Continuum 8 @ Rydges on Swanston, 701 Swanston Street Carlton

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Saturday

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21st Century Storytelling

m1k3y , Nicole Canal, Colin Harvey, Darren Sanderson
Venue: Faraday Room
Tag: New Media
Starts: 17:00 Ends: 18:00

From MMOs to first-person-shooter RPGs, computer games are increasingly getting well known authors to script them or their novelisations. Are games becoming interactive stories and is this the new frontier for writers?

A New Age Of Australian Small Press

Lindy Cameron, Russell B. Farr, Amanda Pillar
Venue: Pelham Room
Tags:
Starts: 17:00 Ends: 18:00

There are some amazing things happening right now, and Australia’s independent press is right among it. These small businesses are not only the training ground for tomorrow’s bestsellers, they are publishing some of the genre’s biggest names. Come and hear from the leaders of this exciting industry.

Backyard Speculation

Claire Corbett, Jason Nahrung, Gillian Polack, Tor Roxburgh, Lachlan Walter
Venue: Argyle Room
Tag: Literature
Starts: 10:00 Ends: 11:00

Speculative fiction drawing on Australian settings and cultural themes is all too rare, and so disappointing when it’s done carelessly. So how do you go about writing thoughtful Australian spec fic? What are the big issues, pitfalls and rewards?

Book Launch: ASIM 56 & Light Touch Paper, Stand Clear

Joanne Anderton
Venue: Drummond Room
Tags:
Starts: 18:00 Ends: 19:00

Book Launch: Ishtar, edited by Amanda Pillar & K.V. Taylor

Deborah Biancotti, Amanda Pillar, Cat Sparks, Kaaron Warren
Venue: Drummond Room
Tags:
Starts: 14:00 Ends: 15:00

Boxcutters Presents: All Sci-Fi TV Is Rubbish - Josh & John Argue

Josh Kinal, John Richards
Venue: Lincoln Room
Tags: In Conversation, Media, Sci-Fi
Starts: 16:00 Ends: 17:00

John Richards and Josh Kinal of Boxcutters fame debate the quality of science-fiction on TV. Are fan expectations too low? Are SF fans actually more demanding than most? Tune in for a right good row.

Breakout Room

Venue: Faraday Room
Tags:
Starts: 20:00 Ends: 00:00

Continuum 101

Hespa , Sarah Lee Parker, Sarah Lee Parker
Venue: Argyle Room
Tags:
Starts: 11:00 Ends: 11:30

Everything you wanted to know about fan conventions and con-going – an ideal starting point for anyone relatively new to conventions. Learn the secrets from those who have been around long enough to know better.

Costume Parade

Venues: Argyle Room, Lincoln Room
Tags:
Starts: 20:00 Ends: 20:30

Dinner

Starts: 19:00 Ends: 20:00

Everything Old Is New Again

Ian Mond, Patrick O'Duffy, Grant Watson
Venue: Faraday Room
Tag: Comics
Starts: 09:00 Ends: 10:00

Comics are the latest victim of the reboot trend with DC starting the New 52 and plans for a Watchmen prequel. Given that most superheroes first appeared over 60 years ago when society and attitudes were completely different, a fresh start might not be a bad thing. What has the New 52 achieved, have they broken old prejudices or is it just more of the same?

Fans And Faith

Avril Hannah-Jones, David McDonald, Ian Mond, Alexandra Pierce
Venue: Faraday Room
Tags:
Starts: 11:00 Ends: 12:00

Religion often frowns upon science fiction and fantasy, and fandom can be quite critical of religion. So how do our panellists reconcile their passion for SF/F/H and their faith?

Food And Fiction: Agricultural Science And Food Crisis In Science-Fiction

Caspar Roxburgh
Venue: Lincoln Room
Tags:
Starts: 11:00 Ends: 11:30

The threats facing modern agriculture offer great inspiration and themes for science fiction. With global population growth, climate change, and threats to land availability increasing the pressure on international agriculture, the science behind food production is becoming increasingly sophisticated and controversial. These themes will be discussed with a view to how they may provide rich subject matter for science fiction writers.

Good Things Come In Small Packages

Stephen Dedman, George Ivanoff, Kelly Link, Cat Sparks, Jonathan Strahan
Venue: Pelham Room
Tag: Literature
Starts: 16:00 Ends: 17:00

Short stories are the life-blood of speculative fiction, and speculative genres among the last still-flourishing domains of the modern short story. What makes the two fit so well together?

Humanity Enhanced

m1k3y , Russell Blackford, Claire Corbett, Adam Ford
Venue: Drummond Room
Tags:
Starts: 15:00 Ends: 16:00

Explore the potential of self-directed human evolution. Discuss its personal and social implications. Are you ready for your upgrades?

It's The Henson Panel!

