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ConFusion 2018!
I'm just back from my first ConFusion.
I loved it! Great people. Good hanging out. I mean, really? Me hanging out with Charlie Jane Anders and Kate Elliott? Pic taken by John Scalzi and featured in a post on Whatever? Way too lovely.
Decent panel schedule too. They worked me! For example:
Friday 5PM INTERLOCHEN World-building Culture Beyond Aesthetics Many authors take care to ground readers in the aesthetic details of their secondary-world cultures, using clothing, architecture, food, and language to give readers a 'feel' for what a culture is like. Often, these details are drawn from stereotypes of real regions of the world, leaving us with the generic "middle easternness" of Narnia's Calormen, or the "future Chinese empire with no Chinese people" of Joss Whedon's Firefly. Let's talk about how to go beyond aesthetics to build original cultures with their own philosophies, biases, social orders, and worldviews. How can we build distinct cultures in our work without using medieval Europe as the cultureless default against which other societies are compared? What are our favorite fictional cultures, and our favorite stories that use distinct original cultures to add more to their world than appropriated aesthetics? David Anthony Durham, Max Gladstone, Michael R. Underwood, Scott H. Andrews, Shweta Adhyam
Friday 6PM SAUGATUCK Visions of Positive Masculinity - Moderator From high fantasy adventures to noir mysteries to superheroes and war stories, genre fiction has meticulously catalogued the narrow roles society expects men to occupy: strong, brave, and powerful, but also angry, competitive, emotionally repressed, and misogynistic. What does a character arc look like for the man who has decided not to be the best at performing this toxic vision of masculinity? We've seen many stories about women who struggle and triumph against gender roles. How can writers use social expectations of masculinity to create challenges that their male characters have to overcome to save the day? David Anthony Durham, Jason Sanford, Jim C. Hines, John Chu, Pablo Defendini
Saturday 10AM MANITOU Immigration and Refuge in Science Fiction - Moderator Travel stories are classics in any genre, but in science fiction stories of travelling to a new home are often about colonization, or about intrepid explorers amongst the (primitive) aliens. Let's talk about the science fiction stories that better reflect the experiences of immigrants and refugees in the real world. Alexandra Manglis, Amal El-Mohtar, David Anthony Durham, John Chu Saturday
12PM ISLE ROYALE The Ancient 1980s - Moderator When most people think historical fiction, they think of the 16th through 19th centuries. But genre fiction is increasingly taking on the recent past. What's the draw (beyond nostalgia) of the 1980s and 90s as fictional settings? What unique research challenges do they present, and how do writers balance providing familiarity for those who remember the era with background information for those who need context? What are our favorite modern works set in the recent past? Alexandra Manglis, David Anthony Durham, Michael W Lucas, Sara Dobie Bauer, Stephanie Morris
Saturday 2PM BIG TOP Any Sufficiently Detailed Magic System is Indistinguishable From Science - Moderator The influence of tabletop roleplaying games is widely felt in fantasy. Many stories make a 'science' out of their magic that reflects the carefully-balanced rules of a tabletop sourcebook. What are the trade-offs between creating magic systems with strict rules and leaving magic as a mysterious and unknown force? How do we balance the sense of wonder and magic against the desire to give readers a stable hook from which to suspend their disbelief? What makes a well-defined magic system work in a story, and when are we showing the reader too much of the machinery behind the curtain? Brandon Crilly, Charlie Jane Anders, David Anthony Durham, Kate Elliott, Shweta Adhyam, Jim Butcher
Saturday 5PM SAINT CLAIR Mass Autographing Session Come meet your favorite authors, artists and musicians and have them sign things! (Please limit your signing requests to 3 items per person.) Labels: Appearances, Cons
Keynoting Again
Very pleased to be able to announce that I've got my second keynote speaking gig at a conference! This time it's for the Writing the Rockies Conference at Western Colorado University. I'll be flying out there right after the summer residency at Stonecoast in July. Busy times. I'll be delivering the Genre Fiction Keynote.
Also doing a three day workshop called "The Long and Winding (and frequently bumpy and terrifying) Path of a Writer". I know a bit about that...
Take a look HERE.
Labels: Appearances, Cons, Random Mountainy Things
Write Angles (Belated)
Offering another post written months ago but not published!
