So I had the distinct pleasure of being on Next Gen Publishing panel with some very fine gents during Norwescon recently.
Thanks to Triple J who was gracious enough to film this and thanks to my buddy Kurt who was coming in from out of town and I wasn’t able to answer the phone.
And thanks to Starbucks for keeping me wired during a whirlwind of a weekend.
So at Norwescon, Triple J and I had just finished lunch and I was in between panels so we decided to do an impromptu interview. I was uber-wired not only because of hanging out with one of my favorite peeps, but I was also consuming a ridiculous amount of caffeine that weekend. A really fun interview that I immensely enjoyed.
So Norwescon 36 rocked and true to its theme, yours truly saved the world and/or took it over. 
But I had help. I had the honor and pleasure of meeting two longtime Livejournal/Facebook online buds: Kirk Boxleitner and Jamie Jeans. I was touched and humbled by the fact that both of these fine extraordinary gents came in from out of town to meet up with me.
In addition I had the chance to connect with many of my Seattle/Norwescon crew. Fun was had as always.
I also got the chance to meet some fans old and new, do some networking and I’m happy to announce I sold out of my remaining copies of Hollowstone.
Yay me! I rule!
Thanks to Loree the rest of the Norwescon staff, my fellow panelists and all of the other fine folks for putting on another wonderful convention. I had an incredible time and was in the company of some of the finest group of people I’ve ever met.
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I’m currently at the airport heading out to Seattle for Norwescon 36. Just like the theme states, I’ll be there to Save The World and/or possibly take it over. Oh don’t act shocked, you know how I am. Anyway, if you’re in the area, I’d love to see you. Feel free to say hi.
Below is my schedule for this weekend:
Gay Superheroes of the Future Friday 1:00pm-2:00pm
With marriage equality becoming a reality, what will happen to gay issues in comics? Can comics modernize the issues and welcome LGBT characters, or will the traditional mindset hold out for a while? Our panelists will cover these issues after a brief discussion of the history of LGBT issues and characters in comics.
Chris Nilsson, Dennis R. Upkins, Lola Colleen, Charles “Zan” Christensen
Crossing Boundaries: Writing the Other Friday 2:00pm-3:00pm
Can you write a great character of another gender? From a different culture? A different sexual orientation? How do you know what’s good characterization and what’s stereotyping?
Caren Gussoff, Dennis R. Upkins, J.M. Sidorova, Keffy R.M. Kehrli, Sheye Anne Blaze
Minorities in Comics Friday 3:00pm-4:00pm
How do American comics differ from Manga or European comics? When will there be less sexism in mainstream comics? Are token minorities better than none at all? What strengths and weaknesses are there in the comics medium for representing a unique look at these issues?
Dennis R. Upkins, G. Willow Wilson, Charles “Zan” Christensen
Your Anti-Procrastination First Aid Kit Friday 5:00pm-6:00pm
Do you love to write but don’t get as much writing done as you’d like to? Conquer your fears… and your rough draft.
Cat Rambo, Dennis R. Upkins, Ellen Forney, Marta Murvosh
Autograph Session 1 Saturday 2:00pm-3:00pm
Our Attending Professionals are available to sign autographs. PLEASE NOTE: So that as many fans as possible can participate, we will be enforcing a three-items-at-a-time (or single-sketch) autograph limit.
Autumn Grieve, Camille Alexa, Kevin J. Anderson, Carol Berg, S. A. Bolich, Clinton J. Boomer, Kurt Cagle, Chelsea M. Campbell, Charles “Zan” Christensen, Brenda Cooper, Erik Scott de Bie, Cymbric Early-Smith, Ellen Forney, Diana Pharaoh Francis, Jean Johnson, Karen Kincy, Nancy Kress, Edward Martin III, Susan R. Matthews, Angel Leigh McCoy, Dan Murphy, Mark Nelson, G. David Nordley, Brian D. Oberquell, David J. Peterson, Cat Rambo, Jon Rogers, Lorelei Shannon, Jack Skillingstead, Jeff Sturgeon, Jonny Nero Action Hero, Dennis R. Upkins, G. Willow Wilson
Next Gen Publishing Saturday 4:00pm-5:00pm
Not quite New York, not quite indie. What are the new, hybrid publishing models all about and what can they do for you as an author?
