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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
A Four Day Celebration of Science Fiction In All It’s Various And Exciting Forms.
Balticon 56 is going to be fantastic this year. When I’m not hanging out at the Maryland Writers’ Association table, or this is where you can find me.
Fri 4:00 PMSt. GeorgeReadings: D.H. Aire and A.L. Kaplan D. H. Aire and I will read from our new and upcoming works.
Sat 10:00 AM Maryland Ballroom CD YA As Its Own Genre A. L. Kaplan, Nancy Springer, Gwendolyn Clare, Robert L. Slater YA is often set aside as its own genre in bookstores, libraries, and suggested reading lists. Like children’s literature, it is frequently categorized by expected reader age rather than its content. How does a book get classified as YA and what differentiates it from adult books? Is this classification beneficial to YA literature, or is it having a negative effect?
Sat 2:30 PM James Getting the Most From a Writers’ Association A. L. Kaplan, Joshua Bilmes, Jean Marie Ward, Carol Gyzander, Rosemary Claire Smith Genre association groups such as the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA) and the Romance Writers Association (RWA), as well as more local groups like the Maryland Writers Association (MWA), can offer benefits and perks. Panelists talk about what different groups have to offer and how to get the most out of your membership.
Saturday 8:00 PM Maryland Ballroom The Marty Gear Memorial Masquerade I’ll be there as a Judges’ Clerk
Sun 2:30 PM 5th Floor Lobby Autographs: Amy Kaplan and Leah Cypess Autograph tables are located in the 5th floor lobby near the Consuite.
Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.
Especially when your powers can get you killed.
Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.
Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.
Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.
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.
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.
