Thursday, May 26th, 2011 | Author: jmward14 | cons | No Comments
I know, two posts in a single week. Try not to die of shock. 
I posted my photos of Nebula Weekend on Flickr. I wanted to get them done before heading to Balticon. They’re smaller than usual. Next time I won’t resize in Corel Paint, but I have the full-size originals if anyone is interested. Besides they’re big enough to see the smiles.
When I get back from Balticon, I’ll be working pedal to the metal on a fiction deadline as well as on a spate of video interviews for Buzzy Multimedia. Yes, me, making movies. Mwahahaha!
I turned in the first, an interview with Carole Nelson Douglas (the Delilah Street paranormal mystery series, among many, many others) on Tuesday. It should air in a few days. Next up will be the interviews I recorded at the Nebulas: Connie Willis (this year’s winner for best novel–I think Connie owns more Nebulas thany anyone), John Scalzi, Joe Haldeman, Mary Robinette Kowal and Chris Claremont.
Who knows who’ll find themselves in my lens in Balticon? Be afraid. Be very afraid.
But don’t forget to attend my panels!
Posted 12 months ago at 1:27 pm. Add a comment
Wednesday, May 25th, 2011 | Author: jmward14 | Blog | No Comments
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…
No, not the big Red/Green holiday. I mean con season! For me it’s kicking off in a big way with Balticon 45 at the Marriott in Hunt Valley, Maryland, this weekend, May 27-30. So far, my schedule includes six panels and events:
Friday, May 27
7 p.m. , Salon B – Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading
Join us for a selection of sweet and savory readings by seven exciting women authors.
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, D. Renee Bagby, Vonnie Winslow Crist, Gail Z. Martin, Roberta Rogow, Jean Marie Ward (moderator), Phoebe Wray.
10 p.m., Parlor 1041 – Anime: Why Do We Love It?
Anime fans in self-analysis. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Panelists: D. Renee Bagby, Ruth Lampi, Grig “Punkie” Larson, Jean Marie Ward (moderator).
Saturday, May 27
1 p.m., Salon B – Whose Program Is It Anyway?
Panelists—and audience members—behaving badly at cons. What’s the worst thing that ever happened to you or somebody you know at a con? Those are the best stories EVAH!
Panelists: Hildy Silverman, Jennifer Stone, Michael Swanwick, Jean Marie Ward, Leona Wisoker (moderator)
7 p.m., Belmont – Clark Ashton Who? Great Forgotten Science Fiction Authors
So much great literature, so little time. Panelists discuss their favorites among yesterday’s greats and their candidates for that great File 13 in the sky.
Panelists: Marc “Grailwolf” Bailey, Carl Cipra (moderator), Michael Swanwick, Jean Marie Ward, Diane Weinstein.
Sunday, May 28
4 p.m., Salon D – Best SF TV Shows
The audience is invited to help the panel decide which science fiction television shows (a) are really science fiction and (b) the best.
Panelists: Marc “Grailwolf” Bailey, T.J. Perkins, Hildy Silverman (moderator), Suzanne Rosin, Jean Marie Ward.
5 p.m., Salon B – Science Fiction Title Chain
It’s a game! The audience provides the words for a science fiction story or novel’s title. The panelists arrange them in a more or less coherent order, and each panelist comes up with a descriptive synopsis. The audience votes on the synopsis they like best.
Panelists: Lisa Adler-Golden (moderator)Nancy Brauer, Brian Koscienski, Grig “Punkie” Larson, Jean Marie Ward.
And if I’m lucky, I may be added to two more:
History as a Source of Fantasy, 4 p.m. Saturday, Belmont Room.
Ghosts, 5 p.m., Saturday, Salon C.
See you in Hunt Valley!
Posted 12 months ago at 9:26 pm. Add a comment
Friday, May 28th, 2010 | Author: jmward14 | Blog | No Comments
I took a page out of S.J. Willing’s book today and posted a short short story for my Samhain blog. Consider it a free pass into the weirder corners of my mind. It’s "All About the Flies". Really.
Also want to remind everyone that I’ll be heading out to Hunt Valley, Maryland, for Balticon early tomorrow–er, today. Hope you’ll join me, especially for my five panels. The Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading and the Legendary Triple Launch will have cooookieeeees. And the Triple Launch will have Dragon’s Lure, where you can make the acquaintance of the Estimable Lord Bai.
