I’m Going to Worldcon!
The 79th Worldcon, or more formally, the World Science Fiction Convention, is going to be held in a couple of weeks, and I’m so excited to be attending. It’ll be my first time and I’ve always wanted to go, so I can’t pass up the chance now that it’s pretty close to where I am. It’ll also be great to meet a ton of writer friends, many of whom I have not seen in person in a while, or ever.
I’m also excited to be part of programming, especially given how deliberate the Worldcon committee has been in organizing thought-provoking events that feature panelists of all backgrounds, experiences, and in differing levels of their careers.
If you’re attending, either virtually or online, I hope you’ll check out these panels that I’m on. The topics are pretty rad and I’ll be conversing with some amazing folks:
Poverty and Wealth Inequality in Science Fiction
12/16/21, Thu - 1:00 pm EST - Kress (Virtual)
How are the productivity gains depicted in science fiction distributed? Why do so many stories feature an oligarchical ruling class? Does the expression of class differ across times, cultures, and nations? How do science fiction and fantasy writers discuss the intersection of class and other modes of oppression and discrimination?
Olav Rokne (mod); Catherine Asaro; Brenda Kalt; Victor Manibo; Alasdair Stuart
Speculative Noir
12/17/21, Fri - 11:30 am EST - Forum Room
How much do speculative fiction subgenres like cyberpunk and urban fantasy owe to noir? Are there tropes or other aspects of noir that spec fic should subvert or reject? What can speculative fiction noir do that regular noir can’t? From neon-lit future noir to hardboiled fairy tales, this panel will discuss the influence of classic noir and hardboiled fiction on speculative fiction.
Victor Manibo (mod); Andy Popovic; T.C. Weber; Ellen Datlow
Finding Communities
12/17/21, Fri - 2:30 pm EST - Thomas (Virtual)
It can be hard to find people with common interests if you are isolated geographically, or when you move to a new place. What goes into finding fellow fans, conventions, gaming or social groups? How do you get to know a new community culture? What pitfalls should you avoid?
Victor Manibo (mod); Perianne Lurie; AJ Odasso; Christine Sandquist; Alina Sidorova
2020 Ruined My Novel!
12/18/21, Sat, - 2:30 pm EST - Forum Room
2020 was a giant curveball for the entire world. Everyone was affected in one way or another. What about authors? Our panelists will discuss what changes they had to make to their 2020 work-in-progress to accommodate all the weird things that were happening in the real world.
Wesley Chu (mod); Sue Burke; Lindsay Ellis; Alyc Helms; Naomi Kritzer; Victor Manibo; Lisa Nohealani Morton
There are also a ton of panels, parties, workshops and participatory events, and I honestly don’t know how I’ll manage to attend everything that I’d like to. Cross your fingers for me! The full Worldcon schedule can be found here: https://discon3.org/schedule/
DisCon III is the 79th Worldcon, and the third to be held in Washington, DC. Previous DC-based Worldcons were held in 1963 (DisCon I) and 1974 (DisCon II). DisCon III will be held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel from December 15-19, 2021.
Image Credit: DisCon III logo via DisConIII website