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.

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

A Trailer for... THE KELPIE!!

Noooo... not a horse trailer! He'd tear that apart!  Look, I have a cool book trailer for my first novel!!

Please post and share around?  :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiLIXfO3lck&feature=youtu.be

[... Ack, sorry for just the link. Blogger is being a pain and unable to find the trailer no matter how I search!]

Thank you to Roberto Muerto for making it awesome!

Enjoy!

Some Important Writing Announcements!

(Icon borrowed from www.arisia.org - which is what most of this post is about.)

Two important orders of business - and they are a bit lengthy, so forgive me. :)

First, Bad-Ass Faeries 3: In All Their Glory is up for an award over at Preditors & Editors.  Yay!!  Please go vote?  Here's the link!

http://critters.org/predpoll/antho.shtml

Also, the Bad-Ass Faeries Official Website is up to vote on here:

http://www.critters.org/predpoll/promotions.shtml

Thank you!!

And for those of you who wish to stalk me at Arisia… well, you better eat your Wheaties!  I've got 10 panels, one party I'm hosting on the same night as a party I also will attend.  (Cloning mechanisms or time-turners make excellent post-holiday gifts!)

I also want to say that I'm extra-excited over my schedule, busy as it is, because EVERY panel that I'm on has at least one (if not MANY) people I love on it!  I was so thrilled to see these line-ups, so you're in for quite a treat this year.  :)

Without further ado, here it is:

Food Communicating Culture in Literature

Revere,  Literature Track, Fri 5:00 PM,Duration: 01:15  

How do writers communicate things about their cultures and characters via the food they use? What can you discern about cultures based on if they get their food in pill form, if they are vegetarian/vegan, omnivores, carnivores? How does the anatomy and physiology of your aliens or magical creatures dictate their food requirements? What about the terrain? Does the diversity of food culture - and what it communicates - on Earth get shown in literature?    

Trisha Wooldridge mod, Stephanie Clarkson, John Bowker, Shira Lipkin, Larissa Niec

Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading

Hancock, Writing Track, Fri 8:00 PM, Duration: 01:30  

Broad Universe is an international organization of women and men dedicated to celebrating and promoting the work of women writers of science fiction, fantasy and horror. Come hear samples of the works of several members of Broad Universe.      

Trisha Wooldridge mod, Elaine Isaak, Justine Graykin, Renee Otis, Morven Westfield, Roxanne Bland, Suzanne Reynolds-Alpert, Kate Kaynak, Larissa Niec

Beyond Binaries 101: Exploring Gender Roles

Adams,  Literature Track, Fri 9:30 PM, Duration: 01:15  

How do science fiction, fantasy, and horror explore beyond our existing gender roles? How often do we see authors fall back on traditional gender roles or just flipping gender roles? Or how often do we do it ourselves? Who has created unique roles separate from gender or dealing with gender beyond binaries? What would we like to see?  

http://blog.bookviewcafe.com/2010/09/14/gender-sex-identity-and-a-bunch-of-other-fascinating-issues/    

Trisha Wooldridge mod, Greer Gilman, Steve Berman, Adam Nakama, Suzanne Reynolds-Alpert

The Future of School

Douglas, Fan Interest Track, Fri 11:00 PM, Duration: 01:15  

Science fiction writers have often written about changes that technology might make to education, from the students' "desks" in Orson Scott Card's "Ender's Game" to R.A. Heinlein's observations and critiques of education in his juvenile fiction. What kinds of alternate education exist now? How does emerging technology affect the learners of tomorrow? Will school still get out for summer?        

David Nurenberg mod, John G. McDaid, W. "Ian" Blanton, Trisha Wooldridge, Kate Kaynak

Faeries of Color: Tales of the Fae Beyond Europe

Douglas, Literature Track, Sat 11:00 AM, Duration: 01:15  

People often think of fairytales as stories from British or Western European cultures, but what about Asia and Central Asia? The Middle East? Africa? American Natives? All of these cultures have equivalent fairytales that address our human relationship to the wild/natural world and reflect important cultural elements that define a society's values. What are some things all cultures share in defining humanity, and what can fairytales teach us about the differences?    

