BOSKONE 55 Program Schedule
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Convention Hours page 2
Event & Activity Locations page 3
FRIDAY Program Schedule page 4
SATURDAY Program Schedule page 13
SUNDAY Program Schedule page 32
Hotel Maps back cover
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CONVENTION HOURS Friday Free Hours: Programming begins at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 16th and is free to the public from 2:00-6:00 pm. Memberships are required after 6:00 pm on Friday and throughout the duration of the convention.
Friday Saturday Sunday Registration 1pm-8:30pm 9am-6pm 9am-12noon Coat Check 1:30pm-12:30am 9am-12:30am 9am-4pm Anime & Film Screenings 4pm-12midnight 10am-12midnight 10am-4pm Art Show 6pm-late 10am-9pm 10am-12noon Quick Sale: 12noon-9pm 10am-12noon Sales: 1pm-3pm Con Suite 4pm-1am 10am-1am 10am-4pm Dealers Room 5pm-8pm 10am-6pm 10am-3pm Filking 6pm-late 10am-late 10am-late Gaming 2pm-late 10am-late 10am-3pm Information/Volunteers 3pm-9pm 10am-9pm 10am-3pm Program 2pm-12midnight 9:30am-12midnight 9:30am-4pm Dragonslair/Kids Activities 6pm-9pm 9am-12noon 9am-2pm 1pm-5pm 7pm-9pm
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EVENT LOCATIONS Art Show Opening (Fri night) Lower Level, Galleria Boskone Reception, Meet the Guests, and Toast (Fri night) Boskone Book Party (Sat night) Tiptree Bake Sale (Sat night) Open Mic (Sat night) Dead Dog (Sun) Lego Robotics Demo & Programming (Sun) 2nd Floor, Harbor I Regency Dance with Mary Robinette Kowal (Fri) 2nd Floor, Harbor II Awards Ceremonies (Sat night) 2nd Floor, Harbor II & III Rapid Fire Theater (Sat night) Memorial Jordin Kare Concert (Fri night) Lobby Level, Marina 1
ACTIVITY LOCATIONS Newsletter Distribution Point 2nd Floor, Harbor Foyer Program Participant Check-in — Program Ops Registration Main Programming 2nd Floor, Harbor Rooms Readings Discussion Groups 2nd Floor, Harbor I Gaming Kaffeeklatches (Friday & Saturday Only) Filk 2nd Floor, Lewis Anime & Film Screenings 2nd Floor, Carlton Main Programming Lobby Level, Marina Rooms Coat Check Newsletter Distribution Point Fan Tables Lower Level, Galleria Foyer Party Board Art Show and Art Show Sales Lower Level, Galleria Autographing Con Suite ABOUT KAFFEEKLATCHES Dealers Room • Kaffeeklatch seating is limited. You must sign DragonsLair up at the Program Ops Desk. Information & Volunteers • The sign-up sheets for Saturday will be set out Kaffeeklatches (Sunday) on Friday, and the sign-up sheets for Sunday Makers Space will be set out at noon on Saturday. Newsletter Distribution Point • Since space is limited, please be sure to sign Office up early to secure a place at the table. Print Shop Memory Book for Ursula K. Le Guin (Maker's Space) Page 4 | BOSKONE 55 FRIDAY PROGRAM SCHEDULE
FRIDAY “female” AIs were all about February 16, 2018 gorgeousness and sexuality. Now some portrayals emphasize strength and intelligence. Can you do both? How 2:00 PM (free to public) well do these creations represent Star Wars Mad Libs women, metaphorically or realistically? Mihku Paul (M), Frank Wu, Kaitlin R. Branch, How does the representation of “male” Inanna Arthen, Mary Robinette Kowal AIs differ? Griffin · 60 min · Game Show Stories Before the Apocalypse Who doesn’t love a good session of Juliana Spink Mills, James Patrick Kelly (M), Mad Libs, Boskone style? Join us for a Julie C. Day, Alan Gordon, John Chu special edition of Star Wars Mad Libs Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel — in which the audience provides the We’re familiar with post-apocalyptic nouns, adverbs, and adjectives for a futures, from Max's desert hellscape to raucous reading performed by our panel Katniss's dystopic districts. But what of program participants. about right before the cataclysm — as Splendor doom and destruction loom large? How Harbor I · 120 min · Gaming do people live? How do relationships change as we shift into survival mode? Moonquake Escape / Leaf Me Alone Let's share our few existing "must-read" Harbor I · 240 min · Gaming favorites, and discuss stories we’d like Generation Ships to see. John R. Douglas (M), Jeffrey A. Carver, Cady Coleman, Vincent O'Neil, Stacey Berg 3:00 PM (free to public) Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel Generation ships, interstellar arks that 1950s — The Golden Age of SF Movies travel at sublight speed, are all the rage Daniel M. Kimmel (M), Garen Daly, Nat in science fiction, and real-life scientists Segaloff, Vincent Di Fate, Eric Van are even looking at the possibility of Griffin · 60 min · Panel sending ships in space to far-off planets. Soon after World War II, as the Cold Even if the science were possible, War introduced chilling new threats to should we actually use generation ships the world’s peace of mind — to populate new worlds? Is it fair to the Hollywood (and Tokyo) launched an children? What are we asking of them? avalanche of SF and monster-related What might we lose or gain in the movies. Was this a golden age? Or were process? these flicks mostly cheap shockers that kept recycling variations on the theme AIs and the Female Image of "Monster Attacks!"? Victoria Sandbrook (M), Catherine Asaro, Christine Taylor-Butler, Laurence Raphael Kaffeeklatsch: Steven Popkes Brothers, John P. Murphy Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel Istanbul When it comes to AIs wearing Harbor I · 120 min · Gaming mechanical bodies, until recently, many FRIDAY Page 5 | BOSKONE 55
Welcome to Boskone! single pair of covers. Let’s share and Brenda Noiseux, Janice Gelb discuss our favorite stand-alone stories. Independence · 60 min · Panel New to the con? Or returning after a The Real Hero of Hogwarts long absence? Join us for a short Priscilla Olson (M), Julia Rios, Pete Hollmer, Gabriel Erkard, Flourish Klink discussion about what Boskone has to Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel offer. Hear the highlights, learn some Everyone knows the Harry Potter series. lingo, and meet new people who love Harry is at the center of the story with the same strange things you do — plus events swirling around him, but is he the some weird new stuff of their own! real hero? In fact, is there any real hero Then join our docents for a stroll around at Hogwarts? Let's discuss heroism. the con. What does it take to be a hero — and My Favorite Game what does that even mean in a place like Auston Habershaw, Walter H. Hunt (M), Carlos Hogwarts? Hernandez, Dan Moren, M. C. DeMarco Lewis · 60 min · Panel Angels in Speculative Fiction Join us as we explore the wonderful Bob Kuhn (M), Alexander Jablokov, Victoria world of board games. Our panel of Sandbrook, Teresa Nielsen Hayden, Walt Williams expert gamers will discuss their Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel favorites from the past 10 years. We’ll Angels in fantasy, science fiction, and compare bragging rights, and swap tales horror aren't always what you might of our victories (or defeats). Let’s expect. There are the ones that behave, include our top ten lists — feel free to well, angelically, and the fallen angels bring and share your own! — but also bad-tempered angels, angels Armchair Detectives from advanced civilizations, and more. Leigh Perry (M), Timothy Liebe, E.J. Stevens, What attracts writers (and readers) to Mary Kay Kare, Brendan DuBois this motif? What common themes, like Marina 1 · 60 min · Panel redemption or the Fall, recur? Are there Crime and fiction have long been a novel ways to write an angel? popular pairing. But what have science and technology done to the prospects of 4:00 PM (free to public) pulling off the perfect murder? How much tricksier must authors get to keep Curse Your Inevitable Romantic Subplot! their readers guessing, especially in this Suzanne Reynolds-Alpert, J. Kathleen Cheney, new age of the armchair detective? Kevin McLaughlin, Heather Albano (M), Juliana Spink Mills One-Book Wonders Burroughs · 60 min · Panel Beth Meacham, Michael Stearns (M), Bob Just when things are getting good, Devney, Greer Gilman, John R. Douglas somebody has to go and fall in love. Are Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel romantic subplots required? And what Publishers (and authors) love the makes them work or fail in the larger continuing sales and predictable storyline? incomes of a good series. But not all readers feel happy committing to a 10- Dragonar Academy volume epic fantasy saga with 500+ Carlton · 100 min · Film/TV/Media pages per book. The works we cherish Ash is a student at Ansalivan Dragon most may be a tale well told between a Academy, attended by children who have formed contracts with dragons. He Page 6 | BOSKONE 55 FRIDAY possesses the "star mark, " the sign of a The new Doctor Who has a female contract, but since his partner hasn't body. That's great, but really is that all been born yet, he seems insignificant. we're looking forward to this year? The awakening of the dragon he's What else is in store for the good raising inside his body is triggered by an Doctor? And will her new appearance incident, and it emerges in the form of a change the character we have grown to young girl. love? Will she, like Missy, become softer? Will she have a female Reading by Catherine Asaro companion? And why did she choose a Griffin · 30 min · Reading female body this time? Kaffeeklatsch: Jane Yolen Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Reimagining the Book Jen Gunnels Kaffeeklatsch: James Cambias Marina 2 · 60 min · Solo Talk Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Does print have to come first? What other forms matter? How does format Revisiting Big Dumb Objects Mark L. Olson (M), M. C. DeMarco, Daniel P. affect the "book" quality and/or sales? Dern, JeffWarner, Brendan DuBois What might be a much-needed change Harbor III · 60 min · Panel for the future? How about releasing Big Dumb Objects (BDO) are so called books as serials, as we did in the distant because they evoke a sense of wonder past? Let's think outside of the book simply by existing. The objects box. themselves are numinous: no plot Big YA needed, no characterizations should Michael Stearns, Tamora Pierce, Christine bother to apply. The term, really, is a bit Taylor-Butler, Gregory Katsoulis (M), E. Ardell of a putdown; is it fair? The case can be Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel made that BDOs are one of SF's truly What is Big YA? Well, it's a term we unique inventions, and ought to be just made up here at Boskone to talk appreciated as such. So let's celebrate about the intricacies of writing, editing, the Big Dumb Objects we know and and publishing big, long young adult love — and perhaps a few we've missed series. What are the challenges along the way. associated with writing a series where the characters often don't age as quickly Japanese Light Novels Kaitlin R. Branch as their readers? How do you track all Lewis · 60 min · Solo Talk the details without dropping threads? Some of the most popular Japanese And why are these long epic YA series anime has come out of light novels. so popular today? We’ll discuss what differentiates these The 10 Books That Made Me a Fan novels from SF/fantasy literature from Steve Davidson (M), Tony Lewis FN, Kenneth the U.S., run down some of the most Rogers Jr., Genny Dazzo, Patrick Nielsen popular titles, and explore what makes Hayden these books so popular. Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel There are books that interest us, books The New Doctor Is Coming! that inspire us, and books that stimulate Jim Mann (M), Don Pizarro, Carrie Cuinn, us to read more! Our panelists share the Dana Cameron, Gerald L. Coleman Marina 1 · 60 min · Panel books that made them fans and kept them reading. What's so special about these works? FRIDAY Page 7 | BOSKONE 55
