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Welcome to the VCON 41 Online Schedule!

VCON is the oldest general-interest science fiction, fantasy, and games convention in Canada and the Pacific Northwest. This 100% volunteer fan-organized convention has promoted the interests of science fiction and fantasy culture in Vancouver BC and its environs since 1971, offering events and exhibits focused on a variety of Science Fiction and Fantasy fandom interest areas such as literature, art, media, music, costumes, comics, tabletop games, electronic games, etc. For more detailed information visit our website: www.vcon.ca.

VCON 41 will be held Sep 30 - Oct 2, 2016, at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford hotel. The convention’s main theme is "Muppets, Puppets & Marionettes" with a secondary theme of "The Small Press Cabal".

Please take a moment to check out the "Sponsor" tab to see who has helped support this year’s event.
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SESSIONS ARE ALWAYS SUBJECT TO CHANGE 

SEPTEMBER 17, 2016: The schedule is now as "final" as it ever gets! Which means that, yes, there will probably still be changes here and there, but generally only to resolve when we’ve accidentally placed one panelist on two panels at the same time, or if a panelist has to cancel.)

-Jenni Merrifield, VCON 41 Programming Coordinator
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Simple
Expanded
Grid
By Room
Friday, September 30
 

10:30 PDT

Pre-Registration Pickup Only
If you pre-registered for the event you can pick up your badge and registration package a whole hour earlier than everyone else!
Friday September 30, 2016 10:30 - 11:30 PDT
00 - Registration Guildford Foyer (1st Floor)
  Con Operations

11:30 PDT

Registration, FRI
Friday September 30, 2016 11:30 - 20:00 PDT
00 - Registration Guildford Foyer (1st Floor)
  Con Operations

12:00 PDT

Nonverbal
Do we include the nonverbal language of aliens and humans in our writing, shows, movies, and games? "Power poses... fake it until you become it." Panelists discuss the value of nonverbal language in storytelling.
Moderators
avatar for Stephanie Johanson

Stephanie Johanson

co-owner, assistant editor, art director..., Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Art Director Guest of HonourStephanie Johanson is the art director, assistant editor, on-staff artist, and co-owner of Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine. How the heck do you start up a science fiction magazine?The idea came to Stephanie around 4:00 AM one Sunday morning in... Read More →

Panelists
avatar for Aviva Bel'Harold

Aviva Bel'Harold

Dyslexic author Aviva Bel'Harold has written several YA books, 3 self published, 1 hybrid and the latest fully published through Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy. She does several signing a month as well as speaking in schools and other events.
avatar for Karl Johanson

Karl Johanson

Editor, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Editor Guest of HonourKarl Johanson is not just an exceptional editor of a marvelous magazine, he is—behind his unassuming exterior—a mad genius whose team is, against all logic, constantly pulling off these completely astounding projects.During the 1990s, Karl co-edited... Read More →
avatar for Claire McCague

Claire McCague

Simon Fraser University
Claire McCague is a research scientist, musician and writer. She performs regularly with the Sybaritic String Band and her other worldly plays have been featured in festivals across Canada. Her humorous first contact novel, The Rosetta Man, published by EDGE, is her first novel.

Friday September 30, 2016 12:00 - 12:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

12:00 PDT

Raising the Stakes in Kid Lit
Young people's fiction has amazing plots with young characters in situations adults would fear to tread. Does pushing these characters to the next level propel the story into unrealistic events?
Moderators
avatar for Judy McCrosky

Judy McCrosky

I'm the author of several books, with two new ones due out this year. I'm an experienced speaker and teacher of writing in a variety of genres. I love to talk to people about any and all aspects of writing and the writing life.

Panelists
LD

linda demeulemeester

Linda DeMeulemeester’s speculative short fiction has been published in zines, magazines and anthologies, most recently: Edge Press’ Compostela -Tesseracts-Twenty, Exile Press’s Dead North, Playground of Lost Toys, and Alice Unbound.Her spine-tingling MG series, Grim Hill, has... Read More →
avatar for Kevin Harkness

Kevin Harkness

Kevin Harkness is a writer of YA Fantasy novels and short stories in a number of genres. His City of Demons series is published by Tyche Books.

Friday September 30, 2016 12:00 - 12:50 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

12:00 PDT

Art Show Judging
Several of our GoH's and the other judges will be in the Art Gallery to review the show and choose the individual piece of art or the artist's body of work to which they will award their ribbons. 
Panelists
avatar for Jamie Anderson

Jamie Anderson

VCON 41 Supermarionation Guest of HonorJamie Anderson is the younger son of the late Gerry Anderson – the man behind cult TV shows like Fireball XL5, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Space: 1999, and of course Thunderbirds.Jamie had always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps... Read More →
avatar for Eric Chu

Eric Chu

VCON 41 Film Design Guest of HonorBorn in Hong Kong at a very early age, Eric quickly exhibited an interest in design and film. Even as a young child, directing seemed to be in his blood, but an uncooperative cast of plastic farm animals would prove to be an endless source of frustration... Read More →
avatar for Stan Hyde

Stan Hyde

Stan is a model builder and artist, retired English literature, film and drama teacher, and a bona fide Godzilla expert (he has more than 200 models of Godzilla, each one different and can look at a photo of Godzilla and identify the movie the still came from by the shape of the ear... Read More →
avatar for Karl Johanson

Karl Johanson

Editor, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Editor Guest of HonourKarl Johanson is not just an exceptional editor of a marvelous magazine, he is—behind his unassuming exterior—a mad genius whose team is, against all logic, constantly pulling off these completely astounding projects.During the 1990s, Karl co-edited... Read More →
avatar for Stephanie Johanson

Stephanie Johanson

co-owner, assistant editor, art director..., Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Art Director Guest of HonourStephanie Johanson is the art director, assistant editor, on-staff artist, and co-owner of Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine. How the heck do you start up a science fiction magazine?The idea came to Stephanie around 4:00 AM one Sunday morning in... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 12:00 - 13:00 PDT
10 - Art Show Guildford A (1st Floor)
  Exhibits

12:00 PDT

Rubber Duck Painting Party
Registration: Drop-in
Materials fee: $4 per duck painted (paid at the workshop)
Workshop duration:  Until 5pm on Friday

Workshop description:  Before the Convention really gets into the swing come chill and paint some cute rubber ducks. Create the rubber duck you always wanted or a troupe of them. Create your favorite superhero, pony, wizard, abstract design or some other flavour of crazy.
 
Then take them home with you. Where they can be your friends forever.

Who doesn’t love a rubber ducky?

Quack!
Friday September 30, 2016 12:00 - 17:00 PDT
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making   Kid Stuff

12:00 PDT

KidCon, FRI
Arts, crafts and edutainment for the kids so parents can tackle panels distraction-free. Run by first-aid-trained staff with a comprehensive knowledge of Pokemon and anime, we're here to help keep you sane.
Friday September 30, 2016 12:00 - 17:00 PDT
09 - KidCon Hotel Suite (# TBA)
  Kid Stuff

12:00 PDT

Art Show, FRI
VCON’s annual art show features the work of local artists. Works on display include paintings, sculpture, cartoons, and other objets d’art with some relationship to science fiction, fantasy, gaming, horror, and related themes. As much as we appreciate still life studies, for example, the still life must be within the genre.

COME TO THE ART GALLERY DURING CONVENTION. CHAT WITH THE ARTISTS. CHECK OUT OUR SHOW-AND-TELL AREA. ATTEND THE RECEPTION FRIDAY NIGHT AND MEET ART DIRECTOR GOH STEPHANIE JOHANSON AND MANY OF THE OTHER ARTISTS. WATCH FOR DEMONSTRATIONS AND TOURS. TIMES WILL BE POSTED AT THE DOOR.

And always remember that at VCON, we FEAR NO ART!

• • • • • • 
Art Show Bidding Rules
Please remember, when you place a bid, you are making a non-rescindable purchase contract with the artist. It cannot be rescinded.

To bid on a piece, fill in the bid sheet attached or adjacent to the piece in which you are interested. Required information consists of the bidder’s name (real or badge name), badge number and bid amount. Bids will be accepted in increments of $1 only. Highest bid wins.

Any single-bid pieces may be picked up and paid for when the art show closes on Sunday. The Art Show staff reserve the right to void any bid they deem not legitimate.

Direct Sales
Some pieces will have direct sales prices as well as minimum bid prices. If a piece has not yet been bid on, it can be purchased for the direct sale price.

Artists’ Reception
VCON’s ‘Newest tradition’ allows members to meet and mingle with the exhibiting artists in a relaxed and informal setting. Join us to enjoy the art and the artists.

Print Shop
Here you can purchase prints of some of the work on display, as well as prints of other works by the artists. Please take every precaution to ensure prints are not damaged in any way. You are handling works of art!

Special Saturday Programming
A detailed schedule of programmed events within the gallery will be posted at the door.

General Notes
When entering the Art Gallery, please check all bags with the art show volunteer at the door. No photography. No food or drink allowed. Please do not touch.
Friday September 30, 2016 12:00 - 17:30 PDT
10 - Art Show Guildford A (1st Floor)
  Exhibits

12:00 PDT

Clubs & Organizations, FRI
Friday September 30, 2016 12:00 - 19:00 PDT
14 - Club Tables Tynehead Foyer (2nd Floor)
  Exhibits

12:00 PDT

Artists' Alley, FRI
Friday September 30, 2016 12:00 - 20:00 PDT
13b - Vendor Hall: Artists' Alley Guildford Foyer (1st Floor)
  Exhibits

12:00 PDT

Dealers' Room, FRI
Friday September 30, 2016 12:00 - 20:00 PDT
13a - Vender Hall: Dealers' Room Guildford B&C (1st Floor)
  Exhibits

12:00 PDT

Console Gaming: FRI
24 Hour Console Gaming (Room remains open beyond 2am)
Friday September 30, 2016 12:00 - Saturday October 1, 2016 02:00 PDT
11b - Console Gaming Barnston B (1st Floor)
  Games & Game Design

12:00 PDT

Table Top Gaming: FRI
24 Hour Table Top Gaming (Room remains open beyond 2am)
Friday September 30, 2016 12:00 - Saturday October 1, 2016 02:00 PDT
11a - Tabletop Gaming Fraser (1st Floor)
  Games & Game Design

12:00 PDT

VCON Hospitality - Friday
Eat It! -- Weird Al Yankovikc
(to the tune of Beat It! - Michael Jackson)

How come you're always such a fussy young man
Don't want no Cap'n Crunch, don't want no Raisin Bran
Well don't you know that other kids are starvin' in Japan
So eat it, just eat it

Don't want to argue, I don't want to debate
Don't want to hear about what kinds of foods you hate
You won't get no dessert 'till you clean off you're plate
So eat it

Don't you tell me you're full
Just eat it, eat it
Get yourself an egg and beat it

Have some more chicken
Have some more pie
It doesn't matter
If it's boiled or fried

Just eat it, just eat it
Just eat it, just eat it, Woo!

Your table manners are a crying shame
You're playing with your food, this ain't some kind of game
Now, if you starve to death
You'll just have yourself to blame
So eat it. Just eat it.

You better listen, better do as you're told
You haven't even touched your tuna casserole
You better chow down, or it's gonna get cold
So eat it.

I don't care if you're full
Just eat it, eat it
Open up your mouth and feed it

Have some more yogurt
Have some more Spam
It doesn't matter if it's fresh or canned
Just eat it! Eat it! Eat it! Eat it!
Don't you make me repeat it!

Have a banana, have a whole bunch
It doesn't matter what you had for lunch

Just eat it! Eat it!
Eat it! Eat it!
Eat it! Eat it!
If it's getting cold, reheat it

Have a big dinner.
Have a light snack
If you don't like it, you can't send it back

Just eat it! Eat it!
Get yourself an egg and beat it!

Have some more chicken. Have some more pie
It doesn't matter if it's boiled or fried

Just eat it! Eat it!
Don't you make me repeat it! 
Friday September 30, 2016 12:00 - Saturday October 1, 2016 12:00 PDT
12a - Hospitality Suite Trillium (2nd Floor)
  Con Operations   Food & Drink

13:00 PDT

We Build Anything, So Long As It Isn't Real
Time to open up the boxes, get out the paint, and start building aliens, spacecraft, monsters, robots, or anything that isn’t real. If you would like to spend some time relaxing and building at the show, please bring a kit along and join in the fun. If not, please don’t be afraid to look at the work going on at the tables and talk to us about the hobby. (“Join us!”)
Panelists
MA

Monster Attack Team

Monster Attack Team Canada is an extraordinary club, started in 1989, consisting mostly of professional film designers and prop makers who work in “Hollywood North” as the local Vancouver film industry is called. (Stan Hyde, our Godzilla Fan GoH started M.A.T.C and Eric Chu... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 13:00 - 13:50 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making

13:00 PDT

Broken Rules and the Elusive Element
There are so many rules to art and writing. Rules of light and dark and colour and balance can help to make a captivating painting. Rules of description and action can help to make a great story. But good writers and good artists always seem to break all the rules and still have a great work of art or fiction. What is the missing element? Why does it work when the rules say it shouldn't?
Moderators
avatar for Brenda Carre

Brenda Carre

Brenda Carre writes in a variety of genres. Her short fiction can be found in the Magazine of F&Sf, Fiction River Anthologies and in many other venues. Brenda's WIP is a Dark Fantasy paralleling Canada's mythic West Coast during the age of sail.

Panelists
avatar for Aviva Bel'Harold

Aviva Bel'Harold

Dyslexic author Aviva Bel'Harold has written several YA books, 3 self published, 1 hybrid and the latest fully published through Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy. She does several signing a month as well as speaking in schools and other events.
avatar for Eric Chu

Eric Chu

VCON 41 Film Design Guest of HonorBorn in Hong Kong at a very early age, Eric quickly exhibited an interest in design and film. Even as a young child, directing seemed to be in his blood, but an uncooperative cast of plastic farm animals would prove to be an endless source of frustration... Read More →
avatar for Carlos Lozano-Gilabert

Carlos Lozano-Gilabert

Carlos Lozano is a writer of flash-fiction and screenplays. He has a solid a solid background in science and psychology. His flash-fiction revolves around horror and love stories. His screenplays reflect his love of adventure. He writes both in English and in Spanish.
avatar for Joseph Picard

Joseph Picard

Ozero, Joseph Picard
Author of the Lifehack series, the new Rubberman series, as well as short contributions to various anthologies. Joseph leans toward science fiction, slightly 'hard', but generally fairly character driven as well.

Friday September 30, 2016 13:00 - 13:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making   Writing & Publication

13:00 PDT

Sci-Fi and Fantasy Sagas
Discussion of how best to go about creating, maintaining, and expanding on a fictional universe - specifically through sagas or long-term projects.
Panelists
avatar for Katrina Archer

Katrina Archer

Author & Editor, Ganache Media
Katrina Archer is the author of dark fantasy The Tree of Souls and YA fantasy Untalented. A professional engineer, she lives on her sailboat in Vancouver, BC, and has worked in aerospace, video games and film.
avatar for Kevin Harkness

Kevin Harkness

Kevin Harkness is a writer of YA Fantasy novels and short stories in a number of genres. His City of Demons series is published by Tyche Books.
avatar for JM Landels

JM Landels

Writer, Artist, Editor, Pulp Literature Press
Jennifer Landels is a founding editor at Pulp Literature magazine, a multi-genre fiction quarterly. As JM Landels she writes fantasy and historical fiction, and is the author of Allaigna's Song: Overture, due out in 2017. When she's not busy with words she plays with horses and... Read More →
avatar for Lynda Williams

Lynda Williams

Publisher, Reality Skimming Press
Lynda Williams is the author of the Okal Rel ten-novel saga and the owner of Reality Skimming Press. Lynda works within the realms of optimistic sci-fi and new era publishing for her own works and the press. The press is releasing reboots of the saga and original anthologies. Lynda... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 13:00 - 13:50 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

13:00 PDT

Novel Writers' Workshop (Closed Session)
Closed Novel Workshop for pre-registered applicants.
Moderators
avatar for R. Graeme Cameron

R. Graeme Cameron

Publisher / Editor, Polar Borealis Magazine
Fanzine Editor 30+ years, publishes semi-pro SF fiction zine Polar Borealis, won two Aurora Awards, and writes fanzine review column for Amazing Stories (currently on hiatus).

Panelists
avatar for Eileen Kernaghan

Eileen Kernaghan

Eileen Kernaghan lives in New Westminster. Her nine historical fantasy novels reflect her fascination with other times and places, from the prehistoric Indus Valley to Victorian England. Her most recent YA/teen novel, Sophie, in Shadow, shortlisted for a Sunburst Award for literature... Read More →
avatar for Robert J. Sawyer

Robert J. Sawyer

SFWRITER.COM Inc.
VCON 41 Author Guest of HonorBorn in Ottawa in 1960, in his youth Robert dreamed of becoming a paleontologist specializing in dinosaurs, but upon discovering only about a dozen people worldwide made a living doing that, he decided to become one of the several hundred people making... Read More →
AJ

Alyx J. Shaw

Alyx J Shaw is an irritable rantaholic who enjoys writing, making medieval honey wine, smoking, tarantulas, and raising strange and toxic plants. She shares her seedy apartment with a cat, tarantula, dog, and pet dove named Cupid. She's pretty sure there is a husband in there somewhere... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 13:00 - 16:00 PDT
08 - Small Workshops Boardroom (1st Floor)
  Writing & Publication

14:00 PDT

Reading: Aviva Bel'Harold
Panelists
avatar for Aviva Bel'Harold

Aviva Bel'Harold

Dyslexic author Aviva Bel'Harold has written several YA books, 3 self published, 1 hybrid and the latest fully published through Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy. She does several signing a month as well as speaking in schools and other events.

Friday September 30, 2016 14:00 - 14:25 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

14:00 PDT

Mecha, Real Robots, and Super Robots
Join us for a short examination of the lore, and the model kits, giant robots and anthropomorphic machines. Originating with Robert Heinlein, spreading to Japan, and then returning to invade the world, ‘Mecha’ have become staples of science fiction. This is their story.
Panelists
avatar for Stan Hyde

Stan Hyde

Stan is a model builder and artist, retired English literature, film and drama teacher, and a bona fide Godzilla expert (he has more than 200 models of Godzilla, each one different and can look at a photo of Godzilla and identify the movie the still came from by the shape of the ear... Read More →
MA

Monster Attack Team

Monster Attack Team Canada is an extraordinary club, started in 1989, consisting mostly of professional film designers and prop makers who work in “Hollywood North” as the local Vancouver film industry is called. (Stan Hyde, our Godzilla Fan GoH started M.A.T.C and Eric Chu... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 14:00 - 14:50 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Writing & Publication   Art Craft & Making

14:00 PDT

Dispelling Martial Arts Myths
How much does a two handed sword really way? Could a knight get up in his armour? How hard can you hit something with a stick? Can you really knock someone out with a punch? In this interactive workshop participants get to handle different types of weapons and armour, strike targets to understand how punching and striking mechanics work, and ask all their this versus that fighting questions.
Panelists
avatar for Eric Chu

Eric Chu

VCON 41 Film Design Guest of HonorBorn in Hong Kong at a very early age, Eric quickly exhibited an interest in design and film. Even as a young child, directing seemed to be in his blood, but an uncooperative cast of plastic farm animals would prove to be an endless source of frustration... Read More →
avatar for Kalelin Kirk

Kalelin Kirk

Kalelin Kirk has a diverse background in many fields, including filmmaking, acting, writing, sword-fighting, live theatre, archery, and a hodgepodge of assorted creative endeavours. She worked for many years in the comic book industry, though she is currently an educator (both at... Read More →
avatar for JM Landels

JM Landels

Writer, Artist, Editor, Pulp Literature Press
Jennifer Landels is a founding editor at Pulp Literature magazine, a multi-genre fiction quarterly. As JM Landels she writes fantasy and historical fiction, and is the author of Allaigna's Song: Overture, due out in 2017. When she's not busy with words she plays with horses and... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 14:00 - 14:50 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

14:00 PDT

How to Critique Writing
Critiquing is one of the most useful activities for writers of any level. It benefits not only the writer whose work is being discussed, but also those who do the critiques.
Moderators
avatar for Isaiah Sweigard

Isaiah Sweigard

I am a young aspiring filmmaker who went to film school, graduating with an expertise in Producing and Directing. After film school I then worked in the Vancouver film industry for 2 years, before quitting and pursuing my own creative outlets.

Panelists
avatar for Katrina Archer

Katrina Archer

Author & Editor, Ganache Media
Katrina Archer is the author of dark fantasy The Tree of Souls and YA fantasy Untalented. A professional engineer, she lives on her sailboat in Vancouver, BC, and has worked in aerospace, video games and film.
avatar for Rissa Johnson

Rissa Johnson

Rissa Johnson is a fat, queer, left-handed, Jewish, dyslexic, insomniac who stays up all night wrestling with Dog. A creative writer and technical editor, their poetry and flash fiction have won awards, including the City of Surrey Youth Recognition Award in Creative Contributions... Read More →
avatar for Randy McCharles

Randy McCharles

Author
RANDY MCCHARLES is a full-time author of humorous speculative and mystery fiction. He is the recipient of several Aurora Awards. His recent novel, Much Ado about Macbeth from Tyche Books was shortlisted for the 2016 Aurora Awards. In addition to writing, Randy organizes various events... Read More →
avatar for Holly Schofield

Holly Schofield

Holly Schofield's short stories have been published in Analog, Lightspeed, Tesseracts, and many other publications throughout the world. Find her at hollyschofield.wordpress.com .

Friday September 30, 2016 14:00 - 14:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

14:30 PDT

Reading: Brenda Carre
Panelists
avatar for Brenda Carre

Brenda Carre

Brenda Carre writes in a variety of genres. Her short fiction can be found in the Magazine of F&Sf, Fiction River Anthologies and in many other venues. Brenda's WIP is a Dark Fantasy paralleling Canada's mythic West Coast during the age of sail.

Friday September 30, 2016 14:30 - 14:55 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

15:00 PDT

Reading: Joseph Picard
Panelists
avatar for Joseph Picard

Joseph Picard

Ozero, Joseph Picard
Author of the Lifehack series, the new Rubberman series, as well as short contributions to various anthologies. Joseph leans toward science fiction, slightly 'hard', but generally fairly character driven as well.

Friday September 30, 2016 15:00 - 15:25 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

15:00 PDT

Are Games Art?
Roger Ebert set off an internet storm when he suggested that, unlike movies, video games were not art, and never would be. Are video games art? If not, will they ever be?
Panelists
avatar for Eric Chu

Eric Chu

VCON 41 Film Design Guest of HonorBorn in Hong Kong at a very early age, Eric quickly exhibited an interest in design and film. Even as a young child, directing seemed to be in his blood, but an uncooperative cast of plastic farm animals would prove to be an endless source of frustration... Read More →
avatar for Joe Fulgham

Joe Fulgham

Host/Producer, Mote of Dust / The Dreaming / Caustic Soda
Joe makes podcasts about things he loves. For six years he hosted, produced, and edited "Caustic Soda", the podcast of the weird, gross, and disturbing. His latest project is "The Dreaming", a Read-Along podcast for Neil Gaiman's comic book treasure "The Sandman", hosted by the Mote... Read More →
avatar for Karl Johanson

Karl Johanson

Editor, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Editor Guest of HonourKarl Johanson is not just an exceptional editor of a marvelous magazine, he is—behind his unassuming exterior—a mad genius whose team is, against all logic, constantly pulling off these completely astounding projects.During the 1990s, Karl co-edited... Read More →
avatar for Stephanie Johanson

Stephanie Johanson

co-owner, assistant editor, art director..., Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Art Director Guest of HonourStephanie Johanson is the art director, assistant editor, on-staff artist, and co-owner of Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine. How the heck do you start up a science fiction magazine?The idea came to Stephanie around 4:00 AM one Sunday morning in... Read More →
avatar for Carlos Lozano-Gilabert

Carlos Lozano-Gilabert

Carlos Lozano is a writer of flash-fiction and screenplays. He has a solid a solid background in science and psychology. His flash-fiction revolves around horror and love stories. His screenplays reflect his love of adventure. He writes both in English and in Spanish.
avatar for Isaiah Sweigard

Isaiah Sweigard

I am a young aspiring filmmaker who went to film school, graduating with an expertise in Producing and Directing. After film school I then worked in the Vancouver film industry for 2 years, before quitting and pursuing my own creative outlets.
avatar for Lynda Williams

Lynda Williams

Publisher, Reality Skimming Press
Lynda Williams is the author of the Okal Rel ten-novel saga and the owner of Reality Skimming Press. Lynda works within the realms of optimistic sci-fi and new era publishing for her own works and the press. The press is releasing reboots of the saga and original anthologies. Lynda... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 15:00 - 15:50 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making   Games & Game Design   Media & Popular Culture

15:00 PDT

Nature and History of Witchcraft
Witchcraft (as the English for Latin's "Maleficia") has historically been defined as the art or ability to harm others by occult means. My talk will examine this alleged phenomenon, its scope, possible origins and social impact across a range of cultures and eras.
Panelists
avatar for Graham Darling

Graham Darling

Author, Scientist & Medievalist, Active Materials Inc.
Dr Graham D Darling designs new molecules with weird properties. As Graham J Darling (from another middle name), he writes as fiction what the world isn't ready for as fact. As Doctor Carus, he demonstrates medieval sci/tech to scholars of all ages.

Friday September 30, 2016 15:00 - 15:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Religion Philosophy & History

15:00 PDT

Wonderfest Japan: Summer 2015/2016
Fan G.O.H. and Godzilla fanatic Stan Hyde has been lucky enough to attend WonderFest in Japan for the last two summers. A twice yearly event featuring both major companies and home-based sculptors numbering in the thousands, kaiju, mecha, and spacecraft are just the tip of the iceberg. Join Stan for an exploration of an amazing artistic and cultural event.
Panelists
avatar for Stan Hyde

Stan Hyde

Stan is a model builder and artist, retired English literature, film and drama teacher, and a bona fide Godzilla expert (he has more than 200 models of Godzilla, each one different and can look at a photo of Godzilla and identify the movie the still came from by the shape of the ear... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 15:00 - 16:50 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Fandom & Conrunning

15:00 PDT

VCON Tap Room - Friday
Raise Your Glass! -- P!nk

Right right, turn off the lights,

We gonna lose our minds tonight,
What's the dealio?

I love when it's all too much,
Five a.m. turn the radio up
Where's the rock and roll?

Party crasher,
Panty snatcher,
Call me up if you want a gangsta
Don't be fancy, just get dancy
Why so serious?

So raise your glass if you are wrong,
In all the right ways,
All my underdogs,
We will never be never be, anything but loud
And nitty gritty dirty little freaks
Won't you come on and come on and raise your glass,
Just come on and come on and raise your glass

Slam slam, oh hot damn
What part of party don't you understand,
Wish you'd just freak out (freak out already)
Can't stop, comin' in hot,
I should be locked up right on the spot
It's so on right now (so fuckin' on right now)

Party crasher,
Panty snatcher,
Call me up if you want a gangsta
Don't be fancy, just get dancy
Why so serious?

So raise your glass if you are wrong,
In all the right ways,
All my underdogs,
We will never be never be, anything but loud
"Maybe gritty dirty little freaks"
Won't you come on and come on and raise your glass,
Just come on and come on and raise your glass
Won't you come on and come on and raise your glass,
Just come on and come on and raise your glass

So if you're too school for cool,
And you're treated like a fool,
(Treated like a fool)
You can choose to let it go
We can always, we can always,
Party on our own

So raise your glass if you are wrong,
In all the right ways,
All my underdogs,
We will never be never be, anything but loud
Maybe nitty gritty dirty little freaks
So raise your glass if you are wrong,
In all the right ways,

All my underdogs,
We will never be never be, anything but loud
Maybe gritty dirty little freaks
Won't you come on and come on and raise your glass,
Just come on and come on and raise your glass
Won't you come on and come on and raise your glass (for me)
Just come on and come on and raise your glass (for me)

-- Written by Alecia Moore, Max Martin, Johan Schuster 
Friday September 30, 2016 15:00 - Saturday October 1, 2016 01:00 PDT
12b - Hospitality Tap Room Dogwood (2nd Floor)
  Con Operations   Food & Drink

15:30 PDT

Reading: Donna McMahon
Panelists
avatar for Donna McMahon

Donna McMahon

Donna McMahon started publishing SF with her novel Dance of Knives (Tor 2001) set in future Vancouver. Lately she's turned from future to past history, with her murder mystery Death Fully Justified set in Vancouver in 1920. She lives in Gibsons, BC.

Friday September 30, 2016 15:30 - 15:55 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

16:00 PDT

How Did *THAT* Get On My Book Cover?!?

Join the Art Show Director and several Authors, Editors and Publishers (including the Author, Editor, and Art Director GoHs) as they discuss how cover art is chosen, what the artists are told, and which parts of the book are used for inspiration (if any). 

