Conflux 5

Conflux 5 Programme

(2008)

• Workshops

• Readings

• Social Events

• Whole membership events

• Guest appearances

• Media

• Launches

• AHWA Stream

• Presentations and talks

Readings: Readings are twenty minute slots during the hours noted on the program. Authors wishing to read their works during one of the Author Readings slots should book a slot at registration. The final program for the day's readings will be posted each morning on the whiteboard at reception.

Friday

Time	Room D	Room E	Room A	Room B	Boardroom
9am	Art show and traders room open (Set up from 8am, open at 9am.) Creative corner will feature events during the weekend, but at any time people can come and play with the lego, the continuous story or enter the doodle competition (judged on Monday).	Workshop Gillian Polack - Blogging Workshop	Workshop April Herzog - April's Antique Roadshow to the Future		Workshop Liz Argall - The Business of Writing Comics
12pm		Workshop Karen Ott - Mental Magic	Workshop Chris Barnes - The Noble and Knightly Art of the Longsword		Workshop Maxine McArthur - Finishing the First Draft
3pm		Workshop Fiona McLennan - Emarketing for Authors	Workshop Karen Miller - Creating dynamic characters		Workshop Jack Dann - A Writer's Guide to Dreaming- How to Transform Dreams, Ideas, and Thoughts into Fiction
6pm	Dinner break
7.30pm	Opening Ceremony, and announcements spot with indigenous performance
8pm		(1) Mystery Science Theater 3 Thousand movie marathon.	Great Debate - Is this a dream, or is it reality? Debators - Russell Blackford, Liz Argall, Karen Simpson-Nikakis, Ian Nichols, Michael Barry, Dave Luckett. Moderator - Nicole R Murphy
9pm	Dreaming Again launch - featuring editor Jack Dann, publisher Stephanie Smith and various authors.

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Saturday

Time	Room D	Room E	Room A	Room B	Boardroom
9am	Art show and traders room open Badgemaking	(2) Panel States of dreaming - what would utopia be? Jason Fischer(c), Rachel McGrath-Kerr, Jane Virgo	(3) Panel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Katrina de Vos, Lawrie Brown, April Herzog.	(4) Panel What's next? Writing modules for role-playing games. Mike Richards (c), Phill Berrie, Nathan Russell.	Author Readings
10am	Demonstration by Marilyn Pride	(5) Panel Fantastic poetry - the place of poetry in science fiction, fantasy and horror. Danny Lovecraft(c), Leigh Blackmore, James Doig.	(6) Panel Without the Universal Translator: What might learning real alien languages be like? Maxine McArthur, Phill Berrie, Liz Gorinsky, Jane Virgo(c).	(7) Panel That's not science fiction, it's too good Barbara Holten, Dave Luckett(c), Bruce Gillespie, Dirk Flinthart.	(8) Panel Books with legs Kearin de Vos and April Herzog
11am	Making a bracelet - beadcraft with Annie Morris	(9) Panel Making a living as a writer - but not necessarily a novelist. Gillian Polack, Mark Shireffs, Liz Argall(c), Margo Lanagan, Karen Simpson-Nikakis.	(10) Guest Jack Dann.	(11) Panel Don't dream it, do it - a beginners guide to cons. Nicole R. Murphy	(12) Launch Launch of Spores from Sharnoth and other madnesses, by Leigh Blackmore.
12pm	Lunch break
1pm	Demonstration by Lewis Morely	(13) Presentation Calthorpe's house. Beth Mansfield.	(14) Horror of the Apocalypse. Rob Hood, Deborah Biancotti, Richard Harland.	(15) Panel Rewriting - the real art of a good story. Cat Sparks, Mark Shireffs, Barbara Holten (c), Russell Blackford, Liz Gorinsky.	Author Readings
2pm		(16) Panel You can't fake alternate history - how to make it work, and yet recognisable. Jack Dann, Chris Barnes(c), Lewis Morley, Dave Luckett, Richard Harland.	(17) Ghosts of the past. Marty Young, James Doig, Leigh Blackmore.	(18) Panel What is fandom? Bull Wright, Bruce Gillespie, Rachel McGrath-Kerr(c), K.J. Taylor.	(19) Launch Launch of Morrigan Press publication "Voices", by editor Amanda Pillar
3pm	Demonstration by Lewis Morely	(20) Guest Mark Shireffs presents Jasper Morello	(21) Dreaming or Nightmarish: Australian Horror Goes Bush. Roby Hood, Deborah Biancotti, Andrew McKiernan, Jack Dann, Leigh Blackmore.	(22) Panel Into the Mouths of Characters: Food as a Basis for World Building. Gillian Polack, Peter Strong(c), Sharyn Lilley.	(23) CSFS Party
4pm	Art show and towel competition judging	Mass book signing + auction (auctioneer Danny Oz)
5pm
6pm	Dinner/donning costume break.
7pm		(24) Trivia - Danny Oz and Nicole R Murphy.	Prohibition New York Dinner
8pm
9pm
10pm

