Blog - Gary David Gillen

Year in Review 2024

Writing Progress Background

On August 26, 2016, I created my website at garydavidgillen.com. Making a website was part of my plan to become a social media experienced writer. I had written a novel and a few short stories over the years, but I had stopped writing in 2012. In December of 2015 I decided to start writing again.

I finished the story I was writing in 2012 (called Dystopia then, now called Kay-Eye.) in that month and created a plan for 2016. My 2016 plan called for writing four short stories, begin attending conventions, creating Facebook and Twitter accounts, and starting a website. I wanted to become a better writer and then expand the short novel that I had written in 1995. It was called A Gathering in New Marl in 1995, and I have renamed it Assassin in New Marl City. I joined a writer’s workshop group at the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Public Library and two at the Parma-Snow Library. I have been writing ever since.

This is a link to the Cuyahoga County Library website.

https://www.cuyahogalibrary.org

Writing Progress from August 2016 to December 2024

Year in Review 2024

Novels written are Assassin in New Marl City and Cuba Liberto.

Novel in progress is Chemithurgy.

South Euclid-Lyndhurst Library workshop submissions include 1 in 2016, 1 in 2017, 2 in 2018, 2 in 2019, 3 in 2020, and 1 in 2021 for a total of 10 submissions.

Parma Library introductory workshop submissions include 5 in 2017, 9 in 2018, 11 in 2019, 9 in 2020, 10 in 2021, 11 in 2022, 4 in 2023, and 0 in 2024 for a total of 59 submissions.

Parma Library advanced workshop submissions include 4 in 2017, 12 in 2018, 11 in 2019, 11 in 2020, 9 in 2021, 10 in 2022, 9 in 2023, and 8 in 2024 for a total of 74 submissions.

The seven Flash Fiction Stories I sent out in 2020 and 2021 were Space-Dog Confession, Sleeping Sickness, Caliburnus, Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, Wormhole Generator, Runs with Scissors, and Principled Rogue.

The four other stories 4 Humours, Space Station Sunyata, Grognard, Get to the Point, and LARP Film Noir (aka Game Dome) have been submitted to magazines.

Magazine submissions include 2 in 2016, 13 in 2017, 0 in 2018, 1 in 2019, 19 in 2020, and 4 in 2021 for a total of 39 submissions

Magazine submissions for 2016 to 2021 were 11 unique stories submitted 39 times, with 0 accepted, 0 pending, and 39 rejections. No submissions for 2022. None for 2023. None for 2024.

This website post is post number 316 including 159 Book Reviews, 100 Writing Progress Reports, 44 Conference Recaps, and 13 Other Posts.

Events attended from July 2016 to December 2024

Year in Review 2024

Cons attended include 5 in 2016, 7 in 2017, 6 in 2018, 7 in 2019, 4 (3V) in 2020, 1 (1V) in 2021, 5 in 2022, 7 (1V) in 2023, and 6 in 2024 for a total of 48 cons attended.

Note: V equals a virtual con.

Ohio Expos, Fairlawn, OH (2016)

Confluence Pittsburgh, PA (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020V, 2022, 2023, 2024)

Western Reserve Writers Conference, South Euclid, OH (2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024)

Capclave, Washington, D.C. (2016)

Indy Author Day, Parma, OH (2016, 2017, 2019)

Winter Fiction Fest, Cleveland, OH (2017)

Concoction. Cleveland, OH (2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024)

Marcon, Columbus, OH (2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024)

Inkubator, Cleveland, OH (2017, 2018, 2021V)

Mystery Writers Getaway, South Euclid, OH (2018)

Cleveland Writing Workshop, Independence, OH (2018)

Confusion, Detroit, MI (2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024)

Gotham Writers Conference (2019, 2020V, 2023V)

Dragon Con, Atlanta, GA (2020V)

Ice and Fire Con, Mt. Sterling, OH (2022, 2023, 2024)

Writing Goals for January 2025 to December 2025

Polish and submit these ten stories: Explosion at Moon Base Plaza, Grognard Simulations, Kay-Eye, Bear and his Boy, We Sell All Potions Greenhouse, The Squirrel Curse, The Prisoner of Tarnal, The Case of the Reluctant Pawnbroker, Game Dome, and the Erebus Project for submission to short fiction magazines.

Expand the novelette called Chemithurgy from about 13000 words into a 22000-word novella. (This is a 2025 project.)

