Panel Topics
Below is a final list of panel topics as of
April 11, 2009. Please check the Pocket
Program for times, locations, and panelists.
- WHAT LINE’S MINE?
Our perennial and most popular
panel. Come see authors try to avoid embarrassment by recognizing out-of-context lines
from their own writing. Hosted by Amy Kauderer and her able crew. Top ten by
John-Allen Price.
- LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW
Hosted by
James Alan Gardner, the deeply probing interviewer.
Ably assisted by Ed McClink. Top ten by
John-Allen Price
- ECONOMICS FOR WRITERS; THE ADVANCED COURSE
The writing profession is more
precarious than ever; how do you continue to write when you’ve hit a financial dry patch
and no royalties or advances are coming in? What do the pros do to see themselves
through lean times.
- BEST AND WORST MOVIES OF 2008
The yearly critiques of the movies of
last year.
- THE FUTURE WARS NO ONE IS TALKING OR WRITING ABOUT
This panel will talk about specific
conflicts that are in the offing which don’t necessarily involve the U.S. or other
western powers, at least at their outset, which is the main reason they’re not being
discussed or written about in the first place.
- WHAT’S YOUR OBJECT WHEN ON A PANEL?
Do you worry about being funny or
entertaining? What, if anything, do you do to improve the "entertainment value" of a
panel you are on?
- "WHO" DONE IT AGAIN?
With its 4th spin off series,
3 Hugo Awards, dozens of British media awards, and sky-high ratings (in U.S. and U.K.)
what is next for "WHO"? "Doctor Who" has regenerated itself into a much bigger success
than ever. Like the TARDIS itself, it’s a story that’s bigger on the inside than on the
outside.
- FREE-FOR-ALL
Panelists fight with each other and
the audience about any subject dear to their hearts.
- DOES ANYONE MAKE A REAL HORROR MOVIE ANYMORE?
Remember when they created terror out of
mood, an intricate script and, dare we say, subtlety? Why are so many horror films now
just slasher flicks and torture porn? Can you point to a recent film that was genuinely
unsettling and not grotesquely revolting?
- MUSIC TO READ BY
You know what music adds to movies;
can it add to your reading pleasure? Would it distract you from your reading? What
type of music would you use. Give some examples.
- GRAPHIC NOVELS
What is their place in the Genres?
Can they be called literature or just grown up comic books? Should they be taken
seriously or dismissed? What does their success say about the degeneration of our
reading skills?
- CREATION
Panel discusses authors who have
created worlds and mythos that are lasting and influential. Forgotten ones from the past will
also be covered. Panelists will name their choices and the reasons for them.
- WHEN DOES FANTASY BECOME SF AND SF BECOME FANTASY?
Where does horror fit in?
Can you effectively set out to combine them?
- WHAT’S NEW WITH YOU?
Panelists discuss new or seldom used
ideas and plots that have been used in print and media in recent years.
- I’LL NEVER BE AN AUTHOR!
How can a fan get involved without writing.
What ways are there for fans to be involved besides just attending conventions?
- INFLUENTIAL AUTHORS – PAST AND PRESENT
Who are they and how do they affect us?
Who is overlooked?
- EDITORS DOS AND DON’TS
Learn what to do to get published and what
not to do. Questions from the audience are welcome.
- WORK HABITS-GOOD AND BAD
Panelist give examples of good and bad
habits. Authors will tell of their their own habits.
- WOMEN IN THE GENRES-AS AUTHORS AND CHARACTERS
Panelists discuss women’s position in the past and present. Possible
discrimination will also be covered.
- GENRE CROSSING
Do crossovers produce a bigger
audience? Will an SF novel ever win an Edgar or a mystery a Hugo?
- COMING; JURASSIC PARK!
Will this be coming true in the near
future with the real possibility of cloning a mammoth?
- CHILDHOOD INFLUENCES
Writers discuss books, movies, and TV
programs of their youth.
- I WANT YOU, BELOVED!
If you could bring any one character
to life, who would it be and why?
- MEDIA ROUNDTABLE
Discuss your favorite movies or TV shows.
Hosted by Dennis Blake.
- SF WITH ROCKS IN
What is that? Karen Bennett is back with
a new slide show and live examples of jaspers and agates. She and the audience will fire
theories at SF With Rocks In.
- DRILLING SKYWARD
Has the time come for space based solar
power? Talk by Dr. David Stephenson.
- DO YOU WANT TO BE A COMPUTER GAME
CREATOR?
Everyone thinks they can be one because good ideas are easily come by. Still, few
brilliant games have been released this century. The reasons are in the details.
Focus will be on what good game design is, why it’s essential and why necessary. The
discussion Includes examples of good and bad game design. Audience participation
encouraged. Talk by Dr. Alex Pantaleev.
- POETRY ROUND ROBIN
All poets welcome: bring your work.
Hosted by David Clink and Herb Kauderer.
- CREATE YOUR OWN PANELS
Sign up at registration. This is your chance
to create new panels that might be used at a future EerieCon. Hosted by David
Ennis.
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