Moderators
RW

Rose Wilson

Art Show Director, VCON ConCom

Panelists
avatar for Russ Crossley

Russ Crossley

President, 53rd Street Publishing
International selling author, Russ Crossley writes science fiction and fantasy, and mystery/suspense. Over his more than 15 year career he has published 14 novels and over 100 short stories. With his wife, writer/artist Rita Schulz, he co-owns 53rd Street Publishing a multi-genre... Read More →
avatar for Karl Johanson

Karl Johanson

Editor, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Editor Guest of HonourKarl Johanson is not just an exceptional editor of a marvelous magazine, he is—behind his unassuming exterior—a mad genius whose team is, against all logic, constantly pulling off these completely astounding projects.During the 1990s, Karl co-edited... Read More →
avatar for Stephanie Johanson

Stephanie Johanson

co-owner, assistant editor, art director..., Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Art Director Guest of HonourStephanie Johanson is the art director, assistant editor, on-staff artist, and co-owner of Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine. How the heck do you start up a science fiction magazine?The idea came to Stephanie around 4:00 AM one Sunday morning in... Read More →
avatar for Robert J. Sawyer

Robert J. Sawyer

SFWRITER.COM Inc.
VCON 41 Author Guest of HonorBorn in Ottawa in 1960, in his youth Robert dreamed of becoming a paleontologist specializing in dinosaurs, but upon discovering only about a dozen people worldwide made a living doing that, he decided to become one of the several hundred people making... Read More →
RS

Rita Schulz

International selling author, Rita Schulz writes science fiction, fantasy, and mystery/suspense. She is also an artist. Over her more than 15 year career in writing she has published 1 novel and over 30 short stories. With her husband, writer/artist Russ Crossley, she co-owns 53rd... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 16:00 - 16:50 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making   Small Press Cabal   Writing & Publication

16:00 PDT

Communication Through Puppetry
Do puppets have a unique advantage when getting a message across? Can they be used to communicate some messages better, using ways a human can't?
Panelists
avatar for Jamie Anderson

Jamie Anderson

VCON 41 Supermarionation Guest of HonorJamie Anderson is the younger son of the late Gerry Anderson – the man behind cult TV shows like Fireball XL5, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Space: 1999, and of course Thunderbirds.Jamie had always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps... Read More →
DH

Dusty Hagerud

Creative Director and founder of Color Sound Lab, Dusty has been performing and designing in Puppetry for 17 years across Western Canada working with a multitude of puppet theatre troupes. Dusty was a recipient of a 2009 Leo Award for Anachronism Pictures’ “The Anachronism... Read More →
avatar for Isaiah Sweigard

Isaiah Sweigard

I am a young aspiring filmmaker who went to film school, graduating with an expertise in Producing and Directing. After film school I then worked in the Vancouver film industry for 2 years, before quitting and pursuing my own creative outlets.

Friday September 30, 2016 16:00 - 16:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Muppets Puppets & Marionettes

16:00 PDT

Demystifying Editing
What do editors look for in an author, both in their attention to craft and their professional interactions? It is important for writers to understand the various services editors offer to writers such as developmental, substantive and copy editing. Come and listen to our panelists share their experiences and insight on how to find and develop an effective relationship with an editor.
Moderators
avatar for Judy McCrosky

Judy McCrosky

I'm the author of several books, with two new ones due out this year. I'm an experienced speaker and teacher of writing in a variety of genres. I love to talk to people about any and all aspects of writing and the writing life.

Panelists
avatar for Katrina Archer

Katrina Archer

Author & Editor, Ganache Media
Katrina Archer is the author of dark fantasy The Tree of Souls and YA fantasy Untalented. A professional engineer, she lives on her sailboat in Vancouver, BC, and has worked in aerospace, video games and film.
avatar for Steve Fahnestalk

Steve Fahnestalk

President and CEO, Retired
Steve Fahnestalk's been in fandom for more than 40 years. That somehow qualifies him to spout off about SF/F subjects. Which he does regularly in his Amazing® Stories Online column (www.amazingstoriesmag.com). He's also known for singing Beatles with Spider Robinson, T*A*M* Gordy... Read More →
avatar for JM Landels

JM Landels

Writer, Artist, Editor, Pulp Literature Press
Jennifer Landels is a founding editor at Pulp Literature magazine, a multi-genre fiction quarterly. As JM Landels she writes fantasy and historical fiction, and is the author of Allaigna's Song: Overture, due out in 2017. When she's not busy with words she plays with horses and... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 16:00 - 16:50 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Small Press Cabal   Writing & Publication

16:00 PDT

Marketing Short Fiction and Poetry
A discussion of how to get your sf/fantasy/horror short fiction and poetry published, from the first draft, critiquing, searching for markets, right on through dealing with rejection, rewrite requests, or acceptance.
Moderators
MT

Marcie Tentchoff

Marcie Lynn Tentchoff is an Aurora award winning writer/poet/editor from Gibsons, BC. Her work has appeared in such publications as Weird Tales, Strange Horizons, and On Spec.

Panelists
avatar for Brenda Carre

Brenda Carre

Brenda Carre writes in a variety of genres. Her short fiction can be found in the Magazine of F&Sf, Fiction River Anthologies and in many other venues. Brenda's WIP is a Dark Fantasy paralleling Canada's mythic West Coast during the age of sail.
BH

Brian Hades

Brian Hades is the founder of EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing - Canada's largest publisher of Science Fiction and Fantasy books. Now celebrating 16 year of publishing SF/F/H books.
avatar for Carlos Lozano-Gilabert

Carlos Lozano-Gilabert

Carlos Lozano is a writer of flash-fiction and screenplays. He has a solid a solid background in science and psychology. His flash-fiction revolves around horror and love stories. His screenplays reflect his love of adventure. He writes both in English and in Spanish.
avatar for Holly Schofield

Holly Schofield

Holly Schofield's short stories have been published in Analog, Lightspeed, Tesseracts, and many other publications throughout the world. Find her at hollyschofield.wordpress.com .

Friday September 30, 2016 16:00 - 16:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

17:00 PDT

workshop cleanup
Room closed for workshop cleanup and setup
Friday September 30, 2016 17:00 - 17:30 PDT
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

17:00 PDT

Opening Ceremonies
Welcome!  Come be introduced to all our Guests of Honor and learn a little bit about what the rest of the convention has in store for everyone.
Moderators
avatar for Spider Robinson

Spider Robinson

Cheap Executive Offficer, Tottering-on-the-Brink
Spider Robinson is renowned as one of Canada's most popular science fiction writers. Born in New York, NY, he has lived in Canada for nearly 40 years, mostly in Halifax and Vancouver. He wrote his first SF short story, "The Guy with the Eyes" (published in 1971) to escape the boredom... Read More →

Panelists
avatar for Jamie Anderson

Jamie Anderson

VCON 41 Supermarionation Guest of HonorJamie Anderson is the younger son of the late Gerry Anderson – the man behind cult TV shows like Fireball XL5, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Space: 1999, and of course Thunderbirds.Jamie had always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps... Read More →
avatar for R. Graeme Cameron

R. Graeme Cameron

Publisher / Editor, Polar Borealis Magazine
Fanzine Editor 30+ years, publishes semi-pro SF fiction zine Polar Borealis, won two Aurora Awards, and writes fanzine review column for Amazing Stories (currently on hiatus).
avatar for Eric Chu

Eric Chu

VCON 41 Film Design Guest of HonorBorn in Hong Kong at a very early age, Eric quickly exhibited an interest in design and film. Even as a young child, directing seemed to be in his blood, but an uncooperative cast of plastic farm animals would prove to be an endless source of frustration... Read More →
avatar for Stan Hyde

Stan Hyde

Stan is a model builder and artist, retired English literature, film and drama teacher, and a bona fide Godzilla expert (he has more than 200 models of Godzilla, each one different and can look at a photo of Godzilla and identify the movie the still came from by the shape of the ear... Read More →
avatar for Karl Johanson

Karl Johanson

Editor, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Editor Guest of HonourKarl Johanson is not just an exceptional editor of a marvelous magazine, he is—behind his unassuming exterior—a mad genius whose team is, against all logic, constantly pulling off these completely astounding projects.During the 1990s, Karl co-edited... Read More →
avatar for Stephanie Johanson

Stephanie Johanson

co-owner, assistant editor, art director..., Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Art Director Guest of HonourStephanie Johanson is the art director, assistant editor, on-staff artist, and co-owner of Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine. How the heck do you start up a science fiction magazine?The idea came to Stephanie around 4:00 AM one Sunday morning in... Read More →
avatar for Robert J. Sawyer

Robert J. Sawyer

SFWRITER.COM Inc.
VCON 41 Author Guest of HonorBorn in Ottawa in 1960, in his youth Robert dreamed of becoming a paleontologist specializing in dinosaurs, but upon discovering only about a dozen people worldwide made a living doing that, he decided to become one of the several hundred people making... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 17:00 - 17:50 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Fandom & Conrunning

17:00 PDT

Short Supper Break with Cartoons, FRI
We probably won’t actually stop building while we eat, so please feel free to come in to watch and ask questions. As well, we’ll show some of the anime and cartoons from which some of our model kits originate. Film program will be posted in the room, or just ask.
Panelists
MA

Monster Attack Team

Monster Attack Team Canada is an extraordinary club, started in 1989, consisting mostly of professional film designers and prop makers who work in “Hollywood North” as the local Vancouver film industry is called. (Stan Hyde, our Godzilla Fan GoH started M.A.T.C and Eric Chu... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 17:00 - 17:50 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Art Craft & Making

17:00 PDT

World Building, from Page to Screen
Constructing a fictional universe can be a daunting task for even the most experienced writer. From technology, to climate, to transportation, to history, we'll discuss the best methods to build a world that is both believable for your reader, and translatable to screen.
Moderators
avatar for Rick Sutcliffe

Rick Sutcliffe

Professor, Trinity Western University
Author of 10 Alternate History Christian Science Fiction novels, including the 2003 EPPIE winner for SF. He has been a literary contest judge, textbook author, conference speaker, VCON panelist, and is Professor of Math and Computing at TWU.

Panelists
avatar for Jason Bourget

Jason Bourget

Instructor, Douglas College
Currently I'm an instructor in the English Department at Douglas College, where I teach courses on science fiction, horror and weird fiction. My research focuses specifically on how political beliefs inform representations of masculinity in late twentieth-century science fiction (especially... Read More →
avatar for Claire McCague

Claire McCague

Simon Fraser University
Claire McCague is a research scientist, musician and writer. She performs regularly with the Sybaritic String Band and her other worldly plays have been featured in festivals across Canada. Her humorous first contact novel, The Rosetta Man, published by EDGE, is her first novel.
KM

Kieth Merrill

Kieth Merrill is an author, producer, and director. His new novel, The Immortal Crown, the first in the epic fantasy series Saga of Kings, combines his love of world building with his cinematic writing style. Kieth is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as... Read More →
avatar for Isaiah Sweigard

Isaiah Sweigard

I am a young aspiring filmmaker who went to film school, graduating with an expertise in Producing and Directing. After film school I then worked in the Vancouver film industry for 2 years, before quitting and pursuing my own creative outlets.

Friday September 30, 2016 17:00 - 17:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Writing & Publication

17:00 PDT

Dying is Easy; Comedy is Hard
Fiction writers discuss the ups and downs of infusing their prose with humour, be it comic relief, satire, or something in between.
Moderators
avatar for Rissa Johnson

Rissa Johnson

Rissa Johnson is a fat, queer, left-handed, Jewish, dyslexic, insomniac who stays up all night wrestling with Dog. A creative writer and technical editor, their poetry and flash fiction have won awards, including the City of Surrey Youth Recognition Award in Creative Contributions... Read More →

Panelists
avatar for Russ Crossley

Russ Crossley

President, 53rd Street Publishing
International selling author, Russ Crossley writes science fiction and fantasy, and mystery/suspense. Over his more than 15 year career he has published 14 novels and over 100 short stories. With his wife, writer/artist Rita Schulz, he co-owns 53rd Street Publishing a multi-genre... Read More →
avatar for Steve Fahnestalk

Steve Fahnestalk

President and CEO, Retired
Steve Fahnestalk's been in fandom for more than 40 years. That somehow qualifies him to spout off about SF/F subjects. Which he does regularly in his Amazing® Stories Online column (www.amazingstoriesmag.com). He's also known for singing Beatles with Spider Robinson, T*A*M* Gordy... Read More →
avatar for Roberta Gregory

Roberta Gregory

I have been published in indy/underground comics for many decades, beginning in the 1970s. 40 issue Naughty Bits series published by Fantagraphics in the 1990s to early 2000s. Currently working on all sorts of projects. Mother Mountain is my (not yet published) fantasy trilogy. My... Read More →
avatar for Randy McCharles

Randy McCharles

Author
RANDY MCCHARLES is a full-time author of humorous speculative and mystery fiction. He is the recipient of several Aurora Awards. His recent novel, Much Ado about Macbeth from Tyche Books was shortlisted for the 2016 Aurora Awards. In addition to writing, Randy organizes various events... Read More →
avatar for Joseph Picard

Joseph Picard

Ozero, Joseph Picard
Author of the Lifehack series, the new Rubberman series, as well as short contributions to various anthologies. Joseph leans toward science fiction, slightly 'hard', but generally fairly character driven as well.

Friday September 30, 2016 17:00 - 17:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

17:00 PDT

How to Plan your Novel's Plot (or Should You?)
How should novels be planned, or should they? The common analogy given is that there are gardeners (writers who let the story unfold organically) and architects (who plan it carefully). And, of course, everyone in the middle. What are the pros and cons of each style?
Panelists
avatar for Katrina Archer

Katrina Archer

Author & Editor, Ganache Media
Katrina Archer is the author of dark fantasy The Tree of Souls and YA fantasy Untalented. A professional engineer, she lives on her sailboat in Vancouver, BC, and has worked in aerospace, video games and film.
avatar for Aviva Bel'Harold

Aviva Bel'Harold

Dyslexic author Aviva Bel'Harold has written several YA books, 3 self published, 1 hybrid and the latest fully published through Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy. She does several signing a month as well as speaking in schools and other events.
avatar for Carlos Lozano-Gilabert

Carlos Lozano-Gilabert

Carlos Lozano is a writer of flash-fiction and screenplays. He has a solid a solid background in science and psychology. His flash-fiction revolves around horror and love stories. His screenplays reflect his love of adventure. He writes both in English and in Spanish.
avatar for Donna McMahon

Donna McMahon

Donna McMahon started publishing SF with her novel Dance of Knives (Tor 2001) set in future Vancouver. Lately she's turned from future to past history, with her murder mystery Death Fully Justified set in Vancouver in 1920. She lives in Gibsons, BC.
avatar for Robert Luis Rabello

Robert Luis Rabello

Robert Luis Rabello is the author of the Deveran Conflict Series, a unique human wave science fiction series.
RS

Rita Schulz

International selling author, Rita Schulz writes science fiction, fantasy, and mystery/suspense. She is also an artist. Over her more than 15 year career in writing she has published 1 novel and over 30 short stories. With her husband, writer/artist Russ Crossley, she co-owns 53rd... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 17:00 - 17:50 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

17:30 PDT

Artists' Reception setup
Room closed for Artists' Reception Setup
Friday September 30, 2016 17:30 - 18:00 PDT
10 - Art Show Guildford A (1st Floor)
  z.closed

18:00 PDT

setup
Room closed for Match Game setup
Friday September 30, 2016 18:00 - 18:30 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

18:00 PDT

Women Veterans of Vancouver Fanzine Fandom
Come learn about the women who are or have been fixtures in the local fanzine writing community. This panel will highlight the participation of local female fans in the writing of fanzines, past and present. Participants are female fans who have produced zines and other fans with knowledge of one who can't herself be present or simply have a general knowledge of the topic.
Panelists
avatar for R. Graeme Cameron

R. Graeme Cameron

Publisher / Editor, Polar Borealis Magazine
Fanzine Editor 30+ years, publishes semi-pro SF fiction zine Polar Borealis, won two Aurora Awards, and writes fanzine review column for Amazing Stories (currently on hiatus).
JM
FS

Fran Skene

Fran Skene is a member of the Puppetry Renaissance Troupe and has extensive experience in scripting, producing, and performing in puppet shows. In fandom, Fran's credits include chairing/working on a number of conventions, plus she edited the local clubzine, helped to start two apazines... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 18:00 - 18:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Fandom & Conrunning

18:00 PDT

Our Favourite Puppets
When you start to think about it, puppets are everywhere in popular media - from Casey and Finnegan, Lamb Chop, Daniel Tiger and Kermit to Alf, the Sinclair Dinosaur family, the Thunderbirds, Yoda, and more! So we want to know which one is YOUR favourite puppet? Bring an answer, bring an argument and convince us why your favorite puppet is all that.
Panelists
avatar for Jamie Anderson

Jamie Anderson

VCON 41 Supermarionation Guest of HonorJamie Anderson is the younger son of the late Gerry Anderson – the man behind cult TV shows like Fireball XL5, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Space: 1999, and of course Thunderbirds.Jamie had always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps... Read More →
avatar for Kalelin Kirk

Kalelin Kirk

Kalelin Kirk has a diverse background in many fields, including filmmaking, acting, writing, sword-fighting, live theatre, archery, and a hodgepodge of assorted creative endeavours. She worked for many years in the comic book industry, though she is currently an educator (both at... Read More →
avatar for Dara Korra'ti

Dara Korra'ti

Crime and the Forces of Evil
Being a supervillain means being able to do a bit of everything, because, gods know, you can't trust anyone _else_ to do it. So after learning propaganda in professional radio and publishing, creating new techniques in genetics manipulation, getting _pretty good_ at DIY electronics... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 18:00 - 18:50 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Muppets Puppets & Marionettes

18:00 PDT

room transition
Room closed for transition to room layout for Book Launch
Friday September 30, 2016 18:00 - 19:00 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

18:00 PDT

British and Japanese Men in Rubber Suits
Okay, maybe that sounds bad. Still, Doctor Who, Ultraman, Godzilla, and many other television shows featured, and continue to feature, ‘practical’ aliens and monsters created through make-up and rubber suits. And you know . . . we often prefer it to CGI. Join us for a trip behind the scenes of ‘sense of wonder.’
Panelists
avatar for Stan Hyde

Stan Hyde

Stan is a model builder and artist, retired English literature, film and drama teacher, and a bona fide Godzilla expert (he has more than 200 models of Godzilla, each one different and can look at a photo of Godzilla and identify the movie the still came from by the shape of the ear... Read More →
MA

Monster Attack Team

Monster Attack Team Canada is an extraordinary club, started in 1989, consisting mostly of professional film designers and prop makers who work in “Hollywood North” as the local Vancouver film industry is called. (Stan Hyde, our Godzilla Fan GoH started M.A.T.C and Eric Chu... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 18:00 - 19:20 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture

18:00 PDT

Whose Line Is It Fandom?
Based on the improv show "Whose Line is it Anyway?", this is the nerdy improv show where everyone can laugh, dance, and boldly go where no nerd has gone before.  
Panelists
avatar for Philip

Philip

Mr Phil Guy
Philip and Colin Amor are brothers born and raised in beautiful Vancouver. In 2007, they began visiting different conventions in Vancouver, Victoria, and Seattle, experiencing all kinds of communities and fandoms. In 2012, Phil inherited a panel from a friend and was hooked. Now... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 18:00 - 19:20 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Music Dance & Performance

18:00 PDT

Artists' Reception
A chance for members to mingle with the artists exhibiting in the Art Show gallery, look at the art that is being exhibited, and maybe eat some homemade cookies.
Moderators
RW

Rose Wilson

Art Show Director, VCON ConCom

Friday September 30, 2016 18:00 - 20:00 PDT
10 - Art Show Guildford A (1st Floor)
  Art Craft & Making

18:30 PDT

workshop setup
Room closed for workshop setup
Friday September 30, 2016 18:30 - 19:00 PDT
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

18:30 PDT

Match Game
The object of the game is to match as many of the ‘celebrities’ as you can.

At the beginning of each round, one contestant has a choice of two questions (A or B) leaving the other one for the other contestant. Each contestant is read a statement with a blank at the end or near the end. Then the six ‘celebrities’ write down their answers to fill in the blank. When finished, the contestant in control gives an answer of his/her own after which the stars reveal their answers. Each time the contestant matches, he/she scores a point.

The game will be played in two rounds and the player who has matched the most at the end of round two wins the game.
Panelists
RA

Rick Arino

Big on gaming, love hosting the Interactive gaming. Live for Halloween and scaring people. More than a little crazy. Also an AFOL.

Friday September 30, 2016 18:30 - 20:30 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  Games & Game Design

19:00 PDT

Sci-Fi Television Fall 2016
A look at the state of the art of science fiction on television this fall 2016. At least 9 sci-fi TV series are filmed right here in Vancouver, notably 4 super-hero television series on The CW network.
Panelists
avatar for Jason Bourget

Jason Bourget

Instructor, Douglas College
Currently I'm an instructor in the English Department at Douglas College, where I teach courses on science fiction, horror and weird fiction. My research focuses specifically on how political beliefs inform representations of masculinity in late twentieth-century science fiction (especially... Read More →
FG

Frank Garcia

Frank Garcia was a SF media magazine journalist for 20 years and is the co-author of two books on science fiction television series for McFarland & Company. Currently he works as a freelance video editor.
avatar for Catherine Girczyc

Catherine Girczyc

writer
Catherine is a television writer with 15 credited scripts, plus published short stories + poems. Upcoming: two poems in Tesseracts 20 plus a story in Polar Borealis. Awards: 3 WOTF Honorable Mentions, 2 Auroras (fan) for Ether Patrol + Neology.
avatar for Isaiah Sweigard

Isaiah Sweigard

I am a young aspiring filmmaker who went to film school, graduating with an expertise in Producing and Directing. After film school I then worked in the Vancouver film industry for 2 years, before quitting and pursuing my own creative outlets.
avatar for Michael Walsh

Michael Walsh

Retired newspaperman MICHAEL WALSH has lived long enough for somebody to detail his sins in a Wikipedia entry . He'd prefer that you read his version, set out on his own website, Reeling Back .

Friday September 30, 2016 19:00 - 19:50 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture

19:00 PDT

So You Want To Sell a Story - The Teen Version
A panel aimed at kids 10- 17ish, focusing on how to start on the writer’s path, where to find and how to read guidelines, what markets want work from kids, and what pitfalls to avoid. If there is time and interest, young writers can bring very short works or excerpts for gentle critique.
Panelists
avatar for Judy McCrosky

Judy McCrosky

I'm the author of several books, with two new ones due out this year. I'm an experienced speaker and teacher of writing in a variety of genres. I love to talk to people about any and all aspects of writing and the writing life.
avatar for Holly Schofield

Holly Schofield

Holly Schofield's short stories have been published in Analog, Lightspeed, Tesseracts, and many other publications throughout the world. Find her at hollyschofield.wordpress.com .
MT

Marcie Tentchoff

Marcie Lynn Tentchoff is an Aurora award winning writer/poet/editor from Gibsons, BC. Her work has appeared in such publications as Weird Tales, Strange Horizons, and On Spec.
avatar for Lisa Voisin

Lisa Voisin

Owner / Technical Writer, Self
A Canadian-born author, Lisa Voisin spent her childhood daydreaming and making up stories, but it was her love of reading and writing in her teens that drew her to Young Adult fiction. She is also a technical writer, a meditation teacher, and leads a local writing group for teens... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 19:00 - 19:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

19:00 PDT

Book Launch - A Feast of Authors
Come out to our book launch reception, where authors with new releases in 2016 will be showcasing their works with brief readings and drinks, nibbles and some time for mingling will also be available. Come to visit your favourites and meet some new gems!

Books will be available for purchase onsite. Bring a pen for autographs!

This event is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!  That's right! If you have someone who loves a good sf&f book but isn't so sure about the whole "going to a fan convention" thing you can use this as an excuse to drag them out on Friday night. :-D
Moderators
AJ

Alyx J. Shaw

Alyx J Shaw is an irritable rantaholic who enjoys writing, making medieval honey wine, smoking, tarantulas, and raising strange and toxic plants. She shares her seedy apartment with a cat, tarantula, dog, and pet dove named Cupid. She's pretty sure there is a husband in there somewhere... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 19:00 - 20:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Reading   Writing & Publication

19:00 PDT

Foamsmithing: An EVA Armor Workshop with Loushy
Registration: REGISTER HERE
Maximum participants: 10
Recommended minimum age: 16+ or adult supervision
Materials fee: $9
Materials fee covers: EVA, Glue, Fresh Knife, Buckles, Snaps, Elastic, PVA and Paint
Workshop duration: 3 hours

Workshop description: Ever wondered how to get started on a costume armour build? Wonder no longer, Loushy of Six AM cosplay is here to walk you through the basics of armour. She'll show you all the steps of building an armour piece, from scouting out resources to actually attaching the armour to your costume. In this workshop, you'll be working with EVA floor matting-- the same type of matting you can buy at any hardware or dollar store. EVA armour building is simple and cost-effective, so come on by if you want to learn how to take your armour skills to the next level.

If possible it would be helpful if participants could bring heat guns, not necessary, but helpful.

• • • • •
Loushy has been casually cosplaying since 2007 but got serious about armour crafting just over a year ago. Since launching headfirst into armour she's made half a dozen sets of armour for herself, her friends, and a few wonderful clients. Get her talking about Mass Effect and strap yourself in for the rest of the night.

(Image borrowed from PunishedProps "Mass Effect - N7 Armor" web page) 
Panelists
LL

Loushawna (loushy) Haselhan

Loushy has been casually cosplaying since 2007 but got serious about armor crafting just over two years ago. Since launching headfirst into armor she's made half a dozen sets of armor for herself, her friends, and a few wonderful clients. Get her talking about Mass Effect and strap... Read More →


Friday September 30, 2016 19:00 - 22:00 PDT
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making, Workshop |   Costuming & Cosplay, Workshop

19:30 PDT

Monster Kid Fandom IRL and Online: The Panel
Are you a Monster Kid? Do you like monsters? The generation from the late 1950’s until the late 1970’s grew up when Universal Pictures put together the famous ‘Shock Theatre’ tv film package, and suddenly monster movies, monster magazines, monster themed rockabilly, monster model kits . . . well, you get the idea. Monsters were everywhere. And what did the Monster Kids do when that era was over? Well, they moved online of course. Discover Monster Fandom in the digital age? Come and discover monsters haunting Facebook.
Panelists
avatar for R. Graeme Cameron

R. Graeme Cameron

Publisher / Editor, Polar Borealis Magazine
Fanzine Editor 30+ years, publishes semi-pro SF fiction zine Polar Borealis, won two Aurora Awards, and writes fanzine review column for Amazing Stories (currently on hiatus).
avatar for Stan Hyde

Stan Hyde

Stan is a model builder and artist, retired English literature, film and drama teacher, and a bona fide Godzilla expert (he has more than 200 models of Godzilla, each one different and can look at a photo of Godzilla and identify the movie the still came from by the shape of the ear... Read More →
MA

Monster Attack Team

Monster Attack Team Canada is an extraordinary club, started in 1989, consisting mostly of professional film designers and prop makers who work in “Hollywood North” as the local Vancouver film industry is called. (Stan Hyde, our Godzilla Fan GoH started M.A.T.C and Eric Chu... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 19:30 - 20:50 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Fandom & Conrunning

19:30 PDT

Man of Steel: Truth, Justice, and the Moral Way
Come listen to Kalelin Kirk present her thoughts on the cardinal virtue of justice from a theological and comic book perspective, by considering the morality of the killing in the film "Man of Steel" and how the ramifications are then dealt with in the sequel film, "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice". (1.5 hr)

Kalelin Kirk is a grad student at the University of British Columbia studying for her M.A. in Theological and Philosophical Studies and a life-long fan of SF, fantasy, comics, anime, and popular culture. 
Panelists
avatar for Kalelin Kirk

Kalelin Kirk

Kalelin Kirk has a diverse background in many fields, including filmmaking, acting, writing, sword-fighting, live theatre, archery, and a hodgepodge of assorted creative endeavours. She worked for many years in the comic book industry, though she is currently an educator (both at... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 19:30 - 20:50 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Religion Philosophy & History

20:00 PDT

Future of Gaming
With the explosion of social games for mobile and Facebook, what is in store for console and PC games? Is there a future for big budget SF and Fantasy games? Is the boom in casual games a fad or here to stay?
Panelists
avatar for James Berg

James Berg

Games User Researcher, Electronic Arts
I'm a Games User Researcher at Electronic Arts Vancouver, providing player research to our game development teams. My role is to help developers ensure their design implementation meets their design goals, and to identify things like usability issues, difficulty/progression blockers... Read More →
avatar for Eric Chu

Eric Chu

VCON 41 Film Design Guest of HonorBorn in Hong Kong at a very early age, Eric quickly exhibited an interest in design and film. Even as a young child, directing seemed to be in his blood, but an uncooperative cast of plastic farm animals would prove to be an endless source of frustration... Read More →
avatar for Joe Fulgham

Joe Fulgham

Host/Producer, Mote of Dust / The Dreaming / Caustic Soda
Joe makes podcasts about things he loves. For six years he hosted, produced, and edited "Caustic Soda", the podcast of the weird, gross, and disturbing. His latest project is "The Dreaming", a Read-Along podcast for Neil Gaiman's comic book treasure "The Sandman", hosted by the Mote... Read More →
avatar for Joseph Picard

Joseph Picard

Ozero, Joseph Picard
Author of the Lifehack series, the new Rubberman series, as well as short contributions to various anthologies. Joseph leans toward science fiction, slightly 'hard', but generally fairly character driven as well.

