Event Listings |
Pre-Spec Special Event - Friday, October 17th, 7pm-9pm Join the On Spec crew as we celebrate the launch of our 2008 theme issue. The theme is "Youth", and every writer in the issue is under the age of 23, and is either a prizewinner or a finalist in our Canada-wide short story contest for young Canadian writers. Some of the Edmonton-area authors will be there to read from their works. Con Spec author Guest Robert J. Sawyer will be present to say a few words.
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Saturday, October 18, 2:30pm - 4:30pm, Omega Room 
Sunday, October 19, Noon - 2pm, Omega Room 
Panel One - Saturday, 10:30 -11:30am, Omega Room
How the Business is Changing: The publishing industry is changing like never before. The advent of e-publishing and print-on-demand services are making their mark on the modern publishing industry. So what are the options available to the writer these days? Join Tracy Cooper-Posey as she explores and explains the new publishing landscape.
Panel Two - Saturday, Noon - 1:00pm, Omega Room
Interview with Robert J. Sawyer: Without question Robert J. Sawyer is an icon in Canadian science-fiction. Join interviewer Barb Galler-Smith as she asks the tough questions about his work, the science-fiction industry, and just how did he get to be an icon anyway? There will be a portion set aside for audience Q&A.
Panel Three - Saturday, 1:00 - 2:30pm, Omega Room
Two Authors, Two Readings: Join authors Robert J. Sawyer and Thomas Wharton as they read from selections of the works, past and brand-spanking present. Enjoy a taste of two excellent Canadian writers, and gain a little insight into the process behind their works.
Panel Four - Sunday, 10:00 - 11:00am, Omega Room
What Publishers Want...besides Love, Fame and Fortune!: If you are an aspiring writer you could waste time trying to guess what publishers want. Or you could join EDGE Publishing's Brian Hades as he explains what publishers really want in a manuscript. The answers may shock you!
Panel Five - Sunday, 11:00 - Noon, Omega Room
Writer's Jam: Join our covey of writers for a sci-fi free-for-all! No topic is off limits and no question will go unanswered by our congenial collection of industry professionals. Ever had a question about speculative fiction you were too afraid to ask? Now is your chance!
Panel Six - Sunday, 2:00 - 3:30pm, Omega Room
Which Book Stays on the Island?: If you were stuck on a desert island, what science fiction book would you want with you? Can't decide? This panel is for you! Join Robert J. Sawyer, Thomas Wharton, Robin Carson as they give you their picks. Three writers, three books...but only one book can stay on the island!
Medicine in Star Trek - Saturday, 10:30am - 11:30am, Alpha Room
Star Trek production design has led to advances in real-world science and technology. What effect has it had on the world of medicine? Join Sharon Wildwood, a nurse and founding member of the USS Bonaventure Star Trek Club as she explores medicine and medical practice in both the 21st and 24th centuries!
The Wonderful World of Web-comics - Saturday, 11:30am - 12:30pm, Alpha Room
Join Webcomic artist and Weregeek creator Alina Pete as she talks...webcomics. She'll discuss the work she does to not only get a regular comic out, but to promote her work to you, the geeky public.
An Interview with Monte Cook - Saturday, 12:30pm - 1:30pm, Alpha Room
Learn more about the man behind such amazing games as Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 and World of Darkness. Join interviewer Brent Jans as he asks Monte Cook questions about his work, his life and just how did he get to be so darn brilliant, anyway? There will be an audience Q&A as well.
Making Games Appeal to Women - Saturday, 2:00 - 3:00pm, Alpha Room
Have some thoughts you’d like to share on what you as a woman look for in a videogame? Curious how the other half games? Come by for a casual discussion on how (or if) videogames can be made more appealing to women players, led by real-life female game developer, Jennifer Hepler.
Monte Cook's World of Game Mastering Tips - Saturday, 3:30pm - 4:30pm, Alpha Room
Join Monte Cook as he dispenses some "tips of the trade" for Game Masters. Whether you are behind the DM's screen for the first time or have been TPKing for decades, this panel is not to be missed!
