RavenCon Is This Weekend! Come See Me

SATURDAY

Fifteen Fingers and Two Tails: Creating Non-human Characters

Sat 10 am – Spotsylvania (Madison) – 90 minutes

You’ve created an amazing world for your story, but who or what is living in it? You need someone to carry the plot. This workshop will explore how to populate your setting with appropriate and believable characters. (Max of 20 participants.)

The Public Domain

Noon – Buckingham (Jefferson) – 50 minutes

Each year, some new beloved property enters the public domain, meaning anyone can do anything with it. But should they? The same company that turned Winnie-the-Pooh into the slasher film Blood & Honey is ready for when Bambi goes public domain. Steamboat Willy has a first-person shooter coming called “Mouse.” We’ll discuss the pros and cons of public domain properties and praise some truly great works that have come from creators being able to play freely with someone else’s creation.

Panelists: Sammie Cassell (M), James Fadeley, Dr. Kyle R. Garton, A.L. Kaplan

READING: A.L. KAPLAN & BISHOP O’CONNELL

4 pm – Fairfax Library (Jefferson) – 50 minutes

SUNDAY

NEW WHO? WHO KNEW?

10 am – King William (Jefferson) – 50 minutes

New Doctor, new companion, and a Disney-sized budget! What did our panelists think about the specials and what are our hopes for the new season? And you can expect there will be fan-theories galore concerning Mrs. Flood!

Panelists: Sean Gleeson, A.L. Kaplan (M), Dennis M. Myers, Angela Pritchett

SIGNING: A.L. KAPLAN

Noon – Vendors’ Room (Madison) – 50 minutes

RavenCon 17

April 26-28, 2024

Virginia Crossings Tapestry Collection by Hilton

1000 Virginia Center Parkway
Glen Allen, Virginia 23059

MARK OF THE GODDESS

Sometimes a blessing can be a curse.

Young Maya bears the mark of the moon goddess, a sign that would doom her to be sacrificed in her village where the death god is revered. Forced to dye her golden eyes dark, Maya lives in constant fear of discovery. To save her family and the village’s future, she must find the courage to stand up to the high priest before he can bring the death god into this world.

STAR TOUCHED

Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

Especially when your powers can get you killed.

Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

HUMMINGBIRD

Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.

One step toward understanding.

One stride toward survival.

One leap toward flying free from the past.

WOLF DAWN

A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

Posted in Essay, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

My RavenCon Schedule

If you’re going to be at RavenCon next weekend, here is where you can find me:

SATURDAY

Fifteen Fingers and Two Tails: Creating Non-human Characters

Sat 10 am – Spotsylvania (Madison) – 90 minutes

You’ve created an amazing world for your story, but who or what is living in it? You need someone to carry the plot. This workshop will explore how to populate your setting with appropriate and believable characters. (Max of 20 participants.)

The Public Domain

Noon – Buckingham (Jefferson) – 50 minutes

Each year, some new beloved property enters the public domain, meaning anyone can do anything with it. But should they? The same company that turned Winnie-the-Pooh into the slasher film Blood & Honey is ready for when Bambi goes public domain. Steamboat Willy has a first-person shooter coming called “Mouse.” We’ll discuss the pros and cons of public domain properties and praise some truly great works that have come from creators being able to play freely with someone else’s creation.

Panelists: Sammie Cassell (M), James Fadeley, Dr. Kyle R. Garton, A.L. Kaplan

READING: A.L. KAPLAN & BISHOP O’CONNELL

4 pm – Fairfax Library (Jefferson) – 50 minutes

SUNDAY

NEW WHO? WHO KNEW?

10 am – King William (Jefferson) – 50 minutes

New Doctor, new companion, and a Disney-sized budget! What did our panelists think about the specials and what are our hopes for the new season? And you can expect there will be fan-theories galore concerning Mrs. Flood!

Panelists: Sean Gleeson, A.L. Kaplan (M), Dennis M. Myers, Angela Pritchett

SIGNING: A.L. KAPLAN

Noon – Vendors’ Room (Madison) – 50 minutes

RavenCon 17

April 26-28, 2024

Virginia Crossings Tapestry Collection by Hilton

1000 Virginia Center Parkway
Glen Allen, Virginia 23059

MARK OF THE GODDESS

Sometimes a blessing can be a curse.

