Stephen Kozeniewski's Blog, page 26
January 25, 2019
You Don't Know What You've Got 'Til It's Gone
I've been a federal employee - a civil servant, people used to say - for fifteen years. I joined the army in 2004 and served for a bout four and a half years. After a brief and miserable stint in the private sector working for a dental insurance company for less than a year, I returned to the army to work as a civilian. Since then I've worked for the army and the navy as a medical clerk, a secretary at a substance abuse clinic, and in a variety of financial management positions.
In that time I've served under three very different presidents. The landscape of politics has changed immeasurably. One thing which hasn't really changed much is a certain level of disdain, sometimes veering into hostility, toward federal workers. In the best of times people would complain about how I had a pension, cheap healthcare, thirty vacation days a year, and eleven federal holidays off, and how nobody in the private sector was getting anything like that anymore. My response to that was typically "Why don't you unionize, then?" or, if I'm being more accurate, "Why did you let conservatives chip away at organized labor and its protections for the last forty years if you wanted those things for yourselves?" But that's a subject for a whole other blogpost.
The lowest ebb of my admittedly short tenure was when Sarah Palin declared that the federal government had never created a single solitary job. For years that became a common refrain in conservative circles.
It was bullshit at the time, and it made me roll my eyes. With a workforce of two million, the federal government is the largest single employer in the United States. That's not counting contractors, of course, who constitute about four million employees. If you throw in half a million postal workers, one-and-a-half million active duty military members, and another one-and-a-half million grant employees, the total is nearly ten million.
The labor force in America is about 162 million, which means that Uncle Sam is directly cutting a check to an eye-blistering 6% of the population. And that's not even getting into the ancillary businesses - restaurants outside of a government building, or dry cleaners which wouldn't exist except for the military base in town, etc. At that point the numbers get kind of cutesy, so I'm just going to leave that alone, except to point out that, yeah, with 6% of the population not getting a paycheck, a significant portion of the other 94% is going to feel the pain.
Of course, we're not in that kind of a doomsday scenario now. A scant quarter of the government is shut down, and with it, nearly 800,000 federal workers - disregarding, of course, all of the collateral contractors, etc.
And now I'm watching - not without a certain amount of perverse glee, I'll be the first to admit - as the people who shat all over what I do for a decade and a half are are coming face-to-face with the reality that we're not all leeches. That we do, in fact, serve a purpose. And that the federal government, Governor Palin, does in fact create jobs. Nearly 6% of them, and that's if we're being extremely modest.
I'm also watching with some glee to learn that my fellow civil servants are turning to some tried-and-true old organized labor methods to express their displeasure. Many TSA agents are calling out sick. Other departments are finding their unpaid workforce decimated by requests for hardship leave. I wonder to what extent slowdowns and work-to-rules and other job actions are also taking place now.
It's very easy for Republicans to shrug and say, "Ah, well, nobody would miss the government anyway." Now that we're actually seeing it, for, realistically speaking the first time ever, I'm delighted. Not by the hardship and suffering of my fellow civil servants, that is a terrible outcome. I'm delighted that everyone who's ever complained about how the government doesn't do anything, and how we're all useless is being forced to eat their words. In a few weeks when Joe Six-Pack doesn't get his tax refund, it's going to be anarchy on the streets.
In that time I've served under three very different presidents. The landscape of politics has changed immeasurably. One thing which hasn't really changed much is a certain level of disdain, sometimes veering into hostility, toward federal workers. In the best of times people would complain about how I had a pension, cheap healthcare, thirty vacation days a year, and eleven federal holidays off, and how nobody in the private sector was getting anything like that anymore. My response to that was typically "Why don't you unionize, then?" or, if I'm being more accurate, "Why did you let conservatives chip away at organized labor and its protections for the last forty years if you wanted those things for yourselves?" But that's a subject for a whole other blogpost.
The lowest ebb of my admittedly short tenure was when Sarah Palin declared that the federal government had never created a single solitary job. For years that became a common refrain in conservative circles.
It was bullshit at the time, and it made me roll my eyes. With a workforce of two million, the federal government is the largest single employer in the United States. That's not counting contractors, of course, who constitute about four million employees. If you throw in half a million postal workers, one-and-a-half million active duty military members, and another one-and-a-half million grant employees, the total is nearly ten million.