Here's a first. I was recently asked to be one of the keynote speakers at the upcoming Write Angles Conference.
What is Write Angles? Here's what they say:
Now in its 29th year, WriteAngles is Western New England’s premier conference by writers, for writers. At this one-day gathering, you’ll mix with experienced writers and agents in panel discussions, hands-on workshops, face-to-face meetings, and in casual networking opportunities. The affordably priced conference fee includes a continental breakfast and a bountiful buffet lunch. The conference is held in Mount Holyoke College’s gracious Willits-Hallowell Center in South Hadley, Massachusetts.
Past Keynoters have included Valerie Martin, Richard Russo, Julia Glass, Dennis Lehane, Patricia Smith, Andre Dubus, and Ann Hood - just to name a few. Now me? Yikes.
I was actually a panelist at this a few years back. Fun event. But this is the first time anybody has called me a "keynote" anything. Apparently I'm up at the podium for 45 minutes. Good thing I have until October to come up with something to say!
Wait. October isn't that far away... Labels: Appearances, Cons, Other Authors
Write Angles Conference 2010
I'm happy to say that I'll be on a panel at this year's Write Angles Conference at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA. It takes place on October 23rd and includes a wonderful line-up of writers from many genres. Andre Dubus III and Magdalena Gómez are headlining, but it also includes panels with YA authors, Non-fiction writers, poets and all sorts - like the hard to define but very cool Jedediah Berry. My panel is called " Inspiration Throughout the Writing Process". The folks I'm up there with are: Set in a dictionary company, Emily Arsenault’s first novel THE BROKEN TEAGLASS was a New York Times Notable Crime Book of 2009. Her second novel, about two young girls on a paranormal investigation, will be released by HarperCollins in 2011. She lives in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts.  Jo Knowles is the author of the young adult novels: LESSONS FROM A DEAD GIRL, JUMPING OFF SWINGS, and PEARL (coming 2011). She teaches writing for children in the MFA program at Simmons College. Jo lives in Vermont with her husband and son. To learn more about Jo, visit her blog. Annie Parker (Moderator) has worked as a carpenter, waitress, ship’s cook and most often, and most vilely, as a secretary. Her adventures have included volunteering in Ecuador, studying in Korea, and motherhood. She recently graduated from Smith College with honors and is currently pursuing an MFA in Writing for Children through Simmons College. She blogs with humor at The Sunday Hiker.Frederick Reiken is the author of three novels, most recently DAY FOR NIGHT, published in May of this year (Little, Brown). Reiken’s debut novel THE ODD SEA won the Hackney Literary Award, and his follow-up THE LOST LEGENDS OF NEW JERSEY was a national bestseller. His short stories have appeared in publications including The New Yorker. He currently directs the graduate writing program at Emerson College. So, let me get this straight. That's one panel but on it are 1) a mystery writer, 2) a historical/fantasy novelist, 3) a YA author, and 4) literary novelist. Nice. I love it when program organizers can think out of the box.  Labels: Appearances, Creative Process, Other Authors
Things To See In Shetland
Remember I mentioned a trip to Scotland? I'm a couple days away from departure. Looking forward to spending quality time with my wife's family, and with lots of Gudrun's knitwear design cadre, who happen to be in country at the same time. (She'll be doing the photography for her upcoming booklet while we're in Shetland.) Yes, Shetland. That's where we'll be spending most of our time. The island famous for...  and...  and...  and awesome coastlines, like this...  Oh, and also, apparently, for being welcoming to American Authors, as is evidenced in this announcement in The Shetland Times! Labels: Appearances, Shetland, Writing Life
Back From Atlanta
