Jamestown Writer to Speak at Columbus Fiction Conference

COLUMBUS, OH - Freelance writer and columnist Gery L. Deer of Jamestown will be sharing his expertise with aspiring writers as a panelist at the 23^rd Annual Context Speculative Fiction Conference in Columbus. At 1 PM on Saturday August 28, Deer will host a session on the business of freelance writing and serve as one of three panelists chairing a discussion about writing for different types of publication beginning at 7 PM the same day.

With more than two decades of journalism, public relations and commercial writing experience, Deer is best known for his self-syndicated editorial column, Deer In Headlines but also writes for national publications and provides concierge copywriting services to business clients. He currently serves as the director for the Western Ohio Writers Association, a non-profit group based in Greene County which offers networking and educational opportunities for writers in southwestern Ohio, eastern Indiana, and northern Kentucky.

Context is a convention focused on speculative literary works and related games, comics, television and films. Throughout the weekend, aspiring writers, artists and graphic novelists attend workshops and panel discussions hosted by working authors and related experts.

Speculative fiction is more commonly known as science fiction and includes a wider range of material than one might expect. Most participants in this type of conference are fans of manga, anime, science fiction, fantasy, or horror.

"Literary science fiction events like Context are not the Star Trek conventions people might imagine," Deer explained. "Conferences like this are geared more towards aspiring writers of science fiction and fantasy and provide the opportunity to meet and talk with well-known professionals of the genre."

A featured presenter at civic and business organizations throughout the state, Deer also speaks at schools, university business schools and other science fiction literary conventions including WindyCon in Chicago and Columbus' long-running, Marcon. He was also nominated this year for the Ohio Public Image Network Award in Media and considered for a Pulitzer Prize in journalism.

As even more popular novels are making the leap to the big screen this season, the theme for the Context convention this year is, "We loved the movie, but the book was better." For more information on the event go online to www.daytoncopywriters.com.