My Capclave 2025 Schedule

Posted on September 14, 2025 by Michael A. Ventrella

Next weekend (September 19 – 21), I will once more be a guest at the Capclave convention in the DC suburbs. Capclave is a fun convention whose motto is “where reading isn’t extinct”! It’s a great way to meet authors, listen to readings, attend panels, and hang out at the bar until 3 am. When I’m not on a panel, you’ll probably find me at the Fantastic Books table in the dealer’s room.

Anyway, here’s my panel schedule.

Superheroes Versus the Law (Friday 6 pm): In what ways do superheroes like Batman, Superman, Spiderman, and Daredevil break the law? How can they change their normal operations to become more legal? Our panel of lawyers and informed civilians will discuss the legal ramifications of super-vigilantes and what advice they would give them.  With fellow panelists Catherine Green, Sherin Nicole, and Zack Be.

The Eye of Argon (Friday 10pm): The reading of the worst story ever written (and for which I edited a sequel!) With fellow panelists Ide Hennessey, Ian Randal Strock, and Jean Marie Ward.

Common SF/Fantasy Tropes (Friday 9 pm): Authors often use tropes as shorthand to push the plot forward. But when overused, they can make a story feel too predictable. Should writers avoid tropes entirely, or can authors strike a balance between creativity and genre expectations? Which tropes are overused, and what are examples of beneficial tropes in current novels, short stories, films or TV? How can (or should) writers free a story from tropes and create more complex and original works? With fellow panelists Doc Coleman, Morgan Hazelwood, Charles Oberndorf, and Joshua Benjamin Palmatier.

The Role of Editors (Saturday 2 pm): Editors tell all. What do editors do and why are they necessary?  How do different editors approach editing and how hands-on can (or should) they get? What are the best practices for editors and how do short story editors differ from book editors? What are editors looking for? How can a writer get the best possible editing? Writers and editors share their experiences with the editing process. With fellow panelists Scott H. Andrews, Michael J. DeLuca, Mike McPhail, and Wendy Delmater Thies.

Michael A. Ventrella Reading (Sunday 10 am): I am still deciding what to read so come in and be surprised.

Small Press, Self-Publishing or Big Press (Sunday 12 noon): Authors have options for their publisher — small press, self-publishing, or big press. What are the advantages and drawbacks of each method? How can an author choose which to try? How can a new writer get started with each? With fellow panelists Shahid Mahmud, Mike McPhail, Ian Randal Strock, and Nathan W. Toronto.

Filed under: writing | Tagged: | Leave a comment »

Capclave 2020 (online!)

Posted on October 10, 2020 by Michael A. Ventrella

Capclave is a convention I usually attend but like all conventions this year, it has switched to an online version only. It will be held on the weekend of October 17th and 18th.

There are some great guests who will be “present,” including Neil Clarke, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Charles Gannon, Walter Hunt, Nancy Kress, Ken Liu, Gail Z. Martin, Sarah Pinsker, Hildy Silverman, Connie Willis, Catherynne Valente, and many more!

Because it’s online and therefore there aren’t as many things scheduled, and because there are so many guests, I’m not on as many panels as I usually am, but I will be doing a reading from my novel BIG STICK at 10 am on Saturday, and then will be on a panel called “Laughter with Bite: Satire and Other Funny Stuff” with Alex Shvartsman, Charlotte Honigman, and James Morrow at noon.

Filed under: writing | Tagged: | Leave a comment »

My 2019 Capclave Schedule

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Michael A. Ventrella

small_dodo_transparentI’ll be a guest at the 2019 Capclave convention on the weekend of October 18th, and the Guest of Honor is one of my favorite authors Robert Sawyer! This convention is held in Rockville, Maryland. It has a dodo for a mascot and its slogan is “Where reading is not extinct.”

My schedule is below, and pictures from previous Capclaves are below that!

