I’ll be at Windycon this weekend
I’m attending Windycon this weekend, Chicagoland’s longest-running science fiction convention. This is its 50th year, and it will be held from November 8 to 10 at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel in the suburb of Oak Brook. This year’s theme is Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.
With about 1,000 members, this is a more personal and friendly event than mega-conventions. Note the word “members” - the convention is organized by fans for fans, all volunteers, not by a professional corporation. It also has a literary bent, focusing on experienced and aspiring authors and writers. Topics for panels and activities range from astrophysics to costuming techniques to pop culture. This includes steampunk, dragons, fairies, robots, music, anime, zombies, pirates, ninjas, extraterrestrials, gaming, horror, space operas, urban fantasy, theater, vampires, time travel, and cats.
There’s also an art show, dealer’s room, gaming room, and legendary parties at night.
During the day, here’s where you can find me:
Early SF Authors and the Pseudonyms They Hid Behind - Friday, 6 to 7 p.m., Windsor Room. How would their work have been affected if they were allowed to show who they were? Panelists are Richard Chwedyk, Steven Silver, and W.A. Thomasson; moderator Sue Burke.
Writer’s Workshop - Saturday, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Preregistration required.
Author Reading - Saturday, 12 to 12:30 p.m., Ogden Room. I plan to read the essay “Do your neglected houseplants want revenge?” and the short story “Summer Home.”
Reading and Writing Through the Female Gaze - Saturday, 2 to 3 p.m., York Room. Panelists are Lisa Moe, Dina S. Krause, K.M. Herkes, and Alexis Craig; moderator Sue Burke.
The Many Facets of Fandom - Saturday, 8 to 9 p.m., Butterfield Room. How you experience the different brilliant sparkles depends on how you cut the gem that is fandom. Panelists are Jason Youngberg, Alexis Craig, and W.A. Thomasson; moderator Sue Burke.
Familiar or Fantastical? - Sunday, 10 to 11 a.m., Kent Room. What type of world-building do you enjoy with your fiction? Do you prefer far-off worlds or ours? Panelists are David Hankins and Sue Burke; moderator Bill Fawcett.
The Darker Side of Space - Sunday, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Hunt Room. The future is not always a garden of roses. Let’s discuss the darker side of science fiction futures. Panelists are Donna J.W. Munro, Chris Gerrib, and Paul Hahn; moderator Sue Burke.