Missoula's Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention

Danith McPherson

MisCon 40 Attending Professional

Danith McPherson is often distracted from her writing by snowshoeing, kayaking, and star gazing. In keeping with her Scottish heritage, she is a kilt maker, and proudly wears McPherson tartan, especially at science fiction and fantasy conventions.

Her novels include the YA fantasy Blade of Mad Vision, adult fantasy Monarch of Lightning, and mystery novel Averted Vision. Her stories have appeared in The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror, Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, Amazing Stories, Revolution SF, and other places. Some of them are collected in Roar at the Universe. A second book of short stories, Through the Wall, will be out soon.

She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America.

Scheduled Panels and Games:

Key: =On a Panel =Moderating =GMing

(Tentative)

• Fri 1:00 - 1:50 PM, Informal Author Meet & Greet: Speedfriending Edition, Dragon Pavilion
  Moderator: Justin Barba; Panelists: Justin Barba, Jessica Brawner, C E Chester, Stoney Compton, Katie Cross, Laramie Dean, Jayel Draco, Manny Frishberg, James Glass, Lynsey Griswold (Lynsey G), Rhiannon Held, GS Jennsen, Esther Jones, Frog Jones, Sanan Kolva, Tess Langston, Todd Lockwood, Joseph Malik, Tod McCoy, Danith McPherson, Theresa Miller, Gwendolyn Nix, AM Scott, Steven L Sears, D.L. Solum, Jeff Sturgeon, Patrick Swenson: Fairwood Press, Hunter Kay Wallace, Dean Wells, Danica Winters, Jim Wright (Stonekettle), Matthew Yetter

  If you want to get to know some of MisCon 40's writers/editors, this is the place for you! It's like speed dating, but without the romance. We'll provide lists of question prompts to help break the ice (though you can ask whatever you want), split everyone into pairs, and run quick 3 to 5-minute rounds before rotating to a new conversation partner. Come swap stories, talk art, movies, anime, pop culture, and make a new connection.

• Break Fri 1:50 - Fri 3:00
• Fri 3:00 - 3:50 PM, Worldbuilding: Designing Belief Systems, Monster Tent
  Moderator: Sanan Kolva; Panelists: Sanan Kolva, Danith McPherson, Theresa Miller, Dean Wells

  Part of what defines a culture is its system of shared beliefs--not only religious, but also secular. Designing and understanding the belief systems of your characters adds depth to the world in which they live, so let's discuss how to do so.

• Break Fri 3:50 - Sat 4:00
• Sat 4:00 - 4:50 PM, Author Readings: McPherson, Held, Monster Tent
  Panelists: Rhiannon Held, Danith McPherson

  Join our authors as they read from their latest works! (25 minutes a piece).

• Sat 5:00 - 5:50 PM, It Was a Dark and Stormy Night . . ., Great Hall 1
  Panelists: Katie Cross, Manny Frishberg, Rhiannon Held, Danith McPherson

  What makes a good opening for a novel? What is most likely to entice you to read the book? What should a first sentence/first paragraph accomplish? We’ll discuss openings, both good and bad.

• Break Sat 5:50 - Sun 10:00
• Sun 10:00 - 10:50 AM, Science Fiction: What Is It?, Monster Tent
  Panelists: GS Jennsen, Frog Jones, Danith McPherson, Steven L Sears

  Mysteries need mystery, right? Romances need romance. Horror needs horror. Does Science Fiction simply require "science?" That's not really accurate. SF is a huge genre that sprawls across places, times, technology. It asks questions about humanity, morality, the future, and usually provokes thought about the real world. Let's discuss what makes stories science fiction.

• Break Sun 10:50 - Sun 4:00
• Sun 4:00 - 4:50 PM, The Writing Process, Monster Tent
  Panelists: C E Chester, Esther Jones, Danith McPherson, Danica Winters

  Let's discuss the writing process. It's different for everyone . . . isn't it? Doesn't everyone get up at 6am, shower, and get right to work? Or are we all night owls who fit in words after everyone else goes to bed? Our panelists will discuss what works for them and what doesn't.