Memorial Weekend marks the 48th annual ConQuesT, a science fiction and fantasy convention put on by the KC Science Fiction and Fantasy Society. I’ve never participated in something like this before, nor have I really attended these kind of panels/talks. But, at the urging of my friend, I volunteered to be a panelist.

Talking in front of large groups isn’t my favorite thing in the world. Is that surprising given that I’m an extrovert? Regardless, I’m giving things a go with just one panel this year. I’m sure it’ll be great and I’ll wish I had signed up for more. But there’s always next year. I’ll be talking about the evolution of the zombie in literature and film on Saturday, May 27th at the Sheraton Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Evolution of the Zombie
Saturday, May 27
2:00 – 2:50 p.m.
Room: Empire A
Sheraton Crown Center – Kansas City

This is an easy topic for me; it’s one I spoke about during my Nerd Nite lecture a few years ago at MiniBar. That talk was titled: Vampires, Werewolves and Zombies (oh my!): The Domestication of the Monster in Popular Culture.

I come at the concept of monsters in literature/film/pop culture from the perspective of Gothic literature studies, so I know a lot about the way monsters of all kinds changed over time and a fair amount about the history of such creatures in entertainment (well strictly in literature). I’m excited to meet my fellow panelists and generate some great conversation!

If you can make it to the convention, be prepared for chatter ranging from Frankenstein to Warm Bodies and The Walking Dead, at least on my end :).

Let’s talk zombies!