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My Autumn 2024 newsletter has just gone out to subscribers. It covers my recent outings to #IDWF2024 & #Octocon2024, plus updates on reading, writing, & reviewing activities. I also share an example of a recent experiment with 'free writing'. Sign up here for my witterings:

https://tinyurl.com/3utekf4k

Octo would like to say a big thank you to everyone who attended #Octocon2024, particularly our volunteers, Co-chair Kat Dodd, outgoing Co-chair @paulcarroll and GOH, @jessthornebooks.

Stay tuned, as we will have post-con posts coming soon.

#Octocon #SciFi #Fantasy #Fandom #Cosplay #Horror

Thanks for having me @Octocon !

My first time at the convention and what an incredibly well run event.

Thank you and well done to everyone involved in organising.

I hope to see you all and more next year!

#Octocon2024 #books #comics

A lanyard for Octocon 2024 with "Official Wuxia Werewolf" written on the badge. The art for the event is featured in the background.

I had a wonderful time at @Octocon this year!

I ran an SFF creative writing workshop. Took part in three panels and attended many more. Bought books and sold books. And, most importantly, I saw friends and met several fabulous folks who I've known online for years and finally got to meet in person!

#octocon #octocon2024

Sitting at a long table with microphones are Craig Walsh, Eoin Dooley, John Kirwan, Rachel Handley, and Brian Nisbet all wearing face masks.

Possible Worlds and Other Stories sitting on a table next to other scifi/fantasy books.

Alt text: Octocon 2024 Philosophical SF flash fiction workshop, 5th October 6 pm, This workshop, run by SFF author and philosopher Dr Rachel Handley (they/them), will guide you through character and setting creation before introducing a series of sci-fi writing prompts on unlikely gods, bizarre mirror universes, and all the possible weirdness we can imagine in-between. The workshop will be very interactive and its main aims are to spark the imagination and get some writing done all within an inclusive and non-pressured environment.

An orange crochet octopus held up by a hand.

I am an unfeeling monster who shuns events that require me to wear a mask, so no Octocon for me this year. Also have writing commitments. This is life.

#Octocon #Octocon2024

https://2024.octocon.com/disease-mitigation/

We have an array of traders coming to #Octocon2024. #FanArt, #jewellery, #zines, #books and more!

https://2024.octocon.com/octocon-trade-hall/

#Octocon #Fandom #Fantasy #SciFi #ScifiConvention #ScienceFiction

Banner states: Octocon Trade Hall
Every year, we welcome artists, writers, crafters, comic creators and retailers into the Trade Hall to show off their wares to our members.

More #fan tables!

Get your membership at https://2024.octocon.com/

#Octocon #Fandom #Fantasy #SciFi #ScifiConvention #ScienceFiction #Octocon2024

Dealer card states: Neuro Pride Ireland is Ireland’s only national cross-neurodivergency Disabled Persons Organisation, and we represent neurodivergent people from, or living on, the island of Ireland. https://www.facebook.com/NeuroPrideIreland/, https://www.instagram.com/neuroprideireland

Dealer card states: A Lord of the Rings Podcast where your two hosts, Dave and Johnny discuss all things Middle-earth. Ideal for fans of Tolkien or new-comers and anyone who wants to kick back and have a laugh. Entertainment guaranteed. Welcome to the Council. Website: https://linktr.ee/themellonheads

We have an array of #fan tables visiting us at #Octocon2024. Be sure to swing by and chat to them.

Get your membership at https://2024.octocon.com/

#Octocon #Fandom #Fantasy #SciFi #ScifiConvention #ScienceFiction

Dealer Card States: AthVentureCon is a TTRPG Community event, and all proceeds go to Athenry Adventurers RPG Youth Club. This year we’re bringing you two days of table-top role-playing games, board games, artists, crafters, writers, panels, demonstrations, cosplay, and more! Held in Loughrea Hotel and Spa, 22-23 February, 2025. Website: https://athventurecon.ie/

Dealer Card States: Fáilte! Welcome to Dublin 2029, a bid for the 87th Worldcon! We are a growing group of fans who’d like to host the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) in Dublin in 2029. Would you like to see this happen? Website https://dublin2029.ie/

Dealer Card states: Welcome to Belfast! We are delighted to be here. Bringing Eastercon to a new city for the first time is a big deal for us, and it’s been a lot of work negotiating and getting here. We are grateful for the support of the Eastercon teams from 2022, 2023 and 2024 who have all actively supported and helped us get here. Website: https://easterconbelfast.org/

Dealer Card states: LAcon V, the 84th World Science Fiction Convention, will be held on August 27-31, 2026 at the Anaheim Convention Center and the Hilton Anaheim and Anaheim Marriott hotels in Anaheim, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. It is the fifth Worldcon convention to bear the “LAcon” name. Website: https://www.lacon.org/

Our co-Chair @paulcarroll writes about why St. Michael’s House is our charity of choice of #Octocon2024.

