conventions

If I’m not at one of these panel spots, I’m probably in the writers lounge area outside the Writer Symposium Rooms 243, 244, 245. Don’t forget to ask for my Convention Story Card.

Thursday
11:00am – Signing in the Exhibit Hall

4:00pm – SEM1580472, How SFWA Can Help You, RM211
Whether or not you are a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association, SFWA has the ability to help you with expert advice, tools, examples, & community outreach.

6:00pm – SEM1577164, Craft: RPG Tie-In Fiction, RM243
Learn about the tips & tricks authors use to write amazing fiction based on your favorite RPGs, & find out what it takes to write successfully in a shared world setting.

7:00pm – SEM1577168, Craft: Plotting for Short Fiction, RM243
Explore the differences when plotting short fiction VS novels, & learn tips and tricks that the pros use to create fantastic short story plots.

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Friday
11:00am – Signing in the Exhibit Hall

2:00pm – SEM1580463, Diversity in Gaming, RM210
Discrimination ordinances, Gamergate, & the expanding Geek culture emphasize the importance of diversity. This is an opportunity to brainstorm how we can make gaming more welcoming for everyone.

8:00 PM – ENnies 2015 Ceremony at the Union Station, Indianapolis, Indiana

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Saturday
10:00am – SEM1580486, Women in Games After Gamergate, RM211
In the wake of Gamergate, we’ll explore what the industry is doing to help, how women are interacting differently & ways we as a community can support women as leaders in the evolving gaming world.

11:00am – SEM1577138, World Building: Flora, Fauna, and the Natural World, RM244
Nature & its denizens are crucial background elements in many genre stories. Learn how to subtly incorporate them into your story to make the reader’s experience even more enjoyable.

7:00pm – SEM1577100, Writer’s Craft: Erotic Interludes, RM245
Explicit sex scenes are perhaps the easiest type of scene to write badly. Learn from the pros how to turn up the sexual heat without making your readers laugh mockingly.

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Sunday
Hanging outside the Writer Symposium Rooms 243, 244, 245 when I’m not in meetings.

I am home now from five weeks of travel and events (3 conventions, 2 readings, 1 wedding). I ended with LepreCon in Phoenix, AZ. Yes, it was hot. Really hot. Like 110+ degrees hot. However, it was a great convention. Highly recommended. Small, enthusiastic, and great guests of honor.

In particular, I was pleased to meet Dayton Ward, whom I know from IAMTW, and David Gerrold (most famous for “Trouble with Tribbles.”), who soothed all my fears about the Sasquan Hugo Awards ceremony. After talking with him about my concerns (David is the host), I feel like I can relax and just enjoy the ride. That’s a huge deal for me.

Also, I got to meet my Shadow Minion, Sarah Hendrix, who is as awesome in person as she is online. She took to being my in-person assistant like, well, my shadow. She got me to where I needed to be (Seriously, I have the direction sense of a stoned newt. I couldn’t find my room even once without her.), made me eat, even when I was cranky, found out all the answers, and even played in my Big Demons in Little China game. There’s already an offer on the table to bring the both of us to an LA convention.

Then, on the way to the airport, I discovered that Chicks Dig Gaming: A Celebration of All Things Gaming by the Women Who Love It has been nominated for an ENnie award for Best RPG Related Product. Ya’ll have no idea just how happy I am about this. I joke that this means I have four awards (2 Scribes, 1 ENnie, 1 Hugo) to lose over the next two months, but I really am honored by the nomination. We worked hard on the anthology and it deserves some love and recognition. So, yay!

Now, I have a month to whip NEVER LET ME DIE into shape while fielding the edits of other projects from various publishers. Then, off to Gen Con as part of the Writers Symposium and as one of the Industry Insider Featured Presenters.

This coming weekend, I am the gaming GoH at LepreCon. I’m looking forward to the convention. I’ve never been in Arizona before. Everyone promises me I’m going to be hot. I believe them. If you’re at LepreCon, be sure to say hello and ask for my Convention Story Card.
  
