SCHEDULE AT-A-GLANCE
(all times are Eastern Standard Time)
| DAY AND TIME | Gernsback Room | CW Harris Room | Shelley Room | Wells Room | Wilhelm Room | Filk Room | Frank R. Paul Room | Con Suite Lobby Fandom Party Rooms |
| READINGS 1 | READINGS 2 | PANELS 1 | PANELS 2 | WORKSHOPS | Continuous online musical presentations (pre-recorded) (AmazingCon website) | Online Art Show (AmazingCon website) | TBD | |
| FRIDAY | ||||||||
| 9am | Opening Ceremony: Davidson, Nayman, Woodall | |||||||
| 10am | How to Critique – McCrosky | Opens | Opens | |||||
| 11am | D.L. Gardner | Al Sirois | How to Critique – McCrosky | |||||
| 12pm | Readers Summit – Garrard, Inch-Partridge, Hirst | |||||||
| 1pm | Ron Miller & Allen Steele | How I Sabotaged My Pitch – McBride, Frey, Nayman, Partridge | How to Plot – Royer | |||||
| 2pm | Marie Bilodeau & Julie Czerneda | How to Get Out of the Slush – Anderson, Moores, Garrard. Hirst | How to Plot – Royer | |||||
| 3pm | James Cambias & Jack Clemons | G. Scott Huggins | Science Fiction’s Eras – Partridge, Penney | |||||
| 4pm | Jack McDevitt & Kimberly Unger | Wendy Nikel | Biology in SF – Gerrold, Kitts, Czerneda, Clemons | First Three Pages – Starr | ||||
| 5pm | Noah Chinn & Steve Fahnestalk | Resurrecting Pulp – Steele, Murray, Jackson | First Three Pages – Starr | |||||
| 6pm | Sally McBride & JM Frey | Humor in SF – Bilodeau, Shvartsman, Grigsby, Preslar, Nayman | ||||||
| 7pm | Cancelled Playing the Short Game 1- Douglas Smith |
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| 8pm | Cancelled Playing the Short Game 1- Douglas Smith |
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| SATURDAY | ||||||||
| 10am | Dave Creek & Chip Houser | Mary Soon Lee | Meditation – Wilcox | How to Critique – McCrosky | ||||
| 11am | JF Garrard | Elizabeth Hirst | Information, Please – Silver, Czerneda, Wu | World Building 101 – Royer, Nayman, Meier, Partridge | How to Critique | |||
| 12pm | First Fandom Experience with Dave Ritter & Dan Ritter | MJ Moores | Multimedia Amazing – Davidson, Nayman, Woodall, Stine | |||||
| 1pm | SP Somtow | Kathy Kitts | The Art of Dune – Miller, Jackson | How to Plot – Royer | ||||
| 2pm | Daniel Kimmel | Paula Johanson | ST Picard’s Showrunner was an Award-winning SF Author – Creek, Levinson, Wilcox | How to Plot – Royer | ||||
| 3pm | Adam-Troy Castro & Brad Preslar | Frank Wu | SF in Translation – Novakova | Shvartsman | Cordasco | Mitchell | ||
| 4pm | David Gerrold | Julie Novakova | Does Anyone Care About Our History? – Ritter, Ritter, Stine | World Building 101 – Frey, Sparhawk, Kitts, Huggins | First Three Pages – Starr | |||
| 5pm | Veronica Scott | Steven H. Silver | Making Movies From Fiction – Frankel & Crew | What’s Up, Dino? – Wu, Smith | First Three Pages – Starr | |||
| 6pm | Amber Royer | Darrell Scweitzer | SF Film Then and Now – Fahnestalk, Kimmel | Paul Levinson in concert | ||||
| 7pm | Cancelled Playing the Short Game 2- Douglas Smith |
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| 8pm | Cancelled Playing the Short Game 2- Douglas Smith |
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| SUNDAY | ||||||||
| 10am | Jennifer Crow & Sean Grigsby | World Building 101 – Cambias, Levinson, Smith, Wicke | How to Critique – McCrosky | |||||
| 11am | Alex Shvartsman & Rosemary Claire Smith | Shirley Meier & Ira Nayman | How to Critique | |||||
| 12pm | Paul Levinson & Bud Sparhawk | SF Romance – Scott, S. Smith, Jones | ||||||
| 1pm | Jen Frankel | Alma Hromic Deckert | Visionary Fiction – Scarola, Hudson, Older, Imarisha | How to Plot – Royer | ||||
| 2pm | Hugh Spencer | Douglas Smith | Politics & Fandom – Davidson, Wu | How to Plot – Royer | ||||
| 3pm | Adam Gaffen | SF Covers – di Fate, Jackson, Miller | ||||||
| 4pm | First Three Pages – Starr | |||||||
| 5pm | First Three Pages – Starr | |||||||
| 6pm | DEAD DOG PARTY | DEAD DOG PARTY | DEAD DOG PARTY | DEAD DOG PARTY | DEAD DOG PARTY | DEAD DOG PARTY | DEAD DOG PARTY | DEAD DOG PARTY |
NOTE: ALL Workshops require a separate registration as class sizes are limited. If you would like to attend one of the workshops, email the convention AFTER you have registered with the con, stating which workshop you would like to attend. (Signing up for a Workshop requires committment to attend all three session.)
