Sunday Schedule

What follows is a listing of all events planned for Sunday, March 31st. You can also download the Sunday programming grid (12KB .pdf).

Schedules for the rest of the weekend are listed here.

We will endeavor to keep this list up-to-date with any changes. For the most up-to-date information, please use the fully interactive Guidebook app.

This list is current as of Mar. 27, 2013.

Got an hour before your next session? Stop by Open Gaming and play for a while. We have plenty of tables for fans to sit down with old friends (or new) and play…no sign-up required. The Rotunda is available for open gaming all weekend on a first-come first-served basis.

Pro Roy

Need to unwind and slay a dragon? Cast a spell? Become the Lord of Catan? Come check out what people are playing in Scheduled Gaming! We have a wide variety of games you can sign up to play. We have many people hosting games to help you enjoy your time at Norwescon, or maybe you’re looking to learn a new game? Bring your game and schedule a spot, or drop in to make new friends. Specific games can be found on the electronic schedule and on Twitter.

Bryan Wood

Meet here to hand over your scavenger hunt collections! The more creative you were with your choices, the better chance you have to win!

Trent Lum

NOTE: Children under eight years old must be accompanied by a responsible party. Norwescon does not provide babysitting.

Kim Poua (M), LouAnna Valentine

A lovelorn Russian noble, cursed with longevity and an immunity to cold, whose quest for the truth spans two centuries and a stunning array of true historical events. Rated PG

J.M. Sidorova

What do you need to know about copyright law to protect your artwork and ensure that you’re not infringing on the rights of others? What are the best ways to get your art out into the public but protect it from being used without your permission? How do the new copyright extension laws affect artists today? Come learn the answers to these questions or bring your own.

Jeliza Patterson-McGuire (M), Heather Hudson, Wednesday Wolf

Are you weird, geeky, or a total nerd, and proud of it? Do you express your fannishness in daily life, or do you tone it down for your day job? Come participate in a discussion and share how you show your fannish colors.

Lola Colleen (M), Berlynn Wohl, Jonny Nero Action Hero

If there’s magic in it, the book is fantasy, right? But what if the magical power is on tap like water and you pay a monthly bill to the city magic utility, as in Walter John Williams’ Metropolitan? What if magic is described, studied, and practiced in the language of physics and software, as in Charles Stross’ The Atrocity Archives? Is this a new genre, a hybrid genre, or still just fantasy? And where does Steampunk fit in?

Clinton J. Boomer (M), David D. Levine, Rhiannon Held

Horror fans know that the genre has lost respect in recent years. Once our movies were good enough to be classics but now they’re jokes. How can the genre return to its glory days? Is it possible?

Julie Hoverson (M), Amber Clark, John R. Gray III

Is life rare in the cosmos, or just intelligence? Where the Drake Equation went wrong.

Alan Boyle (M), Dan Dubrick, Edward Tenner, G. David Nordley

iPads, laptops, cell phones, and computers are all popping up at the game table, and apps are being developed to assist with character management and rules tracking. But do these elements hinder immersion into the game and distract more than they help? Our panelists will discuss the pros and cons of using technology during role-playing games.

Russell D. Campbell (M), Bryan Syme, Paul Pfarr

A writer must learn to critique both her own work and the work of peers. What makes a good critique? How do you critique yourself and how do you critique someone else?

Marta Murvosh (M), Christopher Bodan, Darragh Metzger, Janna Silverstein, S. A. Bolich

The earth is a water world, why don’t we see more SF and fantasy set in the ocean? We know more about the surface of the moon than we do the bottom of the ocean. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was over 140 years ago, so why aren’t more stories set under water? Steve Gillett (M), Beth Wade, Mike Brennan

Join us in getting to know some real-life organizations working to SAVE THE WORLD in a variety of ways. Learn about the amazing groups in our local community who want to make the world a better place and discover what you can do to help – or just drop by and make some new friends!

Cascade Bicycle Club, Geekwire, Viscera Organization, Northwest Science Writers Association, Reading for the Future, Foundation for Sex Positive, Culture, Seattle HIV Trial Unit . . .

NOTE: Children under eight years old must be accompanied by a responsible party. Norwescon does not provide babysitting.

Kim Poua (M), LouAnna Valentine

A world of wizards and their slightly snarky familiars. Rated PG

Stephanie L. Weippert

Easter Egg Hunt for the older children. Please bring your own basket/bag as well as your manners.

Kim Poua (M), LouAnna Valentine

The struggles of a psychologist for the very old in the New Orleans of the 22nd Century. Rated PG

Moria Crone

Our panel of comics creators will discuss the pros and cons of digital publishing and some advice on breaking into webcomics.

Charles “Zan” Christensen (M), Bryan Syme

The world of fanfiction has literally exploded with the existence of the internet and computers. We went from a relatively small number of lovingly edited, laboriously created fanzines that were expensive to produce and buy to an endless plethora of fanfiction and art available for free. A fun exploration (with physical fanzines for the youngsters to check out) of the origins of fanfiction and fanart along with an examination of what we have today, comparing the benefits and disadvantages of both.

Dame Ruth (M), Berlynn Wohl

Media we hate to admit that we love and the private battles we face when it becomes acceptable to like them openly.

Mimi Noyes (M), Camille Alexa, Jonny Nero Action Hero, William F. Nolan, Molly Lewis

Writing a hand weapon combat scene. Two warriors armed with swords face each other. One moves, the other counters. So begins the combat scene, one of the most difficult of writing tasks. Now you can watch two fighters move through the dance of combat, and write as they move. You can direct their moves in real time, while watching from different angles. Then share your description of the action with other participants and the fighters.

Bill Gruner (M), Adrienne Carlson, Ann Shilling, Darryl Aoki, Major James Franklin (Ret.), Michael Tinker Pearce, William Elder

Join our panel of experts for a discussion on modding/ constructing kid friendly accessories and props. Simply scaling down a prop often isn’t good enough. A costumer must also consider wear-ability, safety factors and weight.

Jonnalyhn Wolfcat (M), Bethany Roullett, Katrina Marier

What is it and why is it an important baseline? The Bechdel test crops up for the first time in the comic “Dykes to Watch Out For.” The test is: “Are there two named female characters? Do they hold a conversation together? About something other than a man?” A depressing number of movies fail this very simple and not at all comprehensive sexism test every year, including some of our favorites.

Mickey Schulz (M), Beth Wade, Maida ‘Mac’ Cain, Nicole Dieker (Hello, The Future!)

There’s more than talent to making a living as an artist. Health insurance, taxes, marketing, organization, selling yourself, portfolios — where do you find the time to do all that and still make art?

Amber Clark (M), Ellen Forney, Jeliza Patterson-McGuire, Sara Twitty, Wednesday Wolf

With more indie game designers using kickstarter to fund, market, and sell their game, will game stores be able to stick around? How can game companies balance offering digital content with supporting the stores that brought them success? Our panelists will discuss the changing role of hobby stores and alternative game distribution.

Julie Haehn (M), David Fooden, Jeremy Holcomb

Part of his humorous horror series featuring zombie detective, Dan Shamble. Rated PG

Kevin J. Anderson

Join our auctioneers for a fun filled last chance to purchase that original piece of art you saw in the art show and that you just know you can’t live without. Or help us raise funds for our charities by bidding on items that have been donated by our artists, dealers and fans to support Northwest Harvest and Clarion West Writers Workshop.

Pat Booze

The final installment of the Triads of Tir na n’Og series. Rated PG

Darragh Metzger

This presentation will include the past, present, and future of sheepherding with border collies, including a discussion of the personality, instinct, and training of the dogs. Featured panelist will be a border collie named Rodeo.

Jim Kling (M)

You may be a straight, white, able-bodied person who means well, but somehow you just seem to keep putting your foot in it while trying to be supportive. What does it mean to be a good ally to groups you don’t actually belong to? What can you do to help without silencing others or co-opting their message?

Sheye Anne Blaze (M), Gwen Yeh, Keffy R.M. Kehrli, Ro Yoon

The Slender Man has his own mainstream horror movie. Are other favorite internet legends sure to follow or has the digital age already given us all it has?