Comix Battle! - Sunday, 10:30am - 11:30am, Alpha Room
Infusing the sacred art of comics creation with the flippant irreverence of improv comedy and the swaggering bravado of professional wrestling, the “Comic Art Battle” is a live art spectacle that pits our festival's creators, writers and artists against each other in a clash of lightning-quick wits and spontaneous draftsmanship! Just the thing to get the blood flowing to your brain on Sunday morning!
The Life of the Freelance Artist - Sunday, Noon - 1:00pm, Alpha Room
Join Artist Guest of Honour Herman Lau as he leads you through the ups and downs as a freelance artist. Herman Lau offers a unique perspective, working as both an artist and an Art Director on several projects. A panel for anyone who wants to know what it takes to freelance!
The Dorklord's Guide to Gamer Fitness - Sunday, 1:00 - 2:00pm, Alpha Room
The gamer lifestyle has a lot of good qualities. But lets face it, keeping you in good shape isn't one of them. Join the Dorklord, Brent Jans, as he talks about the simple changes you can make to your gamer lifestyle that will help you get yourself in better physical and mental condition. After all, a healthy gamer can game longer!
In the Beginning: Exposition through Plot - Sunday, 4:00pm - 5:00pm, Alpha Room
Back story is what happened to the characters before Chapter 1 started. No matter how you slice it, try to bury it in dialog, or cover it with cheese sauce, back story is a bad idea. Context, on the other hand, is essential. Join author Sharon Wildwind for a rollicking romp through science-fiction and fantasy books, graphic novels, television shows and movies, looking at the differences between the two.
Saturday starting at 8:00pm in the Omega Party Room! 
You have worked all year on that awesome costume, so come on out and strut your geeky stuff! What, you've only worked two weeks on a costume? Then come out and strut your procrastinating geeky stuff! Really, the Costume Shindig is for everyone, and a great way to meet and relax with all the other congoers. Music, dancing and libations abound, and there will be prizes given out for the best costumes, worst costumes and costumes somewhere in between, courtesy of our sponsors. But even if you don't have a costume, we want you to come out; its just a chance to relax in the company of your fellow geek, and get yourself prepared for what Sunday has in store...
Please note: Because this is a licensed event, no minors will be allowed in the Omega Room from the hours of 8:00pm to 1:00am. We reserve the right to I.D. anyone to determine age of majority.
For a second year, Pure Speculation will feature a fantasy and science fiction art show, showcasing local and Canadian talent. If you are a sf artist, whether just getting started or finishing your 1000th painting, we want to show-off your work. Check out "So you want to be in the Art Show..."below to find out how you can be a part of the show. And if you love fantasy and sf artwork but couldn’t draw a stickman, check out all the fantastic art we’ll have on display. And who knows, maybe you can walk away with a little piece of fine sf art!
How the Art Show Works
We will have art on display from local artists, all of it in the fantasy and sci-fi genres. All of it will be available for sale to you, the sf&f art lover. You have two ways of getting a particular piece. You can puchase it outright at the artist's Buy it Now! price; the piece is yours and can be picked up at the end of weekend. Or if you want to take a chance and get a deal you can enter your bid on the Auction Bid Sheets located next to the piece. Then make sure to come to the Geeks for Geeks Charity Auction on Sunday. If your bid is the highest and no one at the auction wants to bid higher, the piece is yours. If bidding continues then you are welcome to keep bidding and try to keep that piece!
As noted on the Charity Auction page, this is a cash only auction and you must be present in order to bid. There will be no proxy bidding and no cheques/debit/credit cards accepted.
So you want to be in the Art Show…
We want to show people your work, and expose Edmonton fans to truly excellent fantasy artwork. So we have tried to make the submission process as painless as possible. But we do still have guidelines you will need to follow to get your piece/pieces in the show.
First, send us an email telling us a bit about the pieces you want to submit at pure.speculation@gmail.com. “Pure Spec Art Show Submission” should be your email’s subject line. In the email we need your contact info (mailing address, phone number, alternate email address (opt.)); a brief description of the pieces you would like to submit (including size of the piece, media, and title); and a brief (50-75 words) bio telling us a bit about yourself along with a photo/image for the website. If you have a website, please supply us with a link. We will respond to your email, and confirm your submission.
Second, you’ll need to get your pieces to us by the first day of the Festival. There are two time periods that you can bring your work by the Festival venue: Friday, October 17, 5pm – 10pm or Saturday, October 18, 7am – 9am. It is possible to bring your work in after 9am on the Saturday, but we won’t guarantee that it will get hung right away; we’ll be fairly busy with starting the Festival at that point. If you live outside of Edmonton and won’t be attending the Festival but would still like to submit pieces, let us know that in your email and we’ll let you know what the procedure is for that.
There is no fee this year to enter the art show, but we are limiting each artist to five pieces of work. Please ensure that your work is matted or framed, as this will make displaying your pieces easier.
Selling Your Work
If you want to sell a piece, you need to provide us with two prices. The first price you give us will be the “Buy It Now “ cost of the item. What that means is, if someone absolutely can’t live without your work, or doesn’t want to risk the price going higher at auction (read on), they can hand over that price to one of our festival volunteers and the piece will be marked “sold”; they will then grab the piece on Sunday, so that people can still enjoy the work for the rest of the festival.
In addition to the “Buy It Now” price, you need to supply an Opening Bid price, usually one-third of your "Buy it Now" price. At any time, anyone can write a bid above the Opening Bid on the sheet provided, and try to win your work for below the “Buy It Now” price. The highest price on the bid sheet is where we will start the bidding at the auction on Sunday.
However your piece gets sold, we split the sale price 20/80; 20% of the sale price will go to our Festival charity, The Edmonton Small Press Association. The other 80% goes to you. We will have payment for all your sold pieces out to you within 10 business days of the end of Pure Speculation; please indicate if you would prefer, cheque, money order, or PayPal. Included in that payment will be any surplus shipping deposit. We will also have any of your remaining pieces shipped out to you in that time frame.
The Disclaimer – Please Read!
Pure Speculation will do the very best it can to ensure the safety of your pieces during the festival. After all, we not only want people to see and possibly purchase your works, but we also want you to feel comfortable submitting to us, so that we can do this every year. But Pure Speculation accepts no financial responsibility for your pieces, and can not be held responsible if a piece is damaged or lost during shipping or at the festival.
As well, while Pure Speculation will accept almost any subject matter, we would ask that you apprise us if a piece is of a particularly graphic sexual or violent nature. It will still be hung as part of the show, but it will be in a restricted access “Adults Only” area. Since Pure Speculation is a family friendly show, we feel this is an appropriate way to ensure the enjoyment of out patrons and make sure your best work still gets seen.
If you have any questions, or you feel there is something we didn’t cover here, please contact us at pure.speculation@gmail.com. We will do our best to answer your questions and concerns. And start sending in those submission emails; we want your works!
The Iron Geek Bake-off!
For the first time, Pure Speculation is giving you the chance to show-off your culinary geekiness with the Iron Geek Bake-off. For our first time around, the rules are simple: it needs to be baked, it must be sci-fi/fantasy themed, and every part of it must be edible (no plastic, styrofoam etc). That's it. No entry fee and anything goes. Dalek cupcakes? Do it! A Millenium Falcon cake? You're all clear, kid! Dragon pie that breaths real fire? I'd like to see that!
Just bake it up and bring it along to the Festival on Saturday morning. We'll put it on display for all to admire and drool over. Then come out to the Costume Shindig on Saturday night, where our expert panel of Iron Geeks will judge each entry. The winners will get prizes, the losers...will not. But win or lose, every entry has one thing in common: They'll wind-up in the belly of a geek before the night is over!