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Panel Suggestions for CON.TXT 2018
LAST EDIT: Submissions are now closed. Thanks, everyone! Stay tuned for voting.
EDIT: Good news! We're expanding submissions period by one week to give people a little more time. Submission will now close at midnight on April 7th.
We are now taking panel suggestions for CON.TXT 2018 from people who are interested in moderating panels from everyone! We are now open for suggestions without moderators (and seeking moderators for those suggestions), so if you have an idea but no moderator put in your suggestions! If you like to moderate and/or see an idea you would love to take on, drop a comment and volunteer!
Brief FAQ:
Q: What is a CON.TXT panel?
A: Generally, a panel is a discussion among all attendees led by one or more moderators who have prepared some leading questions. Some panels include a lengthier presentation by the moderator.
Q: What is a good CON.TXT panel suggestion?
A: You want a catchy, yet informative title and a two- to four-sentence topic which raises specific questions. Warn for spoilers if your panel will include them. Use a fannish in-joke or two. Say up front if you're making a presentation to attract newbies or intend to hold a detailed dissection of book eighteen in the series.
Q: Are you taking all suggestions?
A: We'll be putting all suggestions up for a vote by our attendees and as many as possible will be scheduled.
Q: Won't voting eliminate smaller fandom panels?
A: We make sure that we're offering a wide range of panel topics, so the voting helps us choose among similar panels, or to decide which suggestions should be combined. It's not a strict numbers cut-off.
Q: What if someone else has already suggested something that I was going to suggest?
A: We prefer panels to have more than one moderator. If you're interested in moderating it, comment on their suggestion and offer to co-mod!
Q: How many panels can I suggest?
A: As many as you like. We won't schedule you to moderate more than three of them, so if they all make it through the voting process we'd appreciate your help in keeping a lookout for co-mods or understudies!
Q: What if my friend wants to moderate this panel I'm suggesting?
A: That's fine; you can put your friend's name in as moderator and we'll consider it to be their suggestion. Please don't put people's names in without making sure they're willing!
Q: What if I suggest a panel now and then change my mind later on?
A: We'll check in with all potential moderators after voting to make sure you're still enthusiastic about the topic.
Q: How can I find a moderator for this great panel idea I have?
A: There's a brainstorming comment thread on this post. Please post there, talk to your friends, and reach out on whatever social media your fandom prefers. If you can't get a bite, make your suggestion here anyway and we'll see if we can rustle someone up.
Q: How do I pick a category?
A: A meta panel is one with a topic that's not tied to any particular fandom, although certain fandoms may be discussed or used as examples. A multi-fandom panel has a topic that's common across several specific fandoms. A single fandom panel goes into depth in a particular fandom. A how-to panel teaches how to do something.
To propose a panel for CON.TXT 2018, please comment on this post with the following information:
Title: A Short Yet Interesting Title
Mod(s): the badge name(s) of interested moderator(s) -- please list your own badge name if you would like to moderate
Category: Meta, Multi-Fandom, Single Fandom, How-to
Description: This is a longer description of the panel which will be shown in the program. This should be as specific as you think you can be in a paragraph!
Other notes: These notes will not be part of the final listing for the panel, but can include things like requests for additional moderators or general thoughts on panel content which you'd like to get fleshed out in further comments.
To propose a change or expansion to an already suggested panel or to volunteer as an additional moderator for it, please reply to the suggestion and not to the main post so that each panel's discussion is threaded. Note that if two suggestions seem to be very similar we may merge them into one, so check what's already been proposed before suggesting a new panel to see if the original suggester wants to work with your ideas.
To like, fave, +1, or upvote an already suggested panel, please wait until we assemble a final poll in April! No "votes" in the comments can be counted toward the final reckoning.
An example from 2016:
Title: So You Want to Mod a Panel
Mod(s): Arallara, Ellen Fremedon
Category: How-to
Description: If you've never modded a con panel before, but you've always wanted to give it a try, this is the panel for you. Whether it's your 1st con or your 15th, we'll give you tips on putting together an engaging, fun panel, and share stories from successful and disastrous panels of the past. Everything you'll need to know to feel confident stepping forward as a panel mod.
Other notes: Yes, this will be a real panel.
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