I just returned from the San Jose Worldcon, which I guess means it’s time to start thinking about what’s next. And one thing that’s next is the Baltimore Book Festival, held in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

There’ll be more than 100 exhibitors there this year, and one of them will be the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America. SFWA members will gather under a tent for three full days of programming , and I’ll be there for two of those days. (I hope to attend the competing Capclave on Friday.)

Here’s where and when you’ll be able to find me pontificating—

Saturday, September 29, 4:00 p.m.
I’ve Seen Your Face Before
From John Kessel’s Pride & Prometheus to Victor LaValle’s “The Ballad of Black Tom” to Maria Dahvana Headley’s The Mere Wife to our panelists’ own work, authors discuss how it can be a fascinating and rewarding experiment to ask new questions of others’ characters, and to take a page from their stylebooks. What does it take to put a new spin on a character readers recognize? 
with Ruthanna Emrys, Theodora Goss, Nibedita Sen, Vivian Shaw, Jon Skovron

Saturday, September 29, 6:00 p.m.
The Speculative Table: Beyond Stew and MREs
Every character needs to eat, but food is more than just sustenance. It interacts with culture, identity, class, gender, and power. How does SFF deal with those intersections? Which books acknowledge the effort (or future ease?) of putting food on the table? Whose menus are represented, and why?
with Denise Clemons, Lara Elena Donnelly, Marianne Kirby, Karlo Yeager Rodriguez, Nibedita Sen

Sunday, September 30, 6: 00 PM
HELP! I loved ____! What should I read?
Ever reach the end of a great book (or movie or TV show) and find yourself at a loss for how to follow it? Our panelists are at your service to suggest the book you’ll love next based on your taste.
with Andy Duncan, Jonathan P. Brazee, Marianne Kirby, Day al-Mohamed

I hope to see you there!