Philcon Program Schedule By Guest

Danielle Ackley-McPhail

• Fri 7:00 PM in Executive Suite 623—Danielle Ackley-McPhail Reading (271)

Danielle Ackley-McPhail (mod)

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza IV (Four)—The Editors Panel (Short Fiction) (54)

  Professional Science Fiction editors of magazines and anthologies explain what they are looking for and discuss the nature of the Science Fiction and Fantasy short fiction market.

Hildy Silverman (mod), Darrell Schweitzer, Gardner Dozois, Neil Clarke, Danielle Ackley-McPhail

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Agents And Editors Panel (48)

  You know the drill -- find out what they are looking for in the current market.

Hildy Silverman (mod), Ty Drago, Neil Clarke, Neal Levin, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Brian Koscienski

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Editing Anthologies (66)

  An anthology is not a magazine. It presents a much more unified package, often arranged around a theme. Current anthologists explain how such books are edited and sold.

Darrell Schweitzer (mod), Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Gardner Dozois, Keith R.A. DeCandido

Walter Amos

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Best Animated Movie of 2009 (148)

  The year's not over yet, but compare the contenders: stop-motion ("Coraline"), traditional 2D ("Ponyo"), or CGI (most everything else)? Drama, humor, or the SF easter eggs of "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"?

Deb Lieven (mod), Walter Amos, Robert Fenelon, Brian T. Price, Michael A. Ventrella

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—These Are A Few Of My Favorite Scenes (156)

  Remember that show with that guy who did that thing? You know, with that...thing he had? Take a look at some of our fondest anime-induced memories. Who knows? You just might find a new favorite of your own.

Robert Fenelon (mod), Walter Amos, Stephanie Burke, Joe Foering, Amy Howard Wilson, Brian T. Price

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—SF & Fantasy Cartoons And Why We Love Them (157)

  What's new out there this year and what should go back to the drawing board...literally! Do we just love our old favorites from years gone by, or do we like the new stuff? These questions and other serious topics will be tackled. (e.g.: Exactly what the heck is a Scooby Snack?!)

Robert Fenelon (mod), Tony Finan, Walter Amos, Brian T. Price

• Sat 6:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Anime Princesses Rule...Disney Princesses Drool (160)

  There is more to the profession of "Princessing" than glittering gowns, fuzzy woodland creatures and sporadic spunkiness. We will explore differences between being a princess and a generic "strong female character". Maybe "Princessing" involves leadership over your kingdom, tribe, clan or other socio-economic peer group?

Walter Amos (mod), Robert Fenelon, Brian T. Price, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Jon Kilgannon

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—My Cartoon Stereotypes Are More Offensive Than Yours (162)

  Bored with the tired cliches of American storytelling? Where does a cultural reference cross the line into stereotype? Ever catch yourself asking "Hey! I'm American, but why do all these "westerners" have blonde hair and blue eyes? And why do "Asians" in American cartoons keep saying "honor" in every sentence?"

Robert Fenelon (mod), Walter Amos, Orenthal Hawkins, Brian T. Price, Stephanie Burke

Camille Anthony

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Hot Alien Sex (81)

  How do aliens do it? Use imagination.

Phil Kahn (mod), Muriel Hykes, James Daniel Ross, Oz Drummond, Camille Anthony, Jonathan Wright

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Future Sin (6)

  How does technology change the law? What happens when you want to have sex with a robot? What happens when a robot has an opinion on this? What could be illegal in the future which is merely impossible today?

Stephanie Burke (mod), Ef Deal, Camille Anthony, Gail Z. Martin, Michael A. Ventrella

Catherine Asaro

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—The Music of the Fantastic (133)

  When most people think about music and SF, they think of the theme from Star Trek, or Darth Vader's March. But music and SF have been intertwined from the beginning. From Jeff Wynne's "War Of The Worlds" to the steampunk music of Abney Park, find out how these two art forms have related to each other through their histories.

Catherine Asaro (mod), Crystal Paul, Roberta Rogow, Steve Vertlieb, Donald Wolcott

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading (222)

  All the Broad Universe authors in attendance give a short reading, creating a kind of “snack sampler” for the audience.

Christine Norris (mod), Catherine Asaro, Dina Leacock, E. F. Watkins, Gail Z. Martin, Victoria Janssen

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Do Science Fiction and Rock and Roll Explore Similar Themes? (34)

  A lot of rock and roll seems to deal with challenging the norm. A major subtext of science fiction and fantasy is change and rebellion. Do the two genres derive from similar roots?

Catherine Asaro (mod), Donald Wolcott, Michael D'Ambrosio, Nikki Cohen, Patricia Wake

• Sat 2:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Are We Headed for the Post-Literate World? (78)

  How has easy access to technology changed the way that we read, write and think? How is this reflected in the more recent novels of the field?

Bud Sparhawk (mod), Catherine Asaro, Rebecca Maines, Tom Purdom

• Sat 4:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A —Interview of Principal Speaker Catherine Asaro and of Donald Wolcott (277)

  Interview of our Principal Speaker Catherine Asaro and of musician Donald Wolcott

Catherine Asaro (mod), Donald Wolcott

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—Science Fiction Writers Writing About Other Art Forms (61)

  There are any number of Science Fiction stories about artists, painters, sculptors, dancers, singers or practitioners of new art forms that the author has invented. Spider & Jeanne Robinson's STARDANCE is about dance, for example. Cite other examples. How does the writer convincingly present other art forms in fiction?

Catherine Asaro (mod), Donald Wolcott, Jonathan Maberry, Tom Purdom, Patricia Wake

• Sun 12:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Towards a Theory of Quantum Gravity (170)

  Modern physics has two fundamental models of reality - Quantum mechanics and general relativity. The first describes the world of fundamental particles, the second explains gravity in terms of warped space time. A theory of quantum gravity would unite these two models and finally bring gravity into the unified field theory, along with the other three fundamental forces. The current leading contender is string theory, but there are others, such as loop quantum gravity, supergravity and nonoummutative geometry. Which, if any, of these theories will prove to be the answer?

Catherine Asaro (mod), John Ashmead, Jay Wile, Karl Kofoed

• Sun 1:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A —Where will the Romance Science Fiction/Fantasy Connection Go? (30)

  Is the cross over between Science Fiction and Fantasy and the romance genre cresting or still on the rise? Where is it going? Is it affecting the whole field?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Catherine Asaro, L.A. Banks, Oz Drummond

• Sun 2:00 PM in Executive Suite 623—Catherine Asaro Reading (259)

Catherine Asaro (mod)

John Ashmead

• Fri 6:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Why Call It A "Singularity" If There Are So Many of Them? (142)

  The "Singularity" is a theoretical point in the future where something happens beyond which we cannot imaging what life will be like. Artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, virtual reality, and genetic engineering have all been suggested as possible triggers for this supposed future event. But is the singularity even feasible, and if so, will it be in a form that we can even recognize?

John Ashmead (mod), Tom Doyle, Christopher Weuve

• Sat 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Biological Computers (184)

  As silicon chips come closer to their limits of speed and miniaturization, new computing technologies being researched. Biological computers are one possibility. Simple computes using DNA, enzymes and living neurons (taken from leeches) have all been built. What is the potential for biological computing, and where might it take us?

JJ Brannon (mod), John Ashmead, Jay Wile, Robert Kauffmann

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Lovecraft as Mass Culture (14)

  Lovecraft shows up in the strangest of places, everything from plush toys to games to bedroom slippers and children's cartoons. Exploring his continuing and spreading influence.

John Ashmead (mod), Onezumi Hartstein, C.J. Henderson, James Chambers, Gary Frank, Chris Pisano

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Paranoid Science Fiction (70)

  Philip K. Dick immediately comes to mind, as an author obsessed with the idea that reality is not what it seems and that They are very likely out to get us. But the theme has been with us for a very long time. Think of Fred Pohl's ""The Tunnel Under the World"" or Heinlein's ""They"" or Harness's THE PARADOX MEN. Inevitably the ""paranoid delusion"" proves to be anything but. Is this merely delusional or is it a clearer perception of the nature of reality?

John Ashmead (mod), John Moore, Alexis Gilliland

• Sun 12:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Towards a Theory of Quantum Gravity (170)

  Modern physics has two fundamental models of reality - Quantum mechanics and general relativity. The first describes the world of fundamental particles, the second explains gravity in terms of warped space time. A theory of quantum gravity would unite these two models and finally bring gravity into the unified field theory, along with the other three fundamental forces. The current leading contender is string theory, but there are others, such as loop quantum gravity, supergravity and nonoummutative geometry. Which, if any, of these theories will prove to be the answer?

Catherine Asaro (mod), John Ashmead, Jay Wile, Karl Kofoed

Lisa Ashton

• Fri 5:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Doing a Lot of Costuming With Practically Nothing (102)

  A good early-con panel of general interest--How to use what you may have on hand for marvelous effects.

Donna Dube (mod), Lisa Ashton

• Fri 6:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—What is SF Costuming & Why Do We Care About It? (101)

  A good Friday evening panel to attract a lot of fans interested in costuming of all kinds, both experienced costumers and others.

Byron Connell (mod), Tina Connell, Toni Lay, Lisa Ashton

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza V (Five)—Costume Workshop: Fabric Flowers (104)

  A 90-120 minute workshop--Participants may buy a kit with Fabric, needles, thread and learn to make a fabric flower with ribbonwork techniques and beaded centers. No pre-reg required.

Lisa Ashton (mod)

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—New Trends In Costuming: Steampunk, Gothic Lolita, Variations (106)

  Costuming is a diverse hobby, and offers something for everyone. Take a look at some of these "newer" hot trends, how to build them, where to get inspiration.

Susan de Guardiola (mod), Lisa Ashton

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Historical Corsetry (111)

  All those wonderful fantasy corsets that we dream about on our female heroes--learn from our experts about the real historical corsets that they are based on.

Susan de Guardiola (mod), Lisa Ashton, Tina Blanco-Finan, Nikki Cohen

Keith Atkins

• Sat 9:00 AM in Plaza VI (Six)—Play: yoreHERO (Demo, Hour 1) (244)

  In yoreHERO the board game, be any superhero, collect the clues, battle villains, and save the day! (Two hours.)

Keith Atkins (mod)

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza VI (Six)—Play: yoreHERO (Demo, Hour 2) (245)

  Continued.

Keith Atkins (mod)

• Sun 9:00 AM in Plaza VI (Six)—Play: yoreHERO (Demo, Hour 3) (251)

  Play-test this new board game: be a superhero, collect clues, and avert doomsday. (Two hours or as demanded.)

Keith Atkins (mod)

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza VI (Six)—Play: yoreHERO (Demo, Hour 4) (250)

  Continued.

Keith Atkins (mod)

Eric Avedissian

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Pulped! (2)

  What do we mean by pulp fiction? Is it a synonym for trash or does it represent a vigorous type of popular fiction that continues to appeal? If someone calls your book ""pulp"", is that an insult or a compliment?

Michael J. Walsh (mod), C.J. Henderson, Jared Axelrod, James Daniel Ross, Eric Avedissian

• Sat 5:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Who are You When You're Not Yourself? (228)

  Are your characters all you want them to be? What do you want to create as a persona? What have you tried that's been a real disaster?

KT Pinto (mod), Eric Avedissian, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, J.R. Blackwell, Neal Levin

Jared Axelrod

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Steampunk for Simpletons (130)

  Ladies and Gentlemen of stern and noble character are invited to participate in a salon whereupon we shall discuss the genre and lifestyle known to the rabble as "steampunk". What is it, where did it come from, and what is with those brass goggles?

Jared Axelrod (mod), Matt Black, Nikki Cohen, Christine Norris, Jeff Mach

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Pulped! (2)

  What do we mean by pulp fiction? Is it a synonym for trash or does it represent a vigorous type of popular fiction that continues to appeal? If someone calls your book ""pulp"", is that an insult or a compliment?

Michael J. Walsh (mod), C.J. Henderson, Jared Axelrod, James Daniel Ross, Eric Avedissian

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Eat Right, Exercise, Die Anyway... Healthy Living For Fans (147)

  In general, fans tend to be a rather... sedentary... group. What simple things can we do to improve our health and life a better life?

James Prego (mod), Alyce Wilson, Jared Axelrod

• Sun 2:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Microfiction: The Next Big Thing? (73)

  A number of magazines have opened dedicated to the art of the quick-fic. Pros and cons of flash fiction (under 1,000 words), nanofiction (under 40 words), and Twitter fiction (under 140 characters).

Nathan Lilly (mod), Michael Swanwick, Ef Deal, Dina Leacock, Jared Axelrod

David M. Axler

• Fri 5:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Want some SF? Get out of the SF section! (137)

  Science fiction, fantasy, and horror have moved out of the SF section of the bookstore. "Twilight" and "Harry Potter" are in the young adult sections. "World War Z" and "Soon I Will Be Invincible" are housed with mainstream fiction. And the romance section of your bookstore is FULL of tales of other worlds, other times, and monsters. What are some of the great things out there that aren't being marketed as SF?

Patricia M. Cryan (mod), Michael D'Ambrosio, David M. Axler, Stuart Jaffe

• Sat 11:00 AM in Executive Suite 823—The Fannish Generation Gap (139)

  These kids, with their anime and their steampunk! They're ruining our con! And those old farts, with their beanies and weird inside jokes that they don't explain, are making us feel really unwelcome! It seems like the long-time battle of the old vs. the young is still going strong in fandom. Is there any way to bridge the gap?

Michael D. Pederson (mod), Samantha Kwait, David M. Axler, Patricia M. Cryan, Tobias Cabral

• Sat 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Diversity in SF and Fandom (124)

  RaceFAIL'09. MammothFAIL. The Open Source Boob Project. SF writers, editors, and fans publicly commenting on race, faith, or sexual issues that other find offensive. Lately it seems that issues about racism, sexism, and other types of prejudice have exploded all over professional SF and its fandom. Is fandom rife with bigotry? Or are people being too sensitive or making something out of nothing? Or is the truth somewhere in between? And, maybe most importantly, is it even POSSIBLE to have a civil conversation about any of this? Well, we're going to give it a try. Wish us luck. (Note: this panel will fill a 2 hour block. The panelists and moderator will discuss with each other well in advance how best to handle the sensitive topics that will probably surface during this discussion.)

Hugh Casey (mod), David M. Axler, Orenthal Hawkins, Stephanie Burke, David Silverman

• Sat 11:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Sex and the Single Fan: Is Fandom... different? (131)

  It seems that SF fandom attracts a large number of people who engage in "alternative" sexual lifestyles. Or is it that those lifestyles attract a large number of fans? We'll take a serious look at the relationship between fandom and "kink", and what it means for fans in general.

J.R. Blackwell (mod), David M. Axler, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, James Prego, Tobias Cabral

Rob Balder

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—What Makes a Webcomic Last? (238)

  Why do some webcomics last and last? How do the creators of webcomics keep them fresh.

Rob Balder (mod), Tony DiGerolamo, Jon Kilgannon, Ruth Lampi, J. Andrew World, Phil Kahn

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Stalking the Wild Filk (174)

  Online and elsewhere: Where to find filk these days

Rob Balder (mod), Harold Stein, Steve Brinich, Kathy Sands

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Best Webcomics (237)

  Where to go online to find the best webcomics

Onezumi Hartstein (mod), James Harknell, Orenthal Hawkins, Rob Balder, Ruth Lampi, Tony DiGerolamo

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Your Internet Presence and You (132)

  Maybe you're an author who wants to use their website for promotional purposes. Maybe you've started a blog. Or you could be an IT professional with on online resume. What should you know, and be concerned about, regarding your presence on the Internet?

Rob Balder (mod), Ray Ridenour, Dusti Lewars, Walter Hunt, D.E. Christman

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—You Wrote a Song About What?? (178)

  The weirdest inspirations: the wildest filksongs

Cathy Dougherty (mod), Rob Balder, Ariel Cinii, Roberta Rogow

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Another Filk Concert (292)

  Solo Performances

Rob Balder (mod), Steve Haug

• Sun 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Fantastic Internet: SF On The Web (143)

  Girl Genius. Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. And soon Buck Rogers will be a webseries, from the creators of Star Trek: New Voyages. What sort of opportunities does the internet offer to SF fans, and to creators as well?

John Drew (mod), Jon Kilgannon, Rob Balder, J.R. Blackwell, Eric Raymond

L.A. Banks

• Fri 9:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—From Gothic Fiction to Paranormal Romance (35)

  What are the historical antecedents to today's paranormal romance sub-genre? Is there a link between gothic fiction and paranormal romance?

Stephanie Burke (mod), L.A. Banks, Gail Z. Martin, J.R. Blackwell, Nikki Cohen

• Sat 3:00 PM in Executive Suite 623—L.A. Banks Reading (260)

L.A. Banks (mod)

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Making it With Vampires, Shapeshifters and Other Creatures (36)

  What is the psychological appeal of this?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Desirina Boskovich, L.A. Banks, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Nina Ely, Stephanie Burke

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—Who was John W. Campbell and Why Does He Still Matter? (22)

  The continuing legacy of a great editor who gave science fiction its Golden Age.

Tom Purdom (mod), Alexis Gilliland, Andrew C. Murphy, L.A. Banks

• Sun 12:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A —Special Guest L.A. Banks Speech (279)

  Our special guest, L.A. Banks, talks about her books and her experiences as a writer

L.A. Banks (mod)

• Sun 1:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A —Where will the Romance Science Fiction/Fantasy Connection Go? (30)

  Is the cross over between Science Fiction and Fantasy and the romance genre cresting or still on the rise? Where is it going? Is it affecting the whole field?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Catherine Asaro, L.A. Banks, Oz Drummond

Alan Beck

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Making the Unreal Real: Illustrating things that don't exist. (118)

  How do you illustrate something you can't get a reference for; from hardware and spaceships to monsters and magical powers.

Alan Beck (mod), N. Taylor Blanchard, Robert Kauffmann, Karl Kofoed, Thomas Nackid

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—The Value of Art: Traditional vs. Digital Media (119)

  How does an artist set prices for their art? Should a one of a kind oil painting cost more than a digital piece that took the same amount of time to make? Do buyers understand the value of art?

Ray Ridenour (mod), Kyle Cassidy, Luke Stelmaszek, Alan Beck, Thomas Nackid, Brianna Spacekat Wu

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Business of Art: Marketing & Promotion (115)

  Online marketing and promotion. Ways to create a professional web presence.

D.E. Christman (mod), James Harknell, Heidi Hooper, Alan Beck, Sally Wiener Grotta

• Sat 3:00 PM in Art Show (Grand Ballroom B)—Art Demo: Alan Beck (258)

  Artist Alan Beck demonstrates his painting method.

Alan Beck (mod)

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Digital Art Photography: How is it affecting the illustration market? (120)

  When photography first emerged, the argument was whether or not it was art. All these years later, we get back to the same argument. How is digital photography impacting the art and illustration markets?

Alan Beck (mod), Daniel Grotta, Karl Kofoed, Thomas Nackid, Emily Tullis

• Sun 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—The Future of Print Genre Magazines (45)

  The major print magazines have suffered a large loss of circulation and many smaller magazines have gone out of business altogether. Is there a future for genre fiction magazines or are they going the way of the dinosaur?

Alan Beck (mod), Gardner Dozois, Thomas Nackid, Tony DiGerolamo, Tom Purdom, Neil Clarke

Earl Bennett

• 12:00 AM in —Is Hydrogen the Future of Energy? (181)

  There's been a lot of discussion of hydrogen as the post-fossil-fuel solution for energy. Hydrogen fuel cells could one day power homes, cars and factories. But there are still many technical and economic challenges, such as production and distribution of hydrogen, to be overcome. Will achieve a hydrogen economy? Should we? Are there better solutions?

Walter Hunt (mod), Charles E. Gannon, Frank O'Brien, John Moore, Earl Bennett

• Fri 8:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Is Hydrogen the Future of Energy? (181)

  There's been a lot of discussion of hydrogen as the post-fossil-fuel solution for energy. Hydrogen fuel cells could one day power homes, cars and factories. But there are still many technical and economic challenges, such as production and distribution of hydrogen, to be overcome. Will achieve a hydrogen economy? Should we? Are there better solutions?

Walter Hunt (mod), Charles E. Gannon, Frank O'Brien, John Moore, Earl Bennett

• Sat 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Space Inc.: Is Private Enterprise the Future of Space Development? (183)

  With NASA struggling with budget restrictions, and other governments around the world facing economic crises, the private sector may now be poised to become the main route to space. What is happening in private space development? What's planned? What's likely and what's not? And is this a good or bad thing for the future of space exploration and development?

Laura Burns (mod), Mark Wolverton, Frank O'Brien, Dr. H. Paul Shuch, Karl Kofoed, Earl Bennett

Matt Black

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Steampunk for Simpletons (130)

  Ladies and Gentlemen of stern and noble character are invited to participate in a salon whereupon we shall discuss the genre and lifestyle known to the rabble as "steampunk". What is it, where did it come from, and what is with those brass goggles?

Jared Axelrod (mod), Matt Black, Nikki Cohen, Christine Norris, Jeff Mach

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Discuss Dr. Horrible Sing a Long (194)

  Panel will explore why this is such a phenomenom in the fannish world. Why does it have such universal appeal. Does is speak to the geeky part in all of us that longs to be understood and liked. Discuss the archtypes in the movie, the great singing, the painfully achling good lyrics, etc.

Rebecca Marcus (mod), Stuart Jaffe, Matt Black, Suzanne Rosin, Samantha Kwait

• Sat 9:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Vampires: Geesh, We just can't get rid of them (195)

  They are everywhere, movies, books, tv shows. etc. What is going on. Sure, vampires were never out of fashion, but what's with the explosion of them in all genres and media? We will discuss all the latest vampire trends in the media culture. What is driving this passion for the undead?

KT Pinto (mod), Matt Black, Rebecca Marcus, James Prego, Laura Anne Gilman

• Sun 2:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Philly Geek: What's going on in Philly Fandom? (146)

  What sort of things are going on in the the Greater Philadelphia area that fans would be interested in? LOTS! Come hear our panelists talk about the events, groups, cons, and other great genre-related things taking place in the area. And share any events you know about that we miss!

Tony Finan (mod), Kristyn Souder, Phillip Thorne, Matt Black

J.R. Blackwell

• Fri 9:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—From Gothic Fiction to Paranormal Romance (35)

  What are the historical antecedents to today's paranormal romance sub-genre? Is there a link between gothic fiction and paranormal romance?

Stephanie Burke (mod), L.A. Banks, Gail Z. Martin, J.R. Blackwell, Nikki Cohen

• Sat 1:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A —Zombies of a Different Color (18)

  The way zombies are portrayed varies from culture to culture.

J.R. Blackwell (mod), Jonathan Maberry, Jay Smith

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Networking for Novice Authors (47)

  Have you heard that success in writing depends on who you know? Is there an element of truth in that statement? How do you get to know the folks who may be able to help your career?

Ty Drago (mod), Michael D'Ambrosio, J.R. Blackwell, Michael A. Ventrella

• Sat 5:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Who are You When You're Not Yourself? (228)

  Are your characters all you want them to be? What do you want to create as a persona? What have you tried that's been a real disaster?

KT Pinto (mod), Eric Avedissian, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, J.R. Blackwell, Neal Levin

• Sat 11:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Sex and the Single Fan: Is Fandom... different? (131)

  It seems that SF fandom attracts a large number of people who engage in "alternative" sexual lifestyles. Or is it that those lifestyles attract a large number of fans? We'll take a serious look at the relationship between fandom and "kink", and what it means for fans in general.

J.R. Blackwell (mod), David M. Axler, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, James Prego, Tobias Cabral

• Sun 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Fantastic Internet: SF On The Web (143)

  Girl Genius. Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. And soon Buck Rogers will be a webseries, from the creators of Star Trek: New Voyages. What sort of opportunities does the internet offer to SF fans, and to creators as well?

John Drew (mod), Jon Kilgannon, Rob Balder, J.R. Blackwell, Eric Raymond

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—LARPs: Keeping them interesting (231)

  What about a LARP attracts and keeps the interest of its participants

J.R. Blackwell (mod), Heidi Hooper, Joe Foering, Michael A. Ventrella, Jon Kilgannon

N. Taylor Blanchard

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Making the Unreal Real: Illustrating things that don't exist. (118)

  How do you illustrate something you can't get a reference for; from hardware and spaceships to monsters and magical powers.

Alan Beck (mod), N. Taylor Blanchard, Robert Kauffmann, Karl Kofoed, Thomas Nackid

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Evolution of Artworks: From Concept to Finished Piece (116)

  Artists discuss how they work through a piece. Ideally, several artists in different media (i.e.: sculpture, painting, digital, etc...) would give a quick overview of their processes. Could be divided into multiple slots if there is enough interest. Please mention your media/technique in the "Additional Information" section of your reply.

Charlene Taylor D'Alessio (mod), Robert Kauffmann, N. Taylor Blanchard, Karl Kofoed, Sally-Rouge Pax, Jo Blu Pax

• Sat 2:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—The Planck Telescope and Herschel Space Observatory (168)

  Launched in May 2009 by the European Space Agency, Planck and Herschel will help provide answers to some of the most important questions in modern science, such as the origin, evolution and future of the Universe and the formation of stars and galaxies.

Eric Kotani (mod), N. Taylor Blanchard, David Goldberg, Frank O'Brien

Tina Blanco-Finan

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—You Never Forget Your First Doctor... (138)

  The mantle of Dr. Who is soon going to fall on a new actor... the ELEVENTH to play the good Doctor. What are some of the great Dr. Who moments? How does new Who compare to the Old School? And where should it go from here?

Tina Blanco-Finan (mod), Patricia M. Cryan, Wayne Zimmerman, Nikki Cohen, Terri Osborne

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza V (Five)—Notions in Costuming (110)

  What are notions--ideas that people get into their heads?--NO--they are supplies in sewing and building costumes that have many applications: from buttons and zippers, to hem tape, boning and more.

Toni Lay (mod), Donna Dube, Tina Blanco-Finan

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Historical Corsetry (111)

  All those wonderful fantasy corsets that we dream about on our female heroes--learn from our experts about the real historical corsets that they are based on.

Susan de Guardiola (mod), Lisa Ashton, Tina Blanco-Finan, Nikki Cohen

Jeff Blomquist

• Fri 7:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—How to Build a Time Machine (285)

  Time travel is one of the essential ingredients in compelling science fiction. Given that we've never built a time machine, how do we separate the "science" from the "fiction?" The authors of "A User's Guide to the Universe: Surviving the Perils of Black Holes, Time Paradoxes, and Quantum Uncertainty" will give you the physics perspective on this. They'll describe how to build a practical time machine and what you can do with it once you're done. Following a short talk, the session will be open to general questions and discussion on the science of time travel.

David Goldberg (mod), Jeff Blomquist

Desirina Boskovich

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Making it With Vampires, Shapeshifters and Other Creatures (36)

  What is the psychological appeal of this?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Desirina Boskovich, L.A. Banks, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Nina Ely, Stephanie Burke

• Sat 7:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Who Is Your Favorite Forgotten Author? (38)

  Who is your favorite writer among those whose work is not readily available? Why should we still be reading him or her?

Desirina Boskovich (mod), Chris Logan Edwards, Jonathan Maberry

Marilyn Brahen

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Charles Dickens and Science Fiction (10)

  He wrote some fantasy, no science fiction but a number of Science Fiction writers have been influenced by him. What is his appeal?

Deb Lieven (mod), Marilyn Brahen, Richard Stout, Gregory Frost

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—J. R. R. Tolkien: The Saga Goes Ever On and On (7)

  Are pastiches by other hands inevitable?

Marilyn Brahen (mod), Daniel Grotta, Gail Z. Martin, Nick Wolven, Walter Hunt

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Sing-A-Long Filk with Roberta Rogow and Friends (150)

  Pull up a chair, clear your throat and maybe learn a song or two. (Performers subject to change.)

Roberta Rogow (mod), Marilyn Brahen, Gary Ehrlich, Kathy Sands

• Sat 7:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Filk Concert - Saturday Night (293)

  A Saturday night filk concert

Marilyn Brahen (mod), Kathy Sands

JJ Brannon

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Apocalypse Pretty Soon? (134)

  Mega-Tsunamis smashing into the East Coast of the US. Supervolcanos under Yellowstone. And there's always that asteroid with our name on it. What kind of massive disasters can we expect, either in the near or far future, and what can we do about them?

David Silverman (mod), JJ Brannon, Michael D. Pederson, Gail Z. Martin

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Books We Love To Hate (60)

  What are the books we know aren't ""good"" but which we enjoy anyway?

Nikki Cohen (mod), Ef Deal, JJ Brannon, Laura Anne Gilman, Larry Hodges

• Sat 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Biological Computers (184)

  As silicon chips come closer to their limits of speed and miniaturization, new computing technologies being researched. Biological computers are one possibility. Simple computes using DNA, enzymes and living neurons (taken from leeches) have all been built. What is the potential for biological computing, and where might it take us?

JJ Brannon (mod), John Ashmead, Jay Wile, Robert Kauffmann

• Sat 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Stem Cells: Research and Progress (171)

  There has been much progress in stem cell research in recent years, with new discoveries coming regularly. In January 2009, Geron received FDA clearance to begin the first human clinical trial using human embryonic stem cells. What is happening today and what still remains to be done before the promise of stem cell therapy becomes reality?

Jed Shumsky (mod), JJ Brannon, John Cmar, Jay Wile

• Sun 3:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—The Stories That Changed Everything (56)

  How many science fiction or fantasy stories truly changed the field? What effect did they have? What stories or books have had this effect? We might suggest, A PRINCESS OF MARS, ""A Martian Odyssey,"" ""The Call of Cthulhu,"" THE LORD OF THE RINGS, and NEUROMANCER as examples. Is this sort of transformative change something an author can set out to do on his or her own or does it just happen? Do conditions have to be right or does a great story MAKE the conditions right. (Think of this as The Great Story theory of science fiction.)

Andrew C. Murphy (mod), Lee Gilliland, JJ Brannon, Jonathan Maberry

Steve Brinich

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Stalking the Wild Filk (174)

  Online and elsewhere: Where to find filk these days

Rob Balder (mod), Harold Stein, Steve Brinich, Kathy Sands

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Conventional Filk (175)

  An overview of Filk Conventions, by those who run them

Harold Stein (mod), Steve Brinich, Ariel Cinii, Gary Ehrlich, Crystal Paul

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza VII (Seven)—You Don't Have to Sing (173)

  Filking for the Vocally Challenged: instrumental, archiving etc.

Steve Brinich (mod), Harold Stein, Steve Haug

Dora Buck

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Masquerade Show & Tell (112)

  We'd like anyone who participated in last night's Masquerade to come and show off their costumes and costume pieces and show us how they did it Come & see it all up close and personal.

Dora Buck (mod), Byron Connell, Marty Gear

Stephanie Burke

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Fantasy Based on Non-European Sources (92)

  You don't have to go ""all medieval on me"" to write fantasy. What are the best examples of fantasy not based on European backgrounds to date?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Stephanie Burke, James L. Cambias, Christine Norris, Tom Doyle

• Fri 9:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—From Gothic Fiction to Paranormal Romance (35)

  What are the historical antecedents to today's paranormal romance sub-genre? Is there a link between gothic fiction and paranormal romance?

Stephanie Burke (mod), L.A. Banks, Gail Z. Martin, J.R. Blackwell, Nikki Cohen

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—These Are A Few Of My Favorite Scenes (156)

  Remember that show with that guy who did that thing? You know, with that...thing he had? Take a look at some of our fondest anime-induced memories. Who knows? You just might find a new favorite of your own.

Robert Fenelon (mod), Walter Amos, Stephanie Burke, Joe Foering, Amy Howard Wilson, Brian T. Price

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—How Faithful are Graphic Adaptations of Popular Novels? (50)

  Laurel K. Hamilton, Orson Scott Card and Jim Butcher are just a few of the authors whose works have recently been translated into comic book versions of the originals. How much of the flavor of the original gets through in the comic book version? Does the comic book version add anything to the original work?

Bill Spangler (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Ray Ridenour, Jonathan Maberry, Stephanie Burke

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—"Outsider" Fiction (72)

  Outsider Art is art created by those with no formal training or those with mental disabilities. Islandia by Austin Tappan Wright, an author who created his world as a hobby and never intended to publish it may be an example in the genre. The novels of Patience Worth are supposed to have been written entirely by Ouija board. Our panelists discuss examples of their own.

Stephanie Burke (mod), Tom Doyle, John Grant, Jim Stratton

• Sat 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Diversity in SF and Fandom (124)

  RaceFAIL'09. MammothFAIL. The Open Source Boob Project. SF writers, editors, and fans publicly commenting on race, faith, or sexual issues that other find offensive. Lately it seems that issues about racism, sexism, and other types of prejudice have exploded all over professional SF and its fandom. Is fandom rife with bigotry? Or are people being too sensitive or making something out of nothing? Or is the truth somewhere in between? And, maybe most importantly, is it even POSSIBLE to have a civil conversation about any of this? Well, we're going to give it a try. Wish us luck. (Note: this panel will fill a 2 hour block. The panelists and moderator will discuss with each other well in advance how best to handle the sensitive topics that will probably surface during this discussion.)

Hugh Casey (mod), David M. Axler, Orenthal Hawkins, Stephanie Burke, David Silverman

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Making it With Vampires, Shapeshifters and Other Creatures (36)

  What is the psychological appeal of this?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Desirina Boskovich, L.A. Banks, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Nina Ely, Stephanie Burke

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Poe's Poetry (86)

  Even people who say that they hate poetry love his work. What are your favorite Poe poems in the fantasy and horror genres?

