Busy weekend ahead at Balticon 55! I have seven events this weekend. Sign up for the entire convention is FREE… details here. Come check out all the great events. I’ll be posting my schedule daily and try to add summaries of each event as I have time. For now, here is everything I’ll be participating in all weekend long. Come join us!
Friday, May 28 at 10 pm EST: “Otherness” through the Lens of Asian Horror
Lee Murray (moderator), Geneve Flynn, Angela Yuriko Smith, Rena Mason
Black Cranes, Tales of Unquiet Women is a recent anthology featuring horror fiction by female writers of Southeast Asian descent, exploring the cultural and familial tensions of the authors’ unique backgrounds. Contributors to this anthology will discuss the horror genre’s role in opening dialogue and promoting diverse voices. (in schedule)
Saturday, May 29 at 1 pm EST: Flash Fiction: Tips, Tricks and Travails
dave ring (moderator), Angela Yuriko Smith, Mari Ness, Gabriella Etoniru, Julia Rios
Flash fiction has increasingly been given the attention it deserves as a distinct, distilled pleasure. Writer Nuala NíChonchúir suggests that “A good flash story is intense, urgent and often a little explosive, but also deep and clear, so the effect on the reader is like that of a poem – as you read it you admire its concision and, afterwards, it lingers.” Our panel will discuss sterling examples of the genre, pitfalls they’ve encountered, and suggestions for further reading. (in schedule)
Saturday, May 29 at 5:30 pm EST: Freelancing in the Publishing Industry
Angela Yuriko Smith (moderator), Nick Mamatas, Geneve Flynn, Valerie Frankel, Danielle Ackley-McPhail
How can one survive on their own in the wild, ever-changing world of genre publishing? Get some advice from people who have! (in schedule)
Saturday, May 29 at 8:30 pm EST: Warning Signs for New and Independent Authors
Joshua Bilmes (moderator), D.H. Aire, Alex Shvartsman, Julayne Hughes, Angela Yuriko Smith
It’s a jungle out there for new writers. Do you know the difference between a real publisher and a vanity press? What kind of scams are currently circulating? What rights are you giving away when you sign that contract… or even enter that contest? Panelists will give advice on how to navigate these and other pitfalls and give information on resources and communities that can help you out. (in schedule)
Sunday, May 30 at 2:30 pm EST: Stepping Outside Your Genre Comfort Zone
Ryan Van Loan (moderator), John Wiswell, Angela Yuriko Smith, Nino Cipri
When you’re interested in exploring other genres, it can be hard to figure out where to start. How do you find others who share your taste and will also expand your to-be-read pile with new authors? (in schedule)
Sunday, May 30 at 7 pm EST: Self-Publishing Your Novel: Critical Steps
Brenda Clough (moderator), Doc Coleman, Julayne Hughes, Angela Yuriko Smith, Wendy Van Camp
So, you have finished your novel and are thinking of hitting the publish button. Hold up! Has your book been properly edited? Do you have cover art that doesn’t look like a writer made it? (With apologies to those who can do their own covers). Our experts will talk about how to turn your manuscript into a book that looks like a real publisher made it. (in schedule)
Sunday, May 30 at 9 pm EST: Angela Yuriko Smith Reading “Vanilla Rice”
Author and poet Angela Yuriko Smith will read slipstream fiction in the Readings breakout room in Consuite. (in schedule)