New Film Festival at @OutlantaCon May 13-15 #scifi #Creedence

Updated on 04/01/2022 by Kayelle Allen

OutlantaCon has been around for 8 years and has seen a steady increase of attendance. With the growing local film industry we have decided to reach out to filmmakers who share with us a common ground and help showcase their work. This will be our first film festival but we plan to make it a memorable annual event. Outlantacon is an Atlanta-based event for the Queer Geek audience! You’ll find all the usual convention fare here, the difference is that it all has a queer ‘bent’ to it. Here you can enjoy all the convention trappings in an atmosphere where you’re free to be yourself! Let it not be said that this convention is just for LGBT. There are straight people here and there are few more awesome ways to support equal rights than to attend a Convention with such interesting folks.

While there is no specific type of film we are looking for our festival is geared towards the “Geek” and LGBTQ community. Our Short Film Festival looks to bring not just films to our community but also discussions that speak to the contemporary LGBTQ experience.

The festival is for people who are not only coming to watch films but engage in discussion on issues relating to film, fandom and LGBTQ issues around the globe. Visitors, on a lighter note, also have the possibility to meet convention guests and directors behind the films, engaging with known figures in our community who have been in attendance and participating in panel discussions.

We aim to maintain and increase the visibility of the LGBTQ community with the view ultimately to bring around the propagation of a tolerant society where sexual minority groups and individual freedom and choice are both respected and protected.

If you are a filmmaker and would like to be a part of our film festival in Atlanta, Georgia then please submit your work for our consideration.

Film Awards & Prizes

AWARDS

Best first film
Best Narrative Film
Best Documentary
Best Animated Short
Best Performance
Best Cinematography
Best Sound
Best Score
Best Director
Best Production Design
Best Fan Film
Best Student film
Best New Fandom Award

SPONSORED PRIZES

Audience Choice
Best Screen Play
In Our Image Award
The Scream Queen Prize
The John Waters Prize
The Divine Prize
The Frank-N-Furter Prize

When and Where is OutlantaCon?

Friday, May 13th through Sunday May 15th
Atlanta Marriott Century Center/Emory Area
2000 Century Boulevard NE Atlanta GA 30345
More info on the Marriott Reservation page.
The rate is 92.00 USD/night plus applicable taxes for the Thursday to Monday dates of the convention. If you have any problems with the reservation process online call the hotel direct. (404) 325-0000

Posted in Conventions for Sci Fi Lovers | Tagged Bringer of Chaos, Conventions, Fun Stuff to Do, OutlantaCon, Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels, Writing |

Come to OutlantaCon! May 2-4 Atlanta @outlantacon #LGBT #Scifi

Updated on 11/04/2020 by Kayelle Allen

Outlantacon is an Atlanta-based event for the Queer Geek audience! You’ll find all the usual convention fare here–discussion panels, gaming, costuming, special events, etc. — the difference is that it all has a queer ‘bent’ to it. Here you can enjoy all the convention trappings in an atmosphere where you’re free to be yourself! We also offer some pretty unique twists as well, like our own versions of Match Game (a staple since 2007,) Project Cosplay (2010,) Nea’s Drag Race (2011) and the new, wildly popular Sock Puppet Theatre that was added last year.

This year, there’s also a writer track with mentors like:
Ally Blue
Andrew Greenberg
Angela and Gerald Blackwell
Eden Winters
james crawford (all lowercase please)
Jevocas “Java” Green
JP Barnaby
Kage Alan
Kayelle Allen (that’s me!)
Keith Bailey
Kiernan Kelly
Lee Martindale
Shae Connor
TC Blue

Lots of entertainment as well. Don’t miss the wonderful Moxie Magnus, who is Star Trek’s Chief Cosmetology Officer. Darren Nowell’s fun-filled “Match Game” take off is not-to-be-missed. Other guests include entertainers, activists, and presenters such as Ian Aber, Danny Macrae Ashby, Phillip Bonneau, Rob Collie, Chad Darnell, Benji Dove, Billy Holder, Amanda Kirk, Troy Meyers, Dylan Michael, Candace Miller, Ginger Page, Albert Roberts, Warren Rochelle, Debbie Shannon, Jared Wolf, and Vandy Beth Glenn.

Musical guests The Grind Theory, Neon (DJ GlowBear), and Gin Rebellion will be around all weekend. Earth Station One (a podcast network) will also appear.

Online registration is closed, but you can register on-site all weekend. Cost is variable depending on what you want to do. It’s $60 for the entire weekend, and as little as $10 to come for Saturday night after 9pm.

