#philcon 2018

[jazzybot4]

Philcon Fundraising!

Hey guys! Welcome back to the “Jazz has had life go kablooey” channel. This time it’s not a WORLD ENDING emergency, but it’s the culmination of a YEAR of trying to scrape cash into a pile and then having life go ‘haha lolnope no savings for you!’. Since last Philcon I have: had 3 jobs, started school, gotten my drivers license and car handled, and now I’m staring down the barrel of an AWESOME convention, with... No gas money. The money I DID have set aside for this ended up getting eaten yesterday when I was at school. I go to pick up something and I *feel* the pop-rip from the crotch of my trousers all the way to the other side. I walked through CHINATOWN with my ass full of safety pins to get emergency clothes. DC is fuckin’ killin’ me man. I couldn’t find ONE cheap pair of black pants that worked with my black polo shirt. SO. I had to get professional clothes. On the upside: new clothes to be profesh in. On the downside: that was my Philcon gas money :/ Like 50$ ish? I’m only 170 ish miles away from Philcon and a full tank is 35$ give or take. I plan on asking for crash space at the hotel this year, and if I have to I can always sleep in the car, because it’s big enough for that :D I’m also going to be skinny on the insurance payment this month because of proration, but it’s not going to be insane. I’m just gonna have to live on rice packets and canned soup for a few months while my apprenticeship gets going. GOD I need to get paid better jfc. SO: To all my people, this is a personal request, not an emergency. I’d LOVE to make this con awesome for myself and other people, as it’s the ONE SINGLE fun thing I’ve done all year, that I’ve planned out for. I’m going to need a little help getting there and back again, but I’m hoping that the payoff is a LOT better than last years clusterfuck of finances. https://www.paypal.me/theotherguysride @lynati if you’d circle this through the philcon people on tumblr too that would be fuckin’ rad. I’m looking forward SO MUCH to hanging out with them and talking cool stuff with them.

[philcon-programming]

Philcon 2018 Programming Pull-Out: Science Panels & Presentations

How Close Are We To Replicators? -- 3D printers have now been used to successfully print everything from rocket engines to human skin. How far are we from printing a cup of Earl Grey, Hot? Friday, 7pm - Crystal 2  Chicken Soup for the...Brain? -- We are coming to a new understanding of how the brain and mind interrelate. How will this change current methods of therapy? Friday, 8pm - Crystal 2  Paging Dr. Bashir: The Ethics of Hacking Humans -- Despite near-universal condemnation of eugenics, the entangled nature of science and capitalism in our society means that someone will inevitably found a company that offers to "enhance" your children...for a fee. How will government regulations, epigenetics, common sense, and morality factor into the possible outcomes? Friday, 10pm - Crystal 2  Space Force or Space Farce? -- Join us as we discuss the fact and (science) fiction of near-future space military operations.Saturday, 11amCrystal 2 Depictions of Technology in Star Wars and Star Trek -- How do these universes differ in the ways they depict their tech? How did the history of each world affect the invention and uses of medical devices, weaponry, methods of transportation, and robotic beings? Saturday, Noon - Crystal 2  Next Generation Weather Satellites -- How much warning did you get before the last blizzard? The next generation JPSS-1 satellite recently joined NOAA’s Earth Orbiting System- come learn how the advanced instrumentation is fueling new science, allowing us to track hurricanes at night, predict river flooding from melted ice, and warn us about other impending hazards. [Presented by Dr. Valerie J. Mikles] Saturday, 1pm - Crystal 2  The Moon, The Stars, and Mars: The Ethics of Colonizing Space -- How do we expect to change the galactic landscape in an ethical way, and what can we do as humans to decrease our impact on it? What does it mean to establish human settlements on worlds not our own? A discussion of space travel, space colonies, and morality. Saturday, 2pm - Crystal 2 Exoplanets and the TESS Mission -- Worlds beyond our own solar system were once just science fiction, but today we know there are more planets than stars in our galaxy. How did that happen?  Explore strange new worlds with Dr. Padi Boyd and the Chromatics, as they take you on a voyage of discovery with space science missions like the newly launched Transiting Exoplanet Survey satellite (TESS). Saturday, 4pm - Crystal 2   Mars or Bust! The Theory and Practice of Travel to Mars  -- Why do we want to go? How do we get there? How do we live there? What might we find? What are the dangers: radiation, low gravity, dust, our fellow humans? Is there life on Mars now? Was there once? and did our own evolution actually start on Mars? [Presented by John Ashmead] Saturday, 5pm - Crystal 2 The Dark Forest Theory -- Cixin Liu's Dark Forest trilogy and John Scalzi's Old Man's War universe have reignited the "hostile aliens" theory. Was the Voyager map a mistake? Or will they just come for more Chuck Berry? Saturday, 8pm -  Crystal 2  The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Current Technology Trends -- What's the hottest tech about to change our world?  Join us to discuss the promise, threat, and some things people usually don't want to talk about. Sunday, 10am - Crystal 2  The Future of Synthetic Biology and Public Biohacking -- Synthetic biology aims to create organisms that maintain and propagate themselves while producing a desired outcome, whether that is flowers that glow in the dark, cells that produce rare drugs, or architectural organisms that serve as living homes. From do-it-yourself biologists to biohackers to the International Genetically Engineered Machine, people are already bringing synthetic biology to life. We  will discuss technologies that are available now, illustrative examples, and possible dangers of synthetic life. Sunday, 11am - Crystal 2

