Upcoming Appearances
More are forthcoming. To schedule an event, please contact the author or her publicist.
Links for CA Conventions:
http://www.sansfis.org/FandomIndex/CaliforniaConventions.htm
http://www.scificonventions.com
https://tradeshowz.com/industry/comic-book-anime-manga
Upcoming Appearances
Gallifrey One 2019 – Gallifrey One Conventions 15-17 Feb 2019
Baycon 2019, Memorial Day Weekend
Silicon Valley Comic-Con Aug 16-19, 2019 http://www.svcomiccon.com/
June 10, 11am
Almaden Library
Intolerance in Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is rife with prejudice as house-elves are treated like vermin and werewolves can’t get work. Join us as we explore Fantastic Beasts and the films that will follow revealing how the wizards have built up intolerance in a world of fundamentalism.
June 15, 4pm Joyce Ellington Library
Newt Scamander’s Care of Magical Creatures
Join us as we explore Harry Potter’s and Newt Scamander’s quests through the world of Bowtruckles, Phoenixes, and Nifflers…as well as Swooping Evils and Thunderbirds. Become an expert on Rowling’s new mythology and her Fantastic Beasts films…it’ll be a hoot!
June 17-18: HydraCon
Santa Clara Convention Center
https://www.hydracomiccon.com/
Promote Your Work! Saturday in Great America Meeting Room 1 from 10:30AM-11:30AM.
The Heroine’s Journey Saturday in Great America Meeting Room 1 from 3:30PM-4:30PM.
Steam and Dieselpunk Superheroes Sunday in Great America Ballroom K from 1:00PM-2:00PM.
July 22: Congregation Beth David
Saratoga, CA
Artists’ Club: Jewish Scifi Fantasy
Jews have appeared in science fiction and fantasy since the beginning, creating, starring in, and otherwise adding their touch. Many know Leonard Nimoy (Spock) brought the Vulcan salute to Star Trek straight from the Kohanim. X-Man Magneto and Fantastic Four’s The Thing are of the tribe, like their creator Stan Lee. Also Batwoman and Harley Quinn. But what of Harry Potter, Superman, Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who? How are these perfect allegories for the Jewish experience and what can we learn from them? What Hebrew appears in Avatar? In Sandman? Who’s the one Jewish Disney hero (aside from Dreamworks’ Moses), and who’s the one rabbis most love to teach?
July 28: Fremont Library
Outlander, Myths and Symbols
Outlander is much more than a television romance about a World War II nurse and a Jacobite in a fetching kilt. The series has been categorized as a period drama, adventure saga, military history and fantasy epic. Inspired by the Irish legends of Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the prophecies of Brahan Seer, the storyline is also filled with mythology and symbolism from around the world, from the Fair Folk and the Loch Ness monster to wendigos, ghosts, zombies and succubae. The series is also rich with its own symbolism: heather and white roses, the dragonfly in amber, Claire’s blue vase and wedding gown, her wedding rings and pearl necklace. This presentation by Valerie Estelle Frankel (author of five books about the Starz series and novels) untangles the myriad of myths, legends, symbols and literary references found within.
Aug 19, 330pm: Santa Teresa Library:
Newt Scamander’s Care of Magical Creatures
Join us as we explore Harry Potter’s and Newt Scamander’s quests through the world of Bowtruckles, Phoenixes, and Nifflers…as well as Swooping Evils and Thunderbirds. Become an expert on Rowling’s new mythology and her Fantastic Beasts films…it’ll be a hoot!
PAST EVENTS
Intergalactic Expo
May 21 10-4
West Sacramento Convention Center
http://westsacscifi.wixsite.com/westsacscifi
Baycon/Clockwork Alchemy/Fanime
May 26-29
Silicon Valley
http://www.clockworkalchemy.com/
BBC Sherlock Symbols & Surprises San Carlos Room 5/26 2-3
Steam and Diesel Superheroes San Carlos Room 5/28 9-10
FanimeCon 2017 Worldbuilding Sunday 28th, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM in Panels Room 4
Hidden Steampunk of Doctor Who San Carlos Room 5/29 9-10
Harry Potter Hits: the 1920s San Carlos Room 5/29 12-1
Family Friendly Parasol and/or Ray Gun decorating
Steam Punk Trivia for Sweets
May 19, 8:30 to noon
Career Day School Visit
Summit Tahoma
285 Blossom Hill Rd.
San Jose, CA 95123
PCA 2017
April 12-15, 2017
San Diego, CA
““You have that power too”: The Force Awakens and the Heroine’s Journey”
Science Fiction and Fantasy Area
Silicon Valley Comic-Con
April 21-23, 2017
San Jose Convention Center
Guilty Pleasures: Science Fiction and Fantasy :: Room 212ABCD
Superheroines!