“I grew up being told Victoria was Special, a word I later learned was to explain that she was a person with Down’s Syndrome.”

https://2024.octocon.com/charity-fundraising-st-michaels-house/

#DisabilityPride #Accessibility #DiversityAndInclusion #Octocon #SciFi #fantasy

Our beautiful map was created by visiting map maker, Jog Brogzin. Find your way around #Octocon2024 with this fantasy map version of the Gibson Hotel.

https://2024.octocon.com

#Octocon #Fandom #Fantasy #SciFi #ScifiConvention #ScienceFiction #Cartography

Hi all, please see our statement re: #Accessibility Walk Through at the Gibson Hotel. Find out more about our in-person accessibility guide on our website.

https://2024.octocon.com/octocon-in-person-accessibility-guide/

#DiversityAndInclusion #Octocon #Octocon2024 #SciFi #Fantasy #Fandom

Accessibility:

Hi, everyone, co-Chair Kat here, but this time wearing my Accessibility Officer hat!

We apologize for the short notice, but the Gibson has agreed to allow us to do an accessibility walk through on Friday between 3pm-4pm. Not all the rooms will be available to us, but it'll give you an idea of where things are and what to expect. If you can't make that time, you can also stop by Friday evening after 7pm, though please be aware that we will be setting up during this time and there will probably be chaos.

For more information about accessibility at the convention, we have a page up on the Octocon website! And as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please email me at accessibility@octocon.com and I promise to help as best as I can.

Thank you!
Kat

@Octocon's programme is available—a host of great events to choose from! Ever wanted my opinion about fanfiction & who owns the text? Sunday morning's your chance to get it. I'm on a panel along with Jeevani Charika, Michael Carroll, Paul Carroll, and Richard Sparks.
#Octocon2024 #SFFH #IrishSFFH
https://prog.octocon.com/id/44

Screen snip of session from Programme:
Sunday, October 6, 2024 10:30
The Relationship Between The Writer and the Reader: Who Owns the Text
Alhambra - Gibson,Duration: 60 mins
Jeevani Charika/ Rhoda Baxter (moderator)
Michael Carroll
Paul Carroll
Richard Sparks
Susan Maxwell
In Person, Not Recorded, Writing, Fandom, Panel,
Once the story is written and is out in the world, who does the tale belong to - the writer, or the reader? Join us as we discuss fan fiction to author intent and everything in between! We are also running an online version of this panel with different panellists.

It is with a heavy heart that we must announce Glyn Dillon is unable to attend this year’s #Octocon2024. A sudden scheduling change has meant that he won’t be able to travel, as he’ll now be working until the end of October.

We hope to have him at the convention at a later date.

It is with a heavy heart that we must announce Glyn Dillon is unable to attend this year’s Octocon. A sudden scheduling change has meant that he won’t be able to travel, as he’ll now be working until the end of October.

We hope to have him at the convention at a later date

So I know Flights of Foundry has literally just ended, but, because I am Sensible about my time, I'm going to be on more online panels this Saturday!

(Octocon this time, with Don't Let History Get in the Way of Telling a Good Story and You are in a Panel Room: The Topic is Interactive Fiction)

#Octocon #Octocon2024

Saturday, 5 October 2024
10:30 Don't Let History Get in the Way of Telling a Good Story
AK Faulkner (moderator), Finn McLellan, Gillian Polack, J E Hannaford

We can't always know what happened in a specific time and place, no matter the facts, testimony and evidence we may be presented with. In addition, distance and modern sensibilities can bring new meaning to historical events, putting new focus on what were seen as minor details. Join our panel as they discuss how to balance the knowns, the unknowns and the assumptions when writing historical fantasy.

16:30 You are in a Panel Room: The Topic is Interactive Fiction
Catherine Sharp (moderator), Finn McLellan, John Kirwan, Theresa Jean Tanenbaum ('Tess')

You enter a room. To the right is a door that appears locked. To the left is a staircase leading into darkness... Interactive storytelling has been part of the reading and gaming experience for decades while immersive theatre, haunted houses and escape rooms have given writers, performers and the audience unique opportunities for innovation and experimentation. What draws people to interactive narratives time and time again? And what delights await in the theatre of the mind that cannot be found elsewhere?

Our programme guide is now live! This is it people! Octo says get excited!

https://prog.octocon.com/

#Octocon #Octocon2024 #Cosplay #Fantasy #Scifi #Fandom #ScienceFictionConvention #ScienceFiction

#OctosFascinatingFacts: Did you know this year’s guest of honour - @jessthornebooks will be interviewed by last year’s guest of honour Sarah Rees Brennan! Nuff said!

https://2024.octocon.com/programme/

#Octocon #Octocon2024 #Fandom #Fantasy #SciFi #SciFiConvention

Photo of Ruth-Frances-Long and Sarah Rees Brennan

Want to check out what’s happening at #Octocon2024? Look no further than our Programme highlights! Help build and knock down a cardboard city or learn to pick locks like a spymaster! Panels with special guests and workshops to enrich your soul! #Octocon has it all!

https://2024.octocon.com/programme/

#Cosplay #Fandom #Scifi #Fantasy #ScifiConvention #ReadingCommunity #WritingCommunity #BookLovers #MastoDaoine