CA Conventions this weekend

This weekend in once-again-sunny California, we have two big conventions. Westercon 64, The West Coast Science Fantasy Conference, is in San Jose this year. Writer Guests of Honor are novelist Patricia A. McKillip, and Kaja and Phil Foglio (Creators of the Girl Genius graphic novel series).

In LA, we have the Anime Expo 2011. Their GOHs are numerous and include these two designers:

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (May 20, 2011) ­ Fans of the world of anime rejoice as celebrated directors and character designers Akihiko Yamashita and Miho Shimogasa join this summer¹s most anticipated anime, manga and music convention, AM2, this coming 4th of July weekend as official guests of honor. More info can be found at www.am2con.org

TOM & JERRY and LUPIN III: THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO were two of the most influential animations that brought attention of the world of anime to celebrated anime director Yamashita-san. Yamashita-san has worked as a character designer for GIANT ROBO: THE ANIMATION-THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL and ZEGAPAIN, his first directorial work was at the world famous Studio Ghibli animation studio where he directed CHUZUMO. Yamashita-san has gone on with directing some of Studio Ghibli¹s biggest and most known works including HOWL¹S MOVING CASTLE, ARRIETTY, PONYO and the latest film from the studio Š KOKURIKO. Yamashita-san has huge admiration for the works of J.J. Abrams and is an avid "Trekker/Trekkie".

Born in Yokohama, Shimogasa-san loved anime characters such as Susumu Kodai (Derek from SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO aka STAR BLAZER) and decided to become an animator with her first part-time job as a cell painter while still a student. Upon graduating, Shimogasa-san joined the highly recognized anime studio Artland as an animator. Later, she became a freelance animator and has worked on such notable titles including CUTEY HONEY FLASH, KOCCHI MUITE MIIKO, NIGHTWALKER, GOKUDO, GRAVITATION, PSYCHIC ACADEMY, THE PRINCE OF TENNIS, GOOD MORNING CALL, ULTRA MANIAC, POWERPUFF GIRLS Z AND BATTLE SPIRITS: SHONEN TOPPA BASHIN. As an Animation Director, Shimogasa-san directed SAILOR MOON SUPERS, SAILOR MOON SAILOR STARS, SAILOR MOON SUPERS PLUS-AMI¹S FIRST LOVE and also served as Assistant Director in GALAXY EXPRESS 999: ETERNAL FANTASY. An interesting tid-bit of information Š Shimogasa-san¹s name was used to name a twin maid character in DETECTIVE CONAN.

"We are truly blessed and honored to have such amazing anime talent join us this year", states Chase Wang AM2 representative, "having someone from the world famous Studio Ghibli and a celebrated character designer of SAILOR MOON and more is a treat for our fans here in the Southern California area-especially with such a huge fan base of that series! Get your Passports today and experience the difference!"

Attendees can avoid the anticipated huge lines at autographs, premiere screenings, workshops, main events, concerts and panels by purchasing a Passport fast pass for the event. The Passport fast pass will also provide holders with premier seating options at Main Events and at Concert events as well as major discounts with theme parks, retailers and local restaurants.
Bypass the lines and get your Passport today and experience the difference!

Yamashita-san and Shimagosa-san join current Guests of Honors Scandal, Sadie, Kanon Wakeshima, kanon x kanon, heidi., Gashicon, IBI and MINT with more to be announced soon!

AM2 current activities include Exhibit Hall, AMV¹s, Arcade, Summer Festival, World Cosplay Summit, Behind the Voice Actors Studio, Rum Party Pirates, Masquerade, Cosplay Chess, Dances, Fashion Shows, Table Top, Console Gaming, AniMaid Café, AniMaid Café Host Club, Workshops, Panels, Concerts and more!

*end press release*

Go check out Anime Expo's list of directors, industry leaders, voice actors, creators, singers, video game developers, etc.

BIGLOBE sent this press release regarding SUGOI BOOKS' Android app and their presence at Anime Expo.

