Off to see the wizard

Every year, about this time science fiction and fantasy fans get together for the world science fiction convention (Worldcon). This year it has been named Anticipation and will be held in Montreal the first weekend in August
If you've never been to a science fiction convention (con), let me tell you a little about them. For the most part, they are gatherings of people with similar interests in literature. But the science part always works its way into the program. There is a set program with speakers who are knowledgeable about the subjects from alternate universes to zygotes and lots of fun stuff in between. There are even panels on being a science fiction fan and retrospectives on fandom and fannish events. There is also dress up. Fans come in costume. They compete in a masquerade. The costumes are usually terrific.



Then there are the parties. Almost every con has a hospitality area where they serve soda and snacks. Sometimes there is beer. But the parties usually are the most active. People throw parties for almost any reason, eg. they found a new drink they want to share, they want fans to come to the con they are organizing, they like parties, etcetera. At Worldcon many of the parties are given by people who are bidding on the site of a future Worldcon. I'm guessing that the ostensible reason is to show the fans how great their city is for people and for parties. The future Worldcon site is chosen at the Worldcon two years before that site will be used. The con is always in a different city from the year before. The rules say that not all these cons may be held in the US.
This year, Worldcon is in Montreal. So tomorrow I head in a generally north easterly direction and hope I hit the Canadian border fairly close to Province Quebec.
I love to drive so the distance isn't a bother. But I do have to get to Montreal a little ahead of the con so I can help out with the setting up. There is a regular cadre of people from all over the world who attend every Worldcon. They participate, working behind the scenes, organizing and running errands for the locals in charge of the con. A lot of these people, I only get to see every year or even less frequently since all are not able to get to every Worldcon.
Along with friends and folk with similar interests, there are things like the art show and the guests in media, writing, publishing and the like. They participate on the panels, give demonstrations and make themselves available to fans who want to know more about them and what they do. It interesting. I've met some of the famous authors who were reputed to be curmudgeons and have had nothing but pleasant conversations with them.
The community of fans is one of the most intelligent and tolerant that I've ever met. Spending time with them is a pleasure, one that I'm looking forward to having in the next few days.

W estercon

Every so often, science fiction fans get together to socialize, meet authors and artists, discuss things like science, art, acting, films and the like. These get togethers are called "cons" by the fen (fannish plural of fan). Westercon is one of these cons, an annual event held in the American west and moving from town to town depending on which local sf club is willing to organize a con.
Meeting favorite authors and artists is the big reason I started attending cons. But after a few years, I had made good friends that I only saw at one or another con. Published writers began taking me under their wing and making suggestions for improving my writing and/or getting my fiction published. There were always new, interesting people coming over my horizon.
For example, on the first day of Westercon, I met Stan Schmidt, an author and the editor of Analog, a magazine of science fiction fact. Michael Stackpole, another author, was there and they talked. during the time I was able to listen, I learned more about what publishers want from authors and how to present my work.
There are multiple activities at cons. These consist of panels which cover various aspects of writing, art, even of being a fan. Authors do readings of their work. Costumers discuss the making of hall and masquerade costumes. New and old types of science fiction and fantasy are discussed. Various experts give workshops. Woman hungry men search for women and vice versa.
At many cons, these activities stop (except for the searching) around dark and big events like the masquerade are held. But even when there is no big event, there are parties. The parties are hosted by sf clubs who are "selling" their city for a future con, by clubs wanting to thank fen for voting or working for them and by people who like parties. If they're not too noisy, the parties are great places for one on one conversations with people usually busy or surrounded by a group.
My ambition is still to get one of my stories published and to see my novel in print when I get around to finishing it. These parties usually give me the opportunity to put my name in front of a publisher or editor. They have resulted in invitations to submit work for consideration.
I'm running out of time before I go to speak on a panel of my own. I'll finish with a brag. Diana Gabaldon attended a caffe klatch and gave a reading yesterday. I attended both. If you don't know who Diana is, just look for her name in the fiction of the nearest book store. You are in for a delightful read.
There are a few pictures that I have of authors and artists. I'll post these when I return to Little Rock.