Boskone 60 Program Guide

Set your sights high as you seek to expand your kingdom by picking tiles. The game ends when a 5 x 5 grid has been completed. 2 – 4 players. Beginner. 

Virtual attendees! New to Boskone? Or returning after a long absence? Join us for a short discussion about what Boskone has to offer, learn some of the convention lingo, and meet new people. While we can't stroll through the physical convention space, we'll take some time talking about the schedule and how to connect with friends and fans in the virtual environment. No recording is available for this session.

Big bads can be fun to write and fun to read. As moral ambiguity grows in fiction, we see the line begin to blur for characters who were traditionally cast as villains. How are villains evolving and where do we see them crossing over into the protagonist role? These are characters who often have immoral goals and who use immoral means to achieve their goals ... and yet, we root for them. (Think of Breaking Bad.) Let's dig into why these protagonists are compelling, and what makes them work.

How do magicians and their magic fit into the political, social, and class structures within an imagined society–especially in worlds where most people don't possess such powers? What special challenges do magic-wielders face in a culture where magic isn't respected or feared? How do these challenges change when dealing with a society where magic is revered? What roles, if any, do science and scientists play in such a system?

Storytelling has been around since the dawn of time. However, different media are leading to different forms. There are now many more media for storytelling, including games, websites, Patreons, and more. What are the challenges for storytelling in these media, what can they do that more traditional books, films and TV can't, and will they take over in the end? And what about the metaverse, AR, and VR? How might these new technologies change storytelling?

Astro Boy (1963), directed by Osamu Tezuka. The grandfather of anime and one of the first animated shows to hit big on both sides of the Pacific. Follows the adventures of Astro, a super-powered robot boy who fights evil with a selfless heart, a kind demeanor, and the power of rocket flight. Presented with an English dub. Runtime: 1:15.

Even as streaming services expand to include more original programming, shows related to Star Trek, Star Wars, and the Marvel Comics Universe continue to dominate. But there are so many other fantastic series to watch! From original series like Foundation, Night Sky and Severance to standalone films, reboots, and new adaptations. What should we be watching? Which of these films and TV series should be on the Hugo nominations list?

To writers, sometimes marketing feels like walking uphill to school barefoot in the snow. Does it ever get easier? At what point is enough "enough" for you and your social network? What about live events? How much should you invest, and how do you measure the return? Our panelists share their experiences and tips for managing your marketing.

Inventive gastronomy can really spice up speculative fiction. We look at how food and local cuisine can explore character, society, setting, gender, and more. Our panelists dish on the culinary delights that tantalize us in fiction, from regional teas to tasty grubs and kingly feasts. How can we redefine, re-imagine, or recover the historical aspects of the kitchen and the cook fire in fiction? And what should you know about writing food-centric scenes that sizzle?

Historical speculation and curiosity can lead to some of the richest fodder for authors, whether they’re researching life in ancient Rome, digging up Tutankhamen's tomb, or tracking down Amelia Earhart’s lost plane. How important is the research? The devil is in the details, as they say, when telling a story that is gripping and realistic. How important is it if unanswered questions from the past are answered in a way counter to a story? How might future generations speculate about life today? At what point does historical fiction just become fiction?

Have you seen filk listed on the program but aren't sure what it is? Are you absolutely certain you know exactly what filk is? Either way, you'll learn something new. Filk is often called the folk music of the science fiction fan community, but what exactly does that mean?

Sandman has been a fan favorite for years. Few thought it was possible to bring it to film successfully, but Netflix has put doubt to the test (and rest?). Let's talk about what makes Sandman work so well in all of its mediums, noting what works, what doesn't, and what we are most looking forward to in future Sandman adaptations.

Take part in a discussion led by professional voice actors, podcasters, and authors who share tips and tricks on how to read out loud (and in front of an audience!). Get advice on overcoming stage fright. If there is time, some attendees will also have a chance to read out loud for 1-2 minutes and receive live feedback.

Horror can transcend the trope of women as victims and express women's ability to deal with trauma, both physical and emotional. Ellen Ripley in Alien achieves iconic status as a strong female character in the horror genre as does Melanie in the film The Girl with All of the Gifts. So, why do so many horror stories inevitably present females as victims and their bodies as a symbolic space in which atrocities take place? What do stories like Carrie (1974), films like Raw (2015), and series like Stranger Things (2022) tell us about females in our society, and maybe about humanity itself?

Many fantasy works depict worlds that never existed, while others describe some periods of our past. What can we learn about and from our past through works of fantasy?

               

This is the base game. Card game that has you collecting gems to buy victory point cards. 2 – 4 players. Beginner. 

           

            

                     

Irresponsible Captain Tylor (1993), directed by Koichi Mashimo. Unemployed young drifter Justy Tylor joins the Space Force hoping for an easy life. Instead he finds himself in the middle of a shooting war with the Raalgon Empire, where his mix of incredible luck and bumbling personality lead everyone around him to wonder if he's an idiot or a genius. In Japanese with English subtitles. Runtime: 1:09

New to Boskone? Or returning after a long absence? Join us for a tour of the Galleria and the programming floors so you can learn what Boskone has to offer, learn some of the convention lingo, and meet other people.  We'll meet down in the Galleria, at Meetup Table 2, to the left of the Art Show and up the short flight of stairs (take the nearby ramp if needed).

As the lives of young adults in our ever-changing modern society become more complicated and diverse, so do their personal interests and experiences. Panelists discuss how the growing complexity of our world affects the content of young adult and middle grade literature, comics, games, and film. How do the philosophical issues that impact today's society affect how teens see themselves within their favored fiction? What are some practical ideas for connecting today's kids with yesterday's or tomorrow's stories?

Fandom is a glorious and multifaceted thing that spans generations and genres. It's become more than a little fragmented over the years, but we are all still part of a larger whole. What have we lost with the fragmenting of fandom? How can its niche groups engage with the wider fan community while still honoring and protecting what makes them unique? This will be an inclusive session aimed at bringing people together.

Soon after World War II, as the Cold War introduced chilling new threats to the world’s peace of mind, Hollywood and Tokyo launched an avalanche of SF and monster-related movies. Was this a golden age? Or were these flicks mostly cheap shockers that kept recycling variations on the theme of "Monster Attacks!"? We uncover what made these stories work and which ones continue as classics.

Horror and comedy both hold distorting mirrors up to what's normal. They both rely on the destruction of what is acceptable. They both can make you squirm. But what happens when both are combined, and not by ridiculing horror tropes? Can a discordant voice make the reader squirm, shrink back in horror, and laugh? Who does this and what works should the bravest of us read?

From the electronic tonalities of Forbidden Planet to Tangerine Dream and Daft Punk, electronic music has been around the film world for decades. From TV theme songs and movie soundtracks to pop charts, electronica has evolved right alongside SFF. Electronica is science fiction, it is music made by machines, and the sound has defined so much SFF film.

The best characters are complicated. Complexity is the spice of 3-dimensional life on the page. So, how does understanding the motivation of a monster or villain differ from that of a hero? How can we better approach writing and reading complex characters who might appear bossy, entitled, cruel, or indifferent to the world around them? What complexities do gender, race, and social status add? Let's get inside the minds of the characters who stay with us long after the last page is read.

