Panel schedule for World Steam Expo

So, as I mentioned in the previous post, I'll be attending the World Steam Expo in Dearborn, Michigan this weekend! The very fine and lovely staff have even scheduled me for a number of panels on Sunday and Monday. If you happen to be at the convention, here's where to find me:

Author Hour: "Mike Lee: An Hour with the Master of Mayhem"(Stanley Steamer room, 2:30-3:30PM): Master of Mayhem? Me? No. I'm more of a dabbler, really. But come and sit with me, and we'll chat about writing novels and working on video games, share pictures of our dogs, that sort of thing. I may even read a bit from my current work-in-progress, a cathode-punk adventure currently titled Rocket X-13. Note: in the program listing, it says I'm a costume designer, which I'm not, and that I've written for film, which I haven't. Although, if you really want me to talk about those things, I'm sure I can make something up.

Author's Forum (Desoto room, 4:00-5:00PM): I'll be joining Jay Lake, Gail Carriger and G. D. Falksen in a lively discussion about writing for the Steampunk genre. Does this not sound like fun? Of course it does!

Wit and Wickedness: An Author's Guide to Writing Villains (Marquis Ballroom, 11:30-12:30PM): I shall be joining the exceedingly splendid Gail Carriger to share advice on writing about villains. Why they picked me for this panel, I cannot possibly imagine.

When not holding forth in a panel, I'll be ambling around the convention, taking in the sights, or sampling the scotch in the hotel bar (aka, the Writer's Natural Habitat). Come say hi!

In the meantime, I'm off to Raleigh for a few days to start work on... something I can't talk about yet. It's a small but interesting project, and teams me up with some of my favorite people, so all in all this is shaping up to be an awesome week! I hope yours is awesome as well.

Upcoming Appearances

It's mid-May; how the heck did that happen? I can't believe the year is nearly half-gone, and there's so much left to do. Makes me wish I was eight again. When you're a kid, a single day could last for ages, especially if it was close to Christmas or summer vacation. Kind of gives a whole new meaning to an event horizon, come to think of it. Someone should write a story about that.

But the headlong rush of May signifies two things: first, that I'll be a year older in just a couple of weeks, and second, that convention season is almost upon us. Which concerns me the most? The conventions, naturally.

This year's schedule is looking to be a busy one. As of this moment, I'll be attending (*counts fingers*) six conventions, between now and the end of October:

World Steam Expo (May 25-28, Dearborn, MI): I'll be a guest at World Steam Expo next week, among such luminaries as Gail Carriger and Jay Lake. This will be my first Steampunk convention, and I can't wait to go - even if I'll be woefully under-dressed.

HeroesCon (June 22-24, Charlotte, NC): I'll be an attending professional at HeroesCon, hanging out at Janet's table in the exhibitor hall and holding her legions of adoring fans at bay.

San Diego Comic Con (July 12-15, San Diego, CA): Once again, I'll be an attending professional, helping Janet at her small press booth. If I fail to make it back from this one, tell my dog I loved him. Also tell him to stop digging up the backyard looking for moles. I mean, seriously. It's like a moonscape back there.

Dragon*Con (August 31-September 3), Atlanta, GA): I will be returning as a guest to Dragon*Con this year, and helping Janet at her table. The convention might not do me in, but Doc Whoopee's famous room parties might. I can think of worse ways to die.

Baltimore Comic Con (September 8-9, Baltimore, MD): That's right; the weekend after Dragon*Con, I'll be at Baltimore Comic Con as an attending professional zombie, or a zombie professional, or something. Maybe we'll have a contest to decide. I don't know.

New York Comic Con (October 11-14, NYC): This one is tentative right now, but in theory I'll be there as an attending professional, assisting Janet (see a pattern, here?) and maybe taking in a Broadway show. There will definitely be tea at Alice's Tea Cup, of that I am sure.

The astute Warhammer fans reading have already no doubt surmised that I will not be attending Games Day in Chicago this year. Sorry, guys. Maybe next year.