Rachel Holkner, Ben McKenzie, Julia Svaganovic, Grant Watson
Venue: Argyle Room
Tag: Media
Starts: 16:00 Ends: 17:00

From Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock and the Muppets through The Storyteller and acclaimed fantasy films such as The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth and The Witches, the puppetry, imagination and storytelling genius of Jim Henson has enchanted, entertained and inspired generations of viewers. What is the key to Henson’s success? Why did his works transcend the entertainment landscape around them to become not only perennial favourites but pop culture icons around the world?

Kelly Link: In Conversation

Kate Eltham, Kelly Link
Venues: Argyle Room, Lincoln Room
Tag: In Conversation
Starts: 12:00 Ends: 13:00

Blurb needed

Lunch

Starts: 13:00 Ends: 14:00

Maskobalo

Venues: Argyle Room, Lincoln Room
Tags:
Starts: 20:30 Ends: 00:00

Masters Of Podcasting

Terry Frost, Alisa Krasnostein, Kirstyn McDermott, Jonathan Strahan
Venue: Faraday Room
Tag: New Media
Starts: 10:00 Ends: 11:00

What makes someone podcast? Ego? Frustrated media ambition? Being too ugly for television? Ego? A group of fannish podcasters discuss the origins, do’s, don’ts and why-the-hell-nots of podcasting. Why start a podcast? How do you do it? Where do you find an audience? A group of talented talkers talk about talking.

Melbourne's Dark Side

Felicity Dowker, Narrelle Harris, Meg Mundell, Paul Poulton
Venue: Argyle Room
Tags:
Starts: 09:00 Ends: 10:00

Melbourne is often touted as one of the world’s “Most Liveable Cities”, but don’t be fooled: beneath the surface glitz and tourism spin lies a much darker version of the city, one that has provided rich inspiration for writers of horror, speculative fiction and sci-fi. Join our panelists for an exploratory and imaginative trip into Melbourne’s sinister side: the thrilling, shady, ghastly stuff that leaves the tourist brochures for dead.

New Faiths For New Worlds

Alan Baxter, Jenny Blackford, Russell Blackford, David McDonald
Venue: Lincoln Room
Tag: Writing
Starts: 10:00 Ends: 11:00

Love it or hate it, religion plays a huge role in our society. When creating a new society from scratch, what part will religion play? How do you create a convincing set of beliefs, and what are the pitfalls you need to avoid?

Not Available

Venue: Parkview Lounge
Tags:
Starts: 08:00 Ends: 23:00

Other Entities

Margo Lanagan, Amanda Pillar, Paul Poulton, Jane Routley
Venue: Pelham Room
Tags: Fantasy, Horror
Starts: 15:00 Ends: 16:00

Dragons and fairies and vampires and zombies are all very well, but sometimes you just want something a little different. Come discover what other entities might be worthy of your dreams… or nightmares.

Outland Q&A

Adam Richard, John Richards
Venue: Lincoln Room
Tags:
Starts: 17:00 Ends: 18:00

Meet John Richards and Adam Richard, co-creators of this year’s ABC geek-comedy series Outland!

Playing God - A Guide For Beginners

Trudi Canavan, Louise Cusack, Alison Goodman, Michael Pryor, Tansy Rayner Roberts
Venue: Argyle Room
Tag: Literature
Starts: 15:00 Ends: 16:00

Building a new world for your fiction can be fun and exciting. But where do you start, what should you avoid and what makes it a living, breathing, believable world?

Podcast: Galactic Suburbia

Alisa Krasnostein, Alexandra Pierce, Tansy Rayner Roberts
Venue: Lincoln Room
Tags: Multi, Podcast Recording
Starts: 14:00 Ends: 15:00

The latest episode of the cult podcasting series, recorded live! Alisa, Alex and Tansy bring you speculative fiction news, reading notes and chat from the galactic suburbs of Australia.

Readings

Cheryse Durrant, Alison Goodman, Margo Lanagan, Jason Nahrung
Venue: Faraday Room
Tags:
Starts: 14:00 Ends: 15:00

14.00 Alison Goodman
14.15 Cheryse Durrant
14.30 Margo Lanagan
14.45 Jason Nahrung

Readings

Claire Corbett, Felicity Dowker, Lisa Hannett, Angela Slatter
Venue: Faraday Room
Tags:
Starts: 16:00 Ends: 17:00

16.00 Felicity Dowker
16.15 Angela Slatter
16.30 Lisa Hannet
16.45 Claire Corbett

Readings - Fablecroft Hour

Joanne Anderton, Steve Cameron, Dirk Flinthart, David McDonald
Venue: Faraday Room
Tags:
Starts: 15:00 Ends: 16:00

15.00 David McDonald
15.15 Steve Cameron
15.30 Joanne Anderton
15.45 Dirk Flinthart

Relative Dimensions: The Limits Of Doctor Who

Cheryse Durrant, Deborah Green, Ian Mond, Danny Oz, Grant Watson
Venue: Lincoln Room
Tags: Media, Sci-Fi
Starts: 15:00 Ends: 16:00

Over almost 50 years Doctor Who has demonstrated itself to be one of the most versatile television concepts ever devised. It has changed actors, style, content, tone, target audience and media. How far can the concept stretch? A panel of enthusiasts and experts push Doctor Who in the strangest directions they can think of, to find out where (and, indeed, if) the concept breaks.