Expand the novella called Chemithurgy from about 22000 words into a 40000-word short novel. (This is a 2026 project.)

Edit Assassin in New Marl City (about 88000 words) and try to get an agent to sell it to a traditional publisher or prepare to self-publish it. (This is a 2027 project.)

Edit Cuba Liberto (about 88000 words) and try to get an agent to sell it to a traditional publisher or prepare to self-publish it. (This is a 2028 project.)

Make 11 submissions to the Parma Library advanced workshop in 2025.

Join a short fiction writing group at the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Library and make 6 submissions.

Write and publish 48 posts on my website in 2025 including 24 Book Reviews, 12 Writing Progress Reports, and 12 Conference Recaps.

Planned Events for January 2025 to December 2025

January 23 to January 26, 2025, Confusion in Detroit, MI.

March 7 to March 9, 2025, Concoction in Cleveland, Ohio.

March 22, 2025, Western Reserve Writers Conference in South Euclid, Ohio.

May 23 to May 25, 2025, Balticon, Baltimore, MD.

July 25 to July 27, 2025, Confluence in Pittsburgh, PA.

September 20, 2025, Cleveland Inkubator in Cleveland, Ohio.

September 19 to September 21, 2025, Capclave, Washington, D.C.

November 20 to November 22, 2025, Philcon, Philadelphia, PA.

Links

Year in Review 2024

In December 2024, I wrote four blog posts for my website, garydavidgillen.com. One of the posts was my writing progress report for December 2024, which I linked below.

Writing Progress Report December 2024

Confusion Detroit 2023 Conference Recap

Introduction

I attended the Confusion Detroit 2023 Conference at 21111 Haggerty Road Novi, Michigan at the Sheraton Detroit Novi from January 20, 2023, to January 22, 2023. Other Confusion Detroit I also attended were in 2019, 2020, (2021 was canceled due to COVID-19), 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. The Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association Sponsored the conference. I attended the opening ceremonies, the guests of honor dessert reception, two panels, and three author readings. This year’s theme was Avatar: The Legend of Confusion celebrating the animated version of the Avatar TV show.

This is a link to the ConFusion website.

http://confusionsf.org/

The Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association sponsors Detroit ConFusion.

This is my badge for ConFusion Detroit 2023.

Summary

ConFusion Detroit 2023 Conference Recap

[insert summary here]

Recommendation – Conclusion

[insert recommendation here.]

Links

This is my post about ConFusion Detroit 2025 Conference from January 24 to 26, 2025. The theme was Monumental ConFusion for the 50^th time they held the event. My stars of the con were John Scalzi and Marie Vibbert.

ConFusion Detroit 2025 Conference

This is my post about the SF conference ConFusion in Detroit, Michigan from January 19 to 21, 2024. The theme was the Labyrinth of ConFusion. My star of the con was Author John Scalzi.

ConFusion Detroit 2024 Conference Recap

In January 2023, I attended the SF conference ConFusion in Detroit, Michigan. I finally completed the post here. It took awhile to find my notes on the conference.

Links Continued

I attended the SF conference ConFusion in Detroit, Michigan from January 21 to 23, 2022. The theme was Rising ConFusion. My stars of the con were Guest of Honor author Jim C. Hines and Science Guest of Honor Dr. Jordan Steckloff.

ConFusion Detroit 2022 Conference Recap

I attended the SF conference ConFusion in Detroit, Michigan from January 16 to 19, 2020. I attended four panels, two readings, and one interview. The theme of the con was How to Train Your ConFusion, based on the movie, How to Train Your Dragon. My star of the con was John Scalzi. He gave an excellent reading of Chapter Two of his upcoming book named The Last Emperox. My other highlights were Kameron Hurley’s interview and the lecture on Edible Insects and Human Evolution. I’ll be back next year.

Conference Recap ConFusion Detroit 2020

I attended the SF conference ConFusion in Detroit, Michigan from January 18 to 20, 2019. The theme of the con was Storming the ConFusion, so they chose the areas with names related to the movie The Princess Bride. I had a great drive to Detroit just before the snowstorm came. My star of the con was John Scalzi. He gave an excellent reading and was engaging in the panel I attended. My other highlights were Ada Palmer’s interview and watching The Princess Bride at the Con. I’ll be back next year.

