Title: Opening Ceremony

Status: confirmed

Proposed by: Maia Bobrowicz

Description:

Come one and all to the Opening Ceremony for Contact: Swancon 2009!

The convention committee will introduce and welcome our guests and members, tell you about the key events planned for the con, and cover some necessary administrivia.

This will be followed by a "Guide to Swancon" session designed for new members but open to all. Experienced and friendly convention-goers will demystify the workings of Swancon, and explain how everyone can get the most from the panel programme, exhibitions, activities, competitions, games, sales, and socialising on offer over the 5 days.

Room Notes:

Tags: Equipment: AV, Format: Panel

Confirmed panellists: PRK, Maia Bobrowicz, Jaunita Landesse, Elaine Kemp, Jess Bridges, Richard Morgan, Trudi Canavan, Theresa Anns, Rob Masters , Leece, Stephanie Bateman-Graham, Linda Deegan, Christopher Phillips, Alistair McKie, Kathryn Linge, Terry Chilvers

One additional panellist has been suggested.

Rooms: Montana B, Montana A

Time: Thursday 7:30 PM

Title: Computers in SF

Status: confirmed

Proposed by: Anna Hepworth

Description:

From Orac to HAL to Skynet, come and discuss the various visions of computers in SF. Past, present and whatever they may hold in the future.

Room Notes:

Tags: Science fiction, Science

Confirmed panellists: Rob Masters , John Parker, Theresa Anns

No additional panellists have been suggested.

Room: Cocktail Lounge

Time: Thursday 8:30 PM

Title: Art Show Judges Visit

Status: confirmed

Proposed by:

Description:

Room Notes:

Tags: Art

Confirmed panellists: Richard Morgan, Trudi Canavan, Theresa Anns, Rob Masters , Leece

No additional panellists have been suggested.

Room: Other

Time: Friday 5:00 PM

Title: Childhood books you still enjoy

Status: confirmed

Proposed by: Alicia Smith

Description:

What is it about these books? Some last the distance, some never had it (I never really enjoyed Alice), and some just don't last.

Is there something quantifiable or is it just our memories providing that sensation of the comfort and innocence (hah) of childhood? The Last Battle didn't last the distance for me, but Lizard Music and the King of the Copper Mountains did. What did and didn't make it for you?

Room Notes:

Tags: Format: Discussion, General, Books & Literature

Confirmed panellists: Leece, Sue Isle, Theresa Anns

2 additional panellists have been suggested.

Room: Montana B

Time: Saturday 9:00 AM

Title: Making the grade

Status: confirmed

Proposed by: Cat Sparks

Description:

The Ultimate Guide to Modern Writers of Science Fiction and Fantasy is a comprehensive list of 2000 writers working in the field today. Just how tough is it to make the grade in today's spec fic marketplace? Is it all about talent, luck, who you know, geographic advantage or plain old psychotic persistence? Discuss.

http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2009/02/ultimate-guide-to-modern-writers-of.html

Room Notes:

Tags: Books & Literature

• Making_the_Grade.mp3

Confirmed panellists: Alisa Krasnostein , Cat Sparks, Theresa Anns, Bevan McGuinness

One additional panellist has been suggested.

Room: Cocktail Lounge

Time: Saturday 10:00 AM

Title: The Future of the Future

Status: confirmed

Proposed by: Grant Watson

Description:

Science fiction used to be easy. In the 21st century, surrounded by computers, with satellites massed in orbit around the Earth, medical advances leaping forward, robotic probes on Mars, and technological breakthroughs being announced every week, what is the point of science fiction any more?

Is there a need for fiction about the future if we're already living there? What directions will science fiction head in in the coming decade? What is the future of looking into the future?

Room Notes:

Tags: Format: Panel, Science fiction, Needs panellist(s), Guests

• The_Future_of_the_Future.mp3

Confirmed panellists: PRK, Theresa Anns, Richard Morgan

One additional panellist has been suggested.

Room: Montana B

Time: Saturday 2:00 PM

Title: The Year - 1969

Status: confirmed

Proposed by: Damian & Heather Magee

Description:

Come join the panelist as we look down memory lane through various clips of 40 years of landing on the moon, films, TV, the events and music that shaped the year of 1969.

