National Poetry Month, April 2

I’m taking poetic license on the definition of “date,” as I often do. It is the same day from the time I wake up until I go to bed. So there.

This is a quick post, at least.  I had this pairing in my mind for a while because this is a picture that has remained with me since I took it.  For a little over ten years, I volunteered for the Bay State Equine Rescue. It was a wonderful experience that gifted me with my own adopted horse, Calico Silver.  This picture far predates Calico, though, and comes from my early years at the rescue.  One morning, when I came in for my volunteer shift, lo and behold, there were three new horses!  It was an Appaloosa family: a stallion (soon to be gelded), a mare, and their baby! I happened to have my camera with me (well before camera phones were a thing, so a miracle in and of itself!), so I snapped pictures. And this picture of the stallion, Metro, was one that stayed in my mind as striking with his expression and the wind in his hair.  For the final piece, I will likely use the black and white (which was quite some stressful playing in PhotoShop since all my other photo editing has just been on my phone, itself!), but I wanted to share all his gorgeousness here!

The poem is also in its rough draft form, too. My aim is to compose the poems this month, and then go back and edit later.

Please do not share these photos; I am not finished and sharing them can hurt my future plans for this piece. Thank you!

National Poetry Month, April 1

For National Poetry Month, I decided to challenge myself with an ekphrastic poem every month.

What’s an ekphrastic poem? It’s a poem written about a picture or work of art–or inspired by a picture / work of art–meant to expand upon the meaning of the piece it’s in response to.

I’ve had the honor and privilege to be part of the Blackstone Valley Art Association‘s Art-Poetry Pairing for the past three years, and I’ve loved working with artists. This year, I participated as both artist and poet.  You can see this year’s parings at this link.

So, this year, I decided to celebrate National Poetry Month by doing my own pairings of my hobby photos and poems. Some days the poem will be the inspiration, other days the picture will be.

Today is my first full day home after attending Conbust, one of the regular conventions I attend. It was amazing, as always, and it’s the inspiration for this particular pairing.  I had an idea of taking a picture of my duffel bag spilled first and writing a poem about recovery, about self-care and permission to recover–particularly after several excellent panels discussing invisible disabilities and the challenges of neurodiversity.

Instead, with the photo plan in mind, I wrote the poem first–a very different poem than I planned–and then did the shoot, chose the pictures, and edited them a little. The poem, however, is unedited and will be edited.  Most of my poems are handwritten first. So here are the two pictures I am deciding between for the pairing and a photo of the VERY ROUGH draft of the  poem.

Please do not share these photos; I am not finished and sharing them can hurt my future plans for this piece. Thank you!

DragonCon Schedule!

This is the biggest convention I do all year, and one of the most insane.  I…can’t even measure the excitement / anxiety level right now…

Also, I ought to be in bed because I’ve got a Dark O’Clock flight… soon.

So, REAL QUICK, here are a few places you’ll find me at DragonCon… outside of the Westin bar in the evenings, the Voltaire concert, the Cruxshadows concert… buying band stuff, and possibly stalking some actors from The Expanse. And John Barrowman. Maybe.

If you’re there, hopefully I will see you!

Title: Readings in Honor of Kathryn Fernquist Hinds
Time: Fri 07:00 pm Location: Techwood – Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Description: Writers & friends celebrate the life of author, bard, poet, & teacher Kathryn Hinds with reminiscences & readings from her work.

Title: The Women of Doctor Who
Time: Fri 08:30 pm Location: Galleria 5 – Hilton (Length: 1 Hour)
Description: From companions & villains to directors, writers, & producers (and soon the Doctor herself), women have had a lasting impact on the show over the past 54 years. Their changing roles & indelible footprints will be discussed.

Title: Steampunk/Urban Fantasy/High Fantasy, etc.
Time: Sat 11:30 am Location: Embassy CD – Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Description: Is Steampunk loosing its steam? Is Urban Fantasy on the wane? Does anyone read High Fantasy any more? This panel discusses the many subgenres of SF/F and how to keep readers interested.

