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This is no longer the "Brainstorming Page." Now it's just the plain old "Programming Page." Below is a list of Panels for Minicon 46 which includes the panels to sign up for, and the events that are already staffed.  To sign up to be a panelist, please send an email to programming@minicon46.mnstf.org  List the panels that you are interested in by title.  You may also include requests about when you'd like your panels to be scheduled.
This is no longer the "Brainstorming Page." Now it's just the plain old "Programming Page." As I (Emily) write this, we are very close to our final publication deadlines.  


We are no longer taking suggestions for panel ideas for Minicon 46.  To submit an idea for a panel, please post it at the *[http://wiki.mnstf.org/index.php?title=M47_Programming_Brainstorm Minicon 47 Brainstorming Page]
This page is a chronological list of M46 programming items; you can also access a chronological list on [https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=0AnhDL2cahB3ndDJYX1BZVmVCdkhiZFU4VUREOG9CeEE&hl=en&output=html Google docs]. There is also a listing of [[Minicon 46 Programming by Topic]].


=  Minicon 46 Programming Panels to Sign Up For =
We are no longer taking suggestions for panel ideas for Minicon 46. To submit an idea for a panel, please post it at the [[M47 Programming Brainstorm|Minicon 47 Brainstorming Page]].
To sign up to be a panelist, please send an email to programming@minicon46.mnstf.org List the panels that you are interested in by title. You may also include requests about when you'd like your panels to be scheduled.  


== Arts, Crafts, Costuming ==
While we can still accept panelists, new panelists may no longer be able to get into the publications. To sign up to be a panelist, please send an email to programming@minicon46.mnstf.org. List the panels that you are interested in by title. You may also include requests about when you'd like your panels to be scheduled.


===Arts Vs. Crafts===
=Minicon 46 Programming in Chronological Order=
For those who produce works of both sorts, what distinguishes art from craft? When does craft transcend its defining characteristics to be counted as art? Why do we distinguish art as a separate category? For those who specialize in one area or the other, how does craft improve art, art inform craft?


===Beer Brewing and Wine Making - It's All in the Variables===
==All weekend==
Homebrewing has exploded in popularity over the last few years; even the President's official chef is in on it.  Because there are so many variables to tinker with, brewing at home is a fabulous, geeky hobby!  What are your favorite local supply stores, and what do you like about those?  How do we feel about malt extract vs. all grain brewing? Bottling or kegging? How about fruit beers and ciders? What's the best use for spent grain? Could this panel be followed by a tasting in the bar?


===Clever and Creative Photography at Conventions===
====Mega Moneyduck====
Appropriate lighting and the use of a flash, catching 'candid' shots, choosing and framing your subject, how to spot the background clutter... All of this, and more, adds up to tips to help preserve and share your convention memories.  May include before- and after-style examples.


===Cthulhu Art===
Consuite
Everyone is going CRAZY for Cthulhu! Bring your favorite creation to display or share, and maybe you'll be among the last to be eaten.


===Maker Resources===
What happens to an ordinary phrase percolated through the minds of science fiction fans? Here's a chance to find out! Also known as Telephone Pictionary, EPYC, or whatever the last group renamed it, this weekend-long game is open to all Minicon attendees. Rules and game supplies are available near the Mega Moneyduck table in Consuite. Stop by any time from immediately after opening ceremonies until ~ 4:00AM Sunday morning to contribute. The big reveal happens on Sunday at 2:30pm in Veranda 5/6, and the scroll will be available for viewing at the dead dog party after closing ceremony. Drawing skills are optional, and everyone is welcome -- from career cartoonists to sloppy scribblers!
IKEA hacks and other DIY.


===Papercraft and Origami Roundtable===
==Friday==
Share your favorite paper art resources and techniques.


===Steampunk Art, Design, Craft and Costuming===
===4:00pm===
This mashup of Science Fiction, Alternate History and Speculative Fiction is probably best known for its striking visual style.  How do artists effectively use the "steampunk" theme?  What are some materials and methods that we like?  "Steampunk" is sometimes criticized for favoring visual elements over content.  What pitfalls should artists avoid in order to effectively keep a central focus to their pieces?


===Zeppelin Art===
====The Future Isn't What It Used To Be====
Interactive, decorate your own zeppelin. Learn about why Zeppelins are important to Minneapolis' history.


==Fandom and Fannishness==
Krushenko’s


===An Introduction to Fanzines===
Depictions of the world following a lack of cheap energy seem to be replacing the glitzy hi-tech future and post-nuclear holocaust in SF. Will the trends continue? Is this future more plausible than the earlier versions? How much do fictional futures have to say about the times in which they are written?
What makes a good fanzine? What kind of writing works and why? Panelists will read from and discuss the best of the best.


===Antiques Roadshow for Geeks===
Panelists: John Scalzi, Laura Krentz, Neil Rest, Greg Johnson, Magenta Griffith
Y'know... That copy of Action Comics #1 is kinda valuable, right?  Come hear some great 'Cash In The Attic' stories. 


===Geek Social Skills in the Workplace===
====What’s Filk and What’s Not?====
What frustrations are common to geeks in the workplace? What are some of the best techniques geeks have to communicate with non-geeks? What are some tips and resources for improving communication skills with non-geeks?  What are the benefits and detriments of working in a technology field, or a non-technology field?


===Gender Roles in Fandom===
Veranda 3/4
How are gender roles the same or different in fandom or mainstream culture?  Are we really better than everyone else?  In what ways is fandom similar and dissimilar to mainstream culture with regard to our expectations?  How do we approach relationships differently?  What about the great big world of Cosplay?


===GLBT History and Contemporary Views in SF/F Fandom===
...and is the question even relevant?
An inter-generational panel/discussion about GLBT(etc.)/queer culture in SF/F fandom over the decades. How does the past inform the present? What it was like earlier on, what it's like now (from various viewpoints)?  What kind of language is and is not appropriate ("queer" is a word to reclaim for some people, mostly younger, while for others it's still a slap in the face).  What does all of this mean in the context of modern SF/F?


===Invisible Disabilities===
Panelists: Chas Somdahl (M), Dave Clement, Laramie Sasseville, Thorin Tatge, Amy McNally
Not everyone's disability is obvious.  How can that affect our lives? This panel open to the visibly disabled, invisibly disabled, and even the temporarily able-bodied.


===My Kind of Con, Chicon 7 is===
====The Art of the Snapshot====
The 70th World Science Fiction Convention, aka Worldcon, is being held in Chicago in 2012. The folks in charge are dedicated to bringing the flavor of our great regional conventions to the Worldcon stage. What would you like to see there? Talk with people who are actually working on the convention. (more of a Q&A than panel discussion?)


===My Less-Than-Secret Identity===
Edina
Scientists have recently discovered that there are two species of humans: Superman people and Batman people.  Which one are you?  How about Star Trek vs. Star Wars?  D&D vs. GURPS?  Within fandom, there is a need to further distinguish ourselves by the things we enjoy.  What about fandom encourages this drive for uniqueness?  What are some of the most prevalent rivalries, and what do these rivalries represent to us? 


===The Asterisk Panel===
Appropriate lighting and the use of a flash, catching 'candid' shots, choosing and framing your subject, how to spot the background clutter... All of this, and more, adds up to tips to help preserve and share your convention memories. This panel will include before and after examples, and brief descriptions of how to use simple Photoshop (or similar software) style fixes.  
Panelists start off talking. Audience members hold up asterisks when they need footnotes. Fun and tangents.


===The Other Panel===
Panelists: David E Romm (M), David Dyer-Bennet, Emily Stewart
Hey, wait, you said that'd be another panel! This is that panel!
 
===5:30PM===
 
====Invisible Disabilities====
 
Veranda 3/4
 
Not everyone's disability is obvious. How can that affect our lives? This panel open to the visibly disabled, invisibly disabled, and even the temporarily able-bodied.
 
Panelists: Dean Gahlon (M), Peer Dudda, Dave Clement
 
====Not Just for Kids Anymore====
 
Krushenko’s
 
It isn’t just the kids buying and reading YA. YA novels are attracting adults like never before and authors such as Cory Doctorow and John Scalzi have written novels aimed at the younger set. Why do adults read and enjoy it? What sets YA apart from other genre novels and is it that uniqueness that attracts adult readers?
 
Panelists: Laura Krentz (M), Jane Yolen, Laramie Sasseville, Joan Marie Verba, Naomi Kritzer
 
====Art Show Reception: Meet The Artists====
 
Art Show
 
Cheese, art, and a minimal amount of snootiness*. This is a chance to meet the artists involved in the Minicon Art Show, and get answers to your questions about the art on display.
 
*The Minicon Art Show makes no guarantees as to frequency or amplitude of snootiness.
 