More Bay Area San Francisco and Fantasy Conventions :: Room 111
Professional Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Share their Publishing Secrets :: Room 211ABCD
Adaptation: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly :: Room 111
Women in Gaming: A History
Which Dystopia Are We In? :: Room 212ABCD
LosCon
Los Angeles
Nov 25-27
FRI 16:00 New Orleans SPECIAL (TECH) The Pantheon among Hogwarts Professors Valerie Estelle Frankel
FRI 17:30 Boston Social Media and Fandom
SAT 10:00 New Orleans The Heroine’s Journey Valerie Estelle Frankel
SAT 13:00 Chicago (projector) (TECH) How Game of Thrones Will End: The Influences Driving the Show and All the Paths It May Take Valerie Estelle Frankel
SAT 14:30 Chicago (projector) (TECH) The Changing Face of Comics: How Diversity Makes More Fans
SAT 16:00 Marquis 2 (projector) DC Nation
SUN 10:00 New Orleans Working without an agent
SUN 11:30 Boston The Social Politics of Romantic Fantasy
Gallifrey One
17-19 Feb
LAX Mariott
FogCon 2017
Walnut Creek Marriott
Walnut Creek, CA
March 10-12, 2017
Panel: Indie Author Marketing and Survival
Panel: Social Media for Writers and Authors
Broad Universe Reading
LeakyCon
Oct 19-23, 2016
Mariott Burbank, Los Angeles CA
The Pantheon Among Hogwarts Professors
Teaching with Harry Potter
Names from Classic Myth
CampbellCon Oct 29
Campbell Community Center
Campbell, CA
AlienCon Oct 30
Santa Clara Convention Center
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara Library Comic-Con
Sept 24, 10-4
http://santaclaraca.gov/government/departments/library/events/comic-con
Con-Volution 2016: The Age of Monsters
Sept3o—Oct2
Hyatt Regency SFO
Panel: When does Fanfic become Pro Work?
Panel: It Came from the Deep- Underwater Monsters
Panel: Writing in Someone Else’s Universe
Oct 8-9 APE
SJ Convention Center
http://www.alternativepressexpo.com
September 2-4, 2016
San Francisco Comic Con
Rose City Comic-Con
Sept 9-10
Portland, OR
YALL West
Arp 30-May 1
Santa Monica
Whedonopolis 2016
May 13-15
Los Angeles
The Heroine’s Journey Join analytical author Valerie Frankel for a study of the Whedonverse Women and their development over the years.
“Whedon’s Wonder Woman & its Place in the Mythos” Let Valerie Frankel be your guide through excerpts from and an in-depth analysis of the film that never was.
“Whedon’s Apocrypha” Which obscure works should every Whedon fan look for? Which should they avoid?
“Whedon’s Favorite Archetypes“A study of the character patterns that repeat, what always works and what doesn’t
Whedon Comic Universe: Hardcore comic fans dish on what we’ve already read and explore what is yet to come.
May 22, 2016
West Sacramento Civic Center
Memberships: $10
Fanime/Clockwork Alchemy
Memorial Day Weekend
May 27-30
http://www.clockworkalchemy.com/
Offering Name: Superheros and Steampunk
Scheduled Presentation Time: Friday 1pm – 1:50pm
Location: The Study (Carmel Room)
Duration: 50 Minutes
Promote Your Book!
