KSP Mini Con

And it's on again!

2012-02-05T23:40:00.000-08:00

The fourth KSP mini-con will be held on 9 September 2012. It's always a fun event, run by readers and writers of speculative fiction FOR readers and writers of speculative fiction. It's always a great day out (families welcome) with panels, talks, a BBQ, books to buy and sell and talk, talk, talk!

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And Now It's Over.

2010-05-09T21:17:00.000-07:00

Well the 2010 KSP Mini Con has come and gone. For once the weather was kind to us. Instead of teeming rain we had a glorious, sunny day, that invited everyone to wander out into the sunshine and brightened the inside of the house. We were very grateful too given that we arrived to find the power was out – and so it stayed until shortly before 3:00 pm. This caused considerable challenges, particularly in the kitchen, but with creative, not to mention lateral thinking, we managed to run a successful day. Several visitors commented that if they hadn’t been told they wouldn’t have realised the power was off. Much credit for this goes to Vanessa and Richard. They managed to supply hot food and drinks using only the gas cook top and the barbeque.

As well as no power, sickness cut a swathe through helpers and panelists and I’d like to thank all those who stepped into fill the gaps so successfully.

Guests including Lee Battersby, Lyn Battersby, Adrian Bedford, Stephen Dedman, Russell B. Farr, Liz Grzyb, Sue Isle, Elaine Kemp, Dave Luckett, Juliet Marillier, Bevan McGuinness, Ian Nichols and Tehani Wesseley as well as members of the KSP Speculative Fiction group, ensured panels were lively and informative. The Kaffeeklatsches, a new innovation run by Elaine and Tehani, were popular too.

Booksellers including Fantastic Planet, Ticonderoga Publications and Twelfth Planet Press brought a range of books including those by guest authors.

The house made an ideal setting for a convention of this size with guests able to mingle with writers, editors and publishers and those who attended took full advantage. Although numbers were down on previous years, judging by feedback on the day and on the Internet later, those who came enjoyed the opportunity.

The Absolutely Final Program

2010-04-24T23:28:00.000-07:00

We're very excited. Come along to Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers Centre, 11 Old York Rd, Greenmount, between 10:00 am and 5: pm on May 2. Yes, it is this coming Sunday! How did it come up so fast?

The final line up is:

Annette Backshall and Vanessa Boscarello will share MC duties.

10:00: Casting Call: heroes, villains and monsters. Hal Colebatch, Toby Coulstock, Liz Grzyb, Bevan McGuinness and Carol Ryles (mod)

11:00: Writing Intensives e.g. Clarions, Writers of the Future: do they work? Lee Battersby, Lyn Battersby, Carol Ryles, Helen Venn and Annette Backshall (mod)

Or enjoy a Kaffeeklatsch: Nanowrimo with Elaine Kemp and Sarah Parker

12:00: Stuck in the Mud: Writers' block/painting characters into a corner: Stephen Dedman, Sue Isle, David Kitson, Bevan McGuiness and Annette Backshall (mod)

1:00: Should WA writers use WA settings? Lee Battersby, Adrian Bedford, Stephen Dedman, Juliet Marillier and Russell B. Farr (mod)

2:00: Romance in Fantasy. Lyn Battersby, Satima Flavell, Elaine Kemp, David Kitson and Sarah Parker (mod)

3:00: World Building: Dave Luckett, Bevan McGuinness, Helen Venn and Carol Ryles (mod)

Or enjoy a Kaffeeklatsch: E-publishing with Elaine Kemp and Tehani Wesseley

4:00: Turkey City Lexicon: Have some fun with overused tropes of SF. Russell B. Farr, David Kitson, Dave Luckett, Ian Nichols and Annette Backshall (mod).

See you on Sunday.

Nine More Sleeps

2010-04-23T06:46:00.000-07:00

Until the KSP 2010 Mini Con.

It's getting better by the day. There will be panels peopled by some of Perth's finest speculative fiction writers and publishers. You'll be able to buy a range of books from Fantastic Planet and indie publishers Ticonderoga Publications and Twelfth Planet Press as well as from local authors. And, of course, there are the kaffeeklatsches - but you'll have to be early to book into those. Numbers are limited.

