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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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Writing & Publication [clear filter]
Friday, September 30
 

12:00

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
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

12:00

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’s speculative short fiction has been published in zines, magazines and anthologies, most recently: Edge Press’ Compostela -Tesseracts Twenty); Exile’s Dead North and Playground of Lost Toys. Her spooky children’s series, Grim Hill, has been translated into French, Spanish... 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
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

13:00

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
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making   Writing & Publication

13:00

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
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

13:00

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

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
08 - Small Workshops Boardroom (1st Floor)
  Writing & Publication

14:00

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
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Writing & Publication   Art Craft & Making

14:00

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
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

14:00

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 left-handed, Jewish, dyslexic, insomniac who stays up all night wrestling with Dog. A creative writer and technical editor, her poetry and flash fiction have won awards, including the City of Surrey Youth Recognition Award in Creative Contributions. She has been... 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. Recent works appear in the Aurora-nominated Clockwork Canada, Lazarus Risen, and the Aurora-winning Second Contacts. Find her at hollyschofield.wordpress.com... Read More →

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

16:00

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

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
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making   Small Press Cabal   Writing & Publication

16:00

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
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Small Press Cabal   Writing & Publication

16:00

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. Recent works appear in the Aurora-nominated Clockwork Canada, Lazarus Risen, and the Aurora-winning Second Contacts. Find her at hollyschofield.wordpress.com... Read More →

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

17:00

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
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Writing & Publication

17:00

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 left-handed, Jewish, dyslexic, insomniac who stays up all night wrestling with Dog. A creative writer and technical editor, her poetry and flash fiction have won awards, including the City of Surrey Youth Recognition Award in Creative Contributions. She has been... 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
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

17:00

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
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

19:00

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. Recent works appear in the Aurora-nominated Clockwork Canada, Lazarus Risen, and the Aurora-winning Second Contacts. Find her at hollyschofield.wordpress.com... 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 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
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

19:00

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
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Reading   Writing & Publication

20:00

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
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Writing & Publication

21:00

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’s speculative short fiction has been published in zines, magazines and anthologies, most recently: Edge Press’ Compostela -Tesseracts Twenty); Exile’s Dead North and Playground of Lost Toys. Her spooky children’s series, Grim Hill, has been translated into French, Spanish... 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
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Games & Game Design   Media & Popular Culture   Writing & Publication

21:00

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
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

23:00

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’s speculative short fiction has been published in zines, magazines and anthologies, most recently: Edge Press’ Compostela -Tesseracts Twenty); Exile’s Dead North and Playground of Lost Toys. Her spooky children’s series, Grim Hill, has been translated into French, Spanish... 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
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Writing & Publication
 
Saturday, October 1
 

10:00

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
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Games & Game Design   Media & Popular Culture   Science & Skepticism   Writing & Publication

10:00

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
08 - Small Workshops Boardroom (1st Floor)
  Writing & Publication

11:00

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
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  Music Dance & Performance   Writing & Publication

11:00

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
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

12:00

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
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Religion Philosophy & History   Writing & Publication

12:00

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
01 - Large Programming 1 (with AV) Tynehead 3 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

13:00

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
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Clubs & Organizations   Writing & Publication

13:00

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
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Small Press Cabal   Writing & Publication

13:00

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
08 - Small Workshops Boardroom (1st Floor)
  Small Press Cabal   Writing & Publication

13:30

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
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making   Kid Stuff   Writing & Publication

14:00

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

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
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Games & Game Design   GoH Session   Media & Popular Culture   Science & Skepticism   Writing & Publication

14:30

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
08 - Small Workshops Boardroom (1st Floor)
  Small Press Cabal   Writing & Publication

14:30

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. Recent works appear in the Aurora-nominated Clockwork Canada, Lazarus Risen, and the Aurora-winning Second Contacts. Find her at hollyschofield.wordpress.com... 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.
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
07 - Large Workshops Green Timber 4 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

16:00

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
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Small Press Cabal   Writing & Publication

16:30

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
08 - Small Workshops Boardroom (1st Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Writing & Publication

18:00

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
08 - Small Workshops Boardroom (1st Floor)
  Small Press Cabal   Writing & Publication

18:00

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
04 - MAT Programming Green Timber 1 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Writing & Publication   Art Craft & Making   Fandom & Conrunning

19:30

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’s speculative short fiction has been published in zines, magazines and anthologies, most recently: Edge Press’ Compostela -Tesseracts Twenty); Exile’s Dead North and Playground of Lost Toys. Her spooky children’s series, Grim Hill, has been translated into French, Spanish... Read More →
avatar for Dave Levine

Dave Levine

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

Jo-Anne McBride

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
05 - Medium Programming 1 (with AV) Green Timber 2 (2nd Floor)
  Religion Philosophy & History   Writing & Publication
 
Sunday, October 2
 

10:00

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
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Art Craft & Making   Games & Game Design   Music Dance & Performance   Writing & Publication

10:00

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 J. Darling

Graham J. 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’s speculative short fiction has been published in zines, magazines and anthologies, most recently: Edge Press’ Compostela -Tesseracts Twenty); Exile’s Dead North and Playground of Lost Toys. Her spooky children’s series, Grim Hill, has been translated into French, Spanish... Read More →
avatar for Rissa Johnson

Rissa Johnson

Rissa Johnson is a left-handed, Jewish, dyslexic, insomniac who stays up all night wrestling with Dog. A creative writer and technical editor, her poetry and flash fiction have won awards, including the City of Surrey Youth Recognition Award in Creative Contributions. She has been... 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. Recent works appear in the Aurora-nominated Clockwork Canada, Lazarus Risen, and the Aurora-winning Second Contacts. Find her at hollyschofield.wordpress.com... Read More →

Sunday October 2, 2016 10:00 - 13:00
08 - Small Workshops Boardroom (1st Floor)
  Writing & Publication

11:00

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
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Media & Popular Culture   Writing & Publication

11:00

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
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Religion Philosophy & History   Science & Skepticism   Writing & Publication

12:00

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
06 - Medium Programming 2 (Readings) Green Timber 3 (2nd Floor)
  Science & Skepticism   Writing & Publication

13:30

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
08 - Small Workshops Boardroom (1st Floor)
  Writing & Publication

15:00

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
02 - Large Programming 2 Tynehead 2 (2nd Floor)
  Writing & Publication

15:30

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
03 - Interactive Programming Tynehead 1 (2nd Floor)
  Fandom & Conrunning   Writing & Publication