🔊 đź“š 🔊 MetaFilter Events: Week 2 🔊 đź“š 🔊 November 28, 2022 7:55 AM   Subscribe

Week 2 of Metafilter Events is here! Following Week 1, we’re back with more as we kick off a week about books, fiction and the humanities. (NaNoWriMo participants - this week is calling your name ✨ )

🔊 What's MetaFilter Events? For those that missed our first post: As one of our closing initiatives under Metafilter’s Fundraising Drive, our online events series features sessions across a fascinating range of topics, themes and perspectives - from Mefites and friends-of-Mefites that have generously volunteered to speak and/or teach on these subjects. Tickets, bundled passes and gift cards are available. You can also sign up for the chance to receive a randomly-sponsored ticket to an event of your choice, or sponsor fellow Mefites to attend paid events you choose.


🔊 Remember: if you can’t make it for the event you want, recordings will be available to all ticketholders for most events. Register a ticket so you don’t miss out: we’ll send you access to the recording after the event.
(That said, it’s a LOT more fun attending these sessions live - if you can be there, join us!)


🔊 Week 1 Wrap-Up

Thank you to our amazing Week 1 speakers, jeremias and Amina!
Here’s what some participants had to say about Week 1’s sessions:
đź“ť How To Build A Business Plan
  • “Discussing the detailed parts of the lean business plan was really easy to follow.”

  • “It was well organized and very informational while still feeling casual and friendly, which is not easy to do! A truly gifted presenter."



  • đź‘ľ A General Introduction to AI "Text-to-Image" Artwork
  • “The discussion about the ethical considerations was the most interesting to me.”

  • “Great presentation, covered a lot of information quickly!”

  • If you missed Week 1’s sessions, you can still access Week 1’s recordings by getting a ticket here. Recordings will be available later this week.


    🔊 What's Happening - This Upcoming Week

    Week 2 (Nov 28 - Dec 4)
    It’s books and fiction week! Learn how picture books work, explore horror fiction, and understand the history of Shakespeare performance in the U.S (and why it isn’t just for fancy people!).

    Mid-week, dip into a fascinating session about linguistic trends and all things English lexicon-related, then learn how book marketing works (and how to make it work for you).

    Towards the end of the week, kick back and relax as you learn about the history of bourbon with a guided tasting. You’ll also discover more about writing books that resonate and build traction with your audience, learn about the way technology is shaping book censorship today, and close the week with an author that successfully secured a traditional book deal based on her NaNoWriMo writing sprint.

    Session recordings for Week 2's events will be available to all ticketholders - so don't worry if you're unavailable for these session times or located in another timezone.
    📗 How Picture Books Work
    29 November 2022 | 11:00 AM EST
    Presented by Jacob Sager Weinstein

    How do picture book authors and illustrators create a satisfying emotional journey with a handful of illustrations and fewer than 1000 words? Whether you’re a fan of picture books or an aspiring creator, join author Jacob Sager Weinstein for a deep dive into this fascinating hybrid art form. As a bonus, you may just pick up a few performance tips that will help you knock it out of the park next time you read to a kid.

    Recording will be available to all ticketholders.

    About the Speaker
    Jacob Sager Weinstein is the author of two traditionally published picture books, with two more in the pipeline. His other published works include humor books for grownups and novels for older kids. In addition, he's written for HBO, the BBC, and the New Yorker.


    đź‘» The Ghost in the Bookstore: The Rise, Fall, and Rise of U.S. Horror Fiction
    29 November 2022 | 7:00 PM EST
    Presented by John Glover


    What is horror fiction, where did it come from, and where is it going? The last quarter of the 20th century saw a huge horror boom in the U.S., culminating in a near-total disappearance from bookstore shelves by the late 1990s. Now it's back, bigger than ever, with new faces and new monsters... and a tidal wave of nostalgia.

    Recording will be available to all ticketholders.

