Friday: Feb. 20th

5pm - "Selling Yourself For Fun & Profit" with Thomas Knowles, Lou Antonelli, Glenn Yeffeth, and Darlene D. Bolesny. From the write-up: “What can you do to sell your own writing not just to publishers but also to the public? Internet, conventions, book signings, flyers – there are a bewildering array of choices. Our experts tell of their own experiences, and what does and does not work.” I have a hunch it will be a lively hour.

6pm - “The Aspiring Writers Panel” with moderator Paul Black, David Weber, Jim Butcher, and Patrice Sarath. The sound you hear is me rubbing my hands together in anticipatory delight. An always fun topic, and should be especially so given the panel line-up.

8pm - Opening Ceremonies

Saturday: Feb. 21st

10am - “In the Beginning: How to Start a Story”. I’m moderating this one, with Martha Wells, Rie Sheridan Rose, and Darlene D. Bolesny. It’s “Killer First Lines” plus, as the write-up has it, “It’s all very well and good to have a world spanning story, but if you can’t start it, it’ll never get written. Our experts relate their tales, and how you can get that story out…and grab attention in the process. “ Oh, yes.

Noon - “Power Trips: How to Build a World”, with another moderator’s assignment and Jim Butcher, Martha Wells, Shanna Swendson, and Carole Nelson Douglas to play with. The write-up for this one says it well: “Muahaha…the world is under your fingertips. Your creation spans galaxies, and all will tremble! But who, exactly, is in this galaxy, and how many continents does your world have? Has your fictional society invented slood? Our experts tell how to turn your dreams into reality…and how to keep your reality under your control. “

3pm - “Publishing 201: Publishing the Great American Novel”. Another donning of the moderator’s hat, this time with Glenn Yeffeth, Selina Rosen, and Darlene D. Bolesny on board, who’ll be dispensing pointers and cautionary advice in the “okay, it’s written, now what?” vein.

5pm - Reading. I’m sharing the hour with J.M. McDermott.

9pm - Some things are tradition. “Pornography vs. Erotica” with Melanie Fletcher, Linda Donahue, Julia S. Mandala, and “whoever is brave enough to show up.” Consider the write-up: “Eight different panels, and nothing has been solved. In fact, last year it never even got discussed. So this year our esteemed panelists tell us how to write it…and where they draw the line. We’ll see who blushes more. Adults only!” And yes, there will undoubtedly be another round of the popular “See who can make Lee blush first and how far into the panel it takes to do so” game The record currently stands at Melanie Fletcher in 34 seconds.

Sunday: Feb. 22nd

11am - “Group Minds - Creating Anthologies and Collections”. Moderating again, with Glenn Yeffeth, Selina Rosen, and Teresa Patterson tackling the topic of the why, how, and fun of putting together the titular works. This should be a good one.

Noon - I spend an hour sitting the autographing table with Martha Wells, Gabrielle Faust, and Rie Sheridan Rose. Come by and say hello!

1pm - “Interstellar Archaeology: Part Two - The Debunking”. Nothing like finishing out a programming schedule fully engulfed in Weird. On Friday, there was a Part I, “The Discovery”, during which Adrian Simmons, Taylor Anderson, Mel White, Michael Finn, and Rie Sheridan Rose discovered “startling artifacts of OBVIOUS alien origin” and explained what they were.” This time around, I play ringmistress for Frances May, Michelle Muenzler, Dusty Rainbolt, and Selina Rosen explaining “how wrong the previous esteemed panelists were!” Pray for me, people.

Yes, a fine array of panels and fun I’ve been given. It’s going to a grand weekend.