“It may be that those who do most, dream most.” – Stephen Leacock
I will be attending ConDFW in Dallas, Texas this weekend. I am scheduled for five discussion panels, a reading, and a book signing session over the course of Saturday and Sunday. I’ll be hanging out with friends and fellow authors Friday, and attending the opening ceremonies, and some panels. Come out and join me for a fun and informative weekend. Below is my schedule, but be sure to check out the ConDFW website for all the panels and events going on all weekend.
SATURDAY
Panel Room 3 – Canterbury-1pm –Horror without Focus: Writing the Apocalypse in Horror
Panelists: C. Dean Andersson, Larry Atchley Jr., Gabrielle Faust (M), K. Hutson, Dusty Rainbolt, Brad Sinor
It is moderately easy to create a horror story where you have an obvious villain. But in this year of disaster and
apocalypse, we see the other side of Horror – where the villain is nature itself, whether by fire, flood or plague.
Our panelists discuss the Apocalyptic Horror genre and its future in a time where the future is never certain.
Panel Room 2 – Manchester-4pm –Horror vs. Urban Fantasy: Where is the Line?
Panelists: C. Dean Andersson, A. Lee Martinez (M), Larry Atchley Jr., Stina Leicht, Gabrielle Faust, Sue Sinor
Sometimes it is difficult to find what section a particular Urban Fantasy book belongs to. It is sometimes found in
the Science Fiction/Fantasy section, but sometimes it is found in the Horror section. And to be honest, some
Horror has been Urban Fantasy before the genre really came about, like Anne Rice’s vampire series. But what
is the line between the darkness of Horror and the lightness of SF/Fantasy? Our panelists debate this dark topic
and perhaps find out what Urban Fantasy really is.
Panel Room 1 – Warwick-5pm –Ragnarok and You: Using Norse Mythology
Panelist: Frances May (M), K.B. Bogen, Katharine Kimbriel, Ren Hobt, Larry Atchley Jr.
No discussion on the upcoming apocalypse would be complete without covering Norse mythology and
Ragnarok. What you may not know is that Ragnarok does not mean destruction at all, but means “the final
destiny of the gods”. Learn more about the classics from our experts on myth and legend, and try to forget about
comic book movies based on the same topic.
Readings: 6 pm – Shanna Swendson, Larry Atchley Jr., Ethan Nahte
SUNDAY
Panel Room 2 – Manchester-12pm –Body Language: Writing Martial Arts
Panelists: K. Hutson (M), Larry Atchley Jr., A.P. Stephens, Stina Leicht
Sure, it’s easy to describe a punch to the stomach, and a sweep to the legs. But is it anatomically possible?
And what are some moves that are legit to use? We bring some martial artists to the table and let’s see if we
can describe what they do – without a video camera.
Signings: 1 pm – Larry Atchley Jr., Anthony Brownrigg
Panel Room 1 – Warwick-2pm –Apocalypse Later? What will be Our Doom?
Panelists: Cherie Priest, Larry Atchley Jr., Linda Donahue (M), Selina Rosen, Gloria Oliver
With all the talk of Apocalypse this year (and the past few days), one thing hasn’t been covered. What do our panelists think WILL destroy the world? Let conspiracies abound, and if the government is watching I was never here.
Also, I’m a bit behind on blogging about the last couple of conventions I’ve attended, so I’ll cover some highlights of the most recent events.
The Difference Engine was a Steampunk themed convention held New Years Eve weekend, complete with a fancy dress ball. Musical acts for the ball included Darwin Prophet & The Chronus Mirror which upon hearing them for the first time instantly became one of my new favorite bands.
Also there was Donna the Bard, who brought many instruments with her and let audience members join her in playing some traditional folk music. Thanks Donna, for making it an interactive show, I had a lot of fun! Also performing that weekend was tribal Heidi Wunder with violinist Jennifer Sanders providing musical backing for the show. Both were excellent entertainers, and a pleasure to meet. Action, comedy performing was provided by Cut, Thrust, and Run who are always a blast to watch with their swordplay, quarterstaff whirling, and jokes. Lest I forget, the Master of Ceremonies for the con was Peter Pixie, who was fun and energetic to be around.
I had a good time attending the promotions table for the Irredeemable Order of Hellions selling copies of Lawyers in Hell, and Forrest Hedrick and John Manning’s horror novel Black Stump Ridge. I met a lot of great people that weekend. The guys from geek culture website Nerdvana Inc. stopped by, and they included John and I in their write-up about the convention on their website. So our fame is spreading ! Ha ha!
Last weekend I attended the Dallas Sci-Fi Expo strictly as a patron and not as a guest. As I always seem to do at any event I go to, I met some great people and made some new friends. Particulatly artist Kathryn Crenshaw who correctly identified my costume of radio show and pulp classic character, The Shadow. She said that her dad raised her on the old pulp classic books and comics, and that’s how she recognized my obscure outfit. She also told me that he had a vendor table at the convention, and that I should go talk to him because we probably had a lot of interests in common. It turns out that we did, and he also had the two Thieves’ World graphic novels that I had been looking for to complete my collection. He also had a lot of really great Robert E. Howard books, and much more stuff from the classic age of fantasy and science fiction. There were also dozens of tables full of collectable toys, action figures, shirts, patches, costumes, and anything else you can imagine to do with Sci-Fi/Fantasy fandom.
Anyway, that’s a wrap for the blog this time. I hope you will come see me, and all the other guests at ConDFW this weekend. I know it will be a lot of fun.
Larry Atchley, Jr. 