ODYSSEY CON III - PANELIST BIOGRAPHIES

(The listing of panel times is as of the date of printing. Please refer to program chart for any possible changes. Code explanation. Example: ‘Fri. 6:00PM T-1’ stands for ‘Friday 6:00PM Program Track Number One.’)

Lorece (Lory) Aitken has been the Boss Lady of Pegasus Games in Madison for over 20 years, because she has refused to decide what she wants to be when she grows up (if ever). Lory is running Gaming Programming.

Catherine Asaro: See biography in this program book. Fri. 3:00PM T-1, Fri. 4:30PM T-2, Sat. 1:30PM T-1, Sat. 3:00PM T-2, Sat. 7:30PM T-1, Sat 10:30PM T-4, Sun. Noon T-1, Sun. 1:30PM T-2. (Book signing Sat 4:30PM)

Dr. Janice Bogstad is a full professor at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire and teaches Women’s Studies & Science Fiction along with managing the library collection. In 1992 she successfully completed a Doctoral Program at UW Madison. In the last 25 years Jan has written 120 science fiction articles essays & book chapters. Presently she reviews SF& Fantasy for Publishers Weekly. Sat. 4:30PM T-2, Sun. 1:30PM T-2, Sun. 3:00PM T-1.

Richard Chwedyk’s short fiction has been published in Amazing Stories, Space and Time, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction (most recently) and in the Twilight Tales anthology Cthulhu and the Coeds, or Kids and Squids. His poem Red Lion in Winter appeared in another Twilight Takes collection Tales From the Red Lion. The story Bronte's Egg made the Nebula Final Ballot. He copyedits, teaches ad writes in the Chicago area. Sat. 10:30AM T-1, Sat. Noon T-3, Sat. 3:00PM T-2, Sat. 4:30PM T-3, Sat. 9:00PM T-3, Sun. Noon T-1.

Peter Chavey has had five years of experience with Dungeons & Dragons. He has also done research & some gaming in other role-playing games. Sun. 3:00PM T-3.

Rhianon Chavey is a 17-year-old fan whom has been gaming, GMing, and bopping around the gaming community for five years. She likes to think that this experience means she knows what she is talking about. Sun. 3:00PM T-3.

Bill Farina runs an independent software programming company Venture 1 Consulting, and is a charter member of SMOFs of America. Believed by many to be immortal and immune to pain. Fri. 3:00 T-1, Sat. 10:30AM T-1, Sat. Noon T-2, Sat. 4:30PM T-3.

Dr. Lisa Freitag will be representing DreamHaven Books in the Dealer's Room this year, while Greg Ketter does another convention. In real life, she is known as Dr. Freitag, and gives kids shots for a living. Her son, William, who got his kindergarten check-up (three shots) last year, is still appalled by this. Sat. 6:00PM T-3.

Jim Frenkel has edited all sorts of books including several hundred science fiction and fantasy novels, dozens of film and TV tie-ins, mysteries, Westerns, thrillers, historical novels, comic-strip books, crossword puzzle books, and various non-fiction works. He can be seen around Madison and is a helluva guy. He packages the award-winning Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror series edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling, and was until recently a literary agent for a select group of talented writers, some of whom write science fiction and fantasy. Currently he is an editor for Tor Books. Fri. 1:30 T-1, Fri. 4:30PM T-1, Sat. 1:30PM T-4, Sat. 3:00PM T-1, Sat. 4:30PM T-2, Sat. 7:30PM T-1, , Sun. Noon T-4, Sun. 1:30PM T-3.

Roland Green is a Chicago author, book reviewer, editor, comic scripter, husband, father, and cat person. His most recent novel is VOYAGE TO ENEH (Tor). It will not be his last. Sat. Noon T-1, Sat. 1:30PM T-2, Sat. 3:00PM T-1, Sat. 4:30PM T-1, Sun. 1:30PM T-1.

The Gunderson Corporation SF Comedy Troupe: Although, that sounds like an evil mega-corp out to rule the world, in reality we're an amateur Science Fiction comedy group that performs all-original skits in the manner of a 1940s radio play, including a feverishly working Sound Effects Master...live on stage! Wholesome family entertainment (Addams Family that is) our material is all rated PG (except at a midnight show, then hold onto your hats!) The Gundies (as our fans like to call us) have performed at SF cons across the nation, and their first comedy CD, "Radio Uncontrolled" will be released November 2003. For more info, sample scripts, wav. files, and other surprises, visit our web site at: www.GundersonCorp.com Comedy at the speed of light! The cast and crew are: Nick Pollotta, Shard (that's his legal name), Mike Potvin, Cynthia Simms, Tonya Angelus, David Faust. Sat. 10:30PM T-1.

