I am currently in a state of overwhelming excitement, because in just a few weeks I will be in Chicago for WorldCon! There are a few reasons why I am a quivering mess. firstly, I have never been overseas before, so this is all new to me (I know – sad, right). With each step, like applying for a passport (oh my God does anyone ever get a good picture?) or organising flights, it is hitting home that soon I will be in a foreign city. It was meant to be a longer holiday, but unfortunately some things came up and it will now only be just over a week. But, that is still a week in another country!
Secondly, I will get to hang out with the amazing folk of the Brotherhood Without Banners, the George R.R. Martin fan group. Some of them I get to see every few months, some I last saw at AussieCon and some I have been talking to for almost a decade but have never met in the flesh. I am sure most readers understand that you can have deep and abiding friendships with people from the internet, and will see why I am so thrilled that I will finally get to meet them. Plus, I will get to hang out with George!
Thirdly, unlike AussieCon (which was brilliant), I am going to Chicon as a writer, with all the added excitement this brings. I’ve had so much fun at that conventions I have been to, and gotten so much out of them, that I can only imagine what ChiCon will be like. I am looking forward to the socialising and the talking writing with other authors and the making of new friends and connections. There will be great panels and lots to learn. I know I will be exhausted by the end of it, but it will be more than worth it.
And finally, as someone very much at the beginning of my career I was really not expecting a chance to be involved in the programme itself, and was quite happy to be part of the audience. But, I’m delighted to be on a few panels, and more than a little nervous. There are some names there that I really look up to and I feel a little out of my depth. But, it will be an adventure and if you are there, feel free to come along and say hello!
And, now back to counting down the days…
(this program is still subject to change)
| Fri Aug 31 12:00:pm | Fri Aug 31 1:30:pm | Tolkien in Technicolor |
| Buckingham | From the aborted Beatles concept of The Lord of the Rings to the forthcoming Hobbit trilogy of Peter Jackson, a discussion of films based on the books of J.R.R. Tolkien. | |
| Barry Lyn-Waitsman David McDonald Norman Cates The Wombat Toni Lay | ||
| Sat Sep 1 1:30:pm | Sat Sep 1 3:00:pm | Effective Habits for Aspiring Authors |
| Columbus CD | A nuts-and-bolts panel discussing work habits for the aspiring professional author. How to organize, prioritize, set goals, avoid distractions, and make valuable networking connections in the industry. The panel will also discuss mistakes to avoid. | |
| Brad Aiken Brad R. Torgersen Cecilia Tan David McDonald Lillian Cauldwell | ||
| Sat Sep 1 6:00:pm | Sat Sep 1 7:30:pm | Doctor Who: Is It Still a Kid’s Show? |
| Buckingham | Has the “kids show” gotten more grown up with the last three Doctors? Was it an adult show even before the original cancellation? When, and how, did the transition happen, if it did? | |
| David McDonald Kerri-Ellen Kelly Lynne M. Thomas Michael Lee Ryan K. Johnson | ||
| Sun Sep 2 6:00:pm | Sun Sep 2 7:30:pm | Have Sonic Lipstick Will Travel |
| Haymarket | Celebrating the great Sarah Jane Smith, as a Companion and on her own. | |
| Anna Sheehan David McDonald Ryan K. Johnson Stephanie Grace | ||
| Mon Sep 3 10:30:am | Mon Sep 3 12:00:pm | Getting the Most Out of Writing Groups |
| Columbus EF | There are all kinds of writing groups for all kinds of writers. What should you look for and what rules should you follow to get the most out of the experience? How do you handle conflicting suggestions and how do you comment on others’ writing effectively? | |
| Bill Shunn David McDonald Derek Kunsken Sarah Stegall Tim Susman | ||
How exciting, David! Conferences are great, and a chance to travel outside your country is even better. Have a fabulous time!
Thanks, Gwen! I can’t wait 🙂
Have a great time!
Thanks, Gillian! I hope there is someone there dispensing chocolate lol