4:30 PM (free to public) and her love of cats, conducted by her longtime friend Julie Holderman. Reading by Walter Jon Williams Griffin · 30 min · Reading Reading by Marshall Ryan Maresca Independence · 30 min · Reading Reading by Alan Gordon Independence · 30 min · Reading Tarot and Divining Fantastic Fiction Trisha Wooldridge Lewis · 60 min · Discussion Group 5:00 PM (free to public) Author and Tarot guru Trisha Law and Justice in Speculative Fiction Wooldridge leads a discussion on Tarot, B. Diane Martin, Bracken MacLeod, Kenneth fortune telling, and the art of the seer in Schneyer (M), Alan Gordon, Auston fantasy and science fiction. Trisha will Habershaw provide a live demonstration. Burroughs · 60 min · Panel Interstellar Travel — Separating the In an SF or fantasy world, justice may Reality From the Fiction be meted out by a familiar legal system, Les Johnson by religious hierarchies that rule Marina 1 · 60 min · Solo Talk through faith, by some corrupt order Traveling to the stars will be difficult, that props up an evil regime, etc. How and require engineering on a scale do you show the complex unimaginable today — but the laws of evolution/interplay of a society and its nature say it can be done. In this talk, justice system in a single tale? Why do Les Johnson will describe the distances so many stories concentrate on crime involved, the propulsion systems that and criminals? How do you quickly will and won't work for getting us (or sketch out a justice system for a culture our robotic probes) to another star, and that’s different from our own? the status of research toward making Reading by James Patrick Kelly interstellar travel possible. Note: Only Griffin · 30 min · Reading technologies based on real physics will be described! Kaffeeklatsch: Jeff Hecht Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Collaborating With Others Sarah Smith, LJ Cohen (M), Adam Stemple, Kaffeeklatsch: Walter Hunt Craig Miller, Tom Easton, Jane Yolen Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel St. Petersburg Collaboration isn't always easy — Harbor I - Gaming · 120 min · Gaming learning to work with others, even your friends, can be tricky. But it can create YA Fiction Guest Interview: Tamora some amazing results. Our participants Pierce share their experiences, advice, and Tamora Pierce, Julie Holderman questions as they reveal the joys and Harbor III · 60 min · Interview pitfalls of partnered art. With a brand-new book out and nearly 30 other novels, dozens of short stories, Incorporating Cultures Into Fiction and several comics to her name, Tamora Beth Meacham (M), Lauren Roy, Mihku Paul, Pierce is a much-loved author of Carlos Hernandez, Erin Roberts children's and young adult fantasy Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel fiction. Join us for this lively discussion In writing, it's hard to navigate between with Tamora about her life, her writing, inclusion and appropriation of a culture or cultural elements. But like it or hate Page 8 | BOSKONE 55 FRIDAY it, people write what they know ... or at 5:45 PM least what they think they know. Complicating matters, the definitions of Dirty Pair: Project Eden these two words are fuzzy for many. So, Carlton · 85 min · Film/TV/Media what is cultural appropriation? How do When the planet Agerna comes under we incorporate cultures or aspects of attack, the 3WA sends its top trouble cultures without crossing the line? consultants — Kei and Yuri. Can they solve the mystery behind the attacks in Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey time to save the planet's Vizorium Rob Greene, Jen Gunnels, Mary Kay Kare, supplies? And can the planet survive Darlene Marshall, Bob Kuhn (M) having the Lovely Angels on the case? Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel In Japanese with English subtitles. Fifty years ago, Anne McCaffrey released Dragonflight, the first novel in her Dragon Riders of Pern series. This * Free Programming Ends * epic fantasy series captured the hearts Memberships are needed after 6:00 p.m. and minds of generations of readers. What is it about this book and this series 6:00 PM that is so compelling? Asimov's Laws Robert J. Sawyer 5:30 PM (free to public) Burroughs · 60 min · Solo Talk Asimov's Laws of Robotics just turned Reading by Robert J Sawyer Griffin · 30 min · Reading 75; they date from World War II. Isn't it time we abandoned what, really, is a Boskone's Regency Dance with Guest of slaveholder's credo in favor of a win- Honor Mary Robinette Kowal win scenario for interactions between Kevin Turausky, Antonia Pugliese, Mary humans and artificial intelligences? Join Robinette Kowal Robert J. Sawyer, who wrote a guest Harbor II · 90 min · Event editorial for the journal Science on Calling all dancers! Join our Guest of "Robot Ethics" and is the author of the Honor, Mary Robinette Kowal, as we Hugo Award-nominated Wake, which travel back in time to Britain’s Regency seeks just such a non-zero-sum solution, period, when dancing was all the craze. for a lively talk followed by audience Antonia Pugliese from Commonwealth discussion. Vintage Dancers, a Boston-area nonprofit that reconstructs, performs, Origami for Kids and teaches dances of the 19th and early Galleria · 60 min · Children - DragonsLair 20th century, will lead us through Group Reading: Speculative Fiction Boskone's special set of Regency Shorts dances. So put on your 19th century Jack M. Haringa (M), Christian Baines, Steve duds or keep your modern wardrobe to Berman, Susan Jane Bigelow, Suzanne represent your favorite era — as we Reynolds-Alpert, H Paul Shuch, Rajnar Vajra genre-happy gentlefolk join together to Griffin · 60 min · Reading dance, Regency-style! You're sure to enjoy this specially designed group reading, which brings Reading by Greer Gilman Independence · 30 min · Reading together a select group of Boskone's speculative fiction authors — just for you. FRIDAY Page 9 | BOSKONE 55
Kaffeeklatsch: Adam Stemple SF/F (NESFA) Hymnal Singing Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Marina 1 · 60 min · Filk Kaffeeklatsch: Catherine Asaro The Sword in the Stone: A New Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Beginning for the Arthurian Legends? Faye Ringel, Elizabeth Bear, E. Ardell, Auston Meet Up: The State of Black Science Habershaw, Heather Albano (M) Fiction Facebook Group Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel Gerald Coleman First published in 1938 as a stand-alone Harbor I · 60 min · Discussion Group tale, T. H. White’s The Sword in the Join Gerald Coleman for a discussion Stone departs from older sources to focused on the popular Facebook group (wonderfully) imagine King Arthur as a The State of Black Science Fiction and boy in Merrie Olde England. What did it visit the group online at bring to now-popular tropes such as https://www.facebook.com/groups/black shapeshifting, the hidden prince, or the scifi/ magical education? Later incorporated Exploring Gender in Speculative Fiction into the first part of White’s 1958 novel Julie Holderman, Inanna Arthen, Stephen P. The Once and Future King, it helped Kelner Jr., Suzanne Palmer, Stacey Berg (M) spark the musical Camelot. (And, of Harbor III · 60 min · Panel course, Spamalot.) Would we remember In 1969, Ursula Le Guin's The Left much about King Arthur, his Knights, Hand of Darkness famously featured an and their Round Table without these androgynous culture. More recently, books? How did they influence the Ann Leckie’s celebrated Ancillary wider fantasy genre? Have they been series and her latest novel, Provenance, replaced by the stories they inspired? treat readers to a society in which gender doesn’t matter. What other Folktales Within Poetry SF/F/H writers offer us gender- Theodora Goss (M), Jane Yolen, C. S. E. expansive characters or societies? Why Cooney, John Chu, Trisha Wooldridge Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel and when should gender matter? From “The Lady of Shalott” to “Goblin How to Do Magic Tricks Market” to The Iliad, some quite Daniel P. Dern engaging poems are inspired by Independence · 60 min · Solo Talk folklore, legends, or myths. What other Author and magician Daniel Dern has examples can we add — perhaps from entertained Boskone's children for years non-European poetry? What do folk in DragonsLair. It's now time for their sources bring that an original story parents to get in on the act. Daniel might lack? Our panelists will discuss shares tips, tricks, and possibly even a (and perhaps read) some of their few mysteries of the magical arts! favorites — what are yours? Awesome Action Sequences Heinlein's Rules for Writers Vincent O'Neil Kevin McLaughlin Lewis · 60 min · Workshop Marina 4 · 60 min · Solo Talk Author Vincent O'Neil leads a short Heinlein's rules offer a different model workshop for writers who would like to for writers from the one most commonly hone the craft of writing action taught; they're a lot of fun to follow, but sequences. challenging. Put into place, they have helped many writers achieve professional success. Come learn more Page 10 | BOSKONE 55 FRIDAY about classic SF author Robert A. Before the Flat Screen Heinlein (1907-1988) and his processes. Ginjer Buchanan (M), Deirdre Crimmins, Daniel M. Kimmel, Tony Lewis FN, Craig Miller Lewis · 60 min · Panel 7:00 PM They may lack the amazing visuals and History of Death Rays in Fact and Fiction grittier content of today’s science fiction Jeff Hecht and fantasy shows, but some of the TV Burroughs · 60 min · Solo Talk series we grew up on continue to Scientist and laser expert Jeff Hecht delight. Let's dish over our long-ago walks us through the fact, fiction, and favorite fare. Remember Bewitched, My fun of death rays. Some of the things we Favorite Martian, I Dream of Jeannie, see on the silver screen may or may not The Jetsons, or ALF? Why do these be possible today, but who knows what oldies still resonate today? Can they the future may hold? teach us anything? Na-No, Na-No! Space Exploration for Kids Name That Legendary Object Les Johnson Michael Sharrow (M), Jennifer Pelland, Teresa Galleria · 60 min · Children - DragonsLair Nielsen Hayden, Frank Wu, Erin Roberts Kids get an up-close look at materials Marina 2 · 60 min · Game Show used for space exploration in this Legendary objects of yore — from discussion group — led by NASA various worlds throughout the universe, scientist Les Johnson — about and from myriad planes of existence — spaceships and interstellar travel. have been gathered together in anticipation of this special Boskone Reading by Brendan DuBois game, for the entertainment and Griffin · 30 min · Reading edification of the public. Our expert Kaffeeklatsch: Auston Habershaw "historians" compete for the ultimate Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch prize as they seek to identify these awesome articles, which may have once Kaffeeklatsch: Elaine Isaak been owned by gods, heroes, villains ... Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch or the occasional ancient street sweeper. Puerto Rico Audience participation is encouraged: Harbor I · 120 min · Gaming bring your favorite enigmatic items to The Greatest Space Opera Ever be identified by our adepts of the Allen M. Steele, Kevin McLaughlin (M), Scott interdimensional. Lynch, Walter H. Hunt, Suzanne Palmer All the Universe's a Stage ... Harbor III · 60 min · Panel Jeanne Beckwith, James Patrick Kelly, Jen Space opera. Wait, it's not singers in Gunnels, C. S. E. Cooney, F. Brett Cox (M) outer space? Then: What is it? Why is it Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel called that? Why is it so popular? And, ... And all the men and women (and in the opinions of the panel and our robots, and wizards) merely players. audience, what is the greatest space William Shakespeare was a Jedi master opera ever? Inquiring Boskonians want at creating characters and building to know. tension upon the stage. What can he teach us about how to craft a compelling SF/F/H character? And how to make completely unrealistic situations and
FRIDAY Page 11 | BOSKONE 55
people feel real, given the limitations of Burroughs · 60 min · Panel whatever medium we choose? If we can discuss fantasy without constantly talking Tolkien, we ought to Future of Noir be able to consider the history of horror Alexander Jablokov (M), Nik Korpon, Vikki without always invoking Lovecraft. Ciaffone, Laurence Raphael Brothers, Christopher Irvin What other influences, major or minor, Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel have impacted the growth of horror, Noir (the French word for “black”) generating the genre we know today? began as a Hollywood subgenre Creature Creations depicting hard-boiled, cynical characters Christopher Paniccia in sleazy settings. It’s certainly found a Galleria · 60 min · Children - DragonsLair new home in urban fantasy. But is the Author and artist Christopher Paniccia murky world of noir inherently works with kids to help them create incompatible with the sleek, shiny their own amazing creatures. surfaces of science fiction? Or as our visions of the fruits of science and Group Reading: Cambridge SF Workshop technology grow darker, does noir have Heather Albano, James Cambias, F. Brett Cox, a future as a main strain of SF? Gillian Daniels, Alexander Jablokov, Steven Popkes (M), Kenneth Schneyer, Sarah Smith 7:15 PM Griffin · 90 min · Reading A rapid-fire reading by the members of Hidden Figures the long-running Cambridge SF Carlton · 127 min · Film/TV/Media Workshop, featuring writers Heather As the United States raced against Albano, James L. Cambias, F. Brett Russia to put a man in space, NASA Cox, Gillian Daniels, Alex Jablokov, found untapped talent in African- Steve Popkes, Ken Schneyer (M), Sarah American female mathematicians, who Smith, and Cadwell Turnbull. served as some of the brains behind one of the greatest operations in U.S. Kaffeeklatsch: Tom Easton history. This film follows three of these Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch women, known as "human computers, " Munchkin as they rose in the ranks of NASA. Harbor I · 120 min · Gaming Alongside many of history's greatest minds, they were tasked with Girl's Got Game calculating the momentous launch of Brianna Wu astronaut John Glenn into orbit, and Lewis · 60 min · Solo Talk guaranteeing his safe return. (2016) We’re tired of talking about what we can do. It’s time to start talking about what we have done. This gamer girl 7:30 PM shares what it’s like working in the Reading by Bruce Coville gaming field, both pros and cons, and Griffin · 30 min · Reading boasts a bit about the games she's created and designed. 8:00 PM
