A. L. Kaplan

Tag: science fiction and fantasy convention

  • My Balticon 60 Schedule

    My Balticon 60 Schedule

    I’m thrilled to announce that I will, once again, be a panelist at Balticon, the amazing Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention held on Memorial Day weekend. This year is their 60th anniversary and there are some special events planned.

    Here is where you can find me:

    Friday, May 22

    Food in Fiction – 5:30 PM

    From the feasts in Song of Ice and Fire to the elaborate cuisines in Steven Brust’s works, food is often featured in fiction, sometimes even central to the plot. Descriptions of meals and meal creation can drive a lot of storytelling. What fictional foods would you like to eat? How do some writers describe food in ways that leave readers hungry for more?

    Mark Painter, Martin Wilsey, A. L. Kaplan, Jen Finelli, MD

    Saturday, May 23

    Writing Novels – The Long Haul – 10:00 AM

    Writing a novel can be a marathon. It can take years – whether from life changes or plot and character problems. Our panelists will discuss staying motivated during the process, and the new perspectives that arise over time.

    Alan Smale, Maeghan Jo Kimball, Patrick, A. L. Kaplan, Sally Wiener Grotta

    Where Have All the Parents Gone? – 11:30 AM

    Kids are always being thrown into life threatening situations in books, but in real life, their parents would never let this happen. Is that why so many parents in middle grade and young adult stories are either dead or oblivious? How can authors navigate the “parent problem”? What does portraying neglectful adults as normal or even beneficial teach young audiences? Do authors have the responsibility of addressing who should be watching these kids?

    Patrick Thomas, DM Mewha, Wendra Colleen, A. L. Kaplan, Rigel Ailur

    Author Reading – 4:00 PM

    Authors A.L. Kaplan, DM Mewha, and Mark Painter will read selections from their works.

    Sunday, May 24

    Memories of Balticons Past – 10:00 AM

    No sh*t, there I was… This really happened at Balticon…. And nobody was arrested. Let’s listen to some fans and pros talk about past Balticons.

    A. L. Kaplan, Tom Schaad, Thomas The Red, Eva Whitley, Brick Barrientos

    Authographs – 4:00 PM

    Monday, May 25

    The Structured Pantser – 10:00 AM

    What if I’m neither a pantser nor a plotter, but something in-between? What if I want to focus my discovery writing without tying myself to an outline? What if I want more discovery writing without ruining a perfectly good outline? Like most things in writing, there is no one answer. Panelists will discuss ways to combine the two methods.

    A. L. Kaplan, Samantha Mills -CC 2025 Winner, Jen Brinn, Haley Gelfuso-CC 2026 Winner, Cecilia Tan

  • Come see me at Seattle Worldcon 2025

    Come see me at Seattle Worldcon 2025

    Seattle Worldcon 2025!

    Building Yesterday’s Future–For Everyone

    August 13–17, 2025

    Here is my Schedule:

    Prop Up That Costume with a Prop

    Room 335-336, Wed. 10:30-11:30 a.m.

    Props can often make or break a costume. Learn what works and how to make those little special items, hopefully without breaking the bank.

    Selena A. Naumoff (M), A. L. Kaplan, Pierre E. Pettinger, Jr.

    Reading: A. L. Kaplan

    Room 428, Wed. noon–12:30 p.m.

    A. L. Kaplan

    Meet the Authors—YA and Middle Grade

    Room 347-348, Thu. 1:30–2:30 p.m.

    Come meet the writers who are crafting the stories for you! A selection of YA and middle grade authors are available to answer questions and talk about stories.

    Marta Murvosh (M), A. L. Kaplan, CJ Hosack, Kate Ristau, L.J. Melvin, Shana Targosz

    Who Would Win?

    Teen
    Room 347-348, Sat. 3–4 p.m.

    Decide who will win each contest from our bracket of various characters and determine who will take home the crown!

    A. L. Kaplan (M)

    Animal Companions in Middle Grade/YA

    Room 320, Sun. 4:30–5:30 p.m.

    It’s dangerous to go alone! The loyal animal (or monster) companion is a common feature of kids’ stories. These companions do more than tag along—they reveal character, deepen world-building, offer emotional support (or challenge), and sometimes even steal the show. Let’s discuss our favorites and find out what makes these furry (or scaly) friends so great.

    Deva Fagan (M), A. L. Kaplan, Jenna Lee-Yun, Kathryn Sullivan, Maya Prasad

  • 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.

  • RavenCon Is This Weekend! Come See Me

    SATURDAY

    Fifteen Fingers and Two Tails: Creating Non-human Characters

    Sat 10 am – Spotsylvania (Madison) – 90 minutes

    You’ve created an amazing world for your story, but who or what is living in it? You need someone to carry the plot. This workshop will explore how to populate your setting with appropriate and believable characters. (Max of 20 participants.)

    The Public Domain

    Noon – Buckingham (Jefferson) – 50 minutes

    Each year, some new beloved property enters the public domain, meaning anyone can do anything with it. But should they? The same company that turned Winnie-the-Pooh into the slasher film Blood & Honey is ready for when Bambi goes public domain. Steamboat Willy has a first-person shooter coming called “Mouse.” We’ll discuss the pros and cons of public domain properties and praise some truly great works that have come from creators being able to play freely with someone else’s creation.

    Panelists: Sammie Cassell (M), James Fadeley, Dr. Kyle R. Garton, A.L. Kaplan

    READING: A.L. KAPLAN & BISHOP O’CONNELL

    4 pm – Fairfax Library (Jefferson) – 50 minutes

    SUNDAY

    NEW WHO? WHO KNEW?

    10 am – King William (Jefferson) – 50 minutes

    New Doctor, new companion, and a Disney-sized budget! What did our panelists think about the specials and what are our hopes for the new season? And you can expect there will be fan-theories galore concerning Mrs. Flood!

    Panelists: Sean Gleeson, A.L. Kaplan (M), Dennis M. Myers, Angela Pritchett

    SIGNING: A.L. KAPLAN

    Noon – Vendors’ Room (Madison) – 50 minutes

    RavenCon 17

    April 26-28, 2024

    Virginia Crossings Tapestry Collection by Hilton

    1000 Virginia Center Parkway
    Glen Allen, Virginia 23059

    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.

    STAR TOUCHED

    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.

    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.

  • My Panels for RavenCon – April 21 – 23, 2023

    RavenCon 16 is this coming weekend at the Virginia Crossings Tapestry Collection by Hilton, in Glen Allen, Virginia. Three days of fun.

    Here is where you can find me:

    Friday, April 21, 2023:

    7 pm (Opening Ceremony) King George

    Saturday, April 22, 2023:

    1 pm – 2:30 pm (Workshop/Presentation) Can Cows Have Wings? / Buckingham

    5 pm (Panel) Creating Memorable Character Names / Henry / Moderator

    6:25 pm – 6:50 pm (Reading) Fairfax Library

    Sunday, April 23, 2023:

    11 am (Panel) Author’s Favorite Tools / Henry

    Noon (Signing) Dealers Room

    2 pm (Panel) Costuming Characters in Your Writing / Henry

    STAR TOUCHED

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

  • MY BALTICON SCHEDULE

    Balticon 56

    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 PM              St. George               Readings: 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.

    Hope to see you there. I’ll have Fifi with me.

    Balticon 56

    Renaissance Harborplace Hotel

    202 East Pratt Street

    Baltimore, MD 21202

    STAR TOUCHED

    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.

    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.