What is Launch Pad?
Launch Pad is a workshop for established writers held in beautiful high-altitude Laramie, Wyoming. Launch Pad aims to provide a “crash course” for the attendees in modern astronomy science through guest lectures, and observation through the University of Wyoming’s professional telescopes. (In the past the workshop had NASA and NSF support and was free, but is now $500 for the week, which includes lodging and meals except for dinner. Thanks to a wonderful and generous patron, we can offer a scholarship for travel and tuition for one attendee from the United Kingdom, European Union, Norway, or Iceland.)
Who is Launch Pad?
Launchpad 2013′s guest instructor is Christian Ready, an astronomer who is a past Program Coordinator for the Hubble Space Telescope and popular public speaker. Other lecturers include University of Wyoming professors Michael S. Brotherton, PhD, and Jim Verley, PhD.
Who has attended Launch Pad?
Past attendees have included Campbell Award-winning authors Jay Lake and Mary Robinette Kowal, Hugo and Nebula winners Nancy Kress and Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo winner David D. Levine, science comedian Brian Malow, editor Ellen Datlow, and dozens more distinguished people. Any writers, editors, or other creative people who can benefit from the experience and put more and better quality astronomy in front of audiences are our ideal attendees.
How do I attend Launch Pad?
The next workshop will be held July 14-21, 2013. We were open to applications from March 15 until April 15. Applicants have been notified of acceptance. NOTE: If you applied and have not heard from us, please send an email directly to Mike Brotherton (mbrother@uwyo.edu). A glitch blocked some applications from reaching us and we’re trying to understand how large the problem was and how to best handle well-qualified applicants whose applications we did not yet see. Our deepest apologies.