Hosted by Art Show Staff
 
===7:00PM===
 
====Opening Ceremony====
 
Edina
 
Welcome to Minicon 46! Meet Guests of Honor John Scalzi and Chas Somdahl. Revel in announcements from the Minicon Committee. See and be seen. Maybe a bit of Shockwave Radio Theater humor, you never know.
 
Panelists: David E Romm, John Scalzi, Chas Somdahl, Kevin Austin, Joel Phillips
 
====TV on DVD vs. the Nielsens====
 
Veranda 3/4
 
If we wait until a show is on DVD before deciding upon its "worthiness", we risk its premature cancellation, sometimes without hope of resolution. Do we have a responsibility to support these shows while they're broadcast, or do we leave that decision up to "the average household"? Can industry-sponsored sites like HULU address shifting viewership? Do Bit Torrents help or aggravate the situation? Now that many industries are shifting to electronic formats (i.e. iTunes, Kindle), what insight can be gleaned from how other industries handle digital media?
 
Panelists: Kelly Strait (M), Greg Larsen, Michael Lee, Emily Stewart
 
====Pandora Groks====
 
Veranda 3/4
 
In the late 1920s linguist Alfred Korzybski proposed a vast senate for humanity run by scientists. Korzybski's term "timebinding" became a signature for First Fandom, and for such writers as Heinlein, Van Vogt, and Hubbard. In 1982 Thomas A Seobok delivered the Korzybski Memorial Lecture to the International Society of Semantics entitled "Pandora's Box: Why and How to Communicate 10,000 Years into the Future." Seobok's re-use of "timebinding" in this lecture shows his awareness of a deep fannish connection to General Semantics. His technical report contains playful tweakings of fandom, along with sercon suggestions for actually implementing a "Bridge to Ten Millennia in the Future." The end of Seobok's report calls for an "Atomic Priesthood" reminiscent of Korzybski's scientist senate. Two years after Seobok's lecture, in 1984, the Office of Energy and Office of Nuclear Waste Isolation published a report entitled Communication Measures to Embrace Ten Millennia-. Coincidence?
 
Panelists: John W. Taylor (M), Peer Dudda, Beth Kinderman
 
====Whose Sketch Is It Anyway?====
 
Veranda 5/6
 
Our two teams compete for the most points while creating humorous sketches using themes and subjects chosen by the audience. An improv performance with audience participation. This event will also be open to audience members who want to play.
 
Players: Richard Mueller (M), Pete Laughlin, Jeff Lee Johnson, anyone else who wants to play
 
====Bedtime Stories With Jane Yolen====
 
9:00PM | Veranda 1
 
Enjoy stories with milk and cookies. Attendees are invited to put on their snuggliest jammies and bring their favorite stuffed friend.
 
Presented by: Jane Yolen, Milk, Cookies
 
====Successful Writing In the Digital Age====
 
Veranda 5/6
 
Our author Guest of Honor John Scalzi has been writing or editing for the online world for more than fifteen years. How does one survive as a writer in the digital age? How does an internet persona mesh with the introverted lifestyle of an author? What's the best way to deal with the trolls and haters?
 
Panelists: Aaron Vander Giessen(M), John Scalzi, Ctein
 
==Saturday==
 
===10:00AM===
 
====Short Stories and the People Who Love Them====
 
Krushenko’s
 
What is special about the short story format? What makes a good short story? What opportunities does a short story afford the writer and the reader? What's are some of the positive and negative issues in the short story market?
 
Panelists: Eric Heideman(M), Michael Merriam, Ruth Berman
 
===11:00AM===
 
====Jane Yolen Signing====
 
Veranda 1
 
===11:30AM===
 
====Science Literacy Vs. Human Knowledge====
 
Veranda 3/4
 
The corpus of human knowledge is growing constantly. How can we even decide what the baseline of scientific literacy should be? What's the process by which the baseline changes?
 
Panelists: Chas Somdahl, Kelly Strait, John Scalzi, Howard Davidson, Rob Callahan
 
====What Happens After The Cure====
 
Veranda 5/6
 
Science/Medicine/Magic Cures Everything is a common trope in SFF, especially with regard to disabilities. What stories rarely explore are the consequences of these "fixes". What personal and social implications are involved? Are there any works that do a good job of exploring these effects?
 
Panelists: Scott Jamison (M), Peer Dudda, Beth Friedman, Lisa Freitag
 
====Digital and Analog Painting Techniques====
 
Edina
 
We'll take a painting from traditional media to digital media and add effects to get the best of both worlds. Learn the secrets of the pros in this fascinating presentation.
 
Presented by: Jeff Lee Johnson
 
====Non Western Cultures In Fantasy====
 
Krushenko’s
 
Writing in cultures beyond North America or Western Europe. Working in new geographies offers readers and writers chance to step out of their comfort zones or reclaim their heritage. What are some of the challenges and which writers do this well?
 
Panelists: Eric M. Heideman (M), Michael Merriam, Adam Stemple, Ricky Foos, Marissa Lingen
 
===1:00PM===
 
====Don’t Read What You’re An Expert In====
 
Veranda 5/6
 
"How can this character be an expert on Chinese calligraphy when he doesn't even know how to pronounce 'Qing'?" Fiction on topics we know a lot about can be cringeworthy. In the extreme, glaring errors can ruin an otherwise good work. What topics set off our expertise alarms, when do we just suck it up and what (beyond infinite research) can authors do to avoid these problems?
 
Panelists: Rachel Kronick (M), Marissa Lingen, Magenta Griffith
 
====Geek Social Skills In the Workplace====
 
Veranda 3/4
 
What frustrations are common to geeks in the workplace? What are some of the best techniques geeks have to communicate with non-geeks? What are some tips and resources for improving communication skills with non-geeks? What are the benefits and detriments of working in a technology field, or a non-technology field?
 
Panelists: Aaron Vander Giessen (M), Pat Scaramuzza, Laura Majerus, Rob Callahan, Liza Furr
 
====Twenty First Century Westerns====
 
Krushenko’s
 
After nearing extinction, Westerns have bounced back like the buffalo in the past decade with one great TV series (Deadwood), several mini-series, and a surprising volume of films displaying substantial creative range (including the animated Rango). Sponsored by Con-Sarnit, a Western convention.
 
Panelists: David Christenson (M), Eric Heideman
 
====Arts Vs. Crafts====
 
Veranda 2
 
For those who produce works of both sorts, what distinguishes art from craft? When does craft transcend its defining characteristics to be counted as art? Why do we distinguish art as a separate category? For those who specialize in one area or the other, how does craft improve art, art inform craft?
 
Panelists: Laramie Sasseville (M), Bonnie Somdahl, Elise Mattheson, Neil Rest, Becca Leathers
 
====Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple Reading====
 
Veranda 1
 
====Live Model Drawing====
 
Art Show
 
Bring your sketchbook and pencils and learn techniques for quick sketching, and improve your observation and drawing skills.
 
Hosted by: Pete Laughlin
 
===2:00PM===
 
====Pamela Dean Reading====
 
Veranda 1
 
===2:30PM===
 
====John Scalzi Reading and Signing====
 
Veranda 1
 
In addition to reading from his own work, John Scalzi will also read from Charles Stross’ upcoming — and excellent – novel, Rule 34. This is a very special sneak peak at a work that will not be available until July of this year.
 
John Scalzi, Anton Peterson assisting
 
====Book Repair Basics====
 
Edina
 
A restoration worker from the University of Minnesota's Wilson Library demonstrates book repair. Starts with an explanation of appropriate materials and where to find those supplies. The demonstration will cover how to replace the cover and spine of a hardcover book, how to insert pages that have been removed, and how to repair pages that have been torn. There will be time for questions and answers at the end of the demonstration.
 
Presented by: Diane Stewart, Charlotte Nickerson assisting
 
====Shakespeare In The Bush====
 
Krushenko’s
 
Suppose you were swapping stories with a group of friendly extraterrestrials. How hard would it be to come up with a story that resonated for an audience with a very different set of cultural expectations? Consider how well it worked for an anthropologist trying to share the story of Hamlet with an audience that agreed with her that human nature is pretty much the same everywhere, but somehow came up with a radically different interpretation of the Bard's great play.
 
Panelists: Sharon Kahn (M), Naomi Kritzer, Ricky Foos, Peer Dudda
 
====Common Misconceptions About Science====
 
Veranda 5/6
 
How has Science Fiction affected popular understanding of Science? What (mis)understandings are pervasive? Let's take this beyond just the "CSI effect".
 
Panelists: Kelly Strait (M), Howard Davidson, Ctein, Lisa Freitag
 
====Unemployed and Geeky====
 
Veranda 3/4


===Unemployed and Geeky===
This is a pretty bad economy, and a lot of us are unemployed or underemployed. How have we coped? How can we help each other?
This is a pretty bad economy, and a lot of us are unemployed or underemployed. How have we coped? How can we help each other?