    About the Speaker
    John Glover is a research librarian specializing in the humanities at an urban, public research university. His literary scholarship treating horror and weird fiction has appeared in Fantastic Cities, Lovecraft in the 21st Century, and New Directions in Supernatural Horror Literature, among other venues. As “J. T. Glover,” he has published fiction in Best New Horror, Pseudopod, The Children of Old Leech, and various journals and anthologies.


    🎭 Shakespeare Performance in the US
    29 November 2022 | 8:00 PM EST
    Presented by Nikki Thomas


    Nikki Thomas spent 8 years producing and costuming Shakespeare in a community theater setting, and she's here to tell you about why Shakespeare isn't really just for fancy people, with an illustrative tale about the "Shakespeare Riots." Drop in for a little bit of history, a little bit of unbelievable dedication to theater idols, stay for the passionate call to action to preserve live performance - for everyone.

    Recording will be available to all ticketholders.

    About the Speaker
    Nikki Thomas ran a community theater specializing in Shakespeare performance for 9 years. She was the producing director and co-costume mistress.


    đź“» Language and Linguistics Smack Talk and Back Talk with Grant Barrett of "A Way with Words"
    30 November 2022 | 8:00 PM EST
    Presented by Grant Barrett of "A Way with Words"


    Join lexicographer and linguist Grant Barrett for a dip into what's changing in the English lexicon — including slang newly gathered from high schoolers, new words plucked from the dark heart of the internet, goofy lexical innovations, and whatever the dictionary publishers purport to be the "words of the year." Plus, he'll answer language questions, including about things other than the lexicon, and hear your linguisticky stories, ideas, and thoughts, just as he and his co-host do every week on "A Way with Words," the US coast-to-coast public radio show and podcast.

    Recording will be available to all ticketholders.

    About the Speaker
    Grant Barrett is a lexicographer, a linguist, co-host of the nationwide public radio show A Way with Words, author of "Perfect English Grammar," compiler of the "Official Dictionary of Unofficial English" and the "Oxford Dictionary of American Political Slang," contributor to dozens of monolingual and bilingual dictionaries for Cambridge University Press and Oxford University Press, an officer of the American Dialect Society, and a public speaker and host at public and private events.


    đź’ˇ Top 3 Book Marketing Mistakes Authors Make and How NOT to Make Them
    1 December 2022 | 2:30 PM EST
    Presented by Stephanie Moon


    Book marketing is a big part of an author's job but often authors treat this aspect of the publishing journey as an afterthought. Learn the top 3 mistakes authors make and how NOT to make them in this talk by Stephanie Moon, book marketing and publicity consultant.

    Recording will be available to all ticketholders.

    About the Speaker
    Stephanie Moon was one of those kids who read under the covers with a flashlight. Fast forward into her first job and every job since, Stephanie has worked with in and around books. From leading campaigns for New York Times Bestsellers, securing partnerships with brands like the San Francisco Public Library and securing coverage in Oprah’s coveted Holiday Favorite Things list, Stephanie’s had the experience and ingenuity to craft creative brand and marketing campaigns.

    Over the years, Stephanie noticed a trend. Authors who had spent years researching and writing their book, did little to nothing to market their book. They left all the marketing and promotion to their publisher and wondered why their book wasn’t being shared with their favorite influencer and why sales were slower than they thought. Stephanie knew she had to change this and teach authors how to market and promote their book. This was the catalyst for creating the Master Your Book Marketing Program.

    On the weekends you can find Stephanie gardening in the backyard, getting covered in sand at the beach or curled up on the sofa reading.


    đź‘» Author Reading: "The Haunted Object"
    1 December 2022 | 7:00 PM EST
    Presented by J. T. Glover


    Did you ever hear the one about the haunted doll? Or car? Or whistle? The truth behind them is darker and colder than you may think... "The Haunted Object" is a horror story in the tradition of M.R. James, with A24 vibes and a paper-thin fourth wall.

    Recording will be available to all ticketholders.