Richard Stout (mod), Alyce Wilson, Stephanie Burke, John Drew

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Insert Tab B Into Slot A (27)

  The treatment of sex in Science Fiction.

Victoria Janssen (mod), Lawrence M. Schoen, Michael Swanwick, Stephanie Burke, Lee Gilliland

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Future Sin (6)

  How does technology change the law? What happens when you want to have sex with a robot? What happens when a robot has an opinion on this? What could be illegal in the future which is merely impossible today?

Stephanie Burke (mod), Ef Deal, Camille Anthony, Gail Z. Martin, Michael A. Ventrella

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—My Cartoon Stereotypes Are More Offensive Than Yours (162)

  Bored with the tired cliches of American storytelling? Where does a cultural reference cross the line into stereotype? Ever catch yourself asking "Hey! I'm American, but why do all these "westerners" have blonde hair and blue eyes? And why do "Asians" in American cartoons keep saying "honor" in every sentence?"

Robert Fenelon (mod), Walter Amos, Orenthal Hawkins, Brian T. Price, Stephanie Burke

• Sun 12:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The New Generation Of SF Writers (59)

  These are writers who grew up in a science fictional world of computers, space travel, virtual reality and robots. How does this affect their approach to the subject matter and technique of their work?

James Daniel Ross (mod), Neil Clarke, Stephanie Burke

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Anime And The Revolving Door of Culture (163)

  A discussion and exploration of the phenomenon of anime, its influence on western science fiction/fantasy and its incorporation of our own cultural nuances.

Brian T. Price (mod), Robert Fenelon, Kimberly Ann Kindya, Stephanie Burke, Ruth Lampi, Michael Ryan

Laura Burns

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—NASA for Kids (154)

  A fun and educational discussion about the U.S. space program.

Laura Burns (mod)

• Sat 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Space Inc.: Is Private Enterprise the Future of Space Development? (183)

  With NASA struggling with budget restrictions, and other governments around the world facing economic crises, the private sector may now be poised to become the main route to space. What is happening in private space development? What's planned? What's likely and what's not? And is this a good or bad thing for the future of space exploration and development?

Laura Burns (mod), Mark Wolverton, Frank O'Brien, Dr. H. Paul Shuch, Karl Kofoed, Earl Bennett

• Sat 5:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Science At The Heart of Science Fiction (87)

  How has Hard Science Fiction changed in the last decade? Is Science Fiction still predominantly the literature of scientific ideas?

Bud Sparhawk (mod), Caroline Cox, David Goldberg, Dr. H. Paul Shuch, Jerome Stueart, Laura Burns

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—The Weird Science Fair! (125)

  Death rays. Earthquake generators. Ice Ages that cover New York in 24 hours. SF books, movies, and TV have offered up some STRANGE science over the years. Here's a panel to talk about some of the Weird Science we've seen.

Christopher Gay (mod), Laura Burns, Eric Schulman, Caroline Cox

Tobias Cabral

• Sat 11:00 AM in Executive Suite 823—The Fannish Generation Gap (139)

  These kids, with their anime and their steampunk! They're ruining our con! And those old farts, with their beanies and weird inside jokes that they don't explain, are making us feel really unwelcome! It seems like the long-time battle of the old vs. the young is still going strong in fandom. Is there any way to bridge the gap?

Michael D. Pederson (mod), Samantha Kwait, David M. Axler, Patricia M. Cryan, Tobias Cabral

• Sat 11:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Sex and the Single Fan: Is Fandom... different? (131)

  It seems that SF fandom attracts a large number of people who engage in "alternative" sexual lifestyles. Or is it that those lifestyles attract a large number of fans? We'll take a serious look at the relationship between fandom and "kink", and what it means for fans in general.

J.R. Blackwell (mod), David M. Axler, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, James Prego, Tobias Cabral

• Sun 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Scifi Saved My Life (145)

  For many of us, science fiction and fantasy are simply entertaining escapes. But for some of us, they are much, much more. For some people, they become a lifeline. Come and hear stories from our panelists, and share your own.

Hugh Casey (mod), Patricia M. Cryan, Jay Smith, Crystal Paul, Ray Ridenour, Tobias Cabral

James L. Cambias

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Fantasy Based on Non-European Sources (92)

  You don't have to go ""all medieval on me"" to write fantasy. What are the best examples of fantasy not based on European backgrounds to date?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Stephanie Burke, James L. Cambias, Christine Norris, Tom Doyle

• Sat 3:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Social Changes No One Saw Coming (37)

  Why do we seem to be better able to predict changes in our technology than changes in our way of life? Very few Science Fiction authors predicted changes in our society that allowed, for example, an African American to be elected President, legalized gay marriages or changes in gender roles. What future changes are the majority of our authors failing to predict now?

Kimberly Ann Kindya (mod), Walter Hunt, Jon Kilgannon, James L. Cambias, Michael A. Ventrella

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Plausible Alien Life Forms in Hard SF (29)

  Which authors have presented aliens in the most believable way? For example, Hal Clement in ""Mission of Gravity"".

Bud Sparhawk (mod), James L. Cambias, Eric Kotani, Frank Wu, Jed Shumsky

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—Classic Games You Want to Play Again (229)

  What games shaped your interest in gaming? If you could find them in a closet or at a flea market, what games would you want to teach your friends?

Christopher Weuve (mod), James L. Cambias, John Drew, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge

Hugh Casey

• Fri 10:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Social Network Social (212)

  ZOMGWTFBBQ! Come and hang out with your fellow LJers, DWers, FBers, Tweeters, and any other *ers we haven’t thought of yet at Philcon! Hopefully this year we'll be able to answer the age-old question...Is there anyone here who's NOT on Hugh's friends list?

Hugh Casey (mod)

• Sat 10:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Philcon 101 (220)

  Maybe it is your first Philcon, and your're wondering what there is to do. Or maybe you've been here before , but feel like you're missing something. Stop by and we'll tell you what you need to know.

Hugh Casey (mod), Suzanne Rosin, Emily Tullis

• Sat 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Diversity in SF and Fandom (124)

  RaceFAIL'09. MammothFAIL. The Open Source Boob Project. SF writers, editors, and fans publicly commenting on race, faith, or sexual issues that other find offensive. Lately it seems that issues about racism, sexism, and other types of prejudice have exploded all over professional SF and its fandom. Is fandom rife with bigotry? Or are people being too sensitive or making something out of nothing? Or is the truth somewhere in between? And, maybe most importantly, is it even POSSIBLE to have a civil conversation about any of this? Well, we're going to give it a try. Wish us luck. (Note: this panel will fill a 2 hour block. The panelists and moderator will discuss with each other well in advance how best to handle the sensitive topics that will probably surface during this discussion.)

Hugh Casey (mod), David M. Axler, Orenthal Hawkins, Stephanie Burke, David Silverman

• Sat 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Pirate, Ninja, Supervillain, Vampire (123)

  First we had Monkeys. Then Robots. Then Mad Scientists. Now, Philcon's most fun panel is back... now with BLOODSUCKERS! Watch as our panelists are each assigned one of these four character archetypes, and then BATTLE IT OUT to see who reigns SUPREME! Or at least, SUPREMELY FUNNY!

Hugh Casey (mod), Dusti Lewars, Phil Kahn, Sally-Rouge Pax, Ruth Lampi

• Sat 4:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Star Trek: Where Does It Boldly Go Now? (129)

  J.J. Abrams rebooting/revisioning of STAR TREK seems to have re-invigorated what many thought was a dying franchise. But where should it go from here, and what kind of stories should it tell? Is it still true to Roddenberry's vision, and how important is it that it remain so?

Keith R.A. DeCandido (mod), Hugh Casey, Terri Osborne, Lawrence M. Schoen, Samantha Kwait

• Sat 10:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—What's a hot Orion like you doing in a cantina like this?... Flirting and Dating (141)

  The stereotypical fan is someone who lacks a bit in the social skills department. So, if you're one of those fans, how do you go about learning them? Simple... you go to this panel! Bring a sense of humor, and you may learn something along the way.

Hugh Casey (mod), Dusti Lewars, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, James Prego, Jo Blu Pax, KT Pinto

• Sun 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Scifi Saved My Life (145)

  For many of us, science fiction and fantasy are simply entertaining escapes. But for some of us, they are much, much more. For some people, they become a lifeline. Come and hear stories from our panelists, and share your own.

Hugh Casey (mod), Patricia M. Cryan, Jay Smith, Crystal Paul, Ray Ridenour, Tobias Cabral

Kyle Cassidy

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—The Value of Art: Traditional vs. Digital Media (119)

  How does an artist set prices for their art? Should a one of a kind oil painting cost more than a digital piece that took the same amount of time to make? Do buyers understand the value of art?

Ray Ridenour (mod), Kyle Cassidy, Luke Stelmaszek, Alan Beck, Thomas Nackid, Brianna Spacekat Wu

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Steampunk Art: Who's Doing It and Why We Like It. (121)

  A discussion of steampunk artists.

Kyle Cassidy (mod), D.E. Christman, Thomas Nackid

• Sat 4:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Kyle Cassidy Slide Show (254)

  Photographer Kyle Cassidy shows his work.

Kyle Cassidy (mod)

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza V (Five)—Drawn to the Dark: The Appeal Of Horror Art (113)

  What draws artists to do horror art? What draws fans to love these images of gore and creepiness?

D.E. Christman (mod), Mark E. Rogers, Kyle Cassidy, Thomas Nackid, Onezumi Hartstein

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—What My Cat Had For Breakfast. (218)

  Just because everyone can have a blog does that mean everyone should? Panelists discuss what kind of personal responsibility comes with putting your thoughts out there for the world to read.

Orenthal Hawkins (mod), Kyle Cassidy, Alyce Wilson, Terri Osborne, KT Pinto

James Chambers

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Zombie Jamboree (100)

  Jane Austen spinning in her grave. The current fascination of all things zombie.

Tony Finan (mod), Michael Swanwick, D.E. Christman, James Chambers, Jonathan Maberry

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—Was Philip K. Dick right? (33)

  Are we now living in Philip K. Dick's future dystopia?

Diane Weinstein (mod), Mark Wolverton, David Louis Edelman, Bernie Mojzes, James Chambers

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Lovecraft as Mass Culture (14)

  Lovecraft shows up in the strangest of places, everything from plush toys to games to bedroom slippers and children's cartoons. Exploring his continuing and spreading influence.

John Ashmead (mod), Onezumi Hartstein, C.J. Henderson, James Chambers, Gary Frank, Chris Pisano

• Sun 2:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Marvel/Disney: What Does It Mean For Comics? (135)

  In September, The Walt Disney Company bought Marvel Comics for $4 billion. How will this affect the landscape of comics, and what will this mean for some of our favorite Marvel characters? Will the Mouse make Wolverine sheath his claws? Or will the House of Mouse leave the House of M to do what they've always done?

Andrew C. Murphy (mod), J. Andrew World, Tony DiGerolamo, James Chambers, Jonathan Maberry, Brianna Spacekat Wu

D.E. Christman

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—The Science of Zombies (19)

  Are there any scientifically plausible theories for reanimation?

Ty Drago (mod), D.E. Christman, Jonathan Maberry, Michael D. Pederson, James Prego

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Zombie Jamboree (100)

  Jane Austen spinning in her grave. The current fascination of all things zombie.

Tony Finan (mod), Michael Swanwick, D.E. Christman, James Chambers, Jonathan Maberry

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Steampunk Art: Who's Doing It and Why We Like It. (121)

  A discussion of steampunk artists.

Kyle Cassidy (mod), D.E. Christman, Thomas Nackid

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Your Internet Presence and You (132)

  Maybe you're an author who wants to use their website for promotional purposes. Maybe you've started a blog. Or you could be an IT professional with on online resume. What should you know, and be concerned about, regarding your presence on the Internet?

Rob Balder (mod), Ray Ridenour, Dusti Lewars, Walter Hunt, D.E. Christman

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Business of Art: Marketing & Promotion (115)

  Online marketing and promotion. Ways to create a professional web presence.

D.E. Christman (mod), James Harknell, Heidi Hooper, Alan Beck, Sally Wiener Grotta

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza V (Five)—Drawn to the Dark: The Appeal Of Horror Art (113)

  What draws artists to do horror art? What draws fans to love these images of gore and creepiness?

D.E. Christman (mod), Mark E. Rogers, Kyle Cassidy, Thomas Nackid, Onezumi Hartstein

Ariel Cinii

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Frivolous Uses Of High Technology (65)

  When it becomes possible for a conceptual artist to turn the Moon into a gigantic smiley face, no doubt someone will. When we can change our shape or gender on a whim, what are parents to do when it becomes a fad for kids to have tentacles? What will be the frivolous face of technological change?

Tom Purdom (mod), James Daniel Ross, Ariel Cinii, Eric Kotani

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Let' s Write a Filk Song (172)

  Hands on parody workshop

Roberta Rogow (mod), Ariel Cinii, Cathy Dougherty, Kathy Sands, Crystal Paul

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Conventional Filk (175)

  An overview of Filk Conventions, by those who run them

Harold Stein (mod), Steve Brinich, Ariel Cinii, Gary Ehrlich, Crystal Paul

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—You Wrote a Song About What?? (178)

  The weirdest inspirations: the wildest filksongs

Cathy Dougherty (mod), Rob Balder, Ariel Cinii, Roberta Rogow

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Song Sequitur (182)

  Filkers have to follow each other's filk with one that is almost that is almost, but not quite, a follower

Roberta Rogow (mod), Gary Ehrlich, Ariel Cinii, Kathy Sands

• Sun 11:00 AM in Grand Ballroom A —The United States In A Thousand Years (64)

  If you go to any of the older cities of Europe, you will see buildings that have been inhabited for a thousand years or more and adapted to modern purposes. We think of medieval Tuscan hill towns with TV aerials on the roofs and motorcycles driving up the narrow streets where no car could ever go. We see medieval rearrangements of ancient Roman leftovers of even more ancient (such as an Egyptian obelisk) which the Caesars swiped for their own purposes. Try to imagine what New York or Philadelphia will be like when they are old enough that you can see this ""layer cake effect"" of history right before your eyes.

Bud Sparhawk (mod), Michael F. Flynn, Daniel Grotta, Ariel Cinii

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Sunday Filk Concert (294)

  Solo Performances

Ariel Cinii (mod), Dr. H. Paul Shuch

Neil Clarke

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza IV (Four)—The Editors Panel (Short Fiction) (54)

  Professional Science Fiction editors of magazines and anthologies explain what they are looking for and discuss the nature of the Science Fiction and Fantasy short fiction market.

Hildy Silverman (mod), Darrell Schweitzer, Gardner Dozois, Neil Clarke, Danielle Ackley-McPhail

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Agents And Editors Panel (48)

  You know the drill -- find out what they are looking for in the current market.

Hildy Silverman (mod), Ty Drago, Neil Clarke, Neal Levin, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Brian Koscienski

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza IV (Four)—Is The Short Story On Its Way Out? (71)

  There have been dramatic declines in magazine subscriptions in recent years. Is the short story medium on its way out or is it an essential part of the genre? Or is it all going digital?

Neil Clarke (mod), Larry Hodges, Lawrence M. Schoen, Dina Leacock

• Sun 12:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The New Generation Of SF Writers (59)

  These are writers who grew up in a science fictional world of computers, space travel, virtual reality and robots. How does this affect their approach to the subject matter and technique of their work?

James Daniel Ross (mod), Neil Clarke, Stephanie Burke

• Sun 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—The Future of Print Genre Magazines (45)

  The major print magazines have suffered a large loss of circulation and many smaller magazines have gone out of business altogether. Is there a future for genre fiction magazines or are they going the way of the dinosaur?

Alan Beck (mod), Gardner Dozois, Thomas Nackid, Tony DiGerolamo, Tom Purdom, Neil Clarke

John Cmar

• Sat 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Stem Cells: Research and Progress (171)

  There has been much progress in stem cell research in recent years, with new discoveries coming regularly. In January 2009, Geron received FDA clearance to begin the first human clinical trial using human embryonic stem cells. What is happening today and what still remains to be done before the promise of stem cell therapy becomes reality?

Jed Shumsky (mod), JJ Brannon, John Cmar, Jay Wile

• Sat 6:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Great Mysteries of Science (169)

  What are the most important unsolved mysteries and unanswered questions in science? Which are closest to being solved?

Eric Kotani (mod), Eric Schulman, David Goldberg, John Cmar, Frank O'Brien

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Biology of Obesity (166)

  Obesity is a growing problem around the world, and increasing research has revealed the causes to be much more complex than just "eating too much." Medicine now recognizes that some people will gain more fat from the same amount of calories than others. Hormones, gut bacteria, brown fat, neurotransmitters, metabolic pathways, viral infections, circadian rythms and many other factors are all now implicated in weight gain and loss. Are we closer to understanding the causes of and solutions to the obesity epidemic?

John Cmar (mod), Muriel Hykes, Jed Shumsky, James Prego, Lawrence Kramer

Nikki Cohen

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—You Never Forget Your First Doctor... (138)

  The mantle of Dr. Who is soon going to fall on a new actor... the ELEVENTH to play the good Doctor. What are some of the great Dr. Who moments? How does new Who compare to the Old School? And where should it go from here?

Tina Blanco-Finan (mod), Patricia M. Cryan, Wayne Zimmerman, Nikki Cohen, Terri Osborne

• Fri 9:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—From Gothic Fiction to Paranormal Romance (35)

  What are the historical antecedents to today's paranormal romance sub-genre? Is there a link between gothic fiction and paranormal romance?

Stephanie Burke (mod), L.A. Banks, Gail Z. Martin, J.R. Blackwell, Nikki Cohen

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Books We Love To Hate (60)

  What are the books we know aren't ""good"" but which we enjoy anyway?

Nikki Cohen (mod), Ef Deal, JJ Brannon, Laura Anne Gilman, Larry Hodges

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Steampunk for Simpletons (130)

  Ladies and Gentlemen of stern and noble character are invited to participate in a salon whereupon we shall discuss the genre and lifestyle known to the rabble as "steampunk". What is it, where did it come from, and what is with those brass goggles?

Jared Axelrod (mod), Matt Black, Nikki Cohen, Christine Norris, Jeff Mach

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Do Science Fiction and Rock and Roll Explore Similar Themes? (34)

  A lot of rock and roll seems to deal with challenging the norm. A major subtext of science fiction and fantasy is change and rebellion. Do the two genres derive from similar roots?

Catherine Asaro (mod), Donald Wolcott, Michael D'Ambrosio, Nikki Cohen, Patricia Wake

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—How Great Is BBC America For Fandom? (196)

  If only the Sci-Fi, sorry Sy Fy Channel, could be half as good. With great shows like "Dr. Who," ""Torchwood," and now "Being Human" even with limited SF choices, is BBC America the next big place fandom will get its fix? What are they doing with their programming that we are not getting in this country? Is their programming too adult, too intense for the American market? What other tv shows and movies are coming out of the UK that perhaps are little known in the USA but could use a plug from the members of the audience.

Terri Osborne (mod), Nikki Cohen, Michael D. Pederson, Kathy Sands, J. Andrew World

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Influences on Dr. Who (236)

  What are in the influences which have shaped Dr. Who over the years?

Patricia M. Cryan (mod), Nikki Cohen, David Silverman, Terri Osborne

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Historical Corsetry (111)

  All those wonderful fantasy corsets that we dream about on our female heroes--learn from our experts about the real historical corsets that they are based on.

Susan de Guardiola (mod), Lisa Ashton, Tina Blanco-Finan, Nikki Cohen

Byron Connell

• Fri 6:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—What is SF Costuming & Why Do We Care About It? (101)

  A good Friday evening panel to attract a lot of fans interested in costuming of all kinds, both experienced costumers and others.

Byron Connell (mod), Tina Connell, Toni Lay, Lisa Ashton

• Sun 10:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Recommended Reading (23)

  SF and Fantasy you may not

Mary Spila (mod), Byron Connell, Walter Hunt, Gail Z. Martin

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Masquerade Show & Tell (112)

  We'd like anyone who participated in last night's Masquerade to come and show off their costumes and costume pieces and show us how they did it Come & see it all up close and personal.

Dora Buck (mod), Byron Connell, Marty Gear

Tina Connell

• Fri 6:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—What is SF Costuming & Why Do We Care About It? (101)

  A good Friday evening panel to attract a lot of fans interested in costuming of all kinds, both experienced costumers and others.

Byron Connell (mod), Tina Connell, Toni Lay, Lisa Ashton

Caroline Cox

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—The Books We Come Back To (84)

  There are some books we read over and over again. What qualities do these books have that make them worth visiting again?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Michael J. Walsh, KT Pinto, Caroline Cox, Lawrence Kramer, Theodore Krulik

• Sat 5:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Science At The Heart of Science Fiction (87)

  How has Hard Science Fiction changed in the last decade? Is Science Fiction still predominantly the literature of scientific ideas?

Bud Sparhawk (mod), Caroline Cox, David Goldberg, Dr. H. Paul Shuch, Jerome Stueart, Laura Burns

• Sat 7:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—The Use of Science Fiction in Education (88)

  What is being taught about Science Fiction at the university and high school levels?

Ef Deal (mod), Caroline Cox, Jed Shumsky

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—The Weird Science Fair! (125)

  Death rays. Earthquake generators. Ice Ages that cover New York in 24 hours. SF books, movies, and TV have offered up some STRANGE science over the years. Here's a panel to talk about some of the Weird Science we've seen.

Christopher Gay (mod), Laura Burns, Eric Schulman, Caroline Cox

Patricia M. Cryan

• Fri 5:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Want some SF? Get out of the SF section! (137)

  Science fiction, fantasy, and horror have moved out of the SF section of the bookstore. "Twilight" and "Harry Potter" are in the young adult sections. "World War Z" and "Soon I Will Be Invincible" are housed with mainstream fiction. And the romance section of your bookstore is FULL of tales of other worlds, other times, and monsters. What are some of the great things out there that aren't being marketed as SF?

Patricia M. Cryan (mod), Michael D'Ambrosio, David M. Axler, Stuart Jaffe

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—You Never Forget Your First Doctor... (138)

  The mantle of Dr. Who is soon going to fall on a new actor... the ELEVENTH to play the good Doctor. What are some of the great Dr. Who moments? How does new Who compare to the Old School? And where should it go from here?

Tina Blanco-Finan (mod), Patricia M. Cryan, Wayne Zimmerman, Nikki Cohen, Terri Osborne

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza VII (Seven)—The Art of the Audio Drama (128)

  In the early days of radio, we had The Shadow and Orson Wells's War Of The Worlds. Today, we have audiobooks and SF creators who distribute audio plays online. Is this old art part of the future of SF?

Jay Smith (mod), Andrew C. Ely, Orenthal Hawkins, Patricia M. Cryan, Nina Ely

• Sat 11:00 AM in Executive Suite 823—The Fannish Generation Gap (139)

  These kids, with their anime and their steampunk! They're ruining our con! And those old farts, with their beanies and weird inside jokes that they don't explain, are making us feel really unwelcome! It seems like the long-time battle of the old vs. the young is still going strong in fandom. Is there any way to bridge the gap?

Michael D. Pederson (mod), Samantha Kwait, David M. Axler, Patricia M. Cryan, Tobias Cabral

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Influences on Dr. Who (236)

  What are in the influences which have shaped Dr. Who over the years?

Patricia M. Cryan (mod), Nikki Cohen, David Silverman, Terri Osborne

• Sun 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Scifi Saved My Life (145)

  For many of us, science fiction and fantasy are simply entertaining escapes. But for some of us, they are much, much more. For some people, they become a lifeline. Come and hear stories from our panelists, and share your own.

Hugh Casey (mod), Patricia M. Cryan, Jay Smith, Crystal Paul, Ray Ridenour, Tobias Cabral

Charlene Taylor D'Alessio

• Sat 10:00 AM in Art Show (Grand Ballroom B)—Participation Demo: Dot Painting Fantasy Theme (256)

  Artist Charlene Taylor D'Alessio demonstrates and instructs participants in her dot painting technique.

Charlene Taylor D'Alessio (mod)

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Evolution of Artworks: From Concept to Finished Piece (116)

  Artists discuss how they work through a piece. Ideally, several artists in different media (i.e.: sculpture, painting, digital, etc...) would give a quick overview of their processes. Could be divided into multiple slots if there is enough interest. Please mention your media/technique in the "Additional Information" section of your reply.

Charlene Taylor D'Alessio (mod), Robert Kauffmann, N. Taylor Blanchard, Karl Kofoed, Sally-Rouge Pax, Jo Blu Pax

Michael D'Ambrosio

• Fri 5:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Want some SF? Get out of the SF section! (137)

  Science fiction, fantasy, and horror have moved out of the SF section of the bookstore. "Twilight" and "Harry Potter" are in the young adult sections. "World War Z" and "Soon I Will Be Invincible" are housed with mainstream fiction. And the romance section of your bookstore is FULL of tales of other worlds, other times, and monsters. What are some of the great things out there that aren't being marketed as SF?

Patricia M. Cryan (mod), Michael D'Ambrosio, David M. Axler, Stuart Jaffe

• Sat 12:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—The Current Economic Downturn and What it Means to Science Fiction (5)

  What is the impact of the current recession on publishing and on the subject matter of written science Fiction?

Rebecca Maines (mod), Michael D'Ambrosio, Gary Feldbaum, James Daniel Ross, Phillip Thorne

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Do Science Fiction and Rock and Roll Explore Similar Themes? (34)

  A lot of rock and roll seems to deal with challenging the norm. A major subtext of science fiction and fantasy is change and rebellion. Do the two genres derive from similar roots?

Catherine Asaro (mod), Donald Wolcott, Michael D'Ambrosio, Nikki Cohen, Patricia Wake

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Merits of ""Hard Science"" vs. Balonium in Science Fiction Literature (94)

  Are they mutually exclusive? Can they co-exist? Should they co-exist?

Michael F. Flynn (mod), Bud Sparhawk, Alexis Gilliland, Michael D'Ambrosio, Eric Kotani

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Networking for Novice Authors (47)

  Have you heard that success in writing depends on who you know? Is there an element of truth in that statement? How do you get to know the folks who may be able to help your career?

Ty Drago (mod), Michael D'Ambrosio, J.R. Blackwell, Michael A. Ventrella

Susan de Guardiola

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—New Trends In Costuming: Steampunk, Gothic Lolita, Variations (106)

  Costuming is a diverse hobby, and offers something for everyone. Take a look at some of these "newer" hot trends, how to build them, where to get inspiration.

Susan de Guardiola (mod), Lisa Ashton

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Historical Corsetry (111)

  All those wonderful fantasy corsets that we dream about on our female heroes--learn from our experts about the real historical corsets that they are based on.

Susan de Guardiola (mod), Lisa Ashton, Tina Blanco-Finan, Nikki Cohen

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Writers That Should Have Quit When They Were Ahead (41)

  Which writers work never lived up to their early promise?

Susan de Guardiola (mod), Lee Gilliland, Evelyn Leeper

Ef Deal

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Books We Love To Hate (60)

  What are the books we know aren't ""good"" but which we enjoy anyway?

Nikki Cohen (mod), Ef Deal, JJ Brannon, Laura Anne Gilman, Larry Hodges

• Sat 7:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—The Use of Science Fiction in Education (88)

  What is being taught about Science Fiction at the university and high school levels?

Ef Deal (mod), Caroline Cox, Jed Shumsky

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Future Sin (6)

  How does technology change the law? What happens when you want to have sex with a robot? What happens when a robot has an opinion on this? What could be illegal in the future which is merely impossible today?

Stephanie Burke (mod), Ef Deal, Camille Anthony, Gail Z. Martin, Michael A. Ventrella

• Sun 10:00 AM in Executive Suite 623—Ef Deal Reading (273)

Ef Deal (mod)

• Sun 2:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Microfiction: The Next Big Thing? (73)

  A number of magazines have opened dedicated to the art of the quick-fic. Pros and cons of flash fiction (under 1,000 words), nanofiction (under 40 words), and Twitter fiction (under 140 characters).

Nathan Lilly (mod), Michael Swanwick, Ef Deal, Dina Leacock, Jared Axelrod

Keith R.A. DeCandido

• Fri 8:00 PM in Executive Suite 623—Keith R.A. Decandido Reading (261)

Keith R.A. DeCandido (mod)

• Fri 11:59 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Eye of Argon Reading (26)

  Reputedly, the worst story in the genre's history. Just try and read it without laughing.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Lawrence M. Schoen, Phil Kahn, Hildy Silverman, Victoria Janssen

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—How Faithful are Graphic Adaptations of Popular Novels? (50)

  Laurel K. Hamilton, Orson Scott Card and Jim Butcher are just a few of the authors whose works have recently been translated into comic book versions of the originals. How much of the flavor of the original gets through in the comic book version? Does the comic book version add anything to the original work?

Bill Spangler (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Ray Ridenour, Jonathan Maberry, Stephanie Burke

• Sat 4:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Star Trek: Where Does It Boldly Go Now? (129)

  J.J. Abrams rebooting/revisioning of STAR TREK seems to have re-invigorated what many thought was a dying franchise. But where should it go from here, and what kind of stories should it tell? Is it still true to Roddenberry's vision, and how important is it that it remain so?

Keith R.A. DeCandido (mod), Hugh Casey, Terri Osborne, Lawrence M. Schoen, Samantha Kwait

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Art Of The Collaboration (53)

  What is it like to write with another writer and develop a unique voice which is not that of either partner but something new? Various authors who have collaborated explain how it is done.

Michael Swanwick (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Mike McPhail, Chris Pisano, Brian Koscienski

• Sun 11:00 AM in Executive Suite 823—The Importance of Cash Flow For the New Author (91)

  Why ""Don't Quit Your Day Job"" Is Such Good Advice.

Sally Wiener Grotta (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Laura Anne Gilman, Christine Norris, Oz Drummond

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Editing Anthologies (66)

  An anthology is not a magazine. It presents a much more unified package, often arranged around a theme. Current anthologists explain how such books are edited and sold.

Darrell Schweitzer (mod), Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Gardner Dozois, Keith R.A. DeCandido

Tony DiGerolamo

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—What Makes a Webcomic Last? (238)

  Why do some webcomics last and last? How do the creators of webcomics keep them fresh.

Rob Balder (mod), Tony DiGerolamo, Jon Kilgannon, Ruth Lampi, J. Andrew World, Phil Kahn

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—The Future of Money (44)

  How has personal finances been portrayed in the past in Science Fiction and how will it be portrayed in the future? Will there be such a thing as money in the future?

Ray Ridenour (mod), Tony DiGerolamo, Nina Ely

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Best Webcomics (237)

  Where to go online to find the best webcomics

Onezumi Hartstein (mod), James Harknell, Orenthal Hawkins, Rob Balder, Ruth Lampi, Tony DiGerolamo

• Sun 2:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Marvel/Disney: What Does It Mean For Comics? (135)

  In September, The Walt Disney Company bought Marvel Comics for $4 billion. How will this affect the landscape of comics, and what will this mean for some of our favorite Marvel characters? Will the Mouse make Wolverine sheath his claws? Or will the House of Mouse leave the House of M to do what they've always done?

Andrew C. Murphy (mod), J. Andrew World, Tony DiGerolamo, James Chambers, Jonathan Maberry, Brianna Spacekat Wu

• Sun 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—The Future of Print Genre Magazines (45)

  The major print magazines have suffered a large loss of circulation and many smaller magazines have gone out of business altogether. Is there a future for genre fiction magazines or are they going the way of the dinosaur?

Alan Beck (mod), Gardner Dozois, Thomas Nackid, Tony DiGerolamo, Tom Purdom, Neil Clarke

Cory Doctorow

• Fri 8:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A —Cory Doctorow on Copyrights (PSFS Meeting) (239)

  Our Featured Guest Speaks About Copyright Issues

Cory Doctorow (mod), Rock Robertson

• Sat 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The Age of Anonymous (215)

  The internet is a force to be reckoned with. Trolling message boards and hacking e-mail accounts are child’s play. The internet is organized. DDoS Attacks, MySpace Hacking, forum raids. Last year there was a global IRL Scientology protest organized by anonymous strangers. Sometimes they claim to do what they do for a cause like freedom of speech, other times it’s “just for the lulz”. The panelists discuss: internet superheroes, or hackers on steroids? What effects do groups like this have on the existing culture of the internet?

Cory Doctorow (mod), J. Andrew World, Gary Feldbaum, Dusti Lewars, Phil Kahn, Eric Raymond

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Science Fiction for the Post Human Future (4)

  If the singularity actually happens and the future becomes incomprehensible, what will Science Fiction writers write about?

Tom Purdom (mod), Cory Doctorow, Bud Sparhawk, David Louis Edelman, Jon Kilgannon

• Sat 2:00 PM in Executive Suite 623—Cory Doctorow Reading (262)

Cory Doctorow (mod)

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Why Aren't We Writing About the Future Anymore? (32)

  Past science fiction used to take place predominantly in the future. Why do there seem to be more and more novels set in the past? Is this a temporary phase or a fundamental shift in the field?

David Louis Edelman (mod), Cory Doctorow, Tom Purdom, Gregory Frost, Lawrence M. Schoen

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Beyond The Nation State (67)

  We have a bad habit in science fiction of assuming that our basic social patterns will last forever. There was a time -- many times, in many eras of the past -- when the nation state as we know it simply did not exist. In feudal times, loyalties were to persons. The ancient empires were often completely ""international"" and inter-tribal, but they could be ordained and run by a priest-king who was regarded as a living god. These ideas have passed away. How will societies be organized when the ""nation"" is as obsolete as a Egyptian pharaoh?

