my 2009 PAX panel schedule and chapbook announcement

Yesterday, PAX 2009 completely sold out, days before the con even begins. I'm so happy for everyone involved, from my friends who make the show happen, to the over 50,000 gamers who are about to participate in the best three days of the year.

My panel schedule looks a lot like this:

Saturday, 4:00pm – 5:00pm, Serpent Theatre

Pitch Your Game Idea

You’ve got 45 seconds to deliver your idea to our panel of experts. The top three pitches will be picked for prizes and swag! (Please note that this is an open forum — there’s nothing keeping anyone, judges and attendees alike, from stealing your ideas! If you’re not comfortable with this, please don’t pitch your idea!)

Panelists Include: Jeff Kalles, Greg Hjertager, Wil Wheaton

Sunday, 2:30pm – 3:30pm, Serpent Theatre

Wil Wheaton presents: THE AWESOME HOUR!!1

Wil Wheaton first came to PAX in 2007, when he gave the keynote address that your parents won't stop making you listen to in the car. In 2008, he returned for a panel that asked and answered the burning question, "Can Wil Wheaton really be a panel all by himself?" This year, Commodore Wil Wheaton welcomes you aboard the USS AWESOME for 60 minutes of story-telling, lingerie-dodging, mirth-making, myth-making, iconoclasting, and the obligatory burning-questioning … ing.

Presented by Wil Wheaton

I'm also tremendously excited to announce that I was able to put together a limited-edition chapbook of mostly-unpublished short fiction that will only be available at PAX. BEHOLD THE INTRODUCTION!

The Day After and Other Stories

Every year, before the summer convention season gets underway, I pull a few excerpts from whatever I plan to release in the fall, take them to my local print shop, and make a deliberately lo-fi, limited edition chapbook to take with me on the obligatory summer convention circuit.

I’ve done previews of Dancing Barefoot, The Happiest Days of Our Lives, Memories of the Future, and in 2008, I pulled together a sampler that eventually became Sunken Treasure. 

While Memories of the Future is 2009’s “big” fall release, it didn’t make sense to me to release a Memories-based chapbook this summer, because one already exists. 

It looked like there wasn’t going to be a 2009 entry in the traditional Wil Wheaton Zine-like Chapbook Extravaganza, until I realized that I have several pieces of unpublished fiction sitting in my office, just waiting to be published. 

“Hey,” I said to myself, “people keep asking me to write and release fiction, and I’ve been waiting until I have an actual novel to give them. But these things totally don’t suck, and I bet readers would enjoy them.”

“That is an excellent idea, me,” I said. “And have I mentioned how smart and pretty you are?”

“Oh, stop it. You’re embarrassing me,” I said.

Together, myself and I collected some of my (mostly unpublished) fiction and put it into this chapbook, for safe keeping.

Even though this is limited to just 200 copies, it represents a significant step for me in my life as a writer, because it’s the first time I’ve collected and published stories that I made up. (You know, like a writer does.) I hope you enjoy it, and thanks for your support!

Wil Wheaton

Pasadena 

2009

There will be just 200 signed and numbered copies of The Day After and Other Stories at PAX, which I'll have at my table in bandland. Depending on how it sells and the feedback I get from people who read it, I may decide to do a wide release, similar to what I did with Sunken Treasure.

45 thoughts on “my 2009 PAX panel schedule and chapbook announcement”

  1. I so hope you do a wide release because I will not be at PAX and I have been after you (on and mostly off) for YEARS to publish your fiction.
    I so want to read a copy.
    Kevin.

  2. Not having been to PAX before, but going this year, where exactly is your “table in bandland”? I’m hoping to be able to rush it and be one of the 200 lucky ones… 😉
    Thanks!
    -James

  3. Indeed, wide release please! Otherwise I suspect I’ll just have to admire from afar the copies that are purchased and placed on eBay for way more than I can afford!

  5. Bandland is an area right outside the main expo hall where bands and other personalities congregate to sell cds, books, autographs, etc. Basically, you won’t be able to miss it. You have to walk through bandland to get to the expo hall. Also, there aren’t that many tables in bandland so you should see the large banner that says “Whil Wheaton” by the table. (Yes, I accidentally typed “Whil” and, no, I didn’t change it because it amuses me.)
    Also, I will be joining you in line. Chapbooks are the best!
    Cheers!

  6. I understand the Sheer Awesomeness(TM) of exclusive release, but man oh man would a wide release be great. I start school next Tuesday and would hate to miss my first weeks of college because I have to hitchhike to PAX.

  7. I’m really glad you decided to bring a chapbook to PAX. But 200 copies!? I really hope I can get one from you – I suspect they’ll be sold out before your panel on Sunday.
    I don’t suppose you could hold one for me. 😉

  8. Damn I wish I could go to this PAX thing. Your panel looks like it could be a lot of fun! Oh, well. Maybe next year. Have fun Wil!

  10. I hope you end up releasing your new chapbook to a wider audience after PAX. I would buy it in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, our trip to Seattle this past weekend ended yesterday. Too bad we couldn’t make it two weekends in a row. Have a great time!

  11. Cool I hope to run into you there.
    Say was Neil Holcomb lighting ‘Leverage’? We have worked together in the past and I heard he was up in Pland gaffing it.
    Cheers

  12. I’m in Alabama. PAX is in Washington. Your chapbooks are in Washington (or will be).
    And.
    Well.
    I CAN HAZ CHAPBUK? PLZKTHX!!!

  13. Are you going to do something similar for PAX East if/when it comes about? I’m totally jealous of all the west coast Monkeys who get to do these awesome things!

