World Con Day 2
How am I possibly going to sum up this day? Busy as hell, I guess.
I went to several Kaffeeklatsches with editors and one reviewer for publishers weekly. For those unfamiliar with the World Science Fiction Convention, a Kaffeklatsche is when a group of people, usually around ten – this year it’s nine – sit at a table with a pro, either writer or editor, and just chat for an hour. Sat with a few editors from TOR publishing and got their feel for the indie publishing movement, which they insist is still self publishing, and that indie publishing is from a small publishing house not associated with the big six. Patrick Neilson Hayden said that publishing and printing books are different thing, that publishing was the ability to get the book into reader’s hands so they can buy it. Not going to argue the point of that statement and how it actually applies to the “indie/self publishing” movement, at least not at this time. Interesting idea.
I hung out with my friends, Brian, Rachel, and ED as the day went on and directed them toward various panels. None of them have been to a World Con, and I’m showing them the ropes. Interesting that ten years ago was my first World Con, and I have my buddy Jim showing me around, a young and hopeful writer, full of dreams and aspirations. Now I am the one showing people the ropes. Kind of cool.
I learned a lot from the Kaffeklatsche with Rose Fox, who is an editor and reviewer from publishers weekly. She’s very supportive of the ePub revolution, but part of that is mercenary, because she does freelance editing. But, at least she’s honest. Her Kaffeklatsche was also filled with pro writers who came to support her because not very many people signed up to see her. They were all very impressed with my publication with Fantasy Flight Games and the Call of Chthulu card game.
That was during the day…
Then there was the TOR party. What a massively EPIC party. I got some cards and made some contacts. Was a lot of fun. Even got some people to take my Kindle publications seriously when I mentioned my ranking in the new epic fantasy list on the Kindle Store, right between Glen Cook and Fred Sabrehagen. Good company to be keeping.
The best part about the evening was getting business cards from Brandon Sanderson’s agent and editor and watching Brandon himself coaching Rachel on her elevator pitch.
All in all, not a bad start to a World Con…. AND IT’S ONLY FRIDAY MORNING!