Tom Havighurst is really a hunchback named Bruno. He often flashes back to his days when he was Dr. Tongue’s lackey, and can be heard to mumble “rip and tear, Bruno, rip and tear!” in his sleep. Sun. 1:30PM T-4. Tom is the Convention Treasurer.

Eric M. Heideman runs a public library in Minneapolis. He has published critical writings on SF in the Minneapolis Star Tribune & What do I Read Next?, & fiction in Writers of the Future, Volume III, Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, & Year's Best Mystery & Suspense Stories, 1988. Since 1986 he has edited the small-press SF magazine, Tales of the Unanticipated for the Minnesota Science Fiction Society; beginning with #24 in July 2003 it will be published by Eric's new small press, TOTU Ink. He currently chairs the Twin Cities cons Diversicon and Arcana, and is the founder of Krushenko's, a social space for SF discussion that circulates through several Twin Cities cons. Sat. 10:30AM T-4, Sat. 4:30PM T-4, Sun. 3:00PM T-2.

Don Helley: Yer' Uncle Don was born on Mars about 6000 years ago, but his family emigrated when he was only 120, to a fanish retreat in old Baghdad. He is a part time filmmaker and culinary critic for the Beijing Gazette. In short, a big lumpy-headed gafiated goofball, so watch out for this one! Fri. 7:30 T-1, Sat. Midnight T-1.

Melissa Kaercher is an editor, artist, film critic, and web minion for Cthulhu-Coffee.com. She failed her sanity check long ago, but she, thankfully, is not the gibbering type. She can be placated with good Scotch." Fri. 6:00PM T-3, Sat. 10:30AM, T-4, Sat. 3:00PM T-4, Sat. 4:30PM T-1, Sat. Midnight T-3.

Philip Kaveny is a Science Fiction Critic, Bookseller and recently retired from 28.5 years of service at UW Madison. Over the last 33 years Kaveny has had a love-hate relationship with academia. In 1998 Kaveny successfully defended a dissertation dealing with distance education & the Internet, which he presented in the for of a play using Leguins thought experiment methodology, and it passed. Kaveny is married to Janice Bogstad. Fri. 3:00 T-1, Sat. Noon T-1, Sat. 3:00PM T-1, Sun. 10:30AM T-1.

E.E. Knight (http://www.eeknight.com) tried journalism, photography, and retail jobs before discovering that he could get paid to make stuff up and put it down on paper. Roc will publish the first novel of his Vampire Earth series, Way of the Wolf, this August. Sat. 10:30AM T-1, Sat. 1:30PM T-1, Sat. 6:00PM T-2, Sun. Noon T-1, Sun. 1:30PM T-1.

John Kovalic: See biography in this program book. Fri. 6:00PM T-3, Sat. Noon T-4, Sat. 1:30PM T-2, Sat. 3:00PM T-3, Sat. 7:30PM T-1. (Book signing Sat 4:30PM)

Eric Larson has been in Madison Science-Fiction fandom for over 25 years. Currently the President of Filmcon, a multi-media fandom convention that not only has traditional programming but also teaches about filmmaking and computer arts, from people currently working in the industry. Filmcon celebrates its 4th anniversary this fall. Fri. 10:30PM T-3, Sat. 10:30AM T-2, Sat. Noon T-3, Sat. 3:00PM T-4, Sun. 1:30PM T-3.

Jeff Lowrey: I'm a Geek Of All Trades (tm) currently employed for a student loan company writing custom software for business-to-business electronic communications. I have been in the computer industry for the last 11 years, and have maintained my own private bolthole in the Internet for the last three. My favorite on-line comic strip is http://www.ashfieldonline.com, with http://www.goats.com/ a very close second. I am an amateur artist, sculptor and woodworker, and a self-trained gourmet chef. My name is not Elmer J. Food, I don't own a mansion or a yacht, and I am not available for weddings or bar mitzvahs. Sat. 10:30AM T-1.

Hank Luttrell has been involved with organized science fiction fandom since the mid-sixties. He published fanzines, and was nominated for a Hugo in the early seventies. He helped organize fan groups and conventions in St. Louis (which sponsored the 1969 Worldcon), Columbia Missouri and Madison Wisconsin. He has written non-fiction and reviews professionally for thirty years, currently writes for the Milwaukee Shepherd Express Metro and SFSite.com, and runs a bookstore on South Park Street in Madison. Sat. 1:30PM T-2.

