A Great Weekend at I-Con!

I just had the most amazing weekend! I was a guest at a giant SF Con I’ve gone to for years as a regular con-goer. I-Con is a really big, multi-track sci fi con held on the campus of SUNY Stony Brook for the past 27 years. I usually go for one day on the weekend to browse through the amazing dealer’s room, which fills the entire sports complex floor, and see some cool media guests - writers, actors, scientists, etc.

This year was my first time seeing the con from the inside out, as it were. Because I was somewhat familiar with the campus and environs, they asked me to act as escort for the Author Guest of Honor, Charlaine Harris. I just have to say, she’s the sweetest lady, and I had the greatest time chatting with her and listening to her talks and readings. It was really inspirational to be around such successful authors. In addition to Miz Harris, I got to do a signing sitting next to sci fi legend, Norman Spinrad. He was gracious and kind to a newbie, even though the line of folks waiting for him wrapped around the corner and mine was… well… considerably shorter.

I also got to be on panels with author John Peel, the editor of Asimov’s SF Magazine, Sheila Williams, and my friend, author Michele Lang, as well as meeting a lot of other interesting folks. This was also the first time I’d attended the banquet and got to see Harlan Ellison in action. LOL. Oh! And I got a chance to talk very briefly with actress Tracy Scoggins. She’s so pretty it’s scary.

All in all, it was a great time. I even managed to not spend TOO much money in the Dealer’s Room, though there was this one artist who had bronze doorbell and door knocker sculptures that really tempted me. There was this dragon… *sigh* But I did collect his card, so maybe I’ll splurge in celebration when I sell my next book. (I like to mark special occasions with that kind of thing. Hey, it’s a good excuse to shop!)

Many thanks to Miz Harris and the folks at I-Con who made this weekend such an enriching and pleasurable experience. I learned a lot and drew invaluable inspiration from interacting with authors I admire and respect.