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Sunday

Time	Room D	Room E	Room A	Room B	Boardroom
9am	Art show and traders room open Candle painting with Karen Herkes	(25) Panel Lessons in Pictures - educational uses of graphic novels and manga. Sue Ann Barber(c)	(26) From Beneath It Devours: The Resurgence of Australian Horror? Keri Arthur, Rob Hood, Shane Jiraiya Cummings, Leigh Blackmore.	(27) Panel Book to Film, what are some of the best and worst adaptions made? Richard Kerslake(c), Jaime McDougall, Mik Bennett, K.J. Taylor.	Author Readings
10am		(28) Panel Visual Imagination - can we do more on the page compared to the screen? Mark Shireffs, Andrew McKiernan, Lewis Morley, Liz Argall.	(29) Vamps and Tramps. Keri Arthur, Richard Harland, Amanda Pillar, Jason Nahrung.	(30) Panel Achieving the dream. Cat Sparks, Trudi Canavan, Jack Dann, Lynda Davies(c), Kim Westwood.	(31) Panel Where are the laughs - is sci-fi waning because it has lost the fun? Jenny Blackford(c), Keith Stevenson, Liz Gorinsky, Jason Fischer
11am	Demonstration by Marilyn Pride	(32) Panel Choosing an overlord. Karen Miller, Trudi Canavan, Sharyn Lilley, Ian McHugh	(33) From the editor's desk. Shane Jiraiya Cummings, Amanda Pillar, Cat Sparks	(34) Guest Bruce Gillespie	(66) Brunch with Falco $8, bookings at registration, close 6pm Saturday
12pm		Lunch Break
1pm		(35) Guest Cat Sparks	(36) Australian Shadows Out of Time: AHWA's guide to the best and worst of Aussie Horror. Shane Jiraiya Cummings, Marty Young, Leigh Blackmore, James Doig	(37) Panel Appropriating traditions - how it can be hurtful even when acceptable. Gillian Polack, Val Toh, Margi Curtis, Liz Argall(c), Karen Herkes.	(38) Launch Launch of Tender Morsels, by Margo Lanagan.
2pm	Doctor Who art and craft with Karen Vaughn	(39) Panel They Should Make a Movie of That - what stories would make great cinema? Mark Shireffs, Kingsley Sutton(c), Marilyn Pride, Danny Lovecraft.	(40) Panel Fannish get together - what are the ten most imortant issues for science fiction fans? Bruce Gillespie, Rachel McGrath-Kerr(c).	(41) Panel Dreaming Again - the panel. Jack Dann, Stephanie Smith.	(42) Presentation Ian Nichols on R E Howard.
3pm		(43) Panel Privacy, Free Speech and Copy Protection: How do new reading technologies change the issues? Fiona McLennan, Andrew McKiernan, Phill Berrie, Nyssa Pascoe(c).	(44) Panel Doctor Who - Origins Danny Oz.	(45) Guest Gillian Polack	(46) Launches Canterbury Tales 2100, Creeping in Reptile Flesh by Rob Hood, Angel Rising by Dirk Flinthart and Scary Food: a compendium of gastronomic atrocity (fundraising for Paul Haines).
4pm		(47) Panel Creativity: the Improbable Aircraft Mark Shireffs and Jack Dann.	(48) Panel Accessing the dreaming - what rights to white Australian authors have to use Indigenous mythology in their writing? Yaritji Green, Kylie Seluka, Karen Herkes, Nicole R Murphy(c), Ian McHugh.	(49) Panel Making the jump - authors discuss moving from writing short stories to novels (or vice versa). Cat Sparks, Trudi Canavan, Deborah Biancotti(c),Margo Lanagan.	(50) In Bad Dreams 2 event Sharyn Lilley, featuring readings by Gillian Polack and Andrew McKiernan.
5pm		(51) Guest Liz Gorinsky	(52) 60 Minutes of Fear Rob Hood, Shane Jiraiya Cummings, Leigh Blackmore, Andrew McKiernan	(53) Panel And now some food for thought - what is the place of critical writing in the genere? Gillian Polack, Bruce Gillespie, Jenny Blackford, Ian Nichols(c)	Author Readings
6pm	Dinner Break
7pm
8pm		Speakeasy and open mic readings. Drink 1920s cocktails and take advantage of the microphone to regale the audience with your work	(54) Baron Munchausen Chris Barnes	(55) Magical Hat of Mystery - East Cost Edition Nick Stathopoulos and Danny Oz.
9pm
10pm