Tokyo, June 28, 2011- NEC BIGLOBE, Ltd. (BIGLOBE), one of Japan's leading internet service providers, announced today its participation in Anime Expo 2011 (AX), the largest anime/manga convention in North America, from July 1-4, 2011 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. BIGLOBE is the creator of SUGOI BOOKS, an Android-based bookstore application, as well as its dedicated website aimed at the manga community: www.sugoisugoi.com .

BIGLOBE will supply smartphone devices for demonstrations at booths 813 and 815 during AX, enabling visitors to experience their manga bookstore app firsthand. A cosplay photo contest will also be held at the booths, where participants may win an assortment of prizes.

On Sunday, July 3 from 3PM to 4PM, representatives from BIGLOBE Japan will hold a panel discussion in LP4 to personally introduce this innovative and entertaining application to AX visitors. New comic titles will also be announced, and members of the panel discussion audience will be eligible to win prizes.

To commemorate its presence at AX, BIGLOBE will give away 300 free tickets that can be used to buy manga chapters through Saturday, July 8 at midnight (PST) to anyone who downloads the app and registers an account on SUGOI BOOKS.

Just prior to AX, the www.sugoisugoi.com website was completely updated. Visitors now have easy access to information about available manga titles, can communicate with other manga fans via Twitter and Facebook, and can find the latest anime and manga industry news. In close contact with its fans, NEC BIGLOBE aims to become the largest manga provider for users of smartphones and multimedia devices.

World Fantasy Convention highlights & an e-reader raffle

Alas, I missed this year's World Fantasy Convention in Columbus, Ohio. But I couldn't let it come and go without a mention. Fortunately, my new reviewer Clare Deming went this year and offered to report on her experience.

****

World Fantasy Convention 36 - A Newcomer's Perspective

by Clare Deming

Halloween weekend found writers, editors, publishers, agents, and other professionals gathered in Columbus, Ohio for the 36th World Fantasy Convention. Spanning four days, the Hyatt Regency and Columbus Convention Center hosted panel discussions, author readings, a dealer's room, art show and sale, and after-hours social events. This year's theme was a Celebration of Whimsical Fantasy.

Information on former and future locations, nominees and winners of the World Fantasy Awards, and some history can be found at www.worldfantasy.org. Guests of honor this year were Dennis L. McKiernan, David G. Hartwell, Esther Friesner, and Darrell K. Sweet.

As my first time attending this convention, I had not known what to expect. Making my way through check-in on Thursday, a volunteer at the end of the table handed me a massive black bag. When I peered inside, over a dozen new books greeted me with whispers of strange tales and bizarre creatures. I immediately returned to my room to gloat over my prize, like a dragon with a newly acquired chest of gold and jewels. The weekend was off to a great start.

Once I could extricate myself from my heap of books, I decided to venture into a few panel discussions. Topics spanned many aspects of the field. One way in which World Fantasy Con differs from other conventions is that there are no classes on the mechanics of how to write. You won't find instruction on creating believable characters, using proper manuscript format, or avoiding smeerps, "said" bookisms, or info-dumps. Instead, I enjoyed discussions of Fantasy Gun Control, The Tension Between Art & Commerce, Slaughtering the Evil Hordes, and Why There Is No Religion in Middle Earth.

Having an introverted personality, I was unsure of my ability to socialize in a crowd of strangers in the evenings. Well, it turns out that if you put enough introverts together in one room, conversation suddenly explodes. The Con is a business and networking event in disguise, so it even the introverts are eager to meet each other. Contact information is relentlessly exchanged. For other first-timers--don't forget to bring business cards.

One of the most amazing aspects of this convention among newcomers and repeat attendees alike seemed to be the mutual understanding and love for the fantasy genre. I discovered an esprit de corps among the attendees that I had previously only encountered among my high school D&D group. People there understood that the original Conan was not a movie, elves and dwarves aren't always necessary, and that a book can be about a Torturer, without being about torture.

By that first evening, I recognized why events on Friday began no earlier than 10:00 am. Book launch parties and other social events stretched well into the night, every night. And the attendees preferring the hotel bar demolished all the Guinness on the first evening. Even managing to appear the next morning by 11:00 am required a heroic sacrifice of shut-eye and lucidity.