* Philcon is running November 16 - 18, 2018 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey For a look at our other programming, please check out this link. (A Sched.com version will be available soon!)

[lynati]

According to all encountered sources, Philcon went really well. : )

[philcon-programming]

Philcon 2018 Programming Pull-Out: The “Business” Side of Things

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Self-Publishing -- When is it better to shop your book around to publishers, and when does it make more sense to put it out yourself? Friday, 6pm - Plaza 2 Indie Publishing 101: Becoming A Project Manager -- How to plan the project, manage time, and stay on budget. Saturday, 10am - Plaza 2 Indie Publishing 102: The Editing Process -- Beta-readers, developmental editors, copyeditors, proofreaders... What do I need, where do I find it, and how much will it cost? Saturday, 11am - Plaza 2 Indie Publishing 103: The Publishing Process -- From cover design to distribution options, where do you take your masterpiece? Saturday, Noon -Plaza 2 Indie Publishing 104: Marketing -- Indie writers talk about their marketing successes and fails. How do you set realistic expectations for the response to your efforts? Saturday, 1pm - Plaza 2 How Not to Die From Exposure -- Artists are always being asked to work for exposure. When is working for free (or “on-spec”) a bad idea? When is it a good idea? How do you know the difference? Saturday, 1pm - Plaza 5 Finance for Freelancers -- Advice and suggestions for creative professionals—writers and artists—on management and organization of their finances, personal planning for the future (savings, insurance, bequests), and whatever else may be of concern to those “working without a net” of corporate benefits. Saturday, 3pm - Plaza 5 Crowdfunding for Fun and...What Do You Mean We LOST Money??? -- Just how does a "Kickstarter" work? Will Patreon's recent changes impact your ability to attract and keep Patrons? Is it worth setting up a KoFi account? Saturday, 5pm - Plaza 5 Meet the Editors! --  Magazine and small press editors discuss what goes into creating their publications, from the economics of staying viable in the electronic age to getting appropriate submissions. Saturday, 8pm - Plaza 2 Retail Skills for the Introvert -- A discussion about digital customer service, self promotion, and sales skills templates that you can use every day to promote your work, and how these things are essential to selling your book or brand. Sunday, 1pm - Plaza 5 * Philcon is running November 16 - 18, 2018 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey For a look at our other programming, please check out this link. (A Sched.com version will be available soon!)