The Many Influences on Horror Deirdre Crimmins, Bracken MacLeod (M), Suzanne Reynolds-Alpert, Vikki Ciaffone Page 12 | BOSKONE 55 FRIDAY
Fantasy in Gilbert & Sullivan 8:45 PM Ellen Asher, Greer Gilman, Timothy Liebe, Faye Ringel (M), Daniel P. Dern Opening Ceremony: Meet the Guests Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel David G. Grubbs (M), Gay Ellen Dennett (M), Fandom and the comic operas of Gilbert Catherine Asaro, Mary Robinette Kowal, Craig and Sullivan go back a long way. Isaac Miller, Tamora Pierce, Marianne Plumridge, Asimov was an avid Savoyard (G&S Nat Segaloff fan), as have been many other SF/F Galleria - Stage · 15 min · Event writers. The operas themselves Welcome to Boskone, New England's exemplify — and parody — the tropes longest-running convention for science of fantasy (Iolanthe), medievalism fiction, fantasy, and horror! Whether (Patience), and Gothic horror you are attending for the first time or the (Ruddigore, The Sorcerer). Boskone fifty-fifth, we invite you to join us in the also has special connections with G&S. Galleria to meet this year's guests. Why are these Victorian masterpieces still so popular in (and out of) fannish culture? 9:00 PM
Fresh Fantasy Worlds Boskone 55 Reception Gerald L. Coleman, Andrea Corbin, John R. Catherine Asaro, Mary Robinette Kowal, Craig Douglas (M), Marshall Ryan Maresca, Patrick Miller, Tamora Pierce, Marianne Plumridge, Nielsen Hayden Nat Segaloff, Gay Ellen Dennett (M), David G. Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel Grubbs (M) “High” fantasies in much of western Galleria - Art Show · 120 min · Event speculative literature lean heavily on the Connoisseurs and philistines alike: European Middle Ages for inspiration. welcome to the Boskone Art Show! Join Pastoral landscapes, Camelottian us in the Galleria for an upscale social castles, noble knights, distressed mixer. Meet our program participants damsels. All much loved — all done to while enjoying refreshments, death. (Or killed off by George R. R. stimulating conversation, and Martin.) Why do we still cling to them exceptional art that's a feast for the eyes. so? What’s it take to create a fresh Experience the music and the festivities fantasy world? Besides European as Boskone celebrates another year of models, what other options are there? science fiction, fantasy, and horror in And how do you enliven tropes, Boston. settings, and situations that have become old hat? Robo Rally Harbor I · 180 min · Gaming 8:30 PM The Truth About Vampiric Folklore Inanna Arthen Jordin Kare Memorial Concert Lewis · 60 min · Solo Talk Mary Kay Kare, Mary Ellen Wessels, Roberta Everything you think you know about Rogow, Stephen Brinich, Gary Ehrlich, H Paul "traditional” vampires is, probably, Shuch, Benjamin Newman, Edie Stern, (un)dead wrong! We'll explore what Priscilla Olson (M), Edward L. Stauff people who really believed in vampires Marina 1 · 60 min · Event really believed. Join Boskone's filkers for a very special concert celebrating the life and music of our longtime friend Jordin Kare. FRIDAY Page 13 | BOSKONE 55
Evolution and Alien Psychology SATURDAY Stephen P. Kelner Jr. February 17, 20178 Marina 3 · 60 min · Solo Talk Earth is just one tiny speck in the universe, not to mention the multiverse 10:00 AM (if that even exists). From planet to Feminist Fairy Tales planet, life likely starts in different ways Jane Yolen, Victoria Sandbrook, Andrea and evolves according to its own rules, Corbin, Julia Rios (M), E.J. Stevens influences, and experiences. How might Burroughs · 60 min · Panel different origins lead to the evolution of Women frequently serve as the main different types of people, different characters of fairy tales. (Why, by the societies, and different understandings way?) It’s hard not to notice they’re of personhood and psychology? often presented as victims, or the subjects of a lesson learned. Do any 9:30 PM tales instead offer strong female role models? What can modern feminist Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 perspectives contribute when Carlton · 137 min · Film/TV/Media considering stories from so long ago The Guardians must fight to keep their and/or far away? newfound family together as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill's true The Lego Batman Movie parentage. Old foes become new allies, Carlton · 100 min · Film/TV/Media and fan-favorite characters from the A really slick (in fact, plastic) Bruce classic comics will come to our heroes' Wayne must deal with the usual aid as the Marvel Cinematic Universe suspects as they plan to take over continues to expand. (2017) Gotham City, while discovering that he has accidentally adopted a teenage Trivia for Chocolate orphan who wishes to become his Mark L. Olson, Priscilla Olson sidekick. (2017) Marina 4 · 60 min · Game Show How much chocolate can you collect in Autographing: J. Kathleen Cheney, an hour? The MCs ask the questions, Brendan DuBois, Dan Moren, Sarah and the audience shouts out the answers. Smith Get the correct answer first and win big Galleria · 60 min · Autographing kudos ... plus a small wrapped Drawing Aliens chocolate. Gregory Katsoulis (M) Galleria · 60 min · Children - DragonsLair 10:00 PM Join author and animator Gregory Katsoulis for some alien drawing fun! Boskone's 2000s Dance Party Madeline Lee, Tristan Marks Reading by Nat Segaloff Harbor II · 120 min · Other Griffin · 30 min · Reading Get your boogie on! Join our Boskone Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game DJs Madeline and Tristan for some late- James Cambias (M) night dancing. Harbor I · 180 min · Gaming Open Filking Game on! Author James Cambias leads Marina 1 · 240 min · Filk a classic game of Dungeons & Dragons as Boskone 55's Dungeon Master. Page 14 | BOSKONE 55 SATURDAY
Kaffeeklatsch: Bruce Coville Filk: I Hear Fandom Singing! Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Edie Stern (M), Faye Ringel, Gary Ehrlich, Roberta Rogow Kaffeeklatsch: Christine Taylor-Butler Lewis · 60 min · Panel Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Legend has it that “filksinging” Watching Westworld originated in a 1950s typo for Priscilla Olson, Marianna Martin “folksinging.” Is this origin story true? Harbor I · 60 min · Discussion Group And has filk, like the Velveteen Rabbit, What makes HBO’s ranchers-and- grown into the real song of the fannish robots TV show Westworld so amazing people? Our panel of filk performers — and what insights does the series give and scholars will engage in another us into the development of traditional practice: arguing over consciousness? (Warning: There will be definitions. Cave canem! (Beware, they SPOILERS if you didn't see all of may sing). Season 1!) Writing Workshops & MFA Programs Jump Drive Redux Harbor I · 120 min · Gaming John Chu, Jeanne Cavelos, James Patrick Kelly (M), Teresa Nielsen Hayden, Erin Urban Fantasy in the Light Roberts Vikki Ciaffone (M), Hillary Monahan, Leigh Marina 1 · 60 min · Panel Perry, Errick Nunnally, James Moore Thinking about attending a writing Harbor II · 60 min · Panel workshop or an MFA program? Urban fantasy tends to lurk in the dark Wondering how to pick the one that’s corners of a noirish society, down where right for you? Once you do: then what? only the shadows dwell. Must these There’s no magic formula to elicit an stories be quite so grim? Why is it acceptance letter, but a solid application always night? Where’s the color and is a good place to start. Join brightness? Why so much black leather? representatives from various writing Would the occasional pair of pink pastel programs, and learn how to present the pedal pushers get you arrested by the best of what you have to offer to win genre police? your place. The Future of Medicine Jurassic Park and Dinosaurs v. 5.0 Justin Key, James D. Macdonald (M), M. C. Bob Eggleton, Elise Sacchetti (M), David DeMarco, Stacey Berg, Don Pizarro McDonald, William Hayashi, Michael Swanwick Harbor III · 60 min · Panel Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel Medical advances are, well, advancing Twenty-five years ago, an islandful of by leaps and bounds. What's new? Will dinosaurs tore up the Hollywood box AI administer a booster shot to office. Four flicks later (in June, discovery? And what about those pesky Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom will nanites? Our panelists share their make five), these reptile relics continue favorite new developments in medicine to slay us. Why is the thought of a and medical technology. Can SF authors dinosaur theme park still so cool? (And prescribe new ideas to rock the docs’ by the way, what’s funny about the world? concept of dinos in space?) More Reading by Kristin Janz broadly, why would the idea of the Independence · 30 min · Reading prehistoric past colliding with our present/future hold such fascination? SATURDAY Page 15 | BOSKONE 55
And would we be better off letting Burroughs · 60 min · Panel sleeping saurians lie? European expansion into the American West and other "new frontiers" used to Boskone Book Club: Ghost Talkers by be portrayed as a great adventure — and Mary Robinette Kowal a civilizing enterprise. For those being Bob Kuhn (M), Mary Robinette Kowal Marina 3 · 60 min · Discussion Group invaded, however, colonial expansion The Boskone Book Club continues! Join has been less pleasant. The Space Act of us for a conversation that brings con- 2015 allows the commercialization of goers together to consider one space by private entities. But if noteworthy work at length. This year we powerful technocrats like Elon Musk are reading historical fantasy Ghost use tropes from Westerns to promote Talkers by Mary Robinette Kowal (our Mars exploration, will we venture into Guest of Honor). Boskone's own Bob space with the same old colonialist Kuhn will lead the discussion; Mary attitudes? Or can we learn from history, Robinette Kowal will join the group and approach space exploration with halfway through for a Q&A. To new mindsets? participate, please read the book and Autographing: Jeffrey A. Carver, come ready with your thoughts and Theodora Goss, Mary Robinette Kowal, questions. Marshall Ryan Maresca Galleria · 60 min · Autographing Technology and the Crisis of Conscience Pete Hollmer, Karl Schroeder, JeffWarner (M), Alice in Wonderland's Mad Hatter Hats LJ Cohen, Cady Coleman Mihku Paul Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel Galleria · 60 min · Children - DragonsLair Just because you can do it doesn’t mean Join artist and author Mihku Paul for a you should. Characters like Mary wonder-filled hat making session. Shelley's Frankenstein and Masamune Encaustics for Adults Shirow's Major demonstrate some Lisa Hertel consequences of the headlong pursuit of Galleria · 120 min · Makers Space scientific breakthroughs. What are the Join artist Lisa Hertel for a fun session real stakes in the playing-god game? of encaustics — the ancient art of Will we use technological advances for painting with wax. This session will run good or evil? What will guide us? And for 2 hours, so please feel free to drop in how does fiction help inform our ethical at any point. dilemmas? Welcome to Boskone! Leslie J. Turek, Laurie Mann 10:30 AM Galleria - Meetup Spot · 60 min · Panel Reading by Adam Stemple New to the con? Or returning after a Griffin · 30 min · Reading long absence? Join us for a short discussion about what Boskone has to Reading by Shahid Mahmud offer. Hear the highlights, learn some Independence · 30 min · Reading lingo, and meet new people who love the same strange things you do — plus 11:00 AM some weird new stuff of their own! Then join our docents for a stroll around Colonialism and the New Space Race the con. Vandana Singh, Pete Hollmer, Karl Schroeder,
William Hayashi, Allen M. Steele (M) Page 16 | BOSKONE 55 SATURDAY
