I'm so excited to be participating in this year's Worldcon in Kansas City! My panel schedule is up and I hope to hear about other activities like readings, kaffee-klatsches, and autograph sessions. And, of course, having a chance to meet people in person! If you're at the con and you've loved my books, please don't hesitate to introduce yourself.
Added 2016/08/02: The schedule confirms I'll be doing a signing and a Kaffeeklatsch. Sign-ups for the Kaffeeklatsch are at-con only, see this page for information.
Queering Heroic Fantasy (2204 Kansas City Convention Center)
When we think of heroes within fantasy fiction, the first stories that often come to mind are Lord of the Rings, The Once and Future King, or even The Chronicles of Narnia. However, with more contemporary novels, the gender lines between defining the heteronormative hero get muddled. Let's reconsider the heroic "norm" and discuss the queer heroic fantasy already in existence. What's out there in print? Who's publishing it? What what else would we like to see?
'It Takes a Pack to Raise a Child' Families and Friends in Steampunk (2503B Kansas City Convention Center)
Supporting characters are incredibly important, and they often help tell tales (but of course!) in ways that drive writing forwards. Forget 'kick ass in corsets', what about the people who sit on the sidelines? Our authors discuss ways of experimenting with the genre, as well as presenting new ways of seeing families and friends.
When The Magic Goes Away (3501H Kansas City Convention Center)
In a world once filled with magic, mystery, and beauty, where the Old Magic slipped away from the forests, the gates to Faerie closed, and the last ships sailed to the west, what does it mean when the magic fades? We look at representations of coming back to the real world or letting go, and wonder why it is such a potent part of fantasy writing.
Austen and Shelley (2504B Kansas City Convention Center)
A look at the roots of so much science fiction and fantasy in the works of Jane Austen and Mary Shelley. While Shelley's Frankenstein is an obvious predecessor to science fiction and horror, Austen's literature has also had a tremendous influence on modern authors.
Autograph Session (Autographing space - Kansas City Convention Center)
Since I don't expect I'll have long lines waiting, and my autograph slot is early in the convention, it's a great opportunity to find me pinned down in one place and either introduce yourself or make social plans for later in the con or both!
Kaffeeklatsch (2211 (KKs) Kasas City Convention Center)
Too shy to just walk up to me in the hallway and ask questions? The Kaffeeklatsch is great chance for a small group conversation. This is a limited-number event with a completely open format. Signups are available at the convention information desk that morning. Last year I brought genuine Alpennian almond cakes to share and did a dramtic performance of "nailing the plot-octopus to the wall". I can't promise baked goods this year, but there may be some surprise give-aways. Since the Kaffeeklatsch ends at 5pm, I'll be quite open to rolling it over into dinner with any interested parties.