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!

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.