Tom Purdom (mod), Jeff Lyman, Michael F. Flynn, Cory Doctorow, Christopher Weuve

• Sun 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Theme Parks, Entertainment, and Utopia (241)

  How do our fantasies create our environment, architecture, and our future?

Nina Ely (mod), Cory Doctorow, Dusti Lewars, Crystal Paul, Brian Siano

Cathy Dougherty

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Let' s Write a Filk Song (172)

  Hands on parody workshop

Roberta Rogow (mod), Ariel Cinii, Cathy Dougherty, Kathy Sands, Crystal Paul

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—You Wrote a Song About What?? (178)

  The weirdest inspirations: the wildest filksongs

Cathy Dougherty (mod), Rob Balder, Ariel Cinii, Roberta Rogow

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—A Filk Concert (291)

  Solo Performances

Cathy Dougherty (mod), Gary Ehrlich

Tom Doyle

• Fri 6:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Why Call It A "Singularity" If There Are So Many of Them? (142)

  The "Singularity" is a theoretical point in the future where something happens beyond which we cannot imaging what life will be like. Artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, virtual reality, and genetic engineering have all been suggested as possible triggers for this supposed future event. But is the singularity even feasible, and if so, will it be in a form that we can even recognize?

John Ashmead (mod), Tom Doyle, Christopher Weuve

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Fantasy Based on Non-European Sources (92)

  You don't have to go ""all medieval on me"" to write fantasy. What are the best examples of fantasy not based on European backgrounds to date?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Stephanie Burke, James L. Cambias, Christine Norris, Tom Doyle

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza IV (Four)—The New Feudalism (43)

  Why does there seem to be very little Science Fiction about labor unions in the future? Is this a good or bad thing? What will industry look like in the future?

Tom Doyle (mod), Gail Z. Martin, Stuart Jaffe

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—"Outsider" Fiction (72)

  Outsider Art is art created by those with no formal training or those with mental disabilities. Islandia by Austin Tappan Wright, an author who created his world as a hobby and never intended to publish it may be an example in the genre. The novels of Patience Worth are supposed to have been written entirely by Ouija board. Our panelists discuss examples of their own.

Stephanie Burke (mod), Tom Doyle, John Grant, Jim Stratton

Gardner Dozois

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza IV (Four)—The Editors Panel (Short Fiction) (54)

  Professional Science Fiction editors of magazines and anthologies explain what they are looking for and discuss the nature of the Science Fiction and Fantasy short fiction market.

Hildy Silverman (mod), Darrell Schweitzer, Gardner Dozois, Neil Clarke, Danielle Ackley-McPhail

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Editing Anthologies (66)

  An anthology is not a magazine. It presents a much more unified package, often arranged around a theme. Current anthologists explain how such books are edited and sold.

Darrell Schweitzer (mod), Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Gardner Dozois, Keith R.A. DeCandido

• Sun 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—The Future of Print Genre Magazines (45)

  The major print magazines have suffered a large loss of circulation and many smaller magazines have gone out of business altogether. Is there a future for genre fiction magazines or are they going the way of the dinosaur?

Alan Beck (mod), Gardner Dozois, Thomas Nackid, Tony DiGerolamo, Tom Purdom, Neil Clarke

Ty Drago

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—The Science of Zombies (19)

  Are there any scientifically plausible theories for reanimation?

Ty Drago (mod), D.E. Christman, Jonathan Maberry, Michael D. Pederson, James Prego

• Sat 11:00 AM in Executive Suite 623—Ty Drago Reading (263)

Ty Drago (mod)

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Agents And Editors Panel (48)

  You know the drill -- find out what they are looking for in the current market.

Hildy Silverman (mod), Ty Drago, Neil Clarke, Neal Levin, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Brian Koscienski

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Networking for Novice Authors (47)

  Have you heard that success in writing depends on who you know? Is there an element of truth in that statement? How do you get to know the folks who may be able to help your career?

Ty Drago (mod), Michael D'Ambrosio, J.R. Blackwell, Michael A. Ventrella

• Sat 6:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Chuck vs. The New Intersect (207)

  What new skillsets are lurking in Chuck's head? Will Casey now respect Chuck and his kung-fu download? Will we see the General step out from behind her desk? Will Bryce be coming back from the dead... again? Will Jeffster win a Grammy?

Ty Drago (mod), Michael D. Pederson, Kimberly Ann Kindya, Tony Ruggiero

John Drew

• Fri 7:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Can You Repeat That Mr. President? My Twitter Feed Was Down. (219)

  We're living the future. Information distribution is instantaneous, and so are everyone's opinions. Panelists discuss how new ways of distributing information are changing the face of journalism.

Laura Anne Gilman (mod), John Drew, Alyce Wilson

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Poe Legacy in Short Fiction (85)

  Poe was a master of the short form. How has his work influenced later writers?

Richard Stout (mod), Darrell Schweitzer, Gregory Frost, Evelyn Leeper, John Drew

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Poe's Poetry (86)

  Even people who say that they hate poetry love his work. What are your favorite Poe poems in the fantasy and horror genres?

Richard Stout (mod), Alyce Wilson, Stephanie Burke, John Drew

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—Classic Games You Want to Play Again (229)

  What games shaped your interest in gaming? If you could find them in a closet or at a flea market, what games would you want to teach your friends?

Christopher Weuve (mod), James L. Cambias, John Drew, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge

• Sun 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Fantastic Internet: SF On The Web (143)

  Girl Genius. Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. And soon Buck Rogers will be a webseries, from the creators of Star Trek: New Voyages. What sort of opportunities does the internet offer to SF fans, and to creators as well?

John Drew (mod), Jon Kilgannon, Rob Balder, J.R. Blackwell, Eric Raymond

Oz Drummond

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Hot Alien Sex (81)

  How do aliens do it? Use imagination.

Phil Kahn (mod), Muriel Hykes, James Daniel Ross, Oz Drummond, Camille Anthony, Jonathan Wright

• Sat 10:00 AM in Executive Suite 823—Making the Most of Your Writers Group (97)

  How do you find a good one? Are they even necessary?

Oz Drummond (mod), Gary Frank, Laura Anne Gilman, Lawrence M. Schoen, Larry Hodges

• Sat 1:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Writers Workshop (69)

  New writers can submit short stories to be read and critiqued by professional authors.

Darrell Schweitzer (mod), Oz Drummond, Gregory Frost, Dina Leacock, Roman Ranieri

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—The Invasion of the Janeites (11)

  Why are so many people in science Fiction and fantasy fascinated by Jane Austen? We don't just mean ""Pride and Prejudice and Zombies"" but that is a good place to start.

Diane Weinstein (mod), Tom Purdom, Oz Drummond, Nick Wolven

• Sun 11:00 AM in Executive Suite 823—The Importance of Cash Flow For the New Author (91)

  Why ""Don't Quit Your Day Job"" Is Such Good Advice.

Sally Wiener Grotta (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Laura Anne Gilman, Christine Norris, Oz Drummond

• Sun 1:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A —Where will the Romance Science Fiction/Fantasy Connection Go? (30)

  Is the cross over between Science Fiction and Fantasy and the romance genre cresting or still on the rise? Where is it going? Is it affecting the whole field?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Catherine Asaro, L.A. Banks, Oz Drummond

Donna Dube

• Fri 5:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Doing a Lot of Costuming With Practically Nothing (102)

  A good early-con panel of general interest--How to use what you may have on hand for marvelous effects.

Donna Dube (mod), Lisa Ashton

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza V (Five)—Masquerade Presentation Problem-Solving (109)

  Our expert panelists offer solutions to all your presentation conundrums, whether it's music, lighting, stage fighting or just choreography, it's all about the story.

Marty Gear (mod), Donna Dube, Toni Lay

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza V (Five)—Notions in Costuming (110)

  What are notions--ideas that people get into their heads?--NO--they are supplies in sewing and building costumes that have many applications: from buttons and zippers, to hem tape, boning and more.

Toni Lay (mod), Donna Dube, Tina Blanco-Finan

David Louis Edelman

• Fri 8:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The Lasting Appeal of Dick (Philip K., That Is) (25)

  The predecessors of Philip K. Dick. Dick was not the first author to turn your brain into a pretzel. A discussion of the writers who influenced him.

Diane Weinstein (mod), Nick Wolven, David Louis Edelman, J. Andrew World

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—Was Philip K. Dick right? (33)

  Are we now living in Philip K. Dick's future dystopia?

Diane Weinstein (mod), Mark Wolverton, David Louis Edelman, Bernie Mojzes, James Chambers

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Science Fiction for the Post Human Future (4)

  If the singularity actually happens and the future becomes incomprehensible, what will Science Fiction writers write about?

Tom Purdom (mod), Cory Doctorow, Bud Sparhawk, David Louis Edelman, Jon Kilgannon

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Why Aren't We Writing About the Future Anymore? (32)

  Past science fiction used to take place predominantly in the future. Why do there seem to be more and more novels set in the past? Is this a temporary phase or a fundamental shift in the field?

David Louis Edelman (mod), Cory Doctorow, Tom Purdom, Gregory Frost, Lawrence M. Schoen

• Sun 11:00 AM in Executive Suite 623—David Louis Edelman Reading (272)

David Louis Edelman (mod)

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Explaining Why It's Good (51)

  C.S. Lewis said that good books need good readers. How do we train good readers? Can you make people who do not see the merit in a work see it? Is appreciation itself a kind of talent, not shared by all?

Gordon Linzner (mod), Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, David Louis Edelman, Rebecca Maines

Chris Logan Edwards

• Fri 10:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The SF Quiz Show (21)

  Our annual game show based on the JeoXXXXy TV show. Oz Fontecchio and Hildy Silverman, co-moderate.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Hildy Silverman, Andrew C. Murphy, Roman Ranieri, Lee Gilliland, Chris Logan Edwards

• Sat 7:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Who Is Your Favorite Forgotten Author? (38)

  Who is your favorite writer among those whose work is not readily available? Why should we still be reading him or her?

Desirina Boskovich (mod), Chris Logan Edwards, Jonathan Maberry

Gary Ehrlich

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Conventional Filk (175)

  An overview of Filk Conventions, by those who run them

Harold Stein (mod), Steve Brinich, Ariel Cinii, Gary Ehrlich, Crystal Paul

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—A Filk Concert (291)

  Solo Performances

Cathy Dougherty (mod), Gary Ehrlich

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Sing-A-Long Filk with Roberta Rogow and Friends (150)

  Pull up a chair, clear your throat and maybe learn a song or two. (Performers subject to change.)

Roberta Rogow (mod), Marilyn Brahen, Gary Ehrlich, Kathy Sands

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—To the Moon and Beyond (177)

  In honor of the 1969 moon landing

Dr. H. Paul Shuch (mod), Gary Ehrlich, Roberta Rogow

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Song Sequitur (182)

  Filkers have to follow each other's filk with one that is almost that is almost, but not quite, a follower

Roberta Rogow (mod), Gary Ehrlich, Ariel Cinii, Kathy Sands

Genevieve Iseult Eldredge

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—We Started This Cult Film S***! (216)

  Everybody, everybody’s heard of REPO! The Genetic Opera. No? Well don’t be shy! Our panelists will do a little testifying for you. Abandoned by Lionsgate Films it took a grassroots movement by the cast and the fans to advertise the movie. Now REPO! is being called the next Rocky Horror Picture Show, with midnight viewings, shadow casts, and audience partici...pation. Now the first film company to turn them down for production is wrapping up a movie with an eerily similar plot and a blockbuster budget

Genevieve Iseult Eldredge (mod), Samantha Kwait, Dusti Lewars, Christopher Stout, Jeff Mach

• Sat 11:00 AM in Grand Ballroom A —VS. (126)

  The audience comes up with the combatants, and the panelists figure out who would win. Forget Alien vs. Predator... how about Bugs Bunny vs. Doctor Doom!

Tony Finan (mod), Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Alyce Wilson, Frank Wu, Andrew C. Ely

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Making it With Vampires, Shapeshifters and Other Creatures (36)

  What is the psychological appeal of this?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Desirina Boskovich, L.A. Banks, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Nina Ely, Stephanie Burke

• Sat 5:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Who are You When You're Not Yourself? (228)

  Are your characters all you want them to be? What do you want to create as a persona? What have you tried that's been a real disaster?

KT Pinto (mod), Eric Avedissian, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, J.R. Blackwell, Neal Levin

• Sat 6:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Anime Princesses Rule...Disney Princesses Drool (160)

  There is more to the profession of "Princessing" than glittering gowns, fuzzy woodland creatures and sporadic spunkiness. We will explore differences between being a princess and a generic "strong female character". Maybe "Princessing" involves leadership over your kingdom, tribe, clan or other socio-economic peer group?

Walter Amos (mod), Robert Fenelon, Brian T. Price, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Jon Kilgannon

• Sat 9:00 PM in Executive Suite 623—Genevieve Iseult Eldredge 18+ Reading (280)

Genevieve Iseult Eldredge (mod)

• Sat 10:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—What's a hot Orion like you doing in a cantina like this?... Flirting and Dating (141)

  The stereotypical fan is someone who lacks a bit in the social skills department. So, if you're one of those fans, how do you go about learning them? Simple... you go to this panel! Bring a sense of humor, and you may learn something along the way.

Hugh Casey (mod), Dusti Lewars, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, James Prego, Jo Blu Pax, KT Pinto

• Sat 11:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Sex and the Single Fan: Is Fandom... different? (131)

  It seems that SF fandom attracts a large number of people who engage in "alternative" sexual lifestyles. Or is it that those lifestyles attract a large number of fans? We'll take a serious look at the relationship between fandom and "kink", and what it means for fans in general.

J.R. Blackwell (mod), David M. Axler, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, James Prego, Tobias Cabral

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—Classic Games You Want to Play Again (229)

  What games shaped your interest in gaming? If you could find them in a closet or at a flea market, what games would you want to teach your friends?

Christopher Weuve (mod), James L. Cambias, John Drew, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Hollywood Goes Green! Wait, They’re Remaking What?! (208)

  Yeah we all know that asteroid was a potato, that doesn’t mean they need to re-shoot the entire movie 30 years later! Hollywood is on an updating rampage, everything from “The Prisoner” to “The Smurfs” is scheduled for 21st century makeover. My childhood is rolling in it’s grave. And that not even mentioning everything they’ve already gotten their “artistic license” on! Panelist will discuss the influence the modern world has on the various TV shows and movies we have grown up with and whether the "modernization" was for the better. Do the remakes make the grade?

Richard Stout (mod), Christopher Stout, Tony Finan, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, J. Andrew World

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Explaining Why It's Good (51)

  C.S. Lewis said that good books need good readers. How do we train good readers? Can you make people who do not see the merit in a work see it? Is appreciation itself a kind of talent, not shared by all?

Gordon Linzner (mod), Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, David Louis Edelman, Rebecca Maines

Andrew C. Ely

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza VII (Seven)—The Art of the Audio Drama (128)

  In the early days of radio, we had The Shadow and Orson Wells's War Of The Worlds. Today, we have audiobooks and SF creators who distribute audio plays online. Is this old art part of the future of SF?

Jay Smith (mod), Andrew C. Ely, Orenthal Hawkins, Patricia M. Cryan, Nina Ely

• Sat 11:00 AM in Grand Ballroom A —VS. (126)

  The audience comes up with the combatants, and the panelists figure out who would win. Forget Alien vs. Predator... how about Bugs Bunny vs. Doctor Doom!

Tony Finan (mod), Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Alyce Wilson, Frank Wu, Andrew C. Ely

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Storytelling with Patient Creatures (152)

  Spooky stories for all ages.

Andrew C. Ely (mod)

Nina Ely

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—The Future of Money (44)

  How has personal finances been portrayed in the past in Science Fiction and how will it be portrayed in the future? Will there be such a thing as money in the future?

Ray Ridenour (mod), Tony DiGerolamo, Nina Ely

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza VII (Seven)—The Art of the Audio Drama (128)

  In the early days of radio, we had The Shadow and Orson Wells's War Of The Worlds. Today, we have audiobooks and SF creators who distribute audio plays online. Is this old art part of the future of SF?

Jay Smith (mod), Andrew C. Ely, Orenthal Hawkins, Patricia M. Cryan, Nina Ely

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Making it With Vampires, Shapeshifters and Other Creatures (36)

  What is the psychological appeal of this?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Desirina Boskovich, L.A. Banks, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Nina Ely, Stephanie Burke

• Sun 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Theme Parks, Entertainment, and Utopia (241)

  How do our fantasies create our environment, architecture, and our future?

Nina Ely (mod), Cory Doctorow, Dusti Lewars, Crystal Paul, Brian Siano

Gary Feldbaum

• Sat 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The Age of Anonymous (215)

  The internet is a force to be reckoned with. Trolling message boards and hacking e-mail accounts are child’s play. The internet is organized. DDoS Attacks, MySpace Hacking, forum raids. Last year there was a global IRL Scientology protest organized by anonymous strangers. Sometimes they claim to do what they do for a cause like freedom of speech, other times it’s “just for the lulz”. The panelists discuss: internet superheroes, or hackers on steroids? What effects do groups like this have on the existing culture of the internet?

Cory Doctorow (mod), J. Andrew World, Gary Feldbaum, Dusti Lewars, Phil Kahn, Eric Raymond

• Sat 12:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—The Current Economic Downturn and What it Means to Science Fiction (5)

  What is the impact of the current recession on publishing and on the subject matter of written science Fiction?

Rebecca Maines (mod), Michael D'Ambrosio, Gary Feldbaum, James Daniel Ross, Phillip Thorne

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Philip K. Dick As Classic Literature (24)

  He's in Library of America these days. Irony of irony, his science fiction has achieved mainstream acceptance, even though his mainstream fiction never did. What has caused this academic/critical awakening?

John Moore (mod), Bernie Mojzes, Gary Feldbaum, Andrew C. Murphy

Robert Fenelon

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Best Animated Movie of 2009 (148)

  The year's not over yet, but compare the contenders: stop-motion ("Coraline"), traditional 2D ("Ponyo"), or CGI (most everything else)? Drama, humor, or the SF easter eggs of "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"?

Deb Lieven (mod), Walter Amos, Robert Fenelon, Brian T. Price, Michael A. Ventrella

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—These Are A Few Of My Favorite Scenes (156)

  Remember that show with that guy who did that thing? You know, with that...thing he had? Take a look at some of our fondest anime-induced memories. Who knows? You just might find a new favorite of your own.

Robert Fenelon (mod), Walter Amos, Stephanie Burke, Joe Foering, Amy Howard Wilson, Brian T. Price

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—SF & Fantasy Cartoons And Why We Love Them (157)

  What's new out there this year and what should go back to the drawing board...literally! Do we just love our old favorites from years gone by, or do we like the new stuff? These questions and other serious topics will be tackled. (e.g.: Exactly what the heck is a Scooby Snack?!)

Robert Fenelon (mod), Tony Finan, Walter Amos, Brian T. Price

• Sat 6:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Anime Princesses Rule...Disney Princesses Drool (160)

  There is more to the profession of "Princessing" than glittering gowns, fuzzy woodland creatures and sporadic spunkiness. We will explore differences between being a princess and a generic "strong female character". Maybe "Princessing" involves leadership over your kingdom, tribe, clan or other socio-economic peer group?

Walter Amos (mod), Robert Fenelon, Brian T. Price, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Jon Kilgannon

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—My Cartoon Stereotypes Are More Offensive Than Yours (162)

  Bored with the tired cliches of American storytelling? Where does a cultural reference cross the line into stereotype? Ever catch yourself asking "Hey! I'm American, but why do all these "westerners" have blonde hair and blue eyes? And why do "Asians" in American cartoons keep saying "honor" in every sentence?"

Robert Fenelon (mod), Walter Amos, Orenthal Hawkins, Brian T. Price, Stephanie Burke

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Anime And The Revolving Door of Culture (163)

  A discussion and exploration of the phenomenon of anime, its influence on western science fiction/fantasy and its incorporation of our own cultural nuances.

Brian T. Price (mod), Robert Fenelon, Kimberly Ann Kindya, Stephanie Burke, Ruth Lampi, Michael Ryan

Tony Finan

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Zombie Jamboree (100)

  Jane Austen spinning in her grave. The current fascination of all things zombie.

Tony Finan (mod), Michael Swanwick, D.E. Christman, James Chambers, Jonathan Maberry

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—SF & Fantasy Cartoons And Why We Love Them (157)

  What's new out there this year and what should go back to the drawing board...literally! Do we just love our old favorites from years gone by, or do we like the new stuff? These questions and other serious topics will be tackled. (e.g.: Exactly what the heck is a Scooby Snack?!)

Robert Fenelon (mod), Tony Finan, Walter Amos, Brian T. Price

• Sat 11:00 AM in Grand Ballroom A —VS. (126)

  The audience comes up with the combatants, and the panelists figure out who would win. Forget Alien vs. Predator... how about Bugs Bunny vs. Doctor Doom!

Tony Finan (mod), Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Alyce Wilson, Frank Wu, Andrew C. Ely

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Are You Ready for the Zombie/Vampire/Alien/Eldrich Apocalypse? (144)

  OK, so the dead have risen from their graves, the saucers are over our cities, and Things Man Was Not Meant To Know have made themselves known. NOW what do you do? Well, our panelists will try to come up with a few survival strategies for you.

Tony Finan (mod), Dusti Lewars, Jonathan Maberry, Jay Smith, Ruth Lampi

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Hollywood Goes Green! Wait, They’re Remaking What?! (208)

  Yeah we all know that asteroid was a potato, that doesn’t mean they need to re-shoot the entire movie 30 years later! Hollywood is on an updating rampage, everything from “The Prisoner” to “The Smurfs” is scheduled for 21st century makeover. My childhood is rolling in it’s grave. And that not even mentioning everything they’ve already gotten their “artistic license” on! Panelist will discuss the influence the modern world has on the various TV shows and movies we have grown up with and whether the "modernization" was for the better. Do the remakes make the grade?

Richard Stout (mod), Christopher Stout, Tony Finan, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, J. Andrew World

• Sun 2:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Philly Geek: What's going on in Philly Fandom? (146)

  What sort of things are going on in the the Greater Philadelphia area that fans would be interested in? LOTS! Come hear our panelists talk about the events, groups, cons, and other great genre-related things taking place in the area. And share any events you know about that we miss!

Tony Finan (mod), Kristyn Souder, Phillip Thorne, Matt Black

Michael F. Flynn

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Merits of ""Hard Science"" vs. Balonium in Science Fiction Literature (94)

  Are they mutually exclusive? Can they co-exist? Should they co-exist?

Michael F. Flynn (mod), Bud Sparhawk, Alexis Gilliland, Michael D'Ambrosio, Eric Kotani

• Sat 5:00 PM in Executive Suite 623—Michael F. Flynn Reading (266)

Michael F. Flynn (mod)

• Sun 11:00 AM in Grand Ballroom A —The United States In A Thousand Years (64)

  If you go to any of the older cities of Europe, you will see buildings that have been inhabited for a thousand years or more and adapted to modern purposes. We think of medieval Tuscan hill towns with TV aerials on the roofs and motorcycles driving up the narrow streets where no car could ever go. We see medieval rearrangements of ancient Roman leftovers of even more ancient (such as an Egyptian obelisk) which the Caesars swiped for their own purposes. Try to imagine what New York or Philadelphia will be like when they are old enough that you can see this ""layer cake effect"" of history right before your eyes.

Bud Sparhawk (mod), Michael F. Flynn, Daniel Grotta, Ariel Cinii

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Why Isn't Science Fiction More International? (12)

  We aren't seeing many translations. We aren't seeing many stories from non-English speaking authors. What are we missing?

Michael Swanwick (mod), Darrell Schweitzer, Michael F. Flynn, Phillip Thorne

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Beyond The Nation State (67)

  We have a bad habit in science fiction of assuming that our basic social patterns will last forever. There was a time -- many times, in many eras of the past -- when the nation state as we know it simply did not exist. In feudal times, loyalties were to persons. The ancient empires were often completely ""international"" and inter-tribal, but they could be ordained and run by a priest-king who was regarded as a living god. These ideas have passed away. How will societies be organized when the ""nation"" is as obsolete as a Egyptian pharaoh?

Tom Purdom (mod), Jeff Lyman, Michael F. Flynn, Cory Doctorow, Christopher Weuve

Joe Foering

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—These Are A Few Of My Favorite Scenes (156)

  Remember that show with that guy who did that thing? You know, with that...thing he had? Take a look at some of our fondest anime-induced memories. Who knows? You just might find a new favorite of your own.

Robert Fenelon (mod), Walter Amos, Stephanie Burke, Joe Foering, Amy Howard Wilson, Brian T. Price

• Sat 10:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Bad Anime, Bad!! (158)

  The pain! Oh dear God, the pain!! How could you ever allow these shows to see the light of day?! We take no responsibility for any psychological damage done when we show (re: inflict upon) you some of the worst of the worst. And they say 'Cruel & Unusual Punishment' is illegal in this country!

Brian T. Price (mod), Joe Foering, Jon Kilgannon

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—LARPs: Keeping them interesting (231)

  What about a LARP attracts and keeps the interest of its participants

J.R. Blackwell (mod), Heidi Hooper, Joe Foering, Michael A. Ventrella, Jon Kilgannon

Oz Fontecchio

• Fri 10:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The SF Quiz Show (21)

  Our annual game show based on the JeoXXXXy TV show. Oz Fontecchio and Hildy Silverman, co-moderate.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Hildy Silverman, Andrew C. Murphy, Roman Ranieri, Lee Gilliland, Chris Logan Edwards

• Fri 11:59 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Eye of Argon Reading (26)

  Reputedly, the worst story in the genre's history. Just try and read it without laughing.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Lawrence M. Schoen, Phil Kahn, Hildy Silverman, Victoria Janssen

• Sun 12:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Foundation Book Discussion (221)

  Members of the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society Book Discussion Group and the audience discuss a classic in the genre.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Evelyn Leeper

• Sun 3:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Book Discussion Ideas (68)

  Readers tell us their notions of what would make for a good book discussion.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Scheherazade Jackson, Lawrence Johnson, Evelyn Leeper, Mary Spila

Gary Frank

• Sat 10:00 AM in Executive Suite 823—Making the Most of Your Writers Group (97)

  How do you find a good one? Are they even necessary?

Oz Drummond (mod), Gary Frank, Laura Anne Gilman, Lawrence M. Schoen, Larry Hodges

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Lovecraft as Mass Culture (14)

  Lovecraft shows up in the strangest of places, everything from plush toys to games to bedroom slippers and children's cartoons. Exploring his continuing and spreading influence.

John Ashmead (mod), Onezumi Hartstein, C.J. Henderson, James Chambers, Gary Frank, Chris Pisano

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Post Supernatural Horror (15)

  Fantastic fiction without the spiritually based supernatural content, Fantastic Horror in an Atheistic World.

Roman Ranieri (mod), Gary Frank, Gordon Linzner, Gregory Frost, C.J. Henderson

Gregory Frost

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Poe Legacy in Short Fiction (85)

  Poe was a master of the short form. How has his work influenced later writers?

Richard Stout (mod), Darrell Schweitzer, Gregory Frost, Evelyn Leeper, John Drew

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Charles Dickens and Science Fiction (10)

  He wrote some fantasy, no science fiction but a number of Science Fiction writers have been influenced by him. What is his appeal?

Deb Lieven (mod), Marilyn Brahen, Richard Stout, Gregory Frost

• Sat 1:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Writers Workshop (69)

  New writers can submit short stories to be read and critiqued by professional authors.

Darrell Schweitzer (mod), Oz Drummond, Gregory Frost, Dina Leacock, Roman Ranieri

• Sat 2:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Writers Workshop (Second Hour) (296)

  The critique continues

Darrell Schweitzer (mod), Gregory Frost, Dina Leacock, Roman Ranieri

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Why Aren't We Writing About the Future Anymore? (32)

  Past science fiction used to take place predominantly in the future. Why do there seem to be more and more novels set in the past? Is this a temporary phase or a fundamental shift in the field?

David Louis Edelman (mod), Cory Doctorow, Tom Purdom, Gregory Frost, Lawrence M. Schoen

• Sun 1:00 PM in Executive Suite 623—Gregory Frost reading (265)

Gregory Frost (mod)

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Post Supernatural Horror (15)

  Fantastic fiction without the spiritually based supernatural content, Fantastic Horror in an Atheistic World.

Roman Ranieri (mod), Gary Frank, Gordon Linzner, Gregory Frost, C.J. Henderson

Charles E. Gannon

• 12:00 AM in —Is Hydrogen the Future of Energy? (181)

  There's been a lot of discussion of hydrogen as the post-fossil-fuel solution for energy. Hydrogen fuel cells could one day power homes, cars and factories. But there are still many technical and economic challenges, such as production and distribution of hydrogen, to be overcome. Will achieve a hydrogen economy? Should we? Are there better solutions?

Walter Hunt (mod), Charles E. Gannon, Frank O'Brien, John Moore, Earl Bennett

• Fri 8:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Is Hydrogen the Future of Energy? (181)

  There's been a lot of discussion of hydrogen as the post-fossil-fuel solution for energy. Hydrogen fuel cells could one day power homes, cars and factories. But there are still many technical and economic challenges, such as production and distribution of hydrogen, to be overcome. Will achieve a hydrogen economy? Should we? Are there better solutions?

Walter Hunt (mod), Charles E. Gannon, Frank O'Brien, John Moore, Earl Bennett

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Why Science Fiction Is Not Finished (52)

  A French critic was recently quoted as saying, ""Science fiction, well, it is finished."" Some say science fiction is purely a Baby Boomer phenomenon now heading demographically toward its sunset. We at Philcon have a different view. This panel aims to list as many reasons as possible why science fiction is not finished.

Alexis Gilliland (mod), Walter Hunt, Darrell Schweitzer, Charles E. Gannon, David Walton

• Sat 2:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A —Computer Gaming Meets Science Fiction (57)

  There was a time, not all that long ago, when the very subject of complicated games (role-playing or otherwise) played on a computer WAS science fiction. What has been the effect of computer games on written Science Fiction? Has there been some genuine and fruitful cross-fertilization going on here?

Brian Siano (mod), James Daniel Ross, Jay Wile, Charles E. Gannon, Orenthal Hawkins

• Sat 8:00 PM in Executive Suite 623—Charles E. Gannon Reading (284)

Charles E. Gannon (mod)

• Sun 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—What Price Immortality? (90)

  How has Science Fiction treated eternal life? As we experience longer life spans, how has our view of extended life spans changed? Why has our literature's view of longevity been so largely pessimistic?

Jeff Lyman (mod), E. F. Watkins, Charles E. Gannon, Christopher Weuve, Theodore Krulik

Christopher Gay

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—The Weird Science Fair! (125)

  Death rays. Earthquake generators. Ice Ages that cover New York in 24 hours. SF books, movies, and TV have offered up some STRANGE science over the years. Here's a panel to talk about some of the Weird Science we've seen.

Christopher Gay (mod), Laura Burns, Eric Schulman, Caroline Cox

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Costuming for Kids (H1) / Toon (G2 H2) (203)

  Assemble a quick and nifty SF/F costume from bits-n-bobs (two hours). Concurrent with "Toon" Game 2 (two hours).

Christopher Gay (mod), Scheherazade Jackson, Samantha Kwait, Vicki Warren, Owen Hutchins, Emily Tullis

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Costuming for Kids (H2) / Origami (S2) (248)

  Joint session: Costuming continued, origami encore.

Christopher Gay (mod), Scheherazade Jackson, Samantha Kwait, Vicki Warren, Mark Leeper

Marty Gear

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza V (Five)—Masquerade Presentation Problem-Solving (109)

  Our expert panelists offer solutions to all your presentation conundrums, whether it's music, lighting, stage fighting or just choreography, it's all about the story.

Marty Gear (mod), Donna Dube, Toni Lay

• Sat 12:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Makeup Mini-Demo (105)

  Marty Gear demonstrates makeup techniques for costumes and stage and answers questions

Marty Gear (mod), Raven, Kayleigh

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Masquerade Show & Tell (112)

  We'd like anyone who participated in last night's Masquerade to come and show off their costumes and costume pieces and show us how they did it Come & see it all up close and personal.

Dora Buck (mod), Byron Connell, Marty Gear

Alexis Gilliland

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Why Science Fiction Is Not Finished (52)

  A French critic was recently quoted as saying, ""Science fiction, well, it is finished."" Some say science fiction is purely a Baby Boomer phenomenon now heading demographically toward its sunset. We at Philcon have a different view. This panel aims to list as many reasons as possible why science fiction is not finished.

Alexis Gilliland (mod), Walter Hunt, Darrell Schweitzer, Charles E. Gannon, David Walton

• Sat 11:00 AM in Art Show (Grand Ballroom B)—Guided Tour of the Art Show (187)

  Any programming guest may offer to give a guided tour of the art show.

Alexis Gilliland (mod)

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Merits of ""Hard Science"" vs. Balonium in Science Fiction Literature (94)

  Are they mutually exclusive? Can they co-exist? Should they co-exist?

Michael F. Flynn (mod), Bud Sparhawk, Alexis Gilliland, Michael D'Ambrosio, Eric Kotani

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Monsters in (or Out) the Closet (93)

  Homosexuality in horror. Whose writing it? What are the best examples?