Conference Recap ConFusion Detroit 2019

Betrayal in Winter by Daniel Abraham

Betrayal in Winter by Daniel Abraham (Book #2 of The Long Price Quartet)

Introduction

Betrayal in Winter by Daniel Abraham is the second book in the Long Price Quartet. The cities of Khaiem were part of a great Empire having great magic. Their Empire and their magic have receded, so the Empire of Galt plots to overthrow them. The Khai Machi, the leader of the city of Machi, is dying. When he dies his sons must fight each other to the death until one rules as the next Khai Machi. The Khai’s youngest son, Otah was exiled and presumed dead. Otah wants to still be hidden, but history intervenes, and he must try to survive A Betrayal in Winter or die like his father.

Summary

[Insert Summary Here]

Recommendation

Betrayal in Winter by Daniel Abraham is a great second book in a series of a different kind of fantasy. The plot is slow, there’s not much action, and characters maneuver through political and business maneuvering. There is an Asian/formal feel through the characters use of poses and their choice of honorifics. Some of the characters from the first novel appear in this novel, but the clear protagonist is Otah. The ending worked well.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of A Betrayal in Winter by Daniel Abraham

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/811161.A_Betrayal_in_Winter

In A Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham, the poet-magician Heshai must keep control of the magical creature Seedless, or the Summer Cities will fall to the Empire of Galt.

Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham

This is the link to my review of Persepolis Rising by James S.A. Corey. (Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck write together as James S. A. Corey in this Science Fiction series called The Expanse.)

Persepolis Rising by James S.A. Corey

Writing Progress Report February 2025

This is my Writing Progress Report February 2025.

This was the art wall at the Confusion Detroit conference which I attended from January 23, 2025, to January 26, 2025. Beware Cathulu!

Writing Progress from January 2025.

I wrote four blog posts for my website, garydavidgillen.com. One of the posts was my writing progress report for January 2025, which I linked below.

Writing Progress Report January 2025

In January 2025, I presented the short story named Bear and His Boy to the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop on a Zoom call.

Writing Progress from January 2025 Continued

I made five posts on my Goodreads account in January 2025.

In the past, I sent the stories; Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, and Grognard to magazines.

Magazine submissions for 2021 were 4 unique stories submitted 4 times, with 0 accepted, 0 pending, and 4 rejections. No submissions for 2022. None for 2023. None for 2024.

Events from January 2025.

I attended the ConFusion conference in Novi, Michigan, from January 23, 2025, to January 26, 2025. The Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association Sponsors ConFusion.

Monumental ConFusion

The con theme this year is Monumental, since this is the 50^th Confusion.

Writing Goals for February 2025.

In February 2025, I plan to write four blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my Writing Progress Report for February 2025.

I plan to work on a story for the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop on a Zoom call in February 2025.

Eventually, I plan to work on third draft edits for Assassin in New Marl City using comments from the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio. I plan to split Chapter 1 into two chapters and add a scene to the new chapter 1.

Submit the stories Space-Dog Confession, Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, Grognard, LARP Film noir, Sleeping Sickness, Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, and Caliburnus. to other short fiction magazines.

Polish and send the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, I Shall Not Return, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.

In February 2025, I plan to make five posts on my Goodreads account.

Planned Events for February 2025.

The next conference I plan to attend is the Cleveland Concoction, from March 7, 2025, to March 9, 2025. They will hold the conference at the Bertram Inn and Conference Center at 600 North Aurora Road, Aurora, Ohio.

This is a link to the Cleveland Concoction website.

http://www.clevelandconcoction.org/

Another event I plan to attend is the Western Reserve Writers Conference at the South Euclid-Lyndhurst branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library in Lyndhurst, Ohio on March 22, 2025.

This is a link to the Cuyahoga County Library website.

https://www.cuyahogalibrary.org

Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan

Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, Book Twelve of the Wheel of Time series.

Introduction

Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson is the twelfth book of The Wheel of Time series. The novel follows five main plot arcs. Rand, Mat, Perrin, Egwene, and Gawyn. All five characters face hard choices and must grow so they can complete the challenges they encounter. Will the forces of Light be destroyed by the Gathering Storm?

Summary – Prologue

The prologue has six point-of-view characters, and each point of view sets up a plot arc.

Renald is a farmer in the Borderlands. He and his neighbors feel a storm coming between the forces of the Dark and the Light and must decide what to do about it.

