Sirens 2010, now with wings!
Hi.
Our second year of Sirens, a retreat-style conference on women in fantasy literature, will take place October 7-10, 2010, in the most gorgeous hotel (WITH A LIBRARY) in Vail, Colorado. This year's guests of honor are Holly Black, Terri Windling and Marie Brennan, and yes, we are going to talk power, tricks and all things fey -- but we're also going to talk warriors and monsters and princesses and pirates and tales retold and non-Western perspectives in fantasy and what it's like to be a woman writer of awesome stories.
If you need me -- or someone else -- to convince you to come to Sirens, all you have to do is comment. I've got past Sirens attendees on my flist, and I'm sure they'd be happy to dogpile convince you.
Today, however, isn't about how gorgeous Vail is or how awesome Sirens attendees are or how much we loooooove to talk about ladies of fantasy. It's about programming. Papers, lectures, panels, roundtables, workshops or even hands-on classes about making faery wings.
Like other Narrate events, Sirens features programming presented by attendees for attendees. In other words, I don't decide what programming topics we include -- you do! All potential attendees are welcome to submit proposals on any topic even remotely related to women in fantasy. Want to talk about Holly from Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl series? Okay! Want to talk about how Po, of Kristin Cashore's Graceling, is the best book boyfriend ever? That's okay too! Women characters, women writers, feminist perspectives, grrl power analyses, examinations of real-world gender issues in publishing, if it's about fantasy literature and women, it's valid.
And you know what I'm going to say here: Because our programming is submitted and presented by attendees, if you want to see a topic at the conference, you had better submit it yourself or convince someone else to do so. If no one submits it, it will not be on the schedule!
Once you submit a proposal, our friendly neighborhood vetting board will review our submissions for thoughtfulness, relevance and diversity, and will select those that will be presented at the conference. Don't panic! What's the worst that can happen? You don't get picked. This year. Stop being shy and demure and self-deprecating and GO FOR IT.
So let's talk, people. I'm happy to brainstorm ideas. I'm happy to provide thoughts and guidance and a calming encouraging influence. I have no vote on this vetting board, so I'm free to be as obnoxiously encouraging as I like. Or as you like.
For more official information, here is the Sirens programming page. Also, we're beginning our programming posts on sirenscon, where we'll walk you through the process, help you find co-presenters and trade topics. Do take advantage of us. ;) And come to Sirens!
Our second year of Sirens, a retreat-style conference on women in fantasy literature, will take place October 7-10, 2010, in the most gorgeous hotel (WITH A LIBRARY) in Vail, Colorado. This year's guests of honor are Holly Black, Terri Windling and Marie Brennan, and yes, we are going to talk power, tricks and all things fey -- but we're also going to talk warriors and monsters and princesses and pirates and tales retold and non-Western perspectives in fantasy and what it's like to be a woman writer of awesome stories.
If you need me -- or someone else -- to convince you to come to Sirens, all you have to do is comment. I've got past Sirens attendees on my flist, and I'm sure they'd be happy to dogpile convince you.
Today, however, isn't about how gorgeous Vail is or how awesome Sirens attendees are or how much we loooooove to talk about ladies of fantasy. It's about programming. Papers, lectures, panels, roundtables, workshops or even hands-on classes about making faery wings.
Like other Narrate events, Sirens features programming presented by attendees for attendees. In other words, I don't decide what programming topics we include -- you do! All potential attendees are welcome to submit proposals on any topic even remotely related to women in fantasy. Want to talk about Holly from Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl series? Okay! Want to talk about how Po, of Kristin Cashore's Graceling, is the best book boyfriend ever? That's okay too! Women characters, women writers, feminist perspectives, grrl power analyses, examinations of real-world gender issues in publishing, if it's about fantasy literature and women, it's valid.
And you know what I'm going to say here: Because our programming is submitted and presented by attendees, if you want to see a topic at the conference, you had better submit it yourself or convince someone else to do so. If no one submits it, it will not be on the schedule!
Once you submit a proposal, our friendly neighborhood vetting board will review our submissions for thoughtfulness, relevance and diversity, and will select those that will be presented at the conference. Don't panic! What's the worst that can happen? You don't get picked. This year. Stop being shy and demure and self-deprecating and GO FOR IT.
So let's talk, people. I'm happy to brainstorm ideas. I'm happy to provide thoughts and guidance and a calming encouraging influence. I have no vote on this vetting board, so I'm free to be as obnoxiously encouraging as I like. Or as you like.
For more official information, here is the Sirens programming page. Also, we're beginning our programming posts on sirenscon, where we'll walk you through the process, help you find co-presenters and trade topics. Do take advantage of us. ;) And come to Sirens!