Short Shrift For Short Fiction

Steve Cameron, Kate Eltham, Peta Freestone, George Ivanoff
Venue: Lincoln Room
Tag: YA
Starts: 09:00 Ends: 10:00

YA spec fic is booming in long form, but relatively uncommon in short form. Why is this? What are the challenges and opportunities for proponents of YA short fiction?

Supernatural Moves On

Rachel Moore, Darren Sanderson, Jules Wilkinson
Venue: Pelham Room
Tags: Horror, Media
Starts: 18:00 Ends: 19:00

Supernatural’s original writing team wove a complex five-season story through to a deeply satisfying ending… and then added a cliffhanger and handed the series over to a new team of writers to begin a whole new multi-season plot. So is the new Supernatural revitalised and fresh, or is this the smell of a dead horse being flogged?

Take The Pebble From My Hand, Grasshopper

Louise Cusack, Kimberley Gaal, Jane Routley, Angela Slatter, Kaaron Warren
Venue: Pelham Room
Tag: Writing
Starts: 09:00 Ends: 10:00

When starting out on any path it’s always good to have someone you can ask for advice. Writing is no different and there are many people willing to help. Our panellists discuss how to find a mentor, the benefits of having one and the rewards of being a mentor.

The Big Bad – Fairytale Villains

Peter M. Ball, Nalini Haynes, Margo Lanagan, Angela Slatter
Venue: Pelham Room
Tag: Fantasy
Starts: 11:00 Ends: 12:00

Without them there wouldn’t be any fairytales, and some still haunt us into adulthood. Why do they endure and how do you keep them fresh, relevant and scary?

The End Of The World Is Just The Beginning

Sue Ann Barber, Liz Barr, Kate Eltham, Emilly McLeay, Michael Pryor
Venue: Pelham Room
Tags: Literature, Sci-Fi, YA
Starts: 10:00 Ends: 11:00

Dystopic futures are currently abundant in YA fiction. Why is that and is it providing a gateway into science fiction?

The Future Is Now

Alan Baxter, Louise Cusack, Kirstyn McDermott, Julia Svaganovic
Venue: Pelham Room
Tags: Literature, New Media
Starts: 14:00 Ends: 15:00

eBooks, iDevices, apps etc are changing how we write and read. What’s out there, what’s worth using, and is all this technology a help or a hindrance? And where to from here?

Winter Is Coming

Kelly Link, David McDonald, Ben McKenzie, Mick Mihalic, Jules Wilkinson
Venue: Argyle Room
Tags: Fantasy, Literature, Media
Starts: 14:00 Ends: 15:00

As the second season of the TV adaptation draws to a close, join us for a discussion of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series in all its forms.

Workshop: A Spaceship Stole My Baby Dragon - Writing For Kids

Cheryse Durrant
Venue: Drummond Room
Tags:
Starts: 10:00 Ends: 11:00

Children’s writing tutor Cheryse Durrant helps guide youngsters through the solar eclipses and black holes of story writing. Includes brainstorming, story structure and being space detectives.

Workshop: A Stitch In Time Travel Preview & Beta Test

Alisa Krasnostein
Venue: Bar
Tags:
Starts: 11:00 Ends: 12:00

Come and help beta test a pattern from the upcoming new craft ebook from Twelfth Planet Press. Crochet hooks optional. Numbers limited – sign up sheet at rego desk.

Workshop: Conbag Craft

Trudi Canavan
Venue: Drummond Room
Tags: Craft, Workshop
Starts: 11:00 Ends: 12:00

Ever wished you could do something useful with con bag contents you don’t need? Trudi will show you how, using basic bookbinding techniques and a ‘con craft kit’ of basic tools. The only con t-shirt left is too small, or you simply have too many of them? Trudi will show you simple no-sew ways to turn a t-shirt into a bag (t-shirt provided). Participants limited to ten and a $6 fee to cover the cost of the kit contents.

Workshop: Diagnose Your Scene

Alison Goodman
Venue: Drummond Room
Tags: Workshop, Writing
Starts: 17:00 Ends: 18:00

A hands-on one hour workshop with Alison Goodman, who will take you through some great diagnostic tools that will help you improve your scene-writing skills. Participants should bring a scene that they have written.

Max. 20 people (sign-up sheet at rego desk)

Workshop: Legocraft (kids' edition)

Sue Ann Barber
Venue: Drummond Room
Tags: Craft, For Kids, Workshop
Starts: 16:00 Ends: 17:00

What says “potential” like a big pile of coloured bricks waiting to be snapped together?

Writing Storyworlds - New Versus Existing

Claire Corbett, Louise Cusack, Colin Harvey, Danny Oz
Venue: Faraday Room
Tag: Writing
Starts: 18:00 Ends: 19:00

A discussion of the processes involved in creating convincing storyworlds from scratch compared with writing material for existing storyworlds such as Doctor Who, Highlander and Dan Dare.