1974 was an important year for me, because that’s when I attended my first World Science Fiction Convention, started working at Marvel Comics, and met my wife — and now, 45 years later, it’s time to do it all over again! (Worldcon, that is, not the starting at Marvel or finding a spouse part.)

Here’s where those of you also heading to Dublin next month will be able to find me —

Welcome to Worldcon
Thursday, August 15, 12:00 p.m., Wicklow Room-3 (CCD)
Just what is a Worldcon anyway and what’s the best way to enjoy one? Our panel of experienced Worldcon-goers talk about what makes Worldcons special, what you can expect as a first-timer, and how to make the most of your Worldcon experience.
with Gay Haldeman, Carolina Gomez Lagerlöf, Christine A Doyle MD, and Mary Burns

Franchise Characters
Thursday, August 15, 2:00 p.m., Wicklow Room-2 (CCD)
Marvel characters are often mentioned in other MCU films, reminding us of their shared universe; DC TV shows have annual crossover events. How have these franchises — and others such as Star Trek — taken advantage of their epic canvasses to deepen characterisation? Are the in-universe reputations of some characters used to challenge our understanding of them rather than reinforce it?
with D.A Lascelles, F. D. Lee, Roz Kaveney, Mr Keith Byrne

The Future of Food
Friday, August 16, 2:00 p.m., Wicklow Room-1 (CCD)
What does the future have in store for our culinary delights and requirements? How will gene editing affect our produce and protein? How will technology enable food growth? Will climate change play a part in future food production? And what about food in space? Let’s dish over what the future may bring to the grocery stores, our gardens, or even our Star Trek food replicators!
with Susan Weiner, R B Watkinson, Eva L. Elasigue

Autographing
Friday, August 16, 3:00 p.m., Level 4 Foyer (CCD)

Kaffeeklatsch
Friday, August 16, 4:00 p.m., Level 3 Foyer (KK/LB) (CCD)

The Cost of Comics — What Format works best?
Saturday, August 17, 10:30 a.m., Odeon 5 (Point Square Dublin)
Roy of the Rovers went from a weekly strip to a book and is now being relaunched as quarterly graphic novels. Shonen Jump (the world’s most famous weekly comic) is moving to a free online model with downloads on subscription. As costs increase for individual issues, should we move to larger publications released at longer intervals? Is it possible to balance what is best for readers, creators and the publishers?
with Ed Fortune, Jaime Garmendia III, Raya Golden

Stroll with the Stars: Sunday
Sunday, August 18, 9:00 a.m., Ground Floor Foyer (CCD)

Reading: Scott Edelman
Monday, August 19, 3:00 p.m., Liffey Room-3 (Readings) (CCD)
I will probably read my story “Five Years Later,” which will appear in the Harlan Ellison tribute anthology The Unquiet Dreamer from PS Publishing, launching at Worldcon.

I hope to you there!