Poll of sorts - Should I stay or should I go?

[catherineldf]

And in today's "Oh,oops" moment - so I talked to somebody months and months ago about possibly appearing at the Atlanta Queer Literary Festival in November. We haven't touched base in 4 months or so and the event had dropped off my radar since nothing more got said. Happened to check the schedule today, and lo and behold, I've got a reading scheduied for November 7th at Emory University.
Now on the one hand, this festival is looking to be one of the big, hotshit, look at me type queer writers confabs of the current time. Careerwise, it would be a very good idea for me to put in an appearance, especially since I got a slot.
On the other, I don't really know anyone in Atlanta very well and don't expect this to be cheap, though I haven't priced it out yet. Not to mention that my entire October is scary already and I promised myself a few months off before the spring event cycle.
However, I might also be able to work out some day job related stuff and/or a reading at a bookstore or two as well, which would make this cheaper and/or more cost effective.

Thoughts? Feel free to weigh in on the decision-making process. I'll stop soliciting opinions by bedtime on Monday night.

To Atlanta or not to Alanta? (This would be a real poll but apparently LJ doesn't like Firefox in this respect. Open to suggestions on that too.)
1. Of course - go! go!
2. Price it out first and look at other potential reasons to be in Atlanta (like day job meetings), then decide.
3. What's lovelier than Minnesota in November? Stay.

Comments

[deakat]

I think you should go. This would give you an opportunity to meet people in Atlanta, and if you put the word out, I'm sure that someone would offer to put you up, or share a room.

If you could add day job reasons to be there, so much the better!

[catherineldf.livejournal.com]

And it looks like the day job part might happen so I'm almost certainly going. :-) Thanks for the encouragement!

[pameladean]

Well, since you ask, 2.

If it were October, I might say 3, but November? Atlanta has got to be better.

P.

[catherineldf.livejournal.com]

You just never know with Atlanta. :-)
But it does look like there are possibilities, so I think I'm going. Thanks for weighing in!

[upstart-crow.livejournal.com]

Wow! I wish I could go to that con.

Seriously, do it if you can and have the money! It looks fantastic!

[catherineldf.livejournal.com]

I think I will. My day job manager was very excited in an "Oooh, I can have you go to my meetings" sort of way so I'm optimistic. Thanks for weighing in and see you in a month and change!

[rrangell.livejournal.com]

You should go, given your rationale. And say hello to Jim Grimsley for me. If you don't know him, go meet him. He teaches at Emory and has lots of SF and lit creds under his belt. I met him back in 1998 when he came to AU where I was in an MFA student. My partner, Ben, and I hosted his party. He's fun to run into from time to time, and a good Queer contact.

[catherineldf.livejournal.com]

Oh, yeah - I forgot he was there. I know him through Gaylaxicon and Saints and Sinners. Thanks for the reminder!
It looks like it's going to happen, at least at the moment. Still juggling day job (I'm contracting at Delta) possibilities but they are there. BTW, do you know about this - http://outeralliance.wordpress.com/? It's a new org for LGBT writers and allies of sf/f/h, very hopping right now.

accommodations

[yeshe-choden.livejournal.com]

If you're queasy over accommodations, http://airbnb.com/ might have some help or inspiration.

Best of luck! Sounds like a great opportunity.

Re: accommodations

[catherineldf.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That's very helpful! :-)

[jean-roberta.livejournal.com]

I vote for #2 - check it out further and then decide. Re not knowing anyone in Atlanta, this seems like the least of your worries. Judging from your description, you'll definitely make some new friends/cotacts there if you go. You might even have some small-world experiences (someone there will be an old friend of an old friend of yours).

[catherineldf.livejournal.com]

Very likely. It does look doable and my manager lit up like Xmas so I think I'm going, probably for longer than I'd like, with additional day job meetings. We'll see how that part works out.