Posts Tagged ‘Shore Leave’

My Shore Leave 2022 Schedule

Howdy, folks. If you’ll be attending this weekend’s Shore Leave Convention in Hunt Valley, Md., here is a quick summary of where and when to see me on panels, get me to autograph stuff, etc. As usual, when in doubt as to my whereabouts, check the hotel bar.

FRIDAY, JULY 15

4PM–5PM, Salon F — “The Latest and Greatest New Books”
I and several other author guests will discuss what we’re currently working on, what we have coming out in the months ahead, and more. (David Mack, Richard C. White, Russ Colchamiro, Sherri Cook Woosley, Danielle ACkley-McPhail, Heather E. Hutsell, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Christopher L. Bennett, Christopher D. Abbott)

7PM–8PM, Salon A – “Small Screen Dominance”
A discussion of how the new emphasis on long-form storytelling in serialized, streaming television compares to the storytelling styles of feature films, especially with regard to Star Trek and Star Wars. (Dayton Ward, David Mack, Laura Ware, Robert Greenberger)

10PM–Midnight, Hunt-Valley Corridor – “Meet the Pros”
Come meet the author guests of Shore Leave, buy their books, chat about whatever, and get autographs.

SATURDAY, JULY 16

1PM–2PM, Salon F – “Always Submit Your Best Work”
Let the pros of prose tell you why a doing polishing draft on your manuscript before submission to an agent or editor is in your best interest. (David Mack, Joshua Palmatier, Danielle Ackley McPhail, Phil Giunta, Ian Randal Strock, Christopher D. Ochs)

2PM–3PM, Derby Room – “Truly Alien Beings”
A look at good (and not-so-good) depictions of the truly amazing possible varieties of alien life in science fiction. (Rigel Ailur, Christopher L. Bennett, David Mack, Laura Ware)

3PM–4PM, Salon E – “What’s Coming in Star Trek Fiction”
Our panel will tell you whatever they can about what’s coming in long- and short-form fiction from Star Trek through the end of 2022 and into 2023, and then will open the floor to questions about the last few years’ worth of Star Trek books. (David Mack, Kevin Dilmore, Christopher L. Bennett, Greg Cox, Scott Pearson)

SUNDAY, JULY 17

10AM–11AM, Belmont Room – “Writerly Accessories”
Come see me try to speak at this ungodly hour of the morning. We’ll be discussing which things no writer should have to do without — such as strong coffee at 10AM panels. (Keith R.A. DeCandido, Greg Cox, Scott Pearson, David Mack, Christopher D. Ochs)

12PM–1PM, Salon A – “It’s All Been Done Before”
There are only so many truly unique plot ideas in the world of storytelling, and they’ve all been done. So if the story you’re telling has already been done (and it has), how do you make it worth telling (again)? (Andrew Hiller, David Mack, Rigel Ailur, Derek Attico)

 

My Shore Leave 2021 schedule

Where to see me this weekend during the Shore Leave 41.6 virtual convention!

SATURDAY

11AM ET — “The New Age of Star Trek”
I’ll be talking about Discovery, Picard, Short Treks, Lower Decks, and Prodigy alongside Dayton Ward, Keith DeCandido, Kelli Fitzpatrick, Derek Tyler Attico, and Kirsten Beyer.

5PM ET — “Star Trek: The Motion Picture … 40+ Years Later”
Does the first Star Trek feature film still hold up? Did it ever? I’ll debate this with Howard Weinstein, Dayton Ward, Derek Tyler Attico, Alan Chafin, and Kevin Dilmore.

SUNDAY

3PM ET — “What’s New in Star Trek Literature”
Come, see your favorite Treklit authors tell you what new works they have coming out in the next several months. This spoiler-ific panel will feature me, Scott Pearson (moderator), John Jackson Miller, Christopher Bennett, Kirsten Beyer, James Swallow, and maybe a late cameo appearance by Dayton Ward himself!
— NOTE: This panel was originally listed at 10AM; it has been moved to 3PM ET.

