News from Marcon

I returned this evening from Marcon, a popular sci fi/fantasy convention in Columbus, Ohio. Even though I live in town, we got a hotel room for a couple of reasons. First, this was my first year participating as a panelist, and I didn't want to have to worry about driving back forth; second, I decided to host a room party this year to honor the achievements of everyone in the Ohio Writers Network, in addition to my friend Chuck Ebert who also published a story this year.

The party, while moderately successful, was more effort than I expected. Between that, the panels, my reading, and an interview with NRR Radio, I felt like I had very little time to myself this weekend. I can't even imagine how I would have handled it if I hadn't had a room to retreat back to! I did learn several valuable lessons:

--If your party coincides with a much-more-popular party, you will get "party blocked"; a glut of inebriated geeks will clog the hallway, blocking passage to your room;

--Marcon staff members are possibly the most helpful, considerate and nurturing folks on the planet (along with the other members of Ohio Writers Network, of course); and

If you have short hair, black plastic-rimmed glasses and wear a suit with tennis shoes, sci fi geeks WILL think you are dressed as the Doctor, even if that is not your intent.

My favorite panel was Writing and the Rest of Life, which I got to share with Charlie Finlay, another Columbus author who I greatly admire. Plus, I got a chance to share my work with a geek crowd. Thankfully, I have tomorrow off from my day job, so I have a chance to decon-press.

Take care.