Young Maya bears the mark of the moon goddess, a sign that would doom her to be sacrificed in her village where the death god is revered. Forced to dye her golden eyes dark, Maya lives in constant fear of discovery. To save her family and the village’s future, she must find the courage to stand up to the high priest before he can bring the death god into this world.

STAR TOUCHED

Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

Especially when your powers can get you killed.

Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

HUMMINGBIRD

Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.

One step toward understanding.

One stride toward survival.

One leap toward flying free from the past.

WOLF DAWN

A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

Posted in Essay | 3 Comments

MWA Author Showcase April 14, 2024

Looking for something to do April 14, 2024?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Be Bold!

Posted in Essay | 1 Comment

Con-Tinual Fandom: The Fifth Element

Why has The Fifth Element remained a beloved classic?

Fans Jeanne Adams, Susan Griffith, A. L. Kaplan, Kyoko M., Matthew Saunders and Gail Martin share their ideas.

Watch the video here.

MARK OF THE GODDESS

Sometimes a blessing can be a curse.

Young Maya bears the mark of the moon goddess, a sign that would doom her to be sacrificed in her village where the death god is revered. Forced to dye her golden eyes dark, Maya lives in constant fear of discovery. To save her family and the village’s future, she must find the courage to stand up to the high priest before he can bring the death god into this world.

STAR TOUCHED

Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

Especially when your powers can get you killed.

Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

HUMMINGBIRD

Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.

One step toward understanding.

One stride toward survival.

One leap toward flying free from the past.

WOLF DAWN

A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Con-Tinual: Action and Adventure!

It’s Action! It’s Adventure! Join Stuart Jaffe, A. L. Kaplan, Gini Koch, Ed McKeown, and host James P. Nettles loading their rucksacks for some of their favorite adventures on the page and screen, and how it’s made its way into their own work!

#ConTinual #fandom #action #adventure #movies #tv #film #books #novels

Watch It Here!

MARK OF THE GODDESS

Sometimes a blessing can be a curse.

Young Maya bears the mark of the moon goddess, a sign that would doom her to be sacrificed in her village where the death god is revered. Forced to dye her golden eyes dark, Maya lives in constant fear of discovery. To save her family and the village’s future, she must find the courage to stand up to the high priest before he can bring the death god into this world.

STAR TOUCHED

Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

Especially when your powers can get you killed.

Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

HUMMINGBIRD

Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.

One step toward understanding.

One stride toward survival.

One leap toward flying free from the past.

WOLF DAWN

A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Con-Tinual Special Event: The Barbie Phenomena

What made the Barbie Movie the break-away success of the year?

Fans A. L. Kaplan, Emily Leverett, Siera London ,Jenny Jennifer Swartz-Levine, Nancy Northcott, and Gail Martin share their ideas!

Watch it Here!

Don’t forget to checkout these titles.

MARK OF THE GODDESS

Sometimes a blessing can be a curse.

Young Maya bears the mark of the moon goddess, a sign that would doom her to be sacrificed in her village where the death god is revered. Forced to dye her golden eyes dark, Maya lives in constant fear of discovery. To save her family and the village’s future, she must find the courage to stand up to the high priest before he can bring the death god into this world.

STAR TOUCHED

Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

Especially when your powers can get you killed.

Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

HUMMINGBIRD

Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.

One step toward understanding.

One stride toward survival.

One leap toward flying free from the past.

WOLF DAWN

A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Let’s not let history repeat

Check out this Great Article by Rachel Mankowitz.

Posted in Essay | Leave a comment

History Has A Lot To Say About Executive Privilege And Immunity From Prosecution

Check out this post by Hoyce McGurgle on executive privilege and executive immunity.

Posted in Essay | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Martin Luther King Jr. January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968

Today we honor Martin Luther King Jr., an American hero of the Civil Rights Movement. Before his life was cut short, King won the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolent resistance.

Posted in Essay, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments