05.10.08
Panelists!
Our head of Programming Steven Brust says: “If you’re a writer, editor, publisher, or critic, and plan to be at 4th Street, please let me know via email: skzb at dreamcafe dot com.”
Edited to add: You should also contact Steven if you’re interested in being on programming regardless of whether you fit in any of those categories. If you’re passionate about fantasy and are interested in being on a panel, get in touch with Steve.
Mary Kay said,
May 11, 2008 at 9:57 am
So does this mean only pros will be appearing on programming? No fans?
MKK
Lydia Nickerson said,
May 11, 2008 at 10:26 pm
No, fans will be appearing on panels. We should look more closely at our phrasing, I think. Thanks for catching that.
Laurel Krahn said,
May 12, 2008 at 3:40 am
I thought of wording it differently (I made the post), but decided to just quote Steve’s post from the 4th Street LJ community since it was his request. I kinda assumed fans could fall into the category of “critic” or “writer” or possibly others since he didn’t specify “professional” anywhere.
We can certainly clarify it though if need be.
Mary Kay said,
May 28, 2008 at 11:13 am
I really really think you should clarify. Even the new flyers Elise had at Wiscon are problemmatic. More than one person commented to me on the phrasing — one person describing it as “Are you important enough to be on our program?” I’m thinking there’s a serious attitude problem going on somewhere that needs serious re-evaluation. I’ve got a membership and have reserved a suite, but I’m seriously wondering if I’m going to come after all.
MKK
Mary Kay said,
May 28, 2008 at 11:16 am
Oh, and in the interests of full disclosure I should add that I emailed Brust weeks ago about programming and other than an acknowledgment of of having received the email I’ve heard nothing. And I’m not exactly inexperienced at programming, especially fantasy programming.
MKK
Laurel Krahn said,
May 29, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Hey Mary Kay,
I think the “probable program participants” bit on flyers was just a way of trying to promote the fact that we had other writers & pros in attendance beyond our GoH. It’s always tricky figuring out a way to do that which doesn’t sound strange or leave someone out or offend someone and I guess the way it was done on these flyers is giving people the wrong idea. It’s unfortunate.
I’m not really in the loop about what’s being planned for programming this year, but I know we’re trying to bring back a con like the Fourth Streets of old. And while the Fourth Streets from back in the day had a lot of professionals on the panels, they also had folks on panels who weren’t in the business.
At the old Fourth Streets, I loved the very animated panels about writing and reading and art that included a mix of folks who were passionate about the topic. Lots of interaction with the folks in the crowd, not just chatter from/among panelists.
I know Steve is in the midst of a move so that may explain some of the lack of communication and lateness of the hour re getting a schedule ready; near as I can tell plans are still being made for programming so if you haven’t heard back it’s probably not because you aren’t wanted on programming just that things aren’t at that point yet. If you want to ping Steven again re programming, you certainly can and it might not be a bad idea, though I think he’s offline with the move ’til next week.