on con programming
I'm consistently finding that programmers are programming panels for the indie and writing scene that seem out of touch with what is going on in it. If it were a matter of asking for volunteers and not being able to fill the panels, that would be one thing but I often see a programme after it's done and wonder why I wasn't asked to be on a panel about like ... say, editing or publishing ... when other people sitting on it have not actually done a book in several years. It makes sense to include people with experience on it, sure, but wouldn't you also want people on panels who know what is going on right now, what the scene is right now? Or are currently reading for markets that are still open and looking for submissions? Or are currently reading markets that are still open for submissions?
So, this is what I look at and think about con programmes - I've been to all the science fiction ones this year pretty much. What about you? What do you look for on a con programme and what do you think about con programming in the last couple of years? What would you want to see more and less of? What would make you get out of bed with a hangover, rush through breakfast and get down to the programming room for?
ETA: Bunch of other panel topics that I am brainstorming instead of the standard "small press panel":
What are other small presses around the world doing?
What new directions will small press be taking?
Small press before and after a worldcon shows up to town - snapshot and predictions.
How has the internet and POD affected small press?
Anthologies have recently had a resurgence. Why?
What should you know before starting up a small press or doing one small press book run?
So, this is what I look at and think about con programmes - I've been to all the science fiction ones this year pretty much. What about you? What do you look for on a con programme and what do you think about con programming in the last couple of years? What would you want to see more and less of? What would make you get out of bed with a hangover, rush through breakfast and get down to the programming room for?
ETA: Bunch of other panel topics that I am brainstorming instead of the standard "small press panel":
What are other small presses around the world doing?
What new directions will small press be taking?
Small press before and after a worldcon shows up to town - snapshot and predictions.
How has the internet and POD affected small press?
Anthologies have recently had a resurgence. Why?
What should you know before starting up a small press or doing one small press book run?