Fanime
Saturday, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Panels Room 4
Offering Name: Guilty Pleasures
Scheduled Presentation Time: Sunday 4pm – 4:50pm
Location: Author’s Salon (Monterey Room)
Offering Name: Bay Area SF and F Conventions
Scheduled Presentation Time: Sunday 6pm – 6:50pm
Location: The Study (Carmel Room)
Offering Name: Trivia for Chocolates
Scheduled Presentation Time: Sunday 7pm – 8:50pm
Location: The Study (Carmel Room)
Offering Name: Future of the Whedonverse
Scheduled Presentation Time: Monday 9am – 9:50am
Location: Author’s Salon (Monterey Room)
Offering Name: Pro Writer’s Publishing Secrets
Scheduled Presentation Time: Monday 10am – 10:50am
Location: Author’s Salon (Monterey Room)
Offering Name: Steampunk Your Parasol or Ray Gun (fee $10)
Scheduled Presentation Time: Monday 11am – 12:50pm
Location: The Workshop (San Juan Room)
Bay Area Book Festival
Downtown Berkeley
June 4-5
Steampunk Emporium & Bazaar
February 27, 2016
Sacramento, CA
Great Escape Games
Silicon Valley Comic Con
Mar 18-20
San Jose Convention Center
Panels: Superheroines, The Heroine’s Journey
Campbell Con 2015
Nov 7, 2015
Campbell Convention Center
LosCon
Nov 27-29, 2015
SJ Fantasy fair
Downtown San Jose
April 11-12.
http://www.sjfantasy.com/#!meet-the-authors/cmjr
“How to Get Published” panel
April 13 2015
http://southbaywriters.com/wordpress/
Baycon/Clockwork Alchemy
Memorial Day Weekend
San Mateo County Fair Author’s Day
June 13
June 19-21 2015
2015: Sasquan, the 73rd World Science Fiction Convention
Spokane, Washington
Wednesday 19 August 2015 – Sunday 23 August 2015.
San Jose Comic-Con 2015
Sept 4-6 2015
http://www.wizardworld.com/wizcon.html
Boskone
Boston, MA
Feb 13-15. 2015
The Pantheon Among Hogwarts Professors (solo presentation)
Panels:
Growing Up in “Game of Thrones”
The Do’s and Don’ts of Do-Overs: The Art of Fairytale Retellings
Tolkien through the Peter Jackson Lens
What to Wear When Saving the World
Promoting Your Project
Game of Thrones: A Look Beyond the Wall
Saturday, February 28, 2015 – 8:00 pm.
Company Theater, Norwell, MA
Game of Thrones Presentation at the Company Theater near Boston! Award-winning author Valerie Estelle Frankel discusses Game of Thrones, inspiration for her five books including Symbols in Game of Thrones and How Game of Thrones Will End. Learn how George RR Martin’s prophecies and the classic heroine’s journey foretell the ending. Daenerys’s surprising path becomes clear as she “wakes the dragon” and harnesses a surprising magic. Is Jon Snow destined to be her lover, her nemesis, her sacrifice, or all three? And what of Tyrion? Or Arya? What does Varys really want? Discover the deeper meaning of black dragons, golden roses, seasons, heraldic colors, and all the symbols of ice and fire. Share your secret longings and fears for the upcoming season, as we prepare for the oncoming storm. Saturday, February 28, 2015 – 8:00 pm. Company Theater, Norwell, MA. Tickets are on sale for only a short time longer! http://companytheatre.com/game-of-thrones-a-look-beyond-the-wall/
http://www.wizardworld.com/valeriefrankel.html
Nov 21-23
Talks on Names in the Hunger Games, The Heroine’s Journey and How Game of Thrones will End
St. John Vianney School Holiday Fair
Dec 5-7 2014
Book selling
Jan 23-25
San Jose Renaissance Faire August 3, 2014.
Los Gatos Library Literary Fair
Saturday, August 23rd from 12pm-3pm.
Gaslight Gathering 4
May 2-4, 2014
Big Wow Comicfest 2014
May 17-18, 2014
San Jose Convention Center
May 23-26 2014
Santa Clara, CA
San Mateo County Fair Author’s Day
June 14-15
Harry Potter Convention
Santa Clara, CA
July 2-5 2014
Presentations:
Harry Potter and the Rise of Nazism
Harry Potter and the Redefinition of the Hero’s Journey
The Heroine’s Journey
The Real Deathly Hallows in Welsh Myth
The Pantheon of Hogwarts Professors
Teaching with Harry Potter
June 19-22 2014
CSU Sacramento, CA
20th annual PantheaCon Feb 14-17, 2014
Presentations: Kitty Pryde and the Heroine’s Journey
DoubleTree Hotel in San Jose, CA
Apr 13-14, 2013
Guadalupe River Park Arena
LeakyCon 2013
Oregon Convention Center
Portland, Oregon
June 27–30
Angels, Demons, Shadowhunters, and Slayers
Roundtable, 50 min
The coming months will see many exciting movies, from The Mortal Instruments to Laini Taylor’s The Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Why are angels and demons so popular today? Are any of these novels historical portraits or are they all cruel angels and gorgeous hunks lost in our urban landscapes? Vampires and werewolves are still entertaining us through Heather Brewer and Andrea Cramer’s books, among many others. How has the genre shifted since Dracula? Since Buffy? Since Twilight? What is it teens want to read this year? And what about their parents? Bring your favorite topics and join in the fun.
