It’s November 1st! That means in a few weeks (17 days), I’ll be making a pilgrimage to the lovely city of Portland, Oregon where I will be attending Orycon 39. This will be my first Orycon, and I couldn’t be more excited.
I’m not running a table, but I’ll be on a whole bunch of panels, and on Friday night I’m doing a reading! As with previous conventions, I’ve listed out my schedule below. Find out more about my fellow panelists by clicking on their names, links go to their respective corners on the web. Buy their books, bring ’em with you and get ’em signed. As before, it’ll be a blast sitting alongside such talent.
If you see me in the hallway, feel free to say hello! I’m happy to join in on a game, grab a beer, or just talk shop. I’m the big guy wearing all black.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17th
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17th2:00 PM – 3:00 PM — The Paranormal as Metaphor
Location: White Stag
Moderator: Blythe Ayne
Panelists: Mike Chinakos, Ann Gimpel, Rachel Swirsky, K. M. Alexander
Details: Is a vampire ever just a vampire?
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM — Checks & Balances: Magic in a Fantasy Setting
Location: Wenatchee, Room 166
Moderator: Diana Pharaoh Francis
Panelists: Elliott Kay, S. B. Sebrick, K. M. Alexander
Details: Every great spell or power has a disclaimer attached. Join our pros as they address the balance of having compelling and powerful magic in fantasy while avoiding making it a panacea or Deus ex Machina.
7:30 PM – 8:00 PM — K. M. Alexander Reading
Location: Millennium Falcon, Room 252
Moderator: K. M. Alexander
Details: Hey, would you look at this! I’m doing a reading. Before you hit up a room party or turn in for the evening why not come by and listen to me read a creepy excerpt from one of my books. Which book? We will see.
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18th
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM — Nanowrimo: What is It, and Why or Why Not?
Location: Spokane, Room 256
Moderator: Lee French
Panelists: Josh Boykin, Jason M. Hough, Jennifer Linnaea, K. M. Alexander
Details: National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo) has caught on and gets bigger every year. What it’s all about, where to sign up, and whether it’s a good idea to participate. The pluses and pitfalls of writing a novel in the month of November.
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM — Fantasy with Non-European settings
Location: Pendleton
Moderator: Fonda Lee
Panelists: Alma Alexander, Leah Cutter, Joyce Reynolds-Ward, K. M. Alexander
Details: Laura Anne Gilman’s Devil’s West, Nisi Shawl and Everfair, my Goddess’s Honor series, and others all have non-Western settings. What are the others? Why are they important?
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM — Ghost in the Vegan Bar
Location: Lion Kings Den, Room 266
Moderator: Shawna Reppert
Panelists: Tori Centanni, K. M. Alexander
Details: The Pacific Northwest is known for our haunted spots. Where are they? What are their stories? Where is the “proof”?
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19th
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Overturning the Cart
Location: White Stag
Moderator: Alma Alexander
Panelists: Eva L. Elasigue, K. M. Alexander
Details: Revolution and rebellion in fantasy fiction.
As always, I’m planning to be active on social media throughout the weekend. I’m (@KM_Alexander on Twitter and @KMAlexander on Instagram) follow me! You can register for Orycon 39 here and get passes to all three days for only $65. There’s also a lot of information at 39.OryCon.org including details on this year’s guests of honor, activities, events, information on the hotel, and a lot more.
Orycon 39 is coming, Portland. Hopefully, I’ll see you there!