I don't see how this could possibly go wrong
I'm back from World Fantasy Con! That was intense. I decided to go as A Professional Author, and I'm very glad I did. I think I met one person who was not involved with the publishing industry somehow -- most of the people I met were professional writers.
It was intense. I was evangelized by Clarion graduates (which descended into an internecine struggle between Clarion vs. Clarion West). I promised John Scalzi that I'd join SFWA. I met Cat Valente after her reading and found myself speechless. Genevieve Valentine turned out to be the most talented giver of readings that I have ever had the pleasure to listen to -- I must have her book, Mechanique, when it comes out next year. And on, and on. I met Elizabeth Bear and Mary Robinette Kowal and Ted Chiang signed his novella, "The Lifecycle of Software Objects," for me. I went to the Tor party and talked to Paolo again and he told me where they were hiding the good cider.
I came home with... books. You walk in to World Fantasy and they hand you your badge in a badge holder, your water bottle in its tote, your paperwork, and a sack of books. TEN books. I only brought twelve books home, which I consider a victory. My luggage weighed exactly 50 lbs.
The one book I intended to buy no matter what was Habitation of the Blessed by Cat Valente. It's about a character named Prester John -- a man who didn't exist, despite five hundred years of belief in him. I am in awe of Cat Valente's writing. I don't have words. She does. All the best words. I haven't cracked this book yet -- the last novel I finished was a slog, and I wasn't up for anything challenging -- but it's next on my list.
The novel I am currently reading is Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal. I was afraid that I would not like this book. I started it when I got to the airport this morning. Now I am almost finished because I cannot tear myself away.
I shall write more later. Other things happened. I've been up since 4 am and I am not totally coherent yet.
It was intense. I was evangelized by Clarion graduates (which descended into an internecine struggle between Clarion vs. Clarion West). I promised John Scalzi that I'd join SFWA. I met Cat Valente after her reading and found myself speechless. Genevieve Valentine turned out to be the most talented giver of readings that I have ever had the pleasure to listen to -- I must have her book, Mechanique, when it comes out next year. And on, and on. I met Elizabeth Bear and Mary Robinette Kowal and Ted Chiang signed his novella, "The Lifecycle of Software Objects," for me. I went to the Tor party and talked to Paolo again and he told me where they were hiding the good cider.
I came home with... books. You walk in to World Fantasy and they hand you your badge in a badge holder, your water bottle in its tote, your paperwork, and a sack of books. TEN books. I only brought twelve books home, which I consider a victory. My luggage weighed exactly 50 lbs.
The one book I intended to buy no matter what was Habitation of the Blessed by Cat Valente. It's about a character named Prester John -- a man who didn't exist, despite five hundred years of belief in him. I am in awe of Cat Valente's writing. I don't have words. She does. All the best words. I haven't cracked this book yet -- the last novel I finished was a slog, and I wasn't up for anything challenging -- but it's next on my list.
The novel I am currently reading is Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal. I was afraid that I would not like this book. I started it when I got to the airport this morning. Now I am almost finished because I cannot tear myself away.
I shall write more later. Other things happened. I've been up since 4 am and I am not totally coherent yet.