More and more, Context is exploring the intersection of gaming and literature in our programming. Aside from the all-hours gaming at Context, these are some of the game-related panels offered in 2007:

"Writing for Interactive Media"
Shawn Sines, Erin Hoffman, James Daniel Ross
Are there really differences between writing a story and writing a video game? What about role playing vs. interactive? Come join our panelists as they discuss and compare game writing processes.

"Getting the Most Out of Gaming"
Erin Hoffman, James Daniel Ross, Shawn Sines, Ferrett Steinmetz
How do you make your gaming experiences fun and enjoyable for yourself and the other players? Panelists also discuss their favorite games and any new games you should know about.

"The Game as Literature"
Jim C. Hines, Shawn Sines, Erin Hoffman, Chun Lee, James Daniel Ross
How many role playing and video games play out like a SF/F novel? Are games lower class or do they stack up against published literary works?

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In addition to the Context 20 Writing Workshops, many panels of interest to writers and readers were offered in 2007:

"Writing for Interactive Media"
Shawn Sines, Erin Hoffman, James Daniel Ross
Are there really differences between writing a story and writing a video game? What about role playing vs. interactive? Come join our panelists as they discuss and compare game writing processes.

"A Day in the Life of an Editor"
Mike Resnick, Rae Carson, Jackie Gamber, Sandy Lender, Steve Nagy
Just what is it an editor does all day? Read manuscripts? Take Stephen King out to lunch? Plot nefarious plots?

"The Academics of Popular Fiction"
Michael Arnzen, D. Harlan Wilson, Joseph Martino, Karen Nagel, Heidi Ruby Miller, Jason Miller
With more university writing programs taking an interest in the popular side of fiction, what does it means to be a genre or literary writer in today's publishing market, and can you be both?

"Electronic Publishing, Print-On-Demand, and the Death of the Book"
Doug Johnson, Lucy Snyder, Ferrett Steinmetz, James Daniel Ross, Kevin Eaches, Sandy Lender
Will there be any readers to attend a convention ten years from now? Right now, SF is a profession for many of its practitioners; it's what they do for a living. But if e-books end up being priced very cheaply, and if readership doesn't expand as we switch from print to digital, SF may end up being solely a hobbyist activity. Will the genre survive the transition to new forms of publishing? How will readers be able to distinguish quality work from the mountain of crap that will flood the net in the post-publisher economy?

"Humor in Science Fiction and Fantasy"
Mike Resnick, Jim C. Hines, Rae Carson, Matt Cook, Anne Harris
What happens when you cross a kzin with Roadrunner? It screams and it beeps. Aside from a richer, stranger trove of reference, are our yuks different from anybody else's? Can our humorous writers get any respect? What are some SF/F high points of hilarity?

"Writing an ADR Script"
Matt Greenfield, Tiffany Grant
What's really involved in changing an anime from Japanese to English language? Shouldn't all of the characters in translated shows talk like an old Godzilla movie? Our panelists will explain the process of taking a translated script and reworking the dialog to properly fit the finished video.

"Writing Characters You Didn't Create"
Tim Waggoner, Juanita Coulson, John Dalmas
It's one thing to create characters, come up with who they are, what they're like, and how they talk. It's quite another to come into someone else's world and have to tell stories with and about those characters. How do you keep them the same and still put some of yourself into them? Or should you even try?

"Author's Fears"
Michael Arnzen, Gary Braunbeck, Matt Cook, Steve Nagy, Tim Waggoner
How do an author's own fears inspire his or her stories and books?

"Different Types of Writing"
Timons Esaias, Fran Friel, Anne Harris, Diana Botsford,
The novel, novella, short story, etc. Is one just longer than the other or are they really different? And what about screenplays?

Poetry Readings
Michael Arnzen, Lucy Snyder, Timons Esaias, John Dalmas, James Daniel Ross
Poetry readings by some of our panelists, followed by open reading. Poetry people, bring your poems from the poetry workshop or any of your original work.

"I Really Did It, But How?"
Matt Cook, James Daniel Ross, Fran Friel, Daniel O'Riordan, Paul Melko, Raven Bower
These panelists have all accomplished a remarkable feat. They've gotten their first novel published. Was it discipline and scheduling that got them through, or workshops and other writer's resources? Come hear them discuss how they reached this goal.

"How Traveling and Travel Writing Affects Our Writing"
Mike Resnick, Timons Esaias, Heidi Ruby Miller, Jason Miller
Traveling is meant to take you some place different, as is reading a good book, so it's no surprise that the writers on this panel are also travelers whose experiences on the road and abroad not only have led to travel writing stints, but also enhanced their fiction.

"How to Kill Off a Character"
Geoffrey Girard, Jim C. Hines, Diana Botsford, Matt Cook, Steve Nagy, Chun Lee
You spend your time crafting characters, thinking about who they are, what they want what they care about. You tell stories about them, lovingly crafted. Now it's time for them to die. How do you do it? And what can happen if you do?

"How Do You Research Things That Don't Exist?"
Walter Hunt, Geoffrey Girard, Anne Harris, Sandy Lender, Heidi Ruby Miller
A look at how authors research things like elves, fairies, demons, wizards and gods to name a few.