The Heroine’s Journey
Lecture, 50 min, projector
You know all about the classic hero’s journey—now learn about the heroine’s! We’ll chart the heroine’s journey step-by-step from ancient myths to modern reimaginings like Coraline and The Wizard of Oz. Rather than a sword, the questing heroine wields magic slippers, a mirror, a chalice. Only after she has defeated her dark side, the wicked witch, can she grow into a bestower of wisdom in this beloved pattern favored by fantasy readers and writers. Like the hero’s journey, this pattern is useful for those who enjoy reading and analyzing literature, and also those who want to write it, especially fantasy and coming of age stories. Today the heroine is gaining power as big budget films like the Narnia and The Hunger Games series fill the screens. It’s an important reminder that fantasy is not just for boys.
Katniss the Cattail: Naming in The Hunger Games
Lecture, 50 min, projector
As with series like Harry Potter, names have great significance in Suzanne Collins’s books, referencing sixteen characters out of Shakespeare, all from a particular era of Rome. Besides flower and craft names, there are also military names, echoing the theme that history will never stop cycling. It’s also important to remember the series is told from Katniss’s point of view. Characters have prophetic or appropriate names, but they also have names based on how Katniss perceives them. To Katniss, Gale is a strong wind of revolution, willing to blow down all in his path. But Prim is a delicate flower needing protection. In her series, Collins unites the power of Shakespeare and Rome to retell an ancient epic of betrayal, violence, and glory on the stage of an apocalyptic future.
Westercon 66
Sacramento, CA
July 4-7, 2013
2013: Lone Star Con 3, the 71st World Science Fiction Convention,
San Antonio, TX
29 August – 2 September
Con-Volution 2012
Burlingame, CA
Nov 2014
Apr 13-14, 2013
Guadalupe River Park Arena
Gaslight Gathering 3 – Traveling The Seven Seas
San Diego, CA
May 3-5, 2013
Baycon
Santa Clara, CA
May 2013
Sirens Conference
“Modern Poets, Ancient Tales”
“Fairytales Retold: The Unusual Adaptations”
Portland, OR
October 11-14
Con-Volution 2012
Burlingame, CA
November 2-4
Feminism Unbound: Imagining a Feminist Future
National Women’s Studies Conference
Oakland, CA
Nov 8-11
Ascendio, The Harry Potter Conference
“Self-publishing, Traditional Publishing, and Self-Promotion: How to do it all”, “The Heroine’s Journey” “The Pantheon of Hogwarts Professors” “JK’s Women” “The Real Deathly Hallows and Harry Potter’s Origins” and “Minerva’s Not the Only Goddess Around: Naming and Symbolism in The Hunger Games”
Orlando, FL
12-15 July 2012.
Winkie Con 2012
Pacific Grove, CA
July 27-29
Mythcon 2012
“UnBound: Comparing East and West Cinderella Adaptations”
Berkeley, CA
Aug 3-5 2012
LeakyCon 2012
Chicago, IL
August 9-12 2012.
CWC South Bay Writers workshop
Sunnyvale, CA
August 18, 2012
Worldcon 2012
Chicago, IL
August 30-Sept 3 2012
PotterCon 2012
Online Conference
September 7-9, 2012.