Drew White (mod), Gail Z. Martin, Nick Wolven, Alexis Gilliland

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Paranoid Science Fiction (70)

  Philip K. Dick immediately comes to mind, as an author obsessed with the idea that reality is not what it seems and that They are very likely out to get us. But the theme has been with us for a very long time. Think of Fred Pohl's ""The Tunnel Under the World"" or Heinlein's ""They"" or Harness's THE PARADOX MEN. Inevitably the ""paranoid delusion"" proves to be anything but. Is this merely delusional or is it a clearer perception of the nature of reality?

John Ashmead (mod), John Moore, Alexis Gilliland

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—Who was John W. Campbell and Why Does He Still Matter? (22)

  The continuing legacy of a great editor who gave science fiction its Golden Age.

Tom Purdom (mod), Alexis Gilliland, Andrew C. Murphy, L.A. Banks

Lee Gilliland

• Fri 10:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The SF Quiz Show (21)

  Our annual game show based on the JeoXXXXy TV show. Oz Fontecchio and Hildy Silverman, co-moderate.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Hildy Silverman, Andrew C. Murphy, Roman Ranieri, Lee Gilliland, Chris Logan Edwards

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Insert Tab B Into Slot A (27)

  The treatment of sex in Science Fiction.

Victoria Janssen (mod), Lawrence M. Schoen, Michael Swanwick, Stephanie Burke, Lee Gilliland

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Y, Syfy? Y? (214)

  We stood by them when they gave us Mansquito. We kept watching when they added WWE wrestling. And then they said “The name Sci Fi has been associated with geeks and dysfunctional, antisocial boys in their basements…” and changed their name to Syfy. And yet we still return to watch shows like Warehouse 13, Eureka and Sanctuary. Do they know us better than we know ourselves?

Terri Osborne (mod), Richard Stout, Phillip Thorne, Lee Gilliland, James Daniel Ross

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Writers That Should Have Quit When They Were Ahead (41)

  Which writers work never lived up to their early promise?

Susan de Guardiola (mod), Lee Gilliland, Evelyn Leeper

• Sun 3:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—The Stories That Changed Everything (56)

  How many science fiction or fantasy stories truly changed the field? What effect did they have? What stories or books have had this effect? We might suggest, A PRINCESS OF MARS, ""A Martian Odyssey,"" ""The Call of Cthulhu,"" THE LORD OF THE RINGS, and NEUROMANCER as examples. Is this sort of transformative change something an author can set out to do on his or her own or does it just happen? Do conditions have to be right or does a great story MAKE the conditions right. (Think of this as The Great Story theory of science fiction.)

Andrew C. Murphy (mod), Lee Gilliland, JJ Brannon, Jonathan Maberry

Laura Anne Gilman

• Fri 7:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Can You Repeat That Mr. President? My Twitter Feed Was Down. (219)

  We're living the future. Information distribution is instantaneous, and so are everyone's opinions. Panelists discuss how new ways of distributing information are changing the face of journalism.

Laura Anne Gilman (mod), John Drew, Alyce Wilson

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Books We Love To Hate (60)

  What are the books we know aren't ""good"" but which we enjoy anyway?

Nikki Cohen (mod), Ef Deal, JJ Brannon, Laura Anne Gilman, Larry Hodges

• Sat 10:00 AM in Executive Suite 823—Making the Most of Your Writers Group (97)

  How do you find a good one? Are they even necessary?

Oz Drummond (mod), Gary Frank, Laura Anne Gilman, Lawrence M. Schoen, Larry Hodges

• Sat 7:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—In the Beginning Was the Word (98)

  How does the literature of the genre influence the creators of other media, including movies, television, games and other media?

Laura Anne Gilman (mod), James Daniel Ross, Stuart Jaffe, Kimberly Ann Kindya

• Sat 9:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Vampires: Geesh, We just can't get rid of them (195)

  They are everywhere, movies, books, tv shows. etc. What is going on. Sure, vampires were never out of fashion, but what's with the explosion of them in all genres and media? We will discuss all the latest vampire trends in the media culture. What is driving this passion for the undead?

KT Pinto (mod), Matt Black, Rebecca Marcus, James Prego, Laura Anne Gilman

• Sun 11:00 AM in Executive Suite 823—The Importance of Cash Flow For the New Author (91)

  Why ""Don't Quit Your Day Job"" Is Such Good Advice.

Sally Wiener Grotta (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Laura Anne Gilman, Christine Norris, Oz Drummond

David Goldberg

• Fri 7:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—How to Build a Time Machine (285)

  Time travel is one of the essential ingredients in compelling science fiction. Given that we've never built a time machine, how do we separate the "science" from the "fiction?" The authors of "A User's Guide to the Universe: Surviving the Perils of Black Holes, Time Paradoxes, and Quantum Uncertainty" will give you the physics perspective on this. They'll describe how to build a practical time machine and what you can do with it once you're done. Following a short talk, the session will be open to general questions and discussion on the science of time travel.

David Goldberg (mod), Jeff Blomquist

• Sat 2:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—The Planck Telescope and Herschel Space Observatory (168)

  Launched in May 2009 by the European Space Agency, Planck and Herschel will help provide answers to some of the most important questions in modern science, such as the origin, evolution and future of the Universe and the formation of stars and galaxies.

Eric Kotani (mod), N. Taylor Blanchard, David Goldberg, Frank O'Brien

• Sat 5:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Science At The Heart of Science Fiction (87)

  How has Hard Science Fiction changed in the last decade? Is Science Fiction still predominantly the literature of scientific ideas?

Bud Sparhawk (mod), Caroline Cox, David Goldberg, Dr. H. Paul Shuch, Jerome Stueart, Laura Burns

• Sat 6:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Great Mysteries of Science (169)

  What are the most important unsolved mysteries and unanswered questions in science? Which are closest to being solved?

Eric Kotani (mod), Eric Schulman, David Goldberg, John Cmar, Frank O'Brien

John Grant

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—"Outsider" Fiction (72)

  Outsider Art is art created by those with no formal training or those with mental disabilities. Islandia by Austin Tappan Wright, an author who created his world as a hobby and never intended to publish it may be an example in the genre. The novels of Patience Worth are supposed to have been written entirely by Ouija board. Our panelists discuss examples of their own.

Stephanie Burke (mod), Tom Doyle, John Grant, Jim Stratton

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Science Fiction and Fantasy Literary Fads (42)

  New Wave and Cyberpunk, for example. What are your favorites?

Walter Hunt (mod), John Grant, Daniel Grotta

Daniel Grotta

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—J. R. R. Tolkien: The Saga Goes Ever On and On (7)

  Are pastiches by other hands inevitable?

Marilyn Brahen (mod), Daniel Grotta, Gail Z. Martin, Nick Wolven, Walter Hunt

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Digital Art Photography: How is it affecting the illustration market? (120)

  When photography first emerged, the argument was whether or not it was art. All these years later, we get back to the same argument. How is digital photography impacting the art and illustration markets?

Alan Beck (mod), Daniel Grotta, Karl Kofoed, Thomas Nackid, Emily Tullis

• Sun 11:00 AM in Grand Ballroom A —The United States In A Thousand Years (64)

  If you go to any of the older cities of Europe, you will see buildings that have been inhabited for a thousand years or more and adapted to modern purposes. We think of medieval Tuscan hill towns with TV aerials on the roofs and motorcycles driving up the narrow streets where no car could ever go. We see medieval rearrangements of ancient Roman leftovers of even more ancient (such as an Egyptian obelisk) which the Caesars swiped for their own purposes. Try to imagine what New York or Philadelphia will be like when they are old enough that you can see this ""layer cake effect"" of history right before your eyes.

Bud Sparhawk (mod), Michael F. Flynn, Daniel Grotta, Ariel Cinii

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Science Fiction and Fantasy Literary Fads (42)

  New Wave and Cyberpunk, for example. What are your favorites?

Walter Hunt (mod), John Grant, Daniel Grotta

Sally Wiener Grotta

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Business of Art: Marketing & Promotion (115)

  Online marketing and promotion. Ways to create a professional web presence.

D.E. Christman (mod), James Harknell, Heidi Hooper, Alan Beck, Sally Wiener Grotta

• Sun 11:00 AM in Executive Suite 823—The Importance of Cash Flow For the New Author (91)

  Why ""Don't Quit Your Day Job"" Is Such Good Advice.

Sally Wiener Grotta (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Laura Anne Gilman, Christine Norris, Oz Drummond

Paul Halpern

• Sat 7:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The Large Hadron Collider (167)

  The Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the most powerful accelerator in history, has been in the news because of fears that it could produce mini-black holes that might grow and threaten the Earth. In this presentation, Paul Halpern, author of Collider: The Search for the World's Smallest Particles, will show how there is nothing to fear from the LHC, but rather much to hope for--including the prospect of solving some of the deepest dilemmas of physics such as the mystery of dark matter.

Paul Halpern (mod)

James Harknell

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Best Webcomics (237)

  Where to go online to find the best webcomics

Onezumi Hartstein (mod), James Harknell, Orenthal Hawkins, Rob Balder, Ruth Lampi, Tony DiGerolamo

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Business of Art: Marketing & Promotion (115)

  Online marketing and promotion. Ways to create a professional web presence.

D.E. Christman (mod), James Harknell, Heidi Hooper, Alan Beck, Sally Wiener Grotta

Onezumi Hartstein

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Best Webcomics (237)

  Where to go online to find the best webcomics

Onezumi Hartstein (mod), James Harknell, Orenthal Hawkins, Rob Balder, Ruth Lampi, Tony DiGerolamo

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Lovecraft as Mass Culture (14)

  Lovecraft shows up in the strangest of places, everything from plush toys to games to bedroom slippers and children's cartoons. Exploring his continuing and spreading influence.

John Ashmead (mod), Onezumi Hartstein, C.J. Henderson, James Chambers, Gary Frank, Chris Pisano

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza V (Five)—Drawn to the Dark: The Appeal Of Horror Art (113)

  What draws artists to do horror art? What draws fans to love these images of gore and creepiness?

D.E. Christman (mod), Mark E. Rogers, Kyle Cassidy, Thomas Nackid, Onezumi Hartstein

Steve Haug

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Naughty Bits (179)

  Bawdy Ballads

Kathy Sands (mod), Steve Haug, Crystal Paul

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Another Filk Concert (292)

  Solo Performances

Rob Balder (mod), Steve Haug

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza VII (Seven)—You Don't Have to Sing (173)

  Filking for the Vocally Challenged: instrumental, archiving etc.

Steve Brinich (mod), Harold Stein, Steve Haug

Orenthal Hawkins

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Buck Rogers Rides Again (13)

  There is a new web series, there is a new comic book series. Why the resurgence?

Nathan Lilly (mod), Lawrence Johnson, C.J. Henderson, Orenthal Hawkins, Ted Rickles, Bill Spangler

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza VII (Seven)—The Art of the Audio Drama (128)

  In the early days of radio, we had The Shadow and Orson Wells's War Of The Worlds. Today, we have audiobooks and SF creators who distribute audio plays online. Is this old art part of the future of SF?

Jay Smith (mod), Andrew C. Ely, Orenthal Hawkins, Patricia M. Cryan, Nina Ely

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Best Webcomics (237)

  Where to go online to find the best webcomics

Onezumi Hartstein (mod), James Harknell, Orenthal Hawkins, Rob Balder, Ruth Lampi, Tony DiGerolamo

• Sat 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Diversity in SF and Fandom (124)

  RaceFAIL'09. MammothFAIL. The Open Source Boob Project. SF writers, editors, and fans publicly commenting on race, faith, or sexual issues that other find offensive. Lately it seems that issues about racism, sexism, and other types of prejudice have exploded all over professional SF and its fandom. Is fandom rife with bigotry? Or are people being too sensitive or making something out of nothing? Or is the truth somewhere in between? And, maybe most importantly, is it even POSSIBLE to have a civil conversation about any of this? Well, we're going to give it a try. Wish us luck. (Note: this panel will fill a 2 hour block. The panelists and moderator will discuss with each other well in advance how best to handle the sensitive topics that will probably surface during this discussion.)

Hugh Casey (mod), David M. Axler, Orenthal Hawkins, Stephanie Burke, David Silverman

• Sat 2:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A —Computer Gaming Meets Science Fiction (57)

  There was a time, not all that long ago, when the very subject of complicated games (role-playing or otherwise) played on a computer WAS science fiction. What has been the effect of computer games on written Science Fiction? Has there been some genuine and fruitful cross-fertilization going on here?

Brian Siano (mod), James Daniel Ross, Jay Wile, Charles E. Gannon, Orenthal Hawkins

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—My Cartoon Stereotypes Are More Offensive Than Yours (162)

  Bored with the tired cliches of American storytelling? Where does a cultural reference cross the line into stereotype? Ever catch yourself asking "Hey! I'm American, but why do all these "westerners" have blonde hair and blue eyes? And why do "Asians" in American cartoons keep saying "honor" in every sentence?"

Robert Fenelon (mod), Walter Amos, Orenthal Hawkins, Brian T. Price, Stephanie Burke

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—What My Cat Had For Breakfast. (218)

  Just because everyone can have a blog does that mean everyone should? Panelists discuss what kind of personal responsibility comes with putting your thoughts out there for the world to read.

Orenthal Hawkins (mod), Kyle Cassidy, Alyce Wilson, Terri Osborne, KT Pinto

C.J. Henderson

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Buck Rogers Rides Again (13)

  There is a new web series, there is a new comic book series. Why the resurgence?

Nathan Lilly (mod), Lawrence Johnson, C.J. Henderson, Orenthal Hawkins, Ted Rickles, Bill Spangler

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Pulped! (2)

  What do we mean by pulp fiction? Is it a synonym for trash or does it represent a vigorous type of popular fiction that continues to appeal? If someone calls your book ""pulp"", is that an insult or a compliment?

Michael J. Walsh (mod), C.J. Henderson, Jared Axelrod, James Daniel Ross, Eric Avedissian

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Lovecraft as Mass Culture (14)

  Lovecraft shows up in the strangest of places, everything from plush toys to games to bedroom slippers and children's cartoons. Exploring his continuing and spreading influence.

John Ashmead (mod), Onezumi Hartstein, C.J. Henderson, James Chambers, Gary Frank, Chris Pisano

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Post Supernatural Horror (15)

  Fantastic fiction without the spiritually based supernatural content, Fantastic Horror in an Atheistic World.

Roman Ranieri (mod), Gary Frank, Gordon Linzner, Gregory Frost, C.J. Henderson

Larry Hodges

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Books We Love To Hate (60)

  What are the books we know aren't ""good"" but which we enjoy anyway?

Nikki Cohen (mod), Ef Deal, JJ Brannon, Laura Anne Gilman, Larry Hodges

• Sat 10:00 AM in Executive Suite 823—Making the Most of Your Writers Group (97)

  How do you find a good one? Are they even necessary?

Oz Drummond (mod), Gary Frank, Laura Anne Gilman, Lawrence M. Schoen, Larry Hodges

• Sat 7:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Is It Possible To Make The Devil Scary? (16)

  Can Satan as a major character or plot engine be scary rather than trivial?

Rebecca Maines (mod), Jeff Lyman, Roman Ranieri, Larry Hodges

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza IV (Four)—Is The Short Story On Its Way Out? (71)

  There have been dramatic declines in magazine subscriptions in recent years. Is the short story medium on its way out or is it an essential part of the genre? Or is it all going digital?

Neil Clarke (mod), Larry Hodges, Lawrence M. Schoen, Dina Leacock

Heidi Hooper

• Sat 1:00 PM in Art Show (Grand Ballroom B)—Art Show Tours (122)

  Give a tour of the art show, discuss artist's styles and techniques. Please include preferred time in the "Additional Scheduling Information" section of your reply.

Heidi Hooper (mod)

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Business of Art: Marketing & Promotion (115)

  Online marketing and promotion. Ways to create a professional web presence.

D.E. Christman (mod), James Harknell, Heidi Hooper, Alan Beck, Sally Wiener Grotta

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—LARPs: Keeping them interesting (231)

  What about a LARP attracts and keeps the interest of its participants

J.R. Blackwell (mod), Heidi Hooper, Joe Foering, Michael A. Ventrella, Jon Kilgannon

Amy Howard Wilson

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—These Are A Few Of My Favorite Scenes (156)

  Remember that show with that guy who did that thing? You know, with that...thing he had? Take a look at some of our fondest anime-induced memories. Who knows? You just might find a new favorite of your own.

Robert Fenelon (mod), Walter Amos, Stephanie Burke, Joe Foering, Amy Howard Wilson, Brian T. Price

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—In Their Own Words - The Business of Voice Acting (164)

  Many anime-related panels focus on the content and characters of anime. But what about the people who bring them to life and give them their unique voice? A candid look at the voice acting business, from cattle call, to audition, all the way to the recording booth. All this and more from the mouths of the professionals themselves.

Amy Howard Wilson (mod), Kristen Nelson

Robert Hranek

• Fri 7:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—MMO Nation (136)

  Massive Multi-player Online games are one of the largest entertainment industries today. Games like World of Warcraft, Star Wars Galaxies, and City of Heroes have changed the way we look at gaming. What will we be seeing next?

Robert Hranek (mod), Jay Wile, Kristyn Souder

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—MMO 101 – WoW, EVE, Everquest, and Beyond! (188)

  From Quests for meaning in World of Warcraft to helping shape the universe of EVEonline, how to get the most out of your Massively Multiplayer Online experience. Whether your interest is as a player, parent, or concerned significant other, this panel will introduce you to MMOs, why we love them so much, and the perils of becoming an MMO addict.

Robert Hranek (mod), David Moore, Michael Ryan, Tim Souder, Brianna Spacekat Wu

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—MMO 201 – World of Warcraft, The Gold Standard of Fantasy MMORPGs (189)

  Dominating over half of a multi-billion dollar market with its 11.5 million players, Blizzard’s World of Warcraft had to have its own panel. Details on all aspects of WoW are up for grabs: choosing a race, class, and profession; leveling your character; choosing a guild; performing quests; auctioning items; PvE vs PvP; performing raids; and managing your RL (Real Life!) time.

Robert Hranek (mod), Phil Kahn, David Moore, Jay Wile

• Sat 4:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Delaware Valley Gaming Groups (230)

  Who are the groups in the Greater Delaware Valley where you can you and play?

Robert Hranek (mod), Michael Ryan

Walter Hunt

• 12:00 AM in —Is Hydrogen the Future of Energy? (181)

  There's been a lot of discussion of hydrogen as the post-fossil-fuel solution for energy. Hydrogen fuel cells could one day power homes, cars and factories. But there are still many technical and economic challenges, such as production and distribution of hydrogen, to be overcome. Will achieve a hydrogen economy? Should we? Are there better solutions?

Walter Hunt (mod), Charles E. Gannon, Frank O'Brien, John Moore, Earl Bennett

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—A Science Fiction Curriculum For New Comers (75)

  Science Fiction authors list the core books and concepts for an understanding of the Science Fiction genre.

Michael J. Walsh (mod), Walter Hunt, Ted Rickles, Gail Z. Martin, Michael Swanwick

• Fri 8:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Is Hydrogen the Future of Energy? (181)

  There's been a lot of discussion of hydrogen as the post-fossil-fuel solution for energy. Hydrogen fuel cells could one day power homes, cars and factories. But there are still many technical and economic challenges, such as production and distribution of hydrogen, to be overcome. Will achieve a hydrogen economy? Should we? Are there better solutions?

Walter Hunt (mod), Charles E. Gannon, Frank O'Brien, John Moore, Earl Bennett

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Why Science Fiction Is Not Finished (52)

  A French critic was recently quoted as saying, ""Science fiction, well, it is finished."" Some say science fiction is purely a Baby Boomer phenomenon now heading demographically toward its sunset. We at Philcon have a different view. This panel aims to list as many reasons as possible why science fiction is not finished.

Alexis Gilliland (mod), Walter Hunt, Darrell Schweitzer, Charles E. Gannon, David Walton

• Sat 10:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Riding a Wave of Looking Backwards (31)

  The influence of Victorian era styling on steam punk and time travel novels.

Walter Hunt (mod), Neal Levin, Mary Spila, Richard Stout, John Moore

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—J. R. R. Tolkien: The Saga Goes Ever On and On (7)

  Are pastiches by other hands inevitable?

Marilyn Brahen (mod), Daniel Grotta, Gail Z. Martin, Nick Wolven, Walter Hunt

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Your Internet Presence and You (132)

  Maybe you're an author who wants to use their website for promotional purposes. Maybe you've started a blog. Or you could be an IT professional with on online resume. What should you know, and be concerned about, regarding your presence on the Internet?

Rob Balder (mod), Ray Ridenour, Dusti Lewars, Walter Hunt, D.E. Christman

• Sat 3:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Social Changes No One Saw Coming (37)

  Why do we seem to be better able to predict changes in our technology than changes in our way of life? Very few Science Fiction authors predicted changes in our society that allowed, for example, an African American to be elected President, legalized gay marriages or changes in gender roles. What future changes are the majority of our authors failing to predict now?

Kimberly Ann Kindya (mod), Walter Hunt, Jon Kilgannon, James L. Cambias, Michael A. Ventrella

• Sun 10:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Recommended Reading (23)

  SF and Fantasy you may not

Mary Spila (mod), Byron Connell, Walter Hunt, Gail Z. Martin

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Science Fiction and Fantasy Literary Fads (42)

  New Wave and Cyberpunk, for example. What are your favorites?

Walter Hunt (mod), John Grant, Daniel Grotta

Owen Hutchins

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza VI (Six)—Play: Toon (Game 1, Hour 1) (149)

  Easy to learn and fun to play, "Toon" is an action-packed, rollicking RPG with "Loony Tunes" dynamics (two hours).

Owen Hutchins (mod)

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Play: Toon (Game 1, Hour 2) (151)

  Continued.

Owen Hutchins (mod)

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza VI (Six)—Play: Toon (Game 2, Hour 1) (249)

  Another fun adventure awaits. It's okay if you missed the first session because in "Toon" anything can happen.

Owen Hutchins (mod)

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Costuming for Kids (H1) / Toon (G2 H2) (203)

  Assemble a quick and nifty SF/F costume from bits-n-bobs (two hours). Concurrent with "Toon" Game 2 (two hours).

Christopher Gay (mod), Scheherazade Jackson, Samantha Kwait, Vicki Warren, Owen Hutchins, Emily Tullis

Muriel Hykes

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Hot Alien Sex (81)

  How do aliens do it? Use imagination.

Phil Kahn (mod), Muriel Hykes, James Daniel Ross, Oz Drummond, Camille Anthony, Jonathan Wright

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Biology of Obesity (166)

  Obesity is a growing problem around the world, and increasing research has revealed the causes to be much more complex than just "eating too much." Medicine now recognizes that some people will gain more fat from the same amount of calories than others. Hormones, gut bacteria, brown fat, neurotransmitters, metabolic pathways, viral infections, circadian rythms and many other factors are all now implicated in weight gain and loss. Are we closer to understanding the causes of and solutions to the obesity epidemic?

John Cmar (mod), Muriel Hykes, Jed Shumsky, James Prego, Lawrence Kramer

Scheherazade Jackson

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Costuming for Kids (H1) / Toon (G2 H2) (203)

  Assemble a quick and nifty SF/F costume from bits-n-bobs (two hours). Concurrent with "Toon" Game 2 (two hours).

Christopher Gay (mod), Scheherazade Jackson, Samantha Kwait, Vicki Warren, Owen Hutchins, Emily Tullis

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Costuming for Kids (H2) / Origami (S2) (248)

  Joint session: Costuming continued, origami encore.

Christopher Gay (mod), Scheherazade Jackson, Samantha Kwait, Vicki Warren, Mark Leeper

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—What Have You Been Reading? (204)

  Bring your favorite Science Fiction/Fact/Fantasy book for round-table discussion.

Deb Lieven (mod), Christine Norris, Scheherazade Jackson

• Sun 3:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Book Discussion Ideas (68)

  Readers tell us their notions of what would make for a good book discussion.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Scheherazade Jackson, Lawrence Johnson, Evelyn Leeper, Mary Spila

Stuart Jaffe

• Fri 5:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Want some SF? Get out of the SF section! (137)

  Science fiction, fantasy, and horror have moved out of the SF section of the bookstore. "Twilight" and "Harry Potter" are in the young adult sections. "World War Z" and "Soon I Will Be Invincible" are housed with mainstream fiction. And the romance section of your bookstore is FULL of tales of other worlds, other times, and monsters. What are some of the great things out there that aren't being marketed as SF?

Patricia M. Cryan (mod), Michael D'Ambrosio, David M. Axler, Stuart Jaffe

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza IV (Four)—The New Feudalism (43)

  Why does there seem to be very little Science Fiction about labor unions in the future? Is this a good or bad thing? What will industry look like in the future?

Tom Doyle (mod), Gail Z. Martin, Stuart Jaffe

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—200 Years Of Phobias (40)

  Edgar Allen Poe recently celebrated his 200th birthday. Besides Poe, Lovecraft, Kutner and Howard's work are arguably full of them. What is your favorite horror story dealing with a phobia?

Ray Ridenour (mod), E. F. Watkins, Gordon Linzner, Stuart Jaffe

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Discuss Dr. Horrible Sing a Long (194)

  Panel will explore why this is such a phenomenom in the fannish world. Why does it have such universal appeal. Does is speak to the geeky part in all of us that longs to be understood and liked. Discuss the archtypes in the movie, the great singing, the painfully achling good lyrics, etc.

Rebecca Marcus (mod), Stuart Jaffe, Matt Black, Suzanne Rosin, Samantha Kwait

• Sat 7:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—In the Beginning Was the Word (98)

  How does the literature of the genre influence the creators of other media, including movies, television, games and other media?

Laura Anne Gilman (mod), James Daniel Ross, Stuart Jaffe, Kimberly Ann Kindya

Victoria Janssen

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Fantasy Based on Non-European Sources (92)

  You don't have to go ""all medieval on me"" to write fantasy. What are the best examples of fantasy not based on European backgrounds to date?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Stephanie Burke, James L. Cambias, Christine Norris, Tom Doyle

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—The Books We Come Back To (84)

  There are some books we read over and over again. What qualities do these books have that make them worth visiting again?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Michael J. Walsh, KT Pinto, Caroline Cox, Lawrence Kramer, Theodore Krulik

• Fri 11:59 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Eye of Argon Reading (26)

  Reputedly, the worst story in the genre's history. Just try and read it without laughing.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Lawrence M. Schoen, Phil Kahn, Hildy Silverman, Victoria Janssen

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading (222)

  All the Broad Universe authors in attendance give a short reading, creating a kind of “snack sampler” for the audience.

Christine Norris (mod), Catherine Asaro, Dina Leacock, E. F. Watkins, Gail Z. Martin, Victoria Janssen

• Sat 12:00 PM in Executive Suite 623—Victoria Jannsen Reading (268)

Victoria Janssen (mod)

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Making it With Vampires, Shapeshifters and Other Creatures (36)

  What is the psychological appeal of this?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Desirina Boskovich, L.A. Banks, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Nina Ely, Stephanie Burke

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Insert Tab B Into Slot A (27)

  The treatment of sex in Science Fiction.

Victoria Janssen (mod), Lawrence M. Schoen, Michael Swanwick, Stephanie Burke, Lee Gilliland

• Sun 1:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A —Where will the Romance Science Fiction/Fantasy Connection Go? (30)

  Is the cross over between Science Fiction and Fantasy and the romance genre cresting or still on the rise? Where is it going? Is it affecting the whole field?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Catherine Asaro, L.A. Banks, Oz Drummond

Lawrence Johnson

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Buck Rogers Rides Again (13)

  There is a new web series, there is a new comic book series. Why the resurgence?

Nathan Lilly (mod), Lawrence Johnson, C.J. Henderson, Orenthal Hawkins, Ted Rickles, Bill Spangler

• Sun 3:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Book Discussion Ideas (68)

  Readers tell us their notions of what would make for a good book discussion.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Scheherazade Jackson, Lawrence Johnson, Evelyn Leeper, Mary Spila

Phil Kahn

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—What Makes a Webcomic Last? (238)

  Why do some webcomics last and last? How do the creators of webcomics keep them fresh.

Rob Balder (mod), Tony DiGerolamo, Jon Kilgannon, Ruth Lampi, J. Andrew World, Phil Kahn

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Hot Alien Sex (81)

  How do aliens do it? Use imagination.

Phil Kahn (mod), Muriel Hykes, James Daniel Ross, Oz Drummond, Camille Anthony, Jonathan Wright

• Fri 11:59 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Eye of Argon Reading (26)

  Reputedly, the worst story in the genre's history. Just try and read it without laughing.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Lawrence M. Schoen, Phil Kahn, Hildy Silverman, Victoria Janssen

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—MMO 201 – World of Warcraft, The Gold Standard of Fantasy MMORPGs (189)

  Dominating over half of a multi-billion dollar market with its 11.5 million players, Blizzard’s World of Warcraft had to have its own panel. Details on all aspects of WoW are up for grabs: choosing a race, class, and profession; leveling your character; choosing a guild; performing quests; auctioning items; PvE vs PvP; performing raids; and managing your RL (Real Life!) time.

Robert Hranek (mod), Phil Kahn, David Moore, Jay Wile

• Sat 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The Age of Anonymous (215)

  The internet is a force to be reckoned with. Trolling message boards and hacking e-mail accounts are child’s play. The internet is organized. DDoS Attacks, MySpace Hacking, forum raids. Last year there was a global IRL Scientology protest organized by anonymous strangers. Sometimes they claim to do what they do for a cause like freedom of speech, other times it’s “just for the lulz”. The panelists discuss: internet superheroes, or hackers on steroids? What effects do groups like this have on the existing culture of the internet?

Cory Doctorow (mod), J. Andrew World, Gary Feldbaum, Dusti Lewars, Phil Kahn, Eric Raymond

• Sat 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Pirate, Ninja, Supervillain, Vampire (123)

  First we had Monkeys. Then Robots. Then Mad Scientists. Now, Philcon's most fun panel is back... now with BLOODSUCKERS! Watch as our panelists are each assigned one of these four character archetypes, and then BATTLE IT OUT to see who reigns SUPREME! Or at least, SUPREMELY FUNNY!

Hugh Casey (mod), Dusti Lewars, Phil Kahn, Sally-Rouge Pax, Ruth Lampi

Robert Kauffmann

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Making the Unreal Real: Illustrating things that don't exist. (118)

  How do you illustrate something you can't get a reference for; from hardware and spaceships to monsters and magical powers.

Alan Beck (mod), N. Taylor Blanchard, Robert Kauffmann, Karl Kofoed, Thomas Nackid

• Sat 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Biological Computers (184)

  As silicon chips come closer to their limits of speed and miniaturization, new computing technologies being researched. Biological computers are one possibility. Simple computes using DNA, enzymes and living neurons (taken from leeches) have all been built. What is the potential for biological computing, and where might it take us?

JJ Brannon (mod), John Ashmead, Jay Wile, Robert Kauffmann

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Evolution of Artworks: From Concept to Finished Piece (116)

  Artists discuss how they work through a piece. Ideally, several artists in different media (i.e.: sculpture, painting, digital, etc...) would give a quick overview of their processes. Could be divided into multiple slots if there is enough interest. Please mention your media/technique in the "Additional Information" section of your reply.

Charlene Taylor D'Alessio (mod), Robert Kauffmann, N. Taylor Blanchard, Karl Kofoed, Sally-Rouge Pax, Jo Blu Pax

Kayleigh

• Sat 12:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Makeup Mini-Demo (105)

  Marty Gear demonstrates makeup techniques for costumes and stage and answers questions

Marty Gear (mod), Raven, Kayleigh

Jon Kilgannon

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—What Makes a Webcomic Last? (238)

  Why do some webcomics last and last? How do the creators of webcomics keep them fresh.

Rob Balder (mod), Tony DiGerolamo, Jon Kilgannon, Ruth Lampi, J. Andrew World, Phil Kahn

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Science Fiction for the Post Human Future (4)

  If the singularity actually happens and the future becomes incomprehensible, what will Science Fiction writers write about?

Tom Purdom (mod), Cory Doctorow, Bud Sparhawk, David Louis Edelman, Jon Kilgannon

• Sat 3:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Social Changes No One Saw Coming (37)

  Why do we seem to be better able to predict changes in our technology than changes in our way of life? Very few Science Fiction authors predicted changes in our society that allowed, for example, an African American to be elected President, legalized gay marriages or changes in gender roles. What future changes are the majority of our authors failing to predict now?

Kimberly Ann Kindya (mod), Walter Hunt, Jon Kilgannon, James L. Cambias, Michael A. Ventrella

• Sat 6:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Anime Princesses Rule...Disney Princesses Drool (160)

  There is more to the profession of "Princessing" than glittering gowns, fuzzy woodland creatures and sporadic spunkiness. We will explore differences between being a princess and a generic "strong female character". Maybe "Princessing" involves leadership over your kingdom, tribe, clan or other socio-economic peer group?

Walter Amos (mod), Robert Fenelon, Brian T. Price, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Jon Kilgannon

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Influence of 1950s and 1960s B Movies on Literature (20)

Diane Weinstein (mod), Richard Stout, Jon Kilgannon, Mary Spila

• Sat 10:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Bad Anime, Bad!! (158)

  The pain! Oh dear God, the pain!! How could you ever allow these shows to see the light of day?! We take no responsibility for any psychological damage done when we show (re: inflict upon) you some of the worst of the worst. And they say 'Cruel & Unusual Punishment' is illegal in this country!

Brian T. Price (mod), Joe Foering, Jon Kilgannon

• Sun 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Fantastic Internet: SF On The Web (143)

  Girl Genius. Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. And soon Buck Rogers will be a webseries, from the creators of Star Trek: New Voyages. What sort of opportunities does the internet offer to SF fans, and to creators as well?