===Unsocial While Social===
Panelists: Kevin Austin (M), Laramie Sasseville, Joan Marie Verba
Being online, face-to-face. When's it rude to text? How do we manage our attentions when there are so many digital avenues available?
 
====Malazan Book of the Fallen Recap====
 
Veranda 2


==Gaming==
The tenth and final volume of Steven Erikson's epic, Dark Fantasy was just released on March 1, 2011. The Malazan books are almost thirty years in the making, and more than a decade after the publication of the first in the series. These books take place in a world originally created with Ian Cameron Esslemont as the surroundings for D&D and GURPS roleplaying campaigns. What are some thoughts on this final installment, and on the series as a whole? What about the Ian Cameron Esslemont's Novels of the Malazan Empire?


===BSG Board Game===
Panelists: Beth Kinderman(M), Steven Halter, Greg Johnson
The Battlestar Galactica Board Game.  What's it all about? 


===Recommend and RPG For Me===
====Making it in the Art World====
My interests are marmalade, weasels and ninjas.  What game system do you think I would enjoy?  How about game systems for people who don't like marmalade?


===RPGs in Other Media===
Art Show
What influence does the popularity of RPGs have in the fiction world?


==Lit Reader==
Working artists talk about the world of professional art and how to make a living. What avenues are available for artists these days? What skill sets are most valuable?


===Atlanta Nights Reading===
Panelists: Jeff Lee Johnson, Richard Mueller
Because Eye of Argon readings are so last con. Come and listen to a reading of Atlanta Nights. To quote Teresa Nielsen Hayden’s review, "The world is full of bad books written by amateurs. But why settle for the merely regrettable? Atlanta Nights is a bad book written by experts."


===C.S. Lewis and Fantasy and Christianity===
===4:00PM===
Needs Description


===Keeping it Alive===
====Chas Somdahl Interview====
A lot of us love works that haven't been current for a long time, but we try to keep them fresh (at least in our minds) by seeking out like-minded fans, creating fanfic, etc. What works do we choose, and how do we keep them alive?


===Malazan Book of the Fallen Recap===
Veranda 5/6
The tenth and final volume of Steven Erikson's epic, Dark Fantasy was just released on March 1, 2011. The Malazan books are almost thirty years in the making, and more than a decade after the publication of the first in the series. These books take place in a world originally created with Ian Cameron Esslemont as the surroundings for D&D and GURPS roleplaying campaigns. What are some thoughts on this final installment, and on the series as a whole? What about the Ian Cameron Esslemont's Novels of the Malazan Empire?


===Non Traditional Book Roundtable===
Music Guest of Honor Chas Somdahl has been a guitarist and songwriter on and off for many decades. You have heard him in filk circles and as part of Riverfolk. He has paid his dues, sometimes with liquid nitrogen. This interview will explore his journey as a musician and other aspects of a varied and eclectic life.
Pop-ups, teenyweeny books and others. Share your favorites. What can the non-traditional format communicate to the reader that a traditional format cannot?  Who are the best artists in this field?


===Not Just for Kids Anymore===
Chas Somdahl, David E Romm interviewing
It isn’t just the kids buying and reading YA. YA novels are attracting adults like never before and authors such as Cory Doctorow and John Scalzi have written novels aimed at the younger set.  Why do adults read and enjoy it? What sets YA apart from other genre novels and is it that uniqueness that attracts adult readers? 


===Shakespeare in the Bush===
====C S Lewis and Fantasy and Christianity====
Suppose you were swapping stories with a group of friendly extraterrestrials. How hard would it be to come up with a story that resonated for an audience with a very different set of cultural expectations? Consider how well it worked for an anthropologist trying to share the story of Hamlet with an audience that agreed with her that human nature is pretty much the same everywhere, but somehow came up with a radically different interpretation of the bard's great play.


===The Future Isn't What it Used to Be===
Krushenko’s
Depictions of the world following a lack of cheap energy seem to be replacing the glitzy hi-tech future and post-nuclear holocaust in SF. Will the trends continue? Is this future more plausible than the earlier versions? How much do fictional futures have to say about the times in which they are written?


===Time Traveler Conclave===
Readers who loved Narnia in their youth often feel betrayed, years later, when they discover the Christian content in the series. Why is this? Don't (for example) Tolkien, Orwell, Vonnegut, L'Engle, LeGuin, and Pratchett draw on their personal views when writing fiction? Sponsored by the Rivendell Group
Okay now listen up!  We've got a lot to cover tonight, so let's finish up by going over the rules of time travel. 1)Don't create a paradox.  2)Don't worry about paradoxes, the universe will stop you before it becomes an issue.  3)Don't worry about the universe, there are plenty more where that came from.  Next on the agenda - Where is last month's meeting going to be?  To put it more specifically, where will you go to meet other time travelers?  And first things first, we need to define the responsibilities of the Time Agents. If everyone is trying to kill Hitler, who's going to handle crowd control in early 20th century Germany? Let's work out a plan to solve some of this mess, or at least discuss some of the more clever ideas.


===Zombies and Other Horror Tropes and Pride and Prejudice===
Panelists: David Lenander (M), Eric M. Heideman, Liza Furr
Why are zombies and other common horror tropes appearing in (what's considered) mainstream fiction? Where is this mainstream interest coming from?


===The Year in SF===
====Ask A Writer====
Our annual confab about what's good and (mostly) new in (mostly) science fiction and fantasy.


==Lit Writer==
Veranda 2


===Ask A Writer===
Always wanted to know how a novel is born? How does a writer structure their day? Is it all glittering parties and intelligent company? Come ask a panel of working writers anything!
Always wanted to know how a novel is born? How does a writer structure their day? Is it all glittering parties and intelligent company? Come ask a panel of working writers anything!


===Building a World with History===
Panelists: Michael Merriam (M), Jane Yolen, Pamela Dean
Nothing springs to life fully formed. How does history affect cultures, and how can this be used in creating strong stories in strong settings?
 
====Rapid Fire Readings====
 
Veranda 1
 
Various readings by members of the MinnSpec writer's network, sponsored by MinnSpec.
 
Presented by: MinnSpec members
 
===5:30pm===
 
====John Scalzi Interview====
 
Krushenko’s
 
John Scalzi chose not to pursue other career options principally because "use more mayonnaise" does not apply as universally as one might hope. This interview will focus on the path that he chose instead. Questions from the audience are strongly encouraged.
 
John Scalzi, David E Romm interviewing
 
====GLBT History & Contemporary Views in SF/F Fandom====
 
Veranda 3/4
 
An inter-generational panel/discussion about GLBT(etc.)/queer culture in SF/F fandom over the decades. How does the past inform the present? What it was like earlier on, what it's like now (from various viewpoints)? What kind of language is and is not appropriate ("queer" is a word to reclaim for some people, mostly younger, while for others it's still a slap in the face). What does all of this mean in the context of modern SF/F?
 
Panelists: Rachel Kronick (M), Peer Dudda, Ctein
 
====Photo Manipulation and Digital Collage====
 
Edina
 
Create spectacular and bizarre photo-realistic scenes using stock photography.
 
Presented by: Richard Mueller
 
====Geeks on TV====
 
Veranda 5/6
 
Big Bang Theory, Chuck, The IT Crowd, and Bones all feature great, geeky protagonists. Even reality TV has fingers in this pie, with shows like Mythbusters and Stormchasers. What do we love about geeks on TV? What do the creators get right or wrong?
 
Panelists: Rob Callahan(M), Jeanne Mealy, Michael Lee, Mary Bertelson
 
====BSG Board Game====
 
Veranda 2
 
The Battlestar Galactica Board Game. What's it all about?  


===Common Misconceptions About Publishing===
Panelists: Beth Kinderman (M), Thorin Tatge, Matt McMillian
How is the publishing industry structured? What exactly does an author sell to a publisher, and what do publishers want to see? Why are books the length that they are? Published authors talk about their experiences and share their "If I knew then what I know now..." stories.


===Don't Read What You're An Expert In===
===7:00PM===
"How can this character be an expert on Chinese calligraphy when he doesn't even know how to pronounce 'Qing'?" Fiction on topics we know a lot about can be cringeworthy. In the extreme, glaring errors can ruin an otherwise good work. What topics set off our expertise alarms, when do we just suck it up and what (beyond infinite research) can authors do to avoid these problems?


===Non-Western Cultures in Fantasy===
====The Story Behind The Song====
Writing in cultures beyond North America or Western Europe. Working in new geographies offers readers and writers chance to step out of their comfort zones or reclaim their heritage. What are some of the challenges and which writers do this well?


