Like the title says, I will be virtually participating in LACon V, the 2026 Worldcon, this weekend.
Here is my schedule and where you can find me:
The Fan Hugo Categories
Thursday, August 27, 12:00 PDT, Virtual 2
Fannish Hugo Award categories are as old as the Award itself. Over the years their number and scope have changed, and currently we are voting on four fannish statuettes: Best Fanzine, Best Fancast, Best Fan Writer, and Best Fan Artist. What is the meaning and importance of those categories for both the winners and fandom as a whole? Why do we need them? Let’s discuss the importance of Hugo Awards for fans.
Panelists: Jason Sanford, Cora Buhlert, Randy Smith, Trish Matson
A Long Time Ago: Oral Traditions
Thursday, August 27, 13:30 PDT, Virtual 1
Before writing existed, we spoke our truths. How has oral storytelling influenced the written word, and how has the resurgence of oral storytelling and bards impacted the way we are recording history?
Panelists: Ada Palmer, Andrea Hairston, Cora Buhlert, Sean Mead, Sonia Sulaiman
Is Worldcon Finally Becoming a World SF Convention?
Friday, August 28, 09:00 PDT, Virtual 2
As Worldcon becomes more global, expanding to new areas of the world’s genre community, what does the current landscape look like? What have been some of the challenges in expanding? And what do we have to look forward to?
Panelists: Tammy Coxen, Brian Nisbet, Carl Fink, Cora Buhlert, Kat Kouberti
Foundational Fantasy You Should Read
Saturday, August 29, 15:00 PDT, Virtual 1
As fantasy has shifted over time, we still refer to some staples of the genre. If you’re entering the fantasy genre for the first time, what old-school fantasy books should you read? Panelists explore ways to find foundational fantasy that holds up to a modern lens.
Panelists: Cora Buhlert, Dave Hook, David Bratman, Heather Fawcett, Ronald W. Kaiser
Virtual Table Talk: Cora Buhlert
Sunday, August 20, 06:00 PDT, Virtual Table Talks
Cora Buhlert is a writer and translator from Bremen in North Germany and also the winner of the 2022 Hugo Award for Best Fan Writer. Come and virtually chat with her about science fiction and fantasy from the 1930s to today, self-publishing, blogging, translation, renewable energy, the Brisbane in 2028 Worldcon bid, toy collecting, Masters of the Universe and anything else that catches your fancy. There will be (virtual) coffee and cookies.
***
If you’re a virtual member of LACon V, drop by at the panels and the my table talk. I will also be hanging out at the LACon Discord server at least part of the time.
sending...