Reading by Scott Lynch other notable figures and experiences in Griffin · 30 min · Reading SF, media, and society. Conducting the Kaffeeklatsch: Max Gladstone interview is Tim Richmond, author of Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Fingerprints on the Sky: The Authorized Harlan Ellison Bibliography. This Kaffeeklatsch: Tamora Pierce don’t-miss session may well be the only Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch time these two Ellison experts share a Objection! The Game dais. John P. Murphy Reading by Victoria Sandbrook Harbor I · 60 min · Discussion Group Independence · 30 min · Reading The Phoenix Wright series of visual novel adventure videogames has used a Concert: Catherine Asaro blend of science fiction and fantasy Lewis · 60 min · Concert tropes to explore ideas about law and Come sit and enjoy a special concert justice. What makes a game about with Catherine Asaro, Boskone's Hal lawyers and lawcourts so fun and Clement Science Speaker. exciting, and how well does it get its The Art of Character Portraits ideas across? Reiko Murakami, Marianne Plumridge, Star Wars: A New Beginning Reawakens Jonathan Hunt, Vincent Di Fate (M), Again Christopher Paniccia Craig Miller, Brianna Wu, Nik Korpon (M), Erin Marina 1 · 60 min · Panel Underwood, Garen Daly Portraits are difficult to master. The Harbor II · 60 min · Panel artist must capture the glint in the eye, Star Wars: The Last Jedi scored with the tilt of the neck, shadow and light, many, but not all, fans — and broke color and texture, and everything around many, but not all, box office records. the subject. Plus, in the speculative art Looking back over the SW saga: what’s world, not all portraits are of people. it all about so far? And looking ahead: How do you portray a fantastic creature will we keep watching after 2019, when when there are no models? Episode IX caps the storyline begun by The Rise and Fall (and Rise) of the SF Luke, Leia, and Han? (Disney, now the Short Story franchise owner, says the Wars won’t be James Patrick Kelly, Paul Di Filippo, Julie C. over for at least 15 more years.) Whose Day, Suzanne Palmer, Darrell Schweitzer (M) story do we want to see next? Whom do Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel you ship? What would you skip? Back in the day, the SF/F/H short was the genre’s centerpiece, economically NESFA Press Guest Interview, Featuring and artistically. Today SF is a novel Nat Segaloff Tim Richmond, Nat Segaloff business. Or is it? There may be more Harbor III · 60 min · Interview talented short story writers and ready Nat Segaloff, our NESFA Press Guest markets around than ever. Let’s trace and author of A Lit Fuse: The the importance and popularity of the Provocative Life of Harlan Ellison, short form, and consider how short shares the ups and downs of writing the stories might help shape the genre’s biography of one of science fiction’s future. most controversial figures. Hear the tales only Nat can tell as he shares some choice “Harlan stories, ” and touches on SATURDAY Page 17 | BOSKONE 55
Black Publishers in SF/F Genom in futuristic Tokyo. In this Christine Taylor-Butler (M), Kenesha Williams, episode 1, The Knight Sabers fight Justin Key, Gerald L. Coleman, Clarence Boomers and encounter AD Officer Young Leon McNichol. Aqua City is Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel destroyed. Science fiction and fantasy work by black writers is thriving. The environment is slowly (but finally) 12:00 NOON changing, as more publishers, editors, Class Structure in SF and Fantasy and artists enter the market every day. Walter Jon Williams, Scott Lynch (M), Kenneth Our panelists discuss the lay of the land, Rogers Jr., Susan Jane Bigelow the challenges of publishing black- Burroughs · 60 min · Panel themed content, getting shelf space at Where's all the great SF/F about large and/or independent bookstores, working stiffs? Even if they serve as and more. more than set dressing, working-class heroes often undergo some Cinderella CRISPR, Gene Editing, and the Future of Food transformation that moves them up in David G. Shaw (M), Rajnar Vajra, Kaitlin R. class. What stories succeed in keeping Branch, Kristin Janz, Stacey Berg the class and culture of their Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel protagonists intact, treating them Clustered regularly interspaced short seriously and realistically while palindromic repeats (CRISPR) launching them on their fantastic techniques for gene editing are said to journeys? Does SF see the preservation find wide application in the food of class systems as important, or is it industry, raising the possibility of food just a tool to keep a good person down? that won’t spoil so fast. Or pigs that Tour of the Art Exhibit (I) carry less harmful fat. Such genetically Joe Siclari, Edie Stern modified organisms (GMOs) carry Galleria - Art Show · 60 min · Docent Tour considerable promise — plus a fat load Take an informative stroll around the of questions about possible special art exhibit with the curators. consequences. Let’s talk about the You’ll hit the highlights with future of food. knowledgeable guides who can indicate points of interest. 11:30 AM Autographing: Elizabeth Bear, Elaine Reading by Elizabeth Bear Cunningham, Timothy Liebe, Jane Yolen Griffin · 30 min · Reading Elizabeth Bear, Timothy Liebe, Elaine Cunningham, Jane Yolen Reading by Janet Catherine Johnston Galleria · 60 min · Autographing Independence · 30 min · Reading DragonsLair Closed for Lunch Galleria · 60 min · Children - DragonsLair 11:45 AM
Bubblegum Crisis (ep 1): Tinsel City Carlton · 46 min · Film/TV/Media A female mercenary team, armed with unique power armor suits, battle the forces of the corrupt mega-corporation Page 18 | BOSKONE 55 SATURDAY
Group Reading: Fiction for Kids and words, magic, ambition, patience, truth, Young Adults death? Our panelists share their insights Kristy Acevedo, Daniel P. Dern, Erin M. — and favorite parts. Hartshorn (M), Sarah Jean Horwitz, Justin Key, Trisha Wooldridge It's Not Always About Sex Griffin · 60 min · Reading Juliana Spink Mills, Darlene Marshall (M), E.J. Boskone presents a special group Stevens, Tamora Pierce, Steven Popkes reading for lovers of children's and Harbor III · 60 min · Panel young adult fiction. Our authors provide Speculative fiction is filled with a range of stories and topics that are friendships that turn into romantic sure to delight and entertain! entanglements. Is that all there is? Can’t our characters just have friends, of Game of Thrones: The End Is Nigh! whatever gender, without hookups Priscilla Olson and/or heartbreaks? How about we Harbor I · 60 min · Discussion Group rescue the world from the odd Our annual attempt to speculate on the apocalypse or alien invasion, and forget future of everyone’s favorite spec fic about the sex for a change? TV show (not to mention the books)! Join us for another lively discussion of How To Write A 10-Minute Play what appealing pageantry and perversity James Patrick Kelly or delectable butchery and betrayal Independence · 60 min · Workshop await us. Speaking of which, now that Author and playwright James Patrick we've outrun the books and we're Kelly shares tips and tricks on how to nearing the end, does anyone really write a short 10-minute play, covering know what's in store for the characters basic structure issues, character we love to hate — and the ones we hate development, and timing. Sign-up is to love? Warning: possible spoilers required. ahead! Song Circle: Space Travel Kaffeeklatsch: Jeffrey A. Carver H Paul Shuch Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Lewis · 60 min · Filk Come join us and sing about those far- Kaffeeklatsch: John Langan and James off spaceflights. Moore Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Detectives in Urban Fantasy Leigh Perry, Ginjer Buchanan, Brendan Moonquake Escape/Leaf Me Alone DuBois, Christopher Paniccia (M), Dana Harbor I · 360 min · Gaming Cameron Marina 1 · 60 min · Panel A Wizard of Earthsea Catherine Asaro, Vandana Singh, Robert V.S. Let's inspect the hard-boiled detectives Redick, Fran Wilde, Max Gladstone (M) of Fantasy Town: sorcerous sherlocks, Harbor II · 60 min · Panel PI wizards for hire, half-dead/half-sidhe Ursula K. Le Guin's masterpiece was gumshoes, and more. How do these published 50 years ago. A classic eldritch investigators compare to their coming-of-age story, A Wizard of non-magical peers? To each other? Earthsea continues to cast its spell over Does magic spoil a reader's chance of teens and adults alike. Why is Ged such solving the mystery fair and square — a compelling character? What makes the or is it just another clue to be sussed story as fresh and appealing today as in out? 1968? What does it have to say about SATURDAY Page 19 | BOSKONE 55
A Case for Space extensive/enthusiastic community has Cady Coleman, Janet Catherine Johnston, grown up around this quirky genre. Jeanne Cavelos, Les Johnson, Vincent What is it about fan fiction that we Docherty (M) love? (Besides the / (slash) stuff.) Why Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel do we write it/read it? And where can Current and former members of the we get some more? National Aeronautics and Space Administration come together to share their experiences — and perhaps make 1:00 PM NASA’s case for expanding the Fractured Fairy Tales exploration of space. What does it take Theodora Goss, Jack M. Haringa, Dana to work with a team that sends a person Cameron (M), J. Kathleen Cheney, Carrie into orbit, a man to the moon, and Cuinn vessels throughout the solar system? Burroughs · 60 min · Panel Perhaps the most piquant part of The Heart of Horror & Stephen King beloved animated TV series The Lauren Roy, Kenesha Williams, Paul Tremblay, Jack M. Haringa, Vincent O'Neil (M) Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel Friends (1959–1964) was the dry, sly, The throne of the King of Horror seems wry humor of its “Fractured Fairy more secure than ever, with recent Tales” segments. These managed to releases including the novel Sleeping twist hoary stories into something Beauties (with his son Owen), and sparkling new, adding biting satire with movies based on his work including The just a dash of horror. What’s the charm Dark Tower, It, Gerald's Game, and of these odd little gems? Do kids still 1922, plus TV series The Mist and Mr. watch them? Should they? What else Mercedes — as well as an anniversary (Shrek) has refreshingly revamped old reprint of The Stand plus a Christine fairy tales? video short and a collector’s DVD of The Original 1936 Flash Gordon: Planet The Dead Zone. Stephen King of Adventure! revitalized and sustained the horror Movie Mike genre through a rough period of Carlton · 200 min · Film/TV/Media redefinition and rebranding. What is it Real 16mm Films with Movie Mike. about his scary stories that’s so This is Movie Mike’s new expanded compelling? Why do his characters feature, cut from all 13 chapters of the stand out? Which tales will keep our original serial — not the short theatrical dark little hearts beating faster for years or TV versions you may have seen. It to come? tells the whole story in a little over 3 hours, and has never been shown before Fan Fiction Is Fun! at any convention. Jump on Dr. Flourish Klink, E. Ardell, Gillian Daniels, M. C. DeMarco, Elise Sacchetti (M) Zarkov’s rocket and we’re off to Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel Mongo, the planet of adventure, to Let's face it: fan fiction is fun. Despite battle Ming The Merciless! Meet all the good/bad arguments for winged hawkmen and visit their floating writing/not writing amateur (or at least, sky city. Become a slave shoveling unpaid/unauthorized) fiction about radium into the atom furnaces. Enjoy characters from your favorite invisibility, swordplay, and ray guns. book/movie/TV show, an Rescue Dale from a dire fate! See Page 20 | BOSKONE 55 SATURDAY dinosaurs and monsters, classic heroism are said to still dwell. And, with a little and villainy, plus laughably crude luck, you may even return alive ... special effects. With wonderful music, Guest of Honor Interview, Featuring Mary costumes, and props, lots of thrills and Robinette Kowal action, a silly script, and bad acting! Mary Robinette Kowal, Cady Coleman Autographing: LJ Cohen, Daniel M. Harbor III · 60 min · Interview Kimmel, E.J. Stevens, Michael Swanwick Professional puppeteer; costumer; voice Galleria · 60 min · Autographing actor — Mary Robinette Kowal is a multitalented marvel. But she’s here Kids' Art Show Tour mostly as a Hugo-Award-winning SF/F Galleria · 60 min · Children - DragonsLair author with a delightful gift for Reading by Allen M Steele storytelling. Join us for Boskone's Guest Griffin · 30 min · Reading of Honor hour, conducted by Mary's good friend (and former astronaut!) Guru of the Game Room Tournament Harbor I · 300 min · Gaming Cady Coleman. Join the Boskone gaming tournament — Concert: H Paul Shuch and see if you have what it takes to be Lewis · 30 min · Filk named the Guru of the Game Room! Remembering Alien Voices Long Live the Legion! Nat Segaloff Priscilla Olson Marina 1 · 60 min · Solo Talk Harbor I · 60 min · Discussion Group In the mid-1990s, today’s NESFA Press Our yearly though increasingly forlorn Guest Nat Segaloff started an SF audio salute to DC’s Legion of Super-Heroes. book and live-performance production Sigh. Despite several comics reboots company — called Alien Voices — over the years, looks like it’s still dea — with John de Lancie and Leonard wait! Up in the TV sky! It’s Supergirl Nimoy. Their productions starred many — now with Brainiac 5 and Saturn Girl of the two actors’ fellow Star Trek … Please join us. We’ve got a Legion performers. Now, Nat shares specially of stuff to talk about again! edited highlights that include rarely seen rehearsal videos. This exceptional Kaffeeklatsch: Robert J. Sawyer Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch presentation offers a unique look at adapting SF from the page to voice or Kaffeeklatsch: Steve Berman video. Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Faith, Philosophy, and Religion in The Fantasy Survival Guide Speculative Fiction Melanie Meadors (M), Steven Popkes, Craig Rajnar Vajra, Kristin Janz, Janice Gelb (M), Shaw Gardner, Elizabeth Bear, Vikki Ciaffone Teresa Nielsen Hayden, Inanna Arthen Harbor II · 60 min · Panel Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel Before you set out on that epic fantasy Resolved: science fiction, fantasy, and adventure, you should be properly horror are perfect genres in which to prepared. Our panelists offer a list of "to explore ideas and philosophies, dos" and "to don'ts" that might come in especially aspects of religion and faith. handy — before and during your epic True? If so or not so, why? And what quest through the wilds where mythic dangers do we face in creating new creatures and dangerous beings of yore religions (*cough* Hubbard), or in these kinds of speculations generally? SATURDAY Page 21 | BOSKONE 55
