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Readercon write up
Jul. 24th, 2025 09:29 pmSubsequent events notwithstanding, I had a swell time at Readercon. I opted to get in a day early to give myself time to adjust to jet lag and get in some writing time and seeing as I got my plane tickets five months ago when I was still employed, I opted to go first class for the first time in my life. It was indeed all that - the food is quite good, the seats are comfy, baggage check is included and people pop by to give you beverages and munchies on the regular. I watched the new Kathy Bates "Matlock" on the way out and back and took in an episode of "Elspeth" while I was at it since if I had Paramount, I'd be canceling it at home.
I also took Lyft for the first time - I was a loyal taxi rider until the local company I used for years abandoned Jana and me at the Amtrek station in downtown St. Paul on the way back from Chicon 8 and Jana tried to befriend the nice people smoking various substances and I had to call a friend to rescue us. The Lyft experience went quite smoothly and I expect to be using it again. Apart from that, the hotel was reasonably pleasant and I got some work underway. I do miss the days when there were things to watch on hotel TVs though; pickings were slim.
The convention kicked off on Thursday night and while wandering around the lobby after dinner with dave ring of Neon Hemlock, I ran into author Laura Antoniou and her wife Karen (Laura was one of my editors back in the day and I was in Laura's online play reading group during lockdown) and we had a delightful time hanging out. Friday morning, I was on the Sustaining the Small Press Ecosystem panel, which I thought went well - good discussion all around. My delightful roommate, Julia (SparkyMonster) arrived and got settled in and I went off to do the Broad Universe reading. That was a bit of a minor trainwreck as I had been added in the program, but the organizer was unaware of that fact and neither she nor I had signed me up for it. But apart from the that, the readings were good and someone fed me chocolate so that made up for the confusion.
I got into some good chats with Will Alexander, Cecilia Tan and various folks that I know from online and elsewhere. Con staff were very kind - I was sitting in the lobby waiting for something or other and a con staffer stopped by to see how I was doing, for example. My Saturday panels were fun as well and I loved having the chance to reconnect with Julia, who I've known for a zillion years. I also schmoozed a book dealer in hopes of getting us into the Worldcon Dealer's Room in Seattle and chatted with editor Julia Day for a bit. I got briefly swarmed by delightful fans of my werewolf books who had me sign copies and all, so that was extra cool.
All in all, got in a lot of quality time with old friends, met some delightful new ones, enjoyed the programming I went to, enjoyed the programming I was on and had a great time. 10/10 - would recommend!
I also took Lyft for the first time - I was a loyal taxi rider until the local company I used for years abandoned Jana and me at the Amtrek station in downtown St. Paul on the way back from Chicon 8 and Jana tried to befriend the nice people smoking various substances and I had to call a friend to rescue us. The Lyft experience went quite smoothly and I expect to be using it again. Apart from that, the hotel was reasonably pleasant and I got some work underway. I do miss the days when there were things to watch on hotel TVs though; pickings were slim.
The convention kicked off on Thursday night and while wandering around the lobby after dinner with dave ring of Neon Hemlock, I ran into author Laura Antoniou and her wife Karen (Laura was one of my editors back in the day and I was in Laura's online play reading group during lockdown) and we had a delightful time hanging out. Friday morning, I was on the Sustaining the Small Press Ecosystem panel, which I thought went well - good discussion all around. My delightful roommate, Julia (SparkyMonster) arrived and got settled in and I went off to do the Broad Universe reading. That was a bit of a minor trainwreck as I had been added in the program, but the organizer was unaware of that fact and neither she nor I had signed me up for it. But apart from the that, the readings were good and someone fed me chocolate so that made up for the confusion.
I got into some good chats with Will Alexander, Cecilia Tan and various folks that I know from online and elsewhere. Con staff were very kind - I was sitting in the lobby waiting for something or other and a con staffer stopped by to see how I was doing, for example. My Saturday panels were fun as well and I loved having the chance to reconnect with Julia, who I've known for a zillion years. I also schmoozed a book dealer in hopes of getting us into the Worldcon Dealer's Room in Seattle and chatted with editor Julia Day for a bit. I got briefly swarmed by delightful fans of my werewolf books who had me sign copies and all, so that was extra cool.
All in all, got in a lot of quality time with old friends, met some delightful new ones, enjoyed the programming I went to, enjoyed the programming I was on and had a great time. 10/10 - would recommend!