Lorelei Shannon (M), Heather Hudson, Jenna M. Pitman

One of the touchiest subjects in some older fandoms, yet one of the most transparent, natural, and accepted parts of newer fandoms, is making art out of other peoples’ art. Be it fanfic, remixes, fanart, parodies, Fire Ferrets T-shirts, invocations of Rule 34, MST3K, or even the highly-pop-culture-aware script stylings of Joss Whedon, all of these arts are specifically reliant upon other works to express their visions. When does this become cheating – or does it, ever? Our panelists will discuss the good, the bad, the 50 Shades of Infuriating, and how close to the “legal infringement” line people will go and yet get away with it – or not.

Klopfenpop (M), Dara Korra’ti, MC-3PO of DeathStar, C0splay of DeathStar, Vixy & Tony

If we are ever going anywhere else for more than a long vacation, we will have to grow food there. If the extra-terra population isn’t going to be vegan, there will have to be a way of growing meat. Will it be grown in vats, or on the bone?

Tony Rusi (M), Alan Boyle, Dan Dubrick, Dana Andrews

Should writing be a solitary profession? How can authors banding together improve their careers? Or is the writing community a distraction from work?

Cat Rambo (M), Chelsea M. Campbell, Jack Skillingstead, Kevin J. Anderson

From color to sound to images, our panel of pros will lead you through several exercises to help you get you creativity energy flowing and focused — bring your pad and pencil and join the fun!

Cymbric Early-Smith (M), Garth Stubbs, Katrina Marier

Authors who have published young adult short stories or novels will discuss market trends, and how to construct a story for a young adult audience. Given that many young adult speculative fiction novels are actually bought and read by adults, what is young adult fiction doing well that could benefit any writer?

Phoebe Kitanidis (M), Karen Kincy, Nancy Kress

In its fourteenth year, the Festival is a celebration of low- and no-budget cinema, brought to wondrous lurching life by amateur filmmakers from all around the Pacific Northwest. More than just the movies, this one hundred twenty minute extravaganza of entertainment also includes the filmmakers, to regale you with terrifying tales of their productions. Be there or be a regular right quadrilateral! The Fandance Film Festival is the final terrifying phase of the Let’s Make a Movie Workshop, in which participants walk through every step of making a movie, from conception to the premiere of the finished product.

Edward Martin III (M), Brian D. Oberquell, Lisa Sherman, Ryan K. Johnson

Have you ever wanted to write a fanfic, but just never were able to before? Fret not! In this panel, a team of fanfic writers will help you work past your fears and jump feet first into writing! A number of different ideas will be presented as inspirational starting points and then after the hour is up, attendees share their works and get constructive pointers on what worked, what didn’t and how they can improve their stories.

Micole Rose (M), Keerawa, Erik Scott de Bie

An excerpt from his first novel about two detectives investigating an interstellar terrorist network that leads to the discovery of a far more insidious alien threat. Rated PG-13

Patrick Swenson

Rated G

MC-3PO of DeathStar, Klopfenpop, C0splay of DeathStar

Without a horse, a knight was nothing. Join the discussion of how horses were bred and trained for battle, and how they became symbols of social class and sources of pride.

Ann Shilling (M), Alan Paulsen, Darragh Metzger, Linda Pearce

Unwind on Sunday afternoon with Author Guest of Honor (and jazz and ballet dancer) Catherine Asaro as she teaches some basics of dance and movement. Beginners welcome!

Catherine Asaro (M)

For three thousand years Ancient Egypt was considered the pinnacle of art, fashion and science in the ancient world. We look back on the fashion, jewelry and aesthetics of this rich culture and how its dynastic elegance continues to influence and inspire us today.

Claire Hummel (M), Richard Stephens, Janet Borkowski

An artist needs more than talent to be successful. One must learn how to create a polished and professional image as well. You may have intelligence and creativity, but that isn’t enough! Learn how to not only create a portfolio, but how to put your own personal best foot forward when presenting yourself and your work to shops, galleries, and publishers.