Friday 4:00 pm: SETI (Ends at: 4:55 pm)
Panelists: Carolyn Ives Gilman, Edward M. Lerner (M), Michael A. Ventrella
Why have we not yet found any evidence of aliens? What could this mean? Are we looking in the wrong places? Or are we alone in the universe?
Friday 5:00 pm: Psychos (Ends at: 5:55 pm)
Panelists: Robert Sawyer, J. L. Gribble, Larry Hodges, Lawrence M. Schoen, Michael A. Ventrella (M)
What is a psychopath and are they really running the world? Do psychopaths have an advantage when it comes to running countries and major corporations? What can we do about it? What if we developed an accurate test (as in Sawyer’s Quantum Night) to see who is a psychopath?
Friday 10:00 pm: Bad Fan, No Cookie (Ends at: 10:55 pm)
Panelists: Sunny Moraine, Suzanne Palmer, Don Sakers (M), Michael A. Ventrella
From angry puppies to attacks on SJW, from critics of The Last Jedi and Captain Marvel to attacks on Laurie Forest’s YA novel The Black Witch for racism to the cancelling of Amelie Zhao’s Blood Heir to Gamergate, why is there so much negativity in fandom recently? Is this inevitable as political tribalism steeps into everything or an outgrowth of fannish diversity? What can be done to counter this growing problem?
Saturday 2:00 pm: Imagine No Religion (Ends at: 2:55 pm)
Panelists: Marilyn “Mattie” Brahen, Gordon Linzner (M), James Morrow, L. Penelope, Michael A. Ventrella
John Lennon sang “Imagine no religion.” Let’s do that. What would the world be like if religion never developed? What system of morality might replace it? Would humanity be more united or would we just find something else to fight about?
Saturday 4:00 pm: Is the golden age of sf still relevant? (Ends at: 4:55 pm)
Panelists: Sarah Avery, Brenda W. Clough (M), Jon Skovron, Michael A. Ventrella, Sherri Cook Woosley
Should readers continue to read golden age stuff? Can new readers still enjoy stories from the 40s and 50s without the benefit of nostalgia? If not, how far back can new readers go? Do new readers lose anything by not knowing the history of the genre?
Saturday 10:00 pm: The Golden Child (Ends at: 10:55 pm)
Panelists: Martin Berman-Gorvine, Tom Doyle, Jon Skovron (M), Michael A. Ventrella
Much of fantasy is based on the prophesized child whose destiny is to fight the evil one. From the Bible (Moses, Jesus) to Paul Atrides, to Harry Potter. Why is this overused and is it making it too easy for the author to avoid creating motivation for the conflict? Is this a holdover from the rightful king idea? Which authors do this right? What alternatives exist?
Sunday 10:00 am: Mechanistic Magic Systems (Ends at: 10:55 am)
Panelists: Leah Cypess, LH Moore, Jon Skovron, Michael A. Ventrella, Christopher Weuve (M)
Do elaborate mechanical systems of magic such as in Sanderson’s Mistborn remove the awe and wonder of magic and make it into a science? Or do such restrictions enable the author to be more creative?

Filed under: writing | Tagged: | Leave a comment »

My Capclave 2018 Schedule

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Michael A. Ventrella

I’ll be a guest at the Capclave convention soon (September 28 – 30) held just north of Washington DC.  It’s a fun little convention dedicated to the written word, whose slogan is “Where reading is not extinct.”

The Guest of Honor is Hugo, Nebula, Campbell, Sturgeon and Locus Award-winning author Nancy Kress!

Here’s my schedule!

