For those of you who are local to Reno, Nevada, don’t forget to drop by the Earth Day celebration at Idlewild Park this Sunday (http://www.renoearthday.org/). I’ll be there at booth #1020 in the California Building with the science fair so there should be much to explore.

If you’re not able to stop by on Sunday, I hope you’ll be coming to BayCon in San Mateo, California, on May 26-29, 2017. It’s shaping up to be a wonderful convention, and I plan to do my part. This year, it appears one of my main goals will be to be moderate (just kidding). Or rather, I am moderating four panels and a panelist on two more with a mix of storytelling, writing technique, and the exploration of social and cultural topics related to this year’s theme of Dystopia/Utopia.

My schedule, barring changes, is as follows:

The Seduction of Utopia.
Friday 13:30 – 15:00, Convene 1 (San Mateo Marriott)

What would you be willing to give up for utopia? Why is it so many portrayals are rigid and limiting? Why do they take the concept of other and use it to strip away difference and demonize it?

I’ll be moderating this one along with Ty Franck, Daniel Abraham, Bradford Lyau, Daniel Dociu, and Christine Doyle MD.

The Art of Storytelling
Friday 20:00 – 21:30, Synergy 5 (San Mateo Marriott)

Panelists get elements for a story from the audience and craft quick tales, passing it along among themselves until they present the audience with their brand new tale.

With Tom Merritt and Taunya Gren, I’ll be moderating the wild creativity sure to come. This should be a lot of fun, and audience participation is crucial, so get those ideas churning.

World Building Techniques and Approaches
Saturday 11:30 – 13:00, Synergy 4 (San Mateo Marriott)

As part of the writing/educational arm, this panel is focused on offering various techniques to approach different world building challenges. Bring your concerns as well, and the panel will attempt to point you in the right direction.

I’m moderating along with Kevin Andrew Murphy, Ms. Jennifer L. Carson, Jon Chaisson, and Katharine Kerr.

Girls will be Girls
Saturday 16:00 – 17:30, Inspire 1 (San Mateo Marriott)

Why are so many YA dystopias centered on young women? What about this particular genre is so appealing to (or inclusive of) young women and what does it say about our society?

Loren Rhoads will be our moderator, and the other panelists are Teresa Edgerton, Linden Tarr, and Carrie Sessarego.

The Dreaded Outline
Monday 10:00 – 11:30, Synergy 1 (San Mateo Marriott)

As part of the writing/educational arm, this panel will involve a technique discussion about outlining and other pre-work that helps keep writers motivated to the finish line.

I will be moderating Jay Hartlove, Loren Rhoads, and Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff.

Ultranationalism
Monday 13:00 – 14:30, Convene 1 (San Mateo Marriott)

Why is ultranationalism suddenly so widespread? Is it a reaction to multi-culti mores? To globalization? To demographic change? What are we all so afraid of? How bad can it get? Or is it bad?

Pat MacEwen will be moderating myself, my husband Colin Fisk, and Anne Killpack.

Doesn’t it look like fun? I’ll be around the whole weekend, hoping to sit in on some of the other offerings as well as checking out a Do-It-Yourself workshop or two. I’m also eager for the hallway discussions that have proved thought provoking and eye opening in the past, and as long as I’m not promised elsewhere, will be happy to stop and chat. If I appear harried, though, we should try again later. BayCon can be a bit hectic at times, but I maintain it’s the best kind of hectic.