So here it is, for everybody interested!
Please note that what you see here are only those public events where I’m either part of the program item proper, or expected to be in attendance. I may be present at other programming events (I mean, wow, I really hope so…), but I’m not going to try listing those here because I honestly have no idea what’s going to happen on the day. As some strategist or other would probably have said, “No con attendee’s informal schedule long survives contact with reality…”
And one other issue in passing: I’m delighted to sign things for people outside of autograph sessions or whatever, but please don’t approach me right before a panel or other obligation: save it for afterwards, outside the room. And also: Even after a panel or whatever, please check my schedule to make sure that I don’t have to be on another program item in ten minutes… because if this is the case, I’m going to have to blow you off (in as kindly a way as possible) and concentrate on getting myself to wherever I’m expected next. Thanks in advance for understanding!
THURSDAY 8/15:
12:30 – 13:20: How To Build An Evil Empire, Point Square / Odeon 1
Format: Panel
15 Aug 2019, Thursday 12:30 – 13:20, Odeon 1 (Point Square Dublin)
So you want to build an Evil Empire? Using examples from film and literature, our panel of evil geniuses will help you avoid the pitfalls of previous empires with handy hints and tips, such as: don’t build an exhaust port that can set off a chain reaction leading to the reactor, which will destroy your brand new Death Star.
Diane Duane, Verity Allan (University of Cambridge), Lee Harris (Tor.com Publishing) (M), Steve Jackson, Rebecca Roanhorse
15:00 – 17:50: Writers’ Workshop, CCD / Wicklow Room 5
Please note that this event is not open to non-registered workshop members.
20:00 – 21:50: Opening Ceremonies & 1944 Retro Hugos, CCD / Auditorium
Format: Event
15 Aug 2019, Thursday 20:00 – 21:50, Auditorium (CCD)
Join us on Thursday evening for the official opening of the convention! Hosted by Ellen Klages and Dave Rudden, this evening of surprises will introduce you to our Guests of Honour, present the Big Heart and First Fandom Awards, and pay tribute to science fiction’s illustrious past with the 1944 Retro Hugo Awards. Plus a preview of the many exciting performances that await you over the weekend!
Ellen Klages, Dave Rudden
FRIDAY 8/16:
10:00 – 10:50: Storytelling Workshop: Spencer Hotel / Columba 2
Format: Workshop
16 Aug 2019, Friday 10:00 – 10:50, Columba 2 (Spencer Hotel)
Once upon a time some stories were told; now you can tell them your own way. Join us and Guest of Honor Diane Duane to rewrite some familiar fairy tales with a new twist.
Sal Roche, Diane Duane
14:00 – 14:50: Working As A Writer In Ireland: CCD / Wicklow Hall 2B
Format: Panel
16 Aug 2019, Friday 14:00 – 14:50, Wicklow Hall 2B (CCD)
There is a rich and prolific community of writers who are living and writing in Ireland. In a country that is so friendly to creators, what are some of the benefits available to writers and any obstacles to know about? What resources are available and where does the writing community gather, learn, create, and publish their work locally?
Ian McDonald, Diane Duane, Gareth Hanrahan (M), Jo Zebedee
16:00 – 16:50: Expanding The Storyverse With Tie-In Novels: CCD / Wicklow Hall 2B
Format: Panel
16 Aug 2019, Friday 16:00 – 16:50, Wicklow Hall 2B (CCD)
Media tie-in novels have long been a staple of the wider genre, as eager readers consume books within the Star Wars, Buffy, and superhero universes, and more! Why are these media franchise books so popular? What does it take to write one? Are they just regurgitations of video content, or something more? What should authors looking to write a tie-in novel and readers looking to read one know about this sub-genre?
Diane Duane, Martha Wells (M), Pat Cadigan, D.B. Jackson
SATURDAY 8/17:
10:00 – 10:50: Space Opera Is For Robots, Soap Opera Is For People: CCD / Liffey Hall 2
Format: Panel
17 Aug 2019, Saturday 10:00 – 10:50, Liffey Hall-2 (CCD)
Will humans ever live long-term in space, or is it easier to let our ‘mind children’ go to the stars, whether as uploaded minds or independent intelligences? If humans (or AI) leave for space, would we miss them?
Lauren James (Walker Books) (M) , Diane Duane, Karl Schroeder (Tor Books), Laurence Raphael Brothers
14:00 – 14:50: Meet the GoHs, Ginjer Buchanan and Diane Duane: CCD / Liffey A (Fan Bar)
Format: Reception
17 Aug 2019, Saturday 14:00 – 14:50, Liffey-A (Fan Bar) (CCD)
Join us for an informal gathering with Dublin 2019 Guests of Honour Ginjer Buchanan and Diane Duane. Their featured programme sessions are this afternoon, and this social interval in between gives you a chance to chat with them about about their careers and contributions.
Ginjer Buchanan (Penguin Random House), Diane Duane
15:00 – 15:50: GoH Fireside Chat with John Scalzi: CCD / Liffey Hall 2
Format: Interview
17 Aug 2019, Saturday 15:00 – 15:50, Liffey Hall-2 (CCD)
John Scalzi sits down to talk with Diane Duane about the ups and downs of a life given over to SFF and genre TV and film. Other topics: crossing the streams of fandom and prodom, the cohabitation of art and married life, the intersection of writing and quirky food habits, and possibly the dead rising from the grave, human sacrifice, and dogs and cats living together… Actually, maybe the cats more than the dogs. In fact, a whole lot more.