Friday 4:00 pm: Beginnings (Ends at: 4:55 pm) Eisenhower
Panelists: Nancy Kress, Wendy S. Delmater, Will McIntosh, Michael A. Ventrella (M)
First sentence, first paragraph, first chapter. You only get one first chance to grab your reader’s attention. How do you craft the perfect opening hook?
Friday 6:00 pm: SFF of Political Resistance (Ends at: 6:55 pm) Washington Theater
Panelists: Tom Doyle, Carolyn Ives Gilman, Larry Hodges, Michael A. Ventrella (M)
Science fiction and fantasy are often not politically neutral: they can serve as a mirror of and a screen for contemporary controversy. What are examples of the SF/F under past repressive regimes? How may current authors best engage in political expression, and what are the pitfalls in balancing art and advocacy (there are certainly examples of bad writing making for worse propaganda). How may an author’s politics affect their career, for good or ill?
Friday 7:00 pm: Biggest Mistakes Made by New Writers (Ends at: 7:55 pm) Monroe
Panelists: David Bartell, Wendy S. Delmater, Ian Randal Strock, Michael A. Ventrella (M)
Our panelists just might be wiling to serve as examples of what not to do. Panelists share stories of things you shouldn’t do or at least what did not work at all for them.
Friday 8:00 pm: Anthology Builder (Ends at: 8:55 pm) Washington Theater
Panelists: Neil Clarke, Alex Shvartsman, David Stokes, Michael A. Ventrella (M)
So you want to edit and publish an anthology. How do the stories get picked?  How do you come up with a theme? What sells and what doesn’t?  How do authors produce readable fiction in the straitjacket of an original themed anthology? How do you properly curate your anthology?
Friday 9:00 pm: Dealing With Rejection (Ends at: 9:55 pm) Eisenhower
Panelists: Neil Clarke, Scott Edelman, Barbara Krasnoff (M), Michael A. Ventrella
Everyone in the field has to deal with rejection at some point. Panelists will talk about how they handle rejection, and in the case of editors, panelists will offer suggestions on how NOT to handle rejection
Friday 11:00 pm: How NOT to Get Published, a/k/a Late Night Tales From the Slush Pile (Ends at: 11:55 pm) Eisenhower
Panelists: Neil Clarke, Wendy S. Delmater, Bjorn Hasseler, Ian Randal Strock, Michael A. Ventrella(M), Sean Wallace
Editors will discuss all the things authors shouldn’t do if they want to be published. For instance, submission guidelines exist for a reason. And no matter how brilliant your story is, threatening the editor will reduce the probability that it will be published to zero.
Saturday 7:30 pm: Mass autographing (Ends at: 8:55 pm) Eisenhower
Panelists: Nancy Kress, Alyssa Wong, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Jeanne Adams, Catherine Asaro, T. Eric Bakutis, Stafford Battle, Jonathan Brazee, Jack Campbell – John G. Hemry, Neil Clarke, Doc Coleman, Wendy S. Delmater, Tom Doyle, Kelly Dwyer, Deidre Dykes, Andrew Fox, Jim Freund, Charles E. Gannon, Craig L. Gidney, Carolyn Ives Gilman, J. L. Gribble, Bjorn Hasseler, Inge Heyer, Larry Hodges, David Keener, Barbara Krasnoff, Mark Laporta, John Edward Lawson, Edward M. Lerner, Will McIntosh, Mike McPhail, Bernie Mojzes, James Morrow, Kathryn Morrow, Lawrence M. Schoen, Darrell Schweitzer, Alex Shvartsman, Jack Skillingstead, Alan Smale, Joe Stech, Michael A. Ventrella, David Walton, Jean Marie Ward, Lawrence Watt-Evans, Joan Wendland, Steven H. Wilson, A.C. Wise, Allen L. Wold
