I will be appearing as a guest at RavenCon the big, local Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror convention in Richmond, Virginia April 24-26.
Attending as a guest is a full circle moment for me: RavenCon was the first Con I ever attended way back in 2014 when I still wasn’t sure about this writing thing. I went again the next year. Now, I’m coming back as a guest and getting up on stage, on panels, signing my book, doing a reading–all those things a Convention guest does. So, I couldn’t be more excited.
I will be doing a reading, a signing, and sitting on four panels in total. All events start on the hour and last 50 minutes (to allow for breakdown/setup).
Here are the details:
Panel 1: Friday, April 24 – 20:00. Madison Building-Brunswick. “Lovecraft, Smith, and Howard: The Cthulhu Mythos.”
We will talk about some of the great, classic writers of Cosmic Horror and the Weird: H.P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, and Robert E. Howard (he’s more than Conan!). Their collective impact and sometimes controversial legacy will give us tons to talk about, I’m sure.
Reading: Saturday, April 25 – 11:00 a.m. Jefferson Building-Fairfax Library.
I will be doing a 25-minute set of my poetry. My intention is to do what any good musical artist does: You’ve bought the album, now you’re going to hear the music LIVE. So, I plan to read as many of the poems from my debut poetry collection The Book of Hours as they will let me.
Author Signing: Saturday, April 25 – 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Madison Building-open area in front of Henrico Ballroom.
Right after my reading, I will do a signing. Come by for signed books, Schwag, and friendly banter.
Panel 2: Saturday, April 25 – 14:00. Jefferson Building–Dinwiddie. “Writing Isn’t a Job; It’s Seven Jobs in a Trenchcoat!”
Most writers have a day job (I’m no exception). How do we manage to draft new stories, edit, publicize, create a presence on social media, and do all the publishing tasks in the time we have? Come along to find out.
We’ll discuss our schedules and how to keep all the balls in the air, and which ones to let drop (I vote for newsletters).
Panel 3: Saturday, April 25 – 18:00. Madison Building-Brunswick. “When Worlds Collide – Science Fiction and Horror.”
Could anything be more “me”? I mean, come on! Horror AND Science Fiction!? This the essence of Cosmic Horror, the essence of what I write (in prose, and often, poetry). I am at the center of this Venn Diagram. Enough said. See you there!
Panel 4: Sunday, April 26 – 11:00. Jefferson Building-King William. “Quoth the Raven: Historic and Contemporary Speculative Poetry.”
Last, but not least, it will be time to talk poetry. Speculative (Sci-Fi, Horror, Fantasy) poetry, that is. I have a few ideas about that—let me tell you!
If you’re a new poet or a fan—come on by! We will have plenty to talk about and celebrate in a genre and a craft that’s getting stronger, deeper, and more diverse every day.
OK! See you there!
Darius
Inside the Writer's Mind 