Another ConQuesT weekend has arrived. I have art in the art show, and here’s my programming schedule: Story in a Bag SAT 10 AM & Story in a Bag SAT 12 PM Women of Star Trek SAT 3 PM From Lieutenant Uhura to Captain Janeway women have been an important part of the Star Trek franchise. This panel will discuss the role of women in the Star Trek franchise and how it has evolved and changed…

Harlan Ellison signing at Archon. Photo by Allison Stein 2015

Archon is one of my favorite science fiction conventions. This year, they brought one of my long-time favorite authors as special guest: Harlan Ellison. I discovered Ellison’s short stories in the late 1970s, when I was in high school. My first real-life encounter with the author was when the university booked him as a speaker. I convinced my mother to take me to see him. I was probably 15 at the time, and my little…

I had a wonderful time at Archon weekend before last (Oct. 2-4,2015). Archon is one of my favorite science fiction conventions. From my perspective as a panelist and participating artist, everything ran smoothly. I need to send a big shout out to the concom, especially the programming team, the art show team, and the volunteers: Awesome job, ya’ll! Thank you shout-outs also to Alan D and his awesome first aid skills  (No worries. It’s just a…

May, June, and July were very very busy months for me. I attended four science fiction conventions (Spectrum, ConQuest, SoonerCon, and Contemplation) and an academic conference on the literature of science fiction (The Campbell Conference). I participated in two art shows (ConQuesT, SoonerCon). I took a road trip to Arkansas to celebrate with the good folks of Yard Dog Press. We celebrated two national holidays with friends, saw a couple of musicals at Starlight, and…

Here’s my schedule for SoonerCon, June 27-28 in Oklahoma City: Friday, June 27 3 pm —Tut, Tut Mummy! Why this strange fascination with the dried-up husks of dead people? You don’t see movie franchises about Mayans or the Inuit. Why have other myth systems been left behind in the (mummy) dust? 5 pm — A Game of Thrones: A Fan’s Addiction (moderator) Is the series a dark fantasy or rather, a soap opera with swords…