Saturday 10:30 pm: Eye of Argon (Ends at: 11:55 pm) Monroe
Panelists: Hildy Silverman, Ian Randal Strock, Michael A. Ventrella (M)
Our panelists read the worst fantasy story ever written, mistakes and all, and if they laugh or read it incorrectly, they are forced to act out the story. Just try not to fall over laughing! At some point, volunteers from the audience can participate and discover firsthand the author’s contentious relationship with spelling, capitalization and punctuation.
Sunday 10:00 am: Politics in SF vs. Fantasy: Meaningful Differences or Not? (Ends at: 10:55 am) Washington Theater
Panelists: Aaron Emmel, James Morrow, Michael A. Ventrella (M)
Do writers handle politics differently in fantasy than SF? How different is politics in a faux medieval setting vs. a future polity based on 20th or 21st century political movements?
Sunday 11:00 am: Endings (Ends at: 11:55 am) Eisenhower
Panelists: Nancy Kress, Wendy S. Delmater, Mary Fan, Michael A. Ventrella (M)
How do you stick the landing? So many stories start out well but end abruptly or just trail off, leaving the reader to wonder, what’s the point. Why does this happen and how can writers avoid this fate? How do you determine your endings? Is a twist ending a cheat?
Sunday 12:00 pm: I Hate His/Her Politics, But I Love His/Her Books (Ends at: 12:55 pm) Monroe
Panelists: Day Al-Mohamed, James Morrow, Cerece Rennie Murphy, Michelle D. Sonnier, Michael A. Ventrella (M)
Should a personal evaluation of an author be separated from how you view his/her politics? Many people refused to see the movie Ender’s Game because of Orson Scott Card’s statements on homosexuality and other writers charge that political views influence award nominations and who is picked for con programming. Is this true and if so, is it a good thing or a bad thing?
Sunday 1:00 pm: Handling the Unavoidable Infodump (Ends at: 1:55 pm) Truman
Panelists: Jack Campbell – John G. Hemry, Brenda W. Clough, Iver Cooper, James R. Stratton, Michael A. Ventrella (M)
As you know, Bob, it’s often considered more elegant to establish backstory or setting details gradually rather than in an infodump. Sometimes, though, the demands of the rest of the novel leave little choice. What are some of the tricks to infodump in a way that at least keeps the reader interested, and doesn’t disrupt the other elements of the story? Are there ever points at which an infodump is preferable over other methods of communicating setting detail?
Sunday 2:30 pm: Reading: Michael A. Ventrella (Ends at: 2:55 pm) Lincoln
Author: Michael A. Ventrella
Sunday 3:00 pm: Write What You Don’t Know (Ends at: 3:55 pm) Eisenhower
Panelists: Jeanne Adams, Doc Coleman, Michael A. Ventrella (M)
Fantasy authors rarely get irate email from dragons saying they got it wrong. How to write characters from places and times that you don’t know but members of your audience do, and why it’s important to get outside your comfort zone.

