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 2 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.
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Posted 2 months ago at 11:52 pm. 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 1 year, 2 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 1 year, 2 months ago at 1:01 am. Add a comment
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. 