Fri 10a-11a, Ventanas: Opening Ceremonies
Fri 3p-4p, Suite C: Meet Jennifer Brozek                                                
Fri 4p-5p, Suite E: Industry Talk: Tabletop vs. Video games                            
Fri 8p-9p, Suite C: Writing for Licensed Properties
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Sat 10a-11a, Suite C: Help, I’m Stuck!
Sat 11a-1130a, Suite E: Autographing
Sat 8p-9p, Suite C: Freelance Illustrator: Making It
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Sun 12p-4p, Goblin Table: Big Demons in Little China
Sun 6p-7p, Ventanas: Closing Ceremonies

If you are going to Origins Game Fair, I will be there as a panelist or in the Library section of the Dealers Room. Come by and say hello.

Thursday 2pm, C223
Freelancing 101
What does it mean to make a living as a freelance writer or editor? Our panelists tell you how it’s done.
Bryan Young, Josh Vogt, John Helfers, Jennifer Brozek, Aaron Rosenberg

Thursday 4pm, C223
The Novel and You
So you’ve written a few (or a few hundred) short stories. A novel should be easy, right? Wrong! It’s a whole different skill set. Our panelists discuss writing a novel from inception to completion.
John Helfers, Josh Vogt, Tracy Chowdhury, Jennifer Brozek, Gregory A. Wilson

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Friday 2pm, C223
Writing for RPGs
What goes into writing a campaign or an entire game setting? These authors have traveled that road and can show you the map. 90 minutes.
Aaron Rosenberg, Jennifer Brozek, Josh Vogt, Richard C. White, Donald J. Bingle

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Saturday 4pm, C222
Ask the Editor
Do you have questions about writing, editing, or submitting your work? Now is your chance to ask an editor anything that’s on your mind.
Jennifer Brozek

Saturday 5pm, C222
Consult on My Query
Jennifer Brozek

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Sunday 12pm
Anthology Creation Workshop
How do editors make an anthology? Award-winning editor and author Jennifer Brozek walks you through the process from idea generation to finished product.
Jennifer Brozek, John Helfers

This weekend begins a five week stretch of off-and-on travel. It is the heart of convention season for me and why I pushed so hard to get the rough draft of NEVER LET ME DIE done.

So, where is Jennifer through the end of June?

• May 22-24: Crypticon in Sea-Tac, WA
• June 3-8: Origins Game Fair in Columbus, OH
• June 16: Reading at the University Bookstore in Seattle, WA
• June 20: Wedding in Marysville, WA
• June 25-29: LepreCon in Phoenix, AZ

For most of this, I’ll be traveling alone and the Husband will have charge of the house and the kitties (who will become angry balls of fur at my disappearances). For the one time the Husband will be with me, I’ve got a house/cat sitter lined up (the cats love the sitter, he bribes them with treats).

I’m looking forward to each of these events. I’m hanging out with Katie Cord and Tim Long at Crypticon. Origins is one of my favorite conventions ever. I’m reading at the University Bookstore with Kristi Charish, a super keen author and podcaster. Yay weddings! It’s always fun to go to a friend’s wedding where you will know almost everyone. I’m very excited about LepreCon because my PA, Sarah, will be there with me.

All this means that my life is going to be insane. Because, while I’m doing all this, I’ll be editing two novels and two novellas for myself and for AIP.

It’s going to be crazy but fun.

It’s been an amazing couple of weeks. Really amazing.

Awards: I’ve been nominated for two different Scribe Awards. One for best tie-in short story. One for best tie-in YA novel.

Conventions: I’ve been named one of Gen Con’s Industry Insider Featured Presenters. I’m really excited about this.

Election: I’ve been voted in as one of the new Directors-at-Large for SFWA along with Matthew Johnson. I will take office on July 1, 2015.

Interview: I’ve been interviewed by Katie Teller, focusing on my Dark Quest Books anthologies.

