Ad Astra's programming schedule is full for 2008. Thank you to everyone who submitted suggestions.
We will put up a new form when plans start for Ad Astra 2009.
If you have any questions regarding programming, please contact
Check here for the Programming Participants Listing.
Ad Astra 2008 Draft Panel List
These panels are accurate as of February 6, 2008, but are subject to change.
Book Launches
Friday evening:
Defining Diana, from Bundoron Press by Hayden Trenholm
Saturday:
Goblin War by Jim C. Hines
The goblins are going to war. You might have spotted them at registration. Our spies tell us they've been working with human sympathizers. Your job is to capture these goblins from their human partners. The humans should be easy to recognize. We're told they wear their pro-goblin sentiments openly. Rewards will be given to those valiant warriors who bring the most prisoners to the Goblin War launch party at 4:00 on Saturday.
Sunday:
Misspelled : Humour Anthology edited by Julie E. Czerneda
Charity Events/Auctions
Ad Astra Art Show Auction
Beefcake/Cheesecake
PupCake Charity Photos
Sunburst Award Auction
Comics
More details will be available soon.
Costuming
Costume 911
Crazy Collars
Fandom Fashion - beyond the black t-shirt
Foam Carving Demo/Workshop
How to Wear Kimono (2 Hour Demo)
Intro to Costume-con/World-con
Intro to the SCA
Knitting Circle
Multi-Layer Stenciling
Star Wars Costuming
Steampunk Fashion
Fandom/Convention Running
Anticipation: WorldCon 2009 in Montreal
WorldCon is coming to Montreal in 2009. Find out more about WorldCons, and what Anticipation will have to offer.
Canadian Conrunners Convention
A meeting for anyone interested in the Canadian Conrunners Convention.
Collections
What do you collect? What inspired you to collect in the first place? How do you showcase your collection?
Conrunning: Hotels
How do you find a hotel for your convention? What factors should you consider when choosing a hotel?
Constellation Awards Discussion
Fair Use and Fandom
What is intellectual property? How do Canadian laws compare to American? What fans need to know.
Fanzines
What are they, who makes them, historical development and use of new technology. your favourites: what makes them great?
Looking for a Few Good Fen
Volunteers are always needed at conventions but can be hard to find. What can a convention do to attract and retain volunteers?
Room Parties 101
How to throw a great room party, great moments from past parties, things to avoid, tips.
Fantasy
Crystal Doors
Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta will discuss this series and the newest title.
Fantasy and Mythology
How much does modern fantasy draw from mythological traditions? Are some traditions more heavily used than others?
Harry Potter : A Look Back
Considering the series from start to finish - messages, themes - what parts worked, what parts didn't.
Just for Kids?!
A recent newspaper article described Lord of the Rings as children's fiction. Why does fantasy sometimes get labeled as being only for children?
Filk
Got Filk? An Introduction to the Genre.
A panel combining discussion and music. What is filk, where to see and hear it, how you can participate to your own comfort level, and a selection of great filk songs.
If it's Space, Can You Hear the Filk Song?
Many wonderful songs have been inspired by space exploration, real and imagined. Our panel will treat you to a small selection of them.
The Source and the Song.
Written SF and fantasy have long been inspiration for filk songs. Our panel will read snippets from written sources, and sing the songs that they inspired. Discussion and music.
Melodic Media Mayhem
From Star Trek to B5, media SF and fantasy has inspired many filk song writers. Listen for songs from your favourite movie or tv show.
Open Filk Friday
Sit, sing, play, hum, clap and/or listen. A filk circle
Host: FilKONtario Concom
Open Filk Saturday
Host: Kevin Davies
General
Dance Like Nobody's Watching
Participants will be taught a dance, step by step, from movies, television or video by our enthusiastic instructors. Past dances have been taken from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Michael Jackson's Thriller, Men in Black, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Knight's Tale, and more. Just remember, everyone in the room must participate, no watchers allowed (sorry Giles).
The Experience of Blogging
Several bloggers discuss the joys and travails of writing a regular blog, the ways in which the blog has changed their lives, how to use a blog to help support a creative career, and if they would do things differently if they could start over again.
Got Ghosts?
A discussion of paranormal research and investigation.
Friday Night PJ and Trivia Party
Wear your favourite pyjamas, throw on your fluffiest slippers and bring your cutest stuffed animal! Join us for games, trivia, prizes and the ever popular PJ Runway Walk Off.
Magnetic Poetry
Making Ends Meet on an Artist's Income
Many people do not choose the career of their dreams because they believe it is financially impossible to pay all the bills. This panel will discuss the ways you can structure your finances so that you can pay your bills on a small or irregular income.
Poetry Round Robin
Running A Creative Business Out of Your Home
Tarot and Divination
An introduction to tarot and other forms of divination.
World Domination
What are we going to do today? Same thing we do every day, try to take over the world! Join us for plotting and evil schemes. May the best overlord win.
Travel Tips
Learn how you can travel the world and get the most out of your experience without breaking the bank.
Things I Wish Some Pro Had Told Me When I Was Starting Out
Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta present no-nonsense professional advice on how to build your career as a professional writer, what to do after you have sold your first story or novel, details on contracts, editors, etc. This two hour workshop will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday March 29 at Ad Astra 2008. If you wish to participate you must sign up at the Registration Desk and a $20 fee is required. Spaces are limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. An Ad Astra membership is required.