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Monday

Time	Room D	Room E	Room A	Room B	Boardroom
9am	Demonstration by Lewis Morely	(56) Panel Authors and Editors - how to make the relationship work Zoe Walton, Stephanie Smith, Karen Miller, Russell Blackford, Liz Gorinsky, Keith Stevenson(c)	(57) Panel Community talk - have blogs and websites replaced fanzines? Fiona McLennan, Jaime McDougall(c), Alisa Krasnostein, Sue Ann Barber, Nyssa Pascoe.	Author Readings	Author Readings
10am		(58) Panel Doctor Who - Season 1 Danny Oz, Greg Tannahill	(59) Panel A life in science fiction Bruce Gillespie and Colin Steele	(60) Panel All aboard the SS Steampunk - what is it, who writes it, where is it going? Cat Sparks, Richard Harland(c), Liz Gorinsky	Author Readings
11am		(61) Panel The curse of gender - do men and women really write differently? Russell Blackford, Keith Stevenson, Alisa Krasnostein, Jane Virgo(c).	(62) Presentation Meteor.org.au.	(63) Panel Who's world is it? - Working in wolds created by others. Gillian Polack, Lewis Morley, Marilyn Pride, Karen Miller(c)	(64) Launch Mirrordanse launch.
12pm	Bids for art show end	Lunch Break
1pm		Workshop Grant Writing - Peter Strong	Workshop Dream Magick - Margi Curtis and Leigh Blackmore	Workshop Workshop 13 - Nicole R Murphy	Workshop Writing the otherworld - Felicity Pulman
2pm	(65) Whodunnit, led by Karen Herkes
3pm
4pm		Closing Ceremony and announcements spot
5pm		Dead Dog Party