The labor force in America is about 162 million, which means that Uncle Sam is directly cutting a check to an eye-blistering 6% of the population. And that's not even getting into the ancillary businesses - restaurants outside of a government building, or dry cleaners which wouldn't exist except for the military base in town, etc. At that point the numbers get kind of cutesy, so I'm just going to leave that alone, except to point out that, yeah, with 6% of the population not getting a paycheck, a significant portion of the other 94% is going to feel the pain.
Of course, we're not in that kind of a doomsday scenario now. A scant quarter of the government is shut down, and with it, nearly 800,000 federal workers - disregarding, of course, all of the collateral contractors, etc.
And now I'm watching - not without a certain amount of perverse glee, I'll be the first to admit - as the people who shat all over what I do for a decade and a half are are coming face-to-face with the reality that we're not all leeches. That we do, in fact, serve a purpose. And that the federal government, Governor Palin, does in fact create jobs. Nearly 6% of them, and that's if we're being extremely modest.
I'm also watching with some glee to learn that my fellow civil servants are turning to some tried-and-true old organized labor methods to express their displeasure. Many TSA agents are calling out sick. Other departments are finding their unpaid workforce decimated by requests for hardship leave. I wonder to what extent slowdowns and work-to-rules and other job actions are also taking place now.
It's very easy for Republicans to shrug and say, "Ah, well, nobody would miss the government anyway." Now that we're actually seeing it, for, realistically speaking the first time ever, I'm delighted. Not by the hardship and suffering of my fellow civil servants, that is a terrible outcome. I'm delighted that everyone who's ever complained about how the government doesn't do anything, and how we're all useless is being forced to eat their words. In a few weeks when Joe Six-Pack doesn't get his tax refund, it's going to be anarchy on the streets.
January 23, 2019
The Quintessential "Welcome to Daisyland" Post
I'm delighted to introduce you all to the first film I've been involved with: "Welcome to Daisyland." Specifically, I wrote episode 2, "The Voice."
Here's where you can find out more about "Welcome to Daisyland" around the internet:
The official website
IMDB
A release announcement on Bloody Disgusting
The Dead Daisies page
A release announcement on Dread Central
A trailer share on Scream
A launch page on FilmStarts
A release announcement on Mitch Schneider Organization
A trailer share on Film Ink
A page on United Horror Fans BBS
A release announcement on Blabbermouth.net
A trailer share on Piercing Metal
A page on Mubi
A release announcement on Scenester
A trailer share on Rama's Screen
A page on Reddit
A release announcement on HorrorNews.net
A trailer share on We Viral News
A release announcement on Daily DeadA trailer share on Crypt Teaze
A release announcement on MUEN Magazine
A trailer share on CinePop
Videos:
January 21, 2019
Google Search: I Dreamt About (redirect)
Hey, everybody! Over on my group blog Across the Board I wrote a little bit about people's dreams. Rather than just copy it here, I thought I'd leave one of my periodic reminders to go check out the group site. It's got a lot more contributors than just me, and that diversity of thought is fun to look over.
Check it out!
Check it out!
January 18, 2019
The Top Ten Manuscripts Burn Posts of 2018
Hey, everybody! As the new year gears up, let's take a look back at what's gone before. Based solely on number of views as of January 1, here are the top ten most popular posts of 2018 on ye olde blogge:
10. For Today's Blob Post...
9. The Quintessential Silverwood: The Door Post
8. Women in Horror Month #9: Claire C. Riley, Author of ODIUM
7. Making the Sausage: Bookkeeping
6. The Long, Hard Reach for that Brass Ring
5. Women in Horror Month #1: Suzanne Madron, Author of FOR SALE OR RENT
4. The Quintessential WHISPERS OF THE APOC Post
3. 2018 Appearances
2. Call to Action - Please Donate to the Brian Keene Burn Fund
1. Mascara and a Rifle: Women in the Military (Guest Post by Dacia M. Arnold)
So, what can we learn from this information? What are the most interesting posts that people want to see? Based on the evidence, I think the conclusion is clear: no fucking idea. What the hell do you people want? You're all over the fucking place here. Get it together.