 

The full Shore Leave 41.6 schedule is here: https://www.shore-leave.com/schedule/

My Shore Leave 2019 Schedule

It will soon be that time of year again (Friday, July 12, through Sunday, July 14), when I and many other Star Trek literary scribblers converge upon the  Hunt Valley Inn (known these days as the Delta Hotels Baltimore Hunt Valley) in Hunt Valley, Md., for the fan-run con known as Shore Leave.

If you’re looking for me at the con, the best place to start is usually the hotel bar. If you’d like to get my autograph or hear me yak on some panels, here is my schedule for the show. Consider yourselves warned.

Friday, July 12

What’s New in Star Trek Fiction
6PM, Salons E & F
John Jackson Miller (m), Dayton Ward, David Mack, Scott Pearson

Meet the Pros
10pm–Midnight, Hunt Valley Corridor
Come buy books, get autographs, hang out and chat, or buy me a drink.

 

Saturday, July 13

Writing Historical Fiction, Real & Fantasy
11AM–1PM, McCormick
Howard Weinstein (m), David Mack, Kim Headlee, Roberta Rogow, Richard White

Elevator Pitches
2PM, Derby
Joshua Palmatier, David Mack, Kim Headlee, Peter David

Selling Your Soul
4PM, Derby
Aaron Rosenberg, David Mack, Heather E. Hutsell, Glenn Hauman, T.J. Perkins

 

Sunday, July 14

Return of the Serials
11AM, Salon A
David Mack (m), Jim Johnson, Glenn Hauman, Richard White, Peter David

Meet the Tricksters
Noon, Derby
David Mack, Jenifer Rosenberg, Christopher L. Bennett, T.J. Perkins

 

#SFWApro

My schedule for Shore Leave 2018

It’s that time of year again, when Star Trek writers from all over converge upon a sprawling hotel in a suburb of Baltimore and make it their own for a convention weekend known as Shore Leave.

This is my 15th time as an author guest at Shore Leave, and I’m looking forward to spending time with friends old and new in between panels and autographing sessions.

Note that the convention’s programming team, in its inscrutable wisdom, somehow neglected to schedule me for any panels or activities on Saturday, so I plan on just crashing a number of panels even though I’m not listed on any of them.

If you’re going to be at Shore Leave this weekend, here is where to find me.

Friday – July 6

End at the Beginning
5pm-6pm, Salon F
Non-linear narratives and how to use them.

Glenn Hauman’s Wake
9pm–10pm, Hunt-Valley Ballroom
A mock wake for Glenn Hauman to celebrate the launch of the new Crazy 8 anthology They Keep Killing Glenn (which, as it happens, contains my original short story “The Look on Your Face“).

Meet the Pros
10pm–Midnight, Hunt-Valley Corridor
Come meet me and the other author guests. Chat with us, buy us drinks, buy our books, get autographs, get abused. Whatever gets us paid.

Saturday – July 7

As noted above, I have no officially scheduled items this day. Here are some panels I might crash.

What Is Star Trek?
9am–10am, Belmont Room
Originally, I was scheduled on this panel. I asked if it could be moved later than 9am, and for asking the question I was kicked off the panel. Just to spite them, I might drag my ass out of bed and show up to this anyway.

When Does It Count as Representation?
10am–11am, Salon E

Dramatic Readings
4pm–5pm, Salon A

Continuity vs. Canon
5pm–6pm, Chase Room

Sunday – July 8

All Fiction Is Political
11am–Noon, Chase Room
How do our politics and/or ideology affect what we choose to write and/or read?

Ordinary Heroes
Noon–1pm, Salon A
How do “common-folk” heroes differ from their larger-than-life counterparts?

Why the NSA Hates Us
Noon–1pm, Chase Room
Authors’ search histories must give the national-security community nightmares.

[A sharp-eyed reader might have noticed that I’m double-booked on Sunday from Noon to 1pm. Place your bets now on which Noon panel I will choose to attend.]

See y’all at the con!

Shore Leave 39: My Schedule at the Convention

It’s that magical time of year again, Trek fans — time for my favorite yearly event, the Shore Leave Convention in lovely Hunt Valley, Md.!

