Weather permitting, the stargazers will meet again on the tennis courts. On Friday and Saturday nights we will observe various celestial objects (planets, stars, star clusters, the one and a half galaxies we can see from Baltimore...). No preregistration is required, but there are a few hints and rules to observe. First, please do not bring small children (under 6 years of age). Older children are welcome, but we ask that parents be present to supervise them.
The weather is likely to be hot, so dress lightly, but bring something long-sleeved in case of bug attacks. To help you find your way around the heavens you might wish to study a star chart ahead of time (look in popular magazines such as Sky and Telescope; they usually have a monthly chart). The event will be held, as last year, on the tennis courts between 9PM and 11PM.
In case of rain we will set the telescopes up in one of the small rooms near the hotel entrance (look in your pocket program guide in your registration package), and talk theory, look at slides, and listen to astronomers share their stories.
If you want to bring a flashlight to look at the charts, please make sure that it either has a red filter (army flashlight) or tape some red plastic to the front. Bright light will ruin everyone's night vision. May the skies be clear and the bugs tired.
For any questions regarding Stargazing or any of our science programming please contact our Science Programming Chair, Inge Heyer
with Howard Weinstein, Bob Jones & Dave Galanter
Our writing workshop team of Howard Weinstein, Bob Jones and Dave Galanter have over 60 years of professional writing experience between them! They'll be sharing the fruits and frustrations of all that jazz with all interested writers at their 2-hour workshop on Saturday. Since the basics of good story-telling apply to many formats, the workshop will cover not only TV and movie scripts, but novels, short stories and comics, too. No matter what your age or experience, if you want to be a writer -- or want to be a better writer -- here's a chance to ask questions and chat about the craft and business of lying for a living! (The workshop is free.)
by Ann C. Crispin
Workshop No. 1, Saturday, 10-1: "How to Get a Real Literary Agent" (limited to 10 writers)
Ms. Crispin and Rich White (both Writer Beware volunteers) will discuss how to formulate a list of potential literary agents using standard marketing guides and reliable Internet resources. They'll instruct writers on what NOT to do, so they can avoid the ubiquitous scam agents, as well as merely incompetent ones. Attendees will learn about the fundamentals of preparing a proper synopsis and the all-important query letter, networking, and the etiquette of querying and submitting manuscripts.
The second hour of this free workshop will focus on writing and workshopping the query letter the writers will be submitting to the list of agents the writers develop. Participants that have already written a query letter are encouraged to bring their query letter to the session. Those that have not will be allowed to write a quick first draft of one during the mid-workshop break. Ms. Crispin and Mr. White will read each query letter and make suggestions for improvement.
Workshop No. 2, Sunday, 12-2: "The Top Five Reasons Manuscripts are Rejected and How to Fix These Problems" (limited to 20 writers)
A.C. Crispin will list and discuss the top five writing-related reasons manuscripts are rejected, and give specific advice on how writers can address these problems in their short stories and novels. Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions.
Each attendee should bring the first five pages of his/her current writing project, and, time permitting, Ms. Crispin will oversee an exercise in which participants review and ID the problem with the excerpts.
The Collective will be sponsoring a Make-it and Take-it workshop at Shore Leave.
Model model kits will be provided for you to build with the help of members of the Collective. They are offering a selection of science fiction models at a cost of $15 each. These kits are snap-together, easy to assemble and suitable for modelers of all ages.
Also during the workshop there will be a discussoin of Advanced Modeling techniques for the more experienced modelers. There is no cost for the Advanced Modeling discussion panel.
Register in advance at the Collective website - www.collectivemodels.com - or register at their dealer table during the convention.
It's not a fantasy, you can crochet too! Perhaps you'd like to give your loved ones a one-of-a-kind handmade gift? Or maybe you're just looking for a productive way to spend your time during a long meeting at work? Then this beginners' crochet workshop is just what you've been looking for! Eta Hack will be leading this workshop to get you started. Admission is limited to 10 crocheters and there is a cost of $4 for the materials.