To all those who have asked to be on programming or about programming...
My apologies to all of you for the lack of contact. Lea and Bruce have had to step down due to the illness of a close relative meaning they have no time to work on programming.
So we are starting again, late out of the gate, but I am hoping we can pull everything together again to create a viable set of programming that people will be pleased with.
Naturally our Guests will be giving individual presentations, however they also have the option of inviting other panelists to take part in their special presentations if they wish (that is one of the perks of being a Guest of Honour).
Here are some of the ideas we were working on previously that we would like to center our program around.
This does not preclude additional ideas being explored and implemented, if there are enough people interested in being a part of them.
For New Authors -We intend to have some program items directed specifically for new and aspiring authors to help them to make contacts and learn their craft better. Those of you with experience to pass along area asked to consider taking part in one or two of these.
For Established Authors – Today's economy is having an effect on the markets available to even well established authors. We would like to have some panels of possible new markets for work, and even a round table on the different paths that horror stories can take – from established magazines and publishing houses to the new e-zines, and electronic books as a different way to reach new readers. We encourage agents and publishers to consider being on these panels.
Of Special Interest
– Children’s and Young Adult Horror is a growing area of interest to writers. We expect to have a number of panels about this market, including tips on what the different levels of acceptability are for the various age groups.
-Canada, and in particular Winnipeg, have a penchant for producing some eclectic films including horror films, and we have a particular fondness for interesting, but little known works. Expect to see a few films you didn’t know about and also to see some discussions about opportunities in scripts, and independent film companies. There is a possibility that Guy Maddin will be in Winnipeg as early as the beginning of May to begin work on a new film. We can’t promise, but we will be working to see if he can drop in to the convention for a while.
-If there is enough interest we will arrange a walking tour of some of the haunted parts of Winnipeg’s downtown.
Please consider contributing to the convention by participating in panels and or Readings. Contact me at whc2009@shaw.ca to volunteer to participate.
Additional information:
Panel presentations with 2, 3, or 4 presenters - We expect to have two main tracks of program, with a few added items, that will be a partial third track at specific times. We will cover a variety of aspects from writing for various markets, to film, to publishing, to electronic books and magazines.
Readings -There will be two rooms available for readings. While we are taking requests from those willing to read, we believe that we will have a few slots open, that can be filled last minute, by those who arrive at the convention. IF there is enough demand we may add some additional readings down in the ‘dungeon’, where there will be a bar service as well in that room for some events. The ‘dungeon’ will also be where, with a bit of luck and some volunteers to run it on site, we will hold the Gross Out.
Film - We expect to have a mixture of presentations, with films of various lengths being shown, and also, in the film room space, we will have some discussions about film scripting, the market process for films, with some information about the film market in Canada, that some people may not be aware of, including some of the local to Winnipeg film companies.
-Linda Ross-Mansfield
Chair – World Horror Convention 2009