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Event Descriptions

1. Mystery Science Theater 3 Thousand
   Do you like to watch really bad movies and laugh? Then MST3K is for you. This family friendly American show is making a come back. Joine us for laughter and groans as we select movies with titles such as "The Wild World of Batwoman", "Hobgoblines", "Space Mutiny" and much more
2. States of dreaming - what would utopia be?
   Jason Fischer (c), Rachel McGrath-Kerr, Jane Virgo
   One person's idea of perfection is another person's idea of hell. Our panellists discuss their visions of utopia and whether it's actually possible.
3. Harry Potter and the deathly Hallows.
   For readers of the Harry Potter novels, we discuss in detail the final book. Was it a satisfactory end to the Harry Potter series? Will J.K. Rowling continue to write? Professors Katrina de Vos, Lawrie Brown and April Herzog from Hogwarts will lead this discussin abou the final book and all things magical.
4. What's next? Writing modules for role-playing games.
   Mike Richards (chair), Phill Berrie, Nathan Russell
   Our panellists discuss the intricacies of creating modules for role-playing games and how to ensure good story arcs and characterisation
5. Fantastic poetry - the place of poetry in science fiction, fantasy and horror
   Danny Lovecraft (chair), Leigh Blackmore, and James Doig.
   The tri-focus of attention will be, the psychological significance of weird and fantastic poetry, a brief history of it, and Australian weird and fantastic poetry.
6. Without the Universal Translator: What might learning real alien languages be like?
   Maxine McArthur, Phill Berrie, Liz Gorinsky, Jane Virgo (chair)
   Stories can come up with all sorts of wonderful ways for alien languages to be understood. But what will the first conversations with aliens really be like?
7. That's not science fiction, it's too good
   when a literary style takes a book from the genre. Barbara Holten, Dave Luckett (chair), Bruce Gillespie, Dirk Flinthart
   Some wonderful books have been claimed as not being science fiction or fantasy or horror because they're too good. What makes something genre and can you do those things but not be genre?
8. Books with legs
   Kearin de Vos and April Herzog
   What book are you currently reading? Do you think people will be reading it in ten years time? Each of a panellists will present a book published in the past 12 months that we think will be read by a new audience in ten years time. Audience participation is encouraged as we ask you, "are you reading a book with legs?"
9. Making a Living as a Writer - but not necessarily a novelist
   Gillian Polack, Mark Shireffs, Liz Argall (chair), Margo Lanagan, Karen Simspon-Nikakis
   Success as a writer is often seen as being a novellist, but few novellists actually make a living from the game. How can you use your skills as a writer to make a living?
10. Jack Dann
    He's won all the major awards in the world, is best mates with the giants of the industry and his writing is stunning. Come and find out more about Australia's favourite adopted writer, Jack Dann
11. Don't dream it, do it - a beginners guide to cons
    Alright, you've seen enough to have an idea of what's happening. It's probably also enough to have you absolutely terrified. Past Conflux chair Nicole R Murphy will take you through some of the highs and lows in making the most of your con experience.
12. Launch of Spores from Sharnoth and other madnesses, by Leigh Blackmore
    Some of Leigh's beautiful and haunting poetry has been gathered together in the one place. Come and hear Leigh talk about the inspiration behind his work, read it and then get your copy signed.
13. Calthorpe's House
    An introduction to Canberra's finest house museum. Built in 1927, this three bedromm house was only lived in by one family. A time capsule of early Canberra life. Beth Mansfield will take us through the house and illustrate why it is so special. Hosted by Beth Mansfield of Historic places, Cutlural Facilities Coporation.
14. AHWA PRESENTS: Horror of the Apocalypse
    Rob Hood, Deborah Biancotti, Richard Harland
    What will bring civilisation to an end? The zombie hordes? A super-virus? Nuclear war? Cthulhu's return? Horror writers speculate on the best of times: the end times.
15. Rewriting - the real art of a good story.
    Cat Sparks, Mark Shireffs, Barbara Holten (chair), Russell Blackford, Liz Gorinsky
16. You can't fake alternate history - how to make it work and yet recognisable
    Jack Dann, Chris Barnes (chair), Lewis Morley, Dave Luckett, Richard Harland
    Alternate history needs to be realistic, but obviously different. The panellists will discuss things done that make alternate history work, and things that ruin it.
17. AHWA PRESENTS: Ghosts of the past
    Marty Young, James Doig, Leigh Blackmore
    Horror researchers discuss the unearthed treasures of Australian colonial ghost stories and gothic fiction, and how 'horror' has changed over the decades.
18. What is fandom?
    Bill Wright, Bruce Gillespie, K.J. Taylor, Rachel McGrath-Kerr (chair)
19. Launch of Morrigan Press publication "Voices"
    Editor Amanda Pillar, featuring authors Rob Hood and Shane Jirayia Cummings, launched by Cat Sparks
20. Mark Shireffs presents Jasper Morello
    Mark Shireffs will take watchers through the process of creating the award winning animation, and how it can show you more about creativng imaginary worlds.
21. AHWA PRESENTS: Dreaming or Nightmarish: Australian Horror Goes Bush
    Rob Hood, Deborah Biancotti, Andrew McKiernan, Jack Dann, Leigh Blackmore
    The Dreaming is characterised as something mysterious and wondrous but something dark lurks in our red heart. The outback is a desolate and scary place at times and its primordial inhabitants aren't always benevolent. Horror writers discuss the Australian landscape and Aboriginal myth as the foundation of nightmarish stories.
22. Into the Mouths of Characters: Food as a Basis for World Building.
    Gillian Polack, Peter Strong (chair), Sharyn Lilley
    World building often starts with setting, or with culture, or with the storyline itself. But we all eat, and what we eat says a lot about who we are and what we do. How can we use food to develop a unique world?
23. CSFS Party
    The Canberra Science Fiction Society is celebrating 40 years of following science fiction. Come and join the fun and hear the stories.
24. Trivia - Danny Oz and Nicole R Murphy
    Who's the most knoweldgeable science fiction fan? And note, it won't just be about science fiction, and winning may not involve just answering questions, but being willing to take a chance
25. Lessons in Pictures - educational uses of graphic novels and manga
    Sue Ann Barber (c)
    With science fiction and fantasy becoming more accepted in classrooms around the world, how can graphic novels be used?
26. AHWA PRESENTS: From Beneath It Devours: The Resurgence of Australian Horror?
    Keri Arthur, Rob Hood, Shane Jiraiya Cummings, Leigh Blackmore
    