10. For Today's Blob Post...
9. The Quintessential Silverwood: The Door Post
8. Women in Horror Month #9: Claire C. Riley, Author of ODIUM
7. Making the Sausage: Bookkeeping
6. The Long, Hard Reach for that Brass Ring
5. Women in Horror Month #1: Suzanne Madron, Author of FOR SALE OR RENT
4. The Quintessential WHISPERS OF THE APOC Post
3. 2018 Appearances
2. Call to Action - Please Donate to the Brian Keene Burn Fund
1. Mascara and a Rifle: Women in the Military (Guest Post by Dacia M. Arnold)
So, what can we learn from this information? What are the most interesting posts that people want to see? Based on the evidence, I think the conclusion is clear: no fucking idea. What the hell do you people want? You're all over the fucking place here. Get it together.
January 2, 2019
2019 Appearances
Hey all!
Here is my schedule of appearances for 2019. As changes occur, I will update this page, so be sure to check back often. Events in red have occurred in the past.
If you'd like me to make an appearance at a convention, signing, or other event you're organizing or attending, feel free to contact me and we'll discuss it. Most events in Baltimore or Philadelphia are a slam dunk for me to attend, but I'll consider travelling if invited.
Farpoint 26
Dates: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday February 8-10
Location:
Delta Hotel by Marriott
245 Shawan Road
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
Panels: TBD
Shore Leave 41
Date: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday July 12-14
Location: Delta Hotel by Marriott245 Shawan Rd.
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
Panels: TBD
Scares That Care Charity Weekend VI
Dates: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday August 2-4
Location:Double Tree by Hilton
50 Kingsmill Road
Williamsburg, Virginia, 23185.
Panels: TBD
KillerCon II
Dates: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday August 16-18
Location:
Wingate by Wyndham Conference Center
1209 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd
Round Rock, TX 78664
Panels: TBD
Chessiecon 2019
Dates: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday November 29 - December 1Location: Red Lion Hotel Baltimore North
2004 Greenspring Drive
Timonium, MD 21093
Panels: TBD
Here is my schedule of appearances for 2019. As changes occur, I will update this page, so be sure to check back often. Events in red have occurred in the past.
If you'd like me to make an appearance at a convention, signing, or other event you're organizing or attending, feel free to contact me and we'll discuss it. Most events in Baltimore or Philadelphia are a slam dunk for me to attend, but I'll consider travelling if invited.
Farpoint 26
Dates: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday February 8-10
Location:
Delta Hotel by Marriott
245 Shawan Road
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
Panels: TBD
Shore Leave 41
Date: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday July 12-14
Location: Delta Hotel by Marriott245 Shawan Rd.
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
Panels: TBD
Scares That Care Charity Weekend VI
Dates: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday August 2-4
Location:Double Tree by Hilton
50 Kingsmill Road
Williamsburg, Virginia, 23185.
Panels: TBD
KillerCon II
Dates: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday August 16-18
Location:
Wingate by Wyndham Conference Center
1209 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd
Round Rock, TX 78664
Panels: TBD
Chessiecon 2019
Dates: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday November 29 - December 1Location: Red Lion Hotel Baltimore North
2004 Greenspring Drive
Timonium, MD 21093
Panels: TBD
December 31, 2018
2018 Accomplishments
Hey everybody! Every year around this time (go figure) I start to think about what I accomplished in the past year. For instance, here's what I did in 2017.
And, as usual, around this time of year I start to think that I didn't accomplish shit. This year felt particularly pronounced as I didn't release a single original novel. It's made me feel like I'm falling behind. My last novel was SLASHVIVOR! in September of 2017 and my last non-collaborative novel was THE HEMATOPHAGES, all the way back in April of 2017! You don't get to be a professional writer by waiting years between releases. (Unless you're Jonathan Franzen, but, it goes without saying, fuck that guy.)
However, after looking back, I realized I did plenty this year. Here, for instance, were my releases:
January
"Deep Into that Dark One Peering" appears in CLICKERS FOREVER limited edition
"All Dolled Up" appears in WHISPERS OF THE APOC
April
"Deep Into that Dark One Peering" appears in CLICKERS FOREVER in wide release
July
BILLY AND THE CLONEASAURUS Author's Preferred Edition released
THE GHOUL ARCHIPELAGO Author's Preferred Edition released
October
"Exquisite Corpse" is released from Serial Box
"Silverwood: The Door" is released by Serial Box
November
EVERY KINGDOM DIVIDED limited edition
So actually...not so bad, huh? An original serial, two solid self-published releases, my first limited edition, and a few shorts. I probably shouldn't feel guilty for not releasing a straight novel, but I probably still will. Anyway, that's not all I accomplished in 2018. Here's some other exciting stuff:
February
Invited to speak at StokerCon Librarian's Day
June
Raised nearly $60,000 for my mentor Brian Keene's catastrophic injury (you can still donate here)
July
Appeared in a celebrity room at a convention for the first time at Scares That Care VWon the KillerCon Gross-Out Contest for "Everybody Poops...Especially Godzilla."
