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

My Arisia Panel Schedule

I'm psyched to be paneling at Arisia again this year! Arisia is an awesome scifi/fantasy culture conference that takes place every year in  Boston. I'm usually a panelist on topics such as gender, sexuality, religion and sociology and how these relate to science fiction in books, TV and film. I'm often on panels about dystopian science fiction, as this is my primary scifi love.

Here's my current panel schedule...

Gender Limitations in SF/F with Greer Gilman, Jennifer Pelland, Trisha Wooldridge (m), Andrea Hairston. Friday 1/13 at 5:30 pm.


The Nature of Gender: Past, Present and Future with Raven Kaldera (m), Michelle d'Entremont, Dyschordiana. Friday at 10 pm.


Sacred Sexuality with Shava Nerad, Rev. Matthew (m), Dyschordiana. Friday at 11:30 pm.


Can You Like Literary Scifi Without Being a Snob? with Grant Carrington, John Bowker,  Andrea Hairston, Kenneth Schneyer (m). Saturday 1/14 at 10 am.


Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading with Elaine Isaak, Phoebe Wray, KT Pinto, Trisha Wooldridge (m), Morven Westfield,  Kimberley Long-Ewing. Saturday at 11:30 am. ** All of the participants--myself included--will be reading from our works.**


Our Grim Meat-Hook Future with Steve Sawicki, Ken Kingsgrave-Ernstein (m), Glenn Grant, Alexander Jablokov. Saturday at 1pm.


Politics in Science Fiction with Ian Randal Strock, Walter Hunt, Mark L Amidon (m), Ira Nayman, Proprietor, Alternate Reality News. Saturday at 10 pm.

My 2011 Pi-Con Panel Schedule

I'm not currently listed on the published schedule due to lateness on my part, but here are the panels I'll be on at Pi-Con.

What is Pi-Con? You ask...

 From the website: "Pi-Con is a diverse collection of geeks. Our members are fans of books, movies, gaming, webcomics and print comics, tech and gadgetry, costuming, anime, and music. You'll find people who are into steampunk, space opera, vampires, ren faires, superheroes, and dozens of other genres in various combinations. This year we're proud to be expanding our offerings to include a strong science track (including a science guest of honor!) . We'll still be including all the best parts of previous Pi-Cons; you can discuss your favorite topics in panels and meetups, play tabletop games from our extensive library, see a show or two, and party until you can't stay awake anymore.

The convention is held annually in August, in the Springfield, MA area.

We pride ourselves on being open and welcoming of newcomers. If you're into any of the fandoms we celebrate, or even just into hanging out with a bunch of friendly geeks, we'd like to extend a warm invitation. Hope to see you there!"

So, you can see why I fit in ;-)

Once again this year I'll have my husband and fellow scifi and science geek in tow. I'm also psyched because my fabulous writer-friend, Trish Wooldridge, is this year's Guest of Awesome! I'll also get to see some of the New England members of Broad Universe. (And on that note, I am the new coordinator for the New England chapter so if you are a woman writing genre fiction or a man who supports such--or would like to host a discussion about women writing genre fiction please feel free to contact me.)

Without further ado, the schedule:

timeslot Room panel

8/26/2011 8:00:00 PM Suffield Sex & Genre Literature (other panelists: Genevieve Iseult Eldredge (M), Trisha Wooldridge)

8/27/2011 12:00:00 PM Suffield Apocalypse: How? (George Claxton (M), Michael Whitehouse)

8/27/2011 4:00:00 PM Agawam Locally Grown Genre Works (Kate Kaynak (M), Ken Kingsgrave-Ernstein)

8/27/2011 5:00:00 PM Suffield Ask a Geek: Social Sciences (Kate Kate, Mike Whitehouse (M), Paul Estin)

8/27/2011 8:00:00 PM Main Tent Love and the Robosexual (George Claxton (M), Jennifer Pelland)


*** I may try to get on another panel or two, and should also be reading from my work if there is a Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading ***