Ascendio 2012

Documentary producer Hansi Oppenheimer (Color Me Obsessed) is interviewing fan fiction writers and readers for film project, and is currently shooting in the tri-state (NY/NJ/CT) area; she’s interested in discussing the history of fan fiction, the writing/beta process, and related topics with fanfic writers – and readers – and she’ll be conducting interviews during Ascendio. If you’re interested in participating, please email Hansi at heoppenheimer @ gmail.com (without the spaces) as she’ll be coordinating directly with interviewees. It sounds like a terrific project, and Ascendio is excited to be participating in it!

Tomorrow’s the deadline for programming submissions! Check out the Call for Proposals, and tell us what you want to talk about!

As at past HPEF events, almost all of our formal programming sessions are attendee-generated, which means that we ask you, the Ascendio attendee, to host discussions, lead round tables, and, if your academic or fannish interests lie in that direction, even present a paper about a specific Harry Potter-focused or -inspired topic. Past programming sessions have included Creating a Byronic Hero: Severus Snape and the Gothic Fathers of Harry Potter; Creating Without Canon: Writing Next-Gen Fanfic; Norm-Formation, Inconsistency and the Rule of Law in the Wizarding World; When Fans Become Activists, and more.

We’ve also been talking about possible Ascendio programming sessions here; topics people are tossing around include a session on Regulus Black, Snape/Hermione, Draco/Hermione, writing about the Next Generation, JK Rowling’s women, telling stories and sharing feelings through icons and gifs, and how people are keeping the Harry Potter flame alive.

It’s time to propose! 

Ascendio will be hosting fanfic readings throughout the conference!

Are you a fanfic writer, or have a favorite fic you’re dying to do a dramatic reading of? Ascendio wants to hear from you! Slash, het, gen, drabbles, epics — anything goes! We invite Ascendio attendees to submit their information to our Fanfic Readings Chair, who will coordinate readings throughout the whole weekend! Authors big and small are encouraged to do readings, as well as fans of stories whose authors will not be attending. However, we do ask, if you’d like to do a reading of someone else’s work, that you secure permission from the author before doing so.

Sign-up using the form below, or email Ravenna at ravenna_c_tan@yahoo.com

The Deadline for sign-ups is May 3, 2012.
Read More…

We’re having a discussion on our livejournal blog about programming topics we’re hoping to see submitted, including roleplaying (online and offline, using different platforms), fanfic writing workshops and Snape/Hermione, and there’s a request for co-panelists for a Regulus Black discussion. If you’re also interested in looking for co-panelists, or if you want to throw out some possible discussion topics for sessions you want to see, you can login using OpenID, or your Google, Twitter or Facebook account! Remember, Ascendio’s programming comes from our attendees, so your input is appreciated, and vital!

Edited to add: There’s also threads looking for co-panelists on having a love-hate relationship with the books, as well as possible topics on Pottermore, Snape/Hermione, the Next Generation and workshops on writing (and beta reading) fanfic.

NEW deadline is April 15!

Ascendio seeks talented singers and musicians to help assemble a program of music inspired by Harry Potter. Here is your chance to perform your favourite Wizard Rock song, create an original dance with HP music, present a short theatrical sketch of HP-inspired material, or put together an ensemble of “Double Double” complete with croaking frogs!

The Wands by Wands by Wizards revue will be a mainstage event, requiring a couple of rehearsals, but our goal is that most people will arrive prepared and we will not need to use the whole con to rehearse!

Read more!

Ascendio is proud and pleased to host pitch sessions with literary agents Carlie Webber, Lindsay Ribar and Joanna Volpe (more may be added)! Take this unique opportunity to do literary agent “speed dating,” pitching your completed novel to three agents at once! If an agent is interested in your novel, they will request sample pages or the whole manuscript — you never know what could happen!

How do pitch sessions work? Agent pitch sessions are like speed dating — you’ll get five minutes to sit down with an agent, give them an elevator pitch for your book, and if they are interested, they will request sample pages/your full manuscript. After five minutes, your time is up and the next person sits down, and you can move on to the next agent.

Two pitch sessions are scheduled: Friday from 4-5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9-11 a.m. This means the agents will get to hear approximately 40 pitches each; more sessions may be added later due to demand.

We will be allowing online sign-ups for approximately 25% of the session slots (using the below form), in order to accommodate those who won’t be able to sign-up in person, on a first-come, first-served basis. The remainder of the session slots must be signed-up for at Ascendio, either at our Thursday afternoon Book Fair or at the Meet & Greet table on Friday/Saturday.

Click here to sign up now!

The fine folks over at Virgin America are giving West Coast-based Ascendio attendees a Valentine’s Day present: %5 off your flights to and from Ascendio when you book with Virgin! Book your flights anytime between now and 7/16 to receive the discount for travel to the con between 7/8-7/18!

Virgin America has flights to Orlando from several major cities on the West Coast, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. Not only can you fly to Ascendio in comfort — Virgin seats are large, comfy & have tons of legroom! — but Virgin already offers some of the best prices to the East Coast from the West — and with your 5% Ascendio discount? Coming to the con just became a lot more affordable!

Virgin America is one of the Ascendio chairs favorite airlines, not only for the leg room, but for the in-seat entertainment — Virgin boasts a state-of-the-art digital system for each customer where you can watch movies, listen to music and even play video games — and you can also plug-in at your seat — no more relying on your laptop battery to get you through the flight.

Just use the following code to get your discount, and see you at Ascendio!

Group discount code: MCVXEVNTMCO
Discount: 5% off
Booking dates: Now through 7/16
Travel Dates: 7/8 through 7/18