A personal conflict prevents me from attending the entire Capclave weekend this year, so I’ll only be able to make it on Sunday, but I hope we’ll manage to run into each other there nonetheless.

If you are in Rockville that final day, here’s where you’ll be able to find me.

This Was the End
Sunday, September 27, 12:00 p.m. (Monroe)
*Former* editors/publishers of SFF magazines that were forced to shut down talk about what went wrong, what they learned, and what could be done better.
with Shahid Mahmud, Alex Shvartsman, and Ian Randal Strock

In Defense of the Standalone
Sunday, September 27, 1:00 p.m. (Washington Theater)
Too many stories develop into series. How does a standalone novel advance the craft? Do we love them or hate them and why? Can a series be a standalone novel such as Connie Willis’ All Clear and Black Out?
with Mark Roth, A.C. Wise, L. Marie Wood

Author Reading
Sunday, September 27, 2:30 p.m. (Monroe)
Scott Edelman reads from recent and upcoming works.

I hope we manage to connect!

Balticon 58 begins in a dozen days, and my weekend will be extremely busy — I’ve been placed on ten programming items, plus I’ll be recording three episodes of my Eating the Fantastic podcast. I could have been on eleven items, but decided to turn down the offered reading slot because that would have made my days much too crowded.

If you’ll be in Baltimore as well, here’s where to find me — when I’m not off getting early morning donuts or late night cannolis, that is!

No Sh*t, There I was!
Friday, May 24, 8:30 p.m. (Guilford)
Everyone has one of these stories. Our panelists will share theirs.

How to Keep Writing After the Workshop
Saturday, May 25, 11:30 a.m. (Club Lounge)
Writing workshops can be energizing and inspirational, but not everything can be done within a workshop environment. How can we take what we learned and apply it to our writing process? What ways can you build on friendships made during the workshop, like building accountability or sprinting partners? Let’s talk about how to keep the benefits of a workshop going over the long term.

Autographing
Saturday, May 25, 4:00 p.m. (5th Floor Lobby)
with Adeena Mignogna

Podcasting on the Cheap
Saturday, May 25, 5:30 p.m. (Mount Washington)
Podcasting requires the use of specialized hardware and software, but starting your podcast doesn’t have to break the bank. Come learn about the best tools you can assemble on a budget, where to find free-to-use content, and production techniques you can use make even the cheapest gear sound good.

Structuring Your Story
Sunday, May 26, 1:00 p.m. (Club Lounge)
We’ve gone way beyond the Three Act structure. We have things like, the Nine Act structure, Beat Sheets, the Snowflake Method, and more. It’s all very confusing. If you’re a new writer, where do you start? If you’re an established writer, which of these techniques are useful to you, are you using them already? Our panelists will help you navigate the dangerous shoals of writing structures and new (or not so new) techniques.

Double Threats: Writing Both Science Fiction and Fantasy
Sunday, May 26, 4:00 p.m. (Mount Washington)
There are many authors who write both Science Fiction and Fantasy. How do writers approach writing each genre? Do writers tend to be better at one genre than the other? How do writers decide which genre suits the story they want to tell?

Best Resources on Writing
Sunday, May 26, 5:30 p.m. (Mount Washington)
What books should you have on your shelf when you’re trying to read about writing? There are some great YouTube channels out there too. Let’s talk about the best resources to help you write your story.

Write What You Love While Paying the Bills
Sunday, May 26, 7:00 p.m. (Guilford)
As a writer, how do you balance writing what you love and writing what the market wants? Balancing what sells with your passion while earning enough money to keep the lights on is a juggling act. How do you decide on your next project? Panelists will discuss how they’ve found their own place in this turbulent mix.

How to Incorporate Critique
Monday, May 27, 10:00 a.m. (Gibson)
Someone’s read your work in progress… and they have feedback. How do you know what should be incorporated, and how can you do it so that changes feel consistent with what you’ve written? How can you deal with conflicting suggestions? How do you tell the difference between impartial constructive feedback and a reader’s personal preference?