A downloadable PDF Pocket Program will be provided at the bottom of this post when we are certain that nothing but minor changes will occur.
Below, please find the complete schedule of events (which may change slightly between now and the convention, so please check back frequently
(Note: ALL times are Eastern Standard Time) About our Room Names: Because we’re not saddled with room names invented by hoteliers, we can make up our own, and we have. The rooms are named for – Hugo Gernsback, founder of Amazing Stories, Claire Winger Harris, the first woman to place a story with Amazing Stories, H.G. Wells, one of the “grandfathers” of the genre, Mary Shelley, the “mother” of science fiction and Kate Wilhelm who featured prominently in the founding of SFWA, the Clarion writing workshops and contributed far more to the genre than she gets credit for.
PANEL DESCRIPTIONS
FRIDAY
9 am
OPENING CEREMONIES & KEYNOTE ADDRESS Please join the Publisher, Editor-in-Chief and Art Director of Amazing Stories – Steve Davidson, Ira Nayman and Kermit Woodall – for the opening of the first ever AmazingCon. Ira Nayman will also deliver a keynote address. Gernsback Room
ART SHOW OPENS Our online artshow, featuring artwork from many of the artists who contribute to Amazing Stories, opens. Visit the art show via the link on the website Website Link CONCERTS – CONTINUOUS PROGRAMMING – BEGINS SP Somtow – acclaimed Conductor, Composer and SF Author, has put together a selection of pre-recorded performances from a variety of artists. This programming is accessible through the website and is available for viewing continuously. A separate program schedule is provided at the link. Website Link
10 am
WORKSHOP: HOW TO CRITIQUE (First of three two-hour sessions) This workshop will teach you how to examine a piece of writing analytically, focus on both strengths and weaknesses, and make comments that are constructive and not destructive. Through this process you’ll learn not only how to help other writers but also improve your own work. Instructor: Judy Berlyne McCrosky Wilhelm Room
11 am
READING: DL GARDNER A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
READING: AL SIROIS A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
WORKSHOP: HOW TO CRITIQUE (continues) Wilhelm Room
12 pm
PANEL: AEWRS (Assistant Editors Who Read Slush) Spend some time learning the ins and outs of magazine & book publishing from the people who really know how the sausage is made. With JF Garrard, Rebecca Inch-Partridge, MJ Moores & Elizabeth Hirst Shelley Room
1 pm
READING: RON MILLER & ALLEN STEELE A reading session with two authors, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
PANEL: HOW I SABOTAGED MY PITCH Pitching your own work can be frustrating and difficult. Hear some horror stories from authors who messed it up, and learn some tips and tricks to do avoid the same pitfalls. With Sally McBride, J.M. Frey, Ira Nayman & Rebecca Inch-Partridge Shelley Room
WORKSHOP: PLOTTING AN AMAZING STORY (3 two-hour sessions each day for 3 days) Participants will learn to structure on both the scene and story level, and will work over the course of the weekend to outline a short story. Instructor: Amber Royer Wilhelm Room
2 pm
READING: MARIE BILODEAU & JULIE E. CZERNEDA A reading session with two authors, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
PANEL: HOW TO GET OUT OF THE SLUSH It’s easy to get in to the slush pile, but very few manuscripts survive the experience. Learn what first readers are looking for before passing one along for future consideration. With Michael Anderson, MJ Moores, JF Garrard, Elizabeth Hirst & R. Graeme Cameron Shelley Room
WORKSHOP: PLOTTING AN AMAZING STORY (continues) Wilhelm Room
3 pm
READING: JAMES CAMBIAS & JACK CLEMONS A reading session with two authors, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
READING: G. SCOTT HUGGINS A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Harris Room
PANEL: THE ERAS OF SCIENCE FICTION AUTHORSHIP You’ve heard of Pulp SF, the Golden Age, the New Wave. Did the genre really change, and, if so, how did it affect its authors? With Rebecca Inch-Partridge & Lloyd Penney Shelley Room
4 pm
READING: JACK MCDEVITT & KIMBERLY UNGER A reading session with two authors, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
READING: WENDY NIKEL & MICHAEL KURLAND A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Harris Room
PANEL: BIOLOGIES AND ECOLOGIES IN SCIENCE FICTION Some authors shine when it comes to creating alien landscapes. What goes in to creating believable biota? With David Gerrold, Kathy Kitts, Julie E. Czerneda & Jack Clemons Shelley Room