Despite the timing of the Con coinciding with Halloween weekend, costumes were sparse. However, I glimpsed a few corsets and vampires in the evenings, as well as a publisher dressed entirely in orange. Name badge decorations were more common, and I'm pleased to have come home with two spaceship pins from Tor.

Open mike sessions for poetry and story-telling, an autograph reception, and the artists' reception also took place in the evenings. The autograph reception let attendees meet and chat with nearly all of the authors, as well as receive autographs and purchase books. At the artists' reception, I drooled over paintings I could not afford while snacking on wonderful desserts. A large number of authors gave readings during the days and evenings, and I enjoyed those by Patricia McKillip, Joshua Palmatier, and Nancy Kress. I also managed to escape the dealer's room with only four additional books.

From an unscientific survey of other members, the hotel and convention facilities were deemed above average compared to other years' conventions. Being on crutches and unable to venture far, I had consumed a few meals at the food court in the convention area, and a few in the hotel's restaurant before discovering the con suite. A rectangular chamber of delightful free cuisine had been hidden on the first floor of the hotel. By that time, a horde had descended upon the Italian meal and the line was lengthy, but worth the wait at that price.

On Sunday afternoon, the World Fantasy Award winners were announced at a banquet. Gene Wolfe's acceptance of his award for Best Collection brought the audience to their feet as he made his way to the podium, and I believe was the most touching moment of the afternoon. He spoke only a few words, but appeared to sincerely appreciate the honor of the award.

At the close of the banquet, many attendees headed home. For those of us who stayed through Sunday night, exhaustion tempered our sadness at the end of a great weekend. Packing my books into my suitcase on Monday morning, I thought about all the people I had met, and I hope I will see them again next year. And yes, I managed to keep my suitcase under the airline's fifty pound limit. Next year's convention will be held in San Diego. Get your memberships now--rumor has it that they expect to sell out early.

****

Not to have you miss the seasoned veteran's perspective as well, you can also read Nancy Kress' daily con reports on her blog, complete with pictures, beginning here.

****

I still don't have an e-reader. If you don't either, here's a great way to win one. Nisi Shawl gave me the scoop on this great fundraiser, the Octavia E. Butler Memorial Scholarship Fund eReader Drawing.

Details can be found at the link above and the full press release is below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2010

EREADER FUNDRAISER LIVE NOVEMBER 5

The Carl Brandon Society, an organization dedicated to racial and ethnic diversity in speculative fiction, will hold a prize drawing of five eReaders to benefit the Butler Scholarship, a fund that sends two emerging writers of color to the Clarion writers workshops annually.

In keeping with the Society’s support of literature from and about people of color, the prizes include five eReaders: two Barnes & Noble Nooks, two Kobo Readers, and one Alex eReader from Spring Design. Each eReader will come loaded with books, short stories and essays by writers of color from the speculative fiction field. Writers include: N. K. Jemisin, Nisi Shawl, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Terence Taylor, Ted Chiang, Shweta Narayan, Chesya Burke, Moondancer Drake, Saladin Ahmed, Rochita Loenen-Ruiz and more.

“Octavia wanted everyone to enjoy the powerful stories writers of color can produce when we write speculative fiction, so this drawing would have made her very happy. It’s a wonderful win-win event, raising money for a scholarship that helps writers of color while sharing their creations with the world,” said Carl Brandon Society co-founder Nisi Shawl, a winner of the 2008 James Tiptree, Jr. Award.

“It’s so appropriate that booksellers are supporting the development of the next generation of writers, with the next generation of reading devices. This fundraiser will help ensure that great and thought-provoking literature will be coming out of our community for a long time,” added Claire Light, CBS Vice President.

“We’re thankful for the generosity shown by Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Spring Design in donating the devices for this drawing,” said K. Tempest Bradford, Special Events volunteer. “Thanks to them we can offer some of the best eReading devices available.”

The drawing’s tickets will cost one dollar US ($1) and can be purchased at http://carlbrandon.org/drawing.html. Entrants may purchase an unlimited number of tickets, which will be available from November 5, 2010 through November 22nd, 2010. Sales will close at 11:59PM EDT on November 22nd. Winners will be drawn randomly from a digital “hat” and announced online.