Room Notes:

Tags: Science, History, Equipment: AV

Confirmed panellists: Damian Magee, Theresa Anns

One additional panellist has been suggested.

Room: Cocktail Lounge

Time: Saturday 5:00 PM

Title: So why the hell do you want to be a writer anyway?

Status: confirmed

Proposed by: Cat Sparks

Description:

Three per cent of writers ever manage to make a living out of it. 3 out of 5000 unsolicited manuscripts submitted to publishers make it across the line. However, Clarions, universities and community colleges are churning out more wannabe writers than ever, despite troubled times in the publishing industry and the collapse of traditional venues for short stories. Isn't there something better you could be doing with your time? Discuss.

Room Notes:

Tags: Format: Panel, Guests, Books & Literature

• So_why_the_hell_do_you_want_to_be_a_writer_anyway.mp3

Confirmed panellists: Trudi Canavan, Cat Sparks, Theresa Anns, Stephen Dedman, Bevan McGuinness

One additional panellist has been suggested.

Room: Oshaneshii

Time: Saturday 9:30 PM

Title: What's hot in Fantasy?

Status: confirmed

Proposed by:

Description:

Over the years, fantasy has varied from stand-alone novels to trilogies, to 5 book trilogies, to 10 or more book series. Topics have varied even more so, including elves and dwarves; farmer's sons or daughters who are prophesied to save the world; young thieves who find themselves caught up in world changing events; telepathic companions; magic; mysteries and more.

What are the appeals of these type of stories? Which have been overdone? Which have plenty of life left? What's currently hot in fantasy?

Room Notes:

Tags: Fantasy, Guests

• What_s_Hot_in_Fantasy.mp3

Confirmed panellists: Richard Morgan, Trudi Canavan, Theresa Anns, Juliet Marillier

No additional panellists have been suggested.

Room: Oshaneshii

Time: Sunday 3:00 PM

Title: Awards Ceremony

Status: confirmed

Proposed by:

Description:

Come and celebrate the winners of the Western Australian Achievement Awards (also known as the 'Tin Ducks') presented by WASFF.

Room Notes:

Tags: General

Confirmed panellists: Linda Deegan, John Robertson, Theresa Anns, Tom Eitelhuber, Davina Watson, Chris Creagh, Doug Burbridge, Margaret Dunlop, Jaunita Landesse

One additional panellist has been suggested.

Rooms: Montana A, Montana B

Time: Sunday 7:30 PM

Title: The 17th annual Doctor Who panel

Status: confirmed

Proposed by: Grant Watson

Description:

In 1985 BBC Controller Michael Grade ordered long-running SF drama Doctor Who off the air for the first time in 22 seasons. It returned in 1986, its season truncated and its viewing figures shattered. The following year the series returned for its 24th season with a new time slot, a new script editor, new writers and a brand-new Doctor in Sylvester McCoy.

A team of panelists look back at Season 24 of Doctor Who: the key players, the audience reaction, and its four serials - "Time and the Rani", "Paradise Towers", "Delta and the Bannermen" and "Dragonfire".

Room Notes:

Tags: Format: Panel, Science fiction, TV, Media, Equipment: AV

• The_17th_annual_Doctor_Who_panel.mp3

Confirmed panellists: Damian Magee, Colin Sharpe, Grant Watson, Theresa Anns, Danny Oz

No additional panellists have been suggested.

Rooms: Montana B, Montana A

Time: Monday 3:00 PM

Title: Closing Ceremony

Status: confirmed

Proposed by:

Description:

All good things must come to an end... come and farewell Swancon for another year.

Room Notes:

Tags: Format: Panel, Equipment: AV

Confirmed panellists: PRK, Maia Bobrowicz, Jaunita Landesse, Elaine Kemp, Jess Bridges, Richard Morgan, Trudi Canavan, Theresa Anns, Rob Masters , Leece, Linda Deegan, Christopher Phillips, Alistair McKie, Kathryn Linge, Terry Chilvers, Stephanie Bateman-Graham

No additional panellists have been suggested.

Rooms: Montana B, Montana A

Time: Monday 4:00 PM