Stellarcon
30 – Tentative Event Schedule
Friday
| Saturday
| Sunday
| Signings
Comedy in SF
Victorian A
What happens when you combine
comedy with science-fiction? Join our guests as they discuss the place of comedy
in novels.
Panelists:
Aaron Allston,James Maxey, Tee Morris, Mike Pederson
Collaborating with Others
Salon B
How do authors work together when
writing novels? Our authors offer
tips and suggestions to the audience around collaborating with other authors and
artists, even when you live in different countries
Panelists:
How Has Fandom Changed in 30 Years?
Victorian B
From SMOFs to Klingons to
Pirates, join us in a discussion of how fans and fandom have changed over time.
Is FIAWOL still the catch phrase or have we all gone FIJAGDH?
Panelists: Steven Brust, Dan
Johnson, Kelly Lockhart
This Still Ain’t Your Daddy’s
Battlestar
Victorian A
When Battlestar Galactica: The
Mini-Series came out, reviews from the fans were mixed. Starbuck and Boomer
are chicks? Cylons are now pretty people hiding among us?!
WHAT?!? Then came the series,
and now the SciFi Channel seems to be making up for the Farscape
cancellation. The panelists take a look at Galactica and why this new,
re-imagined space opera (although now much closer to Military SF) is working out
so well for SciFi and creator Ronald D. Moore.
Panelists: Dan Johnson, Tee
Morris, Peter Schweighofer
Filking 101
Salon B
Join Keith Brinegar of White
Plectrum as he takes you through the intricacies of the filking world.
You’ll learn what a “filk” is and how to go about creating one
yourself.
Crime Solving in Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Victorian B
We see a lot of detective stories
pop up in our genre. So listen to
our panelists talk about their favorite cop shows and detective novels, figure
out who would be their favorite sleuth to solve today’s biggest and baddest
cases, and reminisce over successful crossovers like The X-Files, Forever
Knight and Blade Runner.
Panelists: Gina Farago, Karen
McCollough, Mike Pederson, Tony Ruggiero
Gaming as a Business
Victorian A
Our panelists discuss the
business behind role-playing games. How to you keep it interesting in a world of
Nintendo and Sega?
Panelists:
Steven Brust Performance
Salon B
Join guest Steven Brust as he
performs an eclectic mixture of songs, most of which have been described as
politically incorrect folk music.
Selling Your Book to an E-Publisher
Victorian B
E-publishing is here to stay.
Join our panelist as they discuss the differences between e-publishing
and traditional publishing. What
changes do you need be aware of when submitting your work to the different
publishers?
Panelists: Marilynn Byerly, Doug
Hewitt, Karen McCollough, Tony Ruggiero
Opening Ceremonies
Salon B
Join the Emperor, the Emperor’s
Hand and his new apprentice along with members of Stellarcon’s ConCom and the
Carolina Garrison of the 501st as we celebrate our Guests of Honor in Imperial
style and pay tribute to their contributions to the Empire and Fandom.
Starting Your Own Webcomic
Victorian A
So you’re wanting to draw
comics with big eyes, are you? Well, this panel is the place to start, as our
panelists will talk you through the process, from reserving the domain name and
host, to writing catchy plots and characters, to budgeting your time so that you
don’t fall behind, and so much more. Your shot at Internet greatness begins
here!
Panelists: Brian Godwin, Mike
Hall,
Heart to Heart with Richard Hatch
Salon B
Join Guest of Honor Richard Hatch
as he talks about his life, his career and his work.
He will talk about his newest project The Great War of Magellan as
well as his work on both Battlestar Galacticas.
Are You Sure You Want to Go There?
Victorian B
Rape. Torture. Childhood trauma.
Sex with Dwarves. Sometimes
it’s done for a laugh. Sometimes
it is done for an emotional response. Sometimes,
we ask ourselves “What was THAT all about?!” So why not ask the pros who do
it? A panel that goes into the
darker side of writing, where the
envelope is not only pushed but fed to the shredder.
When is “shock” essential to the story, and when is it sensational? Find out
if authors add in moments of terror and extreme situations in order to surprise
an audience, or as an alternative to group
therapy.
May not be suitable for all
ages
Panelists: Anthony Karnoski, Tee
Morris (Mod), Jana Oliver, Sean Reynolds (GGoH), John Ringo, Tony Ruggiero
Anime by Night
Stellarcon will dedicate this
room to showing anime. So relax, take a breather and watch your favorite show or
learn about a new one.
Klingon Karaoke
Victorian A
Join Keela and Katkith for
Klingon Karaoke, an intergalactic songfest experience.
Fans from all around the galaxy can choose from over 2,000 selections of
70’s, 80’s music and a few surprises. Bring
your backup singers and dancers; it’s time to enjoy Karoake like you never
have before.
