My Capclave 2016 Schedule

Posted on October 1, 2016 by Michael A. Ventrella

Capclave is a fine little literary SF convention held near Washington DC, which this year will be on the October 7th weekend. Come and join us and meet some of your (and my) favorite authors, including but not limited to Tim Powers, Sarah Beth Durst, James Morrow, Alex Shvartsman, Catherine Asaro, Lawrence Watt-Evans, Allen Wold, Walter Hunt, and many more (including me!)

I’m anxious to meet Tim Powers again, who is one of my favorite authors. Unfortunately, I’m not on any panels with him. Capclave is where I spoke to George R.R. Martin a few years ago and then became an internet sensation for a week or so because of the “Hodor” comment.

Here are some pictures I took from from the convention in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

And here’s my current schedule (subject to change):

Alternate History: How to Make it Work (Friday 6 pm) Many novels these days change history slightly — and fail. What does it take to make a good alternate history plot? With panelists Martin Berman-Gorvine, Emmie Mears (Moderator), Alan Smale, Michael A. Ventrella

Who’s the Bad Guy in a World Without Absolutes? (Friday 8 pm) Heroes, villains, and moral relativism. Does speculative literature have any concept of Good or Evil anymore? With panelists Anthony Dobranski, Christie Meierz, Hugh Taylor, Michael A. Ventrella (Moderator)

Reading (Friday 11 pm) Michael A. Ventrella will be reading from one of his books. With panelist Michael A. Ventrella

Writing Workshop (Saturday 10 am) Allen Wold will lead a panel of authors in a hands on workshop. Learn many skills as you work on a short story. All you need is a pen and paper. Limited to 15 people. With panelists Andrew Fox, Michael A. Ventrella, Allen L. Wold (Moderator), Darcy Wold

Social Media Promotion Without Being Obnoxious (Saturday 1 pm) Promoting yourself these days is a requirement for any writer. How can you do so without alienating everyone? With panelists Kate Baker, Inge Heyer, Natalie Luhrs, Michael A. Ventrella (Moderator)

Author’s Table (Saturday 2 pm) Meet the author! With panelists Andrew Fox, Michael A. Ventrella

Mass Autographing Session (Saturday 7:30 pm) Wherein all the authors gather in one room so you can get all your books signed

The Eye of Argon (Saturday 10 pm) The worst science fiction story ever written gets a reading by our brave panel as they compete to go the longest without tripping over a misspelled word or laughing uncontrollably. Audience members are also encouraged to take a chance. Can you keep a straight face, especially when the panel begins acting out the story? With panelists Hildy Silverman, Ian Randal Strock, Michael A. Ventrella, Walter H. Hunt

It’s a Conspiracy! (Sunday noon) Why are we so willing to believe that everyone is out to get us? How does this appeal to us in books and movies, even if we don’t believe them? With panelists T. Eric Bakutis, Warren Buff, Carolyn Ives Gilman, Michael A. Ventrella, Joan Wendland (Moderator)