CoKoCon in Phoenix just 2 weeks away!
CoKoCon is a nifty new convention happening over Labor Day weekend in Phoenix. They invited me there as their Local Author Guest of Honor, which is all kinds of cool. If you’re local or traveling through Phoenix at that time, do check it out! I know a number of people who can’t attend the larger area cons because they are simply too big and/or too expensive; I think CoKoCon should provide a lovely, more accessible alternative. Advance membership is $50 for the whole weekend, Friday through Monday, and $60 at the door; kids are half that.
There will be loads of activities from author panels to artists to filking (that’s fan folk music). Oh yeah, and the big author Guest of Honor is HARRY TURTLEDOVE. I’m looking forward to talking about alt history and cats with him (we talk cats quite often on Twitter!).
Here is my full schedule as of now, but be sure to check their actual site for any changes.
Friday, August 31
8pm
Surviving Social Media
Canyon 3, 8pm – 9pm
Gary W. Babb, Beth Cato, Thomas Watson, Stephanie Weippert
In the world of Sad Puppies, Comics Gaters and Rian Johnson haters, social media can be a minefield as much as it can be a promotional tool. Enjoy some tips on how to tread lightly in Reddit, how and how much to share, and what precautions and steps you can take when it becomes too intense.
Saturday, September 1
11am
Book Discussion: A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet
Lobby Pit, 11am – 12pm
Beth Cato, Michael Senft
Join Beth Cato and Michael Senft as they host a book discussion on A Long Way to Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers.
3:30pm
Steampunk—More Than Airships
Canyon 3, 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Ashley Carlson, Beth Cato, David Lee Summers, Cynthia Ward
It’s not just flying anachronisms; steampunk is an aesthetic. Beth Cato leads our panel of authors in examining the style and the tropes of this whimsical version of alternate history.
5pm
Meet the Guests
Terrace, 5pm – 6pm
Here’s a chance to meet all our GoH in one place, at one time.
8pm
Strong Female Characters
Canyon 3, 8pm – 9pm
Ashley Carlson, Beth Cato, Jenn Czep, Jamie Wyman
For ages the strong female character was able to kick ass with the men in her chainmail bikini. Thankfully, that has changed. From Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Hermione Granger, we look at what makes a strong woman in the 21st century.
Sunday, September 2
10:30am
Spotlight on Beth Cato
Terrace, 10:30am – 11:30am
12:30pm
Mental Health Check for Writers and Readers
Canyon 3, 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Ashley Carlson, Beth Cato, Eric T. Knight, Marsheila Rockwell
Our panelists lead a frank talk about mental issues, how they influence their stories and how they impact the writing process.
2pm
What If
Canyon 3, 2pm – 3pm
Beth Cato, H. Paul Honsinger, Sue Martin, Harry Turtledove
Alternate history revolves around critical points in history, where one little change creates massive ripples. Join our Guests of Honor Harry Turtledove and Beth Cato as they discuss these touch points, and what a little nudge in one direction or the other might spawn.
5pm
Magic Systems
Canyon 3, 5pm – 6pm
Beth Cato, Bruce Davis, Avily Jerome, Eric T. Knight
They are the heart of every high fantasy. And with writers like Rothfuss and Sanderson, they’ve become a science. Our panelists discuss their favorites and how to create a workable magic system, whether rigidly scientific or more numinous à la Tolkien—and when to use which.
8pm
Magic & Mayhem—Trickster Stories
Canyon 3, 8pm – 9pm
Ashley Carlson, Beth Cato, Jenn Czep, Jamie Wyman
We all love Loki and not just because of Tom Hiddleston. This panel looks at the trickster archetype, from myth and legend through modern fantasy. But let’s be honest, there will probably be a lot of talk about Tom Hiddleston!
Monday, September 3
2pm
Childhood Favorites
Canyon 3, 2pm – 3pm
Beth Cato, Tom Leveen, Jeff Mariotte, Marsheila Rockwell
What books inspired you to become a writer? What are the cherished stories and beloved authors that provided the muse for our panelists? They will reminisce about their favorites and maybe discuss a few current favorites as well.
#SFWAPro
Read MorePhoenix Comic Fest 2018
Phoenix Comic Fest begins today! Here’s a re-post of all the relevant info. My full schedule can be found on their site and is also in their app. I’ll be posting pictures and info on Twitter and Facebook throughout the event.
Friday
12:00 pm
Magic Systems in literature :: North 126C
3:00 pm
Gods and Faiths in Fiction :: North 125AB
4:30 pm
Signing – Sam Sykes, Beth Cato, Aprilynne Pike, Jon Skovron, Myke Cole :: North 124AB
8:00 pm to 11:30 pm
Drinks with Authors :: North 120CD
Join authors and other creators for a glass or two in an informal setting. We’ll have door prizes, giveaways and raffles to support Kids Need To Read. Cost is $10 to attend.
