My Virtual CoKoCon Schedule for September 4th through 6th
CoKoCon is September 3rd through 6th! The convention is online and totally free. To attend, you must register and use their Discord server. Find out all about that on their website. Please also check out the charity book auction, which will benefit a great local group, the Joshua Tree Feeding Program.
Here’s my final schedule. I say final, but of course, things may change and the internet may choose to be fickle at the worst possible time. Find the full schedule for the weekend here. All times are Pacific time.
Saturday, September 4
2:00pm – 3:00pm Steampunk in the Round
What is it that makes steampunk a lasting trend? We’ll discuss: The evolution of steampunk, how do you see it in a few years? The literary and media side of steampunk. The commercial side of steampunk. The splinter divisions of Steampunk. Q&A with audience.
3:15pm – 4:15pm The Wonderful World of Cheese
Join author Beth Cato and friends as she leads a lively discussion on the world of cheese, from its early history to modern day.
5:45pm – 6:45pm From the Paddock to Pern
Judith Tarr. Tamora Pierce. Robin McKinley. Mercedes Lackey. Our panelists discuss the impact of “horse girl” fantasy.
Sunday, September 5
10:15am – 11:15am Book Discussion: The Calculating Stars
Join avid reader and sometime blogger Michael Senft, and Nebula and Dragon award nominee Beth Cato (The Clockwork Dagger, Breath of Earth) as they discuss Mary Robinette Kowal’s award-winning “Lady Astronaut” alternate history.
2:00pm – 3:00pm Author Self-Care: COVID Edition
Surviving the past year has been an ordeal for everyone. Our authors talk about how COVID affected them, and what they did (and are still doing) to cope with pandemic, lockdown and deadlines.
4:30pm – 5:30pm Writing Speculative Poetry
Join our panelists as they discuss writing speculative poetry, as well as share their own works.
Monday, September 6
2:00pm – 3:00pm From Tabletop to Text and Vice Versa
Whether Dungeons & Dragons or Final Fantasy, our panelists discuss how gaming influenced their writing, and how their writing influences their gaming.
#SFWAPro
FREE Virtual Cog Match Game this Saturday! Theme: CHEESE
If you follow me on social media, you may be aware that I have a deep and abiding affection for cheese. My reputation is leading to fun and interesting opportunities!
A bunch of steampunkers, myself included, are taking part in a cheese-themed version of the classic game show Match Game this coming Saturday July 10th at 8pm Pacific. It’s free and online. When you sign up, you can indicate if you want to be audience or maybe participate. No pressure either way. You better brie-lieve this will be a game packed with hilarity and cheese wisdom you’ll want to share with everyone you meet in the coming days!
Poetry reading and interview on YouTube: “A Purring Cat is a Time Machine”
Todd Sullivan is accumulating a wonderful number of author showcases and interviews on YouTube, and included me in his series on How to Read Poetry. I read my poem “A Purring Cat is a Time Machine,” originally published in Daikaijuzine, and then answer some interview questions on poetry. Enjoy!
Read MoreMy Capclave Online Schedule for October 17-18
I’m happy to announce that I’m taking part in Capclave’s online convention over the weekend of October 17th and 18th. This con only costs $10 for a membership! For two packed days of convention! Do note that the convention is Eastern time–that’s important for me to be mindful of, as it means I need to be ready for my first panel at 5:45am. *gulp*
In addition to several panels AND a reading and a kaffeeklatsch shared with friends, I’ll also be watching the WSFA Small Press Award Ceremony on Saturday because my story “The Blighted Godling of Company Town H” is in the running! (You can read it or listen to the podcast over at Beneath Ceaseless Skies.)
The full schedule is available here. Below are my events, which are, of course, subject to change, especially in the topsy-turvy year of 2020. Follow my Twitter and Facebook for the latest news.
Saturday
9:00 am Eastern / 6:00 am Pacific Speculative Poetry
Participants: Beth Cato, Ada Hoffmann, B. Sharise Moore, Samusara, Catherynne Valente
There is a lot of poetry with speculative and horror themes, but it doesn’t always receive a lot of love at conventions. Our panelists discuss their themes and may even share some brief recitations of their favorites.
