Boskone is BACK, baby! This annual celebration by the New England Science Fiction Association of speculative fiction/science fiction, and fantasy in books, music, media, and more kicks off today and – as is appropriate for such a future-facing genre – has reinvented itself as a hybrid event. That means after a year of all-virtual, Boskone is once again happening in person Feb. 18-20 at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel – and there’s also a virtual component for those who can’t or don’t want to gather in person just yet, from panels to streams where you can join fan tables, and more. I’ve got several events lined up IN PERSON for Friday evening and Saturday with some of my favorite people. Won’t you join us?
My schedule: Very Far Future SF Format: Panel
18 Feb 2022, Friday 18:00 – 18:50, Marina I (Westin)It’s hard enough predicting what next week will be like. How can we write SF taking place thousands or even millions of years in the future? How do we make the remote descendants of humanity relatable to readers? How do you convey a culture which has no continuity with our own? With Tamsyn Muir, Rich Larson, and James Cambias (M)Science Fiction Meets Detective Fiction Format: Panel
19 Feb 2022, Saturday 10:00 – 10:50, Marina II (Westin)Even SF/F/H authors enjoy solving a good mystery. Writers from Isaac Asimov and Philip K. Dick to J.D. Robb, Tanya Huff, Caitlin R. Kiernan, and Aliette de Bodard have all deployed detective characters. The panel may consider these and other fantastic fictional detectives, detective story structures within SF plots, whether a great detective needs a good murder, and other bloody intriguing themes. With Colin Alexander, Brendan DuBois (M), Chris Panatier, and Leigh PerryAnatomy of a Relationship: Writing Characters Who Display Healthy Human Connections Format: Panel
19 Feb 2022, Saturday 15:00 – 15:50, Harbor II (Westin)Move over emotionally constipated lone wolves! We’re looking for characters who connect with each other in strong and compelling relationships. How can we build romances that are both healthy and riveting? How does a character’s gender impact the cliches and problematic patterns we see, and how do we get past those in creating a character’s ties to others? How do friendship and other non-romantic social connections get represented in positive and impactful ways? Let’s also discuss the strong bonds that can form in subculture communities, rather than only having the token gay kid or the token immigrant. With Tabitha Lord (Association of RI Authors) (M), Leigh Perry, and Cat Scully.
(I’ll also be signing books on Saturday, 16:00 – 16:50, Galleria – Autographing (Westin)
Here’s how to join me at Boskone this February 18-20, 2022 in Boston, MA for an unforgettable science fiction and fantasy experience! It’s going to be an incredible weekend of books, science, art, games, music, and more.