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: Hard SF with the soft sciences

Status: confirmed

Proposed by:

Description:

Retroviruses acting like giant evolutionary computers; genetically engineered super soldiers; languages which allow you to see through time; downloading into different bodies and the strange psychology of the immortal: we discuss the wonderful places science fiction can go when it remembers that there's more to science than physics and computers.

Room Notes:

Tags: Science fiction, Guests, Science

Confirmed panellists: Sophie Ambrose , Bec Handcock, Richard Morgan, Vanessa Huang

No additional panellists have been suggested.

Room: Montana B

Time: Friday 12:00 PM

Title: Guest of Honour Speech - Richard Morgan

Status: confirmed

Proposed by:

Description:

Join Richard Morgan, International Guest of Honour, as he talks about his books and writing.

Room Notes:

Tags: Guests, Science fiction, Books & Literature

• Guest_of_Honour_Speech_-_Richard_Morgan.mp3

Confirmed panellists: Richard Morgan

No additional panellists have been suggested.

Rooms: Montana B, Montana A

Time: Friday 2:00 PM

Title: Book Signings I

Status: confirmed

Proposed by:

Description:

Book signings by our guests and other authors. This signing session will include:

Richard Morgan

Trudi Canavan

Martin Livings

Sonia Marcon

Pete Kempshall

Bevan McGuinness

Paul Kidd

Russell B Farr

Shane Jiraiya Cummings

K.A. Bedford

Laney Cairo

Room Notes:

Tags: General, Guests, Books & Literature

Confirmed panellists: Paul Kidd, Richard Morgan, Trudi Canavan, Laney Cairo, Russell B Farr, Martin Livings, Sonia Marcon, Pete Kempshall, Bevan McGuinness, Shane Jiraiya Cummings, K. A. Bedford

No additional panellists have been suggested.

Room: Montana B

Time: Friday 3:00 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: How does technology create society?

Status: confirmed

Proposed by: Stephanie Bateman-Graham

Description:

Good science fiction is not just about gadgets and technology, but how technology changes people and society. Technology has a life-cycle from emerging to established, and show-don't-tell writing can reveal how far along a technology has come. How has society has been altered? Who has it? Who can afford it? How has the technology affected crime, romance, travel, death, families, religion, and sport?

Room Notes:

Tags: Science fiction, Format: Panel, Science, Guests

• How_does_Technology_Create_Society.mp3

Confirmed panellists: Richard Morgan, Stephanie Bateman-Graham, PRK

No additional panellists have been suggested.

Room: Cocktail Lounge

Time: Saturday 12:00 PM

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: Masquerade Judging: 8pm - 9pm

Status: confirmed

Proposed by:

Description:

Our judges will be evaluating the Masquerade costumes in the Montana Foyer area between 8pm and 9pm.

Please ensure you make yourself known to them if you wish to participate.

Room Notes:

Tags:

Confirmed panellists: Trudi Canavan, Richard Morgan, Emily Smith

No additional panellists have been suggested.

Room: Other

Times: Saturday 8:30 PM, Saturday 7:30 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: Book Signings II

Status: confirmed

Proposed by:

Description:

Book signings by our guests and other authors. This signing session will include:

Richard Morgan

Trudi Canavan

Lara Morgan (no relation to Richard as far as we know!)

Bevan McGuinness

Paul Kidd

Russell B Farr

Dave Luckett (aka L S Lawrence)

Jenny Blackford

Cat Sparks

Juliett Marillier

Stephen Dedman

Room Notes:

Tags: General, Guests, Books & Literature

Confirmed panellists: Paul Kidd, Jenny Blackford, Juliet Marillier, Richard Morgan, Trudi Canavan, Russell B Farr, Cat Sparks, Dave Luckett, Lara Morgan, Bevan McGuinness, Stephen Dedman

One additional panellist has been suggested.

Room: Oshaneshii

Time: Sunday 4:00 PM

Title: Writing SF - Tips & Techniques

Status: confirmed

Proposed by: PRK

Description:

A panel where published science fiction authors provide an overview of their major "do's" and "don'ts" for writing in the genre along with various tips and techniques for crafting stories.

Room Notes:

Tags: Writing, Science fiction, Guests

• Writing_SciFi_-_Tips_and_Techniques.mp3

Confirmed panellists: Stephen Dedman, Richard Morgan

One additional panellist has been suggested.

Room: Cocktail Lounge

Time: Sunday 8:30 PM

Title: Sexuality in Speculative fiction

Status: confirmed

Proposed by: Phlebas

Description:

To what degree is sexuality important in speculative fiction? Is it key to the telling of the story or the setting of the world? Is it just there to add a little spice or is the speculative fiction just a back drop for romance? From openly sexual characters to monastic orders, our panellists examine the importance of sexuality in speculative fiction.

Adult themes.

Room Notes:

Tags: Format: Discussion, Guests

• Sexuality_in_Spec_Fiction.mp3

Confirmed panellists: Richard Morgan, Vanessa Huang, Trudi Canavan

2 additional panellists have been suggested.

Room: Montana A

Time: Monday 11:00 AM

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