrored from Until Midnight and Occasionally Later.

It’s my third Chicon (yeah!) and I’m doing an actual panel. I’m excited way more than I should be by this . . .

My Schedule:

THURSDAY, 30 August
McCormick
Hall or Competition Costume
[Panelists: Kevin Roche (M), David M. Stein, Elektra]
How do I determine if a costume is a competition costume or a hall costume?

And there you have it. But it’s more panels than I’ve ever done at a Worldcon before, so I’m totally excited.

Mirrored from Until Midnight and Occasionally Later.

It’s vulgar, it’s funny, it’s goofy, it’s a good time. Read my review of the guilty pleasure that is new movie The Watch at buzzymag.com..

An excerpt:
The Watch is four different movies in one: it’s a funny, awkward buddy movie, a sci-fi alien invasion movie, a scary suspense movie, and a high-action shoot ’em up. All feature the same characters, and have nothing in common other than the utter goofiness.

Mirrored from Until Midnight and Occasionally Later.

I’ve gotten my final Confluence schedule–they’ve added another panel on Sunday. I still don’t know what some of these panels are about. And there are no moderators specified as yet–I suppose we’ll end up using some of the time-honored methods for choosing such: last arrival at the panel, person sitting in the center, etc. Should be fun.

SATURDAY
1:00pm in Oak
Keeping Within the Constraints
[Panelists: Cat Faber, Seanan McGuire, James Daniel Ross, Elektra Hammond]
Comment: Oh boy–a panel with GOH Seanan McGuire. And I’ll get to see Dan (who is in both my anthologies, In an Iron Cage: The Magic of Steampunk & Galactic Creatures. I haven’t met Cat yet, but I know she’s a filker, and I look forward to meeting her, also.

10:00pm in Oak
Sins Are Refreshed : Frank Discussions, Erotic Readings and Naughty Jokes
[Panelists: KT Pinto, Elektra Hammond, Kevin M Hayes]
Comment: I’ll be reading something written by Bernie Mojzes, caterpillar erotica from an Alice in Wonderland-themed collection. Find out why caterpillars are the new cephalopods. Thank you Bernie!! I’ll also be setting the mood with some single malt–come by and have a drink with us.

SUNDAY
noon in Oak
Thank Heaven for Little Subs
[Panelists: Danielle Ackely-McPhail, Larry Ivkovich, Elektra Hammond, Jeff Young]
Comment: I’m not sure if this panel is on sub-genres or small press–everyone on the panel has published with small press at one point or another. Hopefully we’ll find out before the panel starts . . . .

1:00pm in Oak
Geek Culture versus Geek Generation
[Panelists: Paul Melko, David Barr Kirtley, Christopher Pisano, Elektra Hammond]
Comment: This is the panel that was just added. Sounds interesting!

Hope I see a bunch of folks at Confluence–it’s always a fun convention!

Mirrored from Until Midnight and Occasionally Later.

The last weekend of July will find me once again at one of my favorite conventions, Confluence, with some of my favorite folks–the members of Parsec, the Pittsburgh-area Science Fiction club. I’ve just gotten my preliminary schedule, I’m looking forward to more information on what some of these panels are:

SATURDAY
1:00pm in Oak
Keeping Within the Constraints
[Panelists: Cat Faber (F), Seanan McGuire, James Daniel Ross, Elektra Hammond]

10:00pm in Oak
Sex Panel: Erotic Readings and Naughty Jokes
[Panelists: KT Pinto, Elektra Hammond, Kevin M Hayes]
I’ll be reading something written by Bernie Mojzes, probably caterpillar erotica, from an Alice in Wonderland-themed collection. Thank you Bernie!!

SUNDAY
noon in Oak
Thank Heaven for Little Subs
[Panelists: Danielle Ackely-McPhail, Larry Ivkovich, Elektra Hammond, Jeff Young]

Mirrored from Until Midnight and Occasionally Later.

I am pleased and proud to announce Galactic Creatures, a new science fiction anthology to be published by Sparkito Press, featuring a gorgeous cover by Pyracantha.

Cover of Galactic Creatures~art by Pyracantha

There will be a book launch event at Balticon, Memorial Day weekend, on Sunday the 27th from 7pm to 9pm, in the Garden Room, along with several other Dark Quest titles. Many of the contributors will be present, as will the cover artist and the collection editor (me).

Here is the table of contents. Start anticipating how much you’ll enjoy reading these terrific stories!

Dragon Child	by Leona Wisoker
Lawn Care	by C.J. Henderson
Slow and Steady	by John L. French
The Dragon Ships of Tycho	by Alex Shvartsman
The Scrapper and the Saint Bernard	by Scott W. Baker
The Geas Ingenerate	by Don Sakers
The Sky Above the Sky	by Brian Koscienski & Chris Pisano
Heart of a Lion	by James Daniel Ross
Kudzu: A Prologue	by Bernie Mojzes
Broken in the Place of Dragons	by Rosemary Edghill
Crossing Roads	by Patrick Thomas

Mirrored from Until Midnight and Occasionally Later.

Capclave 2016 is this weekend

Anyone miss my movie reviews? Check tabloid.io

Lookout Mars, Here I Come–Confluence is Next Weekend

Darkovercon 36 is this weekend!!

Jaelle her Book

Philcon final schedule

My Lunacon Schedule

My Philcon Schedule (updated)

My Philcon Schedule

Darkovercon schedule

Albacon was absolutely amazing

Albacon final schedule

Albacon is nearly upon us

A tidbit from Chicon 7

Chicon 7 Schedule [updated & hopefully final]

Chicon 7 schedule [draft]

Aliens invade Suburbia

Final Confluence Schedule

Confluence approaches . . . watch out Pittsburgh, here I come

Galactic Creatures: An anthology coming in May

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