Vikki Ciaffone mod,Mary Catelli, David Sklar, Trisha Wooldridge, Tananarive Due

Take Back the Sci-Fi

Lewis, Literature Track, Sat 12:30 PM, Duration: 01:15  

Sexual assault and rape frequently get used as symbolic plot devices, with no consideration of how sexual violence actually affects survivors and the people around them. Let's discuss books that accurately portray the repercussions of and recovery from sexual assault, as well as those that merely use it as a shortcut to character development, those that end up glorifying it, and how sexual violence can be written in a way that is true to the character and respectful to survivors.    

Shira Lipkin mod, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Catt Kingsgrave-Ernstein, Ken Kingsgrave-Ernstein, Trisha Wooldridge

The Nature of Gender: Past, Present & Future

Carlton, Social Issues, Sat 8:00 PM, Duration: 01:15  

What is gender? How much does environment contribute to one's gender orientation? At one time, two genders were considered the norm. Now there may be four, five or perhaps more depending on your definition. Will gender still have the same meaning in the future? Will it mean anything at all?  

Bridget Joyce Boyle mod, Rabbit, Melissa Kaplan (Eustacia Vye), Michelle D'Entremont (Mijan), Trisha Wooldridge

What Women Want (in Their SF/F Females)

Adams, Literature Track, Sun 11:00 AM, Duration: 01:15  

Many panels discuss what women's roles in SF/F are and ought to be, but what do female readers really want to see? How do women feel about "token" female friends in works like Harry Potter or Percy Jackson? How do we feel about reimagining heroines like Alice, Arwen, and Maid Marion who are willing to pick up weapons and fight to achieve their destiny? Female readers, writers, and other SF/F creators will "let it all hang out" in this spirited panel!  

Vikki Ciaffone mod, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Vonnie Carts-Powell, Trisha Wooldridge, Suzanne Reynolds-Alpert

Sexuality in SF/F

Revere, Fan Interest Track, Sun 12:30 PM, Duration: 01:15  

Sexual situations in SF/F books, movies, and television are just as common as in every other genre. Does SF/F do it differently, better, or worse? What discussions of sexuality in SF are significant to read or see, and why? How is a sex scene in a SF/F story different from porn? Where is the line between good and poor taste?       

Steve Berman mod, Meredith Schwartz, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Victoria Janssen, Trisha Wooldridge 

Broad Universe PARTY!!!!

Trisha's Hotel Room - TBA!  Sunday, 8PM, Duration: Till everyone's exhausted or we run out of food. 

Find me for the info or check out the Broad Universe Table.  :)  (With this schedule, it will be hard to MISS me!)

Pi-Con PARTY!!!

Party Floor - Look for Flyers!  Sunday, 8PM, Duration: Also, likely, until everyone's exhausted or the food runs out.

As I'm this year's Guest of Awesome for Pi-Con, it would be remiss for me to not mention and miss this one, too.  I'll be bouncing between the parties Sunday night, so please come to both!!  (Oh, and come to Pi-Con in Enfield, CT on August 26-28, too!!)

Other Cons: What Else is Out There?

Douglas, Fan Interest Track, Mon 2:00 PM, Duration: 01:15  

Many of us know that there is more than just Arisia in the New England area for fans of Science Fiction--Boskone, Readercon, Anime Boston and NEFE--but what about elsewhere? Godzilla fans may be interested in G-Fest in Chicago. Or if Doctor Who is your preoccupation, then Gallifrey in Los Angeles may be more to your tastes. Then there's Balticon, Otakon, and Shore Leave in Maryland to consider. All fans are welcome to come and talk about the various cons they've attended.    

Trisha Wooldridge mod, Rick Silva, Patrick Delahanty, Ellen Kranzer, Mimi Noyes

See ya' in Boston!!

Bad-Ass Faeries land in Massachusetts!!

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Yesterday, my friend Del held a wonderful Massachusetts release party for the latest Bad-Ass Faeries anthology: In All Their Glory!

Everyone who attended had a wonderful time.

One of the editors and contributors, Lee C. Hillman (who I know as GwendolynGrace), who's become a friend and someone I look forward to seeing whenever I can, also came out to Oxford to help celebrate! She did a reading from her fabulous space fae story that was most excellent.

On top of that, we got to share some time with Jean Walker, author of Your Guide to the Faerie Realm, based on her actual experiences in photographing faeries! I'd actually run into Jean about a year ago and saw some of her first photos at Moonstruck Café while I was writing coffee shop reviews. I hardly find it a coincidence that we've met again and plan on keeping in contact with her.

