Posts Tagged ‘worldcon’

I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Live from WorldCon with James Patrick Kelly!

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You have to celebrate your friends who are more successful than you. ~Jim Kelly

S21 Ep16
In this special 20th anniversary episode of I Should Be Writing, recorded live at Worldcon 2025, I reunite with my mentor and long-time friend, James Patrick Kelly. We talk about the last two decades of writing, the evolution of our careers, and the ever-changing landscape of storytelling.

We still face bullies like self-doubt and shiny new ideas, but we also explore strengths like community support and celebrating each other’s successes. We discuss all the bullies unveiled, the concept of “bullies” that plague writers, including the Imposter Cop, the Blade, and the Nap.

And as always we discuss how to handle creative hurdles.

(This post went live for supporters on September 2, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or get my newsletter at Ghost!)

Transcript

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Seattle Worldcon Logo Links

Book cover photo of Jim sitting on a cliff.Evergreen Links

—
“20 Years of ISBW, Live from WorldCon with James Patrick Kelly!” is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.

September 5, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 16 | murverse.com
“20 Years of ISBW, Live from WorldCon with James Patrick Kelly!” by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

In case it wasn’t clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.

I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Navigating WorldCon and Writing Challenges with SB Divya

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S20 Ep26: In Which Mur and S.B. Divya Discuss Worldcon, Accessibility, and Future Worlds

“It is around the world in 80 days if Greta Thunberg was the protagonist.” – SB Divya

NOTE- I will be doing a giveaway for signed copies of Meru and Loka on October 31, 2024! Details on how to win are inside the podcast!

 

(This post went live for supporters on October 3, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

I’m delighted to welcome welcome my longtime friend, S.B. Divya, to discuss Divya’s new book, Loka. We dive into our experiences at Worldcon, the intricacies of accessibility at large conventions, and the unique challenges faced by those with disabilities. Divya shares her journey in creating a richly detailed future world for her books, explaining how she envisions life a thousand years from now and the process of worldbuilding that supports her stories.

We also explore the concept of burnout, particularly in the context of long Covid, and how Divya managed to balance her writing career with her health needs. The conversation highlights the importance of taking intentional breaks and the reality of being a writer with a disability.

We get insights into Divya’s creative process, her thoughts on genetic engineering, space exploration, and the sociopolitical landscapes of her speculative worlds. Plus, there’s a special giveaway for US listeners to win signed copies of Meru and Loka!

Transcript

Links:

Evergreen Links

“Navigating WorldCon and Writing Challenges with SB Divya” is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
October 7, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 26 | murverse.com
“Navigating WorldCon and Writing Challenges with SB Divya” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Ditch Diggers, Podcasts, Projects

[DD] WorldCon 2024 Debrief [AKA HOLY CRAP I HAVEN’T POSTED THIS?]

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“Networking is just meeting people and having them remember you exist.” – Ursula Vernon

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on October 2, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this (LONG OVERDUE) episode of Ditch Diggers, Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon return from their adventures in Scotland and dive into the art of networking. They explore the nuances of making connections in the writing world, share tales from Worldcon, and discuss the challenges and joys of upcoming conventions.

The duo also tackles the importance of maintaining a presence in the ever-shifting landscape of social media and the significance of in-person networking at conventions. From the intricacies of interactive fiction to the recent developments at SFWA, Mur and Ursula cover a wide range of topics with the wisdom you have come to expect from them.

Highlights include:

  • Networking strategies and the importance of being present
  • Worldcon reflections and Ursula’s Hugo win
  • Upcoming conventions and the art of balancing work with travel
  • Social media alternatives in a post-Twitter world
  • Interactive fiction and the joy of hidden Easter eggs

Links:

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Support Local Book Stores!

Ditch Diggers credits:
theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja,
site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon).
October 2, 2024 | Season 10 Ep 4 | murverse.com
“Recorded back when Mur still had a Gallbladder” by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Exploring Shared Worlds and Translation Challenges with Wole Talabi and Sung-Il Kim

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(This post went live for supporters on October 1, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

S20 Ep25: In Which Mur Interviews Wole Talabi and Sung-Il Kim at Worldcon

“Leave with more connections than you came with.” – Wole Talabi

In this special episode, Mur Lafferty returns with interviews recorded at Worldcon, featuring Wole Talabi and Sung-Il Kim. Apologies for audio issues, but I really wanted to get these to you because interviews with these writers can’t be missed.