    About the Speaker
    J. T. Glover has short fiction in Best New Horror, Pseudopod, and Nightscript, among other venues. He's published nonfiction in Postscripts to Darkness, The Silent Garden, and Thinking Horror. A librarian by day, he lives in Central Virginia, is working on a novel, and you can find him online at www.jtglover.com.


    🍻 Bourbon 101: The History of Bourbon and a Guided Tasting
    1 December 2022 | 8:15 PM EST
    Presented by Trish Salerno


    Pour yourself a bourbon, neat or on the rocks and let's talk about America's Native Spirit. Do you know the rules of bourbon? Why all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon? We'll explore bourbon history, how bourbon is made and finish with guidance on how to do a bourbon tasting. Cheers!

    Presented by Trish Salerno, Tour Guide at Old Forester Distillery in Louisville, KY.

    Recording will be available to all ticketholders.

    About the Speaker
    Trish Salerno has over 10 years experience in the tourism industry working as a Park Ranger, Adventure Guide and Tour Director. She currently works for Old Forester Distillery in Louisville, KY.


    🙊 Let's Ban a Book: How Technology Has Reshaped the Battle for the Book's Soul
    2 December 2022 | 6:30 PM EST
    Presented by Saundra Mitchell


    Even though the imagery is much the same as book burnings in other eras, new technology drives a new kind of censorship-- and no, your favorite author isn't making bank when they get targeted.

    Recording will be available to all ticketholders.

    About the Speaker
    Saundra Mitchell has been a phone psychic, a car salesperson, a denture-deliverer and a layout waxer. She’s dodged trains, endured basic training, and hitchhiked from Montana to California. The author of nearly twenty books for tweens and teens, Mitchell’s work includes Edgar Award nominee SHADOWED SUMMER and Indiana Author Award Winner and Lambda Nominee ALL THE THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK. She is the editor of four anthologies for teens, DEFY THE DARK, ALL OUT, OUT NOW and OUT THERE. She always picks truth; dares are too easy.


    đź”® Also to come:
    - A session on how to write a book that both resonates with your audience and sells, by a former literary agent and publishing consultant. (2 December 2022, 8:00 PM EST)
    - An interview with an author that got her start through NaNoWriMo, writing 85k words in a month and subsequently securing a book deal from a major traditional book publisher. (4 December 2022, 2:00 PM EST)

    🔊 More Upcoming Events

    Here’s a preview of more that's coming:

    Week 3 (Dec 5 - Dec 11)
    De-stress yourself before the holidays with creative workshops, learning about the science of wellbeing, a session on the gamification of everyday life with Metafilter’s own Adrian Hon, and a host of fascinating events around social justice, policy and research.

    7 December (Wednesday)
    5:00 PM EST - “How To Thrive: The Science of Happiness & Well-Being”
    6:30 PM EST - “Threads of History: Historical research for the writer and reader”
    8:30 PM EST - “Hidden Authors, Bland Bibliographies, and Citational Justice”

    8 December (Thursday)
    7:00 PM EST - A session on affordable housing policy and advocacy

    9 December (Friday)
    7:00 PM - “Emergy Models: Evaluating the Environmental Impact of Manufacturing”
    8:30 PM - A workshop on advocacy letter-writing

    11 December (Sunday)
    12:00 PM - “Moore v. Harper – The Case That Could Upend U.S. Redistricting”
    1:00 PM - An interview with Metafilter’s own Adrian Hon
    2:30 PM - A participatory creativity workshop around art and doodling

    (Schedule still subject to change; more to be added.)


    Week 4 (Dec 12 - Dec 18)
    It's MetaFilter week! Meet the Steering Committee and the Global BIPOC Advisory Board, get to know jessamyn and the admin, tune in to the Metafilter Variety Show and finish up with Metafilter Trivia Night!


    More details on speakers and presentation titles will be released as soon as possible.


    🔊 For FAQs and more information on how the events work - read our first post about Metafilter Events.

    If you have more questions about MetaFilter Events, you can also get in touch with us at metafilter.events@gmail.com
    (We also have an Instagram now.)

