A. L. Kaplan

Tag: Glasgow

  • My Trip to Scotland: Part 9 – Glasgow and World Con

    My Trip to Scotland: Part 9 – Glasgow and World Con

    We spent the next six days in Glasgow.

    August 8-12, 2024 was the 82nd World Science Fiction Convention which was held at the Scottish Event Campus.

    Trying out VR was really cool.

    My panels were fun. “Look! I Have Raised a Geek!” and “Why Do We Still Love Paper and Tangible Things?”

    We went on a walking tour of the bridges.

    And saw some of the many murals in the city.

    Neat buildings.

    Some sculptures

    Scottish people have a great sense of humor.

    This is a display in the Kevingrom Art Gallery and Museum.

    Also spotted this Pterosaur fossil. It looks a bit like the one I found at the Yesnaby coast. (see My Trip to Scotland: Part 5)

    The Heads by Sophy Cave

    Near the museum.

    Langoustine for Lunch.

    How often do you see pull chain bathrooms? I found two!

    Glasgow Cathedral was founded in the 1200’s as a Catholic church, but became a Protestant Kirk in 1560. Before the Protestant Reformation, the interior was beautifully painted.

    The Tardis!

    This pretty building is the City Chambers in Glasgow.

    George Square and it’s decorated sculptures.

    A pint of beer and dinner at The Citizen after a long day. The food was excellent.

  • My Schedule at Glasgow 2024 World Con

    My Schedule at Glasgow 2024 World Con

    Will you be at Glasgow 2024: A World Con for our Future?

    This will be the 82nd World Science Fiction convention and runs from August 8-12 in Glasgow, Scotland.

    I am thrilled to be part of programing. Here is where you can find me.

    Sunday, August 11: 11:30 AM in Alsh 1

    Look! I Have Raised a Geek! — Or else, you might say – parenting done right. We’ve invited some of the unconventional parents who will share with you the parenting methods they used to raise a proper geek and, hopefully, future fandom members as well. Some stories may be funny, others quite unexpected!

    Sunday, August 11: 2:30 PM in Argyll 1

    Why do we still love paper and tangible things? — Printed progress reports, souvenir books, pocket programs, conbooks, fanzines, books, and other common items in the fandom and at fandom conventions. Even though all of them exist in their digital PDF versions (or sometimes in-app versions as well), we still have a deep sentiment for paper itself. Why is this so? What makes us stick with old ways when the future has already arrived?

    MARK OF THE GODDESS

    Sometimes a blessing can be a curse.

    Young Maya bears the mark of the moon goddess, a sign that would doom her to be sacrificed in her village where the death god is revered. Forced to dye her golden eyes dark, Maya lives in constant fear of discovery. To save her family and the village’s future, she must find the courage to stand up to the high priest before he can bring the death god into this world.

    HUMMINGBIRD

    Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.

    One step toward understanding.

    One stride toward survival.

    One leap toward flying free from the past.

    WOLF DAWN

    A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

    But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

  • It’s Official: I’m a Program Participant for World Con 2024

    It’s Official: I’m a Program Participant for World Con 2024

    This August is the 82nd annual World Science Fiction Convention in Glasgow, Scotland, and I will be a program participant. I can’t tell you what panels I’ll be on. That is still top secret.

    Check out the WorldCon website for more information.

    Hope to see you there.

    If you haven’t had a chance yet, picked up a copy of one of my books.

    MARK OF THE GODDESS

    Sometimes a blessing can be a curse.

    Young Maya bears the mark of the moon goddess, a sign that would doom her to be sacrificed in her village where the death god is revered. Forced to dye her golden eyes dark, Maya lives in constant fear of discovery. To save her family and the village’s future, she must find the courage to stand up to the high priest before he can bring the death god into this world.

    HUMMINGBIRD

    Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.

    One step toward understanding.

    One stride toward survival.

    One leap toward flying free from the past.

    WOLF DAWN

    A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

    But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.