First, I chat with Wole Talabi, the author of Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon and the short story collection Convergence Problems. Wole shares his experiences attending Worldcon, the importance of community building at conventions, and the collaborative process behind the Mothersound: The Sauútiverse Anthology.

blood of the old kings cover, with dragon and sword and orange and yellow flame elements

Next, I talk to Sung-Il Kim, whose debut English novel Blood of the Old Kings is set to release in this month. Sung-Il discusses his journey from role-playing game development to fiction writing, the translation process, and the importance of starting your story with a compelling hook.

NOTE- Thanks to Tor, I will be doing a giveaway for Blood of the Old Kings on October 15, 2024! Details on how to win are inside the podcast!

Transcript

Links and references:

Evergreen Links

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

“[ISBW] Exploring Shared Worlds and Translation Challenges with Wole Talabi and Sung-Il Kim” is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
October 1, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 25 | murverse.com
“Exploring Shared Worlds and Translation Challenges with Wole Talabi and Sung-Il Kim” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Tanya DePass, Writing, and Gaming, Live from WorldCon, Glasgow!

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ISBW birthday logo with happy Mur illustration and cake.

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[Please note that this podcast is explicit with a few swear words and CW- parental death discussed.]

S20 Ep24: In Which Mur and Tanya DePass Discuss Fanfic, Diversity Consulting, and Creative Journeys

Recorded ON ISBW’s birthday, in Glasgow, y’all. Nineteen years. I’d drop the mic, but it seems I’m committed now.

I think people who turn up their nose at Fanfic are really A: missing out and B: being snobs. – Tanya DePass

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on August 23, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

Join Mur as she celebrates the 19th anniversary of “I Should Be Writing” with special guest Tanya DePass, aka cypheroftyr. Tanya is a prolific writer, streamer, and game developer, known for her work in promoting diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry. In this episode, they delve into Tanya’s multifaceted career, from founding “I Need Diverse Games” to working on the upcoming Wonder Woman game.

Tanya shares her journey with fanfiction, discussing how it has evolved over the years and how it helps her hone her writing skills. They also touch on the importance of diversity consulting in creative works, offering advice on when and how to seek out consultants to ensure authentic representation.

They explore the emotional challenges of creative careers, the value of finding opportunities, and the importance of community support. Tanya’s insights into streaming, game development, and balancing multiple roles provide a comprehensive look at the modern creative landscape.

Links

Evergreen Links

“Tanya DePass, Writing, and Gaming, Live from WorldCon, Glasgow!” is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
August 26, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 24 | murverse.com
“Tanya DePass, Writing, and Gaming, Live from WorldCon, Glasgow!” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Podcasts, Projects

ISBW #506: WorldCon 2020

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Recorded live on Twitch.tv, a new experiment I’m doing! Want to see the next one? Catch me live at 12:30!

Worldcon is happening now in New Zealand, kind of. It’s the first virtual WorldCon ever, and it’s going to be an interesting week.

Podcasts, Projects

Ditch Diggers #82: LIVE from WorldCon

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Ditch Diggers comes to you ACTUALLY LIVE from WorldCon 2019 in Dublin, Ireland!