Friday September 30, 2016 20:00 - 20:50 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Games & Game Design

20:00 PDT

Minions
Why follow the villain? Good wages? Benefits? Early retirement? A quick death? Panelists talk about the advantages and disadvantages of being a minion, and how important minions are to a villain and a storyline. Are minions just puppets, background, or is their role actually important to the plot?
Moderators
avatar for Rick Sutcliffe

Rick Sutcliffe

Professor, Trinity Western University
Author of 10 Alternate History Christian Science Fiction novels, including the 2003 EPPIE winner for SF. He has been a literary contest judge, textbook author, conference speaker, VCON panelist, and is Professor of Math and Computing at TWU.

Panelists
avatar for BJ Allan

BJ Allan

Bored with circus life BJ (adopted as a nom de lab) ran away with a group of itinerant biologists, lured by the smell of phenol and the roar of the centrifuge. Today he seeks to share the wonder and weirdness of the natural world with ladies, gentlemen, and children of all ages.
avatar for Stephanie Johanson

Stephanie Johanson

co-owner, assistant editor, art director..., Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Art Director Guest of HonourStephanie Johanson is the art director, assistant editor, on-staff artist, and co-owner of Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine. How the heck do you start up a science fiction magazine?The idea came to Stephanie around 4:00 AM one Sunday morning in... Read More →
avatar for Randy McCharles

Randy McCharles

Author
RANDY MCCHARLES is a full-time author of humorous speculative and mystery fiction. He is the recipient of several Aurora Awards. His recent novel, Much Ado about Macbeth from Tyche Books was shortlisted for the 2016 Aurora Awards. In addition to writing, Randy organizes various events... Read More →
avatar for Donna McMahon

Donna McMahon

Donna McMahon started publishing SF with her novel Dance of Knives (Tor 2001) set in future Vancouver. Lately she's turned from future to past history, with her murder mystery Death Fully Justified set in Vancouver in 1920. She lives in Gibsons, BC.

Friday September 30, 2016 20:00 - 20:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Writing & Publication

20:30 PDT

setup
Room closed to setup for "Kill Doctor Lucky - In the Flesh"
Friday September 30, 2016 20:30 - 21:00 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

21:00 PDT

setup
Room closed for (Not So) Family (Friendly) Feud setup
Friday September 30, 2016 21:00 - 21:30 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

21:00 PDT

Creating For the Middle Grade/YA Market
A panel about the differences (and similarities) of creating for the Middle Grade and YA market, rather than for adults. Whether the work in question is a game, or a story, or a TV show, how does a creator interest young people in sf, fantasy and horror... and why is it important to do so?
Moderators
MT

Marcie Tentchoff

Marcie Lynn Tentchoff is an Aurora award winning writer/poet/editor from Gibsons, BC. Her work has appeared in such publications as Weird Tales, Strange Horizons, and On Spec.

Panelists
avatar for Aviva Bel'Harold

Aviva Bel'Harold

Dyslexic author Aviva Bel'Harold has written several YA books, 3 self published, 1 hybrid and the latest fully published through Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy. She does several signing a month as well as speaking in schools and other events.
LD

linda demeulemeester

Linda DeMeulemeester’s speculative short fiction has been published in zines, magazines and anthologies, most recently: Edge Press’ Compostela -Tesseracts-Twenty, Exile Press’s Dead North, Playground of Lost Toys, and Alice Unbound.Her spine-tingling MG series, Grim Hill, has... Read More →
avatar for Kevin Harkness

Kevin Harkness

Kevin Harkness is a writer of YA Fantasy novels and short stories in a number of genres. His City of Demons series is published by Tyche Books.
avatar for Lisa Voisin

Lisa Voisin

Owner / Technical Writer, Self
A Canadian-born author, Lisa Voisin spent her childhood daydreaming and making up stories, but it was her love of reading and writing in her teens that drew her to Young Adult fiction. She is also a technical writer, a meditation teacher, and leads a local writing group for teens... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 21:00 - 21:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Games & Game Design   Media & Popular Culture   Writing & Publication

21:00 PDT

Writing About Fighting
Various experts in martial arts, fighting, or simply writing about fights share their experience about how to write good fight scenes in books that have some measure of authenticity while still engaging the reader.
Moderators
DB

Devon Boorman

Devon Boorman is the Director and Master Instructor for Academie Duello, the world's largest centre for the study of European Swordplay and Martial Arts, based in downtown Vancouver.

Panelists
RB

Rob Boffard

Rob Boffard is a South African author, journalist and rapper. His Outer Earth scifi trilogy is published worldwide by Orbit Books, and he writes about music and tech for The Guardian, Wired Magazine and more.
KM

Kieth Merrill

Kieth Merrill is an author, producer, and director. His new novel, The Immortal Crown, the first in the epic fantasy series Saga of Kings, combines his love of world building with his cinematic writing style. Kieth is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as... Read More →
avatar for Joseph Picard

Joseph Picard

Ozero, Joseph Picard
Author of the Lifehack series, the new Rubberman series, as well as short contributions to various anthologies. Joseph leans toward science fiction, slightly 'hard', but generally fairly character driven as well.
avatar for Sandra Wickham

Sandra Wickham

Sandra Wickham lives in London, Canada with her super powered son with Down syndrome. Her friends call her a needle crafting aficionado, health guru and ninja-in-training. Sandra’s short stories have appeared in The Urban Green Man, Sirens, Equus, Evolve: Vampires of the New Undead... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 21:00 - 21:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

21:00 PDT

Kill Doctor Lucky - In The Flesh!
It’s not that you dislike the Doctor. It’s more of a seething hatred. He wronged you and we’ll leave it at that. Tonight you will attend a dinner party which will prove to be the perfect opportunity to take your revenge. Unfortunately, there are others attending who have the same idea....

Join us for a rousing, live action version, of the James Ernest board game "Kill Doctor Lucky". (1.5 hr)

• • • • 
For those familiar with the original board game, imagine the mansion from the game board laid out on an open floor, scaled up to support humans traipsing through them. And then imagine yourself acting as one of the pawns, creeping through the mansion rooms, keeping an eye out for that annoying doctor ... so you can kill him ... just as long as no one else can "see" you. 

For those who are NOT familiar with the game, well aren't you in for a treat! Whether you want to try your hand at playing or just want to watch the antics of those that do, it's sure to be a great time. Check out the following review of the board game from The Game Grumps Wiki:

"In this notorious game, which is an inversion of Clue, you hate Doctor Lucky. Maybe he left you out of his will. Maybe he killed your pet rock. Whatever the reason, you want him dead. Unfortunately, so do the other players. Since you don't want to go to jail, you need to make your attempt in secret; if anybody can see you, whistle nonchalantly, and let the Doctor live ... until next time. "

"Players move around the mansion, collecting murder weapons (to make the murder attempt stronger - doubly so if the weapon is used in an appropriate location); failure cards (to thwart opponents' plans); and movement cards (to try to get together with Doctor Lucky in a secluded location for his inevitable demise.)"

Panelists
avatar for Chris Sturges

Chris Sturges

President, Fired Up Events
Chris Sturges is Special Effects technician, Business owner, event manager, social engineer, long time VCON supporter and volunteer and a bunch of other things as well...


Friday September 30, 2016 21:00 - 23:30 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  Games & Game Design

21:00 PDT

Poker Chip Bardic Filk with Dara
It's a song circle! Come perform fan music (filk), or request fan songs from people who have come to play.

Friday night’s circle is Poker Chip Bardic style. This means we'll take turns, except when the chips are down - then we _don't_. 

What does that mean? Not enough space to tell you here, come out to find out!
Panelists
avatar for Dara Korra'ti

Dara Korra'ti

Crime and the Forces of Evil
Being a supervillain means being able to do a bit of everything, because, gods know, you can't trust anyone _else_ to do it. So after learning propaganda in professional radio and publishing, creating new techniques in genetics manipulation, getting _pretty good_ at DIY electronics... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 21:00 - Saturday October 1, 2016 00:00 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Music Dance & Performance, Interactive

21:00 PDT

The REALLY WEIRD Monster, Alien, Kaiju, Giant Robot Film Show
It’ll be weird. We promise. Join us!
Panelists
MA

Monster Attack Team

Monster Attack Team Canada is an extraordinary club, started in 1989, consisting mostly of professional film designers and prop makers who work in “Hollywood North” as the local Vancouver film industry is called. (Stan Hyde, our Godzilla Fan GoH started M.A.T.C and Eric Chu... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 21:00 - Saturday October 1, 2016 01:00 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture

21:30 PDT

(Not So) Family (Friendly) Feud
NOT SO FAMILY FRIENDLY FEUD...

Vancouver's SEXIEST game show is back for our 3rd year running!!

It's just like regular family feud, except all the regular wholesome "normal" questions have been replaced with something just a little more fun. 

That's right, the questions are kinkier, the prizes are smuttier, and your knowledge of popular-kink will be tested in front of a live audience. And if you'd like to help set the top answers for the questions, you can fill in the official game survey!

Of course, this show is strictly 18+[*]  

A Note from Fandom Feud, the hosting organization:
We'd like to offer special thanks to VCON for continuing to let us get away with this amazing show, year after year!

[*] Well, okay, not strictly 18+... those under 18 may be allowed to attend if we receive explicit permission from a parent or guardian.
Panelists
GN

Greg Neher

Conrunner, Nerd Game Host

Friday September 30, 2016 21:30 - 23:50 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Games & Game Design   Late Night (18+)

22:00 PDT

workshop cleanup
Room closed for workshop cleanup
Friday September 30, 2016 22:00 - 22:30 PDT
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

22:00 PDT

Puppet Government
It has, at times, been suggested that we would be better off with Elmo in charge than certain professional politicians. The panel will attempt to build the ideal puppet government. Would Miss Piggy make a good PM? Would Oscar's obsession with trash be an asset or a detriment to the Department of the Interior? Where does Smile Time Angel fit in? The Thunderbirds? King Friday? Punch and Judy? Yoda? Panel and audience will discuss the relative merits of each before holding an election.
Panelists
CL

Creede Lambard

Creede Lambard first encountered filk in 1981. He learned to play the banjo in 2003. He started combining the two in 2005 and things haven't been the same since.
PW

Pauline Walsh

A second-generation nerd, Pauline grew up at conventions and SCA events. She's been part of geek culture all her life, and one day hopes to pay the bills with her writing, her art, or both. She has been a member of several VCON convention committees over the years. She is often mistaken... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 22:00 - 22:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Muppets Puppets & Marionettes

22:00 PDT

Religion and Science Fiction
A moderated discussion on the role of religion in SF and the extent to which it is stereotyped.
Moderators
avatar for GregRobin Smith

GregRobin Smith

Managing Director, Washington Shakespeare Festival
Poet, Playwright, Historical 1st person presenter, Musician, Shakespearean, Educator & Fundraiser, GregRobin keeps many irons glowing in the fires of creativity from his Seattle home. where he plots world dominance through the works and thought processes of William Shakespeare & Dr... Read More →

Panelists
avatar for Brenda Carre

Brenda Carre

Brenda Carre writes in a variety of genres. Her short fiction can be found in the Magazine of F&Sf, Fiction River Anthologies and in many other venues. Brenda's WIP is a Dark Fantasy paralleling Canada's mythic West Coast during the age of sail.
avatar for Graham Darling

Graham Darling

Author, Scientist & Medievalist, Active Materials Inc.
Dr Graham D Darling designs new molecules with weird properties. As Graham J Darling (from another middle name), he writes as fiction what the world isn't ready for as fact. As Doctor Carus, he demonstrates medieval sci/tech to scholars of all ages.
avatar for Kevin Harkness

Kevin Harkness

Kevin Harkness is a writer of YA Fantasy novels and short stories in a number of genres. His City of Demons series is published by Tyche Books.
JM
KM

Kieth Merrill

Kieth Merrill is an author, producer, and director. His new novel, The Immortal Crown, the first in the epic fantasy series Saga of Kings, combines his love of world building with his cinematic writing style. Kieth is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 22:00 - 22:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Religion Philosophy & History

23:00 PDT

Dark Side of Fairy Tales
Before fairy tales were sanitized they used to be - well, grim. Now there's a resurgence in these stories. Violence and debauchery have returned. Should it?
Panelists
LD

linda demeulemeester

Linda DeMeulemeester’s speculative short fiction has been published in zines, magazines and anthologies, most recently: Edge Press’ Compostela -Tesseracts-Twenty, Exile Press’s Dead North, Playground of Lost Toys, and Alice Unbound.Her spine-tingling MG series, Grim Hill, has... Read More →
avatar for Joe Fulgham

Joe Fulgham

Host/Producer, Mote of Dust / The Dreaming / Caustic Soda
Joe makes podcasts about things he loves. For six years he hosted, produced, and edited "Caustic Soda", the podcast of the weird, gross, and disturbing. His latest project is "The Dreaming", a Read-Along podcast for Neil Gaiman's comic book treasure "The Sandman", hosted by the Mote... Read More →
avatar for Kevin Harkness

Kevin Harkness

Kevin Harkness is a writer of YA Fantasy novels and short stories in a number of genres. His City of Demons series is published by Tyche Books.
avatar for Judy McCrosky

Judy McCrosky

I'm the author of several books, with two new ones due out this year. I'm an experienced speaker and teacher of writing in a variety of genres. I love to talk to people about any and all aspects of writing and the writing life.

Friday September 30, 2016 23:00 - 23:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Writing & Publication

23:00 PDT

Scary Puppets
Whether demonically possessed, haunted, or just plain evil, TV, film and literature have often painted puppets with a very dark brush. Why?
Panelists
avatar for Eric Chu

Eric Chu

VCON 41 Film Design Guest of HonorBorn in Hong Kong at a very early age, Eric quickly exhibited an interest in design and film. Even as a young child, directing seemed to be in his blood, but an uncooperative cast of plastic farm animals would prove to be an endless source of frustration... Read More →
avatar for Danielle Stephens

Danielle Stephens

Manager, Colourist, Goblins
Danielle is the flats colourist and manager for the Goblins webcomic. She also writes the Hyper Halfling line of roleplaying game supplements. This means she plays colouring books and make-believe as a living, and giggles about it daily. She is often mistaken for Pauline Walsh.
PW

Pauline Walsh

A second-generation nerd, Pauline grew up at conventions and SCA events. She's been part of geek culture all her life, and one day hopes to pay the bills with her writing, her art, or both. She has been a member of several VCON convention committees over the years. She is often mistaken... Read More →

Friday September 30, 2016 23:00 - 23:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Muppets Puppets & Marionettes

23:30 PDT

cleanup
Room closed for Kill Doctor Lucky - Live Action clean up.
Friday September 30, 2016 23:30 - Saturday October 1, 2016 00:00 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed
 
Saturday, October 1
 

07:00 PDT

Console Gaming: SAT
24 Hour Console Gaming (Room remains open beyond 2am)
Saturday October 1, 2016 07:00 - Sunday October 2, 2016 02:00 PDT
11b - Console Gaming Barnston B (1st Floor)
  Games & Game Design

07:00 PDT

Table Top Gaming: SAT
24 Hour Table Top Gaming (Room remains open beyond 2am)
Saturday October 1, 2016 07:00 - Sunday October 2, 2016 02:00 PDT
11a - Tabletop Gaming Fraser (1st Floor)
  Games & Game Design

07:30 PDT

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Best of the 80's (With Cereal!)
Everyone welcome! Don’t take off your Jammies, don’t get ready for the day.  

Come join us for some good old Saturday morning cartoons get your caffeine and sugar here too. Saturday we are doing the best of the 80s for Kids - from Flintstones to Transformers, Come watch Cartoons and eat cereal provided by VCON's Hospitality Suite.

Come enjoy Saturday morning, for the kids (and the not kids too)!

A wonderful start to the morning.
Panelists
GC

Geoff Cleeve

Geoff Cleeve is a geeky bookworm whose love of si-fy has grown with every X-Wing taking out a Tie Fighter. He has been helping run fandom events, mostly Cons, for the last 8 years and his enthusiasm for cartoons in every form know no bounds. Outside of fandom he spends much of his... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 07:30 - 10:30 PDT
09 - KidCon Hotel Suite (# TBA)
  Kid Stuff   Media & Popular Culture

09:00 PDT

Art Show, SAT
VCON’s annual art show features the work of local artists. Works on display include paintings, sculpture, cartoons, and other objets d’art with some relationship to science fiction, fantasy, gaming, horror, and related themes. As much as we appreciate still life studies, for example, the still life must be within the genre.

COME TO THE ART GALLERY DURING CONVENTION. CHAT WITH THE ARTISTS. CHECK OUT OUR SHOW-AND-TELL AREA. ATTEND THE RECEPTION FRIDAY NIGHT AND MEET ART DIRECTOR GOH STEPHANIE JOHANSON AND MANY OF THE OTHER ARTISTS. WATCH FOR DEMONSTRATIONS AND TOURS. TIMES WILL BE POSTED AT THE DOOR.

And always remember that at VCON, we FEAR NO ART!

• • • • • • 
Art Show Bidding Rules
Please remember, when you place a bid, you are making a non-rescindable purchase contract with the artist. It cannot be rescinded.

To bid on a piece, fill in the bid sheet attached or adjacent to the piece in which you are interested. Required information consists of the bidder’s name (real or badge name), badge number and bid amount. Bids will be accepted in increments of $1 only. Highest bid wins.

Any single-bid pieces may be picked up and paid for when the art show closes on Sunday. The Art Show staff reserve the right to void any bid they deem not legitimate.

Direct Sales
Some pieces will have direct sales prices as well as minimum bid prices. If a piece has not yet been bid on, it can be purchased for the direct sale price.

Artists’ Reception
VCON’s ‘Newest tradition’ allows members to meet and mingle with the exhibiting artists in a relaxed and informal setting. Join us to enjoy the art and the artists.

Print Shop
Here you can purchase prints of some of the work on display, as well as prints of other works by the artists. Please take every precaution to ensure prints are not damaged in any way. You are handling works of art!

Special Saturday Programming
A detailed schedule of programmed events within the gallery will be posted at the door.

General Notes
When entering the Art Gallery, please check all bags with the art show volunteer at the door. No photography. No food or drink allowed. Please do not touch.
Saturday October 1, 2016 09:00 - 20:00 PDT
10 - Art Show Guildford A (1st Floor)
  Exhibits

09:00 PDT

VCON Hospitality - Saturday
Food, Glorious Food -- from Oliver!

Is it worth the waiting for?
If we live till eighty four
All we ever get is gruel!
Every day we say our prayer --
Will they change the bill of fare?
Still we get the same old gruel!
There's not a crust, not a crumb can we find,
can we beg, can we borrow, or cadge,
But there's nothing to stop us from getting a thrill
When we all close our eyes and imagine--

Food, glorious food,
Hot sausage and mustard!
While we're in the mood --
Cold jelly and custard!
Peas pudding and saveloys
What next is the question?
Rich gentlemen have it, boys --
in digestion!

Food Glorious food
We're anxious to try it
Three banquets a day
Our favorite diet
Just picture a great big steak
Fried, roasted, or stewed
Oh food! wonderful food! marvelous
food! glorious food!

Food glorious food
What is there more handsome?
Gulped, swallowed or chewed,
Still worth a KINGS RANSOM!
What is it we dream about?
What brings on a sigh?
Piled peaches and cream about-
SIX FEET HIGH

Food glorious food
Eat right through the menu
just loosen your belt
two inches and then you-
work up a new appetite
in this interlude
then food once again
food fabulous food
glorious food

Food glorious food
don't care what it looks like
Burnt underdone crude
don't CARE what the cooks like
Just thinking of growing fat
our senses go reeling
One moment of knowing that
Full up feeling

What wouldn't we give for
That extra bit more
That's all we live for
Why should we be fated to do
Nothing but brood on food
Magical food,
Wonderful food
marvelous food,
Beautiful food,
Food, Glorious food glorious food

-- written by Lionel Bart 
Saturday October 1, 2016 09:00 - Sunday October 2, 2016 00:00 PDT
12a - Hospitality Suite Trillium (2nd Floor)
  Con Operations   Food & Drink

09:30 PDT

Registration, SAT
Saturday October 1, 2016 09:30 - 20:00 PDT
00 - Registration Guildford Foyer (1st Floor)
  Con Operations

10:00 PDT

Practical Considerations for Costume Makers
Our panel of costume makers talk about everything from pockets, to footwear, to how to wear your badge in character. They'll address costume and prop transport and storage, ways to increase your own personal comfort in costume, safety tips for costuming in crowds, and more.
Moderators
avatar for Danielle Stephens

Danielle Stephens

Manager, Colourist, Goblins
Danielle is the flats colourist and manager for the Goblins webcomic. She also writes the Hyper Halfling line of roleplaying game supplements. This means she plays colouring books and make-believe as a living, and giggles about it daily. She is often mistaken for Pauline Walsh.

Panelists
BH

Barbara Hanson

Barbara has been cosplaying for over 10 years, having played with many different costumes, both hero's and villains. She loves to see and work on different costumes and see what others also can create, spreading the joy of costuming whether at cons or dance. She has also been dancing... Read More →
LL

Loushawna (loushy) Haselhan

Loushy has been casually cosplaying since 2007 but got serious about armor crafting just over two years ago. Since launching headfirst into armor she's made half a dozen sets of armor for herself, her friends, and a few wonderful clients. Get her talking about Mass Effect and strap... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 10:00 - 10:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Costuming & Cosplay

10:00 PDT

Creating Critters and Aliens
What makes a really great critter or alien to people your worlds with? We'll discuss the ecological and biological issues to consider and give examples of the most successful critters and aliens in SF&F.
Moderators
avatar for Wolf Read

Wolf Read

Dr. Wolf Read is currently working as a Postdoctoral Teaching and Research Fellow in forest science at the University of British Columbia. He has many interests but is often found studying wind-tree interactions, storms and associated power outages. Lately he has been delving into... Read More →

Panelists
avatar for BJ Allan

BJ Allan

Bored with circus life BJ (adopted as a nom de lab) ran away with a group of itinerant biologists, lured by the smell of phenol and the roar of the centrifuge. Today he seeks to share the wonder and weirdness of the natural world with ladies, gentlemen, and children of all ages.
RB

Rob Boffard

Rob Boffard is a South African author, journalist and rapper. His Outer Earth scifi trilogy is published worldwide by Orbit Books, and he writes about music and tech for The Guardian, Wired Magazine and more.
avatar for Eric Chu

Eric Chu

VCON 41 Film Design Guest of HonorBorn in Hong Kong at a very early age, Eric quickly exhibited an interest in design and film. Even as a young child, directing seemed to be in his blood, but an uncooperative cast of plastic farm animals would prove to be an endless source of frustration... Read More →
avatar for Jaymie Matthews

Jaymie Matthews

Jaymie Matthews is a UBC astrophysics professor who searches for planets beyond the Solar System and probes the hidden interiors of distant stars, using space telescopes as large as minivans and as small as car batteries. Jaymie is heavily involved in astronomy education and outreach... Read More →
avatar for Claire McCague

Claire McCague

Simon Fraser University
Claire McCague is a research scientist, musician and writer. She performs regularly with the Sybaritic String Band and her other worldly plays have been featured in festivals across Canada. Her humorous first contact novel, The Rosetta Man, published by EDGE, is her first novel.

Saturday October 1, 2016 10:00 - 10:50 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Games & Game Design   Media & Popular Culture   Science & Skepticism   Writing & Publication

10:00 PDT

How to Build Styrene, Resin and Vinyl Models and Incidentally Fill Your House with Aliens, Spaceships, Kaiju, Giant Robots, and Monsters!
Join MONSTER ATTACK TEAM for a two hour live demo focused on how to build science fiction and fantasy model kits in different mediums. Building kits is often cheaper (and much more fun) than simply plopping a pre-painted figure on the shelf. However, it can be daunting if you’re just beginning. Join us for an overview of skills, and an introduction to the incredible world of garage kit modelling - where just about any subject you’ve ever dreamed of exists as a model kit.
Panelists
MA

Monster Attack Team

Monster Attack Team Canada is an extraordinary club, started in 1989, consisting mostly of professional film designers and prop makers who work in “Hollywood North” as the local Vancouver film industry is called. (Stan Hyde, our Godzilla Fan GoH started M.A.T.C and Eric Chu... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 10:00 - 11:50 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making

10:00 PDT

Filmed In Supermarionation (documentary film)
"Filmed In Supermarionation" is the definitive documentary about the iconic puppetry technique developed by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. Supermarionation was used in all their programmes throughout the 1960s including Stingray, Captain Scarlet and Thunderbirds.
1h 59m

Permission to show this film has come directly from the source, our Supermarionation GoH, Jamie Anderson, son of Gerry and Sylvia.

(Although the documentary is only two hours long, Jamie has said he might be able to bring us some other shows as well. If he does, we will use what we can to fill up the remaining hour.)

Saturday October 1, 2016 10:00 - 12:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Muppets Puppets & Marionettes

10:00 PDT

The 3 Hour Monster Puppet Head with Dusty Hagerud #2
Registration: REGISTER HERE
Maximum participants: 16
Recommended minimum age: 13+ or adult supervision if hand sewing, hot glue, and Exacto blades are not an issue.
Materials fee: $40
Materials fee covers: Multiple fun fur colours, eye balls, eye iris felt, foam strips, misc. craft supplies 
Other requirements:  A notepad and pen are recommended as a lot of puppet building tricks and tips may come up in conversation.
Workshop duration:  3 hours

Workshop description:  Ever wanted to learn how to make your very own muppe... err... monster puppet ? Well, this is the workshop for you! Spend three hours with a professional puppeteer to learn the techniques and build a simple hand operated monster puppet head.

In 3 hours you will build a simple hand operated monster puppet head. First, you will construct a felt a mouth plate. Then you'll choose from a few head shape patterns and cut and stitch (with the Henson stitch!) a fun fur head and then attach the mouth plate into it. From that point, it’s all decoration with eyes, tongue and whichever other adornments you would like to add to make it your very own, personalized, monster puppet!

• • • • •

Dusty Hagerud is the Creative Director and founder of Color Sound Lab and has been performing and designing in Puppetry for 17 years across Western Canada.

colorsoundlab.com


Panelists
DH

Dusty Hagerud

Creative Director and founder of Color Sound Lab, Dusty has been performing and designing in Puppetry for 17 years across Western Canada working with a multitude of puppet theatre troupes. Dusty was a recipient of a 2009 Leo Award for Anachronism Pictures’ “The Anachronism... Read More →


Saturday October 1, 2016 10:00 - 13:00 PDT
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making   Muppets Puppets & Marionettes

10:00 PDT

Saturday Short Story Writers' Workshop (Closed Session)
Closed Short Story Workshop for pre-registered applicants.
Moderators
avatar for R. Graeme Cameron

R. Graeme Cameron

Publisher / Editor, Polar Borealis Magazine
Fanzine Editor 30+ years, publishes semi-pro SF fiction zine Polar Borealis, won two Aurora Awards, and writes fanzine review column for Amazing Stories (currently on hiatus).

Panelists
avatar for Russ Crossley

Russ Crossley

President, 53rd Street Publishing
International selling author, Russ Crossley writes science fiction and fantasy, and mystery/suspense. Over his more than 15 year career he has published 14 novels and over 100 short stories. With his wife, writer/artist Rita Schulz, he co-owns 53rd Street Publishing a multi-genre... Read More →
RS

Rita Schulz

International selling author, Rita Schulz writes science fiction, fantasy, and mystery/suspense. She is also an artist. Over her more than 15 year career in writing she has published 1 novel and over 30 short stories. With her husband, writer/artist Russ Crossley, she co-owns 53rd... Read More →
MT

Marcie Tentchoff

Marcie Lynn Tentchoff is an Aurora award winning writer/poet/editor from Gibsons, BC. Her work has appeared in such publications as Weird Tales, Strange Horizons, and On Spec.