  16. First thing, where is bandland? I need to make sure to slot it into my own schedule to pick up the chapbook.
    Second CRAP I can’t make the first panel but I will be at the Awesome Hour. I am meeting/interviewing with some developers at Atari to demo Champions and get this the first two level of Star Trek MMO. *sigh* I suppose it is a fair trade.
    *SQUEE* I cannot wait! I leave in just over 17 hours for Seattle!
    Looking forward to seeing you!

  17. I wish so much that I’d have the opportunity to get one of those, but it was difficult enough going just over 200 miles to Vermont from Maine.

  18. Much as I would like to be there, it just isn’t in the cards. Hope you have a good time. On a side note, I listened to the first episode of the new PA-PVP D&D podcast, good times!!

  19. Jeebus Murphey!
    I should have read all the replies before I re-asked the same question or asked you on Twitter lol.
    Tired Jules is tired.

  24. Gee Wil, has it really been two years since your presence was requested as Keynote speaker at PAX? I remember that …
    Unfortunately, I am unable to travel to PAX, and would therefore like to add my vote for wide release. 🙂
    Best of luck to you on this year’s PAX adventure, have lots of fun, and PLEASE blog about it (for those unfortunate souls who cannot attend – ahem, ie, me).
    Thanks for everything, Wil. You are the greatest.
    Ang

  25. I haven’t figured it out, yet. Once I get my schedule of panels I want to attend worked out, I’ll know when I can schedule my time in bandland. I’ll post a schedule at the booth, and I’ll mention updates on Twitter.

  29. I can’t come to PAX because I have to drive south this weekend to go with my Mom and grandparents to my Great Grandpa’s funeral 🙁
    You’re totally welcome to stop by Cheezburger HQ if you’re in town before PAX starts though 🙂

  30. Wil,
    Big fan. Love your writing. I’ll be at PAX on Sunday and will be attending THE AWESOME HOUR!! I’ve just started dating this really incredible girl (also a fan) who won’t be able to make it. If I caught you after the panel and got her on the phone, do you think you could say hi to her and maybe put in a good word for me? That would be awesome! Thanks, Wil! See ya Sunday.

  31. I’ll add my voice to the clamoring throngs … I’d love to see your chapbook in wide release, especially since I’m committed to Dragon*Con and thus can’t be at PAX. Your other books share a place of honor in my library, on a shelf with Naomi Novik (which tops off the bookcase that holds every Discworld book written so far). Except “Sunken Treasure,” which I’d been meaning to buy since you released it, and which I just ordered. Think of it as incentive.

  32. “That is an excellent idea, me,” I said. “And have I mentioned how smart and pretty you are?”
    Not too many webpages can make me literally LOL, but this one does. You’re a funny man!
    Chapbook sounds cool – go Lulu with it later. And I might add that I’ve really been enjoying the Radio Free Burritos I dug up – wish you still did this, Wil. I’d knock you my lobes, fer sure. You are both a writer and a performer – don’t forget that.
    Enjoy your PAXing.

  33. I would love to read your fiction, but will not be attending PAX. If you give it some sort of wide release, Sunken Treasure style, I would certainly purchase it.

  34. “depending on how it sells… may decide to do a wide release.”
    I bet my friend 20 bucks you sell out on the first day. I eagerly await the opportunity to spend that 20 bucks on a copy when you do the wide release.

  35. I’ve been anxious for some of your fiction so i would love a .pdf version similar to sunken treasures. especially it include that film-noire-esque poker/bar story you poster here a long while back.

  36. If the tantalising teasers of your fiction work I’ve read here and at ficly.com are any indication, I’m looking forward to being able to order The Day After and Other Stories soon 🙂
    Also, I’m sure there’d be much appreciation if someone could pop “The Awesome Hour!!1” on YouTube, for those of us who are a bit too far away to get to PAX. Thx!

  38. Sometimes I hate being stuck here in germany. I mean, yeah it’s a nice place in many ways but there are so many awesome geek events on the other side of that big ocean that i’d like to visit but just can’t afford to. 🙁
    Well, anyways I just saw the Guild 3×01 and it was great seeing you there. Looking forward to 3×02 😀

  39. Man, I wish I could go to this. I’m even in Seattle this weekend, but for Bumbershoot. Also, there’s that whole ‘sold out’ thing. Ah well, maybe next time.

  40. Sunken Treasure is the only book on my iPod. I think it’s getting lonely… Please help!
    Seriously, if this had a wider release I’d buy it; I’m guessing I’m one of many. Your writing style is quite unique, and a joy to read. I can haz mor WilBooks pls?

  42. Hey, Wil, if you’re free after your Saturday panel you’re cordially invited to come chill out with us. Find me and I’ll spot you a beer.
    Anyone else reading this are also invited to attend, but they have to get their own drinks. 🙂
    G33K LOUNGE, a Happy Hour for PAX 2009
    Details at

  43. An addendum to what Riff just said, since I wanted to invite you to the same thing!
    We’re part of a small non-profit group and our goal is to raise as much money for Child’s Play as possible. We could really use your help with that, and I know if you show up we’re bound to get more cool geeks interested!
    I hope to see you this weekend. 🙂

  44. Keep us updated on the game ideas. I’d like to know who wins. I think I have a f**king sweet idea, but couldn’t afford tickets this year.

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“The library is a safe place.”

In order to survive, I disassociated for much of my childhood, but I clearly remember the books. That's where I found comfort, companionship, inspiration and validation. It's where the imagination that powers everything I do creatively in my life today was born. And it all started in that library, with that librarian. She was one of the first people I can remember asking me, "What do you like? What's important to you? What do you want to know more about? How can I help you find it?"

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