Here are some pictures from previous Capclaves!

Filed under: writing | Tagged: , | Leave a comment »

My 2017 Capclave Schedule

Posted on October 1, 2017 by Michael A. Ventrella

Capclave is a fine little literary SF convention held near Washington DC, which this year will be on the October 6th weekend. small_dodo_transparentCome and join us and meet some of your (and my) favorite authors and editors, including but not limited to Neil Clarke, Ken Liu, James Morrow, Alex Shvartsman, Lawrence Watt-Evans, Allen Wold, and many more (including me!)

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, 2015, and 2016.

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

Friday 6:00 pm: How Not To Get Published (Ends at: 6:55 pm) Salon A
Panelists:Neil Clarke, Mike McPhail, Hildy Silverman, Ian Randal Strock, Michael A. Ventrella (M)
Editors will discuss all the things authors shouldn’t do if they want to be published. For instance, submission guidelines exist for a reason. And no matter how brilliant your story is, threatening the editor will reduce the probability that it will be published to zero.
Friday 7:00 pm: Write What You Don’t Know (Ends at: 7:55 pm) Rockville/ Potomac
Panelists: Scott H. Andrews, Joshua Palmatier, Michael A. Ventrella (M), Jean Marie Ward
Fantasy authors rarely get irate email from dragons saying they got it wrong. How to write characters from places and times that you don’t know but members of your audience do, and why it’s important to get outside your comfort zone.
Friday 10:00 pm: Michael Ventrella Reading (Ends at: 10:25 pm) Bethesda
Author: Michael A. Ventrella
Saturday 2:00 pm: Writing Workshop (Ends at: 3:55 pm) Boardroom
Coordinators: Andrew Fox, Michael A. Ventrella, Allen L. Wold (M), Darcy Wold
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.
Saturday 11:00 pm: Eye of Argon (Ends at: 11:55 pm) Bethesda
Panelists: Hildy Silverman, Ian Randal Strock, Michael A. Ventrella (M)
Our panelists read the worst fantasy story ever written, mistakes and all, and if they laugh or read it incorrectly, they are forced to act out the story. Just try not to fall over laughing! At some point, volunteers from the audience can participate and discover firsthand the author’s contentious relationship with spelling, capitalization and punctuation.
Sunday 10:00 am: Abusing Authors (Ends at: 10:55 am) Rockville/ Potomac
Panelists: Sarah Avery, Scott Edelman, Will McIntosh (M), Lawrence M. Schoen, Ian Randal Strock, Michael A. Ventrella
Panelists answer whatever questions the audience has on writing, editing, character development, agents, and others. Includes many non-writer-parts-of-being-a-writer, such as being your own boss, setting schedules, and so on.
Sunday 11:00 am: Writing Workshop (Follow-up) (Ends at: 11:55 am) Suite 1209
Coordinators: Michael A. Ventrella, Allen L. Wold (M), Darcy Wold
A one hour follow-up session.
Sunday 12:00 pm: Political Dynamite (Ends at: 12:55 pm) Bethesda
Panelists: Sunny Moraine, James Morrow, Malka Older (M), Michael A. Ventrella
Writers and editors talk about how they address current events in their work and in social media–and what they don’t.

Filed under: writing | Tagged: , | Leave a comment »

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. small_dodo_transparentCome 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)

Filed under: writing | Tagged: , | Leave a comment »

My Capclave 2015 schedule

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Michael A. Ventrella

Capclave is a fine little literary SF convention held near Washington DC, which this year will be on the October 9th weekend. small_dodo_transparentCome and join us and meet some of your (and my) favorite authors, including but not limited to Gordon Van Gelder, Alistair Reynolds, James Morrow, Alex Shvartsman, Lawrence Schoen, Catherine Asaro, Lawrence Watt-Evans, Allen Wold, Walter Hunt, and many more (including me!)

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

Here’s my current schedule (subject to change):

Friday 10:00 pm: Improv Story-Telling (Ends at: 10:55 pm) Salon A
Panelists: Charles E. Gannon, Benjamin Rosenbaum, Hildy Silverman, Michael A. Ventrella
The audience names three things for the writer to include in an improv story and a cliffhanger to turn it over to the next author (who in turn gets three more things named to include.)
Friday 11:00 pm: Why Do Good People Do Bad Things? (Ends at: 11:55 pm) Bethesda
Panelists: Alan Loewen, C.S. MacCath, James Morrow, Michael A. Ventrella
What are the motivations for having otherwise-heroic people do villainous things in fiction? How can an author strike a balance between making an evildoer’s actions believable and somewhat sympathetic without turning them into an antihero?
Saturday 2:00 pm: The Epic Blockbuster (Ends at: 2:55 pm) Bethesda
Panelists: Sarah Avery, Alma Katsu, Dina Leacock, Michael A. Ventrella
In the 1950s and 60s, 200 page novels were common (and told a complete story). Today my bookshelf is groaning under Weeks (800 pages) and Sanderson (1000), and these doorstoppers are only part of a series. What changed? Do readers prefer long books and longer series? Are authors using these longer page counts to tell a deeper story with multiple points of view and better characterization? Or is much of this padding and a lack of editing? What books are worth the extra page count?
Saturday 6:00 pm: Building Your Audience (Ends at: 6:55 pm) Bethesda
Panelists: Kate Baker, Scott Edelman, Will McIntosh, Michael A. Ventrella
Now that you finished your book and found a publisher, how do you get people to read it? What promotional devices work and what turns potential readers off? And, after you’ve published three or four books, what can you do to expand your readership and get readers of your newest book to look at your older ones?
Saturday 11:00 pm: The Eye of Argon (Ends at: 11:55 pm) Bethesda
Panelists: Charles E. Gannon, Michael A. Ventrella
A dramatic reading, with audience participation, of one of the most notorious fantasy works ever.
Sunday 2:00 pm: Climate Change in SF (Ends at: 2:55 pm) Frederick
Panelists: James Morrow, Gordon Van Gelder, Michael A. Ventrella
What is the best approach to discussing climate change in SF? What does the modern attitude towards whether this is really science say about SF writing that features human action changing the natural environment?