The Mysteries of Harry Potter
Victorian B
Is Snape good or bad? What really
happened the night Harry got his scar?
Can the movies and the books exist in the same universe? Join us as we
discuss these mysteries and more. CONSTANT VIGILANCE! All six books will be open
for this panel. Spoilers abound!
Panelists: Marilynn Byerly, Karen
McCollough, Jen McCollom, James Roberts,
Club Stellarcon
Salon B
Come dance, drink and make merry
at the Club Stellarcon. This is your chance to step lively and show off your
moves. Featured music will include tracks from the Eighties, Nineties and
current day.
Guilty Pleasures
Victorian B
These are the books you would
never have prominently displayed in your library.
These are the television shows you secretly videotape or TiVo and set
aside private time to watch. These
are the movies that you dish and criticize harshly, but will not hesitate to
purchase if you come across the VHS or DVD.
Guilty Pleasures are those offerings of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and
Horror that we wish we could avoid or resist, but like moths to a flame we
cannot help but get sucked in for the ride.
Spill your guts, confess your sins, and debate over your favorite vices.
Panelists:
Robert Harris Acting in NC Workshop
In an intimate setting, Robert
will discuss the do’s and don’t of the acting business as well as offer
words of wisdom to those folks interested in breaking into the film business in
North Carolina.
Allen Wold’s Writer’s Workshop
Victorian B 9:00am
Allen Wold has been running
workshops at various conventions since 1986. Workshop attendees will be given a
brief writing assignment, which will then be discussed by Allen and the other
members of the panel.
This workshop is open to anyone
who is interested. Previous
experience is not necessary, but attendance will be limited.
Sign up sheets are located at the Registration Desk.
Panelists: Paula Jordan, Mark
Rainey, Mike Stackpole, Allen Wold
Getting Published 101 – the
Artist’s Version
Victorian A
How does an artist get his foot
in the door? There are all sorts of
panels on how to get published as a writer but how to artists get chosen for
cover artwork (or interior illustration)? Our
panelists share their advice and tips on getting published
Panelists: Raven Mimura (AGoH),
Scott Rorie, Daniel Trout
Shadowmoor Demo
Salon B 10:00am
Shadowmoor is a boffer style LARP
run out of
Deja View: Remakes
Victorian A
Battlestar Galactica. War of
the Worlds. Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. And Jim Carey as the Six
Million Dollar Man?! What is with
all the remakes? Is it such a good
idea to go back to the well and re-tell a story...or should we start begging
Panelists: Aaron Allston (mod),
Richard Hatch (MGoH), Dan Johnson, Jen McCollom, John Ringo, Timothy Zahn
Readings/Q&A
Readings/Q&A by several of
our authors.
TALAN Demo
Salon B 11:30am
TALAN is a boffer style Medieval
Fantasy LARP held in
Star Wars - E3:
Why it Worked vs. What Went Wrong?
Victorian B
Daring this panel topic in the
backyard of the Carolina Garrison, panelists will discuss (hopefully in a
pleasant, cordial fashion) the good, the bad, and the ugly about George Lucas’
supposed “final chapter” in the Star Wars saga. Was it truly the “great
masterpiece” and “the best of the films” that critics were calling it or
did George just try with all his might to pull his own creation out of the
darkness, only to give the world a swan song that was slightly off key.
Panelists: Aaron Allston, Anthony
Karnoski, Karen McCollough (mod), Richard Spake, JD Wiker, Timothy Zahn
Inside the Stellarcon Studio - Sean K.
Reynolds
Salon B
Questions…and Answers.
Host Mike Pederson will sit down with Gaming Guest of Honor Sean K
Reynolds for an in-depth and fascinating interview.
At the end of the interview, Mike will ask the famous “ten questions”
as well as take questions from the audience.
Everything You Always Wanted To Know
About Show Business
Victorian A
Join internationally known actor,
writer, producer, director and teacher Richard Hatch as he shares 30 years of
experience, knowledge and insights on how you can launch and secure a very
successful career in the entertainment industry.
Richard will offer you some surprising and reassuring answers to all
these questions.
Attendance will be limited.
Sign up sheets are located at the Registration Desk.
Cost: $20
Miniature Painting Workshop
Victorian A
You’ve seen miniatures on
gaming tables, demos, in magazines and online galleries – wish you could learn
how to make yours look like that? Need
a cool mini to use in your event tomorrow? Stop
by our mini paint event. We’ve got
everything you need from the paints to the miniatures including Sean K Reynolds
waiting to answer your questions.
Space and quantity may be
limited.
Sponsored by Magnificent Egos
Miniatures.
