Friday, May 22

5:30 PM
James
Readings
Panelists: Jo Miles, Dominick Rabrun, Jean Marie Ward

10 PM
Federal Hill
“Don’t Get Me Started!”
Our intelligent and witty panelists will pull a topic out of a hat. They will then have two minutes to rant on that topic. Audience will submit topics, the least rant-worthy topics imaginable. Moderator retains the right to reject topics that violate this standard. In the second round, our panelists will take it to the next level and create a conspiracy theory linking two topics from the hat.
Panelists: Yakira Heistand (mod), Daniel M. Kimmel, Nomi S, Ian Randal Strock, Jean Marie Ward

Sunday, May 24

1 PM
Mount Washington
Advancing The Story Without Trauma
While it is accepted that an inciting incident is required as a launch point for a plot arc, our protagonists—and their audiences—might have had enough of certain literary devices. From fridging to sexual violence to burning down the village, creators frequently give characters agency only after making them powerless. Panelists will discuss alternative strategies for kicking off a plot and character motivation.
Panelists: David Simms (mod), Jeanne Adams, Doc Coleman, Jean Marie Ward

2:30 PM
Pride of Baltimore
Strong Female Leads
From the Bechdel test to the Sexy Lamp test, we have lots of metrics for determining if our media is treating female characters well. Yet there’s still much debate about the need for “strong female leads,” and what exactly that means. Why is physical strength/badassery the thing that seems to make a character “strong,” and why would it be a requisite for main-character-dom? Why is a female character’s value dependent on her strength or main character status? And why does falling in love (especially with a man) commonly seem to undermine that strength?
Panelists: MJ Huntsgood (mod), Rigel Ailur, Jennifer Blackstream, 2026 Compton Crook Winner Haley Gelfuso, Jean Marie Ward

Monday, May 25

1 PM
Federal Hill
The Practical Politics of Fairy Tales
What happens after Snow White rides off with her prince? Does anyone consider the power vacuum left behind after the Evil Queen is defeated? Let’s talk about political things overlooked in fairy tales, such as the kingdom-wide repercussions of a king being turned into a frog, what “The Snow Queen” is actually queen of, and why there are so many princes and princesses riding around anyway.
Panelists: Nik Alexander (mod), Pat Bahn, Robert Lewis, Jean Marie Ward

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Heading to the DC area this weekend? Have I got the event for you! Capclave, the con where reading is not extinct, will take over the Hilton Executive Conference Center in Rockville, Maryland, September 19-21. There will be panels and guests galore, to say nothing of great programming.

We’ll also be doing The Eye of Argon, but don’t let that deter you. Check out my other panels:

Friday, 9 PM, Washington Theater
Fractured Fairy Tales
Participants: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Jim Freund, Michael Swanwick, Jean Marie Ward (M)
From Disney to Alix Harrow to T. Kingfisher, people have twisted fairy tales into new works with new interpretations. What’s the appeal of reinterpreting Snow White and her peers? How can adaptation reinterpret traditional stories to provide new perspectives for new audiences and new times? What variants work and which ones have not? Is this a case of authors being lazy, relying on what others have done? Or is this using the power of fairy tales, and our connection to them forged in childhood, to make a greater statement?

Friday, 10 PM, Washington Theater
Eye of Argon (Ends at: 10:55 pm)
Participants: Íde Hennessy, Ian Randal Strock, Jean Marie Ward
The Eye of Argon is a story so bad it’s good. Legend has it that no one can read more than a page without exploding in laughter (or tears). Our bold assembly will attempt to read the story and act it out. Can they survive the reading? 

Saturday, Noon, Adams
Author Reading — Jean Marie Ward (Ends at: 12:25 pm)
Participants: Jean Marie Ward
Author Jean Marie Ward reads from recent and upcoming work.

