I think this was the best Armadillocon in a long time and not just because I had a book out. The topics were all really interesting and well-attended, and the energy was way up. Among the panels I attended were Hollywood: Book to Screen and How to Sell a Story to Asimov’s (with brave editor Sheila Williams taking questions). I have resolved to stop doing Sheila’s job and reject my stories myself — no, I will send her my stories from now on and let her do that. But in case you haven’t heard the statistics, she receives about 6,000 stories a year and accepts between 60 and 80.

I moderated two panels: one on Young Adult fiction. My goal for this panel was to allow the panelists to show off their knowledge of the YA field and let them discourse upon trends and such. I don’t think it went as smoothly as I would have wished, but not because it was the panelists’ fault — they were all very informative, but sometimes the panel just gets away from you.

Much better was the Writer’s Boot Camp, or No More Excuses Panel. We talked about the roadblocks people put in their own way when they wanted to write and it was a fun, lively, discussion. A lot of people including panelists said how much they enjoyed that one. So I felt like I had done my job.

I got to sign books in the presence of John Scalzi, for whom the line stretched out of the dealer room. It was phenomenal. The others of us at the signing table, including Julie Kenner, Steve Wedel, and Josh Rountree, were in awe. I did sign plenty of copies of Gordath Wood, and then at the end of the hour, got in the end of the Scalzi line to get my copy of Zoe’s Tale to be signed. I cannot wait to read it. It looks fabulous.

The highlight of the con, though, were the camp fire stories told by Joe Haldeman, Joe Lansdale, Bill Crider, and Scott Cupp. Joe Lansdale told some remarkable stories, including the one about the blind groundskeeper and the woman who comes to the door and has a fit (”I mean it was a F I T T fit”), and stories about his dad. The elder Lansdale never started a fight, but boy, he sure knew how to finish one. And Joe Haldeman told a truly awesome story about Vietnam, among other tales.

That was the best.

Excellent parties, good friends, Jayme Blaschke’s mead, and great readings by Stina Leicht, Martha Wells, Matthew Bey, Jessica Reisman, and others. Can’t wait for next year.

Joe Haldeman gave me his drink ticket! Oh and other stuff happened too.

Okay, okay, day one. Went to the panel on the influence of westerns on SF, and of course Firefly was mentioned. Joe Lansdale ran away with the panel, which discoursed over a wide range of topics, from Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour to Silverberg, Bloch, and Howard of course. The Conan stories = westerns and the consensus was they were more western than his actual westerns. Joe Lansdale pointed out that he had been to Howard’s house and stood in his backyard and recognized bits from his stories.

Went to the panel on “Why I write,” which was ably moderated by Matthew Bey. Panelists ended up talking about why they don’t write, and how they snap out of writer’s block. Talebones editor Patrick Swenson said that he misses writing and that editing takes away writing time. He spoke of the incredible value that Clarion and other workshops have because they put writers in company with other writers and mentors, fueling creativity.

Went to dinner with cryptopolis, and after that there was the pros party, and after that went to Matthew Bey’s reading, which was hilarious as he read from two stories, The Natural History of the Pancake Badger, and I forgot the name of the second one but it was a remake of “I am Sam” only with Sean Penn playing Cthuhlu.

Natural History is going up on the Town Drunk at some point, and the Cthulhu one is appearing in a something about tentacles anthology (sorry, I’ll edit when I find out the real name) from Sam’s Dot. So you need to make sure you buy the anthology and visit Town Drunk because you don’t want to miss them.

I’ll remind you.

It’s not late but I had one drink (Joe Haldeman!) so I’m useless. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.

Just a reminder that this weekend is Armadillocon, the premier science fiction and fantasy con of Central Texas. Hey, I can’t help it if I’m biased. They’re like my home team.

Here’s my schedule:

 Saturday, noon: Reading, in Robertson

Saturday, 3 pm: Sex, Drugs, and Urban Fantasy: Teen Fiction is Not For Kids
in deZavala.

Sunday, 11 am: No More Excuses: Making Writing a Part of Your Life
in deZavala

Sunday 1  pm: Autographing, in the dealer’s room

I am looking forward to the con and hope to see you there!

Well, I’m back.

 Apollocon was fun and I had a great time hanging out with old friends and new. The con was small-ish but lively, what with gamers and costumed fans mingling with the usual writerly crowd.

 The book cover panel was highlighted by John Picacio and Lou Anders discussing what makes a good cover, what makes a great cover, and how a cover can affect book sales for good or ill. I also shared a panel on SF in literature and other media, a free-wheeling discussion with Jayme Blaschke, Tim Miller, Maureen McHugh, Rosemary Clement-Moore, and C. J. Mills. When an audience member asked if the writers on the panel would consider an offer from Hollywood to adapt one of their books, I said that I would definitely want take the money but depending on the production company I might turn them down. Allen Steele from the audience pointed out that since many books are optioned but few are chosen, it was okay to take the money and run.

So it’s okay — if anyone wants to make a movie of Gordath Wood, I’ll be like, where do I sign?

Kimm Antell freaked me out by showing me the YouTube video of the basketball player whose tendons and ligaments went sproing!! and his leg bent the wrong way. I’m still shuddering over that. Thanks, Kimm.

Went to a bunch of readings including Jessica Reisman and Shanna Swendon, and let me tell you, there was a juxtaposition of writing styles. Jessica’s language is deep and flowing; Shanna’s is bouncy and lively.  

Have I mentioned that I hate reading out loud? In front of people? Luckily I got to read with Martha Wells, who read from a brand-new fantasy that hasn’t even been sold yet and it made me so jealous I wanted to cry. Instead, I read a few excerpts from GW, and man, I just can’t stand reading out loud. But people laughed at the right spots so I guess it went okay.

I’m not a huge picture hound, but here are a couple (Click for a larger view.)

My digital camera thinks it’s a daguerrotype, and Mikal Trimm, being all 21st century, thought he could move about. But no! One must stay freakishly still, or my camera will blur you like a blurry little thing!

This was the cursing panel. I’m pretty sure that Selina Rosen’s head has exploded because of all the bad language everyone else was using.

I think this picture really sums up what is important about the con, though. Yes, you guessed it: Gabrielle Faust’s shoes. These shoes rock, people.

Just a reminder, I will be in Houston this weekend for Apollocon. I will be sharing a reading time with Martha Wells, whose novels include The Wizard Hunters, a very fun fantasy adventure, and I will also be signing autographs.

 My schedule is as follows. Please stop by and say hi.