WORKSHOP: CRAFTING THE FIRST THREE PAGES A round-table critique workshop focused on the first three pages of your short story or novel. Instructor: Richard Dean Starr Wilhelm Room
5 pm
READING: NOAH CHINN & STEVE FAHNESTALK A reading session with two authors, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
PANEL: RESURRECTING PULP HEROES Pulp isn’t gone – it’s not even forgotten! Find out what goes in to bringing a beloved hero back to literary life. With Allen Steele, Will Murray & MD Jackson Shelley Room
WORKSHOP: CRAFTING THE FIRST THREE PAGES (continues) A round-table critique workshop focused on the first three pages of your short story or novel. Instructor: Richard Dean Starr Wilhelm Room
6 pm
READING: SALLY MCBRIDE & J.M. FREY A reading session with two authors, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
PANEL: HUMOR IN SCIENCE FICTION Why did the space chicken cross the orbit? You’ll have to attend this panel to find out why that might – or might not – be funny. With Marie Bilodeau, Ira Nayman, Alex Shvartsman, Sean Grigsby & Brad Preslar Shelley Room
7 pm
WORKSHOP: PLAYING THE SHORT GAME #1: How to Market & Sell Short Fiction This workshop will give you critical advice on how to sell your short stories to professional markets and to build a career as a short fiction writer. Instructor: Douglas Smith Wilhelm Room
8 pm
WORKSHOP: PLAYING THE SHORT GAME #1: How to Market & Sell Short Fiction (continues) This workshop will give you critical advice on how to sell your short stories to professional markets and to build a career as a short fiction writer. Instructor: Douglas Smith Wilhelm Room
SATURDAY
ART SHOW (continues) Our online artshow, featuring artwork from many of the artists who contribute to Amazing Stories, opens. Visit the art show via the link on the website Website Link CONCERTS – CONTINUOUS PROGRAMMING (continues) SP Somtow – acclaimed Conductor, Composer and SF Author, has put together a selection of pre-recorded performances from a variety of artists. This programming is accessible through the website and is available for viewing continuously. A separate program schedule is provided at the link. Website Link
10 am
READING: DAVE CREEK & CHIP HOUSER A reading session with two authors, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
READING: MARY SOON LEE A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Harris Room
PANEL: MORNING MEDITATION FOR LIVING LONG AND PROSPERING Learn some meditation techniques that incorporate Vulcan-based philosophies and get your day off to an energized start With Erin Wilcox Shelley Room
WORKSHOP: THE CREATIVE PROCESS (Second of three two-hour sessions) What goes on when a writer moves an idea onto paper? Where do ideas come from? Whether you’re new or experienced, understanding process will help you be more productive and will lead you into the discovery of richer and more unique writing. Instructor: Judy Berlyne McCrosky Wilhelm Room
11 am
READING: JF GARRARD A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
READING: ELIZABETH HIRST A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Harris Room
PANEL: INFORMATION, PLEASE QUIZ SHOW The Science Fiction version of the popular “stump the stars” quiz show. Audience questions are presented to the panelists and if you stump them, you win! Hosted By Steven H Silver, With Frank Wu, Julie E. Czerneda, Dave McCarty & Rich Horton Shelley Room
PANEL: WORLD BUILDING 101 SESSION A World building is a fundamental skill for science fiction, fantasy and horror writers. Listen in as world builders discuss their tricks and techniques. With Amber Royer, Ira Nayman, Shirley Meier & Rebecca Inch-Partridge Wells Room
WORKSHOP: THE CREATIVE PROCESS (Second of three two-hour sessions continues) What goes on when a writer moves an idea onto paper? Where do ideas come from? Whether you’re new or experienced, understanding process will help you be more productive and will lead you into the discovery of richer and more unique writing. Instructor: Judy Berlyne McCrosky Wilhelm Room
12 pm
READING: The First Fandom Experience with DAVE RITTER & DAN RITTER A reading session with two authors, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
READING: MJ MOORES A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Harris Room