I opened the festivities with a reading from "Last Gate to Faerie," and was more nervous than usual because this was also the first time my mom would hear me read; she and my aunt had come all the way out to Oxford to see me! After some blurbling and a bit of laughter, I introduced the work and started from the beginning of the story, saying something like I'd be reading the not-as-dark or violent parts. Gwen, who is very familiar with the piece, piped up and asked what was I going to read then?

If you caught the excerpts I posted here, you see she was well founded in her teasing. It's a pretty dark and violent story… with "pretty" being questionable.

In any case, people enjoyed it and bought books!

After Gwen and I did our readings, Jean did a talk on her own faerie adventures, which was really interesting with absolutely amazing photos. It's hard to get the depth of them on the website, so definitely pick up the book or check out one of her talks.

If you're interested in Bad-Ass Faeries 3: In All Their Glory, you can pick it up at Del's store in Oxford, via Amazon, or directly from me. Get your copy today!

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Before I sign off, I want to remind you again that I'm still looking for sponsors for the Bay State Equine Rescue Blogathon.

Do you want me to promote you with an interview? Would you like to write your own advertorial guest blog?

Want me to sing your praises all through social media?

I will! All for a 100% tax deductible donation to the Bay State Equine Rescue.

For more details, email me or check out this prior blog post.

You can be as cool as K.S. Augustin and MA Horse, who have already helped! If you like your fiction HOT, you have to check out K.S.'s books. And if you want to be part of one of the best magazines for equine care and the Massachusetts equine culture, check out Massachusetts Horse.

Faerie Gates and Gardens

I'm spending today/Wednesday at Brookgreen Gardens, one of the must-go places whenever I'm down here at Myrtle Beach.

In fact, the Gardens figured in when I asked Danielle about what sorts of stories she needed for the new Bad-Ass Faeries anthology. She said something to the effect of not having received anything post-Apocalyptic… or with gangs… or with demigods, well, I took it as a challenge to include as much of that as possible and texted Christy.

That night, a scene popped into my head.

It took place in Brookgreen Gardens.

This weekend, Bad-Ass Faeries 3: In All Their Glory debuts. I'm hoping to have some copies for Wiscon – and Danielle is having a Legendary Triple Launch at Balticon – that promises to be Bad-Ass for all you faerie-lovers.

In celebration of that, I'm giving you all a sneak peak – cameo setting: Brookgreen Gardens!

Nancy could smell the salty swamp that had replaced the entrance fountain. A pile of rocks stood like a cairn in the center. She struggled to remember what statue the stones commemorated.

Timo slowed his bike alongside her and Morrow. “Where’s the Gate?”

“The Children’s Garden.”

“Is it blocked or protected?” Morrow asked. “This was a public place.”

“It was token-activated. You need a Faerie token to get through.”

They left the motorcycles and wandered past brick and glass piles that had been the visitor center and gift shop. More kudzu and vines Nancy didn’t recognize—a sickly purple—overgrew both structures. The copper children that once stood saluting an American flag had fallen into warped monuments of deformed bodies around an unadorned flagpole.

The world swam as fear-tainted memories spun in her mind, twisting like the surroundings. She stumbled, unable to see. Vikar caught her before she collapsed.

Timo squatted before her. “I can still feel it here. You’re going to go home.” Her eyes were drawn to his necklace. She could see what resembled electric sparks in its depths. What was the story behind that token? He continued, “I can feel it.” He looked at the rest of the gang. “Can’t you all?” He was met with three nods.

Dee whispered, “This really the last one?”

Timo replied, “If there’re others, they’re too small or private like this one . . . we’d never find them unless someone knew about them.” Grinning wickedly, he transformed into a red squirrel, circled around them, then disappeared into the trees. He looked alien in the barren garden.

As they entered the Palmetto Grove, Nancy looked at the wrought iron statue of Orpheus and Eurydice. Vines had pulled Eurydice from her pedestal and half into the ground. Hades was reaching to consume her because Orpheus had so impatiently looked behind. The demigod’s harp lay in pieces on the ground, tainted by lichen.

Staring over her shoulder, she walked into Morrow’s tense back. “Huh?”

“Hand the human over...”

Please, make sure to purchase your copy of Bad-Ass Faeries 3: In All Their Glory this weekend! It's already available via Mundania Press here. Or, if you're going to Balticon or Wiscon, look for it in the book rooms!