27. Book to film - what are some of the best and worst adaptations made?
    Panellists look at book adaptations, what went wrong and how can it be made right?
    Richard Kerslake (chair), Jaime McDougall, Mik Bennett, K.J Taylor
28. Visual imagination - can we do more on the page compared to the screen?
    Mark Shireffs, Andrew McKiernan, Lewis Morley, Liz Argall
    Both the screen and the page have strengths and limitations. Which one works best in which situations?
29. AHWA PRESENTS: Vamps and Tramps
    Keri Arthur, Richard Harland, Amanda Pillar, Jason Nahrung
    Paranormal fiction has exploded in popularity by using traditional horror tropes (vampires, werewolves) in sexy new ways. Take off your crucifix and strap on your leathers as we take a wild ride through what's infernally hot - and what's not.
30. Achieving the dream - Authors talk about the moment they achieved their dream and whether it matched what they'd expected.
    Cat Sparks, Trudi Canavan, Jack Dann, Lynda Davies (chair), Kim Westwood
    Maybe they pictured themselves having a massive party, or maybe it was all about sitting down to work on the next one. Some successful authors talk about what it feels like to achieve your dream.
31. Where are the laughs - is sci fi waning because it's lost the fun?
    Jenny Blackford (chair), Keith Stevenson, Liz Gorinsky, Jason Fishcher
    We all know that science fiction isn't being published at the moment, and we're told it's because it's not selling. But why would that be, when tv shows are doing well. Is it because written science fiction has lost the sense of fun?
32. Choosing an overlord
    Karen Miller, Trudi Canavan, Sharyn Lilley, Ian McHugh
    At the last Conflux, we looked at what was involved in hiring henchmen. But when you get the job offer, how do you know you're onto a winner with your boss?
33. AHWA PRESENTS: From the editor's desk
    Shane Jiraiya Cummings, Amanda Pillar, Cat Sparks
    Editors discuss their views of the writing world, what trends they see, what works well and what doesn't, what are some of the common pitfalls writers fall into, how to hook an editor, etc.
34. Bruce Gillespie
    Bruce's involvement in fandom around the world goes back decades. If you want to know how we came to the point we're holding a science fiction convention in Canberra in 2008, come and listen to Bruce.
35. Cat Sparks
    Cat has won awards for her illustrations (Illustrators of the Future), her editing (Ditmars and Aurealis for her AGOG anthologies) and in the past couple of years has started to get a lot of kudos for her writing. During all this time, she's been using her photographic skills to document the journey. Cat will present a reel of her shots.
36. AHWA PRESENTS; Australian Shadows Out Of Time: AHWA's guide to the best and worst of Aussie horror
    Shane Jiraiya Cummings, Marty Young, Leigh Blackmore, James Doig
    Is Dowling's work shades of grey or Basic Black? Does Immaterial have enough under the Hood? Has Dedman had a resurrection? Was Hague the Voice of Evil that killed horror in the 90s? Marvel at AHWA's definitive, entirely subjective, and very contentious guide to the best (and worst) ever Australian dark fiction.
37. Appropriating traditions - how it can be hurtful even when acceptable
    Gillian Polack, Val Toh, Margi Curtis, Liz Argall (chair), Karen Herkes
    People of different religions, cultures, life views can have traditions that make great fodder for story ideas. However, even when it's done well or with honour, it can still be hurtful to the people involved. Panellists discuss some of the issues writers need to be aware of.
38. Launch of Tender Morsels , by Margo Lanagan
    Margo Lanagan is one of the most highly regarded short story writers in the world. Singing My Sister Down is one of the most awarded Australian short stories of recent years. Now the long-awaited novel, Tender Morsels, is being launched at Conflux. Come along to find out more about the creation of the novel.
39. They Should Make a Movie of That - What stories would make great cinema?
    Mark Shireffs, Kingsley Sutton (chair), Marilyn Pride, Danny Lovecraft
    What are the undiscovered gems that should be on the screen? And what well known stories would make classic cinema?
40. Fannish get together - what are the ten most important issues for science fiction fans?
    Bruce Gillespie, Rachel McGrath-Kerr (chair)
    Panellists discuss the things that science fictions fans are concerned with, and should be concerned with, in the development of the genres and fandom
41. Dreaming Again - the panel
    Dreaming Again editor Jack Dann leads a discussion with Harper Colllins editor Stephanie Smith and authors about the creation of the anthology, the sequel to the World Fantasy Award winning Dreaming Down-under
42. Ian Nichols on R E Howard
    Academic Ian Nichols presents a paper on R E Howard, acknowledged as the creator of "Sword and Sorcery" and writer of the Conan books
43. Privacy, Free Speech and Copy Protection: How do new reading technologies change the issues?
