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A good game is all about choices. The players should make real, meaningful choices, and those choices should have a real effect on the game. It all comes down to where you put the variables. The variables—that is to say, the meaningful choices—are where the smart play happens.

Monte Cook, designer of Numenera, on Putting the Play in Roleplaying (via unpossiblelabs)

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Hey #Detroit area peeps (and those within driving distance). Here’s an unofficial list of authors attending #ConfusionSF. 

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Happy ConFusion Eve!

Photo: "Has He Forgotten it's Toy-in-the-frame Thursday?" by Jim Bauer

Back to the ConFusion starts tomorrow!  Don't forget your cameras, and if you want to share any pics, @confusionsf here on the Tumbls, or use one of our 23 other methods of communication to get in touch. (Or email programming@confusionsf.org.)

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Guileless son, I’ll shape your belief

And you’ll always know that your father’s a thief

And you won’t understand the cause of your grief

But you’ll always follow the voices beneath

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ConFusion Panel Preview

Photo: "12×12 Writing session: desk" by Ben Walker

MUSIC TRACK

The Music track offers great entertainment and some learning opportunities, too! Plus, concerts by Howard Scrimgeour, Herculean Cheese Storm, Bill and Gretchen Roper, Mike Nixon, and Three-Fifths.

Beginning Voice Workshop

Never had a voice lesson? Come learn some of the basic stuff that singers do, from breathing to projection to diction. Participants only, please.

From Circle to Stage

How does singing on stage in front of an audience differ from singing in an open circle? What adjustments do you have to make to your performance?

Songwriting

What goes into crafting a song, from idea to music to lyrics? What makes a song "work"?

To find out more about our convention, visit confusionsf.org

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Cosplay Done Right

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Photo: "It's Wednesday!" by Michael

You know what that means, right? That CONFUSION IS IN TWO DAYS.

Happy Detroit's Local Science Fiction Convention Eve Eve, everybody!

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The quasi-sequel to Lord’s amazing The Best of All Possible Worlds follows Rafi, a youngster with incredible psychic powers and a love for a gravity-defying sport that could shape the future of the galaxy.

from io9

Mind-Blowing Science Fiction And Fantasy Books To Watch Out For In 2015

(via drkarenlord)

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ConFusion Panel Preview

Photo: Anders Ruff Custom Designs

MEDIA TRACK

Our media panels tackle science fiction and fantasy on the large and small screens.

Ghosts of SyFy Past

Come reminisce about the actual science fiction SyFy used to show, and talk about the network's plans to get back to its science fiction roots.

Visual versus Textual Reading/Intelligence

Most movies/shows are judged by critics on their textual intelligence - the plot, the dialogue, etc. But visual intelligence is also important, and often missed in professional criticism. Tumblr memes spend days going over the tiniest visual cue in Captain America, while Pacific Rim is called "a dumb movie" - how can we improve our visual intelligence?

Where're OUR Superhero Movies?

The recent announcements of the Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel movies are exciting, as are the reveals of the Black Panther and Cyborg movies and Jason Momoa as Aquaman, but how do we remind Marvel and DC Entertainment that this a great start, but not adequate representation overall?

To find out more about our convention, check confusionsf.org

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Having very serious conversations about fictional universes is one of my favorite things to do.

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ConFusion Panel Preview

Photo: "Game Night" by Randy Robertson

GAMING TRACK

Besides our Game Room, ConFusion is offering a Gaming panel track this year, in honor of our special gaming GOHs!

Character Creation - You're Not Just Rolling Dice Anymore

How can gamers craft compelling characters, from the PCs to the DM/GM making memorable NPCs or the Big Bad? Can you do it in a board game as well? People ask for stories/character development in video game RPGs; is it any different when you're in charge of a piece of the narrative only (e.g. sitting at a table playing with other people) than when you're making decisions in a video game and the rest of the world has already been set up for you?

Authors Who Game

Authors talk about their favorite games, of any type.

So You Want to Make Games, Huh?

From board games to tabletop RPGs, from computer games to apps, come talk about the ins-and-outs of creating your own worlds and adventures.

To find out more about our convention, please visit confusionsf.org

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So many panelist packets. This is only H-Z

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Looking for ideas on what to read next? Check out io9’s list SF/F books you can’t miss in January.

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ConFusion Panel Preview

Photo: "Steampunk cosplayer, Cryptic Confusion, Detroit-Troy Marriott, MI," Cory Doctorow

COSTUMING TRACK

Along with the Masquerade, we'll have plenty of opportunities to talk about the in, outs, and trials of costuming.

We Have Always Fought (In Real Armor)

When it comes to armor, women in genre fiction tend to get the short end of--well, everything. We’ll look at real women’s armor from history through the present day, and discuss how to design science fiction and fantasy armor for women that’s as impressive as it is protective.

Powersuits and Prosthetics

Science Fiction has long imagined a future when technology can replace or enhance human limbs. Join our panelists to discuss how to design plausible robotics for your science fiction hero.

How the **** Do I Make This???: Stump the Costume Experts

A lively and popular discussion returns! Come ask a panel of experienced costumers your toughest questions about how to build oddball, unique, or just plain difficult things, from articulated wings to suits that light up when you talk.

To find out more about our convention, check out confusionsf.org

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ConFusion Panel Preview

Photo: "50 minute life drawing" by Liberty Maher

ART TRACK

ConFusion's art track once again brings you a mix of demonstration, hands-on workshops and chances to see local and other artists at work!

 Life Drawing Class

Join Mike Kucharski in drawing a live (clothed) model. Sharpen your skills in figure drawing, including costumes and props. Note: attendance is limited, and attendees will need to bring their own drawing materials.

 Iron Artist

Drawing/sculpture isn’t usually a performance art, but Iron Artists show how they work while creating a piece of art (or craft) on the assigned topic.

Whose Cartoon Is It Anyway?

A cartoonist face-off — the audience gives the panel of cartoonists a situation to draw. Cartoonist #1 draws half of it - Cartoonist #2 finishes it and adds a punchline, with Jim C. Hines narrating every thrilling moment!

To find out more about our convention, check out confusionsf.org 

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ConFusion Panel Preview

Photo: "Linux Nerd" by Pete Prodoehl

FANDOM TRACK

What's a fan convention without the chance to talk all about fandom?

How To Raise Your Nerd

Fannish parents discuss raising the next generation of fans.

Diversity in [blank]

Issues of race, class, gender, identity, orientation, generation and geography are among the most important conversations being had today both within and across a broad range of fandoms (SF/F, comics, gaming, cosplay, etc.).  How do we navigate these discussions in a way that is useful and inclusive in increasingly diverse and global fandoms?

Mary Sue and the Fake Geek Girls

Let's talk about our favorite female characters and female fans (and maybe a word or two about why fandom keeps trying to pretend they're not as awesome as we all know they are).

The Convention of the Future

With the fast rise of multimedia-focused conventions like DragonCon, etc., what do we see as the future of SF conventions?

To learn more about our convention, see ConFusionSF.org