Writing for Children continue to be pillars of the genre for Tui Sutherland, Bruce Coville, Sarah Jean some readers? Are they likely to retain Horwitz, Gregory Katsoulis (M), Michael that status as times change further? Stearns Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel Autographing: Kristy Acevedo, Catherine The process you use in writing literature Asaro, Walter H. Hunt, Craig Shaw for children, and the elements you need Gardner to include, are different from those for Galleria · 60 min · Autographing YA, teen, or adult fiction. What are Model Magic: Making Monsters those elements? How do you adjust your Lisa Hertel style? And how do you avoid the Galleria · 60 min · Children - DragonsLair ultimate mistake of talking down to a Artist Lisa Hertel leads kids in a hands- child? on demo that is kid-friendly and kid- safe, as they create fantastical creatures Mental Illness and Art: Can You Still made of clay. Create If You're Cured? Adam Stemple, Bob Eggleton, David Knitting Circle McDonald, Julie Holderman, Hillary Monahan Edie Stern, Priscilla Olson (M) Galleria · 60 min · Makers Space Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel Let us feel each others' fiber.... Some maintain that mental illness can fuel artistic creativity; others say it’s a Reading by Vandana Singh hindrance. How do artists struggling Vandana Singh Griffin · 30 min · Reading with disturbances of the mind manage their illness and sustain their creative Kaffeeklatsch: Patrick and Teresa spirits? Our panelists share their Nielsen Hayden experiences, interests, and inspirations. Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Kaffeeklatsch: Marianne Plumridge 1:30 PM Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Reading by Walter Hunt Learn to Play: Wicked Apples Griffin · 30 min · Reading Brenda Noiseux Harbor I · 60 min · Gaming Reading by Darlene Marshall Learn how to play Wicked Apples, the Independence · 30 min · Reading game of strategic chaos! This quick 15- Concert: Roberta Rogow 20 minute experience is fun for veteran Lewis · 30 min · Filk gamers and folks new to gaming alike. Wicked Apples was the winner of the 2:00 PM 2016 Tabletop Audience Choice Award at the Boston Festival of Indie Games. The Golden Age Reconsidered Sex and Romance in Young Adult Fiction Fred Lerner, Allen M. Steele (M), Rob Greene, Barry Goldblatt, Hillary Monahan, Tamora Ellen Asher, Paul Di Filippo Pierce, Michael Stearns (M) Burroughs · 60 min · Panel Harbor II · 60 min · Panel How well do Heinlein, Clarke, Asimov, Starting with that talk about when a bird and other Golden Age writers stand up and a bee love each other very much, today? Which of their ideas remain at the most embarrassing topics in the core of modern SF? What parts of teenagerdom have got to be sex and their canon have faded? Why do they romance. Just as awkward in fiction, Page 22 | BOSKONE 55 SATURDAY these issues demand special sensitivity expensive excuse for Seth MacFarlane when writing YA. Who’s ready to read to cosplay James T. Kirk? (Or all of the stories with sexual themes? How far is above?) And what can we expect from too far? What details are involving but these shows going forward? not icky? And will gender diversity About Airships that’s fine with 13-year-olds explode Jeffrey A. Carver, James Cambias, Frank Wu half the heads on the school board? Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel Breaking the Laws of Magic Although fairly scarce in science fiction Faye Ringel (M), Walter Jon Williams, Julie since Verne and Burroughs, these fancy Holderman, Michael Swanwick, Clarence flyers have recently gotten a real lift Young from steampunk. What is an airship? Harbor III · 60 min · Panel How does it work? Is it really a practical Brandon Sanderson, in his First Law of form of travel? Our panelists float some Magics: "An author’s ability to solve fun facts about the design, mechanics, conflict with magic is DIRECTLY and sheer romance of the airships of SF PROPORTIONAL to how well the and fantasy. reader understands said magic." George R. R. Martin: "I want hints of the Beyond Afrofuturism unknowable. I want awe and wonder. I William Hayashi (M), Gerald L. Coleman, Kenneth Rogers Jr., E. Ardell, Jeff Carroll want mystery. I want to discover but Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel also be unsure of what I’m about to Afrofuturism started as by definition an encounter. I guess that means I want outsider movement. But like many magic!" Is it important to have a system subgenres of speculative fiction, it has of magic? Once you've defined a given had a direct impact on the development magic system's limits, is it OK to break of the larger field. Where is them? Afrofuturism going? Which authors Reading by Kate Baker should we be watching as they branch Independence · 30 min · Reading out into other subgenres? Are Afrofuturistic stories now becoming Writing Filk seen simply as science fiction, fantasy, Roberta Rogow, Benjamin Newman, Stephen Brinich, M. C. DeMarco (M) or horror? Lewis · 60 min · Panel Myths and Legends in Urban Fantasy What does it take to write a song? Do Kenesha Williams, Erin M. Hartshorn, Elaine you start with the music or the lyrics? Cunningham, James Moore (M), Beth What do you need to know? Meacham Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel The Orville vs. Discovery Urban fantasy may focus on stories set Timothy Liebe, Christine Taylor-Butler, within cities, but many of these tales Suzanne Reynolds-Alpert (M), Robert Howard, Steve Davidson come with some sort of mythology or Marina 1 · 60 min · Panel legend at their core. What is it about the Each show has a vociferous fan base. mix of ancient mythology and modern Why do so few people like both? Is Star city that we find so interesting? How do Trek: Discovery the heir to Deep Space we blend stories from our rural past into Nine, or an abandonment of what makes a contemporary cityscape without Trek, Trek? Is The Orville an enjoyable creating a hot mess? homage to the Star Trek universe, or an SATURDAY Page 23 | BOSKONE 55
2:30 PM Harbor I · 60 min · Discussion Group Join Jeanne Cavelos, editor and founder Reading by Debra Doyle and James of the Odyssey Writing Workshop, as MacDonald she sits down to discuss helpful tips and Griffin · 30 min · Reading best practices for overcoming obstacles Reading by Darrell Schweitzer and getting back to writing. Independence · 30 min · Reading The Best Science Fictional Worlds Christian Baines, J. Kathleen Cheney, Paul Di 3:00 PM Filippo (M), Robert J. Sawyer, Daniel Hatch Harbor II · 60 min · Panel Modern Marvels Star-spanning cultures laced together Priscilla Olson (M), Karl Schroeder, Geary via nicely working warp drives, cities Gravel, Daniel P. Dern, Carrie Cuinn where teleportation handles everything Burroughs · 60 min · Panel from personal transport to sewage Our panelists consider their favorite disposal, drunken arks where cerulean gadgets, and list their Top 10 — time runs sideways, resorts with molten including landmark examples from the tungsten rivers flowing lazily uphill past past, as well as modern gadgets that are iced lemonade trees — these settings currently changing the future. may all be, in fact, totally impossible. Official Artist Art Show Tour But they can still seem functional Marianne Plumridge enough, within a well-written story. Galleria - Art Show · 60 min · Docent Tour How? Why? And what are some of our Join Boskone 55's Official Artist in the favorite fantastic planets? Art Show to view and discuss the work The Magic of Historical Fantasies she has on display. Mary Robinette Kowal, Scott Lynch, Darlene Autographing: James Cambias, Dana Marshall (M), Beth Meacham, Walter Jon Cameron, Leigh Perry (Toni Kelner), Fran Williams Wilde Harbor III · 60 min · Panel Galleria · 60 min · Autographing Fantasies set in the past are growing ever more popular. Why do we love Dragon Stories & Crafts With Tui stepping back in time and sprinkling a Sutherland little magic into the past? Could these Galleria · 60 min · Children - DragonsLair same stories be told in modern times, or Kids join Tui Sutherland to color dragon would some of that magic be lost? And images, while she talks about the when changing the workings of the winged beasts and answers questions known world by adding magic, is it still about writing. important to keep historical details Reading by C. S. Cooney correct? Griffin · 30 min · Reading Reading by Daniel Kimmel Kaffeeklatsch: Elizabeth Bear Independence · 30 min · Reading Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Enhancing Your Musical Performance Kaffeeklatsch: Vandana Singh Gary Ehrlich, Edward L. Stauff, Mary Ellen Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Wessels Lewis · 60 min · Workshop Struggling With Your Writing A workshop offering performance hints Jeanne Cavelos for aspiring musicians. Find out tips for Page 24 | BOSKONE 55 SATURDAY improving your singing, arranging Supergirl's Sister songs, recruiting other musicians, and Rob Greene (M), Vikki Ciaffone, Timothy more. Experienced performers with tips Liebe, Muriel Dr. Mom to share are welcome. Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel LGBTQ characters on TV and film are The State of the Universes often just sidekicks, and can tend to be Marianna Martin, Robert Howard, Jack M. one-dimensional. But a few feel like Haringa, Errick Nunnally, Brenda Noiseux (M) whole and complete people. One such Marina 1 · 60 min · Panel TV standout: Alex Danvers, aka The Big Bang that set off the media Supergirl's sister. What makes her explosion of the DC and Marvel character so well-crafted? Has the Universes has continued to produce revelation of her sexuality changed her films, television shows, games, and portrayal, or our perception of who she comics at a near exponential rate. Is DC is? What other examples of strong doing better? What’s up with Marvel? LGBTQ characters come to mind? From Wonder Woman to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, we’ll dish on our favorites as well as the good, the bad, 3:30 PM and the ugly released over the last year Reading by Carlos Hernandez in our super universes. Griffin · 30 min · Reading The Scientific Method in SF Reading by Walt Williams Genny Dazzo, Kristin Janz, Justin Key, Kaitlin Independence · 30 min · Reading R. Branch (M), Vincent Docherty Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel Scientists abound in science fiction. Do 4:00 PM these characters behave like real Hugo Award Recommendations: scientists, the good and the bad? Which Dramatic Presentations authors get it right as they present Bob Devney, Daniel M. Kimmel, Garen Daly, positive images of scientists, and depict Deirdre Crimmins, Jim Mann (M) the way they work? The "mad scientist" Burroughs · 60 min · Panel is a common type in our literature — What's the greatest stuff you saw last but is that really the way scientists go year? Join us to discuss 2017's best wrong? movies, TV shows, theatrical Non-Genre Fiction That Inspires Us productions, and more in the worlds of Tamora Pierce, Alexander Jablokov, Theodora science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Goss, F. Brett Cox, Kenneth Schneyer (M) Panelists and audience members share Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel their favorites and discover new things We’re always talking about icons such to see. Let's find the hidden gems, and as Mary Shelley, Stephen King, J. R. R. take notes for this year's Hugo Awards Tolkien, and others who breathed air nominations ballots too — they’re due into our literary lungs — but what about in San Jose soon! non-genre fiction? Our panelists discuss Autographing: Gerald Coleman. Bruce some of their favorite authors from Coville, Geary Gravel, Bracken MacLeod outside the SF/F/H field, who have Galleria · 60 min · Autographing inspired them as writers and readers.