Dealing with Literary Rejection
Monday, May 27, 1:00 p.m. (Guilford)
Every creator has received a rejection at some point in their career. Just because you’re been rejected doesn’t mean your story is bad. There can be lots of reasons why your story was rejected. Let’s talk about some strategies to help you move forward and keep writing and submitting.

If you’ll be there as well, please say hi!

I was supposed to attend Boskone last year, but ended up bailing because I didn’t feel ready yet to attend anything but a local convention in this changed world. But I’ve become more comfortable with conventions, though, having made it through Balticon, the Chicago Worldcon, Capclave, and a few other cons without succumbing to COVID-19, so that means four weeks from today, I’ll be up in Boston, not only appearing on programing, but also recording several episodes of my Eating the Fantastic podcast.

If you’ll be attending Boskone as well, and would like to hear me pontificate, here’s where you’ll be able to find me —

Friday, February 17

Building Fandom and Community
5:30 p.m., Marina 2
Fandom is a glorious and multifaceted thing that spans generations and genres. It’s become more than a little fragmented over the years, but we are all still part of a larger whole. What have we lost with the fragmenting of fandom? How can its niche groups engage with the wider fan community while still honoring and protecting what makes them unique? This will be an inclusive session aimed at bringing people together.
with Janice Gelb, Steve Miller, Jen Wilson-Hughes, and Lisa Hertel

Starting and Running a Successful Podcast
8:30 p.m., Marina 2
Podcasting gives us an outlet to share our thoughts and ideas with the world, and everyone seems to have something (perhaps a lot) to say. But is podcasting right for everyone? How do you go about “bootstrapping” a podcast? What do you need and what do you need to know? How do you attract and keep an audience? Where do you find a place to host your site? Successful ‘casters pass on their secrets.
with Curtis M. Lawson, Jen Wilson-Hughes, Brianna Wu, and Gregory A. Wilson

Saturday, February 18

Writing Dystopian Events as You Live Them
2:30 p.m., Marina 2
It should come as no surprise that our world is far from perfect. There are totalitarian regimes where human rights are subservient to the state. And all societies on Earth have those trapped in dystopian situations. Let’s learn why it is important for the voices of those people to be heard. And how do you write about dystopian events while you’re living through them.
with F. Brett Cox, Christie Meierz, Yvette Lisa, and Charles Stross

Reading
3:30 p.m., Griffin
Prepare a reading of no more than 10 minutes in length
with Colin Alexander

I hope to see you there!

Capclave kicks off in four days, and I’ll be there, in person, taking part in six programing items and recording two episodes of my Eating the Fantastic podcast. (Three, if there’s no rain and I can pull off one of my lightning-round donut episodes out on the patio.)

Will you be in Rockville, Maryland, too?

If so, here’s where you’ll be able to find me.

Networking in Publishing
Friday, September 30 4:00 p.m. (Washington Theater)
Networking can be a valuable part of your professional writing career. It can help you identify mentors, learn tricks of the trade, and otherwise find community in your writing career. But it doesn’t come easy for everyone. How might writers address social anxiety, financial barriers, and other challenges to navigating professional spaces?
with Ty Drago, Irene Gallo, and Christopher Rowe

Reading
Saturday, October 1, 2:30 p.m. (Monroe)
Not yet which new story I’ll read, so perhaps I’ll allow the audience to vote.

Critical Reading
Saturday, October 1, 4:00 p.m. (Truman)
Reading critically is a valuable skill, whether you’re a beta reader, reviewer, professional editor, or avid reader. How do you process the elements of a story as you read? What techniques help build these skills? Panelists discuss the art of reading beyond just pleasure.
with Christopher Rowe, Michael Dirda, Natalie Luhrs, and Jennifer R. Povey

Positive SF
Saturday, October 1, 5:30 p.m. (Eisenhower)
Many people are craving stories right now with gentle plots and hopeful themes to contrast the recent dystopic trends in publishing, media, and real-life dramas. Panelists discuss what makes for positive science fiction and some of their favorite examples of the brighter side of science fiction.
with Bill Lawhorn, Suzanne Palmer, and Jeanne Adams

