Readercon 28 is fast approaching on the weekend of July 13th-16th! Here’s where you can find me on programming:
Friday, July 14th
12:00 PM Back from the Dead. Judith Berman, John Crowley, N.S. Dolkart, Nicholas Kaufmann, Sioban Krzywicki (leader). There are many characters in SF/F who die in what appears to be a permanent fashion, only to be brought back from death. Examples, left intentionally vague to avoid spoilers, appear in Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books, George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series, Daniel José Older’s Bone Street Rumba books, and as far back as J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy and C.S. Lewis’s Narnia books. How do the characters interact with resurrection (their own or someone else’s) and in some cases even prepare for it? When do readers feel like this works and is believable and satisfying, and when does it feel like a cheap trick or a cop-out? What is it like to read these stories while grieving, or keenly aware of one’s own mortality?
(I’m so psyched to be on a panel with the great John Crowley, and to get a chance to talk about why I made Trent from Dying Is My Business and Die and Stay Dead a hero who can’t die.)
2:30 PM Reading: Nicholas Kaufmann. Nicholas Kaufmann reads from a work in progress.
(I’m not 100% sure what I’m reading yet, but I’m leaning toward something from the novel I’m currently working on, The Scarred Man. Or maybe I’ll read something else. Come on by and be surprised!)
6:00 PM Kaffeeklatsch. Nicholas Kaufmann.
(Come hang out with me, drink coffee if you like, and ask me all sorts of questions! Or just sit there and stare at me creepily, I don’t care.)
As you can see, my programming schedule is Friday-heavy this year. The rest of the time, you’ll definitely find me attending other interesting panels and readings, as well as hanging out in the lobby/bar with friends and perusing the Readercon Bookshop. I will also be happy to sign any of my books for you! Feel free to come right up and say hello!
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