Convolution2014: Full Schedule

Shael Hawman lives in the heart of Silicon Valley. Her three cats graciously share the house with her and her mother. In addition to banging sticks together to produce knitted goodies, she writes under the name Sheryl Hayes. When she is not knitting or writing, she works full time... Read More →

Friday September 26, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Conifer

Panel, art, costuming

14:00 PDT

Pepakura

Introduction to pepakura - what it is, how to do it, and what materials to use

Guests

Chris Blackwood

Krys Blackwood

Krys has been a fan for her whole life, and has been costuming for about five years now. She loves faithfully recreating her favorite film and tv costumes, but enjoys designing her own even more. During the day Krys designs software to be fun and easy to use. During her spare time... Read More →

Friday September 26, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Pine

Panel, art, cosplay, costuming

14:00 PDT

The Classics of SF.

There is so much to read already with the new stuff, so how do you advise a new reader about SF's great heritage?

Moderators

Bradford Lyau

Guests

Deborah J. Ross

Deborah J. Ross is an award-nominated writer and editor of fantasy and science fiction. She served as SFWA Secretary and is currently on the Board of Directors of Book View Cafe. Her novels include Lambda Literary Award Finalist Collaborators (as Deborah Wheeler), The Seven-Petaled... Read More →

Dave Trowbridge

Dave Trowbridge wrote high-tech marketing copy for almost thirty years. This has made him an expert in what he calls “pulling stuff out of the cave of the flying monkeys,” so science fiction comes naturally. He abandoned corporate life in 2007—actually, it abandoned him—but... Read More →

Guests of Honor

Jeff Sturgeon

Friday September 26, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Sumac

Panel, literature, writing

14:00 PDT

We Love Wonder Woman!

Wonder Woman debuted in 1941, the creation of a man who wanted boys and girls to see a female superhero. Since then Wonder Woman has remained a feminist icon even when her writers and artists haven't gotten the message themselves. In this panel we talk about the history of Wonder Woman and why she is so important not only to the culture of comics but to our broader culture as well.

Moderators

SallyRose

Tesser Inc.

Sally Rose is a wandering soul who yearns to see distant shores. She has traveled her entire life: from being born in Florida, growing up in New Jersey, to her teenage years in Germany, Belgium and Morocco and ending up in sunny California. She’s a happy Goth Geek Girl who loves... Read More →

Guests

Taunya Gren

A little bit about myself...I've been acting professionally for 38 years, directing and producing film for 15 years and singing with the band "Puzzlebox" for 17 years (Puzzlebox will be performing in the UK in 2014!) I am a professional science fiction/fantasy artist and was a 3d... Read More →

Carrie Sessarego

reviewer, Geek Girl In Love and Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Carrie Sessarego is the geek reviewer for "Smart Bitches, Trashy Books" (smartbitchestrashybooks.com), where she reviews science fiction and fantasy romance. She's also the creator and writer of "Geek Girl in Love" (geekgirlinlove.com), where she reviews science fiction, fantasy... Read More →

Friday September 26, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Harbor A

Panel, comics, film, media, television

14:00 PDT

Writing fiction and breathing characters and new worlds to life -

Authors discuss fiction, building believable characters and how to world build without losing your mind.

Moderators

Steven Mix

Falkor Publishing

Steven Mix has worked with the autism community for a non profit organization and he was a paratrooper in the U.S. Army. After suffering a traumatic brain injury in the military, he became obsessed with zombies and horror and now works to bring his darkness into the world in a fun... Read More →

Guests

Kyle Aisteach

Kyle Aisteach is a short storyist who lives in Fresno, where he also teaches writing. www.aisteach.com or @kyleaistaech

Candace Lowe

C. Sanford Lowe (pen name of Candace S. Lowe) is a science fiction writer who co-authored the novel, "The Black Hole Project", with G. David Nordley. Formerly a newspaper reporter in Boston, a deputy sheriff in Arizona, and an airline pilot in New Mexico, an IT staffer at Stanford... Read More →

Helen Stringer

Helen Stringer, grew up in Liverpool, England, and currently lives in Redwood City in northern California. While in Liverpool, she was active in the music scene where she edited local music paper MerseySound while researching the life of the Countess of Sefton through her late 19th... Read More →

Friday September 26, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Oak

Panel, writing

14:00 PDT

XCOR: Countdown to first flight

XCOR Aerospace, a Mojave Ca based company, is weeks away from the first flight of their manned, suborbital spacecraft, the LYNX. Art Bozlee, who will fly the vehiclke next year on a test mission to space will present a slide and video show detailing the development of the vehicle and how it will open space to anyone who wants to fly there.

Guests

Arthur Bozlee

A frequest guest at West Coast conventions, Arthur Bozlee spent several decades working for major aerospace companies before striking out and dedicating his time to private efforts to open the space frontier. He will fly the XCOR LYNX suborbital spacecraft as flight engineer next... Read More →

Friday September 26, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Sector 8 - Room 8052

Panel, science, space

14:00 PDT

You Got Your Science in My Fantasy

Standard assumptions treat science and magic as narratively incompatible, but urban fantasy challenges this by placing magic in the modern world, and steampunk is pushing the boundary back to the Victorian period. What challenges arise when science and magic work together?

Moderators

Marie Brennan

Writer

Marie Brennan is a former anthropologist and folklorist who shamelessly pillages her academic fields for inspiration. She recently misapplied her professors' hard work to Turning Darkness Into Light, a sequel to the Hugo Award-nominated series The Memoirs of Lady Trent. As half of... Read More →

Guests

Todd McCaffrey

New York Times bestselling author Todd Johnson McCaffrey wrote his first science-fiction story when he was twelve. He has published over two dozen novels, including eight novels written in The Dragonriders of PernÂ® universe and nearly twenty shorter works. He collaborates with... Read More →

Guests of Honor

Kevin Grazier

Michael Stackpole

Tanya Huff

Friday September 26, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Harbor B

Panel, literature, writing

14:00 PDT

A Clean Well Lighted Place to Write #1

A quiet room in which to work on your current writing project.

Guests

Margaret McGaffey Fisk

Margaret McGaffey Fisk is a storyteller whose tales often cross genres and worlds to bring the events and characters to life. A Foreign Service brat and anthropology aficionado, she pulls on her own experiences and those she’s studied for grounding her fictional cultures. Her published... Read More →

Friday September 26, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Wine Room

Workshop, writing

15:00 PDT

Zombie Tag

Come join the staff and kids of PlayZone as they take over the Pool Pavillion for a game of Zombie Tag! All ages welcome! (Convolution cannot guarantee the safety of your braaaaaaaaiiiiinnnzzz.)

Guests

Playzone Staff

Friday September 26, 2014 15:00 - 16:00 PDT
Pool Pavilion

Playzone, active

15:00 PDT

Autograph Session: G. David Nordley

Guests

G. David Nordley

Friday September 26, 2014 15:00 - 16:00 PDT
Regency Foyer

Signing

16:00 PDT

PLAYZONE: Cardboard Constructions

Guests

Playzone Staff

Friday September 26, 2014 16:00 - 17:00 PDT
Evergreen

Playzone

16:00 PDT

Autograph Session: Helen Stringer

Friday September 26, 2014 16:00 - 17:00 PDT
Regency Foyer

Signing

16:00 PDT

Pokemon LARP

Members ages 7-12 are invited to come participate in a live action role-playing game designed especially for them. Limit: 8 players. (Under 7 possible if a care-giver is willing to shadow player to assist with gameplay.)

Guests

A. Saylor

Playzone Staff

Friday September 26, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
Pool Pavilion

LARP, LARP, gaming

16:00 PDT

20 books to launch in to space

What core of literary culture would be most necessary when leaving Earth and heading for the stars. Where is the balance between preserving a culture and providing a clean slate for the new colony?

Moderators

Bradford Lyau

Guests

Jennifer L. Carson

Jennifer L. Carson wrote her first story before she read her first novel. Her passion for writing led to a career in editing that started in high school. After getting a degree in creative writing from UC Davis and certified as a copyeditor by UC Berkeley, Jennifer embarked on a career... Read More →

M.Christian

Calling M.Christian versatile is a tremendous understatement. Extensively published in science fiction, fantasy, horror, thrillers, non-fiction, and erotica. In addition to writing, he is a prolific anthologist, editing over 25 anthologies including the My Love For All That Is Bizarre... Read More →

Madeleine Robins

Setsu Uzume

Setsu Uzume is a glorious automaton forged from New York grit, shattered blades, and more glitter than the smith will admit to. Blogger, novelist, martial artist.KatanaPen.Wordpress.com@KatanaPen

Friday September 26, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
Pine

Panel, cluture, colonization, literature

16:00 PDT

Alternative energy sources

Really Smart People talk about alternative energy sources, the technologies being developed to harness them and the pros and cons associated with them.

Moderators

Howard Davidson

Guests

J. L. Doty

Full-time writer, me, Inc.

Scientist, full-time writer of SF&F, laser geek, former running-dog-lackey-pig for the Bourgeois capitalist establishment, now working for myself. My new boss is a real jerk--so demanding. Science is a passion, but writing is an addiction.

Candace Lowe

G. David Nordley

Kay Tracy

An avid viking age history buff, Kay spends a lot of time working with linen, wool and leather. Cats, chickens, and too many hobbies take all Kay's time. As a Solar System Ambassador (JPL Outreach program) Kay also gets to have some science and geek time.