===Short Stories and the People Who Love Them===
Veranda 3/4
What is special about the short story format? What makes a good short story? What opportunities does a short story afford the writer and the reader? What's are some of the positive and negative issues in the short story market?


===Successful Writing in the Digital Age===
Why do performer's choose the songs they sing? What kind of connections do they make with the music? This panel explores the stories behind why we sing what we sing.
Our author Guest of Honor John Scalzi has been writing or editing for the online world for more than fifteen years.  How does one survive as a writer in the digital age?  How does an internet persona mesh with the introverted lifestyle of an author? What's the best way to deal with the trolls and haters? 


===What Happens After the Cure===
Panelists: Chas Somdahl(M), Adam Stemple, Graham Leathers, Becca Leathers, Teresa Chandler
Science/Medicine/Magic Cures Everything is a common trope in SFF, especially with regard to disabilities.  What stories rarely explore are the consequences of these "fixes".  What personal and social implications are involved?  Are there any works that do a good job of exploring these effects?


==Movies and TV==
====Time Traveler’s Conclave====


===The Annual Doctor Who Panel===
Veranda 5/6
Where's a good place to start with classic Doctor Who?  Depending on your count, there have been eleven, or twelve, or twenty-two, or twenty-eight...  Who's your favorite Doctor?  The first half of this panel will focus on the classic series, the second half will focus on our thoughts from the 2010 series and what we'd like to see in 2011.  How does our panel feel about Steven Moffat's first year in control? 


===Cliffs Notes for Inception===
Okay now listen up! We've got a lot to cover tonight, so let's finish up by going over the rules of time travel. 1)Don't create a paradox. 2)Don't worry about paradoxes, the universe will stop you before it becomes an issue. 3)Don't worry about the universe, there are plenty more where that came from. Next on the agenda: Where is last month's meeting going to be? To put it more specifically, where will you go to meet other time travelers? And first things first, we need to define the responsibilities of the Time Agents. If everyone is trying to kill Hitler, who's going to handle crowd control in early 20th century Germany? Let's work out a plan to solve some of this mess, or at least discuss some of the more clever ideas.  
We Lay it all out for you.


===Everyday, Garden Variety Superheros===
Panelists: Sharon Kahn(M), Emily Stewart, Richard Tatge
The Specials, Mystery Men, Kick Ass, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, The Incredibles, Watchmen, No Ordinary Family and Heroes pose the questions: How would superheroes actually affect and fit in with the real world? What would 'normal' people do with super powers? Why has this been such a popular topic recently?


===In My Day...===
====The Life and Works of Diana Wynne Jones, 1934-2011====
You know it's an old movie because the phones are shaped like bricks and everyone has poofy moussed hair.  What are some of the untimeless markers of the past?  What features will make our modern media stand out as "dated"?  What are some good ways that creators have avoided this pitfall? 


===Media Culture as Presented in the Media===
Saturday Krushenko’s
The average American watches more than four hours of television a day, yet there are no television programs about people watching TV.  How does media present itself to the viewer?  What does this tell us about ourselves?


===Geeks On TV===
On the author of the distinguished teen and children's fantasist, author of Enchanted Glass, Howl's Moving Castle, The Tough Guide to Fantasyland, Unexpected Magic, Dogsbody, and much more. Sponsored by the Rivendell Group, a Twin Cities fantasy-book discussion group that has met regularly since late 1973 or early 1974.
Big Bang Theory, Chuck, The IT Crowd, and Bones all feature great, geeky protagonists.  Even reality TV has fingers in this pie, with shows like Mythbusters and Stormchasers. What do we love about geeks on TV?  What do the creators get right or wrong?


===TV on DVD vs. the Nielsen Ratings===
Presented by: David Lenander
If we wait until a show is on DVD before deciding upon its "worthiness", we risk its premature cancellation (sometimes without hope of resolution) and DVD release.  Do we have a responsibility to support these shows while they're broadcast, or do we leave that decision up to "the average household"?  Can industry-sponsored sites like HULU address shifting viewership?  Do Bit Torrents help or aggravate the situation?


==Music==
====Recommend an RPG for Me====


===Music and Fandom===
Veranda 2
Musical traditions are very important in s.f. fandom, but fannish musical traditions are not all the same. Is Minnstf Music significantly different from the musical traditions in other fandoms (including other Twin Cities cons)? How has fannish music evolved over time?


===Music and the Mind===
My interests are marmalade, weasels and ninjas. What game system do you think I would enjoy? How about game systems for people who don't like marmalade?
How does music affect the brain? How much of our reaction to music is hard-wired and how much is cultural? What is the relationship between music and memory? Did human beings sing before they spoke? What is the significance of the sacred geometry of music?  What's so naughty about the Forbidden Interval?


===SF Rock & Roll===
Panelists: Rachel Kronick(M), Scott Jamison, Aaron Vander Giessen
From classics like Space Oddity and Rocket Man to Janelle Monae's Metropolis & The ArchAndroid, how is science fiction represented in the world of music? What stories are being told by songwriters, rather than book writers? Are there stories/themes that are particularly well-suited to being expressed in this medium?


===What's Filk and What's Not?===
====Yoga Quest====
...and is the question relevant?


==Science and Technology==
Veranda 1


===Ask A Scientist===
This hybrid of gaming and yoga is the first of its kind. Come in comfortable clothing (no chain mail or kilts) and get your exercise on while you step inside an adventure story: become warriors on a mission – the fiends and friends they meet along the way – even the modes of transportation they take! Your spritely yoGeekie guide Justine will lead you through an adventure. Open to ages 10+ (under 18 needs parental permission). Some mats are available for $1 rental fee.
Panelists from various science disciplines answer questions about working in their industry, and new and upcoming discoveries. Ask a scientist anything that isn't about global climate change.  


===Common Misconceptions About Science===
Presented by: George Richard, Justine, Amy
How has Science Fiction affected popular understanding of Science? What (mis)understandings are pervasive? Let's take this beyond just the "CSI effect".


===How to Destroy the Earth===
===8:00PM===
No, not just how to destroy the ecosphere. That's easy. We're talking how to pulverize the entire planet. Drop a black hole through it? Dump it into the Sun? Cover it in peanut butter and let the space bugs lick it to pieces? Which way is really the most practical?


===How to Save the World===
====Parade and Fentasia Awards====
A companion to "How to Destroy the Earth." Now that we broke it, how do we put it back together again?


===Linguistics===
The main costuming events of Minicon 46 will begin with the Fenfare Parade, pause for the Fentasia Awards, and continue on with more Fenfare parade. All geek garb is welcomed! If you wear anything other than your normal street clothes, please join us for any and all costuming events. Prizes will be awarded after the parade. We want YOU!
What is your favorite alien language? How does one go about constructing a language from scratch? Let's talk about the secret languages of twins, and whether or not our brains are hard wired for language.


===Linux Install Party===
===8:30PM===
Come try out different flavors of Linux on your laptop, netbook or whatever else you can lug in. Needs someone to run it. 


===Nanotechnology===
====Creation Museum Slideshow====
The history of nanotech, what it can do, and where it's going. 


===Privacy is Dead===
Edina
Your date googles you, your future employer does a credit check, and let's not even talk about the part where everyone's parents are now on Facebook. Privacy is dead. Is anonymity possible? Do pseudonyms protect you? Does it really hold the government more accountable when everything we (or they) do is on film?


===Science Literacy vs. Human Knowledge===
John Scalzi shares photos and stories from his visit to "the very best monument to an enormous load of horseshit that you could possibly ever hope to see." Hilarity ensues.
The corpus of human knowledge is growing constantly. How can we even decide what the baseline of scientific literacy should be? What's the process by which the baseline changes?


===The End of the Shuttle Program===
Presented by: John Scalzi, Rob Callahan moderating
As of January, 2011 the last Space Shuttle mission is planned to take off in June of 2011. Where do we go next? And how do we get there?


===What Does "Not Yet Dead from the Neck Up" Mean Anyway?===
====Who Needs a Real Computer Anyway?====
Cryopreservation, consciousness transfer - what are ways that one might "live" to participate in future conventions with naught but a head (or maybe not even that). Which ones sound like a good idea? Which ones might actually be possible some day? Which ones are just silly, but fun to think about all the same?


===What?  You Keep Your Brain in your Head?===
Veranda 3/4
There could be aliens for whom the phrase "not yet dead from the neck up" wouldn't make any sense. Distributed intelligences, brains in other places... let's explore the idea.


===Who Needs a Real Computer Anyway===
With the expansion of offerings in tablet and sub-tablet electronics, can you meet your computing needs without a normal computer? What's available now? What are the pros and cons of each?
With the expansion of offerings in tablet and sub-tablet electronics, can you meet your computing needs without a normal computer? What's available now? What are the pros and cons of each?