Saturday October 1, 2016 10:00 - 13:00 PDT
08 - Small Workshops Boardroom (1st Floor)
  Writing & Publication

10:00 PDT

KidCon, SAT
Arts, crafts and edutainment for the kids so parents can tackle panels distraction-free. Run by first-aid-trained staff with a comprehensive knowledge of Pokemon and anime, we're here to help keep you sane. Early start on Saturday - 7:30am for jammies & cartoons!
Saturday October 1, 2016 10:00 - 17:00 PDT
09 - KidCon Hotel Suite (# TBA)
  Kid Stuff

10:00 PDT

Clubs & Organizations, SAT
Saturday October 1, 2016 10:00 - 19:00 PDT
14 - Club Tables Tynehead Foyer (2nd Floor)
  Exhibits

10:00 PDT

Artists' Alley, SAT
Saturday October 1, 2016 10:00 - 20:00 PDT
13b - Vendor Hall: Artists' Alley Guildford Foyer (1st Floor)
  Exhibits

10:00 PDT

Dealers' Room, SAT
Saturday October 1, 2016 10:00 - 20:00 PDT
13a - Vender Hall: Dealers' Room Guildford B&C (1st Floor)
  Exhibits

10:30 PDT

Reading: Chilam
Panelists
avatar for Chilam

Chilam

Creative Producer, Cerebrospace
Artist, Author, Astro-guy (B.Sc. Astrophysics, UBC '09) & creator of the fantastic world of Varzuun. His new novel PALADIN is now available. Member / Principal Cast: Times Paste Entertainment, BC Renaissance Festival & Jade Dragon Pirates.

Saturday October 1, 2016 10:30 - 10:55 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

10:30 PDT

rehersal for Pallahaxi Players Players Reader Theatre
Room closed for the Pallahaxi Readers to rehearse.
Panelists
avatar for Eileen Kernaghan

Eileen Kernaghan

Eileen Kernaghan lives in New Westminster. Her nine historical fantasy novels reflect her fascination with other times and places, from the prehistoric Indus Valley to Victorian England. Her most recent YA/teen novel, Sophie, in Shadow, shortlisted for a Sunburst Award for literature... Read More →
avatar for Carlos Lozano-Gilabert

Carlos Lozano-Gilabert

Carlos Lozano is a writer of flash-fiction and screenplays. He has a solid a solid background in science and psychology. His flash-fiction revolves around horror and love stories. His screenplays reflect his love of adventure. He writes both in English and in Spanish.
avatar for Rhea Rose

Rhea Rose

Rhea's first story was selected by Judith Merril for the very first Tesseracts anthology and nominated for an Aurora Award. Her latest works appear in Clockwork Canada and Pulp Literature. She has her MFA in creative writing from UBC.
avatar for Casey J. Wolf

Casey J. Wolf

Casey June Wolf is a writer of occasional poems and speculative fiction stories that range from moody slipstream to hard science fiction. Upcoming publications include “Fog” in The Nettle Tree: Strangely Different Western Stories and several poems in Your Death Full of Flowers... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 10:30 - 11:00 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

11:00 PDT

Reading: Graham J. Darling
Panelists
avatar for Graham Darling

Graham Darling

Author, Scientist & Medievalist, Active Materials Inc.
Dr Graham D Darling designs new molecules with weird properties. As Graham J Darling (from another middle name), he writes as fiction what the world isn't ready for as fact. As Doctor Carus, he demonstrates medieval sci/tech to scholars of all ages.

Saturday October 1, 2016 11:00 - 11:25 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

11:00 PDT

Interview with Jamie Anderson, by Robert J. Sawyer
A one-on-one interview of Supermarionation GoH Jamie Anderson by Author GoH Robert J. Sawyer. Who knows exactly where the conversation will go, but you'll probably learn about Jamie's current projects; what it took to get where he is today; and his thoughts about the life and legacy of his father, Gerry Anderson.
Moderators
avatar for Robert J. Sawyer

Robert J. Sawyer

SFWRITER.COM Inc.
VCON 41 Author Guest of HonorBorn in Ottawa in 1960, in his youth Robert dreamed of becoming a paleontologist specializing in dinosaurs, but upon discovering only about a dozen people worldwide made a living doing that, he decided to become one of the several hundred people making... Read More →

Panelists
avatar for Jamie Anderson

Jamie Anderson

VCON 41 Supermarionation Guest of HonorJamie Anderson is the younger son of the late Gerry Anderson – the man behind cult TV shows like Fireball XL5, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Space: 1999, and of course Thunderbirds.Jamie had always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 11:00 - 11:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  GoH Session

11:00 PDT

Pallahaxi Players Reader Theatre Presents 'Deep North' by Carlos Lozano
Come listen as the readers of the Pallahaxi Players will thrill you with the words and sounds of a tale of a rescue mission to the Canadian Arctic gone terribly wrong. Themselves in need of help, they come face to face with an ancient evil.
Panelists
avatar for Eileen Kernaghan

Eileen Kernaghan

Eileen Kernaghan lives in New Westminster. Her nine historical fantasy novels reflect her fascination with other times and places, from the prehistoric Indus Valley to Victorian England. Her most recent YA/teen novel, Sophie, in Shadow, shortlisted for a Sunburst Award for literature... Read More →
avatar for Carlos Lozano-Gilabert

Carlos Lozano-Gilabert

Carlos Lozano is a writer of flash-fiction and screenplays. He has a solid a solid background in science and psychology. His flash-fiction revolves around horror and love stories. His screenplays reflect his love of adventure. He writes both in English and in Spanish.
avatar for Rhea Rose

Rhea Rose

Rhea's first story was selected by Judith Merril for the very first Tesseracts anthology and nominated for an Aurora Award. Her latest works appear in Clockwork Canada and Pulp Literature. She has her MFA in creative writing from UBC.
avatar for Casey J. Wolf

Casey J. Wolf

Casey June Wolf is a writer of occasional poems and speculative fiction stories that range from moody slipstream to hard science fiction. Upcoming publications include “Fog” in The Nettle Tree: Strangely Different Western Stories and several poems in Your Death Full of Flowers... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 11:00 - 11:50 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  Music Dance & Performance   Writing & Publication

11:00 PDT

NaNoWriMo – So you want to write a novel
National Novel Writing Month is an intense novel-writing event that goes on every November, worldwide. Join local Municipal Liaisons Dave Levine and Christine Vivier of the Vancouver chapter of National Novel Writing Month for a discussion on what NaNoWriMo is and how it can get you started on your journey to becoming an author.
Panelists
avatar for Dave Levine

Dave Levine

EAP/IELTS Instructor, VanWest College
IELTS/EAP 300 Instructor at VanWest College.
avatar for Christine Vivier

Christine Vivier

Manager/Owner, Silver Anchor Bookkeeping
I'm a comic book maker (sometimes), a writer (more often) and someone who likes drawing.I do math for a living, which might be weird if you think people who like math don't like art. I like meditation, and ukuleles, and any video game that lets you check out cupboards and shit. I... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 11:00 - 11:50 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

11:30 PDT

Reading: Claire McCague
Panelists
avatar for Claire McCague

Claire McCague

Simon Fraser University
Claire McCague is a research scientist, musician and writer. She performs regularly with the Sybaritic String Band and her other worldly plays have been featured in festivals across Canada. Her humorous first contact novel, The Rosetta Man, published by EDGE, is her first novel.

Saturday October 1, 2016 11:30 - 11:55 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

12:00 PDT

Reading: Robert Luis Rabello
Panelists
avatar for Robert Luis Rabello

Robert Luis Rabello

Robert Luis Rabello is the author of the Deveran Conflict Series, a unique human wave science fiction series.

Saturday October 1, 2016 12:00 - 12:25 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

12:00 PDT

Pencils at High Noon
VCON's traditional quick draw artists showdown where professional and amateur artists vie for the top spot by illustrating randomly selected geeky concepts.

May the best artist win!
Moderators
avatar for Chilam

Chilam

Creative Producer, Cerebrospace
Artist, Author, Astro-guy (B.Sc. Astrophysics, UBC '09) & creator of the fantastic world of Varzuun. His new novel PALADIN is now available. Member / Principal Cast: Times Paste Entertainment, BC Renaissance Festival & Jade Dragon Pirates.

Panelists
avatar for Eric Chu

Eric Chu

VCON 41 Film Design Guest of HonorBorn in Hong Kong at a very early age, Eric quickly exhibited an interest in design and film. Even as a young child, directing seemed to be in his blood, but an uncooperative cast of plastic farm animals would prove to be an endless source of frustration... Read More →
avatar for Roberta Gregory

Roberta Gregory

I have been published in indy/underground comics for many decades, beginning in the 1970s. 40 issue Naughty Bits series published by Fantagraphics in the 1990s to early 2000s. Currently working on all sorts of projects. Mother Mountain is my (not yet published) fantasy trilogy. My... Read More →
avatar for Julie McGalliard

Julie McGalliard

Julie McGalliard is a writer and occasional cartoonist. Her first novel, Waking Up Naked in Strange Places, was released in 2015.
avatar for Christine Vivier

Christine Vivier

Manager/Owner, Silver Anchor Bookkeeping
I'm a comic book maker (sometimes), a writer (more often) and someone who likes drawing.I do math for a living, which might be weird if you think people who like math don't like art. I like meditation, and ukuleles, and any video game that lets you check out cupboards and shit. I... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 12:00 - 12:50 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making

12:00 PDT

Short Lunch Break With Cartoons, SAT
We probably won’t actually stop building while we eat, so please feel free to come in to watch and ask questions. As well, we’ll show some of the anime and cartoons from which some of our model kits originate. Film program will be posted in the room, or just ask.
Panelists
MA

Monster Attack Team

Monster Attack Team Canada is an extraordinary club, started in 1989, consisting mostly of professional film designers and prop makers who work in “Hollywood North” as the local Vancouver film industry is called. (Stan Hyde, our Godzilla Fan GoH started M.A.T.C and Eric Chu... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 12:00 - 12:50 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Art Craft & Making

12:00 PDT

Importance of Philosophy in Fiction
Writers talk a lot about the importance of character development and prose, but what of your philosophical, religious, and political beliefs? In fantasy and sci-fi, they will certainly influence the world you create. Can you be a good writer without also being a good thinker?
Panelists
TG

TAM Gordy

Old enough to remember when Michael Jackson was black. Saw the first show with the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, when it happened. Loves music, writing and when the Boss cooks for me. Takes everything seriously, except myself. Peace. Out.
avatar for Randy McCharles

Randy McCharles

Author
RANDY MCCHARLES is a full-time author of humorous speculative and mystery fiction. He is the recipient of several Aurora Awards. His recent novel, Much Ado about Macbeth from Tyche Books was shortlisted for the 2016 Aurora Awards. In addition to writing, Randy organizes various events... Read More →
KM

Kieth Merrill

Kieth Merrill is an author, producer, and director. His new novel, The Immortal Crown, the first in the epic fantasy series Saga of Kings, combines his love of world building with his cinematic writing style. Kieth is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as... Read More →
avatar for Wolf Read

Wolf Read

Dr. Wolf Read is currently working as a Postdoctoral Teaching and Research Fellow in forest science at the University of British Columbia. He has many interests but is often found studying wind-tree interactions, storms and associated power outages. Lately he has been delving into... Read More →
avatar for Lynda Williams

Lynda Williams

Publisher, Reality Skimming Press
Lynda Williams is the author of the Okal Rel ten-novel saga and the owner of Reality Skimming Press. Lynda works within the realms of optimistic sci-fi and new era publishing for her own works and the press. The press is releasing reboots of the saga and original anthologies. Lynda... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 12:00 - 12:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Religion Philosophy & History   Writing & Publication

12:00 PDT

National Novel Writing Month – A Pre-November Write-in
Every year nearly half a million novels are written in November, including bestsellers.
Today you can start yours. Join NaNoWriMo Municipal Liaison Dave Levine in a writing event based on NaNo principles.

Bring writing material and any outline or idea you may have.

No idea? No problem!
Panelists
avatar for Dave Levine

Dave Levine

EAP/IELTS Instructor, VanWest College
IELTS/EAP 300 Instructor at VanWest College.

Saturday October 1, 2016 12:00 - 12:50 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

12:30 PDT

Reading: Stan Hyde
A reading by our Godzilla Fan Guest of Honor
Panelists
avatar for Stan Hyde

Stan Hyde

Stan is a model builder and artist, retired English literature, film and drama teacher, and a bona fide Godzilla expert (he has more than 200 models of Godzilla, each one different and can look at a photo of Godzilla and identify the movie the still came from by the shape of the ear... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 12:30 - 12:55 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

13:00 PDT

workshops setup/cleanup
Room closed for workshop cleanup and setup
Saturday October 1, 2016 13:00 - 13:30 PDT
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

13:00 PDT

The Royal Manticoran Navy Wants YOU!
Join members from the 10th fleet of TRMN - The Royal Manticoran Navy: The Official Honor Harrington Fan Association - as they present information about and discuss the Honorverse book series (written by David Weber) and its spin-offs (written by Weber and others), which are the inspiration behind their organization. You will also learn a little about the history of the TRMN, their BC-based chapters and how you can join in too.
Panelists
avatar for TRMN BatCruDiv 963

TRMN BatCruDiv 963

The Royal Manticoran Navy (TRMN) is the Official Honor Harrington Fan Association, an organization dedicated to celebrating the work of David Weber and the universe he has created in his Honor Harrington series and spin-offs. Most chapters are considered ships in the space navy and... Read More →
avatar for Cary Conder

Cary Conder

Born to British parents in Colombia, Cary immigrated to Canada as a child. Her alma mater is in Whitehorse, YT, served 27 years in the Canadian military, is a life member of the ASFA, and a self-published author. She resides in Victoria, BC.
avatar for Jenni Merrifield

Jenni Merrifield

UX/UI Design Specialist, Jenni Merrifield
Jenni is a UX designer by trade and an SF&F geek by choice. Her favourite fandoms include Star Wars (Han shot first!), Harry Potter (she's a Ravenclaw), Firefly/Serenity (Browncoats unite!) & the Honorverse (Let's be about it!)

Saturday October 1, 2016 13:00 - 13:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Clubs & Organizations   Writing & Publication

13:00 PDT

Reading: Spider Robinson
1-Hour reading by our Toastmaster, Author Spider Robinson
Panelists
avatar for Spider Robinson

Spider Robinson

Cheap Executive Offficer, Tottering-on-the-Brink
Spider Robinson is renowned as one of Canada's most popular science fiction writers. Born in New York, NY, he has lived in Canada for nearly 40 years, mostly in Halifax and Vancouver. He wrote his first SF short story, "The Guy with the Eyes" (published in 1971) to escape the boredom... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 13:00 - 13:50 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  GoH Session   Reading

13:00 PDT

Kinderfilk
Everybody is welcome to come listen to songs geared toward younger fans. We'll see if we can't find a few muppet, puppet and marionette songs to throw into the mix.
Panelists
CL

Creede Lambard

Creede Lambard first encountered filk in 1981. He learned to play the banjo in 2003. He started combining the two in 2005 and things haven't been the same since.

Saturday October 1, 2016 13:00 - 13:50 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Kid Stuff   Muppets Puppets & Marionettes   Music Dance & Performance

13:00 PDT

VCON Idol
Authors! Want to prove you are a Writing Star at VCON?

COME TO VCON IDOL!

Bring in the first page of a current manuscript (one sheet, double-spaced) and, if you are chosen from the audience, do a rapid-fire reading in front of our panel of expert judges (editors and publishers) and the audience. The judges will then demonstrate how the opening sentences of your submission would be judged if it had shown up in their slush pile.

Then take their feedback - positive or negative - and use it to make your work even better!
Panelists
BH

Brian Hades

Brian Hades is the founder of EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing - Canada's largest publisher of Science Fiction and Fantasy books. Now celebrating 16 year of publishing SF/F/H books.
avatar for JM Landels

JM Landels

Writer, Artist, Editor, Pulp Literature Press
Jennifer Landels is a founding editor at Pulp Literature magazine, a multi-genre fiction quarterly. As JM Landels she writes fantasy and historical fiction, and is the author of Allaigna's Song: Overture, due out in 2017. When she's not busy with words she plays with horses and... Read More →
avatar for Randy McCharles

Randy McCharles

Author
RANDY MCCHARLES is a full-time author of humorous speculative and mystery fiction. He is the recipient of several Aurora Awards. His recent novel, Much Ado about Macbeth from Tyche Books was shortlisted for the 2016 Aurora Awards. In addition to writing, Randy organizes various events... Read More →
TM

Trevor Melanson

Trevor Melanson is the author of Terminal City, a new dark fantasy novel published by EDGE. He's also the senior editor of Vancouver Magazine and has edited and written for many major national magazines and newspapers (occasionally, on geeky topics).
avatar for Rhea Rose

Rhea Rose

Rhea's first story was selected by Judith Merril for the very first Tesseracts anthology and nominated for an Aurora Award. Her latest works appear in Clockwork Canada and Pulp Literature. She has her MFA in creative writing from UBC.


Saturday October 1, 2016 13:00 - 13:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Small Press Cabal   Writing & Publication

13:00 PDT

Pitch Sessions: Reality Skimming Press
A Pitch Session gives you a chance to pitch your work to an acquiring editor or publisher!

Getting your work seen is one of the great challenges of traditional publishing and pitch sessions are an easy way to get your work in front of an acquiring professional. It's an opportunity to gain valuable feedback — and who knows, you might even get a request for a submission! There is no additional charge for this service and sessions will be one-on-one in a private space.

Starting Saturday morning, you may sign up for an appointment from among the available presenters. Sign up sheets will be available at the Registration Desk to book these appointments. Note that these appointments are limited and are based on a first come, first served basis, so be sure to register early. Please make sure to arrive five minutes before your appointment start time.

This is your ten-minute opportunity to sell your work (and yourself). Don't bring your entire manuscript, as editors and agents will not require it. The focus in this very brief ten-minute time slot is to verbally pitch your story/piece. If you have questions, be ready to ask them. This is your chance to learn. Listen carefully — it doesn't hurt to take notes. Seize the opportunity to get someone else as enthusiastic about your work as you are!

• • •

Reality Skimming Press publishes optimistic sci-fi - that is, science fiction that plays on real world themes and problems with an optimistic twist. We do mostly anthologies, so short stories are great. Our anthologies are about 50% set in an established universe we're continuing to build out - contributing to an Okal Rel anthology is a good opportunity foryouto work with an existing framework of canon. However, we may be up for doing a novel depending on the time frame.

We are a small press, so our marketing outreach is still growing. Authors with their own social media presence and willingness to participate in marketing activities is key. Interested authors may want to attend the new era publishing session to contribute ideas to what new models may look like. And to learn about ours. 
Panelists
EM

Ellen Michelle

Ellen is the Managing Editor for Reality Skimming Press, a small optimistic sci-fi publisher, and a technical writer. She has a degree in English & Publishing from SFU, and loves fawning over the lesser-loved characters of various popular franchises.
avatar for Lynda Williams

Lynda Williams

Publisher, Reality Skimming Press
Lynda Williams is the author of the Okal Rel ten-novel saga and the owner of Reality Skimming Press. Lynda works within the realms of optimistic sci-fi and new era publishing for her own works and the press. The press is releasing reboots of the saga and original anthologies. Lynda... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 13:00 - 14:00 PDT
08 - Small Workshops Boardroom (1st Floor)
  Small Press Cabal   Writing & Publication

13:00 PDT

How to Paint Styrene, Resin, and Vinyl Models: No One Will Have Toys As Cool As You!
Join MONSTER ATTACK TEAM for a two hour live demo focused on how to paint kits produced in various mediums (styrene, vinyl, resin, et cetera). With some basic understanding you should be able to create some awesome three dimensional art. We’ll share techniques that make painting easy and allow you to create the effects you imagine!
Panelists
MA

Monster Attack Team

Monster Attack Team Canada is an extraordinary club, started in 1989, consisting mostly of professional film designers and prop makers who work in “Hollywood North” as the local Vancouver film industry is called. (Stan Hyde, our Godzilla Fan GoH started M.A.T.C and Eric Chu... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 13:00 - 14:50 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making

13:30 PDT

setup
Room closed for VCON's Family Feud setup
Saturday October 1, 2016 13:30 - 14:00 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

13:30 PDT

World Building Through Map-Making with Brenda Carre
Registration: Drop-in
Recommended minimum age: 6+ or adult supervision
Workshop duration:  1-hour
Other requirements: Bring a clipboard and notebook

Workshop description: Those who controlled the maps controlled the power. Learn how to take the power of map-making into your own hands and build worlds, cultures, and quests around the stories you discover. Brenda Carre will lead you on a voyage of discovering story through a map you will draw, possibly for a new story or one already in progress, and sharing what you discovered from doing so.

• • • • •

Brenda Carre writes in a variety of genres and has 34 years as an artist in the field of Education and 25 years building stories through maps. Her short fiction can be found in the Magazine of F&Sf, Fiction River Anthologies and in many other venues. Brenda's WIP is a Dark Fantasy paralleling Canada's mythic West Coast during the age of sail.

(Photo borrowed from "Fantasy Map Drawing" YouTube page)
Panelists
avatar for Brenda Carre

Brenda Carre

Brenda Carre writes in a variety of genres. Her short fiction can be found in the Magazine of F&Sf, Fiction River Anthologies and in many other venues. Brenda's WIP is a Dark Fantasy paralleling Canada's mythic West Coast during the age of sail.

Saturday October 1, 2016 13:30 - 14:20 PDT
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making   Kid Stuff   Writing & Publication

14:00 PDT

Reading: Casey June Wolf & Eileen Kernaghan
Panelists
avatar for Eileen Kernaghan

Eileen Kernaghan

Eileen Kernaghan lives in New Westminster. Her nine historical fantasy novels reflect her fascination with other times and places, from the prehistoric Indus Valley to Victorian England. Her most recent YA/teen novel, Sophie, in Shadow, shortlisted for a Sunburst Award for literature... Read More →
avatar for Casey J. Wolf

Casey J. Wolf

Casey June Wolf is a writer of occasional poems and speculative fiction stories that range from moody slipstream to hard science fiction. Upcoming publications include “Fog” in The Nettle Tree: Strangely Different Western Stories and several poems in Your Death Full of Flowers... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 14:00 - 14:25 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

14:00 PDT

Reading: T.G. Shepherd
Panelists
TG

T. G. Shepherd

T. G. Shepherd's first novel 'As A God' is out now, from ETreasures Publishing (Ebook only at this time). Think 'Game of Thrones' meets 'Criminal Minds'.  

Saturday October 1, 2016 14:00 - 14:25 PDT
08 - Small Workshops Boardroom (1st Floor)
  Reading

14:00 PDT

What is ASFA?
What is the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists and why should artists join?
Panelists
avatar for Cary Conder

Cary Conder

Born to British parents in Colombia, Cary immigrated to Canada as a child. Her alma mater is in Whitehorse, YT, served 27 years in the Canadian military, is a life member of the ASFA, and a self-published author. She resides in Victoria, BC.
avatar for Isaiah Sweigard

Isaiah Sweigard

I am a young aspiring filmmaker who went to film school, graduating with an expertise in Producing and Directing. After film school I then worked in the Vancouver film industry for 2 years, before quitting and pursuing my own creative outlets.

Saturday October 1, 2016 14:00 - 14:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making

14:00 PDT

Talking Film, Art & Animation with Jamie, Eric and Stan
Come and listen to Jamie Anderson, Eric Chu and Stan Hyde while they hang out together and reminisce about their experiences, both good and bad, working with art and animation in the film industry.
Panelists
avatar for Jamie Anderson

Jamie Anderson

VCON 41 Supermarionation Guest of HonorJamie Anderson is the younger son of the late Gerry Anderson – the man behind cult TV shows like Fireball XL5, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Space: 1999, and of course Thunderbirds.Jamie had always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps... Read More →
avatar for Eric Chu

Eric Chu

VCON 41 Film Design Guest of HonorBorn in Hong Kong at a very early age, Eric quickly exhibited an interest in design and film. Even as a young child, directing seemed to be in his blood, but an uncooperative cast of plastic farm animals would prove to be an endless source of frustration... Read More →
FG

Frank Garcia

Frank Garcia was a SF media magazine journalist for 20 years and is the co-author of two books on science fiction television series for McFarland & Company. Currently he works as a freelance video editor.
avatar for Stan Hyde

Stan Hyde

Stan is a model builder and artist, retired English literature, film and drama teacher, and a bona fide Godzilla expert (he has more than 200 models of Godzilla, each one different and can look at a photo of Godzilla and identify the movie the still came from by the shape of the ear... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 14:00 - 14:50 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making   GoH Session   Media & Popular Culture   Muppets Puppets & Marionettes

14:00 PDT

Justify the Science Flaw
The panelists and audience note science or technical flaws from stories, film and games, and the panelists try to get others to accept their plausible-sounding justifications for the flaws.
Moderators
avatar for Karl Johanson

Karl Johanson

Editor, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Editor Guest of HonourKarl Johanson is not just an exceptional editor of a marvelous magazine, he is—behind his unassuming exterior—a mad genius whose team is, against all logic, constantly pulling off these completely astounding projects.During the 1990s, Karl co-edited... Read More →

Panelists
avatar for BJ Allan

BJ Allan

Bored with circus life BJ (adopted as a nom de lab) ran away with a group of itinerant biologists, lured by the smell of phenol and the roar of the centrifuge. Today he seeks to share the wonder and weirdness of the natural world with ladies, gentlemen, and children of all ages.
avatar for Joe Fulgham

Joe Fulgham

Host/Producer, Mote of Dust / The Dreaming / Caustic Soda
Joe makes podcasts about things he loves. For six years he hosted, produced, and edited "Caustic Soda", the podcast of the weird, gross, and disturbing. His latest project is "The Dreaming", a Read-Along podcast for Neil Gaiman's comic book treasure "The Sandman", hosted by the Mote... Read More →
avatar for Jaymie Matthews

Jaymie Matthews

Jaymie Matthews is a UBC astrophysics professor who searches for planets beyond the Solar System and probes the hidden interiors of distant stars, using space telescopes as large as minivans and as small as car batteries. Jaymie is heavily involved in astronomy education and outreach... Read More →
avatar for Judy McCrosky

Judy McCrosky

I'm the author of several books, with two new ones due out this year. I'm an experienced speaker and teacher of writing in a variety of genres. I love to talk to people about any and all aspects of writing and the writing life.
avatar for Robert J. Sawyer

Robert J. Sawyer

SFWRITER.COM Inc.
VCON 41 Author Guest of HonorBorn in Ottawa in 1960, in his youth Robert dreamed of becoming a paleontologist specializing in dinosaurs, but upon discovering only about a dozen people worldwide made a living doing that, he decided to become one of the several hundred people making... Read More →
avatar for Lynda Williams

Lynda Williams

Publisher, Reality Skimming Press
Lynda Williams is the author of the Okal Rel ten-novel saga and the owner of Reality Skimming Press. Lynda works within the realms of optimistic sci-fi and new era publishing for her own works and the press. The press is releasing reboots of the saga and original anthologies. Lynda... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 14:00 - 14:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Games & Game Design   GoH Session   Media & Popular Culture   Science & Skepticism   Writing & Publication

14:00 PDT

Match Game, Take 2
We apologize, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the game originally scheduled in this time block - VCON's Family Feud - has had to be cancelled. But all is not lost! Instead, we'll just play a few more rounds of MATCH GAME...

The object of the game is to match as many of the ‘celebrities’ as you can.

At the beginning of each round, one contestant has a choice of two questions (A or B) leaving the other one for the other contestant. Each contestant is read a statement with a blank at the end or near the end. Then the six ‘celebrities’ write down their answers to fill in the blank. When finished, the contestant in control gives an answer of his/her own after which the stars reveal their answers. Each time the contestant matches, he/she scores a point.

The game will be played in two rounds and the player who has matched the most at the end of round two wins the game.
Panelists
RA

Rick Arino

Big on gaming, love hosting the Interactive gaming. Live for Halloween and scaring people. More than a little crazy. Also an AFOL.

Saturday October 1, 2016 14:00 - 16:30 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  Games & Game Design

14:30 PDT

Reading: Rhea Rose
Panelists
avatar for Rhea Rose

Rhea Rose

Rhea's first story was selected by Judith Merril for the very first Tesseracts anthology and nominated for an Aurora Award. Her latest works appear in Clockwork Canada and Pulp Literature. She has her MFA in creative writing from UBC.

Saturday October 1, 2016 14:30 - 14:55 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

14:30 PDT

Pitch Sessions: EDGE Science Fiction
A Pitch Session gives you a chance to pitch your work to an acquiring editor or publisher!

Getting your work seen is one of the great challenges of traditional publishing and pitch sessions are an easy way to get your work in front of an acquiring professional. It's an opportunity to gain valuable feedback — and who knows, you might even get a request for a submission! There is no additional charge for this service and sessions will be one-on-one in a private space.

Starting Saturday morning, you may sign up for an appointment from among the available presenters. Sign up sheets will be available at the Registration Desk to book these appointments. Note that these appointments are limited and are based on a first come, first served basis, so be sure to register early. Please make sure to arrive five minutes before your appointment start time.

