I’m barely recovered from Readercon, but it’s time to start thinking about MidAmericon II, because I head off to the 74th World Science Fiction Convention a mere five weeks from today.

Here’s what the programming committee has planned for me. (And you!) The dates, times, and identities of my co-conspirators are subject to change, so check back for an update as we get closer to kickoff.

Movies and Monsters
Thursday 10:00 a.m.
Let’s talk monsters! Taking a somewhat scholarly look at the great monster movies of the past. Which monsters still resonate with today’s society? Panellists dissect what it means to be a monster then dig into the great monsters of the past and their modern day descendants.
with Pete Balestrieri, Ellen Datlow, Kendall R. Hart, David Boop

Remembering the Futurians
Thursday 1:00 p.m.
Jack Robins, who died last year, was a founding member of the Futurians. The Futurians were instrumental in not only laying the groundwork for many fannish traditions, but also included the authors of many of the seminal works in the field from Asimov to Pohl, Kidd, and others. Let’s take a look back at their influence during a magical era with the future of science fiction and fandom was taking off.
with Mr. Alec Nevala-Lee, Pete Balestrieri, Mark L. Olson

Fast then Slow! Pacing in Comics and Graphic Novels
Friday 4:00 p.m.
Panelists discuss what it takes to create atmosphere, drama and tension in comics, and then how to take it down a notch. What are some of the most exciting ways to create dynamic stories that fly off the page, and how do you evoke stilness when it’s needed? Our panelists weave their way through some key ideas and experiments.
with Alison Wilgus, Kurt Busiek, Tamara Jones, Tui Sutherland

Magazine Group Reading: Escape Artists, Inc.
Saturday 2:00 p.m.
Our Magazine Group Reading Series continues with a special group reading that features authors from the family of Escape Artists magazines.
with Alasdair Stuart, Marguerite Kenner, Dr. Amy H. Sturgis, Andrea Phillips, Bud Sparhawk, Greg van Eekhout

Writers Workshop
Sunday 10:00 a.m.
(Note that this session is a closed preassigned workshop.)
with Jim Doty

Horror Comics, Old and New
Sunday 2:00 p.m.
The pulps were full of horrible tales and weird happenings, but horror is a persistent topic in comics, from Locke and Key to Black Hole, and spanning diverse comics from the Horror Manga genre to our persistent love of zombies. Our panelists discuss some of the changes that this genre has seen, as well as stories and tropes that keep on returning to shock us.
with Paul Dale Anderson, Mr. Robin Wayne Bailey, Erin Wilcox, Tamara Jones

I hope to see you at MidAmericon II, if not in one of these panels, then while wandering the dealers room or in the bar. Don’t be shy!