  • Once again, Hugo-nominated writer and owner of Escape Artists, Alasdair Stuart, acts as Matt’s official proxy in Matt’s absence.
  • Our guests for this 4th Annual Ditch Diggers Live are legendary authors Ursula Vernon and Gail Carriger!
  • This year, Mur and Alasdair host a special game of Superfight featuring customized publishing industry scenarios such as the sudden firing of a new writer’s editor (which actually happened to Ursula).
  • Ursula and Gail choose their heroic personas and also face-off in “dungeons” containing such things as pits of gladiators who definitely did not skip leg day, and may or may not be shiny.
  • Surprisingly, butter is apparently the best power to have in this game.
  • Spoiler Alert: the cat dies.
  • The mime card persists. You’ll see.
  • The writing of award speeches are discussed, including and most especially Ursula’s near-mythic “Whale Fall” speech when she accepted her Hugo in 2017.
  • Alasdair discusses his Inner Matt, and Gail agrees we all have one.
  • The audience is either too terrified or too knowledgable to ask questions of our guests, so the Ditch Diggers lob a pair of final dungeons filled with arm-wrestling statues and lava at Gail and Ursula (razor stiletto heels, cement shoes, and sausage lassos are deployed).
  • Our heroes survive the publishing industry by learning the ultimate lesson: it’s all about helping each other, and sometimes there are sausages.
  • Everyone shares their final thoughts, which for Gail involves more butter and for Ursula involves square dancing.
Personal, Travel

Return to the world, and attending WorldCon

I’m back from hiatus, and in a whirlwind of packing to get ready for the Dublin, Ireland WorldCon. I’m very excited for this one since I love Dublin, and I have many good friends nominated for Hugo Awards (Including Ditch Digger writer and electric monk, Alasdair Stuart, for Best Fan Writer–You can see his writing on the Ditch Diggers site, actually!) Now I just have to pack to get there…

I’m old now, 46, and half the stuff I’m packing are medications and vitamins. So it goes.

Anyway, I wanted to get a post up this week to talk about the con, and post my schedule. Note- I don’t have an autograph session, which irked me but I realized it after the deadline of “you can complain up to this date”– which I totally understand, they can’t muck with the schedule this close to the con; I’m more blaming myself. But if you want a book signed, you’re welcome to come up to me in the hallway or after a panel. Don’t be shy.

Here is my schedule! (sic)

  • Fuzzy lines: decategorising creative work
    15 Aug 2019, Thursday 14:00 – 14:50, Liffey Room-2 (CCD)
    Authors write blogs, fanzines go online, publishers create fanzine-like websites, fancasts publish fiction, YouTube videos offer original dramatic performances. Is a fan artist defined by economics or by context, and what exactly constitutes a series anyway? How do we define the categories into which our creative outputs fall, and must every project fit into a category?
  • Creating Podcasts: Ideas, People, and Themes
    15 Aug 2019, Thursday 16:00 – 16:50, Wicklow Hall-1 (CCD)
    Podcasts are living, breathing conversations that at their best entice the participants and the audience in the free flow of entertaining, engaging, and enlightening conversation.  How do you pull this off?  How do you you pick the ideas, people, and themes  that give the right mix of energy and chemistry?  Come get some clues into how the magic is done from some of the best in the business. (And then go see our panellists’ podcasts over the rest of the convention.)
  • Kaffeeklatsch: Mur Lafferty
    16 Aug 2019, Friday 15:00 – 15:50, Level 3 Foyer (KK/LB) (CCD)
  • Hugo finalists discussion: Best Novel
    16 Aug 2019, Friday 16:30 – 17:20, Stratocaster BC (Point Square Dublin)
    The panel will discuss the finalists in the Hugo Award category for Best Novel.
  • Tabletop RPG as inspiration for creative writing
    17 Aug 2019, Saturday 16:00 – 16:50, Wicklow Room-3 (CCD)
    Tabletop roleplaying games (RPGs) take us to fantastical new worlds and allow us to explore these places with others; it’s no wonder that they inspire us far beyond the table. In this panel, authors will discuss how games they have run or played in provided inspiration or source material for future creative endeavours.
  • What I read when I was young
    18 Aug 2019, Sunday 10:00 – 10:50, Second Stage (Liffey-B) (CCD)
    The books we read in childhood often have a lasting influence. In this panel, finalists for the Hugo Award for Best Novel discuss the books that had a profound effect on the people they became. How did these works change them? Was this influence a good or a bad one? Is there a book they think everyone should read at least once in their life?
  • Ditch Diggers podcast: live recording
    18 Aug 2019, Sunday 14:00 – 14:50, Wicklow Hall 2B (CCD)
    Join the Ditch Diggers team of Mur Lafferty and Alasdair Stuart as they record their yearly live RPG where authors travel through the haunted woods of publishing to get to the golden castle of the NYT Bestseller list! On deck for this year’s game is Ursula Vernon. Promises to be asinine and include dice.
Podcasts, Projects, Travel