This is your ten-minute opportunity to sell your work (and yourself). Don't bring your entire manuscript, as editors and agents will not require it. The focus in this very brief ten-minute time slot is to verbally pitch your story/piece. If you have questions, be ready to ask them. This is your chance to learn. Listen carefully — it doesn't hurt to take notes. Seize the opportunity to get someone else as enthusiastic about your work as you are!

• • •
 
Additional information about EDGE Science Fiction coming soon!
Panelists
BH

Brian Hades

Brian Hades is the founder of EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing - Canada's largest publisher of Science Fiction and Fantasy books. Now celebrating 16 year of publishing SF/F/H books.

Saturday October 1, 2016 14:30 - 15:30 PDT
08 - Small Workshops Boardroom (1st Floor)
  Small Press Cabal   Writing & Publication

14:30 PDT

Blue Pencil Café
The Blue Pencil Café is an opportunity for you to have your work reviewed by a professional writer.

When you arrive at the convention you may choose among available presenters for a brief critique of your work. There is no additional charge for this service, and sessions, while held in a shared space, will be one-on-one.

On Saturday morning sign up sheets will be made available at the Registration Desk to book these appointments. Note that these appointments are based first come, first served basis, so register early for best choice. You should arrive five minutes before for your appointment start time.

Bring a maximum of three pages of your best work (double-spaced). You will have fifteen minutes to chat about your work, or to ask questions about the knottiest problems you're facing.

Your Blue Pencil appointment is a wonderful opportunity to have a writing professional look at your work and give unbiased feedback.

• • • • •
REVIEWER SCHEDULE:
  • Brenda Carre: 3:15 PM, 3:30 PM, 3:45 PM
  • Kevin Harkness: 2:30 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:00 PM, 3:15 PM
  • Karl Johanson: 2:30 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:00 PM
  • JM Landels: 2:30 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:30 PM, 3:45 PM
  • Ellen Michelle Koehler: 2:30 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:00 PM, 3:15 PM, 3:30 PM
  • Claire McCague: 2:30 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:00 PM, 3:15 PM
    Willing to review scripts
  • Judy McCrosky: 3:00 PM, 3:15 PM, 3:30 PM, 3:45 PM
  • Trevor Melanson: 2:30 PM, 2:45 PM
  • Holly Schofield: 2:30 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:00 PM
  • Isaiah Sweigard: 3:15 PM, 3:30 PM, 3:45 PM
    Will ONLY review scripts
  • Marcie Lynn Tentchoff: 2:30 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:00 PM, 3:15PM, 3:30 PM, 3:45 PM 
  • Lisa Voisin: 3:00 PM, 3:15 PM, 3:30 PM, 3:45 PM
  • Lynda Williams: 3:00 PM, 3:15 PM, 3:30 PM, 3:45 PM

Panelists
avatar for Brenda Carre

Brenda Carre

Brenda Carre writes in a variety of genres. Her short fiction can be found in the Magazine of F&Sf, Fiction River Anthologies and in many other venues. Brenda's WIP is a Dark Fantasy paralleling Canada's mythic West Coast during the age of sail.
avatar for Kevin Harkness

Kevin Harkness

Kevin Harkness is a writer of YA Fantasy novels and short stories in a number of genres. His City of Demons series is published by Tyche Books.
avatar for Karl Johanson

Karl Johanson

Editor, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Editor Guest of HonourKarl Johanson is not just an exceptional editor of a marvelous magazine, he is—behind his unassuming exterior—a mad genius whose team is, against all logic, constantly pulling off these completely astounding projects.During the 1990s, Karl co-edited... Read More →
avatar for JM Landels

JM Landels

Writer, Artist, Editor, Pulp Literature Press
Jennifer Landels is a founding editor at Pulp Literature magazine, a multi-genre fiction quarterly. As JM Landels she writes fantasy and historical fiction, and is the author of Allaigna's Song: Overture, due out in 2017. When she's not busy with words she plays with horses and... Read More →
avatar for Claire McCague

Claire McCague

Simon Fraser University
Claire McCague is a research scientist, musician and writer. She performs regularly with the Sybaritic String Band and her other worldly plays have been featured in festivals across Canada. Her humorous first contact novel, The Rosetta Man, published by EDGE, is her first novel.
avatar for Judy McCrosky

Judy McCrosky

I'm the author of several books, with two new ones due out this year. I'm an experienced speaker and teacher of writing in a variety of genres. I love to talk to people about any and all aspects of writing and the writing life.
TM

Trevor Melanson

Trevor Melanson is the author of Terminal City, a new dark fantasy novel published by EDGE. He's also the senior editor of Vancouver Magazine and has edited and written for many major national magazines and newspapers (occasionally, on geeky topics).
EM

Ellen Michelle

Ellen is the Managing Editor for Reality Skimming Press, a small optimistic sci-fi publisher, and a technical writer. She has a degree in English & Publishing from SFU, and loves fawning over the lesser-loved characters of various popular franchises.
avatar for Holly Schofield

Holly Schofield

Holly Schofield's short stories have been published in Analog, Lightspeed, Tesseracts, and many other publications throughout the world. Find her at hollyschofield.wordpress.com .
avatar for Isaiah Sweigard

Isaiah Sweigard

I am a young aspiring filmmaker who went to film school, graduating with an expertise in Producing and Directing. After film school I then worked in the Vancouver film industry for 2 years, before quitting and pursuing my own creative outlets.
MT

Marcie Tentchoff

Marcie Lynn Tentchoff is an Aurora award winning writer/poet/editor from Gibsons, BC. Her work has appeared in such publications as Weird Tales, Strange Horizons, and On Spec.
avatar for Lisa Voisin

Lisa Voisin

Owner / Technical Writer, Self
A Canadian-born author, Lisa Voisin spent her childhood daydreaming and making up stories, but it was her love of reading and writing in her teens that drew her to Young Adult fiction. She is also a technical writer, a meditation teacher, and leads a local writing group for teens... Read More →
avatar for Lynda Williams

Lynda Williams

Publisher, Reality Skimming Press
Lynda Williams is the author of the Okal Rel ten-novel saga and the owner of Reality Skimming Press. Lynda works within the realms of optimistic sci-fi and new era publishing for her own works and the press. The press is releasing reboots of the saga and original anthologies. Lynda... Read More →


Saturday October 1, 2016 14:30 - 16:00 PDT
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

15:00 PDT

Reading: Alyx J. Shaw
Panelists
AJ

Alyx J. Shaw

Alyx J Shaw is an irritable rantaholic who enjoys writing, making medieval honey wine, smoking, tarantulas, and raising strange and toxic plants. She shares her seedy apartment with a cat, tarantula, dog, and pet dove named Cupid. She's pretty sure there is a husband in there somewhere... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 15:00 - 15:25 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

15:00 PDT

Reading: Robert J. Sawyer
1-Hour reading by our Author Guest of Honor, Robert J. Sawyer
Panelists
avatar for Robert J. Sawyer

Robert J. Sawyer

SFWRITER.COM Inc.
VCON 41 Author Guest of HonorBorn in Ottawa in 1960, in his youth Robert dreamed of becoming a paleontologist specializing in dinosaurs, but upon discovering only about a dozen people worldwide made a living doing that, he decided to become one of the several hundred people making... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 15:00 - 15:50 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  GoH Session   Reading

15:00 PDT

50 Years of Star Trek
2016 is the 50th anniversary of the famed Star Trek (The Original Series)! It's endurance and popularity appears to have no end. Plus, there's a new Star Trek series to be filmed in Toronto called Star Trek Discovery to premiere in Spring 2017. Come share your thoughts and opinions on everything from the original pilot to the latest "reboot" movie "Star Trek Beyond"
Panelists
avatar for BJ Allan

BJ Allan

Bored with circus life BJ (adopted as a nom de lab) ran away with a group of itinerant biologists, lured by the smell of phenol and the roar of the centrifuge. Today he seeks to share the wonder and weirdness of the natural world with ladies, gentlemen, and children of all ages.
avatar for Jason Bourget

Jason Bourget

Instructor, Douglas College
Currently I'm an instructor in the English Department at Douglas College, where I teach courses on science fiction, horror and weird fiction. My research focuses specifically on how political beliefs inform representations of masculinity in late twentieth-century science fiction (especially... Read More →
avatar for Russ Crossley

Russ Crossley

President, 53rd Street Publishing
International selling author, Russ Crossley writes science fiction and fantasy, and mystery/suspense. Over his more than 15 year career he has published 14 novels and over 100 short stories. With his wife, writer/artist Rita Schulz, he co-owns 53rd Street Publishing a multi-genre... Read More →
FG

Frank Garcia

Frank Garcia was a SF media magazine journalist for 20 years and is the co-author of two books on science fiction television series for McFarland & Company. Currently he works as a freelance video editor.
avatar for Jaymie Matthews

Jaymie Matthews

Jaymie Matthews is a UBC astrophysics professor who searches for planets beyond the Solar System and probes the hidden interiors of distant stars, using space telescopes as large as minivans and as small as car batteries. Jaymie is heavily involved in astronomy education and outreach... Read More →
avatar for Wolf Read

Wolf Read

Dr. Wolf Read is currently working as a Postdoctoral Teaching and Research Fellow in forest science at the University of British Columbia. He has many interests but is often found studying wind-tree interactions, storms and associated power outages. Lately he has been delving into... Read More →
avatar for GregRobin Smith

GregRobin Smith

Managing Director, Washington Shakespeare Festival
Poet, Playwright, Historical 1st person presenter, Musician, Shakespearean, Educator & Fundraiser, GregRobin keeps many irons glowing in the fires of creativity from his Seattle home. where he plots world dominance through the works and thought processes of William Shakespeare & Dr... Read More →
avatar for Michael Walsh

Michael Walsh

Retired newspaperman MICHAEL WALSH has lived long enough for somebody to detail his sins in a Wikipedia entry . He'd prefer that you read his version, set out on his own website, Reeling Back .

Saturday October 1, 2016 15:00 - 15:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture

15:00 PDT

Creating Amazing Science Fiction and Fantasy Props for Film
A number of guests of the convention (who also mostly happen to be members of Monster Attack Team) have worked on many different films and television shows creating out-of-this-world props. Join us as we explore how props are conceived and built in order to make the unreal real.
Panelists
avatar for Eric Chu

Eric Chu

VCON 41 Film Design Guest of HonorBorn in Hong Kong at a very early age, Eric quickly exhibited an interest in design and film. Even as a young child, directing seemed to be in his blood, but an uncooperative cast of plastic farm animals would prove to be an endless source of frustration... Read More →
CG
PT

Saturday October 1, 2016 15:00 - 16:20 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Art Craft & Making

15:00 PDT

Beatles Sing-Along
A VCON tradition for many years, Spider Robinson, TAM Gordy and Steve Fahnestalk bring back their Beatles singalong. If you like singing and/or playing Beatles tunes, please join us!
(1.5 hrs) 
Panelists
avatar for Steve Fahnestalk

Steve Fahnestalk

President and CEO, Retired
Steve Fahnestalk's been in fandom for more than 40 years. That somehow qualifies him to spout off about SF/F subjects. Which he does regularly in his Amazing® Stories Online column (www.amazingstoriesmag.com). He's also known for singing Beatles with Spider Robinson, T*A*M* Gordy... Read More →
TG

TAM Gordy

Old enough to remember when Michael Jackson was black. Saw the first show with the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, when it happened. Loves music, writing and when the Boss cooks for me. Takes everything seriously, except myself. Peace. Out.
avatar for Spider Robinson

Spider Robinson

Cheap Executive Offficer, Tottering-on-the-Brink
Spider Robinson is renowned as one of Canada's most popular science fiction writers. Born in New York, NY, he has lived in Canada for nearly 40 years, mostly in Halifax and Vancouver. He wrote his first SF short story, "The Guy with the Eyes" (published in 1971) to escape the boredom... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 15:00 - 16:20 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Music Dance & Performance

15:00 PDT

VCON Tap Room - Saturday
Raise Your Glass! -- P!nk

Right right, turn off the lights,

We gonna lose our minds tonight,
What's the dealio?

I love when it's all too much,
Five a.m. turn the radio up
Where's the rock and roll?

Party crasher,
Panty snatcher,
Call me up if you want a gangsta
Don't be fancy, just get dancy
Why so serious?

So raise your glass if you are wrong,
In all the right ways,
All my underdogs,
We will never be never be, anything but loud
And nitty gritty dirty little freaks
Won't you come on and come on and raise your glass,
Just come on and come on and raise your glass

Slam slam, oh hot damn
What part of party don't you understand,
Wish you'd just freak out (freak out already)
Can't stop, comin' in hot,
I should be locked up right on the spot
It's so on right now (so fuckin' on right now)

Party crasher,
Panty snatcher,
Call me up if you want a gangsta
Don't be fancy, just get dancy
Why so serious?

So raise your glass if you are wrong,
In all the right ways,
All my underdogs,
We will never be never be, anything but loud
"Maybe gritty dirty little freaks"
Won't you come on and come on and raise your glass,
Just come on and come on and raise your glass
Won't you come on and come on and raise your glass,
Just come on and come on and raise your glass

So if you're too school for cool,
And you're treated like a fool,
(Treated like a fool)
You can choose to let it go
We can always, we can always,
Party on our own

So raise your glass if you are wrong,
In all the right ways,
All my underdogs,
We will never be never be, anything but loud
Maybe nitty gritty dirty little freaks
So raise your glass if you are wrong,
In all the right ways,

All my underdogs,
We will never be never be, anything but loud
Maybe gritty dirty little freaks
Won't you come on and come on and raise your glass,
Just come on and come on and raise your glass
Won't you come on and come on and raise your glass (for me)
Just come on and come on and raise your glass (for me)

-- Written by Alecia Moore, Max Martin, Johan Schuster 
Saturday October 1, 2016 15:00 - Sunday October 2, 2016 01:00 PDT
12b - Hospitality Tap Room Dogwood (2nd Floor)
  Con Operations   Food & Drink

15:30 PDT

Reading: Julie McGalliard
Panelists
avatar for Julie McGalliard

Julie McGalliard

Julie McGalliard is a writer and occasional cartoonist. Her first novel, Waking Up Naked in Strange Places, was released in 2015.

Saturday October 1, 2016 15:30 - 15:55 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

16:00 PDT

Toxic Hostility Versus Women in Gaming
What is the cause of the hostility of the, mainly male, vocal minority in the gaming community towards the women in their midst? Why are so many women game designers, game reviewers, and game players regularly harassed - both online and in real life - sometimes in the vilest and most disturbing ways? What can be done by everyone, especially by other male gamers, to flush this toxicity out of the system?
Moderators
avatar for Claire McCague

Claire McCague

Simon Fraser University
Claire McCague is a research scientist, musician and writer. She performs regularly with the Sybaritic String Band and her other worldly plays have been featured in festivals across Canada. Her humorous first contact novel, The Rosetta Man, published by EDGE, is her first novel.

Panelists
avatar for James Berg

James Berg

Games User Researcher, Electronic Arts
I'm a Games User Researcher at Electronic Arts Vancouver, providing player research to our game development teams. My role is to help developers ensure their design implementation meets their design goals, and to identify things like usability issues, difficulty/progression blockers... Read More →
RB

Rob Boffard

Rob Boffard is a South African author, journalist and rapper. His Outer Earth scifi trilogy is published worldwide by Orbit Books, and he writes about music and tech for The Guardian, Wired Magazine and more.
avatar for Joe Fulgham

Joe Fulgham

Host/Producer, Mote of Dust / The Dreaming / Caustic Soda
Joe makes podcasts about things he loves. For six years he hosted, produced, and edited "Caustic Soda", the podcast of the weird, gross, and disturbing. His latest project is "The Dreaming", a Read-Along podcast for Neil Gaiman's comic book treasure "The Sandman", hosted by the Mote... Read More →
avatar for Judy McCrosky

Judy McCrosky

I'm the author of several books, with two new ones due out this year. I'm an experienced speaker and teacher of writing in a variety of genres. I love to talk to people about any and all aspects of writing and the writing life.
avatar for Jenni Merrifield

Jenni Merrifield

UX/UI Design Specialist, Jenni Merrifield
Jenni is a UX designer by trade and an SF&F geek by choice. Her favourite fandoms include Star Wars (Han shot first!), Harry Potter (she's a Ravenclaw), Firefly/Serenity (Browncoats unite!) & the Honorverse (Let's be about it!)
MT

Marcie Tentchoff

Marcie Lynn Tentchoff is an Aurora award winning writer/poet/editor from Gibsons, BC. Her work has appeared in such publications as Weird Tales, Strange Horizons, and On Spec.

Saturday October 1, 2016 16:00 - 16:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Games & Game Design   Media & Popular Culture

16:00 PDT

New Era Publishing
How does a new era publisher make money, engage readers, and reward creatives? How is 'new era publishing' defined? This session will invite attendees to gather into groups to share and imagine new era publishing ideas.
Moderators
avatar for Lynda Williams

Lynda Williams

Publisher, Reality Skimming Press
Lynda Williams is the author of the Okal Rel ten-novel saga and the owner of Reality Skimming Press. Lynda works within the realms of optimistic sci-fi and new era publishing for her own works and the press. The press is releasing reboots of the saga and original anthologies. Lynda... Read More →

Panelists
BH

Brian Hades

Brian Hades is the founder of EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing - Canada's largest publisher of Science Fiction and Fantasy books. Now celebrating 16 year of publishing SF/F/H books.
avatar for Karl Johanson

Karl Johanson

Editor, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Editor Guest of HonourKarl Johanson is not just an exceptional editor of a marvelous magazine, he is—behind his unassuming exterior—a mad genius whose team is, against all logic, constantly pulling off these completely astounding projects.During the 1990s, Karl co-edited... Read More →
EM

Ellen Michelle

Ellen is the Managing Editor for Reality Skimming Press, a small optimistic sci-fi publisher, and a technical writer. She has a degree in English & Publishing from SFU, and loves fawning over the lesser-loved characters of various popular franchises.

Saturday October 1, 2016 16:00 - 16:50 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Small Press Cabal   Writing & Publication

16:00 PDT

Men of Steel and Messiah Figures: Religious Currents in Various Mediums of Popular Culture
After a brief presentation by Kaelin Kirk (Film Maker, Sword Fighter, Popular Culture Theorist and Analyst) our panel will discuss the various "Messiah Figures" that populate the various mediums and fandoms of pop culture, including specific examples from literature, film, comic books, anime, and manga.  Discover how characters as diverse as Superman, Harry Potter, and Vash the Stampede fulfill a more than simply heroic role.  Do these literary or cinematic Judaeo-Christian archetypes play a role in how young people perceive religion and entertainment in contemporary secular culture?  (1.5 hrs)
Moderators
avatar for Kalelin Kirk

Kalelin Kirk

Kalelin Kirk has a diverse background in many fields, including filmmaking, acting, writing, sword-fighting, live theatre, archery, and a hodgepodge of assorted creative endeavours. She worked for many years in the comic book industry, though she is currently an educator (both at... Read More →

Panelists
avatar for Jason Bourget

Jason Bourget

Instructor, Douglas College
Currently I'm an instructor in the English Department at Douglas College, where I teach courses on science fiction, horror and weird fiction. My research focuses specifically on how political beliefs inform representations of masculinity in late twentieth-century science fiction (especially... Read More →
avatar for Graham Darling

Graham Darling

Author, Scientist & Medievalist, Active Materials Inc.
Dr Graham D Darling designs new molecules with weird properties. As Graham J Darling (from another middle name), he writes as fiction what the world isn't ready for as fact. As Doctor Carus, he demonstrates medieval sci/tech to scholars of all ages.
avatar for Rissa Johnson

Rissa Johnson

Rissa Johnson is a fat, queer, left-handed, Jewish, dyslexic, insomniac who stays up all night wrestling with Dog. A creative writer and technical editor, their poetry and flash fiction have won awards, including the City of Surrey Youth Recognition Award in Creative Contributions... Read More →
TM

Trevor Melanson

Trevor Melanson is the author of Terminal City, a new dark fantasy novel published by EDGE. He's also the senior editor of Vancouver Magazine and has edited and written for many major national magazines and newspapers (occasionally, on geeky topics).
avatar for Michael Walsh

Michael Walsh

Retired newspaperman MICHAEL WALSH has lived long enough for somebody to detail his sins in a Wikipedia entry . He'd prefer that you read his version, set out on his own website, Reeling Back .

Saturday October 1, 2016 16:00 - 17:20 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Religion Philosophy & History

16:00 PDT

Frankenstuffies
Registration: Drop-in
Recommended minimum age: 10+ or adult supervision
Materials fee: $5 per Frankenstuffie made (paid at the workshop)
Workshop duration:  1.5 hours

Workshop description:

Mwa-ha-ha-ha-haaa!

{thunder cracks overhead}

A carebear tummy + the voice box from a Tickle-Me Elmo + a stuffed lemon with googly eyes + half a blue lion + three spare feet from you’re-not-sure-where = the greatest mad plan known to STUFFIE SCIENCE! (Doctor Frankenstein would be so proud.)

Come join this hands-on crafting session and create your very own Frankenstein’s monster inspired stuffie toy by snipping off and sewing together parts from multiple stuffies donated to STUFFIE SCIENCE!

Children under 10 are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult who can manage pins, needles, scissors and other such things.
Panelists
avatar for Danielle Stephens

Danielle Stephens

Manager, Colourist, Goblins
Danielle is the flats colourist and manager for the Goblins webcomic. She also writes the Hyper Halfling line of roleplaying game supplements. This means she plays colouring books and make-believe as a living, and giggles about it daily. She is often mistaken for Pauline Walsh.
PW

Pauline Walsh

A second-generation nerd, Pauline grew up at conventions and SCA events. She's been part of geek culture all her life, and one day hopes to pay the bills with her writing, her art, or both. She has been a member of several VCON convention committees over the years. She is often mistaken... Read More →


Saturday October 1, 2016 16:00 - 17:30 PDT
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making   Kid Stuff

16:30 PDT

teardown/setup
Room closed for Family Feud teardown and Belly Dance Setup
Saturday October 1, 2016 16:30 - 17:00 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

16:30 PDT

Dinosaur Comes to Town: Shooting Godzilla in Vancouver
GODZILLA 2014 was mostly shot here in Vancouver. Of course, knowing that, Godzilla fan GOH has to get on set somehow. Here’s the story of becoming an extra and surviving Godzilla attacks in three different cities. Join Stan Hyde, Godzilla Fan G.O.H. for the true story of confronting Godzilla and living to talk about it.
Panelists
avatar for Stan Hyde

Stan Hyde

Stan is a model builder and artist, retired English literature, film and drama teacher, and a bona fide Godzilla expert (he has more than 200 models of Godzilla, each one different and can look at a photo of Godzilla and identify the movie the still came from by the shape of the ear... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 16:30 - 17:20 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture

16:30 PDT

The World of YouTube. How Channels Become Hits.
Whether you make videos, want to start a channel, or just want to learn about one of the biggest trends on the web - introducing: YouTube! Learn how to start a channel, get popular on the website, and how the biggest YouTubers get their fame and make millions of dollars a year. Discover all this and more with YouTuber Reith Humphreys from TeamRFX and his father C. C. Humphreys!
Panelists
avatar for Chris (C.C.) Humphreys

Chris (C.C.) Humphreys

Arthur Ellis winning Author of 'Plague', Chris is an actor, novelist and swordsman. He has written the fantasy 'The Hunt of the Unicorn' and its sequel, out this Fall, 'The Hunt of the Dragon.'
RH

Reith Humphreys

Big on gaming, love hosting the Interactive gaming. Live for Halloween and scaring people. More than a little crazy. Also an AFOL.

Saturday October 1, 2016 16:30 - 17:20 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture

16:30 PDT

Scriptwriter Pitch Sessions: Isaiah Sweigard
A Screenwriting Pitch Session is similar to a regular Pitch Session in that gives you a chance to pitch your work to an experienced filmmaker. Getting your work seen is one of the great challenges for any scriptwriter and pitch sessions are an easy way to get your work in front of an acquiring professional. It's an opportunity to gain valuable feedback — and who knows, you might even get the opportunity to have your script filmed! There is no additional charge for this service and sessions will be one-on-one in a private space.

Starting Saturday morning, you may sign up for an appointment from among the available presenters. Sign up sheets will be available at the Registration Desk to book these appointments. Note that these appointments are very limited and are based on a first come, first served basis, so be sure to register early. Please make sure to arrive five minutes before your appointment start time.

This is a ten-minute opportunity to sell your work (and yourself). Don't bring your entire manuscript, as it will not be required. The focus in this very brief ten-minute time slot is to verbally pitch your story/piece. If you have questions, be ready to ask them. This is your chance to learn. Listen carefully — it doesn't hurt to take notes. Seize the opportunity to get someone else as enthusiastic about your work as you are!

• • •

Isaiah Sweigard is a young but experienced local filmmaker who is willing to listen to your pitch and offer suggestions for improving it. While, in this case, he may not actually be able to offer you the chance to produce your work (well, not without some serious financial commitments from both you and him!), this is an opportunity for you to get solid feedback on your pitch so that when you do have a chance to present your work to someone looking for a script to film you can knock it out of the park!
Panelists
avatar for Isaiah Sweigard

Isaiah Sweigard

I am a young aspiring filmmaker who went to film school, graduating with an expertise in Producing and Directing. After film school I then worked in the Vancouver film industry for 2 years, before quitting and pursuing my own creative outlets.

Saturday October 1, 2016 16:30 - 17:30 PDT
08 - Small Workshops Boardroom (1st Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Writing & Publication

17:00 PDT

Reading: Kieth Merrill
Panelists
KM

Kieth Merrill

Kieth Merrill is an author, producer, and director. His new novel, The Immortal Crown, the first in the epic fantasy series Saga of Kings, combines his love of world building with his cinematic writing style. Kieth is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 17:00 - 17:25 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

17:00 PDT

Costume Contest Pre-Judging
Time for those who have registered for the Costume Contest to have their costumes examined by the judges up close and personal.
Moderators
avatar for Donna Duvall

Donna Duvall

Costume Contest Director/Artist, Donnas Creative Haven
I am an artist and avid reader of the fantasy genre, I have been organizing the costume contest for three years, all though new to the VCON community, I have enjoyed getting to know all the members.

Panelists
KA

Kathleen Andersen

Costume Contest Assitant, VCON ConCom
Owner of Little Shop of Movies in Maple Ridge BC.
JC

James Charlton

Costume contest Cat Herder, VCON ConCom
Disco, lets get greasy

Saturday October 1, 2016 17:00 - 18:30 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Costuming & Cosplay

17:00 PDT

Belly Dance 101 with Varvara
Registration: Drop-in
Recommended minimum age: All ages welcome
Materials Fee: NONE
Workshop Duration: 1.5 hrs

Workshop description:  Learn an ancient dance with a geeky twist as the beautiful Varvara, belly dancer extraordinaire, demonstrates and then teaches you the graceful movements and steps used in traditional belly dance. By the time your session with her is done, you'll be able to dance your belly and shimmy your hips to any middle eastern dance beat you encounter.

• • • • •
Varvara (aka Barbara Hanson) has been cosplaying for over 10 years, having played with many different costumes, both hero's and villains. She loves to see and work on different costumes and see what others also can create, spreading the joy of costuming whether at cons or dance. She has also been dancing for 15 years, teaching for 5.

(Image borrowed from Limber Tree Studios website)
Panelists
BH

Barbara Hanson

Barbara has been cosplaying for over 10 years, having played with many different costumes, both hero's and villains. She loves to see and work on different costumes and see what others also can create, spreading the joy of costuming whether at cons or dance. She has also been dancing... Read More →


Saturday October 1, 2016 17:00 - 18:30 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  Music Dance & Performance

17:30 PDT

Short Supper Break with Cartoons, SAT
We probably won’t actually stop building while we eat, so please feel free to come in to watch and ask questions. As well, we’ll show some of the anime and cartoons from which some of our model kits originate. Film program will be posted in the room, or just ask.
Panelists
MA

Monster Attack Team

Monster Attack Team Canada is an extraordinary club, started in 1989, consisting mostly of professional film designers and prop makers who work in “Hollywood North” as the local Vancouver film industry is called. (Stan Hyde, our Godzilla Fan GoH started M.A.T.C and Eric Chu... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 17:30 - 17:50 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Art Craft & Making

17:30 PDT

Reading: Vik K. Walker
Panelists
avatar for Vik K. Walker

Vik K. Walker

KatvikBooks
Award winning author of paranormal romance, and fantasy fiction.

Saturday October 1, 2016 17:30 - 17:55 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

17:30 PDT

workshops setup/cleanup
Room closed for Frankenstuffies cleanup 
Saturday October 1, 2016 17:30 - 18:00 PDT
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

17:30 PDT

The Reality of How Video Games are Created
Video game industry veterans talk about the reality of how games are brought to life, from pre-production to post-release support. 
Moderators
avatar for James Berg

James Berg

Games User Researcher, Electronic Arts
I'm a Games User Researcher at Electronic Arts Vancouver, providing player research to our game development teams. My role is to help developers ensure their design implementation meets their design goals, and to identify things like usability issues, difficulty/progression blockers... Read More →

Panelists
avatar for Joseph Picard

Joseph Picard

Ozero, Joseph Picard
Author of the Lifehack series, the new Rubberman series, as well as short contributions to various anthologies. Joseph leans toward science fiction, slightly 'hard', but generally fairly character driven as well.
RS

Richard Smith

Richard Smith has been a teacher, professional game designer and programmer. He is a serious science geek and facinated by terraforming Mars. He has given numerous talks at V-Con on subjects of science and the future.