John Drew (mod), Jon Kilgannon, Rob Balder, J.R. Blackwell, Eric Raymond

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—LARPs: Keeping them interesting (231)

  What about a LARP attracts and keeps the interest of its participants

J.R. Blackwell (mod), Heidi Hooper, Joe Foering, Michael A. Ventrella, Jon Kilgannon

Kimberly Ann Kindya

• Sat 12:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—From 2001 To A Galaxy Far, Far Away... (127)

  Between the release of 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968 until Star Wars in 1977, SF and fantasy in the movies and on TV seemed to be in a state of hibernation. Or was it? We'll discuss the films and shows through the early '70's that were successful, not so successful, and eventually influential.

Christopher Stout (mod), Brian Siano, Toni Lay, Steve Vertlieb, Kimberly Ann Kindya

• Sat 3:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Social Changes No One Saw Coming (37)

  Why do we seem to be better able to predict changes in our technology than changes in our way of life? Very few Science Fiction authors predicted changes in our society that allowed, for example, an African American to be elected President, legalized gay marriages or changes in gender roles. What future changes are the majority of our authors failing to predict now?

Kimberly Ann Kindya (mod), Walter Hunt, Jon Kilgannon, James L. Cambias, Michael A. Ventrella

• Sat 6:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Chuck vs. The New Intersect (207)

  What new skillsets are lurking in Chuck's head? Will Casey now respect Chuck and his kung-fu download? Will we see the General step out from behind her desk? Will Bryce be coming back from the dead... again? Will Jeffster win a Grammy?

Ty Drago (mod), Michael D. Pederson, Kimberly Ann Kindya, Tony Ruggiero

• Sat 7:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—In the Beginning Was the Word (98)

  How does the literature of the genre influence the creators of other media, including movies, television, games and other media?

Laura Anne Gilman (mod), James Daniel Ross, Stuart Jaffe, Kimberly Ann Kindya

• Sun 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Kaaaaaaate! We Have to Go Baaaaaaack! (209)

  This is it. The 6th and final season of LOST is coming. It’s been a wild ride and they really dropped a bombshell last season. How do you think they’ll be able to wrap up all the loose ends of the series without incident? Theories are all we’ve got at this point so lets hear ‘em!

Hildy Silverman (mod), Kimberly Ann Kindya, Andrew C. Murphy, Wayne Zimmerman, Emily Tullis

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Anime And The Revolving Door of Culture (163)

  A discussion and exploration of the phenomenon of anime, its influence on western science fiction/fantasy and its incorporation of our own cultural nuances.

Brian T. Price (mod), Robert Fenelon, Kimberly Ann Kindya, Stephanie Burke, Ruth Lampi, Michael Ryan

Karl Kofoed

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Making the Unreal Real: Illustrating things that don't exist. (118)

  How do you illustrate something you can't get a reference for; from hardware and spaceships to monsters and magical powers.

Alan Beck (mod), N. Taylor Blanchard, Robert Kauffmann, Karl Kofoed, Thomas Nackid

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Evolution of Artworks: From Concept to Finished Piece (116)

  Artists discuss how they work through a piece. Ideally, several artists in different media (i.e.: sculpture, painting, digital, etc...) would give a quick overview of their processes. Could be divided into multiple slots if there is enough interest. Please mention your media/technique in the "Additional Information" section of your reply.

Charlene Taylor D'Alessio (mod), Robert Kauffmann, N. Taylor Blanchard, Karl Kofoed, Sally-Rouge Pax, Jo Blu Pax

• Sat 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Space Inc.: Is Private Enterprise the Future of Space Development? (183)

  With NASA struggling with budget restrictions, and other governments around the world facing economic crises, the private sector may now be poised to become the main route to space. What is happening in private space development? What's planned? What's likely and what's not? And is this a good or bad thing for the future of space exploration and development?

Laura Burns (mod), Mark Wolverton, Frank O'Brien, Dr. H. Paul Shuch, Karl Kofoed, Earl Bennett

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Digital Art Photography: How is it affecting the illustration market? (120)

  When photography first emerged, the argument was whether or not it was art. All these years later, we get back to the same argument. How is digital photography impacting the art and illustration markets?

Alan Beck (mod), Daniel Grotta, Karl Kofoed, Thomas Nackid, Emily Tullis

• Sun 12:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Towards a Theory of Quantum Gravity (170)

  Modern physics has two fundamental models of reality - Quantum mechanics and general relativity. The first describes the world of fundamental particles, the second explains gravity in terms of warped space time. A theory of quantum gravity would unite these two models and finally bring gravity into the unified field theory, along with the other three fundamental forces. The current leading contender is string theory, but there are others, such as loop quantum gravity, supergravity and nonoummutative geometry. Which, if any, of these theories will prove to be the answer?

Catherine Asaro (mod), John Ashmead, Jay Wile, Karl Kofoed

Brian Koscienski

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Agents And Editors Panel (48)

  You know the drill -- find out what they are looking for in the current market.

Hildy Silverman (mod), Ty Drago, Neil Clarke, Neal Levin, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Brian Koscienski

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Art Of The Collaboration (53)

  What is it like to write with another writer and develop a unique voice which is not that of either partner but something new? Various authors who have collaborated explain how it is done.

Michael Swanwick (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Mike McPhail, Chris Pisano, Brian Koscienski

Eric Kotani

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Frivolous Uses Of High Technology (65)

  When it becomes possible for a conceptual artist to turn the Moon into a gigantic smiley face, no doubt someone will. When we can change our shape or gender on a whim, what are parents to do when it becomes a fad for kids to have tentacles? What will be the frivolous face of technological change?

Tom Purdom (mod), James Daniel Ross, Ariel Cinii, Eric Kotani

• Sat 10:00 AM in Executive Suite 623—Eric Kotani Reading (269)

Eric Kotani (mod)

• Sat 2:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—The Planck Telescope and Herschel Space Observatory (168)

  Launched in May 2009 by the European Space Agency, Planck and Herschel will help provide answers to some of the most important questions in modern science, such as the origin, evolution and future of the Universe and the formation of stars and galaxies.

Eric Kotani (mod), N. Taylor Blanchard, David Goldberg, Frank O'Brien

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Merits of ""Hard Science"" vs. Balonium in Science Fiction Literature (94)

  Are they mutually exclusive? Can they co-exist? Should they co-exist?

Michael F. Flynn (mod), Bud Sparhawk, Alexis Gilliland, Michael D'Ambrosio, Eric Kotani

• Sat 6:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Great Mysteries of Science (169)

  What are the most important unsolved mysteries and unanswered questions in science? Which are closest to being solved?

Eric Kotani (mod), Eric Schulman, David Goldberg, John Cmar, Frank O'Brien

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Plausible Alien Life Forms in Hard SF (29)

  Which authors have presented aliens in the most believable way? For example, Hal Clement in ""Mission of Gravity"".

Bud Sparhawk (mod), James L. Cambias, Eric Kotani, Frank Wu, Jed Shumsky

Lawrence Kramer

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—The Books We Come Back To (84)

  There are some books we read over and over again. What qualities do these books have that make them worth visiting again?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Michael J. Walsh, KT Pinto, Caroline Cox, Lawrence Kramer, Theodore Krulik

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Biology of Obesity (166)

  Obesity is a growing problem around the world, and increasing research has revealed the causes to be much more complex than just "eating too much." Medicine now recognizes that some people will gain more fat from the same amount of calories than others. Hormones, gut bacteria, brown fat, neurotransmitters, metabolic pathways, viral infections, circadian rythms and many other factors are all now implicated in weight gain and loss. Are we closer to understanding the causes of and solutions to the obesity epidemic?

John Cmar (mod), Muriel Hykes, Jed Shumsky, James Prego, Lawrence Kramer

Theodore Krulik

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—The Books We Come Back To (84)

  There are some books we read over and over again. What qualities do these books have that make them worth visiting again?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Michael J. Walsh, KT Pinto, Caroline Cox, Lawrence Kramer, Theodore Krulik

• Sun 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—What Price Immortality? (90)

  How has Science Fiction treated eternal life? As we experience longer life spans, how has our view of extended life spans changed? Why has our literature's view of longevity been so largely pessimistic?

Jeff Lyman (mod), E. F. Watkins, Charles E. Gannon, Christopher Weuve, Theodore Krulik

Samantha Kwait

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—We Started This Cult Film S***! (216)

  Everybody, everybody’s heard of REPO! The Genetic Opera. No? Well don’t be shy! Our panelists will do a little testifying for you. Abandoned by Lionsgate Films it took a grassroots movement by the cast and the fans to advertise the movie. Now REPO! is being called the next Rocky Horror Picture Show, with midnight viewings, shadow casts, and audience partici...pation. Now the first film company to turn them down for production is wrapping up a movie with an eerily similar plot and a blockbuster budget

Genevieve Iseult Eldredge (mod), Samantha Kwait, Dusti Lewars, Christopher Stout, Jeff Mach

• Sat 11:00 AM in Executive Suite 823—The Fannish Generation Gap (139)

  These kids, with their anime and their steampunk! They're ruining our con! And those old farts, with their beanies and weird inside jokes that they don't explain, are making us feel really unwelcome! It seems like the long-time battle of the old vs. the young is still going strong in fandom. Is there any way to bridge the gap?

Michael D. Pederson (mod), Samantha Kwait, David M. Axler, Patricia M. Cryan, Tobias Cabral

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Dr. Horrible Sing-A-Long (193)

  Get ready to sing everyone. Whether you are a first time viewer or watched the movie 20 times, come on out to the sing a long and join in the fannish craze that will make you laugh and cry. Come in costume as your favorite character and model for your fellow singers. Even if you don't want to sing, that's okay, come for the laughs and enjoy the show.

Rebecca Marcus (mod), Suzanne Rosin, Hildy Silverman, Samantha Kwait

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Discuss Dr. Horrible Sing a Long (194)

  Panel will explore why this is such a phenomenom in the fannish world. Why does it have such universal appeal. Does is speak to the geeky part in all of us that longs to be understood and liked. Discuss the archtypes in the movie, the great singing, the painfully achling good lyrics, etc.

Rebecca Marcus (mod), Stuart Jaffe, Matt Black, Suzanne Rosin, Samantha Kwait

• Sat 4:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Star Trek: Where Does It Boldly Go Now? (129)

  J.J. Abrams rebooting/revisioning of STAR TREK seems to have re-invigorated what many thought was a dying franchise. But where should it go from here, and what kind of stories should it tell? Is it still true to Roddenberry's vision, and how important is it that it remain so?

Keith R.A. DeCandido (mod), Hugh Casey, Terri Osborne, Lawrence M. Schoen, Samantha Kwait

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Costuming for Kids (H1) / Toon (G2 H2) (203)

  Assemble a quick and nifty SF/F costume from bits-n-bobs (two hours). Concurrent with "Toon" Game 2 (two hours).

Christopher Gay (mod), Scheherazade Jackson, Samantha Kwait, Vicki Warren, Owen Hutchins, Emily Tullis

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Costuming for Kids (H2) / Origami (S2) (248)

  Joint session: Costuming continued, origami encore.

Christopher Gay (mod), Scheherazade Jackson, Samantha Kwait, Vicki Warren, Mark Leeper

Ruth Lampi

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—What Makes a Webcomic Last? (238)

  Why do some webcomics last and last? How do the creators of webcomics keep them fresh.

Rob Balder (mod), Tony DiGerolamo, Jon Kilgannon, Ruth Lampi, J. Andrew World, Phil Kahn

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Best Webcomics (237)

  Where to go online to find the best webcomics

Onezumi Hartstein (mod), James Harknell, Orenthal Hawkins, Rob Balder, Ruth Lampi, Tony DiGerolamo

• Sat 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Pirate, Ninja, Supervillain, Vampire (123)

  First we had Monkeys. Then Robots. Then Mad Scientists. Now, Philcon's most fun panel is back... now with BLOODSUCKERS! Watch as our panelists are each assigned one of these four character archetypes, and then BATTLE IT OUT to see who reigns SUPREME! Or at least, SUPREMELY FUNNY!

Hugh Casey (mod), Dusti Lewars, Phil Kahn, Sally-Rouge Pax, Ruth Lampi

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Are You Ready for the Zombie/Vampire/Alien/Eldrich Apocalypse? (144)

  OK, so the dead have risen from their graves, the saucers are over our cities, and Things Man Was Not Meant To Know have made themselves known. NOW what do you do? Well, our panelists will try to come up with a few survival strategies for you.

Tony Finan (mod), Dusti Lewars, Jonathan Maberry, Jay Smith, Ruth Lampi

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Anime And The Revolving Door of Culture (163)

  A discussion and exploration of the phenomenon of anime, its influence on western science fiction/fantasy and its incorporation of our own cultural nuances.

Brian T. Price (mod), Robert Fenelon, Kimberly Ann Kindya, Stephanie Burke, Ruth Lampi, Michael Ryan

• Sun 3:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Play: Clay-O-Rama "Q" (206)

  Sculpt your Claydonian, designate its special power, and squidge across the field of battle! (I.e., the tabletop.) A streamlined version of David Cook's 1987 "Clay-O-Rama."

Deb Lieven (mod), Ruth Lampi

Toni Lay

• Fri 6:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—What is SF Costuming & Why Do We Care About It? (101)

  A good Friday evening panel to attract a lot of fans interested in costuming of all kinds, both experienced costumers and others.

Byron Connell (mod), Tina Connell, Toni Lay, Lisa Ashton

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza V (Five)—Masquerade Presentation Problem-Solving (109)

  Our expert panelists offer solutions to all your presentation conundrums, whether it's music, lighting, stage fighting or just choreography, it's all about the story.

Marty Gear (mod), Donna Dube, Toni Lay

• Sat 12:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—From 2001 To A Galaxy Far, Far Away... (127)

  Between the release of 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968 until Star Wars in 1977, SF and fantasy in the movies and on TV seemed to be in a state of hibernation. Or was it? We'll discuss the films and shows through the early '70's that were successful, not so successful, and eventually influential.

Christopher Stout (mod), Brian Siano, Toni Lay, Steve Vertlieb, Kimberly Ann Kindya

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza V (Five)—Notions in Costuming (110)

  What are notions--ideas that people get into their heads?--NO--they are supplies in sewing and building costumes that have many applications: from buttons and zippers, to hem tape, boning and more.

Toni Lay (mod), Donna Dube, Tina Blanco-Finan

Dina Leacock

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading (222)

  All the Broad Universe authors in attendance give a short reading, creating a kind of “snack sampler” for the audience.

Christine Norris (mod), Catherine Asaro, Dina Leacock, E. F. Watkins, Gail Z. Martin, Victoria Janssen

• Sat 1:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Writers Workshop (69)

  New writers can submit short stories to be read and critiqued by professional authors.

Darrell Schweitzer (mod), Oz Drummond, Gregory Frost, Dina Leacock, Roman Ranieri

• Sat 2:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Writers Workshop (Second Hour) (296)

  The critique continues

Darrell Schweitzer (mod), Gregory Frost, Dina Leacock, Roman Ranieri

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza IV (Four)—Is The Short Story On Its Way Out? (71)

  There have been dramatic declines in magazine subscriptions in recent years. Is the short story medium on its way out or is it an essential part of the genre? Or is it all going digital?

Neil Clarke (mod), Larry Hodges, Lawrence M. Schoen, Dina Leacock

• Sun 2:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Microfiction: The Next Big Thing? (73)

  A number of magazines have opened dedicated to the art of the quick-fic. Pros and cons of flash fiction (under 1,000 words), nanofiction (under 40 words), and Twitter fiction (under 140 characters).

Nathan Lilly (mod), Michael Swanwick, Ef Deal, Dina Leacock, Jared Axelrod

• Sun 3:00 PM in Executive Suite 623—Dina Leacock reading (276)

Dina Leacock (mod)

Evelyn Leeper

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Poe Legacy in Short Fiction (85)

  Poe was a master of the short form. How has his work influenced later writers?

Richard Stout (mod), Darrell Schweitzer, Gregory Frost, Evelyn Leeper, John Drew

• Sun 12:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Foundation Book Discussion (221)

  Members of the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society Book Discussion Group and the audience discuss a classic in the genre.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Evelyn Leeper

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Writers That Should Have Quit When They Were Ahead (41)

  Which writers work never lived up to their early promise?

Susan de Guardiola (mod), Lee Gilliland, Evelyn Leeper

• Sun 3:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Book Discussion Ideas (68)

  Readers tell us their notions of what would make for a good book discussion.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Scheherazade Jackson, Lawrence Johnson, Evelyn Leeper, Mary Spila

Mark Leeper

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Origami for All Ages (Session 1) (153)

  The fine art of Japanese paper-folding, creating fun and beautiful objects without glue or scissors. (Encore session tomorrow.)

Mark Leeper (mod)

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Costuming for Kids (H2) / Origami (S2) (248)

  Joint session: Costuming continued, origami encore.

Christopher Gay (mod), Scheherazade Jackson, Samantha Kwait, Vicki Warren, Mark Leeper

Neal Levin

• Sat 10:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Riding a Wave of Looking Backwards (31)

  The influence of Victorian era styling on steam punk and time travel novels.

Walter Hunt (mod), Neal Levin, Mary Spila, Richard Stout, John Moore

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Agents And Editors Panel (48)

  You know the drill -- find out what they are looking for in the current market.

Hildy Silverman (mod), Ty Drago, Neil Clarke, Neal Levin, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Brian Koscienski

• Sat 5:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Who are You When You're Not Yourself? (228)

  Are your characters all you want them to be? What do you want to create as a persona? What have you tried that's been a real disaster?

KT Pinto (mod), Eric Avedissian, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, J.R. Blackwell, Neal Levin

Dusti Lewars

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—This Blood's for You (210)

  Season Two has just ended of True Blood, the HBO adaptation of the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris. For the most part they’ve kept to the main story arcs but they’ve added so much to the show it’s like watching something new! What are some of our favorite moments from the show? Things that we could seriously do without? Do you love the additions, or do they make you wanna do bad things to the screen writers?

Emily Tullis (mod), Jonathan Maberry, Dusti Lewars, Terri Osborne

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—We Started This Cult Film S***! (216)

  Everybody, everybody’s heard of REPO! The Genetic Opera. No? Well don’t be shy! Our panelists will do a little testifying for you. Abandoned by Lionsgate Films it took a grassroots movement by the cast and the fans to advertise the movie. Now REPO! is being called the next Rocky Horror Picture Show, with midnight viewings, shadow casts, and audience partici...pation. Now the first film company to turn them down for production is wrapping up a movie with an eerily similar plot and a blockbuster budget

Genevieve Iseult Eldredge (mod), Samantha Kwait, Dusti Lewars, Christopher Stout, Jeff Mach

• Sat 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The Age of Anonymous (215)

  The internet is a force to be reckoned with. Trolling message boards and hacking e-mail accounts are child’s play. The internet is organized. DDoS Attacks, MySpace Hacking, forum raids. Last year there was a global IRL Scientology protest organized by anonymous strangers. Sometimes they claim to do what they do for a cause like freedom of speech, other times it’s “just for the lulz”. The panelists discuss: internet superheroes, or hackers on steroids? What effects do groups like this have on the existing culture of the internet?

Cory Doctorow (mod), J. Andrew World, Gary Feldbaum, Dusti Lewars, Phil Kahn, Eric Raymond

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Your Internet Presence and You (132)

  Maybe you're an author who wants to use their website for promotional purposes. Maybe you've started a blog. Or you could be an IT professional with on online resume. What should you know, and be concerned about, regarding your presence on the Internet?

Rob Balder (mod), Ray Ridenour, Dusti Lewars, Walter Hunt, D.E. Christman

• Sat 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Pirate, Ninja, Supervillain, Vampire (123)

  First we had Monkeys. Then Robots. Then Mad Scientists. Now, Philcon's most fun panel is back... now with BLOODSUCKERS! Watch as our panelists are each assigned one of these four character archetypes, and then BATTLE IT OUT to see who reigns SUPREME! Or at least, SUPREMELY FUNNY!

Hugh Casey (mod), Dusti Lewars, Phil Kahn, Sally-Rouge Pax, Ruth Lampi

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Are You Ready for the Zombie/Vampire/Alien/Eldrich Apocalypse? (144)

  OK, so the dead have risen from their graves, the saucers are over our cities, and Things Man Was Not Meant To Know have made themselves known. NOW what do you do? Well, our panelists will try to come up with a few survival strategies for you.

Tony Finan (mod), Dusti Lewars, Jonathan Maberry, Jay Smith, Ruth Lampi

• Sat 10:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—What's a hot Orion like you doing in a cantina like this?... Flirting and Dating (141)

  The stereotypical fan is someone who lacks a bit in the social skills department. So, if you're one of those fans, how do you go about learning them? Simple... you go to this panel! Bring a sense of humor, and you may learn something along the way.

Hugh Casey (mod), Dusti Lewars, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, James Prego, Jo Blu Pax, KT Pinto

• Sun 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Theme Parks, Entertainment, and Utopia (241)

  How do our fantasies create our environment, architecture, and our future?

Nina Ely (mod), Cory Doctorow, Dusti Lewars, Crystal Paul, Brian Siano

Deb Lieven

• Fri 5:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Book vs. Movie - YA Edition (205)

  "Harry Potter," "Twilight," "Meatballs" and "Wild Things" -- among others. You read and then watched -- or vice-versa? What does each version gain or lose?

Deb Lieven (mod), Christine Norris, Greg Fishbone

• Fri 6:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Digging Dinos for Kids (155)

  You've returned from the fossil beds of deepest Mongolia to your university; now carefully extract and assemble the fossils hidden within each sample.

Deb Lieven (mod), Rebecca Marcus

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Best Animated Movie of 2009 (148)

  The year's not over yet, but compare the contenders: stop-motion ("Coraline"), traditional 2D ("Ponyo"), or CGI (most everything else)? Drama, humor, or the SF easter eggs of "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"?

Deb Lieven (mod), Walter Amos, Robert Fenelon, Brian T. Price, Michael A. Ventrella

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Charles Dickens and Science Fiction (10)

  He wrote some fantasy, no science fiction but a number of Science Fiction writers have been influenced by him. What is his appeal?

Deb Lieven (mod), Marilyn Brahen, Richard Stout, Gregory Frost

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—What Have You Been Reading? (204)

  Bring your favorite Science Fiction/Fact/Fantasy book for round-table discussion.

Deb Lieven (mod), Christine Norris, Scheherazade Jackson

• Sun 3:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Play: Clay-O-Rama "Q" (206)

  Sculpt your Claydonian, designate its special power, and squidge across the field of battle! (I.e., the tabletop.) A streamlined version of David Cook's 1987 "Clay-O-Rama."

Deb Lieven (mod), Ruth Lampi

Gordon Linzner

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—200 Years Of Phobias (40)

  Edgar Allen Poe recently celebrated his 200th birthday. Besides Poe, Lovecraft, Kutner and Howard's work are arguably full of them. What is your favorite horror story dealing with a phobia?

Ray Ridenour (mod), E. F. Watkins, Gordon Linzner, Stuart Jaffe

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Explaining Why It's Good (51)

  C.S. Lewis said that good books need good readers. How do we train good readers? Can you make people who do not see the merit in a work see it? Is appreciation itself a kind of talent, not shared by all?

Gordon Linzner (mod), Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, David Louis Edelman, Rebecca Maines

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Post Supernatural Horror (15)

  Fantastic fiction without the spiritually based supernatural content, Fantastic Horror in an Atheistic World.

Roman Ranieri (mod), Gary Frank, Gordon Linzner, Gregory Frost, C.J. Henderson

Jeff Lyman

• Sat 7:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Is It Possible To Make The Devil Scary? (16)

  Can Satan as a major character or plot engine be scary rather than trivial?

Rebecca Maines (mod), Jeff Lyman, Roman Ranieri, Larry Hodges

• Sun 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—What Price Immortality? (90)

  How has Science Fiction treated eternal life? As we experience longer life spans, how has our view of extended life spans changed? Why has our literature's view of longevity been so largely pessimistic?

Jeff Lyman (mod), E. F. Watkins, Charles E. Gannon, Christopher Weuve, Theodore Krulik

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Beyond The Nation State (67)

  We have a bad habit in science fiction of assuming that our basic social patterns will last forever. There was a time -- many times, in many eras of the past -- when the nation state as we know it simply did not exist. In feudal times, loyalties were to persons. The ancient empires were often completely ""international"" and inter-tribal, but they could be ordained and run by a priest-king who was regarded as a living god. These ideas have passed away. How will societies be organized when the ""nation"" is as obsolete as a Egyptian pharaoh?

Tom Purdom (mod), Jeff Lyman, Michael F. Flynn, Cory Doctorow, Christopher Weuve

Jonathan Maberry

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—The Science of Zombies (19)

  Are there any scientifically plausible theories for reanimation?

Ty Drago (mod), D.E. Christman, Jonathan Maberry, Michael D. Pederson, James Prego

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Zombie Jamboree (100)

  Jane Austen spinning in her grave. The current fascination of all things zombie.

Tony Finan (mod), Michael Swanwick, D.E. Christman, James Chambers, Jonathan Maberry

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—This Blood's for You (210)

  Season Two has just ended of True Blood, the HBO adaptation of the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris. For the most part they’ve kept to the main story arcs but they’ve added so much to the show it’s like watching something new! What are some of our favorite moments from the show? Things that we could seriously do without? Do you love the additions, or do they make you wanna do bad things to the screen writers?

Emily Tullis (mod), Jonathan Maberry, Dusti Lewars, Terri Osborne

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—How Faithful are Graphic Adaptations of Popular Novels? (50)

  Laurel K. Hamilton, Orson Scott Card and Jim Butcher are just a few of the authors whose works have recently been translated into comic book versions of the originals. How much of the flavor of the original gets through in the comic book version? Does the comic book version add anything to the original work?

Bill Spangler (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Ray Ridenour, Jonathan Maberry, Stephanie Burke

• Sat 1:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A —Zombies of a Different Color (18)

  The way zombies are portrayed varies from culture to culture.

J.R. Blackwell (mod), Jonathan Maberry, Jay Smith

• Sat 4:00 PM in Executive Suite 623—Jonathan Maberry Reading (267)

Jonathan Maberry (mod)

• Sat 7:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Who Is Your Favorite Forgotten Author? (38)

  Who is your favorite writer among those whose work is not readily available? Why should we still be reading him or her?

Desirina Boskovich (mod), Chris Logan Edwards, Jonathan Maberry

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Are You Ready for the Zombie/Vampire/Alien/Eldrich Apocalypse? (144)

  OK, so the dead have risen from their graves, the saucers are over our cities, and Things Man Was Not Meant To Know have made themselves known. NOW what do you do? Well, our panelists will try to come up with a few survival strategies for you.

Tony Finan (mod), Dusti Lewars, Jonathan Maberry, Jay Smith, Ruth Lampi

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—Science Fiction Writers Writing About Other Art Forms (61)

  There are any number of Science Fiction stories about artists, painters, sculptors, dancers, singers or practitioners of new art forms that the author has invented. Spider & Jeanne Robinson's STARDANCE is about dance, for example. Cite other examples. How does the writer convincingly present other art forms in fiction?

Catherine Asaro (mod), Donald Wolcott, Jonathan Maberry, Tom Purdom, Patricia Wake

• Sun 2:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Marvel/Disney: What Does It Mean For Comics? (135)

  In September, The Walt Disney Company bought Marvel Comics for $4 billion. How will this affect the landscape of comics, and what will this mean for some of our favorite Marvel characters? Will the Mouse make Wolverine sheath his claws? Or will the House of Mouse leave the House of M to do what they've always done?

Andrew C. Murphy (mod), J. Andrew World, Tony DiGerolamo, James Chambers, Jonathan Maberry, Brianna Spacekat Wu

• Sun 3:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—The Stories That Changed Everything (56)

  How many science fiction or fantasy stories truly changed the field? What effect did they have? What stories or books have had this effect? We might suggest, A PRINCESS OF MARS, ""A Martian Odyssey,"" ""The Call of Cthulhu,"" THE LORD OF THE RINGS, and NEUROMANCER as examples. Is this sort of transformative change something an author can set out to do on his or her own or does it just happen? Do conditions have to be right or does a great story MAKE the conditions right. (Think of this as The Great Story theory of science fiction.)

Andrew C. Murphy (mod), Lee Gilliland, JJ Brannon, Jonathan Maberry

Jeff Mach

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—We Started This Cult Film S***! (216)

  Everybody, everybody’s heard of REPO! The Genetic Opera. No? Well don’t be shy! Our panelists will do a little testifying for you. Abandoned by Lionsgate Films it took a grassroots movement by the cast and the fans to advertise the movie. Now REPO! is being called the next Rocky Horror Picture Show, with midnight viewings, shadow casts, and audience partici...pation. Now the first film company to turn them down for production is wrapping up a movie with an eerily similar plot and a blockbuster budget

Genevieve Iseult Eldredge (mod), Samantha Kwait, Dusti Lewars, Christopher Stout, Jeff Mach

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Steampunk for Simpletons (130)

  Ladies and Gentlemen of stern and noble character are invited to participate in a salon whereupon we shall discuss the genre and lifestyle known to the rabble as "steampunk". What is it, where did it come from, and what is with those brass goggles?

Jared Axelrod (mod), Matt Black, Nikki Cohen, Christine Norris, Jeff Mach

Rebecca Maines

• Sat 12:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—The Current Economic Downturn and What it Means to Science Fiction (5)

  What is the impact of the current recession on publishing and on the subject matter of written science Fiction?

Rebecca Maines (mod), Michael D'Ambrosio, Gary Feldbaum, James Daniel Ross, Phillip Thorne

• Sat 2:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Are We Headed for the Post-Literate World? (78)

  How has easy access to technology changed the way that we read, write and think? How is this reflected in the more recent novels of the field?

Bud Sparhawk (mod), Catherine Asaro, Rebecca Maines, Tom Purdom

• Sat 7:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Is It Possible To Make The Devil Scary? (16)

  Can Satan as a major character or plot engine be scary rather than trivial?

Rebecca Maines (mod), Jeff Lyman, Roman Ranieri, Larry Hodges

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Explaining Why It's Good (51)

  C.S. Lewis said that good books need good readers. How do we train good readers? Can you make people who do not see the merit in a work see it? Is appreciation itself a kind of talent, not shared by all?

Gordon Linzner (mod), Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, David Louis Edelman, Rebecca Maines

Rebecca Marcus

• Fri 6:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Digging Dinos for Kids (155)

  You've returned from the fossil beds of deepest Mongolia to your university; now carefully extract and assemble the fossils hidden within each sample.

Deb Lieven (mod), Rebecca Marcus

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Dr. Horrible Sing-A-Long (193)

  Get ready to sing everyone. Whether you are a first time viewer or watched the movie 20 times, come on out to the sing a long and join in the fannish craze that will make you laugh and cry. Come in costume as your favorite character and model for your fellow singers. Even if you don't want to sing, that's okay, come for the laughs and enjoy the show.

Rebecca Marcus (mod), Suzanne Rosin, Hildy Silverman, Samantha Kwait

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Discuss Dr. Horrible Sing a Long (194)

  Panel will explore why this is such a phenomenom in the fannish world. Why does it have such universal appeal. Does is speak to the geeky part in all of us that longs to be understood and liked. Discuss the archtypes in the movie, the great singing, the painfully achling good lyrics, etc.

Rebecca Marcus (mod), Stuart Jaffe, Matt Black, Suzanne Rosin, Samantha Kwait

• Sat 9:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Vampires: Geesh, We just can't get rid of them (195)

  They are everywhere, movies, books, tv shows. etc. What is going on. Sure, vampires were never out of fashion, but what's with the explosion of them in all genres and media? We will discuss all the latest vampire trends in the media culture. What is driving this passion for the undead?

KT Pinto (mod), Matt Black, Rebecca Marcus, James Prego, Laura Anne Gilman

Mike McPhail

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Art Of The Collaboration (53)

  What is it like to write with another writer and develop a unique voice which is not that of either partner but something new? Various authors who have collaborated explain how it is done.

Michael Swanwick (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Mike McPhail, Chris Pisano, Brian Koscienski

Bernie Mojzes

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—Was Philip K. Dick right? (33)

  Are we now living in Philip K. Dick's future dystopia?

Diane Weinstein (mod), Mark Wolverton, David Louis Edelman, Bernie Mojzes, James Chambers

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Philip K. Dick As Classic Literature (24)

  He's in Library of America these days. Irony of irony, his science fiction has achieved mainstream acceptance, even though his mainstream fiction never did. What has caused this academic/critical awakening?

John Moore (mod), Bernie Mojzes, Gary Feldbaum, Andrew C. Murphy

David Moore

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—MMO 101 – WoW, EVE, Everquest, and Beyond! (188)

  From Quests for meaning in World of Warcraft to helping shape the universe of EVEonline, how to get the most out of your Massively Multiplayer Online experience. Whether your interest is as a player, parent, or concerned significant other, this panel will introduce you to MMOs, why we love them so much, and the perils of becoming an MMO addict.

Robert Hranek (mod), David Moore, Michael Ryan, Tim Souder, Brianna Spacekat Wu

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—MMO 201 – World of Warcraft, The Gold Standard of Fantasy MMORPGs (189)

  Dominating over half of a multi-billion dollar market with its 11.5 million players, Blizzard’s World of Warcraft had to have its own panel. Details on all aspects of WoW are up for grabs: choosing a race, class, and profession; leveling your character; choosing a guild; performing quests; auctioning items; PvE vs PvP; performing raids; and managing your RL (Real Life!) time.

