2024 Conventions
Greetings! I haven’t posted anything beyond Bready or Not in a while, with good reason–I’ve been inordinately busy. Things are happening. Good things. Things I hope to share more about very soon.
Right now, I have a chance to catch my breath. This gives me an opportunity to share some other good news–I’m taking part in many cons this year! June in particular will be a busy month for me.
Here are the current plans:
4th Street Fantasy in Minneapolis: June 14-16
I don’t know if I’ll have panels, but I’ll be in attendance nevertheless, happy to chat and likely with some cookies on my person. Do note that I’ll be vigilant about masking, not simply because this convention requests it, but because I’m committed to another convention days later…
Origins Game Fair in Columbus, Ohio: June 19-22
I’m a special guest author at Origins this year! I’ve never been to this fair before, but I’ve heard great things. It looks like a smaller version of Gen Con, which is good, because Gen Con was way too much for my sensitive brain to handle. This will be my first time in Columbus! And there’s a cheese shop right near the convention! Yay!
World Fantasy Convention in Niagara Falls, NY: October 17-20
This is so far out, I’m still not fully sure when I’m arriving or leaving, so regard those dates as a rough estimate. I’ve only been to New York State once before, to the big city, and I’ve always wanted to see the falls. Much excitement! World Fantasy Cons are among my favorites because they are big and yet intimate at the same time. I hope to see a lot of people here that I haven’t seen in years.
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Read MoreTOMORROW: Cozy Up & Read at the Red Wing Library
Tomorrow will be my first book event in my new home of Minnesota, and, uh, the temperature is supposed to dip subzero for the first time this season. Brave the cold, and I’ll try to make it worth your while with lots of free, delicious cookies and excerpts from my works. I’ll have some of my new releases for sale, too.
WHERE: Red Wing Public Library in Red Wing, MN, right on the Wisconsin border
WHEN: January 13th at 10am
BE MORE PRECISE, PLEASE: the Foot Room, down in the basement, where there probably aren’t any ghosts
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Read MoreMoving!
I’m interrupting the usual flow of recipes and book news to bring you an important update: I am moving from scalding hot Arizona to the wintery wilds of Minnesota. That means you may see me at Twin Cities-area conventions and other Midwest gatherings in the coming years. Do you have a favorite? Are you involved with a convention or bookstore that’s looking for future guests? Well hey, drop a comment on this post, send an email via my contact form, reach out on social media–make a connection! (But also please understand if I’m slow to reply.)
As this move is happening at the same time as the full release of A Thousand Recipes for Revenge, I’m also looking for people to keep an eye out for promotions I might miss while in-transit and unpacking. There might be ads on Goodreads or Kindles, recommendations from Amazon–all kinds of things! If you see something, please try to get a picture or screencap and send it my way! Thank you in advance.
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Read MoreCoKoCon 2022 Schedule
I’m attending my first in-person convention in about three years this Labor Day weekend. CoKoCon is a small con in the Phoenix area. This year, it’s at a new location at the DoubleTree in Tempe. I’ll be there Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and early Monday morning. Feel free to talk, ask to have books signed (which I’ll gladly do unless I’m on the run to a panel!), and generally hang out. I’ll be in a black mask, channeling my old favorite Mortal Kombat ninjas.
Panels are always subject to change; I’ll post any updates via Twitter and Facebook.
Friday, September 2
4:30pm Writing on the Spectrum
Fiesta Ballroom 2, 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Neurodiverse writers talk about how their unique filter on the world impacts their writing and about neurodiverse representation in books.
Saturday, September 3
10am Beth & Mike’s Book Club: The City We Became
Coronado, 10am – 11am
Michael Senft, who runs the Sci-Fridays Book Club at the Poisoned Pen, and Nebula Award®-nominated author, Beth Cato, will be leading a discussion on The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin. Read or listen to it ahead of the event or come in blind, but beware of spoilers!
6pm Writing Speculative Poetry
Fiesta Ballroom 2, 6pm – 7pm
Join our award-winning poets as they discuss the craft and market for speculative poetry, and maybe even share some of their own award-winning work!
Sunday, September 4
1pm Literary Charcuterie
Coronado, 1pm – 2pm
Let’s talk about the glories of food in literature and reality and inspire everyone to scamper for the nearest cheese shop (and there are several near the hotel!)
6pm Author Self-Care: Not Post-COVID Yet
Fiesta Ballroom 2, 6pm – 7pm
We’re back in person, but are we really back to normal? This popular panel returns in a world that still hasn’t gotten through the COVID times.
7:30pm Historical Fiction Meets Fantasy
Fiesta Ballroom 2, 7:30pm – 8:30pm
What is the proper proportion of facts with fiction when writing historical fantasy? What resources the perils and joys of research.
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Read MoreCome to the Online Book Club Meeting this Sunday!
On Sunday September 19th, my collection Red Dust and Dancing Horses will be discussed in a virtual book club meeting on Facebook that is conducted by the wonderful Madame Askew. The event will happen at 4:30 MST. Buy the book ahead of time (if you don’t have it already) and join in on the discussion! I’ll be there to answer questions.
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Read MoreMy Virtual CoKoCon Schedule for September 4th through 6th
CoKoCon is September 3rd through 6th! The convention is online and totally free. To attend, you must register and use their Discord server. Find out all about that on their website. Please also check out the charity book auction, which will benefit a great local group, the Joshua Tree Feeding Program.
Here’s my final schedule. I say final, but of course, things may change and the internet may choose to be fickle at the worst possible time. Find the full schedule for the weekend here. All times are Pacific time.
Saturday, September 4
2:00pm – 3:00pm Steampunk in the Round
What is it that makes steampunk a lasting trend? We’ll discuss: The evolution of steampunk, how do you see it in a few years? The literary and media side of steampunk. The commercial side of steampunk. The splinter divisions of Steampunk. Q&A with audience.
3:15pm – 4:15pm The Wonderful World of Cheese
Join author Beth Cato and friends as she leads a lively discussion on the world of cheese, from its early history to modern day.
5:45pm – 6:45pm From the Paddock to Pern
Judith Tarr. Tamora Pierce. Robin McKinley. Mercedes Lackey. Our panelists discuss the impact of “horse girl” fantasy.
Sunday, September 5
10:15am – 11:15am Book Discussion: The Calculating Stars
Join avid reader and sometime blogger Michael Senft, and Nebula and Dragon award nominee Beth Cato (The Clockwork Dagger, Breath of Earth) as they discuss Mary Robinette Kowal’s award-winning “Lady Astronaut” alternate history.
2:00pm – 3:00pm Author Self-Care: COVID Edition
Surviving the past year has been an ordeal for everyone. Our authors talk about how COVID affected them, and what they did (and are still doing) to cope with pandemic, lockdown and deadlines.
4:30pm – 5:30pm Writing Speculative Poetry
Join our panelists as they discuss writing speculative poetry, as well as share their own works.
Monday, September 6
2:00pm – 3:00pm From Tabletop to Text and Vice Versa
Whether Dungeons & Dragons or Final Fantasy, our panelists discuss how gaming influenced their writing, and how their writing influences their gaming.
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