Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Science fiction buff Debbie Lang is having a difficult time choosing which panels she will attend at Eastern New Mexico University's 36th annual Jack Williamson Lectureship.
File photo
Science fiction author Michael Cassutt spoke at last year's Jack Williamso Lectureship luncheon. Cassutt talked about how science fiction is changing in the modern times. This year's theme focuses on urban fantasy.
Lang, who works in ENMU's Golden Library Special Collections, says the lectureship added more panels this year, totaling six fiction and fantasy panels discussing the lectureship's central theme of Urban Fantasy.
"It will be fun to meet the authors," Lang said. "It's like they're in your head just telling you that story."
The two-day event in honor of Williamson, a science fiction author and former professor at ENMU, takes place Thursday and Friday on ENMU's campus and is followed by the High Plains Film Festival on Saturday.
One panel will focus on young writers and the process of how beginners actually become writers.
Some of the basics they will discuss include selecting a publisher or agent and planning.
"Panelists will answer many questions that assail a new writer," said Patrice Caldwell, executive director for planning and analysis at ENMU.
With the theme urban fantasy dominating books, television shows such as "Grimm" on NBC, and films such as "Twilight," Caldwell said urban fantasy will appeal to the younger authors.
"It's a theme that's very big in popular culture right now and it would be fun to have their insights about it," Caldwell said.
Thursday evening's Writers Reading is what Lang and other science fiction devotees are anticipating the most.
The guests of honor for the Writers Reading are Daniel Abraham of Albuquerque and author of the Kitty Norville series, Carrie Vaughn.
The Williamson Lectureship committee said this year's speakers are relatively new writers, and although many of the writers invited to speak in the past have been well-known in the field, these writers have a very big following among young readers.
Abraham and Vaughn will talk about urban fantasy and their connection with the theme. They will also offer their insight on what writers are doing now and where the direction of the genre.
The screenings at the film festival will tie in with the lectureship as well.
Caldwell says this is all done in the spirit of Williamson.
"That's really our goal," Caldwell said. "We never want to forget our roots, and of course he would be absolutely delighted with these guests and the continuation of the lectureship. People come because of who he was and they'll keep coming because of what he meant to them as a writer."
Williamson published 54 novels, a comic strip and hundreds of short stories. He died at 98 in November 2006.
Fast facts
What: 36th annual Jack Williamson Lectureship
When: Thursday, Friday; High Plains Film Festival, Saturday
Where: Eastern New Mexico University
Admission: Free
Information: http://www.enmu.edu/williamson-lectureship, http://www.enmu.edu/filmfest
Schedule of events
Thursday
6 p.m., Room 112 of the Jack Williamson Liberal Arts building.
Friday
• Readings and Q&A with writers
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Campus Union Aztec Room
• Lectureship luncheon
11:45 a.m., Campus Union Ballroom
• Science fiction/fantasy panels
3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Golden Library Special Collections
Panel topics
