Jared Axelrod

I’ll be at Camden County College today as part of a panel about comics and their relationship to literature and pop culture. I’ll be there as the creator voice among the other panelists of librarians, collectors, and professors.

Luckily, as anyone who has spent any time at all with me knows, I can talk a lot about comics.

“Comic Books, Manga, Graphic Novels & Pop Culture: A Panel Discussion”
 Room 101 (”The Forum”), Madison Connector Building
 Camden County College, Blackwood Campus
Thursday, March 11th @ 6 PM
A panel discussion on the changing role of comic books and graphic novels, particularly in pop culture. Impact of manga and anime will also likely be a topic of discussion, as will comic book movies, TV shows and other adaptations. Role of comics in literacy will also come up. The panel will be opened to questions from the audience as well.

Directions are provided here (If you go to the website, make sure you use the directions for the Blackwood Campus, not the Camden or Cherry Hill campuses.) You can also find a map of the campus - with buildings marked - linked here. If those links don’t work, head to www.camdencc.edu and look for the Locations link, then follow it to the Blackwood campus. Directions, address info and campus maps with buildings helpfully marked are all found there.

I have been told the previous panels were recorded, so if this one follows suit I’ll post it for those who can’t make it.

PhilCon ‘09 is this weekend. And you know I’m ready for it.

My schedule for the con is as follows:

Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza II (Two): STEAMPUNK FOR SIMPLETONS

[Panelists: Jared Axelrod (mod), Matt Black, Nikki Cohen, Christine Norris, Jeff Mach]

Ladies and Gentlemen of stern and noble character are invited to participate in a salon whereupon we shall discuss the genre and lifestyle known to the rabble as “steampunk”.  What is it, where did it come from, and what is with those brass goggles

Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza III (Three) PULPED!

[Panelists: Michael J. Walsh (mod), C.J. Henderson, Jared Axelrod, James Daniel Ross, Eric Avedissian]

What do we mean by pulp fiction? Is it a synonym for trash or does it represent a vigorous type of popular fiction that continues to appeal? If someone calls your book “”pulp”", is that an insult or a compliment

Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza V (Five) EAT RIGHT, EXERCISE, DIE ANYWAY… HEALTHY LIVING FOR FANS

[Panelists: James Prego (mod), Alyce Wilson, Jared Axelrod]

In general, fans tend to be a rather… sedentary… group.  What simple things can we do to improve our health and life a better life

Sun 2:00 PM in Executive Suite 823 MICROFICTION: THE NEXT BIG THING?

[Panelists: Nathan Lilly (mod), Michael Swanwick, Ef Deal, Dina Leacock, Jared Axelrod]

A number of magazines have opened dedicated to the art of the quick-fic. Pros and cons of flash fiction (under 1,000 words), nanofiction (under 40 words), and Twitter fiction (under 140 characters)

Hope to see you there.

Balticon, one of the best conventions on the Eastern seaboard,  doth approach. While I have trimmed my con-going schedule this year, Balticon was a jewel I could not cast aside. “But Jared,” you might ask, “What can you possibly do at a convention with a shattered ankle?” Due to the magic of a loaner wheelchair (thanks, Skott), I will be all over the con, as you can see:

 Live! Escape Pod - Sat 10am 
Steve Eley’s pulling out all the stops for this one, with a full cast reading of Rogue Farm by Balticon’s Guest of Honor Charlie Stross. I’m not going to crow about it before Steve does, but I will say this: I play a farmer. You’re excited now, aren’t you?

Doing It Daily - Sat 1pm
I’m teaming up with the lovely and talented JR Blackwell, Billy Fynn of Geek Radio Daily, and the ever-awesome Christiana Ellis (you do listen to Shallow Thoughts, right?) to talk about the agony and ecstasy of daily projects. Considering how funny the other three people are on this panel, I’ll probably just end up laughing through most of it. So, I’ll have a good time.

Live! Aliens You Will Meet- Sat 3pm
Are you prepared for…INTERGALACTIC IDOL, the reality competition that scours the galaxy to find new solo musical talent? ‘Cause it’s coming to Balticon, kiddies! With George Hrab representing Earth, we may be a shoe-in for that II crown! But who knows what other aliens will compete? Featuring new puppets created by JR and myself and new music by AYWM composer Russell Collins!

Live! Mr. Adventure - Sat 10pm
Bringing more Golden-Age two-fisted adventure than you can shake a stick at, the Mr. Adventure crew never cease to amaze me with their balls-to-wall Balticon scripts. No one takes advantage of the sheer level of talent available at Batlicon like Mr. Adventure, and I’m sure this year will be no exception.

Podcasting and Music  - Sun noon
I’ll be joining Dave Slusher, Phil Rossi, and Chris Lester to talk about…podcasting and music.  Kinda what it says on the tin, there. Should be a hoot.

Kraken’s Jersey - Sun 8pm
Ah, the legendary year-long Kraken’s Quest.  I’ve been asked to host this look back on the one of the most epic pranks in podcasting history, something I could not possibly say no to. Will all be revealed?  Will Tee Morris get his jersey back?  Or is this just another tease?  Only way to find out is to be there!

Now, the only question remains: Should I shave my head and be Professor X while I’m there? Being Jimmy Stewart in REAR WINDOW was also brought up. That does mean I could attend the con in my pajamas…