I’m back from my Atlanta trip, and already so swimming in other commitments that I don’t have time to do the whole thing justice. I will say that Kennesaw State treated me very well. I was welcomed, chatted to and dined by a great many people. I appreciated their generosity very much.  They also worked me like a dog. In addition to two readings I had several lunch/dinner gatherings, a visit to a Marietta high school, meetings with several comp classes, several writing classes, and even an auditorium of a couple hundred students of world literature! I got to talk about my work, about the writing process, about literary and genre fiction, and a host of other topics. Frankly, I talked until I lost my voice… I also got a couple of sushi lunches out of it, spent a little time at the bar, and I had an enjoyable evening with a book club that had a great deal to say - and ask - about Gabriel’s Story. Fortunately, the wine flowed and the food was fine that evening. Not least, I got to see Martin Luther King's birth home and gravesite. All good stuff. I came back exhausted, but that’s as it should be too.  The lion’s share of the thanks goes to novelist and professor Anthony Grooms, author of Bombingham and Trouble No More. He’s a wonderful writer, obviously a great teacher, and a generous host and guide. It was well worth the effort, and I'd happily do it again. Labels: Appearances, Other Authors
Georgia Center for the Book
That's where I'll be tonight. I'm down in Georgia at the moment for a busy week of events. One of those that's open to the public is tonight's reading. Info about it HERE.Okay, I gotta go start the day, many things to do, people to meet... Labels: Appearances
Heading For Georgia Soon
I'm pleased to say I'll be heading down south in a couple of weeks. I'm being hosted by Kennesaw State University in Atlanta. They've got me booked up for four solid days worth of events, on campus, out at public schools, and with bookclubs. I'm excited. It's a great line up. And it's a treat to be able to go wearing all my author hats - African American novelist, historical novelist, fantasy novelist! - all during the same visit. I like that quite a bit. It's the way it should be, of course, but rarely is. Here's a press release. They seem to have credited me with an extra novel, but I won't complain. I'm working on that sixth. It's coming! Labels: Appearances
Hampshire Reading
Hey I'm doing a reading! "Fiction writers Christine Lehner and David Anthony Durham will read from their most recent works of fiction on February 11 at 7 p.m. in the Hampshire College Library Gallery. A book signing and reception will follow the reading. The event is free and open to the public. " HERE'S more info on it.Labels: Appearances, Other Authors
My Boskone Schedule
February 12-14, 2010 at the Westin Waterfront Hotel. My schedule is: Friday 6:30pm A Reading! (0.5 hrs) by David Anthony Durham  Friday 7pm Seriously, Where *Do* Your Ideas Come From? Lois McMaster Bujold David Anthony Durham (M) Darlene Marshall Paul G. Tremblay Mary A. Turzillo We know ideas don't come from a mailbox in upstate New York. So, seriously, where do they come from? Do you muse on "what if's"? Are there personal inspirations for your tales? Do you find a particular setting evocative, and just waiting to be detailed in a story? Saturday 2pm Autographing - David Anthony Durham Sunday 11am One More Time - If You Liked That, Read This... Debra Doyle (M) David Anthony Durham Faye Ringel Edie Stern Christopher Weuve Continued (again!) from last year… Your favorite stories or authors can lead you to others, alike in interesting or unexpected ways. Tell the experts on the panel your likes (and dislikes) and they'll give you recommendations on what to read next! Sunday 12noon When The Magic Goes Away David Anthony Durham Rosemary Kirstein Tom Shippey (M) Jo Walton Jane Yolen There is magic and mystery and great beauty. And then the Old Magic slips away from the forests, the gates to Faerie close, and the last ships sail to the west. There is a bittersweet memory, perhaps, of what it was to be more than merely mortal. Explore this theme, and why it is so potent. Sunday 2pm Are Good and Evil Gone from Epic Fantasy? Beth Bernobich David Anthony Durham (M) Greer Gilman Patrick Nielsen Hayden Michael Swanwick The world we live in has always been defined by shades of gray, however fantastic fiction has a long tradition of black and white politics, usually complete with a Dark Lord on his sufficiently dark throne. Recent series that have garnered praise such as Martins 'A Song of Ice and Fire,' Lynch's 'The Gentlemen Bastards,' Bakker's 'The Prince of Nothing,' and Rothfuss's 'Kingkiller Chronicle' all feature fallible characters without perfect moral compasses and by extent are more compelling. Are the days of the Dark Lords done in adult fiction? That's me. Labels: Appearances, Cons
KGB