Please follow and support the convention on social media.
Twitter https://twitter.com/OutlantaCon
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Outlantacon2014
Website http://outlantacon.org

Posted in Kayelle Allen | Tagged Conventions, Fun Stuff to Do, Gay Romance, LGBT Books, OutlantaCon, Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels |

Are you going to @OutlantaCon? March 19-22 #ATL #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Updated on 05/10/2020 by Kayelle Allen

OutlantaCon is coming. Are you?

<--- Pietas Cosplay from 2018

Life-sized banners of Pietas.

He is 7' tall! (I'm 5'4")
Model is Nik Nitsvetov

Pietas Cosplay from 2019 --->

I'll have a booth in the Vendor's Room this year and will be showing off the gorgeous new banners of Pietas.

Come get your picture taken next to one of them! Where would you reach compared to me?

Your picture will help me as I write future stories. I'll be able to picture people of various heights next to the hero.

(Pictures taken at AnachroCon 2020 in Atlanta)

OutlantaCon

OutlantaCon is now an Atlanta tradition in the Spring.

The Science Fiction convention will celebrate its 12th anniversary in 2020. For the last decade, the convention has been offering a fun welcoming place for queer geeks to gather in Atlanta, Georgia, where they can show their love for everything from anime to horror. At Outlantacon, geeks can take advantage of a range of great programming including: writers and comics track, fandom track, activism track, world wide short film festival, a constantly full game room, and live entertainment with game shows including the nation wide convention favorite: Project Cosplay.

The convention has grown over the years to create an inclusive and inviting environment for our LGBTQ+ folks and their allies to play and thrive.

Join us at the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel and Conference Center. It's a 30k square foot conference space with innovative spaces and personalized service. Last day to book your relaxing hotel room at the group rate of $129 per night is 2/26/20. Convention cost for the weekend is $50 for the entire 4 days of OutlantaCon.

Hope to see you March 19-22, 2020.

Visit the site to check out the cool cosplays and events from previous years.

OutlantaCon 2020

Two events not to miss: The Match Game. This hilarious take on the old favorite never fails to get laughs. // OutlantaCon Squares. Remember Hollywood Squares? This is our version and it's guaranteed to crack you up! I'm in one of the boxes on this, so come see it!

I'll be teaching panels too.

From Book to Cosplay: Live Action Cosplay for your book.

In 2018 and 2019, I worked with Russian cosplayer Nik Nitsvetov to recreate pivotal scenes from my Bringer of Chaos science fiction series. I'll discuss planning and presentation, plus offers tips on how to record the action.

Save Your Own Cat - Plotting in Fiction

Save the Cat is a plotting concept used by Hollywood and writers everywhere. Some say it's the new Plotting Bible. But what is it and why should writers care?

Get Naked: Stripping Down Your Story

Witness a live critique group in action and discover the value of editing and beta readers. Members of my local critique group (Canton Writers Circle) will present with me. I have published five books during my time with CWC. I consider these fellow writers not only my posse but also my very closest friends. Come meet everyone!

Posted in Conventions for Sci Fi Lovers | Tagged Blog Hop, Fun Stuff to Do, Kayelle Allen, MFRW, OutlantaCon, Sci Fi Fantasy, Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels |

Meet Kayelle + get your game on at @OutlantaCon March 19-22 #SciFi #MFRWhooks #MFRWauthor

Updated on 03/16/2020 by Kayelle Allen

OutlantaCon

UPDATE (Mar 16, 2020)

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Atlanta mayor has banned all meetings with over 250 people. OutlantaCon has been canceled until 2021. The con will refund all attendees and provide everyone with a full ticket for next year, no matter if they bought a one-day pass or a full weekend.

Hope to see you next year!

OutlantaCon is now an Atlanta tradition in the Spring. Come meet me and hang out!

The Science Fiction convention will celebrate its 12th anniversary in 2020. For the last decade, the convention has been offering a fun welcoming place for queer geeks to gather in Atlanta, Georgia, where they can show their love for everything from anime to horror. At Outlantacon, geeks can take advantage of a range of great programming including: writers and comics track, fandom track, activism track, world wide short film festival, a constantly full game room, and live entertainment with game shows including the nation wide convention favorite: Project Cosplay.

The convention has grown over the years to create an inclusive and inviting environment for our LGBTQ+ folks and their allies to play and thrive.

Join us at the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel and Conference Center. It's a 30k square foot conference space with innovative spaces and personalized service. Book your hotel room . Convention cost for the weekend is $50 for the entire 4 days of OutlantaCon. You know you want to meet me and hang out!

Hope to see you March 19-22, 2020.

Visit the site to check out the cool cosplays and events from previous years.