    Fiona McLennan, Andrew McKiernan, Phill Berrie, Nyssa Pascoe (chair)
    Science fiction fans and writers, by the various natures of who they are, are enthusiastic about the latest technologies. What are some of the implications for how we read, write and publish our work?
44. Doctor Who - Origins
    The New Series of Doctor Who is one of the most popular shows on TV, but how did it all start? Did you know the daleks were a replacement for another story? Or that Ian and Barbara were originally Cliff and Lola? Or that the very first story was written by an Australian? Join Danny Oz as he tells you just what it took to get the original series on the air way back in 1963.
45. Gillian Polack
    She's a mediavallist, teacher and writer, and is making a name for herself as an expert on food. She's used all these skills in a diverse life of activity, study and interests, including most recently overseeing the successful Conflux dinners. Gillian is a raconteur, and you'll enjoy the stories.
46. A cornucopia of book launches - by some of the most ambitous and admired people in Australian SF. Come along to share in the dreams.
    Canterbury Tales 2100, edited by Dirk Flinthart, Creeping in Reptile Flesk by Rob Hood, Angel Rising by Dirk Flinthart and Scary Food: a compendium of gastronomic atrocity, edited by Cat Sparks (fundraiser for Paul Haines)
47. Creativity: the Improbably Aircraft.
    Conflux guests Mark Shireffs and Jack Dann will use two of their seminal works - Jasper Morello and The Memory Cathedral - to look at creativity, how to harness it and what it can be.
48. Accessing the dreaming - what rights do white Australian authors have to use Indigenous mythology in their writing?
    Yaritji Green, Kylie Seluka, Karen Herkes, Nicole R Murphy (chair) , Ian McHugh
    It's our land, is it our dreaming too? Panellists discuss using Aboriginal stories and imagery and what we do and don't have the right to touch.
49. Making the jump - authors discuss moving from writing short stories to novels (or vice versa), similarities and differences.
    Cat Sparks, Trudi Canavan, Deborah Biancotti (chair), Margo Lanagan
    Writers from various backgrounds, novellists and short story writers, talk about the differences involved in tackling the two different forms
50. In Bad Dreams 2 event
    Editor and publisher Sharyn Lilley of Eneit Press celebrates the upcoming launch of the sequel to In Bad Dreams. Event features readings by authors Gillian Polack and Andrew McKiernan
51. Liz Gorinsky
    Tor editor Liz Gorinsky has her pusle on what's happening in science fiction around the world, and particularly in the US. Liz will take us through some of the ups and downs and vagaries of life as an editor.
52. AHWA presents 60 minutes of fear
    Rob Hood, Shane Jiraiya Cummings, Leigh Blackmore
    Australian Horror Writers Association members read their darkest work, with the audience voting on who is Australia's scariest author (prizes will be awarded!)
53. And now here's some food for thought - what is the place of critical writing in the genre?
    Gillian Polack, Bruce Gillespie, Jenny Blackford, Ian Nichols (chair)
    How does critical writing - essays, reviews, research - impact on the growth and development of the genre and writers within it.
54. Baron Munchausen
    Chris Barnes
    Chris leads players through the classic storytelling game Baron Munchausen. Will you accept the challenge and reveal a flair for over-the-top storytelling.
55. Magical Hat of Mystery - East Coast Edition
    Nick Stathopoulos and Danny Oz dip into the Magical Hat of Mystery and attempt to answer the questions inside with true facts, outrageous lies, and an array of stories from their own lives. You may be amused, entertained and educated, but all that matters to them is that they have fun. In fact, if they weren't doing this show, they'd just be sitting in a room somewhere, doing the exact same thing.
56. Authors and Editors - how to make the relationship work
    Zoe Walton, Stephanie Smith, Karen Miller, Russell Blackford, Liz Gorinsky, Keith Stevenson (chair)
    The relationship between editor and author is vital for the production of the best final product possible. Editors and authors talk about how to get the best from each other.
57. Community talk - have blogs and websites replaced fanzines?
    Fiona McLennan, Jaime McDougall (chair), Alisa Krasnostein, Sue Ann Barber, Nyssa Pascoe
    In the past, fanzines were the main way fans communicated with each other, discussing their views and finding out what was going on. Now it seems it's blogs and websites. Does that mean fanzines are gone, or are the blogs and websites a different thing entirely?
58. Doctor Who - Season 1
    As a companion piece to the Doctor Who - Origins panel, Danny Oz and Greg Tannahill take you on a story by story journey through the first William Hartnell season of Doctor Who.
59. A life in science fiction
    Bruce Gillespie and Colin Steele
    
