Ascendio 2012

Ascendio is just around the corner and while we have Wrock Bands, StarKids, a talented and diverse staff, a beautiful hotel to romp around and duel in, Quidditch, fantastic, thought provoking programming plans, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (!!!), the only thing missing to make it the best HPEF symposium yet, is YOU.

As you know, symposiums like Ascendio just can’t run without the help of its volunteers. We’ve had your amazing help in the past and we’d love to have you back as part of the Ascendio team this year. So if you were looking for a way to help out, reconnect with old friends, or even make some new friends, there’s still time to sign up, get sorted, and get involved.

Our Volunteer Coordinator, Ailene, would love to hear from you. Send her an email at volunteers@hp2012.org or click here to become part of the team today!

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer author Michelle Hodkin is joining the Ascendio Quill Track as a special guest! Michelle will join fellow YA authors Beth Revis, Aimee Carter and Veronica Roth to discuss YA, publishing, writing and Harry Potter!

Michelle’s debut novel, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is a YA mystery-thriller that has been praised far and wide by critics, and fellow authors. Ascendio guest Beth Revis said:  “WOW. Michelle Hodkin’s debut will keep you guessing until the last page–and long after.” Cassandra Clare raved “Haunting and dreamlike, the intrigue and romance of Mara Dyer will inescapably draw you in.”

Ascendio author Veronica Roth is also a fan! “The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer strikes a rare balance of darkly funny, deliciously creepy and genuinely thoughtful. One minute I was laughing out loud, and the next, I was so scared I wanted to turn on all the lights and hide under the covers. Michelle Hodkin’s talent and range are obvious, from her chilling descriptions to romantic scenes that almost crackled on the page. I’ve never read anything quite like it.”

Michelle will be doing a reading/signing at Ascendio, as well as sitting on many Quill Track panels. We’re excited to have her!

Want to know more about Mara Dyer & Michelle?

From Amazon.com: Mara Dyer doesn’t believe life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her strangely unharmed. There is.

She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love. She’s wrong.

And check out Simon & Schuster’s amazing book trailer:

Michelle Hodkin grew up in South Florida, went to college in New York, and studied law in Michigan. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found prying strange objects from the jaws of one of her three pets. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is her first novel. You can visit her online at michellehodkin.com.

Didn’t get the latest edition of the Ascendio Scroll via Owl?
Hmmm, maybe we should blame Errol (we’ll talk to Chris Rankin about that)!
You can find the latest news scroll about Ascendio 2012 by clicking here!

Ascendio programming is by the attendees, for the attendees — so we need YOU to submit proposals for our formal programming slate! We’re seeking proposals of all shapes and sizes, to discuss/probe issues in Harry Potter and beyond.

Our formal programming deadline has been pushed back to February 29, in order to give everyone a little more time to work out their schedules, topics and panels, BUT! All proposals submitted by the original deadline of February 1st will be considered by our vetting committee right away. Ascendio plans to begin accepting proposals in mid-February (while still allowing proposal submissions until February 29 — we’re nice like that! XD)

What kinds of things should you propose? Here are just some examples:

• Content for our Quill Track: writing workshops, e-publishing how-tos, hot topics in publishing & YA.
• Workshops, including but not limited to crafts, fanart & writing techniques (knitting, crocheting, drawing characters, jewelry making, scrap-booking…)
• Discussions of fanfiction and shipping (both het & slash pairings)
• The real-world implications of Harry Potter, transformative works and fan culture (LGBTQ, religion, politics, feminism, privilege, etc.!)

Want to know more? Check out or Call for Papers, or jump right here to submit your proposal!

And if you have any questions, you can always email us or ask us on Facebook or Twitter. Many new proposals have come from discussions on our social media platforms, including discussions on our LiveJournal.

Did you see our giveaway on Tumblr? Click here to see a post you can reblog, to win the Infinitus umbrella signed by many StarKids including Lauren, Darren & Joe Moses!

Haven’t gotten your tickets to see Team StarKid at Ascendio yet?  It’s not too late!!

Totally Awesome StarKid Deal

For $185 you can attend all the StarKid Sessions.  This includes  a 2-day Ascendio pass for Friday and Saturday, the Panel ticket, and the “A Very Potter Musical” Live Commentary ticket ($200 value).

With this package, we’re also offering a special sale price for the StarKid Meet & Greet.  Get your ticket now for only $80. At the Meet & Greet you’ll be able to hang out with Team StarKid and meet them up close and personal.  Just think:  90 minutes, 5 StarKids, 124 fans, and you!

Register or add on to your existing registration here:  http://hp2012.org/?page_id=131

Click to jump to our handy-dandy “How much StarKid can I get for my money?” planning chart!

To register for Ascendio and/or add StarKid tickets to your existing registration, jump to our registration portal! (if you are already registered, click “view or change your existing registration”)

They performed in the round at Azkatraz. They premiered A Very Potter Sequel at Infinitus 2010. And they’re coming back for Ascendio!

Yes, on Friday and Saturday (July 13/14) members of Team StarKid be participating in panel discussions, special viewings of their shows, signing autographs and hosting a special meet & greet for about 150 Ascendio attendees!

All panels, discussions, autograph sessions, photo ops and the Meet & Greet are open to Ascendio registrants only! Click here for information about the different types of registration. Please note that if you are Merlin’s Circle, you will need to RSVP for ticketed events and to get an autograph ticket. More information will be sent to you via email.

Read More…

Norberta will be at Ascendio!

The dragon who captivated Infinitus attendees and starred in hundreds of photos, videos and cosplay moments will be at Ascendio, guarding the Portofino Bay courtyard!

Plan to come by and say hello! She’ll pose for as many photos as you wish!

Return to the Fall of 2009 with our HPEF Presents podcast & Nick Lang and Darren Criss!

In the fall of 2009, Infinitus PR chair Aziza interviewed Nick Lang and Darren Criss about their experience creating A Very Potter Musical, as well as their first Harry Potter fancon experience at Azkatraz, upcoming projects and plans for Infinitus 2010, other shows they did in college, Darren’s Eastwick experiences and lots more! It’s about an hour of in-depth, pre-AVPS conversation, and a lot of fun to listen to, two-plus years on. This episode also includes an interview with Infinitus Minister of Magic Jenn Clack, who speaks about plans and dreams for Infinitus which was then about nine months away.

Download it via iTunes or come back tonight and listen to it streaming right here!

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