Sumana

I'm speaking, performing, moderating, and otherwise participating at WisCon 48 (WisCon 2026) this weekend! It's entirely online (Discord + Zoom with some YouTube livestreams). My schedule:

Panel: The Last Year in Gender-Exploring SpecFic
Saturday, May 23rd, 10:30 AM–11:45 AM CDT
Members of the 2025 Otherwise jury and others familiar with the award will discuss the 2025 Otherwise Winner, Luminous by Silvia Park, as well as the Honor List titles and other works of gender-exploring speculative fiction from the last year. The panel will also discuss trends that they have seen in speculative fiction in in relation to the exploration and expansion of gender and how that exploration intersects, as it must, with other identity categories.
Cheryl S. Ntumy and Rebecca Fraimow, Mod: Sumana Harihareswara

GoH Panel: Climate Change & Climate Fiction
Sat. May 23rd, 1:00 PM–2:15 PM CDT
Climate change presents humanity with so many different potential challenges, it's no surprise that fictional imaginings of its effects are already so copious. Both our Guests of Honor, Premee Mohamed and Darcie Little Badger, have used their own scientific backgrounds to highlight climate change in their stories. In this panel they'll discuss their perspectives on climate change as scientists and as writers.
Darcie Little Badger and Premee Mohamed, Mod: Sumana Harihareswara

Otherwise's Fundraising Auction
Saturday, May 23rd, 7:00 PM–8:00 PM CDT
The return of the Otherwise Auction! Sumana Harihareswara is your live auctioneer. Bid (via Discord chat; pay using credit/debit card, Venmo, or PayPal) on a variety of material and immaterial items to support the Otherwise Award.

Some of the auction items:

• A signed, numbered, hardcover limited edition of N.K. Jemisin’s book How Long ’til Black Future Month -- donated by Subterranean Press
• Vintage collectibles, such as a WisCon 42 tote bag (from 2018, donated by SamHain Press)
• Discounts at online booksellers
• Wacky experiences! (I promise that there will be at least one wacky experience.)

I'll make nerdy jokes. You can come and have fun without bidding on anything. Anyone who donates any amount of money to Otherwise during the auction gets a virtual gift bag with some fun items in it, including the brand-new Otherwise ringtone, made specially for this event. I know we'll take PayPal and credit cards; we may also be taking Venmo. We'll take PayPal, Venmo, and debit/credit cards.

Guest of Honor Speeches & Otherwise Presentation
Sunday, May 24th, 7:00 PM–9:00 PM CDT
WisCon's traditional Sunday night event. Speeches by our guests of honor, followed by presentation of the Otherwise Award (and a filk to celebrate it!) and a speech from the con chairs.

Tickets for WisCon are sliding scale, USD$0-$5-$25-$65. And you'll also get the chance to enjoy fascinating (and well-moderated!) panels, readings of new work, a curated fanvid show, and other sessions, many of which will include CART (real time captioning by a human). More info at the helpful "How To WisCon" post.

One of my online homes, MetaFilter, is going through a transformation to be more member-governed. It's running a fundraiser. Here's a summary of why MetaFilter's so wonderful and worth sustaining. One way to donate is to bid in the auction, and one thing you can bid on is for me to post scifi/fantasy recommendations!

I'm offering to write MetaFilter posts recommending short speculative fiction stories (all by or about BIPOC people):

1. Fun, comforting, warm, or fluffy stories
2. Stories published this year, eligible for awards nominations
3. Stories by authors whom I adore and recommend at the slightest provocation

And there are a bunch of other gifts and services available - check it out! Bidding closes on Sunday the 13th.