Saturday October 1, 2016 17:30 - 18:20 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Games & Game Design

17:30 PDT

The Magazine Editor & Art Director GoHs: View and Opinion - NEO-OPSIS Science Fiction Magazine
Join Stephanie and Karl Johanson as they discuss how they started, grew and developed their science fiction publication "NEO-Opsis Science Fiction Magazine", from its first printing on October 10, 2003, to the issues out in 2016 and everything in between.
Panelists
avatar for Karl Johanson

Karl Johanson

Editor, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Editor Guest of HonourKarl Johanson is not just an exceptional editor of a marvelous magazine, he is—behind his unassuming exterior—a mad genius whose team is, against all logic, constantly pulling off these completely astounding projects.During the 1990s, Karl co-edited... Read More →
avatar for Stephanie Johanson

Stephanie Johanson

co-owner, assistant editor, art director..., Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Art Director Guest of HonourStephanie Johanson is the art director, assistant editor, on-staff artist, and co-owner of Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine. How the heck do you start up a science fiction magazine?The idea came to Stephanie around 4:00 AM one Sunday morning in... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 17:30 - 18:20 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  GoH Session   Small Press Cabal

18:00 PDT

Reading: Chris (C.C.) Humphreys
Panelists
avatar for Chris (C.C.) Humphreys

Chris (C.C.) Humphreys

Arthur Ellis winning Author of 'Plague', Chris is an actor, novelist and swordsman. He has written the fantasy 'The Hunt of the Unicorn' and its sequel, out this Fall, 'The Hunt of the Dragon.'

Saturday October 1, 2016 18:00 - 18:25 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

18:00 PDT

Pitch Sessions: Pulp Literature Press
A Pitch Session gives you a chance to pitch your work to an acquiring editor or publisher!

Getting your work seen is one of the great challenges of traditional publishing and pitch sessions are an easy way to get your work in front of an acquiring professional. It's an opportunity to gain valuable feedback — and who knows, you might even get a request for a submission! There is no additional charge for this service and sessions will be one-on-one in a private space.

Starting Saturday morning, you may sign up for an appointment from among the available presenters. Sign up sheets will be available at the Registration Desk to book these appointments. Note that these appointments are limited and are based on a first come, first served basis, so be sure to register early. Please make sure to arrive five minutes before your appointment start time.

This is your ten-minute opportunity to sell your work (and yourself). Don't bring your entire manuscript, as editors and agents will not require it. The focus in this very brief ten-minute time slot is to verbally pitch your story/piece. If you have questions, be ready to ask them. This is your chance to learn. Listen carefully — it doesn't hurt to take notes. Seize the opportunity to get someone else as enthusiastic about your work as you are!

• • •

To celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017 Pulp Literature is looking to publish three to five novels from emerging Canadian authors in any of the following genres: SF, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller, Horror, Historical, Paranormal, Contemporary, Literary, Romance combined with other genres, and graphic novels.  We are not looking for Children’s books, YA, Memoir, or Erotica.
Panelists
avatar for JM Landels

JM Landels

Writer, Artist, Editor, Pulp Literature Press
Jennifer Landels is a founding editor at Pulp Literature magazine, a multi-genre fiction quarterly. As JM Landels she writes fantasy and historical fiction, and is the author of Allaigna's Song: Overture, due out in 2017. When she's not busy with words she plays with horses and... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 18:00 - 19:00 PDT
08 - Small Workshops Boardroom (1st Floor)
  Small Press Cabal   Writing & Publication

18:00 PDT

Kaiju Art, Sonograms, and Kama Shibai
Kamashibai is traditional Japanese outdoor storytelling. Sonograms are vinyl records placed inside a picture book. Kaiju art is, well Kaiju art . . . the art of giant monsters! Join Stan Hyde to explore the wonders of the shared Kaiju universe, the joys of collecting children’s monster art, the secrets of Kaiju anatomy, a storytelling session, and more!
Panelists
avatar for Stan Hyde

Stan Hyde

Stan is a model builder and artist, retired English literature, film and drama teacher, and a bona fide Godzilla expert (he has more than 200 models of Godzilla, each one different and can look at a photo of Godzilla and identify the movie the still came from by the shape of the ear... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 18:00 - 19:20 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Writing & Publication   Art Craft & Making   Fandom & Conrunning

18:00 PDT

Make Miniature Aliens and Robots with Thyrza #1
Registration: REGISTER HERE
Maximum participants: 10
Recommended minimum age: 12+ or adult supervision
Materials fee: $10
Workshop duration:  3 hours

Workshop description: We are going to be making miniature aliens from polymer clay and photographing them in dioramas in to illustrate scenes from a story created by the participants.

You will walk away with your amazing little alien a set of tutorials and photographs of your little monster.

• • • •
Thyrza Segal is a VCON Guest of Honour Emeritus. She graduated from the set and costume design program of the National Theatre School in Montreal and then went on to work in theatre and TV and film (including as assistant costume designer on Stargate Atlantis). But she quit film work 10 years ago to do her own art and has been painting, making lamps, terrariums, photography , sculpting, assembling and Photoshopping since then.

www.thyrza.ca
Panelists
TS

Thyrza Segal

Thyrza graduated from the set and costume design program of the National Theatre School in Montreal and went on to work in theatre and TV and film - including as assistant costume designer on Stargate Atlantis. But she quit film work 10 years ago to do my own art and has been painting... Read More →


Saturday October 1, 2016 18:00 - 21:00 PDT
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making

18:30 PDT

Reading: Trevor Melanson
Panelists
TM

Trevor Melanson

Trevor Melanson is the author of Terminal City, a new dark fantasy novel published by EDGE. He's also the senior editor of Vancouver Magazine and has edited and written for many major national magazines and newspapers (occasionally, on geeky topics).

Saturday October 1, 2016 18:30 - 18:55 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

18:30 PDT

Fans We Have Lost
A number of fans over the years have had a big impact on VCON, other conventions in Canada and the Pacific Northwest such as Al Betz (Mr Science), Ed Hutchings (Mr. Low Fog), Hen Flanders (dancing at VCONS etc.), and Susan Wood (famous Canadian fan). Come join our panelists to tell stories about and recognize the important contribution of these and others to VCON and other fan convention scenes.
Panelists
SF

Steve Forty

I chaired VCON 20, Edited Bcsfazine for 35 issues, various VCON positions over the years, pre-registraar at Banff 89 international, Fan Guest 7 times (Noncon 8 and 16, Moscon 4, Vikingcon, Radcon, Orycon, and VCON 40), held many BCSFA meetings at my house over the years (as well as... Read More →
TG

TAM Gordy

Old enough to remember when Michael Jackson was black. Saw the first show with the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, when it happened. Loves music, writing and when the Boss cooks for me. Takes everything seriously, except myself. Peace. Out.
JM
FS

Fran Skene

Fran Skene is a member of the Puppetry Renaissance Troupe and has extensive experience in scripting, producing, and performing in puppet shows. In fandom, Fran's credits include chairing/working on a number of conventions, plus she edited the local clubzine, helped to start two apazines... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 18:30 - 19:20 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Fandom & Conrunning

18:30 PDT

Monster Stomp
First, come help to design and build a town using recycled cardboard, paper and plastic to design fantastic buildings and vehicles.

Then, once the walls are standing and your imaginary town folk are peacefully going about their day, channel your inner Giant Monster to grab, stomp and destroy them all!

All ages are welcome, but very young monsters might want to bring helpers. Costumes are encouraged, and solid shoes are recommended.
Panelists
avatar for Danielle Stephens

Danielle Stephens

Manager, Colourist, Goblins
Danielle is the flats colourist and manager for the Goblins webcomic. She also writes the Hyper Halfling line of roleplaying game supplements. This means she plays colouring books and make-believe as a living, and giggles about it daily. She is often mistaken for Pauline Walsh.

Saturday October 1, 2016 18:30 - 19:30 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making   Kid Stuff

18:30 PDT

room transition
Room closed to transition to layout for Costume Contest
Saturday October 1, 2016 18:30 - 19:30 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

18:30 PDT

room transition
Room closed to transition to layout for Costume Contest
Saturday October 1, 2016 18:30 - 19:30 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

19:00 PDT

How to Start Your Own Pro Fiction Zine
You like to read SF&F fiction magazines. Ever wonder what it would be like to publish your own paying market fiction zine? Want to learn how to start one up? Come discover what's involved!

Join the editors of NEO-OPSIS, Pulp Literature, and Polar Borealis magazines to hear about their journeys and ask them questions.
Moderators
avatar for R. Graeme Cameron

R. Graeme Cameron

Publisher / Editor, Polar Borealis Magazine
Fanzine Editor 30+ years, publishes semi-pro SF fiction zine Polar Borealis, won two Aurora Awards, and writes fanzine review column for Amazing Stories (currently on hiatus).

Panelists
avatar for Karl Johanson

Karl Johanson

Editor, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Editor Guest of HonourKarl Johanson is not just an exceptional editor of a marvelous magazine, he is—behind his unassuming exterior—a mad genius whose team is, against all logic, constantly pulling off these completely astounding projects.During the 1990s, Karl co-edited... Read More →
avatar for Stephanie Johanson

Stephanie Johanson

co-owner, assistant editor, art director..., Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Art Director Guest of HonourStephanie Johanson is the art director, assistant editor, on-staff artist, and co-owner of Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine. How the heck do you start up a science fiction magazine?The idea came to Stephanie around 4:00 AM one Sunday morning in... Read More →
avatar for JM Landels

JM Landels

Writer, Artist, Editor, Pulp Literature Press
Jennifer Landels is a founding editor at Pulp Literature magazine, a multi-genre fiction quarterly. As JM Landels she writes fantasy and historical fiction, and is the author of Allaigna's Song: Overture, due out in 2017. When she's not busy with words she plays with horses and... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 19:00 - 19:50 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Small Press Cabal

19:30 PDT

cleanup
Room closed for Monster Stomp cleanup 
Saturday October 1, 2016 19:30 - 20:00 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

19:30 PDT

The Year of Shirley Jackson
Shirley Jackson was born in 1916, making this year the centenary of Shirley Jackson. One of the greatest writers of horror fiction, Jackson's work includes the classic story "The Lottery," and the novels The Haunting of Hill House and We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Panelists discuss the influence, legacy and work of one of the iconic speculative authors of the 20th century.
Moderators
avatar for Jason Bourget

Jason Bourget

Instructor, Douglas College
Currently I'm an instructor in the English Department at Douglas College, where I teach courses on science fiction, horror and weird fiction. My research focuses specifically on how political beliefs inform representations of masculinity in late twentieth-century science fiction (especially... Read More →

Panelists
LD

linda demeulemeester

Linda DeMeulemeester’s speculative short fiction has been published in zines, magazines and anthologies, most recently: Edge Press’ Compostela -Tesseracts-Twenty, Exile Press’s Dead North, Playground of Lost Toys, and Alice Unbound.Her spine-tingling MG series, Grim Hill, has... Read More →
avatar for Dave Levine

Dave Levine

EAP/IELTS Instructor, VanWest College
IELTS/EAP 300 Instructor at VanWest College.
JM
avatar for Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia's debut novel, Signal to Noise, was a British Fantasy, Locus, Sunburst and Aurora Award finalist. She has been nominated for the World Fantasy Award for her work as an editor. Her novel about Mexican vampires, Certain Dark Things, is out this October. http... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 19:30 - 20:20 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Religion Philosophy & History   Writing & Publication

19:30 PDT

Kaiju Konfessions
It’s time to get down with your bad Kaiju self! Traditional kaiju movies all have musical numbers, songs, and dances . . . and nothing is more fun than singing and dancing together. So let’s show everyone that we’ve got the moves like Zilla! Monsters let’s sing and dance the classics! From “Save the Earth,” to “The Words Get Stuck in My Throat” to Blue Oyster Cult’s “Godzilla,” we’ll make some noise. (May go to 9:30 PM if everyone is having a good time!)
Panelists
avatar for Stan Hyde

Stan Hyde

Stan is a model builder and artist, retired English literature, film and drama teacher, and a bona fide Godzilla expert (he has more than 200 models of Godzilla, each one different and can look at a photo of Godzilla and identify the movie the still came from by the shape of the ear... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 19:30 - 20:50 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Music Dance & Performance

19:30 PDT

Costume Contest
Judges: TBA
Master of Ceremonies: Spider Robinson

You can pre-register on-site at the Convention Registration Desk. Identify whether you would like to enter the Advanced, Beginner, Junior or Non-Competitor class in either Solo or Group categories.

For full details about the different categories and general rules of the event please visit the Costume Contest page on our website: http://vcon.ca/events-main-programming/costume-contest/
Moderators
avatar for Spider Robinson

Spider Robinson

Cheap Executive Offficer, Tottering-on-the-Brink
Spider Robinson is renowned as one of Canada's most popular science fiction writers. Born in New York, NY, he has lived in Canada for nearly 40 years, mostly in Halifax and Vancouver. He wrote his first SF short story, "The Guy with the Eyes" (published in 1971) to escape the boredom... Read More →

Panelists
KA

Kathleen Andersen

Costume Contest Assitant, VCON ConCom
Owner of Little Shop of Movies in Maple Ridge BC.
JC

James Charlton

Costume contest Cat Herder, VCON ConCom
Disco, lets get greasy
TG

TAM Gordy

Old enough to remember when Michael Jackson was black. Saw the first show with the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, when it happened. Loves music, writing and when the Boss cooks for me. Takes everything seriously, except myself. Peace. Out.

Saturday October 1, 2016 19:30 - 21:30 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Costuming & Cosplay, Interactive, Live Show

19:30 PDT

Costume Contest (room 2)
Second half of the room for the Costume Contest.

For detailed information, please go to the main Costume Contest schedule item: http://sched.co/844v
Saturday October 1, 2016 19:30 - 21:30 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Costuming & Cosplay

20:00 PDT

Musical Machinations (Closed Session)
An hour set aside specifically for the musicians who will be performing Sunday afternoon to get together and work out the fiddly details about their program.

(Technically a closed session, but I bet if you poked your nose in they wouldn't turn you away...)
Panelists
TG

TAM Gordy

Old enough to remember when Michael Jackson was black. Saw the first show with the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, when it happened. Loves music, writing and when the Boss cooks for me. Takes everything seriously, except myself. Peace. Out.
avatar for Dara Korra'ti

Dara Korra'ti

Crime and the Forces of Evil
Being a supervillain means being able to do a bit of everything, because, gods know, you can't trust anyone _else_ to do it. So after learning propaganda in professional radio and publishing, creating new techniques in genetics manipulation, getting _pretty good_ at DIY electronics... Read More →
CL

Creede Lambard

Creede Lambard first encountered filk in 1981. He learned to play the banjo in 2003. He started combining the two in 2005 and things haven't been the same since.
avatar for Claire McCague

Claire McCague

Simon Fraser University
Claire McCague is a research scientist, musician and writer. She performs regularly with the Sybaritic String Band and her other worldly plays have been featured in festivals across Canada. Her humorous first contact novel, The Rosetta Man, published by EDGE, is her first novel.
avatar for GregRobin Smith

GregRobin Smith

Managing Director, Washington Shakespeare Festival
Poet, Playwright, Historical 1st person presenter, Musician, Shakespearean, Educator & Fundraiser, GregRobin keeps many irons glowing in the fires of creativity from his Seattle home. where he plots world dominance through the works and thought processes of William Shakespeare & Dr... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 20:00 - 21:00 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

20:00 PDT

Swordplay Demo & Workshop presented by Academy Duello
Registration: Drop In
Recommended minimum age: All ages welcome
Workshop Duration: 1.5 hrs

A demonstration of swordplay and martial arts from Europe's middle ages and renaissance periods followed by a hands-on lesson in swordplay.

• • • • •

Devon Boorman is the Director and Master Instructor for Academie Duello, the world's largest centre for the study of European Swordplay and Martial Arts, based in downtown Vancouver. 

• • • • • 

Academy Duello is a school of Swordplay and Western Martial Arts devoted to teaching the traditional martial practices of Europe, based on the content of authentic combat manuals produced during the Middle Ages, Renaissance and beyond. Their system includes diverse weapon arts, including the use of Rapier, Longsword, Sword and Shield, Polearms, Mounted Combat, Archery, Walking Stick and Umbrella self-defense and Wrestling. They also have a Stage Combat program. They offer youth and adult programs focused on fitness, martial arts mastery, theatrical presentation, self-defence, and more.  

www.academieduello.com
Panelists
DB

Devon Boorman

Devon Boorman is the Director and Master Instructor for Academie Duello, the world's largest centre for the study of European Swordplay and Martial Arts, based in downtown Vancouver.

Saturday October 1, 2016 20:00 - 21:30 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  Costuming & Cosplay, Interactive, Workshop

20:30 PDT

Cats, Cats Cats!
Cats are all over pop culture! When did the cat craze begin? Why are we crazy about cats? Do we all have toxoplasmosis (crazy cat lady disease), or are we and our kitties all members of one big happy cat family? Is it simply a case of diminished expectations while trying to please selfish little four footed jerks? Are SF/F folk "cattier" than average? Bring your favorite scientific and off the wall theories and personal expertise and we'll have a meowing good time.
Panelists
avatar for Aviva Bel'Harold

Aviva Bel'Harold

Dyslexic author Aviva Bel'Harold has written several YA books, 3 self published, 1 hybrid and the latest fully published through Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy. She does several signing a month as well as speaking in schools and other events.
avatar for Jason Bourget

Jason Bourget

Instructor, Douglas College
Currently I'm an instructor in the English Department at Douglas College, where I teach courses on science fiction, horror and weird fiction. My research focuses specifically on how political beliefs inform representations of masculinity in late twentieth-century science fiction (especially... Read More →
avatar for Roberta Gregory

Roberta Gregory

I have been published in indy/underground comics for many decades, beginning in the 1970s. 40 issue Naughty Bits series published by Fantagraphics in the 1990s to early 2000s. Currently working on all sorts of projects. Mother Mountain is my (not yet published) fantasy trilogy. My... Read More →
avatar for Rissa Johnson

Rissa Johnson

Rissa Johnson is a fat, queer, left-handed, Jewish, dyslexic, insomniac who stays up all night wrestling with Dog. A creative writer and technical editor, their poetry and flash fiction have won awards, including the City of Surrey Youth Recognition Award in Creative Contributions... Read More →
avatar for Vik K. Walker

Vik K. Walker

KatvikBooks
Award winning author of paranormal romance, and fantasy fiction.

Saturday October 1, 2016 20:30 - 21:20 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture

21:00 PDT

workshops setup/cleanup
Room closed for workshop cleanup and setup
Saturday October 1, 2016 21:00 - 21:30 PDT
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

21:00 PDT

Poker Chip Chaos Filk with Dara
It's a song circle! Come perform fan music (filk), or request fan songs from people who have come to play.

Saturday night's circle is Poker Chip Chaos style, which means anything can happen when the chips are down!

And what does that mean? Not enough space to tell you here, come out to find out!
Panelists
avatar for Dara Korra'ti

Dara Korra'ti

Crime and the Forces of Evil
Being a supervillain means being able to do a bit of everything, because, gods know, you can't trust anyone _else_ to do it. So after learning propaganda in professional radio and publishing, creating new techniques in genetics manipulation, getting _pretty good_ at DIY electronics... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 21:00 - Sunday October 2, 2016 00:00 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Music Dance & Performance

21:00 PDT

The REALLY WEIRD Film Show 2
Start time is approximate. Will start after "Kaiju Confessions" wraps up.


It’ll be weird. We promise. Join us! Even weirder than last night because, after all, we’ve been singing monster songs for the last couple of hours and we have to top that!
Panelists
MA

Monster Attack Team

Monster Attack Team Canada is an extraordinary club, started in 1989, consisting mostly of professional film designers and prop makers who work in “Hollywood North” as the local Vancouver film industry is called. (Stan Hyde, our Godzilla Fan GoH started M.A.T.C and Eric Chu... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 21:00 - Sunday October 2, 2016 01:00 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture

21:30 PDT

(Not So) Family (Friendly) FOOD
If you're looking for a G-Rated baking competition with Martha Stewart and Betty Crocker, YOU HAVE COME TO THE WRONG PLACE!

 (Go to Hospitality for that)



Welcome to (Not So) Family (Friendly) FOOD... the competition where we won't tell you to bake penis cookies... but we WILL tell you that you can! The goal is to create delicious and naughty treats which will be judged in front of a live studio audience, with the hope of winning one of our saucy categories.

Judging Categories include...

Most Titillating Baked Good: You will be judged based on how visually appealing the baked good appears. Be warned, if you completely ignore the taste element it may come back to haunt you!

Most Seducing of Taste Buds: It's not enough for us to like your baked good's flavour... it needs to seduce us. It needs to drive our salivary glands to the point of exhaustion and leave us begging for more.

The SchWINger: To win this best in show prize, your baked good must make our judges stand rigid, at attention. Only the perfect combination of flavour and presentation will win over our masters of mastication.

The "no kink-shaming" Award: We're not sure why you did it... but you sure did! This prize is for the most creative and out-there baked good. Don't worry, we won't judge you for it. Ok, we will, but it won't change what we think about you. Honest.

Rules:


  • LABEL ALL INGREDIENTS (this is for people's safety more than anything)

  • No baking or cooking on site, dishes must be brought ready to eat

  • No fire. Just no.

  • This event is supposed to be light-hearted and fun, please keep your entries in this same spirit

  • No minors - This event is 18+

  • No Entries that will get you drunk

  • If you are unsure... Ask!



Panelists
GN

Greg Neher

Conrunner, Nerd Game Host

Saturday October 1, 2016 21:30 - 22:20 PDT
12b - Hospitality Tap Room Dogwood (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making   Food & Drink   Late Night (18+)

21:30 PDT

Speculative Fictionary
Draw pictures representing the titles of Science Fiction and Fantasy books, movies, and games and win fame, fortune, and chocolate!

(Well, you'll really only win chocolate, but who wouldn't want to win chocolate?)
Panelists
avatar for Chilam

Chilam

Creative Producer, Cerebrospace
Artist, Author, Astro-guy (B.Sc. Astrophysics, UBC '09) & creator of the fantastic world of Varzuun. His new novel PALADIN is now available. Member / Principal Cast: Times Paste Entertainment, BC Renaissance Festival & Jade Dragon Pirates.
SW

Susan Walsh

A fan from the day she discovered books in the public library with rocket ships on the spine, since the first VCON she's been on panels, impersonated dead authors, taught origami, proofread, and (mostly) fed people.

Saturday October 1, 2016 21:30 - 22:20 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Games & Game Design

21:30 PDT

room transition
Room closed to transition to room layout for VCON Cabaret
Saturday October 1, 2016 21:30 - 22:30 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

21:30 PDT

room transition
Room closed to transition to default room layout
Saturday October 1, 2016 21:30 - 22:30 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

21:30 PDT

room transition
Room closed to transition to default room layout
Saturday October 1, 2016 21:30 - 22:30 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

22:30 PDT

Lights, Camera, Fiction! (Short Film Showcase)

VCON is holding a Contest and Showcase for short films made about or using puppets in one form or another (note that our definition of what constitutes a “puppet” is very loose) and this is when we're going to show whatever films are submitted.

If you might be interested in submitting something to the contest you can find all the details here:

VCON Short Film Contest & Showcase 

Panelists
RQ

Russ Quick

Russ is an amateur filmmaker with a knack for brand development & collaboration. He also dabbles in writing, acting & sculpting in his spare time.

Saturday October 1, 2016 22:30 - 23:20 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making   Exhibits   Media & Popular Culture   Muppets Puppets & Marionettes

22:30 PDT

What are TED and TEDx about
TED now owns the largest library of ideas that the world has ever known. How did this happen and why should you join the TED movement?
 
Panelists
RK

Roger Killen

Roger Killen is the producer of one of the largest TEDx conferences in the world. He will share with you what he has learnt about the TED and TEDx movements over the last four years and offer you reasons for producing your own TEDx conference.

Saturday October 1, 2016 22:30 - 23:20 PDT
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  Clubs & Organizations

22:30 PDT

What is it about Dragons (and Other Fabulous Beasts)?
What is about Dragons? Is there something in our collective unconscious that makes us respond to the joy and the terror of them? Join our panelists to explore this fabulous beast - and other fabulous beasts too!
Moderators
avatar for Chris (C.C.) Humphreys

Chris (C.C.) Humphreys

Arthur Ellis winning Author of 'Plague', Chris is an actor, novelist and swordsman. He has written the fantasy 'The Hunt of the Unicorn' and its sequel, out this Fall, 'The Hunt of the Dragon.'

Panelists
avatar for Chilam

Chilam

Creative Producer, Cerebrospace
Artist, Author, Astro-guy (B.Sc. Astrophysics, UBC '09) & creator of the fantastic world of Varzuun. His new novel PALADIN is now available. Member / Principal Cast: Times Paste Entertainment, BC Renaissance Festival & Jade Dragon Pirates.
avatar for Graham Darling

Graham Darling

Author, Scientist & Medievalist, Active Materials Inc.
Dr Graham D Darling designs new molecules with weird properties. As Graham J Darling (from another middle name), he writes as fiction what the world isn't ready for as fact. As Doctor Carus, he demonstrates medieval sci/tech to scholars of all ages.
avatar for Catherine Girczyc

Catherine Girczyc

writer
Catherine is a television writer with 15 credited scripts, plus published short stories + poems. Upcoming: two poems in Tesseracts 20 plus a story in Polar Borealis. Awards: 3 WOTF Honorable Mentions, 2 Auroras (fan) for Ether Patrol + Neology.
avatar for Donna McMahon

Donna McMahon

Donna McMahon started publishing SF with her novel Dance of Knives (Tor 2001) set in future Vancouver. Lately she's turned from future to past history, with her murder mystery Death Fully Justified set in Vancouver in 1920. She lives in Gibsons, BC.
avatar for Vik K. Walker

Vik K. Walker

KatvikBooks
Award winning author of paranormal romance, and fantasy fiction.

Saturday October 1, 2016 22:30 - 23:20 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture

22:30 PDT

Whose Sassy Line Is It Fandom?
This is the adult-oriented version of "Whose Line Is It Fandom" based on the improv show "Whose Line is it Anyway?" and there is only one thing to remember: There are no dirty minds, just sexy imaginations. And if you have a silly, sexy, nerdy imagination, then come laugh and play at this improv show!

As adult themes will be front and center, this is officially an 18+ event. However, those under 18 may be allowed to attend if we receive explicit permission from a parent or guardian. 
Panelists
avatar for Philip

Philip

Mr Phil Guy
Philip and Colin Amor are brothers born and raised in beautiful Vancouver. In 2007, they began visiting different conventions in Vancouver, Victoria, and Seattle, experiencing all kinds of communities and fandoms. In 2012, Phil inherited a panel from a friend and was hooked. Now... Read More →

Saturday October 1, 2016 22:30 - 23:50 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Late Night (18+)   Media & Popular Culture   Music Dance & Performance

22:30 PDT

VCON Crosswise Cabaret
Come relax! Enjoy! Participate!

The cabaret is a new tradition where VCON attendees can come, relax, socialize, dance, and be entertained by.... more VCON attendees! All the classic dance tunes, plus your media favourites remixed into the ultimate fan favourites, liberally mixed with YOU! We’re open for improv comedy, skits, all manner of short acts throughout the night... if you have an idea, let us know. There will be a cash bar, so if the offerings at Hospitality are not quite what you’re looking for, there will be premium beer, wine and highballs at the Cabaret!
Panelists
avatar for Chris Sturges

Chris Sturges

President, Fired Up Events
Chris Sturges is Special Effects technician, Business owner, event manager, social engineer, long time VCON supporter and volunteer and a bunch of other things as well...

Saturday October 1, 2016 22:30 - Sunday October 2, 2016 02:00 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  Music Dance & Performance

23:30 PDT

Short Film Screening: The Recursion Theorem
Do you love Sci-Fi film? What about classics like Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles or Stanley Kubrick? Or the original Twilight Zone series? We do! And we bet many of you do too!