"Fan Fiction"
Kevin Eaches, Chandra Morgan-Henley, Chris Stephenson
Is fan fiction real literature, or just a time killing hobby? Come voice your opinion at this panel with our fan fiction writers and fans.

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(For more panels offered in 2007, please also see the Science and the Future Symposium, Game-Related Programming, Writing-Related Programming, and Science and the Future Symposium)

Science Fiction in Comics
Diana Botsford, Chun Lee, D. Harlan Wilson, Ferrett Steinmetz, Matt Cook
A discussion of past and current science fictional themes in comics.

The Rocky Horror Phenomenon
The Fishnet Mafia
Join Columbus' own Rocky Horror Picture Show shadow cast group as they discuss the ongoing popularity of this cult classic.

Universal Monsters
Gary Braunbeck, Tim Waggoner, Juanita Coulson, Dan Young, Mark Evans
A look back at the universal monsters that made up the classic horror movies. To be followed later in the day with a viewing of the original Mummy in the video room.

Why Should We Mind? SF/F and Consciousness
Robert Pyatt, Matt Greenfield, Paul Melko, Matt Jarpe
Telepathy, life after death, uploaded consciousness, etc. When did these ideas become so popular and where are they going in the future?

Out of Context
Diana Botsford, Samuel T. Clemmons, Jim C. Hines, Paul Melko, D. Harlan Wilson
Come see our panelists think fast as they test their creativity in our Science fiction version of Beyond Balderdash.

Fan Groups
Have you ever wondered what the story is with all the fan groups? How they got started, or what they do when they get together? Well, here's your chance to find out. We're getting a person from each of the fan groups in attendance at the con together to talk about their group and answer questions. That's right, this is the time to ask them anything, nothing is too weird for these people....

Military Tactics in Science Fiction
Walter Hunt, Joseph Martino, Daniel O'Riordan
Many science fiction stories have a military background. Heinlein, Dickson, Pournelle, and many others have used space-faring soldiers as the centers of their stories. But how would those tactics work in "real life"? Who gets it right? What should be done better?

Filking 101
Tom Smith, Luke Ski, Juanita Coulson, Samuel T. Clemmons
An introduction to what filk is with our musical guests.

Real Aliens
Dave Creek, Jackie Gamber, Mark Evans
Aliens in science fiction come in virtually all shapes, sizes, and colors. But, if they're out there, what will real aliens be like? Not just physically. How will they think? Will they have the same type of emotions and moral/ethical feelings we do? How will they say "Hello"?

Interview With Tim Powers
Tim Powers, Dan Young
This is your chance to learn more about our Guest of Honor.

Roast of Juanita Coulson
Juanita Coulson, Dan Young, Tom Smith, Samuel T. Clemmons, Bruce Coulson
Come join us for an amusing look at the life and accomplishments of author and filker Juanita Coulson.

The Dark Ascent: Contemporary Horror
Gary Braunbeck, Rae Carson, Fran Friel, Geoffrey Girard
If quality is any measure, the horror genre may once again be rising from the grave. Do dark times hinder or help horror? What themes are becoming frighteningly fashionable: gore or ghosts? Kinky sex or the straight supernatural? We'll discuss old stalwarts plus dark new stars such as Caitlin Kiernan, Holly Phillips, M. Rickert, Laird Barron, Joe Hill, and some of our own panelists.

Female Fandom
CarrieLynn Reinhard, Tiffany Grant, Karen Nagel, Erin Hoffman
An educated look at the world of fandom and women. What areas of fandom are the most appealing to the fairer sex, and why do others drive them away?

Interview With Michael Arnzen
Michael Arnzen, Gary Braunbeck
An enlightening look into the work of Michael Arnzen, folled by the viewings of his short film Exquisite Corpse, and the short film "One of Those Faces", based on Gary Braunbeck's story "Rami Temporales".

Voice Acting
Tiffany Grant, Matt Greenfield
Have you ever wondered how character voices and personalities were created? Well, here's your chance to find out from the professionals. Come listen to Tiffany and Matt share stories and information about the creative world of voice acting.

Religion in SF/F
Tim Powers, Walter Hunt, Joseph Martino, Samuel T. Clemmons, Sandy Lender, Daniel O'Riordan
Is it too simplistic to say that C.S. Lewis's and J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy promoted Christianity, while Philip Pullman's subverts it? How is creating a credible religion like creating a workable economy? Who are the best fantasy writers at this? Must you believe, even a little, in a god you make yourself?

Twenty Years of Star Trek:TNG
U.S.S. Maximillian
This panel is a retrospective of TNG, tracing its humble and uncertain origins to the cultural phenomenon it is today. A panel by fans, for fans. Come join the crew of the U.S.S. Maximillian as they look back fondly on Star Trek the Next Generation on it's 20^th anniversary.

Time Travel -- Just Who Is Your Grandfather?
Jackie Gamber, Dave Creek, Mark Evans
Time Travel is a staple of science fiction, but just what is it that fascinates us about traveling to another time and place? Is it possible? What are the benefits and paradoxes of time travel?

