Missoula's Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention

Jim Wright (Stonekettle)

MisCon 39 Featured Professional

Jim Wright is a retired US Navy Chief Warrant Officer and freelance writer. He lives in Florida where he watches American politics in a perpetual state of amused disgust. He's been called the Tool of Satan, but he prefers the title: Satan's Designated Driver. He is the mind behind Stonekettle Station. You can follow him on Twitter @stonekettle, or you can join the boisterous bunch he hosts on Facebook at Facebook/Stonekettle. Remember to bring brownies and mind the white cat, he bites. Hard.

Scheduled Panels and Presentations:

Key: =On a Panel =Moderating =GMing

(Tentative)

• Fri 2:00 - 2:50 PM, Meet the Artists, Dragon Pavilion ()
  Moderator: Justin Barba; Panelists: John Barba, Justin Barba, Jayel Draco, Doug Hemphill, Tess Langston, Todd Lockwood, Randy Pepprock, Steven K Smith (SKS Props), Jeff Sturgeon, Andy VanOverberghe, Jim Wright (Stonekettle), Lacy Zee (Vox Moxxi)

  Here's your first opportunity to meet and hang out with MisCon 39's artists. You can talk art, ask questions, have a cup of coffee (or something stronger), get things signed, whatever you want. Just come hang out.

• Fri 3:00 - 3:50 PM, Informal Author Meet & Greet, Dragon Pavilion ()
  Moderator: Justin Barba; Panelists: Justin Barba, LJ Bonham, M. H. Bonham (Maggie), Jayel Draco, Diana Pharaoh Francis (Di), Manny Frishberg, James Glass, Lynsey Griswold, Valerie Guyant, Rhiannon Held, Andrea Howe, Esther Jones, Frog Jones, Sanan Kolva, Tess Langston, Todd Lockwood, Jonathan Maberry, Tod McCoy, Danith McPherson, Theresa Miller, John Eric Schleicher (J.E.), Ann Marie Scott (AM), D.L. Solum, Patrick Swenson: Fairwood Press, Hunter Kay Wallace, Dean Wells, Walter Wiese, Clare Wood, Jim Wright (Stonekettle)

  Join us for an informal meet & greet/hangout with a bunch of MisCon's writers and editors. This isn't a formal panel with panelists up on the stage discussing a topic. Instead, everyone will grab chairs in the pavilion, and the moderator will get things going. Then we'll open things up so small group hangouts can happen until the end of the hour. This is your chance to informally meet a bunch of the people you'll see on panels all weekend.

• Break Fri 3:50 - Sat 11:00
• Sat 11:00 - 11:50 AM, A Photographer's Mindset, Monster Tent ()
  Moderator: Jim Wright (Stonekettle); Panelists: Jim Wright (Stonekettle)

  What goes into creating compelling photographs? It's more than just pointing and shooting. Join Jim Wright of Stonekettle Station for a look into his mindset as both a photographer and writer. Jim will explore the intentionality, observation skills, and unique perspectives that transform mere snapshots into powerful images. Discover how cultivating a particular way of seeing—and connecting—is the real secret behind capturing truly impactful moments, whether in the wild or everyday life.

• Break Sat 11:50 - Sat 4:00
• Sat 4:00 - 4:50 PM, Stonekettle Station Q&A, Rocket Tent ()
  Panelists: Justin Barba, Jim Wright (Stonekettle)

  Join us for a fun Q&A session with thinker/writer/artist/retired Navy intelligence officer Jim Wright of Stonekettle Station. We will discuss the state of the world today, including politics.

• Break Sat 4:50 - Sun 11:00
• Sun 11:00 - 11:50 AM, Skepticism, Imagination, & Fuzzy Thinking: Year 2, Dragon Pavilion ()
  Moderator: Justin Barba; Panelists: Justin Barba, Randy Pepprock, Gregory Swensrud (Elling Hrolleifson), Jim Wright (Stonekettle)

  Let's discuss skepticism in this modern age of propaganda, groupthink, and the end of the world. Is skepticism the best way to advance humanity? Is it the only way to resist propaganda? Does it kill creativity and imagination? How can we become more skeptical without losing creativity, dampening imaginations, and turning into cyborgs?

• Break Sun 11:50 - Mon 10:00
• Mon 10:00 - 10:50 AM, How'd You Get Your Start?, Dragon Pavilion ()
  Moderator: Kyle Elliott (Big Kyle); Panelists: Kyle Elliott (Big Kyle), Jonathan Maberry, Jim Wright (Stonekettle)

  Our panelists will discuss how they broke into their fields, found success, and stuck with it to get where they are today.

• Break Mon 10:50 - Mon 1:00
• Mon 1:00 - 1:50 PM, 1 Lie, 2 Truths, Rocket Tent ()
  Moderator: Kyle Elliott (Big Kyle); Panelists: Kyle Elliott (Big Kyle), Jonathan Maberry, Jim Wright (Stonekettle)

  Come play a game with Stan!, Jeff, Dragon, and Kyle. They'll take turns making simple (probably outlandish) statements, and the audience will vote on whether they're lies or not.