Context is a friendly convention focused on speculative fiction literature and related games, comics and films.
If you enjoy manga, anime, science fiction, fantasy, or horror, you'll find plenty to entertain you at this convention.
Our 2010 GoHs will include Tobias Buckell; there will be many other guests.
Context will be held August 27-29, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio, at the Doubletree Hotel.
The workshops listed on this page require an additional fee to properly compensate the instructors for their time and preparation; however, there will also be plenty of writing-related panels included at no extra charge with your convention registration.
As part of our workshop track, Apex Books Editor Jason Sizemore is offering two free seminars on Saturday evening of the convention. At 6pm, he will offer "Contract Basics for New Writers" and at 7pm he will offer "Ask the Editor (Dumb Questions and All)". These seminars require no additional registrations or fees, although you must be registered for Context the day of the seminars to attend.
Due to the nature of the workshops listed below, we must have a valid email address for each participant, so be sure to include one when you register. If you register by postal mail, send an email to workshop coordinator Lucy Snyder immediately at workshop@contextsf.org to let her know what you've signed up for, or else we can't guarantee you'll get a spot.
We may be adding more critique workshops later; to get an announcement, please sign up for our newsletter.
Also, please be aware that some of the workshops conflict, so make sure you're not signing up for two that happen at the same time. Take a look at our workshop grid PDF.
Questions? Email Lucy at workshop@contextsf.org.
Gary A. Braunbeck: Advanced Short Story Writing
(Friday, August 27th, 7pm-11pm)
Join Bram Stoker Award- and International Horror Guild Award-winning author Gary A. Braunbeck for an intensive 4-hour session on advanced short story writing. This workshop is intended for those who have already begun making short story sales but who want to address the common story flaws that hinder writers from getting regular acceptance in professional markets.$60, 4 hours. Sold Out.
Diana Botsford: Craft the Compelling Plot
(Friday, August 27th, 7pm-10pm)
A rigorous 3-hour workshop on creating compelling storylines for long works
such as novels and screenplays. Participants will learn how to incorporate
enough twists and turns to create a well-constructed plotline of the
dramatic, emotional, and thematic elements of your project. While using a
wide variety of tools -- from 'hanging lanterns' to 'backshoveling' to
tapping into the foundation of mythic structure -- workshop attendees will
complete this intensive workshop with a personalized plot map. Bring your
laptop (if you have one) or pen and paper. This workshop should be helpful
for those ramping up for a new work or preparing for a rewrite. $30, 3 hours. 7 seats remain.
Michael Knost: Level One Writers Workshop
(Saturday, August 28th, 10am-3:30pm)
Bram Stoker Award-winning editor Michael Knost will be leading this intensive workshop, which covers all the basics for new writers. If you are serious about getting published, then this is a good first step in your writing career. This workshop includes sections on Story & Plot, Description, Point of View & Dialogue, and Creating Great Characters. $90, 5.5 hours. 8 seats remain.
Tim Esaias: Warfare For Writers
Saturday, August 28th, 10am-1pm)
This workshop offers some basics for the writer who sends characters into battle. It tackles three elements of this vast subject, in separate sections.
"A Catechism for the Semi-Clueless" addresses the fundamentals of military science: What is War? Why are there units? Why officers? What are strategy, tactics, logistics and camp-followers? Other basic definitions will be addressed, but most importantly we'll ask 'What Does This Mean For My Writing?' for each element. "Fortifications 101" is a slide show, discussing defenses through history. There will be naming of parts, with a focus on the eight essential elements that tend to be missing when you visit castles, forts and bastions today. "Getting Combat on the Page" will be writing exercises, to put theory into practice. We'll break battle down into modular parts, and consider what to show the reader, and what to spare them. We'll remind ourselves that battle is our opportunity to stress our fictional characters in a nicely extreme environment. $30, 3 hours. 14 seats remain.
