Boskone may be a science fiction and fantasy convention, but did you know we also have some fantastic horror programing? Here’s one of of horror panels that is sure to make you think twice about turning off the bedroom light at night.

Great Ghost Stories, Fri 9:00-9:50 pm

Out on the fringe, the living and the dead intersect in some fascinating fashion, bringing out the drama, tension, and atmosphere that have become hallmarks of a well-told tale of the supernatural. A shining example: Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House. However, not all ghost stories are created equal. Join us for an unsettling discussion of what makes a good ghost story great — and why some don’t scare us for a second, while others haunt us still.

Panelists:

• F. Brett Cox
• Lila Garrott
• Theodora Goss
• Jack M. Haringa
• Paul G. Tremblay (moderator)

Conventions like Boskone are events with many moving parts. One of those parts, perhaps the most visible part, is the Program. In order to pull off Boskone, a dedicated team of volunteers comes together every year to organize hundreds of program items from panels to solo talks, signings, kaffeeklatsches, and more. However, one of the most complex items is the program panel, which usually consists of 3-5 participants, including the panel moderator who is charged with keeping the discussion on topic and on time.

This year, Boskone has some truly fantastic panels that should elicit engaging and interactive discussions among the program participants and attendees. In order to help our moderators keep things on track, we put together this list of helpful hints that we’d like to share with everyone. Being a moderator is an important job, and any helpful advice we can give our moderators helps to make Boskone an even better convention.

Helpful Tips for Boskone Moderators
(and other interested parties)

As the moderator, you can help make a panel focused and fun. While you should try to keep the topic on track, don’t let any of these guidelines cause you to stop a discussion which is interesting to both the panel and audience! Keep the “big” picture in mind.

As Moderator, we ask that you:

• Be prepared. If possible, briefly talk to your fellow panelists before the program item. Think up some questions or topics to keep the panel going if conversation lags. Make a crib sheet. And….start on time!
• Briefly outline the topic of the panel for the audience.
• Briefly introduce the panelists, or ask them to introduce themselves. (Do not allow others to join the panel unless the Program staff authorizes this addition.)
• Avoid the temptation to start the panel by announcing that you have no idea what it’s about or why you’re on it. Keep others from doing the same. (Yes—it is an easy way to start, and could well make the audience feel a sense of rapport with you. It may even be amusing. However, even if this is true, drawing attention to the convention’s failings is discourteous and generally unnecessary.) If you are on a panel and are uncomfortable with or unclear about the topic, please notify Program Ops.
• Make sure that all panelists start with an equal chance to participate. As moderator you may need to adjust or encourage panelist participation depending on panelists’ contributions. Be fair, but firm.
• Prevent the discussion from drifting away from the topic, too much. Don’t let panelists (including yourself!) pursue individual agendas unless they are directly on topic.
• Allow time for questions, but don’t let individual questioners monopolize the panel or drag it away from the topic. If you are in a large room, repeat questions from the audience so everyone in the room knows what was asked.
• Keep an eye on the time (check a watch or clock). Consider asking a summing-up question near the end of your allotted time. Then, bring the panel gracefully to a close when your time is up. Thank everyone!
• Please discourage lingering in the program room, so that the next program item can start on time. If people want to talk with the panelists, please encourage them to do it outside the room.
• If you have a chance, we’d appreciate your “counting the house” for us, and giving us some idea of how many people attended this program item.

To the best of our knowledge, moderating has never killed anyone. Yet.

Go with the flow. Relax. Enjoy.

Being a moderator is a JOB – but it can be a rewarding one. Thank you for your willingness to take it on.

Check out Boskone 51 now!
February 14-16, 2014, Westin Boston Waterfront

• Guest of Honor — Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant
• Official Artist — David Palumbo
• Special Guest — Ginjer Buchanan
• Featured Filker — Bill Roper
• Hal Clement Science Speaker — Bill Higgins
• NESFA Press Guest — Jane Yolen

Updates to the Restaurant Guide have been posted. For your convenience there is also Google map to help make finding directions a snap.

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=207615967234653304726.0004d37c687daf4fb0108&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=42.345921,-71.05442&spn=0.029657,0.04416&output=embed&w=425&h=350]

During the con, hard copies of the restaurant guide, as well as sample take-out menus, can be found at Information.

If you’re coming to Boskone 51, save yourself some cash and pre-register by Jan. 22 and take advantage of the following membership rates:

• Adult full convention: $50
• College student full convention: $35 (school ID required)
• K-12 full convention: $25 (school ID may be required)

Added bonus: Pre-registering generally saves you time in the Registration line, so you’ll have more time to enjoy Boskone!

For more information, check out the Buy a Membership page on the Boskone 51 website.

Photo credit to Flickr user batwrangler

Join Boskone’s first Flash Fiction Slam! Eleven (11) writers compete for the title of The Flash, reading their own original fiction that must tell a complete tale within a 3-minute period.

RULES:

Readings are scored on a scale of 1 to 10, and you automatically lose 1 point for going over your 3-minute time. Contestant can only read his/her own work. The reader with the top score wins!

Sign up in advance for one of eight (8) reading slots on a first-come, first-served basis by e-mailing erin.m.underwood@gmail.com. Please put “Flash Fiction Slam” in your email’s subject line. Sign-up onsite at Program Ops in the Galleria for one of the three (3) additional openings. A waiting list will also be available.

Judges:

• Paul Di Filippo
• Nancy Holder
• James Patrick Kelly
• Walter Jon Williams
• Erin Underwood (MC)

Flash Fiction Slam

• Day: Sunday
• Time: 9:30-10:50 a.m.
• Room:  Burroughs

Each year, the Boskone schedule is chock full of  panels, talks, discussions, demos, and workshops on many aspects of the science fiction and fantasy field.

Click here to view last year’s schedule

Yes, we have panels, but our guests and program participants often take part in so much more, providing fans an opportunity to interact on a smaller scale. Some examples are:

• Art Demos
• Autographs
• Concerts
• Discussion groups
• Filksinging
• Kaffeeklatsches
• Literary Beers
• Readings

Check list to see if one of your favorites will be at Boskone 51.

Photo credit to Flickr user jmgold

Don’t be left out in the cold! Seriously it gets chilly in Boston in the winter. The beautiful Westin Boston Waterfront is the official hotel of the con. Complete with an indoor pool and Starbucks!

Don’t wait to book, the hotel block closes has been extended to 1/24.

• Reserve a standard floor room
• Reserve a party floor room

For more information, visit the hotel page on the Boskone website.

We’re bringing back book discussion this year. The purpose of the Boskone Book Club is to bring people together to discuss a specific book. The volume under discussion will be Parasite by Mira Grant (the horror nom de plume used by our Guest of Honor, Seanan McGuire). Bob Kuhn will lead the discussion.

Parasite by Mira Grant

A decade in the future, humanity thrives in the absence of sickness and disease.

We owe our good health to a humble parasite – a genetically engineered tapeworm developed by the pioneering SymboGen Corporation. When implanted, the tapeworm protects us from illness, boosts our immune system – even secretes designer drugs. It’s been successful beyond the scientists’ wildest dreams. Now, years on, almost every human being has a SymboGen tapeworm living within them.

But these parasites are getting restless. They want their own lives…

If you wish to join the discussion, please read the book, and come ready with your observations. We look forward to seeing you at Boskone 51!

Saturday evening at Boskone is one of the highlights of the con with a concert by the Featured Filker (this year it’s Bill Roper!), the Skylark Awards and more.

This year has an extra special treat: a reading of the Reduced William Shakespeare’s Star Wars starring Jane Yolen, Bruce Coville, David G. Grubbs, David Palumbo, Kate Baker, Bob Kuhn, Mary Crowell, Darlene Marshall, Joan Slonczewski and a cast of about 10.

Check out an excerpt of the play posted on Slate or listen to the audiobook sample from the book’s Amazon page.

The show is adapted and directed by Laurie Mann and expected to run from 9-10:45.

Photo credit to Flickr user Nomadic Lass

Want to promote your book, art or convention to 1,000 Boskone members? The Ad Rate sheet for the Boskone 51 Souvenir Booklet is online.