Dale Mattheis served in the Submarine Service, practiced medicine and psychiatry, raised kids, and established a wholesale baking company before sitting down to write in 1994. The Alarai Chronicles, a six volume series, resulted and the first volume, Exile to the Stars, has just been published. His ambition is to live full-time in a great story and maybe find a part in it. Sat. 1:30PM T-1, Sun 3:00PM T-1.

Sarah Monette is a doctoral candidate in English Literature. Her first published story appeared in _Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet in November 2002. Other stories have been sold to All Hallows and Alchemy. She madly adores Buffy the Vampire Slayer_. Sat. 4:30PM T-1, Sat. 10:30PM T-3, Sun. 1:30PM T-2.

Jedi Mistress - Margo Nelson first saw Star Wars when she was three years old, and she’s never been the same since. She is really happy to be at her first Odyssey Con. Fri. 9:00 T-1, Sat. 3:00PM T-4.

Tim Nelson: Tim Nelson has visited both Ed Gein's grave and the Ackermuseum. He was the guitar player in the horror-punk band "Serial Killers". He has wrestled

"Gwar" on stage and written a song for Abdullah the Butcher. Obsessed with horror

movies he spends most of his time in the dark. Sat. Midnight T-3.

DJ Bulut Nessim is back again to play his own mix of world and dance music for the fan dance. Fri. 9:00PM, T-4.

Jim Nichols: musician and poet. Keen interest in odd SF and fantasy since age 2. Once lived alone, emerging only for groceries and bookstore visits. Recently domesticated by beautiful wife Ruth, now lives in eastside Madison home among huge piles of books and CDs (and kids and cat and electric guitar). Fri. 4:30 T-2, Fri. 7:30 T-1, Fri. 9:00 T-1, Sat. 1:30PM T-3, Sat. 3:00PM T-1, Sat. 4:30PM T-1.

Ruth Nichols, (alias, Fluff) reader and poet. Lives happily in Madison, Wisconsin, with Jimmy the Gnome, Mia the daughter, Alex the Big Cheese, Guy the Quail, Hobbes the cat, and a brilliant toad called Froggy. Member of Turbo Charged Party Animal APA since 1996. Fri. 3:00PM T-2, Fri. 7:30 T-1, Fri. 9:00 T-1, Sat. 10:30AM T-2, Sat. 1:30PM T-3.

Ray Norton has been a SF fan from the age of about 6. It all started with "The Day The Earth Stood Still". This was shown on TV, CBS Saturday Night At The Movies around 1957/58. When I saw GORT, he reached out of the television set, grabbed me by my shirt collar and for the next 45 years has never let go. In travels from the far- east to Europe, I have followed Science Fiction in all forms and many languages. It has gone so far as to make me start 2 different conventions, place SI FI NUT on my car plates, start a web site and generally make me read and watch everything in the SF world. With a few like-minded people we are starting the Association for the Preservation of Science Fiction Arts and Museum, Inc. This will collect and show science fiction in all media. Sat. 4:30PM T-3

Bhim Nimgade is widely regarded as being human. Height and weight (somewhat) proportionate. Appreciates long moonlight walks, as long as you go ahead already and let me stay asleep. Would enjoy being a cosmonaut, except for the exposure to hard radiation in space and the training where they spin you around till you throw up all over the place. At present his computer is under a malign influence that prevents his printer and his zip drive from working. Does not raise earthworms as pets, but has plenty in compost pile in garden. Sun. 1:30PM T-4.

Nick Pollotta: A former stand-up comic, radio ad man, stonemason, and high-security courier, Nick Pollotta is now a professional novelist with over 60 books published worldwide, with total sales in the millions. His books including the brand-new "Bureau 13" and the brand-new "Tequila Mockingbird." Happily married, Nick resides in northern Illinois with his beautiful wife, Melissa, 14,000 books, three computers and two cats who plan to conquer the world any day now. Fri. 4:30PM T-2, Fri. 6:00 T-3, Sat. 1:30PM T-3, Sat. 3:00PM T-2, Sat. 4:30PM T-3, Sat. 10:30PM T-1, Sun. 1:30PM T-1, Sun. 3:00PM T-2.

The Radisson Shakespeare Company (RSC) is the official comedy skit group for Odyssey Con. For our first year at ‘The Edgewater’ the company was called The Not Ready for the Concourse Players, then for our second year when we were at ‘The Concourse,’ it was The Ready for the Concourse Players. This year we intend to defame the reputation of yet another fine hotel by continuing out aim of butchering the classics. The RSC is not to be confused with that other RSC – The Royal Shakespeare Company. Fri. 7:30PM T-1.

