I have programming to do! WorldCon this month will be my first participating on a discussion panel as an author at a convention. I’ve presented as a scholar or served as a moderator at the International Conference for the Fantastic in the Arts and other academic conventions, but WorldCon will kick off my time as ‘Mike Underwood — Author Panelist’.

Here is my tentative schedule — still subject to change as necessary for the convention.

Thu Aug 30 4:30:pm Thu Aug 30 6:00:pm Storytelling the Old-Fashioned Way
Buckingham — An exploration of the oral tradition of storytelling and how it relates to writing fiction. This panel of storytellers and writers will discuss tricks and techniques of oral storytelling that will and won’t work in the written form.

Sat Sep 1 7:30:pm Sat Sep 1 9:00:pm New Writers Session 4
Addams — A panel for new and debut authors to discuss their work and careers.

Sun Sep 2 12:00:pm Sun Sep 2 1:30:pm Winter is Coming
Field — A look at seasons one and two of the TV adaptation of ‘Song of Fire and Ice.’

Mon Sep 3 10:30:am Mon Sep 3 12:00:pm Autograph Session 17
Riverside center Exhibition Hall

I’m excited for the chance to talk out of my different areas of interest — my Folkloristics background for the Storytelling session, my GoT fandom for Winter is Coming, and talking about my own work in the New Writers session.

If you’re heading to WorldCon, I hope you’ll stop by during a panel or the autograph session to say hello!