Once again, for reasons surpassing understanding, the fine folks at Shore Leave have deigned to invite me as an author guest and put me on programming for their attendees’ collective amusement and edification.

Whether you’re a fan or a cyberstalker looking to make that transition into meatspace harassment, here’s everything you’ll need to find me at this weekend’s Shore Leave!

Friday, July 7

10pm–Midnight
Meet the Pros — Hunt Valley Corridor
Come down to the lower level of the Hunt Valley Inn, buy some books, and spend a couple of hours chatting with authors and having them autograph books for you.

Saturday, July 8

Noon–1pm
“Does Fiction Go Too Easy on Evil?” — Chase Room
In reality, evil is often boring, ugly, and stupid. But compelling villains in fiction are often stylish, intelligent, and competent. Is fiction doing society a disservice by giving evil a good name?
— David Mack (M), Jenifer Rosenberg, Mary Fan, Richard C. White, Glenn Hauman

2pm–3pm
“The Art of Secondary Characters” — Chase Room
Supporting characters can fade into the background or steal a story. Our authors discuss how to know which is appropriate, and the craft to making such players come alive when the story needs them.
— David Mack (M), Heather E. Hutsell, Richard C. White, Dave Galanter

5pm–6pm
Upcoming Star Trek Books — Belmont Room
A preview of forthcoming Star Trek novels from Simon & Schuster, with some of their authors as well as other Trek-related titles due out this fall and into 2018.
— Scott Pearson (M), David Mack, Christopher L. Bennett, Dayton Ward

Sunday, July 9

10am–11am
“Friendship Is Magic” — Chase Room
In SF/F, heroes have friends and companions; villains have only minions. Our authors examine how cultural narratives about heroism, sex, gender, class, and community influence how we depict being alone and being connected.
— David Mack (M), Mary Fan, Michael Critzer, Amy Imhoff, TJ Perkins

11am–Noon
“Where No Tale Has Gone Before” — Chase Room
After more than 50 years, how can there still be fresh stories to tell in Star Trek’s shared universe? Our panel of Trekspert storytellers discuss what they think makes for solid new Star Trek tales.
— David Mack (M), Dayton Ward, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Christopher L. Bennett, Scott Pearson

And that’s the sum of my programming activity for the weekend. If you’re trying to catch up with me on Sunday, make sure to come to my panels, because as soon as they’re over, I’ll be looking to get on the road and head for home.

See you at the con, folks!

Shore Leave 38 Schedule

Legacies_BestDefense_FullFor those of you attending the Shore Leave Convention this weekend in Hunt Valley, Md., here is a quick run-down of where and when to catch up with me at the show.

UPDATE: The “Upcoming Star Trek Books” panel has been rescheduled for Saturday at 5PM.

UPDATE 2: Room assignments have changed all around, and I’ve got one more panel on Sunday.

UPDATE 3: This one is big news! A limited number of copies of my new Star Trek 50th Anniversary novel Legacies, Book 2: Best Defense will be available at Shore Leave this weekend, ahead of the official July 26 publication date!

shoreleave-banner

Friday — July 15, 2016

“Where Do Writers Start?”
7PM–8PM, Derby Room

You’re finally ready to start writing. You sit down at your computer, open a blank document—and freeze. You have absolutely no idea what to do next. We’re here to help! We’ll offer tips on how to start your story and how to prepare before you even type the first word.

Panelists: Howard Weinstein (M), David Mack, Stephen Kozeniewski, Aaron Rosenberg, Jeff Lang, John Coffren, Melissa Scott

Meet the Pros
10PM–Midnight, Hunt Valley Corridor

Come down to the lower level of the hotel, buy books from retailer Novel Spaces, then get them autographed. I’ll be there to sign books, chat, and chew bubble gum, and I expect to be all out of bubble gum.

Saturday – July 16, 2016

“Crossing Genres”
4PM–5PM, Belmont Room

Are you a sci-fi writer aiming to cross into fantasy? An adult fiction writer hoping to cross into YA or children’s lit? Are you looking to write a noir/sci-fi mash-up? We’ll discuss genre switch-ups, whether you’re aiming to try something new or writing a story that doesn’t fit into a traditional category.