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Kids Concert with Mary Ellen Wessels audiences accepting of these figures, or and Gary Ehrlich resistant? Is it easier to write characters Galleria · 60 min · Children - DragonsLair who share your own beliefs, or more How to Build a Bookcase difficult (at least to do it well)? Suzanne Palmer Reading by John Chu Galleria · 90 min · Makers Space Independence · 30 min · Reading Got books? Need more space? Come see a live demonstration on how to build Editing Online Magazines a bookcase. Kate Baker, Shahid Mahmud, Kenesha Williams, Julia Rios, Don Pizarro (M) Reading by Jane Yolen Marina 1 · 60 min · Panel Griffin · 30 min · Reading Curating the content of any online Kaffeeklatsch: Craig Miller periodical comes with its own special Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch opportunities and challenges. Our experienced panelists share what it takes Kaffeeklatsch: Flourish Klink to pull an online magazine together — Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch and how the process may differ from Xenolinguistics life on Planet Print. They'll also take a Harbor I · 60 min · Discussion Group look at some of the newest and best What makes a language alien? zines now online. Conversely, what makes one human? Comics for Young Adults and Teens Topics include speech and other Tui Sutherland, Elise Sacchetti, Barry communication modes, rare types of Goldblatt, Robert Howard (M), Josh Dahl grammars, and fictional alien languages. Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel Science Guest Interview, Featuring From Runaways to Ms. Marvel, Paper Catherine Asaro Girls, and more, comics for young Catherine Asaro, E. Ardell adults are booming. Let's look at some Harbor II · 60 min · Interview famously must-read YA comics, as well Come get your geek on with Catherine as publications just hitting the shelves Asaro, Boskone 55's Hal Clement that are not to be missed. What is it Science Speaker. Catherine shares her about YA comics that capture the experiences in theoretical chemical imagination — especially of teen physics, as well as her work as a science readers? teacher, coach for nationally ranked Clothing That Creates Character math teams, member of the Suford Lewis FN (M), Janet Catherine governmental advisory group SIGMA, Johnston, Mary Robinette Kowal, J. Kathleen and Nebula-award-winning SF author. Cheney, Elizabeth Bear Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel Religious Characters in Fiction Stephen P. Kelner Jr. (M), Max Gladstone, Characters don’t wear costumes; they Darlene Marshall, James D. Macdonald wear clothing. What’s the right raiment Harbor III · 60 min · Panel for the right person? Think about the What challenges are involved in style statements made by James Bond, authentically depicting characters — Brienne, Doctor Manhattan, Gandalf, perhaps like Russell's Emilio Sandoz, Kip Russell, Josephus Miller, Offred, Pratchett's Brutha, Addison's Maia, or Diana Prince, Alexia Tarabotti, or Jane Wilson’s Alif — for whom religious Vincent. Our fashionistas discuss some belief is important? Are SF/F/H of spec fic’s fashion faux pas, as well as Page 26 | BOSKONE 55 SATURDAY some truly ingenious choices of DragonsLair Is Closed for Dinner garments for our favorite fictional Galleria · 60 min · Children - DragonsLair characters. Group Reading: Broad Universe Ensemble Casts and Continuing Heather Albano, LJ Cohen, E. C. Ambrose (M), Characters Roberta Rogow E. C. Ambrose, Kenneth Schneyer, E.J. Griffin · 60 min · Reading Stevens, Debra Doyle, Ginjer Buchanan (M) Join members of Broad Universe — a Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel nonprofit association dedicated to Some well-written spec fic features supporting, encouraging, and promoting ensemble casts where the secondary female authors of science fiction, characters are as interesting as the leads. fantasy, and horror — as they read What are the guidelines for creating tidbits of works and works in progress. great supporting roles? How do these Celebrate 17 years of “Broads” with people (or aliens, AIs, disembodied Elaine Isaak, Heather Albano, Roberta demons, etc.) fascinate despite less face Rogow, LJ Cohen, and more! time? Do they get more freedom to be Kaffeeklatsch: Karl Schroeder themselves, while main characters must Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch be all things to all audiences? Which secondaries deserve (or have received) Kaffeeklatsch: Michael Swanwick their own spin-off stories? Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Governmental Structures in SF/F 4:30 PM Susan Jane Bigelow, Vandana Singh, Daniel Hatch (M), Nik Korpon, Timothy Liebe Reading by Karl Schroeder Harbor II · 60 min · Panel Griffin · 30 min · Reading How do we construct systems of Reading by Andrea Corbin governance in SF/F literature, TV, and Independence · 30 min · Reading films? Why are so many of them imperial and/or totalitarian, or (even Concert: Benjamin Newman more likely) corporatocracies? Is there Lewis · 30 min · Filk an ideal government? From the Federation Council to the 5:00 PM Republic/Imperial Senate to Honor Harrington’s Star Kingdom The Year in Astronomy and Physics constitutional monarchy, are there any Mark L. Olson (M), Jeff Hecht, Catherine we'd actually want to live under? Can Asaro, Rajnar Vajra SF/F invent or inspire a better Burroughs · 60 min · Panel An annual roundup of the latest research government? and discoveries in two sciences that Electronic Evolution: Is Skynet Here matter. Our experts will share what’s Yet? new and interesting, cutting-edge and John P. Murphy, Jeanne Cavelos, John Chu, speculative. From planets to particles, Jeffrey A. Carver, Allen M. Steele (M) and beyond! Harbor III · 60 min · Panel “Finding English inadequate, the AIs Autographing: Jon Hunt, Scott Lynch, began communicating to each other in Tamora Pierce, Walter Jon Williams their own incomprehensible language.” Galleria · 60 min · Autographing So that happened. At Facebook last year … However, the humans didn’t actually SATURDAY Page 27 | BOSKONE 55
shut them down in a panic. Let’s publisher's round file. We traded a few explain, and discuss the actual state of stories and had a few laughs. Surely, artificial intelligence development. Is there are even more ways to get roundly AI’s creating language a big step? In a rejected by agents, editors, and right direction? (Like, self-directed publishers! evolution?) Also: What else is new? Spiritual Animals What’s cool? What could happen soon? Mihku Paul, Christopher Irvin (M), Tui Never? Sutherland, Beth Meacham, E.J. Stevens Workshop: Writing Comics Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel Josh Dahl Animals in SF/F/H aren’t all just lazy Independence · 60 min · Workshop lap dogs or cozy cats. Dæmons and Comics artist and author Josh Dahl familiars, patronuses and spirit animals gives a short workshop on the ins and — these creatures often play subtly outs of writing comics. This is not an in- influential roles in the lives of main depth session, but it will cover the high characters. Why do some animals points and basics for those interested in assume such importance? Have their learning what it takes. Sign-up is roles changed over time? Is over- required. anthropomorphizing a concern? Our panelists discuss our furry, feathered, Song Circle: Dragons and Dragoons! and scaled friends in all of their glory. Edward L. Stauff Lewis · 60 min · Filk Frankenstein 200 Years Later John Langan (M), F. Brett Cox, Steve Berman, Border of the Unknown Faye Ringel, Bracken MacLeod Theodora Goss, Errick Nunnally (M), Trisha Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel Wooldridge, Dana Cameron, Gerald L. It's still alive! In 1818, Mary Shelley Coleman Marina 1 · 60 min · Panel stitched together a bone-chilling tale of Much fine fantastika involves crossing dread and science, and created a the boundary between the known and monster — whose humanity cut as the unknown — especially that uneasy deeply as Dr. Frankenstein's knife. This border between the village and the trees. Promethean fiction has inspired authors, Let's look at the long history of that fans, and scientists ever since. (Though great unknown, the enchanted forest. is it better remembered than read?) Why has it pushed and pulled at What challenges did Shelley face in people’s imaginations since ancient bringing her story to print? What would times? To find out, let’s stroll away she think of her effect on literature over from safety and into the woods, as the the last two centuries? After all these liminal light fades and the shadows years, let's find out what makes this tale gather all under the boughs unbowed … tick. How to Get Rejected Redux DragonsLair Is Closed for Dinner Kate Baker, Steve Davidson (M), Patrick Galleria · 60 min · Children - DragonsLair Nielsen Hayden, Ginjer Buchanan, John R. Douglas 6:00 PM Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel Last year, our panelists provided a Reading by Paul DiFilippo down-and-dirty look at the best ways to Griffin · 30 min · Reading get your manuscript tossed into a Page 28 | BOSKONE 55 SATURDAY
Kaffeeklatsch: Julia Rios 6:30 PM Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Tiptree Bake Sale @ Boskone Kaffeeklatsch: Craig Shaw Gardner B. Diane Martin Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Galleria - Meetup Spot · 60 min · Event NMBR 9 The Boskone Bake Sale benefits the Harbor I · 120 min · Gaming James Tiptree Jr. Award, an annual literary prize for speculative fiction that Reading by Pete Hollmer expands or explores our understanding Independence · 30 min · Reading of gender. The sale is held on Saturday Drones from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (or until we H Paul Shuch sell all the food). Please consider Marina 1 · 60 min · Solo Talk bringing something to be sold: all non- Drones are a growing part of life in the refrigerated foods are welcome modern world. Paul Schuh takes us (particularly those that also suit dietary through what role they play (and may restrictions — e.g. gluten, lactose, egg- play in the future) in our society, the free). If you are thinking of donating, problems and benefits they provide, and please drop off at 6:00 pm or during the the rules and regulations surrounding sale itself! If you are planning to donate the operation of these high-flying some treats, or if you would like to devices. volunteer to help with the bake sale, Jewish Havdalah Service please contact us at [email protected]. Marina 2 · 60 min · Other Boskone Book Party Service ending the Sabbath. Nat Segaloff, Les Johnson, James Patrick What Good Is an Agent? Kelly, E. C. Ambrose, Jane Yolen, Robert V.S. Joshua Bilmes, Barry Goldblatt, Richard Redick, Christopher Paniccia, Kenneth Rogers Shealy, Erin M. Hartshorn (M), Hillary Jr., Walter H. Hunt, Adam Stemple, Kristy Monahan Acevedo, Christopher Irvin, Rob Greene Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel Galleria - Stage · 60 min · Event Everybody wants an agent — but why? Come join the fun at Boskone 55’s What's the big deal? Sure they can help Book Party — and meet the presses and you make contacts with publishers, but authors who have new books coming is that their only purpose? What else can out at the con! This is your chance to or should an agent do for you? How do see what’s new from writers you already you know when your agent isn't really love, as well as those you have yet to working out? How do you transition discover. between agents without burning bridges? 6:30 PM Munchkin 6:15 PM Harbor I · 120 min · Gaming Cowboy Bebop Carlton · 100 min · Film/TV/Media 7:00 PM The futuristic misadventures and tragedies of an easygoing bounty hunter Kids Open Programming and his partners. (2001) Galleria · 60 min · Children - DragonsLair
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Kaffeeklatsch: Frank Wu Kids Open Programming Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Galleria · 60 min · Children - DragonsLair A Musical Tour of John Williams' Open Mic: Myths & Legends! Classics on Cello Elaine Cunningham (M), Kenneth Schneyer Denise A. Gendron (M), Lauren Roy, C. S. E. Cooney, Carlos Lewis · 60 min · Filk Hernandez, Gabriel Erkard, E. Ardell, Benjamin Cellist Denise Gendron takes us on a Newman, Roberta Rogow, Don Pizarro, Trisha musical tour of some of John Williams' Wooldridge, Mary Ellen Wessels, Edward L. most memorable movie tunes from Star Stauff Wars to Jaws, ET, and more! Galleria - Stage · 60 min · Event Live from Boskone: A special selection of tall tales as told by our program 8:00 PM participants — plus audience members. Invaders from Mars (1953) — and More! All show off their open mic skills in the Movie Mike third annual Boskone Open Mic Carlton · 115 min · Film/TV/Media extravaganza. This year features the 16mm Films in the Evening with Movie myths and legends of yesterday, today, Mike. Only the kid knows that they’ve and tomorrow! Each participant landed and burrowed in behind the contributes his/her most legendary house. They’ve taken over his mommy performance — a 5-minute story, poem, and daddy and the police via brain song, skit, interpretive dance, or control radio. It’s a paranoid child’s whatever! OPTIONAL: For extra nightmare of alienation, directed by appeal, feel free to come dressed as William Cameron Menzies, with Leif your favorite mythic or legendary Erickson, Hillary Brooke, and little character. Jimmy Hunt. Milburn Stone (Doc from The Rules: Boskone members are Gunsmoke) is the tough old colonel who invited to join our participants in the saves the day. Note the lovely stark open mic by signing up for one of the effectiveness of the police station scene, six open slots at the door to the event, and the brilliant use of stock military which opens for sign-ups at 7:30 p.m. footage for epic effect. Don’t miss the Each performer is given a firm 5-minute zippers on the backs of the huge time limit (max), including setup time. Martian mutants as they shuffle through So a quick transition between acts is the underground tunnels of their secret key. Please no profanity: DragonsLair is base. And those “raygun-melted” tunnel within hearing distance. walls are clusters of balloons: notice Kaffeeklatsch: Timothy Liebe they stir in the breeze. Menzies excelled Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch at design, and this film is beautifully composed and shot, with good props, Kaffeeklatsch: Brendan DuBois sets, and costumes. This movie runs 78 Harbor I · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch minutes, so we’ll add a condensed Bang: The Dice Game version of This Island Earth that Harbor I · 60 min · Gaming includes the flying saucer trip, space war on the planet Metaluna, and that big Saturday Night Special Event: Boskone insect mutant — all good stuff you will Awards and Rapid-Fire Theater like. Bruce Coville, Gay Ellen Dennett, David G. Grubbs (M), Bob Kuhn, Laurie Mann, Mihku Paul, Michael Sharrow, Jane Yolen, Ginjer Page 30 | BOSKONE 55 SATURDAY
Buchanan, Fred Lerner, Tui Sutherland, Jen Beyond Pokemon Go: Writing For Gunnels, Erin Roberts, Christine Taylor-Butler, Augmented Reality Games William Hayashi, Nat Segaloff, Daniel M. Heather Albano Kimmel Marina 1 · 60 min · Solo Talk Harbor II+III · 120 min · Event Location-based augmented reality Saturday night's presentation is a fast- games are becoming increasingly paced theatrical extravaganza, featuring popular in the mobile marketplace, and a set of mini-shows that resemble live- their unique structure offers new and action podcasts (akin to a science fiction exciting storytelling opportunities to variety show with a short awards writers and game designers alike. But ceremony, an interview, a game show, AR games are not the first to and an original radio show with aliens). incorporate the real world as a design This special Saturday night program has element; live action roleplaying games something for every fan. Hosted by have been doing this for decades. Boskone’s very own David G. Grubbs. Veteran LARP designer Heather Albano 8:10 pm — "Fire in the Sky" chorale in will discuss how the best practices of honor of Jordin Kare. live action design are being applied to 8:10 p.m. — NESFA Awards early augmented reality games right Presentation: The New England Science now, and how game writers can Fiction Association (NESFA) presents leverage these design principles to its annual Skylark and Gaughan create memorable (and successful!) AR Awards. The Skylark Award honors the games in the near future. work and personal qualities of an exceptional contributor to science Farm to Table in Space B. Diane Martin (M), David G. Shaw, Fran fiction. The Gaughan Award is Wilde, Carrie Cuinn, Muriel Dr. Mom presented to a talented emerging artist. Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel We will also be announcing the winner “Farm to table” is a modern social of the NESFA Short Story Contest. movement that promotes serving local 8:40 p.m. — Special Interview: The food acquired directly from the farmer, Rapid-Fire Theater continues with a but also encourages coming together short interview, featuring bestselling and bonding over a meal. Fantasy often children's author Tui Sutherland. depicts these kinds of scenes, in taverns 9:05 p.m. — What's My Name: or mead halls: but what about science Panelists race against the clock in a fiction? How does the mess hall on a science fictional guessing game that spaceship compare to the warm, somewhat resembles "What's My Line?" welcoming mead hall — or is something as a panel of experts try to identify the lost in translation? characters being portrayed. 9:45 p.m. — Boskone Radio Play: Boskone's Rapid-Fire Theater comes to 8:30 PM an out-of-this-world conclusion with a Reading by Kevin McLaughlin short adapted radio play by Nat Segaloff Independence · 30 min · Reading about humanity's first contact with aliens. Reading by Carter Roy (Michael Stearns) Independence · 30 min · Reading
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9:00 PM 10:00 PM
Power Grid Minneapolis Music Meet-up Harbor I · 180 min · Gaming Patrick Nielsen Hayden, Adam Stemple Burroughs · 60 min · Filk Open Filking In 2029, somewhere on the Mexican Lewis · 240 min · Filk border, a worn-down, weary Logan
cares for an ailing Professor X. "Until We Are Utterly Destroyed" — A However, Logan's attempts to hide from Reading by Frank Wu the world and his legacy are upended Marina 1 · 60 min · Reading when a young mutant arrives — pursued Frank Wu presents "Until We Are by dark forces. Utterly Destroyed, "a story coming out in Analog. It will be an experience to Logan Carlton · 137 min · Film/TV/Media remember! In 2029, somewhere on the Mexican Soup to Nuts: The Life Cycle of a Book border, a worn-down, weary Logan Joshua Bilmes, Richard Shealy (M), Pete cares for an ailing Professor X. Hollmer, Susan Jane Bigelow, J. Kathleen However, Logan's attempts to hide from Cheney the world and his legacy are upended Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel when a young mutant arrives — pursued What is the life cycle of a book, from by dark forces. (2017) completion to publication? Our panel of agents, editors, and authors share advice on everything from querying an agent or an editor to dealing with revision requests, reviewing the contract, maintaining the relationship between editor and agent, and more.
