My Origin’s Schedule

As I’ve posted before, I’ll be launching my first YA Lit novel, War of the Seasons: The Human at Origins Game Fair June 22nd-26th, 2011.

One of the really exciting things I’ll get to do there is be a part of several panels/seminars – now the official schedule isn’t out, but I do know the names of the panels I get to be on & when I’ll get to do my reading of my book. And of course, when I’m not at a panel, I’ll be at my table in the Author’s room in between Bryan Young and Mike Stackpole.

COLOR ME EXCITED!

SO, what panels am I going to be on? Here you go (be warned, this schedule is subject to change – nothing is official until the convention program is out – and even then something could change):

Thursday, the 23rd – My BIRTHDAY, BTW 😉
1 PM: Author Meet and Greet. Origins’ Writers’ Symposium (aka The Library) has brought together a group of highly talented and bestselling authors who will spend the convention teaching classes, doing readings, hosting meals and gaming. This is your chance to meet them on an informal basis before the festivities begin.

2 PM: Quick Critiques. Did you have a few manuscript pages in your game bag? Fiction or game material will suffice. Our authors will look at up to three pages of it and offer you an on-the-spot critique. Don’t pass up this opportunity for some free one-on-one advice. Authors available: Jean Rabe, Janine Spendlove, Bryan Young, VJ Waks.

3 PM: When the Villain is the Hero. Can your main character be something less than a knight-in-shining armor? There’s something definitely attractive about a “bad boy.” If carefully executed, you can make the star of your story downright dirty. We provide insight in how to handle the anti-protagonist. Janine Spendlove, Bryan Young, Jean Rabe. (Seminar cost is $2.)

4 PM: Alternate History and Military Fiction. U.S. Marine, Janine Spendlove, who has served combat tours in Iraq as a pilot, discusses what it takes to add an authentic military flavor to your fiction tales. The reward of your work and research can propel you onto the bookshelves. (Seminar cost is $2.)

Friday the 24th:
4 PM: Slay ‘Em!: Hang ‘em. Poison ‘em. Blow ‘em up. Slice ‘em to ribbons. Or just run ‘em over with a train. Marc Tassin, Janine Spendlove and R.T. Kaelin cover how to kill your characters. They discuss how to time a death scene right, how to give the death meaning, what details to leave in and out, and how to decide which heroes and villains
should “bite the dust.” (Seminar cost is $2.)

5 PM: YA, Kid-Lit, and Adult Markets. Want to write the next big YA fantasy? You better approach it differently than that adult-horror-splatterfest you’ve been spending your hours on. Authors and editors Marc Tassin, C.S. Marks, and Janine Spendlove discuss the difference in children’s lit, YA, and adult genres. The age of your intended readers should dictate your approach to storytelling. They provide a handout of YA markets and agents. (Seminar cost is $2.)

Saturday the 25th:
10 AM: Part Time Writer, Full Time World. You have a day job. Or you’re a full-time student. Maybe you’re a stay-at-home mom who has kids underfoot. How can you juggle the “real world” and find time to write that novel you’ve always dreamed about? Our panelists have full-time careers and have managed to write a plethora of short fiction, novels, and trilogies. They’ll share their techniques for fitting it all in. Panelists: Janine Spendlove, Bryan Young, Marc Tassin. (Seminar cost is $2.)

12 PM: Writing Right—Dialog and Language: Whatchu wanna learn ‘bout writing conversations? There’s a right method for capturing dialects and slang without making your readers strain their brains in an effort to fathom what you mean. Learn the techniques for adding flavor and a smidgen of grammatical incorrectness. Panelists also discuss creating languages to make your worlds come alive. How do you keep your characters from having names and discussions that look like someone slapped the keyboard? Panelists: Steven Saus, Walter Hunt, Janine Spendlove. (Seminar cost is $2.)

1 PM: Beating Writer’s Block. Have you faced a malevolent force that prevents you from finishing your manuscript? How can you defeat the dark power that keeps your fingers motionless on the keyboard and your brain in neutral? Our panelists have battled this dreaded demon, and they’ll teach you how to best it! Janine Spendlove, Jean Rabe, Marc Tassin. (Seminar cost is $2.)

Saturday Readings:
6 p.m. Steven Saus
6:30 p.m. Walter Hunt
7 p.m. Aaron Allston
8 p.m. Janine Spendlove
8:30 p.m. Bryan Young

Sunday the 25th:
10 AM: The Ups and Downs of the Publishing Industry. Your panelists have dealt with big publishers, small press publishers, packagers, editors, and agents. They have wisdom to impart on deadlines, galleys, self-publishing, vanity publishing, print-on-demand, and web postings. They understand how advances, royalties, and reserves for
returns work. They’ve attended pitch sessions, schmoozed at con parties, sold projects off of outlines, submitted partials, and written work-for-hire in shared worlds. They’ve authored, edited, packaged, and critiqued. They’ve done readings and book tours and shameless self-promotion. Best yet, they’re willing to chat about it all and answer your questions in this audience-driven review of publishing. Panelists: Jean Rabe, Bryan Young, Janine Spendlove, Marc Tassin. (Seminar cost is $2.)

11 AM: Crafting Conflict: Make war, not peace! Ruffle the feathers of your characters. Stir the pot of emotions. Add a fistfight or two. Craft a clever and entertaining argument among your heroes. Not all conflict has to be bloody or increase the body count, but it does have to keep the reader turning the pages. Janine Spendlove, Bryan Young, and R.T. Kaelin discuss the art of adding a dash of conflict to your pages. (Seminar cost is $2.)

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Aaaaaaaand that’s my schedule! I really hope to see y’all there – and yes, I will have my books in tow so you can get signed copies if you’d like. 🙂