To purchase tickets, read details about the eReaders, or to learn more about the Carl Brandon Society, please visit carlbrandon.org/drawing.html.

About the Carl Brandon Society

The Carl Brandon Society’s mission is to increase racial and ethnic diversity in the production of and audience for speculative fiction. We envision a world in which speculative fiction, about complex and diverse cultures from writers of all backgrounds, is used to understand the present and model possible futures; and where people of color are full citizens in the community of imagination and progress.

About the Octavia E. Butler Memorial Scholarship

Established in 2006 after the author’s passing, the Octavia E. Butler Memorial Scholarship provides funds to writers of color accepted to the Clarion and Clarion West writers workshops. The scholarship has been awarded every year since 2007 to a total of seven students. The fund allows the Carl Brandon Society to further the author’s legacy by providing the same experience/opportunity that Octavia had to future generations of new writers of color. In addition to her stint as a student at the original Clarion Writers Workshop in Pennsylvania in 1970, Octavia taught several times for Clarion West in Seattle, Washington, and Clarion in East Lansing, Michigan (now located in San Diego, California), giving generously of her time to a cause she believed in.

Carl Brandon Society Website: http://carlbrandon.org

Drawing website: http://carlbrandon.org/drawing.html

Barnes & Noble Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp

Kobo Reader: http://koboereader.com

Spring Design’s Alex: http://www.springdesign.com

Mary Robinette Kowal - sf/f writer and puppeteer

I just finished Mary Robinette Kowal's new novel, Shades of Milk and Honey. It was like stepping into a Jane Austen novel in an alternate Regency England. One in which among the other parlour arts a woman learns like playing the pianoforte or needlework, she also learns "glamour", a magic that enhances the beauty of existing surroundings or creates a tableau all its own from the "ether" to delight guests.

The protagonist, Jane, has exceptional talent in glamour while her sister has the looks. I kept hoping that the glamour would somehow save the world – such have been the novels I'm accustomed to reading. But I realize that in Jane's world, one's station in society and prospects all depend on looks and talent. Not being endowed with good looks, her glamour is everything. And it does save the day and possibly a life on more than one occasion.

Romance isn't my usual genre, but Mary Robinette Kowal has captured that world of Jane Austen and beautifully embellished it with a fantasy element. Her prose is lyrical and smooth. I can see how Mary's other talents have heightened her ability to convey the emotion of her characters, as you'll read in the interview.

Since this interview was conducted, my friend, Gareth Powell (see interview herein), announced the anthology table of contents he's featured in. And there again, was Mary Robinette Kowal, listed at the top with her story, "Birthright" http://www.ricknovy.com/2010/08/2020-visions-author-1-mary-robinette-kowal/. The anthology is 2020 Visions.

Read more about Mary on her Web site where you can also hear her read an excerpt from Shades of Milk and Honey.

AW: Why do you like to write science fiction and fantasy?

MRK: For me, science fiction and fantasy hold the same appeal that puppetry does. They are both the theater of the possible. I'm not limited by gravity or physics or anything else. They also allow me to rotate the familiar view of humanity to see different angles. I think viewing things from the side, as it were, lets me see things more clearly sometimes.

We get used to seeing things one way and science fiction and fantasy, and puppetry for that matter, move past that.

AW: Did you go to Readercon?

MRK: I did! It is on my list of "don't miss" conventions.

AW: Can you give us some personal highlights?

MRK: I have to admit that the weekend was dominated for me by the fact that I got my first hardcover copy of my novel, Shades of Milk and Honey, on Thursday night. The rest of the weekend passed in a wee bit of a hazy glow from that.

I also got to meet Samuel R. Delany when I moderated a panel we were both on called Drop Out, Write On. There were five panelists, Samuel R. Delany, Barry Longyear, Elaine Isaak and Nalo Hopkinson and we are all college dropouts, with varying reasons for leaving. It was really inspiring to realize that non-traditional routes work too.