Falendre must deliver a message from Rand to the Daughter of the Nine Moons about having a meeting to discuss a truce.

Seanchan Banner-General Tylee Khirgan’s forces are ambushed by hundreds of Trollocs only a day’s march from Ebou Dar.

Graendal is summoned by Moridin to discuss what she should do about Rand in Arad Doman.

Rodel Ituralde springs his trap on the Seanchan forces in Arad Doman.

Masema tries to regroup his forces after his defeat in Malden. Faile has something to say about that.

Summary–Main Plot Arcs

Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson has five main arcs.

Rand continues to pursue his truce with the Seanchan so they can both focus on defeating the forces of the Dark One rather than each other. He also hunts for Graendal.

Mat continues his journey with the Band to escape into Andor. He also searches for the woman he learns is looking for him.

Perrin marched the refugees from the defeat of the Shaido at Malden to safety in the Two Rivers.

Egwene continues her rebellion from within the Tower.

Gawyn learns that Egwene is captured inside the White Tower and wants to rescue her.

Summary–Best Chapters

[Insert Best Chapters here]

Recommendation

[Insert Recommendation here]

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1166599.The_Gathering_Storm

Review of Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan. Rand, Mat, Perrin, Elayne, and Egwene get closer to their goals in this novel.

Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan

Review of Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan. Rand, Mat, Perrin, and Egwene get closer to their goals in this novel.

Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan

Winters Heart by Robert Jordan has some brilliant scenes but misses conclusions to the plot arcs explored

Winters Heart by Robert Jordan

Review of Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan. When Rand fights the Seanchan, will they defeat him, or will he win across the Path of Daggers?

Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan. When Rand forces the hand of one of the Forsaken, will the Forsaken defeat him or will he earn a Crown of Swords?

Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan, Book Six of the Wheel of Time. Chaos reigns in the Westlands. They push Rand to the edge of insanity. Will he survive the box?

Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan, Book Five of the Wheel of Time.

Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan, Book Four of the Wheel of Time.

Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan, Book three of the Wheel of Time.

Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Great Hunt by Robert Jordan, Book Two of the Wheel of Time.

Great Hunt by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Eye of the World by Robert Jordan, Book One of the Wheel of Time.

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

ConFusion Detroit 2025 Conference

ConFusion Detroit 2025 Conference Recap

Introduction

I attended the ConFusion Detroit 2025 Conference at 21111 Haggerty Road Novi, Michigan at the Sheraton Detroit Novi from January 24, 2025, to January 26, 2025. I also attended ConFusion Detroit in 2019, 2020, (2021 was canceled due to COVID-19), 2022, 2023, and 2024. The Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association Sponsored the conference. I attended the opening ceremonies, the guests of honor dessert reception, three panels, a concert, and two author readings. This year’s theme was Monumental Confusion celebrating the fiftieth time they have put on the conference.

This is a link to the ConFusion website.

http://confusionsf.org/

The Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association sponsors Detroit ConFusion.

This is my badge for ConFusion Detroit 2024.

[insert badge here]

Summary

ConFusion Detroit 2025 Conference Recap

[insert summary here]

Recommendation – Conclusion

[insert recommendation here.]

Links

This is my post about the SF conference ConFusion in Detroit, Michigan from January 19 to 21, 2024. The theme was the Labyrinth of ConFusion. My star of the con was Author John Scalzi.

ConFusion Detroit 2024 Conference Recap

In January 2023, I attended the SF conference ConFusion in Detroit, Michigan. I still want to write a post about that.

ConFusion Detroit 2022 Conference Recap

I attended the SF conference ConFusion in Detroit, Michigan from January 16 to 19, 2020. I attended four panels, two readings, and one interview. The con theme was How to Train Your ConFusion, based on the movie, How to Train Your Dragon. My star of the con was John Scalzi. He gave an excellent reading of Chapter Two of his upcoming book named The Last Emperox. My other highlights were Kameron Hurley’s interview and the lecture on Edible Insects and Human Evolution. I’ll be back next year.

Conference Recap ConFusion Detroit 2020

I attended the SF conference ConFusion in Detroit, Michigan from January 18 to 20, 2019. The con’s theme was Storming the ConFusion, so they chose the areas with names related to the movie The Princess Bride. I had a great drive to Detroit just before the snowstorm came. My star of the con was John Scalzi. He gave an excellent reading and was engaging in the panel I attended. My other highlights were Ada Palmer’s interview and watching The Princess Bride at the Con. I’ll be back next year.