Join our discussion group focused on creating costumes, covering an array of topics for fans who are looking to learn about costuming and to get tips on how to solve costuming problems easily. Do you have a very specific problem that Google is not providing the answer to? Ask an expert who has been there and can help. Come prepared with your questions that could use an expert’s opinion, nothing is too big or too small!

Commonly used literary devices or tropes populate the pages of numerous science fiction, fantasy and horror stories. They are used as a shorthand to explain characters and situations quickly, allowing writers and readers to push the plot forward. What are the most used and overused tropes in SF/F? How do you know when your character has fallen into the trope zone, and how do you get them out? What are examples that are great uses in current novels, short stories, films, or TV series?

This reading will feature mother and son duo Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple as they team up for this special Boskone reading as they both read from one of their works. They will also host an author Q&A as time permits. 

As humanity begins venturing up into the lower Earth orbit and to the moon in more permanent ways, what will it take for humanity to become a space ready society? We discuss some of the biggest practical challenges with getting to and working in space, as well as the opportunities that are still to be explored.

          

Parents’ and Dragons's time to see who is attending Boskone and hang out with the Dragon Ladies who keep the Lair. Let's do some open play, chat about what is happening this weekend, and see what glorious things we can do together.

A bar simulator for the ages. Everyone starts out with the same bar. Use your profits to expand, advertise, or improve. There’s no one way to win this game. 2 – 4 players. Intermediate. 

          

Kino's Journey (2003), directed by Ryutaro Nakamura. A young girl and her talking motorcycle travel through a world of unique countries and mysterious forests, stopping only for three days at a time to learn about each place. Sometimes comic, sometimes tragic, often weird, and always beautiful. In Japanese with English subtitles. Runtime: 1:12

Songs have been inspired by folklore from around the world. Come share your favorites. Performers and listeners are welcome.

Moving beyond colonies and private research labs orbiting Earth, how realistic is it to go beyond our planet and further out into the solar system or even into other areas of our galaxy? Can we survive in space? What will it take to create far off colonies with dependable infrastructures when we can barely maintain Earth-based roads, bridges, and buildings? Also, how would a space born colony work one (or more) generations out? Let's dig into the science and speculation of humanity's move to colonize space.

Getting and giving constructive criticism can be a challenge when going through the revision process, particularly for longer works. As a writer: what do you ask of a potential critic? How do you provide feedback to the critic and the way they present and the value of their critique? As a critic: how do you identify and communicate issues or problems to the author? How do you track plot threads, identify themes, consider characters and their development and figure out what questions need to be asked? What issues arise when critiquing a work that is part of a series?

Gritty, grim fiction and suspense fiction are natural bedfellows. What is it about their synergy that works so well, especially in video and film? How do you walk the line between mystery and suspense when there are monsters tearing their way through the plot? And how do the tropes within dark fantasy, science, and horror help generate or amplify those nail-biting moments that keep viewers from looking away from the screen during those moments of do or die?

Are you a teen or young adult who has begun writing? Join us for a special meetup led by an established author who can give you some tips and tricks for finding your place within the SF/F/H writing community.

As the second largest continent in the world, it's no surprise that Africa and the African diaspora is rich in folklore. Embracing its cultures and ways of life, African folklore includes a range of magical beasts, trickster animals, spirits, and people with magical abilities. We explore some of the best loved folktales and ancient legends as well as newer stories by modern authors who are furthering the rich tradition of African speculative fiction within the continent and around the world.

One of our panelists has openly stated that writing short stories is an exercise for speculative fiction authors before they get to ... OK, they weren't serious ... maybe. Others, perhaps with more literary cred, are appalled: as the haiku is a pure expression of an idea in poetic form, so is the short story to our genres. This session will debate short stories as a literary form in speculative fiction. Unlike presidential candidate debates, ours will have actual content, be courteous, and maybe even fun.

Open play for kids, spending time together.

From the classic Fractured Fairy Tale cartoons to Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim, Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire, Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik, and A Spindle Splintered by Alix Harrow, fairy stories have been mashed up and resampled in literature and media for years. What variants tend to work best? What shining examples should we be reading? And which ones shattered like an old looking glass? Who are some of our favorite fractured fairy tale authors and what makes their words sing?

What are the challenges and benefits of using a real-world city in your urban fantasy or other speculative fiction? How accurate do you need to be before locals cry foul? London, Tokyo and New York have served as settings for innumerable novels. How would these stories change if the Tube were replaced by the New York subway, or vice versa? And if the setting was Paris, New Delhi, or Sydney, how would the story change?

Our Friday group reading will feature up to five horror authors who will each read from one of their published or in-process works. They will also host an author Q&A as time permits.  

Disability takes many forms, both visible and invisible. In the past, characters in the background were often given disabilities just to check the diversity box, but that's changing. We take a look at disabled characters across the speculative fiction genres and how their disabilities are featured within their stories, the roles they take, and the types of stories they tell. Why don't we see more disabilities in stories that take place in eras or worlds without decent medical services? And what does it take to tell these stories well? And why are they so important?

Join Boskone 60's informal meet up for black fans, authors, and creators to meet, greet, and hang out.

Welcome to Boskone, New England's longest-running convention for fans and creators of science fiction, fantasy, and horror! Whether you are attending for the first time or the sixtieth time, we invite you to join us for this special session to meet this year's guests: - Guest of Honor: Nalo Hopkinson - Official Artist: Victo Ngai - Special Guest: Tui T. Sutherland - Musical Guest: Dave Clement - Hal Clement Science Speaker: Jeanette J. Epps

Boskone 60's Music Guest, Dave Clement, performs music from his folk repertoire.  

          

This is the base game - Canada & US. Pick your routes and lay down the track, but don’t wait  too long or the other players will block your route. 2 – 5 players. Beginner. 

The Running Man (1987), directed by Paul Michael Glaser, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, María Conchita Alonso, Richard Dawson, Yaphet Kotto, and Jesse Ventura. Loosely based on a Stephen King novel of the same name. "Good cop" Ben Richards is forced to participate in a killer game show after being framed by the totalitarian government for a massacre he tried to prevent. A heaping helping of action, dystopia, and Arnie one-liners. Runtime 1:41

Connoisseurs and philistines alike: welcome to the Boskone Art Show! Join us in the Galleria for an upscale social mixer. Meet our program participants while enjoying refreshments, stimulating conversation, and exceptional art that is a feast for the eyes. Experience the music and the festivities as Boskone celebrates another year of science fiction, fantasy, and horror in Boston.

Podcasting gives us an outlet to share our thoughts and ideas with the world, and everyone seems to have something (perhaps a lot) to say. But is podcasting right for everyone? How do you go about "bootstrapping" a podcast? What do you need and what do you need to know? How do you attract and keep an audience? Where do you find a place to host your site? Successful podcasters pass on their secrets.

Adaptation offers reinterpretation of original stories to provide new perspectives for new audiences and new times. Stories have been evolving for thousands of years, but social awareness and expanding audiences are providing even more opportunities for change. Our panel discusses the importance of adaptation in creating new opportunities for diversity and inclusion while also telling new, original stories that feature diverse characters and topics.

We explore fantasy works that provide political allegories of their time. Through thoughtful and sensitive discussion, we examine how imaginary worlds, such as Animal Farm, The Lord of the Rings, and Black Panther explore contentious and polarizing issues and allow people to imagine alternatives to the status quo. This discussion may raise issues on which people in our community differ; we ask for and require courtesy from all present.

Some writers work in more than one genre: not just crossing the boundaries of speculative fiction, but dabbling in mystery, romance, westerns, mainstream literature or nonfiction. Does working in one area influence the way they write in another? Some writers also cross genres in the same work. When they do so, do they expose the readers of each genre to the other, or reduce their readership to those who love both? Are there mixes that work well? Are there others that don't?

This reading will feature Sharon Lee & Steve Miller as they team up for this special Boskone reading as they both read from one of their published or in-process works. They will also host an author Q&A as time permits 

The Post-Meridian Radio Players present: Sherlock Holmes in the Final Problem. Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson battle Professor Moriarty across the continent of Europe in what may prove to be his final adventure. A live audio-drama performance, with a full cast and in-person foley sound effects! 

Making music all night long or at least until the last person goes to bed. Unicorns, space flight, cons, cats—the topic could be anything and could change at any time. Singers, instrumentalists, and listeners all welcome.  All styles and genres of music welcome—filk, folk, rock, rap, instrumental—anything you feel like performing.  This will go as late as there are people interested in keeping the music going.

Build your city up from scratch in this classic game. 3 – 5 players. Intermediate. 

WarGames (1983), directed by John Badham, starring Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy.  Remember modems?  If you miss the memorable sound of the dial-up modem before you logged onto a Bulletin Board Service (BBS), WarGames brings that all back when an '80s teen hacks his way into a system that he thinks is an online gaming company. Runtime 1:54

Fire and Ice (1983), directed by Ralph Bakshi. Gorgeously-animated fantasy with a script by Marvel veterans Gerry Conway and Roy Thomas and art design by Frank Frazetta. Evil wizards Juliana and Nekron kidnap the princess Juliana, while the heroic young warrior fights to save her. Runtime: 1:21 

Women and non-binary authors of speculative fiction reading short excerpts from their works.

Animaniacs (1993), created by Tom Ruegger. The Warner Brother (and the Warner Sister) unleash havoc on the Warner Lot. A classic of cartoon comedy and a highlight of the 90s animation revival. Runtime: 44 minutes

Parenting is hard, but it’s not without its joys and successes. Parenting and writing comes with its own special set of needs, problems, and benefits. We discuss various aspects of the parenting life and how this may or may not filter into your creative life. So, how does a parent balance their creative and professional lives with their family life? And what about preserving the mythical "me time?"

New to Boskone? Or returning after a long absence? Join us for a tour of the Galleria and the programming floors so you can learn what Boskone has to offer, learn some of the convention lingo, and meet other people. We'll meet down in the Galleria, at Meetup Table 2, to the left of the Art Show and up the short flight of stairs (take the nearby ramp if needed).

Voyager, Mir, Shenzhou, Ariane, Odyssey, and Galactica are just a few of the real and fictional spacecrafts that have inspired songs. Come share your favorites. Performers and listeners are welcome.

Some spectacular stories take place in worlds very different from our own: from life on (or in) a gas giant to a civilization that lives on a world-tree as big as the Himalayas. But there are perils associated with venturing far beyond human experience. An inconsistent or poorly described worldscape can result in a confusing story or challenge a reader's ability to suspend disbelief. Hear from writers who have created fully realized worlds that their readers can almost see, touch, and smell.

The number of artists within the speculative art field continues to increase. The styles, genres and mediums they use are expanding. While there are a number of support structures for writers, editors, and publishers within the speculative fiction field, what about our artists? Where can they go for support and community? Which of these groups are appropriate for seasoned professionals, or the less experienced? Where can beginners go for training, and what resources are available for them? Our panelists share their insights and experiences.

Despite surges in online and ebook sales, at least for now, bookstores are here to stay. Our panelists share their favorite stories about the palaces of the printed. Why they love them. How to support them. And what continued life they're finding in today's publishing world. How can we make better use of our physical bookstores? What purpose do they serve for authors, publishers, and readers? If they ever disappear, whatever will we do?

Fear no longer lingers in the shadows. It's stepping boldly into the light. Films like Midsommar (2019) join a tradition of horror stories (Jaws, The Hills Have Eyes) in which the unthinkable happens during broad daylight. Which authors capture this trend? Are there any common denominators? And what makes daylight horror so terrifying?

This panel is for people who love hard rock and metal. From Supernatural's embrace of hard rock classics to Edie Munson grinding out Metallica's "Ride the Lightning" in Stranger Things and Thor: Ragnarok's battle scene set against the background of Led Zeppelin's "The Immigrant Song," the harder side of music has helped to create iconic moments in film and television. So, how has this musical genre helped to convey story, emotion, and tension in film and television? Has the same impact been felt in fiction? Come to the panel and find out! Show us your metal. Concert T's are a plus!

Join a writer and a few fans for an informal chat.  Sign up at Program Ops on the Upper Level near Registration, on Friday after 3pm.  You must be attending Boskone in person to sign up for this session, and you can only sign up for yourself.

          

From Strange New Worlds to Discovery, what is working in these new Star Trek series, and what's not? What story lines resonate with fans? Which series are getting Trek right and which feels off the mark? How coherent is the full collection of series, and does it matter? What do we think about Lower Decks? Is it possibly the most nuanced and faithful show of the lot? Let’s discuss!

Join a writer and a few fans for an informal chat.  Sign up at Program Ops on the Upper Level near Registration, on Friday after 3pm.  You must be attending Boskone in person to sign up for this session, and you can only sign up for yourself.

Like the unfurling of a sail that carries a ship forward through a storm, powerful speeches in literature can come in small impactful moments that reveal character motivations, backstory, and connections. How does dialogue create reader engagement? We read aloud some of our favorite and most impactful exchanges from well-known stories and film, before discussing in detail how and why the words work so well. *Spoilers.*

Using a water bottle and crafting supplies with a little bit of magic, we will make sensory bottles. A sensory bottle is a jar or bottle that we fill with different materials generating a variety of sensations and stimulating essential areas of the brain when moved. They can be captivating to watch, providing a great rest.

A genre of science fiction is coming to life at the intersection of energy science, quantum physics, and information science. Steampunk literature juxtaposes futuristic technologies with Victorian settings. Similarly, a booming scientific field fuses cutting-edge quantum computing with the energy science that dates back to the Victorian era. Quantum physicist Nicole Yunger Halpern discusses this real-world science fiction in her book Quantum Steampunk: The Physics of Yesterday’s Tomorrow https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/12750/quantum-steampunk

This is the base game. Choose your tiles wisely to complete your board as quickly as you can. Ye with the most victory points wins. 2 – 4 players. Beginner. 

Join this informal discussion group on Radium Age (c. 1900-1935) science fiction with fellow fans!

