Next Stop: Wholanta!

My next convention is Wholanta, the very fine Atlanta gathering centered around Doctor Who and British media that takes place May 4 - 6th at the Atlanta Airport Hilton. The programming for this convention is always good, and this year is no exception. I have a delightfully full schedule of panels and other mischief. Behold!

Friday, May 4

6:00pm: Opening Ceremony

7:00pm: A Genre is a Genre is a Genre. Remember when a genre work was either science fiction or fantasy? Now, it seems, new genres and subgenres crop up with every new publication. Panelists: Sue Phillips, Lee Martindale, Shawn Carter.

9:00pm: Be Kind - Saying Goodbye to the Twelfth Doctor. Peter Capaldi has passed the key to the Tardis to his successor. Looking back on his three-season run and the companions who went along for the ride. Panelists: Alan Siler, Rob Levy, Courtland Lewis, Lee Martindale

Saturday, May 5

10:00am: Breakfast With The Books. Grab a cup of coffee (or other morning beverage of choice) and join us for a discussion of favorite books, recommendations, and general appreciation of reading and readers. Panelists: Sue Phillips, Lee Martindale

11:00am: Alt History or Steampunk? A discussion of early alternate history, the introduction of steampunk, and the paths taken to the present. Panelists: Bill Ritch, Lee Martindale, Dawn Benton

3:00pm: The Man Behind "A Brief History of Time. Our tribute to the late British physicist and author Stephen Hawking. Panelists: Lee Martindale, Robert Lloyd

4:00pm: Book Signing: Two books make their debut at this year’s event: Why I Geek: An Anthology of Fandom Origin Stories and Children of Time: The Companions of Doctor Who. The editors and as many contributors as can be mustered of both works will be there to sign your copies.

5:00pm: If Fandom Is Broken, How Do We Fix It? From the write-up: “Given all the negativity, we ask the question, is fandom broken? A look at the issues, and ways to combat ‘toxic fandom’”. Panelists: Mark Hefferman, Lee Martindale, Candace Young

6:00pm: Comfort Reads. The write-up: “Are there books you go back to over and over? What makes a comfort read?” Panelists: Lee Martindale, Sue Phillips, Kelly Swilley Ceccato, Dawn Benton

Sunday, May 6

2:00pm: Trending in SF. Grab your crystal ball for a roundtable discussion of the next Big Thing in speculative fiction. What genre will be next to explode onto the scene. What writers should be keeping an eye out for? Panelist: Lee Martindale

6:00pm: Closing Ceremony

You can find complete information on Wholanta, including the full schedule and list of guests, at http://www.wholanta.com