Title: 200 Years of Women in SF
Time: Sun 11:30 am Location: Embassy AB – Hyatt (Length: 2 Hours 30 Min)
Description: In 1818, Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein. Taking that as a starting point, our panelists will discuss women in SF, how they have fared, who they are, and how things have changed over the years. Presented in conjunction with the Diversity in SF track. 90 minutes.

Title: Ursula K. Leguin: Honoring a Grand Master
Time: Sun 05:30 pm Location: International South – Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Description: The field lost a great voice last year when Ursula K. Leguin 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.

 
Title: Where Do I Begin?
Time: Sun 07:00 pm Location: Embassy CD – Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
Description: You’ve decided to write a novel. Where do you begin? Let our pros tell you how to get started on that novel…and keep going.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!  Happy DragonCon!

Conbust Schedule!

Three months into the year, and it’s a FOURTH convention schedule I’m posting! Woohoo!

(At some point my personal blog posts will be more than convention schedules; I promise! I have thoughts on a variety of things and some health updates, too...)

Anyway, I know it sounds redundant, but this is another beloved convention of mine! Conbust!

Conbust is a student-run feminist SF/F convention held at Smith College every spring.  I found out about Conbust through Broad Universe, not realizing that such a gem was basically in my back yard. 

(I grew up in Springfield, about 15-20 minutes from Northampton.)

I have a pretty ambitious schedule this year at Conbust, so if you’re looking to follow me to all my panels (and they are pretty awesome panels, so you might want to), make sure you are loaded up on your favorite coffee or energy product! I’m scheduled in the very first panel slot, the very last—with eight panels in between!

Also, I’ll be traveling to and from the convention with my friend and editing colleague, Suzanne Lahna, who has their first novella out.  They’ll be on a bunch of excellent panels, too. Find out more on their blog!

Since Conbust is on a college campus, I won’t be hosting a party here, and we don’t have either a Broad Universe or New England Horror Writers table here, so it’s all panels and catching up with some of the great people I only get to see at this convention. I’m excited!

Oh—quick note, these aren’t the official convention descriptions. They’re mine—and subject to change depending on the audience / panelists.  I’m also not listing the panelists here because there were some last minute changes that I don’t know got finalized... but just check the guest list!  I’m on panels with almost all of these spectacular people!

Without further ado, here’s where I’ll be:

Friday, March 23; 5:00 PM; Room 101 – Fandom and Criticism

Can you criticize what you love? Should you? Why is it important?

Friday, March 23; 6:00 PM; Room 201 – Hero, Protagonist

Discussing writing the protagonist hero, or analyzing them.

Saturday, March 24; 9:00 AM; Room TBA – Believable Fight Scenes

This was my favorite panel of last year’s Conbust. Actual reenactment fighters play out writer battle scenes! Of course, now I need to figure out which gods’ awful fight scene of mine needs the most work / will provide the most entertainment to the audience...

Saturday, March 24; 10:00 AM; Room 101 – Suspension of Disbelief

What throws a reader out of a story? How can writers avoid these pitfalls? What’s the term “Flying Snowman” (coined by John Scalzi) and what does it mean to writers and readers?

Saturday, March 24; 11:00 AM; Room 109 – Freelancing: More Ways to Make Money Writing

This panel will discuss the ways people can make a living working with words. No, it’s not easy, but it’s also not impossible. See if this career works for you or if you want to stick to the day job.

Saturday, March 24; 2:00 PM; Room 204 – Everything but the Writing

Note above panel on making money while writing? That’s Making Money Writing 101.  This is Making Money Writing 102 and talks about the business decisions you’ll have to make if you decide you want to make money while writing.

Saturday, March 24; 4:00 PM; Room 109 – Children’s Fairy Tales

Fairy tales is my jam. So is writing for kids. This is a thing that far predates my efforts, though, so I love studying and talking about it. Come discover all the nerdy, geeky goodness children’s fairy tales have to offer!

Saturday, March 24; 5:00 PM; Room 109 – Fairies

Rather apropos that this is in the same room immediately following Children’s Fairy Tales. Except the fey are NOT just for children. In fact, they can be kind of predatory on children—or humans in general. And they go waaaay beyond “fairy tales.”

