My RoberCon schedule

Presenters: Crystal Sarakas (moderator), April Steenburgh, Laura Anne Gilman, Gwenne Dawson, Andrew Haggerty
While dystopian fiction is nothing new (think 1984, Brave New World, The Handmaid’s Tale or Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), its mainstream popularity has grown in recent years, especially with young adults. We’ll talk about how dystopian fiction has evolved, why it’s gaining attention now and what its newfound audience means for this sub-genre’s future.

Presenters: Crystal Sarakas (moderator), Laura Anne Gilman, Joshua Palmatier, Deborah Blake
Lots of people come up with ideas for a story, but how do writers carry those to completion? We’ll talk with authors about the nitty-gritty of writing, from that first spark of an idea to seeing your idea in print and all the glamour and work in between.

Laura Anne Gilman, April Steenburgh (moderator)
Writer, editor and wine aficionado, Laura Anne Gilman is a woman of many hats. Join in for a conversation on writing in various genres, working for large publishers and small presses as well as crowd funding and that fascinating way the things you love slip into your writing.

SUNDAY:

Presenters: Crystal Sarakas (moderator), Laura Anne Gilman, Joshua Palmatier, Deborah Blake, Jill Shultz
What are the rules of worldbuilding? What are some of our panelists’ favorite examples of worldbuilding done right? How much detail should you go into, and how do you make sure that the plot is central, and not the scenery?

Presenters: Jill Shultz (moderator), Deborah Blake, Roberta Rogow, Laura Anne Gilman
From Mary Shelley to J.K. Rowling, women have profoundly influenced SF and fantasy. Yet according to the book review statistics, we’re still overlooked — and many casual readers believe women only write certain kinds of stories. We’ll bust some myths and add to your “to-be-read” pile.