Just to remind you, the details for the KSP Mini Con are:

Where: Katharine Susannah Writers Centre, 11 Old York Rd, Greenmount

When: Sunday, May 2, from 10:00 am 'til 5:00 pm.

Entry: Adults $5.00 Family pass $10.00

There'll be snacks and tea and coffee available at a reasonable price.

It's Here

2010-04-14T23:40:00.000-07:00

The Mini Con 2010 program that is. We're excited about it and hope you will be too.
We have some great panellists and topics covering a wide range of writerly topics so come and enjoy them on May 2 at the Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers Centre, 11 Old York Road, Greenmount WA 6056.

Here's the complete list:

10:00: Casting Call: heroes, villains and monsters. Hal Colebatch, Toby Coulstock, Liz Grzyb, Bevan McGuinness and Carol Ryles (mod)

11:00: Writing Intensives e.g. Clarions, Writers of the Future: do they work? Lee Battersby, Sonia Helbig, Carol Ryles and Helen Venn

Kaffeeklatsch: Nanowrimo with Elaine Kemp and Sarah Parker

12:00: Stuck in the Mud: Writers' block/painting characters into a corner: Sonia Helbig, Sue Isle and David Kitson

1:00: Should WA writers use WA settings? Lee Battersby, Adrian Bedford, Stephen Dedman, Russell B. Farr (mod) and Juliet Marillier

2:00: Romance in Fantasy. Lyn Battersby, Satima Flavell, Elaine Kemp and David Kitson

3:00: World Building: Dave Luckett, Bevan McGuinness, Helen Venn and Carol Ryles (mod)

Kaffeeklatsch: E-publishing with Elaine Kemp and Tehani Wesseley

4:00: Turkey City Lexicon: Have some fun with overused tropes of SF. Russell B. Farr, David Kitson, Dave Luckett and Ian Nichols.

More details soon.

We're getting there.

2010-03-20T05:08:00.000-07:00

Here's what you've all been waiting for! Our third biennial one day speculative fiction get together of writers and readers.

This is a must visit for Western Australian writers and fans of speculative fiction - a chance to meet writers and editors for a low entry fee. Tea and coffee and cheap lunches available.

Why come? Because the more opportunities for fans and writers of speculative fiction to get together the better. You'll be able to mingle with established authors and editors, sit in on discussion panels, meet up with other fans and buy books.

When is it? From 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday 2 May, 2010.

Where? At Katharine's Place, the home of the Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers' Centre, 11 Old York Road, Greenmount, WA 6056. This heritage listed building, perched near the top of Greenmount, was the home of well known Australian writer Katharine Susannah Prichard.

Who will be there? Established Western Australian writers and editors from all areas of speculative fiction - science fiction, fantasy, dark fantasy and horror. Lee Battersby, Lyn Battersby, Sonia Helbig, Sue Isle, Juliet Marillier, Bevan McGuiness, Carol Ryles and more have signed up to participate in discussion panels such as "Should WA writers use WA settings?" "Stuck in the mud - dealing with writers block and other difficulties" and "Romance in fantasy". Take the opportunity to meet the guests and fellow-enthusiasts and find out what’s happening on the Western Australian speculative fiction scene.

We’ll be posting the program with a complete list of participants and other details here over the next few weeks. Don't forget to check in.

More Planning

2010-03-15T00:34:00.001-07:00

The Mini Con group site is abuzz with ideas and plans. This is going to be a great day. We have a number of authors on board and I'll update as we finalise details. Please keep checking in. You don't want to miss Perth's only writing oriented speculative fiction convention, do you.

A long time coming

2010-03-10T03:59:00.000-08:00

but the Mini Con edeges ever closer.

May 2 is going to be a great day. The grounds of Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers Centre are looking lovely, the weather must be kind this time and the invitations are out and replies are coming in. To judge by the responses a lot of folk are looking forward to a progam of exciting panels featuring some of Western Australia's many talented speculative fiction writers as well as the chance to meet and mingle with them.

There'll be all the usual fun - and some new additions but you'll have to wait to find out about that as I update the blog.

Check back soon.

It's Official!