9:15 PM
Group Reading: Noir at the Boskone Bar — Special Edition Christopher Irvin (M), Errick Nunnally (M), Paul Tremblay, John Langan, Dana Cameron, Nik Korpon, Gillian Daniels, Bracken MacLeod, Leigh Perry Galleria - Stage · 90 min · Reading Noir at the Boskone Bar is a special night of reading and fun with our noir, crime, mystery, and horror writers. Hosted by Chris Irvin and Errick Nunnally.
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SUNDAY take notes for this year's Hugo Awards February 18, 2018 nominations ballots too — they’re due in San Jose soon! 9:00 AM Godzilla: Final Wars Carlton · 125 min · Film/TV/Media Marble Ways and Legos The 50th-anniversary Godzilla film. Galleria · 60 min · Children - DragonsLair Godzilla travels around the world to fight his old foes — plus a mysterious 9:30 AM new menace designated Monster X. (2004) Reading by Suzanne Palmer Independence · 30 min · Reading Tour of the Art Exhibit (II) Joe Siclari, Edie Stern Flash Fiction Slam Galleria - Art Show · 60 min · Docent Tour Rob Greene (M), James Patrick Kelly, Shahid If you missed the first — this is your Mahmud, Vikki Ciaffone, Jen Gunnels chance to stroll around the special art Marina 4 · 90 min · Reading exhibit with its curators. You’ll hit the Boskone's Flash Fiction Slam returns! highlights with knowledgeable guides Be one of eleven (10) writers to who can indicate points of interest. compete for the title of The Flash, reading your own original fiction — Autographing: Kevin McLaughlin, James which must tell a complete tale within a Moore, Robert V.S. Redick, Nat Segaloff 3-minute period. Our expert panel of Galleria · 60 min · Autographing judges will score your work, and you Kaffeeklatsch: Joshua Bilmes automatically lose 10 percent for going Galleria - Con Suite · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch over your 3-minute time. You may only read your own work. The reader with Kaffeeklatsch: Les Johnson the top score wins! Sign up before the Galleria - Con Suite · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch con by sending an email to Creating a Franken-Story [email protected] for one of eight Kenesha Williams (8) reading slots on a first-come, first- Galleria · 60 min · Children - DragonsLair served basis. Or sign up onsite at Kids work with author Kenesha Program Ops in the Harbor Foyer for Williams as they create and stitch one of three (3) at-con openings. A together a scary original story. waiting list will also be available there. Reading by Ken Schneyer Griffin · 30 min · Reading 10:00 AM Lords of Waterdeep Hugo Award Recommendations: Written Harbor I · 120 min · Gaming Works Life in Space Bob Devney (M), Jim Mann, Vincent Docherty Stacey Berg, Cady Coleman, Mary Robinette Burroughs · 60 min · Panel Kowal What were your favorite SF/F/H novels, Harbor II · 60 min · Dialog novellas, novelettes, short stories, What does it take to become an related works, and graphic stories of astronaut? What's it like to live in 2017? Panelists and members share space? These questions and many more their favorites and discover new things will get answered by astronaut Cady to read. Let's find the hidden gems and Coleman. Cady sits with science fiction SUNDAY Page 33 | BOSKONE 55
writers Mary Robinette Kowal and showing action, and building character Stacey Berg, who ask her everything — all through music and sound effects! you ever wanted to know about life in NESFA Reading Group: The Dark space. Apostle: Elisha Barber 1 by E. C. Official Artist Interview with Marianne Ambrose Plumridge Michael Sharrow (M), E. C. Ambrose Marianne Plumridge, Tim Szczesuil Marina 3 · 60 min · Discussion Group Harbor III · 60 min · Interview The NESFA Reading Group meets to Join Marianne Plumridge for a special discuss their next book of choice — The discussion in which our Official Artist Dark Apostle: Elisha Barber 1 by E. C. talks about the creative process, life, and Ambrose. Join us for a conversation led art — including her own work, from by NESFA's Mike Sharrow; Boskone's Rocket Doodles, cosmic whales, and own E.C. Ambrose will join the group Dreamboats to Birds 'n' Bots and halfway through for a Q&A. To beyond. participate, please read the book and come ready with your observations and Reading by Lauren Roy questions. Independence · 30 min · Reading
The History of Filk 10:30 AM Mary Kay Kare, Stephen Brinich, Edward L. Stauff (M), Denise A. Gendron Reading by Theodora Goss Lewis · 60 min · Filk Griffin · 30 min · Reading Filk: What is it? Where did it come from? Panelists share the history of Reading by Max Gladstone Independence · 30 min · Reading science fiction's musical art form.
The Forgotten Topics in YA Fiction 11:00 AM Melanie Meadors (M), Gregory Katsoulis, Kenneth Rogers Jr., Fran Wilde, Carlos Fantasy and Folklore in Shakespeare Hernandez Teresa Nielsen Hayden, Greer Gilman, Jeanne Marina 1 · 60 min · Panel Beckwith, Debra Doyle (M), Gillian Daniels Young adult fiction panels often focus Burroughs · 60 min · Panel on what makes a believable teenage Shakespeare didn't just write histories, character, young love, or great teen romances, and comedies. He was also a hero. But there’s so much more to master at drawing on folk sources, and explore! What about stereotypical teen creating compelling fantasy fictions. behavior? Villains? Reality versus Let's consider the fantastic side of fiction? Let’s spread the net wide. This Shakespeare: his characters, his stories, is our chance to dish on the topics that and the magic within his writing. get the least airtime. Autographing: Robert J. Sawyer, Carter Sound and Fury: Storytelling in Audio Roy (Michael Stearns), Allen M. Steele Drama Galleria · 60 min · Autographing Bruce Coville, Kate Baker, C. S. E. Cooney, Kaffeeklatsch: Nat Segaloff Bob Kuhn (M), Timothy Liebe Galleria - Con Suite · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel How do you tell a story when all you Kaffeeklatsch: Beth Meacham have is the sound of your voice? Learn Galleria - Con Suite · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch tips and tricks for setting the scene, Page 34 | BOSKONE 55 SUNDAY
Deconstruct an Accordion! Song Circle: Moldy Oldies Galleria · 60 min · Children - DragonsLair Stephen Brinich Help take apart an old accordion to see Lewis · 60 min · Filk how it's constructed! The Visual Language of Art Reading by Mary Robinette Kowal Bob Eggleton, Marianne Plumridge, Reiko Griffin · 30 min · Reading Murakami, Vincent Di Fate, Joe Siclari (M) Marina 1 · 60 min · Panel Marketing Uphill A picture is worth a thousand words. Melanie Meadors, Alexander Jablokov (M), Whether you’re looking at a painting by Suzanne Reynolds-Alpert, Joshua Bilmes, Rembrandt van Rijn or by Boris Craig Miller Vallejo, it captures a moment of time Harbor II · 60 min · Panel and tells a story about it. Let's consider Sometimes marketing for writers feels like walking uphill to school barefoot in some of our favorite paintings — past and present, mainstream and speculative the snow. Does it ever get easier? At — to discuss what they say, how they what point is enough enough for you say it, and why we love them. and your social network? What about live events? How much should you The Future of Work invest, and how do you measure the Karl Schroeder, James Cambias, Mark L. return? Our panelists share their Olson (M), Jeff Hecht, B. Diane Martin experiences and tips for managing your Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel marketing. How has innovation — changing technologies, new digital platforms, Living With Climate Change advanced AIs — altered the Vandana Singh, Vincent Docherty (M), Robert fundamental nature of work? While V.S. Redick, Les Johnson, Laurie Mann humans may always have a place in the Harbor III · 60 min · Panel labor hierarchy, just where will we find The last year has seen an onslaught of ourselves on the food chain? Is there floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, and more. Birds and room for everyone? Specifically, how will technology eliminate current jobs mammals are altering their migration and enable new ones? patterns. Insects, fish, and plants are showing up where they’ve not been seen Horror and Humor before. It feels like an apocalyptic James Moore, Lauren Roy, Craig Shaw novel. But it's just what we get to live Gardner, Don Pizarro (M), Marianna Martin with, in an age of shifting global Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel climate. Let’s put efforts to reverse That's awfully funny! Horror and humor things aside. Without becoming too may be strange bedfellows, but the two doomy or gloomy — with our natural genres can combine in surprisingly world in flux, what can we expect next? complementary ways. How can you best How do we prepare for changes to weave them together into a terribly come? What steps can we as individuals amusing tale? And why do they work so take to adjust to our changing world? well together? Reading by John P Murphy LGBTQ Elements in Speculative Fiction Independence · 30 min · Reading Steve Berman (M), John Chu, Susan Jane Bigelow, Christian Baines, Julia Rios Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel
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Where are all the LGBTQ characters in The Accordion Autopsy SF/F/H? They may exist — but are Geri Sullivan often relegated to secondary or Galleria - Con Suite · 60 min · Discussion background status. What can we do to Group elevate them to main characters? Our Come join us for a discussion and panelists cite some of the best LGBTQ dissection of an old accordion that has speculative fictions being published, seen better days. and what makes these pieces stand out. Magic Show for Kids Generally, what authors and publishers Daniel P. Dern should we be following? Galleria · 60 min · Children - DragonsLair Daniel Dern brings back his 11:30 AM DragonsLair magic show for Boskone's children! Reading by Fran Wilde Griffin · 30 min · Reading Comics and Cookies Josh Dahl, Brenda Noiseux Reading by Julie Holderman Galleria - Meetup Spot · 60 min · Discussion Independence · 30 min · Reading Group Bring your cookies and your favorite 12:00 NOON DC Rebirth comics, and chat with fellow fans about the new stories being Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler told. Jennifer Pelland (M), Vandana Singh, Kenesha Williams, Scott Lynch, Marshall Ryan Maresca Reading by Geary Gravel Burroughs · 60 min · Panel Griffin · 30 min · Reading Octavia Butler's prescient dystopian Lego Robotics Demo & Programming novel Parable of the Sower was written Michael Sharrow (M), Chris Ernenwein, 25 years ago. Set in the 2020s, it Siavesh Safarizadeh, Matt Brown, Dan Gessel, presents a society beset by climate Chenyu Lin, Karl Twelker change, social and economic collapse, Harbor I · 180 min · Event corporate greed, wealth inequality … Have you ever wanted to build a robotic need we go on? What did Butler’s arm? A remote controlled racer? A masterpiece get right — and wrong? mechanical monster of doom? Here’s How do her beleaguered characters your chance! Using Lego NXT kits, we cope? And what can the novel teach us will build the project of your dreams. today? Guaranteed to destroy Jupiter! (Scale model of Jupiter not included.) Autographing: E. Ardell, John Langan, Christine Taylor-Butler Designed for members from age 10 to Galleria · 60 min · Autographing adult. Kaffeeklatsch: Walter John Williams Ticket to Ride: Rails and Sails Galleria - Con Suite · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Harbor I · 180 min · Gaming Kaffeeklatsch: Hilary Monahan Munchkin Galleria - Con Suite · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch Harbor I · 120 min · Gaming
