Thursday, April 4th, 2013 | Author: jmward14 | Blog | No Comments
Between deadlines and conventions, 2013 is shaping up as a wonderfully busy year.
For those of you who missed it, I was one of the guests of honor at James Madison University’s Madicon the first weekend in March. I had a great time with old friends and new, and as usual, I have the pictures to prove it.
This weekend will find me in Richmond at RavenCon. This year’s writing guests of honor are Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta. The artist guest of honor is The Devil’s Panties creator Jennie Breeden. I’m looking forward to all their panels, but I confess, I’m especially looking forward to Jennie’s. Her web videos are laugh-so-loud-you-scare-the-cat funny, even when she’s hawking merchandise.
I can only hope to compete on my five panels. Yeah, you know what’s coming–my RavenCon schedule:
Friday
3 p.m., Room F
Steampowered–the Rage of the New Victorians
From werewolves to anti-zombie airship pilots, the Empire has struck back. What is it about this genre and time period that is so appealing. Is it the machinery? The celebration of intellect? Or is it the clothes?
Carl Cipra (Moderator), Laura Anne Hill, Jean Marie Ward, Susan Zee
11 p.m., York Room
Yes, But is it Funny? Comedy in Science Fiction
…And presumably everything else. This is the late night panel. You really think we’re going to stay on topic? Mwahahaha!
Jim Bernheimer, Bud Sparhawk, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator), Joan Wendland
Saturday
2 p.m., Anna Room
Judging a Book by its Cover
What are the latest trends in science fiction, fantasy and horror covers? What do you love–and hate–about book covers? And what are the latest trends?
Betty Cross, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator), J. Andrew World
4 p.m., Room E
Beyond Steampunk
Gaslight fantasy. Weird west. Dieselpunk. Cyberpunk. Explore the punked-out fictions that are not set in a British Victorian or Edwardian past.
Betty Cross, Laura Anne Hill, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator), Susan Zee
Sunday
1 p.m., Room E
The Discreet Charm of the Historical Fantasy
What prompts otherwise sane writers to spend years researching Imperial Japan, the Silk Road, or the Ripper’s London. How do they know when they’ve gotten it right?
Day Al-Mohamed, Maggie Allen, KT Pinto, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator)
Hope to see you there!
Posted 1 month, 2 weeks ago at 10:00 am. Add a comment
Saturday, November 20th, 2010 | Author: jmward14 | Blog | No Comments
- Jeri Smith-Ready (left) and Mindy Klasky sign autographs at CapClave 2010.
I know, I’ve been a bad blogger. I’ve been lost in the Revision Cave. But I couldn’t let the month past without a report on CapClave 2010. It’s all here. Enjoy!
Posted 2 years, 6 months ago at 2:19 am. Add a comment
Saturday, August 1st, 2009 | Author: jmward14 | Blog | No Comments
It’s that time of the month again–I’m blogging at Beyond the Veil. Wait. What time of the month were you thinking of? Hmpf. Anyway, today’s subject: cons and fun, with a chaser of RWA. Cheers!
Posted 3 years, 9 months ago at 12:39 pm. Add a comment
Monday, April 20th, 2009 | Author: jmward14 | Blog | 1 Comment
My 2009 conference season starts off with a bang this Friday at Richmond’s RavenCon. If you’re in the neighborhood of the Crowne Plaza West, drop by and say hello–and hang around for the festivities. Mary Shelley’s going to be making a return engagement, and this time I think I can get the hair right. As for the rest, I think they’re going to get their money’s worth…
Friday
5 p.m.: Twice-Told Tales
Some of the most popular adult and young adult fantasy in today’s market are retellings of classic fairy tales and myths. What’s the allure? How do writers find something new to say about the stories we all know?
Panelists: Marcia Collette, Edmund Schubert (moderator), Jean Marie Ward, John C. Wright
7 p.m.: Writing 411: (Not Necessarily) The Usual Suspects (90-minute literary workshop)
Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, Jack Bauer, Reno—chances are the thing you like best and remember longest about your favorite stories are the characters. This session will discuss the importance of characters in the creation of plot.
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Jean Marie Ward, Allen Wold (moderator), John C. Wright
10 p.m.: Urban Fantasy 101
Werewolves, vampires, shapeshifters—these used to be classic “horror” elements. What defines Urban Fantasy and how does it differ from classic horror?
Panelists: Danny Birt, Marcia Colette, L. Jagi Lamplighter, Hildy Silverman, Jean Marie Ward (moderator)
Saturday
3 p.m.: Dead Authors Society
Four authors channel the spirits of their favorite dead authors for the duration. Talk to William Morris, David Gemmel, Louie L’Amour and Mary Shelley live…sort of.Panelists: Lyn Gardner, Laurel Anne Hill, Peter Prellwitz, Tony Ruggiero (moderator), Jean Marie Ward
6 p.m.: Books on TV
Several new series are popping up on TV based on popular novels–TrueBlood and Legend of the Seeker, for example. How closely do these TV shows follow their inspiration and will book fans follow them to television?
Panelists: James Fulbright, Jean Marie Ward
10 p.m.: Love at First Bite
What is it about vampires? From TrueBlood to Twilight, vampires seem to be taking over. What makes them fun to read and watch? Oh… and do they deserve “human rights” or are they “monsters”?
Panelists: Paul Bibeau, Marcia Collette, Tony Ruggiero (moderator), Jean Marie Ward
Sunday
Noon: Does Blood Smell?
A panel about some of the more “icky” aspects of writing and research.
Panelists: Laurel Anne Hill, Gail Martin, Tony Ruggiero (moderator), Maggie Stiefvater, Jean Marie Ward
Posted 4 years ago at 10:15 pm. 1 comment
Wednesday, April 25th, 2007 | Author: jmward14 | Blog | No Comments
RavenCon was a wonderful, wonderful con. Big thanks to Jana Oliver and Tee Morris for letting me play in their sandbox. Ditto for the con organizers who did such a superb job. RavenCon is turning into the little con that could, growing from 450 to over 700 attendees in just two years. Can’t wait to see what they do next year.
It was such a great con I came home with the dreaded Con Crud, so a detailed report–complete with the infamous Strawberry Pic from the equally infamous “Shaken, Not Stirred–Sex in SF & Fantasy Films” panel will have to wait. But there’s a teaser to be found on the Samhain Blog (it’s my turn today), and as always there are some great articles on the Fantasy & Enchantment Blog. With regards to the F&E blog, though, start with the second one from the top. The April 25 writer is just showing off. 
Posted 6 years ago at 12:35 am. Add a comment