Friday September 26, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
Conifer

Panel, science

16:00 PDT

Art For Life- Get 'Em While They're Young

A discussion about getting today's youth interested in art and creative fields. What can be done in schools or by local communities?

Moderators

Kyle Aisteach

Kyle Aisteach is a short storyist who lives in Fresno, where he also teaches writing. www.aisteach.com or @kyleaistaech

Guests

Colin Fisk

My love of gaming and speculative fiction began in a Bay Area book store, Future Fantasy, in 1978 when I picked up copies of the white box set of Dungeons and Dragons as well as The Forever War on the same day. My fascination with, and degree in, anthropology helped in the design... Read More →

Sarah Goodman

I am an anthropologist by training, a gentlewoman by profession, and a retired bureaucrat on Official Documents. I have spent my life studying humankind and other sapient and semi-sapient races of the multiverse. Included among the activities involved in this study are: general... Read More →

Guests of Honor

Jeff Sturgeon

Friday September 26, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
Oak

Panel, art, education

16:00 PDT

How did Witches, Vampires and Walking Dead become the in thing?

Our panelists explore our obsession with the darker side of fantasy.

Guests

DM Atkins

Ric Bretschneider

Producer, Columnist, Fanboy Planet Podcast

Ric Bretschneider is a technologist, trouble maker, and problem solver whose interests outstretch his available time by a significant magnitude. Professionally he splits his time between attempting to raise the quality of business communications, particularly presenting, and a love... Read More →

Marisa Garcia

Chantelle Osman

Fred Wiehe

Fred Wiehe is a member of the Horror Writers Association. He’s the author of six novels, a collection of short stories, and numerous short stories that have appeared in anthologies, magazines, and e-zines. His adult novel Aleric: Monster Hunter became an Amazon Bestseller on Friday... Read More →

Friday September 26, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
Sumac

Panel, literature, writing, horror, media

16:00 PDT

Questions and Answers and Things That Go Bump In the Night

Want to ask questions at panels, but you're too shy? Maybe you just don't know who to ask? Have no fear, we have the solution! Drop a question in the hat and our illustrious panelists with take turns drawing at random and answering. Sure, you don't know *who* will answer your question, but is that really all that important in the grand scheme of things?

Guests

Tyler King

Many years ago, Tyler entered into a Gentleman's Challenge with his friend Matt. The two would participate in a reading race of all 4 books of Stephanie Meyers' Twilight series. From there, they were encouraged to record their suffering, and Your Book Is Why Daddy Drinks was bo... Read More →

Steven Mix

Falkor Publishing

Carrie Sessarego

reviewer, Geek Girl In Love and Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Guests of Honor

Tanya Huff

Friday September 26, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
Sector 8 - Room 8052

Panel

16:00 PDT

Reading #1

Short readings by some of our authors

Guests

Amy Sterling Casil

Amy Sterling Casil is a 2002 Nebula Award nominee and recipient of other awards and recognition for her short science fiction and fantasy, which has appeared in publications ranging from The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction to Zoetrope. She is the author of 26 nonfiction books... Read More →

Lillian Csernica

The Renaissance Pleasure Faire

At age five, Lillian Csernica discovered the Little Golden Books fairy tales. From there she moved on to the works of Ray Bradbury, Harlan Ellison, Tanith Lee, and Terry Pratchett. Her very first short story sale, "Fallen Idol," appeared in After Hours and was later reprinted in The... Read More →

Margaret McGaffey Fisk

Matt Maxwell

Highway 62 Press

Matt Maxwell is a writer from California: born in the south, relocated up to the north. He's old enough to remember seeing men walk on the moon on a black and white television set. He is the author of the ongoing comic series STRANGEWAYS, following expressman and drifter Seth Collins... Read More →

Christopher Villa

Friday September 26, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
Wine Room

Reading

16:00 PDT

The Unpanel

A facilitated listening workshop that turns the panel inside out. Everyone gets a chance to speak without interruption on a topic chosen by the facilitators after learning how to really listen.

Guests

Deborah J. Ross

Dave Trowbridge

Friday September 26, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
Programming Suite - Room 2097

Workshop

17:00 PDT

Autograph Session: Chris Garcia

Friday September 26, 2014 17:00 - 18:00 PDT
Regency Foyer

Signing

18:00 PDT

PLAYZONE: Yarn Crafting

Friday September 26, 2014 18:00 - 19:00 PDT
Evergreen

Playzone

19:00 PDT

Meet The Guests

Join us for an opportunity to mingle with our illustrious panel of fabulous guests.

Friday September 26, 2014 19:00 - 20:00 PDT
Harbor A/B

Special Event

20:00 PDT

Moderated Fan Gathering: True Ghost Stories

An informal gathering of fans who want do discuss spooky happenings of the paranormal variety. Our moderator, Steven Mix will tell you what it's like to live in a haunted house.

Guests

Steven Mix

Falkor Publishing

Friday September 26, 2014 20:00 - 22:00 PDT
Sector 8 - Room 8052

20:00 PDT

GAMING: Who Would Win

Friday September 26, 2014 20:00 - 22:00 PDT
Scalini's

Game

20:00 PDT

Bronies: Fandom in the Age of 4chan

When My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic debuted in 2010, no one expected the rise of a massive—and predominantly male—fandom around it. But now, “There is a pony of it, no exceptions,” is a Rule of the Internet. Meet the first major fandom whose entire life-cycle, from conception to its current awkward adolescence, is on the Internet for all to see.

Guests

SonyaLynn

SonyaLynn was just a garden variety geek and IT drone when small pastel horses came into her life, surprising everyone…her most of all. A child of the '80s, if you had told her she'd ever even like anything bearing the My Little Pony name, she would have laughed in your face. Then... Read More →

Friday September 26, 2014 20:00 - 22:00 PDT
Pine

Panel, bronies, MLP, social media

20:00 PDT

Delphic Oracle

In which Todd directs our intrepid panelists in the answering of the deep questions of life. One. Word. At. A. Time.

Moderators

Todd McCaffrey

Guests

Jon Del Arroz

Rislandia Books

Science Fiction, Steampunk, Baseball, Comics

M Todd Gallowglas

Writer

M Todd Gallowglas has been a professional storyteller at Renaissance Faires and Medieval Festivals for roughly twenty years. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University in 2009, he used his storytelling show as a platform to launch... Read More →

Chris Garcia

Computer History Museum

Fanzine guy who loves writing, gambling, making movies and Steampunk. I also like pudding.

Sarah Pugliaresi

Sarah Pugliaresi spends her days working as a Quality Engineer for a San Jose based wellness startup. By night, she is a fearless costume designer with ten years professional experience working for local theatres and independent films. When not sewing or working, she loves to read... Read More →

Carrie Sessarego

reviewer, Geek Girl In Love and Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Friday September 26, 2014 20:00 - 22:00 PDT
SandPebble C

Panel

20:00 PDT

Dr. Who- 50 years and still going strong!

When you hear some one say "The Doctor" you know you have found a soulmate! What is it about this series has it going so long even with changing actors and personalities of the main character applies after all these years?

Guests

Christopher Erickson

Christopher Erickson: By day, EHS professional; by night, fan. I can be found at events throughout the Bay Area in various guises (but mostly The Doctor) taking photos and carousing. When not doing this, I am writing for Science Fiction/San Francisco, browsing the internet for geeky... Read More →

Ryan Galiotto

Owner, Wicked Grounds

Owner and barista of one of San Francisco's favorite cafes, Wicked Grounds, Ryan is also a performance artist, MC, gamer and all around general geek. Ryan has performed around the world from Osaka Japan to Dublin Ireland. At age 18, was the youngest president of Chicago's Many Companions... Read More →

Jean Martin

Finery Editor, Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild

Jean Martin is editor-in-chief, writer and photographer for Science Fiction/San Francisco (www.efanzines.com/SFSF/), which covers all areas of fandom in the Bay Area and beyond. She is also the SF Costume Design Examiner for Examiner.com (www.examiner.com/costume-design-1-in-san-francisco/jean-martin... Read More →

Derek McCaw

A local actor and writer, Derek McCaw runs Fanboy Planet and hosts its popular podcast. He has voiced Eric the Weasel for Eric's Ultimate Solitaire, worked with ComedySportz San Jose for 27 years, served as a regular commentator on BBC-Radio Humberside's "The Late License", written... Read More →

Friday September 26, 2014 20:00 - 22:00 PDT
SandPebble A

Panel, television

20:00 PDT

Getting Your Goodies Through Airport Security Without Having or Causing a Meltdown

You want to take your Tiki dalek where? What do you do when you need to take special needs items on the airplane and don't want to freak out the TSA?

Guests

Stacy Meyn

In past metamorphoses, Stacy Meyn (aka Spacemonster) was a library clerk, A/V tech, music store manager, and DJ/producer. She webmavened during the dot.com boom (and bust), and has operated her freelance writing business, Space Ltd. , since 1994. After a lengthy stint in aviation... Read More →

Tracy Newby

Kevin Roche

Kevin Roche has been making costumes since he was 8 (and has the photographic evidence to prove it!). He was honored with the International Costumers Guild Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. In his secret identity as a research scientist at IBM's Almaden Research Center, he's hard... Read More →

Friday September 26, 2014 20:00 - 22:00 PDT
Sumac

Panel, costuming, travel

20:00 PDT

Kink: The Good, The Bad and 50 Shades of Grey

Discussion will include portrayals of kink and BDSM in film, literature and tv, how it can be done well and how it can go horribly, horribly wrong- sometimes with hysterical results. 18 and over ONLY. PROJECT GENESIS

Guests

Elanor Hughes

Elanor works for an audio manufacturer by day. By night she makes costumes, writes novels, and takes care of her grandmother. Her current novels in progress are about ancient Thrace and the time before the Vikings.