=Other Things That Will Happen At Minicon=
Panelists: Dean Gahlon (M), Jay Curry, Neil Rest, Sharon Kahn, Ctein
These items are listed for schedule planning purposes. Please feel free to say to yourself "Oooh!  I want to see that!"
 
===10:00PM===
 
====How to Destroy the Earth====
 
Veranda 3/4
 
No, not just how to destroy the ecosphere. That's easy. We're talking how to pulverize the entire planet. Drop a black hole through it? Dump it into the Sun? Cover it in peanut butter and let the space bugs lick it to pieces? Which way is really the most practical?
 
Panelists: Matthew Strait (M), Howard Davidson, Pat Scaramuzza
 
====Atlanta Nights Reading====
 
Krushenko’s
 
Because Eye of Argon readings are so last con. Come and listen to a reading of Atlanta Nights. To quote Teresa Nielsen Hayden’s review, "The world is full of bad books written by amateurs. But why settle for the merely regrettable? Atlanta Nights is a bad book written by experts."
 
Panelists: Roy C. Booth (M), Cynthia Booth, Teresa Nielsen Hayden
 
==Sunday==
 
===10:00AM===
 
====The Year in SF====
 
Krushenko’s
 
Our annual confab about what's good and (mostly) new in (mostly) science fiction and fantasy.
 
Panelists: Russel Letson, Greg Johnson
 
===11:30AM===
 
====Sunday Morning Singalong====
 
Edina
 
Does all the music at Minicon this year make you want to sing out? Maybe you don’t play an instrument but like to sing. Come join us for an hour of acapella music. All types of sing-a-longs are welcome.
 
Hosted by: Decadent Dave Clement, Peggy O’Neil
 
====Common Misconceptions About Publishing====
 
Veranda 5/6
 
How is the publishing industry structured? What exactly does an author sell to a publisher, and what do publishers want to see? Why are books the length that they are? Published authors and editors talk about their experiences and share their "If I knew then what I know now..." stories.
 
Panelists: Michael Merriam (M), John Scalzi, Patrick Nielsen Hayden, Teresa Nielsen Hayden
 
====Ask A Scientist====
 
Veranda 3/4
 
Panelists from various science disciplines answer questions about working in their industry, and new and upcoming discoveries. Ask a scientist anything that isn't about global climate change.
 
Panelists: Chas Somdahl (M), Matt Strait, Mary Bertelson, Ctein, Pat Scaramuzza
 
====The End of the Space Shuttle Program====
 
Krushenko’s
 
As of January, 2011 the last Space Shuttle mission is planned to take off in June of 2011. Where do we go next? And how do we get there?
 
Panelists: Eric M. Heideman(M), Paul F. Richards, Pat Scaramuzza, Jay Curry
 
====Geek Partnership Society Update====
 
Veranda 2
 
The Who, When, and Where of What's Up with G.P.S.! This is an informational panel about the Geek Partnership Society. Who are we? What is GPS all about? How can we grow our community? How is the new community center doing? How can you get involved?
 
Panelists: George Richard(M), Matt Savelkoul
 
====Lady Poetesses From Hell====
 
Veranda 1
 
Lady Poetesses From Hell is a poetry performance group. They dress very nicely and have wicked senses of humor.
 
Panelists: Terry Garey (M), Cassandra O'Malley, Ruth Berman, John Rezmerski, Elise Mattheson, Jane Yolen
 
===12:30PM===
 
====SF Poetry Association Grand Master Award Ceremony====
 
Veranda 1
 
Immediately after "Lady Poetesses From Hell," the SF Poetry Association will present the SFPA Grand Master Award to Jane Yolen, after which Jane Yolen will read an additional selection of her poetry.
 
Presenters: Ruth Berman, Deborah P Kolodji
 
===1:00PM===
 
====Building A World With History====
 
Krushenko’s
 
Nothing springs to life fully formed. How does history affect cultures, and how can this be used in creating strong stories in strong settings?
 
Panelists: Rachel Kronick (M), Jane Yolen, Pamela Dean, Ruth Berman
 
====Slide Show: Science Fiction Art History====
 
Edina
 
See the evolution of science fiction art and design from 2011BCE to 2011CE, encompassing everything from woodblock prints to video games.
 
Presented by: Richard Mueller
 
====Encore Game Show====
 
Veranda 5/6
 
Two teams compete to come up with song lyrics. Prompted by a word, phrase or idea, the teams must act quickly to satisfy the audience.
 
Panelists: Chas Somdahl, Music Department Staff
 
====Annual Doctor Who Panel====
 
Veranda 3/4
 
Where's a good place to start with classic Doctor Who? Depending on your count, there have been eleven, or twelve, or twenty-two, or twenty-eight... Who's your favorite Doctor? The first half of this panel will focus on the classic series, the second half will focus on our thoughts from the 2010 series and what we'd like to see in 2011. How does our panel feel about Steven Moffat's first year in control? Are red fezzes really cool?
 
Panelists: Aaron Vander Giessen(M), Rob Callahan, Michael Lee
 
====My Kind of Con, Chicon 7 is====
 
Veranda 2
 
The 70th World Science Fiction Convention, aka Worldcon, is being held in Chicago in 2012. The folks in charge are dedicated to bringing the flavor of our great regional conventions to the Worldcon stage. What would you like to see there? Talk with people who are actually working on the convention. (more of a Q&A than panel discussion.)
 
Panelists: Kelly Strait, Neil Rest, Jeff Orth, Diane Lacey, Ruth
 
Lichtwardt
 
====Michael Merriam Reading====
 
Veranda 1
 
Michael Merriam, author of ''Should We Drown in Feathered Sleep'' and ''The Horror at Cold Springs'', reads from his new novel, ''Last Car to Annwn Station''.
 
===1:30PM===
 
====Dana Baird Reading====


==Arts, Crafts, Costuming==
Veranda 1


===Art Show Reception - Meet the Artists===
===2:00PM===
*Wine, beer, cheese, art and artists.*  This is a chance to meet the artists involved in the Minicon Art Show, and get answers to your questions about the art on display.


<small>*The Minicon Art Show makes no guarantees as to degree of snootiness
====Marissa Lingen Reading====
provided by any individual artist. *</small>


===Book Repair Basics===
Veranda 1
A restoration worker from the University of Minnesota's Wilson Library demonstrates book repair. Starts with an explanation of appropriate materials and where to find those supplies. The demonstration will cover how to replace the cover and spine of a hardcover book, how to insert pages that have been removed, and how to repair pages that have been torn. There will be time for questions and answers at the end of the demonstration.


===Parade and Fentasia Awards===
===2:30PM===
ALL geek garb is welcomed, nay demanded! If you wear anything other than your normal street clothes, please join us for any and all costuming events. We want YOU!


Performance bits are not required for any costuming activities. These events are meant to be fun, informal, and easy. That being said, we do NOT want to discourage bits. Please contact the Cos Team in advance if possible, otherwise let us know at the Con. We'd like to plan ahead a little for best effect. That also being said, if you show at the parade and say "I want to do a bit!", we won't spank you.
====Mega Moneyduck Runthrough====


===Live Model Drawing===
Veranda 5/6
Description forthcoming, but probably a lot like it says.


===Making it Work in the Art World===
"This is the big reveal on the big screen! How far did our original phrase evolve? What's that supposed to be a drawing of? What?!?!"
Working artists talk about the world of professional art and how to make a living.  What avenues are available for artists these days? What skill sets are most valuable?


===Art Technique Demonstration I===
Presenters: Patricia Zetelumen(M), Andy Hickmott, Thorin Tatge, Rachel Kronick
Digital and Analog Painting Techniques


===Art Technique Demonstration II===
====Keeping It Alive====
Photo Manipulation - Create spectacular and bizarre photo-realistic scenes using stock photography.


===Art Technique Presentation===
Veranda 3/4
Science Fiction Design


===Whose Sketch Is It Anyway?===
A lot of us love works that haven't been current for a long time, but we try to keep them fresh (at least in our minds) by seeking out like-minded fans, creating fanfic, etc. What works do we choose, and how do we keep them alive?
Fast Paced Game Show format.  Thrills!  Chills!  Feats of bravery as our artists work at death defying speeds.


==Fandom and Fannishness==
Panelists: Neil Rest(M), Beth Friedman, David Dyer-Bennet


===Geek Partnership Society (GPS) Update===
====Works of John Scalzi====
The Who, When, and Where of What's Up with G.P.S.!  This is an informational panel about the Geek Partnership Society.  Who are we?  What is GPS all about?  How can we grow our community?  How is the new community center doing?  How can you get involved?


