Time for another update…
Want to know who is on which panels and when? Try out our Panel Grid, Programming by Day-Room-Time, and Programming by Panelist.
We’ll keep updating until the convention, but this should convince you why you shouldn’t miss ConDFW!
(last updated 02/07/2012)
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7th Annual ConDFW Sci-fi Spelling Bee!
Quake in orthographic awe, ye mortals, for the sci-fi spelling bee has returned! Anyone can spell boring Standard English! To flourish in this arena of erudition, you must also be prepared to spell words in Elvish, Wookiee and Klingon. Brave the boundless lexicon of sci-fi, fantasy and mythology to find out if you have what it takes to arise triumphant.
A Thousand Other Paths: Third Party RPG Publishing 101
Pathfinder’s wave is building. Want to be a part of it? Veteran game designer and third party publisher, Gary McBride, will show you the nuts and bolts of getting started and take your questions. There has never been a better time to publish a roleplaying game book or PDF of your own.
Anatomy of a Red Shirt, or How to Kill Secondary Characters Realistically
Okay, in the typical horror movie you see main (sort of) characters killed off one by one. However, the difference between a good horror movie and a bad one usually lies in whether the audience cares about the characters that are being killed off. Our panelists discuss how to create a believable “Red Shirt” without losing credibility, or someone’s lunch.
Apocalypse Later? What will be Our Doom?
With all the talk of Apocalypse this year (and the past few days), one thing hasn’t been covered. What do our panelists think WILL destroy the world? Let conspiracies abound, and if the government is watching I was never here.
Apocalypse Now! How to Dance with Death
It’s only February, and the talk of the end of the world is only accelerating. The real question is how do we as writers and artists deal with the deluge of death and destruction? Let’s open the convention with a bang, and talk about how to bring our visions of the apocalypse to the world!
Arming Tribbles - How to Arm Primitives Realistically
In more and more books in the science fiction/alternate history genre, technologically superior humans encounter primitive aliens. What do they do with them? If they’re “good guys”, they invariably bring out the big guns, teach the aliens how to make flintlocks or cannons, and thus the “primitive” society is kicked screaming into the Gunpowder Age. Is this right? Ethical? Our panelists discuss this and exactly what primitive societies could theoretically make in each era…if helped.
Body Language: Writing Martial Arts
Sure, it’s easy to describe a punch to the stomach, and a sweep to the legs. But is it anatomically possible? And what are some moves that are legit to use? We bring some martial artists to the table and let’s see if we can describe what they do – without a video camera.
Cherie Priest – a Reading by the Author
Join our Guest of Honor as she reads from her own works. What will she be reading? Well, that’s a secret you’ll have to show up to find out.
Constant Push: The Race for Constant Propulsion
One of the biggest stumbling blocks to travel in outer space is the fact that we have a limited amount of fuel and no way of resupplying it away from Mother Earth. So how do we get around this problem? Our resident rocket scientists tackle the problem and the various ways it can be dealt with in the future.
Copyright and Copies: What to Watch For
The Internet is a dangerous place, and it is very easy to put something up to get noticed and have it get copied. Merely look at Facebook and the simple “Share” button – imagine one of your works put on a JPEG and Shared around! Our panelists discuss copyright and things to watch out for on the Internet, and how to protect your work.
Costumes on a Budget!
It’s one thing to sigh and admire the costly gowns, the glittery light shows and the complicated steam punk gear. But for most people, they can’t afford to build something like that because, well, they’re poor. (Artists and Musicians both…) Well rejoice, this panel is for you! Come find out how to build a costume – and perhaps ideas for tomorrows Pageant!
Cover Page of DOOM! Or How I Learned to Love Rejection
You can create a lovely work of art all you want, but if no one buys it you are in trouble. Even when you create art to the specifications of the buyer, it may not be to their liking. So how does one deal with this? Our artists in residence tell their tales of woe, and how they overcame them.
Creating the Scene: How to Set the Stage in a Play
Continuing our series on playwriting, this panel is all about the scene. There are many ways of setting the scene, from broody Narration to artful dialogue between the characters. However, these tools can often be misused – the bad movies of Coleman Francis come to mind where the narrator would narrate a phone call that was happening on screen, rather than listening to the phone call itself! Our expert playwrights seek to help clarify things, both on and off the stage.