Saturday, 3 PM, Jackson
Book Promotion (Ends at: 3:55 pm)
Participants: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Michael Capobianco, Jim Freund, Nate Hoffelder, Michael J. Walsh, Jean Marie Ward (M)
What do writers really need to know about marketing? Podcasts, e-radio, BookTube, Kickstarter, Patron, and discount book sites are some of the ways you can promote your book. How can new writers tap into these options? What are some dos and don’ts? How much should writers invest in promotion and how do they measure results?

Saturday, 7 PM (Ends 8:55 PM)
Mass Signing and Award Ceremony
(Everyone is invited to participate in the Mass signing.  Participants should grab a name tent and pile any books for sale on a table. Everyone can bring books to be signed (or make our dealers happy and buy them here).  Then stay to learn the winner of the WSFA Small Press Award. 

Sunday, 2 PM, Monroe
Point of View (Ends at: 2:55 pm)
Participants: Kel Coleman (M), Nicole Glover, Diana Peterfreund, Jean Marie Ward
Writers can write in the first person (I did that), third person (John did that), and (rarely) second person (you did that). What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? When do writers decide what POV to use and why might they make that choice? Have you written a story in one person (or one POV) and rewrote it with a different one? Under what circumstances would you choose not to write in the typical third person? Are there some subgenres or markets that lend themselves to a particular approach?

See you there!

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Title: Fantasy Gather

Description: Find your new favorite books and meet the authors at the Gather. Commerce will be committed, and libations will be available at a cash bar. The Gather will the last event of the evening in the International Ballroom, so the fun can continue for hours.

Panelists: Lots!

Time: Fri 08:00 pm

Location: International Ballroom (Length: 4 Hours – or more!)

Title: Weird Facts & Stories Hiding Behind Our Tea
Description: Coffee drinkers might convince you that hot-leaf water is nothing special. But the history of the world’s favorite beverage is weirder than you know. From the real Earl Grey to the creation of tea bags to the unexpected origins of some modern tea brands, the tea industry holds a lot of secrets.
Panelists: Professor Upsidasium(M), Jean Marie Ward, Jason R Merrill, Macklyn Butler
Time: Sat 01:00 pm
Location: Macon Courtland Grand (Length: 1 Hour)

Title: Shifter Psychology
Description: Shifters of all types have to learn to deal with essentially two different natures, which can result in a wide range of personality traits. Our panel of authors will discuss how the shifters in their works deal with this dichotomy, and how that response affects the narratives of their stories.
Panelists: Ben Meeks, Stephanie Mirro, Jean Marie Ward, Sean Fletcher, Jasmine Walt, Lea Murphy(M)
Time: Sat 05:30 pm
Location: Chastain 1-2 Westin (Length: 1 Hour)

Title: Historical Romance: Here for the Love, Not as Much the Spice
Description: The Romance genre is not new to the book world. It’s been a popular genre since the 1800s, but recently we’ve seen a celebration of the genre. If you’re more glimpses and kisses behind closed doors than hot and spicy, our panelists will dive into what the Romance genre has for you.
Panelists: Jean Marie Ward, Nancy Northcott, Valerie Willis, Kate McNeil(M)
Time: Sun 04:00 pm
Location: Augusta Courtland Grand (Length: 1 Hour)

Title: Eye of Argon Continued
Description: The Eye of Argon Experience is not to be missed. Regarded by many as the worst sf ever written, our intrepid panelists (and audience) will take turns reading it and acting it out.
Panelists: Keith R.A. DeCandido, Ian Randal Strock(M), Jean Marie Ward
Time: Sun 10:00 pm
Location: Embassy AB Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)

Title: Win, Lose or Draw Dragon Con Edition
Description: Traditionally the last panel of our convention, contestants attempt to get their teammates to guess what they are drawing. Jean Marie Ward once again hosts.
Panelists: Jean Marie Ward(M)
Time: Mon 01:00 pm
Location: Embassy AB Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)

See you there!

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That is all. Happy Saturday!