East West Bookstore Spiritual Writers Conference
Mountain View, CA
September 2002
Matriarchal Studies Day
ASWM
San Francisco, CA
May 10
Gaslight Gathering
San Diego, CA
May 11-13
Guest Speaker
California Writer’s Club
Santa Rosa/Redwood City
May 20
Baycon 2012
Santa Clara, CA
May 25-28
FogCon
Walnut Creek, CA
Mar 30-Apr 1 2012
Westercon 64
The West Coast Sf and F Convention
July 1-4, 2011
San Jose, CA
http://www.westercon64.org/
Renovation, the 69th World Science Fiction Convention
Reno, Nevada, USA
August 17-21, 2011
http://www.renovationsf.org/
World Fantasy Convention 2011
San Diego, California
October 27-30, 2011
http://www.wfc2011.org/
The MLA Annual Convention 2011
The Modern Language Association
Los Angeles, CA
January 6-9, 2011
http://www.mla.org/convention
Writer’s Digest Conference:
The Business of Being Published
Presented by the #1 Resource for Writers since 1920
New York, New York
January 21-23, 2011
The SCBWI Winter Conference
New York, New York
January 29-30, 2011
http://www.scbwi.org
Corflu
Sunnyvale, CA
February 11-13 2011
http://www.corflu.org/
Potlatch 20
Writers and Readers of Literary SF
Sunnyvale, CA
March 4-6, 2011
http://www.potlatch-sf.org/
FogCon
The Friends of Genre Convention
March 11-13 2011
http://fogcon.org/
Western States Folklore Society (WSFS)
15-16 April 2011
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
http://www.westernfolklore.org/2011Meeting.htm
Popular Culture Association Annual Conference
San Antonio, Texas
April 20 – April 23
http://www.pcaaca.org/conference/future.php
Wiscon 35
The World’s Leading Feminist Science Fiction Convention
Madison, Wisconsin
May 26-30 2011
http://www.wiscon.info/
Loscon 37
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society
http://www.loscon.org
Baycon 2010: It’s An Adventure!
The Bay Area Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention
The Hyatt Regency, Santa Clara, CA
May 28-31, 2010
http://baycon.org/2010/
Presentations:
From Girl to Goddess: The Heroine’s Quest
Young Adult Fiction From Harry Potter to Twilight to ? – Transitioning New Readers
Reading and Autograph session
Stop me if you’ve heard this one: Classical Stories and Tropes
The Ties that Bind: The Enduring Appeal of Media Tie-In Fiction
Mythcon 41: War in Heaven
The 41st Annual Mythopoeic Conference (Mythcon XLI)
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
July 9-12, 2010
http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/41/
Presentation:
Exploring Narina: The Hero’s and Heroine’s Journey in Concert
Infinitus 2010: A Harry Potter Symposium
Orlando, FL
July 15-18, 2010
http://www.infinitus2010.org/
Presentation:
But I am the Chosen One: Buffy and Harry
Sirens: a Conference on Women in Fantasy Literature
Vail, Colorado
October 7-10, 2010
http://www.sirensconference.org
Presentations:
“Are There Faeries Outside Western Europe? Exploring Fey Folklore from Around the World”
“Fairytales Retold” Roundtable
Women and Mythology 2010: The Green Goddess
The Association for the Study of Women in Mythology,
Kirkridge Retreat Center, Bangor, PA.
April 23-25, 2010
http://womenandmythology.wordpress.com/2010-conference/
Presentation:
“Forever Cycling: The Heroine’s Journey in Nature”
Thursday May 7, 2009
12-130pm
San Jose State University
Harry Potter Parody Reading
Baycon
May 22-25, 2009
HPEF’s sixth event, AZKATRAZ, will take place in San Francisco, California, from July 17 – 21, 2009. The primary hotel is the Parc 55 San Francisco Hotel, although some events and programming will be taking place around and near San Francisco. http://www.hp2009.org
My lectures, “The Real Hallows: Sex Secrets, Arthurian Artifacts, and Death’s Dominionns,” “Draco’s Difficult Decision,” and “Harry Potter and the Rise of Nazism” will be part of the Azkatraz daytime Formal Programming.
Draco’s Difficult Decision
Why can’t Draco take responsibility for his actions, or even determine whom he’s fighting? While Harry defies the social status quo, freeing house elves and befriending giants, Draco succumbs to family prejudice rather than choosing his own enemies (as some pure bloods like Sirius Black do). Draco lives for appearance, bullying students and calling them mudbloods to make himself look superior. This Slytherin bond ties him to his allies and makes him susceptible to recruitment by Death Eaters. “I can help you, Draco,” Dumbledore offers. Draco hesitates: Even with his mother’s life in the balance, his lukewarm affections nudge him toward a half-hearted decision. Will Draco ever truly choose a side?
