If you missed the news on Twitter, and Facebook, and The Functional Nerds website and podcast, and the SF Signal podcast – what the hell?  COME ON!  SERIOUSLY?!

*deep breath* *count to ten*

Fine, fine.  I’ll mention it here on the blog, too.  John Anealio and I will be making a rare live appearance – thus proving we do exist – at Capricon 35 in Wheeling, IL February 12th – the 15th 2015 as the Media guests of Honor. We’ll be on several panels and recording live in front of a studio audience!

Now, I’ve done live podcast recordings a few times, and so has John, but this really is the first time we’ll be doing a complete live show together, which means, well – we’re not exactly sure what it means.  We’ve talked about some giveaways and other fun stuff, but really, the only way to know what happens is to come to the show and see for yourself. 😉

If you’re coming to Capricon, that is.  You… are… coming… to Capricon, right?

*puppy-dog eyes*

I’m just gonna assume you are and ask that you take some time out of your busy con schedule to come by, check us out and say hello.  You’re also welcome to just randomly say hey during the con.  We’d love to meet and greet any fans, especially those who bring cannoli…

Okay, that’s a lie. John Anealio has confessed to me, in private, that he hates cannoli.  So only bring me cannoli…

BTW – here’s my schedule for the con:

Thursday

How to Review Books – 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm – Ravinia A
More than just saying “I like it” or “I didn’t like it,” book reviewing can lead the discussion of the state of science fiction and open conversations that are important to the field. Becoming a reviewer is easier now than ever before due to the Internet, but how do you make your reviews stand out? With: James Bacon, Richard Chwedyk, Mark Oshiro, Steven H Silver.

Opening Ceremonies – 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm – River AB
Welcome to Capricon 35: What Does R & R Mean to You. Join us as we kick off this year’s event and get some idea of what to expect and to meet our Guests of Honor (GoHs) and the people who make it all possible. With: Alexander James Adams, John Anealio, John Bivens, Matt Forbeck, Patrick Hester, Elizabeth Huffman, John “Shadowcat” Ickes, Terrence Miltner, Margaret Weis.

Friday

Pink Sock Puppets: Marketing Towards Women – 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm – Birch A
In a world full of comics, movies and pens, there’s now Insta-Dame(tm) – a new product that makes anything appealing to women by adding pink sparkles! There’s more to reaching an audience than dying it pink or adding a curvaceous bum. Learn how to succeed in business without even trying, or at least alienating 50% of the population. With: Sondra de Jong, Patrick Hester, Ariela Housman, Renee Ismail, Caitlin Rosberg.

Podcast Proliferation: Overview of Geeky Podcasts – 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm – Willow
Fans everywhere are taking to the Internet to start their own podcast. There are so many fun, geeky, SF/F related podcasts out there, it’s hard to know where to start. Have no worries, though – our Podcast Guests of Honor, The Functional Nerds, are here to help you navigate your way. With: John Anealio, Chad Burns, Patrick Hester, Mary Robinette Kowal.

Hugo Awards Nominating – 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm – Willow
It’s our favorite time of year! Hugo Award nominating is happening now! Join our roundtable discussion for a look back at 2014 and some thoughts on who and what deserves to be nominated this year. (Note: This panel will provide a very brief overview of the process of how to nominate, but the focus is on discussing what works deserve nomination.) With: Sara Felix, Patrick Hester, Dave McCarty.

Saturday

The Functional Nerds – Live! – 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm – Willow
Live podcast by our Guests of Honor, Patrick Hester and John Anealio, also known as The Functional Nerds. With: ? (come and find out!)

Capaldi is Kind of Growing on Me – 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm – Birch B
It wouldn’t be a science fiction convention without a Doctor Who panel! We’ll just step back and let our panelists take it from here. With: Anne Elliot, Patrick Hester,
Robin Silver, Michael D. Thomas, Michi Trota.

Sunday

Closing Ceremonies / Feedback Session – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm – River AB
Sadly, every convention must come to an end, and so must this one. Come end the weekend in style and tell us your thoughts, good or bad; your feedback helps us make every Capricon fun! The Powers That Be of Capricon 36 will also give a hint of what’s to come when we convene in 2016. With: Alexander James Adams, John Anealio, John Bivens, Marinda Darnell, Matt Forbeck, Patrick Hester, Elizabeth Huffman, John “Shadowcat” Ickes, Terrence Miltner, Margaret Weis.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the con!

Even you.

You know who you are. *stares* *swings two fingers from my eyes, to yours, and back again*