Diversicon Schedule!

If you all want to stalk me this weekend. I’m easy to find. I’ll be the big guy in a loud shirt with a white cane.

Michael’s Diversicon 28 Program Schedule

Thursday, July 29:

6:30-7:45 pm DreamHaven Books, 2301 38th St E, Minneapolis
Reading/Autographing/Reception by Diversicon 28 Guest of Honor Michael Merriam and Special Guest Abra Staffin-Wiebe

Except as noted, all subsequent items in Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West

Friday, July 30:

4:00-4:55 pm Mainstage (Studio 2)
Panel: Writing at Different Lengths
What are the challenges of writing from flash fiction to short story to novelette, novella and novel?
Abra Staffin-Wiebe, Michael Merriam

7:00-7:25 pm Mainstage (Studio 2)
Opening Ceremonies
Scott Lohman, MC: Michael Merriam, Abra Staffin-Wiebe, Eric M. Heideman, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury in absentia.

7:30-8:25 pm Mainstage (Studio 2)
Guest of Honor, Michael Merriam Interview
interviewed by Scott Lohman

Saturday, July 31:

Noon-12:55 pm Mainstage (Studio 2)
Panel: Writing While Disabled
What are the unique challenges of writing while disabled? A look at technology, time management, and balancing energy levels when you are disabled and an artist. Will include a small survey of disabled authors working in the field today and some of their works.
Michael Merriam, mod; Eleanor Frisch

2:00-2:55 pm Mainstage (Studio 2)
Fiction Reading: Our guest of honor, Michael Merriam reads from his work.

5:00-5:25 pm Mainstage (Studio 2)
Massive Autographing: Abra Staffin-Wiebe, Michael Merriam, et al.

SF Minnesota/Diversison Auction Mainstage (Studio 2)
7:00-7:30 pm Auction items available for inspection
7:30-8:20 pm Bidding: Round One
8:20-8:30 pm Auction Half-Time, incl. Flash Fiction Contest Winner
8:30-9:20 pm Bidding, Round Two
9:30 pm Krushenko’s Annex (Studio 6)

Sunday, August 1

11:00-11:55 am Mainstage (Studio 2)
Panel: The Roaring 20’s (and other decades). Writing in a historical setting. Tips and tricks for researching and writing SF/F in history. What do you keep? How do you decide what history you might change?
Micheal Merriam mod. Abra Staffin-Wiebe

3:00-3:55 pm Mainstage (Studio 2)
Panel: Disabled People in Fiction-Getting Past the Tropes
Why are so many disable people relegated to the three roles of “Wise Mentor Who Dies in Act II,” “Evil Villain of Evil” and “Sad Thing to be Fixed?” How do we move past these tropes and allow disabled characters to be both disabled and a main protagonist/hero of the story?
Michael Merriam, Mod.

5:00-5:30 pm Mainstage (Studio 2)
Closing Ceremonies: In which our guests get a chance to say their goodbyes. But wait! We still have…
Scott Lohman, MC; Michael Merriam, Abra Staffin-Wiebe, Eric M. Heideman; Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov in absentia.