The Real Hallows: Sex Secrets, Arthurian Artifacts, and Death’s Dominion
In Welsh Myth, the Tuatha de Danaan, or fairies, were said to have brought four treasures to Ireland from the Otherworld: The Hallows of Britain. The Elder Wand alone descends from these intact: Harry’s other treasures have been altered to fit his hero’s journey, which follows a far more mystic path than Arthur’s kingship. Little though he knows it, Harry is questing to master death, but unlike Voldemort, he succeeds. Gryffindor’s sword, the stone, the cloak, and even Hermione’s beaded bag blend symbolism from both genders, teaching Harry the spiritual power of intuition as well as the strength of battle. Voldemort quests only for the Elder Wand, the one Hallow devoted only to war and the masculine attributes. Thus, his quest for power without understanding of the gentler magics (like the truth of Lily’s blood protection) causes his destruction. Join us as we explore the Deathly Hallows’ origins and secrets.
Harry Potter and the Rise of Nazism
From Dumbledore’s climactic battle in 1945 to the Muggle Registration Act, JK Rowling creates startling historical parallels between Harry Potter’s world and that of Nazi Germany: From the Eastern Durmstrang of the 1940’s comes Gellert Grindelwald, a wizard supremacist who preaches a society ruled by wizards all for the Greater Good. “Lesser races” are blamed for society’s ills, with centaurs banished to ghetto-like confines of the forest, and werewolves fired from their jobs. How does this bigotry differ from Gypsies, homosexuals, communists, and Jews unemployed and imprisoned for their allotment of “impure blood”? In the 1940’s, Tom Riddle was attending Slytherin house, learning about pure-bloods and wizard supremacy. After Grindelwald’s defeat, how young Voldemort must have smoldered, like Hitler’s Germany after their humiliating World War One surrender. “Our cause was noble,” he thought. “The Muggle-borns must have weakened us.” And thus the cycle perpetuates itself, from world history to Hogwarts.
The Discworld Convention
Sept 4-7, 2009 Tempe, AZ
http://www.nadwcon.org
Sirens will be held October 1–4, 2009, at the Vail Cascade Resort and Spa in Vail, Colorado. Yellow aspens and warm fires will welcome you to the Rocky Mountains, and your free time during the conference can be spent relaxing in the resort’s acclaimed spa, traveling the wilderness, or shopping in Vail Village’s many boutiques. http://www.sirensconference.org/
World Fantasy Convention 2009
The 2009 World Fantasy Convention in San José, California will be held Thursday, October 29 through Sunday, November 1, 2009. at the Fairmont San José.
http://www.worldfantasy2009.org/
Potlatch 18 will be held at the Domain Hotel in Sunnyvale, California during the weekend of February 27 – March 1, 2009. Registration is now open (through Paypal or by mail). The general membership rate is $55 until February 14, 2009. The at-the-door rate will be higher, so register now!
International Conference on the Fantastic in the Arts (March 18-22, ’09) 30th annual. Orlando Airport Marriott, Orlando, Florida. Guests: Robert Charles Wilson, Guy Gavriel Kay, Maria Nikolajeva, Brian Aldiss. Website: http://www.iafa.org/
Reading the World Conference
March 28 and 29, 2009 University of San Francisco
http://www.soe.usfca.edu/institutes/reading_world/conference.html
2008 RMMLA Convention
Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association
Reno, Nevada ~ October 9-11, 2008
Local Host: University of Nevada, Reno.
Cordial and Pigtails: The Heroine’s Journey in Modern Media
Category: Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature and Film.
[It’s Not Just Religious] Symbolism in Deathly Hallows
Category: Harry Potter (Open Topic)
Wings and Wills: The Heroine’s Journey in Ancient Tales
Category: The Interpretation and Influence of Greek Myths
June 20 Thurs-Fri Private Event.
Portus 2008: A Harry Potter Symposium July 10-13th, 2008 in Dallas, Texas!
Panels:
(It’s Not Just Religious) Symbolism in Deathly Hallows
Harry Potter and the Redefinition of the Hero’s Journey
Building Your Fantasy World
Young Adult Reading: Henry Potty and the Pet Rock: An Unauthorized Harry Potter Parody
Swapmeet Table
Workshops: Building Your Fantasy World
Valerie Frankel
Always longed to write that novel? Professional author Valerie Estelle Frankel will guide you through the process from start to finish. Build a magical world from scratch with cultures, plants, and animals. Design a stunning map. Create your characters, and send them forth on a magical quest. Finally, you will learn about the world of publication and how to break into magazines, anthologies, and more. Fanfiction writers and all others welcome.