M.Christian

Matthew Marovich

Matthew Marovich is a lifelong Bay Area resident and native, currently living in south San Jose with his wife, son, and two dogs. A published author, he enjoys writing long and short fiction, reading all manner of genre fiction, gaming in its many forms, catching films and geeking... Read More →

Lance Moore

Westercon 66

Lance thinks his inner kid is pretty pleased that he's done marketing for a Westercon, after starting with a wooden shuttlecraft and a hardcopy fanzine back in the day. He's currently very active in the transgender community, providing support and outreach to newcomers, and putting... Read More →

Friday September 26, 2014 20:00 - 22:00 PDT
SandPebble B

Panel, 18+, Genesis

20:00 PDT

Role Playing Across the Spectrum:

Gamers, costumers, historical reenactors, kinksters, actors, sometimes even writers developing dialog -- all occasionally become someone else for a while. How is assuming a character and role the same in all areas? How does it differ in different realms of role-play? What can we learn from each other to make our own portrayals better.

Guests

Sarah Goodman

Jennifer McGaffey

I’m a Foreign Service brat, raised in five countries before high school (and I’ve lived in a couple more since then). I’ve been an avid reader since I can remember - primarily SF/F and other genre fiction, but just about any words-in-a-row will do. My interests include being... Read More →

Douglas Shepard

Douglas is the Editor in Chief of Orcz.com and GameShampoo.com and helps manage several projects. Approaching mastery of Found Costuming and a skilled Dust Tape crafts-person. A life-long video gamer and writer, recently married as well.

Friday September 26, 2014 20:00 - 22:00 PDT
Oak

Panel, acting, costuming, gaming, lifestyle

20:00 PDT

Reading #2

Short readings by some of our authors

Guests

Deborah J. Ross

Helen Stringer

Setsu Uzume

Setsu Uzume is a glorious automaton forged from New York grit, shattered blades, and more glitter than the smith will admit to. Blogger, novelist, martial artist.KatanaPen.Wordpress.com@KatanaPen

Juliette Wade

Writer, DAW

Juliette Wade's debut novel Mazes of Power will come out in 2020 from DAW books. Her short fiction has appeared in Fantasy and Science Fiction, Clarkesworld and several times in Analog magazine. Her nonfiction has appeared in Analog and in Lightspeed's special issue, Women Destroy... Read More →

Friday September 26, 2014 20:00 - 22:00 PDT
Sector 7 - Room 7052

Reading

20:00 PDT

Charity Bingo

Taunya Gren hosts Bingo to raise money for the Chabot Space and Science Center

Guests

Taunya Gren

Friday September 26, 2014 20:00 - 22:00 PDT
Harbor A/B

Special Event, charity

20:00 PDT

Burlesque for Every Body.

Come enjoy a playshop that will have you out of your seat and grooving as you learn some of the foundations of burlesque performance. This workshop will strive to provide moves and encouragement for all genders and sexual orientations. Please bring either a scarf or bandana to assist you in the art of playful seduction. You will not be required to remove clothing articles but you may just find yourself inspired to before the playshop is through!

Guests

Ash Miller

Renee Ritchie

Renee has been gaming since 2002, cutting her teeth on Vampire: the Masquerade LARPing with the Camarilla Fan Club in college. She is now a regular writer and editor for Machine Age Productions and Onyx Path Publishing, contributing to books for Amaranthine, Flatpack, Vampire: the... Read More →

Friday September 26, 2014 20:00 - 22:00 PDT
SandPebble E

Workshop, active, dance, the first step

20:00 PDT

Jedi Combat Skills

So you want to be a Jedi? Prepping just in case the Empire gets up to more shenanigans? Come learn to defend yourself and a galaxy far, far away.

Guests

Christopher Villa

Friday September 26, 2014 20:00 - 22:00 PDT
Pool Pavilion

Workshop, active, combat

20:00 PDT

Filk - Friday

Sing until the wee hours with friends, filkers and fellow fen.

Friday September 26, 2014 20:00 - 23:59 PDT
SandPebble D

21:00 PDT

Bedtime Stories

Bring your teddy bear and wear your pajamas! Guest (and Dad) David Coronado reads bedtime stories for our younger members. Snack provided.

Guests

David Coronado

Narrator, Theatre Arcanos

David Coronado has been playing in and running LARPs for over 20 years. He likes to costume for events and has extensive experience in costuming without spending a lot of money. David has been playing RPGs since his first D&D game at the Boy Scout Jamboree in 1981. He’s the brains... Read More →

Playzone Staff

Friday September 26, 2014 21:00 - 22:00 PDT
Programming Suite - Room 2097

Playzone

22:00 PDT

Karaoke

Korkaraoke returns to Convolution. Enjoy a taste of stardom and share your best rendition of your favorite tune!

Friday September 26, 2014 22:00 - 23:59 PDT
Harbor A/B

22:00 PDT

GAMING: The Big Frakking Texas Hold 'Em Game

Friday September 26, 2014 22:00 - 23:59 PDT
Scalini's

Game

22:00 PDT

Heroes League

Guests

Ryan Galiotto

Owner, Wicked Grounds

Friday September 26, 2014 22:00 - 23:59 PDT
Oak

LARP, LARP, gaming

23:59 PDT

Your Book Is Why Daddy Drinks

Matt, Tyler and the rest of the gang return to Convolution to read and comment on a stunning work of literature. This year's selection, "In The Breath Of A Moment: A Collection Of Short Tales." MATURE CONTENT ADVISORY

Guests

Tyler King

Matthew Marovich

Dan Morgan

Kendra Pecan

Ed Pizinni

Friday September 26, 2014 23:59 - Saturday September 27, 2014 02:00 PDT
SandPebble C

Podcast

08:00 PDT

Morning Movement - Saturday

Morning exercise

Guests

Paul Scherman

Accademia di Scherma Classica

Paul has a degree in Kinesiology (Nutrition and Wellness) from Cal State Hayward, a Personal Fitness Trainer certification from the National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association, a Corrective Exercise Specialist certification from National Academy of Sports Medicine, a UFC Gym... Read More →

Saturday September 27, 2014 08:00 - 09:00 PDT
Harbor A

09:00 PDT

ConSanity BoD Meeting

Guests

Matt Branstad

Stephen "Dirk" Libbey

Gaming Manager, Sound United

Stephen was dragged to his first convention by a girl. For some reason he married her anyway. Since then he has worked on several conventions including helping his wife run the newsletter for the 2011 World Science Fiction Convention (Renovation). He is an avid gamer, occasional podcaster... Read More →

Volunteers

Kimmi Allbee

President, BoD, Convolution: The Next Step

Kimmi has been a fan since the first time she picked up a copy of Anne McCaffrey's "Dragonsinger", and has never looked back. She attended local Bay Area conventions for a number of years, but didn't get into volunteering to run them until 1994. Now the President of the Board for... Read More →

Erik Bigglestone

Meredith Branstad

I am the Chairperson for ConVolution 2014

Dan Van Den Broeke

Ole "Tycho" Haslund

Saturday September 27, 2014 09:00 - 10:00 PDT
Pine

09:00 PDT

Writers Workshop - Morning

By prior arrangement, Convolution members enjoy an intensive critique session with some of our pros. Check our website to submit your work in 2015.

Saturday September 27, 2014 09:00 - 12:00 PDT
Sector 8 - Room 8052

Limited, writing | Workshop, writing

10:00 PDT

Masquerade Contestants Meeting

Mandatory meeting for all contestants in the Masquerade

Saturday September 27, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
Programming Suite - Room 2097

10:00 PDT

Book View Cafe

Members of the cooperative publisher talk about their work, their art and what exactly a cooperative publisher is, anyway.

Guests

Maya K. Bohnhoff

Amy Sterling Casil

Madeleine Robins

Deborah J. Ross

Dave Trowbridge

Saturday September 27, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
Pine

Panel, publishing, writing

10:00 PDT

Eye in the Martian Sky

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's 8-years-and-going-strong at the Red Planet. Find out what's up, up at the red planet.

Guests

Bridget Landry

Candace Lowe

G. David Nordley

Saturday September 27, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
SandPebble A

Panel, science, space, women in STEM

10:00 PDT

How to Build A Better Story

Classic plot structure. Magical realism. First person vs. third person point of view. How do writers choose the best techniques for telling their stories? What makes editors sit up and take notice? Come listen to professionals compare their ideas about the best way to put together a strong, successful story.

Guests

Lillian Csernica

The Renaissance Pleasure Faire

Jay Hartlove

Horror Writers Association

Self-reinventor. Professional writer for 30 years. Master competition costumer for 20 years. Published novelist in last four years. The Isis Rising religious thriller series (The Chosen: 2011, Daughter Cell: 2013, Isis Rising: 2016), Mermaid Steel (fantasy romance: 2014), Snow White... Read More →

M.Christian

Helen Stringer

Saturday September 27, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
Harbor A

Panel, writing

10:00 PDT

How To: A publishing panel for authors or artists

Topics include a Compare and contrast of independent and traditional routes for both artists and authors, and the crossover skills between the two.