Sold the Italian-language rights to THE HEMATOPHAGES, my first foreign rights sale
September
I was invited to write an episode of "Welcome to Daisyland," my first professional script
November
Invited to appear for the first time on "This is Horror," the premiere UK horror podcastInvited to appear on "Eating the Fantastic" with the legendary Scott Edelman, joining such luminaries as Ellen Datlow, George R.R. Martin, and T.E.D. Klein
EVERY KINGDOM DIVIDED limited edition sells out in under a week
December
CLICKERS FOREVER wins an Independent Horror Book Award, my first inclusion in an award-winning title
And one last little tidbit: in 2018 I'm on track to make a bit over $5,000 in profit from my writing career. You may recall last year was the first time I actually drew a profit instead of a loss, and that was around $50. If sales continue to expand exponentially, at this rate next year I'll be making $500,000, and then in 2021, $50 million. So thanks for the support, everybody!
What about you? What were your greatest accomplishments in 2018? Let me know in the comments below.
And, as usual, around this time of year I start to think that I didn't accomplish shit. This year felt particularly pronounced as I didn't release a single original novel. It's made me feel like I'm falling behind. My last novel was SLASHVIVOR! in September of 2017 and my last non-collaborative novel was THE HEMATOPHAGES, all the way back in April of 2017! You don't get to be a professional writer by waiting years between releases. (Unless you're Jonathan Franzen, but, it goes without saying, fuck that guy.)
However, after looking back, I realized I did plenty this year. Here, for instance, were my releases:
January
"Deep Into that Dark One Peering" appears in CLICKERS FOREVER limited edition
"All Dolled Up" appears in WHISPERS OF THE APOC
April
"Deep Into that Dark One Peering" appears in CLICKERS FOREVER in wide release
July
BILLY AND THE CLONEASAURUS Author's Preferred Edition released
THE GHOUL ARCHIPELAGO Author's Preferred Edition released
October
"Exquisite Corpse" is released from Serial Box
"Silverwood: The Door" is released by Serial Box
November
EVERY KINGDOM DIVIDED limited edition
So actually...not so bad, huh? An original serial, two solid self-published releases, my first limited edition, and a few shorts. I probably shouldn't feel guilty for not releasing a straight novel, but I probably still will. Anyway, that's not all I accomplished in 2018. Here's some other exciting stuff:
February
Invited to speak at StokerCon Librarian's Day
June
Raised nearly $60,000 for my mentor Brian Keene's catastrophic injury (you can still donate here)
July
Appeared in a celebrity room at a convention for the first time at Scares That Care VWon the KillerCon Gross-Out Contest for "Everybody Poops...Especially Godzilla."
Sold the Italian-language rights to THE HEMATOPHAGES, my first foreign rights sale
September
I was invited to write an episode of "Welcome to Daisyland," my first professional script
November
Invited to appear for the first time on "This is Horror," the premiere UK horror podcastInvited to appear on "Eating the Fantastic" with the legendary Scott Edelman, joining such luminaries as Ellen Datlow, George R.R. Martin, and T.E.D. Klein
EVERY KINGDOM DIVIDED limited edition sells out in under a week
December
CLICKERS FOREVER wins an Independent Horror Book Award, my first inclusion in an award-winning title
And one last little tidbit: in 2018 I'm on track to make a bit over $5,000 in profit from my writing career. You may recall last year was the first time I actually drew a profit instead of a loss, and that was around $50. If sales continue to expand exponentially, at this rate next year I'll be making $500,000, and then in 2021, $50 million. So thanks for the support, everybody!
What about you? What were your greatest accomplishments in 2018? Let me know in the comments below.
December 28, 2018
My Appearance(s) on "This Is Horror"
I was delighted to be invited last month for an extensive interview by the good folks at This is Horror. We spoke for a while and ended up breaking it up into two hour-long pieces. I hope you enjoy it!
December 17, 2018
"Welcome to Daisyland"
I'm delighted to introduce you all to the first film I've been involved with: "Welcome to Daisyland." Specifically, I wrote episode 2, "The Voice." "Welcome to Daisyland" will be releasing Valentine's Day 2019. For now, though, you can watch the trailer, which does indeed feature some of the weird sex scenes from my episode. Enjoy!