Saturday
10:30 am
Bigger Isn’t Better- Short Stories :: North 125AB
12:00 pm
Signing – Beth Cato, Rae Carson, Amy Lukavics :: North 124AB
#SFWAPro
Read MoreElevengeddon + Phoenix Comic Fest
This is a busy week for me! Events kick off tomorrow with Elevengeddon at Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale at 7pm. Note that I am not listed on the site but unless I come down with plague, I will be there! PLEASE bring books/buy books. I’ll have cookies~.
I’ll also be carrying (cookies) at Phoenix Comic Fest, the con once known as Phoenix Comic Con. My schedule is fairly light this year, which is kind of refreshing, honestly. I hope to attend some panels I’m not sitting on. My full schedule can be found on their site and is also in their app.
Friday
12:00 pm
Magic Systems in literature :: North 126C
3:00 pm
Gods and Faiths in Fiction :: North 125AB
4:30 pm
Signing – Sam Sykes, Beth Cato, Aprilynne Pike, Jon Skovron, Myke Cole :: North 124AB
8:00 pm to 11:30 pm
Drinks with Authors :: North 120CD
Join authors and other creators for a glass or two in an informal setting. We’ll have door prizes, giveaways and raffles to support Kids Need To Read. Cost is $10 to attend.
Saturday
10:30 am
Bigger Isn’t Better- Short Stories :: North 125AB
(note that I’ll likely be doing a quick dash for lunch before the signing, so if I’m late, that’s why)
12:00 pm
Signing – Beth Cato, Rae Carson, Amy Lukavics :: North 124AB
Tucson Festival of Books on March 10th
The Tucson Festival of Books is this weekend, and I’ll be attending on Saturday March 10th! (Psst. I’ll have cookies.) I will be wandering around, and then I have the main event:
– Magical History panel from 4-5pm
Gail Carriger, Beth Cato and Mindy Tarquini, authors of novels filled with magic and mystery will discuss alternative earth histories where magic, the paranormal or time travel are real. Assistive listening devices available.
Where: Student Union Santa Rita
A signing will immediately follow the panel at the UA BookStore Tent on the Mall
I hope to see you around!
#SFWAPro
Read MorePixel Project Live Chat via YouTube Sunday at 6pm PST
Sunday at 6pm I am participating in a YouTube Live chat with The Pixel Project, an awesome organization working to stop violence against women. They work with artists and authors throughout the year, and I’m delighted to talk with them for the first time! Tune in to ask questions or simply watch as I discuss my books and even read an excerpt from Call of Fire.
Directly access the chat at this link.
Be sure to check out the other women authors who are taking part in the coming weeks, too!
#SFWAPro
Read MoreWorld Fantasy Schedule
I’m headed to World Fantasy Con in San Antonio next week! My panel schedule is light for once–that means I actually get to attend other panels and readings! Yay! I will also be doing the tourist thing with Novella the Sloth as my stalwart companion. I’ve been to San Antonio a few times before, but there is always more to see… and taste. I’m going to hunt me down some good BBQ.
I am already being asked,” Will you bring cookies?” The answer, of course, is YES! That said, I’m encouraging folks to get cookies at two particular places:
– I’m donating cookies to the Tiptree Award bake sale that takes place Friday 12:30-3pm in the hospitality suite. Buy my cookies, support a great cause!
– I’ll be at the Fairwood Press booth in the exhibit hall to sign Red Dust and Dancing Horses. You don’t have to buy a book to get a cookie, but the books will be right there, so I hope some people will be enticed to acquire new reading material.
Thursday Panel
02:00 PM to 03:00 PM (1 hour)
Where: WR – ExecSalon 2 (Ardath Mayhar)
Guns, Gears and Wheels: Making Plausible Historical Choices in an Industrializing World
Some fantasies focus on the natural magics inherent in the world; others on derived magics found or developed by human or nonhuman cultures. Writers have to balance the existence of magic with the development of technology over time. Tolkien envisioned human industry and technology as part of the evil. Roger Zelazny played magic against technology in his Changeling stories. Neal Stephenson directly examined the place of technology in a monastic society in Anathem. Our panelists will discuss what historical inventions would change in a world that includes magic. What are the continuing prospects for technology in historical fantasy and who is doing it right?
With Alan Smale (mod), moi, Stina Leicht, Tracy Caulfield
If you want to know where I am (and where my cookies are), follow me on Twitter and Facebook.
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