Guests

Margaret McGaffey Fisk

Matt Maxwell

Highway 62 Press

Michael Rhodes

Guests of Honor

Jeff Sturgeon

Saturday September 27, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
SandPebble B

Panel, art, publishing, writing

10:00 PDT

Inventors, Travellers, Scientists, Spies: Real-life Steampunk Women

Despite the popular image of Victorian Women being repressed and proper, many women in the U.K. and in America lived lives more adventurous than any fictional Steampunk heroine. This presentation introduces some of these women including Ada Lovelace, the first computer programmer; Amelia Edwards, travel writer and archaeologist in Egypt; Mary Anning, palaeontologist, and spies on both sides of the Civil War.

Guests

Carrie Sessarego

reviewer, Geek Girl In Love and Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Saturday September 27, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
Oak

Panel, steampunk, women in STEM

10:00 PDT

So you're published... now what?

What do modern day authors need to know and do to promote their work, keep in touch with readers, and gain new ones?

Moderators

Emerian Rich

HorrorAddicts.net

Emerian Rich is the author of the vampire book series, Night's Knights. She also writes the musical romance series, Sweet Dreams, under the name Emmy Z. Madrigal. Her most recent full length novel, Artistic License, mixes both horror and romance. She’s been published in a handful... Read More →

Guests

J. L. Doty

Full-time writer, me, Inc.

Todd McCaffrey

Steven Mix

Falkor Publishing

Guests of Honor

Michael Stackpole

Saturday September 27, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
SandPebble C

Panel, publishing, self-promotion, writing

10:00 PDT

Table reading

Come watch- or participate in- a table reading of a screenplay by Toastmistress Taunya Gren. Participation slots require prior sign up.

Guests

Taunya Gren

Saturday September 27, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
SandPebble E

Panel, television, writing

10:00 PDT

Will Your Fight Scene actually work?

Authors read fight scenes and then a troop of sword fighters reenact the scene to see what it actually looks like and if it could work.

Guests

Tony Barajas

Fight Coordinator, Michael's Salle d'Armes

Tony is a one of the founding members of St. Michael’s Salle d’Armes. He was the former treasurer of the guild and is currently the Fight Coordinator of StM. His interest in fencing started as a child watching Errol Flynn movies and the 1973 version of the Three Musketeers. Since... Read More →

M Todd Gallowglas

Writer

Sydney Thomson﹐ M.D.

Sydney is a successful physician in the Bay Area. She is an avid science fiction fan, a dedicated student of historical swordplay, and a founding member of St. Michael's Salle d'Armes, along with her husband, Tony Barajas. Her motto: reality is for people who lack imagination. She... Read More →

AE Marling

Fantasy writer, dancer, law-abiding citizen, human being (in that order). A.E. Marling wrote his first fantasy novella after his freshman year in high school. In college, he found nothing gave him a greater urge to write than science lectures, and he sat through a lot of ‘em... Read More →

Jeremy Tavan

Saturday September 27, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
Pool Pavilion

Panel, combat, literature, writing

10:00 PDT

Nerdvana

They're at it again! Come hear one of our favorite podcasts as they do their thing at Convolution!

Guests

JC Arkham

Creator/Host, The NerdVana Podcast

JC Arkham is the creator and host of the NerdVana Podcast, a show by geeks, for geeks where we chat about movies, tv, comics, gaming, literature, fandom and all the like. JC is also a professional graphic designer with over 25 years experience and collects/builds film and tv prop... Read More →

Chris Garcia

Computer History Museum

Fanzine guy who loves writing, gambling, making movies and Steampunk. I also like pudding.

Stacy Meyn

Beth Vallacqua

Franklin McKinley School District

Saturday September 27, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
Sumac

Podcast

10:00 PDT

Reading #3

Short readings by some of our authors

Guests

Marie Brennan

Writer

Leslie E. Light

Editor/Writer, Black Nerd Problems

Leslie E.H. Light is a writer, editor, mother, and pound cake enthusiast. She stands up for Black Speculative Fiction at BlackNerdProblems.com, where she’s a writer and editor. Her short fiction has been published in Finding Home: Community in Apocalyptic Worlds and she’s self-published... Read More →

Cliff Winnig

Cliff Winnig's short fiction appears in the anthologies That Ain't Right: Historical Accounts of the Miskatonic Valley, When the Hero Comes Home: 2, Gears and Levers 3, Footprints, and elsewhere. The twitterzines Outshine and Thaumatrope have published his very short fiction. A graduate... Read More →

Saturday September 27, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
SandPebble D

Reading

10:00 PDT

GOH Spotlight - Kevin Grazier

Guests

Ric Bretschneider

Producer, Columnist, Fanboy Planet Podcast

Kevin Grazier

Saturday September 27, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
Harbor B

Special Event

11:00 PDT

PLAYZONE: Sing along with Pixel

Guests

Playzone Staff

Saturday September 27, 2014 11:00 - 12:00 PDT
Evergreen

Playzone, music

11:00 PDT

Autograph Session: Arthur Bozlee

Guests

Arthur Bozlee

Saturday September 27, 2014 11:00 - 12:00 PDT
Regency Foyer

Signing

11:00 PDT

GAMING: Iron Claw RPG

Saturday September 27, 2014 11:00 - 13:00 PDT
Scalini's

Game

12:00 PDT

PLAYZONE: Faux Tie Dye

Guests

Playzone Staff

Saturday September 27, 2014 12:00 - 13:00 PDT
Evergreen

Playzone, art

12:00 PDT

Moderated Fan Gathering: The Big Bang Theory

An informal gathering of fans of "The Big Bang Theory."

Guests

JC Arkham

Creator/Host, The NerdVana Podcast

Saturday September 27, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Sector 7 - Room 7052

12:00 PDT

Costumes and Culture

Clothing reflects the way people live. What does what a character (in a book, a painting, a movie, a game, or on stage) wears tell you about the world he or she lives in? What do you need to consider about the surrounding culture when designing a character's wardrobe? Is there any culture in the universe where wearing a chain-mail bikini makes sense?

Moderators

Sarah Goodman

Guests

Gregg Castro

Director, Salinan T'rowt'raahl

Gregg Castro [t'rowt'raahl Salinan/rumsien Ohlone], has been involved in the preservation of his California Indigenous cultural heritage for over two decades. He represents his late Mother’s family’s interests in the protection of cultural heritage in their rumsien Ohlone homeland... Read More →

Tory Parker

Tory is a long time costumer, science fiction and fantasy fan, computer and tech geek, viking re-enactor, and space fan(atic). She has numerous other hobbies as well. She lives with Kay Tracy, six cats and two chickens.

Kendra Pecan

Rhawnie Pino

Rhawnie Pino is a talented costumer, avid amateur historian and vivacious social butterfly.

Saturday September 27, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Sumac

Panel, costuming, culture

12:00 PDT

Costuming on a budget/ 'Costume Fu'

We walk the Earth in awesome costumes. Our costume-fu is strong, but our wallets are not strong. Come learn the ways of the broke and wonderfully dressed.

Guests

David Coronado

Narrator, Theatre Arcanos

Christopher Erickson

Sarah Pugliaresi

Douglas Shepard

Saturday September 27, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Pool Pavilion

Panel, costuming

12:00 PDT

Fierce, Fab & Fluffy: Women and Body Image in Comics, Cosplay and Pop Culture

The crew of Chunky Girl Comics discuss the empowerment of women, positive body image issues, their own personal struggles with bullying and being "the fat kids", being sexy and overweight and of course their mission with Chunky Girl Comics.

Guests

Gia Bomb

Marisa Garcia

Lori Myers

Saturday September 27, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
SandPebble B

Panel, cosplay, culture, lifestyle, social issues

12:00 PDT

Gender diversity in fandom and media.

The Wachowski Brothers are now the Wachowskis. 2014 saw the first transgendered Emmy nominee. As definitions of gender become more fluid, how is the media (and fandom) keeping pace?

Guests

Jean Batt

DJ, Artist, Voice Over, Model, Cybermantic Collective and Smashwolf Productions and Studios

Jean Batt has been a DJ though out the bay area and around the world for 21 years and a third generation member of fandom. She is also a gender and intersex activist. She has worked in film as a costumer, actor and worked on a few soundtracks.

Lance Moore

Westercon 66

Jean Marie Stine

Saturday September 27, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
SandPebble D

Panel, social issues, diversity, media

12:00 PDT

Getting It Right: Strategies for non-scientists writing hard science fiction.

At the pace science is evolving, how do you stay current on recent discoveries? How do you differentiate between real science and all the pseudoscience in the media and online? How do you find a story in a scientific idea?

Moderators

Helen Stringer

Guests

Kyle Aisteach

Kyle Aisteach is a short storyist who lives in Fresno, where he also teaches writing. www.aisteach.com or @kyleaistaech

G. David Nordley

Heidi L. Stauffer

Teacher, Lydian Academy

Heidi Stauffer is a science and math teacher at Lydian Academy, a small private middle andhigh school in Menlo Park, CA. She co-manages the science lab for the school and is the leadfor the science professional learning community. She holds a PhD in Earth Science, specializingin climate... Read More →

Guests of Honor

Kevin Grazier

Saturday September 27, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
SandPebble E

Panel, science, writing

12:00 PDT

Hasta la Vesta

Hour-long Power Point presentation (pretty pictures! funny stories!) on the Dawn mission to the asteroid Vesta

Guests

Bridget Landry

Saturday September 27, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
SandPebble A

Panel, science, space, women in STEM

12:00 PDT

Merging Genres

What happens when your Horror goes Fantasy? Sci Fi goes Romance? How do publishers react? How to readers respond?