60. All aboard the SS Steampunk - what is it, who writes it, where is it going?
    Cat Sparks. Richard Harland (chair), Liz Gorinsky
    Heard of steampunk but not sure what it is? Come along to find out more about this subgenre of science fiction.
    
61. The curse of gender - do men and women read and write differently?
    Russell Blackford, Keith Stevenson, Alisa Krasnostein, Jane Virgo(c)
    There are stories of men refusing to buy books written by female authors (a good reason to have an androgynous name, perhaps). Is it true, are men and women really so different?
62. Meteor.org.au
    Meteor.org.au is a plan to establish a library of Australian science fiction history. Some of the fans involved will lead a discussion of what they are planning to do, where they are at the moment and what will happen next
63. Who's world is it - working in worlds created by others
    Gillian Polack, Lewis Morley, Marilyn Pride, Karen Miller (chair)
    Shared worlds are not new in science fiction, and the growth in media-tieins is adding to it. What's involved in working in a world created by another, or seeing people work in a world you created.
64. Mirrordanse launch
    
65. Whodunnit, led by Karen Herkes
    The Alpha Centauri Jazz Bar is the smoothest place to be in the Galaxy on a Saturday night. As the owner 'Stan Dout' can claim it's a Saturday somewhere in the Galaxy - it's Saturday night everynight at the Jazz Bar....
    Last Saturday night was the usual crowd: the Rich, the tourists, the entertainers, and the thieves. But Stan came back to his office to find 'Joe King', the famous stand up comic, obvously dead on the floor.
    If you'd like to find out more about what happened, and 'whodunnit', then come and question our panel of suspects: Delia Cards, Robin Banks, Tyrone Laces, Owen Munny, and Shirley Nott at the "Who dunnit Panel". There is a prize for the first correct drawn 'whodunnit' from the audience!
66. Brunch with Falco
    Are you a fan of Lindsey Davis' novels featuring Roman informer Marcus Didius Falco? Come and taste some of the food mentioned in the novels while we chat about this extraordinary range of books. This is an informal panel with food, and guests are reminded that the food supplied at this panel is not necessarily historically accurate for the Roman Empire, but are modern day substitutes. Bookings are limited to 20 places (close at 6pm on Saturday) and cost $8 per person.