The funniest moment on the panel, for me, was when an audience member had asked if we thought that the non-traditional route worked better than the traditional one. I demurred, pointing out that Campbell winner David Anthony Durham was in the audience and that he had a degree in English and a Masters in Creative Writing. From there we realized that there were three Campbell winners on the panel so from that sample, three out of four Campbell winners are college dropouts.

Of course, there was another panel on advanced degrees later that also had Campbell winners on it, so that sample isn't proof of anything but it was still a funny moment.

AW: Which conventions are your favorites and why?

MRK: Readercon, World Fantasy and the Nebula Award weekend because there's a focus on fiction and a high percentage of conversations that really get into the nuts and bolts of the genre. Or the spells and wands, depending on your genre.

AW: How has your voice acting and puppetry affected your prose? And vice verse?

MRK: In puppetry there's an emphasis on specificity. Because a puppet generally has no facial expression, which means that every movement it makes carries the meaning. When I write, I find myself using the same sort of language of movement. For instance, in puppetry we say, "Focus indicates thought." In other words, what your puppet is looking at is what it is thinking about.

This is also true for characters on the page. The thing that I have a character notice is what she is thinking about. Added to that is the fact that in fiction I can only show my reader one thing at a time and must rely on them to build a picture based on that. So the order in which I show things also has an impact. I'm essentially manipulating the focus of the character and the reader simultaneously. So, as with puppetry there's little ability for facial expression and every movement, thought and action becomes important.

I'm not sure how writing affects the puppetry to be honest. Largely I suspect that it's because there's 20 years of puppetry experience, which rather outweighs the five or so years of writing.

AW: Why shouldn't all authors read their own works for audio books?

MRK: A lot of writers aren't comfortable with the spoken word. It's a very different skill set than writing. Now, I think that it's a skill most people can be taught but it's not something that comes naturally to everyone. Nothing can kill a beautiful piece of prose faster than a flat, affect-less reading. Where most authors fall down, in my opinion, is that they worry about the words they are reading rather than the story they are telling. Written language developed to record spoken language.

So when someone is reading for audio books, they approach the text the same way one approaches a script, with an eye to using the sound of the voice to enhance what is on the page. Not every author has the tools, or the interest in developing the tools, to do this.

AW: You have tips on your site for reading aloud, don't you?

MRK: I do. http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/category/reading-aloud

AW: As soon as I saw what your novel was about, I had to have it. Even more so after reading the title of your "Evil Robot Monkey". I'm reading Android Karenina now. Why are so many people attracted to Regency England with its uncomfortable clothes, strict conventions and lack of indoor plumbing and electricity?

MRK: You could ask that question about any pre-industrial historic period or fantasy world. The Regency clothing for women are actually much like wearing a nightgown and are significantly more comfortable than anything preceding it in Europe or the Victorian era which followed. The social restrictions were also much looser and the Victorian era was a reaction to the moral looseness of the Regency.

My own personal reason for setting a novel there were twofold. When I wrote it in 2006, no one else was playing with the period in fantasy. I also found the intimate nature of Miss Austen's novels very appealing and wondered why there weren't any fantasy novels that focused on the story of just one family without an Epic Quest.

AW: Do you have a Shades of Milk and Honey book tour scheduled?

MRK: I do. The list of dates is in the sidebar on my website. I'll be in NC, NYC, SF, Atlanta, and Portland. People can RSVP to events via my author page on Goodreads.

AW: So you're concentrating on the coasts, then. Are you living on both coasts now?

MRK: It feels that way! But no, we moved back to Portland, OR, in September of 2009. I'd like to visit other cities. My publicist and I are talking about a train tour through the south and southwest.

AW: Do you use first readers or critique groups?

MRK: Yes, I use both. They serve different functions for me. Critique groups focus on writer ticks while first readers give me more information about the reader experience. I also will sometimes post rough drafts in a password protected area of my website and invite comment there. I find that very valuable because I get a greater cross-section of feedback.

AW: I read somewhere on your Web site a mention of Iceland. Did you liver there for a while?