Batman: The Animated Series (1992), created by Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm. Often regarded as the finest screen adaption of Batman, this staple of early 90s after-school animation combined noir-inspired art, brilliant scripting, and spot-on voice work to great effect. Runtime: 44 minutes 

            

Cardcaptor Sakura (1998), directed by Morio Asaka. Ten year old Sakura accidentally releases the magical Clow Cards into the wild and is reluctantly tasked with recovering them by Cerebrus, the guardian of the cards. A true classic of the magical girl genre and visual treat thanks to Madhouse's stellar animation and a gorgeous tranfer from the original 35mm film masters. Runtime 1:15 

The Smurfs! Krull! Timecop! All that goofy jazz. Certain entertainments or activities give us great personal gratification. But we're still collecting Magic cards, t-shirts, or Star Wars figures. It's time for a fun and fannish conversation about the things we love, what we're indulging in, and recommendations for things others might enjoy. What could guilty pleasures of the future be?

A good song needs a combination of interesting ideas and solid technique. But where do you start, and what really goes into writing a filk song? Is it just poetry set to music or something more? How can you fix a song that isn't finding its groove? Whether you are new to songwriting or an old pro, come join us in this discussion that dives into the bardic craft of songwriting.

Tolkien has a lot to answer for, including the prevalence of the multi-volume work. And starting an open-ended fantasy series, or even a trilogy, tetralogy, dodecalogy, (how's your Greek?) can feel a little daunting. Sometimes you just want to read a story that manages a solid beginning, middle, and end between the covers. What are the best single-volume fantasy novels of the past and the present day? Can you find them among Hugo, Nebula, and Norton winners and nominees?

An editor can make a good manuscript great. No matter how perfect you think your manuscript is, there is always room for improvement, tightening, trimming ... and editing. Once your manuscript is done, submitted, and accepted, what happens next? What can you expect? What do you do if you don't agree with changes? How many people are involved in the work? Professional editors share tips and techniques for those struggling with the editing process. Remember, an editor is your friend, not the enemy.

Many beloved versions of fairy tales we tell our children are sanitized versions of grim stories, including Grimm ones. We can write the graphic violence and debauchery out of these tales, but should we? What gets lost when we blunt the sharp edges of Cinderella's story? There’s much to learn about the human condition from these rich sources of psychological drama. And some fine authors have mined the unexpurgated stories. Let’s discuss tales, especially those that may have been overlooked.

For decades, the bulk of SF's readership was boys and young men. However, a Deloitte 2021 report shares that young male readership has declined. According to Education Week, more kids are also turning to media and games instead of books. Our panel of educators consider the impact that these changes might have (and is already having) on the next generation. How do we address declining readership? Why are kids turning to increased media use? Our panelists share thoughtful science fiction and fantasy suggestions for engaging young readers.

Kids in Dragonslair get a chance to sit down and talk with Tui Sutherland about stories and storytelling. She might even read from one of her works. This is a session specifically designed for and only open to Boskone's children.

          

                                                  

Join Boskone 60's Musical Guest Dave Clement and a few fans for an informal chat.  Sign up at Program Ops in the Upper Level near Registration, on Friday after 3pm.  You must be attending Boskone in person to sign up for this session, and you can only sign up for yourself.

This small group discussion explores how creativity works. We will cover how creativity can be developed, even if a person doesn't consider themselves particularly creative.

Young readers are looking for fantastic new fiction full of smart characters who are like them, their family, and their friends. Books can also do a wonderful job of introducing kids to people differing from any they have met. Panelists share their favorite classic and new books for children that succeed in these objectives as well as the exciting authors that kids should be reading.

From characters to story lines and authors, diversity in speculative fiction has advanced dramatically over the last 10 years. As speculative fiction grows more inclusive and rectifies some very old problems, new issues are arising. Let's discuss next steps in diversity, ranging from new opportunities to new issues that are now appearing for fans and creatives alike.

We lost two particularly important writers last year, former Boskone GoH Greg Bear and horror writer Peter Straub.  We'll focus a bit on these two writers, and will also remember other people in the field who have died since last year's Boskone.

Even as streaming services expand to include more original programming, shows related to Star Trek, Star Wars, and the Marvel Comics Universe continue to dominate. But there are so many other fantastic series to watch! From original series like Foundation, Night Sky and Severance to standalone films, reboots, and new adaptations. What should we be watching? Which of these films and TV series should be on the Hugo nominations list?

Join Boskone 60's informal meet up for international (non-U.S.) fans, authors, and creators to meet, greet, and hang out.

The American version of a train game that uses crayons to draw the track. 2 – 5 players. Beginner. This game is being run by Mike Rasnick.

                

Armored Troopers Votoms (1983), directed by Ryosuke Takahashi. Chirico Cuvie, a special forces Armored Trooper pilot is betrayed after a secret mission and is forced to flee across the galaxy, pursued by the government and criminals alike as he tries to uncover the secret behind his betrayal. In Japanese with English subtitles. Runtime 1:15 

Some writers work in more than one genre: not just crossing the boundaries of speculative fiction, but dabbling in mystery, romance, westerns, mainstream literature or non-fiction. Does working in one area influence the way they write in another? Some writers also cross genres within a work. When they do so, do they expose the readers of each genre to the other, or reduce their readership to those who love both? Are there mixes that work well? Are there others that don't?

Writing and submitting inevitably means stories will be rejected. Some writers find it easy to keep going in the face of rejection, while others don't. We discuss techniques for keeping up one's spirits during the struggle toward your first or next publication. Pros share their clever anecdotes and real-life tales of woe when it comes to tragic turn downs. Through the laughter and the tears, you may even pick up a few tips and tricks to increase your chances and avoid the "rejectomancy" spiral of doom.

Until the 2000s, science fiction and fantasy films rarely garnered the same acclaim in Hollywood as their peers. Now, SFFH film and television have taken over the theater box offices and home streaming devices. What changed? More importantly, from technology to content, which films changed everything? Why are these films so important to speculative fiction, to mainstream cinema, and to the audience?

Noir is a shadowy staple of the futuristic crime tale, emphasizing moral conflict, dark themes, and sexual tension. Films like Blade Runner and Minority Report, as well as books like Miéville's The City and the City and Chabon's The Yiddish Policemen's Union are gloomy, gritty dramas that demand attention despite our instinct to turn away. Why do they work so well? Panelists discuss some of their favorite future-noir stories, novels, and films.

In the Star Trek universe (don't be scared, this is not a Star Trek panel), the Prime Directive prohibits Starfleet personnel and spacecraft from interfering in the normal development of any society, and mandates that any Starfleet vessel or crew member is expendable to prevent violation of this rule. Should humanity interfere in the development of any planet other than Earth? The "rights" to expand and colonize have caused multi-generational trauma on our planet. Let's rethink our approach to space travel in science fiction. Our panelists consider less invasive narratives, even for planets that do not harbor life as we understand it. What might a new prime directive mean for space exploration in science fiction and the real world?

AI image generators are fascinating new tools. Through quickly rendered images constructed from bits and pieces of preexisting art that has been published on and scraped from the internet, AI art generators may be seeding the next international art movement. But is AI art "art?" Our panel of experts look at how AI has impacted creativity and the artistic process for artists. We explore how it is already beginning to influence the human art world from creation to curation and collection.

America has existed as a sovereign nation for close to 250 years. Over time, the idea of individual states or groups of states going it alone has found appeal, like the Confederate States. Why do some Americans romanticize the idea of American breakup, and how do speculative fiction authors use this trope? How does cultural polarization in the United States reflect or contrast with these ideas? This session may raise sensitive issues. Courtesy is expected and required.