Media (Television, Movies, Anime, Video Games)
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Doctor Who Dish
Spoilers and speculation on Doctor Who. What can we expect in the new season? What are the plans for the future? What would you like to see?
The Educational Benefits of Video Games and Role Playing Games
There are many sources out there who will claim that video games and RPGs rot kids' brains. This panel discusses the ways that such gaming can contribute positively to the growth and development of children.
Heroes: Save the Writing, Save the Show
Some fans felt that season 2 started out weak compared to season 1 and the ratings reflected it. Changes to later episodes based on feedback. Do you think it was a weaker season? Did the changes help? Are they enough to have you keep tuning in? What would have have liked to see in a full season? What would you have changed?
Religion in Battlestar Galactica
Star Trek Movie: Spoilers
- Information has been revealed in the last year about the upcoming Star Trek movie. What do you think of the casting? What has been revealed about the plot? Get caught up with this panel.
Studio Ghibli Anime
Religion
Christianity in SF&F
How has Christianity influenced and been used (and misused) in science fiction and fantasy? Where did those Lords of Kobol, Klaatu, exorcists, and anime nuns come from?
Esoteric Organizations and Conspiracies
Freemasons, Templars, the Prieuré de Sion, Episkopon, the Illuminati, the Elders of Zion, the Shiite Secret Origin, and other esoteric organizations. Did they really exist? What did they really do? Do they exist now? Could they be at our convention now?
Neopaganism: Fact Vs. Fiction
What are popular misconceptions? How has this been dealt with in books and the media?
Wicca: Then and Now
A discussion of the history of Wicca and modern practices
Science Fiction
Do You Like Your SF Hard or Soft?
Military SF
A discussion of the genre, its origins, examples of current works
Near Future Setting vs Far Future Setting
What are the tradeoffs, the possibilities for each choice?
The New Dune Novels
Kevin J. Anderson will discuss working with Frank Herbert's notes, the success of the prequels as well as the renewed interest in the classic novels, future movie plans, etc.
Star Wars: Lucas and Novels
Is the SW universe big enough for both visions?
Through Rose Tinted Goggles
Stardust and The Golden Compass have brought steampunk into the public eye, but its roots go deeper.
Time Travel in SF and Fantasy
What are the pitfalls to avoid?
What's New in SF, Fantasy and Horror
Works released in the past year that are worth reading. Bring your own recent favourites. Can we detect the start of any new trends?
Space/Science/Technology
Ad Astra is planning fourteen hours of science programming. Details will be available soon.
Supernatural/Horror
Ad Astra's Next Top Zombie
Are you a master of the zombie stagger and shuffle? Can you groan with the best of them? Do you have a killer zombie look? Join us as we shake our undead flesh on the catwalk, and determine who will be Ad Astra's Next Top Zombie!
Blood Ties
A discussion of the books, and the television series.
Buffy Season Eight
Buffy the Vampire Slayer aired on television for seven seasons. Now the eight season is out in comic format. How has the show translated to comics? How does the new material from the comics impact Buffyverse novels? Would the stories presented in the comics have translated to the small screen were they to have been filmed?
Death Becomes Them: The Popularity of Serial Killers
From Dexter to Sweeney Todd, serial killers seem to have gained popularity. What has made them so suddenly popular?
Horror: How Far Is Too Far?
The Rise of Paranormal Romance
Pros and cons of this trend.
Writing/Publishing
The Art of Comedy
How to be funny without (overly) disrespecting your subject.
Authors Who Edit
Does editing other peoples' works make you a better writer?
Collaborating
The pros and cons of co-writing a novel
Flash Fiction
After a brief discussion of short stories by the panelists, audience members will have a chance to write their own 250 word stories. The following day the winners will be revealed, with explanations of why they were chosen.
Fleshing Out Your Characters
How to avoid flat, one- or two-dimensional characters.
Getting the Most Out of Writing Workshops (and What to Expect When You Get Home)
How do you get in to the major SF writer's workshops? How can you afford the time and money to go? What can you expect when you're there? Does attendance gain you any credibility with editors? What's it like for you and your writing when you get home to "the real world"?
Goals of Fanfic Writers:
Why did you start (or stop) writing fanfic? Are your goals different from those of original-fiction writers? Do you aspire to writing original fiction, or not?
How Do I Turn My Great Idea Into a Great Story?
Panelists will give examples and tips based on their own experiences.
Interactive Story
You provide the ideas and our creative team of panelists will make up a story based on your suggestions.
Marketing 101 for Creators
Media Novelizations
What are the merits and flaws of books based on television or movies? What are the challenges of writing these types of novels?
Setting Up Writing Groups Online
What To Look For In An Agent
Do you need an agent? How do you find one?
Working as a Creative Professional
Writers of the Future
Past winners and judges will discuss this contest.
Writing for Young Adults
What should an author keep in mind when writing for young adults?
Young Fans
Marshmallow Molecules
Science with a sugar rush. Participants will have molecular models as guides, from simple to complex, and can choose to build whichever they desire. Once the building is complete, a photo will be taken so the structure can be eaten!
Mask Decoration
Young Writers Workshop
Julie E. Czerneda and Adrienne Kress will be running the workshop. This free one and a half hour workshop is for Ad Astra attendees from the ages of 11 to 17. The workshop is free of charge but participants will need to register in advance. Spots are limited so please contact if you'd like to register.