Tod McCoy, Dennis R. Upkins, Patrick Swenson, Shahid Mahmud
Yeah this pretty much sums up this past weekend in Memphis. The moral of the story, using the Force to mudbomb a Storm Trooper isn’t always fun and games and as a friend said, never leave home without a light saber.
MidSouthCon was a blast and I had the pleasure of meeting some amazing people, too many to list. I was truly honored to be invited back.
Congrats again to my girl Cherie Priest who rocked it as Guest of Honor.
Special thanks to Kara, James Tuck, John Hartness, John Pacacio and his lovely assistant Tara, Walter, Chris, my fans old and new, and my Con Ride or Dies Reagan and Cherie.
I’m currently in Memphis and I’m living it up like a rock star for MidSouthCon 31. Below is my itinerary for MidSouthCon 31 this weekend. If you’re in attendance, stop by and say howdy.
SATURDAY
10:00AM – 11:00AM W Diversity vs. Tokenism
Guests of Honor: Ross Lockhart, Kimberly Richardson
Panelists: Hilaire Playa, Laura Underwood, Denny Upkins, Stephen Zimmer
Writing beyond your race, sex, or orientation without tokenizing your characters
3:00PM – 4:00PM W Spread Too Thin
Panelists: Robert Krog, Tracy S. Morris, Van Plexico, Kirk Stevens, Denny Upkins
How to prioritize and manage your time
8:00PM – 9:00PM Ultimate Villain Showdown
Guests of Honor: Ross Lockhart
Panelists: Alexander Brown, Jenny Oldenburg, James Tuck, Denny Upkins, Michelle Weston
There can only be one! In a fight to the death, which literary villain would come out on top?
11:00PM – 12:00AM LGBT Characters In Speculative Fiction
Panelists: Hilaire Playa, Selina Rosen, Angelia Sparrow, Denny Upkins
LGBT books and characters in Speculative Fiction
SUNDAY
1:00PM – 2:00PM Monster Hunter: Are You Safe?
Panelists: Walt Boyes, John Hartness, James Tuck, Denny Upkins
How to Identify and Protect Yourself From Monsters
So starting next month business begins to pick up for me. In addition to editing and writing, con season kicks off for me.
Exciting news! Yours truly will be back at MidsouthCon this year. Even more exciting is that I get to kick it with my good buddy Cherie Priest who is one of the Guest of Honors.
Oh yes. It’s about to go down.
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As you can see, my schedule is about to pick up and I can’t wait. I’ll be back at Norwescon this year. I’m very stoked to see all of my friends again and kick it with some awesome peeps. Seattle is one of my favorite cities and I’m always up for the chance to get back there. So if you’re in the area, definitely stop by and join us.
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To say Gaylaxicon/Outlantacon in Atlanta is a homecoming for me would be a major understatement. Can’t wait to see my family, be home and just party it up all weekend. And you will want to be there. No really, you will want to be there.
Geek Media Expo is going down this weekend and I’m too stoked for words. In fact I’m packing up and heading out now.
If you’re in the Nashville area, you should definitely stop by. Yours truly is going to be a guest along with some most excellent peeps.
Below is my schedule. I’ll definitely be wandering around and sitting in on other events so don’t be shy.
And as always, yes, I will be armed with a camera. You’ve been warned.
Just a reminder that yours truly is going to be a guest at this year’s Geek Media Expo which will be held at the Cool Springs Conference Center & Franklin Marriott on Oct. 26-28.
I’m very excited about this. Epic fun will be epic. If you’re in the Nashville area, you definitely don’t want to miss this. Some most excellent people will be there and an awesome time will be had.
And it’s official. Yours truly is going to be a guest at this year’s Geek Media Expo which will be held at the Cool Springs Conference Center & Franklin Marriott on Oct. 26-28.
I’m very excited about this. Epic fun will be epic. If you’re in the Nashville area, you definitely don’t want to miss this. Some most excellent people will be there and an awesome time will be had.