The Recursion Theorem is a short, black and white sci-fi film noir told in these traditions. It's a little bit old, a little bit new, and a little bit rock'n'roll. It premiered at the Columbia Film Festival in June 2016 and took home a Best Actor award and an Audience Choice Award. They've also been invited to show their film at the 2017 BaltiCon in Baltimore, MD. 
Saturday October 1, 2016 23:30 - Sunday October 2, 2016 00:10 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Exhibits   Media & Popular Culture
 
Sunday, October 2
 

07:00 PDT

Console Gaming: SUN
24 Hour Console Gaming (Sorry, but the convention ends at 6pm!)
Sunday October 2, 2016 07:00 - 18:00 PDT
11b - Console Gaming Barnston B (1st Floor)
  Games & Game Design

07:00 PDT

Table Top Gaming: SUN
24 Hour Table Top Gaming (Sorry! But the convention ends at 6pm!)
Sunday October 2, 2016 07:00 - 18:00 PDT
11a - Tabletop Gaming Fraser (1st Floor)
  Games & Game Design

07:30 PDT

Sunday Morning Cartoons: Puppets, Claymation and Power Rangers (With Cereal!)
This is your Sunday morning Puppets based TV shows for Kids.

Bring the kids, your blankets, pillows and enjoy puppets on TV, claymation and the best of Power Rangers. VCON’s Hospitality Suite will provide cereal for munching and that, together with cartoons, is a wonderful start to the morning (or continuation of the night).

Everyone welcome! Kids and those who reminisce of days watching Sunday morning cartoons in their PJ’s.
Panelists
GC

Geoff Cleeve

Geoff Cleeve is a geeky bookworm whose love of si-fy has grown with every X-Wing taking out a Tie Fighter. He has been helping run fandom events, mostly Cons, for the last 8 years and his enthusiasm for cartoons in every form know no bounds. Outside of fandom he spends much of his... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 07:30 - 10:30 PDT
09 - KidCon Hotel Suite (# TBA)
  Kid Stuff   Media & Popular Culture

09:00 PDT

VCON Hospitality - Sunday
Gravy and Toast -- by Andrew Huange
(watch the video, it's hilarious! https://youtu.be/bTzTSbc268c) 

I'm eating some toast and it's really boring.
I need something else to keep me from snoring,
'cause this is so bland. It tastes kind of lonely.
It sure needs a friend. I'm thinking, "If only
there were something that's warm...
something that's savoury...
something that's brown...
and I don't know...maybe
it could be made of fat - 'cause that would be tasty.
Oh, wait - I think that I'm thinking of gravy!" 

Gravy and toast!
Gravy and toast!
Toast and gravy!
I eat it the most!
It's gravy and toast!
Oh, baby!
If there is a place where they are together then take me!
Take me there right now!
Because I love gravy and toast! 

I'm eating some gravy. I've got it right here.
It seems kind of crazy - a little bit weird -
'cause there's nothing with it; it's just by itself.
Not only is that strange, it's bad for my health.
I need carbohydrates, 'cause this is just gross,
and maybe a vegetable... 

    Woah now.


    Woah.

    Now. 

Gravy and toast!
Gravy and toast!
Toast and gravy!
I eat it the most!
It's gravy and toast!
Oh, baby!
If there is a place where they are together then take me!
Take me there right now!
Because I love gravy and toast!
Sunday October 2, 2016 09:00 - 17:00 PDT
12a - Hospitality Suite Trillium (2nd Floor)
  Con Operations   Food & Drink

09:00 PDT

Art Show, SUN
VCON’s annual art show features the work of local artists. Works on display include paintings, sculpture, cartoons, and other objets d’art with some relationship to science fiction, fantasy, gaming, horror, and related themes. As much as we appreciate still life studies, for example, the still life must be within the genre.

COME TO THE ART GALLERY DURING CONVENTION. CHAT WITH THE ARTISTS. CHECK OUT OUR SHOW-AND-TELL AREA. ATTEND THE RECEPTION FRIDAY NIGHT AND MEET ART DIRECTOR GOH STEPHANIE JOHANSON AND MANY OF THE OTHER ARTISTS. WATCH FOR DEMONSTRATIONS AND TOURS. TIMES WILL BE POSTED AT THE DOOR.

And always remember that at VCON, we FEAR NO ART!

• • • • • • 
Art Show Bidding Rules
Please remember, when you place a bid, you are making a non-rescindable purchase contract with the artist. It cannot be rescinded.

To bid on a piece, fill in the bid sheet attached or adjacent to the piece in which you are interested. Required information consists of the bidder’s name (real or badge name), badge number and bid amount. Bids will be accepted in increments of $1 only. Highest bid wins.

Any single-bid pieces may be picked up and paid for when the art show closes on Sunday. The Art Show staff reserve the right to void any bid they deem not legitimate.

Direct Sales
Some pieces will have direct sales prices as well as minimum bid prices. If a piece has not yet been bid on, it can be purchased for the direct sale price.

Artists’ Reception
VCON’s ‘Newest tradition’ allows members to meet and mingle with the exhibiting artists in a relaxed and informal setting. Join us to enjoy the art and the artists.

Print Shop
Here you can purchase prints of some of the work on display, as well as prints of other works by the artists. Please take every precaution to ensure prints are not damaged in any way. You are handling works of art!

Special Saturday Programming
A detailed schedule of programmed events within the gallery will be posted at the door.

General Notes
When entering the Art Gallery, please check all bags with the art show volunteer at the door. No photography. No food or drink allowed. Please do not touch.
Sunday October 2, 2016 09:00 - 17:00 PDT
10 - Art Show Guildford A (1st Floor)
  Exhibits

10:00 PDT

Reading: Catherine Girczyc
Panelists
avatar for Catherine Girczyc

Catherine Girczyc

writer
Catherine is a television writer with 15 credited scripts, plus published short stories + poems. Upcoming: two poems in Tesseracts 20 plus a story in Polar Borealis. Awards: 3 WOTF Honorable Mentions, 2 Auroras (fan) for Ether Patrol + Neology.

Sunday October 2, 2016 10:00 - 10:25 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

10:00 PDT

Kaiju Crazy 2016
There are a lot of kaiju events this year which have produced even more toys and model kits. Join Stan Hyde for an update on what to look forward to if you’re a collector, and some predictions about the future of the hobby. (If you’re just starting, we’ll also share some insight into how to get started with the model and toy collecting hobby.)
Panelists
avatar for Stan Hyde

Stan Hyde

Stan is a model builder and artist, retired English literature, film and drama teacher, and a bona fide Godzilla expert (he has more than 200 models of Godzilla, each one different and can look at a photo of Godzilla and identify the movie the still came from by the shape of the ear... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 10:00 - 10:50 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making   Fandom & Conrunning

10:00 PDT

The Art of Finishing
One of the biggest challenges as a creator is taking something out of the sexy early development stages and into being a finished product. Members of this panel will share their experience, tools, and advice on getting things done.
Moderators
DB

Devon Boorman

Devon Boorman is the Director and Master Instructor for Academie Duello, the world's largest centre for the study of European Swordplay and Martial Arts, based in downtown Vancouver.

Panelists
avatar for Katrina Archer

Katrina Archer

Author & Editor, Ganache Media
Katrina Archer is the author of dark fantasy The Tree of Souls and YA fantasy Untalented. A professional engineer, she lives on her sailboat in Vancouver, BC, and has worked in aerospace, video games and film.
avatar for Brenda Carre

Brenda Carre

Brenda Carre writes in a variety of genres. Her short fiction can be found in the Magazine of F&Sf, Fiction River Anthologies and in many other venues. Brenda's WIP is a Dark Fantasy paralleling Canada's mythic West Coast during the age of sail.
avatar for Stephanie Johanson

Stephanie Johanson

co-owner, assistant editor, art director..., Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Art Director Guest of HonourStephanie Johanson is the art director, assistant editor, on-staff artist, and co-owner of Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine. How the heck do you start up a science fiction magazine?The idea came to Stephanie around 4:00 AM one Sunday morning in... Read More →
avatar for Karl Johanson

Karl Johanson

Editor, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Editor Guest of HonourKarl Johanson is not just an exceptional editor of a marvelous magazine, he is—behind his unassuming exterior—a mad genius whose team is, against all logic, constantly pulling off these completely astounding projects.During the 1990s, Karl co-edited... Read More →
avatar for Isaiah Sweigard

Isaiah Sweigard

I am a young aspiring filmmaker who went to film school, graduating with an expertise in Producing and Directing. After film school I then worked in the Vancouver film industry for 2 years, before quitting and pursuing my own creative outlets.

Sunday October 2, 2016 10:00 - 10:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making   Games & Game Design   Music Dance & Performance   Writing & Publication

10:00 PDT

Costume Creation Tips and Tricks
Come listen to our panel of costume makers discussing their best tips for turning the vision in your head into a 3D creation you can wear. For costume makers of all levels, the discussion will include useful techniques for beginners, inexpensive solutions for tricky design problems, with a few expert tricks rolled in.
Moderators
avatar for Danielle Stephens

Danielle Stephens

Manager, Colourist, Goblins
Danielle is the flats colourist and manager for the Goblins webcomic. She also writes the Hyper Halfling line of roleplaying game supplements. This means she plays colouring books and make-believe as a living, and giggles about it daily. She is often mistaken for Pauline Walsh.

Panelists
BH

Barbara Hanson

Barbara has been cosplaying for over 10 years, having played with many different costumes, both hero's and villains. She loves to see and work on different costumes and see what others also can create, spreading the joy of costuming whether at cons or dance. She has also been dancing... Read More →
avatar for Judy McCrosky

Judy McCrosky

I'm the author of several books, with two new ones due out this year. I'm an experienced speaker and teacher of writing in a variety of genres. I love to talk to people about any and all aspects of writing and the writing life.

Sunday October 2, 2016 10:00 - 10:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Costuming & Cosplay

10:00 PDT

The Supermarionation GoH: Sounds Like Doctor Who - Keeping Classic Doctors Alive via Audio Drama (Big Finish Productions)
From the wilderness years through the reboot, for the last 16 years, Big Finish has kept Doctor Who alive for fans all over the world by producing new audio drama stories using classic Doctors (Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Backer, Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann). But how do you translate a highly visual show to audio? What is it like working with the actors? How about the studio lunches? All will be revealed in this highly Whovian panel.
Panelists
avatar for Jamie Anderson

Jamie Anderson

VCON 41 Supermarionation Guest of HonorJamie Anderson is the younger son of the late Gerry Anderson – the man behind cult TV shows like Fireball XL5, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Space: 1999, and of course Thunderbirds.Jamie had always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 10:00 - 10:50 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  GoH Session   Media & Popular Culture

10:00 PDT

Basic Puppet Manipulation for Beginners with Jeny Cassady
Registration: REGISTER HERE
Maximum participants: 15
Recommended minimum age: 14+
Materials fee: $3 (paid at the workshop)
Materials fee covers: Craft supplies to make "simple eye puppets" hand puppet
Workshop duration:  3 hours

Workshop description: In this introductory class on manipulation have fun forming new connections between hand and mouth- exercise muscles in your hands and body like no yoga class can!  Learn some of the tricks of the trade when it comes to hand puppetry, and gain a new appreciation for puppeteering!  If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to be a puppeteer, this class will give you peek into that world.   No experience necessary!

• • • • •
Jeny Cassady is a professional puppeteer who has been getting friendly with puppets since 1991 –  puppet designing, building, performing, on-set coaching, educating, and directing.  She has a BFA with distinction in acting from the University of Victoria, and has trained with respected professionals from around the world in mask performance, acting, clowning, marionette, hand and rod puppeteering, and animatronics.

She is also one of the founders of the Vancouver International Puppet festival which will be happening later in October.

www.jenycassady.com
www.vipuppetfest.com

Panelists
JC

Jeny Cassady

Puppet creator, performer, teacher, director. BFA-UVic.Trained in marionette, bunraku, hand and rod, animatronics.Her puppets feature on stage, web, & indie film.Performed in many film & tv prods, recently Avenue Q & this fall- Henson’s Turkey Hollow.


Sunday October 2, 2016 10:00 - 13:00 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  Muppets Puppets & Marionettes

10:00 PDT

Sunday Short Story Writers' Workshop A (Closed Session)
Closed Short Story Workshop for pre-registered applicants.
Moderators
avatar for R. Graeme Cameron

R. Graeme Cameron

Publisher / Editor, Polar Borealis Magazine
Fanzine Editor 30+ years, publishes semi-pro SF fiction zine Polar Borealis, won two Aurora Awards, and writes fanzine review column for Amazing Stories (currently on hiatus).

Panelists
avatar for Graham Darling

Graham Darling

Author, Scientist & Medievalist, Active Materials Inc.
Dr Graham D Darling designs new molecules with weird properties. As Graham J Darling (from another middle name), he writes as fiction what the world isn't ready for as fact. As Doctor Carus, he demonstrates medieval sci/tech to scholars of all ages.
LD

linda demeulemeester

Linda DeMeulemeester’s speculative short fiction has been published in zines, magazines and anthologies, most recently: Edge Press’ Compostela -Tesseracts-Twenty, Exile Press’s Dead North, Playground of Lost Toys, and Alice Unbound.Her spine-tingling MG series, Grim Hill, has... Read More →
avatar for Rissa Johnson

Rissa Johnson

Rissa Johnson is a fat, queer, left-handed, Jewish, dyslexic, insomniac who stays up all night wrestling with Dog. A creative writer and technical editor, their poetry and flash fiction have won awards, including the City of Surrey Youth Recognition Award in Creative Contributions... Read More →
avatar for Rhea Rose

Rhea Rose

Rhea's first story was selected by Judith Merril for the very first Tesseracts anthology and nominated for an Aurora Award. Her latest works appear in Clockwork Canada and Pulp Literature. She has her MFA in creative writing from UBC.
avatar for Holly Schofield

Holly Schofield

Holly Schofield's short stories have been published in Analog, Lightspeed, Tesseracts, and many other publications throughout the world. Find her at hollyschofield.wordpress.com .

Sunday October 2, 2016 10:00 - 13:00 PDT
08 - Small Workshops Boardroom (1st Floor)
  Writing & Publication

10:00 PDT

Registration, SUN
Sunday October 2, 2016 10:00 - 14:00 PDT
00 - Registration Guildford Foyer (1st Floor)
  Con Operations

10:00 PDT

KidCon, SUN
Arts, crafts and edutainment for the kids so parents can tackle panels distraction-free. Run by first-aid-trained staff with a comprehensive knowledge of Pokemon and anime, we're here to help keep you sane. Early start on Sunday - 7:30am for jammies & cartoons!
Sunday October 2, 2016 10:00 - 14:00 PDT
09 - KidCon Hotel Suite (# TBA)
  Kid Stuff

10:00 PDT

Artists' Alley, SUN
Sunday October 2, 2016 10:00 - 17:00 PDT
13b - Vendor Hall: Artists' Alley Guildford Foyer (1st Floor)
  Exhibits

10:00 PDT

Dealers' Room, SUN
Sunday October 2, 2016 10:00 - 17:00 PDT
13a - Vender Hall: Dealers' Room Guildford B&C (1st Floor)
  Exhibits

10:30 PDT

Reading: JM Landels
Panelists
avatar for JM Landels

JM Landels

Writer, Artist, Editor, Pulp Literature Press
Jennifer Landels is a founding editor at Pulp Literature magazine, a multi-genre fiction quarterly. As JM Landels she writes fantasy and historical fiction, and is the author of Allaigna's Song: Overture, due out in 2017. When she's not busy with words she plays with horses and... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 10:30 - 10:55 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

11:00 PDT

The Author GoH: Consciousness and Science Fiction
The science of consciousness is highly interdisciplinary -- combining neurosciences, AI, evolution, quantum physics, and philosophy. Robert J. Sawyer uses the debates in this field as fodder for much of his science fiction. Join him for a thought-provoking discussion of the science of mind.
Panelists
avatar for Robert J. Sawyer

Robert J. Sawyer

SFWRITER.COM Inc.
VCON 41 Author Guest of HonorBorn in Ottawa in 1960, in his youth Robert dreamed of becoming a paleontologist specializing in dinosaurs, but upon discovering only about a dozen people worldwide made a living doing that, he decided to become one of the several hundred people making... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 11:00 - 11:50 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  GoH Session   Science & Skepticism

11:00 PDT

Skewed & Reviewed: Movies of 2017-2019 (Video Presentation)
Here is a fast paced and lively look at what Hollywood has in store for you over the next three years. The panel is Presented by Gareth Von Kallenbach of Skewed and Reviewed and has been a very popular panel over the past 20 years playing for capacity audiences as Gareth brings you the latest news and information on genre films.

(Gareth used to live in the Pacific Northwest, attended VCON regularly, and regularly presented his panel to a packed room. He lives in Phoenix, AZ now, unable to attend VCON, but was kind enough to make an exclusive recording of his talk for us!) 
Panelists
avatar for Gareth Von Kallenbach

Gareth Von Kallenbach

Gareth Von Kallenbach is a syndicated movie & game critic, writer, author, and frequent radio guest. He is the creator of the entertainment site “Skewed and Reviewed” as well as Skewed and Reviewed: The Magazine. Gareth has worked in the video game industry and has written three... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 11:00 - 11:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture

11:00 PDT

Optimistic SF
What is it, and why it is time to get positive again. In a world where dark fiction is popular, how do you overcome the darkness and see the positives that are possible in all worlds?
Panelists
avatar for Aviva Bel'Harold

Aviva Bel'Harold

Dyslexic author Aviva Bel'Harold has written several YA books, 3 self published, 1 hybrid and the latest fully published through Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy. She does several signing a month as well as speaking in schools and other events.
avatar for Russ Crossley

Russ Crossley

President, 53rd Street Publishing
International selling author, Russ Crossley writes science fiction and fantasy, and mystery/suspense. Over his more than 15 year career he has published 14 novels and over 100 short stories. With his wife, writer/artist Rita Schulz, he co-owns 53rd Street Publishing a multi-genre... Read More →
avatar for Julie McGalliard

Julie McGalliard

Julie McGalliard is a writer and occasional cartoonist. Her first novel, Waking Up Naked in Strange Places, was released in 2015.
avatar for Donna McMahon

Donna McMahon

Donna McMahon started publishing SF with her novel Dance of Knives (Tor 2001) set in future Vancouver. Lately she's turned from future to past history, with her murder mystery Death Fully Justified set in Vancouver in 1920. She lives in Gibsons, BC.
TM

Trevor Melanson

Trevor Melanson is the author of Terminal City, a new dark fantasy novel published by EDGE. He's also the senior editor of Vancouver Magazine and has edited and written for many major national magazines and newspapers (occasionally, on geeky topics).
EM

Ellen Michelle

Ellen is the Managing Editor for Reality Skimming Press, a small optimistic sci-fi publisher, and a technical writer. She has a degree in English & Publishing from SFU, and loves fawning over the lesser-loved characters of various popular franchises.
avatar for Robert Luis Rabello

Robert Luis Rabello

Robert Luis Rabello is the author of the Deveran Conflict Series, a unique human wave science fiction series.
avatar for Lynda Williams

Lynda Williams

Publisher, Reality Skimming Press
Lynda Williams is the author of the Okal Rel ten-novel saga and the owner of Reality Skimming Press. Lynda works within the realms of optimistic sci-fi and new era publishing for her own works and the press. The press is releasing reboots of the saga and original anthologies. Lynda... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 11:00 - 11:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Writing & Publication

11:00 PDT

That Old-Timey Science
Phrenology, spiritualism, mesmerism, eugenics. These were once cutting edge scientific ideas of the 19th century. I discuss some of the most outrageous and popular scientific notions of the era which may be useful if you are crafting steampunk, historical or alternative history fiction and art.
Panelists
avatar for Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia's debut novel, Signal to Noise, was a British Fantasy, Locus, Sunburst and Aurora Award finalist. She has been nominated for the World Fantasy Award for her work as an editor. Her novel about Mexican vampires, Certain Dark Things, is out this October. http... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 11:00 - 11:50 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Religion Philosophy & History   Science & Skepticism   Writing & Publication

11:00 PDT

Diorama Creation Demo - With Some Notes on Costumes and Models
Join MONSTER ATTACK TEAM for a two hour live demo focused on how to build science fiction and fantasy dioramas in different mediums. You’ve seen our “puppet” display in the art show - now go over the basics of creating dioramas so that your models and toys can really look their best. We’ve brought aliens, monsters, and robots to life . . . now let’s build world’s for them!
Panelists
MA

Monster Attack Team

Monster Attack Team Canada is an extraordinary club, started in 1989, consisting mostly of professional film designers and prop makers who work in “Hollywood North” as the local Vancouver film industry is called. (Stan Hyde, our Godzilla Fan GoH started M.A.T.C and Eric Chu... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 11:00 - 12:50 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making

12:00 PDT

The Film Design GoH: Designing for Global Annihilation
Join Concept Illustrator Eric Chu as he recounts his experiences working on SyFy’s Battlestar Galactica and the design challenges he went through bringing the world of evil murderous robots and explosive space battles to life. In addition to behind-the-scenes insights, he will also touch on his views on art and design and expose just how little he knows on the subject.
Panelists
avatar for Eric Chu

Eric Chu

VCON 41 Film Design Guest of HonorBorn in Hong Kong at a very early age, Eric quickly exhibited an interest in design and film. Even as a young child, directing seemed to be in his blood, but an uncooperative cast of plastic farm animals would prove to be an endless source of frustration... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 12:00 - 12:50 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making   GoH Session   Media & Popular Culture

12:00 PDT

Deportment: How to Move In Your Costume
You have the costume finished. It is gorgeous, so why is no one believing you are a pretty princess or handsome prince? Tips and examples of how to embody your costume like your character would.
Moderators
avatar for GregRobin Smith

GregRobin Smith

Managing Director, Washington Shakespeare Festival
Poet, Playwright, Historical 1st person presenter, Musician, Shakespearean, Educator & Fundraiser, GregRobin keeps many irons glowing in the fires of creativity from his Seattle home. where he plots world dominance through the works and thought processes of William Shakespeare & Dr... Read More →

Panelists
avatar for Cary Conder

Cary Conder

Born to British parents in Colombia, Cary immigrated to Canada as a child. Her alma mater is in Whitehorse, YT, served 27 years in the Canadian military, is a life member of the ASFA, and a self-published author. She resides in Victoria, BC.
BH

Barbara Hanson

Barbara has been cosplaying for over 10 years, having played with many different costumes, both hero's and villains. She loves to see and work on different costumes and see what others also can create, spreading the joy of costuming whether at cons or dance. She has also been dancing... Read More →
avatar for Danielle Stephens

Danielle Stephens

Manager, Colourist, Goblins
Danielle is the flats colourist and manager for the Goblins webcomic. She also writes the Hyper Halfling line of roleplaying game supplements. This means she plays colouring books and make-believe as a living, and giggles about it daily. She is often mistaken for Pauline Walsh.

Sunday October 2, 2016 12:00 - 12:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Costuming & Cosplay

12:00 PDT

Whedon's Worlds. A VCON tradition since 1999.
The annual celebration of Joss Whedon, moderated by VCON Guest of Honour Emeritus Michael Walsh, where enthusiastic panelists and the audience discuss recent and upcoming projects from the mind of Joss Whedon 
Moderators
avatar for Michael Walsh

Michael Walsh

Retired newspaperman MICHAEL WALSH has lived long enough for somebody to detail his sins in a Wikipedia entry . He'd prefer that you read his version, set out on his own website, Reeling Back .

Panelists
avatar for Kalelin Kirk

Kalelin Kirk

Kalelin Kirk has a diverse background in many fields, including filmmaking, acting, writing, sword-fighting, live theatre, archery, and a hodgepodge of assorted creative endeavours. She worked for many years in the comic book industry, though she is currently an educator (both at... Read More →
avatar for Julie McGalliard

Julie McGalliard

Julie McGalliard is a writer and occasional cartoonist. Her first novel, Waking Up Naked in Strange Places, was released in 2015.
avatar for Isaiah Sweigard

Isaiah Sweigard

I am a young aspiring filmmaker who went to film school, graduating with an expertise in Producing and Directing. After film school I then worked in the Vancouver film industry for 2 years, before quitting and pursuing my own creative outlets.
SW

Susan Walsh

A fan from the day she discovered books in the public library with rocket ships on the spine, since the first VCON she's been on panels, impersonated dead authors, taught origami, proofread, and (mostly) fed people.
PW

Pauline Walsh

A second-generation nerd, Pauline grew up at conventions and SCA events. She's been part of geek culture all her life, and one day hopes to pay the bills with her writing, her art, or both. She has been a member of several VCON convention committees over the years. She is often mistaken... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 12:00 - 12:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture

12:00 PDT

Building Monsters
Mary Shelley utilized the novel concept of "galvanism" to infuse her creature with life. What recent scientific findings could be used to craft modern monsters?
Panelists
RB

Rob Boffard

Rob Boffard is a South African author, journalist and rapper. His Outer Earth scifi trilogy is published worldwide by Orbit Books, and he writes about music and tech for The Guardian, Wired Magazine and more.
PD

Peter Darbyshire

Peter Darbyshire is the author of five novels, including the Cross series of supernatural thrillers written under the pen name Peter Roman. He also writes for the Vancouver Sun and Province newspapers.
avatar for Joe Fulgham

Joe Fulgham

Host/Producer, Mote of Dust / The Dreaming / Caustic Soda
Joe makes podcasts about things he loves. For six years he hosted, produced, and edited "Caustic Soda", the podcast of the weird, gross, and disturbing. His latest project is "The Dreaming", a Read-Along podcast for Neil Gaiman's comic book treasure "The Sandman", hosted by the Mote... Read More →
avatar for Catherine Girczyc

Catherine Girczyc

writer
Catherine is a television writer with 15 credited scripts, plus published short stories + poems. Upcoming: two poems in Tesseracts 20 plus a story in Polar Borealis. Awards: 3 WOTF Honorable Mentions, 2 Auroras (fan) for Ether Patrol + Neology.
avatar for Kevin Harkness

Kevin Harkness

Kevin Harkness is a writer of YA Fantasy novels and short stories in a number of genres. His City of Demons series is published by Tyche Books.
avatar for Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia's debut novel, Signal to Noise, was a British Fantasy, Locus, Sunburst and Aurora Award finalist. She has been nominated for the World Fantasy Award for her work as an editor. Her novel about Mexican vampires, Certain Dark Things, is out this October. http... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 12:00 - 12:50 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Science & Skepticism   Writing & Publication

12:00 PDT

Clubs & Organizations, SUN
Sunday October 2, 2016 12:00 - 15:00 PDT
14 - Club Tables Tynehead Foyer (2nd Floor)
  Exhibits

13:00 PDT

Reading: Katrina Archer
Panelists
avatar for Katrina Archer

Katrina Archer

Author & Editor, Ganache Media
Katrina Archer is the author of dark fantasy The Tree of Souls and YA fantasy Untalented. A professional engineer, she lives on her sailboat in Vancouver, BC, and has worked in aerospace, video games and film.

Sunday October 2, 2016 13:00 - 13:25 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

13:00 PDT

cleanup/setup
room closed for Puppet Manipulation workshop cleanup and Human Battleship setup
Sunday October 2, 2016 13:00 - 13:30 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

13:00 PDT

workshops setup/cleanup
Room closed for workshop cleanup and setup
Sunday October 2, 2016 13:00 - 13:30 PDT
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

13:00 PDT

The Godzilla GoH: What's Up With Godzilla
Stan Hyde is the Chief Examiner for International Baccalaureate film in his professional life. As a fan he has been involved in fandom since the Torcon 2 Worldcon in 1973.  He also travels the world in search of Giant Monsters.  Besides writing articles on film (and also a published comic story and some short fiction), Stan has been a part of Godzilla fandom for years and is one of the planning members of G-FEST convention.  This annual celebration of Godzilla and Japanese science-fiction films in general has been held in Chicago every summer, for the past 23 years. Last summer he planned a tour for North American fans to go to Tokyo to see SHIN GODZILLA, the newest Japanese Godzilla film.