December 14, 2018
My Appearance on "Eating the Fantastic"
Hey, kids! Sorry I haven't been posting much in the last few weeks. I've been taking a much needed break from reality after the hell that was November. (You can read more about that here.)
The good news, though, is that if you're jonesin' for an ample helping of Vitamin K, I've got you covered. During this year's Chessiecon I had the opportunity to have a midday meal (there was much discussion over whether it consituted lunch, supper, dinner, or some hybrid of the three) with the legendary Scott Edelman. Scott has written for "Tales from the Darkside," Marvel Comics, and the print arm of the Sci-Fi Channel, amongst many others in his storied career.
We talked for a good hour and a half straight over Vietnamese food, and as it went along I really came to appreciate Scott's format. His general idea is that people let their hair down and open up over a meal with a friend in a way they wouldn't during an "interview." And while at the beginning I was "on" the way I normally am in these situations, I did find myself relaxing and just chatting, perhaps too much, even. I think you'll enjoy it. You can check us out on:
- iTunes
- Libsyn
- or just click this embed below:
The good news, though, is that if you're jonesin' for an ample helping of Vitamin K, I've got you covered. During this year's Chessiecon I had the opportunity to have a midday meal (there was much discussion over whether it consituted lunch, supper, dinner, or some hybrid of the three) with the legendary Scott Edelman. Scott has written for "Tales from the Darkside," Marvel Comics, and the print arm of the Sci-Fi Channel, amongst many others in his storied career.
We talked for a good hour and a half straight over Vietnamese food, and as it went along I really came to appreciate Scott's format. His general idea is that people let their hair down and open up over a meal with a friend in a way they wouldn't during an "interview." And while at the beginning I was "on" the way I normally am in these situations, I did find myself relaxing and just chatting, perhaps too much, even. I think you'll enjoy it. You can check us out on:
- iTunes
- Libsyn
- or just click this embed below:
November 19, 2018
ChessieCon or Bust!
Hey, everybody! Thanksgiving is this week, and you know what that means: this weekend is Chessiecon!
Chessiecon is by far the best-run convention I attend. I love it and I'm sure you will, too. I'll be doing an assload of panels this year, so I hope to see you there.
So, again as far as dates, it will be this weekend, November 23-25, 2018. The location is:
Red Lion Hotel Baltimore North
2004 Greenspring Drive
Timonium, MD 21093
And my (batshit crazy) schedule is below. Hope to see you there!
Friday 4:15 pm - Greenspring 1 - "How Not to Get Published" (Moderator)
A discussion of the mistakes and pitfalls common in SF/F publishing, and how to avoid them.
Steve Kozeniewski (M), Linda Adams, Scott Edelman, Karen Osborne, Steven R. Southard
Friday 5:30 pm - Greenspring 2 - "But What if There Really Is a Wolf?
This panel appears to be cancelled. I'll leave it on here until I confirm.
Friday 6:45 pm - Greenspring 1 - "Running a Small Press"
A daunting task, taking on the title of publisher. Learn what is involved, in terms of subject matter, scheduling, financing, and personalities. Also, other less-obvious aspects of what might be involved, and what to avoid.
Harrison Demchick (M), Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Cristin Kist, Steve Kozeniewski, Martin Wilsey
Saturday 10:00 am - Greenspring 3-5 - "FRANKENSTEIN by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, 200th Anniversary"
Possibly the earliest SF/F work still widely read, this novel has influenced literature since its publication. Direct retellings include terrifying films and hilarious TV shows. We can see Frankenstein's influence in works as recent as the TV series Dexter and the popular web series Worm. Come discuss the work itself and its effect on feminism and society as we celebrate its bicentennial.
Carl Cipra (M), C.S. Friedman, Steve Kozeniewski, Jo Miles, Steven R. Southard
Saturday 11:15 am - Greenspring 3-5 - "Walking To Mordor: A Panel About Pacing and Time Compression"
There is something to be said about making your world feel big and the journey from point A to point B feel long and arduous. But if you're not careful, your epic odyssey may become a bedtime story! How do you make a long journey or passage of time interesting, and how do you know when to trim things down?
