We’re just a few weeks out from the start of this year’s WorldCon, aka LoneStarCon 3, the 71st annual world science fiction convention.
I’ll be there, and the good folks running the show have seen fit to put me on panels so that I can do my dancing bear act (or something like that).
Like many, I’m still waiting to be filled in on the finer points of my schedule, but here’s what I know for now:
Thursday, August 29th:
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | |Private reception for James Gunn and many of his students.
Shhh… it’s private. Seriously, I’m very happy to get to be a part of honoring this fine writer and teacher.
Friday, August 30th
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. | | Annual Codex Breakfast
Several dozen writers “on the hungry edge of speculative fiction” sate their appetites with breakfast as online acquaintances meet face to face for the first time, and old friends reunite. Also pancakes.
Saturday, August 31st
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. | | SFWA Meeting
It’s been a wild year for SFWA, and I’m sure this will be a “lively” business meeting. It is also the 1st meeting for new president Steven Gould. Show up on time and maybe we’ll even finish on time.
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.| | First Contact in 3..2..1.. (M)
If First Contact were to happen today, and was an open event, how would the human race react? Would we feel inferior, or just try to steal their technology? Might we even attack them? What is the probability of them being hostile, curious, invading, tourists, game hunters, refugees, or would be gods?
with Liz Argall, Jeffrey Shanks, and Martha Wells.
Sunday, March 17th
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm | | Art Show Docent Tour for Klingons
A tour through select pieces of the art show which I feel speak to both the warrior’s heart and the poet’s soul of your typical Klingon. Portions of the tour *will* be in Klingon, but translations will be available as needed. Please do not bring your bat’leth, as it tends to upset the art show staff.
1:00 – 3:00 pm | | Writers’ Workshop – Section Q
In the spirit of “paying it forward,” two professional authors serve up insightful critique to three junior writers. Not a spectator sport, but an important part of the my annual Worldcon experience.
I’m privileged to be working with Matthew Johnson. I’m leaving off the names of the three writers we’ve been assigned, to better facilitate their stalking of me.
500 – 6:00 p.m.| | First Contact Without a Universal Translator (M)
How do we establish a common conceptual base to communicate with another species? Sure, we have numbers and the hydrogen atom in common, but how far would that get us in a world of beings who share none of our sensory apparatus?
with Gay Haldeman, Jesi Pershing, and Karl Schroeder.
8:00 p.m. – ??? | | Hugo Awards Ceremony
The voting members of the Worldcon hand out shiny golden rocket ships in a ceremony that’s almost guaranteed to run long. Place your bets early for who will win.
Other bits and pieces that will be added to the above schedule include:
- Autographing – or as I like to think of it, my annual humbling session.
- Strolling w/ the Stars – stretch my legs and chat; I’ll try to sneak in two of these.
- Kaffeeklatche/Literary Beer – or in my case, conversation with fans and Diet Coke.
- Reading – likely from my new novella, “Trial of the Century” (Conroy fans, take note!)
In addition, there will be quite a few parties to attend, and of course Valerie is planning various fine dining events while we’re in a new city. I have some business lunches to work in as well, and hey, I’d like to catch a few panels and readings myself. Also, Barry is determined to get photographed with SMOFs from each of the competing bid committees!
All in all, it’s going to be glorious (not to mention exhausting)!
