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Posts Tagged ‘Klingon’

MTV-lIj vIneH

No Comments » Written on September 3rd, 2012 by
Categories: News
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So this happened:

Hugo-nominee Nancy Fulda is one of the people who has been spending part of her time here at the Worldcon walking around with a plush buffalito on her shoulder and handing out postcards giving away my new novella “Barry’s Tale.” On the first day of the convention she had her buffalito (she named him Jared) with her at the gym, and it drew the attention of someone who as it turned out was working the Press Room for the convention. She invited Nancy to come and sign up, so that anyone seeking authors for interviews could in turn contact her.

Later that morning, Nancy found me, and together we went searching for the Press Room (not necessarily an easy thing to do in the vastness of the hotel) and we both signed up.

Yesterday, the Press Room called me and left a message. Twice actually. MTV wanted to interview me for their Geek program.

After a bit of phone tag I found myself in the big chair of the Interview Room (right behind the Press Room) and spent the next 45 minutes talking into the camera about Klingon, the Conroyverse, and Paper Golem.

I have no idea how much of that they’ll use, if any, and it may just come down to a two-second clip of me shouting “I want my MTV” in Klingon. Then again, they may run the URL for the novella as part of the video or include it on their website. That would be awesome.

And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to the Worldcon. Still a bit of programming left.

My Final, I Promise, It’s The Last (unless it’s not) 2012 Worldcon Schedule

No Comments » Written on August 25th, 2012 by
Categories: News
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Just a couple additions to my previously posted schedule, specifically when you can find me sitting at the SFWA Table in the Dealers Room.

Wednesday, August 29th:
noon – 11:00 (Addams) Klingon Language for Newbies

Thursday, August 30th:
3:00 – 4:30 (Kaffeeklatsche 1) Kaffeeklatsche
4:30 – 6:00 (Autograph Tables) Autographing

Friday, August 31st
9:00 – 10:30 (Offsite ) Strolling with the Stars
noon – 1:30 (Grand Suite 3) Iron Chef: Flash Fiction (M)
1:30 – 3:00 (Wright ) “To Be” or Not “To Be”: Constructed Languages in SF&F
3:00 – 3:30 (Fan Lounge) Writer Under Glass #23
4:00 – 4:30 (Addams ) Reading

Saturday, September 1st
09:00 – 10:30 (Offsite ) Codex Breakfast
1:30 – 3:00 (Wrigley) How to Speak Klingon
3:30 – 5:00 (Dealers Room) Signing at the SFWA Table

Sunday, September 2nd
9:00 – 10:30 (Offsite) Strolling with the Stars
3:30 – 5:00 (Dealers Room) Volunteering at the SFWA Table
8:00 – 11:00 (Grand Ballroom) Hugo Awards

Monday, September 3rd
10:00 – noon (Sandburg) Writers’ Workshop -Section U
4:01 – next several days (offsite) Recovery Time – Enjoying the City of my Birth!

And again, I won’t be attending the SFWA Business Meeting because I’m running the Codex Breakfast which is at the same time.

Since I’ll be giving away copies of my new Amazing Conroy novella, “Barry’s Tale,” I decided that I should do something totally different during my read. Barry himself will still be present, and some lucky attendee will get a free buffalito plushie just for showing up, but I’m going to read from my recently published story “Coca Xocalatl” in the new ReDeus shared world anthology. Because, who doesn’t want to come and hear me mangle the names of half a dozen ancient Aztec gods?

Looking forward to seeing all of you (and yes, especially you!) in Chicago.

New and Improved 2012 Worldcon Schedule

No Comments » Written on August 15th, 2012 by
Categories: News
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This is probably my final schedule for Chicon. Of course, the moment I post this I’m jinxing myself and doubtless there’ll be a change, but you know what I mean.

Wednesday, August 29th:
noon – 11:00 (Addams) Klingon Language for Newbies

Thursday, August 30th:
3:00 – 4:30 (Kaffeeklatsche 1) Kaffeeklatsche
4:30 – 6:00 (Autograph Tables) Autographing

Friday, August 31st
9:00 – 10:30 (Offsite ) Strolling with the Stars
noon – 1:30 (Grand Suite 3) Iron Chef: Flash Fiction (M)
1:30 – 3:00 (Wright ) “To Be” or Not “To Be”: Constructed Languages in SF&F
3:00 – 3:30 (Fan Lounge) Writer Under Glass #23
4:00 – 4:30 (Addams ) Reading

Saturday, September 1st
09:00 – 10:30 (Offsite ) Codex Breakfast
1:30 – 3:00 (Wrigley) How to Speak Klingon

Sunday, September 2nd
9:00 – 10:30 (Offsite) Strolling with the Stars
8:00 – 11:00 (Grand Ballroom) Hugo Awards

Monday, September 3rd
10:00 – noon (Sandburg) Writers’ Workshop -Section U
4:01 – next several days (offsite) Recovery Time – Enjoying the City of my Birth!