Robert Hranek (mod), Phil Kahn, David Moore, Jay Wile

John Moore

• 12:00 AM in —Is Hydrogen the Future of Energy? (181)

  There's been a lot of discussion of hydrogen as the post-fossil-fuel solution for energy. Hydrogen fuel cells could one day power homes, cars and factories. But there are still many technical and economic challenges, such as production and distribution of hydrogen, to be overcome. Will achieve a hydrogen economy? Should we? Are there better solutions?

Walter Hunt (mod), Charles E. Gannon, Frank O'Brien, John Moore, Earl Bennett

• Fri 8:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Is Hydrogen the Future of Energy? (181)

  There's been a lot of discussion of hydrogen as the post-fossil-fuel solution for energy. Hydrogen fuel cells could one day power homes, cars and factories. But there are still many technical and economic challenges, such as production and distribution of hydrogen, to be overcome. Will achieve a hydrogen economy? Should we? Are there better solutions?

Walter Hunt (mod), Charles E. Gannon, Frank O'Brien, John Moore, Earl Bennett

• Sat 10:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Riding a Wave of Looking Backwards (31)

  The influence of Victorian era styling on steam punk and time travel novels.

Walter Hunt (mod), Neal Levin, Mary Spila, Richard Stout, John Moore

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Philip K. Dick As Classic Literature (24)

  He's in Library of America these days. Irony of irony, his science fiction has achieved mainstream acceptance, even though his mainstream fiction never did. What has caused this academic/critical awakening?

John Moore (mod), Bernie Mojzes, Gary Feldbaum, Andrew C. Murphy

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Paranoid Science Fiction (70)

  Philip K. Dick immediately comes to mind, as an author obsessed with the idea that reality is not what it seems and that They are very likely out to get us. But the theme has been with us for a very long time. Think of Fred Pohl's ""The Tunnel Under the World"" or Heinlein's ""They"" or Harness's THE PARADOX MEN. Inevitably the ""paranoid delusion"" proves to be anything but. Is this merely delusional or is it a clearer perception of the nature of reality?

John Ashmead (mod), John Moore, Alexis Gilliland

Andrew C. Murphy

• Fri 10:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The SF Quiz Show (21)

  Our annual game show based on the JeoXXXXy TV show. Oz Fontecchio and Hildy Silverman, co-moderate.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Hildy Silverman, Andrew C. Murphy, Roman Ranieri, Lee Gilliland, Chris Logan Edwards

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Philip K. Dick As Classic Literature (24)

  He's in Library of America these days. Irony of irony, his science fiction has achieved mainstream acceptance, even though his mainstream fiction never did. What has caused this academic/critical awakening?

John Moore (mod), Bernie Mojzes, Gary Feldbaum, Andrew C. Murphy

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—Who was John W. Campbell and Why Does He Still Matter? (22)

  The continuing legacy of a great editor who gave science fiction its Golden Age.

Tom Purdom (mod), Alexis Gilliland, Andrew C. Murphy, L.A. Banks

• Sun 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Kaaaaaaate! We Have to Go Baaaaaaack! (209)

  This is it. The 6th and final season of LOST is coming. It’s been a wild ride and they really dropped a bombshell last season. How do you think they’ll be able to wrap up all the loose ends of the series without incident? Theories are all we’ve got at this point so lets hear ‘em!

Hildy Silverman (mod), Kimberly Ann Kindya, Andrew C. Murphy, Wayne Zimmerman, Emily Tullis

• Sun 2:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Marvel/Disney: What Does It Mean For Comics? (135)

  In September, The Walt Disney Company bought Marvel Comics for $4 billion. How will this affect the landscape of comics, and what will this mean for some of our favorite Marvel characters? Will the Mouse make Wolverine sheath his claws? Or will the House of Mouse leave the House of M to do what they've always done?

Andrew C. Murphy (mod), J. Andrew World, Tony DiGerolamo, James Chambers, Jonathan Maberry, Brianna Spacekat Wu

• Sun 3:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—The Stories That Changed Everything (56)

  How many science fiction or fantasy stories truly changed the field? What effect did they have? What stories or books have had this effect? We might suggest, A PRINCESS OF MARS, ""A Martian Odyssey,"" ""The Call of Cthulhu,"" THE LORD OF THE RINGS, and NEUROMANCER as examples. Is this sort of transformative change something an author can set out to do on his or her own or does it just happen? Do conditions have to be right or does a great story MAKE the conditions right. (Think of this as The Great Story theory of science fiction.)

Andrew C. Murphy (mod), Lee Gilliland, JJ Brannon, Jonathan Maberry

Thomas Nackid

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Making the Unreal Real: Illustrating things that don't exist. (118)

  How do you illustrate something you can't get a reference for; from hardware and spaceships to monsters and magical powers.

Alan Beck (mod), N. Taylor Blanchard, Robert Kauffmann, Karl Kofoed, Thomas Nackid

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—The Value of Art: Traditional vs. Digital Media (119)

  How does an artist set prices for their art? Should a one of a kind oil painting cost more than a digital piece that took the same amount of time to make? Do buyers understand the value of art?

Ray Ridenour (mod), Kyle Cassidy, Luke Stelmaszek, Alan Beck, Thomas Nackid, Brianna Spacekat Wu

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Steampunk Art: Who's Doing It and Why We Like It. (121)

  A discussion of steampunk artists.

Kyle Cassidy (mod), D.E. Christman, Thomas Nackid

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Digital Art Photography: How is it affecting the illustration market? (120)

  When photography first emerged, the argument was whether or not it was art. All these years later, we get back to the same argument. How is digital photography impacting the art and illustration markets?

Alan Beck (mod), Daniel Grotta, Karl Kofoed, Thomas Nackid, Emily Tullis

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza V (Five)—Drawn to the Dark: The Appeal Of Horror Art (113)

  What draws artists to do horror art? What draws fans to love these images of gore and creepiness?

D.E. Christman (mod), Mark E. Rogers, Kyle Cassidy, Thomas Nackid, Onezumi Hartstein

• Sun 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—The Future of Print Genre Magazines (45)

  The major print magazines have suffered a large loss of circulation and many smaller magazines have gone out of business altogether. Is there a future for genre fiction magazines or are they going the way of the dinosaur?

Alan Beck (mod), Gardner Dozois, Thomas Nackid, Tony DiGerolamo, Tom Purdom, Neil Clarke

Kristen Nelson

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—In Their Own Words - The Business of Voice Acting (164)

  Many anime-related panels focus on the content and characters of anime. But what about the people who bring them to life and give them their unique voice? A candid look at the voice acting business, from cattle call, to audition, all the way to the recording booth. All this and more from the mouths of the professionals themselves.

Amy Howard Wilson (mod), Kristen Nelson

Christine Norris

• Fri 5:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Book vs. Movie - YA Edition (205)

  "Harry Potter," "Twilight," "Meatballs" and "Wild Things" -- among others. You read and then watched -- or vice-versa? What does each version gain or lose?

Deb Lieven (mod), Christine Norris, Greg Fishbone

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Fantasy Based on Non-European Sources (92)

  You don't have to go ""all medieval on me"" to write fantasy. What are the best examples of fantasy not based on European backgrounds to date?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Stephanie Burke, James L. Cambias, Christine Norris, Tom Doyle

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading (222)

  All the Broad Universe authors in attendance give a short reading, creating a kind of “snack sampler” for the audience.

Christine Norris (mod), Catherine Asaro, Dina Leacock, E. F. Watkins, Gail Z. Martin, Victoria Janssen

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Steampunk for Simpletons (130)

  Ladies and Gentlemen of stern and noble character are invited to participate in a salon whereupon we shall discuss the genre and lifestyle known to the rabble as "steampunk". What is it, where did it come from, and what is with those brass goggles?

Jared Axelrod (mod), Matt Black, Nikki Cohen, Christine Norris, Jeff Mach

• Sun 11:00 AM in Executive Suite 823—The Importance of Cash Flow For the New Author (91)

  Why ""Don't Quit Your Day Job"" Is Such Good Advice.

Sally Wiener Grotta (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Laura Anne Gilman, Christine Norris, Oz Drummond

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—What Have You Been Reading? (204)

  Bring your favorite Science Fiction/Fact/Fantasy book for round-table discussion.

Deb Lieven (mod), Christine Norris, Scheherazade Jackson

Frank O'Brien

• 12:00 AM in —Is Hydrogen the Future of Energy? (181)

  There's been a lot of discussion of hydrogen as the post-fossil-fuel solution for energy. Hydrogen fuel cells could one day power homes, cars and factories. But there are still many technical and economic challenges, such as production and distribution of hydrogen, to be overcome. Will achieve a hydrogen economy? Should we? Are there better solutions?

Walter Hunt (mod), Charles E. Gannon, Frank O'Brien, John Moore, Earl Bennett

• Fri 8:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Is Hydrogen the Future of Energy? (181)

  There's been a lot of discussion of hydrogen as the post-fossil-fuel solution for energy. Hydrogen fuel cells could one day power homes, cars and factories. But there are still many technical and economic challenges, such as production and distribution of hydrogen, to be overcome. Will achieve a hydrogen economy? Should we? Are there better solutions?

Walter Hunt (mod), Charles E. Gannon, Frank O'Brien, John Moore, Earl Bennett

• Sat 2:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—The Planck Telescope and Herschel Space Observatory (168)

  Launched in May 2009 by the European Space Agency, Planck and Herschel will help provide answers to some of the most important questions in modern science, such as the origin, evolution and future of the Universe and the formation of stars and galaxies.

Eric Kotani (mod), N. Taylor Blanchard, David Goldberg, Frank O'Brien

• Sat 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Space Inc.: Is Private Enterprise the Future of Space Development? (183)

  With NASA struggling with budget restrictions, and other governments around the world facing economic crises, the private sector may now be poised to become the main route to space. What is happening in private space development? What's planned? What's likely and what's not? And is this a good or bad thing for the future of space exploration and development?

Laura Burns (mod), Mark Wolverton, Frank O'Brien, Dr. H. Paul Shuch, Karl Kofoed, Earl Bennett

• Sat 6:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Great Mysteries of Science (169)

  What are the most important unsolved mysteries and unanswered questions in science? Which are closest to being solved?

Eric Kotani (mod), Eric Schulman, David Goldberg, John Cmar, Frank O'Brien

Terri Osborne

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—You Never Forget Your First Doctor... (138)

  The mantle of Dr. Who is soon going to fall on a new actor... the ELEVENTH to play the good Doctor. What are some of the great Dr. Who moments? How does new Who compare to the Old School? And where should it go from here?

Tina Blanco-Finan (mod), Patricia M. Cryan, Wayne Zimmerman, Nikki Cohen, Terri Osborne

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—This Blood's for You (210)

  Season Two has just ended of True Blood, the HBO adaptation of the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris. For the most part they’ve kept to the main story arcs but they’ve added so much to the show it’s like watching something new! What are some of our favorite moments from the show? Things that we could seriously do without? Do you love the additions, or do they make you wanna do bad things to the screen writers?

Emily Tullis (mod), Jonathan Maberry, Dusti Lewars, Terri Osborne

• Sat 4:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Star Trek: Where Does It Boldly Go Now? (129)

  J.J. Abrams rebooting/revisioning of STAR TREK seems to have re-invigorated what many thought was a dying franchise. But where should it go from here, and what kind of stories should it tell? Is it still true to Roddenberry's vision, and how important is it that it remain so?

Keith R.A. DeCandido (mod), Hugh Casey, Terri Osborne, Lawrence M. Schoen, Samantha Kwait

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—How Great Is BBC America For Fandom? (196)

  If only the Sci-Fi, sorry Sy Fy Channel, could be half as good. With great shows like "Dr. Who," ""Torchwood," and now "Being Human" even with limited SF choices, is BBC America the next big place fandom will get its fix? What are they doing with their programming that we are not getting in this country? Is their programming too adult, too intense for the American market? What other tv shows and movies are coming out of the UK that perhaps are little known in the USA but could use a plug from the members of the audience.

Terri Osborne (mod), Nikki Cohen, Michael D. Pederson, Kathy Sands, J. Andrew World

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Influences on Dr. Who (236)

  What are in the influences which have shaped Dr. Who over the years?

Patricia M. Cryan (mod), Nikki Cohen, David Silverman, Terri Osborne

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Y, Syfy? Y? (214)

  We stood by them when they gave us Mansquito. We kept watching when they added WWE wrestling. And then they said “The name Sci Fi has been associated with geeks and dysfunctional, antisocial boys in their basements…” and changed their name to Syfy. And yet we still return to watch shows like Warehouse 13, Eureka and Sanctuary. Do they know us better than we know ourselves?

Terri Osborne (mod), Richard Stout, Phillip Thorne, Lee Gilliland, James Daniel Ross

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—What My Cat Had For Breakfast. (218)

  Just because everyone can have a blog does that mean everyone should? Panelists discuss what kind of personal responsibility comes with putting your thoughts out there for the world to read.

Orenthal Hawkins (mod), Kyle Cassidy, Alyce Wilson, Terri Osborne, KT Pinto

Crystal Paul

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—The Music of the Fantastic (133)

  When most people think about music and SF, they think of the theme from Star Trek, or Darth Vader's March. But music and SF have been intertwined from the beginning. From Jeff Wynne's "War Of The Worlds" to the steampunk music of Abney Park, find out how these two art forms have related to each other through their histories.

Catherine Asaro (mod), Crystal Paul, Roberta Rogow, Steve Vertlieb, Donald Wolcott

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Let' s Write a Filk Song (172)

  Hands on parody workshop

Roberta Rogow (mod), Ariel Cinii, Cathy Dougherty, Kathy Sands, Crystal Paul

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Naughty Bits (179)

  Bawdy Ballads

Kathy Sands (mod), Steve Haug, Crystal Paul

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Conventional Filk (175)

  An overview of Filk Conventions, by those who run them

Harold Stein (mod), Steve Brinich, Ariel Cinii, Gary Ehrlich, Crystal Paul

• Sun 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Scifi Saved My Life (145)

  For many of us, science fiction and fantasy are simply entertaining escapes. But for some of us, they are much, much more. For some people, they become a lifeline. Come and hear stories from our panelists, and share your own.

Hugh Casey (mod), Patricia M. Cryan, Jay Smith, Crystal Paul, Ray Ridenour, Tobias Cabral

• Sun 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Theme Parks, Entertainment, and Utopia (241)

  How do our fantasies create our environment, architecture, and our future?

Nina Ely (mod), Cory Doctorow, Dusti Lewars, Crystal Paul, Brian Siano

Jo Blu Pax

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Evolution of Artworks: From Concept to Finished Piece (116)

  Artists discuss how they work through a piece. Ideally, several artists in different media (i.e.: sculpture, painting, digital, etc...) would give a quick overview of their processes. Could be divided into multiple slots if there is enough interest. Please mention your media/technique in the "Additional Information" section of your reply.

Charlene Taylor D'Alessio (mod), Robert Kauffmann, N. Taylor Blanchard, Karl Kofoed, Sally-Rouge Pax, Jo Blu Pax

• Sat 10:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—What's a hot Orion like you doing in a cantina like this?... Flirting and Dating (141)

  The stereotypical fan is someone who lacks a bit in the social skills department. So, if you're one of those fans, how do you go about learning them? Simple... you go to this panel! Bring a sense of humor, and you may learn something along the way.

Hugh Casey (mod), Dusti Lewars, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, James Prego, Jo Blu Pax, KT Pinto

Sally-Rouge Pax

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Evolution of Artworks: From Concept to Finished Piece (116)

  Artists discuss how they work through a piece. Ideally, several artists in different media (i.e.: sculpture, painting, digital, etc...) would give a quick overview of their processes. Could be divided into multiple slots if there is enough interest. Please mention your media/technique in the "Additional Information" section of your reply.

Charlene Taylor D'Alessio (mod), Robert Kauffmann, N. Taylor Blanchard, Karl Kofoed, Sally-Rouge Pax, Jo Blu Pax

• Sat 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Pirate, Ninja, Supervillain, Vampire (123)

  First we had Monkeys. Then Robots. Then Mad Scientists. Now, Philcon's most fun panel is back... now with BLOODSUCKERS! Watch as our panelists are each assigned one of these four character archetypes, and then BATTLE IT OUT to see who reigns SUPREME! Or at least, SUPREMELY FUNNY!

Hugh Casey (mod), Dusti Lewars, Phil Kahn, Sally-Rouge Pax, Ruth Lampi

Michael D. Pederson

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—The Science of Zombies (19)

  Are there any scientifically plausible theories for reanimation?

Ty Drago (mod), D.E. Christman, Jonathan Maberry, Michael D. Pederson, James Prego

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Apocalypse Pretty Soon? (134)

  Mega-Tsunamis smashing into the East Coast of the US. Supervolcanos under Yellowstone. And there's always that asteroid with our name on it. What kind of massive disasters can we expect, either in the near or far future, and what can we do about them?

David Silverman (mod), JJ Brannon, Michael D. Pederson, Gail Z. Martin

• Sat 11:00 AM in Executive Suite 823—The Fannish Generation Gap (139)

  These kids, with their anime and their steampunk! They're ruining our con! And those old farts, with their beanies and weird inside jokes that they don't explain, are making us feel really unwelcome! It seems like the long-time battle of the old vs. the young is still going strong in fandom. Is there any way to bridge the gap?

Michael D. Pederson (mod), Samantha Kwait, David M. Axler, Patricia M. Cryan, Tobias Cabral

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—How Great Is BBC America For Fandom? (196)

  If only the Sci-Fi, sorry Sy Fy Channel, could be half as good. With great shows like "Dr. Who," ""Torchwood," and now "Being Human" even with limited SF choices, is BBC America the next big place fandom will get its fix? What are they doing with their programming that we are not getting in this country? Is their programming too adult, too intense for the American market? What other tv shows and movies are coming out of the UK that perhaps are little known in the USA but could use a plug from the members of the audience.

Terri Osborne (mod), Nikki Cohen, Michael D. Pederson, Kathy Sands, J. Andrew World

• Sat 6:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Chuck vs. The New Intersect (207)

  What new skillsets are lurking in Chuck's head? Will Casey now respect Chuck and his kung-fu download? Will we see the General step out from behind her desk? Will Bryce be coming back from the dead... again? Will Jeffster win a Grammy?

Ty Drago (mod), Michael D. Pederson, Kimberly Ann Kindya, Tony Ruggiero

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—Regional Science Fiction (79)

  Is there a distinctive regional voice based on the area where the author lives? What are the unique characteristics of Southern Science Fiction and New England Science Fiction, for example?

Michael D. Pederson (mod), Jerome Stueart, Bill Spangler

KT Pinto

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—The Books We Come Back To (84)

  There are some books we read over and over again. What qualities do these books have that make them worth visiting again?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Michael J. Walsh, KT Pinto, Caroline Cox, Lawrence Kramer, Theodore Krulik

• Sat 5:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Who are You When You're Not Yourself? (228)

  Are your characters all you want them to be? What do you want to create as a persona? What have you tried that's been a real disaster?

KT Pinto (mod), Eric Avedissian, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, J.R. Blackwell, Neal Levin

• Sat 9:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Vampires: Geesh, We just can't get rid of them (195)

  They are everywhere, movies, books, tv shows. etc. What is going on. Sure, vampires were never out of fashion, but what's with the explosion of them in all genres and media? We will discuss all the latest vampire trends in the media culture. What is driving this passion for the undead?

KT Pinto (mod), Matt Black, Rebecca Marcus, James Prego, Laura Anne Gilman

• Sat 10:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—What's a hot Orion like you doing in a cantina like this?... Flirting and Dating (141)

  The stereotypical fan is someone who lacks a bit in the social skills department. So, if you're one of those fans, how do you go about learning them? Simple... you go to this panel! Bring a sense of humor, and you may learn something along the way.

Hugh Casey (mod), Dusti Lewars, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, James Prego, Jo Blu Pax, KT Pinto

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—What My Cat Had For Breakfast. (218)

  Just because everyone can have a blog does that mean everyone should? Panelists discuss what kind of personal responsibility comes with putting your thoughts out there for the world to read.

Orenthal Hawkins (mod), Kyle Cassidy, Alyce Wilson, Terri Osborne, KT Pinto

Chris Pisano

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Lovecraft as Mass Culture (14)

  Lovecraft shows up in the strangest of places, everything from plush toys to games to bedroom slippers and children's cartoons. Exploring his continuing and spreading influence.

John Ashmead (mod), Onezumi Hartstein, C.J. Henderson, James Chambers, Gary Frank, Chris Pisano

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Art Of The Collaboration (53)

  What is it like to write with another writer and develop a unique voice which is not that of either partner but something new? Various authors who have collaborated explain how it is done.

Michael Swanwick (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Mike McPhail, Chris Pisano, Brian Koscienski

James Prego

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—The Science of Zombies (19)

  Are there any scientifically plausible theories for reanimation?

Ty Drago (mod), D.E. Christman, Jonathan Maberry, Michael D. Pederson, James Prego

• Sat 9:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Vampires: Geesh, We just can't get rid of them (195)

  They are everywhere, movies, books, tv shows. etc. What is going on. Sure, vampires were never out of fashion, but what's with the explosion of them in all genres and media? We will discuss all the latest vampire trends in the media culture. What is driving this passion for the undead?

KT Pinto (mod), Matt Black, Rebecca Marcus, James Prego, Laura Anne Gilman

• Sat 10:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—What's a hot Orion like you doing in a cantina like this?... Flirting and Dating (141)

  The stereotypical fan is someone who lacks a bit in the social skills department. So, if you're one of those fans, how do you go about learning them? Simple... you go to this panel! Bring a sense of humor, and you may learn something along the way.

Hugh Casey (mod), Dusti Lewars, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, James Prego, Jo Blu Pax, KT Pinto

• Sat 11:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Sex and the Single Fan: Is Fandom... different? (131)

  It seems that SF fandom attracts a large number of people who engage in "alternative" sexual lifestyles. Or is it that those lifestyles attract a large number of fans? We'll take a serious look at the relationship between fandom and "kink", and what it means for fans in general.

J.R. Blackwell (mod), David M. Axler, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, James Prego, Tobias Cabral

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Biology of Obesity (166)

  Obesity is a growing problem around the world, and increasing research has revealed the causes to be much more complex than just "eating too much." Medicine now recognizes that some people will gain more fat from the same amount of calories than others. Hormones, gut bacteria, brown fat, neurotransmitters, metabolic pathways, viral infections, circadian rythms and many other factors are all now implicated in weight gain and loss. Are we closer to understanding the causes of and solutions to the obesity epidemic?

John Cmar (mod), Muriel Hykes, Jed Shumsky, James Prego, Lawrence Kramer

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Eat Right, Exercise, Die Anyway... Healthy Living For Fans (147)

  In general, fans tend to be a rather... sedentary... group. What simple things can we do to improve our health and life a better life?

James Prego (mod), Alyce Wilson, Jared Axelrod

Brian T. Price

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Best Animated Movie of 2009 (148)

  The year's not over yet, but compare the contenders: stop-motion ("Coraline"), traditional 2D ("Ponyo"), or CGI (most everything else)? Drama, humor, or the SF easter eggs of "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"?

Deb Lieven (mod), Walter Amos, Robert Fenelon, Brian T. Price, Michael A. Ventrella

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—These Are A Few Of My Favorite Scenes (156)

  Remember that show with that guy who did that thing? You know, with that...thing he had? Take a look at some of our fondest anime-induced memories. Who knows? You just might find a new favorite of your own.

Robert Fenelon (mod), Walter Amos, Stephanie Burke, Joe Foering, Amy Howard Wilson, Brian T. Price

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—SF & Fantasy Cartoons And Why We Love Them (157)

  What's new out there this year and what should go back to the drawing board...literally! Do we just love our old favorites from years gone by, or do we like the new stuff? These questions and other serious topics will be tackled. (e.g.: Exactly what the heck is a Scooby Snack?!)

Robert Fenelon (mod), Tony Finan, Walter Amos, Brian T. Price

• Sat 6:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Anime Princesses Rule...Disney Princesses Drool (160)

  There is more to the profession of "Princessing" than glittering gowns, fuzzy woodland creatures and sporadic spunkiness. We will explore differences between being a princess and a generic "strong female character". Maybe "Princessing" involves leadership over your kingdom, tribe, clan or other socio-economic peer group?

Walter Amos (mod), Robert Fenelon, Brian T. Price, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Jon Kilgannon

• Sat 10:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Bad Anime, Bad!! (158)

  The pain! Oh dear God, the pain!! How could you ever allow these shows to see the light of day?! We take no responsibility for any psychological damage done when we show (re: inflict upon) you some of the worst of the worst. And they say 'Cruel & Unusual Punishment' is illegal in this country!

Brian T. Price (mod), Joe Foering, Jon Kilgannon

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—My Cartoon Stereotypes Are More Offensive Than Yours (162)

  Bored with the tired cliches of American storytelling? Where does a cultural reference cross the line into stereotype? Ever catch yourself asking "Hey! I'm American, but why do all these "westerners" have blonde hair and blue eyes? And why do "Asians" in American cartoons keep saying "honor" in every sentence?"

Robert Fenelon (mod), Walter Amos, Orenthal Hawkins, Brian T. Price, Stephanie Burke

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Anime And The Revolving Door of Culture (163)

  A discussion and exploration of the phenomenon of anime, its influence on western science fiction/fantasy and its incorporation of our own cultural nuances.

Brian T. Price (mod), Robert Fenelon, Kimberly Ann Kindya, Stephanie Burke, Ruth Lampi, Michael Ryan

Tom Purdom

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Frivolous Uses Of High Technology (65)

  When it becomes possible for a conceptual artist to turn the Moon into a gigantic smiley face, no doubt someone will. When we can change our shape or gender on a whim, what are parents to do when it becomes a fad for kids to have tentacles? What will be the frivolous face of technological change?

Tom Purdom (mod), James Daniel Ross, Ariel Cinii, Eric Kotani

• Fri 10:00 PM in Executive Suite 623—Tom Purdom Reading (274)

Tom Purdom (mod)

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Science Fiction for the Post Human Future (4)

  If the singularity actually happens and the future becomes incomprehensible, what will Science Fiction writers write about?

Tom Purdom (mod), Cory Doctorow, Bud Sparhawk, David Louis Edelman, Jon Kilgannon

• Sat 2:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Are We Headed for the Post-Literate World? (78)

  How has easy access to technology changed the way that we read, write and think? How is this reflected in the more recent novels of the field?

Bud Sparhawk (mod), Catherine Asaro, Rebecca Maines, Tom Purdom

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Why Aren't We Writing About the Future Anymore? (32)

  Past science fiction used to take place predominantly in the future. Why do there seem to be more and more novels set in the past? Is this a temporary phase or a fundamental shift in the field?

David Louis Edelman (mod), Cory Doctorow, Tom Purdom, Gregory Frost, Lawrence M. Schoen

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—The Invasion of the Janeites (11)

  Why are so many people in science Fiction and fantasy fascinated by Jane Austen? We don't just mean ""Pride and Prejudice and Zombies"" but that is a good place to start.

Diane Weinstein (mod), Tom Purdom, Oz Drummond, Nick Wolven

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—Science Fiction Writers Writing About Other Art Forms (61)

  There are any number of Science Fiction stories about artists, painters, sculptors, dancers, singers or practitioners of new art forms that the author has invented. Spider & Jeanne Robinson's STARDANCE is about dance, for example. Cite other examples. How does the writer convincingly present other art forms in fiction?

Catherine Asaro (mod), Donald Wolcott, Jonathan Maberry, Tom Purdom, Patricia Wake

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—Who was John W. Campbell and Why Does He Still Matter? (22)

  The continuing legacy of a great editor who gave science fiction its Golden Age.

Tom Purdom (mod), Alexis Gilliland, Andrew C. Murphy, L.A. Banks

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Beyond The Nation State (67)

  We have a bad habit in science fiction of assuming that our basic social patterns will last forever. There was a time -- many times, in many eras of the past -- when the nation state as we know it simply did not exist. In feudal times, loyalties were to persons. The ancient empires were often completely ""international"" and inter-tribal, but they could be ordained and run by a priest-king who was regarded as a living god. These ideas have passed away. How will societies be organized when the ""nation"" is as obsolete as a Egyptian pharaoh?

Tom Purdom (mod), Jeff Lyman, Michael F. Flynn, Cory Doctorow, Christopher Weuve

• Sun 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—The Future of Print Genre Magazines (45)

  The major print magazines have suffered a large loss of circulation and many smaller magazines have gone out of business altogether. Is there a future for genre fiction magazines or are they going the way of the dinosaur?

Alan Beck (mod), Gardner Dozois, Thomas Nackid, Tony DiGerolamo, Tom Purdom, Neil Clarke

Roman Ranieri

• Fri 10:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The SF Quiz Show (21)

  Our annual game show based on the JeoXXXXy TV show. Oz Fontecchio and Hildy Silverman, co-moderate.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Hildy Silverman, Andrew C. Murphy, Roman Ranieri, Lee Gilliland, Chris Logan Edwards

• Sat 1:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Writers Workshop (69)

  New writers can submit short stories to be read and critiqued by professional authors.

Darrell Schweitzer (mod), Oz Drummond, Gregory Frost, Dina Leacock, Roman Ranieri

• Sat 2:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Writers Workshop (Second Hour) (296)

  The critique continues

Darrell Schweitzer (mod), Gregory Frost, Dina Leacock, Roman Ranieri

• Sat 7:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Is It Possible To Make The Devil Scary? (16)

  Can Satan as a major character or plot engine be scary rather than trivial?

Rebecca Maines (mod), Jeff Lyman, Roman Ranieri, Larry Hodges

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Post Supernatural Horror (15)

  Fantastic fiction without the spiritually based supernatural content, Fantastic Horror in an Atheistic World.

Roman Ranieri (mod), Gary Frank, Gordon Linzner, Gregory Frost, C.J. Henderson

Raven

• Sat 12:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Makeup Mini-Demo (105)

  Marty Gear demonstrates makeup techniques for costumes and stage and answers questions

Marty Gear (mod), Raven, Kayleigh

Eric Raymond

• Sat 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The Age of Anonymous (215)

  The internet is a force to be reckoned with. Trolling message boards and hacking e-mail accounts are child’s play. The internet is organized. DDoS Attacks, MySpace Hacking, forum raids. Last year there was a global IRL Scientology protest organized by anonymous strangers. Sometimes they claim to do what they do for a cause like freedom of speech, other times it’s “just for the lulz”. The panelists discuss: internet superheroes, or hackers on steroids? What effects do groups like this have on the existing culture of the internet?

Cory Doctorow (mod), J. Andrew World, Gary Feldbaum, Dusti Lewars, Phil Kahn, Eric Raymond

• Sun 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Fantastic Internet: SF On The Web (143)

  Girl Genius. Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. And soon Buck Rogers will be a webseries, from the creators of Star Trek: New Voyages. What sort of opportunities does the internet offer to SF fans, and to creators as well?

John Drew (mod), Jon Kilgannon, Rob Balder, J.R. Blackwell, Eric Raymond

Ted Rickles

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—A Science Fiction Curriculum For New Comers (75)

  Science Fiction authors list the core books and concepts for an understanding of the Science Fiction genre.

Michael J. Walsh (mod), Walter Hunt, Ted Rickles, Gail Z. Martin, Michael Swanwick

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Buck Rogers Rides Again (13)

  There is a new web series, there is a new comic book series. Why the resurgence?

Nathan Lilly (mod), Lawrence Johnson, C.J. Henderson, Orenthal Hawkins, Ted Rickles, Bill Spangler

Ray Ridenour

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—The Future of Money (44)

  How has personal finances been portrayed in the past in Science Fiction and how will it be portrayed in the future? Will there be such a thing as money in the future?

Ray Ridenour (mod), Tony DiGerolamo, Nina Ely

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—The Value of Art: Traditional vs. Digital Media (119)

  How does an artist set prices for their art? Should a one of a kind oil painting cost more than a digital piece that took the same amount of time to make? Do buyers understand the value of art?

Ray Ridenour (mod), Kyle Cassidy, Luke Stelmaszek, Alan Beck, Thomas Nackid, Brianna Spacekat Wu

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—How Faithful are Graphic Adaptations of Popular Novels? (50)

  Laurel K. Hamilton, Orson Scott Card and Jim Butcher are just a few of the authors whose works have recently been translated into comic book versions of the originals. How much of the flavor of the original gets through in the comic book version? Does the comic book version add anything to the original work?

Bill Spangler (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Ray Ridenour, Jonathan Maberry, Stephanie Burke

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Your Internet Presence and You (132)

  Maybe you're an author who wants to use their website for promotional purposes. Maybe you've started a blog. Or you could be an IT professional with on online resume. What should you know, and be concerned about, regarding your presence on the Internet?

Rob Balder (mod), Ray Ridenour, Dusti Lewars, Walter Hunt, D.E. Christman

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—200 Years Of Phobias (40)

  Edgar Allen Poe recently celebrated his 200th birthday. Besides Poe, Lovecraft, Kutner and Howard's work are arguably full of them. What is your favorite horror story dealing with a phobia?

Ray Ridenour (mod), E. F. Watkins, Gordon Linzner, Stuart Jaffe

• Sun 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Scifi Saved My Life (145)

  For many of us, science fiction and fantasy are simply entertaining escapes. But for some of us, they are much, much more. For some people, they become a lifeline. Come and hear stories from our panelists, and share your own.