==Gaming==
Krushenko’s


===Mega Moneyduck!===
John Scalzi is best known for his Hugo Award-nominated science fiction novel Old Man's War, released by Tor Books in January 2005, and for his blog Whatever, at which he has written daily on a number of topics since 1998. He has also written a number of non-fiction books, several other novels and several shorter works.
A weekend long game of Moneyduck, Picture Telephone, EPYC, or whatever you like to call it. Open to all Minicon attendees.  


==Music==
Panelists: John Scalzi, Patrick Nielsen Hayden


===Behind the Song===
===4:00PM===
How do songwriters choose their topics?  What goes into setting the mood of the piece?  This panel explores the writing process from the songwriter's perspective. 


===Encore Game Show===
====Closing Ceremony====
Two teams compete to come up with song lyrics.  Prompted by a word, phrase or idea, the teams must act quickly to satisfy the audience.


==Science and Technology==
Edina


===Creation Museum Slideshow===
Final thoughts from Guests of Honor Chas Somdahl and John Scalzi. The Assassination of the MN-StF President. Wind down the con. Art show and Medallion Hunt winners, reporting of the Hugo and John W. Campbell nominees as announced concurrently in Reno, among other announcements. Final thoughts from Concom.  
John Scalzi shares photos and stories from his visit to "the very best monument to an enormous load of horseshit that you could possibly ever hope to see."  Hilarity ensues.


=Plus!=
Panelists: David E Romm, John Scalzi, Chas Somdahl, Kevin Austin, Joel Phillips
Opening Ceremony, Guest of Honor Interviews, Signings, Readings, Closing Ceremony and much more...

Latest revision as of 21:34, 17 April 2011

This is no longer the "Brainstorming Page." Now it's just the plain old "Programming Page." As I (Emily) write this, we are very close to our final publication deadlines.

This page is a chronological list of M46 programming items; you can also access a chronological list on Google docs. There is also a listing of Minicon 46 Programming by Topic.

We are no longer taking suggestions for panel ideas for Minicon 46. To submit an idea for a panel, please post it at the Minicon 47 Brainstorming Page.

While we can still accept panelists, new panelists may no longer be able to get into the publications. To sign up to be a panelist, please send an email to programming@minicon46.mnstf.org. List the panels that you are interested in by title. You may also include requests about when you'd like your panels to be scheduled.

Minicon 46 Programming in Chronological Order

All weekend

Mega Moneyduck

Consuite

What happens to an ordinary phrase percolated through the minds of science fiction fans? Here's a chance to find out! Also known as Telephone Pictionary, EPYC, or whatever the last group renamed it, this weekend-long game is open to all Minicon attendees. Rules and game supplies are available near the Mega Moneyduck table in Consuite. Stop by any time from immediately after opening ceremonies until ~ 4:00AM Sunday morning to contribute. The big reveal happens on Sunday at 2:30pm in Veranda 5/6, and the scroll will be available for viewing at the dead dog party after closing ceremony. Drawing skills are optional, and everyone is welcome -- from career cartoonists to sloppy scribblers!

Friday

4:00pm

The Future Isn't What It Used To Be

Krushenko’s

Depictions of the world following a lack of cheap energy seem to be replacing the glitzy hi-tech future and post-nuclear holocaust in SF. Will the trends continue? Is this future more plausible than the earlier versions? How much do fictional futures have to say about the times in which they are written?

Panelists: John Scalzi, Laura Krentz, Neil Rest, Greg Johnson, Magenta Griffith

What’s Filk and What’s Not?

Veranda 3/4

...and is the question even relevant?

Panelists: Chas Somdahl (M), Dave Clement, Laramie Sasseville, Thorin Tatge, Amy McNally

The Art of the Snapshot

Edina

Appropriate lighting and the use of a flash, catching 'candid' shots, choosing and framing your subject, how to spot the background clutter... All of this, and more, adds up to tips to help preserve and share your convention memories. This panel will include before and after examples, and brief descriptions of how to use simple Photoshop (or similar software) style fixes.

Panelists: David E Romm (M), David Dyer-Bennet, Emily Stewart

5:30PM

Invisible Disabilities

Veranda 3/4

Not everyone's disability is obvious. How can that affect our lives? This panel open to the visibly disabled, invisibly disabled, and even the temporarily able-bodied.

Panelists: Dean Gahlon (M), Peer Dudda, Dave Clement

Not Just for Kids Anymore

Krushenko’s

It isn’t just the kids buying and reading YA. YA novels are attracting adults like never before and authors such as Cory Doctorow and John Scalzi have written novels aimed at the younger set. Why do adults read and enjoy it? What sets YA apart from other genre novels and is it that uniqueness that attracts adult readers?

Panelists: Laura Krentz (M), Jane Yolen, Laramie Sasseville, Joan Marie Verba, Naomi Kritzer

Art Show Reception: Meet The Artists

Art Show

Cheese, art, and a minimal amount of snootiness*. This is a chance to meet the artists involved in the Minicon Art Show, and get answers to your questions about the art on display.

  • The Minicon Art Show makes no guarantees as to frequency or amplitude of snootiness.

Hosted by Art Show Staff

7:00PM

Opening Ceremony

Edina

Welcome to Minicon 46! Meet Guests of Honor John Scalzi and Chas Somdahl. Revel in announcements from the Minicon Committee. See and be seen. Maybe a bit of Shockwave Radio Theater humor, you never know.

Panelists: David E Romm, John Scalzi, Chas Somdahl, Kevin Austin, Joel Phillips

TV on DVD vs. the Nielsens

Veranda 3/4

If we wait until a show is on DVD before deciding upon its "worthiness", we risk its premature cancellation, sometimes without hope of resolution. Do we have a responsibility to support these shows while they're broadcast, or do we leave that decision up to "the average household"? Can industry-sponsored sites like HULU address shifting viewership? Do Bit Torrents help or aggravate the situation? Now that many industries are shifting to electronic formats (i.e. iTunes, Kindle), what insight can be gleaned from how other industries handle digital media?

Panelists: Kelly Strait (M), Greg Larsen, Michael Lee, Emily Stewart

Pandora Groks

Veranda 3/4

In the late 1920s linguist Alfred Korzybski proposed a vast senate for humanity run by scientists. Korzybski's term "timebinding" became a signature for First Fandom, and for such writers as Heinlein, Van Vogt, and Hubbard. In 1982 Thomas A Seobok delivered the Korzybski Memorial Lecture to the International Society of Semantics entitled "Pandora's Box: Why and How to Communicate 10,000 Years into the Future." Seobok's re-use of "timebinding" in this lecture shows his awareness of a deep fannish connection to General Semantics. His technical report contains playful tweakings of fandom, along with sercon suggestions for actually implementing a "Bridge to Ten Millennia in the Future." The end of Seobok's report calls for an "Atomic Priesthood" reminiscent of Korzybski's scientist senate. Two years after Seobok's lecture, in 1984, the Office of Energy and Office of Nuclear Waste Isolation published a report entitled Communication Measures to Embrace Ten Millennia-. Coincidence?

Panelists: John W. Taylor (M), Peer Dudda, Beth Kinderman

Whose Sketch Is It Anyway?

Veranda 5/6

Our two teams compete for the most points while creating humorous sketches using themes and subjects chosen by the audience. An improv performance with audience participation. This event will also be open to audience members who want to play.

Players: Richard Mueller (M), Pete Laughlin, Jeff Lee Johnson, anyone else who wants to play

Bedtime Stories With Jane Yolen

9:00PM | Veranda 1

Enjoy stories with milk and cookies. Attendees are invited to put on their snuggliest jammies and bring their favorite stuffed friend.

Presented by: Jane Yolen, Milk, Cookies

Successful Writing In the Digital Age

Veranda 5/6

Our author Guest of Honor John Scalzi has been writing or editing for the online world for more than fifteen years. How does one survive as a writer in the digital age? How does an internet persona mesh with the introverted lifestyle of an author? What's the best way to deal with the trolls and haters?

Panelists: Aaron Vander Giessen(M), John Scalzi, Ctein

Saturday

10:00AM

Short Stories and the People Who Love Them

Krushenko’s

What is special about the short story format? What makes a good short story? What opportunities does a short story afford the writer and the reader? What's are some of the positive and negative issues in the short story market?

Panelists: Eric Heideman(M), Michael Merriam, Ruth Berman

11:00AM

Jane Yolen Signing

Veranda 1

11:30AM

Science Literacy Vs. Human Knowledge

Veranda 3/4

The corpus of human knowledge is growing constantly. How can we even decide what the baseline of scientific literacy should be? What's the process by which the baseline changes?

Panelists: Chas Somdahl, Kelly Strait, John Scalzi, Howard Davidson, Rob Callahan

What Happens After The Cure

Veranda 5/6

Science/Medicine/Magic Cures Everything is a common trope in SFF, especially with regard to disabilities. What stories rarely explore are the consequences of these "fixes". What personal and social implications are involved? Are there any works that do a good job of exploring these effects?

