Winter starts this weekend, which means Continuum is just around the corner! Continuum 15 also happens to be Australia’s Natcon this year. It will be held in Melbourne on 7-10 June and the Guests of Honour are Kate Elliott and Ken Liu. I’m super excited to be attending!

I’m also delighted to be scheduled on some fantastic panels this year:

Roll of the Dice
When: Friday, 7 June, 6 PM
Panelists: Elizabeth Fitzgerald (moderator), David McGorlick, Lauren Mitchell

Roleplaying games seem to increase in popularity every year and more and more media is produced off the back of our love of them. Podcasts, videos, novelisations and more. What attracts us to these worlds and this way of gaming and how much bigger will this industry grow?

Recommendations Panel
When: Monday, 10 June, 11 AM
Panelists: Elizabeth Fitzgerald (moderator), Sam Hawke, Tam

Get ready to blow up your TBR pile!

Evil cackle? What evil cackle? I don’t hear anything.

In between panels, GoH talks and awards ceremonies, I plan to fit in a tea expedition to Lupicia and a game of Monster of the Week with the usual suspects.

If you’re along this year, please say hi!

Mirrored from Earl Grey Editing.

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.

Conflux, Canberra’s annual convention for speculative fiction writers and fans, begins next week! This year it is taking place from Friday 30 September until Monday 3 October and the theme is Red Fire Monkey, after the Chinese astrological year. Special guests are David Farland, a best-selling fantasy author and writing instructor all the way from the US, and Australian dark fantasy/horror author Alan Baxter. Sean Williams will be the MC. As usual, I will be attending and am very much looking forward to making some new friends as well as catching up with some old ones.

Where to find me

I will be sitting on two panels. Exact details are subject to change.

Books I’ve loved

When: Saturday, 1 October, 4:30 PM

Where: Reid Room
Novotel Canberra
65 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra

The panel name speaks for itself, really.

Exploring Ann Leckie’s Imperial Radch

When: Sunday, 2 October, 3:30 PM

Where: Clarke Room

A discussion about how spec-fic is pushing the boundaries of gender diversity. I’m really looking forward to this panel.

If you have an interest in speculative fiction and can make it along, please stop by and say hi! I love getting to know new people. However, if Canberra is a little too far away for you or attending conventions is not your sort of thing, there’s no need for you to miss out entirely. I shall be posting a convention report once the excitement is over (and I’ve had the chance for a few restorative cups of tea).