Hugh Casey (mod), Patricia M. Cryan, Jay Smith, Crystal Paul, Ray Ridenour, Tobias Cabral

Rock Robertson

• Fri 8:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A —Cory Doctorow on Copyrights (PSFS Meeting) (239)

  Our Featured Guest Speaks About Copyright Issues

Cory Doctorow (mod), Rock Robertson

Mark E. Rogers

• Sat 11:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Mark Rogers Slide Show (253)

  Author and artist Mark E. Rogers shows art from his newest book.

Mark E. Rogers (mod)

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza V (Five)—Drawn to the Dark: The Appeal Of Horror Art (113)

  What draws artists to do horror art? What draws fans to love these images of gore and creepiness?

D.E. Christman (mod), Mark E. Rogers, Kyle Cassidy, Thomas Nackid, Onezumi Hartstein

Roberta Rogow

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—The Music of the Fantastic (133)

  When most people think about music and SF, they think of the theme from Star Trek, or Darth Vader's March. But music and SF have been intertwined from the beginning. From Jeff Wynne's "War Of The Worlds" to the steampunk music of Abney Park, find out how these two art forms have related to each other through their histories.

Catherine Asaro (mod), Crystal Paul, Roberta Rogow, Steve Vertlieb, Donald Wolcott

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Let' s Write a Filk Song (172)

  Hands on parody workshop

Roberta Rogow (mod), Ariel Cinii, Cathy Dougherty, Kathy Sands, Crystal Paul

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—You Wrote a Song About What?? (178)

  The weirdest inspirations: the wildest filksongs

Cathy Dougherty (mod), Rob Balder, Ariel Cinii, Roberta Rogow

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Sing-A-Long Filk with Roberta Rogow and Friends (150)

  Pull up a chair, clear your throat and maybe learn a song or two. (Performers subject to change.)

Roberta Rogow (mod), Marilyn Brahen, Gary Ehrlich, Kathy Sands

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—To the Moon and Beyond (177)

  In honor of the 1969 moon landing

Dr. H. Paul Shuch (mod), Gary Ehrlich, Roberta Rogow

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Song Sequitur (182)

  Filkers have to follow each other's filk with one that is almost that is almost, but not quite, a follower

Roberta Rogow (mod), Gary Ehrlich, Ariel Cinii, Kathy Sands

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Dead Dog Filk (295)

  Last chance to sing

Roberta Rogow (mod)

Suzanne Rosin

• Sat 10:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Philcon 101 (220)

  Maybe it is your first Philcon, and your're wondering what there is to do. Or maybe you've been here before , but feel like you're missing something. Stop by and we'll tell you what you need to know.

Hugh Casey (mod), Suzanne Rosin, Emily Tullis

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Dr. Horrible Sing-A-Long (193)

  Get ready to sing everyone. Whether you are a first time viewer or watched the movie 20 times, come on out to the sing a long and join in the fannish craze that will make you laugh and cry. Come in costume as your favorite character and model for your fellow singers. Even if you don't want to sing, that's okay, come for the laughs and enjoy the show.

Rebecca Marcus (mod), Suzanne Rosin, Hildy Silverman, Samantha Kwait

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Discuss Dr. Horrible Sing a Long (194)

  Panel will explore why this is such a phenomenom in the fannish world. Why does it have such universal appeal. Does is speak to the geeky part in all of us that longs to be understood and liked. Discuss the archtypes in the movie, the great singing, the painfully achling good lyrics, etc.

Rebecca Marcus (mod), Stuart Jaffe, Matt Black, Suzanne Rosin, Samantha Kwait

James Daniel Ross

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Frivolous Uses Of High Technology (65)

  When it becomes possible for a conceptual artist to turn the Moon into a gigantic smiley face, no doubt someone will. When we can change our shape or gender on a whim, what are parents to do when it becomes a fad for kids to have tentacles? What will be the frivolous face of technological change?

Tom Purdom (mod), James Daniel Ross, Ariel Cinii, Eric Kotani

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Hot Alien Sex (81)

  How do aliens do it? Use imagination.

Phil Kahn (mod), Muriel Hykes, James Daniel Ross, Oz Drummond, Camille Anthony, Jonathan Wright

• Sat 10:00 AM in Grand Ballroom A —Law and The Future: Getting it Right (8)

  What are the most common mistakes made by authors when they write a court scene in Science Fiction?

Nick Wolven (mod), James Daniel Ross, Jim Stratton, Michael A. Ventrella

• Sat 12:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—The Current Economic Downturn and What it Means to Science Fiction (5)

  What is the impact of the current recession on publishing and on the subject matter of written science Fiction?

Rebecca Maines (mod), Michael D'Ambrosio, Gary Feldbaum, James Daniel Ross, Phillip Thorne

• Sat 2:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A —Computer Gaming Meets Science Fiction (57)

  There was a time, not all that long ago, when the very subject of complicated games (role-playing or otherwise) played on a computer WAS science fiction. What has been the effect of computer games on written Science Fiction? Has there been some genuine and fruitful cross-fertilization going on here?

Brian Siano (mod), James Daniel Ross, Jay Wile, Charles E. Gannon, Orenthal Hawkins

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Pulped! (2)

  What do we mean by pulp fiction? Is it a synonym for trash or does it represent a vigorous type of popular fiction that continues to appeal? If someone calls your book ""pulp"", is that an insult or a compliment?

Michael J. Walsh (mod), C.J. Henderson, Jared Axelrod, James Daniel Ross, Eric Avedissian

• Sat 7:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—In the Beginning Was the Word (98)

  How does the literature of the genre influence the creators of other media, including movies, television, games and other media?

Laura Anne Gilman (mod), James Daniel Ross, Stuart Jaffe, Kimberly Ann Kindya

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Science Fiction Abides (80)

  Why are Post-apocalyptic themes in Science Fiction so enduring?

David Walton (mod), Brian Siano, James Daniel Ross, Wayne Zimmerman

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Y, Syfy? Y? (214)

  We stood by them when they gave us Mansquito. We kept watching when they added WWE wrestling. And then they said “The name Sci Fi has been associated with geeks and dysfunctional, antisocial boys in their basements…” and changed their name to Syfy. And yet we still return to watch shows like Warehouse 13, Eureka and Sanctuary. Do they know us better than we know ourselves?

Terri Osborne (mod), Richard Stout, Phillip Thorne, Lee Gilliland, James Daniel Ross

• Sun 12:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The New Generation Of SF Writers (59)

  These are writers who grew up in a science fictional world of computers, space travel, virtual reality and robots. How does this affect their approach to the subject matter and technique of their work?

James Daniel Ross (mod), Neil Clarke, Stephanie Burke

Tony Ruggiero

• Sat 6:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Chuck vs. The New Intersect (207)

  What new skillsets are lurking in Chuck's head? Will Casey now respect Chuck and his kung-fu download? Will we see the General step out from behind her desk? Will Bryce be coming back from the dead... again? Will Jeffster win a Grammy?

Ty Drago (mod), Michael D. Pederson, Kimberly Ann Kindya, Tony Ruggiero

Michael Ryan

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—MMO 101 – WoW, EVE, Everquest, and Beyond! (188)

  From Quests for meaning in World of Warcraft to helping shape the universe of EVEonline, how to get the most out of your Massively Multiplayer Online experience. Whether your interest is as a player, parent, or concerned significant other, this panel will introduce you to MMOs, why we love them so much, and the perils of becoming an MMO addict.

Robert Hranek (mod), David Moore, Michael Ryan, Tim Souder, Brianna Spacekat Wu

• Sat 4:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Delaware Valley Gaming Groups (230)

  Who are the groups in the Greater Delaware Valley where you can you and play?

Robert Hranek (mod), Michael Ryan

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Anime And The Revolving Door of Culture (163)

  A discussion and exploration of the phenomenon of anime, its influence on western science fiction/fantasy and its incorporation of our own cultural nuances.

Brian T. Price (mod), Robert Fenelon, Kimberly Ann Kindya, Stephanie Burke, Ruth Lampi, Michael Ryan

Kathy Sands

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Let' s Write a Filk Song (172)

  Hands on parody workshop

Roberta Rogow (mod), Ariel Cinii, Cathy Dougherty, Kathy Sands, Crystal Paul

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Naughty Bits (179)

  Bawdy Ballads

Kathy Sands (mod), Steve Haug, Crystal Paul

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Stalking the Wild Filk (174)

  Online and elsewhere: Where to find filk these days

Rob Balder (mod), Harold Stein, Steve Brinich, Kathy Sands

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Sing-A-Long Filk with Roberta Rogow and Friends (150)

  Pull up a chair, clear your throat and maybe learn a song or two. (Performers subject to change.)

Roberta Rogow (mod), Marilyn Brahen, Gary Ehrlich, Kathy Sands

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—How Great Is BBC America For Fandom? (196)

  If only the Sci-Fi, sorry Sy Fy Channel, could be half as good. With great shows like "Dr. Who," ""Torchwood," and now "Being Human" even with limited SF choices, is BBC America the next big place fandom will get its fix? What are they doing with their programming that we are not getting in this country? Is their programming too adult, too intense for the American market? What other tv shows and movies are coming out of the UK that perhaps are little known in the USA but could use a plug from the members of the audience.

Terri Osborne (mod), Nikki Cohen, Michael D. Pederson, Kathy Sands, J. Andrew World

• Sat 7:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Filk Concert - Saturday Night (293)

  A Saturday night filk concert

Marilyn Brahen (mod), Kathy Sands

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Song Sequitur (182)

  Filkers have to follow each other's filk with one that is almost that is almost, but not quite, a follower

Roberta Rogow (mod), Gary Ehrlich, Ariel Cinii, Kathy Sands

Lawrence M. Schoen

• Fri 11:59 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Eye of Argon Reading (26)

  Reputedly, the worst story in the genre's history. Just try and read it without laughing.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Lawrence M. Schoen, Phil Kahn, Hildy Silverman, Victoria Janssen

• Sat 10:00 AM in Executive Suite 823—Making the Most of Your Writers Group (97)

  How do you find a good one? Are they even necessary?

Oz Drummond (mod), Gary Frank, Laura Anne Gilman, Lawrence M. Schoen, Larry Hodges

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Why Aren't We Writing About the Future Anymore? (32)

  Past science fiction used to take place predominantly in the future. Why do there seem to be more and more novels set in the past? Is this a temporary phase or a fundamental shift in the field?

David Louis Edelman (mod), Cory Doctorow, Tom Purdom, Gregory Frost, Lawrence M. Schoen

• Sat 4:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Star Trek: Where Does It Boldly Go Now? (129)

  J.J. Abrams rebooting/revisioning of STAR TREK seems to have re-invigorated what many thought was a dying franchise. But where should it go from here, and what kind of stories should it tell? Is it still true to Roddenberry's vision, and how important is it that it remain so?

Keith R.A. DeCandido (mod), Hugh Casey, Terri Osborne, Lawrence M. Schoen, Samantha Kwait

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Insert Tab B Into Slot A (27)

  The treatment of sex in Science Fiction.

Victoria Janssen (mod), Lawrence M. Schoen, Michael Swanwick, Stephanie Burke, Lee Gilliland

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza IV (Four)—Is The Short Story On Its Way Out? (71)

  There have been dramatic declines in magazine subscriptions in recent years. Is the short story medium on its way out or is it an essential part of the genre? Or is it all going digital?

Neil Clarke (mod), Larry Hodges, Lawrence M. Schoen, Dina Leacock

Eric Schulman

• Sat 6:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Great Mysteries of Science (169)

  What are the most important unsolved mysteries and unanswered questions in science? Which are closest to being solved?

Eric Kotani (mod), Eric Schulman, David Goldberg, John Cmar, Frank O'Brien

• Sun 10:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Three—A Briefer History of Time (288)

  Based on Eric Schulman's science humor book A Briefer History of Time: From the Big Bang to the Big Mac(R), this program provides a humorous look at fourteen of the most significant events in the History of the Universe, from the Quantum Fluctuation that led to the Big Bang to humanity's discovery of the secrets of Food Surplus Production. After the 35-minute program, the presenters will take questions on the Book, the Planetarium Program, Life, the Universe, and/or Everything.

Eric Schulman (mod)

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—The Weird Science Fair! (125)

  Death rays. Earthquake generators. Ice Ages that cover New York in 24 hours. SF books, movies, and TV have offered up some STRANGE science over the years. Here's a panel to talk about some of the Weird Science we've seen.

Christopher Gay (mod), Laura Burns, Eric Schulman, Caroline Cox

Darrell Schweitzer

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Poe Legacy in Short Fiction (85)

  Poe was a master of the short form. How has his work influenced later writers?

Richard Stout (mod), Darrell Schweitzer, Gregory Frost, Evelyn Leeper, John Drew

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Why Science Fiction Is Not Finished (52)

  A French critic was recently quoted as saying, ""Science fiction, well, it is finished."" Some say science fiction is purely a Baby Boomer phenomenon now heading demographically toward its sunset. We at Philcon have a different view. This panel aims to list as many reasons as possible why science fiction is not finished.

Alexis Gilliland (mod), Walter Hunt, Darrell Schweitzer, Charles E. Gannon, David Walton

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza IV (Four)—The Editors Panel (Short Fiction) (54)

  Professional Science Fiction editors of magazines and anthologies explain what they are looking for and discuss the nature of the Science Fiction and Fantasy short fiction market.

Hildy Silverman (mod), Darrell Schweitzer, Gardner Dozois, Neil Clarke, Danielle Ackley-McPhail

• Sat 1:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Writers Workshop (69)

  New writers can submit short stories to be read and critiqued by professional authors.

Darrell Schweitzer (mod), Oz Drummond, Gregory Frost, Dina Leacock, Roman Ranieri

• Sat 2:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Writers Workshop (Second Hour) (296)

  The critique continues

Darrell Schweitzer (mod), Gregory Frost, Dina Leacock, Roman Ranieri

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Why Isn't Science Fiction More International? (12)

  We aren't seeing many translations. We aren't seeing many stories from non-English speaking authors. What are we missing?

Michael Swanwick (mod), Darrell Schweitzer, Michael F. Flynn, Phillip Thorne

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Editing Anthologies (66)

  An anthology is not a magazine. It presents a much more unified package, often arranged around a theme. Current anthologists explain how such books are edited and sold.

Darrell Schweitzer (mod), Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Gardner Dozois, Keith R.A. DeCandido

Dr. H. Paul Shuch

• Sat 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Space Inc.: Is Private Enterprise the Future of Space Development? (183)

  With NASA struggling with budget restrictions, and other governments around the world facing economic crises, the private sector may now be poised to become the main route to space. What is happening in private space development? What's planned? What's likely and what's not? And is this a good or bad thing for the future of space exploration and development?

Laura Burns (mod), Mark Wolverton, Frank O'Brien, Dr. H. Paul Shuch, Karl Kofoed, Earl Bennett

• Sat 5:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Science At The Heart of Science Fiction (87)

  How has Hard Science Fiction changed in the last decade? Is Science Fiction still predominantly the literature of scientific ideas?

Bud Sparhawk (mod), Caroline Cox, David Goldberg, Dr. H. Paul Shuch, Jerome Stueart, Laura Burns

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—To the Moon and Beyond (177)

  In honor of the 1969 moon landing

Dr. H. Paul Shuch (mod), Gary Ehrlich, Roberta Rogow

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Sunday Filk Concert (294)

  Solo Performances

Ariel Cinii (mod), Dr. H. Paul Shuch

Jed Shumsky

• Sat 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Stem Cells: Research and Progress (171)

  There has been much progress in stem cell research in recent years, with new discoveries coming regularly. In January 2009, Geron received FDA clearance to begin the first human clinical trial using human embryonic stem cells. What is happening today and what still remains to be done before the promise of stem cell therapy becomes reality?

Jed Shumsky (mod), JJ Brannon, John Cmar, Jay Wile

• Sat 7:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—The Use of Science Fiction in Education (88)

  What is being taught about Science Fiction at the university and high school levels?

Ef Deal (mod), Caroline Cox, Jed Shumsky

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Plausible Alien Life Forms in Hard SF (29)

  Which authors have presented aliens in the most believable way? For example, Hal Clement in ""Mission of Gravity"".

Bud Sparhawk (mod), James L. Cambias, Eric Kotani, Frank Wu, Jed Shumsky

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Biology of Obesity (166)

  Obesity is a growing problem around the world, and increasing research has revealed the causes to be much more complex than just "eating too much." Medicine now recognizes that some people will gain more fat from the same amount of calories than others. Hormones, gut bacteria, brown fat, neurotransmitters, metabolic pathways, viral infections, circadian rythms and many other factors are all now implicated in weight gain and loss. Are we closer to understanding the causes of and solutions to the obesity epidemic?

John Cmar (mod), Muriel Hykes, Jed Shumsky, James Prego, Lawrence Kramer

Brian Siano

• Sat 12:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—From 2001 To A Galaxy Far, Far Away... (127)

  Between the release of 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968 until Star Wars in 1977, SF and fantasy in the movies and on TV seemed to be in a state of hibernation. Or was it? We'll discuss the films and shows through the early '70's that were successful, not so successful, and eventually influential.

Christopher Stout (mod), Brian Siano, Toni Lay, Steve Vertlieb, Kimberly Ann Kindya

• Sat 2:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A —Computer Gaming Meets Science Fiction (57)

  There was a time, not all that long ago, when the very subject of complicated games (role-playing or otherwise) played on a computer WAS science fiction. What has been the effect of computer games on written Science Fiction? Has there been some genuine and fruitful cross-fertilization going on here?

Brian Siano (mod), James Daniel Ross, Jay Wile, Charles E. Gannon, Orenthal Hawkins

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Science Fiction Abides (80)

  Why are Post-apocalyptic themes in Science Fiction so enduring?

David Walton (mod), Brian Siano, James Daniel Ross, Wayne Zimmerman

• Sun 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Theme Parks, Entertainment, and Utopia (241)

  How do our fantasies create our environment, architecture, and our future?

Nina Ely (mod), Cory Doctorow, Dusti Lewars, Crystal Paul, Brian Siano

David Silverman

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Apocalypse Pretty Soon? (134)

  Mega-Tsunamis smashing into the East Coast of the US. Supervolcanos under Yellowstone. And there's always that asteroid with our name on it. What kind of massive disasters can we expect, either in the near or far future, and what can we do about them?

David Silverman (mod), JJ Brannon, Michael D. Pederson, Gail Z. Martin

• Sat 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Diversity in SF and Fandom (124)

  RaceFAIL'09. MammothFAIL. The Open Source Boob Project. SF writers, editors, and fans publicly commenting on race, faith, or sexual issues that other find offensive. Lately it seems that issues about racism, sexism, and other types of prejudice have exploded all over professional SF and its fandom. Is fandom rife with bigotry? Or are people being too sensitive or making something out of nothing? Or is the truth somewhere in between? And, maybe most importantly, is it even POSSIBLE to have a civil conversation about any of this? Well, we're going to give it a try. Wish us luck. (Note: this panel will fill a 2 hour block. The panelists and moderator will discuss with each other well in advance how best to handle the sensitive topics that will probably surface during this discussion.)

Hugh Casey (mod), David M. Axler, Orenthal Hawkins, Stephanie Burke, David Silverman

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Influences on Dr. Who (236)

  What are in the influences which have shaped Dr. Who over the years?

Patricia M. Cryan (mod), Nikki Cohen, David Silverman, Terri Osborne

Hildy Silverman

• Fri 10:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The SF Quiz Show (21)

  Our annual game show based on the JeoXXXXy TV show. Oz Fontecchio and Hildy Silverman, co-moderate.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Hildy Silverman, Andrew C. Murphy, Roman Ranieri, Lee Gilliland, Chris Logan Edwards

• Fri 11:59 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Eye of Argon Reading (26)

  Reputedly, the worst story in the genre's history. Just try and read it without laughing.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Lawrence M. Schoen, Phil Kahn, Hildy Silverman, Victoria Janssen

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza IV (Four)—The Editors Panel (Short Fiction) (54)

  Professional Science Fiction editors of magazines and anthologies explain what they are looking for and discuss the nature of the Science Fiction and Fantasy short fiction market.

Hildy Silverman (mod), Darrell Schweitzer, Gardner Dozois, Neil Clarke, Danielle Ackley-McPhail

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Dr. Horrible Sing-A-Long (193)

  Get ready to sing everyone. Whether you are a first time viewer or watched the movie 20 times, come on out to the sing a long and join in the fannish craze that will make you laugh and cry. Come in costume as your favorite character and model for your fellow singers. Even if you don't want to sing, that's okay, come for the laughs and enjoy the show.

Rebecca Marcus (mod), Suzanne Rosin, Hildy Silverman, Samantha Kwait

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Agents And Editors Panel (48)

  You know the drill -- find out what they are looking for in the current market.

Hildy Silverman (mod), Ty Drago, Neil Clarke, Neal Levin, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Brian Koscienski

• Sun 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Kaaaaaaate! We Have to Go Baaaaaaack! (209)

  This is it. The 6th and final season of LOST is coming. It’s been a wild ride and they really dropped a bombshell last season. How do you think they’ll be able to wrap up all the loose ends of the series without incident? Theories are all we’ve got at this point so lets hear ‘em!

Hildy Silverman (mod), Kimberly Ann Kindya, Andrew C. Murphy, Wayne Zimmerman, Emily Tullis

Jay Smith

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza VII (Seven)—The Art of the Audio Drama (128)

  In the early days of radio, we had The Shadow and Orson Wells's War Of The Worlds. Today, we have audiobooks and SF creators who distribute audio plays online. Is this old art part of the future of SF?

Jay Smith (mod), Andrew C. Ely, Orenthal Hawkins, Patricia M. Cryan, Nina Ely

• Sat 1:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A —Zombies of a Different Color (18)

  The way zombies are portrayed varies from culture to culture.

J.R. Blackwell (mod), Jonathan Maberry, Jay Smith

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Are You Ready for the Zombie/Vampire/Alien/Eldrich Apocalypse? (144)

  OK, so the dead have risen from their graves, the saucers are over our cities, and Things Man Was Not Meant To Know have made themselves known. NOW what do you do? Well, our panelists will try to come up with a few survival strategies for you.

Tony Finan (mod), Dusti Lewars, Jonathan Maberry, Jay Smith, Ruth Lampi

• Sun 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Scifi Saved My Life (145)

  For many of us, science fiction and fantasy are simply entertaining escapes. But for some of us, they are much, much more. For some people, they become a lifeline. Come and hear stories from our panelists, and share your own.

Hugh Casey (mod), Patricia M. Cryan, Jay Smith, Crystal Paul, Ray Ridenour, Tobias Cabral

Kristyn Souder

• Fri 7:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—MMO Nation (136)

  Massive Multi-player Online games are one of the largest entertainment industries today. Games like World of Warcraft, Star Wars Galaxies, and City of Heroes have changed the way we look at gaming. What will we be seeing next?

Robert Hranek (mod), Jay Wile, Kristyn Souder

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Zenkaikon/Delaware Anime Society Meet & Greet (242)

  Come join the staff of the Philadelphia-area Anime And Sci-Fi convention, Zenkaikon, and its parent organization, the Delaware Anime Society, as we meet, greet and chat live and in the flesh at Philcon 2008! Learn about the origins of the group, some insight into how anime cons and clubs are run, and throw us some questions. Zenkaikon is one of the fastest growing anime conventions in the Philadelphia-area and is located at the Radisson Valley Forge. [www.zenkaikon.com] The D.A.S. has monthly meetings at two locations in Delaware (Dover & Wilmington) and one location in Willow Grove, PA. All club chapters are free to join and have many fun activities including parties, mini-cons, trips and more! All are welcome!

Tim Souder (mod), Kristyn Souder

• Sun 2:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Philly Geek: What's going on in Philly Fandom? (146)

  What sort of things are going on in the the Greater Philadelphia area that fans would be interested in? LOTS! Come hear our panelists talk about the events, groups, cons, and other great genre-related things taking place in the area. And share any events you know about that we miss!

Tony Finan (mod), Kristyn Souder, Phillip Thorne, Matt Black

Tim Souder

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—MMO 101 – WoW, EVE, Everquest, and Beyond! (188)

  From Quests for meaning in World of Warcraft to helping shape the universe of EVEonline, how to get the most out of your Massively Multiplayer Online experience. Whether your interest is as a player, parent, or concerned significant other, this panel will introduce you to MMOs, why we love them so much, and the perils of becoming an MMO addict.

Robert Hranek (mod), David Moore, Michael Ryan, Tim Souder, Brianna Spacekat Wu

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Zenkaikon/Delaware Anime Society Meet & Greet (242)

  Come join the staff of the Philadelphia-area Anime And Sci-Fi convention, Zenkaikon, and its parent organization, the Delaware Anime Society, as we meet, greet and chat live and in the flesh at Philcon 2008! Learn about the origins of the group, some insight into how anime cons and clubs are run, and throw us some questions. Zenkaikon is one of the fastest growing anime conventions in the Philadelphia-area and is located at the Radisson Valley Forge. [www.zenkaikon.com] The D.A.S. has monthly meetings at two locations in Delaware (Dover & Wilmington) and one location in Willow Grove, PA. All club chapters are free to join and have many fun activities including parties, mini-cons, trips and more! All are welcome!

Tim Souder (mod), Kristyn Souder

Bill Spangler

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Buck Rogers Rides Again (13)

  There is a new web series, there is a new comic book series. Why the resurgence?

Nathan Lilly (mod), Lawrence Johnson, C.J. Henderson, Orenthal Hawkins, Ted Rickles, Bill Spangler

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—How Faithful are Graphic Adaptations of Popular Novels? (50)

  Laurel K. Hamilton, Orson Scott Card and Jim Butcher are just a few of the authors whose works have recently been translated into comic book versions of the originals. How much of the flavor of the original gets through in the comic book version? Does the comic book version add anything to the original work?

Bill Spangler (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Ray Ridenour, Jonathan Maberry, Stephanie Burke

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—Regional Science Fiction (79)

  Is there a distinctive regional voice based on the area where the author lives? What are the unique characteristics of Southern Science Fiction and New England Science Fiction, for example?

Michael D. Pederson (mod), Jerome Stueart, Bill Spangler

Bud Sparhawk

• Sat 9:00 AM in Plaza IV (Four)—East Coast Regional SFWA Meeting (240)

  Members of the Science Fiction and fantasy Writers of America conduct their annual meeting at Philcon.

Bud Sparhawk (mod)

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Science Fiction for the Post Human Future (4)

  If the singularity actually happens and the future becomes incomprehensible, what will Science Fiction writers write about?

Tom Purdom (mod), Cory Doctorow, Bud Sparhawk, David Louis Edelman, Jon Kilgannon

• Sat 2:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Are We Headed for the Post-Literate World? (78)

  How has easy access to technology changed the way that we read, write and think? How is this reflected in the more recent novels of the field?

Bud Sparhawk (mod), Catherine Asaro, Rebecca Maines, Tom Purdom

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Merits of ""Hard Science"" vs. Balonium in Science Fiction Literature (94)

  Are they mutually exclusive? Can they co-exist? Should they co-exist?

Michael F. Flynn (mod), Bud Sparhawk, Alexis Gilliland, Michael D'Ambrosio, Eric Kotani

• Sat 5:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Science At The Heart of Science Fiction (87)

  How has Hard Science Fiction changed in the last decade? Is Science Fiction still predominantly the literature of scientific ideas?

Bud Sparhawk (mod), Caroline Cox, David Goldberg, Dr. H. Paul Shuch, Jerome Stueart, Laura Burns

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Plausible Alien Life Forms in Hard SF (29)

  Which authors have presented aliens in the most believable way? For example, Hal Clement in ""Mission of Gravity"".

Bud Sparhawk (mod), James L. Cambias, Eric Kotani, Frank Wu, Jed Shumsky

• Sun 11:00 AM in Grand Ballroom A —The United States In A Thousand Years (64)

  If you go to any of the older cities of Europe, you will see buildings that have been inhabited for a thousand years or more and adapted to modern purposes. We think of medieval Tuscan hill towns with TV aerials on the roofs and motorcycles driving up the narrow streets where no car could ever go. We see medieval rearrangements of ancient Roman leftovers of even more ancient (such as an Egyptian obelisk) which the Caesars swiped for their own purposes. Try to imagine what New York or Philadelphia will be like when they are old enough that you can see this ""layer cake effect"" of history right before your eyes.

Bud Sparhawk (mod), Michael F. Flynn, Daniel Grotta, Ariel Cinii

• Sun 12:00 PM in Executive Suite 623—Bud Sparhawk Reading (270)

Bud Sparhawk (mod)

Mary Spila

• Sat 10:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Riding a Wave of Looking Backwards (31)

  The influence of Victorian era styling on steam punk and time travel novels.

Walter Hunt (mod), Neal Levin, Mary Spila, Richard Stout, John Moore

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Influence of 1950s and 1960s B Movies on Literature (20)

Diane Weinstein (mod), Richard Stout, Jon Kilgannon, Mary Spila

• Sun 10:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Recommended Reading (23)

  SF and Fantasy you may not

Mary Spila (mod), Byron Connell, Walter Hunt, Gail Z. Martin

• Sun 3:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Book Discussion Ideas (68)

  Readers tell us their notions of what would make for a good book discussion.

Oz Fontecchio (mod), Scheherazade Jackson, Lawrence Johnson, Evelyn Leeper, Mary Spila

Harold Stein

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Stalking the Wild Filk (174)

  Online and elsewhere: Where to find filk these days

Rob Balder (mod), Harold Stein, Steve Brinich, Kathy Sands

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Conventional Filk (175)

  An overview of Filk Conventions, by those who run them

Harold Stein (mod), Steve Brinich, Ariel Cinii, Gary Ehrlich, Crystal Paul

• Sun 11:00 AM in Plaza VII (Seven)—You Don't Have to Sing (173)

  Filking for the Vocally Challenged: instrumental, archiving etc.

Steve Brinich (mod), Harold Stein, Steve Haug

Luke Stelmaszek

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—The Value of Art: Traditional vs. Digital Media (119)

  How does an artist set prices for their art? Should a one of a kind oil painting cost more than a digital piece that took the same amount of time to make? Do buyers understand the value of art?

Ray Ridenour (mod), Kyle Cassidy, Luke Stelmaszek, Alan Beck, Thomas Nackid, Brianna Spacekat Wu

• Sat 1:00 PM in Art Show (Grand Ballroom B)—Art Demo: Luke Stelmaszek (255)

  Drawing dragons demonstrating a colored pencil technique.

Luke Stelmaszek (mod)

Christopher Stout

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—We Started This Cult Film S***! (216)

  Everybody, everybody’s heard of REPO! The Genetic Opera. No? Well don’t be shy! Our panelists will do a little testifying for you. Abandoned by Lionsgate Films it took a grassroots movement by the cast and the fans to advertise the movie. Now REPO! is being called the next Rocky Horror Picture Show, with midnight viewings, shadow casts, and audience partici...pation. Now the first film company to turn them down for production is wrapping up a movie with an eerily similar plot and a blockbuster budget

Genevieve Iseult Eldredge (mod), Samantha Kwait, Dusti Lewars, Christopher Stout, Jeff Mach

• Sat 12:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—From 2001 To A Galaxy Far, Far Away... (127)

  Between the release of 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968 until Star Wars in 1977, SF and fantasy in the movies and on TV seemed to be in a state of hibernation. Or was it? We'll discuss the films and shows through the early '70's that were successful, not so successful, and eventually influential.

Christopher Stout (mod), Brian Siano, Toni Lay, Steve Vertlieb, Kimberly Ann Kindya

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Hollywood Goes Green! Wait, They’re Remaking What?! (208)

  Yeah we all know that asteroid was a potato, that doesn’t mean they need to re-shoot the entire movie 30 years later! Hollywood is on an updating rampage, everything from “The Prisoner” to “The Smurfs” is scheduled for 21st century makeover. My childhood is rolling in it’s grave. And that not even mentioning everything they’ve already gotten their “artistic license” on! Panelist will discuss the influence the modern world has on the various TV shows and movies we have grown up with and whether the "modernization" was for the better. Do the remakes make the grade?

Richard Stout (mod), Christopher Stout, Tony Finan, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, J. Andrew World

Richard Stout

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Poe Legacy in Short Fiction (85)

  Poe was a master of the short form. How has his work influenced later writers?

Richard Stout (mod), Darrell Schweitzer, Gregory Frost, Evelyn Leeper, John Drew

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Charles Dickens and Science Fiction (10)

  He wrote some fantasy, no science fiction but a number of Science Fiction writers have been influenced by him. What is his appeal?

Deb Lieven (mod), Marilyn Brahen, Richard Stout, Gregory Frost

• Sat 10:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Riding a Wave of Looking Backwards (31)

  The influence of Victorian era styling on steam punk and time travel novels.

Walter Hunt (mod), Neal Levin, Mary Spila, Richard Stout, John Moore

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Poe's Poetry (86)

  Even people who say that they hate poetry love his work. What are your favorite Poe poems in the fantasy and horror genres?

Richard Stout (mod), Alyce Wilson, Stephanie Burke, John Drew

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Influence of 1950s and 1960s B Movies on Literature (20)

Diane Weinstein (mod), Richard Stout, Jon Kilgannon, Mary Spila

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Y, Syfy? Y? (214)

  We stood by them when they gave us Mansquito. We kept watching when they added WWE wrestling. And then they said “The name Sci Fi has been associated with geeks and dysfunctional, antisocial boys in their basements…” and changed their name to Syfy. And yet we still return to watch shows like Warehouse 13, Eureka and Sanctuary. Do they know us better than we know ourselves?

