Science fiction and fantasy fans are a unique breed. We have a subculture all our own. And like any subculture worth its weight in fluff news stories and the occasional police report, we have our culture-specific gatherings -- in our case, cons.
'Con' is short for 'convention.' There are numerous science fiction and fantasy cons scheduled for many times and places all across the world, but when I say 'the con' I mean MidSouthCon. MidsouthCon is nearly 30 years old, and is held in Memphis, Tennessee, former home of Elvis. This year the Con is at the Hilton, which has yet to be renamed the Frank Tuttle Hilton. I suppose they're waiting for the opening ceremony at the Con for that.
Click the con link above if you're curious. I went last year, and had a blast, so naturally I'm heading back this year too.
Part of my reason for going is business. I like to see what other writers are doing, hear publishers talk about the industry, listen to authors talk about publishers. There are panels about everything from aardvarks in fantasy to zombies in romance, and you'd be surprised who leads the panels sometimes.
I've also been nominated for the Darrell Award, and as a self-aggrandizing hog for attention, there's absolutely no way I'd miss being there in case my name is called.
I'm going to take my camera and blog all about it, so be on the lookout for that. And if any of you are planning to make MidSouthCon 29 in Memphis this year, please, look me up! I can usually be found clinging to the pant-leg of a hapless publisher or being escorted to the lobby by Security. In the case of the latter, please wait until the tasing wears off before initiating a conversation.
Those things sting no matter how many times you've endured them.
'Con' is short for 'convention.' There are numerous science fiction and fantasy cons scheduled for many times and places all across the world, but when I say 'the con' I mean MidSouthCon. MidsouthCon is nearly 30 years old, and is held in Memphis, Tennessee, former home of Elvis. This year the Con is at the Hilton, which has yet to be renamed the Frank Tuttle Hilton. I suppose they're waiting for the opening ceremony at the Con for that.
Click the con link above if you're curious. I went last year, and had a blast, so naturally I'm heading back this year too.
Part of my reason for going is business. I like to see what other writers are doing, hear publishers talk about the industry, listen to authors talk about publishers. There are panels about everything from aardvarks in fantasy to zombies in romance, and you'd be surprised who leads the panels sometimes.
I've also been nominated for the Darrell Award, and as a self-aggrandizing hog for attention, there's absolutely no way I'd miss being there in case my name is called.
I'm going to take my camera and blog all about it, so be on the lookout for that. And if any of you are planning to make MidSouthCon 29 in Memphis this year, please, look me up! I can usually be found clinging to the pant-leg of a hapless publisher or being escorted to the lobby by Security. In the case of the latter, please wait until the tasing wears off before initiating a conversation.
Those things sting no matter how many times you've endured them.
Frank,
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing you at MidSouthCon again this year.
For the record, you are a Finalist for the Darrell Awards, not merely a nominee. We shall see at the Banquet on Saturday at 5pm whether you won.
(Yep, I know, but I aint saying. Grin)
-- Tim Gatewood
Woohoo! Can't you give me a hint? Nod once if I won and twice if I lost.
ReplyDelete