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Everybody’s a Critic. No, Really. Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel Fred Lerner (M), Deirdre Crimmins, David Fifty years ago, 2001: A Space Odyssey McDonald, Darrell Schweitzer, Gillian Daniels stormed the screens and bookstores of Harbor II · 60 min · Panel the science fiction and science worlds. From Goodreads to Rotten Tomatoes to (Clarke’s book and Stanley Kubrick’s social media, a vast chatterverse of film were developed concurrently, opinions instantly rates any story, book, based on Clarke’s 1951 short story “The movie, game, song, or con panel you Sentinel”; both men worked at writing might wish to experience. Where can both; the movie was actually released you find the best reviews? How can you first.) As icons of the genre, these works tell quickly if a given review is transformed the way people think about worthwhile? If you opine yourself, how science fiction, space, AIs, and more. can you make sure your own hot take Where are we 50 years later? Is 2001 stays cool? still the classic it was? Do the science Stories for Themed Anthologies and story still hold up? What did it tell Tom Easton, Julia Rios (M), Erin Underwood, us about our future, and are we there Elaine Cunningham, Clarence Young yet? Harbor III · 60 min · Panel Women Who Write Science Fiction The growing popularity of themed LJ Cohen, Victoria Sandbrook (M), Catherine anthologies is creating new life for short Asaro, Erin Roberts, Marianna Martin fiction. Editing and writing for these Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel collections, however, can be tricky. Mary Shelley, Leigh Brackett, Ursula K. How do you find the right stories? To Le Guin, Connie Willis, N. K. Jemisin what extent do you edit? And what kind — women have been in the thick of of anthology would we all like to see? writing science fiction for a very long Reading by Les Johnson time. Let's discuss some of their Independence · 30 min · Reading landmark publications that captured our imagination. Why do we love these Song Circle: Myths and Legends stories? What works should we look for Mary Ellen Wessels, Edward L. Stauff the next time we're browsing the Lewis · 60 min · Filk shelves? Dark Fantasy for Children/YA "Realistic" Hackers Adam Stemple (M), Sarah Jean Horwitz, Tui John P. Murphy (M), Walt Williams, Dan Sutherland, Jane Yolen, Gabriel Erkard Moren, Laurence Raphael Brothers, Brianna Marina 1 · 60 min · Panel Wu How dark is too dark when it comes to Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel dark fantasy and horror for younger Computer hackers are often depicted as readers? Is there an invisible line in the genius young criminals who work in sand? Should we provide kids with their parents’ basements, as guys who more happy endings? And what draws are nonconforming loners, as sexy them to these stories in the first place … quirky girls who rock killer glasses. The even when none of the characters are truth is far more complex. Let's hack the children? hacker mythology, and debunk the 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. creepy caricatures we see on TV and Clarke read about in books. Are there any good William Hayashi, Robert J. Sawyer, Steven examples out there of hacker characters Popkes (M), Laurie Mann, Eric Van who are realistically portrayed? SUNDAY Page 37 | BOSKONE 55
12:15 PM come together for this special group reading. Bubblegum Crisis (ep 2-4) Carlton · 92 min · Film/TV/Media Neil Gaiman Anniversary Reads A female mercenary team, armed with Jane Yolen, Justin Key, John Langan, Trisha unique power armor suits, battles the Wooldridge, Bracken MacLeod (M) Harbor II · 60 min · Panel forces of the corrupt mega-corporation It’s a notable year for Neil Gaiman, with Genom in futuristic Tokyo. The publication anniversaries for his episodes are entitled "Born to Kill,” engaging, ironic dark fantasies The "Blow Up," and "Revenge Road." Graveyard Book (10th) and The Ocean at the End of the Lane (5th) — plus 12:30 PM from his lighter side, Don't Panic: The Official Hitchhiker's Guide to the Reading by Tamora Pierce Griffin · 30 min · Reading Galaxy Companion (30th). Let's gab about his novels and stories, comics and Reading by James Moore characters, movies and TV adaptations Independence · 30 min · Reading and rock-star aura. Boskone Special Guest Talk by Craig 1:00 PM Miller Something Old/New/Borrowed/Blue Harbor III · 60 min · Solo Talk Fred Lerner, Paul Di Filippo, Geary Gravel, Join us for a fascinating talk by Craig Edie Stern (M), Michael Swanwick Miller, a well-known and respected Burroughs · 60 min · Panel writer/producer with over 300 credits to Expand your to-be-read list, as well as his name. Craig will discuss his your horizons. Our intrepid panelists experiences in the film industry, and will recommend a classic SF book, a treat us to a Lucasfilm look at the current SF book, something brought in production of Star Wars and The from outside SF that is a must-read — Empire Strikes Back. and, if they wish, something sexy as Turning a Short Story Into a Play well! Jeanne Beckwith Autographing: Auston Habershaw, Independence · 60 min · Discussion Group Christopher Paniccia, Max Gladstone Got a story that would be great on the Galleria · 60 min · Autographing stage? Don't know where to start? Step through the process with playwright Kaffeeklatsch: Paul Tremblay Jeanne Beckwith in this Boskone Galleria - Con Suite · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch workshop on how to turn a short story Kaffeeklatsch: Jack Haringa into a stage play. Participants are Galleria - Con Suite · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch welcome to bring a short story of their choice to the workshop. Afrofuturism Group Reading William Hayashi (M), Kenesha Williams, Errick Concert: Gary Ehrlich Nunnally, Christine Taylor-Butler, Clarence Lewis · 30 min · Filk Young Griffin · 60 min · Reading Building BIG Structures in Space Boskone's Afrofuturism Reading Les Johnson Marina 1 · 60 min · Solo Talk features a wide selection of authors who When we think of our future in space, we need to think big. After all, space Page 38 | BOSKONE 55 SUNDAY elevators, space solar power stations, do life and death really mean in a genre and kilometer-scale solar sails aren't where The End is probably just A New exactly small. How will we build these Beginning? big space structures? And do the materials we will need exist today? 1:30 PM (Have you heard of graphene? If not, then you will!) Concert: Mary Ellen Wessels & Ed Stauff Lewis · 30 min · Filk Weird Science and Odd Inventions James Cambias, John P. Murphy (M), Julie C. Day, David G. Shaw, Jeff Carroll 2:00 PM Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel Ending a Series Sometimes ideas sound better in your E. C. Ambrose (M), Marshall Ryan Maresca, head! Scientific discovery and invention Debra Doyle, Walter H. Hunt, Sarah Smith can take strange and unexpected turns Burroughs · 60 min · Panel when creativity is let loose. Fortunately, After writing three novels (or more!), some of the end products turn out to be how do you pull all your loose ends truly remarkable. Our panelists discuss together to provide a satisfying their favorite unusual inventions and conclusion? What are readers looking surprising scientific discoveries. for in the final book of a series? And if Igniting the STEM Literary Movement you leave openings for another triptych J. Kathleen Cheney, Catherine Asaro, Kaitlin or two, can it really feel like The End? R. Branch, Brenda Noiseux (M), Cady Autographing: Sarah Jean Horwitz, Coleman Christopher Irvin, Vandana Singh Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel Galleria · 60 min · Autographing There’s a growing focus in education on bringing more science, technology, Tea With Mary (Kaffeeklatsch: Mary engineering, and mathematics (STEM) Robinette Kowal) into the classroom. Stories with strong Galleria - Con Suite · 60 min · Kaffeeklatsch STEM components are being written for Join Boskone's Guest of Honor for tea children and young adults. But how do in the Con Suite. (Requires we attract younger readers’ attention, Kaffeeklatsch sign-up at Program Ops and build greater interest in this in the Harbor Foyer.) literature? Participants share their ideas Group Reading: Stonecoast MFA and invite suggestions from the James Patrick Kelly (M), Theodora Goss (M), audience. Julie C. Day, Kaitlin R. Branch, Mihku Paul, E. Resurrecting Superman Ardell Dan Moren (M), Marianna Martin, David Griffin · 60 min · Reading McDonald, Stephen P. Kelner Jr., Robert Come hear the literary stylings of the Howard Stonecoast MFA alumni, students, and Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel faculty who have come together for this How do you kill a Kryptonian so he special group reading at Boskone. stays dead? Odds are, we’re not about to Field Medicine in a Fantasy World find out … While dead may be dead in James D. Macdonald, LJ Cohen (M), Kristin at least a few cases, most comic book / Janz, Kevin McLaughlin, Christopher Paniccia movie superheroes have an uncanny Harbor III · 60 min · Panel knack for survival — thanks to their After fighting orcs or falling into a power of super takesies-backsies. What ravine, you can come out with more SUNDAY Page 39 | BOSKONE 55
than cuts and bruises. Yet without Marina 3 · 60 min · Panel modern medicine, our fantasy heroes are When fans band together, it can be a often left to their own devices to stitch powerful thing. After Sense8 was themselves back together. What tips and canceled, the internet exploded with tricks should they know? What nearby plaudits, protests, and petitions. Result: items — plants, herbs, spyderwebs — the network added a special 2-hour might be helpful? But also: why isn’t series finale. Let's discuss the keys to there tons more toothache, child successful fan-led revivals of television mortality, and gangrene in shows. What makes them successful? Fantasielande? How do we let the networks know what we want, and that we mean business? Reading by Robert V.S. Redick Independence · 30 min · Reading Great Villains in Kids' SF/F Tui Sutherland, Bruce Coville, Carlos Song Circle: Parody Hernandez, Melanie Meadors (M), Tamora Gary Ehrlich Pierce Lewis · 60 min · Filk Marina 4 · 60 min · Panel Name That Tune: Movie Scenes From Sauron to Voldemort, the Grinch Vincent Docherty (M), Tim Szczesuil, Denise to the White Witch to the Dane Twins, A. Gendron Mrs. Coulter to President Snow to Marina 1 · 60 min · Game Show Mayor Prentiss — what kind of Music is a critical component in characters do children and young adults creating mood or building tension for truly love to hate? Are there limits to movie moments, and may help to make showing real evil, or can kids take more a scene memorable or iconic. Can we than we think? How obvious do we get: identify a scene simply by playing its if there’s a mustache, must it be twirled? music? Let's find out with this special edition of Name That Tune. The 2:30 PM audience guesses the movie scene, using clues and music to name it — then the Reading by Gabriel Erkard panel discusses the scene, the music, Independence · 30 min · Reading and why they work so well together. Comics, the Hugo Awards, and the 3:00 PM Future Feedback Session Brenda Noiseux (M), Jackie Kamlot, Josh Dahl, Jim Mann, Erin Underwood, Gay Ellen James Bacon Dennett, Richard Duffy Marina 2 · 60 min · Panel Burroughs · 60 min · Panel Consider comics and their place in the This con is over, people. (Except for Hugo Awards. How's the Hugo for Best Dead Dog Filking — and of course Graphic Story working out? As tales teardown, where we’d love to have your from comics take over TV and movies, help!) But we’re already working on is one award enough? Let’s discuss the Boskone 56. Help us get a good head pros and cons of it all. And if this were start with reports on what went right (or a comic, what happens in the next wrong) this time, and how to achieve exciting issue? perfection next year. Fan Power and TV
Janice Gelb (M), Genny Dazzo, Suford Lewis FN, Steve Davidson, Flourish Klink Page 40 | BOSKONE 55
MASSFILC Business Meeting 3:30 PM Lewis · 20 min · Filk The (usually brief) monthly business Dead Dog Open Singing meeting of MASSFILC, the greater Lewis · 100 min · Filk Boston area's local filk club. Come share songs to close out the convention! Science-fictional or fantastic topics may predominate, but all songs are welcome. Come to sing or just to listen.
Ursula K. Le Guin Memory Book
SATURDAY 10:00 AM-6:00 PM IN THE GALLERIA - MAKER'S SPACE
Come to the Maker's Space in the Galleria on Saturday, February 17, 2018 between 10:00 am-6:00 pm to write your message in memory of Ursula K. Le Guin. The memory book will be shared with her family after the convention.