When Mary Robinette Kowal asks me to be a panelist/moderator at the Nebula Conference-a professional conference for Science Fiction and Fantasy-I’m extremely likely to say YES. Not only because I have a decades long love for the genres but also due to my deep respect for Mary herself.
She is thought-provoking. She is also considerate. She writes wonderful novels. And she demonstrates via her actions the messages she presents via her words. Mary Robinette Kowal is one of those nifty people who inspire me to strive to do great things.
And so I’ll be in Chicago for the Nebula Conference, on panel and moderating. I’ll also be attending the many other interesting panels to expand my mind.
It will be my first Nebula and I have no doubts about it being interesting. 😉
I’m evolving this year and this conference will be a test of that evolution. I am Piper J. Drake when it comes to romantic suspense. But will PJ Schnyder continue on or will that alter-identity fade into the archives as Piper continues? It’s a question that involves publishers, my agent, and some deep thinking. Regardless, I intend to continue writing science fiction, paranormal romance, and steampunk in addition to my romantic suspense.
As a part of the evolution, my social media platforms are consolidating. So whether you are looking for PJ Schnyder or Piper J. Drake, you will find my thoughts here.
And I’ll hope to see you at the Nebula Conference in Chicago. 😉
PJ’s (Piper’s) Panels at the Nebula Conference
Saturday May 14 at 2pm
Being a Hybrid Author
Rather than choosing traditional publishing or indie-publishing, some authors are doing both. These panelists talk about the nuts and bolts of combining publishing strategies to diversify a writer’s income stream.
Moderator: Kameron Hurley
Panelists: Eric Flint, Charles Gannon, Alethea Kontis, PJ Schnyder, Dan Slater
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Saturday May 14 at 3pm
Day Jobs for Writers
Discussion would include considerations for writers balancing their writing careers with day jobs from time management techniques to whether to have pen names to what not to Tweet in order to avoid getting fired. Bonus discussion on how experience in the workplace can impact your writing perspective.
Moderator: PJ Schnyder
Panelists: Rachel Acks, Danielle Friedman, N.K. Jemisin, Martin L. Shoemaker
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Saturday May 14 at 4pm
Redefining Aliens of the Future
In early SF, aliens were often used as stand-ins, to represent groups of Others in our own societies. They are still sometimes inappropriately inserted into lists of marginalized groups by people attempting to downplay bias. In SF worlds where the human condition is portrayed with full diversity, what new roles can aliens take on to keep their relevance to their core genre?
Moderator: Juliette Wade
Panelists: Charles Gannon, Nick Kanas, M.D., Fonda Lee, PJ Schnyder, Rachel Swirsky
