Con*Spec Panels
Presented by:
Date / Time |
Panel Title |
Description |
Participants |
Saturday |
What puts the “SF” in SF Poetry? |
It is an interesting challenge to write “genre” poetry. But what differentiates a Science Fiction or Fantasy poem from any other poetic flight of fancy? The rules of construction may be the same, but the subject matter has to be “out there”. |
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Saturday |
The Ethics of Human Enhancement |
As modern science begins to resemble science fiction more and more, there needs to be a discussion about the potential dangers of advances in science like genetic engineering. We have our own versions of The Bionic Man and Woman, but when to stop? |
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Saturday |
FIAWOL or FIJAGDH: You choose |
OK, if you don’t know what these acronyms mean perhaps you should come find out. SF fandom has certainly changed a lot over the years that people have been calling themselves “Fans” with a capital F. See how it has evolved, and share your own experiences with fandom. |
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Saturday |
Only One Book Stays on the Island |
Join our panellists as each defends their chosen book—a work of classic Science Fiction or Fantasy that they believe should be on every SF reader’s bookshelf. Our abbreviated version of CBC’s “Canada Reads”. |
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Sunday |
My First Book: The Birthing Process |
Local author and On Spec editor, Barb Galler-Smith is about to launch her first book, “Druids”. After a career as a short fiction writer, life as a published novelist is certainly different. Barb will tell us about the journey from idea to reality. |
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Sunday |
Interview with Con Spec’s Author Guest |
Ed Willett is a man of many talents. Fiction writer, journalist, and heck of good singer. Barb Galler-Smith will interview him and try to get to know the man behind the books. |
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Sunday |
That’s Not What I Meant |
Several months ago, a well-known US author was taken to task on a blog. She was accused of racism because a character in a particular book “appeared to be” a racial stereotype. This public incident started a whole “RaceFail” movement, where accusations were posted online against other writers, and people were urged to boycott their books. Our panel will take this brouhaha as a starting point of the discussion, and talk about responsibilities of both writer and reader. How does a writer deal with possible misinterpretation of their work? Should a reader urge others to boycott a book because of a perception of racism or sexism? |
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