Friday, 11:00-11:50am. Cardinal Theatre
(It’s Not Just Religious) Symbolism in Deathly Hallows
Valerie Frankel, Shivani Gupta, Jasmin
King’s cross, the white doe, Voldemort’s disembodied eyes, Harry’s discarding the resurrection ring: can we find the hidden meanings? Many of the deaths shocked us, while others, like the last of Harry’s surrogate parents, seemed all too necessary. The Horcruxes were each destroyed by a different person. What does this show about each, particularly Neville and Crabbe? Rowling’s symbolic choices support the theme, offering nuances and unforeseen connections. The presentation will discuss the deeper levels of these symbols one by one, along with any you suggest. Delve deeper than readers have ever traveled into the mysterious final book.
Friday, 2:30-3:20pm, Fleur de Lis Theatre
Harry Potter and the Redefinition of the Hero’s Journey
Valerie Frankel
Most people are familiar with the hero’s journey. This presentation will explore a few gaps: Why isn’t Voldemort Harry’s father? How did Hagrid, Harry’s beloved mentor, survive the series? Most importantly, why does our fascination with Snape positively drown out our feelings for Harry? Harry Potter marks a hero’s journey for Neville as well as Harry as well as the road to Snape’s redemption. Ron and Dumbledore also grow beyond the paper borders of their characters’ limitations. Are there too many heroes here? Also, what about our missing heroines? How has this series changed the formula?
Saturday, 5:30-5:50pm, Edelweiss Room
YA Reading 2:30-3 in the Dardaneles room
Witches, wizards, and Muggles alike are invited to join us in this magical experience presented by HP Education Fanon, Inc. (HPEF), a non-profit organization devoted to exploring academic themes based on the popular Harry Potter book series by British author J.K. Rowling. Portus will be HPEF’s fifth academic symposium, following the success of the previous HPEFevents: Nimbus-2003, The Witching Hour, Lumos, and Prophecy.
Baycon, Memorial Day, San Jose. May 23 – 26, 2008
Book Expo America, LA Convention Center. May 29-June 1.
Signings in the main autographing room and with USA Book News.
Prophecy 2007: From Hero to Legend
August 2-5
Toronto, CA
Visiting Professor holding “classes” in these areas:
Mythology
Who was Hermione in Greek mythology? How does Merope’s name suggest the source of Voldemort’s power? Why does Sybil’s name bode ominous destinies for Harry? And what about those Deathly Hallows? Join us as we explore the origins of sphinxes, phoenixes, and boggarts, in a course Hogwarts students wish they’d taken before signing up. Of course, myth isn’t complete with the most central story of all. The hero’s journey echoes through our oldest legends, but some quests, such as those of Hercules and the Egyptian god Horus mirror Harry’s too closely for mere tradition to account for. Bring your world mythology questions and find all the answers at last.
Fantasy Writing
Always longed to write that novel? Professional author Valerie Estelle Frankel will guide you through the process from start to finish. Build a magical world from scratch, with maps, cultures, plants, and animals. Create your characters and send them forth on a magical quest. Finally, we’ll learn all about the world of publication, and how to break into magazines, anthologies, and more. Fanfiction writers and all others welcome.
The Horcrux of the Matter: External Souls in Folk Tales, and their Reflections in the ‘Harry Potter’ Novels – Panel
Katherine E. Krohn, Valerie Estelle Frankel
This panel examines “Pros and Cons” of Horcruxes: Throughout folklore, the evilest witches cannot be killed because their hearts and magical powers are hidden far away, under guard. The hero must battle all sorts of traps and guardians in order to reach the source of the evil person’s power. While this protection of one’s soul seems practical on the surface, dangers abound. A magical focus augments one’s power, but foci often shatter or betray one at a critical moment. Characters likewise can place part of their souls into animals—perilous if the animal or person dies during the connection. Mythology and folklore echoes this theme, as people’s souls are often trapped in objects, from slaves of magic mirrors to slaves of lamps. As we explore these legends, the audience is encouraged to share folktales, myths, and fantasy that feature elements similar to Horcruxes or the nature and ramifications of soul-splitting.
Chapters Runnymede Reading
Barnes and Noble’s Educator Night
BU at 2007 Small Press Book Fair
Broad Universe will have a table at the Small Press Book Fair in New York City, December 1, and 2 (20 West 44th Street). Small Press Book Fair is brought to you by The New York Center for
Saturday, July 14th
2pm. Harry Potter Predictions Talk
King Library, San Jose
Join other Harry Potter fans to guess what will happen in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
On Saturday, July 14 at 2pm, SJSU English Professor Valerie Frankel will visit local kids in the King Library, and lead a discussion about the last Harry Potter book: What are the Deathly Hallows, and will they lead to Harry’s demise? Whose side will Slimy Professor Snape take in the end? Which other fantastic books should fans be reading? Voice your opinions—no theory’s too wacky. Learn all this and more at an event not to be missed. Signing of Frankel’s hysterical kids book: Henry Potty and the Pet Rock: An Unauthorized Harry Potter Parody will commence after the program.
