A brief introduction to the world of Hindi cinema. With the popularity of Slumdog Millionaire, which used many aspects of Indian film, Bollywood fandom is growing all over the world. What makes the movies of India so compelling?

Writing Severus Snape "in character" can be a challenge, mainly because everybody seems to have a different version of what is "in character" for Severus Snape. I offer my own ideas about the canon character, give an overview of fanon versions that don't work for me, and open the floor for discussion of our Personal Snapes.

A round-table discussion on hurt/comfort: why we like it, how we write it, how we can write it better! The facilitators are active in Stargate Atlantis fandom, Psych, SPN, Doctor Who, Rawhide and Star Trek (TOS & Reboot) and are opening the discussion to any fans interested in discussing, viewing and writing h/c. Topics could include: how to do medical research and how much is enough; how to avoid or warn for squicks in a sub-genre in which one person's squick is another person's squee; and differences in h/c subculture between fandoms.

To what extent is it true that slash is written by and for straight women? To what extent is slash homophobic? What (if anything) do slash and queer theory have to say to each other? How do men (straight and gay) fit into the slash world?

Sometimes we all have problems when writing about life in another country. Lilachigh will try - to the best of her ability! - to answer questions about the differences, large or small, between America and Britain; eg. education, law, class system, traditions, from the Brit point of view. Obviously no one has to stay for the whole session. Drop in, speak, rush off to another group.

An event so much fun, one con couldn't hold it! Carrying over from the hijinks of Writercon '06, the Dorkazoid Spuffy Shippers gather once again to discuss their favorite slayer and her vampire.

Torchwood: Children of Earth has just aired and as most fans know by now the body count was high. Meanwhile, we're getting ready for the Tenth Doctor to become the Eleventh. Rumour even has it that the TARDIS is getting a full makeover. Since our fandom is all about love, loss and change (okay, and silly humour and unpleasant aliens and that whole timey-wimey thing), what better occasion to have a wake!

Whither the 'Verse without new (non-comics) canon? What directions are fanworks (including fan-made films) taking?

Now that SGA is over (other than the promised movies), how do we keep the fandom alive and well?

Have you ever wondered about podfic and why this fanfic trend has caught fire? This informal workshop will discuss the appeal of podfic, how to approach a fic for recording and the technology required to join the podfic party.

PLEASE NOTE: if time and interest permits, there will be a chance for some attendees to record a short piece. Please bring along a drabble or very short story that you have the author's permission to record (or something of your own!) and we'll get into a hands on demo of how to edit and convert recordings.

Didn't get into the Writer's Salon, or not quite ready for that level of intensity -- but still want honest, face-to-face feedback? Participants will submit fics for full mutual critical analysis and will prepare their own reviews of the submissions of others. At the con, the submitted fics will be workshopped in a one- or two-hour group meeting. Depending on the number of participants, this may break into smaller subgroups, and at-con submissions can be worked over. Please respond here if you're interested in participating.