[philcon-programming]

Philcon 2018 Programming Pull-Out: Fantasy and Folklore

Creative Curses to Inflict on Your Characters -- Falling asleep for a hundred years is so passe. What are some fun, fresh, modern enchantments you can use to put your protagonists to the test? Friday, 6pm - Crystal 3

Fantasy Without Fantasy? -- How much actual supernaturalism or other fantastic elements (dragons, magic, elves, etc.) does a fantasy story require? There are examples of books marketed as fantasy, set in imaginary places, that contain no fantastic elements- How do they function within the genre? Friday, 8pm - Plaza 3 Victorian-era Fantasy -- The source of the popularization of Celtic myth, fairies, and ghost stories, what does modern fantasy owe to developments of the Victorian-era? Friday, 9pm - Plaza 2

Transhumanism in Fairy Tales -- How can thinking about folk and fairy tales help us to understand transhumanism in science fiction? Though transbiology and transhumanism are relatively recent terms, these concepts have long been part of folk narrative, especially mythology and fairy tales. This exploration of fairy tale precursors to the scientific imagination will help illuminate enduring questions about what it means to be human. [Presented by Linda J. Lee]Saturday, 10am - Crystal 2

Workshop: Pantheon Building -- Whether you are designing a new campaign setting for an RPG, or looking to create a world for your fantasy fiction, the creation of a pantheon will be an important part of the process. We'll discuss how the world shapes religion, and how religion shapes the people and culture. A useful guide to help writers organize their thoughts and to craft a believable set of gods and goddesses for their fantasy realms! Saturday, 11am - Suite 923

Mantras, Mudra, Sutra & MECHA!!! [90 min] --  An exploration of Vedic & Southeast Asian SF & F through the numerous instances, concepts and derivative works produced by both Western and Eastern presses. We'll talk about Scripture, Literature, Saga Poetry, Graphic Novels, RPGs and more, from the Rg Veda and Ramayana 3392 A.D. to Escher and Exalted RPG. Grab your Brahamastra and get ready to pilot some Vimana!  [Presented by Steam-Funk Studios]  Saturday, 7:30 - 9pm - Plaza 5

Liminal Spaces in Americana -- The impact of the mythology of the Midwest (and of Southern Gothic) on speculative literature. Saturday, 8pm - Plaza 3

The Living MultiVerse Diaries: Tropes & Tactics -- So that Magic Sword is looking dull? That Laser Rifle doesn’t quite pew-pew like it used to? We'll take a look at both fantasy and postmodern armaments in Fantasy and SF Roleplaying Games, with a specific eye to synergy and implementation, as well as item creation, placement and team management from either side of the table. [Presented by Steam-Funk Studios] Saturday, 9pm - Plaza 5

Things to Remember When Negotiating a One-Night Stand with The Fae [18+] -- A guide to keeping your characters safe, sane, and not turned into an equal volume of spiders. Saturday, 10pm - Plaza 2

Fairy Tales for the Modern Age -- Writers from Tanith Lee to Cat Valente to Seanan McGuire have incorporated and transformed fairy tales in their work. How have they managed to update the stories in a manner that feels both in line with the originals and relevant to the present day? Are their adaptations actually darker than the source material, or have the Disney versions just changed what we think of as the standard? Sunday, 11am - Plaza 2

* Philcon is running November 16 - 18, 2018 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey For a look at our other programming, please check out this link. (A Sched.com version will be available soon!)

[philcon-programming]

Philcon Programming Pull-Out: Writing the Science Side of Science Fiction

Writing for Aliens: Creating Arts Cultures -- Visual arts, music, dance, dramatic performance- even the creation of speculative fiction- can't be the province of only humankind. What might these things look like on other planets? What about types of art created for sensory systems we don't have? Friday, 5pm - Plaza 2 Black Holes Explained! -- What they are, what they are NOT, why it's A Bad Idea to confuse a black hole with a wormhole, and how to use them in scientifically accurate ways in your writing. Friday, 7pm - Plaza 3 Foundations of Worldbuilding: Planetary Systems & Space -- What effect would having two moons do to the oceans of your world? How do the orbital paths of your planets affect the transit times between them? What factors should you take into account when constructing *your* ideal star system? Saturday, 11am - Plaza 3 A Creative Apocalypse --  What creative and original - but scientifically plausible - ways are left for storytellers to destroy the world? Saturday, Noon - Plaza 3 Don't Open That Airlock! -- You want your audience drawn into the tension of suspenseful moments, not muttering to themselves, "Why didn't they just pack spare batteries?" during them. How do you develop plot devices that won't leave readers questioning your characters' intelligence? Saturday, 2pm - Plaza 3 Space Age Fashion: Dressing For The Future -- What elements contribute to the construction, aesthetic, and cultural significance of your characters' clothing? What does it imply about the world they live in? Sunday, 11am - Plaza 3 The Myth of the Mad Scientist -- Despite a long history in fiction of solo geniuses making the ultimate breakthroughs in their basement labs, collaboration is necessary for scientific advancement. So why do we glorify the loner scientist trope? Can we make collaborative science feel equally heroic? How do we portray science being done realistically while still meeting the needs of the story? Sunday, 1pm - Plaza 2 How Do Radios Really Work? -- A discussion for writers of range and scope, HAM radio operation, the rise and descent of CB radio, common malfunctions and simple fixes, and where they can be found in the case of zombies. Sunday, 1pm - Plaza 4 * Philcon is running November 16 - 18, 2018 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey For a look at our other programming, please check out this link. (A Sched.com version will be available soon!)

[lynati]

I'm now 103 out of 132 people's schedule drafts done.

So, what's everyone else doing tonight?

[philcon-programming]

Philcon 2018 Gaming Suite Programming

Gaming - Suite 923

In addition to open gaming, tournaments and demos in the Promenade area just outside of the Dealer's Room, you can enjoy relaxing and gaming with others in the Philcon Gaming Suite, 923. Assorted board and card game banks are available. Play our games or bring your own favorites and find someone to play along. Hang out, have a snack, play and chat with other gamers. Learn a game, teach a game, share a game. We also have a new space for panels and gaming in The Gallery this year. See your program guide for more information.

General Schedule for 2018:

Friday, 6 pm to 2 am - Open Gaming Saturday, 11 am to 3 pm - Panels, Workshops and Open All Ages Gaming Saturday, 3 pm to 2 am - Open Gaming Sunday, 9 am to 3 pm - Open Gaming * Things are in full swing in planning for Philcon. Here are some of the fun games and events. We are always open to new ideas and your input and involvement is appreciated!

Gaming Suite Meet and Greet Get together with fellow gamers and fans to kick off the weekend. Friday 9 p.m.

Scheduled Games: One Night Ultimate Werewolf+ No moderator, no elimination, ten-minute games. One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a fast game for 3-10 players in which everyone gets a role: One of the dastardly Werewolves, the tricky Troublemaker, the helpful Seer, or one of a dozen different characters, each with a special ability. In the course of a single morning, your village will decide who is a werewolf...because all it takes is killing one werewolf to win! Because One Night Ultimate Werewolf is so fast, fun, and engaging, you'll want to play it again and again, and no two games are ever the same. GM: Tal Alailima Friday and Saturday at 10 p.m.

Cards Against Humanity [18+] Cards Against Humanity is a party game for horrible people. Each round, one player asks a question from a Black Card, and everyone else answers with their funniest White Card. GM: Ginny Swann Friday and Saturday at 11 p.m.

* SCHEDULED RPGs: (Sign up in the Gaming Suite)

D&D 5th edition RPG The Dragon Turtle Back Zoo (3357)It's the first day of your unpaid internship at the Dragon Turtle Back Zoo, where the curious from every nation come to see the most exotic and dangerous monsters in the world. You hope to parlay this valuable learning experience into a long and distinguished career in cryptozoology (or least some college credit), but first you have to survive your new boss. Adventure for 1st level D&D 5E characters, pre-generated character sheets will be provided.Number of players: 5 (pre-generated characters) DM Aaron Feldman Gaming Suite, Friday 8 p.m.

