Sirens

Inspired by the daring adventures of women characters and compelled by the brilliant works by women authors, Sirens is dedicated to women in fantasy literature. Our conference, part scholarly examination and part networking retreat, welcomes academics, authors, professionals, and readers—and encourages all attendees to provide their perspectives on fantasy books by women, female characters in fantasy works, the market for fantasy by and about women, and how to support women in fantasy literature.

Sirens - http://www.sirensconference.org/

This is what I am looking forward to at Sirens:

1. Vail, Colorado which includes MOUNTAINS, gorgeous weather, nature, crisp air, and mountains!
2. Great friends, great company, an even better community of fans all meeting together to discuss similar interests.
3. Great accepted programming such as:
4. Go On, Judge a Book by Its Cover: Reader Expectations and Genre Conventions in Fantasy
   Faye Bi
   People always say not to judge books by their covers, but it’s obvious that everyone does, even if they deny it. Why do some great books have covers that aren’t so great? What is the relationship between a book and its cover, and a book and its readers? What role do readers play, especially in cover mishaps like Justine Larbalestier’s Liar and Jaclyn Dolamore’s Magic under Glass? This presentation will look at a number of fantasy covers and discuss the business and design implications of cover design, especially as they relate to reader expectations and genre conventions.
5. Tough Chick: Portrayals of Women’s Strength and Sexuality in Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance
   Kayla Lynn Hill
   Urban fantasy and paranormal romance feature heroines in traditionally masculine roles with modern notions of female sexuality, but is this new form of agency genuine or a subtle means for men to access women’s bodies? This project examines, through a feminist psychological lens, how paranormal romance and urban fantasy’s portrayal of women’s strength and sexuality—as it both breaks from and reaffirms male dominance—reflects society’s norms and impacts readers.
   
6. The Golden Age of YA
   Rachel Manija Brown, Malinda Lo, Janni Lee Simner, Sarah Rees Brennan
   YA fantasy is not only flourishing, it has become respectable. Adults read it; universities offer courses studying it. Some say this came about when theHarry Potter books forced editors to lift the lid on 60,000-word limits, while others say that it came about when censorship became less trenchant. A third set say that a lot of readers of YA fantasy aren’t teenagers at all. This panel will discuss these reasons, and explore what the panelists like to see in YA fantasy and where they see it going.
   
7. Writer + Editor
   Mallory Loehr, Tamora Pierce
   It’s not really a competition, but that’s how it may seem from the outside. Find out what the editorial process is really like! This eye-opening session will feature Tamora Pierce and her Random House editor, Mallory Loehr, talking (also known as duking it out) about how they have worked together on theProtector of the Small quartet, the Trickster books, and the Beka Cooper trilogy. This will be the real deal with nothing glossed over—it is a tough, exciting, creative, and exhausting process on both ends with the ultimate reward: great books. Questions are very welcome!
   
8. Where Have All the “Good” Girls Gone?: Purity, Virginity and Equality in YA Fantasy Literature
   Amy Tenbrink
   “Once upon a time” used to signify charming princes, chaste kisses, and being swept away to a presumptively ideal world of castles, romance, and children. Somewhere in there, sex must have happened, but never, ever on the page. Today, “once upon a time” can mean anything from marriage consummation to warrior girls with birth control charms, sexually voracious blue-blooded vampires to virgins charged with killing unicorns. Join us to discuss a variety of issues surrounding sex in YA fantasy literature: values, virginity, monogamy, exploration, birth control, “sluts,” and sexual assault. Warning: discussion may contain triggers.
   
9. How to Make Your Own Faerie Wings
   Manda Lewis, Sarah Benoot
   This afternoon class is designed to teach attendees the very basics of faerie wing construction using at least two distinct types of materials: fabric and cellophane. Other materials and types of wings will be discussed to show attendees the variety of options they have when creating costume pieces. Each person will be given a pre-built wire frame as a base to build their individualized wings. Participants are asked to donate a small amount to material costs.