I won’t be attending the SFWA Business Meeting because someone decided to schedule it opposite the Codex Breakfast (which has been set since early June), and since I’m the fellow who organizes that breakfast, I’m going to be there! At some point though, I’ll be working the SFWA table in the dealers’ room, and possibly even pretending to sign autographs there.

What hasn’t changed from my last schedule draft is my plan to wander the convention with my faithful plush promotional device, Barry, riding on my shoulder. I’ll be handing out postcards for free copies of his eponymous novella “Barry’s Tale” and even giving away similar plushies to some members of the audience at my reading, Kaffeeklatsch, and Autographing session (and maybe elsewhere too so come up to me when I’m strolling, you might get lucky!). Also be sure to ask for a photo with Barry at any time during the convention. He has his own Facebook and Google+ pages, and he needs images to post.

2012 Worldcon Schedule (a first look)

4 comments Written on August 1st, 2012 by
Categories: News
Tags: , , , ,

One of the ways to predict the quality of a convention is by how far in advance they send out preliminary schedules to their participants. Chicon 7 sent me mine today, four full weeks before the start of the convention.

I have no doubt there’ll be some changes. Some of my co-panelists will slip away and others will show up in their stead, rooms may change, and times surely will, but all in all, having a glimpse of what I can expect this far in advance is a clear sign that this worldcon is going to be awesome!

Wednesday, August 29th:
noon – 11:00 Klingon Language for Newbies

Thursday, August 30th:
9:00 – 10:00 Strolling with the Stars
3:00 – 4:30 Kaffeeklatsche
4:30 – 6:00 Autographing

Friday, August 31st
noon – 1:30 Iron Chef: Flash Fiction (M)
3:00 – 3:30 Writer Under Glass #23
4:00 – 4:30 Reading

Saturday, September 1st
09:00 – 10:30 Codex Breakfast
10:30 – noon Another View on Character Building
1:30 – 3:00 How to Speak Klingon

Sunday, September 2nd
9:00 – 10:00 Strolling with the Stars
noon – 1:30 Introduction to Linguistics
8:00 – 11:00 Hugo Awards

Monday, September 3rd
10:00 – noon Writers’ Workshop -Section U
4:01 – next several days Recovery Time – Enjoying the City of my Birth!

The actual schedule for Strolling with the Stars hasn’t gone out yet, but I’ve included my best guess above. Likewise, the day and time of the SFWA Meeting has yet to be announced, but if I had to guess I’d say it will happen just after lunch on Sunday. Stay tuned to see if I’m right, because if I am I’ll either have to miss it, or the Linguistics panel will end up moved to a different time.

As always, you can expect to see my faithful plush promotional device, Barry, riding on my shoulder during the convention. But this year, Barry is not alone. I’ll give one away to some lucky Buffalito Wrangler who comes to my reading, another at my Kaffeeklatsch, and at least one more to someone who comes to my Autographing session with three or more books for me to sign (yes, I know, I’m shameless, but you also know you want a plush buffalo dog of your very own, complete with a tiny blue tongue!). Also be sure to ask for a photo with Barry at any time during the convention. He has his own Facebook and Google+ pages, and he needs images to post.

York in June: SF Saturday!

4 comments Written on May 13th, 2012 by
Categories: News, Plugs
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Sci-Fi Saturday

On June 16th, a little over a month from now, my wife and I will be heading out to the wilds of York, PA, where I will be participating in the glory that is known far and wide as Sci-Fi Saturday (clicking the graphic to the right will take you to the Facebook Event page where all the up-to-the-minute info can be found).

The event takes place at the York Emporium, a huge bookstore located at 343 W. Market Street in York, PA. I’ll have a table there, and though there’ll be just the one of me I’ll be there wearing three different hats: As an author, I’ll have copies of my own fiction for sale and signing. As a publisher, I’ll have copies of all the Paper Golem titles. And as the Director of the Klingon Language Institute, I’ll have a nice assortment of both KLI books, and Klingon language materials from Pocket Books and elsewhere (including foreign language translations of The Klingon Dictionary).

In addition to my wife Valerie at my table, I’ll be joined by famed children’s book author and recent fantasy novelist Alethea Kontis, who is always a lot of fun to be around (and not just because she’s a princess).

At some point in the festivities, I’m told I’ll be on stage, yammering on and on about Klingon, language in general, and my own fiction. The schedule is still coming together, but when I know the time be assured I’ll share it with you.

Trek Trax Atlanta: Final Schedule

No Comments » Written on April 15th, 2012 by
Categories: News
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Coming up on Friday is Trek Trax Atlanta, and I’ll be there to speak about my experiences with Klingon.

As can happen in the current economy, preregistration sales weren’t as robust as anticipated, and the convention regretfully had to cancel the scheduled appearances of its top tier guests.

A side effect of this is that I’ve been bumped up a bit, and I take it as a personal challenge to provide just that much more value for the attendees so that no one feels too disappointed. It should still be a glorious convention!

With that in mind, here’s my new schedule from Friday, April 20th, through Sunday, April 22nd. Please note that there are additions and time changes from the previously posted preliminary schedule.

