August 29, 2003

Torcon 3 Report - Day 1 Today at the openning day of Torcon 3 I saw: Panel Dicussion: Electronic Books - What do READERS Need? With John Bartley, Stephanie Bedwell-Grime, Cory Doctorow, Norma McPhee, Michael Ward There was a general consensus lead by author Cory Doctorow that e-books should be released without any copy protection in open formats such as standard HTML. There was much more debate over the form factor of e-book readers. Cory Doctorow took the position that current computers are fine, while John Bartley said that cheap, rugged handheld devices with large screens are needed. I agree more with John Bartley in what’s needed but provided the books are in a standard format many devices or different shapes and sizes will be available in the future and they will just keep getting better and cheaper. Panel Discussion: Getting a TV Series on the Air With Lyla Miklos, Melinda Snodgrass, Isaac Szpindel, Marc Zicree With writers, an agent and a television executive on the panel this discussion looked that the various steps in the pitching of a plot. The key idea that the writers expressed was during a sales pitch and while working with a director and the actors protect the core most important elements that make up the show but know when to give ground on other areas. For example in an acted out scene between a "writer" and an "executive" a plot with two men quickly become a plot with a man and a woman. But the core idea of an Underground Railroad from Hell (you had to be there to get it!) remained. The Opening Ceremony and Guest of Honour Reception was missing injured Artist Guest of Honor Frank Kelly Freas but Spider Robinson introduced Professional GoH George R.R. Martin, Fan GoH Mike Glyer, editor of fanize File 770 and GoHst Writer In The Sky Robert Bloch was remembered. Panel Discussion R&D in Magic With Rob Chilson, James Alan Gardner, Ed Greenwood, Steven Lopata, Elizabeth Moon This panel looked how fantasy deals with the creation of magical spells, objects or other magical things. The need to put a limit on magical powers in order to create challenges that magic cannot immediately overcome was also discussed: Terry Pratchett would have made a good panel member. From his novel Wyrd Sisters: Goodie Whemper had, in fact, been a research witch. [Footnote: Someone has to do it. It's all very well calling for eye of newt, but do you mean Common, Spotted, or Great Crested? Which eye, anyway? Will tapioca do just as well?] There was then various parties within the Royal York Hotel sponsered by groups trying to land future Worldcons or other conventions. 8:22:08 AM