    To stay updated on ticket deals and MetaFilter Events that interest you, sign up for our mailing list! (we promise not to spam - and you can unsubscribe at any time).

    If you’re keen on presenting or sharing interesting topics or skills - whether this year or in 2023, let us know! It’s not too late to drop us a note, and we’d love to bring your perspective and insight to our online events.
    posted by aielen to MetaFilter-Related at 7:55 AM (12 comments total) 7 users marked this as a favorite

    Thanks to everyone involved, hope it's going well!
    Signed up for Picture Book one. Would love to attend live, but can't do middle of the day.
    posted by Glinn at 8:01 AM on November 28, 2022


    with guidance on how to do a bourbon tasting

    NGL, I was kind of hoping for a shopping list of things to have on hand during the talk!
    posted by aubilenon at 12:54 PM on November 28, 2022 [2 favorites]


    Yeah if there’s a “flight” people should buy before hand to “actively” participate in that one particular event... I wouldn’t hate that information!

    Really excited and going to tune in as available for all events. I only attended one live so far, but wouldn’t mind this being a full year thing... with the fundraising month ones being the volunteer ones going to metafilter vs otherwise going to the presenter
    posted by one4themoment at 5:40 PM on November 28, 2022


    aubilenon, one4themoment,
    I checked with the presenter for Bourbon 101 and they have relayed:
    ---
    I don't want people to have to purchase anything special but... to really have fun with a tasting it's best to have a minimum of 3 pours of different bourbons. And, if possible to use glencairn or red wine glasses. (Or any glass that has an inward curve). Also, good to have some dark chocolate to pair with the bourbon, because why not? It's delicious.

    I will be using for my tasting Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond (100 proof), 1910 Old Fine Whisky (93 proof) and 1920 Prohibition Style (115 proof).

    People might want to download the Woodford Reserve Flavor Wheel for reference.

    ---

    (The Woodford Reserve Flavor Wheel is one of this session's resources available pre-event, to all ticketholders that sign up. Ticketholders can access these resources in their Eventbrite area.)
    posted by aielen at 7:17 PM on November 28, 2022 [1 favorite]


    Maybe we could also brainstorm topics of talks we'd like to hear, possibly in future years?

    It could be good if Mefi takes advantage of our diversity, in various ways. Here are someome ideas: comparative government, parliamentary government for Americans, learn about X place.
    posted by NotLost at 6:35 AM on November 29, 2022 [1 favorite]


    NotLost - yes! We actually have had a form for people to submit their ideas here (even if they may not want to present those ideas themselves). It's also accessible through our original page about Metafilter Events.

    We've had some suggestions come in that way from Mefites who wanted to hear/learn more about certain topics - and we've been keeping that in mind while scheduling for 2023.
    posted by aielen at 7:06 AM on November 29, 2022 [1 favorite]


    Thanks, aielen! I submitted my ideas.
    posted by NotLost at 8:05 PM on November 29, 2022 [2 favorites]


    Thanks to everyone who came to my talk last night! I appreciate it!
    posted by Mo Nickels at 4:31 PM on December 1, 2022 [3 favorites]


    Seconding Mo Nickels' excellent sentiment: thank you to everyone who came to my talk Tuesday and the reading last night, and ditto for time-shifted attendees!
    posted by cupcakeninja at 12:20 PM on December 2, 2022 [2 favorites]


    Wondering if events should be listed in IRL?
    posted by paduasoy at 1:05 AM on December 5, 2022


    I'd love for people to post or list these events somewhere on Metafilter - not sure which section. Haven't had the bandwidth to make these posts, but if anyone would like to do that for any sessions they've attended or want to attend, that would be lovely.
    posted by aielen at 5:42 PM on December 8, 2022


    Wow. This is really an impressive list of events. Seriously, well done all involved.
    posted by Ahmad Khani at 6:42 PM on December 8, 2022


    « Older Metatalktail Hour: It's what's inside that counts   |   What The MeFi BIPOC Board Does Newer »

    You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments