convention

My Schedule for ConQuest Kansas City 2017

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Have I been horrible about posting lately or what? For that I apologize, but we are coming up on one of my favorite times of the year, ConQuest in Kansas City (and my birthday). ConQuest is a long-running science fiction and fantasy convention. As usual, I will be taking part in several panels, which I will list here. You can find the full schedule here.

This is my panel schedule:

Friday (May 26th, otherwise known as my birthday)

3:00 PM – So, You Want to Be in Pictures – Jim Yelton, Leanna Brunner, Bryn Donovan, and I will discuss screenwriting and the applicability of its skill set to writing prose.

5:00 PM – Horror Novels/Short Stories Everyone Should Read – Earline Beebe, Sherri Dean, Jonathan Mayberry, and I recommend the best in horror fiction.

Saturday (May 27th)

11:00 AM – I will be reading, along Donna Wagenblast Munro.

1:00 PM – Comic Book Television and Film: Boom or Bust – Marshall Edwards, Brendan Beebe, Matthew Munro, and I will be talking about comic adaptations. Which are good, which are bad, and when the bubble is going to burst.

3:00 PM – Why Write Short Stories? – Karen Bovenmyer, Sean Demory, Dora Furlong, and I will be talking about the short story genre and why it is still important, despite diminishing markets and diminishing pay.

5:00 PM – The Running Man: The First Hunger Games – Craig Smith, Brian Pigg, Michelle Stutzman, and I will be talking about Stephen King’s The Running Man  and its influence.

Sunday (May 28th)

10:00 AM – Can Writing Be Taught? – Lynette Burrows, Jesse Pringle, Rachael Mayo, Paula Helm Murray, and I will be discussing a writer’s education and debating whether or not writing can truly be taught.

12:00 PM – A Writer’s Library: Books Every Writer Should Read – Lynette Burrows, Brooke Johnson, Rachael Mayo, Paula Helm Murray, and I will be discussing a writer’s library and what books belong in every writer’s toolbox.

It is going to be a busy weekend, but it should be a lot of fun. Hopefully, I will also get some homework done between the paneling and socializing.

If you haven’t made plans to join us yet, check out the website: www.conquestkc.org. There will be cosplay, gaming, a dealer room, and an art show in addition to the panels.

I look forward to seeing everyone there.

ConQuest 46 in Kansas City!

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We are less than one week away from ConQuest 46 in Kansas City, MO. You can find the complete schedule here. I will be making a bunch of appearances, this year.

Here is where you can find me.

Friday 5:00 PM Is It REALLY Gothic? – Tim W. Burke, Orrin Grey, and I will be discussing how the definition of Gothic has changed over the centuries.

Friday 10:00 PM Body Horror: The Last Ewwww – Tim W. Burke, Orrin Grey, Sherri Dean, Holly Messinger and I will discuss the sub-genre known as “body horror” This will be a 18 and up panel, due to the potential for adult conversation.

Saturday 10:00 AM Tips and Traps: Navigating the World of Short Story Submission – Lou Antonelli, Steven x Davis, Lezli Robyn, and I will give tips on how to go about submitting your short stories to markets.

Saturday 12:00 PM The Horror, The Horror: Dark Fiction and Society – Penny Cockrell, Sean Demory, KD McEntire, Adam Mills, and I will discuss the relationship between the horror genre and society, and the way that relationship has developed over the years.

Saturday 1:00 PM NaNoWriMo- 30 days – 1 novel: JR Boles, Sarah Bredeman, Penny Cockrell, Sara Lundberg, and I will discuss National Novel Writing Month and talk about how you can get involved. Sara will also be bringing some swag from the Office of Letters and Light, the organization that hosts National Novel Writing Month.

Saturday 3:00 PM Vampires, Werewolves, and Zombies: Are they still relevant? – Rob Chilson, Penny Cockrell, KD McEntire, Christina Alexis Lord, and I will discuss the old horror tropes and how well they translate (or don’t translate) in to modern horror.

Saturday 9:00 PM Taboo plots, sub-plots, and subjects – Brett Williams, Kij Johnson, and I will discuss taboo plots and how to utilize them within fiction. This is an 18 and up panel, for obvious reasons.

Saturday 10:00 PM Late Night Scary Stories – Sean Demory, Jude-Marie Green, Orrin Grey, and I will be reading our favorite scary stories.

Sunday 11:00 AM Reading – I will be reading from All Manner of Dark Things: Collected Bits and Pieces. I will also read a scene from one of my current works in progress.

It should be a great time. I always have fun at ConQuest, although I am a bit sad that I won’t get to defend my Story in a Bag championship this year. I have panels that conflict with the short story contest. I will have books for sale and am always happy to talk about genre fiction. You might even find me in some of the floor parties after convention hours.

I’ll see you all there. If you don’t have tickets, they are still available at the door.