1:30 pm Eastern / 10:30 am Pacific Author Reading – Cato, Colter, & Greenblatt
Join Cato, Colter, & Greenblatt for an hour-long reading of their fiction.
4:30 pm Eastern / 1:30 pm Pacific Kaffeeklatsch – Cato, Colter & Greenblatt
Join Beth Cato, L.D. Colter and A.T. Greenblatt for a small-group discussion on anything of interest. Limited spaces, advanced sign-up required.
6:00 pm Eastern / 3:00 pm Pacific WSFA Small Press Award Ceremony
Sunday
1:30 pm Eastern / 10:30 am Pacific When To Outline and When To Pants It
Participants: Beth Cato, Scott Edelman, Mary Fan, Carolyn Ives Gilman, Alan Smale (M)
“Fleshing out a detailed outline” versus “Diving right into an idea and seeing where the story goes” is one of the perennial debates of the writing craft. What are the advantages of each approach? What are the weaknesses and limitations? Our panelists will discuss when to prefer one approach over the other, and when it’s a good idea to switch to the opposite style even when it’s not your preferred method.
3:00 pm / Noon Pacific Best Fiction of 2020
Participants: Beth Cato, Andy Duncan, Sarah Pinsker, A.C. Wise (M)
Best Novels & Short fiction of 2020. What is the best new fiction you read (or heard about) in 2020. Suggestions for what should be nominated for various awards.
#SFWAPro
Read Morer/Fantasy Virtual Con
The Fantasy community on Reddit is hosting a virtual convention throughout April. The posts are completely free and available to the public. Just show up each day and follow along! You don’t have to be registered on Reddit, but if you are, you can participate in the con and other threads as well.
I’m scheduled for two panels thus far:
Sat Apr 11: Short Fiction Panel w/ Ken Liu, John Wiswell, Beth Cato, Zen Cho, Amal El-Mohtar
Mon April 20: Fantasy Romance Panel w/ Stephanie Burgis, Beth Cato, J. Kathleen Cheney, Jeffe Kennedy, Quenby Olson, C.L. Polk
Read MoreCoKoCon 2019 Schedule
CoKoCon takes place over Labor Day weekend at the Doubletree at MetroCenter in north Phoenix. I’ll be there Friday until Monday morning, with a packed schedule of panels. This is a fantastic small con. If you’re in the area, grab a membership and come by.
I have one scheduled booksigning time on Sunday but really, so long as I don’t need to rush to a panel or to eat, I’m happy to stop, talk, and sign stuff. There’s an awesome local bookseller on-site named Duncan who will have lots of my books for sale, too.
Yes, I will have cookies BUT note that if it’s like last year, I cannot feed people in common areas or the con could get in trouble with the venue. I can only share cookies in the con suite or in party rooms.
A mobile device-friendly version of my schedule can also be found here and includes full descriptions. Changes to my schedule will be posted on Twitter and Facebook.
Friday, August 30
5pm
Selling Yourself: Author Branding for Fun and (Hopefully) Profit
Canyon 3, 5pm – 6pm
8pm
Twisted Tropes: Writing Stale Tropes Like Unicorns and Vampires in Fresh New Ways
Canyon 3, 8pm – 9pm
Saturday, August 31
10am
Book Discussion: All Systems Red
Lobby Pit, 10am – 11am
11:30am
A Courtesy of Compliments
Terrace, 11:30am – 12:30pm
1pm
Steampunk Round Table
Terrace, 1pm – 2pm
7:30pm
Writing and Gaming: How RPGs and Video Games Influence Your Writing
Canyon 3, 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Sunday, September 1
11:30am
Author Self-Care: Spoon Management
Canyon 3, 11:30am – 12:30pm
1pm
Signing: Beth Cato and Judith Starkston
Dealers’ Room, 1pm – 2pm
2:30pm
How to Critique
Canyon 3, 2:30pm – 3:30pm
6pm
Surviving Historical Fiction Research
Canyon 3, 6pm – 7pm
#SFWAPro
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