Sunday, March 25; 9:00 AM; Room 106 – Female Protagonists / Female Villains

Because, yes, we still really need to talk about women characters, how they’re included in stories, and how authentic they are.

Sunday, March 25; 1:00 PM; Room 102 – A Monster Manual Beyond Dragons

There’s already a panel about how awesome dragons are, but other fantastical creatures need and deserve our love, too! Find out about other magical beasts and their proper care and feeding.

Sunday, March 25; 2:00 PM; Room 204 – Tarot and Writing

Two great tastes that taste great together! I love giving this workshop at convention. Come learn a little about the Tarot and how you can use it in your life and writing.

There it is! It is SUPER crazy, and I am SUPER excited because it’s my last convention until probably July. I am so excited to return, and SUPER excited to catch up with a lot of amazing people.

StokerCon Schedule!

It is another last minute convention posting for me because: deadlines... and other things.

This will be my first StokerCon and I’m super excited about it, so if you’re going to this amazing horror and literature convention—where they award the prestigious Stoker Awards—come and find me!

I will be splitting my non-panel time between the New England Horror Writers, where I and many other fine writers and friends of mine will be selling fabulous books, and the Broad Universe information table, where members will be signing books after their readings and the awesome Larissa Glasser and I will be there to answer questions about our beloved non-profit supporting women in horror.

Outside of those two places, here’s where I’ll be:

Thursday, March 1; 4:00 PM; L’Apogee; 17th Floor – Author Reading

Reading with Cory Cone and Larry Hinkle. There will be chocolate—it is packed. Yes, I’m bribing you. This is the first reading slot of the convention. Please don’t let us be lonely? <3 i="">

Saturday, March 3; 2:00 PM; State Suite C – Fairy Tales: A Child’s First Taste of Horror

with Leslie Thomas (M), Edward Ahern, April Grey, Gwendolyn Kiste, and Charie LaMarr

A reader’s first encounter with horror often comes in the guide of fairy tales. Children’s stories and nursery rhymes are full of trolls, evil stepparents, witches, giants, and other terrifying characters. Our panelists will discuss these stories as the roots of horror, the brutality done to children in the tales, and the perpetrators. Where do these tales overlap with folk lore? And what do they say about society?

Saturday, March 3; 3:30...

I have a pitch session that I’m super excited about!  Wish me luck!! <3 span="">

Saturday, March 3; 7:00 PM; Grand Ballroom - Bram Stoker Awards Banquet and Awards Ceremony

Saturday, March 3; 10:30 PM; L’Apogee - Bram Stoker Awards After Party Cocktail Reception

Sunday, March 4; 11:00 AM; Salon 2 - YA Horror – Something for Everyone

with JG Faherty, Elizabeth Massie, James Moore, and Daniel Waters

Interest in Young Adult horror is growing by leaps and bounds–and it’s not only for teens anymore. Join our panelists in a look at what makes YA horror so popular, why its popularity spans across age groups, and why the lines are so blurry between YA, new adult, and adult-oriented books.

There it is! It’s not as jam-packed as some conventions, but that’s okay because I’m looking forward to thoroughly enjoying myself by attending some panels and catching up with friends!

Boskone Schedule!

I have been under a bunch of deadlines for editing and writing... and had a bunch of fresh new health issues pop up over the past couple of weeks...but despite being late posting this, I am SUPER EXCITED to be returning to Boskone this year! And DAMN, look at that great schedule!

And if I’m not on a panel... I’ll likely be found at the Broad Universe table in the Dealer’s Room...

or, if it’s Friday Night, I’ll be throwing the Broad Universe Party again!  Look for us on the hotel Party Floor!

Outside of tabling and partying, here’s my fabulous schedule:

Tarot and Divining Fantastic Fiction

Format: Discussion Group

16 Feb 2018, Friday 17:00 - 18:00, Lewis (Westin)

Author and Tarot guru Trisha Wooldridge leads a discussion on Tarot, fortune-telling, and the art of the seer in fantasy and science fiction. Trisha will provide a live demonstration.