Don Sakers (M), Elektra Hammond, Steve Kozeniewski, Jo Walton
Saturday 12:30 pm - Greenspring 3-5 - "Turkey Awards Panel"
At our somewhat misguided request, authors created the opening paragraph to the worst SF/F novel they could conceive of. For four years running, our imaginative and inspired writers have come up with some beautiful, horrible, awful, and awe-inspiring works. Come hear what our finalists have written this year, and what our judges have to say about it. Winners will be awarded dubious prizes later in the evening.
Don Sakers (M), Lee Budar-Danoff, Beth Chandler, Harrison Demchick, Steve Kozeniewski
Saturday 5:30 pm - Greenspring 3-5 - "Rules of Writing, and When to Break Them" (Moderator)
Show, don't tell. Active rather than passive. Use energetic verbs instead of adverbs. These, among many others, are rules of writing that get beaten into us from day one. But are they immutable? Are they being used as intended or have they been misunderstood? When should we resist the temptation to bend the rules, and when should we modify them or even toss them out the window?
Steve Kozeniewski (M), Harrison Demchick, Ruthanna Emrys, Sarah Pinsker, Jo Walton
Saturday 6:45 pm - Atrium - Mass Signing
Authors, artists, and musicians gather for signing/book-selling/chatting with fans.
Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Leslie Roy Carter, Margaret Carter, Dr. Mary Crowell, Mary Fan, C.S. Friedman, J.L. Gribble, Elektra Hammond, Intisar Khanani, Steve Kozeniewski, Katherine Kurtz, Timothy Liebe, Valerie Mikles, Tamora Pierce, Sarah Pinsker, Roberta Rogow, Michelle D. Sonnier, Steven R. Southard, Jo Walton, Martin Wilsey
Saturday 9:15 pm - Greenspring 1 - "Where Does it All End? Turning Your Story Into a Cohesive Whole"
Well begun may be half done, but how do you figure out where you are ultimately going with your idea, the great ending, and how do you get there? Our panelists will discuss the elements that make up a good middle and end of a story and how to connect them.
Mary Fan, C.S. Friedman, Cristin Kist, Steve Kozeniewski, Jo Miles
Sunday 10:00 am - Greenspring 1 - "The 60-minute Plot"
A panel of writers takes suggestions from the audience to concoct the plot of a story.
Roberta Rogow (M), Harrison Demchick, Cristin Kist, Steve Kozeniewski, Valerie Mikles, Michelle D. Sonnier
Sunday 11:15 am - Greenspring 2 - "Famous Animals in Fantasy"
Whether as major characters in such works as Narnia, Watership Down, and Redwall, or as background characters in humanoid-centered fantasy worlds like Middle Earth or Damar, animals have played important and influential roles in genre literature. That's before even considering dragons! Join our panelists in a celebration and discussion of candidates for the Fantastic Animal Hall of Fame.
Nicole Jamison, Heather Rose Jones, Steve Kozeniewski, Tamora Pierce, Sarah Sexton
Sunday 12:30 pm - Greenspring 2 - "They're the Protagonist, But Are They a Role Model?"
The panel discusses protagonists who aren't inherently good people or who don't have inherently good goals, and what that means for how the reader perceives them and the story. Does a flawed character automatically mean a flawed story? Can an author tell a moral story with an amoral protagonist?
Don Sakers (M), Harrison Demchick, Jeff Gritman, Steve Kozeniewski, Jo Walton
Chessiecon is by far the best-run convention I attend. I love it and I'm sure you will, too. I'll be doing an assload of panels this year, so I hope to see you there.
So, again as far as dates, it will be this weekend, November 23-25, 2018. The location is:
Red Lion Hotel Baltimore North
2004 Greenspring Drive
Timonium, MD 21093
And my (batshit crazy) schedule is below. Hope to see you there!
Friday 4:15 pm - Greenspring 1 - "How Not to Get Published" (Moderator)
A discussion of the mistakes and pitfalls common in SF/F publishing, and how to avoid them.
Steve Kozeniewski (M), Linda Adams, Scott Edelman, Karen Osborne, Steven R. Southard
Friday 5:30 pm - Greenspring 2 - "But What if There Really Is a Wolf?
This panel appears to be cancelled. I'll leave it on here until I confirm.
Friday 6:45 pm - Greenspring 1 - "Running a Small Press"
A daunting task, taking on the title of publisher. Learn what is involved, in terms of subject matter, scheduling, financing, and personalities. Also, other less-obvious aspects of what might be involved, and what to avoid.
