Worldcon

Yow. Talk about getting more than you asked for. I'm signed up for four panels at worldcon and am chairwoman on two.

The first of the latter is "Strong Female Characters in SF&F": How is the female character changing in current SF&F and why? What are the positive and negative influences on such characters in books, TV, and film? How do writers handle the treatment of strong female characters, and what are the popular and effective traits and devices? When do writers go too far, providing we can define "too far."?

The second is "Getting it Right: Religions": Your universes and societies may include religions, but it's hard to do it right... not just the assumed theology, but the way the structure works internally and how it fits into the society. How do you avoid the clutches of the Evil Cardinal or the too-pious guru? Which authors have done it right, and what did they do?

Of course, both of these speak to personal strengths. Where I fall down is knowing what else is out there in modern SF&F. Any suggestions of what I should read to prepare before the convention?