Conference Recap ConFusion Detroit 2019

Confluence Pittsburgh 2024 Conference

Confluence Pittsburgh 2024 Conference Recap

Introduction

I attended the Confluence Pittsburgh 2024 Conference from July 26 to 28, 2024 They held the conference at 1160 Thorn Run Road Coraopolis, PA in the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel. I also attended the conference in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023. COVID-19 changed the conference to a virtual con named C’monfluence in 2020 which I viewed online. The Parsec organization of Pittsburgh runs this literary science fiction, fantasy, and horror conference. The events included panels, readings, interviews, writing workshops, and filk concerts. I attended two panels, one reading, and a concert.

The link to the Confluence website.

http://parsec-sff.org/confluence/

They held the Confluence SF Conference Pittsburgh at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport.

Confluence SF Conference Pittsburgh 2024 Program Guide Cover

Picture of my badge from Confluence SF Conference Pittsburgh 2024

Summary

Saturday, July 27th at 10 AM

The Challenges of Writing a Long Series panel with Richard Kadrey, Frederic Durbin, and Barbara Doran

[Insert comments here]

They held the panel in the Commonwealth East Room with 11 attendees.

Saturday, July 27th at 11 AM

Not Everything is a Series: The Best Stand-Alone Novels of the Last Decade panel with Rich Horton, Albert Wendland, Lawrence C. Connally, and Alan Bailey.

[Insert comments here]

They held the panel in the Commonwealth East Room with 13 attendees.

Saturday, July 27th at 12 PM

Reading by Marie Vibbert.

She talked about the three novels she has published. They are Megadeth, Galactic Hellcats, and the Gods Awoke.

She read three pieces at the reading.

She read the twelfth chapter of her novel Galatic Hellcats, published on March 9, 2021. The POV character was named Kieth the Worker.

Goodreads link to the novel named Galactic Hellcats.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53388150-galactic-hellcats

The second novel in the Galactic Hellcats series will be published in 2025.

Next, she read from a work-in-progress novel named Mars Strike.

Lastly, she read the third chapter of her novel The Gods Awoke.

Goodreads link to the novel named The Gods Awake.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61815780-the-gods-awoke

They held the reading in the Solstice Room with 4 attendees.

Saturday, July 27th at 12:30 PM

Concert with Gwendolyn Grace.

She performed her concert A Capella. She had a Harry Potter CD for sale named Houses of Hogwarts. The last song she performed was named Love Louder.

They held the concert in Ballroom 1 with 14 attendees.

Recommendation – Conclusion

[Insert Recommendation here]

Links

Recap for the Confluence SF Conference Pittsburgh on July 30, 2022, at the Sheraton. I also attended Confluence in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. I attended 3 panels, two readings, an improv comedy show, a concert, and the guest of honor presentation

Confluence SF Conference Pittsburgh 2022

Recap for the Confluence SF Conference Pittsburgh held virtually from 10-02-20 to 10-04-20. I attended the opening ceremony, five panels, three readings, one presentation, the guest of honor presentation, and the conference breakdown.

Confluence SF Conference Pittsburgh 2020

Recap for the Confluence SF Conference Pittsburgh on July 27 & 28, 20, at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel. I also attended Confluence in ‘16, ‘17, and ‘18. I attended five panels, two fiction writing workshops, and the guest of honor presentation

Confluence Conference Pittsburgh 2019

They held the Confluence Conference from July 27, 2018, to July 29, 2018, at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel. I attended two lectures, two panels, one fiction writing seminar, one author reading, and the guest of honor presentation.

Confluence SF Conference Pittsburgh 2018

They held the Confluence Conference from August 4 to August 6, 2017, at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel. I attended seven panels, one writing workshop, one author reading, and the guest of honor presentation.

Confluence Conference 2017

Recap for the Confluence SF Conference on July 30 and July 31, 2016, at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel. I attended 15 panels and the U.S.S. Improvise improv sketch comedy routine.

Confluence 2016 Conference

Writing Progress Report January 2025

This is my Writing Progress Report January 2025.

This was my 2024 Christmas Tree. The picture was taken on December 3^rd, 2024.

Writing Progress from December 2024.

I wrote four blog posts for my website, garydavidgillen.com. One of the posts was my writing progress report for December 2024, which I linked below.