Matt Reese: My ONLY qualification for hosting the panel is that I am a die-hard fan of Farscape. I am a member of the ChicagoScapers, a Farscape fan group that was formed last fall in response to a national call to help Save Farscape. The ChicagoScapers have members in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. I know no zeal for Farscape knows few bounds, and I will talk all night with other fans about any and all aspects of this amazing show. Fri. 6:00PM T-4.

Paul F. Richards is a Twin Cities, Minnesota SF and Fantasy Fan, Member of the Planetary Society for 21 years, also the National Space Society more recently. Founding board member of Diversicon (1992). Fri. 3:00PM T-2.

Gregory Rihn has been a lifelong lover of science fiction and an active fan and gamer for over twenty-five years. He has been a zine writer and editor, convention organizer, and a panelist at more than fifty conventions nationwide. Sat. Noon T-1, Sat. 4:30PM T-3, Sat. 6:00PM T-2, Sat. 9:00PM T-1.

Richard S. Russell is a long-time Madison fan who has helped put on every one of the soon-to-be 27 WisCons and has also attended most of the Worldcons since Big MAC in 1976. He feels equally at home among literary, media, and gaming subfandoms. He tries to see every science fiction and fantasy movie that hits town and largely succeeds. Fri. 10:30PM T-3, Fri. Midnight T-3, Sun. 10:30AM T-3, Sun. 1:30PM T-3, Sun. 3:00PM T-3.

James P. Roberts is the author of ten books ranging from science fiction and fantasy to poetry, literary non-fiction and baseball history. His most recent book is a poetry collection, SPIRIT FIRE, published by Hawk & Whippoorwill Press in February 2003. Sat. Midnight T-3.

David Salo, 34, is a long-time admirer of Professor Tolkien's works, and a collector of languages - living, dead, and invented. After studying Latin, Greek, Anglo-Saxon, Sanskrit and Chinese at Macalester College and Indiana University, he decided to examine Tolkien's elvish languages (Quenya and Sindarin) using the techniques of modern scientific linguistics. He is perhaps best known for his studies of the onomastics and 'historical' development (within Tolkien's world) of Sindarin, about which he hopes to publish a book. David lives in Madison, Wisconsin, USA with his wife Dorothea, and is a 2nd year graduate student at the University of Wisconsin. Sat. 4:30PM T-1, Sun. Noon T-3.

Dorothea Salo has been an avid science fiction and fantasy reader since childhood, and an RPG fan since adolescence. She has worked in the publishing industry as typesetter and electronic-data specialist. She has a BA with Highest Honors in Comparative Literature and Spanish from Indiana University, and an MA in Spanish from UW-Madison, specializing in historical linguistics and medieval literature and music. http://www.terracom.net/~dorothea Sun. Noon T-3.

Georgie Schnobrich is an artist, writer, librarian and fan. She is well known for her thoughtful essays in Madison's Turbo Charged Party Animal APA, her beautiful serious artwork (as well as humorous pieces like the OddCon Cows!), and her spectacular decorated cakes. She is a frequent panelist at WisCon and other area conventions. Sat. 4:30PM T-4.

Luke Collis Sienkowski (The Great LukeSki) "the great Luke Ski" is a writer/performer of parody music about sci-fi, fandom, and pop-culture. He holds the #1 spot on The Dr. Demento Show’s Funny 25 of 2002 Countdown with his Spider-Man tribute song, "Peter Parker", from his latest CD “Uber Geek”. Be sure to catch his live show! Fri. 6:00PM T-3, Fri. 7:30PM T-1, Fri. 9:00 T-1, Sat. Noon T-2, Sat. 9:00PM T-1.

Steven H. Silver: Three-time Best Fan Writer Hugo nominee Steven H Silver edits Argentus and is webmaster of the Turtledove website. Steven founded Midfan, which presents Midwest Construction and is hosting SMOFcon XXI. In 2003, he published Wondrous Beginnings, Magical Beginnings, and Horrible

Beginnings. Fri. 3:00PM T-1, Fri. 4:30PM T-1, Sat. Noon T-2, Sat. 4:30PM T-4, Sun. 1:30PM T-1.