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The following exists for archival purposes; workshops like these may be offered at Context in the future.

Do you have a completed short story or novel chapter you want to whip into publishable shape? Then this is the workshop for you! Charles Coleman Finlay, Tobias Buckell, and Paul Melko, who directed the 2005 much-praised workshop, are back on board to lead the Mega Writing Workshop. Up to 24 writers can submit short manuscripts for professional critique and participate in this workshop, which will run 6-8 hours total over two days. This workshop requires internet access; manucripts will be submitted and initial discussions will be held online. The actual, in-person workshop will be held on Saturday and Sunday and will ensure that every member has a small-group (3-4 person) session with one of the pros.

There were also shorter Mini Writing Workshops offered on specific subjects. These workshops required no advance preparation on the part of participants.

Gary A. Braunbeck: Creating Character Through Dialogue (Sunday)

Join novelist/short story author Gary A. Braunbeck for his acclaimed 3-hour workshop on creating well-rounded, believable characters through the use of dialogue. You'll learn not only how to create good dialogue, but how to recognize the different types of dialogue and which one best suits your own writing style. Mr. Braunbeck has written nearly 200 published short stories and over 14 books; his fiction has won the Bram Stoker Award and has been nominated for the British Fantasy Award. This is an intensive, hands-on workshop, so come prepared to participate. Bring your laptop (if you have one) or pen and paper.

Diana Botsford: Screenwriting (Saturday)

Join award-winning screenwriter and instructor Diana Botsford for an intensive 3-hour introduction into the world of writing for television and film. Gain an understanding of how the script process affects the development of plot, character development and theme. Through discussion, viewing and hands-on exercises, learn how to use the visual (and aural!) medium to tell your story beyond the printed page. Ms. Botsford has written for Star Trek, was visual effects director for From Dusk Till Dawn, and has produced a variety of other television series and movies.

Tim Waggoner: Writing Media Tie-Ins (Saturday)

Thousands of people write fan fiction; do you want to become one of the few who actually get paid to write stories and novels about movie, TV and game characters? Learn the ins and outs of writing and publishing media-related fiction with Tim Waggoner, author of A Nightmare on Elm Street: Protege and Eberron: Thieves of Blood. Topics to be covered: the differences between visual and written media and making them work to your advantage, capturing the tone of a media property, respecting the property and the fans, maintaining originality in media-related fiction, and finally, landing tie-in contracts. 2 hours.

Rosemary Laurey: Writing Paranormal Romance (Friday night)

There's a huge market for paranormal romance, and the demand for "hot" fiction is fast expanding to include other types of SF, fantasy, and horror. Want to tap into these lucrative fiction markets? Novelist Rosemary Laurey will show you the differences between romance, romantica, and erotica, and will teach you how to blend these genres with speculative fiction to create stories readers (and publishers) will love. 2 hours.

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In 2003, Context 16 took place on October 3-5, 2003 at The Ramada Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Here are some of the panel discussions that were offered at the convention:

What future do you see? Asaro (m), Aubrecht, Eaches, Nimersheim, Wyatt.

Art and beauty in the near future. Dunn(m), Martel, Carmi, Miller, Hawkins, Meluch.

Privacy, the web, and homeland security. How does the advent of the internet affect our privacy and our civil rights? Can (or should) anything be done? Nimersheim (m), L. Dunn, Wyatt, Meluch.

What is the source of creativity? Is it innate or can it be learned? Gross (m), Coulson, Neube.

Women characters in science fiction. How have they changed? Dunn(m), Asaro, Minz, Carmi, Hillis.

Concert: Juanita Coulson.

Religion in the 22nd century. Gross(m), Taylor, Flint, Wyatt, Calleghan, Connors.

How not to get published, or How to Drive an Editor Absolutely Nuts. Strock.

Is science fiction losing its imagination? Wasylyk(m), Nimersheim, Dunn, Minz.

Editor's Roundtable. Flint(m), Strock, Asaro, Minz, Waggoner, Wasylyk.

The future of comics Miller(m), Evans, Fabian.

The future of Islam and Islamic culture in a global society. Hillis (m), Taylor, Nimersheim, Neube.

Play reading: "Roll Model" by Renee Alper. Wyatt, Robinette, Asaro, Carmi.

The Dune recall election - inspired by events in California. Disorganized by David Wyatt. Open to entries - draw up a platform for your favorite SF character.

Does science fiction have any influence on our society? Should it? What do we do to make sure that it has? Asaro(m), Martel, Eaches, Neube, Wasylyk.

What makes a truly evil character? Miller(m), McKibben, Gressman, Minz, Meluch.

Terrorism in the future: High-tech or teenagers with a bomb? Johnson(m), Hillis, Wyatt, Evans, Wasylyk.

It's not right vs. left but rather individualism vs. communitarianism Wyatt(m), Flint, Evans, Hillis.

Publishing short-short stories. Strock(m), Dunn, Miller.

Publishing on the net. Flint(m), Johnson, Wasylyk.

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