SoonerCon 28 Literary Guest of Honor
Kevin J. Anderson
Kevin J. Anderson is the author of 140 novels, 56 of which have appeared on national or international bestseller lists; he has over 23 million books in print in 30 languages. Anderson has co-authored 14 books in the Dune saga with Brian Herbert; he and Herbert have also written an original SF trilogy, Hellhole. Anderson’s epic SF series, The Saga of Seven Suns, as well as its sequel trilogy, The Saga of Shadows, are among his most ambitious works. He has also written a sweeping nautical fantasy trilogy, Terra Incognita, accompanied by two rock CDs (which he wrote and produced). He has written two steampunk novels, Clockwork Angels and Clockwork Lives, with legendary Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. He also created the popular humorous horror series featuring Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I., and has written eight high-tech thrillers with Colonel Doug Beason.
Anderson holds a physics/astronomy degree and spent 14 years working as a technical writer for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He is now the publisher of Colorado-based WordFire Press. He and his wife, bestselling author Rebecca Moesta, have lived in Colorado for 20 years; Anderson has climbed all of the mountains over 14,000 ft. in the state, and he has also hiked the 500-mile Colorado Trail.
Friday, June 7, 2019 3:00 p.m. | Location: Boomer A
Writing the Epic: Voices, Layers, Landscape
Panelists discuss writing a many-layered epic, whether science fiction or fantasy. What makes a story epic? What does it mean to think outside the Tolkien box? How do you pick POV? How many characters are too many? What elements have proven most challenging or most useful? Is epic still meaningful in the modern world?
Panelists: Tex Thompson, Kevin J. Anderson, Phillip Drayer Duncan, David Carrico, Deborah Chester, Laura J. Underwood
Tracks: Writing & Publication
Tags: Panel
Friday, June 7, 2019 6:00 p.m. | Location: Oklahoma H
Opening Ceremonies
SoonerCon 28's official opening. Toastmaster Selina Rosen will blast us all into Brave New Worlds.
Panelists: Selina Rosen, Kevin J. Anderson, Rachel Caine, Julie Dillon, Matt Frank, Dr. Lonnie Johnson, Larry Nemecek, Austin Tindle, Toni Weisskopf, Sarah Wiedenheft
Tracks: General Interest
Tags: Ceremony
Friday, June 7, 2019 7:00 p.m. | Location: Oklahoma B
Friends of SoonerCon Reception
Friends of SoonerCon membership-exclusive social event with SoonerCon 28 guests of honor and featured guests. Heavy hors d'oeuvres and beverages provided. Thank you to our Friends of SoonerCon supporters!
Panelists: Selina Rosen, Kevin J. Anderson, Rachel Caine, Julie Dillon, Matt Frank, Dr. Lonnie Johnson, Larry Nemecek, Austin Tindle, Toni Weisskopf, Sarah Wiedenheft
Tracks: General Interest
Tags: Reception
Saturday, June 8, 2019 Noon | Location: Oklahoma G
Building My First Lightsaber
How bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson went from small-town fanboy to international bestselling author, with work for Lucasfilm, Star Wars, Batman, X-Files, and the band Rush.
Panelists: Kevin J. Anderson
Tracks: Writing & Publication, Pop Culture & Entertainment
Tags: GoH
Saturday, June 8, 2019 2:00 p.m. | Location: Sooner A
Reading: Selina Rosen & Kevin J. Anderson
Panelists: Kevin J. Anderson, Selina Rosen
Tracks: Writing & Publication
Tags: Reading
Saturday, June 8, 2019 4:00 p.m. | Location: Oklahoma G
Noir's the Thing
The hard-boiled detective stories of the past; we love 'em. Who has successfully brought the genre to fantasy and sci-fi settings? What are some "must have" elements, and what are some favorites?
Panelists: Toni Weisskopf, Kevin J. Anderson, A. Lee Martinez, Bradley H. Sinor, Tex Thompson, Craig Wolf
Tracks: Writing & Publication
Tags: Panel
Saturday, June 8, 2019 7:00 p.m. | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Atrium
Literary Beers
Join panelists in the hotel for lively conversation. BYO beverage, please.
Panelists: Kevin J. Anderson, Alexandra Bohannon, David Carrico, Sherri Dean, Dr. Marc DiPaolo, Phillip Drayer Duncan, Dan Erickson, J.H. Fleming, Tim Frayser, vickey malone kennedy, Julia S. Mandala, A. Lee Martinez, Caleb Masters, Dr. Laura-Isobel McCall, Ethan Nahté, Kathleen M. O'Brien, Eric Osborn, Cary Osborne, Ted Pennella, Rook Riley, Adrian Simmons, Wm. Mark Simmons, Tex Thompson, Brian Trent, Kim Ventrella, Toni Weisskopf, Mel. White, Adam J. Whitlatch
Tracks: General Interest, Food & Drink
Tags: Meetup/Networking
Sunday, June 9, 2019 10:00 a.m. | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Atrium
Koffeeklatch
Join panelists in the hotel breakfast area for intimate conversation. BYO coffee, please.
Panelists: Mark Alfred, Kevin J. Anderson, Julie Barrett, Blair Bartlett, Mitzi Bartlett, Rachel Caine, Peri Charlifu, Michael Cross, Pete Dixon, Dan Erickson, Rhonda Eudaly, Dara Fogel, Ph.D. Tyrell Gephardt, Sally Hamilton, Teddy Harvia, James Hollaman, Phillip Hollecker, Mike Kloepfer, William Leaf, Julia S. Mandala, A. Lee Martinez, Lee Moody, Harold Neal, Cary Osborne, Ted Pennella, Matthew Price, Jeff Provine, Marguerite Reed, Rook Riley, Ann Shelby, Bradley H. Sinor, Sue Sinor, Tommy B. Smith, Christina Stiles, Brian Trent, Laura J. Underwood, Melanie Unruh, Craig Wolf
Tracks: General Interest, Food & Drink
Tags: Meetup/Networking
Sunday, June 9, 2019 Noon | Location: Boomer B
Successful Writing Habits
Writers share their tips for success. Covering everything from how to overcome Writer's Block to what to do when real life interrupts. Let our panelists share some tips.
Panelists: Jan S. Gephardt, Kevin J. Anderson, Rachel Caine, Shayla Raquel, Seth Skorkowsky, Caroline Spector
Tracks: Writing & Publication
Tags: Panel
Sunday, June 9, 2019 2:00 p.m. | Location: Boomer A
What's in a Nom de Plume?
Why do many authors use a pen name? To hide identity, or to change genres while escaping reader expectations based on the name alone? When is it a good business decision, and how do you go about choosing that new identity?
Panelists: Melinda LaFevers, Kevin J. Anderson, Lou Antonelli, Rachel Caine, Cary Osborne, Steven E. Wedel
Tracks: Writing & Publication
Tags: Panel
Sunday, June 9, 2019 4:00 p.m. | Location: Oklahoma H
Closing Ceremonies
SoonerCon 28's official closing. Toastmaster Selina Rosen will launch us into SoonerCon 29, coming June 26-28, 2020.
Panelists: Selina Rosen, Kevin J. Anderson, Rachel Caine, Julie Dillon, Matt Frank, Larry Nemecek, Austin Tindle, Toni Weisskopf, Sarah Wiedenheft
Tracks: General Interest
Tags: Ceremony