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!