My MisCon Schedule

I am attending MisCon this weekend in Missoula, Montana!

It should be great fun. Many of my author friends are going to be there. And some authors and artists that I don’t know but sincerely respect and can’t wait to meet.

Those who have attended the convention before say it is a wonderful experience. An avid group of science fiction and fantasy fans coming together in Monatna’s beautiful setting. I’ve only driven through Montana so it will be nice to stop, relax, talk to geeks of all kinds, and enjoy my time away from the computer.

Sadly, I have to leave Sunday, so that limited my panel schedule, but here’s what I am doing right now:

• Connecting Emotionally with Characters (Writing)
  Fri 2:00 – 2:50 PM, (Great Hall)
  Pros and Guests: Ann Gimpel, Laurey Patten, Shawn Speakman
  The Panel: Emotional connection to characters is paramount. The greatest plot in the world won’t save your book if your readers care nothing for your characters. Creating that emotional connection can be difficult. In this panel we’ll learn some tips and tricks for doing just that. In addition, we’ll talk about your characters’ emotions and how to best articulate those emotions in a way that will enhance your readers’ connection.
• Creating the Brands of Tomorrow (Writing, Art)
  Fri 4:00 – 4:50 PM, (Thunderdome Left)
  Pros and Guests: John Picacio, Shawn Speakman, Mark Teppo
  The Panel: Three leading sf/f creatives will share why they created their own publishing houses, what they’re producing, what’s next, and where the next frontiers are. Discussion + Q&A.
• Telling Tall Tales (Geek Discussion)
  Sat 11:00 – 11:50 AM, (Great Hall)
  Pros and Guests: Kyle Elliott (Big Kyle), CthulhuBob Lovely, Shawn Speakman
  Moderator: Kyle Elliott (Big Kyle)
  The Panel: In the Wasteland, you might not have paper and a pencil handy, but you can always tell a story. Come grab a spot around the campfire and hear a yarn or two. We’ll discuss the nature of tall tales and will regale you with some whoppers.
• Q&A: Author Terry Brooks (Writing)
  Sat 3:00 – 3:50 PM, (Thunderdome Left)
  Pros and Guests: Terry Brooks, Shawn Speakman
  The Panel: Join us for a Q&A with Author Guest of Honor, Terry Brooks.
• First Page: Make or Break, 2nd Edition (Writing)
  Sat 4:00 – 5:50 PM, (Thunderdome Right)
  Pros and Guests: Anne Groell, Andrea Howe, Shawn Speakman, Patrick Swenson, Mark Teppo
  Moderator: Justin Barba
  The Panel: In this panel, you’ll get a first-hand look at how editors react when they read the opening page of your submission. Submit the first page of your story or book to be randomly read aloud. Our panelists will stop the reader when they would stop reading the submission and tell you why. Submissions will be handed in at the beginning of the panel. Submissions will not be returned and not all submissions will be read.
• Author Book Signing (Writing)
  Sun 10:00 – 10:50 AM, (Thunderdome Right)
  Pros and Guests: Dave Bara, Carol Berg, S. A. Bolich, Larry Bonham, M. H. Bonham (Maggie), Terry Brooks, Brenda Carre, C.J. Cherryh, Steven Erikson, Jane Fancher, Ann Gimpel, James Glass, Rhiannon Held, David Keck, Todd Lockwood, Peter Orullian (Rock Lord), Laurey Patten, John Picacio, J.A. Pitts, Joyce Reynolds-Ward, Shawn Speakman, Patrick Swenson, Mark Teppo, Eldon Thompson
  Moderator: Justin Barba
  The Panel: All authors are invited. Terry Brooks’s signing is moderated, and we will maintain a STRICT 3 item maximum per person–zero exceptions. In order to keep the line moving, Terry can only personalize one item per person per trip through the line.
• The Shannara Chronicles (Writing)
  Sun 1:00 – 1:50 PM, (Thunderdome Right)
  Pros and Guests: Terry Brooks, Shawn Speakman
  Moderator: Shawn Speakman
  The Panel: Learn about Terry’s forthcoming television series on MTV, the Shannara Chronicles.

I think this is going to be a fun weekend! I hope to meet some of you while at the convention. Don’t hesitate to come up and say hello. I love talking geekery!

Enter the Wasteland!