Golden Templars RPG This is an epic story. You are members of the Golden Templars, a sect within the Knight Templars who receive communion from the Holy Grail which grants them abilities beyond normal men and women. You are tasked with keeping the peace in Jerusalem and protecting the pilgrims who visit it. The feel of the campaign is mainly comic book with some secret history. Check out the Obsidian Portal:

https://golden-templars.obsidianportal.com/

for more information.  Number of players: 6 (pre-generated characters) GM John Swann Gaming Suite, Saturday 8 p.m.

Pathfinder RPG Introductory Session for Pathfinder 1st Edition Learn how to play the exciting Pathfinder 1st edition RPG. Chris Bell, Pathfinder Venture Agent, will run a scenario suited for beginning Pathfinder players. Pre-generated characters will be provided. This introduction to Pathfinder Society organized play will include Pathfinder Society scenario credit for participation. All experience levels welcome, including those new to the Pathfinder Society as well as PFS veterans! Maps, minis, and dice will be provided. Number of players: 2-7 (pre-generated characters)

http://paizo.com/pathfinder/rpg GM Chris Bell The Gallery (first floor), Saturday 8 p.m.

X-Wing Minis GM John Skylar The Gallery (first floor), Saturday 8 P.M.

Post-Apocalyptic Blues: Escapee Blues RPG Fifty years after World War III, pockets of civilization try to flourish in the ruins of the old world. You lived a quiet life in a small farming settlement...until slavers raided your community and took you captive. Separated from your friends and family, you found yourself on a slave transport going to a place called Hopewell in Louisiana. And were it not for the...thing...that attached the transport, you would still be destined for slavery. But now, you and your fellow escapees must transverse the Louisiana swamps and marshes to find civilization, while avoiding the remaining slavers that want to recapture you and that...thing...that is still out there. How long can you last with on just your wits and the limited supplies you can scavenge? Players will be given pre-generated character sheets and will take on the role of an escapee from a slave transport. Uses variant d20 Modern/OGL rules. Players should bring their own dice.Number of players: Up to 8 (pre-generated characters) GM Julie Ann Dawson Gaming Suite, Sunday 11a.m. - 3 p.m. *

PANELS / WORKSHOPS / PLAY AND LEARN SESSIONS:

Video Games and Disability From ADHD and autism to wheelchairs and walkers, video games across platforms offer a unique way to connect people who otherwise would not have an avenue or outlet to reach out to people. How else does the world of digital storytelling open avenues for disabled content creators and consumers?

Workshop: All-Ages Game Design A hands-on, family-friendly workshop. Learn how to put together a game of your own design with your family or friends! A group of people putting together a (simple) game in an hour or two.  

Saturday All Ages Gaming Time (2 Hour - PLAY SESSION) The Gaming Suite is always open to all ages. We do like to offer a time when parents might like to bring the kids in for game time. Are there games you love to play with your kids? Table top gaming is a family experience. Raising a young geek means sharing with them, but as most parents know, finding games that are fun to play together can be challenging. When looking for a family-friendly game, try shorter games that don’t require too much reading, and games that reinforce math and spacial skills. There are also games that can be played by all ages with some modifications to the rules. Games will be available for you to try out with your family: Blokus, Get Bit!, Tsuro, Quick Cups, Roll for it, Panda Head, Face Chase, Flipping Flags, Set Junior, Apples to Apples, Spot it. Want to try an RPG with you kids? We have one called "No Thank You, Evil". Have one you don't see here? Bring it to share.

Tabletop DMing 101 Are you an experienced D&D Player but want to run a campaign for the first time? Not sure where to start in running a Tabletop RPG? Join us for the tips and tricks to help you get started.

SF and Video Games How has Science Fiction been altered and explored in the realm of player-interactive content? What impact did Metroid have on fandom and SF storytelling? What about Mass Effect?