Panelists: Scott Jamison (M), Peer Dudda, Beth Friedman, Lisa Freitag

Digital and Analog Painting Techniques

Edina

We'll take a painting from traditional media to digital media and add effects to get the best of both worlds. Learn the secrets of the pros in this fascinating presentation.

Presented by: Jeff Lee Johnson

Non Western Cultures In Fantasy

Krushenko’s

Writing in cultures beyond North America or Western Europe. Working in new geographies offers readers and writers chance to step out of their comfort zones or reclaim their heritage. What are some of the challenges and which writers do this well?

Panelists: Eric M. Heideman (M), Michael Merriam, Adam Stemple, Ricky Foos, Marissa Lingen

1:00PM

Don’t Read What You’re An Expert In

Veranda 5/6

"How can this character be an expert on Chinese calligraphy when he doesn't even know how to pronounce 'Qing'?" Fiction on topics we know a lot about can be cringeworthy. In the extreme, glaring errors can ruin an otherwise good work. What topics set off our expertise alarms, when do we just suck it up and what (beyond infinite research) can authors do to avoid these problems?

Panelists: Rachel Kronick (M), Marissa Lingen, Magenta Griffith

Geek Social Skills In the Workplace

Veranda 3/4

What frustrations are common to geeks in the workplace? What are some of the best techniques geeks have to communicate with non-geeks? What are some tips and resources for improving communication skills with non-geeks? What are the benefits and detriments of working in a technology field, or a non-technology field?

Panelists: Aaron Vander Giessen (M), Pat Scaramuzza, Laura Majerus, Rob Callahan, Liza Furr

Twenty First Century Westerns

Krushenko’s

After nearing extinction, Westerns have bounced back like the buffalo in the past decade with one great TV series (Deadwood), several mini-series, and a surprising volume of films displaying substantial creative range (including the animated Rango). Sponsored by Con-Sarnit, a Western convention.

Panelists: David Christenson (M), Eric Heideman

Arts Vs. Crafts

Veranda 2

For those who produce works of both sorts, what distinguishes art from craft? When does craft transcend its defining characteristics to be counted as art? Why do we distinguish art as a separate category? For those who specialize in one area or the other, how does craft improve art, art inform craft?

Panelists: Laramie Sasseville (M), Bonnie Somdahl, Elise Mattheson, Neil Rest, Becca Leathers

Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple Reading

Veranda 1

Live Model Drawing

Art Show

Bring your sketchbook and pencils and learn techniques for quick sketching, and improve your observation and drawing skills.

Hosted by: Pete Laughlin

2:00PM

Pamela Dean Reading

Veranda 1

2:30PM

John Scalzi Reading and Signing

Veranda 1

In addition to reading from his own work, John Scalzi will also read from Charles Stross’ upcoming — and excellent – novel, Rule 34. This is a very special sneak peak at a work that will not be available until July of this year.

John Scalzi, Anton Peterson assisting

Book Repair Basics

Edina

A restoration worker from the University of Minnesota's Wilson Library demonstrates book repair. Starts with an explanation of appropriate materials and where to find those supplies. The demonstration will cover how to replace the cover and spine of a hardcover book, how to insert pages that have been removed, and how to repair pages that have been torn. There will be time for questions and answers at the end of the demonstration.

Presented by: Diane Stewart, Charlotte Nickerson assisting

Shakespeare In The Bush

Krushenko’s

Suppose you were swapping stories with a group of friendly extraterrestrials. How hard would it be to come up with a story that resonated for an audience with a very different set of cultural expectations? Consider how well it worked for an anthropologist trying to share the story of Hamlet with an audience that agreed with her that human nature is pretty much the same everywhere, but somehow came up with a radically different interpretation of the Bard's great play.

Panelists: Sharon Kahn (M), Naomi Kritzer, Ricky Foos, Peer Dudda

Common Misconceptions About Science

Veranda 5/6

How has Science Fiction affected popular understanding of Science? What (mis)understandings are pervasive? Let's take this beyond just the "CSI effect".

Panelists: Kelly Strait (M), Howard Davidson, Ctein, Lisa Freitag

Unemployed and Geeky

Veranda 3/4

This is a pretty bad economy, and a lot of us are unemployed or underemployed. How have we coped? How can we help each other?

Panelists: Kevin Austin (M), Laramie Sasseville, Joan Marie Verba

Malazan Book of the Fallen Recap

Veranda 2

The tenth and final volume of Steven Erikson's epic, Dark Fantasy was just released on March 1, 2011. The Malazan books are almost thirty years in the making, and more than a decade after the publication of the first in the series. These books take place in a world originally created with Ian Cameron Esslemont as the surroundings for D&D and GURPS roleplaying campaigns. What are some thoughts on this final installment, and on the series as a whole? What about the Ian Cameron Esslemont's Novels of the Malazan Empire?

Panelists: Beth Kinderman(M), Steven Halter, Greg Johnson

Making it in the Art World

Art Show

Working artists talk about the world of professional art and how to make a living. What avenues are available for artists these days? What skill sets are most valuable?

Panelists: Jeff Lee Johnson, Richard Mueller

4:00PM

Chas Somdahl Interview

Veranda 5/6

Music Guest of Honor Chas Somdahl has been a guitarist and songwriter on and off for many decades. You have heard him in filk circles and as part of Riverfolk. He has paid his dues, sometimes with liquid nitrogen. This interview will explore his journey as a musician and other aspects of a varied and eclectic life.

Chas Somdahl, David E Romm interviewing

C S Lewis and Fantasy and Christianity

Krushenko’s

Readers who loved Narnia in their youth often feel betrayed, years later, when they discover the Christian content in the series. Why is this? Don't (for example) Tolkien, Orwell, Vonnegut, L'Engle, LeGuin, and Pratchett draw on their personal views when writing fiction? Sponsored by the Rivendell Group

Panelists: David Lenander (M), Eric M. Heideman, Liza Furr

Ask A Writer

Veranda 2

Always wanted to know how a novel is born? How does a writer structure their day? Is it all glittering parties and intelligent company? Come ask a panel of working writers anything!

Panelists: Michael Merriam (M), Jane Yolen, Pamela Dean

Rapid Fire Readings

Veranda 1

Various readings by members of the MinnSpec writer's network, sponsored by MinnSpec.

Presented by: MinnSpec members

5:30pm

John Scalzi Interview

Krushenko’s

John Scalzi chose not to pursue other career options principally because "use more mayonnaise" does not apply as universally as one might hope. This interview will focus on the path that he chose instead. Questions from the audience are strongly encouraged.

John Scalzi, David E Romm interviewing

GLBT History & Contemporary Views in SF/F Fandom

Veranda 3/4

An inter-generational panel/discussion about GLBT(etc.)/queer culture in SF/F fandom over the decades. How does the past inform the present? What it was like earlier on, what it's like now (from various viewpoints)? What kind of language is and is not appropriate ("queer" is a word to reclaim for some people, mostly younger, while for others it's still a slap in the face). What does all of this mean in the context of modern SF/F?

Panelists: Rachel Kronick (M), Peer Dudda, Ctein

Photo Manipulation and Digital Collage

Edina

Create spectacular and bizarre photo-realistic scenes using stock photography.

Presented by: Richard Mueller

Geeks on TV

Veranda 5/6

Big Bang Theory, Chuck, The IT Crowd, and Bones all feature great, geeky protagonists. Even reality TV has fingers in this pie, with shows like Mythbusters and Stormchasers. What do we love about geeks on TV? What do the creators get right or wrong?

Panelists: Rob Callahan(M), Jeanne Mealy, Michael Lee, Mary Bertelson

BSG Board Game

Veranda 2

The Battlestar Galactica Board Game. What's it all about?

Panelists: Beth Kinderman (M), Thorin Tatge, Matt McMillian

7:00PM

The Story Behind The Song

Veranda 3/4

Why do performer's choose the songs they sing? What kind of connections do they make with the music? This panel explores the stories behind why we sing what we sing.

Panelists: Chas Somdahl(M), Adam Stemple, Graham Leathers, Becca Leathers, Teresa Chandler

Time Traveler’s Conclave

Veranda 5/6

Okay now listen up! We've got a lot to cover tonight, so let's finish up by going over the rules of time travel. 1)Don't create a paradox. 2)Don't worry about paradoxes, the universe will stop you before it becomes an issue. 3)Don't worry about the universe, there are plenty more where that came from. Next on the agenda: Where is last month's meeting going to be? To put it more specifically, where will you go to meet other time travelers? And first things first, we need to define the responsibilities of the Time Agents. If everyone is trying to kill Hitler, who's going to handle crowd control in early 20th century Germany? Let's work out a plan to solve some of this mess, or at least discuss some of the more clever ideas.

Panelists: Sharon Kahn(M), Emily Stewart, Richard Tatge

The Life and Works of Diana Wynne Jones, 1934-2011

Saturday Krushenko’s

On the author of the distinguished teen and children's fantasist, author of Enchanted Glass, Howl's Moving Castle, The Tough Guide to Fantasyland, Unexpected Magic, Dogsbody, and much more. Sponsored by the Rivendell Group, a Twin Cities fantasy-book discussion group that has met regularly since late 1973 or early 1974.

Presented by: David Lenander

Recommend an RPG for Me

Veranda 2

My interests are marmalade, weasels and ninjas. What game system do you think I would enjoy? How about game systems for people who don't like marmalade?

Panelists: Rachel Kronick(M), Scott Jamison, Aaron Vander Giessen

Yoga Quest

Veranda 1

This hybrid of gaming and yoga is the first of its kind. Come in comfortable clothing (no chain mail or kilts) and get your exercise on while you step inside an adventure story: become warriors on a mission – the fiends and friends they meet along the way – even the modes of transportation they take! Your spritely yoGeekie guide Justine will lead you through an adventure. Open to ages 10+ (under 18 needs parental permission). Some mats are available for $1 rental fee.

Presented by: George Richard, Justine, Amy

8:00PM

Parade and Fentasia Awards

The main costuming events of Minicon 46 will begin with the Fenfare Parade, pause for the Fentasia Awards, and continue on with more Fenfare parade. All geek garb is welcomed! If you wear anything other than your normal street clothes, please join us for any and all costuming events. Prizes will be awarded after the parade. We want YOU!

8:30PM

Creation Museum Slideshow

Edina

John Scalzi shares photos and stories from his visit to "the very best monument to an enormous load of horseshit that you could possibly ever hope to see." Hilarity ensues.

Presented by: John Scalzi, Rob Callahan moderating

Who Needs a Real Computer Anyway?

Veranda 3/4

With the expansion of offerings in tablet and sub-tablet electronics, can you meet your computing needs without a normal computer? What's available now? What are the pros and cons of each?

Panelists: Dean Gahlon (M), Jay Curry, Neil Rest, Sharon Kahn, Ctein

10:00PM

How to Destroy the Earth

Veranda 3/4

No, not just how to destroy the ecosphere. That's easy. We're talking how to pulverize the entire planet. Drop a black hole through it? Dump it into the Sun? Cover it in peanut butter and let the space bugs lick it to pieces? Which way is really the most practical?

Panelists: Matthew Strait (M), Howard Davidson, Pat Scaramuzza

Atlanta Nights Reading

Krushenko’s

Because Eye of Argon readings are so last con. Come and listen to a reading of Atlanta Nights. To quote Teresa Nielsen Hayden’s review, "The world is full of bad books written by amateurs. But why settle for the merely regrettable? Atlanta Nights is a bad book written by experts."

Panelists: Roy C. Booth (M), Cynthia Booth, Teresa Nielsen Hayden

Sunday

10:00AM

The Year in SF

Krushenko’s

Our annual confab about what's good and (mostly) new in (mostly) science fiction and fantasy.

Panelists: Russel Letson, Greg Johnson

11:30AM

Sunday Morning Singalong

Edina

Does all the music at Minicon this year make you want to sing out? Maybe you don’t play an instrument but like to sing. Come join us for an hour of acapella music. All types of sing-a-longs are welcome.

Hosted by: Decadent Dave Clement, Peggy O’Neil

Common Misconceptions About Publishing

Veranda 5/6

How is the publishing industry structured? What exactly does an author sell to a publisher, and what do publishers want to see? Why are books the length that they are? Published authors and editors talk about their experiences and share their "If I knew then what I know now..." stories.

Panelists: Michael Merriam (M), John Scalzi, Patrick Nielsen Hayden, Teresa Nielsen Hayden

Ask A Scientist

Veranda 3/4

Panelists from various science disciplines answer questions about working in their industry, and new and upcoming discoveries. Ask a scientist anything that isn't about global climate change.

Panelists: Chas Somdahl (M), Matt Strait, Mary Bertelson, Ctein, Pat Scaramuzza

The End of the Space Shuttle Program

Krushenko’s

As of January, 2011 the last Space Shuttle mission is planned to take off in June of 2011. Where do we go next? And how do we get there?

Panelists: Eric M. Heideman(M), Paul F. Richards, Pat Scaramuzza, Jay Curry

Geek Partnership Society Update

Veranda 2

The Who, When, and Where of What's Up with G.P.S.! This is an informational panel about the Geek Partnership Society. Who are we? What is GPS all about? How can we grow our community? How is the new community center doing? How can you get involved?

Panelists: George Richard(M), Matt Savelkoul

Lady Poetesses From Hell

Veranda 1

Lady Poetesses From Hell is a poetry performance group. They dress very nicely and have wicked senses of humor.

Panelists: Terry Garey (M), Cassandra O'Malley, Ruth Berman, John Rezmerski, Elise Mattheson, Jane Yolen

12:30PM

SF Poetry Association Grand Master Award Ceremony

Veranda 1

Immediately after "Lady Poetesses From Hell," the SF Poetry Association will present the SFPA Grand Master Award to Jane Yolen, after which Jane Yolen will read an additional selection of her poetry.

Presenters: Ruth Berman, Deborah P Kolodji

1:00PM

Building A World With History

Krushenko’s

Nothing springs to life fully formed. How does history affect cultures, and how can this be used in creating strong stories in strong settings?

Panelists: Rachel Kronick (M), Jane Yolen, Pamela Dean, Ruth Berman

Slide Show: Science Fiction Art History

Edina

See the evolution of science fiction art and design from 2011BCE to 2011CE, encompassing everything from woodblock prints to video games.

Presented by: Richard Mueller

Encore Game Show

Veranda 5/6

Two teams compete to come up with song lyrics. Prompted by a word, phrase or idea, the teams must act quickly to satisfy the audience.

Panelists: Chas Somdahl, Music Department Staff

Annual Doctor Who Panel

Veranda 3/4

Where's a good place to start with classic Doctor Who? Depending on your count, there have been eleven, or twelve, or twenty-two, or twenty-eight... Who's your favorite Doctor? The first half of this panel will focus on the classic series, the second half will focus on our thoughts from the 2010 series and what we'd like to see in 2011. How does our panel feel about Steven Moffat's first year in control? Are red fezzes really cool?

Panelists: Aaron Vander Giessen(M), Rob Callahan, Michael Lee

My Kind of Con, Chicon 7 is

Veranda 2

The 70th World Science Fiction Convention, aka Worldcon, is being held in Chicago in 2012. The folks in charge are dedicated to bringing the flavor of our great regional conventions to the Worldcon stage. What would you like to see there? Talk with people who are actually working on the convention. (more of a Q&A than panel discussion.)

Panelists: Kelly Strait, Neil Rest, Jeff Orth, Diane Lacey, Ruth

Lichtwardt

Michael Merriam Reading

Veranda 1

Michael Merriam, author of Should We Drown in Feathered Sleep and The Horror at Cold Springs, reads from his new novel, Last Car to Annwn Station.

1:30PM

Dana Baird Reading

Veranda 1

2:00PM

Marissa Lingen Reading

Veranda 1

2:30PM

Mega Moneyduck Runthrough

Veranda 5/6

"This is the big reveal on the big screen! How far did our original phrase evolve? What's that supposed to be a drawing of? What?!?!"

Presenters: Patricia Zetelumen(M), Andy Hickmott, Thorin Tatge, Rachel Kronick

Keeping It Alive

Veranda 3/4

A lot of us love works that haven't been current for a long time, but we try to keep them fresh (at least in our minds) by seeking out like-minded fans, creating fanfic, etc. What works do we choose, and how do we keep them alive?

Panelists: Neil Rest(M), Beth Friedman, David Dyer-Bennet

Works of John Scalzi

Krushenko’s

John Scalzi is best known for his Hugo Award-nominated science fiction novel Old Man's War, released by Tor Books in January 2005, and for his blog Whatever, at which he has written daily on a number of topics since 1998. He has also written a number of non-fiction books, several other novels and several shorter works.

Panelists: John Scalzi, Patrick Nielsen Hayden

4:00PM

Closing Ceremony

Edina

Final thoughts from Guests of Honor Chas Somdahl and John Scalzi. The Assassination of the MN-StF President. Wind down the con. Art show and Medallion Hunt winners, reporting of the Hugo and John W. Campbell nominees as announced concurrently in Reno, among other announcements. Final thoughts from Concom.

Panelists: David E Romm, John Scalzi, Chas Somdahl, Kevin Austin, Joel Phillips

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