Julie Baroh (M), Wednesday Wolf, Jeff Sturgeon

HAES is not about diets or losing weight – it’s about exercising and eating well with the goal of health, not size. It’s about learning: How to work out without hurting yourself, what foods your body wants and needs to keep you going, how to avoid sacrificing your mental health for an arbitrary definition of fitness, and how to be comfortable in your skin instead of living by a number on a scale. Come share your stories and discover how this health movement is the opposite of giving up.

Jen K (M), Jeliza Patterson-McGuire, Maida ‘Mac’ Cain, Mickey Schulz

There are no good writers, only good re-writers. How to edit your own work. We’ll discuss how to cut passive voice, unnecessary words, and anything that else slows your fiction down. Do you read your text out loud?

Jason V Brock (M), Jack Skillingstead, Kevin Radthorne, Nancy Kress

Kickstarter is the new hotness in self-publishing, but there are pros and cons to crowd-sourcing. What are some other options for creating and publishing your own board games, video games, and role-playing games? Our panelists will discuss kickstarter as well as other methods of self-publishing your own game.

Julie Haehn (M), David Fooden, Jeremy Holcomb, John Harper

Vikings did more than kill people and take their stuff. They also made tools, weapons, and vessels, to enable them to kill people and take their stuff. What did they have, how did they make it, and how did they use it to, well, you know?

Mike Priddy (M), Major James Franklin (Ret.), Pat MacEwen, Alisa Gray

It’s time now for some silly fun to wrap up the convention. Come down and spend a few moments fishing in our pond or tossing a few friendly Ferbies around (joined again this year by some truly Angry Birds!) Or maybe you prefer a round of Twister? Whatever your game, there are prizes and fun for everyone! NOTE: Children under eight years old must be accompanied by a responsible party. Norwescon does not provide babysitting.

LouAnna Valentine (M), Kim Poua

The Irish Session is one of the old forms of participatory music-making. Groups of musicians who know various traditional tunes meet, usually at a pub, and play together. There’s no stage, no formal separation of audience; anyone who knows the tune can join in at any time. There are several such sessions throughout Cascadia, from the Lower Mainland of British Columbia through Seattle and Portland and points south. We’ll talk a little about the history, and then we’ll just go do one. Music for several common tunes was posted at the website and is still available; we’ll have a few copies as well. But if you don’t want to play, and just want to come listen; you’re called a “punter,” and that’s fine too.

Dara Korra’ti (M), Alexander James Adams, Sunnie Larsen

Do you like live action role play? Do you still love playing vampires? Are you intrigued by the idea of playing a fallen angel? Well look no further, because this is the game for you! This reboot of a game that was wildly popular over a decade ago, is blowing up with new found fervor! Many of the old players are here and many new ones as well, but we would like to see what you can bring to the table.

Mythic Reality Player’s Association

From book 4 in the Sarah Beauhall series, currently unnamed. A sneak peek at the twists and turns of Sarah’s life with dragons. Rated PG

J.A. Pitts

A modern day twist in time must be unknotted from the heart of a Viking noble’s encampment a thousand years in the past by two 21st century souls who no longer know each other. Rated PG

Cymbric Early-Smith

It’s pretty hard to write about a life form completely outside of our experience. No matter how good an SF story is, if you come across an alien that’s either “just a guy in a suit” or too far from our current understanding of the laws of physics, it can throw you out of the story. So what does it take to create a believable alien?

Caren Gussoff (M), Clinton J. Boomer, David J. Peterson, Rich Glover

How did you like the Masquerade? Meet us here and let us know how we did this year. We will use your feedback to bring it back better than ever! If you won an award or trophy and did not pick it up at the Masquerade on Saturday, you can collect it here. Music will be returned at this meeting if you want your media back.

Shawna Batty

Science fiction and fantasy authors often use the fringes of mainstream culture as plot material. How do authors portray gender and sexuality in their works, and how realistic are the works of those who write outside their own identities? Are the tales of early authors who played with gender still relevant? And have these worlds of SF&F changed the attitudes of fandom and made those in the QUILTBAG community feel welcome?