Review: Thomas Gondolfi of Scifimonkeys.com reviewed CALLER UNKNOWN and gave it an “Unexpected A-“. He had some interesting points to make.

I’m deep in the throes of writing NEVER LET ME DIE, Melissa Allen #3, so I’m not checking Twitter or Facebook right now. However, lots has happened. Here’s a Bubble & Squeek for you.

Award: I was nominated for a Hugo Award. This is both exciting and terrifying.

Convention: I’ve been added to OrcaCon’s Special Guest lineup. I’m also on their kickstarter with a custom game of Katanas & Trenchcoats for you and four of your friends.

Interview: I was interviewed by Douglas Hawk for his 7 Questions series. Want to know what my workspace looks like?

Publication Release: DocWagon 19 is out the door! Get it here:  Amazon | BattleShop | DriveThruRPG

Recommendation: Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix is one of the best, messed up horror books I’ve read in a long time. I will never look at a large home store the same ever again.

Recommendation: Science STYLE – Taylor Swift Acapella Parody. I just really liked this video.

Review: Goodreads review of Chimera Incarnate.

Review: Goodreads review of DocWagon 19.

Sale: I sold The Last Days of the Salton Academy to Ragnarok Publications! Yay!

This Norwescon was pretty intense and event-filled. The biggest thing that happened was the Hugo Award nomination short list announcement. I have been nominated for Best Editor, Short Form. I’m simultaneously thrilled beyond words and terrified. I know a whole lot more people will be looking at me now, trying to figure out who I am, what I do, and what I’ve done.

I once wrote about working in the publishing industry was to be an obscure celebrity. When people find out, they get very excited. The stars in some people’s eyes is really amazing to see.

To be an editor is to be a stealth troubleshooter, designer, and artist all at once—specifically to make someone else look awesome. I’ve worked hard in the last five years, putting out 14 anthologies, being an assistant editor for Apex Publications, being the editor in chief of Apocalypse Ink Productions, and doing the thousand myriad jobs one does in the publishing business. I am currently editing a charity anthology as well as an open call for flash fiction for Evil Girlfriend Media.

In 2014, I had 4 anthologies released. I am proud of all of them. The first is pure science fiction, the second is steampunk fantasy, the third is a non-fiction anthology from women about games and the gaming industry, and the last is traditional fantasy-military.

• Bless Your Mechanical Heart anthology – Evil Girlfriend Media, Editor, April 2014
• Beast Within 4: Gears & Growls anthology – Graveside Tales, Editor, October 2014
• Chicks Dig Gaming non-fiction anthology – Mad Norwegian Press, Co-Editor (with Robert Smith? and Lars Pearson), November 2014
• Shattered Shields anthology – Baen Books, Co-Editor (with Bryan Thomas Schmidt), November 2014

Below are the other 10 anthologies I edited since 2009, including my award winning anthology, Grants Pass.

• Grants Pass anthology – Morrigan Books, Co-editor (with Amanda Pillar), August, 2009 (AU Shadows Award Winner 2009)
• Close Encounters of the Urban Kind anthology – Apex Book Company, Editor, April 2010
• Beauty Has Her Way anthology – Dark Quest Books, Editor, January 2011
• Human Tales anthology – Dark Quest Books, Editor, April 2011
• Beast Within 2: Predator & Prey anthology – Graveside Tales, Editor, June 2011
• Space Tramps anthology – Flying Pen Press, Editor, Sep 2011
• Human for a Day anthology – DAW, Editor, Dec 2011
• Dangers Untold anthology – Alliteration Ink Press, Editor, 1 October 2012
• Beast Within 3: Oceans Unleashed anthology – Graveside Tales, Editor, 7 December 2012
• Coins of Chaos anthology – EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing, Editor, October 2013

Since the announcement, several people have asked me if they can vote. The answer is “yes, but…” Yes, but you need to be at least a supporting member of Sasquan / Worldcon 2015. This is a minimum of $40. However, if you do become a member in time to vote (by the end of July 2015), you will receive the Hugo packet which will have a whole of books and stories from the nominees in other categories so you can make an informed choice. The Hugo packet will include examples of my editing work.

