Good Stuff Alert
First, Sirens 2010 is putting out the call for proposals. I wrote about my experience here--set in the beautiful Vail, Colorado, at a world-class hotel, this was one of the best cons I've ever attended.
Next year's theme is Faerie, as you can see by exploring the link above. I've met all three of the guests of honor--Marie Brennan, Holly Black, and Terri Windling--and found them to be articulate and interesting as well as friendly and accessible. This could be even better than last year, because so many went away this year saying "I've got to get my friend X to come . . ." and bubbling over with ideas about cool stuff to do, cool topics to talk about, and cool books recommended (or to come out).
The nifty thing about such cons is that programming is not imposed on the attendee--active participation in the planning process is not just encouraged but vital. Academic papers? Welcome. Formal panels? You bet. Informal roundtables, with breakout sessions? Bring it on. Demos and workshops? Yes!
If you like the idea, but feel tentative about it, visit the Sirens Forum and run those ideas. It's a friendly group, you'll see at once.
Second announcement. Stacy Whitman, a freelance editor with quite an impressive list of credits, is starting up Tu Publishing. There's a nifty post about the gap when it comes to ethnic minorities being represented in middle-grade and YA fiction, which you can read here.
Tu Publishing is starting up--and you know what the economic climate is like. So they're holding a fundraiser, so they can start accepting manuscripts. Check it out. A few will be helping out--including me--as more efforts get organized.
Next year's theme is Faerie, as you can see by exploring the link above. I've met all three of the guests of honor--Marie Brennan, Holly Black, and Terri Windling--and found them to be articulate and interesting as well as friendly and accessible. This could be even better than last year, because so many went away this year saying "I've got to get my friend X to come . . ." and bubbling over with ideas about cool stuff to do, cool topics to talk about, and cool books recommended (or to come out).
The nifty thing about such cons is that programming is not imposed on the attendee--active participation in the planning process is not just encouraged but vital. Academic papers? Welcome. Formal panels? You bet. Informal roundtables, with breakout sessions? Bring it on. Demos and workshops? Yes!
If you like the idea, but feel tentative about it, visit the Sirens Forum and run those ideas. It's a friendly group, you'll see at once.
Second announcement. Stacy Whitman, a freelance editor with quite an impressive list of credits, is starting up Tu Publishing. There's a nifty post about the gap when it comes to ethnic minorities being represented in middle-grade and YA fiction, which you can read here.
Tu Publishing is starting up--and you know what the economic climate is like. So they're holding a fundraiser, so they can start accepting manuscripts. Check it out. A few will be helping out--including me--as more efforts get organized.