This year I’m cutting this post a little close, seeing as how I’m leaving for Boston tomorrow morning. But let’s just chalk it up to a continuation of my usual problem, namely having more tasks to carry out than energy with which to do so.
Anyway. Below the cut, I’ve posted my schedule for Boskone 49, along with the panel descriptions. I always look forward to my yearly trip to Boston. It’s a great convention. And I’m a little more excited about attending conventions this year because I finally have a new book coming out. Hooray!
I’m arriving a day early, tomorrow, and flying out a day after the convention ends, next Monday.
Friday, February 17, 19:00 – 20:00 / Reboots: Refreshing or Depressing?
“From Star Trek to DC comics to the Fuzzy saga, hitting the ‘start over’ button is suddenly a popular move. Why do creators do it? (And how can they do it well?) Why do fans enjoy it? Is it a gravestone on top of exhausted ideas, or a neon sign pointing the way back to a brighter future?”
Daniel P. Dern, Leah Wilson, John Scalzi, Me (moderator)
This should be a fun discussion. A tough gig for me, though, since this year’s Writer Guest of Honor is widely renowned for his philosophy about panel moderation, and his skill as a moderator. My goal isn’t very lofty. If I can manage to avoid ruining the convention for everybody, I’ll consider that a victory.
Saturday, February 18, 12:30 – 13:00 / Reading
I’ll be bringing an ARC of The Coldest War to Boston, along with a copy of the final-for-real printed cover. Come hear a preview!
Saturday, February 18, 13:00 – 14:00 / Are Movies Ready for Wild Cards?
“Can these shared-world stories of the alternate-history after effects of an alien virus masterminded by George R. R. Martin (the series, not the virus) infect the big screen? Melinda Snodgrass is writing the screenplay for a Wild Cards flick to be produced by SyFy Films! Let’s talk about the books, and speculate wildly about the movie to come. Why has the series lasted since 1987? What cool stuff should transfer well to the film? Who should play what super-powered Ace or monstrous Joker? Could this be the next Game of Thrones?”
Melinda Snodgrass, Me
I think this panel was originally intended as a conversation between Melinda and George, but since he won’t be coming to Boston this week, they’re stuck with me instead. (I’m sure this is the only time in either of our careers when I’ll be deemed an adequate substitute for GRRM.) The panel description lists Melinda as the moderator, but since she’s the one doing all the work on the WC movie, I think we’re going to switch that around. My plan is to do an hour-long interview with Melinda about Wild Cards, its history, its long road to feature-filmdom, and all of her efforts along the way. It’s going to be a terrific hour.
Sunday, February 19, 13:00 – 14:00 / How Bad Can a Hero Be?
“He may lie, cheat, steal, curse, flirt mercilessly, and disembowel bunches of hapless Darklordian henchmen with a quip on his lips and a song in his heart. But can she step on her hamster’s head in a fit of pique? Let’s see where the boundaries of our sympathy for heroes, heroines, and their stories lie.”
Faye Ringel (moderator), Darrell Schweitzer, Rosemary Kirstein, Me
I’m looking forward to this. I have a (meager) few thoughts on the subject, but I’m sure my co-panelists will carry the hour with their witty insights. Should be fun.