Kristine Smith was born in New York, grew up in Florida, and received a BS Chemistry from the University of South Florida in 1981. She currently works for a large pharmaceutical company in northern Illinois. She's also the author of the Jani Kilian SF series, the next installment of which, CONTACT IMMINENT, will be released in November 2003. In 2001, she won the John W Campbell Award for Best New Writer. Fri. 3:00PM T-2, Fri. 4:30 T-2, Fri. 10:30PM T-3, Sat. 10:30AM T-1, Sat. 1:30PM T-1, Sat. 3:00PM T-2, Sat. 4:30PM T-3, Sat. 10:30PM T-3, Sun. 10:30AM T-1, Sun. 1:30PM T-2.

Dr. Rich Staats graduated from West Point (BS-1984) and MIT (Ph.D.-1994). He advises senior appointed and career US officials (Defense and Intelligence) and has authored numerous publications from articles to books. Rich is the father of three gaming children. For more info:http://www.geocities.com/dr_games/staats2.htm Sat. 4:30PM T-4, Sat. 6:00PM T-2, Sun. 10:30AM T-1.

Charlie Sturgis is a recent graduate of Beloit College who'd really like you to hire him to do your website, is a god in one universe and a dangerous person in another (possibly this one). Sun. 3:00PM T-3.

Kathryn Sullivan won the EPPIE award for Best Fantasy book of 2001 for her book, The Crystal Throne, now re-released by a new publisher, Amber Quill Press. Her short story collection, Agents & Adepts, will be available in June 2003. Kathryn Sullivan lives in Minnesota. http://kathrynsullivan.webhostpals.com Fri. 3:00PM T-2, Fri. 6:00PM T-3, Sun. Noon T-1, Sun. 3:00PM T-2.

Harry Turtledove: See biography in this program book. Fri 3:00PM T-1, Fri. 4:30PM T-1, Sat. Noon T-1, Sat. 3:00PM T-1, Sat. 7:30PM T-1, Sun. 10:30AM T-1, Sun. 1:30PM T-1, T-2, Sun. 3:00PM T-1. (Book signing Sat 4:30PM)

Jerome Van Epps is originally from Portage, Wisconsin, which according to Robert A. Heinlein is where the inventor of the anti-gravity machine will live. Jerome was the only person foolish enough to agree to be Chair of Odyssey Con. Fri. 1:30PM T-4, Fri. 7:30PM T-1, Fri. 9:00 T-1, Sun. 10:30AM T-1, Sun. 4:30PM T-1.

Brigitta Vesei: My ONLY qualification for hosting the panel is that I am a die-hard fan of Farscape. I am a member of the ChicagoScapers, a Farscape fan group that was formed last fall in response to a national call to help Save Farscape. The ChicagoScapers have members in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. I know no zeal for Farscape knows few bounds, and I will talk all night with other fans about any and all aspects of this amazing show. Fri. 6:00PM T-4.

Joan D. Vinge: Joan D. Vinge, called “one of the most impressive practitioners in the genre” by Science Fiction Chronicle, has been a science fiction bestseller for more than 20 years. Her compelling characters and sweeping visions of humanity have won her multiple Hugo awards. She is the author of the Snow Queen cycle, Catspaw and most recently Tangled Up In Blue. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin. Fri. 4:30PM T-2, Sat. 1:30PM T-1, Sun. 3:00PM T-1. (Book signing Sat 4:30PM)

John F. Wardale has been attending SF CONs since 1993 and teaching panels since 1995. He is a computer professional, was as an organizer for E.L.V.I.S. (The Emergency Link to Vital Internet Services) [1994-1999] John has done these 2 panels for General and/or Children’s Programming at several CONs over the years (and, Yes, this IS a standing offer to repeat them as desired). Renaissance/Fancy/Exotic hair braids, tailored the needs of the audience. similar to the stuff done at the RenFest, and Balloon Animal Sculpting - (dogs, cats, elephants giraffes, parrots, bunnies, turtles, ninja turtles, dragons, The Starship Enterprise, etc. Besides that above, and computers, John can also speak on photography, Libertarianism, Beer, Wine, and especially Scotch Whiskey. Fri. 6:00PM in Consuite Room 103, Sat. 6:00PM T-4.

Jennifer White: If Jerome is the Convention Chair, Jennifer is the Convention Sofa. Besides running operations at Odyssey Con, she has held many titles at WisCon, including that of Convention Chair. Jennifer lives in Madison with two overfed dog-like creatures. Sun. 4:30PM T-1. Jennifer runs Convention Operations.

Paul Wiesner was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1973. He came to Madison in 1992, earning a BA in English (fat lot of good it did him). He's a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan (duh!). He's also a fan of Babylon 5, Star Wars, and of role-playing games. The basic geek fanboy. Sat. 10:30PM T-3.

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