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CoKoCon 2019 Schedule

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CoKoCon takes place over Labor Day weekend at the Doubletree at MetroCenter in north Phoenix. I’ll be there Friday until Monday morning, with a packed schedule of panels. This is a fantastic small con. If you’re in the area, grab a membership and come by.

I have one scheduled booksigning time on Sunday but really, so long as I don’t need to rush to a panel or to eat, I’m happy to stop, talk, and sign stuff. There’s an awesome local bookseller on-site named Duncan who will have lots of my books for sale, too.

Yes, I will have cookies BUT note that if it’s like last year, I cannot feed people in common areas or the con could get in trouble with the venue. I can only share cookies in the con suite or in party rooms.

A mobile device-friendly version of my schedule can also be found here and includes full descriptions. Changes to my schedule will be posted on Twitter and Facebook.

Friday, August 30

5pm
Selling Yourself: Author Branding for Fun and (Hopefully) Profit
Canyon 3, 5pm – 6pm

8pm
Twisted Tropes: Writing Stale Tropes Like Unicorns and Vampires in Fresh New Ways
Canyon 3, 8pm – 9pm

Saturday, August 31

10am
Book Discussion: All Systems Red
Lobby Pit, 10am – 11am

11:30am
A Courtesy of Compliments
Terrace, 11:30am – 12:30pm

1pm
Steampunk Round Table
Terrace, 1pm – 2pm

7:30pm
Writing and Gaming: How RPGs and Video Games Influence Your Writing
Canyon 3, 7:30pm – 8:30pm

Sunday, September 1

11:30am
Author Self-Care: Spoon Management
Canyon 3, 11:30am – 12:30pm

1pm
Signing: Beth Cato and Judith Starkston
Dealers’ Room, 1pm – 2pm

2:30pm
How to Critique
Canyon 3, 2:30pm – 3:30pm

6pm
Surviving Historical Fiction Research
Canyon 3, 6pm – 7pm

#SFWAPro


r/Fantasy Virtual Con

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The Fantasy community on Reddit is hosting a virtual convention throughout April. The posts are completely free and available to the public. Just show up each day and follow along! You don’t have to be registered on Reddit, but if you are, you can participate in the con and other threads as well.

I’m scheduled for two panels thus far:

Sat Apr 11: Short Fiction Panel w/ Ken Liu, John Wiswell, Beth Cato, Zen Cho, Amal El-Mohtar

Mon April 20: Fantasy Romance Panel w/ Stephanie Burgis, Beth Cato, J. Kathleen Cheney, Jeffe Kennedy, Quenby Olson, C.L. Polk

My Capclave Online Schedule for October 17-18

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I’m happy to announce that I’m taking part in Capclave’s online convention over the weekend of October 17th and 18th. This con only costs $10 for a membership! For two packed days of convention! Do note that the convention is Eastern time–that’s important for me to be mindful of, as it means I need to be ready for my first panel at 5:45am. *gulp*

In addition to several panels AND a reading and a kaffeeklatsch shared with friends, I’ll also be watching the WSFA Small Press Award Ceremony on Saturday because my story “The Blighted Godling of Company Town H” is in the running! (You can read it or listen to the podcast over at Beneath Ceaseless Skies.)

The full schedule is available here. Below are my events, which are, of course, subject to change, especially in the topsy-turvy year of 2020. Follow my Twitter and Facebook for the latest news.

Saturday

9:00 am Eastern / 6:00 am Pacific Speculative Poetry

Participants: Beth Cato, Ada Hoffmann, B. Sharise Moore, Samusara, Catherynne Valente

There is a lot of poetry with speculative and horror themes, but it doesn’t always receive a lot of love at conventions. Our panelists discuss their themes and may even share some brief recitations of their favorites.

1:30 pm Eastern / 10:30 am Pacific Author Reading – Cato, Colter, & Greenblatt

Join Cato, Colter, & Greenblatt for an hour-long reading of their fiction.

