Classic Science Fiction Discussions by John Hertz

Wewill discuss three S-F classics at Reconstruction.  Each is famous, often reprinted, worth re-reading, worth reading a first time now.  Each discussion will take up one.  You’re welcome to join in.  Come to as many as you like.

We propose a classic is a work that survives its own time.  After the currents which might have sustained it have changed, it remains, and is seen to be worthwhile for itself.  If you have a better definition, bring it.

John W. Campbell, Jr.
Who Goes There?(1938)
The most influential, possibly the greatest magazine editor we have known, Campbell could write, too.  This is one of his best, put into a dozen anthologies, twice filmed.  See how he manages the hints, the personalities, the masterly sequence of Kinner  Dutton  Connant  Blair.  The full text is on-line at <http://www.scaryforkids.com/who-goes-there-by-john-w-campbell/>.

Robert A. Heinlein
Farmer in the Sky (1950)
Heinleins juveniles are jewels, of storytelling, the use of detail, the handling of science and fiction.  Farmer has Boy Scouts and bureaucracy and a brother and bees, and if youll allow a technical term its a Bildungsroman.  The Heinlein Double Surprise  something strange happens, then something really strange happens  is so near the end you think he might not do it.

Mary Shelley
Frankenstein (1831)
Perhaps the first S-F novel, its biting satire is all the sharper, e.g. the passage about the mate-monster, because the author was a woman.  Here is an irresponsibility contest, and a sermon presented by silence.  Shelley early signals us, Required to exchange chimeras of boundless grandeur for realities of little worth; the Beatles later sang, The love you take is equal to the love that you make.

How To Illustrate A Story – A Hands-On Workshop

Learn how to think like an illustrator! Whether you are an artist working in illustration, a writer interested in how artists might envision your words, or just a fan curious about the process, come join Artist GoH Brad Foster in this pen-and-paper workshop. This is not a how-to-draw program, but one showing you hot to think like an illustrator. NO artistic talent is required at all here. We will be taking a short-short story manuscript and working through the basic steps of how to develop a good illustration.  Everyone will first scribble their ideas on their own (and stick figures are fine, this about ideas, not drawing), then we will look at and discuss the various different ideas that are developed. You WILL be required to actively participate, but the idea is not to decide who is right or wrong, but to get the creative juices flowing, and to show how there can be multiple solutions to the same problem. Materials will be provided, but if you have a favorite pen, feel free to bring it along.

This workshop is free to ReConstruction members, but requires advanced registration. The workshop is capped at 12. To register, please SIGN UP AT PROGRAM OPERATIONS, Room 201, Raleigh Convention Center; first come, first serve. Any spaces not filled by date/time of the workshop may be filled at Brad Foster’s discretion.

Writer’s Workshop

ReConstruction will host a Writers Workshop. Well, two actually. One will require submissions in advance; the other will require sign-up at-con via Program Operations (Room 201, Raleigh Convention Center).

The advance workshop is being handled by Oz Drummond, our Writers Workshop Director. Please contact her via the Programming email address on this site for details. She will respond as soon as possible. If you don’t hear back within a reasonable amount of time, please contact us again to let us know. We know how email can get lost in the ether.  There are currently four sections planned:

  • Section 1: Mark Van Name with Tom Doyle
  • Section 2: Jack McDevitt with Matthew Rotundo
  • Section 3: Mary Robinette Kowal with Lawrence Schoen
  • Section 4: Steve Miller with Carl Frederick

The other workshop will be at-con work only. No advance submissions are required. All you need to do is stop by Program Operations above and ask for our Program Operations Director or Staff for the sign-up sheet. There is a limit of 12 for this workshop, so stop by as soon as possible when you arrive. It will be conducted by Allan L. Wold who has done them at other conventions.

If you have any questions about either workshop, let us know.