Polaris and My Weekend Out

I'm going to Polaris in Toronto this weekend! As a guest! With television actors!

Some explanation may be in order. Polaris is a big old science fiction convention that until Star Trek effectively went away a few years back was Toronto Trek. Now it's a convention devoted to SF with a media slant, with a healthy respect for the writers of written word and lots of good-looking, well-groomed actors. And me, in such dire need of a haircut...

So I'll be there, and I'm on a good whack of programming, and if you want to hear me reminisce about my Starlost days back in the seventies, the subtle charms of Dexter, and why Battlestar Galactica is so fracking great, Polaris is the place to be, at 655 Dixon Road.

Not so far from Pearson Airport.

See, you take the 427 north from the Gardiner, execute a lightning lane change just south of Eglinton, and...

Ah, screw it. Here's a map.

And here's my schedule:

Friday, 7 p.m.
Minimum 400 Pages
Description: The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress is not a long book. A World of Ptavvs is not a long book. Today, it's not certain that a book under 400 pages can even get published. What has changed? Is it us, or the publishing industry?


Friday, 11 p.m.
Battlestar Galactica: The New Series

Description: What makes Battlestar Galactica so great? How do we feel about it coming to an end?


Saturday, 1 p.m.
Dracula

Description: Dracula is one of the most-depicted characters in the history of film and literature, second only to Sherlock Holmes. Bram Stoker's 1897 novel has formed the basis for countless imitations. Why has this particular character endured for over a century? What are some of your favourite Dracula films?


Saturday, 2 p.m.
Whither The Short Story?

Description: Science Fiction and fantasy short stories used to be a viable business. There used to be competition for the best writers. What ever happened to the short story? Do people need more character development now, or are they just seen as bad value for the money for some reason? Is it a conspiracy of writers? Even if it isn't, should we start spreading that story?


Saturday, 3 p.m.
The Starlost: 35 Years Later

Description: It's been 35 years since the premiere of the first SF series made in Scarborough. Despite its reputation, one of its scripts won a Writers Guild of America Award, it inspired two novels, and now the British watch it on DVD. Why do people still remember this show?


Saturday 11 p.m.
Dear Disturbed Dexter

Description: Season 1 of Dexter was met with great approval by fans and critics alike. Did Season 2 live up to the promise of the first season? Was Lila as interesting a character as the Ice Truck Killer? Did you enjoy the character development for Doakes? Discuss whether you thought this was a killer season or a let down.


In addition to all of this, they've got me down for a reading (one full hour! Holy crap I can read all of Wylde's Kingdom! Or something else!) at 4 p.m. on Saturday. And I'm signing stuff in the dealer's room. So bring your Claus Effect, or prosthetic, or pet turtle; I'll be all with the signatures suitable for collectables and identity theft at 2 p.m. on Sunday.