Panelists: Glenn Hauman (M), Roberta Rogow, David Harten Watson, Greg Cox, David Mack, Peter David, Melissa Scott

“Upcoming Star Trek Books”
5PM–6PM, Salon A

There are a lot of novels and other Star Trek books coming out for the original series’ 50th anniversary and in 2017. Our author guests give you a look at what’s coming down the pike.

Panelists: Greg Cox (M), Dayton Ward, David Mack, Christopher L. Bennett, Scott Pearson

Sunday – July 17, 2016

“The Dos and Don’ts of Research”
11AM–Noon, Salon E

Learn how to conduct effective research for fiction projects, how to organize your information, and how to know when to stop researching and start writing.

Panelists: Howard Weinstein (M), David Mack, Roberta Rogow, Jenifer Rosenberg, Jeff Lang, T.A. Chafin, Melissa Scott

“Collaboration: Writing as a Team Project”
1PM–2PM, Salon E

Our panel of professional authors discuss the rewards, drawbacks, methods, and challenges of writing in collaboration on projects large and small.

Panelists: Greg Cox (M), Dayton Ward, David Mack, Paula M. Block, Terry J. Erdmann, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, T.A. Chafin

A breath between conventions…

I’ve been a guest of three weekend conventions in the last four weeks, and I’m exhausted.

No doubt, the veteran road warriors of the convention circuit scoff at me for that opening declaration. But you need to understand, this isn’t my usual gig.

I haven’t attended many conventions per year during my two decades as a professional writer, but this year and next year are seeing an uptick in my planned appearances. In the last month, I’ve been a guest at Shore Leave in Baltimore, Md.; LI-Con 2 in Ronkonkoma, NY; and, this past weekend, Dragon Con in Atlanta.

And fool that I am, I traveled to all three by car.

That was no great hardship for the first two shows. Shore Leave is about four or five hours’ drive from home for me. LI-Con is even closer, just over an hour’s drive outside New York City.

But the road trip that Glenn Hauman and I just made to Atlanta (for which he did nearly all the driving, because the man is a demigod) … that was an adventure.

We had to haul nearly sixteen hours each way, starting each day at oh-dark-hundred, then driving through the daylight hours and back into the night.

Fortunately, we had glorious hospitality awaiting us in Georgia, at the home of my dear friends Jon and Jen. They generously hosted Glenn and me in their guest room, treated us to a steady flow of Old Fashioned cocktails and good wine, and made the Labor Day long weekend a joy.

This was my first trip to Dragon Con, and I had a fantastic time. All of my panels were quite well attended, and though I feared no one would come to my Sunday morning signing or even notice me at the show, I was kept busy during my signing, and I sold more books on one Sunday at Dragon Con than I have ever sold at any other show. Don’t tell me there are no readers at Dragon Con — if I can move books at this con, anyone can.

varsity_wreckageI also got to spend some time in lovely Decatur, Ga., and I had the joy of dining at such venerable Atlanta institutions as The Varsity — a retro-style drive-in near the Georgia Tech campus — and Fat Matt’s, home of the finest barbecue ribs I’ve ever eaten. And, as one might imagine, the road trips down and back were punctuated by visits to Waffle House.

The atmosphere of Dragon Con is intoxicating; Glenn described it as “the Mardi Gras of genre events,” and I think that’s an apt description. The cosplayers were impressive, and the sheer scope of the con was daunting, but also exciting. I hope I am able to return as a literary guest next year, and for years to come after that.

But next time, I’ll be traveling to Atlanta by plane.

Next on my convention schedule: New York Comic Con (no panels for me there, but I’m hoping to do some signings for Star Trek: Seekers #3 – Long Shot and 24: Rogue), October 8–11, 2015, in New York’s Javits Center; and then World Fantasy Convention, November 5–8, 2015, in Saratoga Springs, NY. Watch my website’s Events page for more details!