Continuum 14 Schedule

[calissa]

Next Friday I’ll be down in Melbourne gearing up for the start of Continuum 14. The Guests of Honour are Cat Sparks and Alison Evans. This will be my second year attending; I was really impressed by the programming last year and couldn’t resist coming back.

Speaking of programming, I’ve been scheduled on some fantastic panels this year.

So You Want to be a Book Reviewer
When: Friday, 8 June, 5 PM
Panelists: Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Marisa Wikramanayake, Figgy

An exploration of the best ways of getting on publisher lists, experiences had with publishers (positive or negative), and the pros and cons of e-copy of physical review copies.

Feminism and Tabletop Roleplaying Games
When: Friday, 8 June, 7 PM
Panelists: Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Bismuth, Tania Walker, Lexie (Darren), Brit Snaggel

Games that foster diversity and inclusivity. Games that specifically open space for genderqueer, asexual or disabled characters. Games that don’t necessarily focus on epic tales of heroism, but treat relationships and the domestic sphere as worthy of focus.

One Star
When: Monday, 11 June, 11 AM
Panelists: Devin Madson, Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Figgy, Liz Barr

How to handle negative reviews as an author and as a reviewer. Some forums, especially Goodreads, can foster an Us versus Them mentality. What’s the professional and respectful way to approach critical reviews?

Raise the Castle or Raze the Castle?
When: Monday, 11 June, 12:30 PM
Panelists: Lexie (Darren), Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Kathryn Andersen, Gillian Polack

Western Epic Fantasy seems to default to a European Feudal background. Why? Is this a good thing or a bad thing? What sort of different backgrounds would be good, without straying into the territory of cultural appropriation?

In addition to the panels, I’ll also be at the book launch for Mother of Invention taking place at 2 PM Sunday 10 June. I’m so proud to have a story in this anthology and I’m looking forward to seeing it out in the world.

If you’re along this year, please say hi! However, if Melbourne is a bit too far away for you or conventions aren’t your scene, I’ll be writing up a report once I’m home again.

Mirrored from Earl Grey Editing.

Comments

[winterbird]

Oh these all look super awesome. As for Goodreads, I laughed when I saw the 'what's the professional way to approach critical reviews' though. I just don't touch them. Goodreads is kind of a total cesspit of popularity wars between who can snark books the hardest and WIN the favour of their snark-happy friends (especially in m/m romance). Even though that hasn't started touching me yet, it will one day.

My basic rule for Goodreads is: 'Use it to catalogue what I'm reading.' 'NEVER INTERACT WITH ANY GOODREADS REVIEW FOR ANY REASON' (i.e. whether good or bad)

I like to pretend, as an author, it just doesn't exist.

Looking forward to the report, and hope it all goes really well! <3

[bunny_m]

Have fun razing the castle! =D

[onewhitecrow]

You know, until I read this comment I thought that said "cattle" and I was just vaguely bewildered at how shaved cows would make Fantasy less dominated by horrible Tolkien knockoffs...

[pantha]

Oh, that last one would be fascinating. Although the history nerd in me is begging for someone to point out that most medievaloid fantasies actually have a gloss of medieval but are way, way, way more early modern in their autocratic monarchies and general social set-up. *ahem*

I would devour an actually accurately medieval+magic book in a heartbeat (unfortunately the best example I can think of is Connie Willis' Domesday Book which is absolutely amazing but not really fantasy ... more soft sci fi if we are choosing a genre).