Amber Clark (M), Gregory Gadow, Gwen Yeh, Keffy R.M. Kehrli

Learn about the major genre workshops like Clarion, Clarion West, Odyssey, Viable Paradise, and more. Are you ready to attend a residential workshop? What will you learn? Each workshop has advantages and disadvantages, so which workshop will work best for you?

Leslie Howle (M), J.M. Sidorova, Lauren Dixon, Tod McCoy

Sword and Sorcery has a rich history, going back to at least Howard and Smith. And it’s making a comeback. Our panelists talk about its rich history and why it’s back and better than ever.

Bart Kemper (M), Cat Rambo, Renee Stern

Both short horror stories and short horror films can be equally frightening but can a horror novel scare us as effectively as a feature film?

Jason V Brock (M), Buzzy, Jude-Marie Green

Why we’ve lost the art of the finale.

Chris Nilsson (M), Fish, Jonny Nero Action Hero, Molly Lewis

What kinds of art do artists have in their homes? Their own works, works of other artists and if so, who? 2D, 3D, where do they hang art and what inspires them? Come meet with professional artists and learn how art is a part of their lives, not just their work.

Claire Hummel (M), Betsy Mott, Douglas Herring, John P. Alexander, Julie Baroh, Lee Moyer, Sara Twitty

Your final chance for the latest previews, news and rumours from Hollywood. Including at no additional cost the famous, “why? Why? WHY?”

Keith Johnson (M), Alan Halfhill

Dice, cards, or bargaining? Prestige points or hit points? Competitive or cooperative? Come to our panel of board game designers to learn about designing the mechanics, components, and strategy of a balanced board game.

Julie Haehn (M), David Fooden, Jeremy Holcomb

Everybody wants to make a demo. Okay, you have some equipment. Now what do you do with it? How do you set it up; how do you use it to capture or create the best sounds you can? If you didn’t make the first session on Saturday; that’s okay, come anyway.

Klopfenpop (M), HeyLasFas!, Steve Savitzky, Vixy & Tony

Humans have been genetically modifying foodstuffs for millennia. Today, we can introduce changes directly, without having to work through generations of selective breeding. Will higher-yield, pest and pesticide resistant GM crops be our salvation, or will they cause more problems than they solve?

Jim Kling (M), Annie Morton, G. David Nordley

With The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien established the fantasy genre and many of the current fantasy tropes. Has his influence and popularity hindered the growth of the fantasy genre? Is it possible to write epic fantasy with Halflings and Elves and Orcs without seeming derivative?

Chris Nilsson (M), Erik Scott de Bie, G. Willow Wilson

There are many unusual techniques and processes that the artist might find difficult or daunting, but which can actually be done in one’s own home without too much difficulty. Come to learn about the possibilities of using jeweler’s saws and etching metal, how to make wood gears and other complex items using publicly accessible laser cutters, and some basic electronics. Even how to do blacksmithing on a small gas-fired forge!

Matthew ‘Fish’ Dockrey (M)

This term is loaded with social and economic stigma, encompassing just about anything – from child care to embroidery – that is done for the benefit of society or culture but which has little commercial value. And yet, many of the occupations that have historically been designated “women’s work” are today popular fandom hobbies, practiced by both men and women: sewing, costuming, knitting, needlework, and non-profit writing, art, and music. While some entrepreneurs do make money from geeky pursuits, many more do it for the love of the game – despite being scolded for their failure to use their talents in a commercially viable way. This panel will discuss the historical precedent for the low value of “women’s work,” how it affects men and women in contemporary fandom, and how fan writers and artists feel about commercial intrusion into fan culture.

Jen K (M), SunnyJim Morgan, Berlynn Wohl, Mickey Schulz

There’s more than one type of writing group and more than one type of writer. Come find out how writing groups might (or might not) be exactly what you need (or don’t).

Tod McCoy (M), Darragh Metzger, Kevin Scott, Martina Willems-Pfarr, Tim McDaniel

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye… That’s it for another year, folks. This is your last chance to say adios to our wonderful Guests of Honor. It’s been fun. Let’s do it again some time.

Rob Stewart

What worked? What didn’t? Come give your feedback to the convention executives.

Peggy Stewart, Joshua Keegan