It’s less than a month until Easter, and therefore just about a month until Norwescon! Here’s where you can find me then:
Friday (4/19) – it’s all about ME
Writing Class: Dialogue, She Wrote with Curtis Chen
Cascade 13
11:30am–1pm
More than one editor has accused me of writing “good-ass banter,” and I’m okay with that. Many writers struggle with writing natural speech (reality is no excuse for fiction) or having characters talk their way out of trouble (looking at you, Scalzi!). We can also get into things like eye dialect, why not to italicize foreign language words, and non-traditional text notations (e.g., telepathy or screen displays). Presented by Clarion West. Ages 17+. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Sign-up before the convention, or sign-up in Cascade 1 during the convention.
Reading: Curtis C. Chen
Cascade 3
3:30pm–4pm
CLOUDMAKERS, a standalone novel about computers taking over the world! Rated R.
Saturday (4/20) – it’s all about YOU
Autograph Session 1
Grand 2
10am–11am
Our guests of honor and 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.
Nancy Pearl, Yanni Kuznia, Mary Robinette Kowal, Dan Koboldt, Neil Clarke, Tran Nguyen, Carol Berg, Stephen L. Gillett, Pat MacEwen, Lee Moyer, Spencer Ellsworth, Caroline M. Yoachim, Curtis C. Chen, Evan J. Peterson, Julie McGalliard, Scott James Magner, Joseph Brassey, Fonda Lee, Barth Anderson, KJ Kabza, Violet DeVille, Abie Ekenezar, Greg Bear, Ren Cummins, Nisi Shawl, Nancy Kress
Star Trek Discovery
Cascade 9
11am–12noon
Star Trek is back on TV—new tech, new Klingons, new uniforms. We boldly go where no one has gone before… and talk about the new clothes on our favorite sci-fi TV show.
Curtis C. Chen (M), K Tempest Bradford, Sarah Gulde, Alexandra Samuel
What is SFWA? (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America)
Cascade 11
1pm–2pm
Panelists will discuss the origin and history of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), what the organization does for professional fantasy and science fiction writers and the genre, how and why to join, and what the organization’s direction will be in coming years.
Cat Rambo (M), Curtis C. Chen, Adam Rakunas, Patrick Hurley
First Page Idol
Cascade 12
5pm–6pm
Feeling brave? Want to see how your first page holds up in a cold read? Send the first page of your manuscript to idol@norwescon.org for the chance to have it anonymously read aloud and critiqued by a panel of pros. (Pages will be selected randomly; we cannot guarantee all submissions will be read. DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS MONDAY, APRIL 15th.)
Curtis C. Chen (M), Nancy Kress, Tod McCoy, Adam Rakunas, Kiri Callaghan
Sunday (4/21) – Easter? I didn’t even know ‘er!
MST3K – Past, Present, and Future
Cascade 11
1pm–2pm
How can you save a bad movie? By MSTing it, of course! MST3K has come and gone and come back again, both on television and through their offshoots of Rifftrax and Cinematic Titanic. These are the guys who took the unwatchable and made it not only watchable but hilariously so. Best of all, you can do it too! Let’s talk about the past, present, and future of MST3K as well as how we can make our own awesome movie riffs!
Berlynn Wohl (M), Curtis C. Chen, Chris Wiswell
If you’re at the con, come say hello! Or just follow me on Twitter to keep up with all the latest shenanigans. (Shenanigans may vary.)