Harrison Demchick (M), Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Cristin Kist, Steve Kozeniewski, Martin Wilsey
Saturday 10:00 am - Greenspring 3-5 - "FRANKENSTEIN by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, 200th Anniversary"
Possibly the earliest SF/F work still widely read, this novel has influenced literature since its publication. Direct retellings include terrifying films and hilarious TV shows. We can see Frankenstein's influence in works as recent as the TV series Dexter and the popular web series Worm. Come discuss the work itself and its effect on feminism and society as we celebrate its bicentennial.
Carl Cipra (M), C.S. Friedman, Steve Kozeniewski, Jo Miles, Steven R. Southard
Saturday 11:15 am - Greenspring 3-5 - "Walking To Mordor: A Panel About Pacing and Time Compression"
There is something to be said about making your world feel big and the journey from point A to point B feel long and arduous. But if you're not careful, your epic odyssey may become a bedtime story! How do you make a long journey or passage of time interesting, and how do you know when to trim things down?
Don Sakers (M), Elektra Hammond, Steve Kozeniewski, Jo Walton
Saturday 12:30 pm - Greenspring 3-5 - "Turkey Awards Panel"
At our somewhat misguided request, authors created the opening paragraph to the worst SF/F novel they could conceive of. For four years running, our imaginative and inspired writers have come up with some beautiful, horrible, awful, and awe-inspiring works. Come hear what our finalists have written this year, and what our judges have to say about it. Winners will be awarded dubious prizes later in the evening.
Don Sakers (M), Lee Budar-Danoff, Beth Chandler, Harrison Demchick, Steve Kozeniewski
Saturday 5:30 pm - Greenspring 3-5 - "Rules of Writing, and When to Break Them" (Moderator)
Show, don't tell. Active rather than passive. Use energetic verbs instead of adverbs. These, among many others, are rules of writing that get beaten into us from day one. But are they immutable? Are they being used as intended or have they been misunderstood? When should we resist the temptation to bend the rules, and when should we modify them or even toss them out the window?
Steve Kozeniewski (M), Harrison Demchick, Ruthanna Emrys, Sarah Pinsker, Jo Walton
Saturday 6:45 pm - Atrium - Mass Signing
Authors, artists, and musicians gather for signing/book-selling/chatting with fans.
Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Leslie Roy Carter, Margaret Carter, Dr. Mary Crowell, Mary Fan, C.S. Friedman, J.L. Gribble, Elektra Hammond, Intisar Khanani, Steve Kozeniewski, Katherine Kurtz, Timothy Liebe, Valerie Mikles, Tamora Pierce, Sarah Pinsker, Roberta Rogow, Michelle D. Sonnier, Steven R. Southard, Jo Walton, Martin Wilsey
Saturday 9:15 pm - Greenspring 1 - "Where Does it All End? Turning Your Story Into a Cohesive Whole"
Well begun may be half done, but how do you figure out where you are ultimately going with your idea, the great ending, and how do you get there? Our panelists will discuss the elements that make up a good middle and end of a story and how to connect them.
Mary Fan, C.S. Friedman, Cristin Kist, Steve Kozeniewski, Jo Miles
Sunday 10:00 am - Greenspring 1 - "The 60-minute Plot"
A panel of writers takes suggestions from the audience to concoct the plot of a story.
Roberta Rogow (M), Harrison Demchick, Cristin Kist, Steve Kozeniewski, Valerie Mikles, Michelle D. Sonnier
Sunday 11:15 am - Greenspring 2 - "Famous Animals in Fantasy"
Whether as major characters in such works as Narnia, Watership Down, and Redwall, or as background characters in humanoid-centered fantasy worlds like Middle Earth or Damar, animals have played important and influential roles in genre literature. That's before even considering dragons! Join our panelists in a celebration and discussion of candidates for the Fantastic Animal Hall of Fame.
Nicole Jamison, Heather Rose Jones, Steve Kozeniewski, Tamora Pierce, Sarah Sexton
Sunday 12:30 pm - Greenspring 2 - "They're the Protagonist, But Are They a Role Model?"
The panel discusses protagonists who aren't inherently good people or who don't have inherently good goals, and what that means for how the reader perceives them and the story. Does a flawed character automatically mean a flawed story? Can an author tell a moral story with an amoral protagonist?
Don Sakers (M), Harrison Demchick, Jeff Gritman, Steve Kozeniewski, Jo Walton
