Illogicon 2017: What I'll be up to this weekend

Just a few more days until Illogicon 2017! For those not in the know, Illogicon is a small convention dedicated to Science Fiction in all media, featuring panels, contests, gaming, and booths selling excellent things. And it's in Cary, NC, which is practically my backyard.

This is my third time attending as a literary guest, and I always have an excellent time. If you're in the area, consider coming by. It's not that expensive ($20-$45 depending on how much of the weekend you're coming for) and the atmosphere is friendly and not as overwhelming as larger cons can be. To me, there's nothing better than a weekend spent steeped in geekery, talking about our passions.



Here's a preview of what I'll be up to, but you can view the entire schedule here.

Friday 4 p.m.

Putting the “Social” in Social Media – Reynolds
Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat: how to promote yourself and engage with fans, make new friends, and build a network. For fans, what do you like to hear and see from people you follow? Let’s help each other connect!  Panelists: Gail Z. Martin, Samantha Bryant, Ian J. Malone, Way Stark, Christopher Moore

Friday 5 p.m.
Intro to Writing the “Other” – Cameron
It can be a tricky to write someone whose experience is wildly different than your own. This is an overview of how to tread sensitive topics with respect and seek advice about avoiding harmful stereotypes, and–more importantly–what to do when you fail. Panelists: Gail Z. Martin, Samantha Bryant, Suzanne Adair, Ada Milenkovic Brown, Randy Richards

Saturday 12 p.m.

Broad Universe Rapid-Fire Reading – Reynolds
Authors of the Broad Universe organization fire off snippets of their work to tease and delight!
Host: Ada Milenkovic Brown

NOTE: An RFR is a GREAT way to get to hear a little from several writers. Generally, there are 6-10 writers participating, and each reads a snippet from one of their works. It's like a sample platter of things to read. This is generally my favorite panel at a con, just to hear what my writer friends have been up to. 

Also, Broad Universe is an excellent organization to look into if you yourself write speculative fiction.

Saturday 5 p.m.
Hold on to the Light – Smith
A discussion of depression, anxiety, and the creative process Panelists: Gail Z. Martin, Tera Fulbright, Samantha Bryant, Nicole Givens Kurtz, Natania Barron, Darin Kennedy

Sunday 11 a.m.
Writing for Anthologies – Smith
Anthologies have long been a mainstay in publishing, especially for genre authors. How do you get in on the action? Panelists: Tera Fulbright, Gail Z. Martin, Samantha Bryant, Ada Milenkovic Brown, Nicole Givens Kurtz

Sunday 12 p.m.
Time Management – Smith
Calling all writers, artists, makers, dancers, film makers, and more! Our panel discusses time management for developing your work, meeting deadlines, and dealing with others who may have different priorities. Panelists: Fraser Sherman, Samantha Bryant, Tera Fulbright, Ian J. Malone, James Maxey

Sunday 1 p.m.

What Should We Be Reading? – Reynolds
Panelists share relatively new or overlooked works they think we should be reading and why. After that, we’ll open up the floor to hear what the audience thinks! Notecards, pens, or smartphones encouraged to take notes! Panelists: Michael Williams, Samantha Bryant, Nicole Givens Kurtz, Natania Barron, Daniel José Older

If this sounds good to you, and you're not local, look around in your area. Small cons like this one are cropping up all over the country. You just might have a wonderful pocket of geekery in your backyard, too.