LUXCON, TITANCON, How Conventional!
LUXCON: MANIFESTATIONS OF GREATNESS
That's two years running now, I've been to the Grand Duchy as a guest at LuxCon, and two years where they've treated me like the rare and precious orchid that I am. After 2014's shocking surfeit of sun, the organisers provided plenty of rain this time to keep my Irish skin from drying out. And they even supplied me with friends: writers like Adrian Tchaikovsky and Aliette de Bodard; actors, like the lethal Miltos Yerolemou; and of course, the constant travelling pack of buddies known as the Brotherhood Without Banners, who will never abandon you to sip coffee alone.
LuxCon continues to astound. It should be tiny, but it is vast and vibrant. Alive with CosPlayers and Collectors; gamers and artists and surprisingly multilingual children.
Should you go next year? Well, that depends on whether you prefer having a good time or weeping alone in your cold bedroom. I won't judge you.
TITANCON ACQUIRES SOME GUESTS
And holy crap! Have you seen the guest list for TitanCon? Joe Abercrombie, soon to be the bloody tyrant of all Ireland, will be attending his first Con on this side of the Shattered Sea. I spoke to him at WorldCon last year and hinted at how nice it would be if he could somehow get over his leprechaun phobia. And yes, it's a recognised condition. Seems that Phil must have "shown him the instruments" as they say*, and finally got him to give in.
It will also be great to share a table full of curry with last year's Queen of the Con, Pat Cadigan, as well as the witty and brilliant Sarah Pinborough.
And that's just the imported talent! The Belfast authors alone would promote outbreaks of hysterical swooning at any Con in the world. Look at Ian Mcdonald! On an island infested with famous writers, people ought to be building statues to him and sacrificing their children at his mighty marble feet.
Anyway, you should come. I mean it. I'd love to see you there. You'd love to see you there. Bring chocolate.
*Not a double-entendre. I swear it's a reference.