Orycon 32 is this weekend and I’m looking forward to it. Here is my schedule for the con. I hope to see you there.
Friday
4:00:pm — The physics of magic
Ross/Morr
Writers often talk about magic systems and magic having a cost. It’s fantasy–can’t you do anything you want? Should magic hold to a law of conservation of energy? The nuts and bolts of magic in fantasy, and what readers want or don’t want to see.
Joan Gaustad, (*)Mary Robinette Kowal, Devon Monk, Deborah J. Ross
7:00:pm — Reading
Lincoln
I’ll be reading from Shades of Milk and Honey and performing the shadow play, “The Broken Bridge” from Chapter 10.
Saturday
10:00 am — SFWA Regional Business meeting
12:00:pm — Writing the Other: Races and Cultures
Roosevelt
Speculative fiction often takes steps toward being more egalitarian, but there are still huge challenges ahead. Issues of appropriation, respect, stereotypes, and taking chances. How to get educated and still write naturally and from the heart.
(*)Nisi Shawl, Donna McMahon, Rory Miller, Mary Robinette Kowal, Craig Laurance Gidney
2:00:pm — Women role models in science fiction
Hawthorne
Are there any good female role models in science fiction? Or are they still relegated to being damsels in distress? A discussion of both weak and strong female science fiction characters across all media.
Stoney Compton, Deborah J. Ross, Steve Perry, (*)Mary Robinette Kowal
5:00:pm– 3 Aliens and a Human by Friday: Artist/Editor Relationship
Art Show
How and when editors edit words on a page is pretty clear, but how do things work with editors and artists? Enquiring minds want to know!
Scott Allie, Chad Savage, (*)Mary Robinette Kowal
Sunday
10:00:am — Costumers Tea
Hospitality
High tea for costumers hosted by the Greater Portland Area Costumers Guild
Mary Robinette Kowal, Lorien Fletcher, Elaine Teadtke, (*)Kate Fletcher, Sound system
1:00:pm — Focus on synopses
Jefferson/Adams
Your mission: to reduce the essence of your novel into a single page synopsis. Tricks, tips and techniques. What to include, what to exclude, and some strategies to keep it fresh and reveal your voice without sounding unprofessional.
Mary Robinette Kowal, (*)Deborah J. Ross, Mike Shepherd Moscoe, Bill Johnson, Gordon Eklund
2:00:pm — Pitch it to Me
Hamilton
Why a cover letter? Why a synopsis? How does that compare to an outline? What’s a query? What if I’m confronted with an editor face to face who asks what I’m working on? Learn how to pitch that winning novel so it gets a fair chance.
Sharyn November, (*)Deborah J. Ross, Mary Robinette Kowal
I’ll be there! My first West Coast convention– looking forward to it.
Yay! Looking forward to seeing you.