2009-11-09T00:51:00.000-08:00

It's been a while but there will be a Mini Con in 2010. Planning is underway and this blog will be updated as things develop.

Where: Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers Centre

When: Sunday 2 May 2010.

There'll be panels, booksellers and a chance to meet local speculative fiction writers.

Keep the day free to come and join the fun.

Photos from the Mini Con

2008-10-13T05:08:00.000-07:00

Here are links to various sites with KSP Mini Con 2008 photos.

http://www.battersblog.blogspot.com

http://betweenworlds.com

http://soniahelbig.livejournal.com

That should inspire us all for next time, shouldn't it.

All Over - Until Next Time?

2008-10-01T23:59:00.000-07:00

What a fantastic day we had! The KSP Speculative Fiction group members really put themselves out to provide a memorable event. Congratulations and thanks to each and every one of you.

In spite of the weather being unbelievably bad - cold with soaking rain and strong wind (It's well into Spring, for goodness sake) - it didn't stop us having a great turn out. A succession of entertaining and informative panels on all sorts of speculative fiction and writerly subjects, readings, a hot lunch, door prizes, book sellers and a chance to chat with local writers made for a day with something for everyone. It must have been good because the last visitors were still standing around talking as we finished locking up.

Will we do it again? You'll have to wait and see, I guess, but if you came and enjoyed yourself or missed out for some reason it would be a good idea to check in here every now and then. You just might be pleasantly surprised - and sooner than you think.

Final Programme for the Mini Con

2008-09-15T05:27:00.000-07:00

Here's what you've all been waiting for - the final running order for the day's activities:

10.00 am Panel "How to Handle Rejections":

Adrian Bedford, Russell Farr, Simon Haynes and Bevan McGuiness

followed by

Readings from

Sonia Helbig and Helen Venn

11.00 am Panel "Clarions; gains and losses":

Lee Battersby, Lyn Battersby, Carol Ryles, Helen Venn and Jessica Vivien

followed by

Readings from

Jo Mills and Elaine Kemp

12.00 noon Panel "What's Hot and What's Not - trends in Speculative Fiction":

Elaine Kemp, Alisa Krasnostein, Ian Nichols and Grant Stone

followed by

Readings from

Juliet Marillier and Ian Nichols

1.00 pm Panel "Lies, Damned Lies and Research":

Dave Luckett, Hal Colebatch, Satima Flavell and Juliet Marillier

followed by

Readings from

Hal Colebatch and Dave Luckett

2.00 pm Panel "Hooks and Sinkers - writing a killer first line"

Adrian Bedford, Stephen Dedman, Russell Farr and Bevan McGuiness

followed by

Readings from

Adrian Bedford and Stephen Dedman

3.00 pm Panel "Steampunk"

Toby Coulstock; John Parker; Carol Ryles and Grant Stone

followed by

Readings from

Deb Ratcliffe and Carol Ryles

4.00 pm Panel "How to get out of the Slushpile":

Lyn Battersby, Janet Blagg, Stephen Dedman; Alisa Krasnostein; Tehani Wessely

followed by

Q&A and wind-up.

That's quite a line up.But wait, there's more - book sales courtesy of Fantastic Planet and a chance to chat with local authors and buy their books as well

Gold coin entry, Hot dog and fruit lunch $5 with complimentary entry into prize draw for book parcels with each lunch voucher purchased.
Tea and coffee will be available all day for a silver coin donation per cup.

You don't want to miss this! See you there.

Wastelands II, Age of Iron

2008-09-05T05:26:00.000-07:00

Wastelands II, Age of Iron is a two day convention focusing on the
futures of yesterday, and the glories of tomorrows that never were.
There will be two streams over two days, including workshops, panels,
and presentations. Discounts for people dressed in theme.

Wastelands is on the Saturday, October 18,
and Sunday 19th 2008 at the Good Earth Hotel in Perth, WA.

We need YOU to help us make this convention great! Here's the current programme:
http://cheshire.iinet.net.au/WL2/Wasteland2Prog.html

We want YOU to be on those panels! Do you see something you like?
Do you see something you feel confident you can speak on to a few close friends?
Do you see something you want to research and then discuss?
Please click on the links and let us know!
We're looking for people to talk on a wide range of topics.
If you have an idea you think would be of interest, please email Chesh on cheshirenoir at g mail dot com

If you want to help out, but don't know what you can do, then please email Calli on callisto at g mail dot com

Age of Iron is coming fast, and it's going to be great!

Twenty Two Sleeps.

2008-08-30T02:41:00.000-07:00

This Mini Con is getting better by the day. Not saying anything just yet but there are some interesting new ideas being worked on. Well more than just interesting in my opinion. We'll be making some announcements soon.

Panels Topics

2008-08-19T04:27:00.000-07:00

After much discussion and soul searching the votes have been counted and the list of panels decided. We had so many great suggestions that it was a difficult process but as you can see those chosen will give something for everybody.

As voted in order of popularity they are:

How to Get Out of the Slushpile

What's Hot and What's Not: trends in speculative fiction

Hooks and Sinkers:writing a killer opening sentence

How to Survive Rejections

Clarions: gains and losses

Steampunk

Lies, Damn Lies and Research: using facts in fiction

A programme will be put up giving times and participants very soon.

Getting closer.

2008-08-16T03:10:00.001-07:00

So the final decision on panels is to be made tomorrow and the details of who's on what will be going out soon. Stay tuned.
And just a quick plug for another KSP event: the Katharine Susannah Prichard Speculative Fiction Awards will be held tomorrow Sunday,17 August, starting at 3:00pm at KSP Writers' Centre, 11 Old York Road, Greenmount. All welcome.

Panels - Voting in Progress

2008-08-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

Things are really moving now. We have a proposed list of panel topics covering a wide area. This was made up of suggestions from the Speculative Group members and those invited to be on panels. As there are a lot of suggestions and only six panel times much soul searching is being done to decide which of these will get the guernseys. The final list will be put up later in the week.

I have to say with so many interesting and challenging topics on the list as it stands making the choices is not easy but it does mean con goers will get a day of stimulating discussions whichever ones are chosen.

In the meantime if you happen to see some of the committee members hunched over spreadsheets and computers in a coffee shop somewhere in the City over the next few days, we'll be working hard on your behalf.

And one last thing although we are way outclassed by this: congratulations to the organising committee of the Melbourne Worldcon 2010 bid on their success. Aussiecon4 will be held in Melbourne on 2-6 September, 2010.

Update.

2008-08-03T01:23:00.000-07:00

There's going to be a great line up at the KSP Mini Con.

Confirmed guests so far include:

Adrian Bedford

Alisa Krasnostein

Bevan McGuiness

Dave Luckett

Elaine Kemp

Grant Stone

Hal Colbatch

Ian Nicholls

Janet Blagg

John Parker

Juliet Marillier

Lee Battersby

Lyn Battersby

Martin Livings

Russell Farr

Simon Haynes

Stephen Dedman

Tehani Wessely.

That's a lot of knowledge and talent to be gathered in one place and it's only the beginning.

The KSP Mini Con is on again!

2008-08-02T00:49:00.000-07:00

Those who attended the inaugural KSP Mini Con run, by the KSP Speculative Fiction Writers' Group, have been asking when the next will be on. Well the wait is over and planning for the KSP Mini Con 2008 is underway.

This is a must visit for Western Australian writers and fans of speculative fiction - a chance to meet writers and editors with panels, readings and books for sale for only a gold coin entry. Tea and coffee and cheap lunches available.

Why come? Because the more opportunities for fans and writers of speculative fiction to get together the better. You'll be able to mingle with established authors and editors, meet up with fans and buy books.

When is it? From 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday 21 September 2008.

Where? At Katharine's Place, the home of the Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers' Centre, 11 Old York Road, Greenmount, WA 6056. This heritage listed building, perched near the top of Greenmount, was the home of well known Australian writer Katharine Susannah Prichard.

Who will be there? Established Western Australian writers and editors from all areas of speculative fiction - science fiction, fantasy and horror. They'll be on discussion panels and reading from their work and there'll be books for sale from local speculative fiction bookshops.

I'll blog program details and the names of guests over the next weeks.