Ditch Diggers #67: Live from WorldCon

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  • The Ditch Diggers come to you from San Jose, California for their 4th Annual Ditch Diggers Live! from WorldCon 76 with special guests, authors KM Szpara and Margaret Dunlap!
  • Matt and Mur put Kellan and Margaret through the first ever Ditch Diggers’ Choose Your Own Publishing Career, forcing them to assume the roles of an aspiring fiction writing team building their publishing career from the ground up (with the audience’s help in determining their fate at each decision point).
  • Live Q&A with the WorldCon 76 audience, including a special guest appearance by Mur’s agent (and podcaster herself), Jennifer Udden of Barry Goldblatt Literary!

(Spoiler, we won the Hugo.)

Personal, Travel

WorldCon 2018 Schedule!

Who wants my WorldCon schedule? I got one! It’s busy! It includes running and recording! Come see me!

Patreon people, I will be coming up with a meetup time! Stay tuned!

Friday

Wrun With Writers
Friday 08:00 – 09:00, Lower Level Plaza (San Jose Convention Center)

Strolling with the Stars is a Worldcon tradition. But what about those of us who want something a little faster? A little sweatier? A little runnier? Join authors Mur Lafferty and Adam Rakunas as they lead you on a 2-3 mile no-drop run/walk/skip/wheel around Downtown San Jose. Everyone is welcome, no one gets left behind, and all participants will get an exclusive ribbon and bragging rights. (Mur Lafferty, Adam Rakunas)

The Book Bin Autograph Sessions
Friday 13:00 – 14:00, Dealers (San Jose Convention Center)

The Book Bin will be hosting autograph sessions in their booths (R4-R5) periodically during the convention.

Autographs
Friday 14:00 – 15:00, Autographing (San Jose Convention Center)

Robert Silverberg, Joe Haldeman, Mur Lafferty, Yasser Bahjatt, Heather Rose Jones, Christopher Paniccia, Marc Scott Zicree

Saturday

Escape Pod – Live at Worldcon
Saturday 10:00 – 11:30, 210DH (San Jose Convention Center)

Alasdair Stuart (Escape Artists Inc.) (M), SB Divya, Marguerite Kenner (Escape Artists Inc.), Benjamin C. Kinney, Norm Sherman, Setsu Uzume, Mur Lafferty

Reading: Hugo Finalists – Best Novel
Saturday 13:00 – 14:00, 211A (San Jose Convention Center)

Listen to some of this year’s Hugo Novel finalists as they share their work. (Ann Leckie, John Scalzi, Mur Lafferty)

Writing For A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Saturday 17:00 – 18:00, 230 (San Jose Convention Center)

What are the challenges and rewards of writing for one of the biggest franchises of all time? Join Lucasfilm Executive Editor Jennifer Heddle and Star Wars authors Mur Lafferty and Lou Anders as they discuss the special handling that comes with developing stories for iconic pop culture characters. (Jennifer Heddle (M), Mur Lafferty, Lou Anders)

Sunday

Ditch Diggers podcast
Sunday 11:00 – 12:00, 210DH (San Jose Convention Center)

Join Mur Lafferty & Matt Wallace for the Hugo-nominated Ditch Diggers podcast, “Live and In Person!” (Mur Lafferty, Matt Wallace)

Monday

Bringing Up Geek
Monday 11:00 – 12:00, 210E (San Jose Convention Center)

It’s never been easier to bring up the baby in geek! Sharing your old nerdy toys and TV shows is just the beginning. At what age do you start them on Star Wars or Doctor Who or D&D? What order? What are the smallest sized in geek fashion? When do you have the talk with them about how problematic the fridging element is in Kyle Rayner’s origin? Our panelists talk about bringing up the baby. (Mur Lafferty (M), Chris Castro, Alison Stern, Bruce MacDermott, Greg Bear, Janice Marcus)

Kaffeeklatsch: Mur Lafferty
Monday 14:00 – 15:00, 211B1 (San Jose Convention Center)

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