Diana Botsford: Rewrites: Recipes for Dicing & Slicing Your Manuscript
(Saturday, August 28th, 1pm-4pm)
A pinch of planning, a cup of story maps, a quarter pound of index cards and yes ... that first draft can be diced, sliced and baked into a professional manuscript worthy of submission. Workshop attendees will be guided through step-by-step instructions, creating full-fledged rewrite plans they can follow upon completion of this workshop. $30, 3 hours. 6 seats remain.
Elizabeth Massie: Writing For Teens
(Saturday, August 28th, 4pm-6pm)
Guest of Honor Elizabeth Massie will offer a two-hour workshop on writing for teens. With teens reading more now than in recent years, publishers are eager for well-plotted, exciting, teen-relevant fiction. Massie, whose young adult and teen books include Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Power of Persuasion, American Chills: Ghost Harbor, The Great Chicago Fire: 1871, the Young Founders series, the Daughters of Liberty trilogy, and numerous others published by educational houses Zaner-Bloser, Marshall Cavandish, and more, will share activities and tips to finding the right story, the right voice, and the right approach.
$20, 2 hours. 9 seats remain.
Tim Esaias: Point of View
(Saturday, August 28th, 4pm-7pm)
A guide for the baffled, a balm for the bewildered. No subject in writing leads to such bitter arguments, such frequent fisticuffs, or so many duels, as POV. Books on writing contradict each other; critique partners disagree; and the "rules" never seem to be reflected in the latest best-seller. This workshop will grasp the nettle of POV in a well-gloved hand, and explain what all the bruises and black eyes are about. We'll address the wide variety of reader expectations, the hard truths of editors' demands, and how you can keep up with changing techniques in your own genre. You'll learn how to pick your POV, how to establish it, how to transition, and how to avoid embarrassing screw-ups. Tim Esaias promises to turn dull theory into a sharp tool, and give you conscious control of the cinematography of your narrative. There will also be chocolate and malt balls. $30, 3 hours. 17 seats remain.
Tim Waggoner: Writing Great Dialogue
(Saturday, August 28th, 8pm-10pm)
There's more to writing great dialogue that knowing where to put the quotation marks. Join novelist Tim Waggoner for a workshop that will really get your characters talking! Topics will include using dialogue to create sharper characterization, maximize the potential of your plot, control the pace of your story, and strengthen your style.
$20, 2 hours. 10 seats remain.
Lucy A. Snyder: Writing Urban Fantasy
(Sunday, August 29th, 11am-1pm)
Urban fantasy is hugely popular right now. But is it all just about hot chicks in strappy black dresses fighting monsters? (Short answer: definitely not). Bram Stoker Award-winning author Lucy A. Snyder will take you past the daggers-and-midriffs covers to discuss the cross-genre nature of urban fantasy and the differences between it and its stepsister, paranormal romance. She'll discuss market considerations and lead students in story-building and brainstorming excercises.
$20, 2 hours. 10 seats remain.
Tim Esaias: Worldbuilding
Sunday, August 28th, 11am-2pm)
World-Building isn't just charts, maps, forms, voids, elf-clans and tedious courses in orbital mechanics; and it's not just for SF/F/H, either. We'll discuss when to do it and how not to let it bog you down; worldbuilding resources; techniques for designing and developing your world; and then selling it to the reader. Metaphor will be mentioned. Exercises will focus on your project, with chocolate and malt-ball rewards for sharing. Emphasis on craft rather than details, though we will address the Moon Muddle, the Pack Animal Question, and other specific pitfalls. Not to mention those charts, maps, orbits, and the lineages and social structures of elven-sorts. $30, 3 hours. 14 seats remain.
Diana Botsford: Screenplay Critiques
(Saturday, Sunday, TBA)
As head of the MSU screenwriting program, Ms. Botsford has led her students to 30 national awards in the past 3 years in big screenplay and teleplay competitions (including Scriptapolooza, Acclaim, Larry Brody). At Context, she's offering one-on-one critiques with people who have outlines/treatments for films or pilots or spec teleplays. Students will send her a 5 to 10 page treatment before Context begins (more information will be sent after registration). At the convention, she meet with students for 20 minutes and give them a detailed critique as well as recommendations on how to market their script once it is finished (entry in competitions vs direct submission to agents). $45. 10 sessions remain.