cinco: Photograph of a purple rubber duckie (contxt: purple duck)
[personal profile] cinco

Hi everyone,


There are a few planned panels that are looking for additional co-mods. If you are interested in helping out with any of these, email us at panels@con-txt.net ASAP (or by Friday, July 10th).  


Panel title: f/f forever: Queer Women Represent! (Multi-Fandom)

Current mod: queercore_curriculum

Description: With the L Word reboot, the mainstream popularity of shows like Killing Eve, and the rise of writers like Lena Waithe and Alice Wu, there’s more representation of queer women in the media than ever before. How has the depiction of queer women’s sexuality and relationships changed in recent years? Why do we need queer women behind the scenes just as much as we need them to appear on camera? Is slash fandom's occasionally strained relationship with f/f evolving? And let’s squee over our f/f ships, canonical or otherwise! 


Panel title: How Is This So Hot? aka The Workshop No Writers’ Center Will Offer (How-To)

Current mod: Marina

Description: Did you melt over the last bit of PWP you read? How did that author do it? We'll review and dissect outstanding erotic passages in fic and published work to explore what hits that spot just so, what makes a scene work, how to steam up a room if you can't get graphic, and more. This is a writing style and craft workshop, so bring your kink tomato and hold it tight, oh yeah babe, just like that.


Panel title: Let’s do the Fanwarp Again (Multi-Fandom)

Current mod: noxelementalist

Description: Now that we're living in the so-called "Golden Age" of TV, it's easier than ever to find and revisit the fandoms you thought nobody else remembered or got around to seeing. so let's talk about some of these "lost but not forgotten" fandoms who are just waiting for the right folks to find it again- rare shows/rare pairing shippers welcome! 


Panel title: Rose Apothecary (Single Fandom)

Current mod: BeatriceEagle

Description: Schitt's Creek was six seasons of dramatic eyebrows, queer romance, incredible transatlantic pronunciations of the word "bebe," character growth, and whatever "A Little Bit Alexis" was. Here's a panel to talk about it! But also not it's not just a panel, it's an environment. It's more like a branded immersive experience.


Panel title: The Lan Jawn (Single Fandom)

Current mod: multiscorn

Description: I love these gay ancient Chinese necromancers and you might, too. Discussion of the actors limited to the last 20 minutes of the panel.

cinco: Photograph of a purple rubber duckie (contxt: purple duck)
[personal profile] cinco
Hi, folks!

We're about to start contacting potential panel mods. If you don't hear from us immediately, PLEASE DO NOT PANIC. Moderator confirmation emails are NOT automated--we send them individually, a few at a time, as we receive confirmation from volunteers whose schedules affect other panels.

(Because we can't schedule someone in two places at once, and we try not to schedule people for more than three panels, or for back-to-back panels. This means we tend to start with people who volunteered for the largest number of panels that made the first cut, and work our way down. This is also the stage at which we ask volunteers whether they'd be willing to consolidate similar panels, or whether they need another co-mod or have constraints on their availability, all of which affects our scheduling.)

When you receive an email, please respond promptly! We can't put the schedule grid together without your input.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered to mod a panel--we love you all, and we quite literally could not have the con without you.

Watch your inboxes!
cinco: Photograph of a purple rubber duckie (contxt: purple duck)
[personal profile] cinco

Panel voting is now open! This is your chance to vote for the panels you'd like to see at virtual CON.TXT 2020! You may vote for as many or as few panels as you like. 


We strive to offer a well-balanced and wide range of panel topics. The voting tells us which panels are the most popular, but it also helps us choose among similar panels and decide which suggestions might be better combined. We don't use a strict numbers cut-off to determine our programming.


Your votes are especially important this year, because they'll also help us decide how many panel tracks to have. Since CON.TXT 2020 is a one-day event, we won't be able to fit in all the panel suggestions--but if there are enough popular panels we will run two or more panel tracks in parallel.

Some panels have potential moderators already listed. These are not final commitments! Some panels don't have moderators yet, and these panels can't happen--no matter how popular--unless someone leads them! We'll call for more moderators once the votes have been tallied, but you can also volunteer by selecting "I'll definitely attend and could moderate" and entering your badge name at the bottom of this form if you are interested in moderating. This is also not a final commitment; we'll follow up with interested people by email after the voting.

