Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Putting the "Fan" in Fandom Fest

(Cross-posted from Write Club)
 
This past weekend, two types of fans descended on the sci-fi/fantasy/horror con known as Fandom Fest. The first consisted of authors, readers, editors and publishers devoted to speculative fiction. The other kind blew air on perspiring con attendees. Yes, folks, when other bloggers mention the unbearable heat, they speak the truth.

Nevertheless, this con is particularly special because not only did I participate in an Author Reading with Kathryn Sullivan and Sarah Glenn, where I read the first chapter of my short novel, Death Sword, I also sat on my first panel: “Urban Fantasy – Can You Define It?” Other authors on the panel included Michael Williams, Denise Verrico, Missa Dixon, and Julie Kagawa. Yes, folks, I sat next to a RITA winner. For those of you who don’t know, Julie Kagawa won the 2011 RITA for best young adult romance with her novel, The Iron King.

The problem with panels, of course, is not being able to attend them all. Fandom Fest offered a diverse selection, ranging from “Academic Credibility for Speculative Fiction” to “Cover Art – A Book is Judged By Its Cover” to “The Paranormal in Fiction.” And no, I can’t tell you my favorite panel. I enjoyed them all.

Also enjoyed hanging out with three other members of Savvy Authors: Amy McCorkle, Marian Allen and Fiona Young-Brown. Except for Amy, I hadn’t met Marian or Fiona in person until then, even though they live in the region.

Of course, cons are for networking. Not only did I collect a number of business cards and bookmarks, I also chatted with authors and publishers, some who I’ve met before at previous cons. Gwen Mayo, a Kentucky mystery writer, gave me some good advice about noting information on the back of someone’s business card for future reference. And Missa Dixon gave me tips on how to prepare for a panel. I’m happy to say my first time went pretty well. Not perfect but better than I expected.    

Credit also goes to Gwen and Sarah Glenn of the local chapter of Sisters in Crime for telling me about Fandom Fest and encouraging me to contact Stephen Zimmer, the literary track director. And thanks to Stephen for letting me play in his sandbox.  




Thursday, July 21, 2011

Fandom Fest

Networking often brings opportunities we might otherwise have missed. If not for an announcement in the Kentucky Literary Newsletter, I wouldn't have known about ConGlomeration. Nor would I have had the chance to read an excerpt from my debut short novel, Death Sword.

This weekend, I have another opportunity to read from Death Sword at Fandom Fest. Not only that but I'll also be on an urban fantasy panel with fellow Kentucky writers Molly Harper and RITA winner Julie Kagawa (along with Denise Verrico and Missa Dixon).

If it wasn't for networking, I wouldn't have even known about Fandom Fest. That information is thanks to Gwen Mayo and Sarah Glenn of the local Sisters in Crime chapter (which I must join). They suggested I contact Stephen Zimmer, director of the literary track (Fandom Fest) and introduce myself. Why not? So I did and now here we are.

I'm looking forward to meeting my fellow authors. Some I've met before and others are new to me. But that's what's so great about cons.

And there's always opportunities for more networking. :-)

Fandom Fest is this weekend, July 22-24 in Louisville, KY (Fern Valley Hotel and Conference Center, 2715 Fern Valley Road). Tickets are available at the door.
The Literary Track program can be found here.