Bubonicon will have you feeling post-apocalyptic

Fantasy and sci-fi author Brandon Sanderson is the guest of honor at the 44th Bubonicon, the Albuquerque-based convention that will be held from Friday, Aug. 24, through Aug. 26 at the Albuquerque Marriott Uptown, 2101 Louisiana NE.

Sanderson’s first novel, “Elantris,” was published in 2005. Two years later, he was picked to complete Robert Jordan’s “Wheel of Time” series after Jordan died.

Sanderson is on several Bubonicon panel discussions, will give a reading at 2 p.m. Saturday and will make a presentation at 11 a.m. Aug. 26. The convention primarily focuses on sci-fi, fantasy and horror literature. Its 2012 theme is post-apocalyptic fiction.

Ursula Vernon, a 2012 Hugo Award nominee for Graphic Story, is Bubonicon’s guest artist and Michael Cassutt, a novelist, TV producer and screenwriter, is the toastmaster.

They are among more than 40 authors, artists, filmmakers and others from around the world who are participating in the convention.

Registration runs from 3-8:30 p.m. Friday. A three-day pass is $45. Daily passes are $15 for Friday, $25 for Saturday and $15 for Sunday. Three-day pass for youths ages 14-17 is $23. Children under 14 are admitted free if accompanied by an adult. A pass with badge is required for Bubonicon events, except the art show and dealers room, which are free.

Other opening-day events include a discussion on “Amorous Interludes: Why So Much Romance in Sci-Fi Writers,” a talk by author Loretta Hall on “Out of This World: New Mexico’s Contributions to Space Travel” a discussion on “Pump Up the Volume: Writing Big Science Fiction” and a charity auction to benefit the Roadrunner Food Bank and Eastern New Mexico University’s Williamson Library Collection. Participating New Mexico authors include Hall, George R.R. Martin, Daniel Abraham, Ian Tregillis, Darynda Jones, and Walter Jon Williams. For more information, visit www.bubonicon.com.

AT ALAMOSA BOOKS: The third annual Malpaís Review poetry reading will be held 2-5 p.m. today at the store, 8810 Holly NE. Poets with work published in the review during the previous year — or accepted for publication in future issues — are invited to read. Gary L. Brower is the review’s editor.

AT HASTINGS: Belinda Vasquez Garcia signs copies of her book “The Witch Narratives Reincarnation” from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at Hastings, 800 Juan Tabo NE. The author and the book were featured in the August issue of Albuquerque the Magazine. For more information visit http://belindavasquezgarcia.com/witch

AT BOOKWORKS: The bookstore at 4022 Rio Grande NW hosts these events. … Francesca Mason Boring discusses her book “Connecting to Our Ancestral Past: Healing Through Family Constellations, Ceremony and Ritual” at 3 p.m. today. …Poets Janet Marie Rogers and Alex Jacob read from their work and share music from a CD at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21. … Carrie Vaughn presents her new sci-fi novel, “Kitty Steals the Show,” at 7 p.m. Thursday. … And Albuquerque’s Paula Paul signs copies of her new book, “Sins of the Empress,” at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24.

SOUTHWEST WRITERS EVENT: Romance and mystery writer Sarah Storme talks about “Tying Readers to Your Words” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, at New Life Presbyterian Church, 5540 Eubank NE. Storme talks about using deep point of view, characterization, hooks and to draw in readers. $5.