Happy Wednesday Scribblers, I hope your week is going well. Have you gotten your vaccine yet? Eric and I got ours. Thank goodness! We are Team Moderna. No side affects, only a bit sore and tired, so really nothing to complain about. If you haven’t gotten your vaccine yet, I encourage you to really think about it, and get the vaccine if it’s right for you.
As many of you know, this last weekend (May 8, 2021) was part of the International Queer Authors and Readers Uniting Stories Book Con (IQARUS for short). What a wonderful event. It was an extremely long day for many of us, but the payoff was worth it. For those of you that don’t know what IQARUS Book con is, here is a short description:
A series of author readings, discussion panels, and workshops designed to introduce, promote and support outstanding queer genre fiction and related enterprises.
If you weren’t able to attend the event, or you were watching a panel or reading and missed a discussion you really wanted to see, not to worry you can find all the panels and readings on the IQARUSbookcon YouTube channel. Click here.
As one of the organizers of the event (learn more about the organizers here) I hosted five panels and readings (in total). I even managed a reading in the Sci-Fi Reading. Below I’m presenting five panels and readings for you to check out. The conference presented eighteen various panels and readings covering everything from Cover Art Creation to Book Editing (for authors) and Contemporary book readings to Horror book readings (for readers). There really is something for everyone.
Here are the panels and readings I was involved with. I encourage you to check them out, not because I hosted these panels and readings, but because I found each of them engaging, diverse, enlightening, and enjoyable. Here you are:
The Trope Cake: Queer Frosting and Subverted Sprinkles, hosted by M.D. Neu | This is a conversation about creating queer stories and avoiding common tropes. Not all tropes are bad, but learning when and how to use them in writing is important. This panel is a discussion so bring your questions.
Guests: Ava Kelly, Sera Trevor, Kellie Doherty
Science Fiction and Fantasy, hosted by M.D. Neu | Come and check out our authors and their current Science Fiction and Fantasy stories. This is your opportunity to hear from some great authors who write Sci-Fi and Fantasy. After the reading there will be a Q&A with the authors.
Guests: M.D. Neu, Ava Kelly, E.D.E. Bell, Sera Trevor
Modern Works set in Modern Times: Contemporary, hosted by M.D. Neu | A set of wonderful authors sharing their contemporary works. It’s a mixed bad filled with wonderful stories set in our contemporary world. After the reading there will be a Q&A with the authors.
Guests: Hans M Hirschi, Rick R. Reed, Kevin Klehr, Petrina Binney
Podcasting and Vlogging: The Current Frontier, hosted by M.D. Neu | Want to start a Podcast or a Vlog, come and learn from those that are already doing it. Our panelists are a mix of seasoned professionals and newer content creators. They will be sharing their background and expertise, bring your questions.
Guests: The producers of WROTE, Books that Burn, DIY Writer, Queer Words, Nobody Reads Short Stories
Romance, Part II, hosted by M.D. Neu | Get cozy and prepare for all the feels as some of the best queer romance authors in the business read from their works. After the readings, there will be a brief Q&A with the authors.
Guests: Ada Maria Soto, R.L. Merrill, Erica Cameron
Keep in mind, these were the panels and readings I hosted, there are plenty more to check out, plus there is the opening and the closing of the event. The planning committee is already talking about next years con. I suggest, if you haven’t already, find IQARUS Book Con on the following and follow them:
Website: http://iqarusbookcon.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Iqarusbookcon
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IqarusC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iqarus.bookcon/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpVDTXMR9eAQseOncfPd1Ew
As I mentioned those of us who were there had a great day and I, for one, learned a lot. I managed to pop into several panels and those that I missed I will be watching them in the coming days to get all caught up. Please consider sharing this post on your social media sites, it really does help, as does clicking on this little heart below. Until next time have a great week.