Moderators

Emerian Rich

HorrorAddicts.net

Guests

J. L. Doty

Full-time writer, me, Inc.

Matt Maxwell

Highway 62 Press

Steven Mix

Falkor Publishing

Saturday September 27, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
SandPebble C

Panel, literature, writing

12:00 PDT

Space Stations

Our intrepid scientists chat about how space stations work, their potential and maybe a little about what they'd expect to see in Hale Station.

Moderators

Amy Sterling Casil

Guests

Arthur Bozlee

Howard Davidson

Candace Lowe

Saturday September 27, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Pine

Panel, science, space

12:00 PDT

Steaming Outside Victorian England

Not all Steampunk is British. Explore the American and Australian Wild Wests, the African veldt, the Meiji Restoration, etc. Panel will include discussion of themes and related novels and publications

Moderators

Stacy Meyn

Guests

Marie Brennan

Writer

Gail Carriger

New York Times Bestselling author Gail Carriger writes to cope with being raised in obscurity by an expatriate Brit and an incurable curmudgeon. She escaped small town life and inadvertently acquired several degrees in Higher Learning. Ms. Carriger then traveled the historic cities... Read More →

Beth Vallacqua

Franklin McKinley School District

Cliff Winnig

Guests of Honor

Michael Stackpole

Saturday September 27, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Harbor A

Panel, literature, steampunk, writing

12:00 PDT

Storytelling the Old Fashioned Way.

The art of storytelling is in a constant state of evolution. What are the roots of storytelling as we know it today?

Guests

Margaret McGaffey Fisk

M Todd Gallowglas

Writer

Chris Garcia

Computer History Museum

Fanzine guy who loves writing, gambling, making movies and Steampunk. I also like pudding.

Michael Rhodes

Saturday September 27, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Oak

Panel, storytelling, culture

12:00 PDT

GOH Spotlight - Tanya Huff

Guests

Taunya Gren

Tanya Huff

Saturday September 27, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Harbor B

Special Event

12:00 PDT

Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Join Featured Guest Carrie Sessarego as she dishes on her favorite trashy books and what she's up to currently.

Guests

Carrie Sessarego

reviewer, Geek Girl In Love and Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Saturday September 27, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Programming Suite - Room 2097

Special Event

13:00 PDT

Autograph Session : Deborah Ross

Saturday September 27, 2014 13:00 - 14:00 PDT
Regency Foyer

Signing

13:00 PDT

Writers Workshop - Afternoon

By prior arrangement, Convolution members enjoy an intensive critique session with some of our pros. Check our website to submit your work in 2015.

Saturday September 27, 2014 13:00 - 16:00 PDT
Sector 8 - Room 8052

Limited, writing | Workshop, writing

14:00 PDT

PLAYZONE: Catapults

Guests

Playzone Staff

Saturday September 27, 2014 14:00 - 15:00 PDT
Evergreen

Playzone

14:00 PDT

Autograph Session: Juliette Wade

Saturday September 27, 2014 14:00 - 15:00 PDT
Regency Foyer

Signing

14:00 PDT

Escape Pod - Sturgeon

Guests of Honor

Jeff Sturgeon

Saturday September 27, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Programming Suite - Room 2097

Limited Special Event

14:00 PDT

Wonderflex Workshop

Come try your hand at working with Wonderflex, a thermoplastic. Our intrepid experts will be on hand to give you an introduction to how it works and what you can make it into. FEE: $5. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED. LIMIT 12 PARTICIPANTS.

Guests

Mette Hedin

See Mette's Costumes/She Builds Them in her Kitchen/But she never really got the hang of how many words go into the last line of a haiku poem as she is not a trained writer and sometimes display a severe lack of self-discipline with the written word.

Bryan Little

I am a Sci-fi fan with ADHD which means I like a lot of things a LOT! My favorite Sci-fi book is... Ooh there's a squirrel outside my window!!! Oh, what was I saying about Tikis? They're awesome! And so is Voltron! Hey, that contains Tron in it, lol, man that Peter Davison is a cheeky... Read More →

Saturday September 27, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Sector 7 - Room 7052

Limited, art, costuming, the first step | Workshop, art, costuming, the first step

14:00 PDT

Basics of costuming/cosplay panel.

Intro overview of making costumes/how to get started.

Moderators

MariEllen Cotteman

Guests

Jean Batt

DJ, Artist, Voice Over, Model, Cybermantic Collective and Smashwolf Productions and Studios

Krys Blackwood

Debbie Bretschneider

City of Saratoga

Debbie Bretschneider loves to costume at conventions. Hall costuming is always a blast. Latest award was Best Workmanship at the Westercon 66 masquerade.

Douglas Shepard

Saturday September 27, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
SandPebble E

Panel, cosplay, costuming, the first step

14:00 PDT

Dragon, Wizard, and Vampire Stories: Their Origin and Development

Where did these classic fantasy elements begin? How have they changed over time?

Moderators

Matthew Marovich

Guests

Gail Carriger

Todd McCaffrey

Carrie Sessarego

reviewer, Geek Girl In Love and Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Saturday September 27, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
SandPebble D

Panel, culture, literature, writing

14:00 PDT

From the ground up: launching a first year con

Chairs and executive staff of first year cons talk about the pitfalls and the wonders of running a brand new convention.

Guests

Meredith Branstad

I am the Chairperson for ConVolution 2014

Kevin Roche

SonyaLynn

Andy Trembley

Geek, freak, reader, essayist, costumer, critic, media-junkie, biker, pervert, party-queen, troublemaker, FAN.

Saturday September 27, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
SandPebble A

Panel, conventions

14:00 PDT

Game design

Game designers talk about their industry.

Moderators

Maurine Starkey

Guests

Joel Clark

Colin Fisk

Magda Heilborn

Magda has been a professional artist for over ten years, and a game designer for three, although playing games has always been a regular part of her life.

Paul Kwinn

Akemi Maniwa

This is a brief bio.

Saturday September 27, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Pine

Panel, gaming, writing

14:00 PDT

Religion in Sci-fi and fantasy

What role does religion have in current day science fiction and fantasy? We're seeing a lot of it on television and in the theater.

Guests

Jay Hartlove

Horror Writers Association

Steven Savage

Steven Savage is a technology program manager, writer, coach and speaker who goes by the moniker “Geek 2.0 – The Professional Geek”. Steven speaks, coaches, and writes on geeky careers, self-development, culture and creativity. He has created a line of books to help fans turn... Read More →

Randy Smith

Randy Smith discovered the existence of fandom sometime in the dim, dark past of the 1970s when he was a skinny, bespectacled, nerdish, teenager. A few years later, fandom discovered him and there's been no turning back. He's written fanzine articles, pubbed APAzines, helped run conventions... Read More →

Dave Trowbridge

Cliff Winnig

Saturday September 27, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Oak

Panel, writing, social issues, culture, literature

14:00 PDT

SFX Make Up demo by Goblyn's Glen

Prosthetic makeup demonstration on live model.

Guests

Ken Franklin

Saturday September 27, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Sumac

Panel, costuming, cosplay, make up

14:00 PDT

When is a light saber like a saber?

Discussion of the different techniques behind fighting with a metal weapon and a laser one.

Guests

Tony Barajas

Fight Coordinator, Michael's Salle d'Armes

Sydney Thomson﹐ M.D.

Jeremy Tavan

Christopher Villa

Saturday September 27, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Pool Pavilion

Panel, combat

14:00 PDT

Where Do Ideas Come From?

Every writer fields that question—usually right after you've told someone you're a writer. I always thought it would be interesting for a group of writers to discuss where they get their ideas from.

Guests

Maya K. Bohnhoff

Leslie E. Light

Editor/Writer, Black Nerd Problems

AE Marling

Chantelle Osman

Emerian Rich

HorrorAddicts.net

Saturday September 27, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
SandPebble C

Panel, writing

14:00 PDT

Women and Warriorship

The controversy surrounding the "Strong Female Lead" is grounded in two ideas: our perception of gender, and our perception of warriorship. We'll discuss historical women warriors as well as figures from sci-fi/fantasy that meet our expectations, those who break them, and what the future has in store for this archetype.

Guests

Tory Parker

Kendra Pecan

Setsu Uzume

Setsu Uzume is a glorious automaton forged from New York grit, shattered blades, and more glitter than the smith will admit to. Blogger, novelist, martial artist.KatanaPen.Wordpress.com@KatanaPen

Guests of Honor

Tanya Huff

Saturday September 27, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
SandPebble B

Panel, literature, writing

14:00 PDT

FanBoy Planet

Who loves FanBoy Planet? Convolution! Come listen while the crew of FBP record their podcast from Convolution.

Guests

Ric Bretschneider

Producer, Columnist, Fanboy Planet Podcast

Derek McCaw

Saturday September 27, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Harbor B

Podcast

14:00 PDT

Blast a Trooper

Come shoot stormtroopers for a worthy cause! Your donation to charity gives you the opportunity to pick up a Nerf gun and blast a trooper!

Guests

501st

Tim Simpson

Saturday September 27, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Harbor A

Special Event, charity, active

14:00 PDT

A Clean Well Lighted Place to Write #2

A quiet room in which to work on your current writing project.