I had a terrific time at KGB last Wednesday. I've been lax in posting about it, but that's because I've been rather busy these last few weeks. I'm looking at a week with an even keel, though, and very happy about it. It was great to show up and immediately see familiar faces. K. Tempest Bradford greeted me, along with Nora Jemison. Before I knew it I was talking with Ellen Kushner, Delia Sherman, Felix Gilman, Rick Bowes, and a contingent of students from the Stonecoast MFA Program. Ellen Datlow and Matthew Kressel were gracious hosts. We had a great crowd, and I think the readings even went well! Yes, I did wear the Campbell Tiara...  I had a great time talking with Lev Grossman, whose The Magicians I quite enjoyed! After the reading a big crowd of folks headed off to get some really impressive Chinese food, and I ended the evening being a guest of Ellen Kushner and Delia Sherman, who have an absolutely amazing, rambling apartment stuffed full of antiques and thousand and thousands of books! Yes. A lovely time. There are more pictures HERE, if you must see...Labels: Appearances, Other Authors
KGB Reading
Hey. I'm reading at KGB in NYC next month! Just thought you should know. I'm planning on  having a ton of fun, and, for once, I'm anticipating a packed house. Why? Cause I'm so awesome? Cause Acacia got that wonderful bump from io9? Just cuz? Well, no. Actually, I'm reading with Lev Grossman, NY Times Bestselling author of The Magicians: A Novel and Codex, and the book editor at Time Magazine. Heavy hitter. And bald, just like me on a good day. That's okay, though. Fortunately, I have a tiara. I may have to use it. (Mary, would that you were still in NY! I may need Campbell-powered backup.) The reading is on the evening of Jan 20th. Honestly, it's gonna be tons of fun. (Wait, I said that already. Repetition intentional, to reinforce my honest enthusiasm.) There's information HERE.Labels: Appearances, Other Authors
Odyssey Bookshop Reading
Another reading in the not too distant future... I'll be at the Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley Massachusetts on Dec 3rd, at 7pm. That's a Thursday. If, by any chance, you're local enough to make it out please come by and say hello! Here's the Bookstore's Calender.Labels: Appearances, The Other Lands
Two Things For Today
 One (weeping) I'm going to be dropping Gudrun off at the airport in Boston this afternoon. She's off to Scotland for two weeks to visit with her brand new niece, Georgia. That means I'm the dad with two kids for a while. Advice welcome, of course. Two (smiling) while I'm still in Boston I'll be slipping over to Borders to read with Jeff VanderMeer and Paul G. Tremblay! It'll be great fun, a night on the town and all that. Join us if you're nearby! (Hey, anyone seen my kids? I seem to have misplaced them already...) Labels: Appearances, Other Authors
Pen/Faulkner Gala
Friends, you may know that I began this writing thing as a writer with some "literary" credentials. I rather liked that. It might not have translated into massive book sales, but it did have its perks: book tours, special events, an occasional gourmet meal and unfettered access to some posh hotel's mini-bar, getting paid for visits to Universities, being reviewed by the NY Times, that sort of stuff. Has my transition to "genre" meant that I've lost all that? Well, not according to the folks at the Pen/Faulkner Foundation. Seems they still think of me as one of the gang. The proof? I've recently been invited to read at their yearly Gala Ceremony! This is the big, expensive, beginning of their event season fund-raising event. They get a bunch of pretty prestigious writers together and ask us to compose and read short essays on a one word prompt. This year it's... Revelation. It's a black tie event, attended by... well, people fortunate, prosperous and enlightened enough to attend such events. (And who can aren't daunted by the $400 ticket price.) Here's a brief bit of how the Pen/Faulkner folks describe it: " Geraldine Brooks, David Anthony Durham, Debra Magpie Earling, Nam Le, Alice Mcdermott, Jay McInerney, Francine Prose, Amy Tan, and others lend their imagination to the theme "Revelation" at a benefit evening of readings followed by a black-tie dinner. The proceeds from this festive evening support the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction and Writers in Schools." Now, I did this event once before, a few years back. I've also read in their reading series and been a judge for the Pen/Faulkner Awards. So they know me, and I know them. But, still, I'm very pleased to continue to be included, and to walk onto the stage at the Folger Shakespeare Library in a tuxedo, proudly a writer of literary and historical and fantasy fiction. (!) HERE'S the info on the reading series.Labels: Appearances, Pen/Faulkner
Let's Chat!
 So this'll be a new thing for me - a live online chat with readers via Suvudu.com - and on the day my next book pubs! The technology eludes me, but I'm sure that Shawn Speakman will have me up to speed on the day. I hope you'll consider joining me. It'll be at 7pm on Tuesday, Sept 15th. For details, please check HERE.Labels: Acacia 2, Appearances, Suvudu
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