Writing Progress Report December 2024

We postponed our Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop until January 2025.

Writing Progress from December 2024 Continued

I made five posts on my Goodreads account in December 2024.

In the past, I sent the stories; Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, and Grognard to magazines.

Magazine submissions for 2021 were 4 unique stories submitted 4 times, with 0 accepted, 0 pending, and 4 rejections. No submissions for 2022. None for 2023. None for 2024.

Events from December 2024.

I attended no events in December 2024

Writing Goals for January 2025.

In January 2025, I plan to write four blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my Writing Progress Report for January 2025.

I plan to work on a story for the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop on a Zoom call in January 2025.

Polish and send the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, I Shall Not Return, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.

In January 2025, I plan to make five posts on my Goodreads account.

Planned Events for January 2025.

The next conference I plan to attend is ConFusion in Novi, Michigan, from January 23, 2025, to January 26, 2025. The Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association Sponsors ConFusion.

Monumental ConFusion

The con theme this year is Monumental, since this is the 50^th Confusion.

Marcon Columbus Conference 2024

Marcon Columbus Conference 2024 Recap

Introduction

I attended the Marcon Columbus Conference 2024 in Columbus, Ohio, from May 17, 2024, to May 19, 2024. They held the conference at Crowne Plaza North Hotel in Worthington, Ohio. I attended six panels at the con. I also attended Marcon in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023. They will not have Marcon in 2025. Hopefully, the con will return in 2026, and I plan to be there.

This is a link to the Marcon website.

https://www.marcon.org/home

This is a link to the Marcon Conference Facebook account.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/181050141046

This is my Badge for Marcon 2024.

This is a picture of the Dealer’s room banner.

Summary

Friday, May 17th at 8:00 PM

A panel with The Harp Twins and the Volkgang Twins

The Harp twins are identical twins who both play electric harps. They arrange their music. The Volkgang twins assisted them with percussion. In this panel, they talked about performing but did not perform at this time.

This is a link to their website which has a bio, links to buy their music, music videos, and a schedule of upcoming performances.

https://www.harptwins.com

They held the panel in Ballroom 4 with 30 attendees.

Saturday, May 18th at 10:00 AM

Dune Part 2 – Open Discussion, a panel with Lee Shamblin, Emily Lydic, and Ken Keisel.

The panel had an open discussion about the newly released film, Dune 2. They compared parts 1 and 2, the book’s adaption into film, and the impact of Florence Pugh’s arrival as the princess. The panel commented on the use of filming in infrared to get the interesting sequence that portrayed the Harkonnen home world. The panel also debated whether casting Christopher Walken as the Emperor was a mistake, distracting, or a genius.

They held the panel in Ballroom 1 with 10 attendees.

Saturday, May 18th at 11:00 AM

Science in Society, a panel with Geoffrey Landis, Rachael Thurston, Robert Lohman, and Charlotte Wolery.

The panel debated which scientific advances have made the most changes in social systems. Robert Lohman said chemistry, Rachel Thurston said vaccines, Geoffrey Landis said birth control and Charlotte Wolery said epigamic trauma.

They held the panel in Salon B with 10 attendees.

Sunday, May 19th at 10:00 AM

The Movies of Mel Brooks, a panel with Addie King, E. Davis, C. Mandragora, and Alyssa

The panel discussed their favorite movies by Mel Brooks. Do they still find them as funny as when they first watched them and why? Movies that came up were Spaceballs, Men in Tights, Blazing Saddles, History of the World Parts I and II, Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie, and High Anxiety.

They held the panel in Ballroom 3 with 8 attendees.

Sunday, May 19th at 12:00 PM

The Harp Twins, a concert with Camille Kitt and Kennerly Kitt.

The Harp twins are identical twins who both play electric harps. They arrange their music. I didn’t realize that they had moved the concert from 1 PM to 12 PM so I only caught their last song. Great performance like the others I have witnessed.

This is a link to their website which has a bio, links to buy their music, music videos, and a schedule of upcoming performances.

https://www.harptwins.com

They held the concert in Ballroom 4.

Sunday, May 19th at 1:00 PM

What is Evil, a panel with D. Wyatt Jr., C. Christoff, and R. Partington.