Responding to the Moment: Writing for Today’s World
Sunday, October 2, 10:00 a.m. (Washington Theater)
From space-faring billionaires and a global pandemic to climate activism, cryptocurrencies, and a racial justice reckoning, there is much about today’s world to inspire interesting literary questions. How does science fiction, fantasy, and horror help us navigate these political environments? What stories are useful for better understanding our current world? Our panelists talk about how societal and cultural aspects of today impact the ideas they seek to explore in their writing.
with Tom Doyle, Adam R Shannon, Suzanne Palmer, and A. T. Greenblatt

Community-Building: Making Space for New Perspectives
Sunday, October 2, 11:30 a.m. (Jackson)
Science Fiction and fantasy have conquered culture! And it opened up more opportunities for fandom to celebrate together the things they love online and in person. But it’s also created challenges for new people coming into an established community and for long-time fans to accommodate new voices and perspectives. How can we ensure these environments grow in a way that’s respectful and inclusive for all?
with Jean Marie Ward, Ingeborg Heyer, Suzanne Palmer, and Courtni Burleson

I hope to see you there!

After a two-year hiatus, Balticon will be back as an in-person event just a few days from now. Which means I’ll be back at my first in-person convention since December’s D.C. Worldcon. Proof of vaccination will be required to enter the space, and masking will be required to remain there, so I’m feeling relatively comfortable.

Relatively.

I’m still somewhat nervous, but I’ve agreed to appear on four panels and do a reading. I’ll do my best to supress my anxiety and enjoy myself, even though for my own safety and yours, I’ll be testing myself each morning before heading out to mingle, plus once a day after I’m home for the following five days so I’ll be able to estimate the date of COVID onset in the unfortunate event there is one.

Here’s the final Balticon schedule if you plan on attending, too, but if you’re in the mood come hear me pontificate, here’s where you’ll find me when I’m not hanging around the halls —

Revising Your Work
Friday, May 27, 4:00 p.m., Homeland
You love that twist in your story you’ve been planning for ages, but you just realized a key character died 100 pages earlier. Or you just finished your reread and decided your epic space war would work best as a satire. What should stay? What should go? How can you look at your work with a critical eye and turn your story into the tale you always dreamed of telling?
with Gail Z. Martin (moderator), Wen Spencer, Margaret Riley

When To Get Gory
Friday, May 27, 5:30 p.m., James
While gore is usually associated with the horror genre, writers can use elements of gore in non-horror works as well. How do you set reader expectations, and how do you know how much gore your audience will tolerate? What effect does introducing gore into your work (horror or otherwise) achieve, and how can you best use it to tell the story that you want to tell?
with David Keener (moderator), Rena Mason, Hildy Silverman

Reading
Saturday, May 28, 4:00 p.m., St. George
I will probably read from my story “The Letters They Left Behind,” soon to appear in Lightspeed … though don’t hold me to that. I might change my mind!
with Alan Smale

Writing Scary Ghosts
Saturday, May 28, 5:30 p.m., Room 7029
What’s scary about a disembodied spirit? It can take a lot to surprise or scare a modern reader. So, how can authors use ghosts to generate fear? Movies have the advantage of the “jump scare” but what tricks do horror authors have to make denizens of the spirit world more frightening?
with Gail Z. Martin (moderator), L. Marie Wood, Rena Mason, Carol Gyzander

Plotting Character Arcs
Sunday, May 30, 1:00 p.m., Gibson,
Stories are often as much about how the protagonists develop in reaction to events as about how the events unfold. What are some techniques to help you plan out a character’s arc over one or more stories, and how much should you draw the audience’s attention to it? What are some ways to incorporate your character’s development so that it feels natural and consistent with the rest of your story?
with Joshua Bilmes (moderator), Melissa Scott, Scott H. Andrews, Mark L. Van Name

I look forward to seeing you there!

My old pal Sam Maronie, who took so many wonderful convention photos during the mid-’70s, many of which included me, just surprised me with yet another taken at the 1975 Mighty Marvel Comic Convention.

You’ve already seen the one of me and Moon Knight co-creator Don Perlin snapped during that same weekend. I don’t know whether this one was taken before or after that one over the March 22-24 1975 weekend, but it’s definitely a different day, because I’m wearing a different shirt and yet another hat loathed by my wife.