Trisha Wooldridge

Folktales Within Poetry

Format: Panel

16 Feb 2018, Friday 18:00 - 19:00, Marina 3 (Westin)

From “The Lady of Shalott” to “Goblin Market” to The Iliad, some quite engaging poems are inspired by folklore, legends, or myths. What other examples can we add — perhaps from non-European poetry? What do folk sources bring that an original story might lack? Our panelists will discuss (and perhaps read) some of their favorites — what are yours?

Theodora Goss (M), Jane Yolen, C. S. E. Cooney, John Chu, Trisha Wooldridge

Group Reading: Fiction for Kids and Young Adults

Format: Reading

17 Feb 2018, Saturday 12:00 - 13:00, Griffin (Westin)

Boskone presents a special group reading for lovers of children's and young adult fiction. Our authors provide a range of stories and topics that are sure to delight and entertain!

Kristy Acevedo, Daniel P. Dern, Erin M. Hartshorn (M), Sarah Jean Horwitz, Justin Key, Trisha Wooldridge

Notes

This is a special group reading designed to generate a larger crowd in order to introduce more people to the work highlighted in the session. There may only be 5 chairs at the table. If so, we ask that the moderator has a couple extra chairs moved to the table area. The group reading is scheduled for 50 minutes and each reader has 5-minutes to read. Please be sure to time your reading to ensure that you don't go over time. The "moderator" is assigned to welcome everyone to the reading and announce that each reader will introduce herself/himself along with their piece as their turn to read comes up. If there is time available, please open the room to questions.

Border of the Unknown

Format: Panel

17 Feb 2018, Saturday 17:00 - 18:00, Marina 1 (Westin)

Much fine fantastika involves crossing the boundary between the known and the unknown — especially that uneasy border between the village and the trees. Let's look at the long history of that great unknown, the enchanted forest. Why has it pushed and pulled at people’s imaginations since ancient times? To find out, let’s stroll away from safety and into the woods, as the liminal light fades and the shadows gather all under the boughs unbowed …

Theodora Goss, Errick Nunnally (M), Trisha Wooldridge, Dana Cameron, Gerald L. Coleman

Open Mic: Myths & Legends!

Format: Event

17 Feb 2018, Saturday 20:00 - 21:00, Galleria - Stage (Westin)

Live from Boskone: A special selection of tall tales as told by our program participants — plus audience members. All show off their open mic skills in the third annual Boskone Open Mic extravaganza. This year features the myths and legends of yesterday, today, and tomorrow! Each participant contributes his/her most legendary performance — a 5-minute story, poem, song, skit, interpretive dance, or whatever!

OPTIONAL: For extra appeal, feel free to come dressed as your favorite mythic or legendary character.

The Rules: Boskone members are invited to join our participants in the open mic by signing up for one of the six open slots at the door to the event, which opens for sign-ups at 7:30 p.m. Each performer is given a firm 5-minute time limit (max), including setup time. So a quick transition between acts is key. Please no profanity: DragonsLair is within hearing distance.

Elaine Cunningham (M), Lauren Roy, Kenneth Schneyer (M), C. S. E. Cooney, Carlos Hernandez, Gabriel Erkard, E. Ardell, Benjamin Newman, Roberta Rogow, Don Pizarro, Trisha Wooldridge, Mary Ellen Wessels, Edward L. Stauff

Neil Gaiman Anniversary Reads

Format: Panel

18 Feb 2018, Sunday 13:00 - 14:00, Harbor II (Westin)

It’s a notable year for Neil Gaiman, with publication anniversaries for his engaging, ironic dark fantasies The Graveyard Book (10th) and The Ocean at the End of the Lane (5th) — plus from his lighter side, Don't Panic: The Official Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Companion (30th). Let's gab about his novels and stories, comics and characters, movies and TV adaptations and rock-star aura.

Bracken MacLeod (M), Jane Yolen, Justin Key, John Langan, Trisha Wooldridge