#lit track

Photo: "Interstellar-Space" by Global Panorama

Interstellar Economies

Economies are part of a complete world-building experience, and are often very challenging to create. How do money and trade work when ships are flying from planet to planet, from species to species?

Post-Colonial SF

Can our world's own colonization history help us write the stories of future colonizations? What were the pitfalls? And how can we avoid them? Or are we just doomed to repeat history…

Science and Society

How do changes in science impact our society? Are we losing or gaining faith in science and the scientific method? Come discuss this year's scientific discoveries/changes and how they've impacted our culture.

Karen Lord Interview

Best-selling author Tobias S. Buckell interviews our Author Guest of Honor Karen Lord.

11:00 AM Sunday, Michigan

ConFusion once again brings you fascinating discussions about the science in science fiction.

Gotta Eat 'Em All!

Listen to Dr. Julie Lesnik from the Department of Anthropology at Wayne State University discuss her research in entomophagy, i.e. the consumption of insects as food. Come for the knowledge, stay for the free samples.

Breaking Down the Caveman Diet

What did cavemen *really* eat?  Biological anthropologist Dr. Maureen Devlin from the University of Michigan Department of Anthropology walks us through the evidence, and what the contents of their fridges may have resembled.

Bugs, Magic and Protein

We share the planet with quintillions of insects, so it's no surprise that they have an unfathomable range of uses. Let's make the versatility of insects work for us, from a food source to a magic system.

Every Creature (Real and Fantastical) Poops

You may have read the book Everyone Poops, but it's so human-centric. What about mermaids, centaurs, and other fantastical creatures? Let's see if we can analogize from real species to arrive at a theory of fantastical pooping. (Caution: conversation may stray into food, sex and gestation.)

Pre-reg closes TODAY, 12/31/14. Register at confusionsf.org

LIT TRACK

ConFusion's Lit Track once again brings in a ton of great authors to talk writing, reading and a whole slew of topics in science fiction and fantasy.

#weneeddiversebooks

This group was formed to address the need for all types of diversity in children's literature. The hashtag has been used to highlight examples of diversity in books across many genres. Come discuss the ways that social media movements can be used to effect real change in literature, and hear about some recommendations for books highlighting diverse characters and settings.

Beer, Brewing and Books

Beer in fiction. You read it. You want to drink it. Let's talk about fictional brews, real brews, and why no one in science fiction/fantasy drinks Bud Light.

Books You Read as a Kid that Screwed You Up for Years

Clan of the Cave Bear, VC Andrews, the *wrong* Piers Anthony book... how screwed up were some of the books you picked up before you could drive? How did you overcome it? And what books are screwing up the next generation?

Tough Love for New Writers

Seriously, you're not going to get famous or make any money. Learn how!

Writers as Fans, Fans as Critics, Critics as Writers and Fans

Reviews are not for authors, they're for fans. But many authors are engaged, critical fans. How can authors engage with fans without creating a chilling effect on criticism?

Panelists for the above include: Cinda Williams Chima, Saladin Ahmed, Delilah S. Dawson, JC Daniels, Karen Lord, Wesley Chu,  Douglas Hulick, Seleste deLaney, Justin Landon, Jackie Morgan, Andrea Johnson, Jim C. Hines

Pre-reg closes TOMORROW, 12/31/14. As ever, register at confusionsf.org

Rustbelt Dystopias

Dystopian novels seem to like our beloved rustbelt cities as settings. Perhaps it's easier to imagine a future dystopia in Detroit than it is in San Diego, sure. The fall of the rustbelt industries may also be useful as a warning... this, too, could happen to you...

Michael J. DeLuca*, Christine Purcell, MH Mead, Cherie Priest 2pm Sunday, Southfield

Pre-reg closes 12/31/14. As ever, register at confusionsf.org

Romancing the Vulcan

Emotionally restrained heroes were popular in the age of reason; after Romanticism swept Europe, Jane Austen's Darcys and Knightleys were the only emotionally Vulcan-esque heroes left in media for quite some time. From Darcy/Lizzie on the page, to Spock/Uhura on the screen and Spock/Kirk in our fanfic, we love human passion rubbing up against Vulcan reason. What are other models of this dynamic? What's so appealing about loving a Vulcan... or being one?

Wesley Chu*, Whitney Ross, Amy Sundberg, Tom Doyle, 1pm Saturday, Southfield

Pre-reg closes 12/31/14. As ever, register at confusionsf.org