MRK: I was a puppeteer on a show called Lazytown, which was filmed in Iceland. I lived there for part of 2004 and all of 2006. That's actually where I wrote Shades of Milk and Honey.

AW: What was living there like?

MRK: It is the most unearthly, beautiful place I have ever lived. I would move back there in a heartbeat if we could figure out how to afford it. Reykjavik has all the benefits of a European capital while being as accessible as a small town. It is clean and sophisticated and at the same time completely in touch with the land. As soon as you leave the city it's like stepping into a saga or Middle Earth.

AW: What about the language barrier?

MRK: Everyone in Iceland is multi-lingual. In school they learn Icelandic, English and a third language. I did make an attempt at learning Icelandic while there, but it's studio Icelandic. I could speak on the set and understand what was happening, but if you asked me to go buy oatmeal, I was sunk. It's an insanely difficult language.

AW: What are you writing (or rewriting) now?

MRK: I'm finishing a novella that will appear in the Cascadiopolis anthology from Audible.com and also the revisions for Glamour in Glass, the sequel to Shades of Milk and Honey.

AW: Any ballpark pub date on the sequel?

MRK: I think Spring 2011, but nothing firmer than that.


vote it up!

A conversation about SF/F conventions with M.H. Bonham

M.H. Bonham's new book, Howling Dead just came out on Halloween. It's in my TBR pile and will be reviewed eventually. Maggie's had 30 books published and seven of those are speculative fiction novels or anthologies. She's been everything from rocket scientist to animal behaviorist. When she's not sitting at her computer writing, editing or promoting, she's racing sled dogs or hiking in the Montana wilderness where she lives. And she's a ninja!

I met Maggie at a convention this year and we were instant friends. I thought it would be fun to have her share some tips about getting the most out of conventions. We considered collaborating on a full-on little SF convention survival guide, but alas, we're both too swamped for such an endeavor at the moment. This will have to do – for now. Who knows, maybe we'll surprise the world with a Con-going for Dummies book one day. ;)

A conversation about SF conventions

AW: Do you have a special SF convention packing list?

MHB: I used to be pretty haphazard in packing until a friend at another convention told me how to pack for a writing convention (how much clothing, etc). I now know what I need to pack so I have set things I pack. I do about 8-10 cons a year so I have to have everything more or less down to what I need to bring. Basically, I'm there for three or four days. That requires two pairs of jeans, three or four shirts, socks, under things, etc. And my traveling clothes.

AW: What do you put in the suitcase for conventions that you don't for other trips?

MHB: Do I have other trips? (Add maniacal laughter here). I usually bring my costume (the Chi'lan warrior thing) and my con jacket (the red and gold one with the dragons). I drag books along much to the rampers' chagrins.

AW: Do make plans for networking while you're there?

MHB: Yes, but it's not formal.

AW: Do you google other panelists?

MHB: No, I'm too egotistical and too busy.

AW: Other Guests of Honor?

MHB: Half the time, I don't even know who the GOH is unless I know them, and even then, it's a crap shoot if I remember who it is before I get there. Are you sure you really want me to answer this? I sound unprepared, but I'm not. The reality is that I'm not there to run into a particular writer or play fan girl. I know certain people will be at a con and I know I'll have a chance to chat with them, but my number one job is to do my panels, meet with my fan base, and promote my books. If I don't do these things, then I shouldn't be there. This is just part of my job as a professional author.

AW: Do you read books by them? Bring them to get signed?

MHB: I sometimes read books by other authors at the con. Usually, I read them after I meet the person, but yes, there have been books I've read before I met the writer. But I usually won't read their books beforehand just because they're at a particular con. They've got to impress me personally, and then I'll buy their book at a con and read it. As for bringing books to get signed, that's nuts for me. See, I'm carrying my books and I'll buy books at the con, which means I'm going to break my arms lugging books around. So, no. Even if I have a book by an author, unless I buy it there, I don't bring them to get them signed.

AW: Do you make plans for visiting nearby attractions?

MHB: Usually not, but I have gone to the Space Needle and the Science Fiction Museum in Seattle. I've had a fan take me to Pike Place Market too. That was cool.