4:30 pm Eastern / 1:30 pm Pacific Kaffeeklatsch – Cato, Colter & Greenblatt

Join Beth Cato, L.D. Colter and A.T. Greenblatt for a small-group discussion on anything of interest. Limited spaces, advanced sign-up required.

6:00 pm Eastern / 3:00 pm Pacific WSFA Small Press Award Ceremony

Sunday

1:30 pm Eastern / 10:30 am Pacific When To Outline and When To Pants It

Participants: Beth Cato, Scott Edelman, Mary Fan, Carolyn Ives Gilman, Alan Smale (M)

“Fleshing out a detailed outline” versus “Diving right into an idea and seeing where the story goes” is one of the perennial debates of the writing craft. What are the advantages of each approach? What are the weaknesses and limitations? Our panelists will discuss when to prefer one approach over the other, and when it’s a good idea to switch to the opposite style even when it’s not your preferred method.

3:00 pm / Noon Pacific Best Fiction of 2020

Participants: Beth Cato, Andy Duncan, Sarah Pinsker, A.C. Wise (M)

Best Novels & Short fiction of 2020. What is the best new fiction you read (or heard about) in 2020. Suggestions for what should be nominated for various awards.

#SFWAPro

Poetry reading and interview on YouTube: “A Purring Cat is a Time Machine”

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Todd Sullivan is accumulating a wonderful number of author showcases and interviews on YouTube, and included me in his series on How to Read Poetry. I read my poem “A Purring Cat is a Time Machine,” originally published in Daikaijuzine, and then answer some interview questions on poetry. Enjoy!

FREE Virtual Cog Match Game this Saturday! Theme: CHEESE

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cog match game

If you follow me on social media, you may be aware that I have a deep and abiding affection for cheese. My reputation is leading to fun and interesting opportunities!

A bunch of steampunkers, myself included, are taking part in a cheese-themed version of the classic game show Match Game this coming Saturday July 10th at 8pm Pacific. It’s free and online. When you sign up, you can indicate if you want to be audience or maybe participate. No pressure either way. You better brie-lieve this will be a game packed with hilarity and cheese wisdom you’ll want to share with everyone you meet in the coming days!

Sign up over here!

tillamook beth


My Virtual CoKoCon Schedule for September 4th through 6th

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CoKoCon is September 3rd through 6th! The convention is online and totally free. To attend, you must register and use their Discord server. Find out all about that on their website. Please also check out the charity book auction, which will benefit a great local group, the Joshua Tree Feeding Program.

Here’s my final schedule. I say final, but of course, things may change and the internet may choose to be fickle at the worst possible time. Find the full schedule for the weekend here. All times are Pacific time.


Saturday, September 4
2:00pm – 3:00pm Steampunk in the Round
What is it that makes steampunk a lasting trend? We’ll discuss: The evolution of steampunk, how do you see it in a few years? The literary and media side of steampunk. The commercial side of steampunk. The splinter divisions of Steampunk. Q&A with audience.

3:15pm – 4:15pm The Wonderful World of Cheese
Join author Beth Cato and friends as she leads a lively discussion on the world of cheese, from its early history to modern day.

5:45pm – 6:45pm From the Paddock to Pern
Judith Tarr. Tamora Pierce. Robin McKinley. Mercedes Lackey. Our panelists discuss the impact of “horse girl” fantasy.

Sunday, September 5
10:15am – 11:15am Book Discussion: The Calculating Stars
Join avid reader and sometime blogger Michael Senft, and Nebula and Dragon award nominee Beth Cato (The Clockwork Dagger, Breath of Earth) as they discuss Mary Robinette Kowal’s award-winning “Lady Astronaut” alternate history.

2:00pm – 3:00pm Author Self-Care: COVID Edition
Surviving the past year has been an ordeal for everyone. Our authors talk about how COVID affected them, and what they did (and are still doing) to cope with pandemic, lockdown and deadlines.

