This week I will be attending Life, the Universe, and ConFusion in Novi, MI. ConFusion is a very cool smaller fan-run con, and I’ve been attending for several years now. This year’s promises to be even better, with more friends planning to attend, a new venue, and an exciting schedule.
I’ll have paperback copies of Genrenauts with me – including galleys for Episode 2 – hit me up if you want to get in on the inter-dimensional story heist-ing fun.
Here’s where to find me at the con:
Friday, January 22nd
9:00 PM – Charlevoix
Party with Angry Robots!
Drinks! Snacks! Prizes! Authors!
Saturday, January 23rd
11:00 AM – Petoskey
Why Do I Pay So Much For Ebooks?
Many new releases debut with eBook prices not too dissimilar from the cost of a discounted hardcover. This had led to cognitive dissonance among readers and complaints that eBook prices are simply too high. Why do readers find these costs difficult to handle? What’s the sweet spot for eBook pricing today and will it rise or decrease over time?
Yanni Kuznia, Brigid Collins, Michael R. Underwood, Steve Buchheit (M), Sunil Patel
1:00 PM – Charlevoix
Adapting Science Fiction and Fantasy
Adapting beloved (and not so beloved) genre into other mediums (adapting books to screen, comics based on TV and media properties (Dr. Who, the new Star Wars comics, Mad Max, novelizations of films and tie-in novels)
David M. Stein, Michael R. Underwood (M), Lynne M. Thomas, Matt Pearson
5:00 PM – Manitou
Vigilante Justice in Urban Fantasy
The Urban Fantasy genre is built, in many ways, around glorifying extra-judicial violence. In this way, they might have more in common with the Western than the modern crime novel. Given the huge challenges in the United States with gun violence and criminal justice, should we be more concerned about the narrative shape of these novels?
Diana Rowland, Michael R. Underwood (M), Delilah S. Dawson, Jeannie Szarama, Melissa F. Olson
6:00 PM – Interlochen
The Fallacy of Commercial Fiction
Literary culture often derides the idea of commercial work, suggesting that marketability signals a lack of refinement. What exactly is commercial fiction and why is it snubbed? Furthermore, are science fiction, fantasy, and horror equally burdened by this dichotomy?
Devi Pillai, Laura Resnick, DongWon Song, Michael R. Underwood, Marko Kloos
Sunday, January 24th
11:00 AM – Manitou
Fantasy Fantasy: Live Draft
Fantasy sports has become an international phenomenon. It’s time for the ultimate conclusion: Fantasy Fantasy. Come watch the panelists conduct a live draft of their Adventuring Party from a pool of the most famous characters in genre history. The winner will be selected by the audience and then showered with confetti.
Tom Doyle, Douglas Hulick, Kristine Smith, Michael R. Underwood, Steve Drew (M), Cherie Priest
…and if all else fails, find me at The Bar. 🙂
All of those panels look really interesting!
“Why do I pay so much for ebooks?” particularly piques my interest. I hear ebook price complaints so much – yet my book spending has decreased significantly with ebooks compared to my paper-book spending. And I’m buying (actual for- $ purchases, not counting freebies) even more titles than ever before. Including new releases.
Wish I could be a fly on the wall for the conversation!
I am very excited about that panel. Also a bit worried, because I have *OPINIONS*
Oooh! Don’t spoil material you’re saving for the panel discussion – but I’d be very interested to hear about it, and your *OPINIONS* afterwards. 🙂
When I saw the sessions listed with names of Michigan towns, at first I thought you were actually going to Petoskey! 😄
I wish! Some day it would be fun to do replicate my rep territory for a bookstore reunion tour.