Filed under: writing | Tagged: , | Leave a comment »

My Capclave 2014 Schedule

Posted on September 28, 2014 by Michael A. Ventrella

Capclave is a fine little literary SF convention held near Washington DC, which this year will be on the October 10th weekend. The Guest of Honor is Hugo- and Nebula-award winning author Paolo Bacigalupi! I’m anxious to meet him (as I really liked his novel THE WINDUP GIRL). Also in attendance will be Holly Black, Genevieve Valentine, Catherine Asaro, James Morrow, and many more (including me!)small_dodo_transparent

Here are some pictures from last year’s convention.

Here’s my current schedule (subject to change):

So You Want to be a Writer (Friday 4 pm): We did it before and we’ll do it again! Authors discuss how they became a writer, and why you should(n’t) Writers share their experiences and offer advice to those interested in becoming a professional writer. Pay it forward. With panelists Brenda W. Clough, Dina Leacock, Will McIntosh, Michael A. Ventrella, and Allen Wold

The Greatest Animated Films (Friday 6 pm): A debate over a list of the greatest animated films. Can we agree on a top ten list for the best or will the panel erupt into fisticuffs? With panelists Jim Freund, Larry Hodges, James Maxey, Sherin Nicole, and Michael A. Ventrella

War on Science? (Friday 7 pm): Some of America’s leaders don’t believe in global warming, want creationism taught in schools, and others want to ban human cloning or restrict genetic modified foods. Why this distrust of science? Is it growing? Are political leaders trying to appeal to the ignorant or do they really believe this? And what is the danger to the planet? With panelists Inge Heyer, Walter H. Hunt, Michael A. Ventrella, and Christopher Weuve

Meet the YA authors (Friday 9 pm): Last year’s meet and greet YA authors in a casual setting was such an awesome party that we decided to do it again this year! With Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Paolo Bacigalupi, Holly Black, Annette Klause, L. Jagi Lamplighter, Diana Peterfreund, Jon Skovron, Janine Spendlove, and Michael A. Ventrella

Mass Signing (Saturday 7:30 pm): The Saturday evening mass autographing session! With Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Sarah Avery, Paolo Bacigalupi, Holly Black, Marilyn “Mattie” Brahen, Neil Clarke, Tom Doyle, Andy Duncan, Scott Edelman, Jim Freund, Charles E. Gannon, Max Gladstone, David G. Hartwell, Alma Katsu, Pamela K. Kinney, Barbara Krasnoff, Dina Leacock, James Maxey, Will McIntosh, Mike McPhail, Sunny Moraine, James Morrow, Sarah Pinsker, Benjamin Rosenbaum, Lawrence M. Schoen, Darrell Schweitzer, Alex Shvartsman, Jon Skovron, Alan Smale, Bud Sparhawk, Janine Spendlove, Genevieve Valentine, Michael A. Ventrella, and Lawrence Watt-Evans

Awards Reception and Presentation (Saturday 8:30 pm): The WSFA Small Press Award winner will be announced. The Guest of Honor Gifts will also be presented.

The Eye of Argon (Saturday 11:00 pm): Our panelists read the worst fantasy story ever written, mistakes and all, and if they laugh or read it incorrectly, they are forced to act out the story. Just try not to fall over laughing! At some point, volunteers from the audience can participate and discover firsthand the author’s contentious relationship with spelling, capitalization and punctuation. With panelists Walter H. Hunt, Sarah Pinsker, Ian Randal Strock, Michael A. Ventrella, and Jean Marie Ward

Reading (Ventrella) (Sunday 1:00 pm): I’ll be reading an excerpt from BLOODSUCKERS and maybe a few other things.