What do you think about when we say science fiction or fantasy? Is it unicorns? Is it spaceships? Come along and grab a brush as we all learn how to paint.

                    

Join a writer and a few fans for an informal chat.  Sign up at Program Ops on the Upper Level near Registration, on Friday after 3pm.  You must be attending Boskone in person to sign up for this session, and you can only sign up for yourself.

Our group reading will feature up to five science fiction authors who will each read from one of their published or in-process works. They will also host an author Q&A as time permits.

Join a writer and a few fans for an informal chat.  Sign up at Program Ops on the Upper Level near Registration, on Friday after 3pm. You must be attending Boskone in person to sign up for this session, and you can only sign up for yourself.

Filker Ben Newman presents a plethora of cleverly-crafted songs on a wide range of subjects, from cyberspace to faery and back again, including all-new material.

Riding Pegasus (without a saddle): a sampling of award-winning filk songs. The Pegasus Award is the filk community’s award for best of the best in filk music. Peggi Warner-Lalonde and Keshlam will attempt to do justice to some of the songs which have won the Pegasus Award over the years. To learn more about the Pegasus Award: http://www.ovff.org/pegasus/

Join us for Boskone 60's Guest of Honor interview with Nalo Hopkinson, hosted by P. Djèlí Clark. Nalo is an award winning author whose work includes novels and stories that are full of the unreal, the futuristic, the unlikely, and the impossible. If that weren't enough, she is also a talented 3D artist. Hear what inspires her as a person, what drives her as a creative, and what she has coming up next!

Join our art connoisseur Edie Stern in a fun stroll through the Boskone 60 art show: talking about art, chit chatting about the pieces you like best, and perhaps even discovering your new favorite artist!  We'll meet down in the Galleria, at Meetup Table 2, to the left of the Art Show and up the short flight of stairs (take the nearby ramp if needed).

Play any of the following games:  Taverns of Tiefenthal, Ticket to Ride, Puerto Rico, and Azul. 

Do you prefer Pellucidar to Amtor? Want to go back to Poloda? (from Beyond the Farthest Star). Join this discussion group to share your thoughts on Edgar Rice Burroughs’s less-discovered worlds, and why you might want to put these novels on your reading list.

An introduction to the history of filking, with plenty of music, laughter and kid friendly songs.

            

WALL-E (2008), directed by Andrew Stanton.  A terrific animated movie about a functioning cleanup robot, WALL-E, left on the deserted Earth with an ancient DVD of Hello Dolly.  He's scooped up by a space ship where he sees what humanity has evolved into. Runtime: 1:37 

Fantasy often makes use of prophecy. But when a protagonist is the prophesied one, how can they experience true conflict, risk, or agency? They can’t fail, right? Shouldn’t this deflate the reader’s interest? What happens when you have conflicting prophecies? And, in science fiction without fantasy or religious elements, in a universe governed purely by the laws of physics, where is free will?

Worldbuilding comes with its own rules and expectations, but what if your reader is a pre-teen? How much of a given world must be explained to readers aged 8 to 12? How much can be left to their imaginations? Panelists discuss some of their favorite middle grade fiction and what they found so inspiring about these wonderful worlds and the characters who bring them to life.

Shelley, Keats, Coleridge, Byron, Polidori, Blake, Hugo, Grimm, Wilde, Dickinson, and Poe are just a few of the best known authors writing in the Romantic period (approx. 1780-1850) who had a significant impact upon the development of the speculative fiction genre. Panelists discuss the art and literature of the Romantics and its influence upon their own work. What should you read? What should you avoid? What authors have carried on the Romantic tradition? And what is a Romantic anyway?

The Knit-A-Long is our annual exploration of yarn-based string theory ... and a chance to show off your prowess. Come and join the fun and get to finger fine fibers with other obsessive wielders of the needles (hooks also welcome).

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Victorian sleuth is a rich and ripe source for interpretation. As a result, this iconic "difficult genius" investigator is the inspiration for many of today's fictional private investigators, many of whom even bear his name (Mr. Holmes, Sherlock, Elementary, Enola Holmes, etc.). Why is it that Holmes can be written so differently and still be identifiable? How does this sleuth continue to speak to us on such a deep level? We uncover the clues that lead us to Sherlock. After all, once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.

At conventions we regularly talk about flashy, cutting-edge technology. However, the technological innovations transforming  seemingly mundane businesses, like warehouses, manufacturing, and farming are quite astonishing. From the Internet of Things to advances in machine learning and beyond, we discuss some of the most surprising changes that are transforming the underpinnings of the world. What new unseen changes might be next?

Join our speculative poetry workshop. Receive some basic instruction on poetry writing, spend some time writing, and then share your piece with the rest of the group for feedback. (Space is limited. Sign up at Program Ops Desk is required.)

It should come as no surprise that our world is far from perfect. There are totalitarian regimes where human rights are subservient to the state. And all societies on Earth have those trapped in dystopian situations. Let's learn why it is important for the voices of those people to be heard. And how do you write about dystopian events while you're living through them?

          

Join a writer and a few fans for an informal chat.  Sign up at Program Ops on the Upper Level near Registration, on Friday after 3pm.  You must be attending Boskone in person to sign up for this session, and you can only sign up for yourself.

Our group reading will feature up to five humorous speculative fiction authors who will each read from one of their published or in-process works. They will also host an author Q&A as time permits.

Join Boskone 60's Science Guest Jeanette J. Epps and a few fans for an informal chat.  Sign up at Program Ops on the Upper Level near Registration, on Friday after 3pm. You must be attending Boskone in person to sign up for this session, and you can only sign up for yourself.

Pat Cadigan is a well known author who has explored the intersection between technology and society in her long literary career. In the last few years she has novelized Alien 3: The Unproduced Screenplay by William Gibson as well as the live-action take on Alita: Battle Angel. In this conversation, Cadigan will share with the Boskone audience her experience in adapting other literary and audiovisual works.

Join Boskone’s Official Artist, Victo Ngai, Forbes 30 Under (Art and Style) honoree, for a special discussion in which she talks about the creative process, life, and art. Her astonishing range includes: illustrations for the New York Times and the New Yorker, storyboards and animation art for studios like NBC and Dreamworks, book covers for publishers such as Penguin and Macmillan, and product packaging and advertising campaigns for Apple and American Express.

Science fiction presents interesting options for exploring sexual and gender fluidity as well as exploring different social norms. What impact do these concepts have on character  development and what is important to keep in mind when developing non-traditional characters? How can SF expand current concepts of gender and identity while testing stereotypes in various cultures?

Mary Ellen Wessels and Ed Staff team up with Denise Gendron to bring you a concert of folk and filk music played on a variety of instruments.

Attendees will have a chance to pick out fabric to sew (with adult supervision) and then stuff a pillow. All supplies are available at DragonsLair.

           

From "The Lottery" to The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson has inspired writers inside and outside of the horror genre and in the process, shaped the genre. We look at how she turns ordinary moments into extraordinary fiction. What more is there to her work and her legacy? Does she continue to inspire and shape horror today?

