The theme of our convention is The Architecture of Fantasy and Horror, a nod to Madison's eclectic architectural history: Frank Lloyd Wright projects, a new arts center designed by Cesar Pelli, and a downtown and campus that reflect many styles. We don't limit our exploration of "architecture" simply to the solids of wood and stone, but also to the underlying design and structure, the shifting cultural lines, the concepts evoked by the final structure, as applied to the literature of fantasy and horror.
The program will be built around our Guests of Honor and the convention theme as it relates to the written word. We generally have two tracks of panels running from Thursday afternoon up to the World Fantasy Awards banquet Sunday afternoon. In addition there are readings, the presentation of this year's International Horror Guild Awards Thursday evening, an Autograph Session Friday evening, and an Artists' Reception Saturday evening. We do not have panels on gaming or electronic media, and usually not on basic writing techniques or market entry. We welcome ideas for program topics along with a discussion of how the topic/idea could be explored, as well as suggestions for professionals who would be appropriate for the panel. There are always many more people willing to be on panels than we can accommodate and preference often goes to those with more experience in the field or on a given topic. Newer authors who propose an interesting program idea and who can contribute to or moderate that panel have a much better chance of being seated on the program.
If you have suggestions for a panel, or are a professional wishing to participate, please contact us at wfc2005@worldfantasy.org. Please include some information about yourself and your publishing experience. We also find we often have more people wishing to do a reading than we can accommodate. Professionally published authors are welcome to request a reading slot. Please let us know your recent/forthcoming published titles and the publisher, or if you have had a book or collection published by Arkham House.