PANEL: AMAZING MEDIA STORIES – AMAZING STORIES IN PRINT, ON SCREEN AND… Join the publisher, editor and art director of Amazing Stories for a free-wheeling discussion of the magazine’s history and its future With Steve Davidson, Ira Nayman & Kermit Woodall Shelley Room
1 pm
READING: SP SOMTOW A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
READING: KATHY KITTS A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Harris Room
PANEL: THE ART OF DUNE A lot of speculative artwork goes in to the making of a film. Learn about the behind-the-scenes artwork that went into one of the films based on the famous novel With Ron Miller, MD Jackson Shelley Room
WORKSHOP: PLOTTING AN AMAZING STORY (continues) Participants will learn to structure on both the scene and story level, and will work over the course of the weekend to outline a short story. Instructor: Amber Royer Wilhelm Room
2 pm
READING: DANIEL M. KIMMEL A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
READING: PAULA JOHANSON A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Harris Room
PANEL: ST: PICARD. DID AN SF AWARD WINNING AUTHOR AS SHOWRUNNER MAKE A DIFFERENCE? Michael Chabon, winner of both the Hugo and Nebula awards, ran the show for Star Trek: Picard. Join the panel as they discuss whether or not having an insider behind the wheel made a science-fictional difference. With Dave Creek, Paul Levinson & Erin Wilcox Shelley Room
WORKSHOP: PLOTTING AN AMAZING STORY (continues) Participants will learn to structure on both the scene and story level, and will work over the course of the weekend to outline a short story. Instructor: Amber Royer Wilhelm Room
3 pm
READING: ADAM-TROY CASTRO & BRAD PRESLAR A reading session with two authors, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
READING: FRANK WU A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Harris Room
PANEL: SF IN TRANSLATION Translated works are becoming much more common, contributing greatly to the globalization of the genre. Why now? and what’s involved in bringing these works to print? With Julie Novakova, Alex Shvartsman, Rachel Cordasco, Petrea Mitchell Shelley Room
4 PM
READING: DAVID GERROLD A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
READING: JULIE NOVAKOVA A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Harris Room
PANEL: THE FIRST FANDOM EXPERIENCE Explore the history of fandom and efforts to maintain its relevance and appeal in the new century. With Dan Ritter, Dave Ritter & Jean Marie Stine Shelley Room
PANEL: WORLD BUILDING 101 SESSION B World building is a fundamental skill for science fiction, fantasy and horror writers. Listen in as world builders discuss their tricks and techniques. With J.M. Frey, Bud Sparhawk, Kathy Kitts & G. Scott Huggins Wells Room
WORKSHOP: CRAFTING THE FIRST THREE PAGES (Continues) A round-table critique workshop focused on the first three pages of your short story or novel. Instructor: Richard Dean Starr Wilhelm Room
5 pm
READING: VERONICA SCOTT A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
READING: STEVEN H SILVER A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Harris Room
PANEL: MAKING MOVIES FROM FICTION Get the inside scoop on what is involved with turning a book into film with the author and crew who are doing it With Jen Frankel & Crew Shelley Room
PANEL: WHAT’S UP, DINOSAUR? Giant lizard-birds are an enduring favorite of fans everywhere. Join our would-be paleontologists for a lively discussion of new discoveries and fantastical treatments of the thunder-lizards. With Frank Wu & Rosemary Claire Smith Wells Room
WORKSHOP: CRAFTING THE FIRST THREE PAGES (Continues) A round-table critique workshop focused on the first three pages of your short story or novel. Instructor: Richard Dean Starr Wilhelm Room
6 pm
READING: AMBER ROYER Amber will read the Maltese Squidlon, comic Space Opera set in the Chocoverse: When Brill’s ship needs to be repaired, Bo kills time in the VR area of a spaceport, where she finds a bag containing a priceless statue stolen from the Xydar Royal Museum. Gernsback Room
READING: DARRELL SCHWEITZER A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Harris Room
PANEL: SF FILM THEN AND NOW Join two film buffs and critics for a free-wheeling discussion of the good, the bad and the BEMy in science fiction films With Daniel M. Kimmel, Steve Fahnestalk & R. Graeme Cameron Shelley Room
PANEL: PAUL LEVINSON IN CONCERT Author, songwriter & singer, Professor Paul performs live from his recently released album Wells Room
7 pm
WORKSHOP: PLAYING THE SHORT GAME #2: You Sold a Story! Contracts, Editing, & Reality This workshop takes a writer from when they learn an editor wants to buy their story to after it’s published and the reviews start coming. Instructor: Douglas Smith Wilhelm Room