Terri Osborne (mod), Richard Stout, Phillip Thorne, Lee Gilliland, James Daniel Ross

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Hollywood Goes Green! Wait, They’re Remaking What?! (208)

  Yeah we all know that asteroid was a potato, that doesn’t mean they need to re-shoot the entire movie 30 years later! Hollywood is on an updating rampage, everything from “The Prisoner” to “The Smurfs” is scheduled for 21st century makeover. My childhood is rolling in it’s grave. And that not even mentioning everything they’ve already gotten their “artistic license” on! Panelist will discuss the influence the modern world has on the various TV shows and movies we have grown up with and whether the "modernization" was for the better. Do the remakes make the grade?

Richard Stout (mod), Christopher Stout, Tony Finan, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, J. Andrew World

Jim Stratton

• Sat 10:00 AM in Grand Ballroom A —Law and The Future: Getting it Right (8)

  What are the most common mistakes made by authors when they write a court scene in Science Fiction?

Nick Wolven (mod), James Daniel Ross, Jim Stratton, Michael A. Ventrella

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—"Outsider" Fiction (72)

  Outsider Art is art created by those with no formal training or those with mental disabilities. Islandia by Austin Tappan Wright, an author who created his world as a hobby and never intended to publish it may be an example in the genre. The novels of Patience Worth are supposed to have been written entirely by Ouija board. Our panelists discuss examples of their own.

Stephanie Burke (mod), Tom Doyle, John Grant, Jim Stratton

Jerome Stueart

• Sat 5:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Science At The Heart of Science Fiction (87)

  How has Hard Science Fiction changed in the last decade? Is Science Fiction still predominantly the literature of scientific ideas?

Bud Sparhawk (mod), Caroline Cox, David Goldberg, Dr. H. Paul Shuch, Jerome Stueart, Laura Burns

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza I (One)—Regional Science Fiction (79)

  Is there a distinctive regional voice based on the area where the author lives? What are the unique characteristics of Southern Science Fiction and New England Science Fiction, for example?

Michael D. Pederson (mod), Jerome Stueart, Bill Spangler

Michael Swanwick

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—A Science Fiction Curriculum For New Comers (75)

  Science Fiction authors list the core books and concepts for an understanding of the Science Fiction genre.

Michael J. Walsh (mod), Walter Hunt, Ted Rickles, Gail Z. Martin, Michael Swanwick

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Zombie Jamboree (100)

  Jane Austen spinning in her grave. The current fascination of all things zombie.

Tony Finan (mod), Michael Swanwick, D.E. Christman, James Chambers, Jonathan Maberry

• Sat 1:00 PM in Executive Suite 623—MIchael Swanwick Reading (264)

Michael Swanwick (mod)

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Insert Tab B Into Slot A (27)

  The treatment of sex in Science Fiction.

Victoria Janssen (mod), Lawrence M. Schoen, Michael Swanwick, Stephanie Burke, Lee Gilliland

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—The Art Of The Collaboration (53)

  What is it like to write with another writer and develop a unique voice which is not that of either partner but something new? Various authors who have collaborated explain how it is done.

Michael Swanwick (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, Mike McPhail, Chris Pisano, Brian Koscienski

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Why Isn't Science Fiction More International? (12)

  We aren't seeing many translations. We aren't seeing many stories from non-English speaking authors. What are we missing?

Michael Swanwick (mod), Darrell Schweitzer, Michael F. Flynn, Phillip Thorne

• Sun 2:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Microfiction: The Next Big Thing? (73)

  A number of magazines have opened dedicated to the art of the quick-fic. Pros and cons of flash fiction (under 1,000 words), nanofiction (under 40 words), and Twitter fiction (under 140 characters).

Nathan Lilly (mod), Michael Swanwick, Ef Deal, Dina Leacock, Jared Axelrod

Phillip Thorne

• Fri 4:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—DIY Low-Tech Animation (223)

  Before there was celluloid acetate, there were thaumatropes and zoetropes. Make your own short (very, very short) films.

Phillip Thorne (mod)

• Sat 12:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—The Current Economic Downturn and What it Means to Science Fiction (5)

  What is the impact of the current recession on publishing and on the subject matter of written science Fiction?

Rebecca Maines (mod), Michael D'Ambrosio, Gary Feldbaum, James Daniel Ross, Phillip Thorne

• Sat 6:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Play: Plastic Brick Adventures (201)

  Tabletop miniature squad combat with LEGO figures and bricks, based on Mike Rayhawk's "QuikWars."

Phillip Thorne (mod)

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Y, Syfy? Y? (214)

  We stood by them when they gave us Mansquito. We kept watching when they added WWE wrestling. And then they said “The name Sci Fi has been associated with geeks and dysfunctional, antisocial boys in their basements…” and changed their name to Syfy. And yet we still return to watch shows like Warehouse 13, Eureka and Sanctuary. Do they know us better than we know ourselves?

Terri Osborne (mod), Richard Stout, Phillip Thorne, Lee Gilliland, James Daniel Ross

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Why Isn't Science Fiction More International? (12)

  We aren't seeing many translations. We aren't seeing many stories from non-English speaking authors. What are we missing?

Michael Swanwick (mod), Darrell Schweitzer, Michael F. Flynn, Phillip Thorne

• Sun 2:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Philly Geek: What's going on in Philly Fandom? (146)

  What sort of things are going on in the the Greater Philadelphia area that fans would be interested in? LOTS! Come hear our panelists talk about the events, groups, cons, and other great genre-related things taking place in the area. And share any events you know about that we miss!

Tony Finan (mod), Kristyn Souder, Phillip Thorne, Matt Black

Emily Tullis

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—This Blood's for You (210)

  Season Two has just ended of True Blood, the HBO adaptation of the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris. For the most part they’ve kept to the main story arcs but they’ve added so much to the show it’s like watching something new! What are some of our favorite moments from the show? Things that we could seriously do without? Do you love the additions, or do they make you wanna do bad things to the screen writers?

Emily Tullis (mod), Jonathan Maberry, Dusti Lewars, Terri Osborne

• Sat 10:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Philcon 101 (220)

  Maybe it is your first Philcon, and your're wondering what there is to do. Or maybe you've been here before , but feel like you're missing something. Stop by and we'll tell you what you need to know.

Hugh Casey (mod), Suzanne Rosin, Emily Tullis

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Digital Art Photography: How is it affecting the illustration market? (120)

  When photography first emerged, the argument was whether or not it was art. All these years later, we get back to the same argument. How is digital photography impacting the art and illustration markets?

Alan Beck (mod), Daniel Grotta, Karl Kofoed, Thomas Nackid, Emily Tullis

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Costuming for Kids (H1) / Toon (G2 H2) (203)

  Assemble a quick and nifty SF/F costume from bits-n-bobs (two hours). Concurrent with "Toon" Game 2 (two hours).

Christopher Gay (mod), Scheherazade Jackson, Samantha Kwait, Vicki Warren, Owen Hutchins, Emily Tullis

• Sun 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Kaaaaaaate! We Have to Go Baaaaaaack! (209)

  This is it. The 6th and final season of LOST is coming. It’s been a wild ride and they really dropped a bombshell last season. How do you think they’ll be able to wrap up all the loose ends of the series without incident? Theories are all we’ve got at this point so lets hear ‘em!

Hildy Silverman (mod), Kimberly Ann Kindya, Andrew C. Murphy, Wayne Zimmerman, Emily Tullis

Michael A. Ventrella

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Best Animated Movie of 2009 (148)

  The year's not over yet, but compare the contenders: stop-motion ("Coraline"), traditional 2D ("Ponyo"), or CGI (most everything else)? Drama, humor, or the SF easter eggs of "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"?

Deb Lieven (mod), Walter Amos, Robert Fenelon, Brian T. Price, Michael A. Ventrella

• Sat 10:00 AM in Grand Ballroom A —Law and The Future: Getting it Right (8)

  What are the most common mistakes made by authors when they write a court scene in Science Fiction?

Nick Wolven (mod), James Daniel Ross, Jim Stratton, Michael A. Ventrella

• Sat 3:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—Social Changes No One Saw Coming (37)

  Why do we seem to be better able to predict changes in our technology than changes in our way of life? Very few Science Fiction authors predicted changes in our society that allowed, for example, an African American to be elected President, legalized gay marriages or changes in gender roles. What future changes are the majority of our authors failing to predict now?

Kimberly Ann Kindya (mod), Walter Hunt, Jon Kilgannon, James L. Cambias, Michael A. Ventrella

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza I (One)—Networking for Novice Authors (47)

  Have you heard that success in writing depends on who you know? Is there an element of truth in that statement? How do you get to know the folks who may be able to help your career?

Ty Drago (mod), Michael D'Ambrosio, J.R. Blackwell, Michael A. Ventrella

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Future Sin (6)

  How does technology change the law? What happens when you want to have sex with a robot? What happens when a robot has an opinion on this? What could be illegal in the future which is merely impossible today?

Stephanie Burke (mod), Ef Deal, Camille Anthony, Gail Z. Martin, Michael A. Ventrella

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—LARPs: Keeping them interesting (231)

  What about a LARP attracts and keeps the interest of its participants

J.R. Blackwell (mod), Heidi Hooper, Joe Foering, Michael A. Ventrella, Jon Kilgannon

Steve Vertlieb

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—The Music of the Fantastic (133)

  When most people think about music and SF, they think of the theme from Star Trek, or Darth Vader's March. But music and SF have been intertwined from the beginning. From Jeff Wynne's "War Of The Worlds" to the steampunk music of Abney Park, find out how these two art forms have related to each other through their histories.

Catherine Asaro (mod), Crystal Paul, Roberta Rogow, Steve Vertlieb, Donald Wolcott

• Sat 12:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—From 2001 To A Galaxy Far, Far Away... (127)

  Between the release of 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968 until Star Wars in 1977, SF and fantasy in the movies and on TV seemed to be in a state of hibernation. Or was it? We'll discuss the films and shows through the early '70's that were successful, not so successful, and eventually influential.

Christopher Stout (mod), Brian Siano, Toni Lay, Steve Vertlieb, Kimberly Ann Kindya

Patricia Wake

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Do Science Fiction and Rock and Roll Explore Similar Themes? (34)

  A lot of rock and roll seems to deal with challenging the norm. A major subtext of science fiction and fantasy is change and rebellion. Do the two genres derive from similar roots?

Catherine Asaro (mod), Donald Wolcott, Michael D'Ambrosio, Nikki Cohen, Patricia Wake

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—Patricia Wake Concert (306)

  A contract by Patricia Wake

Patricia Wake (mod)

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—Science Fiction Writers Writing About Other Art Forms (61)

  There are any number of Science Fiction stories about artists, painters, sculptors, dancers, singers or practitioners of new art forms that the author has invented. Spider & Jeanne Robinson's STARDANCE is about dance, for example. Cite other examples. How does the writer convincingly present other art forms in fiction?

Catherine Asaro (mod), Donald Wolcott, Jonathan Maberry, Tom Purdom, Patricia Wake

Michael J. Walsh

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—A Science Fiction Curriculum For New Comers (75)

  Science Fiction authors list the core books and concepts for an understanding of the Science Fiction genre.

Michael J. Walsh (mod), Walter Hunt, Ted Rickles, Gail Z. Martin, Michael Swanwick

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza VII (Seven)—The Books We Come Back To (84)

  There are some books we read over and over again. What qualities do these books have that make them worth visiting again?

Victoria Janssen (mod), Michael J. Walsh, KT Pinto, Caroline Cox, Lawrence Kramer, Theodore Krulik

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Pulped! (2)

  What do we mean by pulp fiction? Is it a synonym for trash or does it represent a vigorous type of popular fiction that continues to appeal? If someone calls your book ""pulp"", is that an insult or a compliment?

Michael J. Walsh (mod), C.J. Henderson, Jared Axelrod, James Daniel Ross, Eric Avedissian

David Walton

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Why Science Fiction Is Not Finished (52)

  A French critic was recently quoted as saying, ""Science fiction, well, it is finished."" Some say science fiction is purely a Baby Boomer phenomenon now heading demographically toward its sunset. We at Philcon have a different view. This panel aims to list as many reasons as possible why science fiction is not finished.

Alexis Gilliland (mod), Walter Hunt, Darrell Schweitzer, Charles E. Gannon, David Walton

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Science Fiction Abides (80)

  Why are Post-apocalyptic themes in Science Fiction so enduring?

David Walton (mod), Brian Siano, James Daniel Ross, Wayne Zimmerman

Vicki Warren

• Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Hand-Sewing: Old-Fashioned & Authentic (108)

  Not quite a lost art, there are many occasions when nothing but some hand-sewing will do. Our panelists discuss ways, means and tips for making that dreaded chore more fun.

Vicki Warren (mod)

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Costuming for Kids (H1) / Toon (G2 H2) (203)

  Assemble a quick and nifty SF/F costume from bits-n-bobs (two hours). Concurrent with "Toon" Game 2 (two hours).

Christopher Gay (mod), Scheherazade Jackson, Samantha Kwait, Vicki Warren, Owen Hutchins, Emily Tullis

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza VI (Six)—Costuming for Kids (H2) / Origami (S2) (248)

  Joint session: Costuming continued, origami encore.

Christopher Gay (mod), Scheherazade Jackson, Samantha Kwait, Vicki Warren, Mark Leeper

E. F. Watkins

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading (222)

  All the Broad Universe authors in attendance give a short reading, creating a kind of “snack sampler” for the audience.

Christine Norris (mod), Catherine Asaro, Dina Leacock, E. F. Watkins, Gail Z. Martin, Victoria Janssen

• Sat 2:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—200 Years Of Phobias (40)

  Edgar Allen Poe recently celebrated his 200th birthday. Besides Poe, Lovecraft, Kutner and Howard's work are arguably full of them. What is your favorite horror story dealing with a phobia?

Ray Ridenour (mod), E. F. Watkins, Gordon Linzner, Stuart Jaffe

• Sun 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—What Price Immortality? (90)

  How has Science Fiction treated eternal life? As we experience longer life spans, how has our view of extended life spans changed? Why has our literature's view of longevity been so largely pessimistic?

Jeff Lyman (mod), E. F. Watkins, Charles E. Gannon, Christopher Weuve, Theodore Krulik

Diane Weinstein

• Fri 8:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The Lasting Appeal of Dick (Philip K., That Is) (25)

  The predecessors of Philip K. Dick. Dick was not the first author to turn your brain into a pretzel. A discussion of the writers who influenced him.

Diane Weinstein (mod), Nick Wolven, David Louis Edelman, J. Andrew World

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—Was Philip K. Dick right? (33)

  Are we now living in Philip K. Dick's future dystopia?

Diane Weinstein (mod), Mark Wolverton, David Louis Edelman, Bernie Mojzes, James Chambers

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—The Invasion of the Janeites (11)

  Why are so many people in science Fiction and fantasy fascinated by Jane Austen? We don't just mean ""Pride and Prejudice and Zombies"" but that is a good place to start.

Diane Weinstein (mod), Tom Purdom, Oz Drummond, Nick Wolven

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—The Influence of 1950s and 1960s B Movies on Literature (20)

Diane Weinstein (mod), Richard Stout, Jon Kilgannon, Mary Spila

Christopher Weuve

• Fri 6:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Why Call It A "Singularity" If There Are So Many of Them? (142)

  The "Singularity" is a theoretical point in the future where something happens beyond which we cannot imaging what life will be like. Artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, virtual reality, and genetic engineering have all been suggested as possible triggers for this supposed future event. But is the singularity even feasible, and if so, will it be in a form that we can even recognize?

John Ashmead (mod), Tom Doyle, Christopher Weuve

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—Classic Games You Want to Play Again (229)

  What games shaped your interest in gaming? If you could find them in a closet or at a flea market, what games would you want to teach your friends?

Christopher Weuve (mod), James L. Cambias, John Drew, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge

• Sun 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—What Price Immortality? (90)

  How has Science Fiction treated eternal life? As we experience longer life spans, how has our view of extended life spans changed? Why has our literature's view of longevity been so largely pessimistic?

Jeff Lyman (mod), E. F. Watkins, Charles E. Gannon, Christopher Weuve, Theodore Krulik

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Beyond The Nation State (67)

  We have a bad habit in science fiction of assuming that our basic social patterns will last forever. There was a time -- many times, in many eras of the past -- when the nation state as we know it simply did not exist. In feudal times, loyalties were to persons. The ancient empires were often completely ""international"" and inter-tribal, but they could be ordained and run by a priest-king who was regarded as a living god. These ideas have passed away. How will societies be organized when the ""nation"" is as obsolete as a Egyptian pharaoh?

Tom Purdom (mod), Jeff Lyman, Michael F. Flynn, Cory Doctorow, Christopher Weuve

Drew White

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Monsters in (or Out) the Closet (93)

  Homosexuality in horror. Whose writing it? What are the best examples?

Drew White (mod), Gail Z. Martin, Nick Wolven, Alexis Gilliland

Jay Wile

• Fri 7:00 PM in Executive Suite 823—MMO Nation (136)

  Massive Multi-player Online games are one of the largest entertainment industries today. Games like World of Warcraft, Star Wars Galaxies, and City of Heroes have changed the way we look at gaming. What will we be seeing next?

Robert Hranek (mod), Jay Wile, Kristyn Souder

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—MMO 201 – World of Warcraft, The Gold Standard of Fantasy MMORPGs (189)

  Dominating over half of a multi-billion dollar market with its 11.5 million players, Blizzard’s World of Warcraft had to have its own panel. Details on all aspects of WoW are up for grabs: choosing a race, class, and profession; leveling your character; choosing a guild; performing quests; auctioning items; PvE vs PvP; performing raids; and managing your RL (Real Life!) time.

Robert Hranek (mod), Phil Kahn, David Moore, Jay Wile

• Sat 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Biological Computers (184)

  As silicon chips come closer to their limits of speed and miniaturization, new computing technologies being researched. Biological computers are one possibility. Simple computes using DNA, enzymes and living neurons (taken from leeches) have all been built. What is the potential for biological computing, and where might it take us?

JJ Brannon (mod), John Ashmead, Jay Wile, Robert Kauffmann

• Sat 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Stem Cells: Research and Progress (171)

  There has been much progress in stem cell research in recent years, with new discoveries coming regularly. In January 2009, Geron received FDA clearance to begin the first human clinical trial using human embryonic stem cells. What is happening today and what still remains to be done before the promise of stem cell therapy becomes reality?

Jed Shumsky (mod), JJ Brannon, John Cmar, Jay Wile

• Sat 2:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A —Computer Gaming Meets Science Fiction (57)

  There was a time, not all that long ago, when the very subject of complicated games (role-playing or otherwise) played on a computer WAS science fiction. What has been the effect of computer games on written Science Fiction? Has there been some genuine and fruitful cross-fertilization going on here?

Brian Siano (mod), James Daniel Ross, Jay Wile, Charles E. Gannon, Orenthal Hawkins

• Sun 12:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Towards a Theory of Quantum Gravity (170)

  Modern physics has two fundamental models of reality - Quantum mechanics and general relativity. The first describes the world of fundamental particles, the second explains gravity in terms of warped space time. A theory of quantum gravity would unite these two models and finally bring gravity into the unified field theory, along with the other three fundamental forces. The current leading contender is string theory, but there are others, such as loop quantum gravity, supergravity and nonoummutative geometry. Which, if any, of these theories will prove to be the answer?

Catherine Asaro (mod), John Ashmead, Jay Wile, Karl Kofoed

Alyce Wilson

• Fri 7:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Can You Repeat That Mr. President? My Twitter Feed Was Down. (219)

  We're living the future. Information distribution is instantaneous, and so are everyone's opinions. Panelists discuss how new ways of distributing information are changing the face of journalism.

Laura Anne Gilman (mod), John Drew, Alyce Wilson

• Sat 11:00 AM in Grand Ballroom A —VS. (126)

  The audience comes up with the combatants, and the panelists figure out who would win. Forget Alien vs. Predator... how about Bugs Bunny vs. Doctor Doom!

Tony Finan (mod), Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Alyce Wilson, Frank Wu, Andrew C. Ely

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Poe's Poetry (86)

  Even people who say that they hate poetry love his work. What are your favorite Poe poems in the fantasy and horror genres?

Richard Stout (mod), Alyce Wilson, Stephanie Burke, John Drew

• Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Eat Right, Exercise, Die Anyway... Healthy Living For Fans (147)

  In general, fans tend to be a rather... sedentary... group. What simple things can we do to improve our health and life a better life?

James Prego (mod), Alyce Wilson, Jared Axelrod

• Sun 2:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—What My Cat Had For Breakfast. (218)

  Just because everyone can have a blog does that mean everyone should? Panelists discuss what kind of personal responsibility comes with putting your thoughts out there for the world to read.

Orenthal Hawkins (mod), Kyle Cassidy, Alyce Wilson, Terri Osborne, KT Pinto

Donald Wolcott

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—The Music of the Fantastic (133)

  When most people think about music and SF, they think of the theme from Star Trek, or Darth Vader's March. But music and SF have been intertwined from the beginning. From Jeff Wynne's "War Of The Worlds" to the steampunk music of Abney Park, find out how these two art forms have related to each other through their histories.

Catherine Asaro (mod), Crystal Paul, Roberta Rogow, Steve Vertlieb, Donald Wolcott

• Sat 1:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Do Science Fiction and Rock and Roll Explore Similar Themes? (34)

  A lot of rock and roll seems to deal with challenging the norm. A major subtext of science fiction and fantasy is change and rebellion. Do the two genres derive from similar roots?

Catherine Asaro (mod), Donald Wolcott, Michael D'Ambrosio, Nikki Cohen, Patricia Wake

• Sat 4:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A —Interview of Principal Speaker Catherine Asaro and of Donald Wolcott (277)

  Interview of our Principal Speaker Catherine Asaro and of musician Donald Wolcott

Catherine Asaro (mod), Donald Wolcott

• Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—Science Fiction Writers Writing About Other Art Forms (61)

  There are any number of Science Fiction stories about artists, painters, sculptors, dancers, singers or practitioners of new art forms that the author has invented. Spider & Jeanne Robinson's STARDANCE is about dance, for example. Cite other examples. How does the writer convincingly present other art forms in fiction?

Catherine Asaro (mod), Donald Wolcott, Jonathan Maberry, Tom Purdom, Patricia Wake

Nick Wolven

• Fri 8:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The Lasting Appeal of Dick (Philip K., That Is) (25)

  The predecessors of Philip K. Dick. Dick was not the first author to turn your brain into a pretzel. A discussion of the writers who influenced him.

Diane Weinstein (mod), Nick Wolven, David Louis Edelman, J. Andrew World

• Fri 9:00 PM in Executive Suite 623—Nick Wolven Reading (275)

Nick Wolven (mod)

• Sat 10:00 AM in Grand Ballroom A —Law and The Future: Getting it Right (8)

  What are the most common mistakes made by authors when they write a court scene in Science Fiction?

Nick Wolven (mod), James Daniel Ross, Jim Stratton, Michael A. Ventrella

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—J. R. R. Tolkien: The Saga Goes Ever On and On (7)

  Are pastiches by other hands inevitable?

Marilyn Brahen (mod), Daniel Grotta, Gail Z. Martin, Nick Wolven, Walter Hunt

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Monsters in (or Out) the Closet (93)

  Homosexuality in horror. Whose writing it? What are the best examples?

Drew White (mod), Gail Z. Martin, Nick Wolven, Alexis Gilliland

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—The Invasion of the Janeites (11)

  Why are so many people in science Fiction and fantasy fascinated by Jane Austen? We don't just mean ""Pride and Prejudice and Zombies"" but that is a good place to start.

Diane Weinstein (mod), Tom Purdom, Oz Drummond, Nick Wolven

Mark Wolverton

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—Was Philip K. Dick right? (33)

  Are we now living in Philip K. Dick's future dystopia?

Diane Weinstein (mod), Mark Wolverton, David Louis Edelman, Bernie Mojzes, James Chambers

• Sat 3:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Space Inc.: Is Private Enterprise the Future of Space Development? (183)

  With NASA struggling with budget restrictions, and other governments around the world facing economic crises, the private sector may now be poised to become the main route to space. What is happening in private space development? What's planned? What's likely and what's not? And is this a good or bad thing for the future of space exploration and development?

Laura Burns (mod), Mark Wolverton, Frank O'Brien, Dr. H. Paul Shuch, Karl Kofoed, Earl Bennett

J. Andrew World

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—What Makes a Webcomic Last? (238)

  Why do some webcomics last and last? How do the creators of webcomics keep them fresh.

Rob Balder (mod), Tony DiGerolamo, Jon Kilgannon, Ruth Lampi, J. Andrew World, Phil Kahn

• Fri 8:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The Lasting Appeal of Dick (Philip K., That Is) (25)

  The predecessors of Philip K. Dick. Dick was not the first author to turn your brain into a pretzel. A discussion of the writers who influenced him.

Diane Weinstein (mod), Nick Wolven, David Louis Edelman, J. Andrew World

• Sat 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—The Age of Anonymous (215)

  The internet is a force to be reckoned with. Trolling message boards and hacking e-mail accounts are child’s play. The internet is organized. DDoS Attacks, MySpace Hacking, forum raids. Last year there was a global IRL Scientology protest organized by anonymous strangers. Sometimes they claim to do what they do for a cause like freedom of speech, other times it’s “just for the lulz”. The panelists discuss: internet superheroes, or hackers on steroids? What effects do groups like this have on the existing culture of the internet?

Cory Doctorow (mod), J. Andrew World, Gary Feldbaum, Dusti Lewars, Phil Kahn, Eric Raymond

• Sat 12:00 PM in Art Show (Grand Ballroom B)—Art Demo: J. Andrew World (257)

  The artist demonstrates his techniques.

J. Andrew World (mod)

• Sat 5:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—How Great Is BBC America For Fandom? (196)

  If only the Sci-Fi, sorry Sy Fy Channel, could be half as good. With great shows like "Dr. Who," ""Torchwood," and now "Being Human" even with limited SF choices, is BBC America the next big place fandom will get its fix? What are they doing with their programming that we are not getting in this country? Is their programming too adult, too intense for the American market? What other tv shows and movies are coming out of the UK that perhaps are little known in the USA but could use a plug from the members of the audience.

Terri Osborne (mod), Nikki Cohen, Michael D. Pederson, Kathy Sands, J. Andrew World

• Sun 12:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Hollywood Goes Green! Wait, They’re Remaking What?! (208)

  Yeah we all know that asteroid was a potato, that doesn’t mean they need to re-shoot the entire movie 30 years later! Hollywood is on an updating rampage, everything from “The Prisoner” to “The Smurfs” is scheduled for 21st century makeover. My childhood is rolling in it’s grave. And that not even mentioning everything they’ve already gotten their “artistic license” on! Panelist will discuss the influence the modern world has on the various TV shows and movies we have grown up with and whether the "modernization" was for the better. Do the remakes make the grade?

Richard Stout (mod), Christopher Stout, Tony Finan, Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, J. Andrew World

• Sun 2:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Marvel/Disney: What Does It Mean For Comics? (135)

  In September, The Walt Disney Company bought Marvel Comics for $4 billion. How will this affect the landscape of comics, and what will this mean for some of our favorite Marvel characters? Will the Mouse make Wolverine sheath his claws? Or will the House of Mouse leave the House of M to do what they've always done?

Andrew C. Murphy (mod), J. Andrew World, Tony DiGerolamo, James Chambers, Jonathan Maberry, Brianna Spacekat Wu

Jonathan Wright

• Fri 9:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Hot Alien Sex (81)

  How do aliens do it? Use imagination.

Phil Kahn (mod), Muriel Hykes, James Daniel Ross, Oz Drummond, Camille Anthony, Jonathan Wright

Brianna Spacekat Wu

• Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—MMO 101 – WoW, EVE, Everquest, and Beyond! (188)

  From Quests for meaning in World of Warcraft to helping shape the universe of EVEonline, how to get the most out of your Massively Multiplayer Online experience. Whether your interest is as a player, parent, or concerned significant other, this panel will introduce you to MMOs, why we love them so much, and the perils of becoming an MMO addict.

Robert Hranek (mod), David Moore, Michael Ryan, Tim Souder, Brianna Spacekat Wu

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza III (Three)—The Value of Art: Traditional vs. Digital Media (119)

  How does an artist set prices for their art? Should a one of a kind oil painting cost more than a digital piece that took the same amount of time to make? Do buyers understand the value of art?

Ray Ridenour (mod), Kyle Cassidy, Luke Stelmaszek, Alan Beck, Thomas Nackid, Brianna Spacekat Wu

• Sun 2:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Marvel/Disney: What Does It Mean For Comics? (135)

  In September, The Walt Disney Company bought Marvel Comics for $4 billion. How will this affect the landscape of comics, and what will this mean for some of our favorite Marvel characters? Will the Mouse make Wolverine sheath his claws? Or will the House of Mouse leave the House of M to do what they've always done?

Andrew C. Murphy (mod), J. Andrew World, Tony DiGerolamo, James Chambers, Jonathan Maberry, Brianna Spacekat Wu

Frank Wu

• Sat 11:00 AM in Grand Ballroom A —VS. (126)

  The audience comes up with the combatants, and the panelists figure out who would win. Forget Alien vs. Predator... how about Bugs Bunny vs. Doctor Doom!

Tony Finan (mod), Genevieve Iseult Eldredge, Alyce Wilson, Frank Wu, Andrew C. Ely

• Sat 3:00 PM in Grand Ballroom A —Guest Artist Frank Wu Presentation (278)

  Presentation by Frank Wu of his art

Frank Wu (mod)

• Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza V (Five)—Plausible Alien Life Forms in Hard SF (29)

  Which authors have presented aliens in the most believable way? For example, Hal Clement in ""Mission of Gravity"".

Bud Sparhawk (mod), James L. Cambias, Eric Kotani, Frank Wu, Jed Shumsky

• Sun 1:00 PM in Art Show (Grand Ballroom B)—Art Auction/Taff Auction (298)

  First, we sell items in the art show with the most bids. Then Artist Guest Frank Wu sells items to support the Trans Atlantic Fan Fund

Frank Wu (mod)

Gail Z. Martin

• Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—A Science Fiction Curriculum For New Comers (75)

  Science Fiction authors list the core books and concepts for an understanding of the Science Fiction genre.

Michael J. Walsh (mod), Walter Hunt, Ted Rickles, Gail Z. Martin, Michael Swanwick

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Apocalypse Pretty Soon? (134)

  Mega-Tsunamis smashing into the East Coast of the US. Supervolcanos under Yellowstone. And there's always that asteroid with our name on it. What kind of massive disasters can we expect, either in the near or far future, and what can we do about them?

David Silverman (mod), JJ Brannon, Michael D. Pederson, Gail Z. Martin

• Fri 9:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two—From Gothic Fiction to Paranormal Romance (35)

  What are the historical antecedents to today's paranormal romance sub-genre? Is there a link between gothic fiction and paranormal romance?

Stephanie Burke (mod), L.A. Banks, Gail Z. Martin, J.R. Blackwell, Nikki Cohen

• Sat 10:00 AM in Plaza IV (Four)—The New Feudalism (43)

  Why does there seem to be very little Science Fiction about labor unions in the future? Is this a good or bad thing? What will industry look like in the future?

Tom Doyle (mod), Gail Z. Martin, Stuart Jaffe

• Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza II (Two)—Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading (222)

  All the Broad Universe authors in attendance give a short reading, creating a kind of “snack sampler” for the audience.

Christine Norris (mod), Catherine Asaro, Dina Leacock, E. F. Watkins, Gail Z. Martin, Victoria Janssen

• Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—J. R. R. Tolkien: The Saga Goes Ever On and On (7)

  Are pastiches by other hands inevitable?

Marilyn Brahen (mod), Daniel Grotta, Gail Z. Martin, Nick Wolven, Walter Hunt

• Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—Monsters in (or Out) the Closet (93)

  Homosexuality in horror. Whose writing it? What are the best examples?

Drew White (mod), Gail Z. Martin, Nick Wolven, Alexis Gilliland

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza II (Two)—Future Sin (6)

  How does technology change the law? What happens when you want to have sex with a robot? What happens when a robot has an opinion on this? What could be illegal in the future which is merely impossible today?

Stephanie Burke (mod), Ef Deal, Camille Anthony, Gail Z. Martin, Michael A. Ventrella

• Sun 10:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two—Recommended Reading (23)

  SF and Fantasy you may not

Mary Spila (mod), Byron Connell, Walter Hunt, Gail Z. Martin

Wayne Zimmerman

• Fri 8:00 PM in Plaza IV (Four)—You Never Forget Your First Doctor... (138)

  The mantle of Dr. Who is soon going to fall on a new actor... the ELEVENTH to play the good Doctor. What are some of the great Dr. Who moments? How does new Who compare to the Old School? And where should it go from here?

Tina Blanco-Finan (mod), Patricia M. Cryan, Wayne Zimmerman, Nikki Cohen, Terri Osborne

• Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza III (Three)—Science Fiction Abides (80)

  Why are Post-apocalyptic themes in Science Fiction so enduring?

David Walton (mod), Brian Siano, James Daniel Ross, Wayne Zimmerman

• Sun 1:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three—Kaaaaaaate! We Have to Go Baaaaaaack! (209)

  This is it. The 6th and final season of LOST is coming. It’s been a wild ride and they really dropped a bombshell last season. How do you think they’ll be able to wrap up all the loose ends of the series without incident? Theories are all we’ve got at this point so lets hear ‘em!

Hildy Silverman (mod), Kimberly Ann Kindya, Andrew C. Murphy, Wayne Zimmerman, Emily Tullis