So a couple of other people have also commented that they’re feeling quite relaxed. Then others have blogged about how manic it is. This all seems to relate to the number of events one is participating in. For a time, I was angry at myself for not being more assertive when I realised there was something wrong with my program participants form and thus for not getting on more panels. First time author, first novel, must be visible. But I was concerned for the con-com and didn’t want to bother them.
Now, I’m quite glad that all I’ve had to do is two panels, a signing and a reading. I’m already sore, and tired and on the verge of succumbing to a cold and I’d be in a much worse position if I’d been uber busy. Also, I wouldn’t have had days like yesterday.
Yesterday, I introduced my brother to the joys of cons. I’ve been slowly trying to convince my family to attend conventions – I’m sure they’ll love it. This is the first time I’ve got one this close. We started wandering around the art exhibition – it’s a shame this lovely country of our seems to prevent overseas artists from exhibiting. On the other hand, it means our fabulous talents get well considered. Was great to see friend Kathleen Jennings hanging there.
The first panel Bro and I went to was in the academic stream – about sf movies in the 20th century. I think half an hour was not enough time for this talk – it’s probably very interesting but ended up rushed. Although I astounded Bro when I told him I haven’t seen Bladerunner. (Geek cred FAIL).
Then we went to Kim Stanley Robinson’s talk on climate change. Well, Bro went straight away. I went to the signing room to get Glenda Larke to sign a book. Glenda’s been a friend for a while now and I’ve been extremely slack on the buying her books front, so I’ve remedied that with book one of the new trilogy. This gave me fan-girl moment two of the con – Howard Tayler was signing with her. I leant over, told him I loved Schlock and did a very small, barely noticeable (I hope) squee. I wasn’t going to buy any more books but damn it, I’ve gotta buy me a Schlock.
Bro and I then caught up with hubby and had a nice lunch. I had a pork sausage pasta which was just DIVINE!
Bro decided he was conned out, so said goodbye and I was back to the con and my second shift on the CSFG desk. I wasn’t as proactive in the sales department as I realised I needed to get started preparing for my reading the next morning.
At 4pm I went to Mary Victoria’s reading. There’s a lot of people I’ve wanted to catch up with at the con but haven’t been able to and Mary is one of them. She read beautifully and I’m now really excited about reading Tymon’s Flight (which I bought in NZ – I figured I should, as she’s a Kiwi). Fascinating idea of the world tree and a beautiful, at times lyrical turn of phrase.
My last panel for the day was on authors and reviewers and what to do and not to do. It was my first chance to see John Scalzi in action (love his blog) and he didn’t disappoint, giving me the line of the con so far in regarding reacting to bad reviews – you throw poo at the monkeys and they just have more poo. So true, John, so true.
After that was dinner at the Hilton with the Aussie Voyager authors. Had a chat with Jo Spurrier, the newest Voyager author (signed just six weeks ago so still very much in the OMG I’m really here! phase). Caught up with lotsa folks, ate lovely food, drank lovely wine.
Got to the Hugos a bit lateish, but still didn’t miss anything important. I love award shows – it’s gratifying to me to see people’s endeavours rewarded, particularly in an environment like publishing where they’re not necessarily getting the financial reward. I was pleased that after the toing and froing of winning various awards over the year, ‘The City and The City’ and ‘The Windup Girl’ tied for the win for best novel. It seemed a fitting result.
The presenters were fabulous. I’ve decided that George RR Martin is one of the coolest people alive. This means, of course, that I’m going to have to add his books to my ‘I must buy those’ list. There’s not enough hours in a lifetime, there really isn’t.
Headed over to con parties, but ended up piking. I came back to the room, practiced one of my readings and then had the best night’s sleep for two weeks.
So here’s to the last day. I better get on with my practise and prep. Hope it’s a good one!