8 pm
WORKSHOP: PLAYING THE SHORT GAME #2: You Sold a Story! Contracts, Editing, & Reality (continues) This workshop takes a writer from when they learn an editor wants to buy their story to after it’s published and the reviews start coming. Instructor: Douglas Smith Wilhelm Room
SUNDAY
ART SHOW OPENS Our online artshow, featuring artwork from many of the artists who contribute to Amazing Stories, opens. Visit the art show via the link on the website Website Link CONCERTS – CONTINUOUS PROGRAMMING – BEGINS SP Somtow – acclaimed Conductor, Composer and SF Author, has put together a selection of pre-recorded performances from a variety of artists. This programming is accessible through the website and is available for viewing continuously. A separate program schedule is provided at the link. Website Link
10 am
READING: JENNIFER CROW & SEAN GRIGSBY A reading session with two authors, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
PANEL: WORLD BUILDING 101 SESSION C World building is a fundamental skill for science fiction, fantasy and horror writers. Listen in as world builders discuss their tricks and techniques. With James Cambias, Paul Levinson, Rosemary Claire Smith & T.B. Jeremiah Shelley Room
WORKSHOP: BLUE PENCIL SESSION (Third of three two-hour sessions) Aa one-on-one opportunity with an experienced writer and teacher. Up to three double-spaced pages of the student’ s work will be read and discussed. The first three pages of your work is suggested, 10 to 15 minutes per writer. Instructor: Judy Berlyne McCrosky Wilhelm Room
11 am
READING: ALEX SHVARTSMAN & ROSEMARY CLAIRE SMITH A reading session with two authors, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
READING: Shirley Meier & IRA NAYMAN A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Harris Room
PANEL: SCIENCE FICTION ROMANCE Three best selling science fiction romance authors discuss the state of SF romance, current trends in SFR tropes and make predictions for the future of this genre. With Veronic Scott, SE Smith & Pauline Baird Jones Shelley Room
WORKSHOP: BLUE PENCIL SESSION (Third of three two-hour sessions continues) Aa one-on-one opportunity with an experienced writer and teacher. Up to three double-spaced pages of the student’ s work will be read and discussed. The first three pages of your work is suggested, 10 to 15 minutes per writer. Instructor: Judy Berlyne McCrosky Wilhelm Room
12 pm
READING: PAUL LEVINSON & BUD SPARHAWK A reading session with two authors, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
1 pm
READING: JEN FRANKEL A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
READING: Alma HROMIC DECKERT A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Harris Room
PANEL: VISIONARY FICTION A discussion of technology and the genre that imagines it With Russ Scarola, Andrew Hudson, Malka Older & Walidah Imarisha Shelley Room
WORKSHOP: PLOTTING AN AMAZING STORY (continues) Participants will learn to structure on both the scene and story level, and will work over the course of the weekend to outline a short story. Instructor: Amber Royer Wilhelm Room
2 pm
READING: HUGH SPENCER A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room READING: DOUGLAS SMITH A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Harris Room
PANEL: POLITICS INSIDE & OUTSIDE OF FANDOM A discussion of realpolitik with former Congressional Candidate Brianna Wu With Brianna Wu & Steve Davidson Shelley Room WORKSHOP: PLOTTING AN AMAZING STORY (continues) Participants will learn to structure on both the scene and story level, and will work over the course of the weekend to outline a short story. Instructor: Amber Royer Wilhelm Room
3 pm
READING: ADAM GAFFEN A reading session with an author, followed by Q&A Gernsback Room
PANEL: SCIENCE FICTION COVER ART A discussion of the good, the bad and the BEMy in a different medium With Vincent Di Fate, MD Jackson, Ron Miller & Al Sirois Shelley Room WORKSHOP: CRAFTING THE FIRST THREE PAGES (Continues) A round-table critique workshop focused on the first three pages of your short story or novel. Instructor: Richard Dean Starr Wilhelm Room
4 pm
WORKSHOP: CRAFTING THE FIRST THREE PAGES (Continues) A round-table critique workshop focused on the first three pages of your short story or novel. Instructor: Richard Dean Starr Wilhelm Room
5 pm
CLOSING CEREMONIES & DEAD DOG PARTY With the cast and crew of AMAZINGCON Gernsback Room