Please don't volunteer to mod panels you're not excited about! If you volunteer to mod more than three panels, remember to fill out the question at the bottom asking for your top three priorities.

We're looking forward to seeing you all (virtually)! Vote now for your preferred panels

If you haven’t yet registered for CON.TXT 2020 (and why wouldn’t you? It’s free, although you’re welcome to donate to cover virtual expenses for CON.TXT 2020 and scholarships for CON.TXT 2021 via Paypal), please do!
cinco: Photograph of a purple rubber duckie (contxt: purple duck)
[personal profile] cinco
Panel submissions close at MIDNIGHT EDT tonight, Sunday, 5/31 (see what time that is for you), so submit your ideas! You can also comment in the same post if you see a panel you’d like to moderate!

Unlike in previous years, deadlines for CON.TXT 2020 will likely NOT be extended -- so definitely get your panel suggestions in now!

cinco: Photograph of a purple rubber duckie (contxt: purple duck)
[personal profile] cinco
Have you had a chance to submit all your suggestions for panels? Did you get inspired by some WisCon, Balticon, or another virtual con’s programming and want to explore that topic further? Want to talk about that show you’ve been devouring while quarantined?

Well, you’re in luck, because there’s still time to
submit your ideas - you have until midnight EDT this Sunday (see what time that is for you)! You can also drop a comment in the same post and volunteer if you see a panel you’d like to moderate!
cinco: Photograph of a purple rubber duckie (contxt: purple duck)
[personal profile] cinco

All, 


As you know, the in-person CON.TXT 2020 has been postponed to July 9-11, 2021, at the Residence Inn Pentagon City. All CON.TXT 2020 registrations have been rolled over to CON.TXT 2021 (if you don’t want to attend CON.TXT 2021, you may request a refund through Eventbrite until June 9, 2021). Any hotel room reservations made in our 2020 room block have also been automatically rebooked for the equivalent July 2021 dates.


However, we ARE still hosting CON.TXT 2020: virtually! This free, one-day virtual con will be held on Saturday, July 25, with panel programming running from 10am to 7pm EST, followed by a cosplay/fancy dress cocktail party (make and share recipes for your own themed drinks!) and a vid show. We plan to open up a new panel suggestion post for CON.TXT 2021 next year, so we are repurposing the original 2020 suggestion post for the virtual con. We are still taking panel submissions, so add your suggestions! If you’d like to moderate and/or see an idea you’d love to take on, drop a comment in the linked post and volunteer. 


Timeline

Now: Panel submissions are open!

Sunday, May 31 (11:59pm EST): Panel submissions close

Wednesday, June 3: Panel voting opens!

Monday, June 15: Panel voting closes

Early July: CON.TXT 2020 programming schedule posted on our website

Mid-July: Virtual con instructions go out


FAQ:

Q: How much does the virtual con cost?

A: The virtual con is free, although you are welcome to donate on PayPal. Donations will go towards paid features for software that facilitate the virtual con and scholarships for CON.TXT 2021. 


Q: Do I need to register for CON.TXT 2021 to attend the virtual CON.TXT 2020?

A: No. You can participate in the virtual con regardless of if you plan to attend CON.TXT 2021! 


Q: How do I register for the virtual CON.TXT 2020? 

A: We will post a survey later this month to collect the email addresses of those interested in attending the virtual con (but if you're already registered for CON.TXT 2021, you will receive instructions for the virtual event automatically and don’t have to answer the survey!). We will use that information to send out the instructions for participation. 


Q: What time does the con start?

A: 10:00am (Eastern Daylight Time). Convert to your local time here.


Q: Is there an age restriction for the virtual con?

A: Yes. You must be 18 on or before July 25, 2020 to attend this event. 


Q: How are you going to enforce the age limit?

A: We acknowledge we have no enforcement authority on this restriction. We will rely on your honesty and integrity to comply with this requirement, due to the sensitive nature of panel discussions as well as the (virtual) presence of alcohol at our cocktail party. 


Q: What are the technical requirements to participate?