Filed under: writing | Tagged: , , | Leave a comment »

My Capclave 2013 schedule

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Michael A. Ventrella

This year, I will be attending the Washington DC convention Capclave for the first time, and it looks to be great fun. small_dodo_transparent The Guest of Honor is George R. R. Martin, and other guests include many people who you may have met through my interviews here: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Philippa Ballantine, Gardner Dozois, Val Griswold-Ford, Mike McPhail, Tee Morris, James Morrow, Lawrence M. Schoen, Hildy Silverman, Bud Sparhawk, Lawrence Watt-Evans, and Allen Wold, among many others. Links to each of these interviews are to the left.)

Capclave is held over the Columbus Day weekend (October 11th)

They’re keeping me busy, as I like, and I’m moderating a few of these panels.

Here’s my schedule:

So You Want To Be A Writer?: We did it before and we’ll do it again! Authors discuss how they became a writer, and why you should(n’t) Writers share their experiences and offer advice to those interested in becoming a professional writer. Pay it forward. With Matt Betts, Michael Dirda, Laura Anne Gilman, Alma Katsu, Dina Leacock, and Bud Sparhawk. (Friday 4 pm)

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Once we could only watch cartoons on Saturday morning, now they get entire channels. What are the best sf/fantasy cartoons ever? What did you learn from them? How have cartoons influenced other media and even reality? With Matt Betts, E.C. Myers, Sherin Nicole, and Steve Stiles. (Friday 5 pm)

Buy My Book: Self promotion and you. Nervous about talking about your books and stories? There are some things you should do and avoid when talking about your writing. With Philippa Ballantine, Jennifer Barnes, and John Edward Lawson (Friday 6 pm)

Reading: This is where I will read from my work, and probably my humorous short story “The Jesus Secret.” (Saturday 9:30 am)

Moving Beyond the Small Press: A look at how small presses in the age of the eReaders – where anyone can be a publisher – have their limits, and what to do when you’ve hit them. There is also the additional pressure of performing on a higher level. Listen to panelists describe what to do when you have plateaued with your own independent publisher, and what lies ahead if or when you step up to corporate publishers. With Philippa Ballantine, Ron Garner, and Lawrence M. Schoen (Saturday 10 am)

Mass Signing: The Saturday evening mass autographing session. With Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Catherine Asaro, Eric Bakutis, Philippa Ballantine, Matt Betts, Matt Bishop, Neil Clarke, Tom Doyle, Andrew Fox, Charles E. Gannon, Carolyn Ives Gilman, Laura Anne Gilman, Bob Greenberger, John G. Hemry, Alma Katsu, Annette Klause, John Edward Lawson, Dina Leacock, Edward M. Lerner, Marianne Mancusi, George R.R. Martin, James Maxey, Heidi Ruby Miller, Jason Jack Miller, James Morrow, Diana Peterfreund, Patrick Scaffido, Lawrence M. Schoen, Jon Skovron, Alan Smale, Michelle D. Sonnier, Bud Sparhawk, Janine Spendlove, Michael Swanwick, Jean Marie Ward, Lawrence Watt-Evans, Steven H. Wilson, Leona Wisoker, and K. Ceres Wright (Saturday 7:30 pm)

The Eye of Argon: Our panelists read the worst fantasy story ever written, mistakes and all, and if they laugh or read it incorrectly, they are forced to act out the story. Just try not to fall over laughing! With Tee Morris, Hildy Silverman, and Ian Randal Strock (Saturday midnight)

Not Another Lawyer Joke: So we all know lawyers just make the stuff up as they go along. Or is that just the ones in fiction? How does fiction and popular media portray the law and lawyers? What do they do right and wrong? What about all those Law and Order shows? With Day Al-Mohamed and Jim Stratton (Sunday 9 am)

Filed under: writing | Tagged: , | Leave a comment »