The human body in all of its shapes, textures, and colors is complex, making difficult the artist's task in representing it. Getting it right is hard, especially when considering the impact of such things as environmental conditions, clothing, and light that affect how the body and its features appear. What should artists keep in mind when painting, drawing, and creating realistic figures? What pitfalls should an artist avoid? What about non-humans, even those that only exist in our imaginations? **This panel may discuss artistic nudity and may not be appropriate for children.

Death shouldn't be easy. Killing characters within a story shouldn't just glorify death or play to prurient interest. How, when, and why should you end a character so that it serves the greater purpose of the story? Is anyone really safe within a story? Does the audience or their expectations matter to whether killing a protagonist or significant character is appropriate? Does wiping out spear holders matter, and should it?

From mitigation of to solutions for climate change, technology both has a key role in presenting options for the future, and is part of the problem. How are authors covering climate change and climate technology in their fiction? How are cultures adapting, animals migrating, and weather changing? What’s more interesting to read and write about: possible solutions or post-apocalyptic disasters? Who’s got the best hot take? What stories are presenting new ideas on addressing climate change?

We were one timeline. Then boom some little detail changes, and suddenly we are two timelines, split at the point of divergence. Alternate histories have to make sense, and the changes need to be built into the structure of the new timeline. How can one detail lead to entirely new histories and how can we parse those differences to make sure they work? We explore the best alternate histories, how they diverged from our own timeline, and what makes them work so well.

Romance plays well with other genres, creating threads that weave easily across stories, connecting characters and causing conflict. Our panelists explore the hallmarks of the romance genre, and how to pepper romantic plots and subplots in your fantastic and futuristic worlds. How can we best incorporate romantic tropes into other genres in a way that feels fresh and dynamic? And how do you write romantic conflict in realistic and compelling ways as couples try to survive your next plot twist.

In this session you will learn how to design your own game, or maybe we will design games in groups and then play them!  

                           

Join a writer and a few fans for an informal chat.  Sign up at Program Ops on the Upper Level near Registration, on Friday after 3pm.  You must be attending Boskone in person to sign up for this session, and you can only sign up for yourself.

Where we live is crucial to the stories we tell. Settings within speculative fiction reflect all aspects of community life, from planning and government policy to otherworldly architecture and various levels of technology. What makes a community feel believable, and how does society help to shape the world around it? Also, why does science fiction often assume that cities are inevitable and why is fantasy often rural (or at least pre-industrial)? We will discuss stories that reject the norms as well as those that embrace them in unique and wonderful ways.

Our group reading will feature up to five young adult fiction authors who will each read from one of their published or in-process works. They will also host an author Q&A as time permits.

Join a writer and a few fans for an informal chat.  Sign up at Program Ops on the Upper Level near Registration, on Friday after 3pm.  You must be attending Boskone in person to sign up for this session, and you can only sign up for yourself.

Adam Stemple is an award-winning musician and former Music GOH at Minicon and Balticon. He was in Cats Laughing, a band with writers Emma Bull and Steven Brust that made an appearance in Excalibur comics and a Spider Robinson novel. He is performing a solo concert—most likely irreverently—of his own songs and others.

Ongoing advances in biotechnology and biomedical research have delivered some important benefits and promise more. But they've also brought ethical concerns, new moral dilemmas, and calls for moratoria or fresh regulation. There may or may not be something wrong with playing God: but are we playing blind? What might we unleash with stem cell research, modified viruses, bioengineered cures, self-replicating nanobots, cloning, and regrowth of organs or limbs?

Our yearly, though increasingly forlorn salute to DC’s Legion of Super-Heroes. Sigh. Despite several comics reboots over the years, it looks like it’s still dead — wait! Up in the TV sky! It’s Supergirl — now with Brainiac 5 and Saturn Girl … . Please join us. We’ve got a Legion of stuff to talk about again!

Join Boskone 60's Science Guest Jeanette J. Epps. Jeanette, an astronaut who completed astronaut candidate training which included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, spacewalk training, robotics, T‐38 flight training and wilderness survival training. She also worked at Ford Motor Company and the Central Intelligence Agency. She currently serves in the ISS Operations Branch working issues in support of space station crews. Hear was it takes to live and work in space, the kind of training required, and how she would like to see the future of space evolve.

The Fifth Element (1997), directed by Luc Besson, starring Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman and Ian Holm.  About 200 years in the future, Bruce Willis plays a flying cab driver who falls into a plot to protect the Earth from destruction.  While this movie is all over the place, it's generally fun with fantastic visual effects. Runtime 2:06

Join Boskone 60's informal meet up for BIPOC fans, authors, and creators to meet, greet, and hang out.

Come join pianist and singer, Dr. Mary Crowell as she regales you with songs of Radium Girls, Devils, and Dice.

             

Taking one stuffed toy and sewing it to another stuff toy get you a Frankenstuffie. Have fun and learn to hand sew, all while having a good time.

You can learn fencing, stage combat, or martial arts, but these skills are neither necessary nor sufficient to write compelling, realistic fight scenes. What does it take to write a fight scene that creates tension and drama without turning it into a play-by-play? Panelists will explore how to bring their readers into the fight and leave them gasping for air.

Humanity used to look to the skies and see God (or the gods, depending). Now, we look to the skies and see the future. As we find more Earth-like planets in habitable zones and space travel becomes not only possible but probable, what role will religion play? How might our Earth-based religions change as we launch ourselves into the heavens? What might it mean to colonize other planets? Can SF literature point us toward what the future might hold for spirituality and faith? If we discovered a planet with a sentient species, what would the implications be for us of their belief structures and religion(s)?

What has technology done to the prospects of pulling off the perfect murder? How has/will technology foil and aid the commission of crimes? What is good and bad about the surveillance society? How much trickier must authors now be to get to keep their readers guessing in a futuristic world? How can they "play fair" with the reader if the nature and extent of technologies in their world remains unclear?

Writing reviews is not as easy as it looks. Some reviews sing while others fall flat. What does it take to set a review apart, without going straight for the splashy, eye-catching negative critique? What does it take to write a solid review that is fair and balanced, while still giving the writer room to inject their own personality and literary style into a review? We look at the characteristics of a well-developed review, what pitfalls to avoid, and great examples to follow.

Watercolor painting demonstration with Jon Hunt and illustrator Amelia Leonards.  

Our group reading will feature up to five horror authors who will each read from one of their published or in-process works. They will also host an author Q&A as time permits.

If you are expecting a panel on fiction where dragons replace wolves in the raising department, this isn't it. Dragons are eternally popular in fantasy, especially with young readers. They have been depicted as monsters to be feared or slain as well as characters to be cheered and embraced. Who are some of our favorite dragons, good guys and bad? What are dragons in fiction up to lately? Why do we love our dragon-kin so much, and where can we find our next dragon fix?

Put your best voice forward. Professional voice teacher Anabel Graetz will lead a workshop for any singer who is interested in improving their performances. The workshop will concentrate on pitch/tone control, vocal technique, and performance technique.

You rarely get a second chance to make a first impression with a story. So, those first few words really need to do a lot of work to grab a reader and to get the story moving. In this workshop, writers and readers alike learn what's at stake in an opening, what to look for in a good opening, and when to give an opening another look.

Our group reading will feature up to five virtual program participants who will each read from one of their published or in-process works. They will also host an author Q&A as time permits.