Destroying the Universe One Butterfly at a Time: Time Travel and You!
Authors as varied as Timothy Zahn to Ray Bradbury have tackled this subject – how the world was either changed or resisted change because of time travel. There are many perspectives on the subject, but one thing is for sure: paradoxes happen very easily, and are difficult to write out of. Our esteemed panelists gather to help prospective time travelers write their way out of being their own grandfathers.
Dodging Asteroids: Living in the Solar Belt
There are a lot of minerals out there, but no way to get them – at least for However, with missions being planned to Mars and beyond, mining the asteroid belt may not be so far off. But how can we do this in the next 15 to 20 years? Our panelists discuss the future of blue collar work – asteroid mining.
Does This Dimension Make Me Look Bad? 2-D vs. 3-D
Art is spectacular to look at and to experience. But which medium is right for which ideas? Can the same ideas be properly expressed in sculpture that is expressed in a painting? What is lost in the transition? Let the debate begin – which dimension is better for expressing yourself? Our resident artists tackle this question and more.
Don’t Quit Your Day Job!
A popular panel from last year, we bring the perennial topic back: what does one do to survive while waiting for your big break? Our panelists share horror stories of what they had to do to survive, and offer advice on what you can do as well.
Dystopian Future: Learning the Mistakes of the Past Over and Over Again
“I have seen the future, and it is us.” Quotes like this one from Walt Kelly’s “Pogo” are shown in movies such as Blade Runner and Clockwork Orange, and novels such as Orwell’s “1984” and Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”. But such grandiose worlds are hard to create, as they reflect the very worst in humanity. Our panelists attempt to explain how to explore these varied futures, and how to make them come alive. Perhaps our future readers will learn from us?
e-Books and You! How to Publish Online
The Internet is here to stay, folks. So how do you get your stories heard online? Our expert publishers tell you the ins and outs of publishing e-books.
Escape from the Slush Pile
We bring back this popular panel from last year to tantalize people with mistakes and errors you should try not to do. Beware: someday you may end up here if you do not learn from your mistakes… Come and learn from our editors on what to avoid so you don’t end up on the slush pile.
Fandom Pictionary
Play Pictionary or just watch as four of our artists compete. Come and see our artists face off against each other. Pictionary has never been this much fun!
Fire in Space: Describing Zero G Disasters
In many ways, fire is the second deadliest fear in outer space (with being in vacuum probably first). Fire consumes the very stuff we breathe, and oxygen has a finite supply in space. So how does one describe disasters in science fiction? Our science experts describe the science of space disasters.
Flying the Friendly Dirigible Skies: Steampunk Aviation
One of the traditional views of the steampunk genre is the dirigible, or the zeppelin. In fact, it is often used to illustrate to modern audiences that they are in an alternate reality – if they see a dirigible, they know it’s not their world. For examples, look at Blade Runner (dirigible ads floating 24/7), Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (Zeppelins docking with the Empire State Building), etc. So, let’s fly a floating flammable gas bag and see what the future really is!
Historical Fiction vs. Alternate History: Keeping History Straight
These two genres have been banging heads since the dawn of time, so to speak. One inhabits the history and keeps things in line, and one takes a spot in history and deviates from it. However, they have one thing in common: they need to get a particular period in history correct in ALL details so that it is believable. Our panelists talk about how to keep history straight so that it can be messed with at a later time.
Horror vs. Urban Fantasy: Where is the Line?
Sometimes it is difficult to find what section a particular Urban Fantasy book belongs to. It is sometimes found in the Science Fiction/Fantasy section, but sometimes it is found in the Horror section. And to be honest, some Horror has been Urban Fantasy before the genre really came about, like Anne Rice’s vampire series. But what is the line between the darkness of Horror and the lightness of SF/Fantasy? Our panelists debate this dark topic and perhaps find out what Urban Fantasy really is.
Horror without Focus: Writing the Apocalypse in Horror
It is moderately easy to create a horror story where you have an obvious villain. But in this year of disaster and apocalypse, we see the other side of Horror – where the villain is nature itself, whether by fire, flood or plague. Our panelists discuss the Apocalyptic Horror genre and its future in a time where the future is never certain.
How to Fix Terrible Prose – Writing Seminar
Ever wanted to find out how to fix terrible writing but never knew how to do it? Led by Mel White, this panel seeks to do group therapy – taking a piece of horrible writing and fixing it so it is a shining jewel of prose. Well, maybe not, but group participation is going to be requested, so good luck and have fun!
Interstellar Archaeology: Initial Findings
The first of two panels where we inflict discover startling artifacts of OBVIOUS alien origin and our esteemed (and indeed, TRAINED) archeologists in turn tell us what the artifacts are. Light hearted fun, and bring ear plugs!
Interstellar Archeology: The Debunking
The second of two panels where we inflict discover startling artifacts of OBVIOUS alien origin. Our experts tell us how wrong the previous esteemed panelists were! Last year, Sunday’s panel thoroughly debunked Friday’s experts. Come see if the same holds true this year!
Inventing Language: How to create a language
Ever wanted to know how to create a language, whether as an element of story or as an end in itself? This workshop seeks to give aspiring artists ways and means in creating unique languages in their writing world.
Leather Mask Making
A popular panel from last year returns! This demo covers an in-depth look at the techniques for producing professional quality masks that range from very simple to very elaborate; using a wet leather technique. This method involves cutting and soaking the leather until it reaches a very pliable consistency that can be sculpted into incredibly creative designs of every genre. This will be followed by drying, painting, and decorating techniques that will produce a beautiful, wearable object of art that can be both worn and displayed.
Leaving Clues in Mysteries
A mystery is not a mystery if it is easily solved, not is it a mystery if it can’t be solved at all. Leaving clues can be difficult, especially if they are too obvious, or too subtle. And that’s before you have clever villains who leave red herrings as clues! Our resident sleuths tell us how to leave a clue in a way that the story moves forward.
Life As We Know It: The Astronomy of Class M Planets
One of the interesting breakthroughs is the confirmation of planets that are in the “habitable zone”. However, what does that mean and where can we take it? Our scientists discuss these possibilities and more.
Marketing for Creative People
Sometimes doing something the same old way doesn’t necessarily work. Besides, writers and artists generally tend to be more creative than usual. So why not use different ways of marketing yourself? Led by Mel White, our panelists talk about ways to market yourself in ways that go against the norm, and just might catch the attention of your readers and viewers.
Medium of Choice: How to Choose Your Art Type
Pastel, Watercolor, Black and White, Acrylic…there are many different types of art, from hand paint to collages. But for those aspiring artists who don’t know what to start with, there is a lot of intimidation when you walk into an art store and see the many choices. Our artists give a heads up on what’s out there, what they use and why, plus tips to make choosing an easier process.
Opening Ceremonies
Greetings from the official kick-off to ConDFW XI! Stop by as we introduce our Guests of Honor and welcome everyone to ConDFW 2012!
Pornography vs. Erotica
The always-popular, always heated panel returns for a tenth year! The topic for this year involves disaster scenarios, of course. Can a relationship during the apocalypse really be erotic? Or is the desperation of the short-lived moment pure pornography? The debate may rage till midnight… Adults Only!
Publishing 101: Publishing Short Stories
How does a prospective writer get their short story published? Perhaps the first question to really ask is this: in what format do you want to be seen? Our experts tell you ways and means to be seen and heard.
Publishing 201: Publishing Novels
Once you have built your world, and populated it with the stories of your liking, it’s time to get that novel out to the uncaring world. How do you do it? There are many wrong ways that will end up costing you hard earned money and will result in you not seeing a dime. Our guest publishers tell you of ways to avoid this fate and to get your magnum opus seen on shelves.
Q&A with Cherie Priest
One of the up and coming writers, Cherie Priest is renowned for her steampunk settings and dark urban fantasy. But what is she working on now? How did she get where she is today? Find out these questions and more as Guest of Honor Cherie Priest answers questions from our moderator.
Ragnarok and You: Using Norse Mythology
No discussion on the upcoming apocalypse would be complete without covering Norse mythology and Ragnarok. What you may not know is that Ragnarok does not mean destruction at all, but means “the final destiny of the gods”. Learn more about the classics from our experts on myth and legend, and try to forget about comic book movies based on the same topic.
Rate Our Con: Criticism and Kudos
Come by and tell us what you thought of the convention!
Raurgh! Zombies ate my brain! (And How YOU can avoid this fate!)
