The 2016 Rotundo World Tour rolls into Kansas City for MidAmeriCon II, aka the 2016 WorldCon. And kids, let me tell you, I’ll be busy. Here’s my schedule:
Wednesday, August 17th
2:00 pm — 4:00 pm Volunteering at the SFWA Table (Convention Center, Dealer’s Room)
Stop by and say hi.
Thursday, August 18th
10:00 am — 12:00 pm Writing Workshop 1B
All sessions are filled.
1:00 pm — 2:00 pm As You Know, Bob . . . : The Fine Art of Exposition (Convention Center, Room 2209)
Exposition is writers giving readers information they need to understand a story. How is it possible to convey the necessary but not at the expense of the enjoyable? We try not to lecture…
3:00 pm — 4:00 pm Launch Pad (Convention Center, Room 2210)
Launch Pad is an annual event whereby a group of invited writers, editors, and creatives learn about modern science, specifically astronomy, so that they can in turn use it in their work and inspire others. Members who have attended Launch Pad discuss how it has affected their writing and ideas.
Friday, August 19th
10:00 am — 11:00 am The New Space Opera Golden Age on the Screen (Convention Center, Room 2503B)
There appears to be a resurgence in space opera on the silver screen, including The Force Awakens, Jupiter Ascending, Interstellar, and Guardians of the Galaxy, not to mention new TV shows like Babylon 5, The Expanse, and the forthcoming Old Man’s War. Is this an encouraging sign that public interest and enthusiasm for science and SF is on the rise? Is this resurgence manifesting in literature as well? What more do we want to see?
1:00 pm — 2:00 pm Why “A Long Time Ago . . . ?” (Convention Center, Room 3501F)
George Lucas set Star Wars in a galaxy far, far away, but also a long time ago. What is the importance of setting his saga in the distant past? How would our perceptions of it have been different if it were set in our time in a galaxy far, far away or if it had been set in the future?
4:00 pm — 5:00 pm 50 Years of Star Trek, Part Two: The Influence (Convention Center, Room 3501H)
Star Trek is fifty years old. It has inspired writers to write, children to become scientists, scientists to become astronauts and fans to write erotica. It has an enormous influence and in this session we take a look at the myriad of ways it has done so for a disparate group of people around the world.
Saturday, August 20th
11:00 am — 1:00 pm SFWA Business Meeting (Convention Center, Room 2205)
Open to SFWA members only.
4:00 pm — 5:00 pm Autographing at the SFWA Table (Convention Center, Dealer’s Room)
I’ll be back at the SFWA table on Saturday to autograph copies of Petra and Petra Released. Note that due to Missouri law pertaining to non-profits, I can’t sell anything at the SFWA table itself. But I will have copies of both books, which you are welcome to purchase from me any other time. If, you know, you’re of a mind.
Sunday, August 21st
12:00 pm — 12:30 pm Reading (Convention Center, Room 2202)
You know my motto: come for a treat, stay for a tale! I always bring treats to my readings.
See what I mean about being busy? And that’s just during the day. At night, I’ll be bopping around the parties and such.
Ah, WorldCon. Can’t wait. Hope to see you there!