Okay, it’s only in one category (Fantasy Short Stories) in one format (Paper). But there it is, proof in the pixels, Intergalactic Rejects made the Amazon Top 100. And I plan to take all the evening’s fireworks as my due.

It was raining from a blue sky when I drove up to Baltimore last Thursday. The Japanese call a sunshower “Yokai Wedding.” It seemed a really appropriate way to arrive at Balticon. The con lived up to the name in more ways than one.

It was a great party. I got to hang and panel with so many of my con friends.

I ran into Laurie Toby Edison, John L. French, and Sally Kobee, who were setting up in the Dealers Room. Shortly thereafter, I connected with Amy Kaplan and Jennifer Povey. We immediately made plans to attend the Wine Village at the Inner Harbor the following night.

There was music.

There was wine. There was bacon. (This one’s for you, Danielle Ackley-McPhail.)

And a heck of a lot of giggling.

I’d hoped we could add J.D. Blackrose to the party. This was her first Balticon, but we didn’t connect until later. Next year, J.D. Next year!

Next year, I may finally get to the Death Metal festival down the street or the arts festival near the museum. But I keep getting distracted by the food. This year’s discovery was Costiera in Little Italy. Between there and Mo’s, I ate very well indeed. One word of warning, though. Do NOT eat the broccoli. It’s the worst crime against vegetable-com since my mom last opened a can—and she was the unquestioned, unchallenged Worst Cook East of the Mississippi. Stick to the seafood, pasta, and salads—with or without seafood. You can’t go wrong.

The panels were great. Carl Cipra should win a prize for the best intros ever. He also did a great job of guiding Randee Dawn, David Boop, and me through “Is it Horror or Dark Fantasy?” We didn’t come to any conclusion, but it was fun not getting there.

Randee also hosted a launch party for her new book, The Only Song Worth Singing, from Shahid Mahmud’s Arc Manor Press, in the Con Suite Saturday evening. I was all set to celebrate with her in the con suite and help demolish a thoroughly amazing cake on my way to moderating “Humorous Fantasy Is a Serious Business.” But I got distracted in the best possible way.

I stumbled onto the handfasting ceremony of Suzanne A. Buck and Charlotte, whose full name I unfortunately never caught. (I told you that sunshower was the perfect omen.) It turned out I’d met Suzanne years ago, when she was a teenager. Now she’s a zoologist, a writer, and as if that isn’t enough, a consultant on Star Trek. How cool is that?

I did manage to make it to the door of the con suite, where I finally ran into J.D. We were soon joined by others, including Elektra Hammond and Diana Peterfreund, who had some fabulous NFP news to share. (Big congrats, Diana!) We were all so giddy, I completely forgot that I was supposed to connect with Morgan Hazelwood about everything I was looking forward to about the con. (Many apologies, Morgan. I’ll try to make it up to you next year.)

When I could finally tear myself away, I was already about to be late. Then I discovered I didn’t know where to find the room. Fortunately, Programming Chair Extraordinaire Yakira Heistand pointed me in the right direction. Yeah, I was late. To “Humorous Fantasy is a Serious Business,” the panel I was moderating. The shame! Really. I hate being late, but Alex Shvartsman and Doc Coleman kept things going until I arrived. The fourth participant, Martin Berman-Gorvine, wasn’t able to make it. But he did join us for “The Eye of Argon” reading/performance Sunday night.

I planned to head directly to the Masquerade. But one of the pleasures of a con is you never move in a straight line. I had a wonderful hall chat with Carolyn Ives Gilman that only broke up when she had to dash to a panel of her own.

Sunday was my busy day, starting off with “Juggling POV.” Alan Smale did an amazing job of wrangling Catherine Asaro, Ken Altabef, and me. It turned into one of the best craft panels ever.