4:30pm – 5:30pm Writing Speculative Poetry
Join our panelists as they discuss writing speculative poetry, as well as share their own works.

Monday, September 6
2:00pm – 3:00pm From Tabletop to Text and Vice Versa
Whether Dungeons & Dragons or Final Fantasy, our panelists discuss how gaming influenced their writing, and how their writing influences their gaming.

#SFWAPro



Come to the Online Book Club Meeting this Sunday!

CoKoCon 2022 Schedule

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I’m attending my first in-person convention in about three years this Labor Day weekend. CoKoCon is a small con in the Phoenix area. This year, it’s at a new location at the DoubleTree in Tempe. I’ll be there Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and early Monday morning. Feel free to talk, ask to have books signed (which I’ll gladly do unless I’m on the run to a panel!), and generally hang out. I’ll be in a black mask, channeling my old favorite Mortal Kombat ninjas.

Panels are always subject to change; I’ll post any updates via Twitter and Facebook.

Friday, September 2

4:30pm Writing on the Spectrum

Fiesta Ballroom 2, 4:30pm – 5:30pm

Neurodiverse writers talk about how their unique filter on the world impacts their writing and about neurodiverse representation in books.

Saturday, September 3

10am Beth & Mike’s Book Club: The City We Became

Coronado, 10am – 11am

Michael Senft, who runs the Sci-Fridays Book Club at the Poisoned Pen, and Nebula Award®-nominated author, Beth Cato, will be leading a discussion on The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin. Read or listen to it ahead of the event or come in blind, but beware of spoilers!


6pm Writing Speculative Poetry

Fiesta Ballroom 2, 6pm – 7pm

Join our award-winning poets as they discuss the craft and market for speculative poetry, and maybe even share some of their own award-winning work!

Sunday, September 4

1pm Literary Charcuterie

Coronado, 1pm – 2pm

Let’s talk about the glories of food in literature and reality and inspire everyone to scamper for the nearest cheese shop (and there are several near the hotel!)


6pm Author Self-Care: Not Post-COVID Yet

Fiesta Ballroom 2, 6pm – 7pm

We’re back in person, but are we really back to normal? This popular panel returns in a world that still hasn’t gotten through the COVID times.


7:30pm Historical Fiction Meets Fantasy

Fiesta Ballroom 2, 7:30pm – 8:30pm

What is the proper proportion of facts with fiction when writing historical fantasy? What resources the perils and joys of research.

#SFWAPro


Moving!

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I’m interrupting the usual flow of recipes and book news to bring you an important update: I am moving from scalding hot Arizona to the wintery wilds of Minnesota. That means you may see me at Twin Cities-area conventions and other Midwest gatherings in the coming years. Do you have a favorite? Are you involved with a convention or bookstore that’s looking for future guests? Well hey, drop a comment on this post, send an email via my contact form, reach out on social media–make a connection! (But also please understand if I’m slow to reply.)

As this move is happening at the same time as the full release of A Thousand Recipes for Revenge, I’m also looking for people to keep an eye out for promotions I might miss while in-transit and unpacking. There might be ads on Goodreads or Kindles, recommendations from Amazon–all kinds of things! If you see something, please try to get a picture or screencap and send it my way! Thank you in advance.

#SFWAPro

TOMORROW: Cozy Up & Read at the Red Wing Library

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Tomorrow will be my first book event in my new home of Minnesota, and, uh, the temperature is supposed to dip subzero for the first time this season. Brave the cold, and I’ll try to make it worth your while with lots of free, delicious cookies and excerpts from my works. I’ll have some of my new releases for sale, too.

WHERE: Red Wing Public Library in Red Wing, MN, right on the Wisconsin border

WHEN: January 13th at 10am

BE MORE PRECISE, PLEASE: the Foot Room, down in the basement, where there probably aren’t any ghosts

#SFWAPro





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