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My Final NorthAmeriCon’17 Schedule

2 comments Written on June 11th, 2017 by
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NorthAmeriCon

We’re just under a month away from NorthAmeriCon’17, aka the 2017 North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC). If you’ve never seen that name before then all you really need to know is that the NASFiC occurs any year the World Science Fiction Convention (aka WorldCon) is scheduled outside North America. Thus, because the WorldCon is happening in Helsinki, Finland in August, we get a NASFiC this year.

And lo, I have received my final schedule (I actually got it a couple days ago!). I have a surprisingly light load, just a reading and three panels. Even more curious, all of the panels are on the same day and I am moderating all three.

Friday, July 7th
12:30 p.m. – 12:55 p.m. | Bahia | Reading
I’ll read a bit from the sequel to Barsk, specifically a scene set on an island. Seems appropriate.

Saturday, July 8th
11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. | San Geronimo | What’s so Funny?
Humor is a coping mechanism, but it’s also a vital mechanic of fiction. Our panelists talk about humor, and it’s sure to be a lark.
with Mel White, Mike Substelny

3:00 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. | San Cristobal | World Building as more than Background
How does an author create a well developed world? Cultures, government, biospheres, religion, social equity, et cetera must be explored.
with Lee French, James Dorr, Ctein

5:00 p.m. – 5:50 p.m. | San Cristobal | Translation in Space
Understanding alien language is at the heart of the 2016 Hugo-nominated moview Arrival. Our panelists discuss the challenges of talking with aliens in fiction and (potentially) reality.
with Chris Rose, Jonathan Brazee

I’m also hoping to win a spot on the Thursday tour of Arecibo Observatory with Brother Guy Consolmagno. Fingers crossed.

Other times, you’ll likely find me just hanging out around the convention. Come up and say hello.

On Monday, after the convention is over, I’ll be taking advantage of an excursion to visit El Yunque (via Spoon Food tours). Maybe you’ll join me? I’ve written two novels set in rainforests, it seemed like a great time to actually walk around in one.

And I’ve been practicing my Spanish (courtesy of DuoLingo), so I’m sure to embarrass myself over and over.

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2 comments “My Final NorthAmeriCon’17 Schedule”

I teach an undergraduate course at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras titled INGL 3107: Language in SciFi & Fantasy, and I would love to be able to refer to your work. Do you or your co-presenters have any articles or blogs on the subject that I could refer my students to? Please reply via email so I can provide the password needed to get into my course website.

Hola, Alicia,

Because of my background in Psycholinguistics, my past life as a college professor, and my work with the Klingon language, I am typically asked to do some variation on this panel several times a year at conventions. The panels are always different and always well received (which is probably why they keep asking for it).

A lot of my writing deals with language issues, and there are some great themes covered in Barsk: The Elephants’ Graveyard. Similarly, I have had various blog posts on such subjects but I’m not really able to track them down at the moment, I’m busily packing to fly off to PR tomorrow.

I hope you’re coming to the convention and can attend the panel. If your schedule allows, drop by and chat with me any time.


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