Saturday September 27, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Wine Room

Workshop, writing

15:00 PDT

PLAYZONE: CCG Meet up

Collectible card game fans are invited to bring their collections, chat and maybe play a game or two.

Guests

Playzone Staff

Saturday September 27, 2014 15:00 - 16:00 PDT
Evergreen

Playzone, gaming

15:00 PDT

Autograph Session: AE Marling

Guests

AE Marling

Saturday September 27, 2014 15:00 - 16:00 PDT
Regency Foyer

Signing

16:00 PDT

PLAYZONE: Play putty

Making a play putty substance

Guests

Playzone Staff

Saturday September 27, 2014 16:00 - 17:00 PDT
Evergreen

Playzone

16:00 PDT

Autograph Session : Deborah Ross

Saturday September 27, 2014 16:00 - 17:00 PDT
Regency Foyer

Signing

16:00 PDT

GAMING: Firefly Clue

Saturday September 27, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
Scalini's

Game

16:00 PDT

Acting - (Don't Just Put On A Nice Costume. Be The Character)

You know that guy, in the amazing costume, standing there looking uncomfortable and behaving nothing like the character he's portraying? Don't be that guy! Come learn how to be Spiderman instead of someone standing around looking awkward in UnderRoos.

Moderators

Chris Blackwood

Guests

Christopher Erickson

Bridget Landry

Sarah Pugliaresi

Tim Simpson

Saturday September 27, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
Pool Pavilion

Panel, acting, cosplay, costuming

16:00 PDT

Comics to Film

A look at the good, bad and the ugly side of bringing comic book heroes to life on the big screen.

Guests

JC Arkham

Creator/Host, The NerdVana Podcast

Ryan Galiotto

Owner, Wicked Grounds

Matt Maxwell

Highway 62 Press

Derek McCaw

Maurine Starkey

Beth Vallacqua

Franklin McKinley School District

Saturday September 27, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
Oak

Panel, comics, film, media

16:00 PDT

Excuse Me, Princess! The Greatest Love Stories of Sci Fi

Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Comics have given us some of the greatest love stories in fiction. What's your favorite?

Moderators

Carrie Sessarego

reviewer, Geek Girl In Love and Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Guests

DM Atkins

Ric Bretschneider

Producer, Columnist, Fanboy Planet Podcast

Setsu Uzume

Setsu Uzume is a glorious automaton forged from New York grit, shattered blades, and more glitter than the smith will admit to. Blogger, novelist, martial artist.KatanaPen.Wordpress.com@KatanaPen

Fred Wiehe

Saturday September 27, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
SandPebble E

Panel, film, literature, media, television

16:00 PDT

Handling Rejection in Writing

Sometimes your skin just isn't that thick. How to cope with a chorus of "No" on the path to a "Yes!"

Guests

Jon Del Arroz

Rislandia Books

Science Fiction, Steampunk, Baseball, Comics

Gail Carriger

Matthew Marovich

Deborah J. Ross

Juliette Wade

Writer, DAW

Saturday September 27, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
Sector 8 - Room 8052

Panel, publishing, writing

16:00 PDT

How to pack for Far-away conventions

What do you really need to take to a con? Our experts talk about what to pack and how to pack it.

Guests

Debbie Bretschneider

City of Saratoga

Debbie Bretschneider loves to costume at conventions. Hall costuming is always a blast. Latest award was Best Workmanship at the Westercon 66 masquerade.

Sarah Goodman

Shael Hawman

Tracy Newby

Randy Smith

Saturday September 27, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
Pine

Panel, conventions, costuming, travel

16:00 PDT

Running Multiple Writing Careers -

Trials, tribulations, and solutions, when trying to keep two writing careers going that are completely different audiences.

Guests

Kyle Aisteach

Kyle Aisteach is a short storyist who lives in Fresno, where he also teaches writing. www.aisteach.com or @kyleaistaech

Lillian Csernica

The Renaissance Pleasure Faire

Jay Hartlove

Horror Writers Association

Jean Martin

Finery Editor, Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild

Emerian Rich

HorrorAddicts.net

Saturday September 27, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
SandPebble C

Panel, publishing, writing

16:00 PDT

What's happening in space?

Amy Sterling Casil will have just attended Launch Pad and will share the newest developments she hears from NASA scientists. Add more folks, but that's the starting point.

Guests

Arthur Bozlee

Amy Sterling Casil

Candace Lowe

Kay Tracy

Guests of Honor

Kevin Grazier

Saturday September 27, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
SandPebble A

Panel, science, space

16:00 PDT

Why You Need Feminism

The portrayal of women in media and the daily treatment of women as objects is on the decline. It's not just for "victims" or angry "feminazis." It's fighting against a culture that objectifies any human being or treats one gender as unable to control themselves.

Moderators

Renee Ritchie

Guests

Gregg Castro

Director, Salinan T'rowt'raahl

Leslie E. Light

Editor/Writer, Black Nerd Problems

Lon Sarver

Lon Sarver is an editor with Fantastic Fiction Publishing, working mainly with their fantasy and science fiction stories. He has also been a localization editor for Aeria Games, having worked on their MMOs Scarlet Blade and Aura Kingdom, a relationship counselor, and professional... Read More →

Helen Stringer

Saturday September 27, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
Sumac

Panel, social issues

16:00 PDT

Silicon Valley Science Fiction Short Film Festival

Guests

Chris Garcia

Computer History Museum

Fanzine guy who loves writing, gambling, making movies and Steampunk. I also like pudding.

Saturday September 27, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
Harbor

Special Event, film

16:00 PDT

Todd M. Talks to M. Todd

M. Todd Gallowglas interviews Featured Guest Todd McCaffrey

Guests

M Todd Gallowglas

Writer

Todd McCaffrey

Saturday September 27, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
SandPebble D

Special Event

16:00 PDT

Is It Filk Yet

Come join Maya and Jeff Bohnhoff in writing a parody song

Guests

Maya K. Bohnhoff

Taunya Gren

Paul Kwinn

Saturday September 27, 2014 16:00 - 18:00 PDT
Programming Suite - Room 2097

Workshop, music, writing

17:00 PDT

PLAYZONE: Cardboard Constructions

Guests

Playzone Staff

Saturday September 27, 2014 17:00 - 18:00 PDT
Evergreen

Playzone

17:00 PDT

Autograph Session: Jim Doty

Saturday September 27, 2014 17:00 - 18:00 PDT
Regency Foyer

Signing

18:00 PDT

Autograph Session: Emerian Rich

Saturday September 27, 2014 18:00 - 19:00 PDT
Regency Foyer

Signing

18:00 PDT

Escape Pod - Huff

Guests of Honor

Tanya Huff

Saturday September 27, 2014 18:00 - 20:00 PDT
Programming Suite - Room 2097

Limited Special Event

18:00 PDT

Bad Science in laser Weapons

Laser Weapons and how SF writers almost always get it wrong.

Guests

J. L. Doty

Full-time writer, me, Inc.

Saturday September 27, 2014 18:00 - 20:00 PDT
SandPebble A

Panel, science, media, film, television

18:00 PDT

But Can You Do It On A Space Station?

Mystery, horror, romance, fantasy, even a Western. Can stories based in other genres be told in the larger context of a science fiction setting?

Guests

Colin Fisk

Tracy Newby

Cliff Winnig

Saturday September 27, 2014 18:00 - 20:00 PDT
Sumac

Panel, literature, writing, space

18:00 PDT

Don't Crush that Writer (Hand Me the Duct Tape)

The etiquette and responsibilities of critique group and workshop participants. Panelists discuss the rules of the road for participating constructively when you're critiquing or being critiqued.

Guests

Kyle Aisteach

Kyle Aisteach is a short storyist who lives in Fresno, where he also teaches writing. www.aisteach.com or @kyleaistaech

Maya K. Bohnhoff

Helen Stringer

Fred Wiehe

Saturday September 27, 2014 18:00 - 20:00 PDT
SandPebble C

Panel, editing, writing

18:00 PDT

Geeks Bullying Each Other

Geeks are bullying each other to show off who is the Geekiest. How is this destructive to our community and how can we work to prevent this.

Guests

Tyler King

Lance Moore

Westercon 66

Renee Ritchie

Saturday September 27, 2014 18:00 - 20:00 PDT
Pine

Panel, social issues, conventions

18:00 PDT

How to run a con

Guests

Stacy Meyn

Randy Smith

SonyaLynn

Andy Trembley

Geek, freak, reader, essayist, costumer, critic, media-junkie, biker, pervert, party-queen, troublemaker, FAN.

Saturday September 27, 2014 18:00 - 20:00 PDT
Oak

Panel, conventions

18:00 PDT

Stepping into the professional world.

A panel on professional behavior, communication and style. Topics include how and when to reply to emails, with colleagues, and so on to maintain a balanced professional relationship. Geared for a fan based situations to help clarify the sometimes blurry line between fandom and business.

