I rode down to Denver with Mike Brotherton, David Levine and Deanna Hoak. You’d think the week had been enough, but we kept talking astronomy on the way here. We got in about 11:00 and went straight to our panel on Launchpad, where we were joined by the lovely and talented Samantha Henderson. Basically, we just recapped the experience at Launchpad, talked about some misconceptions, what dark matter was, where seasons come from and stuff like that.
Straight from there, I went to Schmoozing 101 with John Scalzi and Mike Kabonga. It has to be the most fun I’ve had on a panel ever. The thing that’s been sort of fun afterwards has been having people that had been in the audience try out their new schmoozing techniques on me when we run into each other in the hall. It’s like we all get to have a great playtime.
I had an hour break and then trotted back for Survival Tips for the Beginning Writer with David B. Coe and Darlene Marshall. I learned a lot from these two, as the junior writer on the panel. The biggest point that I think we all made is that it’s not just about talent or skill, it’s about hard work. Butt in chair… but you know that, already.
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that drives to Denver with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen on the Interwebs or now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon this World Con day.
I am stunned and know not what to say.
Hello,
It seems I caught all three of your panels. What can I say? You are on all the interesting ones.
I’ve been filling in my family on the advice fron Schmoozing 101 and laughing about all us geeks who need lessons in social skills. It’s also fun to watch people’s schmoozing techniques and the schmooze reception technique.
Hi Lizzie,
I’m so glad that you found some of that helpful or at least amusing. We had a lot of fun.
I did not attend your Launchpad session, but after seeing you and John Scalzi at Schmoozing 101 and you and David Coe at the Survival Tips session, please count me as a definite new fan.
I really enjoyed your reading Thursday afternoon, especially because it meant that my first exposure to your work was hearing you read it. You read beautifully, both your own work and Mr. Scalzi’s.
If you are friends with David Levine, then you might already know about this, but I’m sure Steve Eley at EscapePod would kill to have you read one of your short stories for his podcast. It is very well produced and seems to be well managed. It’s how I discovered Mr. Levine’s short stories.
Thanks again for the Schmoozing 101 panel. It has set a great tone for the Con for me so far (not that I’m not also being roundly mocked by my family for being in need of it, like Lizzie above).
Many thanks for stopping by and for your lovely compliments.
I adore EscapePod, but Steve and I haven’t found a story yet that fits his needs. Thank you for suggesting it though. Have you listened to PodCastle, their sister fantasy site? It’s quite wonderful.
I enjoyed meeting you, and congratulations again!
It was lovely meeting you as well!