Come join the fun at Boskone 60’s Book Party. You’ll meet the authors and publishers who have new books coming out at the con! This is your chance to see what’s new from writers you already love, as well as those you have yet to discover.

Interested in learning more about NESFA Press? Have an idea for a book or reprint? Want to get some experience with the publishing and marketing side of the book business? Join the editors of NESFA Press for a quick history and plans for the future of our small Boston-area fan-run publisher.

A special DragonsLair reading of the first book by L. Frank Baum: The Wizard of Oz. Complete with pictures drawn by the first artist of Oz, William Denslow.

Join filker and musician, Heather Dale, for her Saturday evening concert.

This is a subway system game. Each player is working on replacing the old track with new magnetic tracks. The track pieces are clear, so they can be stacked upon each other. As you work on the track, don’t forget to manage your upgrades. An interesting take on train games. 1 – 4 players. Intermediate.

            

Sleeper (1973), directed by Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen and Diane Keaton.  Allen's classic SF comedy about Miles Monroe, a man frozen in the past who awakes 200 years in the future to find the United States under autocratic rule. Runtime 1:27

The world is a many-splendored and wondrous thing! If you are from a marginalized community, how do you tell your story? What restricts your opportunities to do so? For what audience do you write? Where can your voice be heard? Our panelists discuss why this is important.

Boskone 60's Music Guest Dave Clement performs music from his folk repertoire.

The ending paragraphs, that final scene, leave a lasting impression with the reader (good, bad, or indifferent) and that impression stays with them. So, how do you stick the landing on a great ending? How do endings differ between short stories and novels? What elements are necessary in that last goodbye to the reader? And, how do you know when you hit the mark?

Get your needles and pins ready! We're talking costumes. Come chat with like-minded costumers in this informal attendee-led discussion about what's hot and what's not, plus tips for that next project.

Self awareness of artificial intelligence raises many ethical questions for us ... and for them. Can/should self-aware AIs be controlled? Is it slavery to own an AI? Can we terminate lower-functioning units, even if self-aware? Do AIs warrant a vote? And how and why could we/should we instill morality into AIs? Are Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics appropriate, or enough? Oh yes, and what constitutes "self awareness" anyway?

From Faust to Dr. Horrible, genre fiction is filled with crazily creative geniuses. Why do we love them? What makes the mad scientist character so appealing in horror, comedy, and everything in between? Join us for a mad, mad discussion featuring some of our favorite screwy scientists and inventors from the past, present, and future.

Heroic deeds in fiction tend to be reserved for the young. But there is a place for heroes with mileage, too! Give us those dashing older mercenaries and space captains, those silver-haired mages and veterans of a thousand battles and wars. Let's discuss fiction that takes older characters from the sidelines and places them firmly in those coveted main character slots.

From world killing AI to time travel and FTL, science fiction loves breaking the rules for the sake of a good story. Our panel digs into some of the best science gone wrong in order to get the story right. We share our favorite examples, why they work, and why it's sometimes important to break the rules in the right way.

Fairy tales are beloved by people around the world, and it's exciting to discover new fairy tales that feel fresh and different. However, it is important to understand and respect the social, cultural, and psychological impact that colonization has had on indigenous people's fairy tales and how colonizing stories affects a people's ability to maintain their own history and identity. We'll also discuss ways in which fairy tales can be decolonized and returned to the people from whom these stories evolved.

"As a science fiction writer, how do you go about incorporating real science into your stories? Do you research and study specific scientific concepts and theories, or do you rely on your own understanding of science and use your imagination to fill in the gaps? How do you strike a balance between being scientifically accurate and staying true to the creative vision for your story? Have you ever had to make creative compromises in order to make your science fiction more scientifically plausible? How do you think incorporating real science into science fiction can enhance the storytelling and make the stories more engaging and believable for readers?"—This description was written by an AI, courtesy of OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Children are invited to come enjoy DragonsLair fun and games.

Join us for the New England Science Fiction Association’s Award Ceremony, at which we present our annual Skylark and Gaughan awards. The Skylark Award honors the work and personal qualities of an exceptional contributor to science fiction. The Gaughan Award is presented to a talented up-and-coming/emerging speculative artist. We’ll also be announcing the winner of the NESFA Short Story Contest!

This is a resource management game that uses deck building and ship building to win. As you travel across the cloud you reveal what’s hiding under it, all the while battling the militia. Many different paths to victory. Upgrading your ship is the key, but which area do you upgrade first. 1 – 4 players. Beginner. 

Vampire Princess Miyu (1988), directed by Toshiki Hirano. A quiet and stylish gothic horror story about a vampire girl, Miyu, whose destiny it is to hunt down murderous demons known as Shinma and return them to their land of origin, the Dark. Miyu is pursued by the Spiritualist Himiko, determined to find out who Miyu is and to stop her from sucking the life blood from helpless humans. In Japanese with English subtitles. Runtime: 56 minutes

Making music all night long or at least until the last person goes to bed. Unicorns, space flight, cons, cats—the topic could be anything and could change at any time. Singers, instrumentalists, and listeners all welcome.  All styles and genres of music welcome—filk, folk, rock, rap, instrumental—anything you feel like performing.  This will go as late as there are people interested in keeping the music going.

Fairy tales with female protagonists and their Disney-fied versions, Snow White, Jasmine, Aurora, and the rest, have lacked true agency. But more recently the likes of Merida, Moana, and Mirabel (What's with the M names?) have been the heroes of their stories. How has this power shift impacted or been influenced by our mythical roots? Are the gains worth the losses? How can we preserve the rich tapestry of folklore while presenting stronger roles for women?

Science fiction may be the perfect playground for a good whodunit! When stories operate outside of the box, they can really keep a reader on the edge of their seat. So, what sets SF mysteries apart from their literary peers? How have science fictional elements filtered into suspense and mystery to turn up the drama? And how has SF changed the mystery genre? We look at classic examples as well as some great new fiction to find our answers.        

What's going to happen when civilization as we know it collapses? (Any likely scenarios for collapse will also be gleefully accepted...) Our panelists offer their unique perspectives on what you will have to do immediately/soon after/in the long haul to make it through the (coming?) apocalypse.

DR. HORRIBLE’S SING-A-LONG BLOG—Groupies, corporate tools, and members of the ELE: Does the status not feel quo? Join The Teseracte Players for a sing-a-long where the weird stuff is sure to be. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: ONCE MORE WITH FEELING—Scared of bunnies? Ever wished you were the slayer? The Teseracte Players prove that life’s a show as they sing and dance into trouble as Buffy and the Scoobies. CAST BIO: THE TESERACTE PLAYERS OF BOSTON—An eclectic ensemble, The Teseracte Players of Boston have been wowing audiences and time warping around New England for 20+ years. What started with Rocky Horror has expanded to a dynamic repertoire of shadow cast entertainment. Catch them in 2023 performing Rocky Horror, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Once More with Feeling. https://www.facebook.com/Teseracte/ No recording is available for this session.  

Vampire Hunter D (1985), directed by Toyoo Ashida. When a young girl is bitten by the evil Count Lee and chosen as his plaything, she seeks out help of a quiet wandering stranger, D. It so happens that D is one of the world's best vampire hunters, and he takes it upon himself to cut through Magnus Lee's many minions, and put an end to the Count's rule. Dark and violent, this was a staple of early US anime fandom and looks better than ever in HD. In Japanese with English subtitles. Runtime: 1:22

The original crayon-using train game. 2 – 5 players. Beginner. Mike Rasnick is running this game. 

