Friends of Genre Convention, the First!

This last weekend was spent up in San Francisco at FOGCon (although we didn't have a bit of fog!) I was very much looking forward to this con for several reasons. I totally love that I, a newbie at this whole writing/congoing thing, could attend the very first year of a convention. Tickled me pink.

What's more, it's a con centered in my city. Loves it.

I actually took the train to SF, which I haven't done in years. It was... humid. But I passed the time chipping away at Pat Rothfuss' "The Wise Man's Fear." Good start to a good con. Met up with my sister, who was generous enough to host me, and then off I went to registration and a workshop with Vylar Kaftan. We had a good time during that hour. We responded to a variety of prompts, some of which left me giggling.

I spent the afternoon ducking in and out of panels and saying hello to the few congoers I recognized (namely, miss Amy and her husband). The highlight of the whole con had to be Friday evening's tapas party. It was delicious, revitalizing and FUN! We sat at a tiny table with some great folks.

I came back on Saturday morning and met up with my father before my reading. As part of Broad Universe's RFR, I read a very short children's story. It was fun and the other readers were great! My dad stuck around for part of the afternoon, and I frittered away the evening at panels and suite parties.

All in all, I very much enjoyed FOGCon, more so than Potlatch. It's so different from NASFIC that I can't really compare the two. Next up? Westercon64 in July. The door just keeps revolving...

#Potlatch20 Rundown

This has been a rather crazed March for my family and I. Not only did I attend Potlatch for the first time ever, but my Aunt attended the Big Sur Writer's Workshop! I'm so happy and proud of her! I really hope great things come of it.

As I'm sure great things will of Potlatch!

Friday began very well. I met Micah and a few other folks as I wandered in and out of the consuite. I ended up in a very heated discussion among fans about mystery writers. Fascinating!! Having been a fan for so long myself (I even attend ConJose as a fan), it was truly something to be on the other side. Illuminating.

I met up with Miss Amy and her friend Diana, who I had met once before. We spent the evening chatting with Jeremy, of Night Shade Books, mostly about family but a little about business. Really a great start to the con!

On Saturday I had my workshop group! We met under the guidance of David D. Levine, who gave us sound advice about what to take, and what to leave, and insightful critiques. We read work by Emily Jiang, K.G. Anderson and Chris Reynaga. All of it I loved! It was very exciting!

I also attended a few panels. What makes Potlatch unique is that it is focused on a book of honor, instead of a guest. This year the pick was George R. Stewart's Earth Abides. Love love love this book, as I've mentioned, so the panels piqued my interest.

Got to spend more time talking with Amy, and then hear about FOGCon from Vylar Kaftan, a recent Nebula Nominee. If you haven't met Vylar, do! She is professional, friendly, diplomatic and very, very knowledgeable. Incidentally, she's also the chair of FOGCon! Woohoo!

Sunday turned out to be very lowkey. We attended Potlatch's birthday party, and then Amy and I caught a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad movie. It was a lovely weekend.