My Arisia 2015 Panel Schedule

I'm excited and happy to have been accepted as a program participant for the upcoming Arisia conference. This is a large, annual science fiction/fan/lifestyle convention that takes place in Boston, at the Westin Boston Waterfront.

This is, I think, my sixth year as a panelist. Every year is so different in terms of the panels you get placed on. A few years ago I was on three gender-related panels. Two years ago I was very zombie-heavy. Another year I had several religion and spirituality-related panels. Last year I has two science panels, and a few very cool literature panels. My schedule this is year is very eclectic--one writing panel, a fan interest, gender, and science.

I'll also be participating in the Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading, where I *think* I'll be reading from my current novel-in-progress, a contemporary fantasy novel. That takes place Sunday at 11:30 am. I hope you'll come listen! The conference itself runs from Friday, Jan. 16 to Monday the 19th.

Without further ado...

Do We Need Science Fiction? — Science, Panel — 1hr 15min — Marina 1 (2E)

The BBC's Business section recently asked whether or not we need science fiction to encourage the development of new technologies. What technologies have been inspired by SF? Would they have happened without SF? What devices in SF do you think are likely to be the next new technologies? As we enter the future described in SF books and movies, are our expectations changing?

James L. Cambias (m), B. Diane Martin, Suzanne Reynolds-Alpert, Jeff Warner, Stephen R Wilk

Face Off: The Best Reality Show for Geeks — Media, Panel — 1hr 15min — Marina 4 (2E)

Plenty of geek-oriented reality shows have sprung up in recent years, but few have found the success of SyFy's Face Off, about to head into its eighth season. With its parade of Oscar and Emmy-award winners as judges and guest judges, some truly entertaining challenges, and incredible insight into the world of make-up and practical f/x, it's become a huge hit. Join us as we discuss what makes the show work creatively and how it's changed the way we view special effects.

Mark L Amidon, Toni "Leigh Perry" Kelner, Resa Nelson, Kate Nepveu (m), Suzanne Reynolds-Alpert

Shame on Slut-Shaming — Communities, Panel — 1hr 15min — Douglas (3W)

Slut-shaming is the act of making a woman feel guilty or inferior for engaging in sexual behaviors that deviate from the norm, failing to uphold gender expectations, dressing in sexually provocative ways, requiring access to birth control, or even for being sexually assaulted or raped. What are the psychological and sociological causes of slut-shaming? What can be done to change people's attitudes?

Terry Franklin (m), Megan S. Markland, Michael McAfee, Melissa Perreira-Andrews, Suzanne Reynolds-Alpert

Broad Universe Rapid-Fire Reading — Writing, Reading — 1hr 30min — Douglas (3W)

Broad Universe is an international organization of women and men dedicated to celebrating and promoting the work of women writers of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Come listen to dramatic live readings from works of members of the Broad Universe organization. Participants are members of the Broad Universe writers' group.

Terri Bruce, Anna Erishkigal, Lisa J. Evans, Justine Graykin, Elektra Hammond, Elaine Isaak, Jennifer Allis Provost, Suzanne Reynolds-Alpert, Morven Westfield, Trisha Wooldridge (m)

Worldbuilding with the Soft Sciences — Writing, Panel — 1hr 15min — Hale (3W)

Let's skip past geology and cosmology and go straight to the sciences that study culture: linguistics, psychology, cultural anthropology, and the like. How does knowledge in these areas inform (or laughably fail to inform) speculative fictions' world building? How can we use insights from these disciplines to build worlds with a realistic diversity in their cultures?

Vikki Ciaffone, Alexander Feinman (m), James Meickle, Suzanne Reynolds-Alpert, W. B. J. Williams