We all like to talk about evil, but what is evil really like? Is it a Godlike Sauron who simply wants to rule? Is it infinite sadism? Or perhaps is simply infinite selfishness? The panel discussed and tried to define evil for writers, readers, theologians, and would-be evil-doers.

They held the panel in Ballroom 3 with 8 attendees.

Recommendation – Conclusion

I had a great time at the Marcon Columbus Conference 2024. My stars of the con were The Harp Twins for their concert and Q and A session. I also attended Marcon in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023 and hope the con will return in 2026.

Links

Recap for the SF Conference Marcon Columbus 2022 on May 7, 2022. They held the conference at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. I also attended Marcon in 2017, 2018, and 2019. I attended three panels and one concert at the 2022 conference.

Conference Marcon Columbus 2022

Recap for SF Conference Marcon Columbus on May 11, 2019. They held it at Crowne Plaza – Columbus North. I also attended Marcon in 2017 and 2018. This year I attended four panels, a performance, and an interview.

Recap Marcon Conference 2019

Recap for SF Conference Marcon Columbus I attended on May 12, 2018, at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus, Ohio. I attended four panels and two game shows.

Marcon Conference 2018

Recap for SF Conference Marcon Columbus on May 13, 2017. They held the conference at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. I also attended Marcon in 2018 and 2019. I attended five panels at the 2017 conference.

Conference Recap Marcon Columbus 2017

PenguiCon Detroit 2024 Conference Recap

Introduction

I attended the SF conference named PenguiCon at 1275 South Huron Street Ypsilanti, Michigan at the Ann Arbor Marriott, Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest from April 26, 2024, to April 28, 2024. I attended the opening ceremonies, three panels, and one author reading. This year’s theme was Open Source.

This is a link to the Con website.

Home

This is my badge for PenguiCon Detroit 2024.

Summary

PenguiCon Detroit 2024 Conference Recap

Friday, April 26th at 6 PM

Welcome to PenguiCon Opening Ceremonies:

[Insert Summary Here]

They held the opening ceremonies in Auditorium 1 with 40 attendees.

Saturday, April 27th at 10 AM

Panel on The Good, The Bad, and The Yikes with Ericka Kahler and Michael W. Lucas:

[insert summary here]

They held the panel in Salon II with 16 attendees.

Saturday, April 27th at 11 AM

Panel on How I Make a Living Writing with Michael W. Lucas:

[insert summary here]

They held the panel in Salon IV with 8 attendees.

Saturday, April 27th at 12 PM

Reading with Author E.M. Anderson:

[Insert summary here]

They held the reading in the Elizabeth Ann A room with 4 attendees.

Saturday, April 27th at 1 PM

Demonstration: Fun With Chemistry with Professor X and Lady Ana

Unfortunately, the presenters couldn’t make it, so the demonstration was canceled. I was looking forward to this demonstration because I’m a Chemist and it sounded fun.

They would have had the demonstration in Conference E room with 10 attendees.

Saturday, April 27th at 5 PM

Panel on Write What You Know with E.M. Anderson:

[insert summary here]

They held the panel in the Conference B room with 17 attendees.

Recommendation – Conclusion

I felt the con went well and enjoyed my attendance. My star of the Con was the author E.M. Anderson. They read two chapters from different novels in their author reading and gave insightful comments on their panel about writing. I was looking forward to attending again in 2025, but I have recently heard that it was canceled.

Links

A Con like PenguiCon is the ConFusion Detroit Con. The links to my review of ConFusion Detroit Con that I have attended follows.

This is my post about the SF conference ConFusion in Detroit, Michigan from January 19 to 21, 2024. The theme was the Labyrinth of ConFusion. My star of the con was Author John Scalzi.

ConFusion Detroit 2024 Conference Recap

In January 2023, I attended the SF conference ConFusion in Detroit, Michigan. I still want to write a post about that.

ConFusion Detroit 2022 Conference Recap

I attended the SF conference ConFusion in Detroit, Michigan from January 16 to 19, 2020. I attended four panels, two readings, and one interview. The con theme was How to Train Your ConFusion, based on the movie, How to Train Your Dragon. My star of the con was John Scalzi. He gave an excellent reading of Chapter Two of his upcoming book, The Last Emperox. My other highlights were Kameron Hurley’s interview and the lecture on Edible Insects and Human Evolution. I’ll be back next year.

Conference Recap ConFusion Detroit 2020

Conference Recap ConFusion Detroit 2019