Inside the Stellarcon Studio -
Salon B
Questions….and Answers.
Host Mike Pederson will sit down with Author Guest of Honor
Genre Wars: Old Farts vs Young
Whippersnappers
Victorian A
Come cheer on your favorite team
as they try to answer trivia questions from another generations fandom.
Inside the Stellarcon Studio with
Richard Hatch
Salon B
Questions….and Answers.
Host Mike Pederson will sit down with Media Guest of Honor Richard Hatch
for an in-depth and fascinating interview. At
the end of the interview, Mike will ask the famous “ten questions” as well
as take questions from the audience.
State of
Victorian A
From major publishers to pdf
publishers, our panelists discuss the ins and outs of the gaming industry.
What’s hot, what’s not, and what to look for in the coming year.
Panelists: Sean Reynolds (GGoH),
Richard Spake, JD Wiker
Creating a Page Turner Workshop
Victorian B
Learn how to take an idea, a
character, or a plot idea and turn it into a page turner. Using her own
experiences as a successful author and writing teacher, Marilynn Byerly will
show you how to create a story readers won’t put down.
Attendance will be limited.
Sign up sheets are located at the Registration Desk.
Inside the Stellarcon Studio with Raven
Mimura
Salon B
Questions….and Answers.
Host Mike Pederson will sit down with Artist Guest of Honor Raven Mimura
for an in-depth and fascinating interview. At
the end of the interview, Mike will ask the famous “ten questions” as well
as take questions from the audience.
Quick Write
Writers and Audience members team
up to write a short story in 10 minutes-in secret from each other.
As a section is completed, it is passed along onto another member to pick
up where the other left off.
Panelists: Davey Beuchamp, Julie
Cochrane, Anthony Karnoski, James Maxey, Tony Ruggiero (mod)
You Got Your History in My Fantasy!
Victorian A
Science Fiction never blinks at
incorporating events and icons of history...but we rarely see crossovers with
fantasy and history. Authors discuss
the challenges, the pitfalls, and the fun in enjoying these two tastes that
taste great together.
Panelists: Aaron Allston, Tom
Kratman, Karen McCollough (mod), Tee Morris, Jana Oliver, Mark Rainey
The Business Side of Books
Victorian B
Sure, getting into cons for free
is cool, and receiving the accolades of fans (and creating your own fan base) is
good fun...but don’t kid yourself — this is a business.
Listen from the pros some of the common sense
tactics needed and some sage advice on representing yourself in the
continuously changing world of books.
Panelists: Gina Farago, Bruce
Gehweiler (
Cabaret at the End of the Universe
Salon B
Join the Not Ready for Cabaret
Players as they present their annual performance of intellectual stimulation and
cheap sci-fi jokes.
White Plectrum
Salon B
Keith Brinegar brings White
Plectrum back to Stellarcon for the first time in many years.
Join Keith as he sings your favorite filks from “Ogre on the Rise” to
“Call of Cthulhu” as well as introduces new songs about your favorite SF
characters.
Costume Contest
Salon B
Come and watch the cast of
characters strut their stuff in Stellarcon’s Annual Costume Contest.
There are 4 categories: Junior, Novice, Amateur and Professional.
Interested parties may sign up at the Registration Desk.
Hosted by Kelly Lockhart
Get me to the Escape Pod: Audio Your
Way via Podcasting
Victorian A
It’s the latest craze of the
Internet and it is taking the world by storm
— and chances are you still don’t know what it is all about!
Programming On Demand BroadCASTING or PODCasting is the ability to assume
the role of station programmer and turn your computer or mp3
player into your own private radio station.
Talk radio. Hard to find indie music. Tech Tips. Audio books...but we
call them Podiobooks. It can
all be found in Podcasting.
Panelists:
Anime by Night
Stellarcon will dedicate this
room to showing anime. So relax, take a breather and watch your favorite show or
learn about a new one.
Fan Art or Stealing?
Victorian B
Join several of our guests on a
panel discussion regarding copyrighted works. Where is the dividing line
between casual fan art and commercial stealing? When does a fans admiration for
an original work become wrong?
Panelists:
Item Auction
Salon B
The item auction is a great
opportunity to bid on hard to find items. Also available will be good deals on
items you just weren’t sure you wanted to pay full price for.
Auctioneer:
Stellarcon’s Obligatory Pirate Panel
Victorian A
Do you think this would truly be
a Stellarcon if we didn’t have a panel about pirates?
What’s new in the wonderful world of maritime opportunists, what do we
have to look forward to in 2006, and...what’s
this about a pirate ship called the STELLAHKHAN?!