Next up was one of my personal highlights—sharing an hour’s reading time with 2025 Heinlein Award winner and living SFF legend Sharon Lee. Her reading was wonderful—a story within a story. But the audience seemed to enjoy my snippets, especially “Burning Down the House” and the opening of “Brigid and the Snakes,” one of the stories in Intergalactic Rejects, coming from Calendar of Fools June 20. (Another good omen, don’t you think, Zach Be?)

High as that was, my next panel, “Orpheus, Again?” chaired by Rosemary Claire Smith, featuring Tom Doyle, Sherri Woolsey, and me. It was a satisfyingly deep dive into the Orpheus mythos, old and new.

Then, the fitting cap to my con, “The Eye of Argon.” Ian Randal Strock was the unenviable task of herding cats—I mean leading Amy Kaplan, Mary G. Thompson, and me through our paces as readers and performers of the beloved “Worst SF Story of All Time.” (Honestly, it really isn’t that bad.) I don’t think he was expecting the enthusiasm with which Amy, Mary, and I—ably assisted by Sarah Avery and the rest of our studio audience—approached our roles. And it is ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE that the undulating tavern wenches and belly-fluttering prince had anything to do with Ian calling time and personally reading the last three paragraphs of Chapter three-and-a-half. Untrue, I say!

The only thing that could cap that was a debrief in the hotel bar with Amy and her husband Bruce. My French 75 was surprisingly great. The other folks’ cocktails…Hey, it was the company that mattered.

My only regret is I should have taken more pictures, especially of the Masquerade. The costumes were spectacular. But so was the con. Big thanks are due to everyone involved, directors, staff, volunteers, participants, and attendees. And apologies to anyone whose name I forgot, because you know you always forget someone.

Can’t wait to do it all over again next year! Without the forgetting part, that is.

Like it says on the box, I’m back on the web. JeanMarieWard.com was down for the better part of a year thanks after a someone hacked my former webmaster’s server. But a brilliant friend not only recovered most of the data from the Wayback Machine, she taught me how to navigate process of rebuilding the site. Who knew building blocks could be SO HARD?

I’m also back at Balticon–or will be momentarily. I’ll be leaving spouse and cat tomorrow to return to Baltimore’s best Memorial Day Weekend party. I have a wonderful schedule of panels too:

Friday, May 23, 7 PM, Mount Washington Room
Is it Horror or Dark Fantasy?
New sub-genres pop up all the time. Dark Fantasy is being used a lot these days. Is it horror light or something altogether different? Panelists: Carl Cipra (Moderator), David Boop, Randee Dawn, Jean Marie Ward

Saturday, May 24, 7 PM, Pride of Baltimore II Room
Humorous Fantasy Is a Serious Business
Is humorous fantasy underrated? In an era of serious narratives and grimdark stories, have humorous approaches to fantasy become less popular? Readers may not take humorous fantasy because of its…non-seriousness. Humor, absurdity, and satire are not only a reason to laugh, but can also be a vehicle for biting observations. Sir Terry Pratchett was a past master of the form. Who leads the field now? Panelists: Jean Marie Ward (Moderator), Doc Coleman, Alex Shvartsman, Martin Berman-Gorvine

Sunday, May 25, 1 PM, Mount Washington Room
Juggling POV
It’s a hallmark of SFF to provide different points of view. How many POV characters are too many? How do jump from one character to another without losing your readers? Learn from pros who have kept their readers along for the ride. Panelists: Alan Smale (Moderator), Ken Altabef, Catherine Asaro, Jean Marie Ward

Sunday, May 25, 4 PM, St. George Room
Readings
Readers: Sharon Lee and Jean Marie Ward (Editorial note: SQUEEEE!!!)