I want to thank everyone who has contacted me with cheers, support, and well wishes. I’m tickled pink that authors I’ve edited are happy about the nomination. Every congratulations message means the world to me. More than you can know. I do feel a little bit like the “home town girl does good” and I don’t want to let anyone down.

There you have it. I’ve been nominated and I’m thrilled. If you have any questions about my work, please let me know.

Here is my Norwescon 2015 schedule. If I am not in one of these places, I’m probably at my booth in Authors Avenue just outside the Dealers Room. Come say hello. I’m happy to chat as time and customers permit. Don’t forget to ask for my Convention Story Card.

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Outlines
Thu 8:00pm-9:00pm – Evergreen 3&4
Jennifer Brozek (M), G. David Nordley, Dean Wells, Kevin Radthorne, Jude-Marie Green, Suzanne Brahm, Anne Groell

Horror Cage Match: Short Story vs. Novel
Thu 9:00pm-10:00pm – Cascade 9
Morgue Anne (M), Kate Jonez, Nathan Crowder, Jennifer Brozek

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Worldbuilding 101
Fri 12:00pm-1:00pm – Evergreen 1&2
Brenda Carre (M), Pat MacEwen, Simon R Green, Grant Riddell, Django Wexler, Jennifer Brozek

Writing About the Military
Fri 4:00pm-5:00pm – Cascade 7&8
Russell Ervin (M), Bart Kemper, S. A. Bolich, Jennifer Brozek, Joseph Malik, Elliott Kay

Are Optimistic SF Stories Gone Forever?
Fri 5:00pm-6:00pm – Cascade 10
Alex C. Renwick (M), Brenda Cooper, Nancy Kress, Jennifer Brozek, Mir Plemmons

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SFWA Meeting
Sat 10:00am-11:00am

Your Anti-Procrastination First Aid Kit
Sat 1:00pm-2:00pm – Evergreen 1&2
Nina Post (M), Jennifer Brozek, Stephanie Herman, Kevin Scott, Harold Gross, Gregory A. Wilson

Autograph Session 1
Sat 2:00pm-3:00pm – Grand 2
Dennis R. Upkins, Cat Rambo, Kate Jonez, Patrick Swenson, Brenda Cooper, Carol Berg, Cymbric Early-Smith, Bijhan Valibeigi, Dean Wells, G. David Nordley, Jennifer Brozek, John Cramer, Jude-Marie Green, Keffy R. M. Kehrli, Kurt Cagle, Lee Moyer, Nancy Kress, Rob Carlos, Simon R Green, Stephen L. Gillett, Wolfgang Baur, Morgue Anne, Jack Skillingstead

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Worth the Dues?
Sun 11:00am-12:00pm – Cascade 7&8
Cat Rambo (M), Annie Bellet, Pat MacEwen, Peter Dennis Pautz, Jennifer Brozek

RustyCon was interesting in the fact that I felt like I was the living embodiment of balanced karma. If something bad happened, something good happened, too. And, vice versa. Here’s a bunch of good things that happened:

• Got my first meal for free.
• Spent a bit of time with Timothy Zahn and compared typos in published works. (His was worse by far. One of his books had his first name spelled “Tymothy” on the hardcover spine.)
• Timothy and his wife, Anna, came to my release party. It was super keen to sign my books to people like Timothy and Anna.
• I felt like I really contributed on all my panels.
• Got to spend some time chatting with Katie about EGM and some future plans. Good things are on the horizon.

You get to figure out what the karmic balance to all that goodness was.

I’m almost done editing NEVER LET ME LEAVE. I have edits for CHIMERA INCARNATE waiting for me and I just heard from my editor that edits for Melissa Allen #1, NEVER LET ME SLEEP will drop in February. This gives me enough time to finish my Mech short story and start one of the other two short stories on contract. While I do everything else, of course.

Busy-busy as usual but still happy.