Westercon 60: Gnomeward Bound
Saturday, June 30th — Tuesday, July 3rd, 2007
San Mateo Marriott, San Mateo, California, United States, Earth
Panels and readings:
7/1/2007 10:00
How to Write the BEST First Line
If you lose your readers now, you may never get them back.
7/1/2007 11:30
The End of Hogwarts As We Know It
Readers are anticipating the 7th book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. What is likely? J.K. Rowling has said that two characters will die in the book – is one of them Harry? The book is scheduled to be released on July 21st. Will you be in line at your favorite bookstore? Or did you pre-order it on-line?
7/1/2007 13:00
The Hero’s Journey
The hero or heroine’s journey is the epic tale of quest and discovery that is the foundation for much of ancient mythology, old movie plots, and modern fantasy. Has this become a cliché or is it still the classic story for us all.
Reading: Valerie Frankel
Valerie Frankel reads from her new book, Henry Potty and the Pet Rock.
Valerie Estelle Frankel
Phoenix Rising, The Annual Harry Potter Conference
May 17-21, 2007
New Orleans, LA
Book Expo America
June 1-3, 2007
New York, NY
Interview with Leigh Anne Jasheway Bryant, “The Accidental Comic.” Saturday, Jan 20, 2007. 9:20-9:30 AM. “Women Under the Influence of Laughter” every Saturday morning from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on KOPT 1600 AM Oregon’s Progressive Talk Radio..
Borders Express
150 South 1st Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: 408.294.3068
November 14th at 5pm and Dec 3rd at noon.
Right next to the Downtown Winter Festival!
Borderlands Books, San Francisco. Wednesday, October 25th at 7:00 pm: Valerie Frankel, HENRY POTTY AND THE PET ROCK: AN UNAUTHORIZED HARRY POTTER PARODY (Wingspan Press) – Join us to meet acclaimed writer, teacher, and storyteller Valerie Estelle Frankel, who will present her unauthorized Harry Potter parody! Catastrophe strikes Chickenfeet Academy, and it’s not just the cafeteria food. Lord Revolting, murderous goldfish-flusher, needs Really Wimpy’s pet rock to conquer the world! While battling him with squirt guns and cheesy how-to guides, Henry Potty aces Hobology, preps for America’s Funniest Fairygodchildren, and tries to avoid laundering Professor Snort’s dreaded hankies, or worse, watching A History of Cabbages in Polish. All the while, the least likely character watches, coveting the pet rock for her own sneaky agenda. What part does Socks the parrot, wisecracking pet of Headmaster Bumbling Bore, play in all this? Will Revolting dare the ultimate villainy and spoil the book? Will this novel waste your entire morning? There’s only one way to know…
A Reading by Valerie Frankel From her new book Henry Potty and the Pet Rock: An Unauthorized Harry Potter Parody
San Jose State University
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
King Library Room 255
2006 California Trade Show
Northern California Independent Booksellers Association, Oakland Convention Center. October 6 – October 8:
The 7th Annual Sonoma County Book Festival
September 16, 2006, 10am–5pm, Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, CA.
The 64th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon)
Anaheim Convention Center.
23-27 August 2006
PAPERS PRESENTED AT CONFERENCES:
“Chakram and Pigtails: The Heroine’s Journey in Modern Media.” Presented at the World Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention, 2006.
“Snatching the Ring from his Finger: The Heroine’s Mythic Journey” Presented at the 41st Annual Comparative Literature Conference, CSU Long Beach, 2006.
“To Be Verbs and How Not to Use Them” Presented at the 2004 Annual Association of Writers and Writing Programs conference, Chicago, IL 2004.
“Pillars of Strength: Exploring the Male and Female Archetypes” Presented at the 30th Annual World Fantasy Convention, Tempe, AZ 2004.
Spoke on eight panels at Baycon: The Bay Area Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention and ten panels at Worldcon: The World Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention 2006.
Attended seven writing conferences in 2003-2004.
Valerie Estelle Frankel's Author Page 