Sunday, May 25, 5:30 PM, Gibson Room
Orpheus Again?
Orpheus and Eurydice mythos have seeded the imaginations of numerous creators. From the Netflix show Kaos to Broadway’s Hadestown to the novelette “L’Esprit de L’Escalier” by Catherine Valente, why does the myth have such a resonance in modern times? What is it telling us about how we see life and love? Or is there something deeper? Panelists: Rosemary Claire Smith (Moderator), Sherri Cook, Tom Doyle, Jean Marie Ward

Sunday, May 25, 8:30 PM, Mount Washington Room
Eye of Argon Reading
Yes, we’re doing it again. We just can’t stop enjoying the absurdity of this absurdly written piece of absurd fiction. While the reading starts with our panelists, the pain often spills over into the audience. Gird your loins. Panelists: Ian Randal Strock (Moderator), A.L. Kaplan, Mary G. Thompson, Jean Marie Ward

See you there!

Hope to see you there!

Thursday, September 1

Virtual: Fact or Fiction, A&HFT 2022 Edition

Our historical fiction writers will refresh your memory on major historical events and goings-on. Of course, not everyone can remember history as it truly happens. Is it fact? Is it fiction? Join our cast of unlucky souls who will determine which story is FACT and which is FICTION
Time: 10:00 am
Location: STRM_YTTC (Length: 1 Hour)

Friday, September 2

Defining SF in the Era of the Sub-Genre

There are so many different definitions of sf. There are an equal number of sub-genres (military sf, space opera, etc.) Our panelists discuss how definitions have changed through the years.
Time: 11:30 am
Location: Embassy AB (Length: 1 Hour)

Finding Balance: Shifters & Werecreatures in UF

Werecreatures & shifters of various types display a wide range of characteristics within the genre, and each deals differently with maintaining a balance between their human and non-human side. Our panel of authors will discuss their versions, as well as some of their favorites in books & media.
Time: 01:00 pm
Location: Chastain 1-2 (Length: 1 Hour)

Humor in SF

It takes a deft hand to imbue science fiction with humor, Whether it is subtle or slapstick, our panelists talk about how this is best done and give examples.
Time: 07:00 pm
Location: Embassy AB (Length: 1 Hour)

Saturday, September 3

Herstorically Speaking: Vanishing Women in History

Explore the women that changed the world as we know it, both living and dead. Where would we be without these women that seem to have vanished into the mists of time and how would the world have changed if they hadn’t been erased?
Time: 05:30 pm
Location: Macon (Length: 1 Hour)

Sunday, September 4

Scandalous: Historical Gossip

Some of our favorite authors share secrets and stories they’ve uncovered as they dug deep in their research. Bring the tea, because these authors will spill it as they unearth the side of history that couldn’t remain hidden forever.
Time: 05:30 pm
Location: Macon (Length: 1 Hour)

Monday, September 5

If I Could Do It Over Again…

Every writer makes a (some? many?) mistake. Maybe this panel will help beginning writers avoid those same mistakes.
Time: 11:30 am
Location: Embassy EF (Length: 1 Hour)

Win, Lose or Draw

The game show where contestants have to draw various things from sf, Dragon Con itself, and fantasy. If their team guesses it in the allotted time, they win the round.
Time: 02:30 pm
Location: Embassy AB (Length: 1 Hour)

Like everyone who knows her, I was shocked and appalled by what happened to Stephanie Burke. Therefore, I have sent the con and its parent organization, BSFS, an email formally withdrawing my participation from future #Balticon programming until BSFS and Balticon resolve the systemic and procedural issues that led to her summary expulsion from the con Sunday, May 29.

I believe conventions should have codes of conduct and follow them. Individuals, organizations, and corporations should be held accountable for their actions. But #codesofconduct are not enough. What happened to Stephanie showed how easily a con’s code of conduct can be weaponized through misunderstanding and the lack of appropriate protocols to protect both accuser and accused until the truth can be determined. Balticon’s public actions in the wake of Stephanie’s expulsion fail to demonstrate any interest in preventing future misunderstandings or acts of spite.

I hope this is not the end of my association with Balticon. I hope the issues raised here and by others in connection with Stephanie’s experience can be resolved to the benefit of all. I would be happy to work with the con to develop strategies and procedures to prevent future incidents of this kind. But I will not return to the convention until adequate steps have been taken to safeguard the rights and persons of con participants, members, accusers and accused.

For the record, these are my thoughts as a writer and an individual. They do not reflect the views or positions of any of the professional or fannish organizations to which I belong or serve in any capacity.

Friday

Dark Baptism: Coming Into Her Power

How does the supernatural teenage girl trope explore important themes like coming of age, social alienation, and finding a path?
Panelists: Gwendolyn Clare, Michael N. Jones, Ryan O’Nan, Michelle D. Sonnier, Jean Marie Ward (moderator)
4 PM, James Meeting Room

Frontier Fiction

From undersea development to life in the asteroid belt, it’s not just “the weird wild west” out there. What other frontiers can be sought out and explored through SFF? Why is life on the frontier an interesting setting for SFF? How do you write frontier fiction without simply reworking colonial/imperialist dogma?
Panelists: C.J. Cherryh, Monica Louzon, Gillian Polack, Jay Smith, Beth Morris Tanner (mod), Jean Marie Ward
7 PM, Virtual Panel Room 1

Alternate History—Just Add Magic!

Starting with a well-known period of history and throwing in magical elements into the mix is a popular approach to developing a basic concept for a story. Examples of this include Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, The Enchanted Chocolate Pot, and the recent Dead Djinn Universe. We will talk about the benefits and pitfalls of this approach, how much rigor to put into the magical system, how much history you need to learn, and how to decide where to get started.
Panelists: Phenderson Djèlí Clark, Tom Doyle, JL Gribble, Michelle D. Sonnier, Jean Marie Ward (mod)
8:30 PM, Guilford Meeting Room

Saturday

Most Of What You Know About History Is Wrong

False, popular “facts” about history are so widespread that people often view documented facts with skepticism and even outrage. Medieval people did actually bathe, Edison did not invent the light bulb, and more than 300 soldiers defended Thermopylae. Let’s tackle examples where real history runs into false popular narratives and the problems that result.
Panelists: Tom Doyle, Ada Palmer, Alan Smale, Jean Marie Ward (mod)
1 PM, Kent Meeting Room

Getting The Most From A Writers Association

Genre association groups such as the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA) and the Romance Writers Association (RWA), as well as more local groups like the Maryland Writers Association (MWA), can offer benefits and perks. Panelists talk about what different groups have to offer and how to get the most out of your membership.
Panelists: Joshua Bilmes, Carol Gyzander, Amy Kaplan (mod), Rosemary Claire Smith, Jean Marie Ward
2:30 PM, James Meeting Room

Breaking the Hero’s Journey

There are many ways to break the established pattern while still making the journey entertaining for audiences. Panelists will examine examples of this and what makes them still satisfying to the audience.
Panelists: Sarah Avery, Carl Cipra, Robert L. Slater, Rosemary Claire Smith, Jean Marie Ward (mod)
4 PM, Room 7029

Sunday

Magic In The Ancient Mediterranean

From Greek curse tablets to Mesopotamian healing spells, the ancient world was brimming with magic, magicians, and demonic dangers. Let’s discuss what evidence survives, what it tells us about who wanted to use magic and why, and how we reconstruct the magical worlds of the past.
Panelists: Tom Doyle, Rosemary Claire Smith (mod), John Robison, Rosemary Claire Smith, Jean Marie Ward, Sherri Cook Woosley
1 PM, James Meeting Room

Readings

Brian Ketchum and Jean Marie Ward
2:30 PM, St. George Meeting Room

Giving Your Work Away For Fun And Profit

Everyone loves free stuff, but authors need to pay the bills. Can you make money by giving your work away, and if so, how do you choose what to distribute for free? What tools and metrics can you use to show a publisher or business partner that the work that you give away for free is driving sales?
Panelists: Leonardo Espinoza Benavides, Brenda Clough, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, Angela Yuriko Smith (mod), Jean Marie Ward
7 PM, Virtual Panel Room 1