AW: What about room sharing with convention friends?

MHB: Most of the time I don't, but lately I have to save on costs. I suggest if your readers want to do that, pick some folks you get along with, otherwise you will all go nuts.

AW: Does your husband join you?

MHB: Not out of town. He gets to take care of the pups. He enjoys the local con. I know he has a lot of fun there. He's met the folks around town, and he's taking a class on fencing. He also has a lot of fun going to panels.

MHB: If he did come with me out of town, he'd probably do the con, and we'd probably go see the local attractions.

AW: What about the green room?

MHB: I wish all cons had green rooms. Unfortunately, they don't, but I've dealt with it. It's nice to have a green room just to collapse in and decompress. Norwescon and Radcon have wonderful Green Rooms.

AW: Worst food?

MHB: I would say that the worst was when the green rooms weren't stocked or were under-stocked. Otherwise, I have had no bad experiences with food.

AW: Best food?

MHB: I'm holding out hope someone comes up with really awesome food in a green room. Probably Radcon is the best thus far.

AW: Do you pack energy bars just in case?

MHB: Energy bars are a must for travel in general. So, yeah, I have some 3 year old energy bars rummaging around my bag.

AW: Worst hotel experience?

MHB: The Freddie Krueger sheet episode. I was staying with some friends at a con. Naturally we got in the room at about 2 am. Being the mistrustful sort, I looked in the bed first. I found drops of blood on the sheets. My friends looked at their sheets after they got in bed and found tons of makeup on the sheets. So, we call to the front desk which was totally apathetic. We had to change our own sheets at 2 - 3 a.m. The whole story went around the con and it became known as the Freddie Krueger sheet episode. Yes, we did get a discount on the room at the end.

AW: Best hotel experience?

MHB: Any one I won't remember, because there were no issues!

AW: Do you bring a lap top and write during the convention?

MHB: I bring a laptop but the muse has yet to strike at a con. Usually, I'm using it to get online and feed my damn Hatchlings. (If you don't know what Hatchlings are, join facebook and accept an egg from me). I've known other authors who can sit and write at a con. Not me.

AW: Do you bring money for the dealer's room and art show?

MHB: I bring some money for the dealer's room. As for the art show, I have no idea how to bid and how the auction works so I stay away from that. Plus I don't want to try to bring a piece of art home.

AW: Do you bring costumes? Mending materials just in case?

MHB: Yes, I do bring a costume, but it's for promoting the book.

Mending materials? Ha! I didn't make my costume, so it's unlikely I could mend it.

AW: Do you dress for comfort or to impress?

MHB: Comfort. I can't impress anyone if I look uncomfortable.

AW: Books – do you sell them through the dealer's room, at the signing, both? How do you find out?

MHB: Depends. If my publisher is there, they sell them. I know vendors in the dealer's room at cons I go to, so I bring some copies just in case, but they usually have copies of my books. I'll bring a few books to the signing if the publisher isn't there.

AW: What's the best thing that's happened to you at a con?

MHB: I got to talk to a number of publishers who are interested in my work at World Fantasy.

AW: What was the worst thing that's happened to you at a con?

MHB: A bunch of my books got lost in the mail going to Worldcon. A missed opportunity. Oh well.

AW: Funniest con experience?

MHB: A friend of mine didn't get her badge in time because of glitches and ended up going through panels without it. That evening, we're sitting at a party and con security came up to us and demanded that she leave. I said "Don't you know who she is?" like I meant it. They apologized and scurried off.

AW: Luggage horror stories? How do you avoid them?

MHB: Two words: Carry on. Seriously. If you can't fit everything you need for a con in a carry on, something's wrong. Also consider shipping items via UPS, Fed-Ex or even the US Mail.

Read more about Maggie and Howling Dead, a techno-thriller "with a bite."

Excited about conventions now? Finding one near you is easy. The following websites have searchable databases of regional and world conventions. You might find there are more flavors of speculative fiction conventions than you realized.


Upcoming Cons
Containment Convention Finder

And here are the home pages for World Fantasy and Worldcon (SF).


vote it up!