A: We will likely be using Zoom and Discord for the panel programming and chat features, respectively, and potentially other, similar programs. You may need to download or install these applications to participate. Guides will be available before the con. 


Q: What happens once I register?

A: We will send out further instructions in early-to-mid July on the software we plan to use, as well as the appropriate invitations (Zoom and Discord server invites) so that you can connect and participate the day of. 


Q: Is the virtual con going to be recorded?

A: No. We will not be recording any of the panel sessions or social activities. 


Q: What panels are going to be included in the virtual con?

A: That’s up to you! We have a running list of panel suggestions here. The post will stay open until May 31, 2020, so add your suggestions now! We will use your suggestions and votes to organize panel tracks and finalize programming. 


We’ve never held a virtual con before, and we would welcome your ideas and suggestions on best practices. Post your ideas, as well as any questions, in the comments and a member of the concom will get back to you shortly.


cinco: Photograph of a purple rubber duckie (contxt: purple duck)
[personal profile] cinco

We are now taking panel suggestions for CON.TXT 2020! Please read this post and comment with your suggestions using the template below. 


All attendees and those considering attending are welcome to suggest panels, regardless of whether or not you want to moderate. Most panels are 50 minutes long, but we have had panels run for a longer duration, so please note if you think your panel suggestion needs more time. If you have an idea but no moderator, no problem - put in your suggestions! If you’d like to moderate and/or you see an idea you would love to take on, drop a comment and volunteer. 


Updated Timeline

Now: Panel submissions are open!

Sunday, May 31 (11:59pm EST): Panel submissions close

Wednesday, June 3: Panel voting opens!

Monday, June 15: Panel voting closes

Early July: CON.TXT 2020 programming schedule posted on our website

Mid-July: Virtual con instructions go out

FAQ:

 Q: What is a CON.TXT panel?

A: CON.TXT panels are typically discussions among all attendees led by one or more moderators who have prepared a discussion outline. Some panels include a lengthier presentation by the moderator, and some are activity, workshop, or game panels. Most panels are 50 minutes long. 

 

Q: What is a good CON.TXT panel suggestion?

A: You want a catchy, yet informative title and a two- to four-sentence description that raises specific questions. Warn for spoilers if your panel will include them. Use a fannish in-joke or two. Say up front if the purpose of the panel is to attract newbies or to hold a detailed dissection of book eighteen in the series.

 

Q: Are you taking all suggestions?

A: We'll put all suggestions up for a vote by our attendees and as many as possible will be scheduled. If your panel doesn't get in, you will have a chance to sign up for a DIY panel slot at the con.  

 

Q: Won't voting eliminate smaller fandom panels?

A: We make sure to offer a wide range of panel topics, and the vote helps us choose among similar panels or 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: Panels can 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, though, so if they all make it through the voting process we'd appreciate your help in suggesting alternate moderators to take over your panel ideas.

 

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. An Activity panel can be something like a podfic recording session or a game of Pictionary. A How-To panel teaches how to do something.



To propose a panel for CON.TXT 2020, 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, Activity, How-To

Description: This is a longer description of the panel which will be included in the con program. This should be as specific as you can be in a paragraph!

Other notes: These notes will not be part of the final listing for the panel and will not appear in the con program, but can include things like requests for additional moderators, any space or technology requirements, or general thoughts on panel content which you'd like to flesh out in further comments.


To propose a change or expansion to an already suggested panel or to volunteer as an additional moderator for one, 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 very similar we may merge them into one, so check what's already been proposed before suggesting a new panel. If a similar idea exists, comment to ask if the original suggester wants to work with your ideas.



An example from 2018:


Title: Werewolf Torts and Undead Annuities 201

Mod(s): v_greyson & maralenenok

Category: Meta

Description: Do zombies get life annuities? Does a lawyer with a demonic possession have a conflict of interest? We’re back for Volume 2 of supernatural legal and actuarial hypotheticals! No prerequisites or required reading, just bring your questions about vampire life insurance and whether entering the fairy ring in the forest is actually a legally binding contract.

Other notes: We will not be providing legal, financial, or any other kind of advice. 


Feel free to brainstorm away in the comments section!