Diane Duane, John Scalzi
16:00 – 17:00: Autographs, GoHs Ian Donaldson and Diane Duane: CCD / Level 4 Foyer
Format: Autographing
17 Aug 2019, Saturday 16:00 – 17:00, Level 4 Foyer (CCD)
Diane Duane, Ian McDonald
18:00 – 18:50: Reading, GoH Diane Duane: CCD / Liffey Hall 2
Format: Reading
17 Aug 2019, Saturday 18:00 – 18:50, Liffey Hall-2 (CCD)
Diane Duane
20:00 – 20:50: Literary Beer, GoH Diane Duane: CCD / Liffey A (Fan Bar)
Format: Literary Beer
17 Aug 2019, Saturday 20:00 – 20:50, Liffey-A (Fan Bar) (CCD)
Diane Duane
SUNDAY 8/18:
11:00 – 12:30: GoHs And The Books That Influenced Them: CCD / Second Stage (Liffey B)
Format: Panel
18 Aug 2019, Sunday 11:00 – 12:30, Second Stage (Liffey-B) (CCD)
Join many of our Guests of Honour for a discussion about the books that have most influenced them.
Marianna “Kisu” Leikomaa (M), Bill Burns, Mary Burns, Diane Duane, Steve Jackson, Ginjer Buchanan (Penguin Random House), Ian McDonald
13:00 – 13:50: Wands At The Ready: Magical Worldbuilding in SFF: CCD / Wicklow Hall 1
Format: Panel
18 Aug 2019, Sunday 13:00 – 13:50, Wicklow Hall-1 (CCD)
When worldbuilding with magic, is it enough to add magic to our existing social structures, or does some magic alter the way the world works. There are soft magic systems with few rules and hard magic systems with lots of rules, does this affect the ways magic shapes the narrative? Arthur C Clarke said: “Magic is just science we don’t understand yet.” At what point does magic become science?
Christopher Husberg (M), Zen Cho, Diane Duane, Justin Call
15:00 – 15:50: Independent Authors and Book Covers: CCD / Liffey Hall 2
Format: Talk
18 Aug 2019, Sunday 15:00 – 15:50, Liffey Hall-2 (CCD)
Standing out in the crowd is always a challenge even for conventionally-published novels in a busy marketplace. It’s even more of a challenge for an independent author attempting to present competitively and professionally in a field where readers decide to purchase your book (or not) based on a scrap of imagery usually no bigger than a postage stamp. Diane Duane discusses the challenges of adapting novel-cover design to leverage current trends, including examples of hardware / software pairings that have proven useful in creating new, fresh-looking covers on the fly.
Diane Duane, Peter Morwood
20:00 – 22:00: Hugo Awards: CCD / Auditorium
MONDAY 8/19:
11:00 – 11:50: Creative Couples: CCD / Wicklow Hall 1
Format: Panel
19 Aug 2019, Monday 11:00 – 11:50, Wicklow Hall-1 (CCD)
C. L. Moore and Henry Kuttner; Kate Wilhelm and Damon Knight; Kelly Link and Gavin Grant. The histories of science fiction and fantasy are studded with examples of couples who are notable as partnerships as well as individuals. But what is it really like to combine art, work, and life? When, why, and how does a project become a collaboration? In this panel, two creative couples will discuss their experiences.
Heide Goody (Pigeon Park Press) (M), Diane Duane, Ellen Kushner , Peter Morwood, Delia Sherman
13:00 – 13:50: Diane Duane: Tales From The Duck Factory: CCD / Wicklow Hall 1
Format: Talk
19 Aug 2019, Monday 13:00 – 13:50, Wicklow Hall-1 (CCD)
Diane Duane on writing for television animation and the differences in both creating scripts and the demands of the medium compared to live action. Diane lets you in on what she got away with and the shenanigans of her cohorts.
Diane Duane, Mr Keith Byrne (Tantalus ) (M)
15:00 – 16:15: Volunteers Meet The GoHs: CCD / Level 5 Foyer (Green Room)
Format: Reception
19 Aug 2019, Monday 15:00 – 16:15, Level 5 Foyer (Green Room) (CCD)
As the convention winds down, our hard-working volunteers will have the opportunity to meet and chat with Dublin 2019’s Guests of Honour and Featured Artists. You can join them too! All you need to do is to visit Volunteers and offer your services. Volunteering is a great way to meet people (not just the Guests of Honour!), and there is a wide variety of ways to help. If you’re reading this online, send mail to volunteers@dublin2019.com for more information.
16:30 – 17:20: Closing Ceremonies: CCD / Auditorium
Format: Event
19 Aug 2019, Monday 16:30 – 17:20, Auditorium (CCD)
All good things must come to an end – and for Dublin 2019, an Irish Worldcon, that ending will come on Monday at 16:30. We will take a look back at the weekend that was, say farewell to our Guests of Honour, and get a sneak preview of what awaits us at the 2020 Worldcon, CoNZealand.
Mr Eoin Colfer (M)