One of the first causes of the apocalypse that comes to mind (outside of high cholesterol) is the inevitable zombie outbreak. Whether by a rogue comet, magic, or science gone wrong, zombies are entrenched in modern society’s mind. The question still remains, however – how do you survive the zombie outbreak? Is it necessary to own a number of weapons? Our resident survivologists spread the news. Programming Note: Survival is not guaranteed by attending this panel.
Redheads of the Apocalypse
Yes, it’s that time again – and the craziness that is the Redheads of the Apocalypse are doing a press conference about a new book called “Redheads in Love”. Should be a lot of fun, and they’ll answer any questions you have…
Self-editing Err0rs
Another popular panel with our con-goers, last year our panelists discussed ways of catching those pesky errors. Remember, friends are essential for finding errors. The more eyes on your work, the better – each different perspective helps catch things you miss! And watch out for Autocorrect…
Shutting Out Distraction: How to Create a Good Workplace
The hardest thing to do is start your epic novel, or canvas masterpiece. But it is even harder to start when you have things distracting you – the phone, loud neighbors, or the inevitable zombie apocalypse. Our panelists share their ways of creating their personal zone of creativity – whether at home, at a coffee shop, or travelling on a plane.
Soaring Ships and Swashbuckling Sentients: Trends in Space Opera
Once upon a time Science Fiction was just that – fiction that had a science flair to it. However, then the flair of super heroes came, with serialized adventures in pulp and cinema. And with the coming of John Carter of Mars to the big screen in all his SFX glory, the genre of Space Opera is poised to make a big comeback. Our panelists talk about where this is going, and what to look forward to in the future.
Talking During the Movies — Tommy vs. Trolls
In the hallowed halls of bad moviedom, there has arisen a conundrum. What is the best worst movie ever made? Tonight we screen two world-class contenders for the title. Congoers, prepare for glory!
The Room (2003) — Tommy Wiseau’s gift to the world, “The Room” is a movie that dares you to watch it. This modern masterpiece of crap defies easy description. Suffice to say, that while you may leave “The Room”, “The Room” will never leave you.
Troll 2 (1991) — We know what movie you really want to see this year. We know you’re all chomping at the bit for The Hobbit. But wait! I sense fear, trepidation even. Will they do the source material justice? Will the Hobbit be as good as the trilogy? Are we in for massive disappointment? Fear not, my friends. For whatever the Hobbit maybe, it will be better than Troll 2. Perhaps the worst fantasy movie ever made, what more can you say about a movie called ‘Troll 2′ that has no trolls in it?
The Aftermath of Harry Potter’s Legacy
Now that Harry Potter is officially over (or at least until the inevitable spinoffs happen), it’s time to deconstruct a literal decade. What is the legacy of Harry Potter? How has this series of 7 books and 8 movies impacted the Fantasy genre, the Young Adult genre and the rise of Urban Fantasy? We gather together to mourn the passing of Dumbledore and celebrate the death of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named for the last time. (Maybe.)
The Aspiring Artists Panel
With the increasing number of e-zines, websites, and even YouTube cluttering up the visual spectrum, how does an aspiring artist get known? Are the traditional art galleries the way to go, or merely a dead end? Our esteemed panelists help those with a visual creative bent express themselves in this day and age.
The Aspiring Writers Panel
How does one become a writer in these days of self-publishing scams and floods of electronic stories? Where does one go to be heard in today’s electronic universe? Our esteemed authors give advice and answer questions on these topics and more.
The Dangers of Self-Publishing
There are more and more dangers out there for the unwary prospective writer. From vanity book publishing to groups that disappear with your story rights, there needs to be a guide on what to look for when you want to sell yourself for fun and profit. Our panelists seek to do just that.
The Fight of the Century: Urban Fantasy vs. Paranormal Romance!
Yes, this is the fight you’ve all been looking forward to – where is the line between Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance? Which side gets the vampires of darkness, and which side gets the hot vampires? We put together these two combustible forces and see what happens! Bring your own popcorn.
The Geometry of Paranormal Relationships
Relationships between humans, vampires, werewolves and other things that go bump (or at least we HOPE they go bump) in the night can be complicated. How does one keep stereotypical love triangles out of the mix? Heck, should they be kept out of the mix? Our experts talk about the relationships, how to describe them, and how to avoid getting overcomplicated. Note: This might get spicy, so be forewarned!
The Golden Rule – Why Should We Follow It if No One Else Is?