Guests

Elanor Hughes

Arlin Robins

Owner, Arlin Robins Designs

I have a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, in whose museum I found enough wonderful art to fuel a lifetime of inspiration for any artist. I've created art in two dimensions (both individual paintings and remarqued prints) and three dimensions. I love to experiment... Read More →

Steven Savage

Saturday September 27, 2014 18:00 - 20:00 PDT
SandPebble D

Panel, business

18:00 PDT

Women of their time

Moderators

Kay Tracy

Guests

Amy Sterling Casil

Wanda Kurtcu

Writers Workshop, Pleasant

Hello and welcome aboard! Here’s a little bit about me! My 15 minutes of fame is from ‘A Matter of Honor’, a Star Trek: Next Generation episode I wrote back in 1984. I have been involved with Baycon as the Writers Workshop maven and on panels focused diversity in science fiction... Read More →

Tory Parker

Heidi L. Stauffer

Teacher, Lydian Academy

Saturday September 27, 2014 18:00 - 20:00 PDT
SandPebble B

Panel, education, women in STEM

18:00 PDT

Escape Pod - Stackpole

Guests

Michael Stackpole

Saturday September 27, 2014 18:00 - 20:00 PDT
Wine Room

Special Event Limited

18:30 PDT

Charity Auction

Guests

Taunya Gren

Saturday September 27, 2014 18:30 - 19:45 PDT
Pool Pavilion

Special Event, charity

19:00 PDT

Autograph Session : Jay Hartlove

Saturday September 27, 2014 19:00 - 20:00 PDT
Regency Foyer

Signing

20:00 PDT

Alateen

Saturday September 27, 2014 20:00 - 21:00 PDT
Sumac

Support Meeting, support

20:00 PDT

Friends of Bill W

Saturday September 27, 2014 20:00 - 21:00 PDT
Pine

Support Meeting, support

20:00 PDT

Friends of Lois

Saturday September 27, 2014 20:00 - 21:00 PDT
Oak

Support Meeting, support

20:00 PDT

GAMING: Digital Pinball Tournament

Saturday September 27, 2014 20:00 - 22:00 PDT
Scalini's

20:00 PDT

Masquerade and halftime show

Guests

M Todd Gallowglas

Writer

Saturday September 27, 2014 20:00 - 22:00 PDT
Pool Pavilion

Special Event, costuming, cosplay

20:00 PDT

Filk - Saturday

Sing until the wee hours with friends, filkers and fellow fen.

Saturday September 27, 2014 20:00 - 23:59 PDT
SandPebble D

21:00 PDT

Burning Bridges

... now there's 5 ships worth of crew on the 4000 square foot station Anubis. It's a quiet day out in the Black. What could go wrong?

Join your fellow LARPers for this game in the Firefly universe.

Saturday September 27, 2014 21:00 - 23:59 PDT
Harbor A/B

LARP, gaming, LARP

22:00 PDT

Karaoke - Saturday

Korkaraoke returns to Convolution. Enjoy a taste of stardom and share your best rendition of your favorite tune!

Saturday September 27, 2014 22:00 - 23:59 PDT
SandPebble A

22:00 PDT

GAMING: The Big Frakking Texas Hold 'Em Game

Saturday September 27, 2014 22:00 - 23:59 PDT
Scalini's

Game

22:00 PDT

Turning the Heat up Beyond Time and Space.

Erotica reading presentation. 18 and over ONLY. PROJECT GENESIS

Moderators

M.Christian

Guests

DM Atkins

Ash Miller

Lon Sarver

Jean Marie Stine

Saturday September 27, 2014 22:00 - 23:59 PDT
SandPebble C

Panel, 18+, Genesis, literature

08:00 PDT

Morning Movement - Sunday

Morning exercise

Guests

Paul Scherman

Accademia di Scherma Classica

Sunday September 28, 2014 08:00 - 09:00 PDT
Harbor A

09:00 PDT

Christian Services

Religious observance

Guests

Randy Smith

Sunday September 28, 2014 09:00 - 10:00 PDT
Pine

10:00 PDT

PLAYZONE: Comic masks

Guests

Playzone Staff

Sunday September 28, 2014 10:00 - 11:00 PDT
Evergreen

Playzone

10:00 PDT

Autograph Session : Steven Mix

Guests

Steven Mix

Falkor Publishing

Sunday September 28, 2014 10:00 - 11:00 PDT
Regency Foyer

Signing

10:00 PDT

Moderated Fan Gathering: Battlestar Galactica

Guests

Stacy Meyn

Tracy Newby

Sunday September 28, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
Sector 8 - Room 8052

10:00 PDT

Moderated Fan Gathering: Star Wars

Guests

Tim Simpson

Sunday September 28, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
Sector 7 - Room 7052

10:00 PDT

Escape Pod - Grazier

Guests of Honor

Kevin Grazier

Sunday September 28, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
Programming Suite - Room 2097

Limited Special Event

10:00 PDT

Bend it like Bechdel

Finding an alternative to the Bechdel test. The Mako Mori test isn't quite right either. We know when we've found a movie or story that we feel is at least some better representation of women. But it doesn't always pass the test. So, what does it need? What do we want? Or, what are we willing to accept? This has probably been done to death...

Guests

Elanor Hughes

Lance Moore

Westercon 66

Michael Rhodes

Juliette Wade

Writer, DAW

Sunday September 28, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
Sumac

Panel, social issues, diversity, media

10:00 PDT

Chicks Dig Comics

Discussions of Women and Comic. Where are the women and what are they reading and creating.

Moderators

SallyRose

Tesser Inc.

Guests

Marisa Garcia

Ash Miller

Beth Vallacqua

Franklin McKinley School District

Sunday September 28, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
SandPebble E

Panel, comics

10:00 PDT

Clothing Distressing

- A panel focusing on easy (and very inexpensive) techniques for aging new clothes in a quick and realistic fashion from my experience. So I guess this would be distressing clothing within a range of cost options.

Moderators

Sarah Pugliaresi

Guests

Chris Blackwood

Krys Blackwood

Sunday September 28, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
Pine

Panel, costuming

10:00 PDT

Geek Parents Raising Geeklets

We're all getting older. Some with kids, others with grandkids. When you're as passionate about the things we all geek out about and have kids, chances are, they may follow in your footsteps. Panelists include parents and kids from three families, all talking about getting their multi-generation geek on.

Moderators

JC Arkham

Creator/Host, The NerdVana Podcast

Guests

Brian Rodriguez

Carrie Sessarego

reviewer, Geek Girl In Love and Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

L. Tarr

Beth Vallacqua

Franklin McKinley School District

Volunteers

Susie Rodriguez

Susie Rodriguez is an amateur everything, in that she does not get paid for any of it. The homeschooling mother of a 17 year old and a 5 year old, she is a life long fan, aspiring novelist, writer of snarky filk and all around smart alec. She holds a BA in English from UC Berkeley... Read More →

Sunday September 28, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
SandPebble B

Panel, conventions, social issues

10:00 PDT

Mind/computer interfaces

Guests

Wanda Kurtcu

Writers Workshop, Pleasant

Todd McCaffrey

Sunday September 28, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
SandPebble B

Panel, science

10:00 PDT

The Graphic Arts & Design Industry

Experienced graphic designers and artists share their experience with up and coming artists and designers about the graphic design/art industry. Where it's been, where it is now and where it's going.

Guests

Beckett Gladney

Maurine Starkey

Guests of Honor

Jeff Sturgeon

Sunday September 28, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
SandPebble A

Panel, art

10:00 PDT

Women in Sci Fi

Moderators

Helen Stringer

Guests

Amy Sterling Casil

Carrie Sessarego

reviewer, Geek Girl In Love and Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Jean Marie Stine

Guests of Honor

Tanya Huff

Sunday September 28, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
Pool Pavilion

Panel

10:00 PDT

Worldbuilding for gamers and writers

Guests

David Coronado

Narrator, Theatre Arcanos

Lillian Csernica

The Renaissance Pleasure Faire

Ryan Galiotto

Owner, Wicked Grounds

Jennifer McGaffey

Steven Savage

Sunday September 28, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
Harbor A

Panel, gaming, writing

10:00 PDT

Reading #4

Short readings by some of our authors

Guests

Maya K. Bohnhoff

M Todd Gallowglas

Writer

Candace Lowe

Madeleine Robins

Sunday September 28, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
Oak

Reading

10:00 PDT

GOH Spotlight - Michael Stackpole

Guests

Taunya Gren

Michael Stackpole

Sunday September 28, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
Harbor B

Special Event

10:00 PDT

Backyard and household science to do with kids

Adults are invited to come learn several science projects to do at home with kids. Due to the fast pace, this panel is not appropriate for children. For a hands on experience for the kids, see "Kids Do Science" in our Playzone.

Guests

Tory Parker

Kay Tracy

Sunday September 28, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
SandPebble D

Workshop, education, science

10:00 PDT

Hair Workshop

How to make your hair interesting for costuming.

Guests

Debbie Bretschneider

City of Saratoga

Debbie Bretschneider loves to costume at conventions. Hall costuming is always a blast. Latest award was Best Workmanship at the Westercon 66 masquerade.

Sunday September 28, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 PDT
Wine Room

Workshop, costuming

11:00 PDT

Autograph Session: Fred Wiehe

Sunday September 28, 2014 11:00 - 12:00 PDT
Regency Foyer

Signing

12:00 PDT

GAMING: Carabande

Sunday September 28, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Scalini's

12:00 PDT

Hollyweird Science

Come join Guest of Honor Kevin Grazier for an insider's look at his new book, "Hollyweird Science."

Guests of Honor

Kevin Grazier

Sunday September 28, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
SandPebble E

12:00 PDT

Harassment- And we're going to keep talking about this

Continuing the discussion about harassment in fandom, the changes being made and those still needed.

