Chicon 7 Schedule

If any of you are planning to attend the 70th World Science Fiction Convention in Chicago this year (aka Chicon 7), I hope you’ll drop by to hear me reading from the new novel on Friday, August 31st at 12:30 pm.

The whole thing takes place in the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago. I’ll be reading from The Bones of the Old Ones in the DuSable room, which is located on the Silver level of the West Tower.

I’ll be participating on a panel as well, the subject of which is Writing What You Don’t Know. It takes place Saturday at 9:00 in the Gold level of the East Tower in Columbus rooms C and D.

There were a number of great sounding panels I wanted to sit down on, and this is one of them. Here’s the official description:

We remember English teachers lecturing: “Write what you know.” Well, we think you ought to write what you don’t know. How else can you write about space travel and alternate history and fire-breathing dragons and vampire detectives? We’ll discuss how a little research and common sense can give you just enough background to really write what you don’t know.

I loved the sound of this panel because I’ve actually spoken in public about the same topic. After all, I wasn’t born knowing anything about many of my favorite interests, like ancient Arabia, Hannibal of Carthage, the music of Badfinger, the original Star Trek, the historical fiction of Harold Lamb, what have you. If you’re not born in the time or culture or know the person, but you’re fascinated, then, by God, do some research!

Should be a good time. Fellow panelists include Jack Skillingstead, Louise Marley, Lynda Williams, and Rachel Neumeier