Otaku no Video (1991), directed by Takeshi Mori. A love letter to the world of fandom during Japan's 1980's bubble era. Ken Kubo is a young man living an average life until he is dragged into a group of otaku. Slowly, he becomes more like them until he decides to abandon his former life to become king of otaku—the otaking! In Japanese with English subtitles. Runtime: 1:36

Dragon Half (1993), directed by Shinya Sadamitsu. Mink is a half-human, half-dragon adventurer off on a quest to win the heart of dreamy pop star (and dragon-slayer) Dick Saucer and find a potion to make herself fully human. Hijinks ensue and it's all very silly. Not for children. In Japanese with English subtitles. Runtime 52 minutes

Sakura continues her quest to recapture the Clow Cards.  Runtime: 1:30

One of the joys of SF art is seeing the wide range of styles and techniques used by various artists. When an expert looks at a piece, they can usually tell who painted it without checking the signature. Today we repeat a popular game from previous Boskones: shown pictures of genre art from decades past to the present, the panelists will identify the artist, and explain how they did that. Then we'll find out if they're correct.

The universe would be perfect, if only you were in charge. Today's the day to stop dreaming and start doing! What are the "must dos" and the "no-nos" that every evil, or "benign" emperor must keep in mind for success in galactic domination? Are your ambitions greater than that? Should you be the face of the takeover, or is it better to have a puppet to throw into the spotlight or under the bus? How do you handle pesky rebels? And is a catchy dictator name an essential accessory for success?

Romance crops up everywhere from prehistory to the far-flung future. While romance is arguably the most popular fiction genre, it's still considered a guilty pleasure. Rather than defending our guilty pleasure, let's proudly dig into the heart strings of the matter and explore some of our favorite recent romances that have graced the pages we read and the screens that we watch. What makes romance such a great genre? Why are we drawn to it? And what stories must you absolutely read or watch?

Female characters were once considered the weaker sex and assigned lesser social roles, even in fiction, but times are changing. From Melinda May to Princess Leia, Eleven to Shuri and many others, including non-humans, female characters are taking leadership roles in their own stories and seizing their own agency. What are we getting right with these fantastic women and what more still needs to be achieved? Let's talk about characters who are shaping today's fiction and smashing through the glass ceilings as well as the common traps for female characters who actively discard the mantle of social role model.

Disability takes many forms, both visible and invisible. In the past, characters in the background were often given disabilities just to check the diversity box, but that's changing. We take a look at disabled characters across the speculative fiction genres and how their disabilities are featured within their stories, the roles they take, and the types of stories they tell. Why don't we see more disabilities in stories that take place in eras or worlds without decent medical services? And what does it take to tell these stories well? And why are they so important?

          

              

Join these writers and a few fans for an informal chat.  Sign up at Program Ops on the Upper Level near Registration, on Saturday after 10am.  You must be attending Boskone in person to sign up for this session, and you can only sign up for yourself.

From short stories to novels and multi-volume series, some truly exceptional fiction is being written today. So, what new stories should we be reading? Which continuing tales are still wowing us? And what stories should be on the Hugo nominations list?  

Join a writer and a few fans for an informal chat.  Sign up at Program Ops on the Upper Level near Registration, on Saturday after 10am. You must be attending Boskone in person to sign up for this session, and you can only sign up for yourself.

There is a rising tide of heroes who don't fit the traditional blueprint for fantasy characters. Tyrion Lanister from Game of Thrones, Susannah Dean from The Dark Tower, Laia from An Ember in the Ashes, Red and Blue from This is How You Lose the Time War, and going back to Ged from A Wizard of Earthsea are just a few of the characters who have been changing the expectations of what a hero looks like and acts like as they step into leading roles within some of today's most loved fantasy fiction. How are these characters changing the genre? What ceilings are they breaking? Are their achievements unique to fantasy literature? And what other characters are out there who we should be reading?

Inventive gastronomy can really spice up speculative fiction. We look at how food and local cuisine can explore character, society, setting, gender, and more. Our panelists dish on the culinary delights that tantalize us in fiction, from regional teas to tasty grubs and kingly feasts. How can we redefine, re-imagine, or recover the historical aspects of the kitchen and the cook fire in fiction? And what should you know about writing food-centric scenes that sizzle?

Return to Dark Tower:  A sequel to the original, once again the players will roam the countryside vanquishing monsters, dragons, and anything else in their path. Clean the dungeons out, take the treasure, and work your way to the tower. 1 – 4 players. Beginner.    Please note that in order to play Return to Dark Tower, each player must have the Return to Dark Tower app downloaded on their phone or tablet. The app is available for free in Google Play.   

Children are invited to join Boskone's Science Guest and NASA astronaut Jeanette J. Epps to hear about what it's like to be an astronaut and how to be one!

Join Boskone 60's informal meet up for people who just want to sit and write quietly, while in the company of others.

In addition to being an award-winning artist, Alan Beck has had an off-and-on music career.  Recently, Alan released a CD of original tunes. Come hear him perform a concert of traditional folk music, original tunes and new filk songs on his 12-string guitar.

Wingspan is game that uses cards and dice that allow you to build up your bird sanctuary. 2 – 5 players. Beginner. 

            

            

Have you ever played Hand to Hand Wombat, would you like to? We have it; let's play it. It’s a board game that kids will love.

Stop in and be surprised!

In-person conventions are back. So, what do our community members need to know when traveling across borders in order to attend our favorite conventions? From visas to volunteering and vacation-conning, our panelists share tips and advice on tackling the big obstacles as well as some of the questions to consider when deciding which cons to attend, or not.

What are the challenges and benefits of using a real-world city in your urban fantasy or other speculative fiction? How accurate do you need to be before locals cry foul? London, Tokyo and New York have served as settings for innumerable novels. How would these stories change if the Tube were replaced by the New York subway, or vice versa? And if the setting was Paris, New Delhi, or Sydney, how would the story change?

When creature building for a fantasy novel, there are many sources from which to draw inspiration: our whole world of fauna and flora (and, while you're at it, fungi, protista and monera), other authors' work, your own imagination, and the beliefs and mythologies from various cultures and times. But it's important to consider the ethics of rooting your fauna in other cultures. We discuss how to foster inspiration in thoughtful and engaging ways while avoiding cultural appropriation or worse in order to successfully include elements from current day belief systems.

Literary contracts can be tricky to navigate. Find out about the clauses and terms, hidden in plain sight, that might trip you up. Learn how to tell the difference between a deal too good to pass up versus one too good to be true. Find out about the potential legal landmines that could be lurking in a contract. Ask your questions so you can be sure the contracts that you sign are the best they can be.

Ongoing advances in biotechnology and biomedical research have delivered some important benefits and promise more. But they've also brought ethical concerns, new moral dilemmas, and calls for moratoria or fresh regulation. There may or may not be something wrong with playing God: but are we playing blind? What might we unleash with stem cell research, modified viruses, bioengineered cures, self-replicating nanobots, cloning, and regrowth of organs or limbs?