 Join Stan for a reflection on fandom in general, Godzilla fandom in particular, and for some updates on his favourite international star . . . now the subject of two franchises, in both North American and Japan.
Panelists
avatar for Stan Hyde

Stan Hyde

Stan is a model builder and artist, retired English literature, film and drama teacher, and a bona fide Godzilla expert (he has more than 200 models of Godzilla, each one different and can look at a photo of Godzilla and identify the movie the still came from by the shape of the ear... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 13:00 - 13:50 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  GoH Session   Media & Popular Culture

13:00 PDT

Short Lunch Break With Cartoons, SUN
We probably won’t actually stop building while we eat, so please feel free to come in to watch and ask questions. As well, we’ll show some of the anime and cartoons from which some of our model kits originate. Film program will be posted in the room, or just ask.
Panelists
MA

Monster Attack Team

Monster Attack Team Canada is an extraordinary club, started in 1989, consisting mostly of professional film designers and prop makers who work in “Hollywood North” as the local Vancouver film industry is called. (Stan Hyde, our Godzilla Fan GoH started M.A.T.C and Eric Chu... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 13:00 - 13:50 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Art Craft & Making

13:00 PDT

Future of Puppets in Film
Now that we can create such sophisticated CG characters are puppets becoming obsolete? What potential do puppets continue to have in the film industry.
Panelists
avatar for Jamie Anderson

Jamie Anderson

VCON 41 Supermarionation Guest of HonorJamie Anderson is the younger son of the late Gerry Anderson – the man behind cult TV shows like Fireball XL5, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Space: 1999, and of course Thunderbirds.Jamie had always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps... Read More →
JC

Jeny Cassady

Puppet creator, performer, teacher, director. BFA-UVic.Trained in marionette, bunraku, hand and rod, animatronics.Her puppets feature on stage, web, & indie film.Performed in many film & tv prods, recently Avenue Q & this fall- Henson’s Turkey Hollow.
avatar for Eric Chu

Eric Chu

VCON 41 Film Design Guest of HonorBorn in Hong Kong at a very early age, Eric quickly exhibited an interest in design and film. Even as a young child, directing seemed to be in his blood, but an uncooperative cast of plastic farm animals would prove to be an endless source of frustration... Read More →
FG

Frank Garcia

Frank Garcia was a SF media magazine journalist for 20 years and is the co-author of two books on science fiction television series for McFarland & Company. Currently he works as a freelance video editor.
avatar for Joseph Picard

Joseph Picard

Ozero, Joseph Picard
Author of the Lifehack series, the new Rubberman series, as well as short contributions to various anthologies. Joseph leans toward science fiction, slightly 'hard', but generally fairly character driven as well.

Sunday October 2, 2016 13:00 - 13:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Muppets Puppets & Marionettes

13:00 PDT

How To Choose Your Instrument (Or How It Chooses You)
Looking to choose a musical instrument? Our opinionated panel will tell you why they chose theirs, or why their instrument chose them. A musical petting zoo included at no extra charge (try before you go out and buy).
Moderators
CL

Creede Lambard

Creede Lambard first encountered filk in 1981. He learned to play the banjo in 2003. He started combining the two in 2005 and things haven't been the same since.

Panelists
TG

TAM Gordy

Old enough to remember when Michael Jackson was black. Saw the first show with the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, when it happened. Loves music, writing and when the Boss cooks for me. Takes everything seriously, except myself. Peace. Out.
avatar for Dara Korra'ti

Dara Korra'ti

Crime and the Forces of Evil
Being a supervillain means being able to do a bit of everything, because, gods know, you can't trust anyone _else_ to do it. So after learning propaganda in professional radio and publishing, creating new techniques in genetics manipulation, getting _pretty good_ at DIY electronics... Read More →
avatar for Robert Luis Rabello

Robert Luis Rabello

Robert Luis Rabello is the author of the Deveran Conflict Series, a unique human wave science fiction series.

Sunday October 2, 2016 13:00 - 13:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Music Dance & Performance

13:30 PDT

Reading: Lynda Williams
Panelists
avatar for Lynda Williams

Lynda Williams

Publisher, Reality Skimming Press
Lynda Williams is the author of the Okal Rel ten-novel saga and the owner of Reality Skimming Press. Lynda works within the realms of optimistic sci-fi and new era publishing for her own works and the press. The press is releasing reboots of the saga and original anthologies. Lynda... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 13:30 - 13:55 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

13:30 PDT

Human Battleship
Would you like to whack someone over the head with a giant inflatable hammer? Stab someone with an inflatable sword? Throw a Styrofoam ball at someone across the room?

Of course you would!

Buy could you do it by following someone else’s instructions? While blindfolded? Now that changes things!

Human Battleship is a large-scale game where two teams battle it out to sink each other. Each participant represents a “warship” with a harmless, inflatable weapon and a blindfold. You’ll receive battle commands from your team’s designated Admiral (the only one who isn’t blindfolded). With any luck, he will guide you to victory.

Hilarity abounds as blindfolded people fail about in the desperate hope of hitting their target. Be a part of the crowd or be a part of the game! Join the fleet! Play Human Battleship!
Panelists
RA

Rick Arino

Big on gaming, love hosting the Interactive gaming. Live for Halloween and scaring people. More than a little crazy. Also an AFOL.

Sunday October 2, 2016 13:30 - 15:00 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  Games & Game Design

13:30 PDT

Sunday Short Story Writers' Workshop B (Closed Session)
Closed Short Story Workshop for pre-registered applicants.
Panelists
avatar for Carlos Lozano-Gilabert

Carlos Lozano-Gilabert

Carlos Lozano is a writer of flash-fiction and screenplays. He has a solid a solid background in science and psychology. His flash-fiction revolves around horror and love stories. His screenplays reflect his love of adventure. He writes both in English and in Spanish.
MT

Marcie Tentchoff

Marcie Lynn Tentchoff is an Aurora award winning writer/poet/editor from Gibsons, BC. Her work has appeared in such publications as Weird Tales, Strange Horizons, and On Spec.
avatar for Casey J. Wolf

Casey J. Wolf

Casey June Wolf is a writer of occasional poems and speculative fiction stories that range from moody slipstream to hard science fiction. Upcoming publications include “Fog” in The Nettle Tree: Strangely Different Western Stories and several poems in Your Death Full of Flowers... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 13:30 - 15:00 PDT
08 - Small Workshops Boardroom (1st Floor)
  Writing & Publication

13:30 PDT

Make Miniature Aliens and Robots with Thyrza #2
Registration: REGISTER HERE
Maximum participants: 10
Recommended minimum age: 12+ or adult supervision
Materials fee: $10
Workshop duration:  3 hours

Workshop description: We are going to be making miniature aliens from polymer clay and photographing them in dioramas in to illustrate scenes from a story created by the participants.

You will walk away with your amazing little alien a set of tutorials and photographs of your little monster.

• • • •
Thyrza Segal is a VCON Guest of Honour Emeritus. She graduated from the set and costume design program of the National Theatre School in Montreal and then went on to work in theatre and TV and film (including as assistant costume designer on Stargate Atlantis). But she quit film work 10 years ago to do her own art and has been painting, making lamps, terrariums, photography , sculpting, assembling and Photoshopping since then.

www.thyrza.ca
Panelists
TS

Thyrza Segal

Thyrza graduated from the set and costume design program of the National Theatre School in Montreal and went on to work in theatre and TV and film - including as assistant costume designer on Stargate Atlantis. But she quit film work 10 years ago to do my own art and has been painting... Read More →


Sunday October 2, 2016 13:30 - 16:30 PDT
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making

14:00 PDT

Reading: GregRobin Smith
Panelists
avatar for GregRobin Smith

GregRobin Smith

Managing Director, Washington Shakespeare Festival
Poet, Playwright, Historical 1st person presenter, Musician, Shakespearean, Educator & Fundraiser, GregRobin keeps many irons glowing in the fires of creativity from his Seattle home. where he plots world dominance through the works and thought processes of William Shakespeare & Dr... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 14:00 - 14:25 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

14:00 PDT

setup
Room closed for Filk, Folk, Rock and More performance setup
Sunday October 2, 2016 14:00 - 14:30 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

14:00 PDT

Beyond Punch, Judy, and Kermit: Puppetry Through Time and Around the World
Puppetry techniques and forms have not only changed drastically over time but are vastly different across different cultures. Panelists discuss historic forms and cultural traditions that will amaze you.
Moderators
FS

Fran Skene

Fran Skene is a member of the Puppetry Renaissance Troupe and has extensive experience in scripting, producing, and performing in puppet shows. In fandom, Fran's credits include chairing/working on a number of conventions, plus she edited the local clubzine, helped to start two apazines... Read More →

Panelists
avatar for Eric Chu

Eric Chu

VCON 41 Film Design Guest of HonorBorn in Hong Kong at a very early age, Eric quickly exhibited an interest in design and film. Even as a young child, directing seemed to be in his blood, but an uncooperative cast of plastic farm animals would prove to be an endless source of frustration... Read More →
avatar for Joe Fulgham

Joe Fulgham

Host/Producer, Mote of Dust / The Dreaming / Caustic Soda
Joe makes podcasts about things he loves. For six years he hosted, produced, and edited "Caustic Soda", the podcast of the weird, gross, and disturbing. His latest project is "The Dreaming", a Read-Along podcast for Neil Gaiman's comic book treasure "The Sandman", hosted by the Mote... Read More →
DH

Dusty Hagerud

Creative Director and founder of Color Sound Lab, Dusty has been performing and designing in Puppetry for 17 years across Western Canada working with a multitude of puppet theatre troupes. Dusty was a recipient of a 2009 Leo Award for Anachronism Pictures’ “The Anachronism... Read More →
avatar for Judy McCrosky

Judy McCrosky

I'm the author of several books, with two new ones due out this year. I'm an experienced speaker and teacher of writing in a variety of genres. I love to talk to people about any and all aspects of writing and the writing life.
avatar for Danielle Stephens

Danielle Stephens

Manager, Colourist, Goblins
Danielle is the flats colourist and manager for the Goblins webcomic. She also writes the Hyper Halfling line of roleplaying game supplements. This means she plays colouring books and make-believe as a living, and giggles about it daily. She is often mistaken for Pauline Walsh.

Sunday October 2, 2016 14:00 - 14:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Muppets Puppets & Marionettes   Religion Philosophy & History

14:00 PDT

Extreme Weather
Every year lately, there are record-breaking weather events. This talk will look at if there really are 'extreme' weather events or if it is merely observer bias, and also look at the physics behind normal and extreme weather events and discuss what changes we can expect in the future.

Richard Smith has given numerous science talks at previous VCON's and at the Mars Society Conventions.  His other talks include future warfare, molten salt thorium reactions, radioactive wolves, colonizing mars, peak oil, and low-cost methods to reach space.
Panelists
RS

Richard Smith

Richard Smith has been a teacher, professional game designer and programmer. He is a serious science geek and facinated by terraforming Mars. He has given numerous talks at V-Con on subjects of science and the future.

Sunday October 2, 2016 14:00 - 14:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Science & Skepticism

14:00 PDT

The Science Fiction Tourist in Japan!
Japan mixes the traditional and the spiritual with the most modern of technological worlds. Join Stan Hyde on a tour of a few of the locations that a science fiction fan will want to visit, and we might just spend some time with some friendly apparitions as well. It’s a full body immersion in the incredible from giant robots to giant monsters to giant superheroes from the ‘Land of Light.’
Planning on visiting Japan soon! The time to start planning is now!
Panelists
avatar for Stan Hyde

Stan Hyde

Stan is a model builder and artist, retired English literature, film and drama teacher, and a bona fide Godzilla expert (he has more than 200 models of Godzilla, each one different and can look at a photo of Godzilla and identify the movie the still came from by the shape of the ear... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 14:00 - 15:50 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Fandom & Conrunning

14:00 PDT

VCON Tap Room - Sunday
Red Solo Cup -- Toby Kieth
Now a red solo cup is the best receptacle
For barbecues tailgates fairs and festivals
And you sir do not have a pair of testicles
If you prefer drinking from glass

A red solos cup is cheap and disposable
And in fourteen years they are decomposable
And unlike my home they are not fore-closable
Freddie Mac can kiss my ass woo

Red solo cup I fill you up
Let's have a party let's have a party
I love you red solo cup I lift you up
Proceed to party proceed to party

Now I really love how you're easy to stack
But I really hate how you're easy to crack
'Cause when beer runs down the front of my back
Well that my friends is quite yucky

But I have to admit that the ladies get smitten
Admiring how sharply my first name is written
On you with a sharpie when I get to hittin'
On them to help me get lucky

Red solo cup I fill you up
Let's have a party let's have a party
I love you red solo cup I lift you up
Proceed to party proceed to party

Now I've seen you in blue and I've seen you in yellow
But only you red will do for this fellow
'Cause you are my Abbot to my Costello
And you are the fruit to my loom

Red solo cup you're more than just plastic
You're more than amazing you're more than fantastic
And believe me that I'm not the least bit sarcastic
When I look at you and say

Red solo cup, you're not just a cup. (No, no, God no)
You're my, you're my friend. (Friend, friend, friend, life long)
Thank you for being my friend.

Red solo cup I fill you up
Let's have a party let's have a party
I love you red solo cup I lift you up
Proceed to party proceed to party

Red solo cup, red solo cup (I fill you up, let's have a party)
Let's have a party (Let's have a party) Let's have a party
(Red solo cup) Oh red solo cup (I lift you up)
Let's have a party, proceed to party yeah yeah

-- Written by Jim Beavers, Brett Warren, Brad Warren, Brett Beavers 
Sunday October 2, 2016 14:00 - 17:00 PDT
12b - Hospitality Tap Room Dogwood (2nd Floor)
  Con Operations   Food & Drink

14:00 PDT

Registration, Dead Dog (for VCON 42)
For those who can't stay for the "Dead Dog" after-party but want to purchase a membership for next year's event. 
Sunday October 2, 2016 14:00 - 18:30 PDT
00 - Registration Guildford Foyer (1st Floor)
  Con Operations

14:30 PDT

Behind the Scenes with VFX Supervisor Glenn Campbell
VFX Supervisor Glenn Campbell recalls his experiences working on Blade Runner, Star Trek The Motion Picture, Tron, Spaceballs, X-Files, and more!
Panelists
GC

Glen Campbell

Glenn Campbell is a VFX Supervisor who has worked on Blade Runner, Star Trek The Motion Picture, Tron, Spaceballs, X-Files, and more!

Sunday October 2, 2016 14:30 - 15:30 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture

14:30 PDT

Filk, Folk, Rock and More
Come out to listen to a variety of musical performances by a talented cadre of our musically inclined panelists
Panelists
TG

TAM Gordy

Old enough to remember when Michael Jackson was black. Saw the first show with the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, when it happened. Loves music, writing and when the Boss cooks for me. Takes everything seriously, except myself. Peace. Out.
avatar for Dara Korra'ti

Dara Korra'ti

Crime and the Forces of Evil
Being a supervillain means being able to do a bit of everything, because, gods know, you can't trust anyone _else_ to do it. So after learning propaganda in professional radio and publishing, creating new techniques in genetics manipulation, getting _pretty good_ at DIY electronics... Read More →
CL

Creede Lambard

Creede Lambard first encountered filk in 1981. He learned to play the banjo in 2003. He started combining the two in 2005 and things haven't been the same since.
avatar for Claire McCague

Claire McCague

Simon Fraser University
Claire McCague is a research scientist, musician and writer. She performs regularly with the Sybaritic String Band and her other worldly plays have been featured in festivals across Canada. Her humorous first contact novel, The Rosetta Man, published by EDGE, is her first novel.
avatar for GregRobin Smith

GregRobin Smith

Managing Director, Washington Shakespeare Festival
Poet, Playwright, Historical 1st person presenter, Musician, Shakespearean, Educator & Fundraiser, GregRobin keeps many irons glowing in the fires of creativity from his Seattle home. where he plots world dominance through the works and thought processes of William Shakespeare & Dr... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 14:30 - 16:30 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Music Dance & Performance

15:00 PDT

teardown/setup
Room closed for Human Battleship teardown and Turkey Readings Setup
Sunday October 2, 2016 15:00 - 15:30 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

15:00 PDT

Running Fan Cons - Why We Do It (and How You Can Too)
Come and listen to conrunners who have worked on several different fan con events throughout the Pacific Northwest (and potentially beyond) as they give you the low down on what it takes to plan and put on a fan convention, what keeps us doing it year after year, and how you can get directly involved too.
Moderators
avatar for Jenni Merrifield

Jenni Merrifield

UX/UI Design Specialist, Jenni Merrifield
Jenni is a UX designer by trade and an SF&F geek by choice. Her favourite fandoms include Star Wars (Han shot first!), Harry Potter (she's a Ravenclaw), Firefly/Serenity (Browncoats unite!) & the Honorverse (Let's be about it!)

Panelists
avatar for R. Graeme Cameron

R. Graeme Cameron

Publisher / Editor, Polar Borealis Magazine
Fanzine Editor 30+ years, publishes semi-pro SF fiction zine Polar Borealis, won two Aurora Awards, and writes fanzine review column for Amazing Stories (currently on hiatus).
avatar for Chilam

Chilam

Creative Producer, Cerebrospace
Artist, Author, Astro-guy (B.Sc. Astrophysics, UBC '09) & creator of the fantastic world of Varzuun. His new novel PALADIN is now available. Member / Principal Cast: Times Paste Entertainment, BC Renaissance Festival & Jade Dragon Pirates.
GN

Greg Neher

Conrunner, Nerd Game Host
avatar for Danielle Stephens

Danielle Stephens

Manager, Colourist, Goblins
Danielle is the flats colourist and manager for the Goblins webcomic. She also writes the Hyper Halfling line of roleplaying game supplements. This means she plays colouring books and make-believe as a living, and giggles about it daily. She is often mistaken for Pauline Walsh.
avatar for Chris Sturges

Chris Sturges

President, Fired Up Events
Chris Sturges is Special Effects technician, Business owner, event manager, social engineer, long time VCON supporter and volunteer and a bunch of other things as well...

Sunday October 2, 2016 15:00 - 15:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Fandom & Conrunning

15:00 PDT

Page 189
Listen to a short excerpt from page 189 of works unknown to you, then vote on whether you would read the book before learning what it is and who wrote it. You may be in for some surprises...
Moderators
avatar for Judy McCrosky

Judy McCrosky

I'm the author of several books, with two new ones due out this year. I'm an experienced speaker and teacher of writing in a variety of genres. I love to talk to people about any and all aspects of writing and the writing life.

Panelists
SF

Steve Forty

I chaired VCON 20, Edited Bcsfazine for 35 issues, various VCON positions over the years, pre-registraar at Banff 89 international, Fan Guest 7 times (Noncon 8 and 16, Moscon 4, Vikingcon, Radcon, Orycon, and VCON 40), held many BCSFA meetings at my house over the years (as well as... Read More →
avatar for Kalelin Kirk

Kalelin Kirk

Kalelin Kirk has a diverse background in many fields, including filmmaking, acting, writing, sword-fighting, live theatre, archery, and a hodgepodge of assorted creative endeavours. She worked for many years in the comic book industry, though she is currently an educator (both at... Read More →
avatar for Jaymie Matthews

Jaymie Matthews

Jaymie Matthews is a UBC astrophysics professor who searches for planets beyond the Solar System and probes the hidden interiors of distant stars, using space telescopes as large as minivans and as small as car batteries. Jaymie is heavily involved in astronomy education and outreach... Read More →
TM

Trevor Melanson

Trevor Melanson is the author of Terminal City, a new dark fantasy novel published by EDGE. He's also the senior editor of Vancouver Magazine and has edited and written for many major national magazines and newspapers (occasionally, on geeky topics).
PW

Pauline Walsh

A second-generation nerd, Pauline grew up at conventions and SCA events. She's been part of geek culture all her life, and one day hopes to pay the bills with her writing, her art, or both. She has been a member of several VCON convention committees over the years. She is often mistaken... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 15:00 - 15:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

15:30 PDT

Reading: Rob Boffard
Panelists
RB

Rob Boffard

Rob Boffard is a South African author, journalist and rapper. His Outer Earth scifi trilogy is published worldwide by Orbit Books, and he writes about music and tech for The Guardian, Wired Magazine and more.

Sunday October 2, 2016 15:30 - 15:55 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

15:30 PDT

Turkey Readings
Bring your spare change to bid for or against the reading of truly terrible but professionally published science fiction and fantasy. The audience pays the panel to stop reading. Occasionally, passages are acted out. If you have something terrible in your collection, you're welcome to come and play. 

Proceeds from this event benefit CUFF, the Canadian Unity Fan Fund.

(1.5 hr)
Moderators
FS

Fran Skene

Fran Skene is a member of the Puppetry Renaissance Troupe and has extensive experience in scripting, producing, and performing in puppet shows. In fandom, Fran's credits include chairing/working on a number of conventions, plus she edited the local clubzine, helped to start two apazines... Read More →

Panelists
avatar for Joe Fulgham

Joe Fulgham

Host/Producer, Mote of Dust / The Dreaming / Caustic Soda
Joe makes podcasts about things he loves. For six years he hosted, produced, and edited "Caustic Soda", the podcast of the weird, gross, and disturbing. His latest project is "The Dreaming", a Read-Along podcast for Neil Gaiman's comic book treasure "The Sandman", hosted by the Mote... Read More →
avatar for Eileen Kernaghan

Eileen Kernaghan

Eileen Kernaghan lives in New Westminster. Her nine historical fantasy novels reflect her fascination with other times and places, from the prehistoric Indus Valley to Victorian England. Her most recent YA/teen novel, Sophie, in Shadow, shortlisted for a Sunburst Award for literature... Read More →
MT

Marcie Tentchoff

Marcie Lynn Tentchoff is an Aurora award winning writer/poet/editor from Gibsons, BC. Her work has appeared in such publications as Weird Tales, Strange Horizons, and On Spec.
avatar for Casey J. Wolf

Casey J. Wolf

Casey June Wolf is a writer of occasional poems and speculative fiction stories that range from moody slipstream to hard science fiction. Upcoming publications include “Fog” in The Nettle Tree: Strangely Different Western Stories and several poems in Your Death Full of Flowers... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 15:30 - 16:50 PDT
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  Fandom & Conrunning   Writing & Publication

16:00 PDT

Reading: Alisha Knaff
Panelists
avatar for Alisha A. Knaff

Alisha A. Knaff

Editor in Chief, Razorgirl Press
I am a writer and editor of genre fiction. My own work is mostly urban fantasy, but Razorgirl publishes all manner of genre fiction. Come and see us in the dealers room!

Sunday October 2, 2016 16:00 - 16:25 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

16:00 PDT

Model Building Demonstrations - The Final Touches
Yes, the convention is winding down, but there's still a little time to visit with Monster attack and see what has been built over the weekend.
Come join us and ask those nagging questions that you've wondered about all weekend.
Panelists
MA

Monster Attack Team

Monster Attack Team Canada is an extraordinary club, started in 1989, consisting mostly of professional film designers and prop makers who work in “Hollywood North” as the local Vancouver film industry is called. (Stan Hyde, our Godzilla Fan GoH started M.A.T.C and Eric Chu... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 16:00 - 16:50 PDT
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making

16:00 PDT

Bricks & Roses
The convention is almost over and so here's your chance to tell us what you think about how things went.

Please stop in to let us know if you had any problems and what you'd like to see done about them, to tell us about anything new you'd like to suggest we try or old things we might do differently or if something (or someone) blew yours socks off and deserves some positive recognition. 
Panelists
avatar for R. Graeme Cameron

R. Graeme Cameron

Publisher / Editor, Polar Borealis Magazine
Fanzine Editor 30+ years, publishes semi-pro SF fiction zine Polar Borealis, won two Aurora Awards, and writes fanzine review column for Amazing Stories (currently on hiatus).
avatar for Jenni Merrifield

Jenni Merrifield

UX/UI Design Specialist, Jenni Merrifield
Jenni is a UX designer by trade and an SF&F geek by choice. Her favourite fandoms include Star Wars (Han shot first!), Harry Potter (she's a Ravenclaw), Firefly/Serenity (Browncoats unite!) & the Honorverse (Let's be about it!)
avatar for Chris Sturges

Chris Sturges

President, Fired Up Events
Chris Sturges is Special Effects technician, Business owner, event manager, social engineer, long time VCON supporter and volunteer and a bunch of other things as well...
SW

Susan Walsh

A fan from the day she discovered books in the public library with rocket ships on the spine, since the first VCON she's been on panels, impersonated dead authors, taught origami, proofread, and (mostly) fed people.
RW

Rose Wilson

Art Show Director, VCON ConCom

Sunday October 2, 2016 16:00 - 16:50 PDT
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Fandom & Conrunning

16:00 PDT

Beyond Lovecraft
Lovecraft is synonymous with Weird Horror fiction, sometimes even with the whole field of horror fiction. But who are the contemporary writers making a splash in this field? And what of the other, older writers of the Weird that time has forgotten?
Moderators
avatar for Julie McGalliard

Julie McGalliard

Julie McGalliard is a writer and occasional cartoonist. Her first novel, Waking Up Naked in Strange Places, was released in 2015.

Panelists
RB

Rob Boffard

Rob Boffard is a South African author, journalist and rapper. His Outer Earth scifi trilogy is published worldwide by Orbit Books, and he writes about music and tech for The Guardian, Wired Magazine and more.
PD

Peter Darbyshire

Peter Darbyshire is the author of five novels, including the Cross series of supernatural thrillers written under the pen name Peter Roman. He also writes for the Vancouver Sun and Province newspapers.
avatar for Graham Darling

Graham Darling

Author, Scientist & Medievalist, Active Materials Inc.
Dr Graham D Darling designs new molecules with weird properties. As Graham J Darling (from another middle name), he writes as fiction what the world isn't ready for as fact. As Doctor Carus, he demonstrates medieval sci/tech to scholars of all ages.
avatar for Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia's debut novel, Signal to Noise, was a British Fantasy, Locus, Sunburst and Aurora Award finalist. She has been nominated for the World Fantasy Award for her work as an editor. Her novel about Mexican vampires, Certain Dark Things, is out this October. http... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 16:00 - 16:50 PDT
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture

16:30 PDT

Reading: Judy McCrosky
Panelists
avatar for Judy McCrosky

Judy McCrosky

I'm the author of several books, with two new ones due out this year. I'm an experienced speaker and teacher of writing in a variety of genres. I love to talk to people about any and all aspects of writing and the writing life.

Sunday October 2, 2016 16:30 - 16:55 PDT
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Reading

16:30 PDT

teardown/setup
Room closed for Filk, Folk, Rock and More tear down and Closing Ceremonies setup
Sunday October 2, 2016 16:30 - 17:00 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

16:30 PDT

workshops setup/cleanup
Room closed for workshop cleanup and setup
Sunday October 2, 2016 16:30 - 17:00 PDT
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

17:00 PDT

Closing Ceremonies
Come and join us to say goodbye to VCON for another year!  We hope you all had fun!
 
Moderators
avatar for Spider Robinson

Spider Robinson

Cheap Executive Offficer, Tottering-on-the-Brink
Spider Robinson is renowned as one of Canada's most popular science fiction writers. Born in New York, NY, he has lived in Canada for nearly 40 years, mostly in Halifax and Vancouver. He wrote his first SF short story, "The Guy with the Eyes" (published in 1971) to escape the boredom... Read More →

Panelists
avatar for Jamie Anderson

Jamie Anderson

VCON 41 Supermarionation Guest of HonorJamie Anderson is the younger son of the late Gerry Anderson – the man behind cult TV shows like Fireball XL5, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Space: 1999, and of course Thunderbirds.Jamie had always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps... Read More →
avatar for R. Graeme Cameron

R. Graeme Cameron

Publisher / Editor, Polar Borealis Magazine
Fanzine Editor 30+ years, publishes semi-pro SF fiction zine Polar Borealis, won two Aurora Awards, and writes fanzine review column for Amazing Stories (currently on hiatus).
avatar for Eric Chu

Eric Chu

VCON 41 Film Design Guest of HonorBorn in Hong Kong at a very early age, Eric quickly exhibited an interest in design and film. Even as a young child, directing seemed to be in his blood, but an uncooperative cast of plastic farm animals would prove to be an endless source of frustration... Read More →
avatar for Stan Hyde

Stan Hyde

Stan is a model builder and artist, retired English literature, film and drama teacher, and a bona fide Godzilla expert (he has more than 200 models of Godzilla, each one different and can look at a photo of Godzilla and identify the movie the still came from by the shape of the ear... Read More →
avatar for Karl Johanson

Karl Johanson

Editor, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Editor Guest of HonourKarl Johanson is not just an exceptional editor of a marvelous magazine, he is—behind his unassuming exterior—a mad genius whose team is, against all logic, constantly pulling off these completely astounding projects.During the 1990s, Karl co-edited... Read More →
avatar for Stephanie Johanson

Stephanie Johanson

co-owner, assistant editor, art director..., Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
VCON 41 Art Director Guest of HonourStephanie Johanson is the art director, assistant editor, on-staff artist, and co-owner of Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine. How the heck do you start up a science fiction magazine?The idea came to Stephanie around 4:00 AM one Sunday morning in... Read More →
avatar for Robert J. Sawyer

Robert J. Sawyer

SFWRITER.COM Inc.
VCON 41 Author Guest of HonorBorn in Ottawa in 1960, in his youth Robert dreamed of becoming a paleontologist specializing in dinosaurs, but upon discovering only about a dozen people worldwide made a living doing that, he decided to become one of the several hundred people making... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 17:00 - 17:50 PDT
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Fandom & Conrunning

17:00 PDT

hospitality tear-down
Room closed for post-convention tear-down.
Volunteers welcome - you can earn points towards a free Volunteer pass next year!
Sunday October 2, 2016 17:00 - 20:00 PDT
12a - Hospitality Suite Trillium (2nd Floor)
  z.closed

17:00 PDT

hospitality tear-down
Room closed for post-convention tear-down.
Volunteers welcome - you can earn points towards a free Volunteer pass next year!
Sunday October 2, 2016 17:00 - 20:00 PDT
12b - Hospitality Tap Room Dogwood (2nd Floor)
  z.closed
 
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