Here are my commitments (so far) for Readercon this year:
Thursday, July 10, 9:00 PM F Theater and the Interrupted Ritual.
C.S.E. Cooney, Greer Gilman, Andrea Hairston (moderator), Kenneth Schneyer.
Theater theorists have put forth the idea that most theater begins with an interrupted ritual. This goes back to ancient Greek theater, which generally literally began this way, but in modern theater we see this in more subtle ways, with characters making a cup of tea or sorting the mail when someone else comes in. At Arisia 2012, Andrea Hairston talked about theater and performance being tied to spiritual practice, which resonates with the idea of the interrupted ritual. How does this idea relate to storytelling in general, and what can writers do with it?
Friday, July 11, 1:00 PM G The Difference Between Magic and Science.
Max Gladstone, Lev Grossman, Andrea Hairston, Kenneth Schneyer (leader), J.M. Sidorova.
In an interview with Avi Solomon, Ted Chiang proposed that "The difference between magic and science is at some level a difference between the universe responding to you in a personal way, and the universe being entirely impersonal." How can we complicate this statement? Are there magic systems that are entirely impersonal, and if so, are they indistinguishable from science and technology? Is science only possible in an impersonal universe? How do we make allowances for the personal applications of science and the impersonal applications of magic, and where do the boundaries between them lie?
Friday, July 11, 4:00 PM E Autographs. Kenneth Schneyer, Peter Straub.
Not to sell myself short or anything, but I expect a wee disparity between the lengths of the two lines. 🙂
Friday, July 11, 5:00 PM EM Cambridge SF Workshop Group Reading.
E.C. Ambrose, James Cambias, Kenneth Schneyer (leader), Sarah Smith.
The Cambridge Science Fiction Workshop, founded in 1980, is the oldest professional SFF writers group in New England, counting Hugo and Nebula finalists and winners among its current members and alumni. Members will read short pieces or excerpts from recent works.
Friday, July 11, 6:00 PM CR A Fondness for Fanfic.
Catt Kingsgrave, Adrienne J. Odasso, Margaret Ronald, Kenneth Schneyer (leader), Cecilia Tan.
Our panelists readily admit that they still write fanfic while making pro sales, and talk about why the two types of writing scratch different itches. What are the risks of admitting to a history of writing fanfic? What about current adventures in other people's universes—is there a point at which your fanfic needs have to go unmet
Saturday, July 12, 3:00 PM CR Copyright Law and Your Writing.
Warren Lapine, Eugene Mirabelli, Tom Purdom, Kenneth Schneyer, Sarah Smith (leader).
Last year William Fisher of the Harvard Law School taught an introductory online course about the history, philosophy, and future of copyright law. The course is now developing a forum about copyright law and its future. This one-hour discussion, led by Sarah Smith, will dig into the material presented in Fisher's course. How does copyright law affect writers? How do current ideas of copyright infringement restrict creativity? How might copyright law change to make new forms of creativity legal—and make them pay?
Saturday, July 12, 6:00 PM EM Reading: Kenneth Schneyer. Kenneth Schneyer.
Kenneth Schneyer reads from a new collection, The Law & the Heart.
Saturday night, July 12, probably starting around 8:00 or so, I plan to have a book launch party for The Law & the Heart. Location TBA.
This is probably a good time to remind people that the Thursday evening events at Readercon are open to the general public; you don't have to be registered until Friday to attend.
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Kenneth Schneyer 
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