OutlantaCon 2020

Two events not to miss: The Match Game. This hilarious take on the old favorite never fails to get laughs. // OutlantaCon Squares. Remember Hollywood Squares? This is our version and it's guaranteed to crack you up! I'm in one of the boxes on this, so come see it!

I'll be teaching panels too. We can meet afterward and talk.

From Book to Cosplay: Live Action Cosplay for your book.

In 2018 and 2019, I worked with Russian cosplayer Nik Nitsvetov to recreate pivotal scenes from my Bringer of Chaos science fiction series. I'll discuss planning and presentation, plus offers tips on how to record the action.

Save Your Own Cat - Plotting in Fiction

Save the Cat is a plotting concept used by Hollywood and writers everywhere. Some say it's the new Plotting Bible. But what is it and why should writers care?

Get Naked: Stripping Down Your Story

Witness a live critique group in action and discover the value of editing and beta readers. Members of my local critique group (Canton Writers Circle) will present with me. I have published five books during my time with CWC. I consider these fellow writers not only my posse but also my very closest friends. Come meet everyone!

OutlantaCon is coming. Are you?

<--- Pietas Cosplay from 2018

Life-sized banners of Pietas.

He is 7' tall! (I'm 5'4")
Model is Nik Nitsvetov

Pietas Cosplay from 2019 --->

I'll have a booth in the Vendor's Room this year and will be showing off the gorgeous new banners of Pietas.

Come get your picture taken next to one of them! Where would you reach compared to me?

Your picture will help me as I write future stories. I'll be able to picture people of various heights next to the hero.

(Pictures taken at AnachroCon 2020 in Atlanta)

Posted in Conventions for Sci Fi Lovers | Tagged Blog Hop, Fun Stuff to Do, Kayelle Allen, MFRW, OutlantaCon, Sci Fi Fantasy, Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels |

Workshop: Writing and Comics Track @OutlantaCon #scifi #amwriting

Updated on 12/26/2016 by Kayelle Allen

OutlantaCon has been around for 8 years and has seen a steady increase of attendance. It’s an Atlanta-based event for the Queer Geek audience, and the straight audience too. It’s my favorite convention, and I’ve attended since the first year. I have an honorary lifetime membership. When you attend a workshop here, you relax and chat, and can ask questions one-on-one. As a writer, it’s a great way to network, cut loose, and have some fun. The literary guests (in alphabetical order by first name) include:
Ally Blue
Brent D Seth
Eden Winters
Kage Alan
Kayelle Allen
Kiernan Kelly
Lee Martindale
Michael James Bode
R Alan Sler
Warren Rochelle

Workshop Listing

This workshop listing is only a sample. Please see the website for the full list. I’m teaching one of these, plus one on using Twitter (Sunday 5/15).

Workshop: Transitioning from Writing in One Genre to Another: Don’t Be Afraid
Fri, May 13, 10:30pm – Sat, May 14, 12:00am
Room: Decatur I
Why is stepping outside our writing safety zone so difficult? Is trying something new a good thing? Bad thing? Will we lose readers? Gain new ones? Can we successfully go from one genre to another?
10:30p – 11:45p
Panelists: Kage Alan, Kiernan Kelly, Eden Winters

Workshop: Self Publishing Vs. Publish with an Agent: The Pros and Cons
Sat, May 14, 10:30am – 12:00pm
Room: Decatur I
Discussion of the differences between traditional publishing versus self publishing. The values and pitfalls that happen with each. How to navigate and decide which would work best for the individual.
10:30a – 11:34a
Instructor: Kage Alan

Workshop: Walking the Self-Publishing Minefield
Sun, May 15, 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Room: Decatur II
A round table discussion of what to do and what to avoid when self publishing in order to turn out a polished manuscript, including how to market it once it’s published.
Noon – 1:15p
Instructors: Keirnan Kelly and Kayelle Allen
—

Don’t see a workshop you like? No worries. There is an entire list available on the convention website, and more than one track to choose from.
Main site http://www.outlantacon.org/
Programming http://www.outlantacon.org/#!programming/c1yjy
Membership http://www.outlantacon.org/#!membership/chul
Cost for the entire weekend is $60, or $30 for Saturday only. Email registration@outlantacon.org for more information.

Where is OutlantaCon?

Atlanta Marriott Century Center/Emory Area
2000 Century Boulevard NE Atlanta GA 30345
More info on the Marriott Reservation page.
The rate is 92.00 USD/night plus applicable taxes for the Thursday to Monday dates of the convention. If you have any problems with the reservation process online call the hotel direct. (404) 325-0000