Elizabeth Bear

A science fiction, fantasy, anime, and gaming convention in Lincoln, Nebraska. Author Guest of Honor is Elizabeth Bear, author of Carnival, Undertow, the Jacob's Ladder trilogy and the "New Amsterdam" series. The Artist Guests of Honor is W.J. Hodjson, and the Fan Guest of Honor ... (meer)is Ron Vick. The dealer's room and art show are free to the public.For members, there will be panel discussions, author readings, a masquerade, video programming, a hospitality suite, and chances to interact informally with the guests of honor. Full weekend and daily memberships are available. It takes place at the GuestHouse Inn and Suites at 5450 Cornhusker Highway.

The 2011 European Science Fiction Convention.

Star Base Andromeda is a Lincoln science fiction, fantasy and horror club. Approximately every six weeks, we select books for all attendees to read and discuss at the same meeting. We will be discussing Elizabeth Bear's "Undertow" at our October 27th meeting at The Coffee House. Non-members are welcome ... (meer)to join us for this or any other meeting of SBA (every Tuesday at The Coffee House) starting at 6:30 p.m., and adjorning to fast food at one of Lincoln's downtown restaurants before 8:00 p.m.

Unless you enjoy the thrill of living without health insurance and have a real taste for rice, beans, and ramen noodles, you probably shouldn't quit your day job. How do you build a writing career if you know you can't escape the daily grind?

Two powerhouse writers and one distraction work hard for your amusement. They'll read just enough to make you want to buy more. They'll share glimpses of their writing so dazzling that you'll walk from the room blinded. They'll leave you wondering why their work isn't mandatory reading for every school ... (meer)child in America. Bring your books that you may fawn at their feet and beg them to sign. Bring offerings of fine foods and drink and they might at that. (Oh, and MK will read too.)

Warfare in science fiction and fantasy and what attracts us to it.

Authors increasingly insist they only want to write novel length and that the short form is boring. Market numbers seem to indicate that the short form is dying. And yet, the demand for flash fiction continues to grow and a generation rises raised on instant gratification and short attention spans. Why ... (meer)write short stories? How are they different from novels other than length? What extra skills are required? And what about the dreaded serial? Our panelists explain.

The overlooked skill of city building in Urban Fantasy.

Constructed languages and beautiful maps have been part of fantasy and science fiction writing for decades. Our panelists discuss the right and wrong ways to do them and why they appeal to us so much.

The resurgence of space opera: A subgenre of sci-fi once considered passe and childish is back with both pulp fists swinging. Why? Is it a good thing? What is it within the space opera that continues to appeal after all these years?