Posted 1 year, 11 months ago at 12:19 am. Add a comment
Monday, May 24th, 2010 | Author: jmward14 | Blog | No Comments
Memorial Day and Balticon—the two go together like fun and three-day weekends. Balticon is the premier Maryland regional science fiction and fantasy convention, which this year runs from May 28-31 at the Marriott Hunt Valley Inn. Tanya Huff will be the Writer Guest of Honor, but that’s only the beginning, folks: Gail Carriger, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Laura Anne Gilman, Gail Z. Martin, Jeri Smith-Ready, Maria Snyder… and, well, me.
This year I snagged five fabulous panels. Hope to see you there.
Friday, 7 p.m.
Are You Sure You Want to Go There? Writing about the darker things in life: Rape. Torture. Childhood trauma. Sex with Dwarves. Sometimes it’s done for a laugh. Sometimes it is done for an emotional response. Sometimes, we ask ourselves “What was THAT all about?!” So why not ask the pros who do it? When is shock essential to the story, and when is it sensational? Find out if authors add in moments of terror and extreme situations in order to surprise an audience, or as an alternative to group therapy. Jennifer Andrea, Allison Duncan, Chris Lester, Tee Morris (moderator) and Jean Marie Ward.
Friday, 10 p.m.
Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading – Seven Broad Universe authors resent tasty, bite-sized readings of their work that will leave you hungry for more. Danielle Ackley McPhail, Roxanne Bland (moderator), Elaine Corvidae, Kelly A. Harmon, Gail Z. Martin, Roberta Rogow and Jean Marie Ward.
Saturday, 11:30 a.m.
The Many Faces of Fantasy or the Road to Victory – Peter Beagle once divided fantasy into High and Low categories. One web site lists more than 20 sub-genres. Let’s discuss some examples of these. Can we say that Frodo Baggins and Vicky Nelson are characters from the same genre? What is urban fantasy? Is it the same as contemporary fantasy? Elwin Cotman(m), Tanya Huff, Misty Massey, Darrell Schweitzer, Jean Marie Ward
Sunday, 6 p.m.
Creating Three Dimensional Characters – When writing an adventure or a story, having characters that the readers can get into is half the battle. If the readers or players become intrigued by the characters, then the rest of the story will fall into place. Join our writers as they discuss creating compelling characters. Gail Carriger, C.J. Henderson, Kory Kaese (moderator), Bernie Mojses, and Jean Marie Ward.
Sunday, 7 p.m.
The Legendary Triple Launch – Bad-Ass Faeries 3: In All Their Glory, Dragon’s Lure, and New Blood. Faeries, dragons and vampires; a little bit of something for everyone. See writers in costume try to read their works. There will be too many of us to name. And yes, I will be wearing wings. Be afraid, be very afraid.
###
Posted 1 year, 12 months ago at 11:52 pm. Add a comment
Wednesday, May 12th, 2010 | Author: jmward14 | Blog | No Comments
Normally I wait until I’ve got my schedule in my hand to do a long Balticon promo post, but I think this merits a special post. Danielle Ackley-McPhail—writer, editor and hostess of some of the wildest con parties around—will be launching not one, not two, but three anthologies at Balticon from 7-9 p.m., Sunday May 30, at the Hunt Valley Marriott outside Baltimore, Maryland.
On the surface dragons, fairies and vampires might not seem to have a lot in common, but as Dani says, fiction readers never grow tired of them. “Each of these anthologies takes one of those legends and gives the reader what they want…and so much more.”
Since one of my favorite short stories, “Lord Bai’s Discovery”, is included in Dragon’s Lure, I must heartily agree. 
As always with Dani’s parties, there will be scads of writers, great refreshments and marvelous prizes, including a hand-sculpted dragon box by acclaimed artist Linda Saboe. There will also be readings by the anthology contributors including Dani, Linda, Elaine Corvidae, Keith R.A. DeCandido, John Grant, Kelly Harmon, C.J. Henderson, Brian Koscienski, Jeffrey Lymon, L. Jagi Lamplighter, Terri Osborne, Chris Pisano and me, Me, ME!
Well, to be honest, I won’t be reading three times. But I do plan to read “Lord Bai’s Discovery”. Hope to see you there. In the meantime, if you want to learn more, check out Dani’s launch page.
Posted 2 years ago at 12:43 am. Add a comment
Wednesday, May 27th, 2009 | Author: jmward14 | Blog | No Comments
Yeah, yeah. I know I owe you reports and photos for three conferences, but I couldn’t resist.
If you want to put it all together, you’ll have to check out Kelly Harmon’s opening Balticon blog. And for more mememe, check out Gail Z. Martin’s podcast of the Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading. Better yet, check it out for the other fabulous writers, including Gail and Kelly, whose stories I highly recommend.
Cheers,
Posted 2 years, 12 months ago at 12:07 am. Add a comment
Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 | Author: jmward14 | Blog | No Comments
I’m going back on con time this weekend. From Friday to Monday, May 22-25, you’ll find me at Balticon, Baltimore’s premier science fiction and fantasy con, held over the Memorial Day Weekend at the Hunt Valley Marriott. I hope you’ll check it out. And if you’re looking for me in particular, here’s where you’ll find me:
Friday, 6 p.m.
Humor in Science Fiction and Fantasy – Panelists will help you see the humor you may have missed in the work of Charles Stross and others. They will also look at the history of humor in the genres from Feghoots to the present. Panelists: Tom Doyle, Grig Larson, James Daniel Ross and Jean Marie Ward.
Saturday, 3 p.m.
Television Science Fiction and Fantasy – Admit it, you love it. But it makes you feel so guilty in the morning. Panelists: Dale Arnold, Brenda Clough, Thomas Horman, Elaine Stiles and Jean Marie Ward.
Saturday, 7 p.m.
Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading – Six of Balticon’s featured women writers bring you into their worlds with six-minute readings from their newest fiction. (I plan to read my latest, “Lord Bai’s Discovery of Bacon”. The editor who asked for it will be in the audience. Be afraid. Be very afraid.) Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Roxanne Bland, Kelly A. Harmon, Gail Z. Martin, Jean Marie Ward and Trisha J. Woolridge.
Sunday, 4 p.m.
Reading as Exploration – Tell us about books you have explored recently or those you remember from the past. Panelists: David Glenn Anderson, Robert R. Chase, Darrell Schweitzer, Jean Marie Ward and Martin Morse Wooster.
Posted 3 years ago at 1:01 am. Add a comment
Tuesday, May 29th, 2007 | Author: jmward14 | Blog | No Comments
Got back to Balticon to discover With Nine You Get Vanyr had been Giggled. I’m alternating between squees of delight and “Ouchouchouchouchouch!” Mrs. G’s darts are sharp! LOL But her aim is true. She’s also the first and only reviewer so far to catch the book’s many Highlander homages. Not to mention her stellar pull quote about Deryk.
You can read the full text of the article here. Seriously, I’m thrilled and very grateful Mrs. Giggles took the time to review Vanyr. It’s great exposure for the book. If you’ve got any doubts about the value of a review by Mrs. G, I humbly submit my Amazon numbers. Last week the book’s ranking bounced between 400,000-600,000, dipping to a low of 700,000 over the holiday weekend. May 28, the day after her review appeared, we shot up to 104,392–not bad at all for a small press book three months past release.
‘Course, it could’ve been my stellar performance at Balticon. .. Nah, not a chance. I was too busy having fun. I’ve got the pictures to prove it, too. I plan to post the better ones later this week. Until then, I’m open to bribes–er, gratuities and considerations.
Cheers!
Posted 4 years, 11 months ago at 6:54 pm. Add a comment
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007 | Author: jmward14 | Blog | No Comments
I’ll be heading off to Balticon tomorrow morn–er, around noon. I’m on the guest list, but I was added too late to make the posted program. Don’t even know my panels yet, but hey, it’s all about the adventure. If you’re in the area, hope you’ll check it out.
If you’re not, you might want to check out the June issue of Romance Writers Report. My article, “Do-It-Yourself (Book) Surgery”, made the cover. Squeee! Of course, the article deals with RWA’s newest recognized publisher (Samhain) just as the organization is revving up for another round of Published Author Network madness. But hey, the writer’s life is all about irony.
Happy Memorial Day, everybody!
Posted 5 years ago at 8:00 pm. Add a comment