Friday, April 20th:
8:00 – 10:00 | Ashford | VIP Champagne Reception
 An opportunity to mingle as we enjoy hors d’oeuvres, champagne, and Diet Coke.

10:00 – 11:00 | Centennial I | Twenty Years of Pimping the Klingon Language
 Q&A and some strange tales of pushing the Klingon language for two decades.

Saturday, April 21st

1:00 – 2:00 | Centennial III-IV | The Sounds of Klingon
 An interactive session with just a bit of spitting as we master some of the trickier sounds.

7:00 – 8:00 | Centennial III-IV | Ten Things Every Klingon Should Know How to Say… in Klingon!
 Eric Koske and I instruct you in some essential Klingon phrases.

Sunday, April 22nd
10:00 – 11:00 | Centennial III-IV | Klingon Religion
 Tony Roberts and I discuss religion, Klingon style!

2:30 – 3:30 | Centennial I | The 2012 Miss Klingon Empire Beauty Pageant
 Join David Orange, Morgan Gendel, and me as we judge the event. Yeah, yeah, it’s a tough job…

When I’m not busy with the above, I’ll either be grabbing a bite in the hotel restaurant, sitting at a table selling the limited number of KLI books I can stuff into my carry-on bag, and just generally hanging out with anyone who wants to chat. With luck, there’ll be some Diet Coke nearbye too.

Trek Trax Atlanta: Preliminary Schedule

2 comments Written on March 23rd, 2012 by
Categories: News
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It’s been a few years since I’ve put in an appearance at a Klingon or Star Trek convention, but that’s all about to change. I’ll be talking the talk at Trek Trax Atlanta from Friday, April 20th, through Sunday, April 22nd. It’s been far too long since I’ve been back to Atlanta, and I’m looking forward to the trip.

Here then is my my pre-final schedule for this grand event. It may change, but I’m thinking it’s pretty solid:

Friday, April 20th:
10:00 – 11:00 | Centennial I | Twenty Years of Pimping the Klingon Language (M)
 Q&A and some strange tales of pushing the Klingon language for two decades.

Saturday, April 21st

2:30 – 3:30 | Chastain | The Sounds of Klingon
 An interactive session with just a bit of spitting as we master some of the trickier sounds.

7:00 – 8:00 | Chastain | Ten Things Every Klingon Should Know How to Say… in Klingon!
 Eric Koske and I instruct you in some essential Klingon phrases.

Sunday, April 22nd
10:00 – 11:00 | Chastain | Klingon Religion
 Tony Roberts and I discuss religion, Klingon style!

2:30 – 3:30 | Centennial I | The 2012 Miss Klingon Empire Beauty Pageant
 Join Todd Bryant, David Orange, Spice Williams, and me as we judge the event. Yeah, yeah, it’s a tough job…

When I’m not busy with the above, they tell me there’ll table where I can sit and sell various materials from the KLI, chat with attendees, and generally hang out. With luck, there’ll be some Diet Coke nearbye too.

Chicon 7 Hugo Nomination Deadline

No Comments » Written on March 6th, 2012 by
Categories: News
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For any of you who:

* have an attending or supporting Chicon 7 membership, and/or
* had an attending or supporting Renovation membership, and/or
* have an attending or supporting LoneStar 3 membership:

This is to remind you that the deadline for submitting your Nomination Ballot for the Hugos is fast approaching.

Specifically, it’s next Sunday, March 11, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. PDT

To vote online, go to https://chicon.org/hugo/nominate.php. You’ll need your seven digit PIN.

And now that we’ve got that covered, let’s shift from Public Service Announcement to Self-Serving Reminder. I am eligible in the following Hugo Award categories:

BEST NOVEL
Buffalito Contingency by Lawrence M. Schoen

BEST SHORT STORY
“Yesterday’s Taste” by Lawrence M. Schoen

BEST DRAMATIC PRESENTATION (SHORT FORM)
Soft Kitty in Klingon” by Lawrence M. Schoen

BEST FANCAST
DaHjaj Hol: A Daily Klingon Language Podcast by Lawrence M. Schoen

 

The novel and short story are two of the most popular categories. Both my eligible works involve my continuing character the Amazing Conroy. My odds are slim at best, no matter how good the fiction is (and I’m very proud of both works).

The other categories, right or wrong, are likely to receive far few votes. Best Fancast in particular will probably be light, as it’s brand new this year, and is in fact a one-shot. Many people will simply fail to nominate in these categories, or leave one or more of their five nomination slots blank. The two items I have up in these categories are both related to Klingon, and I encourage you to fill in those empty slots with a vote to promote more use of constructed languages spoken by imaginary aliens in a distance part of the galaxy several centuries from now.

If I am fortunate enough to land a nomination, I promise to prepare an acceptance speech in Klingon.

If by some greater blow of serendipity I win, I can think of nothing grander than to stand upon the stage in Chicago, the city of my birth, and utter Klingon expletives of joy while waving a shiny rocketship like it were a bat’leth.

Could you ask for better motivation?