Boskone is New England’s longest-running science fiction convention!
Guest of Honor: Elizabeth Hand
Special Guest: Christopher Golden
Official Artist: Jim Burns
Young Adult Fiction Guest: Cindy Pon
Hal Clement Science Speaker: Vandana Singh
NESFA Press Guest: Gardner Dozois (in memoriam)
In honor of Gardner’s memory, Gardner Dozois will remain the NESFA Press Guest for Boskone 56.
I will be a program participant, here’s my schedule:
Saturday February 16, 2019
11:00AM
In Our Own Voices 50 minutes 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM | Marina 3
Moderator Julia Rios (Fireside Magazine) | John Chu | Kenesha Williams (Black Girl Magic Literary Magazine) | Tonia Thompson (NIGHTLIGHT Podcast)
Panel Social Issues Literature
The world is a many-splendored and wondrous thing! But when you look for a similar splendid spread of diversity in literature, it's a bit more difficult to find. What speculative fiction includes characters, stories, and issues of particular interest to LGBTQI and/or POC readers? Where can their voices be heard? Our panelists discuss why this is important, and share the must-read books that do this best.
12:00PM
Marketing and Selling Your Book 50 minutes 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM | Marina 3
Moderator Cerece Rennie Murphy (LionSky Publishing & NARAZU.com) | Gene Doucette (Novelist, Screenwriter, Playwright) | Jeanne Cavelos (Odyssey Writing Workshops Charitable Trust) | Kenesha Williams (Black Girl Magic Literary Magazine) | Jeffrey A. Carver
Panel Writing
Nowadays, writing the book is only half the battle — especially as more and more publishers push marketing onto their writers' plates. Both before and after publication, there’s a whole new set of perhaps-unfamiliar activities and skills you need to master. Covering topics from social media to book tours and interviews to readings, our select group of authors shares tips and tricks for getting your book seen and snapped up by readers.
2:00PM
The History of Black Horror 50 minutes 2:00 PM - 2:50 PM | Harbor II
Moderator Tonia Thompson (NIGHTLIGHT Podcast) | Elwin Cotman (Vanguard Classical East) | Kenesha Williams (Black Girl Magic Literary Magazine) | Errick Nunnally | Grady Hendrix
Panel Horror Media / TV / Film Literature
Black horror didn't start with Get Out (2017), and this horror film didn't put black horror on the map — but it was a wake-up call to Hollywood and book publishers that there are financial rewards for working with black creators and their horror projects. From Linda Addison to Jordan Peele or newer novelists such as Justina Ireland or Victor LaValle, black horror is a rich source of fiction and film entertainment, but it wasn't always that way. The history of black horror ranges from blaxploitation films to secondary characters who rarely make it into the second chapter. Let's chat about where we've been, where we are, and where we're going in the realm of black horror.
10:00PM
More Fun with Silly Poses 30 minutes 10:00 PM - 10:30 PM | Harbor II+III
Moderator Vincent Docherty (Mr) | Moderator David G. Grubbs | Jennifer Pelland | Bruce Coville | Kenesha Williams (Black Girl Magic Literary Magazine)
Other Game Show
Expect to emit great giggles at our live group reenactments of scenes from SF/fantasy/horror cover art. (Warning: high probability of awkward audience participation and pretty pathetic props.)