Moderators

Stephen "Dirk" Libbey

Gaming Manager, Sound United

Guests

Amy Sterling Casil

Gregg Castro

Director, Salinan T'rowt'raahl

Kevin Roche

SonyaLynn

Sunday September 28, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Sumac

Panel, conventions, diversity, social issues

12:00 PDT

Military Fantasy, different themes than Military SF?

Most often we think of the Military themes in SF, not Fantasy. Does fantasy dictate a different approach to handling those themes?

Moderators

Matt Branstad

Guests

Tanya Huff

Michael Stackpole

Sunday September 28, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
SandPebble D

Panel, literature, writing

12:00 PDT

Mold Making demo

Learn how to make simple 1 and 2 piece molds of purchased or sculpted objects and how to cast plastic copies.

Guests

Mette Hedin

Bryan Little

Sunday September 28, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Sector 8 - Room 8052

Panel, art, cosplay, costuming, science

12:00 PDT

Multi-cultural Fans of Sci Fi. How can we encourage people to find Sci-Fi and Fantasy?

People of Color often are not as visiable at Sci Fi Cons as you would hope. How do we as a community encourage more people to find Sci-Fi and share their love of the Genre?

Moderators

Wanda Kurtcu

Writers Workshop, Pleasant

Guests

Jon Del Arroz

Rislandia Books

Science Fiction, Steampunk, Baseball, Comics

Marisa Garcia

Bradford Lyau

Heidi L. Stauffer

Teacher, Lydian Academy

Sunday September 28, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Pine

Panel, conventions, diversity, literature, social issues

12:00 PDT

Prop Making

Moderators

MariEllen Cotteman

Guests

Krys Blackwood

Stacy Meyn

Tracy Newby

Tim Simpson

Sunday September 28, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
SandPebble C

Panel, art, cosplay, costuming

12:00 PDT

Shameless self-promotion for writers

Amazon, good reads, how to make the advertising work for you. Experienced pros give you their best tips on how to get noticed.

Moderators

M Todd Gallowglas

Writer

Guests

Kyle Aisteach

Kyle Aisteach is a short storyist who lives in Fresno, where he also teaches writing. www.aisteach.com or @kyleaistaech

Lillian Csernica

The Renaissance Pleasure Faire

Chantelle Osman

Sunday September 28, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
SandPebble B

Panel, publishing, self-promotion, writing

12:00 PDT

Social Worldbuilding

Let's talk about designing societies and their behaviors and institutions, and the kinds of real interactions those will lead to between characters. While we're doing it, let's try to look beyond traditional European-based models and get really diverse and interesting.

Moderators

Juliette Wade

Writer, DAW

Guests

Marie Brennan

Writer

Steven Mix

Falkor Publishing

Madeleine Robins

Sunday September 28, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Oak

Panel, culture, writing

12:00 PDT

Wounds And How To Make Them

Join us as we discuss some commonly held misconceptions about historical martial practice. We'll cover the weight and design of weapons and armor, wounds that weapons produce, and the role of the knight in society. Discussions will be based on historical records and analysis of evolution of fighting technique and weapons in the 13th through 18th centuries. This is the lecture portion of a two-part presentation.

Guests

Tony Barajas

Fight Coordinator, Michael's Salle d'Armes

Sydney Thomson﹐ M.D.

Paul Scherman

Accademia di Scherma Classica

Jeremy Tavan

Sunday September 28, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Pool Pavilion

Panel, combat

12:00 PDT

PLAYZONE Kids Do Science

Kay and Tracy show the kids of Convolution how to do cool stuff with science!

Guests

Tory Parker

Kay Tracy

Sunday September 28, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Playzone

Playzone, education, science

12:00 PDT

Reading #5 (Never On A Sunday)

Short readings by some of our authors. Subjects include horror, romance and erotica. 18 and over ONLY. PROJECT GENESIS

Guests

Jay Hartlove

Horror Writers Association

M.Christian

AE Marling

Fred Wiehe

Sunday September 28, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Sector 7 - Room 7052

Reading, 18+, Genesis

12:00 PDT

Filk Concert

Puzzlebox and the Bohnhoff family share their music with Convolution

Guests

Maya K. Bohnhoff

Beckett Gladney

Taunya Gren

Paul Kwinn

Sunday September 28, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Harbor B

Special Event, music

12:00 PDT

GOH Spotlight - Jeff Sturgeon

Guests

Arlin Robins

Owner, Arlin Robins Designs

Guests of Honor

Jeff Sturgeon

Sunday September 28, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
SandPebble B

Special Event

12:00 PDT

Attitude of Gratitude

Life gets rough. We all have bad days. What helps lift us up? What brings a smile to that face? A few kind words perhaps? Together we will craft some Appreciation Art! Three prompt ideas will be provided to the group for inspiration.We will add some more love and appreciation to our world. Always smile when you hear "As You Wish"? What about three little words... "Pew. Pew. Pew." Come get creative and focus on getting some smiles out there! Cardstock templates, magazines, stickers, glitter, glue, markers, scissors and more are provided. There is an availabe option to have their card designs included in an Affirmation deck to be made available to the public in the future. LIMIT 30 participants.

Guests

Ash Miller

Sunday September 28, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Harbor A

Workshop, art, the first step

12:00 PDT

Fingerloop Braiding

Guests

Jennifer McGaffey

Sunday September 28, 2014 12:00 - 14:00 PDT
Wine Room

Workshop, art, the first step

13:00 PDT

Autograph Session: CS Lowe

Guests

Candace Lowe

Sunday September 28, 2014 13:00 - 14:00 PDT
Regency Foyer

Signing

14:00 PDT

PLAYZONE: Bey Blades

Guests

Playzone Staff

Sunday September 28, 2014 14:00 - 15:00 PDT
Evergreen

Playzone

14:00 PDT

Buddhist Gathering

Guests

Wanda Kurtcu

Writers Workshop, Pleasant

Sunday September 28, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Sumac

14:00 PDT

Moderated Fan Gathering: Cultural Diversity

Guests

Gregg Castro

Director, Salinan T'rowt'raahl

Sunday September 28, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Oak

14:00 PDT

The Lie of "Show Don't Tell."

Show, don’t tell. Sounds like great advice…but what does it mean? Often writers are told what not to do. Don’t tell the readers how to feel. Don’t tell the readers what to think. But even when they are told what to do, such as be more descriptive and concrete in imagery, the rewrite often falls flat. That’s because the advice to show, don’t tell has an inherent contradiction built into it. Showing can be sterile but readers want a rich experience. This how-to presentation will reveal how the core contradiction of show, don’t tell interferes with creating emotionally engaging scenes. It will provide specific techniques for how to write successful, rich scenes to captivate your readers. With a little practice, you may never hear those three little words again.

Guests

Jennifer L. Carson

Sunday September 28, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
SandPebble B

14:00 PDT

'New Adult' - is this a real thing?

"New adult" is staking a claim as a hot new genre, but is it needed? Do we need a category between YA and adult? Is this a natural result of the Harry Potter generation or is this a dumbing down of adult readers? As more and more of the hottest authors are writing YA and dystopian YA in particular is a big hit with adults, are we seeing a blurring of the line between YA and adult lit in general? http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2013/04/15/new-adult-genre-is-the-hottest-category-in-book-publishing/2022707/

Moderators

M.Christian

Guests

Jean Batt

DJ, Artist, Voice Over, Model, Cybermantic Collective and Smashwolf Productions and Studios

Todd McCaffrey

Chantelle Osman

Sunday September 28, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Harbor B

Panel, literature

14:00 PDT

Armor Making

Guests

MariEllen Cotteman

Sunday September 28, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
SandPebble C

Panel, art, cosplay, costuming

14:00 PDT

Dice on the Page

A number of authors have reworked material that began as a role-playing game into short stories, novels, and other forms. What craft issues does a writer have to grapple with when making this transition? How does a story that began as a game differ from one that was a solo project from the start? What ethical considerations does a writer owe to the people who participated in the original game?

Moderators

Marie Brennan

Writer

Guests

Shael Hawman

Lon Sarver

Michael Stackpole

Sunday September 28, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
SandPebble D

Panel, gaming, writing

14:00 PDT

Geek Traveling and Re-enacting

Traveling to film, TV and book locations. How to do this, where to go, tips and examples. Such as Lord of the Rings Tour of New Zealand and UK historical, literary and scifi sites.

Guests

Christopher Erickson

Jean Martin

Finery Editor, Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild

Sunday September 28, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
SandPebble A

Panel, conventions, travel

14:00 PDT

If this is a room of my own, why is it covered in LEGO?

A panel about finding time to write, or keeping in touch with your muse as a writer. One of the big problems facing women writers, especially mothers, is the lack of Virginia Woolf's "room of their own." How do you find/build/that room?

Guests

Maya K. Bohnhoff

Margaret McGaffey Fisk

Marisa Garcia

Leslie E. Light

Editor/Writer, Black Nerd Problems

Sunday September 28, 2014 14:00 - 16:00 PDT
Harbor A

Panel, social issues, writing

14:00 PDT

Swordplay Through The Ages

Experience the violence and finesse that make up historical sword fighting! We begin with armored knights performing longsword tournament combat, then progress through the years demonstrating assorted sword fighting techniques of the past 500 years. We will show longsword, cut-and-thrust sword, rapier and dagger, and modern dueling sword and saber. This is the demonstration portion of a two-part presentation.

Guests