Find out all this and more at Stellarcon’s answer to
Panelists:
The Horror of it All
Victorian B
Horror has always been big
business, both in
Panelists: Davey Beuchamp, Gina
Farago, Robert Harris, Dan Johnson
Klingon Karaoke
Victorian A
Didn’t get enough the first
time? Join Keela and Katkith for
Klingon Karaoke, an intergalactic songfest experience.
Fans from all around the galaxy can choose from over 2,000 selections of
70’s, 80’s music and a few surprises. Bring
your backup singers and dancers; it’s time to enjoy Karoake like you never
have before.
Church of the Subgenius Devival
Victorian B
Are you abnormal?
Do you lack slack? Are you a
latent Yeti and not even know it? Then
come to hear the word of J.R. “Bob” Dobbs from an official representative of
the Church of the SubGenius.
Anime 101
Salon B 9:30am
Join our panelists in discussing
a “starters guide” to anime. What
to watch? What not to watch? And how to get the most enjoyment out of this
Japanese resource.
Panelists: Brian Godwin, Mike
Hall, Sean O’Rourke, James Roberts
Beginning Costuming
Victorian A
Ever wondered how to get started
as a costumer? Our panelists discuss
how to take the idea of a costume to the finished product and where you can go
to get help along the way.
Panelists: Cheralyn Lambeth, Jen
McCollom
Idea Generation for Artists
Victorian B 11:00am
Join our guests as they discuss
how artists come up with ideas, whether they are for personal pieces or specific
commissioned assignments.
Panelists: Brian Godwin, Mike
Hall, Raven Mimura (AGoH), Scott Rorie, Richard Spake, Daniel Trout (mod)
Fan Group Interest Meeting
Salon B 11:30am
Join members of the local fan
groups as they share the exciting benefits of membership in the various
organizations.
Elitism in SF/F or the SciFi
Superiority Complex
Victorian A
When this article appeared on
StrangeHorizons.com, people started talking...and talking, and talking, and
talking. Is there an “elite class” in Science Fiction and Fantasy, and why?
(Article will be provided)
Panelists: Tee Morris (mod), Jana
Oliver, Mike Pederson,
John Ringo, Tony Ruggiero
Anime
Stellarcon will dedicate this
room to showing anime. So relax, take a breather and watch your favorite show or
learn about a new one.
Art Auction
Victorian B
Didn’t buy that piece of
artwork at the Quick Sale price? Got
outbid in the Artshow but still want it? Join
us for our Art Auction and bid on your favorite piece of artwork.
Serenity: The Best Show No One Ever Saw
Salon B
From the short lived Fox series
to the feature film, what is it about this ship and its crew that while not
mainstream has fans around the world?
Panelists: Steven Brust, Dan
Johnson, Jen McCollom, Karen McCollough
Happy Birthday to Us!
Victorian A
Join Guests, Fans, and Constaff
as we sit around and share stories of past cons…from fire alarms to vampires
and ewoks, come share your favorite memory of the last 30 years of Stellarcon.
Time Travel in SF
Salon B
Our panelists discuss the traps
and pitfalls of time travel in science-fiction.
What paradoxes you should be aware of when you start writing and reading
time travel novels.
Panelists: Marilynn Byerly, Simon
Hawke, Jason Leahy (Marrietta Publishing)
Chicks in Chainmail
Victorian B
This panel takes a closer look at
the appeal of warrior women, the “death” of the damsel in distress, and why
“tough women” sell!
Panelists: Julie Cochrane, Tom
Kratman, Karen McCollough, Richard Spake, Allen Wold (mod)
Con in Review
Victorian A
Join members of this year’s
concom and next year’s ConManager to share your feedback, suggestions and
requests for next year.
Strange New Worlds
Salon B
A plethora of new planets have
been found in the last couple of years.
How do these discoveries challenge what we thought we knew about planets
and what are SF writers going to do with them?
Panelists: Paula Jordan, James
Maxey
Writing a Game-based Novel
Victorian B
The panelists discuss the ups and
downs of doing work-for-hire books in the world of gaming.
What cons and pros are there in working in an established world with
rules and mechanics all its own?
Panelists:
Independent Film Making
Victorian A
Ever wanted to make your own
film? Our panelists discuss the
costs, the work, the fun and the dedication it takes in making films without
Panelists: Aaron Allston, Dan
Johnson (mod), Robert Harris, Cheralyn Lambeth, Jen McCollom, Sean O’Rourke
Dealer’s
Room
Saturday
10:00am
Davey Beuchamp, Anthony Karnoski, Tony Ruggiero
11:00am
Sunday
10:00am
Steven Brust, Julie Cochrane,Tom Kratman,
John Ringo
11:00am
In
addition the times listed above, some of the guests have tables in the Dealer
Room, where they will be available to sign books and/or photos throughout the
weekend.