That’s bearded me in the back, looking down.

All of those around me — the ones I recognize, anyway — are long gone. That’s Len Wein to the far left, and Duffy Vohland looking back and up at him. On the far right are Michelle Brand and Marty Greim.

That long-haired guy with his thumb to his lips might be Doug Moench — but it might also just be yet another long-haired guy. There were a lot of us back then. I reached out to old friends who might remember young Doug better, and will update this post once I hear back.

I don’t recognize any of the others in the room. If you do, let me know.

Thanks, Sam, for letting me do some more time traveling!

Balticon begins in four days, and it will once again be virtual — which means no matter how far from Baltimore you happen to be, you’ll be able to join me.

Here’s what you need to know about my reading and four panels —

Reading
Friday, May 28, 2:30 p.m.
I’ll either read an opening section from “I Shall But Love Thee Better,” due out shortly in the anthology Prisms, or “Lost Out There in the Stars,” which will be published next year in the third issue of the new magazine Parsec. Or maybe a little bit of each! Both are novellas, and both will be released by PS Publishing.

Writing Psychological Horror
Saturday, May 29, 7:00 p.m.
Good horror will go beyond gore and mess with a reader’s mind. What is it about certain ideas and concepts that disturb us and how can you incorporate your personal fears into your works?
with L. Marie Wood, Nick Mamatas, John Wiswell, and Nino Cipri

Using Writing Prompts and Exercises Effectively
Sunday, May 30, 4:00 p.m.
There are a plethora of books, magazines, and websites offering writing prompts and exercises for creators of all experience levels and interests. We’ll talk about how to determine which are the best for you and how you can get the most from them.
with Joshua Bilmes (moderator), Beth Morris Tanner, and Sarah Beth Durst

Non-Linear Narratives
Sunday, May 30, 5:30 p.m.
The end is the beginning is the middle is… and sometimes THAT’S too straightforward! When an author tries to mix up a series of events, the results can be mind-blowing, confusing, or both. What are some non-linear narratives that have worked, some that haven’t, and ways a creator can prepare to tackle one themselves?
with Arkady Martine, Daniel M Ford, Nick Mamatas, and Ada Palmer

Sustaining Tension in Your Writing
Monday, May 31, 1:00 p.m.
Any narrative work will maintain audience interest through the buildup and release of tension. But how do you keep the tension going after you’ve resolved the major plot point and there’s still more story to go? Panelists will discuss writing and organizational techniques for handling multiple sources of tension in a single work.
with Monica Louzon (moderator), Mary Fan, C. L. Polk, and Joshua Palmatier

I hope to see you there!

It’s almost time for my first convention of 2021, and as with all cons since this COVID-19 lockdown began, it’s going to be a virtual one. Which means I won’t have to hop aboard an Amtrak train to get to Boskone this year, and neither will you.

Here’s when and with whom you’ll be able to hear me pontificate virtually the weekend of February 12-13 —

Creating Across Media Format
Friday, February 12, 5:00-6:00. p.m.
Versatility is an author’s greatest tool in today’s publishing market. Whether it’s books, blogging, comics, drama, film, gaming, graphic novels, non-fiction, short fiction, social media, or TV there is a story to be told. When switching from one to the other, what do you need to keep in mind? What are some of the key tips and tricks to creating compelling content no matter which medium you are writing in at the moment?
with Christopher Golden, Walter Jon Williams, Gillian Daniels, Mur Lafferty

Admiring the Scene-ry Format
Friday, February 12, 6:30-7:30. p.m.
Our authors talk about how to craft a compelling scene — the nuance, description, and dialogue that make a reader fall into the story. What does it take to create that kind of literary spell? What are some great examples in our genres? How does dramatic action play into the overall effect of the scene?
with Carrie Vaughn, Michael Swanwick, and John Chu

Editing for the Damned (aka The Horror of Short Fiction)
Saturday, February 13, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Genres within speculative fiction come with their own sets of do’s and don’ts, especially when editing short fiction. What does it take to edit a horror short story? What sets the process apart from editing fantasy or science fiction? How can good editing highlight the horror, or a bad edit job kill a good horror story?
with Gillian Redfearn, Christopher Golden, and Ellen Datlow

Self-Defining Success as a Creator Format
Saturday, February 13, 8:30-9:30 p.m.
When people start writing, performing, painting, etc., they usually have some concept of “success.” That ideal is likely informed by social expectations and reflected off people in the field and in fandom. Not everyone can fit that image of success, nor would that be appropriate. So, how do we go about defining success on our own terms? What measures can we use? Our panelists share their advice and thoughts for creatives at every stage of their careers.
with David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson, Karen Heuler, Zig Zag Claybourne

I hope you’ll drop by so we’re not left talking only to ourselves.

You can find the full convention schedule here.

Mass gatherings are still on hold, so it looks like 2020 will be the first year since I was 14 during which I won’t get the chance to attend at least one face-to-face meatspace convention. As has happened with many recent cons, next weekend’s Capclave has also transformed into a virtual event.

Which means whatever part of the planet you happen to inhabit, you can easily be there.

Here are the four programming items on which you’ll be able to find me —

Breaking the Genre Boundaries
Saturday, October 17, 10:30 a.m.
What is the purpose of genres? How do they help and hinder authors and readers? How do bookstores know how to shelves slipstream or multi-genre books? How do some authors intersect SF/Fantasy with Horror, Romance, Erotica, Literary fiction, young protagonists, Mystery, Thriller, and other elements? Who does this well and who tries to overload a book?
with Kenneth Altabef, B. Sharise Moore, Joshua Palmatier, Troy L. Wiggins, and A.C. Wise

Reading
Saturday, October 17, 3:00 p.m.

When To Outline and When To Pants It
Sunday, October 18, 1:30 p.m.
“Fleshing out a detailed outline” versus “Diving right into an idea and seeing where the story goes” is one of the perennial debates of the writing craft. What are the advantages of each approach? What are the weaknesses and limitations? Our panelists will discuss when to prefer one approach over the other, and when it’s a good idea to switch to the opposite style even when it’s not your preferred method.
with Beth Cato, Mary Fan, Carolyn Ives Gilman, Alan Smale

Kaffeklatsch
Sunday, October 18, 3:00 p.m.

I hope to see you there!

I’ve gone to at least one convention a year since 1970, when I was 15. But due to the pandemic, that 50-year streak is at an end. Luckily, virtual gatherings have risen to take the place of the traditional meatspace ones, and the next of those I’ll attend will be C’monfluence 2020, which runs from October 2-4.

I’m grateful to the organizers of this event for creating a space where community can continue to flourish even during these difficult times.

Here’s my schedule —

Podcast Panel
Friday, October 2, 2020, 5:00 p.m.
Podcasters talk about how they put together material, how they use podcasting to strengthen their brand and possibly some of their plans to use podcasting for their own nefarious ends.
with Alan Bailey, Gail Carriger, Neil Clarke and J. Thorn

Kaffeeklatsch/Literary Beer
Friday, October 2, 2020, 6:00 p.m.
Bring your beverage of choice and come hang out. This interactive, social chat is limited to 15 participants. Spaces may be determined via a lottery system.
with Mary Turzillo

Book Recs (not Wrecks)
Friday, October 2, 2020, 8:00 p.m.
Looking at newer books and what’s worth reading.
with Rachel Swirsky, Mary Soon Lee, and Michelle Sagara

Expand the Fan(base)
Saturday, October 3, 2020, 2:00 p.m.
Welcoming new generations and new books.
with Julie Czerneda, Jennifer Foehner Wells and Michael Arnzen

Information Please!
Saturday, October 3, 2020, 7:00 p.m.
Steven H Silver hosts a game show based on an old radio show in which he tries to stump a panel of experts with a series of trivia questions and brain teasers related to science fiction and fantasy.
with Steven H Silver, Cat Rambo, Julie Czerneda, and William Higgins

Feel the Love
Saturday, October 3, 2020, 10:00 p.m.
A late night panel that might be best not discussed in polite company.
with Kelly Robson, Gail Carriger, and Julie Czerneda

Check out the full Friday, Saturday, and Sunday schedules.

Hope to see you (or be seen by you) there!