Confluence, Pittsburgh, PA in July

[johnnyjet]

I put this info in another thread, but I thought I'd make a main thread while I was at it.

I enjoy going to the Confluence SF/F/H Convention in Pittsburgh, PA. It is local to where I live. It's not a large convention, but it is a lot of fun. If anyone on the Chrons signs up for it, let me know and I'll try to look you up & say hello. Here's the info: http://www.confluence-sff.org/

It's sponsored by the local organization PARSEC. They also run an annual short story contest and produce an Annual sf/f/h anthology, Triangulation. Each has slightly different requirements. The theme this year for both is "Lost Voices." Let's see some Chrons members submit some stories! All about PARSEC and the contest and anthology: http://parsec-sff.org/

Lots of other conventions around the East Coast as well. Here's some links: http://www.confluence-sff.org/links.html

 

[ratsy]

That's cool Johnny. I have to see if they do anything like that in my town. I've never heard of anything like it going on.

Are you submitting to their calls? ( I think you were in one of them, correct?)

 

[johnnyjet]

Yes, I hope to submit to one or both, if only I can get something done. They publish authors from round the world, so my goal is to get as many Chrons authors to submit something as I can! I actually had stories in the very first Triangulation 2003 and the most recent Triangulation Parch (2014). I tried to get in every one in between, but could never make the cut.

 

[johnnyjet]

The PARSEC Short Story contest is for nonprofessional writers only (according to SFWA definition) and is due March 31. The Triangulation Anthology is for anybody and is due Feb 28.

 

[ratsy]

It looks like they get a lot of submissions. I will keep an eye on them. Not sure I'll have time to come up with something but you never know when inspiration will hit

 

[Juliana]

I can't make the convention, but the short story competition sounds interesting! Thanks for the link.

 

[Denise Tanaka]

I put this info in another thread, but I thought I'd make a main thread while I was at it.

I enjoy going to the Confluence SF/F/H Convention in Pittsburgh, PA. It is local to where I live. It's not a large convention, but it is a lot of fun. If anyone on the Chrons signs up for it, let me know and I'll try to look you up & say hello. Here's the info: http://www.confluence-sff.org/

It's sponsored by the local organization PARSEC. They also run an annual short story contest and produce an Annual sf/f/h anthology, Triangulation. Each has slightly different requirements. The theme this year for both is "Lost Voices." Let's see some Chrons members submit some stories! All about PARSEC and the contest and anthology: http://parsec-sff.org/

Lots of other conventions around the East Coast as well. Here's some links: http://www.confluence-sff.org/links.html

Hey, Johnny, one of my Facebook friends is Larry Ivkovich - who writes the steampunk dragon books! I am in California so I've never met Larry in person, but he seems like a nice guy. If you run into him at Confluence, tell him hello for me?

 

[johnnyjet]

Hi Denise,

I know Larry very well. We both attend the Pittsburgh Worldwrights Writers Group. I'll definitely pass on a "Hello" when I see him again. And, yes, he is a very nice guy, and a very good writer as well.

Nice to meet you, Denise.

 

[johnnyjet]

Well, I enjoyed the Confluence SF/F/H Convention in Pittsburgh, PA this past weekend. It's a nice, friendly, informal convention. Guest of Honor was Joan Slonczewski who was fascinating. Other well-known guests who attended were John DeChancie, Greg Gottfried, David G. Hartwell, William H. Keith, Geoffrey Landis, Mary Soon Lee, Gail Z. Martin, Charles Oberndorf, Tamora Pierce, Bud Sparhawk, John Alfred Taylor and Mary Turzillo. it was a lot of fun. I recommend that any fan of science fiction, fantasy & horror try to attend a convention. I'm only sorry I started attending conventions so late in my life. I went to my first one only a few years ago.

 

[Juliana]

I might try to make this next year, sounds fun! Glad you had a good time.

 

[johnnyjet]

Thanks! Hope you can make it next year.

 

[johnnyjet]

For those near by and interested (or even far away and interested): Confluence, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's Premier SF/F/H Literary Conference is coming up again, July 29-31, 2016.

Confluence – Pittsburgh's premier SF/F/H literary conference…and more — July 29-31, 2016

 

[Juliana]

I did look into it earlier this year, but it's the same weekend as a Walking Dead convention I promised to take my son to. Ah well. Eventually I'll make it!

 

[johnnyjet]

That would be nice. But of course, our children must come first.

 

[Juliana]

our children must come first

Not always... But in this case he's been asking for months. I'm thinking that as next year is book launch year for me I'll perhaps put it down as 'essential networking' in my yearly budget.

 

[ratsy]

Johnnyjet, are you heading to Confluence this weekend? I just saw that one of the authors I follow on FB mentioned it and I thought of you

 

[johnnyjet]

Yes, I am. If you go to the Confluence web-site, they have a pre-registered list and there's my name! Which author mentioned it?

 

[ratsy]

Gail Z Martin. She said something about a panel on the lore of creatures in Supernatural, and some other fun sounding ones.

have fun!

 

[johnnyjet]

I've seen her at Confluence panels before. Haven't met her yet. I'm generally pretty shy about approaching people.

They're having a special event in memory of David G. Hartwell, who was a regular at Confluence. I actually spoke to him on a couple of occasions. He was a really nice guy. Also from the program: "Saturday will be David Hartwell Day (wear a REALLY gaudy necktie in memory of a man who edited some real SF classics)."

 

[ratsy]

Chris Kennedy is there too. He is going to be in Explorations: First Contact. So that's pretty cool. You should try to meet him. Seems like a really nice guy.