Most editors are steadfast in that new writers should follow the rules in writing fiction. Fiction classes in college teach realism, and never teach how to imagine. However, many successful writers don’t follow those same rules. How does an aspiring writer travel the narrow line of double standards? Our panelists debate these topics and more.
The Joke’s on You! – Trends in Humor
How does one tell a joke? If you can smell a bad punch line from a mile away, then the joke will fall flat. If your jokes fall flat the story won’t go very far, will it? Our resident humorists share the ways in which you can joke, and who is doing it the best these days.
The Magic of Science: Trends in Science Fiction
It has often been said that any sufficiently advanced science can be described as magic. So how does an aspiring writer avoid creating magic rather than believable science? Or perhaps the better question is: should they? Our panelists examine this question and more as they relate the coming trends in Science Fiction.
The mARTian Collaboration
They say if you ask a committee to design a horse, you’ll get a camel. Come see what happens when we team up these artists and ask them to design a Martian, alien, or whatever that audience demands!
The Next Challenger Has Arrived! Heroines in Young Adult
The rise of teen heroines is significant these days. From the “Morganville Vampires” and Claire to the “Hunger Games” and Katniss, strong female leads are appearing more and more. Our novelists describe the role YA heroines have to fill and why it is so vitally important they do so.
This Present Darkness: Trends in Young Adult
Young Adult books have gotten progressively darker in the past couple of years to the point where even the New York Time has noticed. This hasn’t stopped Young Adult from becoming more and more popular – from the dark ending of Harry Potter to the Hunger Games and beyond. Is this healthy for teen readers? Or is this a sign that our world is growing dark? Our YA novelists talk about the health of the genre, and where it is going.
Variations on a Theme: How to Create Anthologies
One of the more popular ways of getting your short story heard (and definitely some of the most fun!) is via the anthology. But how does one come up with a theme? Does it involve darts on a dart board of ideas? And how are authors chosen? Led by our resident expert on anthologies, Lee Martindale, we delve into the creation of Anthologies, and the peril within.
What the Filk? – Filk 101
Ever wonder what filk is? How it got started? How you can join in? Are you tired of the same old music? Yeah, we thought so. Our experts will instruct you in the all the basics of filking. Stop by this always informative panel and learn the “who’s, what’s, and where’s” of filking.
Where in Tarnation is the Western?
When was the last true Western movie you’ve seen? If you said Rango, then this should illustrate the point – you just don’t see much Western in the theaters these days. However, what makes the Western so popular? Are movies like “The Grey” a Western? Is it about survivability in the wild, or is it only about Indians and Gunfighters? Our panelists try to find where to find a good Western, and how to create your own.
Where’s My Unicorn? Trends in Fantasy
With the recent surge of genre mashups, something may have been lost – the pure worlds of fantasy. Where are the worlds of unicorns, mages and no hint of sparkly vampires? Where are the modern versions of Tolkien? Our panelists try to figure out where the genre of Fantasy is going – and whether it needs saving.
William Stout – A Career Retrospective
Join our Artist Guest of Honor for a PowerPoint presentation of his work and hear him discuss his methods and creative process. Come with a hunger for knowledge as there will be plenty of time for you to ask questions.
World-Destruction 101: Destroying What You Created
It’s one thing to build a world, with fluffy bunnies and majestic unicorns. It’s another thing entirely to destroy it without losing your audience. There is a fine line between pointless destruction (which an audience dismisses) and gratuitous destruction (which may ick the audience away), and our experts at written devastation tell you where it is, how to travel it, and what details may need to be left out along the way.
Writers to Keep an Eye On…
An annual discussion, our panelists have a lively discussion on who are the upwardly mobile in writing. Who has a good handle on writing? Who is a hack and won’t stick around long? Expect opinions to fly hot and heavy.
Yard Dog Press Road Show
The fantastic authors of the Yard Dog Press put on their always entertaining Road Show! Make sure not to miss this.
Your Celestial Starburst – Costume Pageant 2012
Join us again as we crown our fourth Your Celestial Starburst. Come show off your wonderful Costumes and win the Crown. Dress up as your favorite character, or create your own masterpiece! This is a pageant in the out of this world style as only ConDFW can do it. The winner will receive the crown, the title, and the coveted spot in the center of next year’s program book. Sign up with the forms at the registration desk. It’s simple: read the rules and fill out the forms!
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