My Swan-Like NecronomiCon Schedule (Hissing, Will Break Your Arm)
Once more I ascend to the Parnassian heights of Providence in the natal month of my problematic muse, H.P. Lovecraft, to celebrate him and the weird tradition he embodied, defended, perfected, and yelled at. To wit, I am once more manifesting at NecronomiCon Providence, over the weekend of August 15-18. I will specifically be adorning the Atomic Overmind Press booth in the Grand Emporium of Weird [Narragansett Ballroom, Omni Hotel], signing autographs and repping not just my Tour de Lovecraft and associated material, but suitable game books from Arc Dream, Pelgrane, and Green Ronin, and yes even my Mini Mythos childrens' books from Atlas Games.
And even more specifically, I shall manifest at the panels and seminars limned below. Less specifically, I don't know whether any of them will be streamed, recorded, or reduced to a series of complex-algebraic buzzes by the metalloid forms of L'gy'hx.
FRIDAY AUGUST 16
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm: Crafting Horror: Designing Call of Cthulhu Scenarios
Our seasoned game designers discuss how to design successful scenarios for Call of Cthulhu. What elements should be present and how do they fit together to create a frightening and satisfying payoff? What pitfalls can the author avoid with advance planning? Panelists: Sean Branney (M), Paul Fricker, Kenneth Hite, Mike Mason, Badger McInnes [Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor]
5:00 pm - 6:15 pm: Six-Shooters and Spell Books: The Weird West on the Tabletop
A review of the history and influence of Weird Western RPGs and boardgames, with reference to their connection to film and literature. Panelists: David Boop, Jon Davis, Fiona Geist (M), Kenneth Hite, Allen Ruch [Providence Ballroom, Omni Hotel, 2nd floor]
SATURDAY AUGUST 17
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm: Against Nature and Reason: Origins of the Decadent Weird
Our panelists discuss the Decadent Movement in literature, which valued fantasy, hedonistic excess, transgression, and extravagant language, and authors of that period who wrote within the weird such as Vernon Lee (Violet Paget), M. P. Shiel, Count Eric Stenbock, and R. Murray Gilchrist. In addition, the relationship to later decadent writers, such as Clark Ashton Smith, Robert W. Chambers, H. P. Lovecraft, and contemporary examples, will be explored. Panelists: Jon Black (M), Jack Haringa, Kenneth Hite, Sean Moreland, LC von Hessen [Providence Ballroom, Omni Hotel, 2nd floor]
5:00 pm - 6:15 pm: Ladies and Gentlemen, Tonight’s Top Ten List: Top Ten Greatest Stories by HPL
Chaos reigns as our panel of fractious and opinionated experts count down and defend their selections for the best of his work. Guests in the front row are advised to bring plastic sheeting in case it comes to blows… Panelists: Mike Allen, Matthew Bartlett, Matthew Carpenter, Despina Durand (M), Cody Goodfellow, Kenneth Hite, Max Martelli [Capital Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor]
SUNDAY AUGUST 18
9:30 am - 10:45 am: Super Weird
Superhero narrative in film, comics, and literature ranges from the very conventional to the deeply strange. Doom Patrol, The Swamp Thing, Sandman and many other mainstream titles are clearly part of the world of weird fiction. Panelists discuss the relationship of superheroes to weird fiction, with examples of those that fall most clearly into the canon of the strange, from mainstream and indie sources. Panelists: Gillian Daniels, Kenneth Hite, Errick Nunnally (M), David Quiroz [South County Room, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor]
And even more specifically, I shall manifest at the panels and seminars limned below. Less specifically, I don't know whether any of them will be streamed, recorded, or reduced to a series of complex-algebraic buzzes by the metalloid forms of L'gy'hx.
FRIDAY AUGUST 16
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm: Crafting Horror: Designing Call of Cthulhu Scenarios
Our seasoned game designers discuss how to design successful scenarios for Call of Cthulhu. What elements should be present and how do they fit together to create a frightening and satisfying payoff? What pitfalls can the author avoid with advance planning? Panelists: Sean Branney (M), Paul Fricker, Kenneth Hite, Mike Mason, Badger McInnes [Biltmore Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 17th floor]
5:00 pm - 6:15 pm: Six-Shooters and Spell Books: The Weird West on the Tabletop
A review of the history and influence of Weird Western RPGs and boardgames, with reference to their connection to film and literature. Panelists: David Boop, Jon Davis, Fiona Geist (M), Kenneth Hite, Allen Ruch [Providence Ballroom, Omni Hotel, 2nd floor]
SATURDAY AUGUST 17
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm: Against Nature and Reason: Origins of the Decadent Weird
Our panelists discuss the Decadent Movement in literature, which valued fantasy, hedonistic excess, transgression, and extravagant language, and authors of that period who wrote within the weird such as Vernon Lee (Violet Paget), M. P. Shiel, Count Eric Stenbock, and R. Murray Gilchrist. In addition, the relationship to later decadent writers, such as Clark Ashton Smith, Robert W. Chambers, H. P. Lovecraft, and contemporary examples, will be explored. Panelists: Jon Black (M), Jack Haringa, Kenneth Hite, Sean Moreland, LC von Hessen [Providence Ballroom, Omni Hotel, 2nd floor]
5:00 pm - 6:15 pm: Ladies and Gentlemen, Tonight’s Top Ten List: Top Ten Greatest Stories by HPL
Chaos reigns as our panel of fractious and opinionated experts count down and defend their selections for the best of his work. Guests in the front row are advised to bring plastic sheeting in case it comes to blows… Panelists: Mike Allen, Matthew Bartlett, Matthew Carpenter, Despina Durand (M), Cody Goodfellow, Kenneth Hite, Max Martelli [Capital Ballroom, Graduate Hotel, 2nd floor]
SUNDAY AUGUST 18
9:30 am - 10:45 am: Super Weird
Superhero narrative in film, comics, and literature ranges from the very conventional to the deeply strange. Doom Patrol, The Swamp Thing, Sandman and many other mainstream titles are clearly part of the world of weird fiction. Panelists discuss the relationship of superheroes to weird fiction, with examples of those that fall most clearly into the canon of the strange, from mainstream and indie sources. Panelists: Gillian Daniels, Kenneth Hite, Errick Nunnally (M), David Quiroz [South County Room, Omni Hotel, 3rd floor]